Entertainment
Headies 2012: Rivers Missing In Action
This year’s Headies Awards involving all the countries in The African continent has come and gone with Nigerian Gospel artiste, Lara George emerging as African Queen of Gospel music in the keenly contested continental awards held recently in London.
Unfortunately no Gospel musician from Rivers State was nominated in the prestigious African Gospel Music Awards (AGMA). This development has led to reactions amongst some musicians in the state.
In an interview with The Tide entertainment, Mr Emmanuel Amachree aka Oba Omega stated that for Rivers State not to be nominated showed that they did not work hard enough for the awards because awards were given to those who merited them.
The ‘Kriikata zoom’ master said Rivers musicians should work harder to get international recognition. According to him, people in the state were only interested in celebrating musicians who were based outside particularly in Lagos and Onitsha, amongst others. Instead of the indigenous musicians who are based here in the state, which he said was bad for the state.
The Rivers State born multiple award winner also blamed the chemistry in the state chapter of the performing musicians of Nigeria (PMAN) as responsible for the plight of musicians in the state. He said presently, the leadership of the body was divided and so were the members, and a house divided amongst itself cannot stand.
For wave making music star, Mr Lolo Isaiah Opuende, aka Loppezy, only few Rivers State born artistes were doing well in the industry in terms of promotion of their songs. He said apart from the money required to promote their music there was favouritism in the industry.
The Kula, Akuku Toru local government (AKULGA) born artiste, “if you do not have a godfather, you would hardly grow in the industry. Therefore the absence of a state born musician in the nomination of the award category was not a surprise to him.
Meanwhile, the high flying Nigerian Gospel artistes, Lara George, Mike Aremu, Frank Edwards, Wole Oni, Sammie Okposo and Rooftop MCS were deservedly honoured for their pacesetting roles for African Gospel Music scene worldwide, as they were crowned with the prestigious African Gospel Music Awards (AGMA) UK recently in London.
The award winning Nigerian gospel acts were led by popular ‘Ijobe Orun’ exponent, Lara George. She won the coveted Best African Female Gospel Artiste Award, despite a very tough competition from outstanding African female gospel music icons, who made up the challenging nominees.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’
