Entertainment
Africa Magic Takes Over Nollywood
Recent developments in the Nigerian movie industry, popularly known as Nollywood show that the industry is being taken over by South Africa through their African Magic Television. They not only show the Nollywood movies and play their country’s sound track, they go as far as try to bring up their budding stars like Jacob’s Cross, Tinsel etc by playing them up with the Nollywood stars.
Nollywood star Actor Emeka Ike who made this observation in a recent press interview, noted that all efforts to salvage the situation became impossible because there was so much politicking going on. He said on the first note, their content provider, Emeka Mba was lobbied to becoming the Director General (DG) of the Censors Board.
According to the popular actor who was recently made a chief in Anambra State, Mba’s position paved the way for them and made their business smooth. They needed to close down Nollywood to make Television (TV) more viable than it was, and that was when Emeka Mba, who was also one of those who owned HITV came up with the idea of every producer paying a sum of five million naira before their movies could get to the market. That was how it started, gradually some started falling off and a lot more were arrested for defaulting.
The Imo State born super actor reiterated that today, there is no more infinity merchandise, P. Collins, O.C. Affassons, amongst other big names that were known in those days, while places like Idumota, Oba Iweka road, Pound road, Aba where movies were readily available had been shut down, leaving only Alaba in existence.
Chief Ike noted that the invasion had been on for a long time, it had put the industry in a state of coma and had finally killed it. He stressed that Nollywood is dead because the industry would never have a big producer that could roll out money anymore or visionarres to bring out money to invest rather what the industry would keep hearing are scallywags and cheap production assistants running around to see how to put ten faces together and see if they could make at least fifteen thousand jacket sales.
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.’