Entertainment
Nigerian Artistes Top AFRIMMA Nominees List
Entertainment industry
watchers have argued that for now, the creative industry in Nigeria is like America to Africa and many African-based artistes emulate their Nigerian counterparts in a bid to succeed in their career.
The recent nominations revealed by the organisers of African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) revealed the strength of dominance by Nigerians. Among the Nigerian nominees into the 26 categories of the reward scheme include Flavor, Davido and Wizkid, who are contenders in the Artiste Of The Year category.
The trio who will be battling one another in that category will also contend with other artistes namely: Diamond (Tanzania), Sarkodi (Ghana), Mafikizolo (South Africa), Anselmo Ralph: a dor do cupido (Angola) and Jagwa (Kenya).
The highly competitive list also has four Nigerian acts namely, Wizkid, Nyanya, Davido and Flavor, two Ghanaian artistes, Sarkodi and Shatta Wale, an Ivorian act and DJ Arafat competing in the best male West African category.
In the best female West African category, the battle will be among Nigeria’s Tiwa Savage and Chidinma. Ivory Coast’s Teeya, Benin Republic’s Sessima and Ghana’s Efya.
Other categories of the award include best male East Africa to be contested by Diamond, Platnumz (Tanzania), Ben Pol (Tanzania), Bebe Cool (Uganda), Wyre (Kenya), Navido (Uganda) and Jackie Gosee (Ethiopia). Best male Central Africa with Fally Pupa (Dr Congo), Stanley Enow (Cameroon), Ferre Gola (Congo), Privato Niyintunze (Burundi) Anselmo Ralph (Angola) and Sine (Cameroon).
According to the founder /CEO of Big A entertainment, Mr Anderson Obiagu. The event will not only celebrate the Music of Africa, but celebrate the unique sounds, culture and artistes who tell the story of our country as a whole. He stressed that AFRIMMA represents growth, celebration and it is pushing the culture and music of Africa continuously forward for the better.
It was gathered that the event slated to hold on July 26th 2014, at the Eiseman Centre, Richardson Texas, will feature spectacular performances from top artistes from Africa including a duet from hip hop star, 2 Face Idibia, and Grammy award winning rapper Faheem Najia aka T. Pain.
Mr. Obiagu disclosed that the event will be hosted by comedian, Basket Mouth and actress Juliet Abrahim. Other artistes who will perform at the event include Iyanya, Stanley Enow, Flavour, Davido, Diamond Platinum, Fally Pupa, Wyre and Marian Chemmoss among others.
It was learnt that already Arik Air has signed as a sponsor, the Mayor of Richardson, Laura Maczka, has endorsed her support for AFRIMMA, while international television power house, Sound City, has signed in as media partners and will broadcast the event live through out Africa.
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”