Entertainment
Nigerian Music Stars Missing In Action
The booming Nigerian
music industry in the last 10 years, has produced talented music stars, while some of them released one or two albums, others could not produce more than one hit single. However, they have all made their mark in the music clan before gradually moving into oblivion to the dismay of their numerous fans. Among the artistes missing in action in the industry include:
D-Banj: This is an artiste who has three flawless albums and countless hit songs on his belt. Everything he touched in the past turned to gold and if one artiste was literally ahead of his time, it was D’banj. Today, the self acclaimed ‘Koko Master is struggling for another hit since he produced ‘Oliver Twist’.
The break up with Don Jazzy erased doubt that DonJazzy was a major influence and source of the quality and quantity of music that came from D-banj. The last song that was officially promoted on Mo’ hits DonJazzy’s record label was Oliver Twists, it is still a monster hit across the world.
The last Nation’s Cup placed him on the continent’s spotlight again, but instead of unveiling a new song on that platform, he continued with The Don Jazzy produced ‘Oliver Twist’. Two years ago it would have been almost impossible for D’banj, to do a collaboration with Olamide which shows that the music star is gradually losing grounds in the industry.
Olu Maintain:- The ‘Yahooze’ crooner started having problems with his music career immediately he left Puffy T and Big Bamo who played vital role in his hit albums. Lately, he is said to be spending millions on new singles and videos but he is yet to make an impact. The “Nawty Girl” single almost brought him back to limelight, but it was gathered that the talented single has more enemies than friends in the industry as most entertainment stakeholders will not have anything to do with him as they see him as a betrayal.
Gice: This award winning Nigerian Star is now struggling with his career since he left his talented producer, ID Cabasa who has produced most of his hit songs. After the two albums produced by ID Cabasa, got stale his fans expected him to dish out something else soonest. It was gathered that The “Gongo Aso” hit maker is said to have totally lost his voice.
His broken voice, monotonous tones and weak delivery, cannot match the old gice of powerful vocal delivery well laced proverbial lyrics and catchy tones observed his fans.
Wande Coal: The talented singer who has several hits to his name, thanks to DonJazzy who produced all the songs under Mo hit started having endorsement deals after he parted ways with DonJazzy since he has the name and talent, but that was not enough for him to live above his fans’ expectations. By now most of the fans have expected two or three hit singles but non is forthcoming, unlike before that he headlined virtually all the shows, you hardly see him at gigs these days.
Kelly Handsome: After Kelly Handsome left Kennis music, he has been struggling with his career. He has sweet voice and good lyrics which he complements with good looks His career was never envisaged to end the way it did as music lovers tipped him for the Grammy awards which never came to be.
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.”