Entertainment
‘Step Aga,’ Others, Mourn Papa Wemba’s Death
Port Harcourt based music
star, Mr. Stephen Asiga popularly known as the “humble-preacher man” has joined the music world in mourning the death of Africa’s King of Rumba rock Papa Wemba who died last Sunday, few hours after collapsing on stage in Abidjan, (Cote d’ivoire) at the age of 66.
The gospel reggae singer who spoke with The Tide Entertainment recently, described the Iconic Musician as a role model to African Musicians who brought fame and wealth to the music profession. He noted that his death is a big loss not only to African musicians but to the entire music world and humanity. According to him, one of the ways to immortalize him is to keep his flag flying by sustaining his great exploits in music and lifestyle.
Other world figures who also spoke on the demise of the great musician include the Congolese President Joseph Kabila and the Congelese Culture minister Baudouin Banza Mukalay who called his death a great loss to the country and all of Africa, while BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) Ixtra’s African music Ambassador D. J. Edu said “I would put him in the same bracket as Fela Kuti when it comes to influence in African music,” we have lost a golden voice.”
Born in 1949, Wemba whose real name is shungu Wemba Dio Pre Kikunba began his singing career in religious choir. He helped modernize Congolese Rumba Music with the genre that emerged Soukuos influencing music in Africa, together with his bands Zaiko Langa Langa, Isifi and Viva la musica he raked up hit after hit including L’E SCLAVE and la voyageur. His pioneering blend of Africa and western sound became one of Africa’s most popular music styles.
In the course of his six decade long music career, Wember toured with Steve Wonder, he also toured around the world and recorded with British Artist, Peter Gabriel, His Collabo with Peter earned him a gold disc. He has also appeared in two feature films titled “Life is Beautiful” in 1987 and “Wild Games” in 1997. Wemba was also famed for his flambouyant dressing. The style Icon was the driving force behind the cultural movement “The Sapeurs” whose young men spend vast amount on designer clothes.
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.”