Entertainment
Murray-Bruce Drums Support For Entertainment, Creative Sector
Senator representing Bayelsa East, Benedict Murray-Bruce, has solicited for more support for the entertainment industry in the country.
Murray-Bruce, a founder of Silverbird Group, made the call on Wednesday night at The Dance Workshop(TDW) with the theme “ The Best of Both Worlds’’ held in Abuja and organsied by Imagneto Dance Company.
“We just need the Federal Government to support the entertainment industry and Nigeria will be the biggest in the world of entertainment.
“Right now we are the best in Africa and second in the world in the entertainment industry after America.
“ We have brilliant and intelligent dancers, actors/actresses, musicians, comedians and host of others in the country, so if the FG supports the industry we will be the world best.’’
Murray-Bruce also called for an enabling environment for artists to ply their trade effectively.
According to him, the sector now contributes three per cent of the country GDP, adding that if given the needed support; it can contribute up to 25 per cent.
He said that, giving enabling environment was not just fighting piracies, but to encourage banks to give five per cent of all loans to the practitioners in the sector.
Murray-Bruce said when government provides the enabling environment, the practitioners can then build infrastructure needed by them to carry out their performances.
He said, long term loans of two digit interest should be given to the industry and one would be able to build infrastructure
“It will be possible for one to build dance studios, dance houses and venues where we can do concert and shows.
Murray-Bruce noted that in Nigeria, there are very few venues for entertainment shows.
“ Only in Lagos and Abuja that you can find such venues to perform, whereas in the real sense it should be available in each local government area of the country.
“There are so many things the government can do to make these things possible.
Also at the workshop, TY Mix, a music producer, and a record label executive said he was at the workshop to share knowledge with the young ones.
“We have a lot of knowledge to share with the young ones. I’ve been active in the music industry for over ten years now and there’s a lot to share in terms of character quality.
“How to hunt your talent and how to make money from your talent and the business of the industry.
“We are here today to talk about dance being a serious business. It is basically about dance. You are all talented dancers, how do you make money from dance,’’ he asked.
According to him, sometimes there are lots of misconceptions about dance; people do not take dancers seriously.
“But as an entertainer generally how do you portray yourself so that people will begin to take you seriously. It is all about packaging.’’
He said the programme was an avenue for dancers to actually grow in their area of dance because people needed to know that whatever you do can earn you a living in the industry.
“There is need for diverse training of the Nigerian dancers if we really want them to succeed by looking for something new and add value to the dance as well.
“In as much as you create your own dance step, you have to look forward to learning something new and grow your dance.
“In Nigeria we actually focus more on school, they do not take dancers seriously unlike the developed countries because we are still in the developing state,’’ TY Mix said.
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.’