Entertainment
Budding Artiste Seeks Promotion Of Indigenous Talents
Rivers State born upcoming artiste, Mabel T. Green, popularly known as “Gussy Baby” has appealed to the Rivers State Government and the private sector to promote upcoming artistes in the state, through sponsorship of their songs to enable them compete favourably with their counterparts in Lagos and other neigbouring states.
The hiphop and dance hall artiste made the appeal in a recent interview with The Tide Entertainment Editor. She noted that the music industry in the state is not only vibrant, but dynamic with an enabling environment.
She recalled that in the early days, Rivers State was the nerve centre of entertainment as show biz personalities from all parts of the country came to Port Harcourt to organise shows, but today the reverse is the case due to the brain drain syndrome in the industry.
She noted that most talented indigenous musicians have relocated to Lagos and other states in search of greener pastures which has negative impact on the image and development of the industry. She said this must be discouraged if the state must remain relevant in the nation’s entertainment sector. She called on such people to come back and join hands in salvaging the industry.
The music star reiterated the plight of musicians in the state and urged government and other organisations to partner with the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in Rivers State, to regulate the activities of musicians and other entertainers who come to the state to organise events without carrying PMAN along. According to her, no musical event takes place in Bayelsa State without the consent of stakeholders in the entertainment industry in the state.
She therefore urged the Rivers State Government to adopt similar policy as a panacea to the development of the music industry in the state.
The hiphop and dance hall star who started music at the age of six said despite the challenges, God has blessed and actualised her childhood dream of becoming a musician as she has risen from a mere chorister to a wave making artiste in the state and beyond.
According to her, the nine years sojourn in the entertainment industry has been very fruitful as she has released two studio albums, namely “Goodness” 2010, which has two tracks and the recent one titled “Exquisite” 2017, which contains five tracks as well as collabos with well known Nigerian musicians.
The Estate Management graduate of Ken SaroWiwa Polytechnic Bori, however noted that despite her humble achievements, it is not yet uhuru for her as lack of finance and sponsorship of her songs have remained a daunting barrier in her career.
She therefore appealed to the state government and private organisations to come to her aid.
The Bonny, Rivers State born musician disclosed that her mother has been the source of encouragement to her while pop star, Rihana and the Late Keffi are her role models.
Jacob Obinna
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.’