Entertainment
Why Timaya Dumped MTN Contract Renewal Offer
Timaya
Bayelsa State- born
Dance Hall Music Star, Timaya, has revealed why he dumped MTN contract renewal offer. In a recent post on the social media, he said, “I have always wanted to become an ambassador to a telecommunication company. I was approached by both Globacom and MTN, I chose MTN, I am a businessman and I feel I should have a better deal this year, if the deal is not good enough for me then it is not right, because I worked very hard to get to the stage I am”.
“It could be right for other people, but I think I should do better this year. There are artistes that are brand ambassadors and they do not have any hit, song, they are just there based on pity. Every year I release a hit song and I feel if we are to renew a contract, we have to revisit the terms and conditions. Not that we will do the same thing as the last time or do it out of pity,” he stated.
He said, “being a brand ambassador makes you limited in some certain areas and I expect to be paid for such limitations, I want more, they are good people and we did not have any misunderstanding, it was purely a business decision.”
Though he did not disclose how much he was paid for the first contract or what he was offered for the renewal of the contract, it was gathered that the first contract was worth millions of naira.
It would be recalled that the hip hop and Dance hall music sensation who was born and bred in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, is among the music stars and celebrities who rose from grass to grace.
Also known as the Egberi Papa I (the peoples town crier) of Bayelsa State was born in November 29, 1977 in Port Harcourt, the award winning musician is popular for his socially conscious music that constantly references the role of God in overcoming difficult circumstances in life. He has written and produced a music track for YouTube star, Janet Holt and Eulonzo Jordan.
He started out with a couple of collaborations with some underground artistes and was a backup singer for Eedris Abdulkareen. His first major hit was the song, “Dem Mama” an account of the 1999 destruction of Odi, a riverine community in the oil producing Niger Delta by soldiers hunting down militants whom were alleged to have killed 8 policemen. The village was burnt and numerous people killed. Timaya bravely tackled the topic years later and won instant street credibility for his boldness.
Timaya is currently one of the top stars of the Nigerian music scene with a lot of other musicians interested in doing collaborations with him, he had done collabo with J. Martins and P-Square, Keffe on ‘Kokoroko’, Spyderman and others. His albums include: “True story,” (2007), “Gift and Grace” (2008),. The Rebirth 2010, Long Life and Prosperity, (2011), “Bow Down”, ‘Sanko’, “Bum-Bum”, ft Scan Paul, ‘Story’, Hold me Down’ amongst others.
His awards include: African Hip-Hop Award, (2008, 2009), Album of the year, Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) (2008), Best Dance Hall Album, Hip-Hop World Awards (2009). This year, he bought himself 2015 model Lexus SUV to add to his fleet of expensive cars.
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.’