Entertainment
Nigeria, Others Storm New York For Anti-Poverty Fiesta
Leaders of several
countries as well as rocker, Tom Morello, will take part in a second day of the Anti-Poverty Global Citizen Festival in New York, organisers said, yesterday.
The Global Citizen Festival, which “sells” tickets to fans who commit to action to support the world’s poorest, will take place on September 24, in Central Park with headliners, Rihanna, Metallica and Kendrick Lamar.
The festival, which last year featured a crew of visiting speakers, including US Vice President, Joe Biden, and First Lady, Michelle Obama, said it would hold a second day this year aimed at “advocacy and impact” to be held September 22, at New York University.
The Prime Ministers of Belgium, Malta and the Netherlands will attend as well as Australia’s Foreign Minister, Nigeria’s Environment Minister, and actor, Forest Whitaker, Global Citizen said.
Musical attractions will include Morello — best known as the guitarist of politically-charged rockers, Rage Against the Machine — as well as versatile jazz artist, Jon Batiste, alternative pop singer, Regina Spektor, and soul singer, Aloe Blacc.
“Music has been, and will continue to be, an important component of the struggle for a more peaceful, just and humane planet,” Morello said in a statement.
The Global Citizen, which has taken place annually since 2012, recently announced an expansion to India, with hip-hop great, Jay Z, and rockers, Coldplay, to perform for the first time in the country at the November 19, show in Mumbai.
The festival encourages music fans to sign petitions or take other action for causes critical to ending extreme poverty such as putting more girls in school and improving access to toilets.
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.’
