Entertainment
Queen Sono Kicks Off Netflix’s Big Bet On Africa
Within its first week of release, Queen Sono, Netflix’s first fully produced African original series shot to number one in viewership in several African and Caribbean countries and at a point in its first week, it was ranked 7th on Netflix in the United States of America according to a tweet by the show’s Star, Pearl Thusi.
Netflix itself as par usual declined to share details in the show’s viewership, but there are plenty of clear signs it is putting the building block in place to have a real run that could change the shape of Africa’s entertainment industry.
Queen Sono was led by South African writer-director, Kagiso lediga, and features an African cast and crew. It tells the story of a troubled spy (Queen Sono played by Thusi) who is haunted by association of her mother, a famous Hutti apartheid campaigner.
This is African telling African stories and using the power to decide how we tell the stories. The six episode series, Netflix’s first script to screen African produced series form part of a much larger strategy to have an African audience on the continent, attract international audiences and connect with an increasing influential African diaspora audience in markets across the US, Europe and beyond.
Last year, Lion Heart featuring Nigerian Nolloywood Star, Genevieve Nnaji was Netflix’s first original film in Africa even through the media giant had been buying content across the continent. Infact one of its buys was a South African products called ‘catching feelings’ directed by Kadiso Ledis and also staring Thusi withNetflix looking to expand in Africa.
Queen Sono’s early signs of success are a strong indication of a growing global appetite for stories set and filmed in the continent, directed and starring local African talent. Africans tapping into Netflix’s N15 billion original production and licensing budget would have a huge impact on a sector that while rich in talent does not have access to the type of funding that enables film makers to easily produce contact with the look and feel of international high quality production.
Queen Sono was shot in 37 different locations across Johanesburg including, the CBO, park station and Soweto. Additional filming was also done in Nairobi, Lagos, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Such production costs exceed the budgets of most film production companies and the continent.
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.’
