Entertainment
Ateke Tom Bankrolls Rivers PMAN
Rivers State born High life Maestro, King Sunny Brown has expressed gratitude to ex-militant leader, Ateke Tom whom he said has been bankrolling the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) over the years as well as extending financial support to upcoming musicians in the state to record their albums in order to give them a sense of belonging and self actualisation.
The living legend condemned the leadership tussle rocking the Association in the State stressing that the crisis is not only killing the musicians’ Association, but has brought bad-image to the musician themselves . He noted that the power tussle has created various factions among the members as a result, things have fallen apart in the once Prestigious Association.
The highlife King who spoke with The Tide Entertainment recently, disclosed that every member of the association wants to be a leader, while the leaders whose one year tenure had elapsed refused to vacate their offices because of greed and selfish interest.
According to him, instead of moving forward like their counterparts in other states, the association has remained in the limbo over the years.
He disclosed that the incumbent chairman Peter Stone Cold whose tenure had expired since last year is still in office. He contended that though an electoral committee has been set up to conduct election and swear in new executives, nothing positive has come out of the committee because of vested interest.
King Sunny Brown who is also one of the Elders of PMAN in the State observed that due to the ugly development in the musicians’ body most of the members have left the Association. He advised that before the election is conducted, efforts should be made by the committee to unite the various factions because there cannot be any credible election where the warring factions still exist.
He noted that apart from the leadership crisis, the musicians at the various local government areas of the state should be carried along. He maintained that the Association is not PMAN Port Harcourt, but PMAN Rivers State, therefore membership should spread to the 23 local government areas of the state. He called for grassroot mobilisation and participation in the affairs of the body in order to give them a sense of belonging to enable them contribute their quota towards the development of the Association.
The highlife crooner appealed to the state government, corporate organisations and highlife lovers to support his foundation which is aimed at promoting the younger musicians, teach them the various instruments and write their songs among others, in order to ensure quality and continuity in the music industry.
In a related development, the newly constituted leadership of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigerian (PMAN) last week, expelled the former administrator of the Association, Tec Mac Omatshola Itsali and others for alleged anti union activities. They are Brigadier Brown Bread, Joshua Omktnuale, Orits Williki Arthur Pepple Jnr, Oizz Ikhide, Chris Mba and King-Faladey.
The expulsion was contained in a communiqué dated 19 April 2013, signed by the general secretary of PMAN , Kenny A. George.
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.’