Entertainment
CARNIRIV 2013 Parades 120 Local Artistes …As Spectators Lament Poor Performance
This year’s Rivers State Cultural and Arts Carnival (CARNIRIV) parades 120 up and coming indigenous artistes within the state and its environs. According to the Director General of Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), Dr Sam Dede, most of them have not been opportuned to perform on the big stage before now.
The director, who disclosed this to The Tide Entertainment recently, contended that the agency decided to give them the opportunity to perform on the big stage where the international artists will perform, using the same equipment as a way of empowering them and expose them to the international community.
However, fun seekers and other spectators at the events have lamented the poor performance of these budding stars. According to them, the so called artistes’ performances are below standard as most of them sing gibberish.
Some of the guests also complained that the artistes lack originality as they copy the stage performances of the established foreign and local artistes line hook and sinker.
According to some of the guests who spoke with The Tide Entertainment at the Liberation Stadium, venue of most of the CARNIRIV events, these up and coming artistes may not go far in their career in music if they do not change the copy cat attitude.
Another worrisome aspect of the CARNIRIV, according to them, is the poor turnout of participants and spectators, which many attribute to the poor organisation and lack of adequate publicity as most of the local media including The Tide Newspapers were not accredited to cover the events.
Although a unique event tagged 70 horses Durber was introduced in the CARNIRIV this year which show cases 70 horses on parade at the colourful event, as well as other innovations, they still feel as a general consensus that the event this year is below expectation and nothing to write home about compared to that of last year.
However, the events continue today with the International Heritage Parade (IHP) and old Port Harcourt Town Groove, while tomorrow (Saturday) witnesses the Garden City Freestyle parade (GCFP), World Peace conference and the closing ceremonies.
Sam Dede and participants
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.’