Entertainment
Artistes Seek Viable Market In Niger Delta
A popular artiste in Rivers
State Mr Darlington Smart AKA D-Smart of The “Pickin, I go drink Small Stout” Fame has called for the establishment of a Viable Market in The Niger Delta as lack of such market is a major set back to the improvement of artistes in the region.
The seasoned musician who spoke with The Tide Entertainment recently, noted that the region needs a viable market and accredited marketers to sell their VCD, – audio and video cassettes as well as promote their musical works, he said the absence of such marketers paves way for pirates to thrive in their dishonourable trade.
D-Smart who has two albums to his credit namely: “Pickin” and “African touch” says his third album titled “God’s Love and reality” is at the completion stage. According to him, he wants to leave a positive legacy behind when he is old and gone that is why his new album is on evergreen songs with positive meaning not girls, love drug cars and other gibberish.
The Pickin I go drink small stout crooner condemned the ongoing crisis rocking the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) across the country. According to him, the association has been fractionalized into different splinter groups here and there and their activities have succeeded in rubbing the image of the association in the mind.
He called on the leaders of the various factions to bury their hatchets and give peace a chance because PMAN is the only recognized body for performing musicians in the country, so it must not be allowed to suffer untimely death because of greed and selfish interests.
The musician, producer and Comedian disclosed that comedy has made a lot of people wealthy and has taken a lot of young men off the streets. According to him, from the time of Alibaba, the number of comedians that have emerged is impressive and the profession is a lucrative one as many people in Nigeria enjoy comedy shows.
Meanwhile, Rivers State born frontline musician, from the Ogba /Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area Mr Bright Igwe the ‘Aboki Shine My Shoe’ Exponent has called on the state government to be involved in the development of the music sector by creating a platform for upcoming artistes to showcase their talent and encourage them by grooming them to stardom, stressing that a lot of untapped talents abound in the state.
Entertainment
Valentine’s Day: Streaming Of Heartbreak Songs Increased Massively-Spotify
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Entertainment
Tems Becomes Co-owner Of MLS Club
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Entertainment
Toyin Lawani Cries Out Over Side Effects Of Epidural
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”