Entertainment
PMAN Mourns William Onyeabor
The Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Rivers State Chapter, has joined other well meaning Nigerians to felicitate with the families of late music icon, Chief William Onyeabor who died peacefully in his sleep last Monday January 16th in Enugu at the age of 72.
The chairman of the association in the state, Mr. Robin Maja described late Onyeabor as a legend of the Nigerian music industry, a philosopher and role model to most musicians in Nigeria and beyond.
He noted that one of the legend’s songs “when the going is good and smooth, many people will be your friend, but when the going is bad, many of them will run a way” is a fact of life as most of them in the industry are experiencing the reality of that song today.
The PMAN boss urged government and the private sector to always celebrate music icons in the state when they are alive to enable them enjoy the fruits of their labour not when they are dead. He said most of these musicians died prematurely due to poverty and most times they die with their songs and contributions to the industry.
Chief William Onyeabor, best known for his timeless record “when the going is smooth and good”, passed away in his Enugu home on January 16th, 2017. He was one of the most widely known musicians of all time, even though the man himself would become reclusive and be unreachable for the 39 years that preceded his death.
Since becoming ‘born again’ in the mid 80s, he refused to discuss his music career, choosing to focus on his private life and his thriving flour mill business. Born in Enugu in 1945, William Onyeabor is said to have studied anematography in Russia circa in the late 60s, returning post civil war to start a film company and later delved into music.
Although his music career took off during the era where Fela’s Afrobeat was the rage, Onyeabor’s peculiar sound stood him apart. He was ahead of his time in many ways: making use of synthesizers and keyboards – hallmarks of the do-it-youreself mode of making music that would become ubiquitous in the coming decades.
His debut album ‘crashes in love’ was released in 1977 and was followed in each successive year by ‘Atomic Bomb’, ‘Grashes in love’ (two) ‘Tomorrow’ Body and soul’, Great Lover’, Hypertension’, Good Name,’ Anything you sow’.
After the final album in 1985, he became a born again Christian and according to the creed of his new found religion, he ‘forsook all things of the world.
But the world did not forsake him, several bands in Europe and America held on to his psychedelic sounds and vestiges of the roaring 70s. The most enduring of them is Luaka Bop led by David Byrne. The collective put together a compilation of William Onyeabor’s songs and released ‘who is Williams Onyeabor”. In 2013.
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.’