Entertainment
Seun Kuti Lunches New Album, “Black Times”
Afrobeat artiste Seun Kuti is a maverick in the African music industry as he defiles any pigeon hole and continues to make his music that cuts across various age demographics and palates. Recently, the singer hosted friends, fans and members of the media to the listening of his new album titled ‘Black Times’ at the Fela Museum in Lagos.
Welcoming guests at the well-attended event Seun said, “Black Times is a true reflection of my political and social beliefs. It is also dear to my heart because for the first time ever, I wanted to own my masters, so I personally invested my funds in it, that gave me the opportunity to say the things I wanted to say.
The album which is the 35-year-old singer, band leader and musician’s 5th body of work was released under strut records and features a selected line up of stars including the Iconic quit artist, Carlos Santos, Yasim Bey (Formerly known as (Mos Def) and vocatist Nori Palm of future soul quartet, Hiatus Kaivote.
“More than ever, I am convinced of the mission and purpose of our music, here I’m giving honour to my parents and to every revolutionary who has made a difference many of them from before I was born. The ideas for Black Times were born as Seun Kuti and his bank, Egypt 80 travelled the world, but the writing which began in 2016 happened at home in Lagos”, he said.
He also stated, “I wrote this album from a place of calm and love, I was thinking what if Africa had a philosopher king who was also a musician, who loved “Alkebulan’ the ancient Kenetie name for the mother land with all his heart? What sort of album would he make? What would he tell his people today?
“Too many African rulers do not have the country’s best interest at heart, too many people in Africa and the west have sunk or are sinking into complacency. Black Times is an album for anybody who believes in change and understands the duty we have to rise up and come together, the system says we are different, but the struggle makes us one”, he continued.
Seun noted that Black Times is already getting rave reviews from the global music community and one of its leading tracks ‘struggle sounds’ was recently featured on DC entertainment and warner Bos Television’s Black Lightening’ distributed by the CW network and Netflix. It is also available for purchase in Nigeria courtesy of 5ive music group.
Seun Kuti is the youngest son of Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Seun is a global music figure who is famous for leading his father’s Egypt 80 band and is as inspired by greatness as his father ever was.
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.’