ClubHouse soaring in Nigeria

The social audio app, Clubhouse, is gaining in popularity throughout Nigeria and across the globe with millions of people jumping into a wide array of live discussions around music, movies, sports, business, food, and every other imaginable subject. 

More than eight million people have joined since the platform launched on Android and it’s growing rapidly.  Currently, more than 500,000 rooms are created daily, and the average Clubhouse user spends more than 60 minutes each day listening and chatting on the platform. “Clubhouse is focused on its vision of building an exciting, thriving, creator community in Nigeria and around the world.” Says its Co-Founder, Paul Davison.

The platform, which launched in 2020, is a free social media app powered by voice where people discuss an infinite number of topics in, “rooms.” The absence of video allows people to focus on speaking with one another versus talking at them. The moderators, who can speak freely, can also call on members of the audience who want to participate. You can tell who is talking by looking for a subtle halo around a participant’s photo. Anyone can start a room. The app also has “clubs” that can create recurring rooms and have members.

The company says the popularity of the platform has shown how universal voice is as a medium. 

In Nigeria, Clubhouse has seen an explosion of excitement around tech, job opportunities, Nollywood, football, and music, especially around Nigerian recording artistes.  

Rohan Seth, ClubHouse Co-founder adds, “we’ve seen first-hand what we’ve always believed—that the need to gather with other humans is universal.” Clubhouse is available for download on both Android and iOS devices. It’s currently in beta, but anyone can join with an invitation from an existing user.

Spotify inspires Moroccan singer, Rhita

 

Spotify recently launched its global initiative, the Equal Music Programme, to cultivate gender equality in music and support female creators.

Since then, Spotify has gradually grown its roster of African female creators to join the programme across the continent.

On Thursday, Spotify announced the addition of Rhita Nattah to the programme.

Rhita is a Moroccan singer, songwriter and composer who made her debut with the track ‘Not The Same’ in 2019. The self-taught, independent artiste is currently working with producer, Samir El Bousaadi on building her music catalogue and is dedicating her time to fulfilling her passion for music.

Inspired by Moroccan traditional music as well as the Reggae and Jazz genres, Rhita lists Amy Winehouse and Queen Omega as some of the voices she fell in love with. She describes her music as a new sound of traditional Moroccan music.

Rhita has been vocal about the challenges she has faced as a creator determined to pursue her music career in a market where the music Industry is almost non-existent. Having always wanted to study music but faced with limited opportunities, her passion and dedication were her driving force to learn more. She taught herself English, how to play the guitar, composing, singing and songwriting.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub Saharan Africa adds, “Working with an artist like Rhita , truly embodies what Equal is about. Presenting the diverse array of brilliant artists from every corner of the continent and the world! We remain committed to levelling the playing field for female creators by giving emerging and established artists equal opportunities on our platform.”

“Women in the music field are generally overlooked and under-appreciated, streaming platforms like Spotify make it easier for us to create freely and be recognized for the art we make as producers, singers, songwriters and sometimes our own managers as well. I can’t thank Equal Africa enough for being a big part of this development and for celebrating female musicians in Africa,” Rhita said.

Ini Edo on two decades of sojourn in Nollywood

Nollywood actress, Ini Edo has clocked 20 years in the industry since she made her debut in “Thick Madam.” Celebrating the milestone, the actress 

took to her Instagram handle to recount her journey in the industry.

Ini Edo who started her acting career as a teenager has grown to become one of the most talked about actresses in Nollywood.

In a lengthy post on IG, the actress recalled how she came out as a teenager struggling to find her feet in the industry.

She wrote: “I’ve been all kinds of mood today and these pictures, videos and all your beautiful comments just literally lifted my spirit . Thank you so much and yes it’s been 20 years of being in your faces. I came out as teenager struggling to find my true identity.”

“Made mistakes,made successes but what I never did was give up on myself . I will keep being in your faces so let me apologize In advance because I ain’t gonna stop improving on myself as a person, career wise, as an entrepreneur in every aspect of my life. Thank you all so very much .Cheers to many more years of awesomeness… This is also to all my brown skin girls … now this is a movement.”

Ini Edo began her acting career in 2000, featuring in more than 100 movies since she made her debut. In 2013, she was a judge for the Miss Black Africa UK Pageant. In 2014, she was appointed by the United Nations as a united Nations Habitat Youth Envoy.

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In 2017, Ini made it clear that only hard work can get one to the top in the industry even as there are many distractions. But she encouraged that with determination, one would get there.