Femi Kuti wows London audience at “One People, One World” concert

Nigerian Afrobeat legend, Femi Kuti who recently released his 10th studio album titled One People, One World,  is not slowing down at all. He stormed London yesterday for his  "One People One World concert" and he wowed his audience. He was accompained by his sister, Yeni Kuti as well as his son, Omorinmade.

Serena Wiliams opens up on sisterhood, self-acceptance, others In Harper’s Bazaar UK’s July issue

Tennis star Serena Williams, in her cover feature for Harper’s Bazaar UK‘s July issue is talking about her pregnancy, habing more kids, and suffering from postpartum depression.

Read excerpts below:

On being pregnant: If I wasn’t playing tennis, I’d be pregnant right now – sorry, I’m one of those women. I’ve been injured so many times, and played on it, my body is used to adjusting.

On if she wants more kids: I told Alexis I hope it’s another girl. Olympia needs a little sister, and then we can have a boy. I’ve only been around girls my whole life.

On suffering from postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter: Honestly, sometimes I think I still have to deal with it. I think people have to talk about it more because it’s almost like the fourth trimester, it’s part of the pregnancy. I remember one day, I couldn’t find Olympia’s bottle and I got so upset I started crying…because I wanted to be perfect for her.

NEMESIS: How a Yahoo Boy took his own life in Delta State

News went viral online concerning how a young Nigerian man committed suicide by stabbing himself repeatedly in Ughelli, Delta state. The deceased was believed to be an internet fraudster by people in his neighborhood. According to reports, he was suffering the adverse effects of rituals required for the shady business.

According to messages shared by social media users, the young man,(Name withheld) used a broken bottle to stab himself multiple times and refused to be stopped by concerned observers. Reports said, as people tried to hold him to prevent him from inflicting further injuries on himself, he only intensified his efforts.

A policeman eventually arrived at the scene and as soon as he saw the officer, he used the sharp edge of the broken bottle to slash his throat.

Lekan Babalola tours UK cities with Yoruba sonnets

Acclaimed Grammy Awards-winning percussionist, LekanBabalolais bringing his music to a wider audience alongside his co-travelling Sacred Funk Sextet in a new concert series tagged Yoruba Sonnets. The multi-city gig will take place across major United Kingdom cities featuring Babalola’s kindred spirit, the accomplished spoken word poet and scholar, Dr Olu.Taiwo. Their artistic chemistry on stage will pick up from the successful Ebo Tour which held last year.

Together, Lekanwho is releasing a new album soon and Olu will bring to the stage the Yoruba Sonnets – a unique experience, presented by two very talented, very different individuals. The Yoruba Sonnets pair spoken word poetry and mime from Dr OluTaiwo with live music from Lekan Babalola’s Sacred Funk Sextet. The result is a unique performance of ancient Nigerian verse incorporating Afro-beat music and the contemporary sound of Western Funk.

Yoruba Sonnets will serve its first instalment in full doze on Saturday, July 28 at the Birchfield Jazz Festival, St Mary’s Church Hamstead and continues on Saturday, October 13 at The Performance Gym, University of Winchester, Hampshire. The music train continues at Cheese and Grain, Frome on Sunday, October 21 while curtains fall at Charney Manor, Wantage.

Twice Grammy award winning percussionist, Lekan Babalola, is well known for his innovative musical style, using his native Yoruba tongue infused with traditional music, Afrobeat and funky dance overtones.

Cobhams takes shots at Nigerian leaders in new single

Award-winning singer cum producer, Cobhams Asuquo has made a bold social statement with his satirical new song entitled ‘Everyday’ featuring Sound Sultan and Bez.

‘Everyday’ which takes shots at Nigerian leaders was coincidentally released on May 29, a day set aside to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day. The song, according to Cobhams, is inspired by the local Maxim that says, “every day is for the thieve and one day is for the owner.”

The new song is the latest plank in a collection that follows-up on previous singles by the musician such as ‘One Hit’ and ‘Unstoppable.’ In his latest Instagram post, @cobhamsasuquo, the iconic singer said "Everyday" is a story of three friends who hoped for a better life, a story of betrayal, and a story that speaks to how there should come a time when people get tired of the status quo. It highlights the dangers of being a complacent people and speaks to the need to take one's future into one's own hands as opposed to leaving it in the hands of those who would squander it. I find this to be true especially on this day, Democracy Day, when we are reminded of our young democracy and how much we have been through as a people to get to where we are now.”

“As we prepare to cast our votes next year and decide our future, "Everyday" calls on us to reject complacency and do something. It is time we leave that space of taking things as they are, and get to that point where you sit back is no longer acceptable. It doesn't make sense that the hardworking Nigerian youth should continue to slave away with little or no guarantee of a future. I wish that we would recognize and exercise our power to choose so that we can shape our collective future into that which we desire. Special thanks to my brothers Sound Sultan and Bez, outstanding and conscientious musicians in their own right who lent their voices to this song. "Everyday" is a song for the people,” Cobhams narrated.

Onyeka Onwenu,Bright Chimezie, Phyno, others set to shutdown Enugu ...As Hi-life Fest grand finale holds!

Stellar performances, amazing stagecraft and the ever lively raucous audience have become the hallmarks of the HiLife Fest, and that much will be witnessed by the audience and other residents of Enugu when the grand finale hits the coal city this weekend.

Featuring performances from Onyeka Onwenu, Phyno, Bright Chimezie, Obiligbo Brothers, Tipsy Kelvano and Chibest David, the HiLife Fest grand finale will definitely set Enugu on fire.

HiLife Fest is an initiative of Life Continental Lager Beer that has come to stay in contributing to the promotion and sustainability of highlife music culture amongst the young generations. 

The Indigenous highlife music competition took the talent hunt to Onitsha this past weekend where the remaining contestants slugged it out for a place in the finals. These included 5 groups in the traditional dance category and 10 singers in the highlife music category which has made the competition a staple among highlife fanatics. Now with the dust settled on the semis, it’s time for all finalists to brace up and prepare for the finals.

The talent hunt which is aimed at celebrating the heritage of Igbo people through music, has featured a plethora of talented acts from seven state auditions. The fight for the star prize of 2 Million Naira has reached its peak after several mentorship sessions. The Onitsha semifinalists put up amazing performances in a bid to convince the judges of their talents. The fans were also treated to thrilling performances by Chidinma, Obiligbo Brothers, Tipsy Kelvano, Chijioke Mbanefo and Chibest David, the reigning King of Hilife 2017, in Onitsha, and Enugu will be no less an experience as the show becomes a wrap on Saturday, June 2nd.

Competing for the grand prize in the Hi-life music category are Dons Ifeanyi Frank (Anambra), Kalapi Ojuka (Port-Harcout), Emmanuel Agbom (Delta), Uwazie Chuks Arthur (Imo), Chinedu Obiajulu Ada-Chi (Enugu), while the traditional dance category will feature Kanaowo Dance group (Port-Harcourt), Noel Cultural Entertainment (Ebonyi), Asinodricks Africa (Imo) and Umuchiziri Egwu Cultural Dance (Enugu).

Speaking ahead of the event, Bright Chimezie Said - “All the cities we have been to for the festival has featured very talented artistes. It will be interesting to see who eventually emerges the winner at the grand finale. However, I want to emphasize even more on the unity that this competition represents for the Igbo people and the country at large. Beyond whoever wins, the ultimate goal is celebrate Igbo culture through highlife music.” The Enugu finals of the Hi Life fest will feature performances from Onyeka Owenu, Phyno, Bright Chimezie, Obiligbo Brothers, Tipsy Kelvano and Chibest David.

Simi thrills kids at Children’s Day

Award-winning singer, Simi, endeared more kids to her fan base last Sunday in Lagos during the Children’s Day celebration.

The Children’s Day party organised by Peak Milk was also in celebration of World’s Milk Day.

So many kids from all over the state gathered at the JJT Park Alausa to catch some fun and Simi made sure she thrilled the kids.

With her silky voice and performing her hit songs back to back Simi thrilled the kids, the children sang along with her and virtually all of them kept asking for more performance by the singer.

Nnenna & Friends @ 10: I didn't know I will still have passion for children---Olayinka Ademo

NNENNA of ‘Nnenna & Friends’, a subsidiary of Wale Adenuga Productions, actress Olayinka Ademo was full of memories during the week, when she recounted the amazing story of how she developed a strong passion for children and their educational well-being about 10 years ago.

Olayinka spoke few days to the 10^th anniversary of the Nnenna & Friends brand. The 10^th anniversary, of the show collided with the Children's Day celebration, which came up last Sunday, at the National Theatre Hall, Iganmu, Lagos.

The mother of a set of twins said, she developed a strong passion for children while she was growing up. But she never knew it would take her this far. “I feel fulfilled that I have added value to the African Child,” said Olayinka.

Indeed, for the past 10 years, the Nnenna & Friends brand has been touching the lives of children, teens and young adults with some of the best children programmes in Nigeria including the Brainpower Game, the TV Live Show, the magazine and of course the Live Show.

This special edition of the live show was fun-filled with an exciting roll call of amazing artistes and comedians. Leading the pack of entertainers was Small Doctor, the young and award-winning artiste who's the brain behind several number one single hits. Other entertainers that serenaded guests at the over 3,000 capacity hall were Papa Ajasco and company, N Stars, PEFTI band, Desmond Osorebe, and Mc Prince. It was a memorable Children's Day, as every child that attended the show went home with unforgettable memories as well as attractive prizes and gifts courtesy of their sponsors including MTN, Indomie, NASCO Conflakes, Checkers, Custard, Cowbell Chocolate, Viju Drink, Rite Foods and Deli Biscuits among others.

MultiChoice unveils a major Pan-African initiative for film and TV industry

MultiChoice Africa, the continent’s leading video entertainment services provider has unveiled its new Pan-African social investment initiative, the MultiChoice Talent Factory, MTF, to further boost  the continent's  creative industries into vibrant economic centres.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, held in Lagos, the Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe,said the African development story has long been defined by investment in the vast mineral wealth on the continent, leaving our creative industries to fend for themselves on the fringes of economic development for far too long. As a result, the film and television industries have not developed at the same rate as other industries on the continent, and not for a lack of talent, passion or imagination.

“There is no better time than now; this being MultiChoice’s 25th year of operations in Nigeria, for a project of this scope to concertize what we stand for as an organization, as it lays a foundation that will foster economic growth for tomorrow’s leaders, and by extension our continent.

For over two decades, MultiChoice, Mr Ugbe said has been committed to investing in the development of original African programming and showcasing it on the DStv and GOtv platforms across 49 sub-Saharan African countries. “The launch of MTF forms remains part of the company’s new strategy of furthering this investment through creating shared value by using its core business resources, people, skills and networks to affect a positive change in society that yields benefits for the business and society,” he stated. MutiChoice boss said the MTF initiative would deliver three touch points that launch throughout the year, the MTF academies, Masterclasses and the MTF Portal. The first to launch is the MTF Academy, a 12-month educational programme aimed at furnishing 60 deserving, young, talented people who want to work and innovate in film and television production.

During the course of the programme, MTF Academy students will produce television and film content that will be aired on our local M-Net channels across the MultiChoice platform including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, M-Net and SuperSport to reach African audiences on the DStv and GOtv platforms. Upon graduation from the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy, the MTF student will leave the Academy with the knowledge and skills to contribute professionally to the film and television industry.

Gloria Ibru dropping three albums in a row

Gloria Ibru, daughter of business mogul Michael Ibru, who has been in the Nigerian entertainment industry for over 30 years, nurturing younger acts to stardom without releasing any album of her own recently announced plans to drop three albums simultaneously before the end of the year.

Gloria broke this good news, while in a chat with nollytainment  recently. “I'm planning to drop three albums at the same time. And it will happen before the end of the year to make up for the 30 years I have been on stage,” she hinted.

The popular entertainer, said at first, music to me was never about an album. Stressing further, Gloria said “It was about making people happy, entertaining them. You combine the stage and you see people smiling while you are performing, that was enough for me. Though it's taking me a while to drop the album, I am working on it now. This is not because I am an album person, but because it will be the record of my life. That after I am no more, my children's children can pick up the album and say this is what our grandmother did during her time. I am a stage person. I just want to combine the stage and entertain my audience.”

However, describing her foray into music as 'a sweet-bitter experience', Gloria revealed that her forthcoming albums would be a blend of highlife, calypso and jazz music. You will get jazz, highlife and calypso fusion. That's why it's taking a long time to drop an album because it's going to be completely highlife,” she added .

Two of the albums, according to Gloria, who already has a music video in the market titled “Sugar Mama”, will be dropped in Europe, while the third album will be dropped in Nigeria.

Despite being born with a silver spoon in her mouth,Gloria said she's doing music not just to make money but also, it's her passion. She added, “Music has been everything to me. Sometimes, you are rich and at the other times, you are broke. Sometimes, I hate it, sometimes, I want to quit and sometimes, I ask myself why do want to quit? This is what you love to do.”

Star Lager, Super Eagles and DJ Neptune dazzle P'Harcourt with music, cheer

 Star Lager Beer extended the deluxe live football and music experience to Port Harcourt as the Super Eagles clashed with the DR Congo in an international friendly match on Monday, May 28.
The Super Eagles headed to Shell Ground Port Harcourt in Star branded buses at around 4:15pm to train ahead of the friendly game against DR Congo.

After rigorous training, the Super Eagles headed back to Hotel Presidential to rest ahead of the match the next day. The match started at about 5:00PM at Adokie Amasiemaka Stadium

Football fans came out to cheer Nigeria's finest. It was truly a night of wonderful moments.

The match with DR Congo ended in a 1-1 draw

To end the night, football fans were treated to a premium entertainment experience at Star Fan Park Port Harcourt courtesy of Star Lager Beer.

Star Lager will also be hosting a series of exclusive events in honour of the Super Eagles before their departure to Russia.