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Author: Khadijat Adelani

  • Denola Grey comes hard on parents pressurizing their kids to get married

    Denola Grey comes hard on parents pressurizing their kids to get married

    UK-based Nigerian content creator Denola Grey, has attacked African parents who push their kids into weddings while underlining how unhappy their generation is.

    The model revealed this while talking about the differences between marriage in the 20th century and now on the Dressed To Confess Podcast.

    According to Denola Grey, parents may be to blame for their kids’ marriage tragedy if they put pressure on them to marry the wrong person.

    He maintained that a large number of today’s marriages are founded on “slavery,” and many of them result in genuinely unpleasant married lives.

    Denola insisted that when he decides to settle down, it would be with a partner he loves and not the one he tolerates.

    In his words;

    “When will you marry? When will you fix your marriage? How about that? I don’t know why they are so obsessed with marriage because a lot of them are not in happy marriages especially like the older generation I’m like so you want me to just like meet someone, marry them and just be managing them. Like, I hate slavery.”

    Recall that, Denola Grey reacted to controversial crossdresser Bobrisky’s latest jail sentence, claiming it has nothing to do with the naira abuse for which he was convicted.

    On Friday, April 12, 2024, Bobrisky was sentenced by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos to six months in prison without the possibility of a fine.

    Following Bobrisky’s guilty plea to a four-count charge of Naira misuse brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the judge dropped the hammer.

    In response, Grey stated that Bobrisky was being used as a “scapegoat” and that there was more to the statement than first glance.

    On his X handle, he wrote:

    “We all know this isn’t about spraying [Naira]. They are scapegoating her and using this BS as a reason.

    “I hate bullies. Unfortunately, this country is full of them.”
  • How I nearly quit music to become lecturer  – Fuji star, Adewale Ayuba

    How I nearly quit music to become lecturer  – Fuji star, Adewale Ayuba

    Veteran Fuji singer Adewale Ayuba has shared his story about nearly giving up singing to pursue a career as a lecturer in the United States of America.

    Ayuba said that in 1995, while on a three-month summer tour in the United States with his band, he was prevented from returning to Nigeria by threats issued by the late military leader of the state, Sani Abacha.

    In an interview with Teju Babyface, the musician disclosed that he received threats from the military administration following the release of an album in which he supported the liberation of political prisoners, including the late MKO Abiola.

    Ayuba claimed that during his three years in the US, he registered for classes, obtained US citizenship, and considered going into academia. He uttered,

    “I left for America with my full band members in 1995 for a summer show and others. We came to America for about three months and then returned to Nigeria.

    “I returned to Nigeria in 1998 when Abacha died. The three years I stayed in America were by the grace of God because He is a good planner.

    “When I was in America, I realised that I could only perform shows on weekends. My Mondays to Fridays were free. So, I enrolled in school. That was where I met my wife.

    “After that, I took part in a lot of activities. Doing so was like building another foundation in America. That was not easy. From there, I completed my documentation and became an American citizen.

    “I don’t see myself continuing in Fuji music, I believe I have done well. This is America, there’s more to explore in life, trusting that God has a plan”.

    Asked if truly he almost lost interest in Fuji music, Ayuba said;

    “True, true true, particularly the kind of genre that I met myself singing Fuji. I’ve started developing a kind of interest in my education. From day one, if anybody asked me what would I wanted to become in life, I would love to become a lecturer or teacher. I can’t lie to you.

    “I was thinking if I finished my bachelor’s degree, I would go for my master, and P.hD to be a lecturer. I don’t want the level of being a Fuji musician, I believe I’ve done well, and I’m OK, this is America, let me choose another line.”

     

  • ‘Nigerians will regret not supporting my music’ – Whitemoney

    ‘Nigerians will regret not supporting my music’ – Whitemoney

    Reality Tv star Hazel Oyeze, better known as Whitemoney, has stated that when he inevitably gains international acceptance, Nigerians will regret not having supported his music career.

    This was revealed by the reality TV personality turned musician in a recent interview with Echoo Room.

    According to Whitemoney, Grammy Award-winning musician Burna Boy experienced a similar situation. When he rose to fame, Nigerians called him “proud” because he was too expensive for Nigerian concert promoters.

    The artist promised that when he gets big internationally, Nigerian event promoters would regret not helping him too.

    “Nigerian promoters will regret not supporting my music. Your only prayer should be that I shouldn’t make it in this music industry because if I make it, you all will pay.”

    Speaking further, Whitemoney said his genre of music is ‘Kumkum’, and he does not have a rival in the music industry.

    He added,
    “I’m a king in my lane. For me, nobody rivals my talent. You’re good in your way but me I am the king. That’s why I have my own genre. I don’t do Afrobeats or highlife. My genre is Kumkum.”
    The winner of BBNaija Season 6, previously enthusiastic about winning a Grammy, has stated that the American award seems compromised and has diminished in value.
    In a recent discussion with content creator Egungun, Whitemoney revealed that he has shifted his focus to the local Headies Awards instead.
    He said,
    “The way things are going now, Grammy don cast. Make we manage Headies. I’m not sure if I’m still pursuing my desire of winning Grammys. Now I’m pursuing any award that keeps me relevant. Because after what Grammy organisers did to our superstars, Davido and Burna Boy at the last award ceremony, it’s now looking like they are using Nigeria for publicity stunt.

    “But never say never. My style of music is unique. If it takes me to the Grammys, no wahala.”

  • How Olamide inspired my first album ‘Stubborn’ – Singer Victony

    How Olamide inspired my first album ‘Stubborn’ – Singer Victony

    Nigerian singer, Victony claims that the rapper Olamide gave him an inspiration to make his upcoming work, “Stubborn,” into an album.

    At a listening party for the project, which is slated for release on June 28, the singer talked about his interaction with Olamide.

    The YBNL label CEO reportedly pushed the “Soweto” hitmaker to record an album called “Stubborn.”

    The rapper, known affectionately as Baddo, reportedly advised Victony to release an album “when the fans are yearning for it.”

    He continued by saying that he decided to turn “Stubborn” into an album rather than the previously stated extended play because of Olamide‘s support.

    “Stubborn was supposed to be an EP. I felt like I was not album-ready,” Victony said.

    “Before the release of the single ‘Stubborn’, I went to Baddo’s house to seek advice like my big brother.

    “The meeting had a different outcome. I went there with my guys, just discussing with Baddo. He told me, ‘Look, you do not want to put out a body of work when your fans are no longer yearning for it.’

    “That hit me because I feel like I am a project artiste and that is how people understand me best. I thought about it and I am like, ‘Why not? What is holding me back?’ And then I tweeted a picture with Baddo.

    “That very day was the day we decided to make this an album. I had announced Stubborn as my next project but as an EP.”

    Victony, whose real name is Anthony Victor, became well-known a few years ago when he worked with Mayorkun on the song “Holy Father.”

    Tobi Mohammed, a Nigerian music executive, owns the record label Mainland Block Party, where he is now signed.

    Victony released “Stubborn,” a song from their upcoming first album, in May.

    The 14-track album by Victony includes songs by Teezo Touchdown, Asake, Shallipopi, Shorae Moore, and Saint Jhn.

    Victony, whose real name is Anthony Victor, became well-known a few years ago when he worked with Mayorkun on the song “Holy Father.”

     

     

  • Tems, Ayra Starr have achieved more than Fela, others – Odumodublvck

    Tems, Ayra Starr have achieved more than Fela, others – Odumodublvck

    Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck asserts that Ayra Starr and Tems have accomplished more in the music industry than the late Afrobeat legend Fela.

    The rapper further asserts that Burna Boy and Wizkid are not as accomplished as these two female artists.

    Odumodublvck, also known as Kala, made condescending remarks about female musicians on a Cocktails & Takeaways podcast episode.

    Considering the obstacles that face women in the profession, he was amazed by the achievements of both artists.

    “There was a time I was coming to London with Tems’ manager. We were on the same flight. So I told Tems big ups, you did it! What you and Ayra Starr have done is bigger than anything Wizkid has done or what Burna Boy has done,” Odumodublvck said.

    “It is bigger than anything Fela has done. As a female artiste, out of every 10 show promoters, five want to have sex with you.

    “Out of every 10 producers, five want to have sex with you. Out of every 10 artistes that you look up to and need help from, five want to have sex with you. I can’t imagine being in that situation. And after dodging all those things, you still make good music.”

    Odumodublvck described being a woman as “the hardest job on earth”.

    “The second hardest job is being an artiste because there are over 100 million artistes,” the rapper added.

    “How are you going to make it out of the thousands of songs that drop every day? Why should they listen to your own?

    “It’s not like you’re doing a job where your payment is guaranteed. As an artiste, there’s no guaranteed payment, you’ve to make it for people to pay you.

    “It took me about six years to get my first good cheque. So imagine being a babe and an artiste and you still make it. That’s impressive.”

    Responding to Odumodublvck’s statement, Wizkid said the rapper was not lying.

    He further described the works of Tems and Ayra Starr as “amazing” while responding to a netizen’s post.

  • Toyin Lawani shares healing, recovery after undergoing six surgeries

    Toyin Lawani shares healing, recovery after undergoing six surgeries

    Fashion designer and stylist, Toyin Lawani popularly known as Tiannah Empire has revealed her inspirational story of healing and recovery after six surgeries.

    She thanked her family, friends, and medical staff for their unwavering support during her journey.

    Lawani has been having trouble breathing and speaking since her vocal cords were destroyed during an emergency tracheotomy procedure.

    She is still partially paralysed, in pain, and has trouble breathing, but she has come a long way and will soon start speech therapy.

    Her path is far from ideal, but she is grateful for the progress made so far and praised God for giving her the strength and capacity to talk again.

    “Yesterday was a huge step to recovery for me, The last image was before my last surgery a few months ago. I have had 6 surgeries in total now and currently in therapy. That was the lump I had growing in between my vocal cords , after my tracheotomy  tube was removed from my throat, the tracheotomy left my vocal cord ruined ,as it was an emergency surgery to save me cause I stopped breathing , and I couldn’t speak for months.

    “A big thank you to all my Amazing team of doctors who have been working on me tirelessly for months to get me back on my feet and thanks to wonderful and my amazing family for being by my side all through ,
    all through this ordeal. Told you all I was going to take two years off cause my doctors told me it will actually take two years to get me back to speaking and breathing properly again, Cause most times I stop breathing in my sleep
    And my meds keep making me blow up.

    “I still wake up paralysed atimes, Still have a bad leg and still have pains from the implants in my neck, But in all I thank God, But it’s a year today and it can only my be the glory of the lord that I can hear myself speak and make sounds , and not struggle so much while I speak , while the chest pain is less ,

    “It’s not perfect but I’m grateful, My thanksGiving and big come back is coming.
    Help me thank God for this new phase, I’m on bended knees in his glory.

    “Thank God we don’t look like what we are going through. Starting my speech therapy next week, wish me luck, And a big thank you to my Amazing clients, Fans, Godbless you all”.

    See post below:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Tiannah Styling (@tiannahsplacempire)

  • How my achievement is credited to Burna Boy  – Seun Kuti

    How my achievement is credited to Burna Boy  – Seun Kuti

    Afrobeats artist and Grammy nominee Seun Kuti has voiced dissatisfaction with the music industry’s incorrect record crediting practices.

    He brought up the fact that Burna Boy had really performed at Coachella in 2012, and that he was mistakenly listed as the first performer at the 2020 edition of the festival.

    He also mentioned that before Burna Boy’s nomination for Best World Music Album, his brother Femi Kuti had been nominated for several Grammy awards.

    Kuti added that the African award organisers had disregarded his album “Black Times,” which was nominated for Best World Music Album.

    Despite his recent Grammy nomination for his contribution to Janelle Monae’s “Age of Pleasure”, Kuti said he was not mentioned among the Nigerian artists nominated for the 66th Grammys.

    According to Kuti, the Nigerian media consistently ignores his achievements as if he is not from Nigeria.

    “My brother [Femi Kuti] has been nominated at the Grammys multiple times. They’ve nominated me, I was also nominated in the last edition. It was only my name that they [Nigerian media] didn’t mention among the Nigerian artists who were nominated for the 66th Grammys. That’s what they do every time as if I’m from Togo.

    “That’s how they said Burna boy was the first Nigerian artiste to play in Coachella in 2020 where I’ve played in 2012 as if I’m from Togo,” he lamented.

    Recall that, Seun Kuti revealed who he believes to be the most dangerous rapper in the nation, citing Shallipopi as the artist in issue.

    Seun Kuti did not hold back while outlining the rationale behind his decision, using a particularly contentious Shallipopi song as an excellent example.

    Seun Kuti brought up a line from Shallipopi’s song during the video broadcast, in which the rapper hinted that women in couples might harbour urges to have personal interactions with him.

    However, Shallipopi clarified in his lyrics that he is not the kind of person to entertain such advances.

    The outspoken musician warned Shallipopi’s pals not to leave him alone with their ladies, voicing his concerns about the ramifications of such lyrics.

    Seun Kuti emphasized that the lyric in question was alarming and could potentially stir up trouble or misunderstandings among couples.

  • ‘I’m flyest man on earth’ – Wizkid boasts

    ‘I’m flyest man on earth’ – Wizkid boasts

    Grammy-winning Nigerian musician Wizkid has boasted of being the “flyest man on earth.”

    A person of considerable importance who is forceful in all areas and adept with money is referred to as a flyest.

    Through his Instagram story on Wednesday, the “Superstar” hitmaker raved about his personality.

    “Flyest nigga on earth,” he wrote, without providing context to back his braggadocio.

    A few hours after the singer’s appearance at Paris Fashion Week alongside his manager and baby mama, Jada Pollock, the post was shared.

    Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Balogun, rose to fame in the music industry in 2011 after releasing his first album, “Superstar.”

    Ayo (Joy) in 2014, Sound From The Other Side in 2017, Made in Lagos in 2020, and More Love, Less Ego in 2022 are the other four albums he has released.

    He recently revealed he is considering organising a show to celebrate the 13th anniversary of his debut album, ‘Superstar’.

    He is also set to release his sixth album, ‘Morayo’ — dedicated to his late mother.

    Wizkid is considered to be among the three biggest artistes in Nigeria in contemporary times.

    In April, the ‘Ojuelegba’ hitmaker sparked a frenzy on social media after he mocked Davido and Don Jazzy.

    Wizkid called Don Jazzy, the Mavin Records boss, an “influencer” while taunting Davido with a video of him on his knees, pleading and crying.
  • Drake becomes first artiste to hit 100 billion Spotify streams

    Drake becomes first artiste to hit 100 billion Spotify streams

    Award-winning Canadian rapper, Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham, has surpassed 100 billion streams on Spotify across all credits.

    The rapper was made “the first artist in history to earn a milestone 100 billion streams on Spotify,” according to a Tuesday night announcement from music tracking company Chart Data via X.

    Compared to the next closest rapper, Eminem, he has more than twice as many streams.

    Drake has had 100 billion Spotify plays overall. An average song receives 234 million plays, while an album receives an average of 5 billion plays.

    His 2016 smash single “One Dance,” which features British pop sensation Kyla and Nigerian Afrobeats musician Wizkid, has received 3.2 billion plays on the platform, making it his most streamed song.

    ‘One Dance’ holds the Guinness World Record for the first song to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify.

    Drake Graham leads the pack with seven nominations at the annual BET Awards nominations.

    The “BET Awards” 2024 will air live on Monday, 1 July 2024, at 2:00 am WAT/3:00am CAT on BET Africa DStv Channel 129 and GOtv Channel 21. The awards’ pre-show will air at 1:00am WAT/2:00am CAT, with a repeat of the awards ceremony at 18:00 WAT/19:00 CAT.

    Drake holds the top spot with seven “BET Awards” 2024 nominations. Drake’s nominations include ‘Album of the Year’ for For All The Dogs (Scary Hours Edition), ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ ‘Best Male Hip Hop Artist,’ ‘Best Collaboration’ with Sexyy Red and SZA “Rich Baby Daddy,” ‘Viewer’s Choice’ with Sexyy Red and SZA “Rich Baby Daddy,” and twice for ‘Video of the Year’ for “First Person Shooter” with J. Cole and “Rich Baby Daddy” with Sexyy Red and SZA.

    Drake released ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ to diss Kendrick Lamar, and featured AI-generated versions of the late 2Pac, and Snoop Dogg’ voices.

  • Phyna disputes informing Whitemoney that she received her remaining prizes

    Phyna disputes informing Whitemoney that she received her remaining prizes

    Former Big Brother Naija winner Josephine Otabor, often known as Phyna, has denied claims made by her teammate Whitemoney that she told him she had gotten her remaining gifts from the sponsors and organisers.

    Phyna, who won Season 7 of the reality show in 2022 and has been criticising the organisers and their sponsors for unfulfilled awards, has reportedly received her remaining prizes, including the $1 BTC, according to a story that Whitemoney revealed in a recent interview.

    In response to Whitemoney’s assertions on Wednesday, Phyna said she didn’t provide him that information.

    She claims that she has made the decision to move on from the 1 BTC and to stop talking about it.

    She added that she was now focused on her acting career, urging the public to desist from meddling in her “business.”
    On her X handle, Phyna wrote:

    “Good morning everyone, this is to clear the air that:

    “I never told white money what he went on to say on podcast, I was surprised to see it myself.

    “About the 1BTC I have decided to forget and never talk about it anymore, has I am currently focusing on my projects.

    “Please I indulged everyone to off my business, I am tired. Everyday I hear I get things I didn’t get, I hear I’m dating who I’m not even talking to.

    “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does, has always been the life I lived enough of the assumptions.”