‘Essence’ rose from number 2 to snatch the top spot from Tems’ ‘Free Mind.’
Wizkid became the first African to win a major category at the BET awards after defeating American heavy weights such as DJ Khaled, Lil Nas X, and Doja Cat to the award. ‘Essence’ is Afrobeats biggest song in the US reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The international hit has also spent 14 weeks on the Billboard US Afrobeats Chart.…
The singer was found guilty of one charge of racketeering and eight counts of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits the transport of “any woman or girl” across state lines for any “immoral purpose,” in September 2021. According to PageSix, it took the jury consisting of seven men and five women nine hours across two days to come up with the verdict.
The prosecutors of the case had asked the judge for a sentence longer than 25 years.
Prosecutors also said he used his celebrity status and wealth to lure women, as well as underage girls and boys, for sex.
The judgment was earlier scheduled for May 5th but was later postponed.
It would be recalled that in 2021, the disgraced singer was found guilty of sexually abusing women, boys and girls for decades.
One of his victims was R&B singer Aaliyah, who Kelly illegally wed in a Chicago hotel room in 1994 when she was 15 years old.
Kelly’s legal team called a handful of ex-Kelly employees and associates to take the stand to discredit allegations the singer sexually abused women, girls and boys.
JJC Skillz made this known via his Instagram page on Thursday, June 30, 2022. Dear Friends and family I need to let you know that Funke and I have separated. While it lasted we shared a lot of things together and have created 2 beautiful children. The last two years have been extremely difficult for us,” he wrote.
“I know I have tried my best to fix things but I believe it is beyond repair now. 3 months ago and at Funke’s insistence I moved out of the house and apart from AMVCA have not been able to get Funke to sit down in an amicable manner to discuss the future of our relationship.”
The veteran rapper said he decided to announce their separation to let the public know they are already pursuing their individual lives.
“I’m making this announcement so that the public is clear that we both are pursuing separate lives. We still have issues that need to be addressed such as the custody and wellbeing of our children which is paramount as well as business interests which need to be disentangled but I have no doubt that these will be resolved one way or the other,” he concluded. Trouble in the Bello’s home first got to the public after the movie star’s stepson, Benito, dragged her on social media.
Benito revealed that all was not well in one of Nollywood’s most admired marriages.
He alleged that his stepmom, Funke, was a horrible person.
He made this known following reports of crisis in JJC and Akindele’s marriage.
Weeks later, Benito disclosed he was allegedly assaulted by his father.
According to him, they fell out after he was expelled for bringing alcohol to the school.
Benito gave a detailed account of how the music star repeatedly hit him inside the car as they drove home.
He alleged that he sustained bruises on his face, neck and ribs.
It didn’t end there as he dropped a bombshell about his father and step mum cheating on each other.
According to Benito,
The album titled ‘BEHOLD THE LAMB’ will feature guest appearance Chike, Oxlade, Pscho YP, Kaligraph Jones, amongst others. The album will be available on Boomplay on July 4th and on other streaming platforms on July 6th.
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According to the AFRIMA Juror, representing Diaspora Northern America, Hadja Kobele Keita, speaking from Washington DC, United States of America, the award platform would not extend the submission date beyond August 5, 2022.
“It is important that all relevant parties submit their entries on time this year. We are a very thorough and transparent organization; and we have a clear process for the award ceremony every year. Once submission of entries ends, we spend time in judging the materials, before we can derive our final nominations list. We also have a specific time allotted to voting.” She said in the release.
She further revealed that the process will undergo a thorough independent scrutiny to guarantee its credibility. “The entire process is also audited by a firm of international repute, Pricewaterhousecoopers. We do not just wake up and nominate people. AFRIMA 2022 will be held from November 3 – 6 this year. To achieve this, we cannot extend deadlines at this point.” According to AFRIMA, all prospective entries must have been created between August 20, 2021 and August 5, 2022, being the year-in-review for all submissions. Artistes, talent managers, music producers, recording companies/labels, video directors, disc jockeys and other relevant stakeholders can submit their work or submit on behalf of their clients via the official AFRIMA website via AFRIMA website.
Interested parties should note that all submissions must be done in consonance with AFRIMA guidelines, terms and conditions, which are also available on the website.
This year’s edition retains its existing categories, all of which are carefully curated to celebrate the best of talents within the African music scene.
A pre-screening and a main screening process will be carried out, respectively, by a world-class 13-member jury composed of seasoned music experts from across the five regions of Africa and in the diaspora, between August 5 to 16, 2022.
Tems had a great 2021 with her contributions on WIzkid’s ‘Essence’ earning her wide international acclaim. Tems also appeared on Drake’s ‘Certified Lover Boy’ album which further proved her status as one of Nigeria’s biggest international export. With her win at the 2022 BET awards, Tems joins Ice Prince, Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy as Nigerians who have won the BET Awards.
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With the win, ‘Essence’ becomes the first African song to win a BET award and Wizkid becomes the first Nigerian and African to win an Award outside the Best International Acts category.
Other contenders for the award include:
DJ Khaled fest. Lil Baby & Lil Durk – ‘Every Chance I Get’
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – ‘Family Ties’
Doja Cat feat. SZA – ‘Kiss Me More’
Drake feat. Future & Young Thug – ‘Way 2 Sexy’
Bia feat. Nicki Minaj – ‘Whole Lotta Money (Remix)’
Wizkid had previously won the BET HER Award as a featured artist on Beyonce’s ‘Black Skin Girl.’ However, with ‘Essence,’ he becomes the first African lead artist to win a category other than the International category.
Over the last decade, Wizkid has being one of the major acts leading Afrobeats international push and it’s only befitting for him to be the artist to break the BET category limitation for Nigerian and African artists.
Afrobeats was well represented at the award with Pheelz performing on the red carpet and Fireboy DML performing at the live event.
Wizkid won the award for Best Collaboration for ‘Essence’ featuring Tems and Justin Bieber.
Tems also took home the award for Best International Act.
Here is a list of all the winners at the 2022 BET Awards.
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Best male R&B/Pop Artist
Best Group
Best Collaboration
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Video of the Year
Video Director of the Year
Best New Artist
Album of the Year
The music star took to her Instagram page on Thursday, June 23, 2022, where she shared the big news. “I am blessed to be blessed with @theofficialblessed ❤️ The thoughts of doing the next phase and the rest phase of my life with you makes the blessing more real💃 I love you Sweet❤️,” she wrote.
The music star’s soon-to-be husband, Blessed, also shared the big news via his Instagram page.
“I’M THE MAN THE LORD SHOWED MERCY! @mercychinwo thanks for saying YES! I LOVE YOU DEARLY !😍😍😍😍😍 Ecclesiastical 9:9 Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your REWARD for all your earthly toil. #Mercyisblessed,” he captioned their pre-wedding photos. Blessed is a pastor at the WaterBrook Church and The Upperroom. He is also an IT professional.
Chinwo is a Nigerian gospel musician, singer and songwriter.
She won the Nigerian Idol Season 2 in 2012.
Chinwo released her first single, “Testimony“, in 2015, and “Igwe” a year later.
She has also had a stint in acting.
She landed her first film role in Yvonne Nelson’s film, House of Gold where she acted as Lucia, starring alongside Yvonne Nelson, Majid Michel and Omawumi among others.
Peter Obi is running for the office of president of Nigeria under the Labour Party.
The music star made this known via his Twitter page on Friday, June 24, 2022.
“I am smelling a “bloodless coup” in the making by ordinary Nigerians to retrieve their stolen future. Peter Obi may or may not become our President at the end of the day, but his presence has activated something unusual in our history and ordinary Nigerians. Wetin u think?” he tweeted.
I am smelling a “bloodless coup” in the making by ordinary Nigerians to retrieve their stolen future.
Peter Obi may or may not become our President at the end of the day, but his presence has activated something unusual in our history and ordinary Nigerians.
Wetin u think?— Charly Boy Area Fada 1 (@AreaFada1) June 24, 2022
The former governor of Anambra state’s candidacy has been greeted with a loud ovation by several celebrities across the country.
It would be recalled that about a week ago, veteran comedian, Okey Bakassi mocked those who criticised his trip to Egypt. “Peter Obi critics are angry he went to Egypt for serious business instead of medical checkup in London,” he tweeted.
Since the election season began, several Nigerian celebrities have been vocal about not just their choices but also about citizens’ participation in the forthcoming elections.
“I have just instructed my security and my management that No one is allowed to visit my house or my office without showing their PVC!” Peter Okoye of PSquare tweeted.
Okoye and some of his colleagues have been at the forefront of voters registration ahead of the 2023 general elections.
These celebrities have stood their ground about Nigeria getting it right in the next elections.
Some of these celebrities have even vowed to call out their colleagues who collect money from politicians to campaign for them.
While for some like Okon Lagos, they will be selling their votes to the highest bidder.
This is coming on the heels of a recent video where the controversial singer was spotted ordering his crew to beat up a young man. In a statement released by the spokesman of the Ogun State police command, the singer’s actions won’t be condoned.
Such unruly and violent behavior is not only barbaric but unbecoming of somebody who is supposed to be a role model for the youths and therefore should not be tolerated,” part of the statement read.
“In view of this, the Command is using this medium to advise Okikiola Habeeb a.k.a Portable to report himself at the nearest police station in Ogun State, failure of which his arrest will be ordered.”
“The flagrant display of impunity by portable in the viral video is condemnable and if not checked, it will send a wrong signal to the youths who are looking up to him as a role model.”
The singer recently welcomed a child with his baby mama.
Portable is a Nigerian artist who rose to fame after getting Olamide and dancer Poco Lee to feature in the now-famous hit single ‘Zazu Zeh.’
Unarguably one of the most controversial musicians of his time, the 28-year-old Ogun State indigene has been in the news for all the wrong reasons.
From fighting with show promoters, and cursing on social media to crashing his cars on several occasions, it’s been jumping from frying pan to fire for the singer.
The phenomenal star took the world by storm when his single ‘Love Nwantiti’ achieved global fame and became the most popular song in the world in 2021. This brought CKay global attention making him the Afrobeats artist with most monthly Spotify listeners.
Since ascending to a new height, CKay hasn’t looked back and his career has been on the rise. His latest single ‘Watawi’ featuring Davido, Focalistic, and Abidoza has been received with open arms.
CKay has promised to take Afrobeats to a new height with his next album and everyday keeps bringing up new reasons why fans should believe in CKay’s daring declaration.
‘Essence’ which features songstress Tems has enjoyed an impressive level of success in the United States reaching the Billboard Top 10 and earning a platinum plaque in the process.
Billboard announcement is a confirmation of Wizkid’s success in the United States and an addition of another feather to his decorated cap. With his next album ‘More Love, Less Ego’ on the way, Wizkid will be looking to further break new ground internationally.
In a video that circulated on Social Media, the former World Best Player George Weah was seen dancing to trending song ‘Buga’ in front of an excited crowd.
Since its release, ‘Buga’ as enjoyed huge success across multiple platforms and seeing the Liberian President partaking in the #BUGACHALLENGE is a reminder of Afrobeats’ far reaching success.…
The music star made this known via her Instagram page on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. “It breaks my heart to say this but there has been no other option for me. I’m not feeling too good at the moment. After my last performance, I was diagnosed with Reflux Laryngitis and I have to take some time off to protect what’s left of my voice,” she wrote.
“On doctor’s order, I have to postpone the two shows this week. The new dates for both shows will be announced tomorrow.”
The singer apologised for the inconveniences the postponement may have caused.
Reflux laryngitis is an irritation in the back of the throat due to acid or other chemicals that come up from your stomach.
This usually happens at night when you’re asleep.
Other terms for this problem include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), acid reflux, and chronic laryngitis.
According to a Person on Twitter who claims to be a sibling to the victim, the singer in collaboration with his crew assaulted his brother for no reason. “You’re a bastard @wandecoal and you won’t get away with what you did to my brother this evening, My elder brother just called me subbing like a child because you and your gang beat him mercilessly simply because his vehicle was in your way,” he tweeted. “This bastard and his gang asked my brother to remove his vehicle so they could move, my brother obliged and went to get his car keys, as soon as he approached his car to open it, one of them slapped him, before he could say anything else, another punched him.”
“Never felt so livid in my entire life. My elder brother called me subbing like a child. They’d beaten him so bad he was crying so much. Who the fuck do you think you are?? @wandecoal.”
“My brother is subbing with a swollen face and black eye. All because of what???? My brother is the most easy going person I know. Always avoids trouble, so I’m pretty sure he did absolutely nothing to warrant getting treated like that.”
The singer’s associates were accused of almost killing some fun-seekers at a nightclub.
According to a close friend of the victims, the ugly incident was orchestrated by the singer’s crew over a woman.
“My Guys came to 9ja from England & USA Respectively 4 a wedding. I invited dem out to club Cubana a petty altercation with Burna Boy’s people arose (Cos of woman). The next thing Bullets started flying, one got scraped in the head by a bullet and the other one got shot in the leg,” he tweeted.
The singer has remained silent over the incident.
According to TMZ, Kanye West and Chaney Jones allegedly called it quits after vacationing in Tokyo together. The couple’s relationship reportedly went south upon returning home from their Tokyo getaway in May.
The former couple still follow each other on Instagram even though she has deleted all their photos from her page.
West and Chaney first made the headlines in Feb after they were spotted partying together.
The music star was also spotted with his in-laws, Kendall Jenner and Travis Scott.
The get-together was a listening party for West’s upcoming album, “Donda 2,” at Nobu in Malibu.
Chaney and West started dating early in the year amid his messy split with ex-wife, Kim Kardashian.
Kanye and Kim have been at loggerheads since they split last year.
Kim is currently dating comedian Pete Davidson while Kanye has been linked to several women.
He was first linked with International model, Irina Shynk.
This was followed by basketball dates with another model, Vinetria.
Most recently, the billionaire rapper has been seen on several dates with movie star Julia Fox.
In the latest episode of their podcast, How Far, the celebrity couple said they plan to have a private wedding ceremony. According to the billionaire heiress, she has always been a private person hence the decision to have a small wedding ceremony.
Mr Eazi agreed with his wife to be as he gave reasons why a lot of people won’t be attending their wedding.
The couple said they expect nothing less than ten close family and friends at their wedding ceremony.
On a lighter note, Temi said anyone who wants them to have a big wedding should be ready to pay ten thousand dollars per person or one million dollars for a table. Eazi also revealed he would love to have an afterparty with twenty guests after the wedding ceremony.
Mr Eazi proposed to Temi in April 2022.
Mr Eazi and Temi have had one of the most beautiful and interesting relationships in the entertainment space.
It would be recalled that in 2018, the music star recounted how he met the billionaire heiress.
“I met Temi in London. It was an event, her sister invited me to an event. Her sister was playing at the event, somewhere in Nightbridge and she said, oh come out come out, follow me to this event, so I followed her to the event and then she was deejaying and all of a sudden it was just me and Temi sitting down and just watching her,” he said. However, Eazi said Temi’s sister, DJ Cuppy didn’t, at any point, formally introduce Temi as her sister or him as a friend.
The expensive saxophone, a Selmer Paris Supreme 2022, was acquired by the family of the Afrobeat legend in an effort led by his son, Made Kuti, sister Yeni Kuti, and a committee of family and friends.
Speaking on the reason for joining in the surprise, Yeni Kuti said the family needed to celebrate Femi, who puts others before him and remains hardworking.
Made, the third generation Afrobeat talent also spoke on his father’s selflessness. He said he could tell his father coveted the saxophone but will not change his old saxophone despite the glitches it has been having in recent times.
The 26-year-old Grammy-nominated artist revealed that he spotted the saxophone in the company of his father during one of their tours. From the look in his father’s eyes, he could tell he wanted the saxophone but would rather put his responsibilities before his wants or needs. “This as far as I am concerned is the award of the people, it’s bigger than Grammy. I can’t ask got more,” the joyous Femi Kuti said as he received the saxophone valued at over €8000 from his family on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at the New Afrikan Shrine during the Father & Son: The Experience event.
The announcement means that Nigerian sensation Tems who is featured on the record alongside Canadian rapper Drake will receive her second US certification.
Tems received her first Platinum plaque in October 2021 when ‘Essence’ crossed the one million sales mark.
Since achieving international fame with the success of ‘Essence,’ Tems has been featured on the albums of global superstars Drake and his long-term collaborator Future.
With her second platinum plaque, Tems will be joining Wizkid as the only other Nigerian artist with two US platinum plaques. Wizkid achieved the feat by featuring on Drake’s global hit ‘One Dance’ and his smash international hit ‘Essence’ featuring Tems.
