BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: Jaypaul and Jackie B have been evicted

This weekend’s live show has seen the eviction of Jaypaul and Jackie B. The housemates join 13 already evicted contestants of the ‘Shine Ya Eye’ season. Kicking off with a recap of the week’s activities and a brief chit-chat with the housemates, show host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced Jaypaul as the 14th housemate to exit Biggie’s house.

After another round of chit-chatting with housemates, Ebuka announced the eviction of Jackie B.

Coincidentally, both housemates got spared from last week’s king-size eviction after winning immunity by emerging heads of house during the week’s games.

Away from the seriousness of the evictions, a key highlight of the show was Ebuka discussing housemates entangled in situationships including Cross, Queen, Whitemoney, Jackie B, Angel and Yousef.

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Entertainment / Music / News

Ckay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ becomes the No. 1 song in the world

On September 11, 2021, Nigerian singer-songwriter and music producer, Ckay‘s ‘Love Nwantiti’ became the No. 1 song on Shazam’s global charts. The chart tracks the most-searched songs in the world and ranks them on a chart. The song sits above global smash hits from major superstars like ‘Stay‘ by Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber, which is currently the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. It also sits above global anthems from Lil Nas X, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Dua Lipa, J Balvin, The Weeknd and more.

The version of ‘Love Nwantiti’ which sits atop the charts features Axel and DJ Yo.

Initially released on Ckay’s sophomore EP, Ckay The First in 2019, the song blew up when its video version featured Joeboy and Kuami Eugene. Ckay has since created several remixes of the record for mileage. Since then, Winnie Harlow has danced to the song on her Instagram stories.

This is good news for the industry.

The singer has since released another EP, left Chocolate City and signed to Warner Music Group, South Africa.

This comes after Wizkid’s ‘Essence‘ became the most-shazamed song in the US, and after Master KG‘s ‘Jerusalema’ also became the most-shazamed song in the world in Q4 2020.

What is Shazam?

According to Wikipedia, Shazam is an application that can identify music, movies, advertising, and television shows, based on a short sample played and using the microphone on the device.

The company is now owned by Apple.

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Entertainment / Movies / News

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez make red carpet debut at Venice Film Festival

American actors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez made their first red carpet debut since rekindling their romance.

The couple stood to take photos at the premiere of “The Last Duel” on Friday, September 10, 2021, in Venice, Italy.

Lopez and Affleck were spotted holding hands as they took photos just before the premiere of the movie.

Affleck co-wrote the Ridley Scott-directed film with longtime friend, Matt Damon.

‘Bennifer’ as they are fondly called, reunited in May after weeks of speculations.

They were spotted together on several occasions after her split with MLS star Alex Rodriguez.

Affleck and Lopez got engaged in 2002.

Signs they were on the rocks started to surface when they postponed their wedding in 2003.

They split months later in January 2004.

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Entertainment / Music / News

LadiPoe scores 2021 BET Hip-Hop Awards nomination

On September 10, 2021, Nigerian rapper, LadiPoe was nominated for Best International Flow at the 2021 BET Hip-Hop Awards.

He is nominated alongside six other international artists including Nasty C (South Africa), Xam (Brazil), Laylow (France), Gazo (France), Little Simz (UK), and Dave (UK).

A few years ago, Ghanaian legend, Sarkodie won that category. For LadiPoe, this comes after a stellar 18-month run, which involves two smash hit records, ‘Know You’ featuring Simi and ‘Feeling’ featuring Buju.

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Crime / News

25-year-old man drowns in Kano pond

The Kano State Fire Service has confirmed the death of a 25-year-old man, Sani Alassan, after drowning in a pond in Saye, Bichi Local Government Area of the state.

This was contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Saminu Abdullahi, on Monday in Kano.

Abdullahi said: “We received a distress call from one ASP Muhammed Zakarain of Bichi Fire Station at about 1:35 pm, on Sunday afternoon about the incident.

“On receiving the information, we deployed our rescue team to the scene at about 2:15 pm and Alassan was, however, brought out of the water dead.” He said the corpse had been handed over to the deceased’s father one Malam Alhassan Muhammed. The spokesman said the cause of the death was being investigated.…

Entertainment / News

2Face Idibia finally breaks silence over crisis rocking his marriage

“Let us deal with our issues internally. I take God beg una,” Idibia appeals. Nigerian music icon 2Face Idibia has finally broken his silence over the crisis rocking his marriage.

The music star took to his Instagram page on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, where he appealed to his family members and supporters to back off his personal life.

“I admit that bringing our personal issues to social media was not cool but I will not sit back and watch everyone have a free for all battle in the name of love and solidarity,” he wrote.

“None of us is perfect. I will like to urge our families and supporters to stop the madness and the public to please respect our privacy and our kids.”

“Let us deal with our issues internally. I take God beg una.”

The music star’s statement came on the heels of the social media drama that has rocked his marriage to movie star, Annie Idibia.

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Entertainment / Foreign / Movies / News

American actress Jennifer Lawrence is pregnant

American actress Jennifer Lawrence is expecting her first child with her hubby Cooke Maroney.

According to PageSix, the movie star and her hubby are expecting their first child together.

Lawrence was spotted with her blossoming belly during a stroll through New York City on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

She was pictured walking through New York wearing a pair of floral overalls and a delicate white T-shirt.

The 31-year-old “Hunger Games” actress tied the knot with the 37-year-old art gallery owner in Rhode Island two years ago after sporting an engagement ring designed by a New York jeweler.

Their wedding had 150 guests, including Kris Jenner and her boyfriend Corey Gamble, Amy Schumer, Emma Stone and Ashley Olsen.

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Entertainment / Music / News

Five years after leaving the label, Iyanya resigns with Ubi Franklin’s MMMG

On September 8, 2021, Nigerian star and recent appointee of the Cross River State government, Iyanya announce his realignment with Ubi Franklin and his label, Made Men Music Group [MMMG].

This comes after Iyanya, who exited the label in 2015 amidst several controversies, which peaked in 2019, has signed with MAVIN Records and Temple Music.

In a statement, the label says, “How time indeed flies, it has been 165.6M Secs, 2.8M minutes, 46K hours, 1916 days, 274 weeks, 63 months, 5 years since the resolution of the contract binding two resilient and hardworking parties that felt the need to give themselves time and grow independently.

“These parties having explored life differently in the same niche, various spheres and found a defining purpose to their missions have collectively decided to come as one body to reckon with.

“We appreciate the effort of friends, colleagues and well wishers for the years of believing in our craft, supporting our purpose and encouraging our mission. We also acknowledge the individual management over the past years and look forward to working as a large family.

“We hope that this re-emergence bring forth more successful years. AMEN.

“Iyanya, Let’s Get It 🙏🏿🎶

“WE OUTSIDE.”

In 2019, Franklin and his former artist, Iyanya had a public spat, which resulted in a media circus and Franklin appearing on Cool FM alongside Do2dtun to clear the air. While Iyanya was signed to MMMG, he became arguably the most sought after African act, releasing several hit records and two albums; Desire and Applaudise. He was also part of MMMG’s compilation album, The Evolution.

He has also released two EPs; Signature and For Your Love.

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Music / News

Chocolate City announces MI Abaga’s 11th studio project

On September 9, 2021, legendary Nigerian artist, MI Abaga, announced the completion of his 11th studio project, which he has tagged Project 11. The project is set to be a follow-up to 2020 efforts, Judah EP and The Live Report with AQ. Chocolate City Music, to which Abaga is still signed, announced the project with a carousel, “I think I’m done… Anyone wey no sweet, una go manage am like that… Thank you guys for the messages. Project 11 on the way.”

At this time, the title of the project is unknown. But Abaga did use the hashtag, ‘Undisputed.’ While Abaga exited Chocolate City Music as CEO in 2019 and has since been replaced by Abuchi Peter Ugwu, he is still signed to the label as an artist.…

Music / News

Here are the top 10 Nigerian songs of the week: Kizz Daniel’s ‘Lie’ remains at No. 1 for fourth week

Kizz Daniel’s “Lie” stays at No. 1 for a fourth consecutive week on the TurnTable Top 50

Also, Fireboy DML’s “Peru” rises to No. 3 on this week’s Top 50 to become the artiste’s highest charting song.

Additionally, Ayra Starr’s “Bloody Samaritan” ascends to No. 5 on the chart to become the artiste’s second top five entry.

The Top 50 blends all-genre freemium streaming (Top Streaming Chart), radio airplay (Top Airplay Chart) and TV airplay (TV Top Songs Chart) in Nigeria. All charts will be dated and updated on Mondays, this week’s chart will be revealed on Monday, September 6, 2021

Lie” tallied 46 million in radio reach (down 11.8%) and 2.5 million equivalent streams (up 3.3%). In the process, it becomes the second to spend its first four weeks at No. 1 on the TurnTable Top 50, joining Teni’s “FOR YOU” with Davido (which spent its first five weeks at No. 1).

With the premiere of the visuals of “Lie” last Friday, it is expected that the song will get a bump in activity on streaming and debut on the TV charts.

Omah Lay’s “Understand” holds at No. 2 after topping the chart for three weeks. “Understand” becomes the second song to spend its first eight weeks in the top 2 region of TurnTable Top 50 – joining Olamide’s “Rock.”

Fireboy DML’s “Peru” moves to a new peak of No. 3 on the TurnTable Top 50 to become the artiste’s highest charting entry on the chart (surpassing the No. 4 peak of “History”). “Peru” tallied 3.71 million in TV reach (down 15.7%), 45. 3 million in radio reach (up 15%) and 1.42 million equivalent streams (up 28%).

Burna Boy’s “Question” with Don Jazzy rockets into the top five at No. 4 after drawing 10.3 million in TV reach (up 167.5%), 32.4 million in radio reach (up 302.5%) and 1.51 million equivalent streams (up 60.6%).

“Question” is Burna Boy’s fifth top 10 entry on the chart while Don Jazzy becomes the second producer to record a top ten entry as

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Law / News / politics

MURIC to FG: We join Falana in seeking pardon for jailed 54 Soldiers

Sequel to a letter written by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), to President Muhammadu Buhari, seeking presidential pardon for soldiers jailed for refusing to fight Boko Haram, the Muslim Rights Concern has added its voice to the call for pardon for the soldiers.

MURIC’s call was made on Thursday in a statement through its Director and Founder, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.

MURIC said: “We endorse every sentence in the letter written by foremost human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), asking President Muhammadu Buhari to pardon soldiers jailed for refusing to fight Boko Haram with poor weapons. This case has unassailable merit and Mr. Falana’s letter has addressed all the necessary issues.

“We strongly believe that the punishment meted out to the soldiers were a miscarriage of justice. We also frown at the way the soldiers were discharged from prison after serving their term without any concern for their welfare. It is an invitation to anarchy. These are soldiers trained as members of the special forces. They were not ordinary soldiers. Releasing them into the society was therefore a most dangerous move. They may fall into wrong hands.

“However, we appeal to the released men to continue to be of good conduct, to remain law abiding and to always remember that Allah has a reason for everything. While they were in jail, many soldiers died fighting the insurgents. Some lost their limbs. But Allah has preserved them. It is also worthy of gratitude to Allah that none of them died in jail.

“Therefore our message to the 54 soldiers is this, ‘Have faith and thank God. It is possible that the Supreme Creator, in His divine wisdom, decided to keep you in jail in order to keep you alive or to keep you away from a worse fate.’ After all Prophet Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him) was imprisoned for no just cause and he came out victorious (Glorious Qur’an 12:35; Genesis 39:20).

“The Muslims among them should remember what Allah said in the Hadith Qudsy, ‘Whoever is not pleased …

Crime / News / Security

Inspector shoots Sergeant dead inside Police Station

A Police Officer identified as Sergeant Basharu Alhassan has been shot dead at Warawa Divisional Police Headquarters in Kano.

Yakubu was said to have been killed by one Inspector Ya’u Yakubu, his colleague at the Division.

While confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Kano State Police Command, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the deceased was rushed to Wudil General Hospital where he was confirmed dead by doctors

Kiyawa added that the Inspector was immediately arrested. He added that the suspect, who is presently at the State CID, will be subjected to medical test to ascertain his mental fitness as directed by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Sama’ila Dikko.

Kiyawa explained: “There was misunderstanding between the two officers and as a result, the Inspector fired a shot at the Sergeant.

“On our preliminary investigations, the said Inspector said he didn’t even know how he shot his colleague and he could remember that the deceased was laughing at him.

“So he was out of his sense and committed this act.”

Kiyawa added that the Commissioner ordered the case be transferred to the state CID, Homicides Section to enable them to conduct discrete investigation into the matter.

Daily Trust.…

Crime / News

NTA staff stoned to death, all staff arrested

A staff of the Nigerian Television Authority identified as Chukwu Odiahu has been reportedly stoned to death in Okene, Kogi State by yet to be identified assailants.

It was gathered that late Odiahu, who worked in the Engineering Department of the NTA booster station in Okene, was stoned to death on Tuesday evening after he closed from work.

A staff of NTA in Okene while confirming the incident said: “It is very unfortunate we all woke up this morning to see the death of one of our colleagues under the engineering department.

“When we closed transmission around 10pm on Tuesday, he left the office premises. “Unfortunately this morning (Wednesday), we discovered his corpse that he was killed with stones by some persons who we do not know.

All the staff on duty have been arrested because they are prime suspects.

“The incident has been reported to the Police for investigation.

“Odiahu is a gentleman who is committed to his duty.

“He died a horrible death.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP William Ovye Aya, failed to pick calls or messages sent to his mobile phones

News Express.…

News / politics

Electronic voting possible in Nigeria, says El Rufai

Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State says electronic voting is possible in Nigeria, with the right determination.

According to him, the success recorded in the last Local Government election conducted via electronic voting in the state was a demonstration that it was possible across the country.

The governor made the statement in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday to thank the people of the state state for giving the All Progressive Congress victory at the poll.

He welcomed the election as a unifying moment, describing the results from Kaduna South Senatorial District in particular as significant in advancing political consensus in the state and overcoming divisions.

According to him, his administration had placed the credibility and integrity of the electoral process above the discredited practice of previous governments of winner takes all.

He commended the electorates for showing, for the second time, that there was no obstacle to the successful adoption of electronic voting technology in Nigeria.

El-Rufai recalled that voters in the state first made history on May 12, 2018 when they cast their ballots on electronic voting machines to elect chairmen and councilors for the 23 local government councils in the state.

He also explained that the election had placed Kaduna State as the first in Nigeria to use electronic voting and first subnational in Africa to do so.

According to him, it also positioned Nigeria as the second country in Africa after Namibia to use the technology.

El-Rufai said: “The local government elections of 4th September 2021 further validated the Kaduna State Government’s decision to invest in Electronic Voting Machines to promote electoral integrity and transparency.

“Kaduna State is proudly upholding a new chapter in elections in Nigeria, using electronic voting technology, championed by a government that is determined to respect the outcome, win or lose.

“As governor of Kaduna State, I have always taken the view that we all win when democracy triumphs.”

El-Rufai congratulated all the winners in the local government elections and challenged them to use their period in office to serve the people, …

Entertainment / Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ is the No. 1 song on American Hip-Hop radio, as ‘Made In Lagos’ sells 200,000 copies in the US

he accolades keep racking up for Wizkid’s ‘Essence.’ Just days after it got remixes from DaBaby, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, while the song also topped an R&B chart earlier last week, the song now tops the charts on Hip-Hop radio.

The Hip-Hop radio chart is complied by iHeart, which owns 855 radio stations across the US.

iHeartRadio functions as the national umbrella brand for iHeartMedia’s radio network, the largest radio broadcaster in the United States. Its main competitors are Audacy, TuneIn and Sirius XM. Kid Laroi‘s ‘Stay’ featuring Justin Bieber is No. 1 overall while ‘Don’t Back Down’ by Mammoth WVH tops the Rock charts.

Meanwhile, Made In Lagos has surpassed 200,00 in equivalent sales in the US alone. It will he eligible for a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, once it reaches 500,000 in equivalent sales.

‘Blessed’ featuring Damian Marley, a song off ‘Made In Lagos’ has also surpassed 10 million views on YouTube alone. And that’s only the audio version of the song.

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Entertainment / News

‘I’ll scatter everything’ – Annie Idibia threatens as 2Face Idibia flees to the United States

‘I’ll scatter everything’ – Annie Idibia threatens as 2Face Idibia flees to the United States. This is according to his wife, Annie who has threatened to ‘scatter everything’ over his trip.
In a leaked audiotape released on social media on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, the movie star said 2Face told her he was travelling for a shoot.  Annie, while weeping in the leaked audio said her husband didn’t go for a shoot. Rather in conjunction with his cousin, Frank and his manager, Efe Omorogbe, the music star travelled to the United States of America.

The mother of two said her husband’s family has frustrated their marriage for the past ten years.

She also revealed that her husband was travelling to the United States of America to visit one of his baby mamas, Pero Adeniyi.

Finally, she threatened to go live on Instagram to spill all the tea.

The drama in the Idibia’s house made its way to the Internet on Thursday, September 2, 2021, after Annie called out the music star on her Instagram page.

She accused his family of not loving and caring about her since their marriage.

She also called him out for his suspicious relationship with Pero.

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Movies / News

Actor Michael K. Williams found dead in NYC apartment

American actor Michael K. Williams is dead. He was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment on Monday, September 6, 2021.

Drug paraphernalia was found in the apartment, suggesting a possible overdose, New York Post reported.

The actor was found dead in the living room of his Kent Avenue penthouse by his nephew.

The Flatbush native was famous for his role as Omar Little in the gritty TV series “The Wire’’ and as Chalky White in “Boardwalk Empire.’’

He was 54-years-old.

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Entertainment / Music / News

Here are the top 7 positions of Nigerian albums on the Billboard 200

With it, Burna Boy created a new peak for Nigerian artists on the same charts. However, on September 6, 2021, Wizkid’s ‘Made In Lagos’ overhauled all before it and charted at No. 28 on the Billboard 200.

This then got Pulse Nigeria asking; what are the other Nigerian albums to have charted on the Billboard 200? We were able to find five and here they are;

7.) Davido – A Better Time

Year of release: 2020

Label: Columbia Records/Sony

Weeks on the chart: 1

Peak: 170 [November 27, 2020]

A sequel to Davido’s A Good Time, A Better Timefollowed a year of heavyweight album releases by Nigerian superstars and it entered the charts. It also became Davido’s only appearance on the chart.

6.) Sunny Ade – Juju Music

Year of release: 1982

Label: Mango/Island Records

Weeks on the chart: 29

Peak: 111 [September 17, 1983]

When the album was released, it was described by The New York Times as the week’s best new dance music. At the time, Sunny Ade was two years away from being touted to be the replacement for Bob Marley.

5.) WIzkid – Sounds From The Other Side

Year of release: 2017

Label: Starboy/RCA UK

Weeks on the chart: 1

Peak: 107 [August 5, 2017]

Wizkid‘s crossover had been given a massive jolt by his production, writing and feature credits of Drake‘s 2016 No. 1 single, ‘One Dance.’ Thus Wizkid immediately followed it up with an album that was called an EP at the time. The crossover didn’t quite pan out as we’d hoped but we will always have this moment.

4.) Burna Boy – African Giant

Year of release: 2019

Label: Spaceship/Bad Habit/Atlantic/Warner

Weeks on the chart: 1

Peak position: 104 [August 10, 2019]

In 2019, Burna Boy quickly followed his well-received Outside album with African Giant –

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Entertainment / Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Made In Lagos’ to become Nigeria’s highest charting album ever on the Billboard 200

On September 6, 2021, it became known that Wizkid’s Made In Lagos, has risen to a new position of No. 28 on the Billboard 200.

This comes after a ‘Essence (Remix)’ with Justin Bieber – which rose to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 – and Made In Lagos (Deluxe).

With this new peak, ‘Made In Lagos’ becomes Nigeria’s highest charting album on the Billboard 200, surpassing Burna Boy’s Twice As Tall, which peaked at No. 54. Last week, ‘Made In Lagos’ peaked at No. 58. When the album dropped in October 2020, ‘Made In Lagos’ peaked at No. 80.

In a review of ‘Made In Lagos (Deluxe),’ Pulse Nigeria noted that, “Made In Lagos’ has risen to No. 58 on the Billboard 200. The highest chart position for a Nigerian album on the chart is No. 54, by Burna Boy’s ‘Twice As Tall.’ With a deluxe version and surging success of ‘Essence,’ ‘Made In Lagos’ could rise even further on the charts.”

Here is a list of other nigerian Albums that have entered the Billboard 200 :

Davido – A Better Time ( 2020 )

Sunny Ade – Juju Music ( 1983 )

Wizkid – Sounds From The Other Side ( 2017 )

Burna Boy – African Giant ( 2019 )

King Sunny Ade – Syncro System ( 1983 )

Burna Boy – Twice As Tall ( 2020 ).

 

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Entertainment / Music / News

After features with Wizkid, Justin Bieber and Drake, Tems’ sophomore EP to drop next week

On September 6, 2021, Nigerian singer, Tems announced that her sophomore EP is set to drop next week.

The announcement came via her Twitter handle. She wrote that, “My beautiful gang, thank you for the massive love you’ve shown me. It’s too plenty. Honestly, believe me when I say I love y’all baaaaaddd. NEW EP OUT NEXT F*CKIN WEEK!!! It’s time...”

This comes after a stellar year, where she’s featured on chart topping ‘Essence’ alongside Wizkid and Justin Bieber, while she’s also featured on a song with Drake.

In 2019, Tems launched with singles, ‘Looku Looku’ and ‘Mr. Rebel.’ She followed it up with ‘Try Me’ and then released two more singles before her debut EP, For Broken Ears.

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