EMPIRE announces Africa compilation album, ‘Where We Come From (V0L.1)’

Set to highlight the rising talent from their ever-growing roster on the continent, Where We Come From (Vol. 1), is a testament to Africa’s ability to foster unity through music. Working on this album has been one of the highlights of my career, Bnxn fka Buju said. “I feel blessed to have been around so much talent, drive, and creativity all in the same room. This album is about showcasing the best that Africa has to offer, and we’ve done that.

The compilation project is a body of work created during the writing camp at EMPIRE’s headquarters in San Francisco directly following their first showcase “The New Africa” during the second night of SXSW in March. The crowd saw performances by BNXN fka BujuChequeFireboy DML, June FreedomL.A.X, Wande Coal, and other African music trailblazers who are signed to EMPIRE. Artists set to be spotlighted on the upcoming project include Fireboy DML, Olamide, Bnxn fka Buju, Navy Kenzo, Wande Coal, Tolani, Black Sherif, Leil, Kizz Daniel, L.A.X, and more.

“This album is a collective of multi-talented, independent artists, who we’ve partnered with to help create a legacy of cultural appreciation and collaboration, ” Ezegozie Eze, Jr., VP, Strategy and Market Development – Africa & Diaspora said. “Building this platform is one way we plan to further highlight the soundscapes of Africa and the diversity of its artists. It’s a celebration of familiar sounds and the emerging fusions, of familiar voices and rising stars. We’re extremely appreciative of the time and dedication it took everyone involved to put this together.”

EMPIRE Africa globalized EMPIRE’s existing success in America by further highlighting and developing the accomplishments of Nigerian artists like Fireboy DML, Bnxn fka Buju, Olamide, KiDi, Black Sherif, and Asake. Named as the top label in Nigeria, EMPIRE holds this title by market share and as the top music company with the collective most No. 1’s in Nigeria according to TurnTable Charts, the Billboard equivalent in Africa. Furthermore,

Jussie Smollett found guilty of 5 out of 6 count charges

American actor Jussie Smollett has been found guilty of staging his attack a few years ago. The actor claimed to have been attacked by two men who beat him up, tied a noose around his neck, and poured bleach on him.

The actor was found guilty of five out of the six charges levelled against him. The jury of six men and six women deliberated for more than nine hours on Wednesday, December 8 – December 9, 2021.

He was charged for disorderly conduct charge for a false crime report which is a Class 4 felony and punishable by up to three years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

It would be recalled that Smollett was hospitalised after he was reportedly injured by two men in what looks like a homophobic attack back in January 2019.

There were reportedly two men wearing ski masks that viciously attacked Jussie as he fought back.

He suffered a fractured rib, and the attackers put a rope around his neck and poured bleach on him as they yelled, “This is MAGA country.”

The Osundairo brothers were later named in the alleged attack on Smollett.

Taraji P Henson says she shot ‘Acrimony’ in 5 days amid filming ‘Empire’

‘Empire’ star Taraji P. Henson has opened up about her iconic role in Tyler Perry’s 2018 psychological thriller, ‘Acrimony’. In a recent Instagram post, Henson revealed that she filmed her role in five days while on the set of FOX’s television series ‘Empire’.

“I filmed my role in Acrimony in FIVE DAYS in the middle of playing Cookie on @Empire!! Tyler Perry told me I could do it, so of course, I believed him . I was soooo afraid I would fail because I had no time to get into character (so I thought)!

“I learned something new about my instrument on this production. We also had no time for a lot of takes so EVErY scene was about two takes…maybe three and then it was time to move on 🥵!! WOW.” 

Also starring Lyriq Bent and Crystle Stewart, the film follows Melinda, a faithful wife who becomes enraged when she discovers she has been betrayed. The film sparked quite the reaction on social media that lingered for months.