Entertainment
How I Signed Wizkid Through Banky W – Akon.
Senegalese-American singer and music executive Akon has opened up about how his professional relationship with Wizkid began, crediting Nigerian singer and entrepreneur Banky W for introducing him to the Afrobeats star during the early stages of his career.
Speaking in a recent interview on The Shade Room, Akon recalled that Banky W played a key role in connecting him with Wizkid while the Nigerian singer was still signed to Empire Mates Entertainment (EME). According to Akon, Banky W believed Wizkid had the talent to succeed beyond Nigeria and reached out to explore opportunities that could help expand his reach internationally.

Photo: Facebook
The collaboration eventually led to Wizkid signing with Akon’s music company, Konvict Muzik, through a partnership with EME.
Reflecting on that period, Akon said he was impressed by Wizkid’s talent from the beginning. He added that Banky W strongly believed in the singer’s potential and worked to create opportunities that would introduce his music to audiences outside Africa.
The partnership came at a time when Wizkid was gaining attention with songs from his debut album, “Superstar”, released in 2011. Tracks such as “Holla at Your Boy”, “Don’t Dull” and “Pakurumo” helped establish him as one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising artists, attracting interest from international music executives.

Photo: Instagram
The partnership became one of Wizkid’s earliest international career moves, helping expand his exposure beyond Nigeria. In the years that followed, he went on to collaborate with several international stars, including Drake on the chart-topping hit “One Dance”, as well as Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and many others.
Akon’s comments also highlight Banky W’s contribution to the development of Wizkid’s career. As the founder of EME, Banky W signed Wizkid in 2009 and helped shape his early years in the industry before Wizkid later parted ways with EME and launched his own imprint, Starboy Entertainment.
Today, Wizkid is regarded as one of the biggest African artists of his generation, with Grammy recognition, multiple international awards and sold-out performances across major venues worldwide. Akon’s reflection serves as a reminder of an important chapter in that journey, showing how a connection made through Banky W helped open the door to opportunities that would later contribute to Wizkid’s rise on the global stage.
Entertainment
‘Black Market’ Breaks Guinness World Record With Over 51,000 Viewers
Nollywood crime thriller Black Market has set a Guinness World Record after more than 51,000 people watched the film at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos.
The screening took place on Saturday, September 26, with thousands of movie lovers gathering at TBS for the film’s premiere. Guinness World Records recognised 51,000 viewers as the qualifying attendance for the largest audience at a film screening in a single location.
The figure surpassed the previous record of 43,624 viewers, set in 2015 during a screening of the Filipino film Felix Manalo at the Philippine Arena. Organisers of Black Market had targeted 50,000 viewers for the Lagos screening.

Photo: Instagram/@fatimahgimsay
Attendance at TBS was reportedly higher than the number recognised for the record. Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat put the total event attendance at about 64,000 people. However, Guinness World Records counted only viewers who stayed for the screening from start to finish, making 51,000 the official figure.
The event began in the afternoon, with the gates opening at about 2pm and the red carpet starting around 3pm. The main screening took place in the evening, while music, food and games were also part of the programme. Long queues were reported around TBS as attendees arrived.
Black Market follows five women involved in a cross-border smuggling operation whose lives take a turn after the daughter of one of them is kidnapped. The film was directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and written by Gimsay and Abdul Tijani-Ahmed.
The cast includes Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Lateef Adedimeji, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele D Icon, and Uzor Arukwe, among others. The film was produced by Rixel Studios, Signet Ring Studios and FilmOne Studios, while FilmOne Entertainment handled its distribution.
Watch Below:
Credit: Channels
Entertainment
Burna Boy Set to Headline Halftime Show at 2026 NFL Paris Game
Nigerian singer Burna Boy has been announced as the headline performer for the halftime show at the 2026 NFL Paris Game.
The Grammy Award-winning singer will perform at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Sunday, October 25, when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New Orleans Saints. The game will be the NFL’s first regular-season game in France and is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CEST, or 9:30 a.m. ET.

Photo: Instagram/@burnaboygram
The performance will see Burna Boy return to Stade de France, where he made history in April 2025 as the first African artist to headline a solo concert at the stadium.
Speaking about his return to the venue, Burna Boy said the opportunity carries special meaning because of his previous experience there.
“Paris gave me one of the biggest nights of my career, and to walk back into Stade de France for a moment like this means everything,” he said.

Photo: Instagram/@burnaboygram
Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, said the league wanted an artist who could match the significance of its first regular-season game in France. He also pointed to Burna Boy’s previous performances at the stadium and the long-standing connection between Paris and African music.
Burna Boy joins the lineup of halftime performers for the NFL’s 2026 International Games. Other performers include the Jonas Brothers at the Melbourne Game, Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin at the Rio Game, Ayra Starr at the London Game, Cage The Elephant at the Munich Game and The Warning at the Mexico City Game.
In France, the Paris Game will be broadcast live on France Télévisions and beIN Sports. L’Équipe is scheduled to air the game later that evening. The NFL said more details about entertainment and fan events around the game will be announced ahead of the fixture.
Entertainment
Burna Boy Becomes First Nigerian Artist to Surpass 4 Billion YouTube Views
Burna Boy has crossed another major digital milestone, becoming the first Nigerian artist to surpass four billion total views on YouTube.
The milestone was reported on September 3, 2026, after the combined views on the singer’s official YouTube channel surpassed four billion. The figure covers music videos and other content uploaded to the channel.

Photo: Instagram/@burnaboygram
At the time of the reports, Burna Boy’s official channel had recorded more than 4.02 billion views and had over 7.21 million subscribers.
Some of the singer’s most watched videos include “On The Low,” “Ye,” “Last Last” and “For My Hand,” his collaboration with British singer Ed Sheeran.
The latest figure also extends a record Burna Boy first set in 2021, when he became the first Nigerian artist to cross one billion total YouTube views. Five years later, he has reached four times that figure.

Photo: Instagram/@burnaboygram
The increase highlights Burna Boy’s rise from Nigeria’s music scene to one of Africa’s most internationally recognised artists. His songs have found audiences across Africa, Europe and North America, while his music videos have continued to attract viewers long after their release.
Born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Burna Boy has connected Nigerian sounds with audiences outside the country. His album African Giant, released in 2019, earned a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album, while Twice as Tall won the same award at the 63rd Grammy Awards in 2021.
As of the reports announcing the milestone, Burna Boy has not publicly commented on the achievement. The figure was recorded through tracking of his official YouTube channel.
-
Music1 month agoWhat Exactly Are Ayra Starr and ZAYN Singing About on “Heaven Baby”?
-
Models1 month agoMeet the African Queens Competing for the Miss World 2026 Crown
-
Big Brother Naija1 month agoEverything You Missed on Big Brother Naija Week 5
-
Movies1 month ago5 Nollywood Films to Stream on YouTube
-
Lifestyle2 months agoThese Women Are in Their ‘Rich Girl Era’ and We’re Taking Notes
-
Lifestyle2 months agoAngélique Kidjo Makes History With Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
-
Models2 months agoTeminikan Goes Blonde-Girl for Birthday Shoot
-
Celebrity News1 month agoAyra Starr to Headline 2026 NFL London Game Halftime Show
-
The Best Dressed Celebrities This Week1 month agoThe Best-Dressed Stars of the Week Kept Things Chic and Daring
-
Movies1 month ago“Dear Ajayi” Makes History as First Nigerian Production in Venice Days Competition | Watch Trailer


