Entertainment
The Headies Awards Heads to Canada for Its 18th Edition.
The Headies Awards is set to cross another international border as organisers have announced that its 18th edition will take place in Toronto, Canada. The announcement was made on June 15, 2026, during a special event tagged “The Big Announcement” held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.
The founder of Headies, Ayo Animashaun, revealed that while the main ceremony will be hosted in Toronto, Nigerian audiences will remain part of the experience through a live watch party in Lagos. The arrangement is aimed at keeping local fans connected to the event despite its overseas location.

Photo: Instagram
This year’s edition also arrives at a significant moment for The Headies, which is celebrating 20 years since its launch in 2006. The Headies has grown into one of Africa’s most recognised music award platforms, honouring outstanding achievements across the Nigerian and African music industries. It was originally known as the Hip Hop World Awards before adopting its current name. Over the years, the ceremony has celebrated artists, producers, songwriters and other contributors shaping contemporary African music.
This will not be the first time the awards are taking place outside Nigeria. The 15th edition was held in Atlanta, United States, in 2022, followed by the 16th edition in the same city in 2023. The event returned to Lagos for its 17th edition in April 2025 under the theme “Back to Base.”
Addressing concerns about moving the ceremony abroad again, Animashaun explained that economic realities and the need to sustain the awards played a role in the decision. He also stressed that taking the event overseas should not be interpreted as abandoning its Nigerian roots, especially with plans already in place to involve audiences in Lagos through a simultaneous viewing experience.

Photo: Instagram
The organisers also announced plans for the inaugural Headies Trade and Investment Summit, an initiative designed to bring together investors, policymakers, business leaders and stakeholders within the creative industry. The summit is expected to explore opportunities that could support long-term growth in Nigeria’s entertainment sector.
Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Carlos Rojas-Arbulu, who attended the event, pointed to the increasing presence of Nigerian artists in Canada. He noted that performers such as Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Olamide, Asake, Ayra Starr, Shallipopi and Reekado Banks have all recently performed in the country, reflecting the growing demand for Nigerian music internationally.
As preparations begin for the 18th edition, organisers are expected to release more information in the coming months, including the event date, nominees and activities leading up to the ceremony. With Toronto confirmed as the host city, The Headies continues its effort to expand its international footprint while maintaining a connection to the audience that has supported it for nearly two decades.
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Entertainment
Funke Akindele’s ‘The Four’ Sets December 11 Release Date
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele is set to return to cinemas with her latest feature film, “The Four: No One Fights Alone”, which will be released on December 11, 2026. The film is being produced by Funke Akindele Network (FAAN TV) and distributed exclusively by FilmOne Entertainment.

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele
Akindele announced the project on Monday, August 10, unveiling both the title and the ensemble cast ahead of its December cinema release. The film tells the story of Esosa and three women whose lives become tied to the future of a young man they care about. Their loyalty to him puts their friendship and personal convictions under pressure as they navigate challenges between the Odu community and the city.
The film also draws on Nigerian cultural elements, with music, fashion, language and traditional settings incorporated into the production. Rather than focusing solely on the four central women, the story places their relationships and the choices they make at the heart of the film.

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele
Akindele takes on multiple responsibilities on the production, serving as the writer, director and producer of “The Four”.
The cast features Akindele alongside Bisola Aiyeola, Chioma Akpotha, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Timini Egbuson, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu, Uzor Arukwe, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Antar Laniyan and Wunmi Toriola. Singer Waje and Afrobeats artist Shoday are also part of the cast, alongside entertainment personalities Samuel Banks, Kolapo Omotosho and Ayomide Iwasokun.

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele
The December release comes after a series of commercially successful cinema releases for Akindele. Her recent films include “Battle on Buka Street”, “A Tribe Called Judah” and “Behind The Scenes”. In January 2026, the National Film and Video Censors Board said “Behind The Scenes” had surpassed ₦2.4 billion at the Nigerian box office.
Entertainment
Tems to Executive Produce Children of Blood and Bone Soundtrack
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems has added another major international credit to her career after being named the Executive Music Producer and Curator for the soundtrack of Paramount Pictures’ upcoming fantasy film “Children of Blood and Bone”.
The announcement was made by director Gina Prince-Bythewood during the trailer launch event in New York and was confirmed on social media by Tems’ manager, Muyiwa Awoniyi.

Photo: x.com
As Executive Music Producer and Curator, Tems will help shape the soundtrack’s creative direction, overseeing the selection and development of music that supports the film’s story. The role marks one of her most significant behind-the-scenes contributions to a major Hollywood production, extending her work beyond performing and songwriting.
Speaking at the event, Prince-Bythewood explained that Tems had been part of her creative process long before production began. She recalled listening to the singer’s music while writing the film and said songs such as “Try Me” influenced the emotional tone she hoped to achieve. According to the director, she listened to Tems’ “Try Me” while writing the film and had long envisioned her curating and executive producing the soundtrack.
The soundtrack will also feature contributions from several Nigerian artists. Burna Boy has joined the project as Executive Music Consultant, while Fireboy DML, BNXN and Ayra Starr are expected to appear on the soundtrack alongside Tems’ new material. Their involvement shows the growing presence of Nigerian artists in major international film projects.

Photo: Instagram
Although the latest announcement centres on the soundtrack, it also represents another milestone for Tems, whose career has continued to expand across music, film and international collaborations. In recent years, the singer has earned global recognition through award-winning releases and high-profile partnerships, and this latest role places her at the centre of the musical identity of a major studio film.
The first official trailer for “Children of Blood and Bone” was released on 28 July, giving audiences their first full look at the fantasy adaptation. With Tems leading the soundtrack and contributing three original songs, anticipation is expected to grow ahead of the film’s theatrical release on 15 January 2027.
Entertainment
2Baba Reacts to Viral Romantic Video With Ex-Wife Annie Idibia
Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has responded after a romantic video of him and his ex-wife, Annie Macaulay, resurfaced online and sparked fresh speculation that the former couple had reconciled.
The clip, which circulated widely across social media over the weekend, showed the former couple sharing affectionate moments as they hugged, kissed and danced to 2Baba’s hit song “Amaka” in a night club. Comedian Nasboi was also seen in the video as the trio enjoyed the moment, leading many social media users to believe the footage was recent and that the pair had reconciled.

Photo: Instagram/@Official2Baba
Reacting to the rumours, 2Baba dismissed the claims with a brief message on his Instagram page.
“Abeg na old video o”, he wrote, adding laughing emojis.
His response came shortly after Annie also addressed the speculation on her Instagram Stories. The actress cautioned people against believing every post they come across online, explaining that the circulating clips were not new.
“Old videos circulating everywhere, false news everywhere!!! Believe everything u see on SM at ur expense! Wishing everyone a great, fruitful week ahead”, she wrote.

Photo: Instagram
The resurfaced footage quickly attracted attention because of the history between the pair. 2Baba announced in January 2025 that he and Annie had separated after years of marriage. The announcement marked the end of one of Nigeria’s most closely followed celebrity relationships.
Months after the separation became public, 2Baba began a relationship with Edo State lawmaker Natasha Osawaru. The couple later held a traditional marriage ceremony in July 2025, making the recent circulation of the old nightclub video even more surprising to many followers who assumed it reflected current events.
The viral clip drew renewed attention to 2Baba and Annie’s past relationship, but both parties have since clarified that the footage is old and does not represent a recent development between them.
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