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
Toke Makinwa Weighs In on Love, Money and Dating Expectations.
Media personality Toke Makinwa has once again stirred conversation with her views on relationships, this time sharing why she believes financial compatibility deserves more attention when people choose a partner. Speaking on an episode of MENtality, the podcast hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Makinwa argued that many of the disagreements couples face could be avoided if people were more realistic about age, lifestyle and financial expectations before getting into a relationship.
According to her, she believes in dating within one’s age and financial class. In her view, doing so helps reduce unnecessary misunderstandings that often arise when partners have completely different lifestyles or expectations. She suggested that many relationship problems begin when people ignore these differences at the start, only for them to become major issues later.

Photo: Instagram
Makinwa also addressed a common complaint about women being labelled materialistic. She argued that some men intentionally pursue women whose lifestyles they already know they cannot comfortably maintain, only to criticise them afterwards for having expensive tastes. Rather than placing all the blame on one gender, she maintained that people should be honest about what they can afford and choose partners whose expectations align with their reality.
The media personality also reflected on women who support their partners before financial success arrives. She noted that there are women who remain supportive during difficult periods but later find themselves treated differently after their partners become wealthy. For Makinwa, money does not completely change a person; instead, it has a way of revealing qualities that may have always existed beneath the surface.

Photo: Instagram
Her remarks have since added to the ongoing conversation about love, finances and compatibility in modern relationships. While opinions remain divided, the discussion highlights a subject that continues to resonate with many people navigating today’s dating scene. Whether people agree with her perspective or not, Makinwa’s comments have once again placed the realities of money and relationships at the centre of public debate.
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Entertainment
Wizkid Features on Jorja Smith’s New Single ‘Alive’ Ahead of Her New Album.
Nigerian music star Wizkid has reunited with British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith on her newly released single, “Alive,” bringing the pair together again after previous collaborations.
Released on July 2, “Alive” is one of the tracks from Jorja Smith’s forthcoming third studio album, “What Are The Odds”, which is due on August 21. The song blends smooth R&B melodies with subtle Afro-influenced rhythms, creating a relaxed sound that suits both artists. Jorja Smith sets the tone with her soulful vocals before Wizkid steps in with his signature calm delivery, adding a different texture without disrupting the flow of the record.

Photo: Instagram
The official video, filmed in Paris, matches the song’s easy-going mood. The visual follows Jorja Smith as she dances, sweats, and moves through the streets, parties and hotel rooms of Paris during a sweltering summer night. The tension and energy build continuously throughout the video until she reunites with Wizkid for the song’s final moments. It highlights themes of friendship and connection.
For many Nigerian listeners, Wizkid’s appearance is one of the main reasons the release has attracted attention. He has worked with several international artists over the years while remaining selective about the songs he features on. On “Alive,” he settles naturally into Jorja Smith’s sound while still delivering the style that has earned him global recognition.

Photo: x.com
The new single also gives listeners a sense of the direction Jorja Smith is taking on “What Are The Odds”. The 12-track album was produced entirely by P2J, the British-Nigerian producer known for his work across Afrobeats, R&B and pop. According to Jorja Smith, the album grew out of conversations with producer P2J about creating music that leaned further into dance while preserving the honest songwriting that has become central to her work. Besides Wizkid, the only other featured artist on the project is British grime rapper Devlin.
For Wizkid, “Alive” is another international collaboration, but one that feels familiar rather than unexpected. His previous collaborations with Jorga Smith have been well received, and this latest reunion is likely to spark fresh interest from listeners as they count down to the release of her new album next month.
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Entertainment
Davido Announces Release Date for his Sixth Album “ORIADE”.
Nigerian music star Davido has officially confirmed that his sixth studio album, “ORIADE”, will be released on July 31, 2026, giving fans a date to look forward to. The award-winning singer shared the announcement through his official social media pages (X, Instagram), where he also unveiled a cinematic teaser that immediately became a talking point among fans and within the entertainment industry.
Rather than offering a preview of the music, the teaser centres on imagery inspired by Yoruba culture and features a traditional Yoruba praise chant (oríkì). Davido appears in regal attire surrounded by symbols of royalty, including a throne, crown and traditional beads. The visual is accompanied by the words, “The kingdom expands. Chosen long before the throne,” reinforcing its themes of destiny, legacy and leadership without revealing the album’s storyline.

Photo: Instagram
The title “ORIADE” has also attracted attention. Derived from the Yoruba words orí (head or destiny) and adé (crown), the name conveys ideas of purpose, honour and kingship. Davido has described the album as a celebration of his journey over the past 15 years and a reflection of purpose and gratitude, themes that align with the title’s meaning.
The announcement comes shortly after the release of “I Know Who I Be,” the album’s lead single, which arrived on June 26, 2026. The song serves as the first official introduction to “ORIADE” and signals the beginning of its promotional campaign. Beyond the lead single and the confirmed release date, Davido has kept most details under wraps. However, the forthcoming project has been confirmed to contain 13 tracks, making it the shortest studio album of his career, while the full tracklist, featured artists and production credits are yet to be unveiled.

Photo: Instagram
“ORIADE” follows “5ive”, released in April 2025, and marks Davido’s sixth studio album. Since his debut, the singer has consistently remained among Nigeria’s leading music exports, building a catalogue that has resonated across Africa and international markets. The forthcoming project adds another chapter to a career that continues to evolve while maintaining strong ties to his musical roots.
With the release date now confirmed and the rollout officially underway, “ORIADE” is set to be one of the notable Nigerian album releases of 2026. More details are expected in the coming weeks, but until then, listeners have their first glimpse of the project and a date to mark on their calendars.
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