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The Headies Awards Heads to Canada for Its 18th Edition.

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Photo: Instagram

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

Burna Boy Becomes First Nigerian Artist to Surpass 4 Billion YouTube Views

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Photo: Instagram/@burnaboygram

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.

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Funke Akindele Releases First Images of ‘The Four’

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Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele

Funke Akindele has released the first images from her upcoming film, “The Four: No One Fights Alone”, giving audiences a closer look at the cast ahead of its December cinema release.

The actress and filmmaker shared the images on September 1, featuring herself alongside several members of the film’s ensemble cast.

The released images feature Akindele alongside Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Timini Egbuson, Bisola Aiyeola, Chioma Akpotha, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu and Uzor Arukwe. Ronke Oshodi Oke and Wunmi Toriola are also among the cast.

Akindele accompanied the images with a caption describing the film as a story filled with “friendship, laughter, tension, secrets and everything in between.” She also confirmed that The Four will arrive in cinemas on December 11.

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele

The first-look release comes shortly after Akindele announced the film and unveiled its cast in August. “The Four” is a drama set between the Odu community and the city, following Esosa and three women who are closely connected to her as they fight for the future of a young man they love. Their journey puts their friendship, courage, faith and loyalty to the test.

Music is also part of the film’s build-up, with Akindele, Waje, Bisola Aiyeola and Chioma Chukwuka joining forces on “Ore Mi”, one of the soundtracks for The Four. Produced by Tyanx, the song draws on the film’s themes of friendship, love and the bond between close friends. Akindele said the recording was inspired by the folktale-style storytelling through music that many Nigerians grew up with, making the song an extension of the relationships at the centre of the film.

“The Four: No One Fights Alone” is produced by Funke Akindele Network (FAAN TV) and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment. The film is scheduled to open in cinemas globally on December 11, 2026.

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Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele

Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele

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Funke Akindele’s ‘The Four’ Sets December 11 Release Date

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Photo: Instagram/@funkejenifaakindele

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.

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