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Wizkid, Ayra Starr and Niko Omilana Named Among 2026 MOBO Awards Winners

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Wizkid, Ayra Starr & Niko Omilana

Wizkid, Ayra Starr and Niko Omilana were counted among the winners at the 2026 MOBO Awards, in a line-up that reflects the broad scope of contemporary Black entertainment.

The MOBO Awards, established to recognise achievement in music of Black origin, continue to spotlight artists and personalities shaping global culture. This year’s edition brought together established names and emerging voices, with African talent again visible across key categories

Photo: Instagram

Wizkid’s recognition adds to a catalogue of international awards that have marked his career over the past decade. Known for chart-topping releases and high-profile collaborations, the Nigerian artist has maintained a consistent presence across global markets, including the UK and Europe. His influence has extended beyond recordings to touring and cross-continental partnerships, reinforcing his position within Afrobeats’ global expansion.

Photo: Instagram

For Ayra Starr, the win signals continued momentum. Since her breakout, she has released projects that have performed across streaming platforms while also securing international bookings. Her sound blends Afropop with contemporary global pop elements, contributing to a growing audience outside West Africa. Industry coverage has linked her rise to a wider wave of young African artists gaining traction in multiple territories, including Southern Africa.

Photo: Instagram

The inclusion of Niko Omilana reflects the MOBO Awards’ recognition of cultural impact beyond traditional music categories. Known for his online content and strong youth following, Omilana represents a digital-first model of influence, where audience reach is built across platforms rather than through music releases alone.

Together, these winners illustrate the range of talent shaping Black entertainment today. From established recording artists to emerging global acts and digital creators, the 2026 MOBO Awards highlight how influence extends across music, media and online communities. For audiences in South Africa, where Afrobeats and global pop continue to intersect, the outcomes reinforce ongoing connections between African artists and international platforms.

 

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Entertainment

‘Black Market’ Breaks Guinness World Record With Over 51,000 Viewers

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Photo: Instagram/@fatimahgimsay

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.

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Credit: Channels

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Burna Boy Set to Headline Halftime Show at 2026 NFL Paris Game

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Photo: Instagram/@burnaboygram

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.

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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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