Celebrity News

Wizkid’s Musical Journey: What you don’t know

Published

7 months ago

31 August 2024

In the global music scene, few artists have achieved the level of success and influence that Wizkid has. From his early beginnings in Lagos, Nigeria, to becoming one of the most recognized faces of Afrobeats worldwide, Wizkid’s journey is a testament to his talent, hard work, and visionary approach to music.

This article takes an in-depth look at Wizkid’s evolution from his breakout single “Holla at Your Boy” to his current status as a global music icon, examining his musical growth, influence on Afrobeats, and contributions to the global music industry.

Early Beginnings:

Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on July 16, 1990, in Lagos, Nigeria, started his musical journey at a young age. Raised in Surulere, a district in Lagos, Wizkid was exposed to a variety of music genres, including reggae, fuji, and hip-hop.

His love for music led him to form a group called “Glorious Five” with some friends when he was just 11 years old. Although the group did not achieve commercial success, it was a crucial starting point for Wizkid, who soon began to hone his skills as a solo artist.

In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), a move that would prove to be pivotal in his career. Under EME, Wizkid released his debut single “Holla at Your Boy” in 2010.

The song quickly became a hit, it marked Wizkid’s entry into the Nigerian music industry. “Holla at Your Boy” earned him several awards and nominations, and it was clear that a new star was on the rise.

The Superstar Era:

Following the success of “Holla at Your Boy,” Wizkid released his debut studio album, Superstar, in 2011. The album was a critical and commercial success, featuring hits like “Tease Me/Bad Guys,” “Pakurumo,” and “Don’t Dull.”

Superstar solidified Wizkid’s place in the Nigerian music industry and introduced him as one of the leading voices of the Afrobeats genre.

Afrobeats, a genre that blends traditional African rhythms with contemporary sounds like hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B, was beginning to gain international attention, and Wizkid was at the forefront of this movement.

His ability to fuse local and global influences in his music made him a standout artist, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa.

During this period, Wizkid’s collaborations with other Nigerian artists, including Wande Coal, D’banj, and Ice Prince, further expanded his reach and influence. His music was characterized by its catchy melodies, relatable lyrics, and infectious beats, which resonated with a broad audience.

Breaking International Barriers:

Wizkid’s journey to global stardom took a significant leap in 2016 with his feature on Drake’s hit single “One Dance.” The song, which topped charts in over 15 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, introduced Wizkid to a global audience.

“One Dance” became one of the best-selling digital singles of all time, and Wizkid’s contribution to the track was widely recognized.

Following the success of “One Dance,” Wizkid continued to collaborate with international artists, including Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, Major Lazer, and Skepta. These collaborations not only expanded his global reach but also helped to further popularize

Afrobeats around the world.

Celebrity News

Chidimma Adetshina Embarks on Miss Universe Asia Tour

Published

6 hours ago

3 April 2025

Divine Ogonna

Nigerian beauty queen, Chidimma Adetshina has announced her participation in the ongoing Miss Universe Asia Tour on Instagram.

This exciting journey brings together continental queens from around the world, including Miss Finland, Matilda Wirtavuori, Miss Philippines, Chelsea Manalo, and Miss Americas, Tatiana Calmell from Peru. The tour commenced in stunning Thailand and will proceed to the Philippines.

Chidimma’s rise to fame has not been without its challenges. Despite facing intense criticism during the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant, she persevered and went on to win Miss Nigeria 2024. Her outstanding performance at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant earned her the highest placement in Nigerian history.

Regarding the tour, Chidimma expressed her excitement, stating,

“Honoured to visit the @jkn18official (JKN Empire) alongside my fellow Queens. So excited for what Miss Universe Asian tour has in store for the Universe and I cannot wait to take you all on this journey with us!”

The announcement has garnered enthusiasm from fans and fellow beauty queens. Reactions include:

– @missuniverse reacted with three love emojis. ❤️❤️❤️

– @malanochelsea commented, “Last photo is so cute!”

– @sakky_zie gushed, “Beautie!😍😍”

About the Miss Universe Asia Tour

The tour showcases continental queens from around the world. This year’s lineup features Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo, Miss Africa & Oceania Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Europe & Middle East Matilda Wirtavuori, and Miss Americas Tatiana Calmell.

The queens participate in various events, activities, and cultural exchanges, promoting cultural understanding, exchange, and celebrating the achievements of these inspiring women.

Celebrity News

Celebrities Most Epic April Fool’s Prank 2025

Published

2 days ago

2 April 2025

Helen Paul

April Fool’s Day is always a rollercoaster of laughs, shock, and occasional eye-rolls, especially when Nigerian celebrities join the fun. This year, stars like Bobrisky, Funke Akindele, DJ Cuppy, and others pulled pranks that had fans buzzing (and sometimes fuming). Here’s a roundup of the most epic stunts:

1. Bobrisky’s Fake Immigration Arrest

The controversial crossdresser sent panic across social media with a post claiming he’d been arrested by Nigerian immigration officials.

– The Prank: The crossdresser posted, “Guys, I have just been arrested by immigration in Nigeria. I don’t know what I did do o”

Bobrisky’s Prank

Fans were divided, some rushed to express concern, while others called it a clout-chasing stunt.

Bobrisky later revealed it was an April Fool’s joke, but not everyone laughed, given his history with law enforcement, and most people already didn’t believe since the cross dresser had sworn he wouldn’t be back to Nigeria anytime soon.

April Fool Reveal

2. Funke Akindele’s Fake Wedding Announcement

The award-winning actress broke the internet (briefly) with a marriage tease.

– The Prank: She shared a cryptic post: “I’m getting married”, followed by the caption “April WHat?………Happy new month, guys”.

Funke Akindele’s prank

Fans and celebs flooded her comments with congratulatory messages before realizing they’d been pranked. Some admitted they’d already started planning their “aso ebi” outfits, while others were quick to notice the caption (smart guys)

3. DJ Cuppy’s AI-Generated Husband

The billionaire heiress took satire to tech levels by introducing her digital soulmate.

– The Prank: She announced on X (Twitter): “I’ve decided to create my own Christian husband via AI. His name is ElijahGPT… He tithes digitally”.

Dj Cuppy’s joke

The post went viral, with fans jokingly asking for ElijahGPT’s brother or a tutorial. Cuppy later confirmed it was a joke, with the April fool’s day hashtag but the idea of AI husbands had people talking.

4. Wunmi Toriola’s Fake Ministry Calling

The Yoruba movie star had fans doing a double take with a spiritual prank.

– The Prank: She posted, “Good morning, lovers. I have finally heeded the voice of the Lord. I have picked up His call…”, and even signing off as “Evangelist WT”.

Wunmi Toriola’s prank

While some praised her new journey, others caught on quickly, especially with her playful tone and her April Fool’s Hashtag.

5. Regina Chukwu’s Snake Bite Scare

The actress sparked a mini-crisis with a fake emergency.

– The Prank: She wrote, “Pls help, snake just bite a small boy here…”, leaving fans confused before the April Fool’s reveal.

Regina Chukwu’s prank

Fans love seeing celebs act normal with playful jokes, like Funke’s wedding tease or Cuppy’s AI humor. Bobrisky’s arrest prank rubbed some the wrong way, proving that timing and sensitivity matter. From digital husbands to divine callings, these pranks showed how social media amplifies April Fool’s chaos.

While some pranks were pure fun (looking at you, ElijahGPT), others walked a fine line between humor and headache. One thing’s clear: Nigerian celebs know how to keep social media on its toes!

Which prank got you the most? Let us know in the comments!

Celebrity News

Annie Macaulay’s Bold Comeback: A Statement Look and a New Chapter

Published

2 days ago

1 April 2025

Martina Okoabu

Yesterday, Annie Macaulay made a notable return to Instagram, reminding everyone that she is still a force to be reckoned with. With her structured camel blazer jacket, paired with neutral-toned pants and a fitted top, styled by Medlin Boss. Her comeback was more than just fashion. It was a statement. A declaration of strength, confidence, and a woman reclaiming her narrative after a public and emotional separation from legendary musician 2Baba.

If you scroll on the post you would also see a video with herself and daughter singing You and Me by Tems, telling us that she still got love inside. The image spoke louder than any caption could. It told the story of a woman stepping back into the world, not as someone’s wife, but as herself, Annie Macaulay.

From Humble Beginnings to Stardom

Long before she became Mrs. Idibia, Annie was just a young girl from Eket, Akwa Ibom, who moved to Lagos with dreams bigger than the city itself. Raised by a single mother after her parents’ divorce, she learned resilience early on. Despite the financial struggles faced while growing up, she pursued her education, first studying Computer Science at Lagos State University before switching to Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos.

Her journey into the entertainment world began with modeling and pageantry. She participated in the Queen of All Nations beauty contest, where she emerged as a runner-up, opening doors for her in Nollywood. However, her true breakout moment came when she starred as the love interest in the iconic African Queen music video. That video, which introduced 2Baba’s music to a global audience, also cemented Annie as a household name.

Strong woman Annie

Love, Marriage, and Public Scrutiny

Annie and 2Baba’s love story was the kind you would find in romance novels, deep, complicated, and widely watched. They first met in 1999 when Annie was just 15. Their connection was instant but far from easy. Over the years, 2Baba’s success and personal life played out in the public eye, including his relationships with other women and the children he fathered before finally choosing Annie, which made the society tag him as Father Abraham. (Father of many nations)

In 2012, they tied the knot in a fairytale wedding in Dubai, and Annie became the woman who stood beside one of Africa’s biggest music legends. Through all the highs and lows, betrayals, reconciliations, and the constant media attention, she remained his biggest supporter. We can indeed say she truly loved 2Baba, some even say she lost herself while in love with him. But love alone isn’t always enough.

Annie Macaulay

The Separation and Reinvention

Earlier this year, the couple announced their separation, shocking fans but not necessarily surprising them. Rumors of strain in their marriage had circulated over the years, and Annie herself had spoken about the challenges of being with a man loved by so many.

Now, with her return to Instagram and her subtle but powerful wardrobe choices, Annie seems to be signaling a shift. The brown structured blazer, bold yet sophisticated, mirrors her journey, soft yet strong, elegant yet commanding. By reverting to her maiden name, she is embracing a new identity, one that honors her past but does not confine her to it.

Annie’s story teaches us that identity is not solely defined by our relationships. She was a force before she was a wife, and she remains one even after. Reinvention isn’t about erasing the past, it’s about taking the lessons and moving forward with grace and confidence.

The loveliest part of her return is the love and support she has gotten from fans, each and everyone has been pouring out love through motivating words and also welcoming her back. Others also advised her not to grant interviews to any blogger or tv shows.

Before yesterday’s post, earlier on instagram Annie had posted a thank you message to appreciate everyone who had stood by her and supported her during this difficult time.

African Queen

Own Your Narrative

No matter what life throws your way, never forget who you were before the world started calling you by another name. Whether in career, love, or personal growth, embrace change as an opportunity for growth. Like Annie, step back into the world with your head high, your style on point, and your confidence unshaken. The world is watching, give them a comeback worth remembering.