Nigerian singer Bella Shmurda has revealed that he no longer sees himself as part of the secular music industry.
He was featured in a recent episode of the Afrobeats intelligence podcast hosted by Joey Akan.
Shmurda explained that he no longer makes music that follows trends, instead focusing on conscious music that uplifts people’s souls.
“At this point, I feel like I’m not in the [secular music] industry anymore,” Shmurda said.
He added that his goal is to make music that helps people become self-conscious and aware of who they are.
“I just want to make music for the reason I want to do it, which is to uplift people’s souls, making people self-conscious and being aware of who they are,” Shmurda stated.
Shmurda noted that while he can still create trendy songs, his priority is to stay true to his purpose and make music that serves a higher goal.
“I can still do trendy songs once in a while. But I feel like I know my space already now.
“Even if I want to make trendy music, I do that and quickly return to my purpose. And I feel like that’s the balance”.
Afrobeats star Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid has expressed his desire for Nigeria and the African continent to be better governed.
Speaking at the premiere of his documentary “Wizkid: Long Live Lagos” at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, Wizkid emphasized that governance is one of the key areas he hopes African countries will get right.
“I always wish for more success for the whole culture; from music to film to sports,” Wizkid said.
“And I wish for better government,” he added, stressing his positivity and hopes for the continent.
Wizkid encouraged other African creatives to share their stories, highlighting the importance of representation and opportunities for artists from Africa.
“I hope that every artist from Africa gets to tell their story like this,” he said, noting that he is not alone in his experiences and aspirations.
Ayra Starr has become the first Nigerian female singer to hit 1 billion views on YouTube, surpassing Yemi Alade’s record of 805 million views.
Truth Live News reports that the 23-year-old songstress achieved this feat with her hit Grammy-nominated song ‘Rush’ garnering over 450 million views, leading the list of her most viewed content on the platform.
Following the career fest, Ayra Starr joins her male colleagues, including Burna Boy, Flavour, Wizkid, Davido, Rema, Ckay, Kizz Daniel, P-Square, Omah Lay, Fireboy, and Tekno, as one of the Nigerian artists to have surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube.
CALABAR, ABUJA – Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, on Thursday night unveiled the theme “Traces of Time” for the 2025 Carnival Calabar.
The unveiling ceremony, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, marked the 20th anniversary of Africa’s largest street party.
“This carnival is a reflection of our soul, our heritage, and the resilience of our people,” Governor Otu said.
The event featured dignitaries including former Governors Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke, who pioneered and nurtured the carnival.
Otu praised his predecessors and credited them with sustaining a vision that began in 2005 under Duke’s leadership.
“Carnival Calabar is not just a parade of colors; it is a bold expression of our collective dreams,” the governor stated.
He emphasized the contributions of band leaders, dancers, tailors, and sanitation workers, calling them the carnival’s “true custodians.”
Under Otu’s administration, new features have been reintroduced, including the Junior Carnival, the Ikom and Ogoja Carnivals, and the Night of Kings and Queens.
The Governor urged guests—including diplomats, business leaders, and culture enthusiasts—to attend the December event in Calabar.
Sir Gabe Onah, Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, traced the festival’s origin to a vision of transforming a 12-kilometer route into an economic corridor.
“Carnival Calabar is a living legacy of purpose-driven culture,” Onah said, citing support from AfriExim Bank and Deloitte.
Tourism expert Ikechi Ukoh described the festival as a rare cultural asset that counters Nigeria’s global image challenges.
“When Calabar is mentioned, fear fades and excitement rises,” Ukoh told attendees.
He encouraged continued involvement of cultural figures like Duke, Imoke, and Senator Gershom Bassey.
UN Resident Representative Elsie Atafuwa praised the carnival’s alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“Culture is not a luxury. It is power, identity, and peace,” Atafuwa said, urging international cooperation to achieve UNESCO heritage status.
Obi Asika, Executive Secretary of the National Council for Arts and Culture, called the carnival a driving force behind Afrobeats and urged investment in cultural storytelling.
Aisha Adamu, Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, reaffirmed plans to extend the carnival’s reach to the Caribbean and global diasporas.
With preparations underway, competing bands will reflect this year’s theme through performances that explore history, identity, and future aspirations.
Grammy-winning Nigerian R&B star Tems has shared that her favorite thing about being a black woman is being curvy.
Tems expressed her love for her figure in a recent conversation with Cocoa Butter in Atlanta, Georgia, stating that she loves having a little booty.
The Oscar-nominated diva also discussed her fashion influences and choices, revealing that she’s into details and bling, that reflect the extravagant nature of Nigerians.
Tems said that she puts her own spin on her fashion choices and isn’t afraid to be herself.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy has shared the reason behind his admiration for black women, stating that his favorite thing about them is that they are an extension of himself.
Burna Boy made this revelation in a recent conversation with Cocoa Butter in Atlanta, Georgia, where he emphasized the importance of self-love and appreciation for one’s heritage.
When asked about his favorite thing about black women, Burna Boy replied that he must always love himself, and therefore, he must love black women, to highlight the deep connection he feels with his community.
The singer has consistently shown his appreciation for black women through his music, dedicating songs like “Onyeka,” “Omo,” and “On The Low” to celebrate their beauty and significance.
Nigerian artiste, Tiwatope Omolara Savage, known professionally as Tiwa Savage and Usher Raymond, an American artiste, have triggered relationship rumours after being seen together performing the 30-second challenge in London lately.
Tiwa Savage, 45, appeared as a surprise guest during Usher’s ‘Past Present Future’ tour stop at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday night.
The audience was erupted with joy as he joined Savage to perform her popular song ‘Somebody’s Son’.
The two were caught completing the 30-second challenge at the afterparty, and the video has now gone viral.
Usher Raymond challenged Savage to a 30-second freestyle, during which she revealed that he loves her. This fuelled the romance conjecture.
“I’m a little drunk! But it’s alright. I think I’m drunk enough, I think I’m drunk enough. Are you drunk enough? Usher, are you drunk enough? Listen, he loves me,” she freestyled amid cheers from the crowd, with her last statement particularly exciting them.
The viral clip elicited tremendous reactions, with fans speculating that the duo were an item.
Recall that Usher first brought out Tiwa Savage to perform with him on stage during his headline performance at the Global Citizen Festival in Accra, Ghana, in 2022.
However, the duo has yet to officially confirm whether they are dating or not.
Truth Live News Media reports that Savage is a songwriter and actress.
She sings in English, Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba; her music is a blend of afrobeats, R&B, afropop, pop and hip-hop.
Savage’s contributions to the Nigerian music industry have earned her several achievements.
Gospel musician Moses Bliss has denied rumours of a feud with his former protege, Ebuka Songs, describing the speculations as false.
Bliss described Ebuka as a “great guy” who still has greater years ahead of him, and expressed joy over the impact Ebuka is making in the music industry.
According to Bliss, his intentions are pure and born out of love, and he is rooting for Ebuka’s success.
Bliss made the statement during an interview on the “WithChude” podcast, two months after Ebuka revealed why he left Bliss’s record label.
Bliss emphasized that he is concerned about impressing God and doesn’t care what others think, rejoicing over Ebuka’s positive impact on people’s lives.
“We’re humans, and you feel a certain way if people misconstrue your intentions.
“But I’m very concerned about impressing God. My intentions are very pure, and everything is born out of love.
“Ebuka is a great guy. I think the world has not seen the best of him yet.
“I feel like he still has greater years, and with good mentors, he’s going to do even greater things.
“He is definitely not where he used to be and not how he met us.
“He is doing good for the kingdom. And he is impacting lot of lives. Seeing just that alone, my joy is full. I don’t care what anybody thinks, I’m rejoicing and rooting for him,” he said.
Truth Live News reports that Moses Bliss is speaking on the matter two months after Ebuka revealed why he left his record label
Nigerian singer Shallipopi has vowed to boycott future editions of The Headies after a embarrassing incident at the 17th edition in Lagos.
Shallipopi won the Best Rap Single of the Year award for his song “Cast”, but was not presented with a plaque, instead receiving a handshake from the presenter.
The singer expressed his disappointment on his X page on Monday.
Shallipopi vowed to boycott the award ceremony henceforth, stating that he doesn’t even want the award as he doesn’t consider himself a rapper.
He urged the organizers to give the award to “real rappers” in the category, and jokingly said he wouldn’t be seen at the next event.
“The next one if una see me make I bend.
“I not go even lie for una sef, I nor want that award. Give the real rappers wey dey the category. Me, shallipopi I nor be rapper.”
The Benue State-born singer, Innocent Idibia, better known as 2Face, has officially introduced Natasha Osawaru as his fiancée to his family and the Idoma traditional council.
The father of seven visited his hometown to formally present Natasha to traditional leaders and seek their blessings.
The event, which took place earlier this week, was greeted with excitement and royal approval from the palace and community members.
A heartwarming video of the event which took place earlier in the week, has since gone viral, showing Natasha elegantly dressed in Idoma attire while being warmly received by the people.
To show his commitment, 2Face proposed to Natasha in a romantic gesture that circulated widely online.
It was also gathered that the couple has already visited Chief Igbinedion in Benin, further cementing family ties ahead of their union.
On her part, Natasha Osawuru, the Edo State lawmaker has also taken steps that will further cement her sizzling romance with Idibia.
The grand daughter of Benin business mogul and Esama of Benin Kingdom, Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, made the bold and symbolic move by adopting the singer’s surname, Idibia.
The beautiful Edo lawmaker has already updated her Instagram bio to reflect her new identity as ‘Natasha Idibia.’
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