Entertainment
King Sunny Brown’s Foundation, Legacy For Nigerian Musicians – Teemac
Members, House of Representatives, Hon Dakuku Peterside (2nd right), makes a speech at the 75th birthday ceremony of Highlife maestro, King Sunny Brown (2nd left), while ex-PMAN President Mr Teemac Omotshola (1st right), Mrs Brown (middle) and Vice Chairman, PMAN, Rivers State, Mr Acho look on.
The Nigerian Music Industry has come a long way, from obscurity to Limelight. Over these years, the industry had witnessed the celebration of outstanding performances and talents, and at no time could the music industry be appraised without paying tribute to exceptional men and women who stepped into the spot light, broke barriers and carved an excellent niche for themselves.
One of such men is Rivers State born foremost Highlife music Icon and gospel music maestro, King Sunny Brown who celebrated his 75 eventful years on earth last Saturday at the Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt. The climax of the celebration was the Launching of his foundation called King Sunny Brown (KSB) Music Foundation for the training of upcoming musicians across the country.
Speaking at the well attended event the Chairman, Chief Jasper Jumbo described King Sunny Brown as a skilled highlife Icon whose songs contained words of wisdom with cultural blend. He thanked God that King Brown lived up to 75 years and wished him more years to come.
The Chairman who was represented by Chief Lawrence Jumbo noted that the positive changes brought to the industry by King Sunny Brown would always remain a point of reference in the present generation and beyond. He therefore urged musicians in the country to emulate his patriotism and selfless service to mankind and the Nigerian music industry.
Former President, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Mr. Teemac Omatshola in his speech at the occasion stated that King Sunny Brown was one of Nigeria’s living legends in the music industry.
According to him, “King Sunny Brown’s Foundation is a legacy for the Nigerian music industry”.
He promised to bring King Sunny Brown’s music back to the market by recording and remixing them in CDs and VCDs. The seasoned flutist assured that with the sophisticated recording equipments in his studio, the recording would be completed within a short time.
Hon. Dakuku Peterside, a member of the House of Representatives, reiterated that King Sunny Brown was one of the music Icons of our time, a valuable treasure, a link between our past and present tradition, custom and music. He assured that he would not allow the legacy he left for the younger generation to die.
He promised to join hands with Omatshola to keep King Brown’s music alive and to contribute to his welfare.
In his vote of thanks, King Sunny Brown, the ‘Original Pickin’ as he is fondly called by his friends and admirers, expressed gratitude to those who attended the occasion and contributed to its success. He assured that as long as he lived, he would continue to do more for the Nigerian music industry. He therefore called on the state government and the private sector to pattner with his foundation.
It would be recalled that King Sunny Brown was born in 1937 at Finima, Bonny in Bonny Local Government of Rivers State.
He started his music career at a tender age in Christ Army School Bakana where he played in the school band with late Highlife King Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson who was his senior in class. During the Nigerian civil war, both of them also played in the 3rd Marine commando band.
King Sunny Brown’s exploits in the music industry took him to various parts of the country including Kano and Lagos, he also travelled to some West African countries such as Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal etc. He played music with notable highlife giants like late King David Bull of Professional Seagulls Band of Port Harcourt, Roy Gabriel, a retired Nigerian Army music instructor at the Paradise Dance Band Kano.
Others were, Late Saxophonist, Paul Isamade (Babby Face) in the Top Toppers Band owned by Bobby Benson. With his Band, King Sunny Brown Jazz Band, he thrilled highlife lovers at various hotels in Port Harcourt namely Hotel Presidential, Olympia Hotel Cheez Bar, Shell Club etc. Now as an elder at the Redeemed Christian Church of Christ he has many gospel songs to his credit.
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes becomes Nollywood’s highest-grossing film of 2025, earning ?1.77bn in under four weeks.
Multi-award-winning actress and producer Funke Akindele has done it again, and this time, the numbers speak louder than applause.
Her latest film, Behind The Scenes, has officially emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025, pulling in an astonishing ?1.767 billion in less than four weeks.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Funke Akindele Makes Box Office History as Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn
Earlier in its release cycle, the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, revealed that Behind The Scenes smashed five opening-weekend records, including the highest single-day gross ever recorded on Boxing Day, with ?129.5 million in one day. That announcement already hinted that something unusual was unfolding.
Reacting to the milestone, FilmOne described the moment as both surreal and communal, crediting audience loyalty for pushing the film to the top spot once again as the number-one movie of the weekend. And that sentiment feels accurate. This wasn’t just ticket sales; it was momentum.
What makes this achievement even more striking is that Behind The Scenes is Funke Akindele’s third film to cross the ?1 billion mark. Before now, there was A Tribe Called Judah, and then Everybody Loves Jenifa, a film that didn’t just open big, but went on to become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time. At this point, it’s no longer a fluke. It’s a pattern.
Part of Behind The Scenes’ success lies in strategy. The film enjoyed advanced screenings on December 10 and 11, quietly building curiosity and conversation before its nationwide release on December 12. By the time it officially hit cinemas, audiences already felt like they needed to see it.
Then there’s the cast. The film brings together a lineup that feels deliberately stacked: Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, and several others. Familiar faces, strong fan bases, and performances that kept word-of-mouth alive long after opening weekend.
Still, beyond timing and casting, there’s something else at work here. Funke Akindele understands Nigerian audiences. Their humour, their pacing, their emotional buttons. She doesn’t guess, she calculates, experiments, listens, and refines. That understanding has slowly turned into box-office dominance.
Behind The Scenes crossing ?1.77 billion isn’t just another headline; it’s confirmation. Funke Akindele has moved from being a successful actress to becoming one of the most reliable commercial forces Nollywood has ever produced. Three-billion-naira films don’t happen by luck. They happen when storytelling, business sense, and audience trust align.
And right now, that alignment seems firmly in her hands.
Popular Nigerian music stars, Adekunle Kosoko, widely known as Adekunle Gold, and his wife, Simi, have become parents again this time to twins.
The award-winning singer shared the joyful update on his Snapchat story on Wednesday, confirming the expansion of their family.
“Asked God for another child and he blessed me double,” she wrote.
While the couple has not yet disclosed the gender of the newborns, the announcement has sparked an outpouring of warm wishes from admirers, fellow celebrities, and industry colleagues.
Speculation had intensified in December when Simi posted a video on Instagram accompanied by the caption, “From my baby, for my babies.”
The clip showed her with a growing baby bump, fueling anticipation that another child was on the way.
Their latest blessings arrive just weeks after Simi highlighted a scene from Adekunle Gold’s newly released music video, “My Love is the Same,” further stirring excitement among fans.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Adekunle Gold and Simi who tied the knot in 2019 after a long history of friendship and musical synergy remain one of Nigeria’s most admired entertainment power couples. Both artistes were once signed to X3M Music before soaring into mainstream acclaim.
The pair welcomed their first child, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.
After closing out 2025 with the release of “Praise the Lord” featuring Magnito, Jesse Flames enters the new year with renewed clarity and purpose, continuing to build a body of work rooted in intention rather than noise. In a moment where Afrobeats is moving faster and louder than ever, his approach remains measured and deliberate, prioritizing meaning, craft, and longevity over momentary attention. The official music video arrives January 10.
Following the momentum of his breakout single “FLEX,” “Praise the Lord” represents a shift from celebration to grounding. Reflective and soulful, the record centers gratitude, growth, and perspective, capturing a quieter confidence that resonates beyond a single moment.
“This song is about recognizing the full picture,” Jesse shares. “The work people see and the work they don’t. The lessons, the setbacks, the growth.”
The collaboration with Magnito, a respected voice in Nigerian hip hop known for his sharp lyricism and cultural authenticity, adds depth and weight to the record, reinforcing its themes of resilience, faith, and self reflection.
Released in December at the height of Detty December, “Praise the Lord” became a natural soundtrack for both celebration and reflection as the year came to a close. With the video arriving in January, the record takes on new meaning, opening the year as a tone setter rather than a reset.
Born in the United States, raised in Festac, Lagos, and now based in London, Jesse Flames brings a global perspective to his sound, blending Afrobeats, hip hop, and melodic soul into something sleek and intentional. His music reflects lived experience and cultural nuance rather than trend chasing.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with over 11 million streams, performances at O2 Brixton Academy and OVO Arena Wembley, and coverage from The Guardian and Business Post Nigeria, Jesse’s rise has been steady and self made. Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, he is preparing for collaborations with Ice Prince, M.I Abaga, and Smurlee.
“Praise the Lord” ft. Magnito is available now on all streaming platforms.
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