Entertainment
Lexy M Rates Rivers Entertainment Industry Above Average
Frontline music Maestro and
Showbiz personality in Rivers State, Mr. Lexy Mueka popularly called Lexy M has rated the entertainment industry in Rivers State above average in terms of performance and creativity.
The Ogoni, Rivers State-born musician and producer, said the state is well-blessed with all categories of entertainers as well as peaceful and enabling environment which have turned the state capital, Port Harcourt to one of the most viable cities in the country both in entertainment and other business opportunities.
The former chairman of the performing musicians Employees Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in the State, however noted that most of the foremost entertainers who brought glory and respect to the state through their escapades in the industry were not cerebrated by the state as a mark of honour and respect.
According to him people like Late Cardinal Rex Lawson, Prince David Bull Jackwest Omodu of Garden city band, Boma Erekosima and Living Legend, King Sunny Brown Etc, have not been remembered in the last five years. He stressed that these Icons of the industry need to be remembered and celebrated annually.
He noted that music is part of show business, in Lagos, Onitsha, Aba Etc musicians there see every thing about music as business, but their colleagues here in Port Harcourt see it as fun and this attitude is not helping them to grow to stardom and recognition, so they need to repackage themselves to national and international standards.
He emphasized that another militating factor against the growth of musicians in the state is lack of encouragement, recognition and sponsorship, because our people do not believe in the indigenous musicians, they rather prefer outsiders, he also complained about lack of viable market in the state where musicians could record and sell their works that is why most of them go to Lagos and other neighbouring cities and refused to come back.
He however, contended that despite these set backs all genres of music live here in the state, while most of the artistes making waves in the countrymusic clan today all have their roots in Rivers State, such as Duncan Mighty, Daniel Wilson, Flavour, Burna Boy, Gift of Aboki Shine My Shoe fame, Oba Omega, Rymzo Etc.
On the comedy profession in the state, the Showbiz Maestro said “most of the people who parade themselves as comedians are nothing but jesters”. He maintained that comedy to him is humour mongering to make people laugh and relax not to insult organizers of the event and their guests.
He observed that during the days of Iyobu Koko, Boma Erekosima, Micheal Obodo Singer Etc, comedy was all about laughter, fun and relaxation, but these days, comedians turn their employers and guests to dummies to be laughed at even after paying heavily for their services.
According to him, these anomalies exist because there are no checks and balances in the profession and “they donot even have an association to check their excesses. He however expressed hope that genuine comedians with the talent and exposure will soon sort out themselves to prove to the world that comedy is not an all comers game.
For the movie industry, he said Rivers State is not playing the second fiddle as most of the actors and actresses from the state who have found themselves in the mainstream are playing leading roles in the make believe industry in Nigeria, called Nollywood.
He reiterated that there is hardly any movie jacket in the market without the faces of the Rivers State born thespians such as Sam Dede, Columbus Irisoanga, Walter Anger, Gentle Jack, Alaso Wariboko, Monalisa Chinda, Hilda Dokubo, Tonto Dike, Maureen Ihua, Milliscent Jack Etc.
LexyM who is also into movie production confirmed that there are good script writers with interesting story lines in Rivers State, but they lack the finances to develop the scripts or shoot the movie, so most of them sell the scripts to producers and marketers.
Beauty pageants is another aspect of the entertainment clan the seasoned musician rated highly. He said with the various international beauty events hosted by the state, it is obvious that Rivers State occupies an envirous position in the world. Apart from hosting Two Editions of ECOWA beauty pageant and several others, Rivers State born Agbani Derego was crowned the first ever black African Miss World, which brought international recognition to not only Rivers State but to Nigeria as a country.
He observed that many people misunderstand beauty pageants and attach negative opinions to it with diverse cultural values which is affecting most of the young girls who may want to become models and queens, he noted that beauty pageants are all about beauty and brains, fashion and modeling so parents should encourage their beautiful daughters to participate and bring honour to the state.
LexyM however condemned the fake pageant organizers who are out to dupe the public and the contestants. He said most of them choose the girls with very rich back ground or social contacts in high places as winners.
Most times the wishes of the audience do not count as the handpicked judges are there to do the bidding of the organizers. Others promise mouth watering prizes and big contracts for the winners only to disappoint them at the end.
He said these are the people killing beauty pageants in the state. He therefore called on the state government to investigate the activities of these organizations to fish out the fraudsters, and sanitise the industry.
He lauded the State government for reviving and showcasing the state’s indigenous cultural heritage through CARNIRIV. According to him the event has brought Tourists and international organizations from all over the world to the state.
Entertainment
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn
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.
Entertainment
Adekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies
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.
Entertainment
Jesse Flames Opens 2026 With ‘Praise The Lord’ Featuring Magnito
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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