Entertainment
Buchi: From Night Club To Choir Ministry …Thrills Guests At RSBC Easter Choral Festival
Buchi
Internationally acclaimed
gospel music maestro Buchi, is a household name in both the gospel music genre and the entertainment world, his exploits in the gospel music industry is legendary. In 1992, Buchi gave his life to Jesus at the Christ Embassy Church and transited from night club to choice ministry where he has remained till date and has released many hit songs.
In an interview with the reggae artiste turned gospel singer, Buchi attributed the huge success he had recorded so far in his gospel music career, to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit which directs his songs, prophecies and stage performances.
He disclosed this to The Tide Entertainment after his unprecedented stage performance as a guest artiste at the Easter Choral Festival organized by the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation on Monday April 6th 2015 at the Main Bowl of Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre Moscow Road Port Harcourt.
The gospel music living legend literally stole the show with his inspirational praise songs as the large crowd of guests went into a frenzy as they sang, danced, and shouted praises to God and the risen Christ. He said he is happy with the people of Rivers State particularly RSBC for the wonderful opportunity given to him to perform before the mammoth crowd that turned up for the event.
He stated that this was his first time of coming to Rivers State to perform and if he is invited again he will gladly oblige. Buchi was born in Kaduna to parents of Abia State origin, his education began in Enugu, took him through Methodist College Uzeakoli and Federal Government College (FGC) Enugu. In 1983 he came to Lagos to study English Language and Literary Studies in University of Lagos (UNILAG). He obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree and Master of Arts (MA) in 1988 and later took up an appointment to lecture at the institute alongside a PhD programme.
He was in the department of English until 1994 when he embraced a higher calling to propagate the gospel of Jesus through writing and singing same in the Reggae genre. While in the university, his casual involvement in Black activism through reggae clubs grew more intense after listening to Oliver Tambo and the officials of African National Congress (ANC), from South Africa.
During the club’s exhibition on apartheid in South Africa, Reggae music as an outcry against oppression became deeper, little wonder he so became involved in one of the campus confraternity which at the same period, prided themselves as the anti oppression movement. This preoccupation with reggae music took a new turn when his friend Ras Kimono invited him to join the team of Deejays (DJs) on the floating Bukka, a reggae nite club situated on a docked vessel on the Marina, Lagos Island.
Foremost on the list of Buchi’s strong musical influences are Eric Donalson, Joseph Hills, Burning Spear and Fanky Paul. In 1992, Buchi gave his life to Jesus at Christ Embassy Church and transited from Night Club to the choir ministry where he has remained till date and has released many hit songs.
His 1st album was in 1999 titled “These Days”, 2nd album”, So Beautiful (2002), 3rd album,” What a Life” (2005), 4th album sound of life (2008) and the 6th album, Judah (2011). Beside being a prolific song writer, Buchi has also authored two books namely” “Behind the songs” (Anthology) and “Seize Fire” ( A novel based on his true life story”.
Buchi has ministered in church concerts, crusades, gospel music festivals etc. He is also a multiple award winner which includes. The prestigious Amen award for best in gospel category (1999), Faith Awards (2000), Pomp Awards (2002) STOMA Awards for the three categories: Best Artiste, Reggae Artiste and Gospel Album of the year, (2005), Life Aachievement Award (2008) among many others.
Buchi is married with four children, his latest single is titled “His Name is Holy”.
According to Buchi, (some songs are composed) some reconstructed, others are birthed in the place of fellowship with God’s Spirit. They just come in a sense one cannot of claim authorship, of this last category ‘Your Name is Holy’ belongs here. In his first collabo with his daughter Olive, he seeks to capture a worship session in heaven.
The Tide Entertainment reports that International stars Busta Rhymes and Gunna topped the bill, while the festival showcased a powerhouse roster of African talent including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Shenseea, Phyno, Fave, Juma Jux, Qing Madi, and Diamond Platnumz, among others.
The festival launched December 7 with an eye-catching opening ceremony featuring aerial ballet performers, establishing an elevated artistic vision for the weeks ahead. That first night brought Nigerian heavyweights Wande Coal, Young Jonn, Ice Prince, Darey, Fola, Shoday, and Jerry Shaffer to the stage.
The Federal Ministry of Art and Culture partnered with the festival, with Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa acknowledging Detty December Fest as a vital force in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. She emphasized its impact on amplifying the country’s creative presence internationally and driving holiday tourism.
The 2025 edition raised the bar for live entertainment in Lagos, building on Detty December’s established reputation as a catalyst for tourism, entertainment, and economic growth during the year-end season.
The milestone was confirmed on Monday by FilmOne, the movie’s distributor, who announced that the film is now the fastest title in West Africa to cross ?1 billion. The achievement further cements Akindele’s dominance in the Nigerian film industry.
Since its release, Behind the Scenes has shattered multiple records. It posted the highest single-day box office gross ever on Boxing Day, earning an impressive ?129.5 million. It is also the highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, and remarkably, it marks Akindele’s third movie to cross the ?1 billion mark, a feat no other director has achieved.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with this latest success, Akindele has strengthened her position as Nollywood’s highest-grossing producer of all time, becoming the first filmmaker to deliver three billion-naira blockbusters within a single calendar year.
Reacting to the achievement, the actress and filmmaker expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters, collaborators, and distributors, while also revealing the film’s growing international reach.
“Over the years, I’ve always valued my fans, because without God and you, I am nobody,” she wrote.“Thank you all for coming out to watch this movie and for supporting my brand through the years.Thank you to the distributors, my colleagues—especially those not in the movie who still came out to meet and greet my fans.Big love to the cast and crew. This is only the beginning; let’s take Behind the Scenes even further.”
She also disclosed that the film is currently screening in cinemas across two European countries and the United States, signaling its expanding global appeal.
Akindele’s box office dominance has been nothing short of historic. In 2023, Battle on Buka Street became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film with ?640 million. She raised the bar again in January 2024 when A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nigerian movie to hit ?1 billion. Later that year, Everybody Loves Jenifa broke another record, grossing ?1.6 billion to become the highest-earning film in West African history.
Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has revealed his former bandmate Faze’s position in the long-running rift between him and their other ex-bandmate, Blackface.
The Tide Entertainment recalls that Blackface and 2Face have been involved in an on-and-off feud over the years, with the former repeatedly accusing the latter of intellectual property theft, allegations 2Face has consistently denied.
Addressing fans midway through his performance at the Made in Benue Festival in Makurdi recently, 2Face said Faze has maintained a neutral stance in the dispute between him and Blackface.
He stressed that the rift does not involve Faze in any way.
“You all know that Plantashun Boiz consisted of Blackface, 2Face and Faze. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, Blackface is not with us right now.
“However, no matter the beef wey me and Blackface get, nothing concern Faze inside. So, Faze is right here with me and we will represent Plantashun Boiz,” he said.
The rift between Blackface and 2Face began after Plantashun Boiz disbanded in the 2000s.
Following their split, Blackface blamed 2Face for the breakup and accused him of song theft.
The relationship between the duo has remained strained over the years despite several attempts at reconciliation, with peace efforts often short-lived.