Entertainment

Buchi: From Night Club To Choir Ministry …Thrills Guests At RSBC Easter Choral Festival

Published

11 years ago

April 17, 2015

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.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

1 week ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

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

Published

1 week ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

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

Published

1 week ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

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.