Entertainment
2016 Musicians Rating: Yemi Alade Towers Above Tiwa Savage
The year 2016 has been
incredible for Nigerian entertainment and whatever we achieve from now on, we will always reference this year as perhaps the major turning point in 21st century entertainment, particularly in the music industry. With this growth, we have seen Davido ink a massive deal with Sony/RCA, just as Wizkid has done. Crossing over to the females, Tiwa Savage has got something with Roc Nation under the tutelage of American hip hop mogul Shawn ‘Jayz’ carter and the possibilities remain unending for the local industry.
On the flip side, there’s a brewing debate that Yemi Alade has had a more successful year than Tiwa Savage and so we thought to run through this discourse with as much available data as we could gather for the time being. We have analysed both stars based on their performances and star power for the year and we think Yemi Alade edged Tiwa Savage out for these three reasons.
Controversies:
Since April 2016 when the world witnessed the tumultuous nature of Tiwa’s marriage with ex-husband Tunji ‘Tee Billz’ Balogun, it hasn’t quite been the same for the pop star. You can argue that she retained her endorsement deals and has managed to perform at some of the biggest African gigs in the US, but it is what it is. Critics will always maintain that the episode was a setback for her in one way or the other, even though we believe she did an excellent job bouncing back from it. Yemi Alade on the other hand has had a near-impeccable record this year as far as social media dramas and controversies are concerned which is a huge plus.
Local Audience/Demographics: While Tiwa Savage has forayed into the international market with particular emphasis on the American audience base, many are of the opinion it is a wild goose chase. They maintain that it is almost impossible for an African to come from outside the continent and dominate the sounds except he or she is resident there and ‘playing ball’ in total conformity with the culture of the core American. It remains to be seen how far she goes with this.
But on her part, Yemi Alade has remained true to her root, connecting with a sizeable chunk of the African market and churning out materials appealing to their ethics, their existence as a people as well as performing on possibly very big stage. The continent has set up for their entertainer.
Awards: With Yemi Alade’s MTN MAMA award for Best Female Act for 2016, it makes it two years back to back for her and hardly anyone is in doubt of her artistry. We believe it is the result of persistence drive and staying true to ones root because not only did Tiwa Savage drop her R.E.D album in late 2015 which served as an early start for her 2016 campaign, she also dropped a deluxe version of the album in 2016 so that whatever the case she had ample materials with which to jostle for the top shot on the continent.
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.