Entertainment
PMAN Mourns William Onyeabor
The Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Rivers State Chapter, has joined other well meaning Nigerians to felicitate with the families of late music icon, Chief William Onyeabor who died peacefully in his sleep last Monday January 16th in Enugu at the age of 72.
The chairman of the association in the state, Mr. Robin Maja described late Onyeabor as a legend of the Nigerian music industry, a philosopher and role model to most musicians in Nigeria and beyond.
He noted that one of the legend’s songs “when the going is good and smooth, many people will be your friend, but when the going is bad, many of them will run a way” is a fact of life as most of them in the industry are experiencing the reality of that song today.
The PMAN boss urged government and the private sector to always celebrate music icons in the state when they are alive to enable them enjoy the fruits of their labour not when they are dead. He said most of these musicians died prematurely due to poverty and most times they die with their songs and contributions to the industry.
Chief William Onyeabor, best known for his timeless record “when the going is smooth and good”, passed away in his Enugu home on January 16th, 2017. He was one of the most widely known musicians of all time, even though the man himself would become reclusive and be unreachable for the 39 years that preceded his death.
Since becoming ‘born again’ in the mid 80s, he refused to discuss his music career, choosing to focus on his private life and his thriving flour mill business. Born in Enugu in 1945, William Onyeabor is said to have studied anematography in Russia circa in the late 60s, returning post civil war to start a film company and later delved into music.
Although his music career took off during the era where Fela’s Afrobeat was the rage, Onyeabor’s peculiar sound stood him apart. He was ahead of his time in many ways: making use of synthesizers and keyboards – hallmarks of the do-it-youreself mode of making music that would become ubiquitous in the coming decades.
His debut album ‘crashes in love’ was released in 1977 and was followed in each successive year by ‘Atomic Bomb’, ‘Grashes in love’ (two) ‘Tomorrow’ Body and soul’, Great Lover’, Hypertension’, Good Name,’ Anything you sow’.
After the final album in 1985, he became a born again Christian and according to the creed of his new found religion, he ‘forsook all things of the world.
But the world did not forsake him, several bands in Europe and America held on to his psychedelic sounds and vestiges of the roaring 70s. The most enduring of them is Luaka Bop led by David Byrne. The collective put together a compilation of William Onyeabor’s songs and released ‘who is Williams Onyeabor”. In 2013.
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.
