Entertainment

Artiste Wants Waiver On Musical Equipment

Published

9 years ago

March 17, 2017

Port Harcourt based hip hop artiste and CEO of 5 King Multimedia Studio, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Mr Richmond Obinna McCarthy popularly known as MC Demokrat has called on the Federal Government to remove import duties on musical equipments to encourage upcoming artistes to procure modern ones.
The Ndoni, Rivers State born multi talented artiste in a recent interview with The Tide entertainment also called for the commercialization of Onne Port in the state to alleviate the problems faced by the Port Harcourt based artiste in procuring modern and standard music equipment, stressing that it would help in boosting the music industry in the state and make it more vibrant and competitive.
According to him, the Port Harcourt artistes are forced to travel to distant places like Lagos or Cotonou to buy the required equipment even as some have resorted to ordering on line with its attendant delays and exorbitant costs. He said the high cost of the equipment has led to poor quality productions due to he use of outdated instruments.
The CEO who studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), and Civil Engineering at Linton University Malaysia, an affiliate of the university of East London said, “I abandoned my engineering profession for music because it is my childhood calling and my desire to be an artiste made me to invest in it, so far. I have over five albums to my credit, while 10 new albums are currently at their studio stages.”
The talented artiste who is into different genres of music such as Hip Hop, Afro hip hop, RnB, Gospel, dance hall, Ragga and Rap, said among his albums currently making waves in the market, clubs, social events and airwaves include, my -cash my flow featuring Big heat and Maxy, Elevate your mind featuring-Vokulz, ‘your Body’ featuring Spontaneous Beatz, ‘We are Ready- Featuring Uchi Wali-et.c.
He also disclosed that his music studio 5 Kings multimedia has produced talented popular music stars such as Timaya, Terry G, Duncan Mighty, Ijaw boys
Stars, Late Mc loaf etc. He is also into music video production and coverages as well as training of budding artistes among others.
MC Demokrat noted that Rivers State is blessed with abundant talents in the music industry, but they are not encouraged. He therefore called on the state government to give financial and logistic support to the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) which he said is the umbrella body of all musicians in the state. He maintained that by so doing, the association could embark on talent hunt to discover hidden talents and groom them to stardom.
He noted that such stars will not only be self employed, but will bring glory to the state through their exploits in the industry like their indigenous predecessors in the entertainment industry.
The 5 King Multimedia boss thanked the State Governor, Chief (Barr) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for creating an enabling environment for the growth of the music industry in the state. He however appealed for financial support, sponsorships and endorsement deals for the Port Harcourt based artistes to serve as incentive to bring back indigenous artistes who are based outside the state in search of greener pastures.
The hip-hop star disclosed that his role model in the music clan is an American-born hiphop and rap mega star, Late Notorious B.I.G while the Almighty God is his inspirator.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

5 days 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

5 days 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

5 days 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.