Entertainment

Nollywood Actress Makes Case For Upcoming Entertainers

Published

8 years ago

January 26, 2018

Nigerian born multi talented Nollywood actress, songstress and model, Barr. Lilian Umeh, popularly known as Princess Lee has called on government at all levels to partner effectively with the private sector to boost the entertainment industry by ensuring level playing field for the upcoming entertainers in the country.
The Anambra State-born entertainer who spoke with The Tide Entertainment in Port Harcourt recently, noted that the young entertainers are faced with daunting obstacles which include lack of enabling environment, poor funding, sponsorship, marketing and distribution of works of the entertainers as well as the menace of pirates who rob them of their intellectual properties.
Princess Lee noted that the entertainment industry in Nigeria is not only vibrant but dynamic and worth billions of naira with landable achievements within and outside.
The country has contributed greatly to employment generation and economic growth of the nation, ironically, it is also one of the underfunded industries by government as the sector has remained dominantly private sector driven.
She stressed that with the active participation of government to compliment the private sector initiatives, there would be a level playing field and an enabling environment and the industry would be more challenging and competitive for the budding stars to show case their talents to the outside world unhindered.
The entertainer and role interpreter observed that the established entertainers are also part of the problems of the young talents. She said, “as predecessors in the entertainment clan, they ought to carry the younger ones along, give them adequate support and groom them up as international stars capable of succeeding them when they retire from active service as well as ensure continuity and move the industry forward to the next level.
The songstress who stormed Port Harcourt market with her latest wave making six track album titled “Obim” (My Heart), currently ruling the airwaves and the social media, intimated that the new album is the latest in the series having released two albums previously titled Chimdi Egwu (her debut album) and the second one titled ‘Control Number’.
She disclosed that the three albums contain both gospel and circular music genres with meaningful lyrics that praize and worship God and also touches on various aspects of social life which made them popular in the market and they have all recorded commercial successes. She stated that the latest album Obim released in the last quarter of 2017 is a new year gift to her numerous fans and a boost to the vibrant music sector in Nigeria.
Apart from music, Princess Lee is one of the recently unveiled Nollywood screen goddesses with several block buster movies to her credit. She has featured alongside other notable Nollywood veterans like Chiwetalu Agwu, Patience Ozokwor (Mama Gee), Mercy Johnson, Camela Mgbereke among others. Some of her popular films include ‘Angel Cross”, where she played a lead role, Iroko Tree”, Fight To The Death”, To Hell With You Handsome” Etc. She has also featured in various soap operas and other TV series in AIT and CTL as well as talk shows, music and video productions and modeling.
On how she is able to combine her various talents creditably and excel in them, the law graduate of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), called to the Nigeria bar in 2011 said “I see myself as a supper woman, I thank God and my numerous fans for being there for me, it is not easy but I thank God for making it possible for me to actualize my childhood dream of becoming a star”.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

7 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

7 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

7 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.