Entertainment

Dangote, Others Storm Omotola’s Birthday Bash

Published

8 years ago

February 16, 2018

Although Nollywood star actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde’s 40th birthday bash has come and gone, it will be talked about for a while because it was not just your ordinary birthday parties, as Nigeria and Africa’s richest man and billionaire business magnate, Alhaji Aliko Dangote turned up at the event dressed in suit, looking very simple as usual.
All eyes were on him as he made his way to his table and every paparazzi present at the event wanted to have a shot of him. Among other crème de la crème at the event are Hon Femi Gbajiamila, Amaju Pinnik, Tony Elumelu and distinguished Senator Ben Murray Bruce of the Silver Bird Group among others.
The event which took place on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at the Land Mark Event Centre, Lekki was kicked off with performances by ace saxophonist, Tola Zee, Yemi Sax, DJ Humility who played Jamz from the 1980s and 90s with DJ Obi who was at hand to keep the younger ones entertained.
The Omotola’s party was a typical Lagos party which had the likes of D’banj, Sir Shina Petes, Sunny Ade. Even though it was her day and the spot light was on her Omotola and her crew came prepared as the venue looked flawless. The colour of the evening which was actually black and read created a different vibe for the venue. The chairs, tables, stage and lightening could be compared to a dinner party for an international award with so much to eat and drink.
Omotola later performed on stage where she gave a rendition of her song from her last album with the help of a live band and she got everyone on their feet as they sang along. Another Nollywood actress, Eucharia Anunobi who lost her son last year also sang with Omotola, it was really sweet and an emotional moment for everyone.
Other events that took place at the well-attended birthday party was Senator Ben Bruce’s entry drama which ensured at the entrance of the venue when the distinguished senator was stopped at the gate by a female security detail who wanted to ensure that the senator entered with his invitee, even though it was not clear if he had his invitee with him.
It took the intervention of some of the organisers to get a visibly calm senator into the venue.
Another event occurred when D’banj entertained the guest with melodious tunes from his last album and even from his first album which got the guests dancing. As usual, D’banj left the stage to interact with guests, while he was entertaining and got to the table of On Air personality (OAP), Daddy Freeze, he praised him, but before he left, he made comments concerning the tithing controversial issue telling Daddy Freeze that he doesn’t care what pastors do with tithes, but he gladly pays his own tithe.
It was indeed a night to remember with the who is who in the entertainment business, politicians, captains of industries etc, were all there.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

4 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

4 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

4 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.