Entertainment

How Music, Films Highlight Nigeria, Ghana’s Rivalry

Published

7 years ago

July 20, 2018

Nigeria and Ghana are two West African countries that always seem to be in keen competition over various issues ranging from who cooks the best jollof, whose ladies are the prettiest, whose men are most caring , among otherss. Although both countries have a lot in common, they are actually different in many ways that one can imagine.
Ghana gained independence from the British colonial master in 1958, arguably, the first African nation to actually gain independence, while Nigeria gained hers in 1960. Ghana has relatively lower population of about 25 million people compared to Nigeria’s that boasts of over 180 million people.
In the area of entertainment, it cannot be over-emphasised that the Nigerian music industry has been extremely successful in penetrating the international music scene and gaining global recognition from the streets of Lagos to various parts of the world.
A recent report has it that in Ghana alone, the number of times Nigerian music is played at parties, beaches, university hostels and clubs would surprise any one. Nigerian music videos, are also well patronised as they are usually stimulating and exciting, but the support Ghanaian music gets from Ghanaians is very admirable. As much as they love Nigerian music, they hold their own music closely to heart.
Ghanaians love their music because of how raw and unrefined they are the music is usually sang in their local languages among which are Asante, Twi, Ga and Fante and are characterised by the use of their traditional instruments and tunes to give it the African flavour they really enjoy. Such music gives them the chance to express how good their dance steps are:
Although many Nigerian artistes sing in their local languages, majority of Nigerian music is in pidgin and English languages. Also the Nigerian idea of having fun is very different from that of the average Ghanaian.
Nigerians like likes to ‘flex’ or show the good life, they are very social people who enjoy being live parties. For those in the mega cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt, clubs are a very much preferred destination to just unwind and have fun.
In contrast, Ghanaians seem to be a bit different, Ghanaians are more laid back compared to Nigerians, they love going to the beaches to enjoy the ocean view, while sipping on coconut water straight from the coconut itself as there are numerous toasted cities in Ghana. Although Ghanaians enjoy going to parties as well to groove and get down, Nigerians are believed to do this at a higher level.
Another area of entertainment where both countries compete is the area of film production. As Ghanaian film production slowed down due to poor funding, Nigerian film makers thrive based on combination of oil money and the transition from expensive and laborious celluloid to cheap are easy video cassettes.
In the past decade, the distribution of Nigerian films recorded huge success in Ghana. Producers in both countries saw an opportunity to join forces, people started watching a lot of Nigerian films as both countries went further from including actors from both countries to having crews and writers from both countries collaborating.
Some of the Ghanaian movie stars who have found their way into Nollywood include Nadia Buari, Jackie Appiah, Joselyn Dumas Yvonne Nelson, Yvonne Okoro, Juliet Ibrahim and Martha Nkoma. Others are Trank Artus, Majid Michel, Van Vicker, Chris Attoh and John Dumelo among others.
On the whole, although both countries may bicker about which is the better country, it is merely a healthy completion. Both ways, both countries remain historically interwoven and each is shinning in her own way. In the light of all these differences, they are the ‘ying’ to each others ‘yang” and compliements one another.
This is evidenced by the successful collaboration between both countries in the areas of music and films which has helped to revolutionalise entertainment in West Africa.

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.