Entertainment
Rap Cyphers Make Bold Statement In Music Scene
Since the start of 2019, rap cyphers have been on some form of renaissance and that is exactly what the culture needs. Hip hop in Nigeria is enjoying reinvigorated spark over the past 12 months and rap cyphers are playing a consequential role in that.
Few musicians get to a certain level in their carrier where their major moves most often spark chain of reactions on the scene. One of the fortunate few when it comes to hip hop in Nigeria is rapper M.I. Abaga. When in 2017 he recessed the polarizing single “you Rappers should fix up your lives”, his words triggered a community of rappers rushing to studios to drop a response and state their case.
Fair to say, two years down the line some of them decided and indeed fixed up their lives. In January 2019 M Abaga along side rappers A-Q, loose Kaynon and Black Bonez again teamed up on the Lamb cipher and outside sparking some ugly reactions. It has also pushed other rappers in that cipher direction.
With the second month of the year just coming to its end, there have been dozens of ciphers released both from recongised acts and upcoming talents like the fresh boy 1897 cyphers. But while there is none that has caused as much excitement as that of Lamb cypher, they all have been unique in bringing something interesting to the scene.
Cyphers have always been a part of the fabric of the Nigerian pop rap scene, especially since its evolution in the late nineties. The likes of SWAT Roof Assemble, a collective of rappers based in Abuja featuring the likes of Mode nine, Terry That Rapman, Overdose, six for plus and pherowshaz constantly releasing videos of their studio free style sessions.
The hit single ‘Oya’ by Da Trybe started off as a free style extended to introduce the new members of the clique while the Bet cypher that featured for the first time a select number of Nigeria, rappers in 2011 remains a watershed moment in the history of the art form.
Cyphers are as old as the culture itself but as the chase for commercial acclaim gets intensified, so also did we witness the neglect of that part of the culture, but we really can’t do without these ciphers as they play a defining role in the growth of strengthening of the genre especially the under ground scene.
The five reasons why rap cultures are good for the Nigerian music are:
- They contribute significantly towards the survival and sustenance of hip hop.
- They provide a level playing field for all classes of rappers as it requires little or no monetary or material impact to bring to life.
- The spontaneity of ciphers help to retain the authenticity that is a major feature of rap as an art forum.
- Hip hop has excelled the most as an organic culture unbound by industry rules and ciphers provide the broken down gates where competition is allowed to thrive at its best and the fans usually play an active part at times deciding The winder which sparks some level of attention and cult following.
- Cypher also provided grounds where rappers can build a reputation and make a name for themselves.
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.
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.
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.
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