Entertainment

Prince Hezekiah Rebrands Comedy In Rivers …Hosts Third Edition Of Project Laugh, Sept 22

Published

12 years ago

August 30, 2013

The comedy industry in Nigeria has come a long way, despite the initial problems that confronted the founding fathers at the early stages of their comic career as most of them persevered and today comedy has become a thriving and lucrative business in Nigeria’s entertainment clan, generating wealth for the country and providing job opportunities to many upcoming talents who now see as role models.

These early comedians such as Julius Agwu, Basket Mouth, Gandoki I Go Die, I Go Save, Seye The Law, Ali Baba, Maleke among others on their own part, have not only gained national and international awards, recognition and fame, but wealth as well. Some are even brand ambassadors, while others are ambassadors of telecommunication giants such as MTN, GLO, Etisalat among others.

However, apart from these older comedians, there are other young enterprising comedians in the country today, such as is Prince Hezekiah. This Buguma-born rave of the moment has become a house hold name as he has not only taken comedy to the next level, but has touched many lives through his humorous jokes which have brought joy and relaxation to many.

In a recent interview with The Tide Entertainment, this entertainment entrepreneur took us down memory lane on his chosen career. According to him, before joining the comedy industry he had a brief stint with Nollywood where he played minor roles (waka pass) in some movies namely “Oriaja,” “Mad Prophet” etc. He is also a professional dancer and has taken part in various competitions where he won awards.

Prince Hezekiah, however, came into limelight through comedy when he featured in a Night of Thousand Laughs in 2008. This comedy show started here in Port Harcourt before it moved to Lagos. After that, he had featured in several comedy shows within and outside the state. They include Basket Mouth’s Glo Lords of the ring, Julius Agwu’s Crack Your Ribs” and All Stars Comedy Jam, featuring Julius Agwu, Clint the Drunk, Gandoki, I Go Die, I Go Save, and Maleke among others.

He has also entertained in Calabar annual carnival comedy shows in most of the popular churches in Port Harcourt, including Salvation Ministries. The humour merchant is also known for his performances involving multinational oil giants such as SPDC, Agip NLNG Bonny etc as well as other parts of the country such as Abuja, Lagos, Warri and Bayelsa.

His escapedes in the comedy industry have earned him various awards, such as the Best Comedian award by the Niger Delta Advancement Awards, Best Comedian by Media Afrik 2009, Rivers State Tourism Ambassador etc, he is currently the comedian with the highest number of awards in Rivers State which he attributes to hard work and the grace of God. He sees those awards as his greatest achievements.

On his comedy show, “project laugh,” slated for 2nd September 2013 at the Aztrech Arcum, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt, he said, the aim is to rebrand comedy in Rivers State, because the state is lacking behind in the industry, so he intends to use the occasion to showcase some upcoming talents who are not known or recognised. He said it is the 3rd edition and it is going to be the biggest comedy show in Port Harcourt.

According to him, the show will be an eye raiser, a gospel invasion and a generational change featuring 25 comedians from 9 states including Abuja, Lagos and Warri. He assured that it would be a night of laughter, fun and relaxtion and the best of its kind in recent times.

The homour legend, however, urged indigenes of the state to support their brothers in the comedy clan. According to him, the talents abound in the state, but we prefer outsiders that is why most of the indigenous comedians are not known hence they do not benefit from the profession.

He disclosed that many people have approached him to relocate from Port Harcourt, but he refused, because of the opportunities here, so he cannot move to another region to become a servant just because he wants fame. According to him, you can be famous where ever you are if you work hard enough because when preparation meets opportunity, it becomes prosperity.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.