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Rivers Set For Yuletide Celebration Despite Odds

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As this year’s Christmas and New year celebrations beckon, The Tide investigations have revealed that most of the residents of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and its environs are not enthusiastic about the Christmas and new year celebrations. Most of the people interviewed expressed the feelings of solemn and gloomy festive period due to the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
One of the respondents, Mr. Solomon Duru,  a civil servant resident at the D-Line axis of the city, complained of the rising cost of staple foods in the market, such as rice, beans, tomato, yam etc. which were sold at exubitant prices and  had made it extremely difficult to provide two square meals for his family of five, “It is life first before celebration,” he said.
Another respondent who sells garri at Mile One Market, Diobu , Port Harcourt,  Madam Dorathy Duke maintained that garri which used to be the poor man’s food has become the rich man’s food. According to her, a basin of garri that was sold for #3000.00 is now sold for between #7000.00 and #8000.00, while five cups of garri that used to be sold for #200.00 now cost #500.00.
“Even at the prevailing price today, garri has become a scarce commodity even when you succeed in getting it, there are no buyers , there is trouble in the country,  Nigeria has now become Ghana of those days when they ran to Nigeria to take refuge due to their poor economy , but today the reverse is the case, may God help us”,  she said.
A transporter in Abali Park, Mile1, Mr. Sunday Udo, lamented the lack of patronage due to the hike  in transport fares as a result of the unprecendented rise in petrol and other petrolum products. He stressed that even vulcanizers and mechanics are in trouble as patronage from car owners decrease every day due to poor economy.
It was the same woefull story when The Tide visited a supermarket attendant along Aba/ Port Harcourt Express Road who pleaded anonymity. He disclosed that it was no longer business as usuall as most of their customers had disappeared due to the increase in the price of goods. “We record poor sales daily to the extent that the management has decided to reduce the workforce, my brother, it is double wahala for dead body” according to Fela”,  he said.
However,  a mass communication student of the Rivers State University Port Harcourt,  Mr. Abel Dike, noted that Nigerians were used to suffering and smiling, so this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations would come and go,  this year would not be different despite the sufferings. People would still enjoy themselves even with their last kobo.
“People will still go to catch fun with their loved ones at their favourite relaxation joints,  hangouts, cinemas, amusement parks and night clubs. Residential houses, churches and public places will also wear new looks with Christmas trees, lights and other decorations,  even communities are ready to mark their annual carnivals,  beach parties, cultural and masquerade dances as well as wrestling competitions   and other social activities to mark the festive period,  so I believe all is not lost despite the bad economy,” he said.
Meanwhile,  Pastor Silas Wosa of St. Pauls Anglican Church Diobu noted that Christian faithfulls all over the world would celebrate the Christmas. “Christmas is the biggest celebration and holiday every year,  because it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Son of God who came to the world to redeem mankind” he stressed.

By: Jacob Obinna

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‘Son Of Chike’ Strikes Fine Balance Of RnB , Pop

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Chike’s music brings together listeners who yearn for the mesmeric sonics of RnB steeped in Nigerian cultural richness and familiarity.
It’s through this fine musical blend that Chike sang his way into the hearts of listeners whose patronage brought him the success and fame to crave Popstar status.
His sophomore album, ‘The Brother’s Keeper’ displayed his yearning for Popstar status with the music notably different from the smooth domesticated RnB of his brilliant debut. While his ambition was appreciated, his sophomore album struggled to connect with listeners.
It’s this fine balance as an RnB singer flying the Igbo cultural flag while showcasing an admirable ability to craft pop records that Chike achieves on his third album ‘Son of Chike’.
A quintessential RnB star, Chike wears his hearts on his sleeve with music driven by melting melodies, heartfelt lyrics, poignant delivery, and a rich infusion of his Igbo culture down to the cover art that ties the project into a wholesome piece.
Chike offers his honest take on the complications of romantic relationships through songs that convey his yearnings as well as his hurt while striking a fine balance of RnB and Pop shaped by his Igbo heritage and Afrobeats production curated by his long-term collaborated Deeyaso.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Chike shares his desire to choose peace and tranquility over negativity in the opener where he sings his way into the hearts of listeners while displaying the elevated penmanship of an RnB star next to Ladipoe’s swaggering verse.
He wears his heart on his sleeves in a yearning for love and romantic bliss on the love anthems, ‘Apple,’ ‘Ego Onyinbo,’ and the Ogene and Highlife driven ‘Mma (Beauty)’ which adds to his rich repertoire of wedding serenading tunes and give the album mid-point a definitive Igbo cultural core.

 

To love is to hurt, and Chike shares the painful side of romantic adventures on ‘Someone,’ where he shares the hurt of unrequited love. He teams up with fast-rising sensation Qing Madi, who dazzles on the mid-tempo ‘Your Loss’ where they offer heartfelt love while maintaining a resolve to not settle for less.

Chike’s dismissiveness to a love interest on the log drum punctuated ‘Not Your Daddy’ introduces listeners to a rather bad boy side of the soft singing sensation this writer curiously hopes to get in larger doses in his future projects.

‘Son Of Chike’ gets a fine balance of pop cuts shaped by Amapiano log drum and an infusion of his Igbo heritage. Chike crafts a chart-topping party-starter in ‘Egwu’ featuring the late Street pop sensation Mohbad, he swaggers on his declaration of love on ‘Lifetime Love’ where he mirrors Asake’s cadences, and he recruits Afrobeats seasoned hitmaker Olamide and emerging star Amaeya to share the message of hope and a better tomorrow on the log drum-driven ‘One Day’.

While Chike enjoys crafting heartfelt romantic numbers, there’s the other side of him that stretches beyond the desire to simply entertain. This part of him introspects as he strives to understand his limitations and purpose. Chike embraces his flaws while striving to be better on ‘Balance Am’ before restating his faith in the superior power of the spiritual force that shapes his journey on the serenading closing ballad ‘Man Not God’.

Four years, three albums, and several awards later, Chike’s beautiful journey with ‘Son of Chike’ holds up his status as an RnB sensation with superstar ambitions.

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Burna Boy  Marks  5th Anniversary Of ‘African Giant’

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Burna Boy will mark the fifth anniversary of his ‘African Giant’ with an exclusive performance on YouTube.
Burna Boy is one of Africa’s leading musicians whose award-winning music and record-breaking concerts have made him a global superstar.
Today, the 26th of July, 2024 YouTube will livestream an exclusive YouTube Music Nights present Burna Boy. This special event will commemorate the 5th anniversary of his critically acclaimed album, ‘African Giant’.
The YouTube Music Nights program places global superstar Artistes on intimate stages, creating electrifying live video content that celebrates the unique connection between Artistes and their fans.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Burna Boy, who boasts 5 million subscribers on YouTube, will grace the stage in an intimate setting to celebrate hits from his critically acclaimed album, ‘African Giant’.
Released in 2019, ‘African Giant’ marked Burna Boy’s international breakthrough, earning a nomination for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards. The album also delivered notable hit records such as ‘On The Low’, ‘Gbona’, ‘Dangote’, ‘Killing Dem’ feat Zlatan, and ‘Anybody’.
“Celebrating the 5th anniversary of ‘African Giant’ with a special performance in London, supported by YouTube Music, has been an incredible experience. This album holds a special place in my heart as it represents a pivotal moment in my career and a powerful statement of African pride,” burns Boy expressed his excitement.
“We are thrilled to present Burna Boy on YouTube Music Nights, celebrating the 5th anniversary of his groundbreaking album, African Giant,” said Addy Awofisayo, Head of Music at YouTube in Africa.
The content will be live streamed exclusively on Burna Boy’s YouTube channel, allowing fans worldwide to join the celebration.

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Forum Announces Demise Of  MC Sagbelistic

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The Forum Of Kalabari MC’s, Comedians and Entertainers, has formally announced the sudden passing of their dearly beloved Colleague and MC of the Federal Republic; Late Sagbe Mieba popularly known as MC Sagbelistic. Mieba, whose untimely demise occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 23rd July, 2024, at his hometown in Ido, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the news of His death was  confirmed yesterday by Chairman of the forum, Sepribo Sheriff- Nimifaa
According to  Sheriff-Nimifaa,  MC Sagbe was a dedicated and esteemed professional who had been battling a protracted illness with courage and resilience.
“Despite his struggles, he remained committed to his Master of Ceremony work and was a source of inspiration to many of our colleagues especially in the art of Kalabari spoken language, history and tradition,” he said.
“His sudden departure leaves a void in our lives and a gap in our professional community.
We will remember Sagbe for his kindness, expertise, and unwavering dedication to his craft”.
The forum also extended their deepest condolences to his immediate family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.
The forum prayed that the family, friends and colleagues  find the strength and comfort in the memories they shared with the deceased,  saying that the legacy of the late MC Sagbelistic would live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

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