Entertainment
Why Timaya Dumped MTN Contract Renewal Offer
Timaya
Bayelsa State- born
Dance Hall Music Star, Timaya, has revealed why he dumped MTN contract renewal offer. In a recent post on the social media, he said, “I have always wanted to become an ambassador to a telecommunication company. I was approached by both Globacom and MTN, I chose MTN, I am a businessman and I feel I should have a better deal this year, if the deal is not good enough for me then it is not right, because I worked very hard to get to the stage I am”.
“It could be right for other people, but I think I should do better this year. There are artistes that are brand ambassadors and they do not have any hit, song, they are just there based on pity. Every year I release a hit song and I feel if we are to renew a contract, we have to revisit the terms and conditions. Not that we will do the same thing as the last time or do it out of pity,” he stated.
He said, “being a brand ambassador makes you limited in some certain areas and I expect to be paid for such limitations, I want more, they are good people and we did not have any misunderstanding, it was purely a business decision.”
Though he did not disclose how much he was paid for the first contract or what he was offered for the renewal of the contract, it was gathered that the first contract was worth millions of naira.
It would be recalled that the hip hop and Dance hall music sensation who was born and bred in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, is among the music stars and celebrities who rose from grass to grace.
Also known as the Egberi Papa I (the peoples town crier) of Bayelsa State was born in November 29, 1977 in Port Harcourt, the award winning musician is popular for his socially conscious music that constantly references the role of God in overcoming difficult circumstances in life. He has written and produced a music track for YouTube star, Janet Holt and Eulonzo Jordan.
He started out with a couple of collaborations with some underground artistes and was a backup singer for Eedris Abdulkareen. His first major hit was the song, “Dem Mama” an account of the 1999 destruction of Odi, a riverine community in the oil producing Niger Delta by soldiers hunting down militants whom were alleged to have killed 8 policemen. The village was burnt and numerous people killed. Timaya bravely tackled the topic years later and won instant street credibility for his boldness.
Timaya is currently one of the top stars of the Nigerian music scene with a lot of other musicians interested in doing collaborations with him, he had done collabo with J. Martins and P-Square, Keffe on ‘Kokoroko’, Spyderman and others. His albums include: “True story,” (2007), “Gift and Grace” (2008),. The Rebirth 2010, Long Life and Prosperity, (2011), “Bow Down”, ‘Sanko’, “Bum-Bum”, ft Scan Paul, ‘Story’, Hold me Down’ amongst others.
His awards include: African Hip-Hop Award, (2008, 2009), Album of the year, Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) (2008), Best Dance Hall Album, Hip-Hop World Awards (2009). This year, he bought himself 2015 model Lexus SUV to add to his fleet of expensive cars.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.
Nancy Briggs
