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Rise And Rise Of Nollywood’s ‘Fresh Faces’

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It will be in order to describe them as ‘emerging actors,’ some five to seven years ago. But today, some of these talents have stepped up so well and have been blazing the trail and pulling their own strings. Here is a quick pick of some of yesterday’s ‘fresh faces’ that have become regular faces on the screen and constant visitors to several homes with their stunning movie run.
Zainab Balogun
A notable television show host and co-founder of The J-ist TV, an online entertainment web series that highlights African culture and a range of topical issues, Zainab had made steady inroads into the Nigerian motion picture scene. Blessed with beauty and brain, the native of Abeokuta in Ogun State, who attended the University of Kent in Medway where she received a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB), has appeared in several shows including BBC One’s Material Girl, a 2012 Bollywood movie Cocktail, the Charlatans by Ashley Waters and a 2011 appearance in Christopher Nolan’s film, The Dark Knight Rises.
Back on home soil, the two-time winner of the Exquisite Lady of the Year (ELOY) award for television presentation (2013/2014) has featured in a couple of critically acclaimed movies, including A Soldiers Story, the very successful, The Wedding Party, Ojukokoro, The Wedding Party 2 and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel.
The British born Nigerian actress and model turned television presenter has also featured on the credit lines of movies such as
Sylva, Kofa, Fine Wine, God Calling, Chief Daddy and Entreat.
Bisola Aiyeola
A one-time Big Brother Nigeria first runner-up and recipient of the 2018 AMVCA Trail Blazer award, Bisola Aiyeola, has been grabbing screen roles easily since she stepped up a few years ago. A singer, actress and star of Ovy and Picture Perfect and a couple of critically acclaimed short films and web series, Bisola, who participated in the 2008 edition of MTN Project Fame has remained focused on her mission to remain on the list of the industry’s recognisable faces.
Movies that have benefited from her believable performance include, Two Grannies And A Baby, Sugar Rush, Pay Day,
Gold Statue, The Bling Lagosian, This Lady Called Life, and The Becoming of Obim.
Sharon Onoja
Star of the wave-making movie by Ebony Life production, Oloture, Sharon Onoja, has been having a good and steady run as an actress. Listed by the entertainment website as a top female celebrity of 2020 and a Nollywood actress to look out for in 2021, Sharon, an indigene of Benue State and a Mass Communication graduate, started her acting career in 2013.
The star of the popular web series Skinny Girl in Transit and show host has featured in a number of television series and movies including Gidi Up, Kambili, The Whole 30 Yards, Coming From Insanity, Bling Lagosians, King of Boys, Lara, And The Beat, and Moms at War featuring Funke Akindele and Michelle Dede.
BusayoEsther Adeyeye
You probably won’t find anyone among the large audience of Yoruba movies if you ask of Busayo Esther Adeyeye. But mention Ayo Adey and fingers will point to the Lagos-born actress and product of the Psychology Department of the University of Lagos. An actress and producer of mounting credits, Ayo Adey joined the movie industry two years after she completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps Scheme. Since then, Ayo Adey has been pulling her strings, acting in and signing memorable productions.
Inspired by the acting prowess of celebrated actors like Peju Ogunmola, Angelina Jolie, and Joke Silva, Ayo Adey has signed notable productions including Alarade, Ina Abe, Oko Longe, Ojiji Oga, Ohun Ton Dan, and Olofin Tooto. Her career ambition is to make a difference in the Nigerian movie space.
Bolanle Ninalowo
Debonair and handsome Bolanle is perhaps one of the most featured of the ‘emerging actors’ of the last ten years. Hailed by the yellow press as ‘Nollywood’s bad boy’, the former banker turned actor and producer has been cutting the swath since he returned to the industry in 2014 after he took a short break to attend to ‘other issues’.
Since he returned, the producer of Rebirth has been walking in and out of location, grabbing the lead and supporting roles. Recipient of the 2018 City People Movie Award for best actor of the year ‘English’ and 2017 Best of Nollywood award for Actor in a leading role ‘English’, Nino as the actor is simply called by close friends and colleagues, has featured in critically acclaimed movies such as Road To Yesterday, 30 Years A Virgin, Iya Iyawo, Night Bus To Lagos, Coming From Insanity, A Fire in The Rain, Ratnik, Husbands of Lagos, and Picture Perfect.
Rotimi Salami
Although trained as a movie director at the New York Film Academy, Akin Salami is doing well as an actor and has been grabbing screen credits right and left. Star of well-acclaimed movies like Mentally, Omoye, Stormy Hearts, Timeless and winner of the best-supporting actor award at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA), the star of the award-winning movie Just Not Married, Salami had his break in 2007 on the set of ‘Unknown Revenge’ and later on a television series produced by Ola Razak titled Shangisha Kingdom.
He has continued to grab roles both in the movies and on television. Some of the television series and movies he has starred in include, The long-running Tinsel, Super Storey, Silent Night, About to Wed, Dear Mother, Kuti’s Career Palace, Emerald, Alan Poza, Bella’s Place, Leave My Boyfriend, 11th Hour, Papa Ajasco, and Crack in the Wall.

 

By: Jacob Obinna

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Why I Am Not Ready To Have Kids Yet-Burna Boy

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Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, has opened up about why he is not ready to be a father yet.
According to the 32-year-old, he is not ready to have kids yet because he can not give them the attention they deserve.
Burna Boy disclosed this while responding to questions from newsmen, in a recent interview.
He explained that he would have children when he is settled or married.
“Why have not I had kids yet? Bro, because I don’t want to have kids yet,” he said.
“Have you seen my mum the way she loves me? Have you seen my dad the way he loves me?I know I can not give that to anyone right now with the life I’m living. So until I’m settled and I can be there for my children everyday, I’m not having no kid.
“I feel like my kids deserve better than I got. And I got both my mum and dad so you understand?”
On the allegations that he is impotent, Burna Boy said, “When I see the bants and the things people say about me not being able to have kids, I said this is unimportant. Let’s assume that it is true that I could not even have kids, you know that there’s something called IVF? But that is not even true,” he summed up.

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2Baba’s  20 Years Anniversary Of  ‘Face 2 Face’

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May 15, 2024, made it 20 years since Nigerian seminal superstar, 2Baba released his debut album, ‘Face 2 Face’.
Before 2Face Idibia (Now 2Baba) left the boy band Plantashun Boiz to chase a solo career, he was adjudged by many to be the band’s most talented member.
In fact, superstar rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem could not resist the urge to point this out in ‘Wackawikee MC,’ where he dissed former Remedies members, Tony Teitula and Eddy Montana as well as the Plantashun Boiz.
It was this huge expectation based on proven talent that preceded the release of 2Baba’s debut album, ‘Face 2 Face’ which was an emphatic statement of his ability and ambitions.
The Tide Entertainment reports that released under the iconic Nigerian music label, Kennis Music on 15th May 2004, ‘Face 2 Face’ would carry the zeitgeist of Nigerian pop music in the 2000s with heavy hip-hop and RnB influences.
For 2Face, the album was crafted to position him for commercial success justifying his decision to leave the Plantashun Boiz. ‘Face 2 Face’ would achieve this as it houses some of the biggest hit tracks that defined the 2000s and rocketed 2Baba as the face of Nigerian pop music.
‘Face 2 Face’ welcomes listeners to 2Baba’s world where he shares his many thoughts through mind- blowing lyrics, melodies, and compelling versatility.
“Today is the first day of the rest of my life,” he says in the hit song ‘Nfana Ibaga,’ where he delivers his statement of intent that will alter the direction of change in the Nigerian soundscape.
2Face had many things to share and he found exciting ways to communicate these thoughts. When he raps about love on the hit track ‘Ole’ he effortlessly molds melodies in unprecedented fashion.
2Baba is arguably Nigeria’s most gifted artist and his unbelievable ability shines in elevated lyricism, remarkable shapeshifting, and mind blowing delivery.
The acceptance of his fallibility offers food for thought on the lyrical masterclass ‘U No Holy Pass,’ where he cautions his critics who have a lot to say over his decision to leave Plantashun Boiz and the way he chooses to live his life. This record is one of those songs that reminds listeners that there is about nothing 2Baba can- not do as he effortlessly flows over the strings and drums of Rock music.
While the album carries significant hip-hop influences, it also has the palpable RnB music that shaped the American soundscape in the early 2000s.
On ‘Right Here’, 2Baba pours out his heart on a brilliant domestication of RnB and hip hop hybrid popular with Western RnB stars like Usher, Craig Davids and Joe.
The album’s biggest song is the classic guitar ballad, ‘African Queen’ which will break the commercial roof of Nigerian and African music. If there is any such thing as a perfect song, it will be ‘African Queen’ as the writing, delivery and production make for a perfect combination that is one of the most important records in the history of Nigerian mainstream pop music.
The success of 2Baba’s ‘African Queen’ transcended the shores of Africa as it was used in the 2006 Hollywood movie, ‘Phat Girls’ which was one of the earliest exportation of Nigerian mainstream pop music.
2Baba is known for being an artiste who constantly uses his music to speak on social justice and this is a trait that runs back 20 years ago.
On ‘police Skit,’ listeners get a commentary on the state of the Nigerian Police who are hardly distinguishable from armed robbers.
2Baba is one of Nigeria’s music’s most indefatigable hitmakers and he laid the blueprints for what is to come on the groovy party-starter ‘Keep on Rocking’ feat Natives & Lil Seal where he effortlessly switches language and flows.
‘Face 2 Face’ is a product of an era when artists craft wholesome albums with something for every listener and a concerted effort to carry a national outlook. Tracks like the gospel tune ‘Thank U Lord’ and ‘Odi Ya’ feat Black Face where he showcases his Benue roots point to this effort.
20 years after its release, ‘Face 2 Face’ is celebrated as a hall-of-fame Nigerian album that laid the blueprint for the hit projects in the Nigerian mainstream.
‘Face 2 Face’ showed listeners many sides of 2Baba – the singer, the rapper, the songwriter, the sage, the hitmaker, and ultimately, the pacesetter.

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Davido Reacts To Report Of Sacking His Lawyer

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Nigerian Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has debunked reports that he sacked his lawyer and longtime friend, Bobo Ajudua, over embezzlement.
The Tide Entertainment gathered that Davido recently sacked his long-term business partner and lawyer, Bobo Ajudua for embezzling $370,000.
However, reacting, the singer said, that was not the case.
He clarified that they are still friends even though they are no longer business partners.
”This was not the case at all! We are still very good friends! In business, things evolve and change all the time! Please, everyone disregard this narrative.”

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