Award-winning South African Afro-pop singer Bulelwa Mkutukana, popularly known as Zahara, has died, the country’s culture minister announced.

She had been in hospital, reportedly with liver complications, and the government had been assisting the family “for some time”, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa said.

The songstress won fame in 2011 with her album Loliwe, loved across Africa.In 2019, Zahara opened up about her battle with alcohol addiction.

Last month, the family confirmed she had been admitted to hospital and called on South Africans to keep the musician in their prayers.

She passed away on Monday night in a Johannesburg hospital at the age of 36, state-run SABC news website reports.

While her family is yet to release an official statement, fans have been grieving and sharing fond memories on social media.

“Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact in South African music,” Mr Kodwa posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“She left us with such beautiful music,” one X user posted.Zahara, who released five albums, won dozens of awards both local and international. In 2020, she was named in the BBC’s 100 Women list.

The songwriter also used her platform to speak out about violence against women in South Africa, something she revealed had happened to her.

In an interview with a local radio last year, Zahara said her music was not for recognition but to bring comfort to broken souls that need healing.

Multi-award-winning music star, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has announced plans to gift N100 million to children for Christmas.

The singer revealed this in posts on his Instagram story on Monday, stating that this will start from the Surulere area of Lagos State.

He added that he is doing this in honour of his late mum, Juliana Morayo Balogun, who died on August 18, 2023.

He wrote, “100M for the kids for Christmas! Lord bless us all 😇 start in Surulere tonight!

“All in Morayo’s name! The love of my life! ❤️❤️🕊️”

Belcalis Almánzar, an American rapper popularly known as Cardi B, has confirmed the end of her marriage with her husband, Offset.

Rumours about the couple’s divorce have been swirling on the Internet after a series of cryptic posts popped up on Cardi’s Instagram page last week.

In one of the posts the rapper said she was getting rid of “dead weight” in the coming year.“…and when it comes to dead weight … I’ll say mentality, procrastination, laziness and people.

A lot of people are deadweight, too. Next year is gonna be all about me,” she said.

In another post, she wrote, “You know when you just outgrow relationships I’m tired of protecting people’s feelings…I GOTTA PUT MYSELF FIRST.”

The couple also unfollowed each other on their Instagram pages last week.

During an Instagram Live session on Monday, the “WAP” rapper confirmed that she has parted ways with her husband.

“I don’t know if y’all have been getting clues from me from my Live, I mean… or from my Instagram Stories, where I put certain music. When it comes to events and stuff, I don’t think it’s true, I don’t care to find out because I have been single for a minute now.

“But I’ve been afraid…not afraid, I just don’t know how to tell the world. The last time I went on Live, I kinda wanted to tell you guys, but I didn’t know how to tell you so I changed my mind. But it has been like this for a minute now,” she said.

The break up comes amid accusations levelled against Offset by American rapper, Blueface that the former had a relationship with his baby mama, Chrisean Rock.

Indigenous rapper, Remilekun Abdulkalid Safaru, popularly known as Reminisce, has recalled his “first major” rejection in the music industry.

The ‘King Of Boys’ star said his first major rejection was when a radio station rejected him and singer, 9ice’s CDs because they performed their music mostly in Yoruba.

He disclosed this in a recent interview with Zikoko.

Reminisce said, “My first major rejection was with 9ice on the Island at a radio station where we went to submit our music CDs for airplay, and the feedback we got was that we would never make it.

“They said 9ice was singing like Babalawo [native doctor] cos he sings in Yoruba.

“The other guy told me: ‘why am I rapping like a buffoon, can’t I see Ruggedman? He said that we should both go back and look for something to do with our lives and be better.

“That was my first major rejection. I will never forget it, even 9ice I’m sure he hasn’t forgotten it.”

Nigerian rapper, Oladipupo Oladimeji, popularly known as Oladips, has apologised to the public for the recent death hoax orchestrated by his management.

He expressed regret for the confusion and emphasised that his illness was not a prank, stating that he was “very sick.”

In an interview with Naija FM which went viral on Friday, Oladips said he took full responsibility for the false alarm, vowing to surround himself with professionals while seeking forgiveness from his followers.

Oladips said, “To Nigerians and my core followers, I will never play with people’s emotions like that. It was never a prank. I was sick sick. I am really sorry for the confusion, the false alarm and everything. I take full responsibility.

“I’ll make sure I’m surrounded by professionals going forward. Since I believe that’s where the issue originated. I’ve gone through a lot, like having my manager steal from me and wish me dead. I eventually reached the point where my manager was no longer with me. It was just me and my boys.

“All I’m attempting to do at the moment is make sure the individuals I choose are professionals who understand what’s appropriate to do. No be person wey because he no hear from my mum, he feel like, ‘Ah! This guy don die’.”

He claimed that his manager would not have misbehaved if he was truly a professional.

“That is why I said I take full responsibility. So, I’m really sorry. Make una forgive me abeg.”

Rapper Kodak Black, who was pardoned three years ago by Donald Trump, has been arrested in Florida on drugs charges.

Officers said they noticed a strong smell of marijuana from a black Bentley SUV with the 26-year-old asleep at the wheel inside.

According to CBS News, police found a white powder later confirmed to be cocaine when they searched the vehicle.

Black, appeared in court on Thursday and was freed on a $75,000 bond.

The rapper, real name Bill Kapri, was accused of possession of cocaine, tampering with physical evidence and improperly stopping or parking a vehicle.

Regular drug testing is a condition of his release.

The Super Gremlin artist was also arrested last year on charges of trafficking in oxycodone and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

After reportedly failing to show up for multiple drug tests, he was ordered to spend 30 days in rehab earlier this year.

In January 2021, Black was on a list of more than 140 people who were pardoned by then-US president Donald Trump.

He had been sentenced to almost four years in jail in 2019 for making a false statement to buy a firearm.

But he served only half of his sentence after Trump intervened.

Following his release, Black thanked Trump on his track Last Day In and also expressed his support for the former president on social media.

The rapper has sold more than 30 million singles and has collaborated with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott and Jason Derulo.

American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift has been named Time Magazine’s ‘2023 Person of the Year’.

“This is the proudest and happiest I’ve ever felt, and the most creatively fulfilled and free I’ve ever been,” Swift said during an interview with TIME.

Swift was announced the winner of Time Magazine’s ‘2023 Person of the Year’ by the publication’s editor-in-chief, Sam Jacobs, who shared the news with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie during Wednesday’s Today show.

“Picking one person who represents the eight billion people on the planet is no easy task… There are a number of different choices that could have represented 2023 but we picked a choice, someone who represents joy,” Jacobs said during the announcement.

He added, “Someone who’s bringing light to the world, someone who’s taken her own story and made it big enough for everyone. And I don’t think there’s anyone who’s moved so many people so well as Taylor Swift did in 2023.”

Swift’s musical exploits have quickly earned the 33-year-old being mentioned alongside other legendary pop stars, including Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Madonna. She was recently crowned Spotify’s 2023 most-streamed musician.

Earlier this week, Forbes updated Taylor Swift’s net worth to $1.1 billion, “solely based on her songs and performances” — becoming the first musician to reach the landmark.

Nigerian disc jockey (DJ) and singer Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, has urged her fans to be patient with her as she is still trying to perfect her music.

She admitted that she promised to release new music this year but she wants to, first of all, perfect the art.

The billionaire heiress said her new age makes her feel like she has another “proper shot”, urging fans to be patient with her.

Speaking in a video shared via her X handle on Wednesday, Cuppy said, “I posted something the other day which is so true. I promised my fans that I will drop music this year, it has been almost four yeas since my debut and only album.

“But, let me say it again, God’s timing is the best even if it doesn’t align with your ego. I wanna make sure I get music right. And at 30, I feel I have another proper shot, and I’ve small small energy. So, be patient with me.”

Music streaming platform Boomplay has revealed its year-end charts for the most streamed songs and albums of 2023 in Nigeria.

Davido’s fourth studio album, ‘Timeless,’ emerged as the most streamed project in Nigeria on the platform this year, followed by Asake’s sophomore album, ‘Work Of Art’ and Omah Lay’s ‘Boy Alone.’

Omah Lay’s hit song, ‘Soso’, leads the most streamed songs chart. Kizz Daniel’s ‘Cough (Odo)’ and Adekunle Gold’s ‘Party No Dey Stop’ featuring Zinoleesky complete the top three.

The most streamed gospel song of the year is ‘Daddy Wey Dey Pamper’ by Moses Bliss, followed by ‘Miracle No Dey Tire Jesus’ by the same singer. Ebuka Songs’ ‘I Will Pray’ completes the chart.

Meanwhile, Asake was named the most streamed male artiste on the platform in the year under review, while Ayra Starr is the most streamed female artiste.

Popular comedian, Onyebuchi Ojieh, widely known as Buchi, has announced that he has been granted full access to his children.

He made this known on his Instagram account on Monday.

He wrote, “I have been granted full access to my kids.. we better in all things.. THANK YOU EVERYONE .!! the good the bad the ugly ..Thank u the SALAMIS ,mama Azmin ..Engr ISEDE #1 grandpa..❤️❤️ Update dropping soon.

“This development comes after Buchi took to Instagram in November to share his frustration about being denied access to his children by his ex-wife and her parents.

The comedian had accused his former in-laws of “abducting” his kids and claimed they were demanding money before allowing him to see them.

Buchi and his ex-wife, Rukky, tied the knot in 2017 and have two children together.

Rumour of marital issues surfaced in 2022, with speculation about the marriage facing challenges, including alleged violence.

British-Nigerian singer, Moelogo has recalled how a false accusation in the UK made him contemplate suicide.

He said before the experience, he used to think people who commit suicide were weak.Speaking in a recent interview with Cool FM, Lagos, the singer said friends prevented him from taking his life.

Moelogo said, “I used to think people who commit suicide were weak until it happened to me. Then I realized that it’s not about you being strong, it can happen to anybody. That was the first time I ever felt like, ‘What’s the point? Let me just go.’

“I’m just grateful that I had at least two people around me that time that actually showed me that ‘Guy, you’re here for a reason. Don’t worry, this will pass.’ And I thank God that I had evidence of what they were trying to accuse me of. The evidence was audio evidence from one of their family members. I heard my friends planning what they were about to do and I just cried. It was crazy. The audio evidence was what saved me from the law.”

He said his friends whom he had known for over a decade tried to blackmail him to extort money from him because they thought he was rich.

He said the incident nearly discouraged him from helping people.

Whitemoney, Big Brother Naija Season 6 winner-turned musician, has revealed that he has not been benefiting from music.

The reality star stated this in his recent interview with BBC Igbo.

Giving insights into his music career, he explained that music streaming has not proven to be a profitable avenue for him.

He further emphasized that he may not have a ‘fine’ voice, but his focus is on delivering meaningful content rather than conforming to conventional standards.

“The truth is singing has not started paying me because I don’t get money from streaming, but I get money from performances. I don’t have the best voice but I have a message and melody.

“People criticise me, even those paid to criticise me. What you need to know is that I don’t sing to make you feel fine because you don’t feed or fund my musical career,” Whitemoney added.

Grammy-nominated afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti has asserted that “Lagos is white man’s land.”

He said contrary to the recent trend of various Nigerian ethnic groups claiming ownership of Lagos, the actual owners are foreigners who own the majority of the city’s real estate and wealth.

The late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti’s son lamented that the economy of Lagos and Nigerians in general was being controlled by “foreigners.”

Speaking in a recent Instagram live session with fans, Kuti said, “Why are you guys shouting, ‘Lagos is Igbo land, Lagos is Yoruba land?’ Lagos is a white man’s land. Go to the Ministry of Land in Lagos and see how many percent of land in Lagos Yoruba people own.

“The whole of Nigeria, look at your oil industry, who is controlling it? It’s the whites. They hide it in plain sight. Eko Hotel, is the most expensive real estate in the whole of Lagos, who owns it? Is it you? Now, Eko Atlantic is an extension of Eko Hotel, owned by the same foreigners.”

A stage manager, identified as Iamozbit on X, on Tuesday demanded an apology from reality TV star, Tacha Akide, after a viral video featuring both of them.

In the video Tacha shared on X on Monday, she was removing the stage manager’s hand from her waist as they posed for a picture.”I just couldn’t lol,” she captioned the video.

Reacting to the video on X, Iamozbit wrote, “Hello, everyone! I’d like to address a viral video featuring Tacha and I. I want to clarify that I was unaware of the video; she asked for a quick photo backstage, and I obliged as I was assisting as a stage manager for the said show.

“If she had any concerns, she didn’t express them. It seems like an attention-seeking move, explaining my delayed response.

“I’ve received calls and faced defamation from various sources, including brands, individuals, and even at my workplace.

“Tacha, I hope you understand the gravity of this situation on my mental well-being and the risk to my image.

“A public apology for the impact on my reputation would be appreciated. I look forward to your prompt response.”

Famous Nigerian singer, Teniola Apata popularly known as Teni has blasted Nigerians for criticizing Davido over his younger sister’s comment.

Davido had during one of Teni’s visits to his house, he referred to her as ‘my younger sister’ despite both being age mates.

Following this, many netizens took to the internet to drag Davido.

Reacting to the development in an interview on Zero Conditions podcast, Teni clarified that she harbours no grievances over Davido’s comment.

While questioning the sensibility of those who took issue with the terminology, Teni used the analogy of her driver calling her madam even though he is far older than her to shut the critics up.

She said, ” Those criticising Davido are insane. Davido that helps me to produce a song and the song blows.”

Veteran comedian, Bright Okpocha popularly known as Basketmouth, has set a five year plan to quit comedy.

Basketmouth said he would be quiting comedy when he clocks 50 years to build his own empire and work in every aspect of the entertainment industry.

The 45-year-old, during an interview on Arise TV, explained that he plans to retire after doing a run of yearly comedy shows for the following five years.

He said even though he initially gave up a music career in the 1990s to pursue comedy, he had always known he would return to it.

“In five years, I will be 50 years old. I would have moved on to something else that would take up a lot of my time. I wish to put my all into it.

“I am confident that I will be able to combine all of my interests and completely enjoy films, TV shows, and concerts. Doing all of these things and still giving comedy your best will be difficult,” he said.

Popular singer, Teniola Apata, simply known as Teni, has revealed that she learnt Yoruba language from YouTube.

The 31-year-old singer said despite her parents being Yoruba, she learnt how to speak the language by watching Yoruba movies on YouTube while in America.

She disclosed this in a recent episode of the Zero Conditions podcast.

She said, “Do you know how I learnt to speak Yoruba? It was when I went to America. I learnt it from YouTube. I was watching Yoruba films like mad.”

Teni also disclosed during the interview that she started drinking alcohol in 2021.

She said before then she didn’t drink alcohol nor smoke.

The singer added that her decision to start drinking alcohol was just “for fun”.

The Lagos Coroner Court sitting in Ikorodu has said a toxicology test which is an aspect of an autopsy seeking to determine the cause of death of late music star, Ilerioluwa Aloba known as Mohbad, is being conducted in the United States of America.

The state counsel, O. Akinde, made this known during the ongoing inquest on Wednesday.

Akinde told the Coroner Magistrate, Adetayo Shotobi, that the autopsy into the external body of the deceased had been completed, hence the need for the test.

He said: “The toxicology test, which has to do with the internal body, is being done in the US.”

His disclosure followed the insistence of the counsel to the father of the deceased, David Fadimu, on reasons for the delay of the test result.

Meanwhile, the Coroner, Magistrate Shotobi, had requested to know the reason behind the choice of a foreign toxicologist despite the presence of toxicology laboratories in Nigeria.