TheNewsGuru

Tag: Nigerian singer

  • How my ex-husband transformed me from being a tomboy – Tiwa Savage

    How my ex-husband transformed me from being a tomboy – Tiwa Savage

    Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage has opened up about her early struggles in the music industry and the transformation that reshaped her public image.

    The mother of one in a recent interview disclosed that she was once a tomboy before her ex-husband and former manager, Tunji “TJ” Balogun, rebranded her appearance to suit market demands.

    She disclosed how Balogun encouraged her to lose weight, hit the gym, wax her eyebrows, wear wigs, and adopt a more glamorous persona.

    “He literally changed my whole appearance. I wasn’t like that in L.A. when he met me. I used to be a songwriter in the studio wearing baggy jeans and a t-shirt,” Savage recalled.

    The “Somebody’s Son” crooner said that the transformation initially sparked both attention and criticism when she returned to Nigeria, but it also marked the beginning of her rise in the industry.

    Reflecting on her bold 2024 single Wanted, she said the sexiness in the music video felt groundbreaking at the time, especially as it came just after her marriage.

    “There was a lot of press saying, ‘She’s not going to be desirable anymore. She’s finished. Her time is gone.’ So, I was like, let me do something crazy. That was me being rebellious. Naturally, I’m not sexy — I’m a tomboy — but TJ saw a gap in the market and pushed me to fill it,” she explained.

    Despite the bold new image, Savage said she faced serious backlash. Her fashion choices were heavily criticised, and she was even denied stage time at shows due to her outfits.

    “I would be backstage and not get called to perform because someone in power didn’t like what I was wearing. There was a time Love Me was banned from TV,” she revealed. “I was discouraged. I ran back to L.A.”

  • Davido accuses Ibiza nightclub security of trying to kill him, his team

    Davido accuses Ibiza nightclub security of trying to kill him, his team

    David Adeleke, a Nigerian music sensation popularly known as Davido, has called out a nightclub, accusing the security men of attempting to kill him and his team earlier this morning.

    The singer and his crew members are currently in Ibiza for Asa Asika and his partner Leona Adesanya, who recently tied the knot.

    It would be recalled that the Nigerian talent manager, best known for managing Davido and also as the co-founder of The Plug and The Block Party Series, recently tied the knot with Adesanya.

    However, things took a different turn as they clashed with the security guards at a nightclub they had partied in.

    Davido, via his Instagram stories at the wee hours of Sunday, shared photos of the security guards and vowed that they would all go down.

    Sharing photos he wrote: “@hibizaofficial security just tried to kill me and my team. All yall goin down just watch.”

    The singer is however yet to give more details of what transpired.

    Tunji Adeleke, The Chairman of the Osun State Local Government Service Commission, also took to his social media to shed some light on the issue.

    He wrote: “All because my brother, Asa wanted to do a nice after-wedding celebration with friends and family, Ibiza security almost k*lled me. They Almost choked me to de*th. My life flashed before my eyes. This is the closest I have been to God’’

  • Ric Hassani explains reason some gospel artists switch to secular music

    Ric Hassani explains reason some gospel artists switch to secular music

    Popular singer, Ric Hassani has explained why many gospel musicians switch to secular music, attributing it to a desire for fulfillment rather than financial gain.

    Speaking in a recent interview with Hip TV, Hassani shared his personal experience of starting his music career in the church before transitioning to secular music.

    According to the singer, being a gospel musician requires a special gift of ministration, which not everyone possesses.

    He asserted that some artists are blessed with the ability to communicate God’s words through music, while others are gifted in different ways.

    The singer emphasised that he doesn’t believe everyone is meant to be in church music.

    He argued that while he identifies as a strong Christian and includes gospel songs in his albums, he feels his calling is to impact the world through a different kind of music.

    Hassani stated, “I’m not going to do it the way Frank Edwards or Mercy Chinwo is going to do it. If I enter church music now, I fit no bang. It’s not my thing.”

    Hassani also addressed the common perception that musicians leave gospel music for secular music solely for financial reasons. He argued that while money is a motivator for many, the real fulfillment comes from being able to create music that aligns with one’s passion and purpose. He pointed to successful artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy, who continue to create music despite having vast wealth, as evidence that financial gain is not the primary driver.

    In Hassani’s words, “The kind of satisfaction that comes from being able to think of an idea and put it on the record and create music is beyond money. It’s bigger than any satisfaction money can give you.”

  • Iyanya recounts missing out on Nigerian Idol due to exams

    Iyanya recounts missing out on Nigerian Idol due to exams

    Popular Nigerian singer, Iyanya has disclosed that he was amongst the selected contestants for the first season of Nigerian Idol back in 2007.

    According to the Afrobeat star during a recent interview with Hip TV, he had attended the first audition in Calabar, Cross River State along with Omawunmi, who later became the first runner-up.

    The singer said he was unable to participate in the finals due to conflicting university final-year exams.

    The singer added that, despite this setback, his musical journey didn’t stall, explaining that a year later, he went on to win the first edition of Project Fame West Africa, marking a significant milestone in his career.

    Relishing being co-judge of the ongoing season of the Nigerian Idols with Omawunmi, Iyanya said, “Omawumi and I were the only ones picked at the Calabar Nigerian Idol auditions. I couldn’t make it. I had my final year exam. A year later, I won Project Fame. Today, we’re both judges on Nigerian Idol.

  • How my 2021 car cash forced my parents to support my music career – Victony

    How my 2021 car cash forced my parents to support my music career – Victony

    Anthony Ebuka Victor, the Nigerian singer better known as Victony, has opened up on how his car accident led to his parents becoming supportive of his music career.

    The ‘Soweto’ hitmaker in an interview on Behind The Prestige podcast disclosed that his parents  at first were not fully supportive of his music career, as they hoped he would finish school and become an engineer.

    He added that everything changed after his car accident in 2021 when they saw the massive public support he received, which made them realized how important music was to him.

    He said, “My parents were not cool with me doing music from the jump. They didn’t tell me to stop, but they weren’t 100% supportive of it.

    “They hoped I’d finish school and become an engineer.

    “But when I had my accident in 2021 and they saw how much impact I had on people, how people on social media were posting things like ‘pray for Victony’, they realised my music career meant a lot to me and just let me do what I wanted.”

    In April 2021, the ‘Soweto’ hitmaker was involved in a ghastly accident that left one dead and three injured.

  • The economy don show me shege, I dey hustle night and day – Tiwa Savage

    The economy don show me shege, I dey hustle night and day – Tiwa Savage

    Afrobeats superstar, Tiwa Savage, has opened up about the financial pressures she’s dealing with amid the country’s economic woes.

    The mother of one via her Instagram stories on Wednesday opened up about the harsh realities of life in Nigeria, where inflation and rising costs are taking a toll on everyday people.

    In a heartfelt post, she disclosed that even celebrities aren’t shielded from the country’s economic woes.

     Savage shared a relatable video that humorously depicted the struggles of navigating Nigeria’s economy. The video showcased various bank locations, jokingly advising viewers to take out loans while playfully warning them to avoid her inbox.

    She added a heartfelt remark, “Because even me sef, the economy don show me sege. I’m a single mother abeg. I dey hustle night and day. May God bless us all.”

  • I donated my first earnings from music to the church – Ruger

    I donated my first earnings from music to the church – Ruger

    Afrobeats star, Ruger, has disclosed that he donated his first proceeds from music to a church.

    The singer revealed that he earned millions from music in under a year following the donation.

    Ruger, who shared this in a recent interview with VJ Adams, also acknowledged that becoming wealthy changed him in certain ways.

    He said, “My first earnings from music was ₦500,000 when I first came out. I can remember I gave everything to the church. I didn’t use it. The next payment was ₦1 million. I was feeling like I had arrive. I went on a shopping spree. More millions came in a space of one year.

    “Money changed me in some ways. Money changes everybody. No one can say money didn’t change them. When you make more money a lot of things change; the way you address things, the way you even approach things is different. Some people don’t stress when they have a lot of money.

    “I want to get to a point where I no longer stress myself over anything. Look at Jay-Z for instance, he doesn’t respond when people insult him knowing he is very successful. I’m looking forward to that level of success.”

  • Singer Jaywon laments killing of retired army officer in Kogi

    Singer Jaywon laments killing of retired army officer in Kogi

    Nigerian singer, Oluwajuwonlo Iledare, popularly known as Jaywon, has reacted to the abduction and tragic death of retired Army officer, Major Joel Ajayi (rtd), in Kabba-Bunu, Kogi State.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that the retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, was abducted from his home in Odo-Ape in the Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State and died in captivity.

    Reports indicate that his lifeless body was returned to his family after they paid a ransom of ₦10 million for his release.

    Reacting to the development, Jaywon, who hails from Kogi West, took to his official Facebook page on Tuesday morning to mourn the late officer and call for justice.

    “What happened to Major Joel Ajayi (Rtd.) is a heavy blow to us all. A noble man, taken from us despite efforts to save him,” the singer wrote.

    “I pray his killers are found and justice is served. My condolences to his family, Bunu Land, and the Okun nation. We must continue to speak up.”

    He added hashtags to end his statement, #RestInPeace, #OkunDeservesBetter and #EndInsecurityInOkunland”.

  • Kizz Daniel buys back rights to debut album

    Kizz Daniel buys back rights to debut album

    Popular Nigerian singer, Kizz Daniel, has gotten back the rights to his debut studio album, New Era, from his former record label, G-Worldwide.

    The singer via his X handle on Monday, disclosed that he also reclaimed the masters for his hit singles “Yeba” and “Sofa.” Kizz expressed that this achievement means more than words can convey.

    He wrote, “From long nights in the studio to several meditations, finally, I now own every song on the ‘New Era album’ 2016 + Yeba & Sofa (singles).

    “I got my masters back. This means more than words can explain. Thank you for riding with me. #NewEra #MyCatalog #Grateful.”

    Kizz Daniel released his debut album, *New Era*, on May 14, 2016, under his former record label, G-Worldwide.

    In November 2017, he announced his departure from G-Worldwide and subsequently founded his own label, Flyboy I.N.C. He faced a lawsuit from his former label boss, Emperor Geezy, but was acquitted of all charges.

    In 2023, Kizz Daniel announced that he had appointed Emperor Geezy as the new Chief Executive Officer of Flyboy I.N.C.

  • Darey Art Alade, wife narrowly escapes as car catches fire on Third Mainland Bridge

    Darey Art Alade, wife narrowly escapes as car catches fire on Third Mainland Bridge

    Deola Art Alade, the wife of Nigerian singer Darey Art Alade, expressed her gratitude to God after they miraculously escaped being burned on the 3rd Mainland Bridge.

    On Saturday, Deola shared on her Instagram that their SUV caught fire on the bridge, leaving it in ashes.

    Thankfully, no lives were lost. She emphasized that incidents like this serve as a reminder of how fleeting life can be.

    Drawing from her painful experience, she encouraged others who are facing losses to find the strength to rebuild their lives.

    Her post reads: “Yesterday, around 4pm, our car caught fire on the 3rd Mainland Bridge and burnt to the ground.It was a shocking and painful experience, but we’re incredibly grateful that the driver made it out safely. No lives were lost, and that’s what truly matters.

    “Moments like this remind us how quickly things can change and how unimportant material things become in the face of life itself.
    We’re not sharing this for sympathy but to remind someone that things can be replaced. Lives cannot.

    “We’re choosing to remain thankful to God for protection, for perspective, and for the quiet strength to keep going.

    “If you’re navigating a sudden loss of any kind, we hope this reminds you: we can rebuild. We can begin again and find the strength to keep going.

    “One breath, one prayer, one step at a time.
    We give thanks in all things. 💛 THANK YOU JESUS!!!

    “Thank you to everyone that stopped to help.”