Entertainment

Stars Dazzle At Toyin Abraham’s “Iyalode” Premiere

Published

1 year ago

June 2, 2025

Stars Dazzle At Toyin Abraham's "Iyalode" Premiere

The Lagos premiere of Iyalode brought together celebrity, style and satire as stars reimagined the “Over Sabi Aunty” archetype on the red carpet.

The stars gathered yesterday for the premiere of Toyin Abraham’s latest film “Iyalode,” where the mood was as stylish as it was celebratory.

The theme for the evening, “Dress Like an Over Sabi Aunty,” was a playful nod to a familiar figure in Nigerian culture. In Pidgin English, “over sabi” refers to someone who insists on knowing it all or goes out of their way to be helpful, often to excess. For this occasion, that sense of doing the most was embraced with humour and intent.

Guests took the brief and ran with it. There were bold silhouettes, eye-catching fabrics and no shortage of confidence. Toyin Abraham changed her outfit mid-premiere, and Mercy Aigbe rolled in on a carriage before switching it up again for the after-party. If you were wondering how far the stars would go to nail the brief, the answer is very far. Doing too much never looked this good.

Bellanaija.com

Entertainment

Wizkid Teases New Album As Paris Listening Party Holds This Thursday

Published

10 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Wizkid has sparked fresh album speculation after posting a one-word teaser on X as reports of a Paris listening party begin circulating.

Wizkid sparked excitement after posting a one-word teaser about a new album on X.

Reports also suggest a listening party could take place in Paris this week.

Fans believe the rollout mirrors the strategy Wizkid has used before releasing major projects.

Wizkid took to X over the weekend with a post that read: “Album.” He gave no title, no date, and no further explanation, but it was enough to send fans into immediate speculation mode.

Hours later, reports surfaced that a pre-release album party is scheduled for this Thursday, June 25, in Paris. Neither Wizkid nor his camp has confirmed the event directly, but the timing, which lands just days after the cryptic post, has fans convinced that something concrete is already in motion behind the scenes.

The party is reportedly being thrown in partnership with Deeds Magazine at Cova Club, with Wizkid expected to perform a live set alongside DJs Yosa and Gingerboy, hosted by Sina and Rae Grey93. It follows recent Instagram stories showing him at studios near the Eiffel Tower, fuelling speculation that the album may have been recorded, at least partly, in Paris.

Wizkid has built a career out of teasing albums in the most minimal way possible, only for things to move fast once he’s ready.

Morayo was confirmed with a single tweet on his late mother’s birthday in 2024: “MORAYO!! Best album I ever made!! Now listen! It’s only up from here!” A tracklist and release date followed within months. Before that, Made in Lagos was teased for over two years before its eventual 2020 release.

Even his collaborative work follows the same instinct for surprise, the Real Vol. 1 EP with Asake was announced mid-interview during an Apple Music session, with Wizkid telling listeners simply, “It’s called REAL, and it drops this December,” as Asake nodded beside him.

So while nothing about the title, tracklist or release date is confirmed yet, the Paris party, if it happens as reported, would fit squarely into how Wizkid typically operates, giving a vague tease, followed by a sudden, well-organised reveal.

If confirmed, this would mark his first full studio album since Morayo, the deeply personal 2024 project dedicated to his late mother, Jane Dolapo Balogun, who died in 2023. That album leaned heavily into reflection and legacy, themes that earned warm reviews but also left some critics wanting a bolder creative swing.

Whatever comes next will inevitably be read against that backdrop and will be judged based on whether it signals Wizkid moving forward, or if he is just circling the same emotional terrain again.

For now, fans have one word and a rumoured party to work with, and await further information on the release.

Entertainment

Asake previews Four New Tracks At Spotify London Concert For His Album ‘M$NEY’

Published

10 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Asake performed songs from his latest album ‘M$NEY’ and also previewed four new songs at his Spotify listening party in London.

On Sunday, June 21, 2x GRAMMY-nominated Afrobeats icon Asake delivered a special one-night-only performance of his chart-topping album M$NEY at London’s historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Presented in partnership with Spotify, the intimate, invite-only event welcomed friends, family, and several of Asake’s top listeners on Spotify for an exclusive live experience.

The special evening marked Asake’s first time performing ‘M$NEY’ live since the album’s release in May. Accompanied by a live orchestra, Asake sang hits from the project alongside four unreleased songs. The entire performance was filmed, with a full concert film to be released on Spotify in the coming days.

A bold meditation on gratitude, prosperity, spirituality, and ambition, ‘M$NEY’ showcases Asake’s signature fusion of melodic innovation and Afrobeats rhythm. Upon release, ‘M$NEY’ topped streaming charts in more than 19 countries, including Nigeria, and peaked at No. 8 in the United States.

Following the album’s success, Asake was ranked the No. 15 digital artist globally by Kworb Data, joining a list that includes some of the world’s biggest music stars.

Four albums in, two Grammy nominations to his name, the most entries on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, and the most-streamed artist on Spotify Nigeria, Asake drops M$NEY, his fourth studio album released on the 1st of May via GIRAN REPUBLIC and EMPIRE.

The 13-track project is perhaps Asake’s most sonically varied to date. It opens with a live choral performance (an unusual choice that immediately signals this is not going to be a straightforward Afrobeats record) and moves through orchestral arrangements, jazz-tinged strings, dance production, and amapiano before it is done.

Speaking on the album, Asake said: “M$NEY is a reflection of my spiritual and creative journey. Everything flows from a place of gratitude to God, and every moment that’s shaped me. I stay true to myself but also weave in new creative expressions from my life experiences and personal evolution.”

‘M$NEY’ is Asake’s performance of wealth and a toast to the good life marked by sublime melodies and fantastically produced records, even if he spends a bulk of the album proving he doesn’t have to try. This album encapsulates and celebrates his journey, the likes of which have never been seen before in Nigerian music, and ushers in the next era for a superstar who can afford to take a breather and make easy music that caters to his status.

Entertainment

Is Ayinla Kollington Dead? Fuji Icon’s Family Breaks Silence Amid Viral Reports

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2026

The Daily Voice

The management of veteran Fuji musician, Kollington Ayinla, also known as Kebe-n-Kwara, has dismissed reports circulating online claiming that the music icon has died, describing the information as false, malicious, and misleading.

In a statement on Saturday issued and signed by Shamsudeen Ilori on behalf of the family and the HSKA Foundation, the singer’s organisation said the reports of Ayinla’s death were fabricated by individuals seeking attention and online traffic.

“Our attention has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded rumor circulating all over the Internet claiming that Kollington Ayinla Fuji Authority has passed away,” the statement read.

The management stressed that the veteran artiste remains alive and in good health, adding that the rumour was deliberately designed to cause distress to the musician’s family, fans and associates.

“Alhaji Kollington Ayinla is ALIVE, WELL, and IN GOOD HEALTH. Baba is currently enjoying himself, surrounded by family and close associates, and still blessing the world with his unmatched Fuji music dexterity and wisdom,” the statement added.

Describing the report as the handiwork of “heartless people,” the management accused those behind the claim of attempting to disrespect a living legend and create unnecessary confusion.

The organisation also warned social media users and content creators against spreading unverified information, urging the public to verify claims before sharing them, threatening legal action against anyone found to have originated or deliberately circulated the false report.

“Spreading false death news is not content — it’s wickedness.

“The family, management, and legal team of Alhaji Kollington Ayinla will not let this slide. Anyone caught creating or spreading this falsehood will face the full wrath of the law,” it stated.

Reassuring supporters across the world, the organisation urged fans, friends, and family members to disregard the rumour entirely, saying the Fuji star remains healthy and appreciative of the goodwill shown towards him.