Connect with us

Celebrities

Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’ Disqualified By Oscar Over Language, She Reacts

Published

on

The Nigeria’s 2020 Oscar entry ‘LionHeart’ was disqualified on Monday November 4, for having too much English dialogue.

The movie which is Nigeria’s first-ever submission to the Academy Awards, was submitted for the international feature film Oscar category. The Academy’s description of an international feature film “is a feature-length motion picture (defined as over 40 minutes) produced outside the United States of America with a predominantly non-English dialogue track.”

LionHeart which is not excluded from entering other Oscar categories including consideration for best picture, has just under 12 minutes of dialogue that is in the Igbo language native to Southeastern Nigeria, while the remaining 94-minutes is in English. With the disqualification, the number of films in contention for the award has dropped from 93 to 92.

However reacting to the disqualification on Twitter, Genevieve Nnaji wrote;

“This movie represents the way we speak as Nigerians. This includes English which acts as a bridge between the 500+ languages spoken in our country; thereby making us #OneNigeria.” She added, “It’s no different to how French connects communities in former French colonies. We did not choose who colonized us. As ever, this film and many like it, is proudly Nigerian.”

American filmmaker who directed the Netflix drama miniseries When They See Us, Ava DuVernay also reacted to the disqualification. She tweeted;

“To @TheAcademy, You disqualified Nigeria’s first-ever submission for Best International Feature because its in English. But English is the official language of Nigeria. Are you barring this country from ever competing for an Oscar in its official language?”

Celebrities

Davido kicks as producer Napji calls him out over unpaid royalties

Published

on

By

Davido, the Nigerian singer, has reacted to a claim by Napji, the music producer, that he has yet to complete his payment for “royalties and publishing”.

In an X post on Tuesday, the producer claimed the singer has yet to pay him fully for producing three songs off his 2020 album ‘A Better Time’.

Napji, who claimed to have produced ‘Fem’, ‘Jowo’, and ‘Sunlight’, added that he would release more details soon.

“I am Napji, producer behind Fem, Jowo and sunlight on @davido album (A better time) which was released 13th November 2020,” he wrote.

“I was paid an advance of 500 thousand naira for each of the songs. I will be releasing more information as I seek to collect my royalties & publishing.”

In his reaction, Davido, who neither denied nor confirmed the claim, hurled insults at Napji.

The Afrobeats star had faced similar accusations in the past.

In August 2023, Alabi Adetutu, the Nigerian model, accused Davido of owing her for her role in ‘Wonder Woman’ visuals.

In 2022, Dammy Krane, the singer, also called out Davido to pay him for his contribution to the hit song ‘Pere’.

Krane said despite co-writing the 2017 hit song — which featured Rae Sremmurd and rapper Young Thug — “Davido is yet to pay my outstanding fee”.

Continue Reading

Celebrities

Tyla praises Tems for opening door of global recognition for female artistes in Africa

Published

on

By

Tyla, the South African singer, says Tems, the Nigerian songstress, paved the way for global recognition of female African artistes.

The music stars recently joined forces on ‘No.1’, a song off Tyla’s self titled album.

In a recent interview on Kiss Fresh FM, Tyla described Tems as an “amazing” singer who opened doors for African female artistes globally.

She also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with her.

“Amazing. Tems is so talented. She is literally a force. I am so honoured to have worked with her. She has opened so many doors for us,” she said.

“We made such a beautiful song with such a beautiful message. It is a song for the girls and it is made by the girls.”

In 2023, Tyla revealed Tems inspires her as an African artiste.

In response, Tems graciously accepted the accolades, and expressed confidence that Tyla is similarly empowering young South African girls through her music.

“Man, it is an honour, I am very very, 100% sure that she’s inspiring many many many many South African babe, many girls around the world as well”, she said.

Both artistes have continued to enjoy fame globally for their talents.

Continue Reading

Celebrities

Music producer Dr Roy calls out Mercy Chinwo over unpaid debt (Video)

Published

on

By

A Nigerian music producer identified as Dr Roy in a video breaks into tears as he narrates his ordeal while working with gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

The middle-aged Nigerian music producer tearfully calls out gospel singer Mercy Chinwo over unpaid debt.

Dr Roy made this call out while featuring as a guest on the audio-visual podcast “The Honest Bunch: hosted by media personality Nedu and co-podcasters.

According to Dr Roy, he used to work with gospel singer Mercy Chiwno till 5 am then wake up by 7 am everyday in a back to back manner.

Speaking further, Dr Roy asserts that he produced, Excess Love, Omekannaya, Regular, Receive it and more for Mercy Chinwo and she never paid him.

Dr Roy further breaks into tears while on the podcast as he stressed that he was working hard while with Mercy Chinwo thinking he would make millions to feed his family but she left her with nothing but unpaid debt.

He noted that there was a time he informed Mercy Chinwo that his father had a stroke and she should assist him but she responded by saying “Make I no worry, he would be fine.”

Continue Reading

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

Most Read...