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Nigerian Idol unveils Season 8 with D’banj, Simi, and Obi Asika return as judges

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Nigerian Idol is set to return for its eighth season in April 2023.

Music talent shows are one of the pipelines for talent discovery in Nigeria and Nigerian Idol is a major show that has delivered several singers including stars Timi Dakolo, Omawumi, and Mercy Chinwo. The international music talent show is set to return for its eighth season in Nigeria.

On Tuesday, March 28, MultiChoice Nigeria announced the show and judges’ return at a media launch in the company’s multipurpose Lagos studio. Popular TV personality, IK Osakioduwa, will be returning as the show’s host for a third time alongside Obi Asika, who will also be judging his third season. Superstar singer-songwriter Simi and multi-award-winning entertainer D’banj are also back for a second time, ensuring the band stays together.

The company announced the return of the show in January, with the online and physical auditions following shortly after. The eighth season will premiere on April 23, starting with recordings from the auditions.

Fans expect to be thrilled by hilarious and beautiful performances from upcoming superstars. The auditions and theatre week will air from April 23 till May 21, so fans can follow the journey of the final live-show contestants. The live shows will begin on May 28 and end on July 16, when a new Nigerian Idol will emerge.

Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria talked about MultiChoice’s reasons for producing an eighth season of the show.

She said, “Nigerian Idol has continued to offer talented Nigerian artists the platform to show the continent what they can do and an opportunity to rise to fame through hard work and dedication.

It is a rare chance to gain access to the hands-on mentorship provided by the judges, our vocal coaches, the world-class production team, and the choreographers that altogether unveil the intricacies of the industry to these talents and a chance for them to hone the skill in readiness for their contracts.”

Returning judge Simi spoke about the qualities a Nigerian Idol must possess. She said, “Have a great work ethic and be passionate about your work Talent is never enough.”

On the other hand, Obi Asika confessed he was looking forward to beginning the journey of choosing a new winner. He said, “If you are going to make it to the top 20, that’s a real fight because there are a lot of people, and many fall off. Every single year, I’m upset that we left some people behind. It’s always a battle, but it’s also a pleasure. We are blessed with incredible talents. It’s one of the things that make Nigerians special. These amazing talents come through every year, and I can assure you that there are special people this season.”

At the unveiling, Pulse Nigeria music journalist Adeayo Adebiyi asked one of the judges Obi Asika if the upcoming season will reflect Nigeria’s music scene, especially since the show is known for primarily focusing on vocal prowess.

Asika acknowledged that the show was indeed built on singing abilities and he’s hopeful that this season, the audition will attract more talents that will reflect the Nigerian mainstream music industry.

Nigerian Idol is a platform created to showcase remarkable Nigerian voices to a global audience whilst empowering participants with an opportunity of a lifetime. Viewers can look forward to the best entertainment as they watch talents across the country compete for the grand prize.

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Rapper NBA YoungBoy pleads guilty in drug fraud case

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NBA YoungBoy, the US rapper, has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a prescription drug fraud scheme.

The Louisiana rapper appeared in a courtroom in Logan, Utah on Monday, where he admitted to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct.

YoungBoy, who is still serving 27 months on federal charges, also entered a “no contest” plea for 36 additional charges. He initially faced 46 state charges.

The plea deal reduced the felony charges to Class A misdemeanors.

Spencer Walsh, the judge, suspended a prison sentence, instead imposing a $25,000 fine.

The judge acknowledged YoungBoy’s prior agreement to serve over two years in prison and five years of probation for a related federal case resolved in September.

Authorities revealed that YoungBoy orchestrated the scheme from his home in Huntsville, Utah, where he posed as a doctor, using stolen identities to call in fraudulent prescriptions.

His associates allegedly collected the drugs from area pharmacies.

During sentencing, Walsh offered words of encouragement for the 25-year-old artiste.

“I’m sure that in your future, once you’re done with your federal prison time, you can be really successful on federal probation and have a really bright future where you can reach your full potential in every aspect of your life,” he said.

YoungBoy, known for his 2018 debut studio album ‘Until Death Call My Name’ and projects like ‘AI YoungBoy 2’ (2019) and ‘Sincerely, Kentrell’ (2021), is also facing an unresolved federal gun case in Louisiana.

The rapper, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, recently announced plans to release his new album, ‘I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders’, on December 6.

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Nancy Umeh welcomes third child via surrogacy after secondary infertility battle

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Nancy Umeh, the Nigerian chef and public health scientist, and her husband have welcomed their third child via surrogacy.

Surrogacy is when a woman carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual. This is done by fertilizing eggs from the surrogate or an egg donor with sperm from a donor to create an embryo.

In an Instagram post, Umeh shared a video capturing the process of childbirth. She said she opted for surrogacy because she battled “secondary infertility” for seven years after the birth of her last child.

Secondary infertility is the inability to conceive or carry a baby after previously giving birth without any assistance or trouble.

Umeh expressed her excitement while appreciating her surrogacy agency for the support. She also thanked the surrogate who she described as “an angel”.

“Our princess is here. Talia Tobechukwu Umeh,” she wrote.

“Too stunned to speak right now. I can’t believe we are parents again. Our last son is 8 years old and we have tried for 7 whole years.

“An angel carried our child for us. An angel sent from God through Meet Surrogate Mothers. I can’t believe we are holding our child.”

In an accompanying caption, she wrote: “Somebody pinch me. 7 years later. God bless you indeed Meet surrogate mothers. #parents again #secondary surrogate”.

The chef tied the knot with her husband in 2015. They now have three children.

Umeh is the older sister of popular Nigerian dancer Korra Obidi.

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‘It hurts’ — Don Jazzy laments not having partner

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Michael Ajereh, the Nigerian music executive better known as Don Jazzy, has lamented his relationship status.

In an Instagram post on Monday, the founder of Mavin Records expressed his desire to participate in a trend ‘suspect challenge’.

The ‘suspect challenge’ is a new social media trend in which couples take turns to playfully tease each other.

The 41-year-old entrepreneur said he would like to join the trend but has no partner.

“Suspect wants to do suspect challenge but no suspect partner,” he wrote. In the accompanying caption, the music executive lamented that “it hurts”.

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