Celebrities
Tems, Ayra Starr, Koko by Khloe, four others make Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list
This year’s list features seven Nigerians.
Forbes Africa has published its annual 30 Under 30 list, which honours outstanding young businesspeople, innovators, and leaders who are under 30.
Entitled “The Newest Self-Made Young Innovators and Leaders Scripting a New Vision for Africa,” this year’s list spotlights the outstanding accomplishments of 30 “multi-tasking multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders” who are driving Africa’s progress on their own terms.
This year’s list features Tems, Ayra Starr, Asisat Oshoala, Blessing Joel Abeng, and Khloe ‘Koko’ Abiri.
The finalists were chosen from a group of more than 1,000 candidates, which comprised prior Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 alumni, an editorial team led by Under 30 curator Chanel Retief, as well as a group of impartial external assessors and subject-matter experts.
In the thorough selection process, elements including innovation, scalability, social effect, and overall benefit to the development of Africa were taken into account.
Speaking about the selection, Renuka Methil, managing editor of Forbes Africa, said, “In a post-pandemic Africa, everything is evolving all over again; everything is a work in progress. That was evident in the pool of talent we received… because here is a young batch of people completely cognizant of the changes the continent is going through and who are coming up with ideas and solutions for some of these very new problems. There are also problems that have been around for a long, and they are now trying to tackle them quickly. I think the speed with which they are trying to execute some of these ideas is what we need to highlight. They are also building their own brand and changing the image of the continent.”
Here are the 7 influential Nigerians who made the list:
- Temilade Openiyi / ‘Tems’, 27, Nigeria – Singer-songwriter– Industry: Music and Entertainment
- Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe / ‘Ayra Starr’, 20, Benin/Nigeria – Singer– Industry: Music and Entertainment
- Hansel Ndu Okeke, 28, Nigeria – Co-founder and CEO, Weevil Company – Industry: Technology
- Germain Ndu-Okeke, 24, Nigeria – Co-founder and Chief Operation Officer, Weevil Company – Industry: Technology
- Blessing Joel Abeng, 28, Nigeria – Co-founder and Director of Communications, Ingressive For Good – Industry: Branding and Communications
- Oluwabusayo Victoria Abiri, 29, Nigeria – Founder and CEO, Koko By Khloe – Industry: Beauty and Skincare
- Asisat Oshoala, 28, Nigeria – Striker for Spanish Liga F club FC Barcelona and the Nigeria women’s national team – Industry: Professional Footballer
Celebrities
Odumodublvck reveals how Don Jazzy gave him $10k the day he met him for collabo
Odumodublvck, the Nigerian rapper, has recalled how Don Jazzy, the music producer, gave him $10,000 during one of their meetings.
In a recent interview on Beat 97.9FM, the rapper, whose real name is Tochukwu Ojogwu, said he had reached out to Don Jazzy to collaborate on his song ‘Asampete’.
The 31-year-old said he felt that the music producer’s vocals were needed to complete the track.
Odumodublvck said during his visit to Don Jazzy’s residence, he was given the money and told that he could keep all the royalties from the song.
He added that Don Jazzy even offered to be featured as an artiste on the track.
“Don Jazzy is the king of Afrobeats. But ask anybody there is nobody who is more original than Don Jazzy. Don Jazzy is an OG. Respect to my brothers Burna, Wiz, Olamide, Dave all of us used to look up to him. Like the way we used to look up to them — Wizkid and David, they used to look up to him,” he said.
“…I just hit him up. The first day we did ‘Asampere’, I recorded a vocal that sounded like Don Jazzy’s vocal and I was like Don Jazzy should do it.
“When I went to meet him, he gave me a lot of money. I have to put it out there. I tell them everywhere I go. He gave me $10,000 cash. Don no be for mouth. He still gave me vocals.
“He now told me that I can keep all the royalties and I can keep him as a featured artiste. That day, they still cooked food for me to eat. They gave me turkey. The line for ‘turkey’ was already put in the song and that was God.”
Celebrities
Lil Smart files petition against Naira Marley, Zinoleesky over threat to life
Lil Smart, the Nigerian dancer, has filed a petition against Naira Marley and Zinoleesky over the alleged threat to his life.
On December 9, Smart shared disturbing photos and videos on social media, claiming his life was in danger.
He warned that Naira Marley and Zinoleesky should be held responsible if anything happened to him.
Zinoleesky, however, denied the allegations, accusing Smart of “chasing clout”. He also threatened legal action against the dancer.
In a recent Instagram post, Smart alleged he had previously endured bullying from the singers but lacked the evidence needed to take legal action.
He said he has officially submitted his petition with the necessary evidence to the authorities and is hopeful that the legal system will grant him justice.
“This has not been the first or third time I have been experiencing this bullying. But I did not have enough evidence to face the law. Now, I thank God that I have very good evidence, and I will put everything I have in line to make sure this bullying and threat to life is stopped,” he said.
“With my evidence, I really hope that they are not too big to be apprehended and face the law. I have submitted my petition, and I have provided my evidence to the authorities. By God’s grace, the law that binds us as citizens of Nigeria will make sure I get the justice I deserve.”
Naira Marley is yet to comment on the allegations.
Celebrities
Burna Boy gifts Seun Kuti custom-made diamond chain of Fela
Burna Boy, the Grammy-winning singer, has gifted colleague Seun Kuti a custom-made diamond chain designed in the image of Fela Kuti, his legendary father.
Seun shared a photo of the intricately designed chain via Instagram on Wednesday.
In the caption, the Afrobeat star revealed that Burna Boy presented him with the gift during their first meeting
Seun also expressed his appreciation to the singer.
“From @burnaboygram with love. We actually met properly for the first time and ODOGWU send gift. Thanks bro. Big love,” he wrote.
Burna Boy has often spoken about the profound influence Fela has had on his music and career.
He once described Fela as his “inspiration and childhood hero”.
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