Entertainment
Sony Music signs publishing deal with 1da Banton
Sony Music Publishing (SMP), the production company, has signed a global deal with Godson Epelle, the Nigerian singer fondly called 1da Banton.
In a statement via its Twitter handle on Thursday evening, the production firm announced the collaboration alongside Sony Publishing Nigeria.
SMP said the partnership is in line with its efforts to “discover and nurture diverse talent from around the world”.
The company added that 1da Banton offers a “unique sound” which drew their attention.
“We’re excited about our collaboration with SMP Nigeria and the signing of the exceptional artist @1dabanton,” Patrick Strauch, managing director, SMP, Germany said in the statement.
“His passion for music and his unique sound drew us to him, and we’re honoured to support him on his journey to global success.
“This partnership represents our commitment to discovering and nurturing diverse talent from around the world, and we can’t wait to work with 1da Banton and our colleagues at SMP Nigeria to elevate his artistry to even greater heights.”
In the statement, Godwin Tom, SMP Nigeria managing director, also said the collaboration will break the barrier between regions and geography for the entertainment company.
“We are excited to work with 1da Banton and his team to help amplify the great work they are already doing. Me and my colleagues across the globe want artists to see that Sony Music Publishing is not bound by regions or geography,” he said.
“We will do what’s best for the writers across the world. I want to thank Patrick Strauch and the entire German office team for going on this amazing journey with us.”
1da Banton hit the limelight after releasing ‘Love Her Daily’, his debut single in 2014.
He is set to release his highly anticipated EP ‘1da Shall Never End’ next month. The project will feature several producers including 255, Rugged, and Pimp.
Entertainment
Rapper NBA YoungBoy pleads guilty in drug fraud case
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.
Entertainment
Nancy Umeh welcomes third child via surrogacy after secondary infertility battle
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.
Entertainment
‘It hurts’ — Don Jazzy laments not having partner
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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