Entertainment
I quit gospel music because I was paid N5k for church performances, says Simi
Simi says she quit gospel music many years ago because she was paid paltry amounts for church performances.
In a recent chat with MTV Base, the singer revealed that she used to perform in churches and would get paid between N5,000 and N10,000 for her performances.
Simi said the highest amount she ever received was N70,000.
“I actually used to perform in a lot of churches. They would pay me around N5000 to N10000,” she said.
“Do you know the highest amount of money I ever collected while doing gospel music? N70,000.
“And I felt like I had arrived. I still paid a 10 percent tithe from that money.”
Simi said she faced financial challenges during that time and was eagerly searching for her big break.
The singer added that while the money she earned from gospel music was sufficient to buy food, it was not enough to support her career aspirations.
“I just did not have enough money. After my song ‘Ara Ile’ was featured in the gospel album called ‘Ogaju,’ I was still looking for my big break,” she said.
“Like I said, I did not have much money. They were paying me N10000, which was enough to buy food here and there, but it was not enough to support my career.”
Entertainment
Bolanle Ninalowo opens up on early career struggles
Bolanle Ninalowo has revealed how he overcame early career setbacks to achieve success in Nollywood.
In an unreleased episode of ‘Off The Top’ podcast, Ninalowo said his initial failures ultimately led to his triumph in the entertainment industry.
When asked about his motivation to persevere in an unreleased episode of ‘Off The Top’ podcast, the 44-year-old emphasised that being down can present unexpected opportunities for self-discovery.
Reflecting on his Nollywood journey, Ninalowo credited his initial failures for his eventual success.
“When you fall flat on your face and you are backed against the wall, that is when you get the biggest opportunities to discover yourself. I tell people that when I came to Nollywood, the secrets of my success are buried in my failures,” he said.
Ninalowo’s entry into Nollywood was far from smooth. He began as a producer but faced failure. He then ventured into music, only to find it wasn’t his calling. Undeterred, he returned to acting in the mid-2000s.
His breakthrough came with the 2015 movie ‘Desperate Baby Mamas,’ which propelled him to fame. Since then, the Ikorodu-born actor has appeared in numerous hit films, showcasing his versatility in both Yoruba and English movies.
Some of his notable roles include performances in ‘Fate of Alakada,’ ‘Coming From Insanity,’ ‘Breaded Life,’ ‘Lakatabu,’ and ‘Alter Date.’
Ninalowo’s resilience and determination have made him a household name in Nollywood.
Entertainment
Basketmouth reveals why he stopped being MC at weddings
Basketmouth, the Nigerian standup comedian, has revealed why he stopped being the master of ceremony (MC) at wedding events.
The 46-year-old entertainer described his decision as a “sacrifice” necessary to preserve his artistic integrity.
“Hosting events as an MC feels like adulterating the art,” he said in a chat with journalists at the premiere of his first feature film ‘A Ghetto Love Story‘.
Basketmouth clarified that he only stopped being MC at private gigs like weddings, not entirely quitting duties as host.
He added that if invited to a private gig, “I will be doing standup comedy, not the MC”.
“The only thing I have stopped is private gigs like weddings and all. It is a sacrifice I have to make because I do standup comedy, that is what I do. I did not enter this industry to be an MC of a wedding and all that,” he said.
“So I felt like I was adulterating the art, I felt bad about it and I had to stop. So if I am doing a private gig, I be doing standup comedy, not the MC.
“Let me just do my 30 minutes and bounce, but not as the MC of any event. I cannot do it anymore, that is like I am cheating on my craft. I am losing a lot of money but it is not about the money now.”
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.
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