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Tems reacts to Buju Banton’s criticism of Afrobeats, says ‘It’s for escapism’

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Tems, the award-winning Nigerian songstress, has responded to the criticism of Afrobeats by Buju Banton, the Jamaican singer.

Last month, Banton described Afrobeats as “shallow and unsubstantial music that lacks content aimed at liberating Africa”.

He argued that despite its global recognition, the genre does not raise social consciousness about the struggles of Africa, unlike the politically charged and culturally rooted messages of Reggae and Dancehall.

Responding to Banton’s criticism, Tems emphasised that the purpose of Afrobeats is not necessarily to preach against societal ills but to serve as an escape route from Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

In a chat with Craig Mitch, the TV personality, on the latest episode of the Shopping for Sneakers podcast, the Grammy winner also stressed that Afrobeats is meant for “vibes and enjoyment”, adding that “the climate of Nigeria calls for it”.

“Of course, I really respect Buju Banton as an artiste. And I understand where he is coming from. Reggae is not Afrobeats. And Afrobeats in Nigeria is specifically for escapism,” she said.

“It is specifically for dancing. It is specifically for vibes. That is the purpose of Afrobeats. It is made to bring you alive. It is to be enjoyed. The climate of Nigeria calls for it. The world has come to love that music and it does not change the purpose.”

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‘They’re fake’ — Moses Bliss reacts to purported photos of his newborn

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Moses Bliss, the Nigerian gospel singer, has addressed the circulation of purported photos of his newborn child.

The singer, who recently welcomed a baby boy — his first child — with his wife Marie Wiseborn, expressed disappointment over the spread of false images on social media.

In a recent Facebook post, Bliss denied the authenticity of some now-viral photos, stating that he and his wife have not shared any pictures of their child.

He expressed appreciation for the love and support they have received but warned fans against circulating any more photos, including AI-generated images.

“Please stop circulating other people’s baby picture as ours. We appreciate the love but let’s do the right thing. We have not posted our child. Let us stop with the AI images too. Pls,” he wrote.

Bliss announced his engagement in January 2024 and started the wedding process in February.

The couple held their court, traditional, and church weddings, including a praise concert, in Accra, Ghana’s capital city.

Bliss had disclosed that he met his wife via social media. He said she posted a video of herself dancing to ‘Miracle No Dey Tire Jesus’, one of his hit songs.

He also shared the supposed dance video, adding that she tagged him in the post on Instagram.

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Court admits Speed Darlington to N20m bail as IGP sues him for cybercrime

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A federal high court in Abuja has admitted the detained singer Speed Darlington to a N20 million bail with one surety.

Ekerete Akpan, the judge, gave the order on Wednesday in a ruling on the singer’s bail application by his lawyer Marshall Abubakar after he pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime.

Akpan ordered that the surety, who must be a level 10 civil servant, must be a resident of Abuja and must be deposed to an affidavit of means.

The judge also held that the address of the surety should be verified by the court registrar and the surety must either be a staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) or a federal worker.

The surety was asked to deposit his/her letters of appointment and last promotion which the deputy chief registrar of the court must verify.

The judge, who ordered Darlington to deposit his international passport, asked the surety and the defendant to submit their two recent passport photographs to the court registrar.

He consequently ordered the singer to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

Akpan adjourned the matter until March 18 for trial.

Darlington was arrested on November 27 while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo state. He was accused of cyberstalking Burna Boy, the Grammy-winning artiste.

Darlington had taunted Burna Boy over his affiliation with the embattled US rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ who is facing multiple charges for sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

He asked Burna Boy to explain how he won the Grammy award for his album ‘Twice As Tall’ — a project executive produced by Diddy. He claimed there was a sexual relationship between the duo.

NAN reports that Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector general of police, had taken Darlington to court for “cybercrime offences”.

He was alleged to have transmitted the message; “Burna Boy, how many oil Diddy drop for your ny*sh before them give you that grammy,” “speed darlington is such a clown infamaooo…” through his instagram handle; @20takeoffs on the internet in a viral video.

“A publication which went viral and was read and watched by many in Abuja, Lagos and throughout the world which you know to be false for the purpose of causing annoyance insult, injury, enmity or hatred among numerous fans of Burna Boy and posing inconvenience, danger, needless anxiety to his life and damage to his name and integrity.

“And you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(a&(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 (as amended).”

In count two, he was also alleged to have posted the message: “talking about burna boy odugwu is my language I am odugwu, odogwu is not nickname Odigwu is masquerade name, if you are a G, come my side come orlu road imo state no fit where I pass and where I pass army no dey passam you are a culture vulture you are not one of us…,” on his instagram handle; @20takeoffs.”

The publication was said to “intimidate, bully, threaten, or harass Burna Boy, which communication placed him in fear of death, reasonable apprehension of violence or bodily harm and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (2) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 (as amended).”

Darlington’s legal representatives have been calling out the police over his continued detention and for allegedly denying the rapper access to bail.

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‘I was used and dumped’ — viral fish pie seller laments

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Alax Evalsam, the Nigerian pastry seller who gained widespread recognition for his catchy “Fish Pie” tune, has opened up about the struggles he has faced since becoming an internet sensation.

In August 2024, Alax’s life changed when he posted a video of himself singing while hawking his fish pies on TikTok.

In the footage, he could be heard singing: “Nawa o, some people dem too do oh, nawa o. Fish pieeee”. The video raked in millions of views on social media platforms.

Following his rise to fame, rumours circulated that Alax had received large sums of money from celebrities.

However, in a recent video, Alax revealed that these claims were false and that “I have been taken advantage of”.

He said his business has been struggling, and his shop is currently empty. He also said he has not made any money from social media and is only now learning how to monetize his online presence.

Alax also dissociated himself from numerous social media accounts created in his name, revealing that his first Facebook account was taken from him and used by someone else.

“The rumours that they gave me N10 million, N5 million, and more are untrue. The truth is, many of these people took advantage of me. If they had given me all that money, I am a businessman and would have used it to stock my shop,” he said.

“But if you visit my shop now, it is empty, and there are no goods. I have not even launched the shop due to one issue or another. Many people think I am enjoying all the money they claim they gave me, but that is a lie.

“I am going through a lot, but I am surviving on the grace of God. Many may call me ungrateful, but I am speaking the truth, not a lie. All those gifts they say they gave me are a scam. Some even wished me death.”

“The truth is that I do not have a Facebook page, and all those accounts with millions of views are not mine. My first one was taken from me, and another person used it.

“I have not made a dime from social media, and the only time I make money is when they call me for skit-making. I don’t know how to make money on social media, and it’s only now that I’m learning.”

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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

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