Entertainment
Paul Di’Anno, Iron Maiden’s first lead singer, dies at 66
Paul Di’Anno, the original frontman of Iron Maiden, has passed away at 66.
Conquest Music, his record label, confirmed his death in a statement shared on Facebook on Monday.
The label revealed that Di’Anno died at his home in Salisbury, though the cause of death has not been disclosed.
“On behalf of his family, Conquest Music are sad to confirm the death of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul Di’Anno,” the statement reads.
“Paul passed away at his home in Salisbury at the age of 66.
“Conquest Music are proud to have had Paul Di’Anno in our artist family and ask his legion of fans to raise a glass in his memory.”
Iron Maiden also paid tribute to their former lead singer in an Instagram post.
The music band members expressed gratitude for the time they shared with him and extended condolences to his family.
“We were very grateful to have had the chance to catch up a couple of years ago and to spend time with him once more,” the band wrote.
“On behalf of the band, Rod and Andy, and the whole Iron Maiden team, we extend our deepest sympathies to Paul’s family and close friends. Rest In Peace Paul.”
Born on May 17, 1958, in Chingford, East London, Di’Anno rose to fame as Iron Maiden’s lead singer from 1978 to 1981.
He was the voice behind their groundbreaking self-titled debut album ‘Iron Maiden’ and the follow-up ‘Killers’, which became influential in shaping the heavy metal genre.
He parted ways with the band in 1981, admitting that his lifestyle of “non-stop partying” had become unsustainable and unfair to both the band and its fans. He was succeeded by Bruce Dickinson.
In September 2024, Di’Anno released The ‘Book of the Beast’, a career retrospective album featuring highlights from his post-Iron Maiden recordings.
Watch Di’Anno’s 1980 live performance with the Iron Maiden band below:
Entertainment
Spotify names Burna Boy as the most exported Nigerian artist of 2024
Spotify has released the data for the most streamed artists outside Nigeria in 2024.
On the list shared by Spotify, Grammy winner Burna Boy is the Nigerian artist with the most streams outside Nigeria. For the past couple of years, the hitmaker has been at the forefront of exporting Nigerian music globally.
Burna Boy’s feat is a testament to his global popularity which has made him the only African artist with 3 albums surpassing over 500 million streams.
Second on the list is Grammy-nominated star Ayra Starr who enjoyed a good year thanks to the release of her critically acclaimed sophomore album ‘The Year I Turned 21’ which enjoyed critical and commercial success.
The album features a star-studded lineup that includes Asake, Seyi Vibez, American singer Giveon and Coco Jones, and Brazilian star Aniita.
Rema is the third most exported Nigerian artist of 2024. His hit single ‘Calm Down’ continues to enjoy global success, especially in the United States where it became the first African song to garner 1 billion streams.
This year, Rema released his sophomore LP ‘HEIS’ which is one of the most talked about albums of 2024. The album buoyed by its upper tempo arrangement, pulsating production, and aggressive chest thumping delivered the bit records ‘Ozeba’, ‘Hehehe’, and ‘Azaman’.
Tems (4) and Omah Lay (5) rounds off the top 5. Grammy winner Tems enjoyed a successful year on the global front with the release of her debut album ‘Born In The Wild’ which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Global Album.
Top 10 exported Nigerian Artists on Spotify in 2024
1. Burna Boy
2. Ayra Starr
3. Rema
4. Tems
5. Omah Lay
6. Asake
7. Wizkid
8. Davido
9. Fireboy
10. Victony
Entertainment
I’m a hardworking businesswoman, more than just Wizkid’s baby mama, says Jada P
American talent manager Jada Pollock, popularly known as Jada P, has asserted that she is far more than just singer Wizkid’s “babymama,” a title often used by the media.
Speaking in a recent interview with BET UK, Jada P lamented that her accomplishments as an entrepreneur and professional in the music industry have been largely overshadowed by her role as the mother of Wizkid’s children.
Jada P highlighted her career achievements, noting that she has managed international artists such as Chris Brown, Wizkid, and Skyla Tyla.
She described herself as a dedicated businesswoman and music manager actively contributing to the growth of the industry.
“When Wizkid won a Grammy, I wrote a statement about how far afrobeat has come. They put the statement out, and the caption was ‘Wizkid baby mama.’ The narrative is not seen as you’re an entrepreneur and hardworking businesswoman. I’m not only a mother but also a manager, who has actively contributed to building a legacy,” she said.
She further emphasised her role in managing top-tier artists, adding, “Some of the artists I have managed are Chris Brown, Wizkid & Skyla Tyla, etc.”
Entertainment
Stop seeking human validation, Eucharia Anunobi advises fans
Eucharia Anunobi, the ace Nigerian actress, has advised her fans to stop seeking validation from people.
In an Instagram post on Friday, the actress urged her followers to embrace self-worth and resist the pressure of wanting to be liked by everyone.
She cautioned that the constant need for approval often leads to “emotional and spiritual imbalance”.
“Seeking to be liked by all is a sign that you are emotionally and spiritually imbalanced. Some people will hate you because to hate is what gives them joy because they are genetically wicked. So get used to not being liked. 1 John 5:19,” she wrote.
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