Ayodele Agbabiaka is a professional bassplayer, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist with over 10 years of experience. Influenced by artists like Faela Kuti, Richard BoNA, John Mayer, Lagabaja, BB King, and H.E.R, he has played across various genres and has worked with brands like Yamaha, CLOUT AFRICA, and VIBEKVNGS.
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Nigeria
bassiqally's personality, appearance and style
bassiqally's content, collaborations, and interactions with fans.
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The outspoken boxer says he is patiently waiting for President John Dramani Mahama to appoint him, especially as the government begins to reward loyal National Democratic Congress (NDC) members with key positions
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has made history as a part-owner of Major League Soccer (MLS) club San Diego FC. Through her company, The Leading Vibe, she becomes the first African female to acquire ownership stakes in an MLS team.
AUDREY Dangirwa, a visually impaired lawyer turned Afro-fusion artiste, has defied the odds and embraced her passion for music. The 33-year-old, who lost her sight while in Grade 6, had always loved music from a tender age. Despite being academically gifted and studying Law at the University of Zimbabwe, she never abandoned her musical dream, which has now come to pass. The soft-spoken songbird has just released a single featuring Derreck Mpofu, which is set to propel her to acclaim. Before this single was released, she produced an EP (Extended Play) titled Ngatigashire, which contained three tracks: “Gondo,” “Nhayi Mwari,” and the title track, “Ngatigashire.” Although she launched her professional career in her 30s, she relishes her rise in a field where many doubted her potential. In an interview with The Herald Arts, Audanna — as the new Afro-jazz star is known — emphasised her determination to significantly impact in this genre.
Drummer, singer, arranger and composer, Rim Akandoh Jnr and his Amamere Band have over the last few weeks, been spending several hours daily in a rehearsal studio at Cape Coast in the Central Region, preparing for an album release concert on February 22, 2025 at the +233 Jazz Bar & Grill in Accra. The album is Akandoh Jnr’s eight-track Man Shall Be Free collection. It primarily takes inspiration from the guitar band Highlife style of the 1960s and 1970s but rejuvenated to resonate with contemporary audiences. “I know there’s so much music being made and people are ascribing all kinds of names to what they are doing. I’m not ashamed to put it plainly that I’m a Highlife musician. That’s where my roots lie,” says Akandoh Jnr, a former drummer with well-known Highlife giant, Ebo Taylor’s Saltpond City band.
South African singer Tyla continues to make international waves following her interview on the US TV talk show The Jennifer Hudson Show. Grammy-award winning star, Tyla, was the latest celebrity to get her few seconds of praise at the infamous Spirit Tunnel. Guests at the hit US TV show, are given a very unique welcome by the crew members who will quickly put together a song fit just for them.
An international award winning local Gospel artist and Promoter, Gaone Selebo, 44, has been nominated for Best Gospel Promoter at 2024 Ingoma Independent National Gospel Music Awards, which will take place on August 31st in Polokwane, South African. Ingoma awards are awards formed to empower and elevate emerging gospel musicians, by providing platforms for exposure, mentorship, and celebration, helping artists build sustainable careers and share their talents with the world. Selebo was recognised as a promising promoter by the awards for her record label, Lady G Promotions, which focuses on discovering, developing, and exposing talents. Lady G Promotions currently has 11 musicians signed to the label to help them uncover their potential and get them out there.
Ghanaian music icon Samini is set to light up the music scene again with the release of his latest single, ‘CHAANA’, featuring the internationally celebrated Soweto Gospel Choir. Scheduled for release on March 13, this highly anticipated track marks the first single off his forthcoming album, ‘ORIGIN8A’, set to drop later this year. ‘CHAANA’, which means ‘shine’, is a soul-stirring Afro Pop anthem that seeks to uplift and inspire Africans, reinforcing the continent’s limitless potential, resilience, and unity. The song masterfully blends Samini’s distinct style with authentic African influences, incorporating the WALA dialect from Wa, the Upper West Region of Ghana—where Samini hails from—alongside Swahili elements delivered by the Soweto Gospel Choir. This fusion creates a Pan-African musical experience, celebrating diversity while emphasizing a common cultural heritage.
Walter Nyamukondiwa, Mashonaland West Bureau Chief Music artist Taruvinga “Sugar Sugar” Manjokoto feels some promoters, choices he made and the “bad hand” that the banker in the wild casino of life dealt him have combined to relegate him to the peripheries of the music industry. With it comes a life of struggle, unfulfilled dreams, mockery from some once adoring fans whom he rubs shoulders with in public transport, leaving him a tormented soul yearning for a breakthrough. Was it a case of fame without fortune, talent tainted by misfortune, lack of proper management or imprudent use of resources at his peak? From a stint on the top table of the country’s music industry where he easily rubbed shoulders with the finest of the time, Sugar Sugar dropped off and now sweeps up crumbs at the bottom.
Ghanaian rapper Amerado has boldly asserted that any conversation surrounding the Artiste of the Year title at the upcoming 2024 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) that excludes his name is a demonstration of ignorance. In a social media post on Friday, January 10, the “Kwaku Anase” hitmaker expressed disappointment at any attempt to overlook his contributions in the year under review. He emphasized that such omissions would be detrimental to both the music industry and aspiring artists. “Artiste of the Year conversation without Amerado under the 2024 year of review is an exposure of ignorance and consequently brutal to the industry and upcoming ones,” the rapper stated.
Veteran Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has melted hearts after unveiling the first photo of his son. Recall that the movie star and his wife welcomed their child last year, officially dedicating him to the church in November. Now, for the first time, Chinedu has given fans a glimpse of his beloved son’s face. Taking to Instagram, the proud father shared an adorable snapshot, expressing his deep love and pride. He captioned the post: “Meet my son in whom I am well pleased. The son of El Roi!”
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards have come and gone, and one of the biggest names to emerge from this year’s nominations was Nigerian-American artiste Collins Chibueze, known as Shaboozey. With five Grammy nominations across multiple categories, Shaboozey stood out as the Nigerian artiste with the most nominations, marking a significant moment in his genre-bending music career. Shaboozey, who performed his hit song, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” at the ceremony, received five nominations for Best New Artiste, Song of the Year, Best Country Song, and Best Country Solo Performance. He was also nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance for his feature on Beyoncé’s “Spaghetti”. He received a sixth nomination for Best Remixed Recording thanks to David Guetta’s remix of his song.
Nollywood actor, Efa Iwara has shared his experience working on the set of Princess on a Hill, his dream roles and the realities of being a Nollywood actor. Efa Iwara has steadily built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s most versatile actors, transitioning seamlessly between romantic leads, complex villains, and intense dramatic roles. With a career spanning both film and television, he has earned praise for his performances in projects like Seven, Rumour Has It, Soft Love and most recently, the corporate thriller series Princess on a Hill. In an exclusive interview, Iwara shares his thoughts on the show’s reception, the roles he dreams of playing, and the biggest misconceptions about being an actor. Princess on a Hill has received significant buzz since its release, and the audience’s engagement has been both exciting and surprising.
