Nigerian Afrobeats star Ruger announced his ambitious goals for 2025, aiming to achieve global recognition. In a social media post, he expressed determination to excel on every stage he performs on and have his name resonate in significant spaces. Ruger also acknowledged his faith, ending his message with gratitude and optimism for the future.

The African Music Week (AMW) Accra launch on December 27, 2024, at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), unveiled plans for the festival set to take place from December 15 to 20, 2025. The event highlighted AMW’s mission to connect Africa’s music industry with global audiences through speeches, panel discussions, and captivating performances. Opening the event, Yofi Grant, CEO of GIPC, emphasized AMW’s potential to boost Ghana’s music tourism. Julz Ossom, AMW’s founder, outlined its vision to strengthen industry connections across Ghana and Canada, while Ruddy Kwakye, CEO of The Rave Group, discussed how music tourism can drive economic and cultural growth. Contributions from key figures enriched the launch. Bessa Simons, MUSIGA President, highlighted music tourism as a vital revenue source for artists.

Israel Mbonyi stands as the sole Rwandan artist nominated for the 2025 Trace Awards, an event celebrating Afro-urban music and culture. Set to take place at Mora Resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania, from February 24 to 26, Mbonyi earned a nod in the Pan-African category for Best Gospel Artist. His Kiswahili gospel song "Sikiliza" received special recognition, earning him a spot alongside other celebrated nominees such as Tanzania's Bella Kombo, South Africa's Spirit of Praise 10, Nigerian artists Mercy Chinwo and Ada Ehi, and Ivorian rapper and evangelist KS Bloom. Following the success of its inaugural edition in Kigali in October 2023, the Trace Awards return with a celebration of Africa’s leading artists and the cultural narratives that inspire their craft. The 2025 event features 28 categories, honoring the continent's most popular music genres and talents, with live broadcasts in over 200 countries in English, French, and Portuguese.

New Year, New Stories: these are the Nollywood trends we hope to see in 2025. The new year is here, and with it comes an opportunity for Nollywood to level up in storytelling, production, and representation. Over the past few years, the industry has taken huge strides; breaking into international markets, winning accolades, and telling stories that resonate globally. However, there’s room to grow! As we enter 2025, here are some trends we hope to see Nollywood embrace to keep its momentum going while captivating audiences at home and abroad. 1. More Diverse and Relatable Characters One thing Nollywood excels at is creating characters that stick with you, but let’s take it a step further. This year, we’re rooting for stories featuring a broader range of characters, people from different socio-economic classes, regions, and walks of life.

In 2024, Egypt mourned the loss of several prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including actors, actresses, and musicians whose contributions left an indelible mark on the nation’s cultural landscape. The passing of these artists in 2024 represents a significant loss to Egypt’s cultural and artistic heritage. Their contributions have shaped the landscape of Egyptian entertainment, and their legacies will continue to inspire future generations. 1-Mustafa Fahmy Renowned Egyptian actor Mustafa Fahmy passed away on October 30, 2024, at the age of 77. Born on August 7, 1947, in Cairo, Fahmy graduated from the Higher Institute of Cinema and embarked on a prolific acting career spanning five decades. He was celebrated for his roles in films such as “Where Is My Mind?” (1974), “Face to Face” (1976), and “The Red Rose” (2000). Fahmy’s versatility and dedication to his craft endeared him to audiences across the Arab world

Renowned Egyptian Singer Ahmed Adawiya passed away at 79. Ahmed Adawiya is considered one of the most prominent stars of Shaabi music in Egypt and the Arab world. He gained widespread fame through his songs, which have become part of Egyptian heritage, such as “Al-Salam Alaik,” “Aywa,” and “Al-Zaman.” Adawiya was known for his distinctive voice and folkloric performance style, which combined traditional Shaabi music with modern elements, earning him great popularity across the Arab world. Despite his limited media appearances in recent years, his works remain deeply embedded in the collective memory of Egyptians and Arabs. It is worth mentioning that the late veteran artist began his career in the 1970s, contributing significantly to the evolution of Egyptian Shaabi music and playing a major role in bringing this art form to a wider audience.

After hosting a series of events across the 12 months of 2024, Ghanaian Gospel artists Nana Yaw Ofori-Attah, “Oneman1000” and his Oasis Collective hosted their annual Oasis Gathering, “The Outside,” 2024, over the weekend. The Oasis Collective is a new-age Christian collective spreading the gospel of Christ and the message of Christianity through the arts. The collective’s biggest asset, aside from their shared vision and commitment, is their ability to create a community where young people can feel connected to their maker. The community had imbued in people the courage to express their love for God through their creativity. Held at the Mmofra Place in Dzorwulu, Accra, the event hosted diverse activities, great food, drinks, and a spirit-filled atmosphere. The Outside is one of the many events organized by the collective every year.

Nigerian singer, Tiwatope Balogun-Savage popularly called Tiwa Savage has hinted at retirement after the release of her next album. Tiwa hinted in her Instagram story on Saturday morning that she was “tired”, adding that she has tried her best. “This might be my last studio album. I am tired, I don try,” she wrote. She, however, did not reveal the title and release date of the album. Tiwa broke even after releasing her breakout single ‘Kele Kele Love’ in 2010 and established herself as one of the most prominent names in the Nigerian music industry. In 2018, Savage became the first female African artiste to win Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Tamer Hosny and Ramy Sabry to release their duet "Mabetneseesh" in the coming days. The duet, which brings the two megastars together, promises several surprises. “Mabetneseesh” is written by Omar Tayam, composed by Shady Hassan, arranged, mixed, and mastered by Tarek Tawakkol, with strings by Tamer Ghoneim and guitars by Ahmed Hussein. It is scheduled for release soon. The highly anticipated duet is expected to create a major buzz on social media platforms, especially as it brings together two prominent stars with a large fan base and significant musical achievements.

Nigerian actor and filmmaker Emmanuel Ehumadu, popularly known as Emma Labista, has joined the list of celebrities with newly acquired homes. On December 26, 2024, Labista took to Instagram to share the exciting news of his latest achievement—a luxurious mansion he described as a Christmas gift to himself. Sharing a photo of the property, the Nollywood star credited his success to divine intervention. He captioned the post: “A Christmas Present to ‘ME.’ Awesome God made it Possible. Thank You, Jesus.” The announcement quickly went viral, with fans and well-wishers flooding the comments section to celebrate his milestone. Labista’s achievement has inspired admiration across social media.

Afrobeats icon Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has made waves with his recent purchase of two luxurious mansions in Ikoyi, Lagos. Each property reportedly cost a whopping N1.2 billion, amounting to an impressive N2.4 billion total. The opulent homes, featuring stunning designs and lavish interiors, have left fans and netizens in awe. Images of the mansions shared online have drawn widespread admiration, with many praising Wizkid’s remarkable achievement. However, the news sparked mixed reactions. A fan of rival artist Davido, known as @DavidoPolice on X (formerly Twitter), dismissed the acquisition with a snarky comment: “The God who did it for Wizkid should avoid me.”

Nollywood actor Daniel Etim-Effiong has shared his feelings about the online backlash his wife, Toyosi, often faces when discussing their marriage online. He spoke about it during a recent sit-down with his wife on her YouTube page, revealing how deeply it affects him when people attack her for simply being herself. "From the first day I met you, I’ve known you to be very bold and outspoken about your beliefs," Daniel said to Toyosi. "If you love someone, the whole world has to know about it, but I’m very different. I’m not like that—I’m very reserved in my expression of things like that, but you are very out there with things that you love." "For that reason, when I see people come at you for just being you, it hurts me. I'm like, 'you guys are just throwing stones at someone who just wants to be, who is just expressing herself, she's just being herself because of who she is. She's just being herself' so it hurts me," he added.

Skuta Baba is currently the IT song, and some of Mzansi's favourite rappers are jumping on the trend. The song already has a remix featuring the likes of Cassper Nyovest and Kwesta, but Toss wants a piece of the action. Read more: https://briefly.co.za/entertainment/celebrities/206190-toss-introduces-dance-video-rapping-skuta-baba-remix/

Penny Lebyane has made headlines once again on social media after a photo of herself showing off her hot body, which had Mzansi men in their feelings, went viral.

Ghanaian musician Donzy has announced a musical comeback for 2025, promising beautiful songs for his fans. In an interview, he revealed that 2024 was spent in the studio preparing new music and encouraged fans to anticipate great releases in the upcoming year. He also wished his supporters a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, urging them to stay safe and look forward to a peaceful future.

Nigerian entrepreneur and influencer May Edochie is celebrating a significant milestone as she unveils her newly acquired Range Rover SUV. Taking to Instagram, the estranged wife of Nollywood actor Yul Edochie shared the joyous moment, showcasing her latest Christmas gift to herself. In a heartwarming video capturing her first drive, May reflected on her journey, attributing the achievement to hard work and divine blessings. She expressed immense gratitude for how far she has come, inspiring fans with her resilience and positivity. The celebratory post has drawn congratulatory messages and admiration from her followers, who continue to cheer her on as she forges her path forward.

The 2024 Ghana Movie Awards, slated for December 24 at the Accra International Conference Centre, was unexpectedly canceled without explanation, leaving nominees and fans disappointed. Many attendees arrived at the venue only to find it deserted, prompting criticism of the organizers for poor communication. The awards, returning after a two-year hiatus, had generated excitement by showcasing exceptional talent in Ghanaian cinema. Stakeholders are now demanding clarification to maintain the event’s credibility.

Ghanaian rapper Amerado has urged fans to end comparisons between Ghanaian and other music industries, emphasizing unity and celebrating local artists raising Ghana’s global profile. Speaking at the 2024 Rapperholic concert, he highlighted the dangers of such comparisons to industry growth. Amerado also encouraged support for emerging talents and expressed hope for a fruitful 2025. The concert featured performances by top Ghanaian and international artists.

In the spirited months of early 2021, Ahmad, better known by his stage name “Justice Boyo The Stage Killer,” took his first steps into the fast-growing world of Gambian music, fuelled by a passion ignited by some of the industry’s most celebrated artists. His sound is a rich tapestry of influences, seamlessly blending genres such as Afromanding, Afrobeat, and Afro-dancehall, creating a musical experience that resonates with a wide audience. In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, this rising star expressed a deep desire to bring people together and foster unity through his artistry. Justice Boyo revealed that he looks up to the talented Jizzle as his musical icon, while the rap sensation ST serves as his driving force, inspiring him to push the boundaries of his craft. With such influences and ambitions, Justice Boyo is poised to make a significant impact on the music scene.

South African singer Tyla has landed in Nigeria, joining international stars like Gunna and Chloe Bailey for an exciting music event. Fans were thrilled to see a video of her arrival in Lagos shared online. Tyla’s fans from Nigeria were excited for her show, and they soon got to see her perform.

In a heartfelt moment that has reignited online reactions, Nollywood stars Yul Edochie and Judy Austin baptized their second son in a ceremony rich with tradition and faith. The duo, often in the spotlight for their high-profile love story, marked this spiritual milestone with an intimate church event on December 24th, 2024. Yul shared glimpses of the occasion on his Facebook page, offering fans a peek into the family’s celebration. The photos showcased the couple in regal native attire, radiating unity and pride. One touching image captured Yul holding their first son, Star Dikeh, while Judy Austin cradled their newborn, embodying maternal grace and joy. The baptism has sparked fresh conversations, with fans and critics alike reflecting on the couple’s journey and commitment to their family.

Grammy Award-winning musician Kaytranada, renowned for his fusion of house, funk and soul, will headline the upcoming Milk & Cookies Festival in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The spokesperson for the festival reveals to Bizcommunity that they're honoured to host the festival. We're incredibly honoured to host the Milk & Cookies Festival in South Africa. This isn't just about putting on a show; it's about immersing ourselves in the culture, learning from it, and contributing to it." The festival spokesperson also adds that South Africa's influence on music, culture and art is profound, and they wanted to pay homage to that by making it the home of their first international festival.

Nigerian storyteller and voice artist Femi Olugbade ( @FemiBakes) has made history as one of the few Africans to win the prestigious Voice Arts Award at the 11th annual ceremony in Beverly Hills, California. Recognised in the “Outstanding Commercial – Radio, Streaming, or Web” category for Best African Voiceover, this win highlights his commitment to Baking Stories to Perfection—one voice, one story at a time. Femi’s expertise also shines as a voice director and audio producer. His award-winning collaborations on Oma Mildred Chiegboka’s narration (Outstanding Narration—TV or Film) and Deborah Johnson’s storytelling (Outstanding Spoken Word or Storytelling) solidify his mastery of storytelling and audio production. “Since embarking on my storytelling journey, I’ve witnessed how the voice can inspire change,” says Femi.

South African singer Lloyiso Gijana's weight loss transformation, which has garnered significant attention on social media. The former Idols SA contestant recently shared photos on Instagram, showcasing his new physique. Fans praised his efforts, noting the visible results of his hard work in the gym. The post's caption reflected on his personal journey this year.