The year 2023 ended and the new year bells still ache to chime. However, the next natural move is to look forward to what the brand-new year promises.
2024: Reasons To Be Alive!
BY Henry-Damian Justice
January 5, 2024
11:57 pm
And oh my, what bountiful promises it does beget.
Whether it’s top of the line series, clown reborn, concertos or football classics, 2024 is poised to be a year of excitement and entertainment. Let’s highlight some of them.
War: Wrath and Revenge
Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Studios, in collaboration with Dimbo Atiya, kicked off 2024 with a spin-off derived from “Sons of the Caliphate” titled “War and Revenge.”
This new narrative revolves around Nuhu Bula’s attempt at ascending to the governorship ‘throne’ of Kowa, a journey cunningly orchestrated by his wife, Binta, who is determined to go to great lengths to ensure her husband’s success.
As the story unfolds, Binta further unleashes the unbridled wrath of a woman scorned in her efforts to protect her love.
The stellar cast contributing to this gripping tale includes Mofe Duncan, Rahama Sadau, Yakubu Mohammed, Patrick Doyle, Ayoola Ayolola, Ifeanyi Kalu, Theresa Edem, Bikiya Graham Douglas, Daniel Okosun, Maikudi “Cashman,” Mickey Odeh, Sophia Muhammed, Uzee Usman, Padita Agu, and Ahide Adum.
This short series is already running on Netflix.
“House of the Dragon” Season Two
For fans of Westeros, 2023 has been an agonizing wait. We’ve missed the all-out dragon warfare and eliminating of bloodlines from up above.
The recently unveiled Season Two teaser of “House of the Dragon” on December 4 brought with it the revelation that Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) are on an irreversible course.
So, what lies in store for us this year? The precise details of “House of The Dragon” Season Two remain guarded (albeit, not entirely if one has delved into George R.R. Martin’s completed novel, “Fire & Blood”).
But there’s one thing we know for sure: fire will reign come summer 2024.
Tems’ Debut Album?
Tems’ latest single, “Me & U” brings us closer to a debut album that our ears have been aching to hear. We are yet to heal from her debut E.P “For Broken Ears Only” which brought us melodies like “Higher” and “Free Mind.”
This year might finally be the year our dreams come true, and we will soak it down to the marrow.
Deadpool 3
No matter how apathetic you claim to be towards comic book movies, you cannot deny the inner longing that the name “Deadpool 3” brings. It will be the “Spiderman: No Way Home” of 2024.
A Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds combo is already one too many. But as Wolverine and the “Merc with a mouth”? We’ll be seated!
Production started in the last quarter of 2023.
2024 Summer Olympics
When was the last time we had a “normal” Olympic games? That’s right, Rio 2016. The 2020 Olympic games held in Tokyo unfortunately coincided with the Coronavirus pandemic, leading to sport venues barely reaching half-capacity.
This year will be different though, as it will be held in the city of Love: Paris.
Tours Galore
Concertgoers will find 2024 an overwhelming year. To borrow Nigerian English, “Tours Choke!”
Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour”, Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2 Tour”, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Guts Tour”, Bad Bunny’s “Most Wanted Tour”, Madonna’s “Celebration Tour”, Pink’s “Summer Carnival Tour”, Morgan Wallen’s “One Night At A Time Tour” and Maroon 5’s “M5LV” are some of the worthy mentions including Africa’s own Burna Boy’s “I Told Them Tour.”
Regardless of your preferred music genre, 2024 has something special in store for everyone.
Joker: Folie à Deux
This New Year will witness the return of the clown prince of clown and mother monster, Lady Gaga in what is going to be an unprecedented musical. Picture Arthur dancing in the rain with Harley Gaga (sounds a bit better) with his now-signature red coat and face fresco.
As we anticipate this musical extravaganza, it’s worth recalling the eve of the release of the first installment, “Joker” (2019), when the political climate was tense and police had to be called to teaser .
Hopefully, the need for such apprehension won’t be replicated for a sequel, as 2024 is poised to be a year marked by tranquility.
To Kill A Monkey
In recent years, we’ve been overfed with Nollywood crime thrillers. And there’s no sign of it stopping in 2024.
Kemi Adetiba, after “King of Boys” and “The Return of The King,” rears her head once more with a new crime thriller that vows to surpass any previous cinematic experience.
The mini-series stars William Benson and Bucci Franklin in the lead roles and includes cast support by Bimbo Akintola, Chidi Mokeme, Dami Adegbite and Ireti Doyle. Details concerning “To Kill a Monkey” have been scarce: hardly unsurprising if you’re planning to murder a primate.
Continental Football
The Euros is one of the most anticipated football competitions in the world. To see Europe’s and some of the world’s best battle it out is a thing of beauty. But they’ll not be the only gladiators in 2024. The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the Copa America will see similar battles rage on the African and South American continents.
Next year’s edition would be extra special. Leo Messi’s Argentina will be looking to defend their title, the whole of Europe will have a backdoor meeting on how to stop the French from walking to the Euro finals and Nigerians would dump all hope on Victor Osimhen to revive the lost glory of the Super Eagles. There’s no World Cup in 2024, but the world’s eyes will be peeled regardless.
AFCON starts on Jan. 13, 2024, and runs through Feb. 11, 2024.