TNR WEEKSTICLES

Shallipopi’s “Laho” Flies to Madrid

Shallipoppi’s first single of 2025, “Laho,” might be the global hit the Afrobeat community didn’t think it deserved.

Videos coming out from the Spanish capital, Madrid, show DJ James playing Laho in Zsongo Club to a wild crowd singing along. Could this be Shallipopi’s global breakthrough?

Odumodu’s “Declan Rise” Is About to Get A Streaming Boost

Odumodu’s “Declan Rice” single is widely regarded as the track that introduced him to mainstream audiences. The two-minute track might be about to enjoy a second life — thanks to the real Declan Rice himself.

A jaw-dropping display from the 26-year-old English footballer for Arsenal saw his side battle Real Madrid at the UEFA Champions League competition on Tuesday night and come out on top. Rice helped his side secure a 3-0 win in London against the defending champions, scoring two beautiful free kicks. Nigerian supporters who haven’t gotten enough of Rice’s Tuesday night magic are tuning in to “Declan Rice” for a sonic reminder.

Joeboy Bets ₦3 Million..and Loses

While Odumodu and Arsenal fans would be smiling, another Nigerian musician was processing heartbreak… of the financial kind.

Joeboy famously placed a supposedly safe bet of ₦3 million on Real Madrid to win the game. “Cashing out on Arsenal tears tonight!” he wrote on X.  He went the extra mile (literally) by flying to the Emirates Stadium in London to watch the game live. It goes without saying that he wasn’t smiling at the end of the ‘90.

Still, he terms it just one of those “reckless spendings.” Fair enough, we’ve all been there — minus the stadium jet-set life.

Is Asake Trying To Tell Us Something With His Camo Obsession?

He wears camo. His cars wear camo. Even his spirit might wear camo at this point. If you guessed Nigerian artiste, Asake, thumbs up.

Asake’s growing obsession with military fatigues is no longer subtle. Whether he’s performing in Nigeria or laying low in the U.S., the singer is always spotted in camouflage — a bold choice in a country where wearing it as a civilian can draw the ire of military forces.

Some say he’s dodging trouble by laying low overseas. Others wonder if this is all part of a larger creative statement…a silent rebellion? A sonic coup, perhaps?

KieKie Gets Candid on Marriage Pressures

Marriage is supposed to be bliss — but for women, society often turns it into a stage for scrutiny.

Comedian KieKie, who married in 2020 and is now a mother, opened up on the I Said What I Said Podcast about the unwelcome commentary that comes with tying the knot.

“I started seeing the comments where people were telling me that I don’t dress like a married woman. I literally had to Google the dress code of a married woman and didn’t see anything. Nobody has said anything about how married women are supposed to dress.”

“…I have noticed also that when you have a child and you go out, the first thing people ask you is where your child is. You can see me in a club at 1am, why would the child be here? Are you trying to guilttrip me? I don’t get it.”

“The one that gets to me is that even when people compliment me they say things like ‘you have a husband who can help you.’ and to them it’s a compliment, you’re insulting me…”

In short: society, do better

Kunle Afolayan Weighs In on ‘Dance to Promote’ Culture

Earlier this week, Jemima Osunde raised eyebrows when she expressed her displeasure on actors being forced by filmmakers to turn to content creators online — which includes dancing — simply to promote films.

Appearing on Wake Up Nigeria during a discussion about his recent film, “Recall,” celebrated filmmaker Kunle Afolayan had a thing or two to contribute:

 “Marketing is key,” he says, “but there are several strategic ways of doing it. It was okay in the traditional sense. But now it’s becoming a bit toxic because it’s like a competition…we’ve lost the essence of why a film is seen, appreciated, and reviewed.”

“Dancing is part of theatre but should that be the only way? We need to start thinking of other ways to really promote,” he concludes.

Nons Miraj: “I Funded Myself, Not Men”

Chinonso Ukah, a.k.a. Nons Miraj (formerly Adah Jesus), sat down in the back of a Rolls Royce Cullinan for The Rolls Royce Experience on YouTube to talk about her hustle — and how she built her success with no handouts.

“I wasn’t able to afford an expensive Dior bag. The idea of the Love Show just came. I tried it out and that was it. Got my first $20,000 and I was like ‘YouTube Jesus’. $40,000, $60,000, then $100,000. I’m now able to fund that lifestyle…Later on, men would start coming but how much do they want to give me?”