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Entertainment
Rihanna encourages Ayra Starr to dominate both sides of the music industry
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Billionaire songstress Rihanna sees boundless potential in Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, affirming her capability to conquer both the male and female realms of the music industry.
Rihanna, renowned for her global influence, commended Ayra’s distinctive voice, noting its broad appeal to audiences of all genders.
“Ayra’s deep voice resonates with both boys and girls,” Rihanna stated confidently, expressing her conviction in Ayra’s future dominance in the music world.
Ayra Starr revealed her enlightening encounter with Rihanna at the Authentic Woman event in the UK during a recent interview with Billboard.
Reflecting on their interaction, the ‘Rush’ crooner shared, “We got to hang out after the event. Just spending time with my idol, the person that inspired me to do all of this, was the most amazing thing. She gave me so many pointers and advice.”
Ayra, known for her distinct vocal timbre, admitted to concerns about her voice’s reception, to which Rihanna offered empowering reassurance.
“I love my voice, but I know I have a very deep voice like, ‘Is that a man?! Is that a boy?!’ Rihanna was like, ‘You have the type of voice that can take over the males and take over the girls. You are here to take over both sides of the industry.’
‘And I was like, ‘You think so?’ She’s like, ‘Yes! Yes!’ I was like, ‘Thank you so much!’ She was like, ‘That’s your superpower.’ I was like, ‘I never thought of it like that. Thank you.’ She just put everything into perspective for me.’
With Rihanna’s encouragement and guidance, Ayra Starr stands poised to redefine industry norms and inspire a new generation of artists.
Entertainment
VeryDarkMan regains freedom after two weeks detention
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Controversial social media critic, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has regained his freedom after spending over two weeks in detention.
Otse was billed to be released one week after his arraignment by the police for cyberstalking and bullying on May 22, 2024.
A viral video on X Monday shows VeryDarkMan walking into his fans after he was set free.
Recall that the social media critic was arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, facing five counts of cyberstalking involving the Nigeria police and Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dike, to which he pleaded not guilty.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, applied for bail, but the police prosecuting team informed Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon that they needed more time to respond to the application, leading the court to adjourn the bail hearing to May 29.
The prosecution sought to have the blogger remanded in prison custody, but his lawyers successfully argued for his remand in police custody instead.
The court granted this request, and Verydarkman was subsequently taken to the National Cybercrime Centre.
Entertainment
Wizkid announces sixth studio album “Morayo” dedicated to late mother
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Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Wizkid, renowned for his chart-topping hits and infectious beats, has recently touched the hearts of his fans with a deeply personal announcement. In a heartfelt video message shared via his social media platforms on Saturday, the “Ojuelegba” hitmaker revealed that his highly anticipated sixth studio album would be a tribute to his late mother, Jane Morayo Balogun.
The album, aptly titled “Morayo” in honor of his beloved mother, is set to be released “very soon,” as Wizkid passionately declared in his message, urging his followers to stay tuned and not to miss out. “My album ‘Morayo’, dedicated to my mum, the love of my life, drops very soon. Don’t dull. Don’t sleep,” he expressed, underscoring the significance of the forthcoming release.
The announcement comes as a poignant reminder of the enduring bond between Wizkid and his mother, Jane Dolapo Balogun, who tragically passed away on August 18, 2023, in London. The loss of his mother has deeply impacted the acclaimed artist, who candidly acknowledged the profound pain he continues to grapple with. “The pain is profound,” Wizkid reflected, speaking to the profound grief he has experienced since her passing.
For Wizkid, “Morayo” represents more than just another album; it serves as a poignant tribute to the woman who held a special place in his heart and played an instrumental role in shaping his life and career. Through his music, he seeks to honor her memory and celebrate the enduring love and bond they shared.
As fans eagerly anticipate the release of “Morayo,” Wizkid’s heartfelt dedication to his late mother serves as a testament to the enduring power of love and the profound impact of loss. In honoring his mother’s legacy through his music, Wizkid invites listeners on a journey of remembrance, reflection, and ultimately, celebration of a life well-lived.
Stay tuned as Wizkid prepares to unveil his latest musical masterpiece, “Morayo,” a heartfelt tribute to his late mother and a testament to the enduring power of love.
Entertainment
Ayra Starr defends Afrobeats, urges peers to stick together
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Singer and songwriter, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, has said that as long as Afrobeats artistes stick together and continue propelling the music, the genre will continue to thrive.
She stated this during an interview with French origin magazine, ELLE, a worldwide women’s magazine that offers a mix of fashion and beauty content, and society and lifestyle. The Nigerian international sensation spoke on being an Afrobeats superstar and her upcoming second album.
She also bared her mind on the global success of the Nigerian sound, Afrobeats, a West African music genre that involves the combination of West African musical styles from mainly Nigeria such as the traditional Yoruba and Igbo music and highlife with American funk, jazz, and soul influences.
Commenting on the possibility of the genre getting watered down and losing its originality due to international collaborations and its rising global appeal, the Bloody Samaritan crooner said “as long as Afrobeats artistes stick together and continue propelling the music, the genre will continue to thrive.”
“It’s not fair at all; people want to put negativity on Afrobeats because it has become so mainstream. The generations of African artistes who worked to this extent for people like me to be able to be global with this sound worked for this. The genre’s not being diluted, it’s becoming mainstream. People are going to want to try things and do their own versions of things.
“The key is that when we stick together as Afrobeats artistes and continue with our sound; it can never be diluted. Nobody is ever going to be able to do it like us. That’s just the truth and it’s a beautiful thing to see and lovely to hear,” she added.
On how she has been able to curate a distinctive sound in the Afrobeats space, the 19 & Dangerous singer credits this to her unique voice and her eagerness to push her sonic boundaries.
“It’s my voice. I’ve opened myself up to so many possibilities when it comes to sound because I don’t like to hold myself in a box. I’m a very proud Afrobeats artiste, but I am in different spaces and different genres, from the Spanish world to David Guetta dance music, one thing that has been very consistent in every aspect is my voice.
“It isn’t just a voice, it’s my sound and it’s distinctive from the first “yeah, yeah” you hear in my songs. Just that and people feel good. I don’t want to brag!” she said.
Ayra Starr’s The Year I Turned 21, dropped today to the admiration of fans and music buffs. According to her, the album speaks of positive feeling and greatness.
Prior to the album release, the Grammy nominee, who recently earned three nominations for the 2024 BET Awards, released three singles, Rhythm & Blues, Comma, and Bad Vibes featuring Seyi Vibez. She had on Wednesday, May 22, thrilled guests drawn from across the media and the music industry at the album listening party put together by the online music streaming service Spotify.
Speaking at the exclusively listening gig which was held in Victoria Island, Lagos, the global music star described the process of making the album as a demanding and fulfilling one that involved input from everyone on her team.
“The Ayra Starr I want to introduce is excellent, sonically amazing. This album is unique, because I’ve been evolving sonically,” she told Billboard News in an interview back in February this year.
Featuring guest appearances from Asake, Giveon, Coco Jones, Aniita, and Ayra Starr’s younger brother Milar, the album is crafted from the perspective of a 21-year-old, while it still appeals to listeners across all demographics.