40 People, Events That Shaped The Nigerian Entertainment Industry
in 2013 by
The year 2013 would be over in a couple of days. For the
entertainment industry, expectedly, it was a year of drama, avalanche of
controversies, happy moments, scandals, weddings and unfortunately, deaths. The year witnessed some highpoints for some practitioners
and certainly, some entertainers have had it rough and raw. Here are some
highlights of events and people that made 2013 tick.
Susan ‘Goldie’ Harvey
It was, perhaps, the greatest shock for the industry when
the sudden death of pop singer, Goldie, was announced on February 14. Goldie
came back from the US where she attended the Grammy Awards and died a few hours
later in Lagos.
Justus Esiri
Nollywood will never forget February 19, 2013; it was the
day veteran actor, Justus Esiri passed on. Esiri was certainly one of the
actors that shaped the movie industry in Nigeria. Little wonder, he was given a
national honour a few years ago.
Damino Damoche
While people were trying to get over the shock of Goldie
and Justus Esiri’s death, the sad news of the death of Damino Damoche
followed a few weeks later. A lewd lyricist, Damoche may not have been so
popular, but the news of his untimely death shook the entertainment industry in
February when suspected cult members hacked him down in his school, Lagos State
University.
Foluke Daramola
No matter the controversies her relationship with
Kayode Salako generated, Foluke Daramola didn’t care whose ox was gored. She
went on ahead to move in with Kayode, got married to him and it looks as if the
babe is enjoying marital bliss. Foluke would later open up in an interview to
talk about how she was raped when she was growing up.
Maheeda
If her songs didn’t give her the obviously desired
popularity she must have craved for, certainly, the nude pictures the
self-acclaimed gospel singer, Maheeda, released on the internet made her to
become highly (in) famous. With her raunchy photos she made the habit of posting
on the net, Maheeda sure made the industry buzz this year.
Jesse Jagz
Jesse Jagz brother, MI, is the vice chairman of Chocolate
City record label, but the young man didn’t care about that as he left the
record label just as soon as his contract expired. Jesse didn’t really ‘blow’
in all sense this year but getting a Channel O nomination this year was one of
his high points.
Solomon Akinyesi
Actor, Solomon Akinyesi’s wedding is usually what is seen
in a Nollywood movie. As he was in church, all set to marry another woman, his
legally married wife, Lilian, stormed the ceremony and practically disrupted
it. Her outburst automatically put a stop to the wedding ceremony.
Vast
Second half of Bracket group, Vast, was diagnosed with
cancer and the young lad went to the UK where he was treated of the life
threatening ailment. The singer has been back on his feet.
PMAN
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria is not
dead after all. With the appointment of Question Mark boss, Kelvin Lucciano, as
the interim president, PMAN, somehow was revamped in 2013.
Ice Prince
Chocolate City artiste, Ice Prince, gained enough ground
this year when he was announced the winner of Black Entertainment Television
award. He went on ahead to release his album, Fire of Zamani, later in the
year.
J Martins
Singer, J martins, in a quiet wedding in Lagos, got
married to his boo, Nmezi sometime in May.
OJB Jezreel
Shock greeted the news of OJB Jezreel’s ailment. The music
producer was diagnosed with a kidney related disease and a fundraiser was
instituted to help fly him to India for treatment. Fortunately, the money was
raised, OJB went to India, got treated and he is back on his feet.
Ngozi Nwosu
Similarly like OJB Jezreel, actress Ngozi Nwosu was
diagnosed with a kidney and heart related disease and friends, fans and even
the Lagos State government rallied round her, raised money and she was flown to
the UK where she got treated. Ngozi is doing well at the moment.
Chika Ike
Screen diva, Chika Ike finally got divorced from her
husband. After being married for five years, Chika eventually opened up to say
she was domestically abused in her home and she had to leave the marriage. The
diva has not allowed the break-up to affect her persona.
Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele’s marriage break-up less than a year after
the marriage ceremony, shook the entertainment industry to a standstill this
year. Interestingly, it was her estranged hubby, Kehinde, who went on social media
first to announce the end of the marriage. However, Funke is still doing what
she knows best – soaring higher and higher.
Beverly Osu
Video vixen, Beverly Osu, alongside Melvin Odua,
represented Nigeria in this year’s Big Brother Africa. Beverly broke a record
by becoming the first housemate who was never up for eviction. However, what
many people would remember Beverly for was her sexual escapades in the house
with South African housemate, Angelo.
MTN Project Fame
Olawole Ojo took part in this year’s edition of MTN
sponsored Project Fame. He came, he saw and he conquered, taking home the prize
money of N5m.
Jeta and Mbong Amata
Movie director, Jeta Amata and his wife, Mbong, were seen
as an ideal couple. Not a few got shocked when the news of their separation hit
the industry. The pair have even moved on. Mbong is now exhibiting the traits
of someone who has regained freedom after being caged since she has been
releasing sexy pictures on the social media after the separation.
COSON
The fear of the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, is
the beginning of wisdom. The Tony Okoroji-led collective society didn’t waste
time to hammer a lawsuit against any organisation that infringes on the
copyright laws of artistes. So many artistes would proudly say they have never
had it so good as they receive royalty off their work, courtesy of COSON.
Endorsement
This happened to be a year of bounty for some artistes.
Some of them laughed all the way to the bank with the endorsement deals they
got from organisations like telecommunications companies. The likes of M.I,
Omawumi, Lynxxx, Bez, Waje, Naeto C. Flavour and Burna Boy became Glo
ambassadors while Kcee, Davido, Tiwa Savage became MTN ambassadors. Seyi Shay
would later say she was made an Etisalat ambassador. Iyanya equally signed an
endorsement deal with Zinox.
Mercy Johnson
Just as soon as she came back from the US where she had
her baby, Mercy Johnson became the most sought after actress. At the moment,
Mercy is rated to be the highest paid actress. It was reported that movie
marketers banned Mercy because of her high fees. However, it didn’t stop the
actress from sticking to what she felt she deserved as a superstar.
Appointments
Some notable entertainers were recognised by the
government this year and were offered political appointments into boards of
parastatals. Onyeka Onwenu, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Dickson Iroegbu are among
them.
Tuface and Annie Idibia
Music sensation, Tuface Idibia, walked down the aisle with
his beautiful wife, Annie. So many celebrities witnessed the wedding, which
took place in Dubai. The wedding would be talked about in a long time.
NGT
The Nigeria Got Talent show finals was held this year and
eight-year-old Amarachi Uyanne made history by becoming the winner of the first
season of the show. Amarachi went home with N10m.
GUS 10
The Gulder Ultimate Show clocked 10 this year and this
season was indeed, a clash of the titans. Dennis Okiki went home with a
whopping N10m and a brand new SUV as the winner of the show.
Father U-Turn
Thirty-six-year-old Olufemi Mayomi, popularly known as
Father U-Turn passed on on Novermeber 17 after a battle with a kidney related
disease.
Instagram
The social media site, Instagram became home to celebs in
Nigeria and abroad where they display their pictures.
Peter Okoye/Lola Omotayo
In a talk of the town ceremony, second half of P Square
group, Peter, got married to his baby mama, Lola. Virtually all the celebrities
attended the event.
Tiwa Savage/Tunji Balogun
Singer, Tiwa Savage, wedded her manager/boy friend, Tunji
Balogun, popularly known as T-Billz. The Mavin first lady has grown to become
one of the hottest singers in the country.
Wande Coal
Just as D’banj left Mo Hits, Wande Coal towed that path
and left the Don Jazzy’s established Mavin Records. Wande went ahead to form
his own record company, Black Diamonds Entertainment.
Anne Njemanze
Not only did she become a must watch in popular soap,
Tinsel, actress Ann Njemanze went ahead to fall in love and got married this
year. The once-upon-a-time wife of actor, Segun Arinze is back in the industry
and she is indeed, better.
Burna Boy
Burna Boy came into the music industry quietly but like a
meteorite, the young lad’s profile skyrocketed. Oh yes, he is one of the
promising acts of the year and he has capped his efforts with so many gigs.
However, performing in his underpants at this year’s Felabration earned him more
knocks than kudos.
Jim Iyke
Nollywood bad boy, Jim Iyke, didn’t really feature in so
many movies this year. But he wasn’t quiet. His Jim Iyke Unscripted reality
show attracted so many comments but not as much as his ‘deliverance’ at TB
Joshua’s Synagogue Church.
Chidinma
Chidinma Ekile, MTN Project Fame Season Three winner is a
clear example of big things that come in small packages. The petite singer
became a wonder girl this year, with her music getting her nominations.
However, Chidinma was involved in a sex scandal when a sex video went viral.
She claimed she wasn’t the one in the video anyway.
CHOMVA
The Channel O Music Video awards held in South Africa, saw
Nigerian acts winning less than they did last year. With just four awards,
South Africa picked seven awards in this edition. However, Nigeria’s Wizkid
went home with the biggest award- Best Video of the Year while P Square was
given a recognition award.
AMVCA
The Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award held this year and
the turnout was mind-blowing. It was an evening of glamour and fashion as the
stars shone in breathtaking dresses. Notable actors including Jackie Appia and
Mercy Johnson picked awards at the event.
OC Ukeje
The young lad, OC Ukeje won the Amstel Malta Box Offices
reality show some years ago and since then, the actor has been rising. This
year was extremely good for OC. He won so many awards this year and capped it
up with the Future Awards that he won this December.
Wizkid
Ayo ‘Wizkid’ Balogun reportedly left his mentor Banky W’s
record label, EME and got a new deal with Akon’s Konvict Music. His exit
generated some kind of buzz in the music industry this year. The young man is
still doing wonders with music anyway.
Saheed and Fathia Balogun
The estranged couple, Saheed and Fathia Balogun made
headlines towards the end of the year. It was reported that Saheed dragged his
ex wife to court, asking her to stop using his name. Saheed eventually denied
the allegation claiming they were in court to process their divorce.
Mercy Aigbe
Yoruba movie actress, Mercy Aigbe,
finally married her beau, Lanre Gentry. Though they have been living together
all this while, it wasn’t up until later in the year that they legalised their
union. Earlier in the year, it was reported by some online blogs that Gentry
beat up his wife. Both of them debunked the stories.
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