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Ayra Starr Becomes Spotify Equal Africa Artiste for November

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Spotify celebrates Ayra Starr, the newest artiste to join the Equal Music Programme as the Equal Africa artiste of the month of November.

Spotify EQUAL aims to foster gender equality in music and provide a platform to highlight influential female creators.

A statement by Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, said Spotify welcomes Ayra as she joins the list of fierce African women making waves in music.

Okumu said that the 19-year-old singer was a burgeoning Nigerian Afro-Pop and R&B singer whose charismatic music style was daring, undaunted impacting and empowering people, especially those who needed encouragement.

She said this announcement came off the back of Ayra’s popularity and fame since the release of her smash hit, Bloody Samaritan, from her debut studio album ‘’19 and Dangerous”.

According to her, the album featured the chart-topping singles that had catapulted the musician to the global stage.

Okumu said the super-talented and vibrant fashion killer was one of Nigeria’s most promising new voices and exuded confidence in her songs, joining Gen-Z artists who are pioneering the kind of sound that younger audiences were leaning towards.

” Our aim with the EQUAL programme is to create a space on the platform that allows us to solely amplify the work of female creators.

” Ayra represents the rise of new-age female artistes whose creativity and determination breaks barriers between genres.

“She possesses the boldness and swagger that we are used to seeing from pop artistes, but has an edge that feels symbolic of the listening habits of Gen-Zers.

” We aim to amplify more confident female voices like hers through EQUAL,” she said.

Ayra welcomed the acknowledgement given gender dynamics in the music industry.

” It feels good to be a part of the generation that is changing the narrative and being appreciated for our contribution to society, irrespective of the sector and age.

” I am grateful to Spotify EQUAL for this feature that shines a light on women in a male-dominated industry, it makes me feel seen, and I am sure it is done so for everyone who has been featured before me,” she said.

As the latest artiste to join the EQUAL Music Programme, Ayra Starr will also feature on Spotify’s Times Square billboard in New York and her breakout hit, Bloody Samaritan will lead the Equal Africa playlist and feature on the Equal Global playlist.(NAN)

Entertainment/Arts/Culture

Court Awards N125, 000 Cost against Odumodublvck

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An Abuja High Court on Wednesday awarded N125, 000 against a rapper, Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as “Odumodublvck”, for asking for adjournment.

Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi awarded the cost while adjourning the matter until Oct.

27 for cross-examination and defence.

The claimant, Ogbogiri Okey Levi, popularly known as Kraziecent, instituted an assault and battery suit against Odumodublvck.

At the resumed hearing, the claimant’s counsel, Uchenna Ojembe, announced his appearance and told the court that the matter was slated for cross-examination and defence.

Ojembe said his witness was in court and ready to proceed.

The Defendant’s Counsel, Ikenna Magnus, however pleaded with the court to grant him another date to enable him prepare for cross-examination and defence.

Magnus told the court that he was just coming into the matter and needed a little time to put his house in order.

Ojembe opposed the application and told the court that it was the usual delay tactic by the defence to obstruct and stall proceedings.

“This is the usual delay tactic to obstruct and stall proceedings. We will not be applying to keep them out, but we will be applying for N5 million cost,” Ojembe said.

However, the defence counsel again begged the court for leniency.

In her ruling, Justice J.O E. Adeyemi-Ajayi awarded a cost of N125, 000 against the Odumodublvck for delaying proceedings

She adjourned the matter until Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 for cross-examination and defence.

The News Agency Nigeria recalls that “Kraziecent” alleged that Odumodublvck assaulted him at a public event in December 2024, damaged his iPhone 15 Pro Max and caused him emotional distress.

He is seeking payment of medical expenses, a public apology via the defendant’s social media platforms and two national dailies, or N2 billion in damages.

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Hunger Changed My Mind, Timini Egbuson on Embracing YouTube movies

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Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has reflected on his changing perception of YouTube movies, joking that he might have struggled financially had he continued to look down on productions made for the video-sharing platform.

Egbuson shared the thought in a post on X Tuesday night, writing, and “Can’t believe I was looking down on YouTube movies at some point.

Hunger go don kpai me by now.
”

His remark highlights the growing commercial appeal of YouTube movies in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where actors and filmmakers are increasingly using the platform to reach audiences and generate revenue from their productions.

Egbuson, who has now featured in YouTube movie productions, has embraced the growing market, adding to his work across Nollywood’s film and streaming landscape.

Many Nollywood actors have long prioritised cinema movies, often seeing them as more prestigious and commercially rewarding than YouTube productions. As a result, some overlook online films, despite their growing audiences and earning potential.

However, the success of YouTube movies is gradually changing perceptions within the industry.

Reports show that Nigerian filmmakers were increasingly turning to YouTube amid the pullback by global streaming companies, with the platform offering easier access to audiences and fewer barriers to distribution.

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BBNaija Season 11: Keivo Becomes Second Housemate to be Disqualified

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Keivo has become the second Big Brother Naija housemate to be disqualified from Season 11.

This follows his physical altercation with fellow housemate, Tram.

The fight broke out after Tram accused Keivo of taking one of his shirts.

Keivo did not take the allegation of theft lightly, and the situation eventually became violent.

It took the intervention of other housemates to calm both men down.

On Tuesday, Biggie sent ninjas to escort Keivo out of the house through the storeroom.

Biggie eventually gathered the remaining contestants and confirmed Keivo’s disqualification.

Nomy was the first housemate to be disqualified due to repeated defiance and refusal to wear an assigned punishment outfit.

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