Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Rema Emerges Biggest Winner at 9th AFRIMA Awards
Nigerian Afrobeats star, Rema was the biggest winner at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which held at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos recently.
The Afrobeats star clinched the coveted Artiste of the Year award at the ceremony.
Rema won the Best Male Artiste in Western Africa and Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB & Soul, underscoring his dominant influence on the continent’s music scene over the past year.
His triple win capped a colourful night that celebrated African music across regional and continental categories and drew top artistes, industry executives and cultural stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.
Meanwhile, Burna Boy, whose album titled “No Sign of Weakness”, won Album of the Year while Shallipopi’s “Laho” emerged Song of the Year and Phyno won Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop.
In the regional categories, Singuila of Congo won Best Male Artiste in Central Africa while Cindy Le Coeur of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) clinched Best Female Artiste in Central Africa.
Eastern Africa honours went to Jux of Tanzania as Best Male Artiste as Denise of Madagascar emerged Best Female Artiste while Team Paiya of Côte d’Ivoire emerged Best African Duo, Group or Band.
In Northern Africa, Adviser of Mauritania won Best Male Artiste, with Egypt’s Sherine taking home Best Female Artiste.
Southern Africa saw Yo Maps of Zambia emerge Best Male Artiste while South Africa’s Nontokozo Mkhize won Best Female Artiste.
In Western Africa, Rema claimed Best Male Artiste while Ghana’s Wendy Shay emerged Best Female Artiste.
In the continental categories, Milo of Côte d’Ivoire won Best Male Artiste in African Inspirational Music, while compatriot Morijah clinched the female category.
Guinea’s Manamba Kanté won Best African Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop, while Benin Republic’s Axel Merryl took Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary.
Yemi Alade clinched Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary for “You Are”, while Senegal’s Bakhaw Dioum won Songwriter of the Year for “Choix”.
South Africa’s Ciza clinched Breakout Artiste of the Year while Qing Madi of Nigeria won Most Promising Artiste of the Year.
The night further highlighted African collaboration and diversity, with Shallipopi and Burna Boy’s “Laho” winning Best African Collaboration.
The 9th AFRIMA Awards once again reinforced the platform’s role in celebrating African creativity, unity and global cultural impact, with Rema’s multiple wins standing out as a defining moment of the ceremony.
American rapper A$AP Rocky has revealed that his mother once advised him to end a relationship with his then-girlfriend and pursue global music star Rihanna instead.
Rocky made the disclosure during an interview where he reflected on his long-standing friendship with Rihanna before their romantic relationship began.
According to the rapper, his mother was convinced Rihanna was “the real one” and repeatedly encouraged him to go after her, even when he insisted they were just friends at the time.
“Rihanna has always been my boo. I always f*cked with her,” Rocky said.
“My mother used to say, ‘I know you like this girl that you are with right now, but I want you with Riri.
’ And I would tell her that Rihanna is just a friend. But my mother insisted that Rihanna is a real one. Mothers know best.”Despite the encouragement, Rocky explained that he was grateful their relationship did not start earlier, noting that neither he nor Rihanna was ready for the level of commitment and family life they now share.
“I am thankful that my relationship with Rihanna started when it did. Because at any time prior to that, I don’t think I was ready for something like that. I don’t think she was either,” he added.
Rocky and Rihanna grew closer after he joined her Diamond World Tour in 2013. Romance rumours later intensified in 2020, shortly after Rihanna’s split from Saudi billionaire Hassan Jameel.
The couple officially went public with their relationship and have since welcomed three children together — their first in 2022, second in 2023, and third in 2025.
Rocky previously dated model Kendall Jenner between 2016 and 2017.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
AFCON: Davido, Peller Lose $50,000, $3,000 Bets on Super Eagles vs Morocco
Afrobeats superstar Davido reportedly lost a $50,000 bet after the Super Eagles were eliminated by Morocco in the AFCON 2025 semi-final on Wednesday, going down 4–2 on penalties.
Hours before kick-off, the singer shared his bet slip on social media, revealing he had backed Nigeria to defeat the Atlas Lions.
The goalless draw in regulation time, followed by a penalty shoot-out loss, dashed his hopes.Popular Nigerian TikToker Peller also revealed that he lost a $3,000 bet on Nigeria winning in 90 minutes.
“Thank you, Super Eagles, for playing very well,” he said sarcastically during a livestream on Wednesday night. “I have lost my $3,000 bet. You guys were playing well the previous games before I decided to place a bet and watch your match.
Maybe if I stop watching your games, you will start playing well again.”
Seun Kuti, a Nigerian Afrobeat musician and son to music legend, Fela Kuti, has accused Wizkid of stealing his nickname.
The artist, while speaking during a livestream, claimed that he has been answering the nickname ‘Big Bird’ long before Wizkid coined the name.
Seun, during his livestream, responded to a request from one of Wizkid’s fans who asked him to change his nickname.
He stated that the Afrobeats artist stole his name, telling the fan to advise Wizkid to be original.“Wizkid stole my name. Tell your fave to be original. Why are you telling me to change my name? Sorry, I can’t change it. This name has been here since. I am the first to come up with it.
I am not dragging it with anybody, please,” he said.
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