Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Rema’s ‘Rave & Roses’ Becomes First African Album to Hit 3bn Streams on Spotify
Nigerian singer Rema’s debut album, Rave & Roses (Ultra version), has become the first African project to surpass 3 billion streams on Spotify.
The lead single of the album, Calm Down (remix with American pop star Selena Gomez), made history last year as the first African song to hit the billion-stream mark on Spotify.
The combined versions of Calm Down contributed over 2 billion streams to the total album streams on Spotify, with the remaining 20 songs contributing less than a billion.
Rave & Roses (Ultra) is followed by South African singer Tyla’s eponymous debut album, with over 2 billion streams, on the list of the most-streamed African projects on Spotify.
Burna Boy’s African Giant and Love, Damini, Wizkid’s Made in Lagos: Deluxe Edition, and CKay’s CKay the First are the other African projects that have surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Nigerian Men Scared of Bold, Confident Women, Phyna Claims
Former Big Brother Naija winner, Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has claimed that she is still single because Nigerian men are scared of confident and independent women.
Speaking during a recent livestream on Twitch, the reality star claimed that most Nigerian men prefer women they can control when choosing a life partner and avoid independent women.
Phyna explained that expressive women like her are the worst hit because most men judge them by their social media rhetoric and decide to avoid them even before meeting them.
The actress said she is, however, not bothered by the trend, stressing that she can’t change herself to fit into a man’s expectations.
“I am a ten over ten. The thing is just that men are scared of bold and confident women. There are someone women that by mere looking at them you know that you can’t control them. But our Nigerian men like women that they can control.
“They don’t want women who have says or are exposed. So, we that are very loud about how we are, even without they meeting us, they are already scared and forming assumptions. But I really don’t care,” she expressed.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
How God Changed My Story after 16 Years in Music, Says Spyro
Afrobeats singer Spyro has revealed that 16 years of perseverance and struggle in the music industry finally paid off three years ago, attributing his success to divine intervention.
In a social media post, Spyro shared his testimony, recalling a period of profound struggle and disappointment that preceded his breakthrough.
He explained that it was at this critical juncture that his fortunes changed.
Following his past struggles, the singer now encourages others facing similar challenges, urging them to hold on to their dreams and never give up.
He attributes his turnaround to God, who transformed his life and propelled him to success three years ago.
Spyro wrote, “If someone had told me 3 years ago that I would become this fly, I would have argued it, and now I look at my life, and all I can say to someone reading this is please don’t give up…
“I have been in the industry hustling for 16 years, and I was at my lowest when JESUS changed it all, and that same JESUS is still in the business of changing lives, JUST BELIEVE.”
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Asake Reaffirms Loyalty to Olamide, Downplays Split Rumours
Afrobeats star Asake has reiterated his unwavering loyalty to his former label boss and mentor, Olamide, amid speculation of a fallout between the two artists.
Despite removing YBNL from his Instagram bio and unfollowing Olamide in December 2024, Asake in a recent interview with YouTuber Korty EO, emphasised that his perception of the rapper remains unchanged, stating, “Till the world ends, Baddo will always be Baddo.
The way I saw Baddo yesterday is the same way I see him today, and that will be the same way I will see him tomorrow, even if I become the president of America or Zimbabwe. Baddo will always be Baddo”.This development followed reports that Asake’s contract with YBNL may have expired, with the singer opting for independence rather than renewing the deal.
While neither Asake nor Olamide has publicly addressed the situation, industry insiders believe the split was amicable.
Asake has consistently credited Olamide for changing his life, and his latest comments reaffirm their enduring professional and personal bond.


