Showbiz
Amaarae Laments Struggle With Astigmatism, Could go Blind Anytime Soon
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Popular female artist, Amaarae, whose real name is Ama Serwah Genfi, has lamented her struggle with astigmatism, declaring she could go blind anytime soon.
The Ghanaian music act revealed this when she had a chat with Spotify as she was named the platform’s EQUAL Africa artist for August 2025.
“I’m one step away from being legally blind! My vision is a -7 and I have astigmatism,” she revealed to the popular streaming platform.
However, the 31-year-old artist is not allowing this to deter her from pursuing her music career and ruling the landscape, noting, “I navigate the music world with balance, willpower, and strength.”
“The challenges are real, don’t get me wrong, but I put my blinders on, lock into tunnel vision, and get to work. And when I come across another woman on the journey, especially a Black woman, I do my best to share knowledge, create opportunities, and lighten the load where I can,” Amaarae stated.
Speaking on why she chose music, she said, “When I moved back home to Ghana in 2009, I was learning how to make beats and record myself at the back of the computer lab. Someone had installed a cracked version of FL.”
she listed her inspirations in the industry as Daddy Lumba, Terri Bonchaka, MzBel, Abrewa Nana, Obrafour’s legendary album Pae Mu Ka, Sarkodie, and Kwadwo Antwi, among others.
Speaking on why she chosen as Spotify’s EQUAL Africa artist for August, the Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa at Spotify, Ms Phiona Okumu, said, “Amaarae embodies the spirit of boundary-pushing creativity that EQUAL stands for.
“Her artistry is bold, distinct, and unapologetically authentic – qualities that continue to inspire a new generation of artists across the continent and beyond.”
Amaarae was raised in Ghana and the United States and has consistently pushed the boundaries of sound and identity, with her unique fusion of alternative, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats cementing her place as a singular voice in modern music.
Her musical journey took a turn in a computer lab in Ghana in 2009, where she taught herself to make beats on a cracked version of FL Studio. That moment sparked the fire for a career that would go on to produce game-changing projects like The Angel You Don’t Know and global hits such as SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY.
Amaarae’s inclusion on Spotify’s Global Impact List for the first half of the year, highlighting the most-exported Ghanaian songs, was no surprise. She has become a symbol of how African music is travelling further, faster, and louder than ever before.
With her latest album Black Star, she returns to her Ghanaian roots with bold energy, crafting what she calls a “rallying cry for youth culture around the world. This album is bringing the alternative community to the forefront, and being fearless about that.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Mr Peter Okoye, professionally known as Mr P, has alleged that a proposed multi-billion Naira sale of the defunct P-Square’s music catalogue collapsed after prospective buyers uncovered irregularities during the due diligence process.
This revelation offers a fresh financial dimension to the long-running dispute that has divided Nigeria’s most successful music duos.
The singer made the allegation in a video series posted on his social media pages, where he shared his account of the events surrounding the group’s 2021 reunion and the disagreements that followed with his twin brother, Mr Paul “Rudeboy” Okoye, and their elder brother and former manager, Mr Jude “Engees” Okoye.
According to Mr P, the failed catalogue transaction occurred after the brothers publicly reunited in 2021.
He alleged that interested buyers had made offers worth billions of Naira for the rights to P-Square’s music catalogue, but the proposed deal did not proceed after issues were allegedly discovered in backend records submitted as part of the due diligence process.
As of press time, neither Rudeboy nor Mr Jude Okoye has publicly responded to the latest allegation.
Mr P’s claims add another layer to the financial disagreements that have repeatedly overshadowed the affairs of the award-winning music duo, whose catalogue includes hit songs such as Bizzy Body, Do Me, Personally, No One Like You and Chop My Money.
Beyond the alleged failed sale, the singer claimed that shortly after the brothers reconciled in 2021, he was asked by his two other brothers to sign documents aimed at reviving P-Square under a new bank account.
The music maker said he declined because he wanted to preserve the renewed family relationship rather than return to a business arrangement he believed could recreate the conflicts that had led to the group’s earlier split.
Mr P also alleged that before the reunion, both Rudeboy and Jude had disagreed over a N90 million loan. According to him, Rudeboy assured him that he would be kept informed about discussions taking place behind his back.
The singer insisted that the widely celebrated reunion in November 2021 was never intended to revive P-Square as a commercial entity. Instead, he said the brothers had only agreed to reconcile as family members while continuing their respective solo music careers and supporting each other’s work.
P-Square, formed in 1999 by Peter and Paul Okoye with Jude serving as manager, became one of Africa’s biggest music acts before publicly splitting in 2017 following years of disagreements over management, finances and creative control. Although the brothers reunited in 2021 and returned to the stage, their relationship deteriorated again, with Rudeboy later confirming that P-Square no longer existed.
The latest revelations also come against the backdrop of an ongoing criminal case involving Mr Jude Okoye.
Last year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former manager before the Federal High Court in Lagos on allegations involving approximately N1.38 billion, $1 million and £34,537.59 in alleged money laundering. He has since pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.
Mr P, who testified for the prosecution during the trial, said his video series is far from over and promised to continue sharing what he described as the true story behind the collapse of P-Square and the business decisions that ultimately strained the family’s relationship.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Popular musician, Mrs Iyun Janet Oluwatoyosi Ajilore, otherwise known as Saint Janet, has died.
The singer, known for her explicit lyrics, was said to have died in the early hours of Sunday, August 2, 2026, after a brief illness.
Her demise has thrown some of her admirers into shock. Some of her fans and colleagues have started to send their condolences.
The Highlife musician, who is also fondly called Mama Yabis, rose to fame after her controversial Faaji Plus featured lewd lyrics and was banned multiple times by regulatory bodies like PMAN and the Lagos State House of Assembly.
However, this did not stop her from performing at private events, as she was loved by some who were moved by her guts and electrifying live performances, energetic stage presence, and unique style of engaging audiences through satire, humour, and socially unfiltered commentaries.
The battle of the sexes continued in Big Brother Naija Season 11 as the gentlemen claimed victory in this week’s wager task presentation, while the ladies fell short in a debate centred on the age-old question: Nature or Nurture?
From the start of the season, Biggie split the House into two teams, with the ladies and gentlemen to compete against each other in key challenges, including wager task presentations and arena games. For this week’s wager, the teams were assigned opposing sides in a Nature versus Nurture debate, with the gentlemen arguing that inherited traits have the greatest influence on who people become, while the ladies defended the idea that people are largely shaped by their upbringing, environment and life experiences.
After both teams presented their arguments, Biggie declared the gentlemen the winners of the wager. While announcing the result, he admitted that neither team delivered an outstanding performance, noting that the House is still in its “honeymoon phase” and that he was selecting a winner based on the stronger overall presentation.
Despite his reservations, Biggie singled out Nomy, Neche, Chimsom Chuka, Cassi and Gerard for their standout contributions, praising their confidence, delivery and commitment during the task.
With one team victory secured, the rivalry between the ladies and the gentlemen continues to heat up, and the competition is only getting tougher.
But that’s not the only thing viewers have to look forward to this weekend. All eyes are now on the Saturday night party and Sunday’s live show, where the mystery surrounding The Gambit will finally be revealed. Tune in from 7:00 p.m on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151 and GOtv channel 8) and Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154 and GOtv channel 7) to find out who The Gambit is and what it could mean for the game as the twists in Big Brother Naija Season 11 continue to unfold.
Keep up with all the drama, twists and surprises on DStv and GOtv, or stream the show live on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
