Connect with us

Showbiz

Wizkid, Linda Ikeji Clash Again At 2016 MAMA

Published

on

linda-ikeji-wizkid

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

In early 2016, Linda Ikeji and Wizkid were at loggerheads due to a story published by the former on her popular platform, www.lindaikejisblog.com about the latter being threatened with an eviction notice at his rented house in Lagos.

It took the intervention of the Lagos Police Command to settle their differences after Ms Ikeji reported the singer to the police over an alleged threat to her life.

Months after the fight was settled by the police, Wizkid and Ms Ikeji will lock horns together at the 2016 edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA), which holds in Johannesburg later in the year.

They have both been nominated in the Personality of the Year category of the awards alongside Pearl Thusi, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabonese footballer) and Caster Semenya (South African Olympic gold medallist).

In the nominees list, Wizkid, Cassper Nyovest, AKA and Sauti Sol led the pack with an impressive nine nominations among them.

The MAMA is in partnership with Joburg Tourism, Absolut Vodka, Google, MTN and DStv.

Fifty MAMA nominees including artists and achievers from 18 countries were revealed in nine key music and lifestyle award categories by Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa and MTV Base (DStv channel 322) at a star-studded reception at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, South Africa last night.

At the front of the field is Nigerian star Wizkid with three nominations including nods in Best Male, Best Collaboration and Personality of the Year.  Next in line with two nominations each are AKA (South Africa), Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) and Sauti Sol (Kenya).

The hotly contested Best Hip Hop category sees MAMA nominations for Emtee and Riky Rick of South Africa, who’ll be going head to head against Nigeria’s Olamide and Ycee, and Kiff No Beat (Ivory Coast).

An epic battle of the bands is in store in the Best Group category where Ghana’s R2bees face off against Kenya’s Sauti Sol, South Africa’s Mi Casa, Navy Kenzo from Tanzania and Togolese duo, Toofan.

The second round of nominations, comprising 7 additional award categories, including Artist of the Year, Best Female, Listener’s Choice, Best Breakthrough, Best Francophone, Song of the Year in partnership with Google, and Video of the Year, will be revealed at the Hard Rock Café, Lagos, Nigeria during Road to MAMA – Lagos 2016 (2 October 2016).

No nominations will be revealed for the MTV Base Reimagined award, and MAMA Legend.

Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, Mr Alex Okosi, while commenting on the awards, stated that, “The MAMA celebrates Africa’s incredible young musicians and trailblazers by breaking down barriers, driving engagement, and highlighting the continent’s rich and abundant talent.

“It’s an honour to be able to salute their achievements at MAMA 2016, and we offer our congratulations to all of the nominees as we look forward to the most exciting and diverse MAMA yet.”

Voting for MAMA 2016 opened at 10pm on Wednesday, September 21, at www.mtvbase.com and affiliated Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Additionally, fans can vote for Best Group and Best International Act from 21 September by simply searching for “MTV MAMA” on Google, with each Google account allowed 5 votes per category per day.

Google voting for Best Breakthrough and Song of the Year will open on 2 October. Voting in all categories closes at 10:59pm on October 19, 2016.

Guests at the MAMA 2016 nominations party were entertained with sizzling performances by Mi Casa, Nathi, Riky Rick, Shekinah, Khuli Chana and Lizha James, while DJs PH, Major League DJz, Tha Duchaz, Prince Kaybee and DJ Snypes kept the dance-floor packed to capacity.

The event was attended by a host of artists, celebrities and other glitterati, while MTV Base VJ Sandile and Nomzamo Mbatha were on point at the MAMA podium.

MAMA 2016 NOMINATIONS (PART 1)

Best Male

AKA (South Africa)

Black Coffee (South Africa)

Diamond (Tanzania)

Patoranking (Nigeria)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best Live

Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)

Eddy Kenzo (Uganda)

Flavour (Nigeria)

Mafikizolo (South Africa)

Stonebwoy (Ghana)

Best Group

Mi Casa (South Africa)

Navy Kenzo (Tanzania)

R2bees (Ghana)

Sauti Sol (Kenya)

Toofan (Togo)

Best Collaboration in partnership with Absolut

AKA feat. Burna Boy, Khuli Chana & Yanga – “Baddest” (South Africa/Nigeria)

DJ Maphorisa feat. Wizkid & DJ Bucks – “Soweto Baby” ((South Africa/Nigeria)

Nasty C feat. Davido, Cassper – “Juice Back Remix” (Nigeria/South Africa)

Patoranking feat. Sarkodie – “No Kissing” (Nigeria/Ghana)

Sauti Sol feat. Alikiba – “Unconditionally Bae” (Kenya/Tanzania)

Best Hip Hop in association with MTN

Emtee (South Africa)

Kiff No Beat (Ivory Coast)

Olamide (Nigeria)

Riky Rick (South Africa)

Ycee (Nigeria)

Best Pop/Alternative

Desmond & The Tutus (South Africa)

LCNVL (South Africa)

Shekinah (South Africa) / Kyle Deutsch (South Africa)

Timo ODV (South Africa)

Tresor (DRC)

Best Lusophone

C4 Pedro (Angola)

NGA (Angola)

Lizha James (Mozambique)

Nelson Freitas (Netherlands/Cape Verde)

Preto Show (Angola)

Personality of the Year in association with DStv

Caster Semenya (South Africa)

Linda Ikeji (Nigeria)

Pearl Thusi (South Africa)

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)

Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best International

Adele (UK)

Beyoncé (USA)

Drake (Canada)

Future (USA)

Rihanna (Barbados)

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Showbiz

Big Brother Naija Season 11 Offers N160m Grand Prize, Premieres July 26

Published

on

Big Brother Naija Season 11

Africa’s biggest reality television show, Big Brother Naija, returns for its highly anticipated Season 11 on Sunday, 26 July 2026 on DStv and GOtv.

The launch show will air from 7 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family channels, with the 24-hour show on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49. BBNaija fans can also watch the show live via DStv and GOtv Stream.

This season’s winner will walk away with a record ₦160 million grand prize, which includes a cash sum of N100 million and a brand-new SUV. The prize is the highest in the show’s history, raising the stakes for what is expected to be another landmark season.

Speaking on the new season, Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said:

“Big Brother Naija has consistently redefined entertainment in Africa by bringing together authentic storytelling, compelling personalities and moments that resonate with millions of viewers. Season 11 builds on that legacy with even bigger stakes, fresh twists and an exciting mix of housemates that will keep audiences engaged from premiere night through to the finale”.

The new season also ushers in an exciting lineup of brand partners, with betPawa, the home of Africa’s biggest winners, joining the Big Brother Naija family as the Headline Sponsor.

Commenting on the partnership, Borah Omary Ndanyungu, Head of Local Marketing & CSR, betPawa, said: “At betPawa, we believe in creating unforgettable experiences that bring people together through the things they are passionate about. Big Brother Naija is one of Africa’s most celebrated entertainment properties, and we are proud to come on board as Headline Sponsor for Season 11. We look forward to rewarding fans, deepening engagement throughout the season and delivering exciting experiences that complement the energy and excitement of the show.”

Guinness returns as the Gold Sponsor, while Minimie comes on board as an Associate Sponsor, reinforcing continued confidence from leading brands in one of Africa’s most influential entertainment platforms.

On the season’s partnerships, Babatunde commented: “We are delighted to welcome betPawa as our Headline Sponsor alongside Guinness and Minimie, whose partnership reflects the enduring value and impact of the Big Brother Naija platform.”

Since its return in 2017, Big Brother Naija has evolved beyond a reality TV show into a cultural phenomenon, creating household names, creating jobs across the creative economy, and shaping popular culture.

With Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returning as the show’s host, viewers can expect a season filled with unexpected twists, dynamic tasks, strategic gameplay, entertaining challenges and the authentic interactions that have made Big Brother Naija one of Africa’s most-watched reality TV show franchises.

Season 11 premieres on Sunday, 26 July 2026, with viewers able to follow every moment of the action throughout the season on DStv, GOtv, DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Eligible subscribers can vote through the MyDStv and MyGOtv self-service apps, upgrade their packages for additional voting benefits, and enjoy uninterrupted access throughout the season by subscribing or renewing for multiple months.

Continue Reading

Showbiz

Talent Management Training Institution TGM Academy Launches September

Published

on

that good media

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The first dedicated talent management training institution in Nigeria, TGM Academy, is set to commence operations in September 2026.

This institution is the brainchild of one of Nigeria’s leading public relations and strategic communications agencies, That Good Media (TGM).

The firm has expertise in talent management, influencer sourcing, personal branding, media relations and reputation management.

According to a statement from the company, TGM Academy will equip aspiring and practising talent managers with the knowledge, skills and industry exposure required to support the growth of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding creative economy.

The academy was established to professionalise talent management as a viable career path while developing a new generation of globally competitive managers capable of strengthening Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.

While talent management has become increasingly important in helping creatives access international opportunities, build sustainable careers and create long-term

commercial value, the profession has lacked structured education, recognised standards and dedicated capacity-building platforms.

Ahead of the launch in about two months, TGM is organising a Talent Management Leadership Roundtable on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Abora Suites of Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the French Consulate, and Megowa, a digital platform connecting Nollywood talent with industry opportunities, training and resources across the African creative landscape.

Expected at the event are senior talent managers, entertainment executives, brand leaders, diplomats, cultural institutions, media executives, creatives and key decision makers whose work is shaping the future of Nigeria’s creative economy.

The roundtable themed Talent Management as Critical Infrastructure for Cultural Exchange and the Creative Economy will examine the evolving role of

talent management as a strategic enabler of commercial growth, international collaboration and cultural exchange.

It will create a platform for honest conversations around the future of talent management and its role in driving the creative economy, as participants will explore how professional management contributes to the long-term success of creatives, what brands expect before entering partnerships, how managers can build trusted relationships with corporate organisations, and how diplomatic missions and international cultural institutions engage with the creative sector through cultural exchange programmes, festivals and international collaborations.

The discussions will also examine the structures, competencies and ethical standards required for Nigerian talent managers to compete successfully within global markets, with insights generated during the roundtable to directly inform the curriculum, partnerships and learning framework of TGM Academy ahead of its official launch.

Continue Reading

Showbiz

BBNaija Season 11 Is Coming: Everything We Know So Far

Published

on

BBNaija Season 11

The wait is almost over. On July 26, Big Brother Naija returns for its eleventh season, bringing with it a brand-new theme, fresh housemates and another chapter of the reality show that continues to dominate conversations across Africa.

While fans are still guessing who will make it into Biggie’s House, one thing is already clear: this season is raising the stakes.

Everything Is For The Taking

This year’s theme, Everything Is For The Taking, sets the tone for what promises to be one of the most competitive seasons yet. It suggests a game where every task, every alliance and every decision could make the difference between staying in the House and walking away with the grand prize.

For the new housemates, nothing will come easy. They’ll have to earn every opportunity, win over viewers and navigate the twists that have become a hallmark of the BBNaija experience.

A New Set of Housemates, Endless Possibilities

As always, the identities of the new housemates remain under wraps, but that has only added to the excitement.

Every BBNaija season introduces a unique mix of personalities. Some become fan favourites almost overnight, others surprise everyone with their strategy, while a few create unforgettable moments that keep social media buzzing throughout the season.

Who will become this year’s breakout star? Fans will soon find out.

Big Brands Return for Season 11

Season 11 will once again feature some of Nigeria’s biggest brands, with betPawa as the headline sponsor, House of Guinness as the gold sponsor and Minimie as the associate sponsor.

Their continued partnership reflects the cultural impact and wide audience the show continues to attract year after year.

The Countdown Begins

With the premiere just around the corner, anticipation is building for another season of drama, competition, unexpected twists and unforgettable moments.

Whether you’re tuning in for the games, the relationships, the strategy or the entertainment, BBNaija Season 11 promises another exciting ride.

The countdown has officially begun, and if the theme is anything to go by, this season will remind everyone that in Biggie’s House, everything truly is for the taking.

To upgrade, subscribe or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.

Continue Reading