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Zuchu Makes Spotify EQUAL Africa Artist List

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Spotify EQUAL Zuchu

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The ambassador for Spotify’s EQUAL Africa music programme for the month of May is Tanzanian Afropop and Bongo Flava artist, Zuchu, a statement from the streaming platform has announced.

Zuchu, whose real name is Zuhura Othman Soud, is the daughter of legendary Taarab musician, Khadija Kopa, with whom she sang Mauzauza. She joins East African stars Muthoni Drummer Queen and Sylvia Ssaru in amplifying the voices of talented African women through EQUAL.

She is currently signed to Diamond Platnumz’ WCB Wasafi record label. In 2021, she released a record-breaking track, Sukari, which has raked in more than 2 million Spotify listeners.

The talented singer first entered the music scene in 2015 through a karaoke-themed talent search competition in Lagos, Nigeria. Five years later, she gained the limelight through her hit song Cheche featuring Diamond Platnumz.

Earlier this year, she released a single entitled Mwambieni and is featured on both the EQUAL Africa and EQUAL Global playlists on Spotify, earning her a spot on the EQUAL music programme, which aims to strengthen gender equality in music by showcasing talented African women making waves in the industry and providing a platform to celebrate them.

“Being part of the EQUAL programme is a big thing for me and it helps encourage other female musicians to persevere and shatter systematic gender restrictions in the realm of music,” the artist enthused.

According to her, “In addition to exposing me to the musical power that can come from the female experience, women in song have also helped me realise that we can overcome the setbacks that are part-and-parcel of working in the male-dominated world of Afrobeats.”

Commenting on the inclusion of musician on the list of the initiative’s ambassadors, the Head of Music in Sub-Saharan Africa at Spotify, Phiona Okumu, stated that, “We are thrilled to have Zuchu join the EQUAL Programme. She is evidently one of the most talented artists from Tanzania, and this is a well-deserved accolade for her.”

Okumu noted that Spotify is committed to spotlighting female artists in Africa with the hopes that this initiative ignites other young and upcoming female artists in the music industry to stay on course and keep doing what they do.

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Purp Emerges Nigerian Idol Season 10 Winner

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Purp Nigerian Idol Winner

After months of electrifying performances, emotional moments, and unforgettable vocal showdowns, the curtain has finally closed on Nigerian Idol Season 10, and Purp has officially been crowned the winner!

The final episode, which aired live on Sunday, saw Purp go head-to-head with fellow finalist Raymu, in a high-stakes battle that tested vocal range, stage presence, and connection with fans. Ultimately, it was Purp who captured the hearts of the nation and secured the highest number of votes to earn the prestigious title of Nigerian Idol 2025.

Hosted by media personality IK Osakioduwa, the grand finale was a spectacular night filled with powerhouse performances, celebrity appearances, and touching moments that celebrated the journey of the top contenders. Judges Omawumi, Ric Hassani, and Iyanya, alongside guest judge 9ice, praised the top two for their incredible growth and resilience throughout the competition.

As the new Nigerian Idol, Purp will walk away with a life-changing prize package, including a brand new SUV, N30m cash prize, DStv Explora with a one year premium subscription and a chance to become Nigeria’s next big music star with a music deal.

Speaking after the win, an emotional Purp said, “This moment feels surreal. I’m so grateful to everyone who voted, supported, and believed in me. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to share more music with the world.”

From auditions to live shows, Nigerian Idol Season 10 has been a whirlwind of talent, passion, and unforgettable stories. And now, the journey begins for one rising star.

Fans can relive the finale and past performances on GOtv & DStv Stream and Showmax. As a bonus, subscribers who reconnect or upgrade before July 31 enjoy an automatic bouquet upgrade at no extra cost via the ongoing GOtv “We Got You” campaign.

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Experience Every Note of the Idol Finale with an Upgraded GOtv View

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Nigerian Idol finale

Nigerian Idol Season 10 comes to an epic close today after weeks of unforgettable moments, show-stopping vocals, and fierce competition. The season is down to its final two: Purp and Raymu, and the question on everyone’s mind is simple; who will be the next Nigerian Idol?

As fans gear up to see who takes the crown home, GOtv is making sure you enjoy the experience to the fullest with a free bouquet upgrade when you reconnect or renew your subscription. Whether you’re a loyal viewer, a music lover, or just here for the finale fever, now is the perfect time to enjoy more value and even more entertainment.

Purp and Raymu have earned their spot in the finale after weeks of competition, each building a strong connection with fans across the country. From auditions to live shows, they have stood out with consistency, stage presence, and vocal strength. Now, it’s up to the audience. Whether you are #TeamPurp or #TeamRaymu, there’s no better way to experience the finale than with a clearer view and uninterrupted access on GOtv.

With the GOtv upgrade offer, you get to experience the grand finale with a better view. All you need to do is reconnect or renew your GOtv subscription, and you’ll get an automatic upgrade to a higher bouquet at no extra cost. That means more entertainment and access to premium channels showing the Idol finale live.

Catch the Grand Finale live today at 7pm on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Ch. 151, GOtv Ch. 8), Africa Magic Family (DStv Ch. 154, GOtv Ch. 7), or stream live on GOtv & DStv Stream apps and also on Showmax. Renew your subscription and enjoy an automatic upgrade to a higher bouquet at no extra cost from now until July 31st.

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Africa Film Finance Forum Unlocks Path to $20bn Film Economy

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Africa Film Finance Forum

The Africa Film Finance Forum (AFFF) returns with renewed urgency and clarity of purpose, committed to unlocking the full economic potential of Africa’s film industry. Scheduled to take place from September 16–18, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, AFFF is shaping the roadmap for a $20 billion Pan-African film economy, rooted in storytelling, powered by finance, and scaled through industry.

With the theme “Pan-African Film Economy: Building a $20 billion Industry for 1.4 billion People”, the forum brings together a cross-section of industry stakeholders, filmmakers, investors, policymakers, financiers, distributors, and tech innovators to design the systems that will transform creativity into structured capital growth.

“Storytelling began in Africa. Our myths, oral histories, and traditions have always been foundational,” said Mary Ephraim-Egbas, Convener of AFFF. “But to compete globally, Africa must move beyond telling stories to monetizing them by industrializing the film sector and positioning African content as both heritage and high-value export.”

For decades, African stories have shaped culture, inspired movements, and connected communities. Yet, the continent’s film economy remains largely informal and undercapitalized. AFFF is changing that narrative by building pipelines that link creative talent to financial tools, policies, and platforms.

Key features of AFFF 2025 include:

Investor’s Room & Deal Table: Curated spaces for pre-qualified film projects to meet financiers and pitch for funding.

Certified Finance Training for Banks & Investors: Equipping financial institutions to understand film as a viable asset class.

Policy Roundtables: Engaging government leaders on aligning film with national development strategies and GDP growth.

CINETOUR: A campaign spotlighting Africa’s diverse film locations as engines for tourism and investment.

FilmTech Track: Showcasing innovations driving efficiency, transparency, and scale in production and distribution.

“Unlocking a $20 billion industry starts with recognizing film as infrastructure—creative, economic, and strategic,” said Bolaji Abimbola, Co-Chair of the AFFF PR and Strategic Communications Committee.

“AFFF isn’t just about films; it’s about jobs, exports, digital platforms, and policy shifts that make growth inevitable.”

“This is Africa’s creative century,” added Clarina De Freitas, fellow Co-Chair. “Our stories are our leverage, but only when matched with financing, distribution, and institutional credibility.”

From informal markets to cinema screens, and from mobile streaming to cross-border co-productions, AFFF is focused on building a Pan-African film ecosystem—not one led by extractive interests, but by Africans who understand the value of their narratives and the necessity of owning their industries.

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