Entertainment
Top five Nigerian celebrity controversies of 2023
As we bid adieu to 2023, the year has etched itself into the annals of Nigerian entertainment with a series of headline-grabbing events, thrusting the country’s celebrities into the spotlight.
From jaw-dropping revelations to unforeseen controversies, the social media landscape has been ablaze with discussions and debates on the most compelling moments involving well-known figures.
Each episode contributed to the year’s narrative, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Here are top 5 controversial celebrity moments in 2023:
1. Mohbad’s Untimely Death (September 2023)
The untimely demise of rising star Mohbad under Naira Marley’s Marlian Music label cast a dark shadow over the industry in September. Old videos surfaced, hinting at Mohbad’s fear for his life and implicating Naira Marley. Public outrage ensued, demanding Naira Marley’s arrest, but investigations revealed evidence only linking him to the assault and bullying of Mohbad, not to his death.
2. Oladips’ Fake Death (November 2023)
Rapper Oladips found himself at the center of a bizarre controversy in November when his management falsely declared him dead after battling an undisclosed illness. The shocking announcement, coming on the heels of Mohbad’s passing, fueled speculations of a publicity stunt for Oladips’ upcoming album. The rapper later apologized, attributing the confusion to his fired manager.
3. Davido’s Cheating Scandal (June 2023)
June brought forth a major event in the entertainment world as two women, Anita Brown and Ivanna Bay, made pregnancy claims against renowned Nigerian singer Davido. In online videos, Anita Brown shared purported pregnancy test results and screenshots of conversations with Davido, while Ivanna Bay added another layer to the scandal with explicit conversations. The revelations stirred up controversy around the singer’s personal life.
4. Rema’s “Demonic” O2 Arena Performance (November 2023)
Sensational artist Rema faced controversy during his O2 Arena performance as critics labeled the show “demonic” due to his choice of props. Accusations of selling his soul to the devil circulated, but Rema clarified that the props paid homage to his Edo State roots, representing Benin artifacts and dispelling Illuminati conspiracies surrounding his performance.
5. Seun Kuti’s Clash with a Police Officer (May 2023)
Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti’s son, Seun Kuti, took center stage in May when a video of him slapping a police officer on Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos went viral. The incident ignited heated debates on social media, with opinions divided on whether Kuti’s actions were justified in the name of self-defense. Kuti defended himself, claiming the police officer had endangered his family’s life, pointing to the presence of his child in the car.
Entertainment
CKay concludes recording agreement with Warner Music South Africa, hints at new horizons
International Afrobeats star CKay has officially ended his recording agreement with Warner Music South Africa in a mutual and strategic decision, signaling a new chapter in his career
Renowned international Afrobeats artist CKay has officially concluded his recording agreement with Warner Music South Africa, marking the end of a significant chapter in his burgeoning career.
Also read: CKay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ becomes highest RIAA certified Nigerian song
The artist, celebrated for his global chart-topping hits such as “Love Nwantiti,” “Emiliana,” and numerous others, confirmed that the decision to not renew his contract was a mutual and strategic one between him and the record label.
Speaking about this development, CKay expressed gratitude for his time with Warner Music South Africa while also expressing anticipation for future endeavors.
“Every journey has a beginning and an end, and my journey with Warner Music South Africa was a very important one which i’m grateful for. Now it’s time for me to explore new energy and new horizons,” the artist stated.
With an impressive track record boasting over 2 billion streams across various platforms and a reputation for propelling Afrobeats onto the global stage, CKay’s next career move is highly anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike.
Sources close to the artist suggest that a major announcement is imminent, and followers can expect a fresh wave of music and a new artistic direction in the coming weeks.
“Every journey has a beginning and an end, and my journey with Warner Music South Africa was a very important one which i’m grateful for. Now it’s time for me to explore new energy and new horizons,” said CKay.
In the previous year, CKay took a significant step in his career by launching his own record label, Boyfriend Music Limited. This venture was co-founded with his long-time friend and manager, Joseph Salubi, indicating a move towards greater creative control and ownership of his musical output.
CKay’s ascent to stardom began with the release of his groundbreaking hit song ‘Love Nwantiti’ in 2019. The track rapidly evolved into one of Afrobeats’ most successful exports, introducing Nigerian music to vast new audiences worldwide.
Following a surge in popularity on TikTok in 2021, the smash hit single achieved remarkable success, eventually being certified 8 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
‘Love Nwantiti,’ the lead track from CKay’s EP ‘CKay The First,’ continues to hold its record as the most certified Nigerian song in the United States.
Prior to his association with Warner Music South Africa, CKay was initially signed to Loopy Music, which later merged with Chocolate City in 2015.
Under the Chocolate City label, he released his second extended play, ‘CKay the First,’ which featured the global sensation ‘Love Nwantiti.’ In 2021, CKay clarified that he was signed to Warner Music South Africa, marking the beginning of the journey that has now come to a close.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido claims his 2012 hit song ‘Dami Duro’ was the ringtone of the then-President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, a fact revealed to him by a presidential source
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has made a surprising claim that his 2012 breakout hit single, ‘Dami Duro,’ served as the ringtone for the then-President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan.
Also read: Davido issued 21-Day ultimatum by US court in copyright infringement lawsuit
Davido revealed this intriguing detail during a recent interview with Power FM in the United States, where he opened up about the initial challenges he faced with his father, Deji Adeleke, who was not initially supportive of his decision to pursue a career in music.
According to Davido, his father’s resistance began to soften after the immense success of ‘Dami Duro,’ which even garnered presidential recognition. “My dad accepted my decision to do music after he heard my second single, ‘Dami Duro.’ The song blew up,” Davido explained.
He further elaborated on the extent of his father’s initial disapproval, stating, “Before then, my dad was using the police and army to stop my show and arrest show promoters, artistes, and everyone connected to any show I am billed to perform in.
But when ‘Dami Duro’ became a huge success… I think it was the President’s ringtone. Someone told me. At that point, people started advising my dad to allow me to do music,” Davido shared during the interview, which aired on April 8, 2025.
Davido also recounted how he eventually decided to honor his father’s wish for him to continue his education. He expressed that his relationship with his father has transformed significantly over the years, from a state of fear to one of close friendship and mutual respect.
“I went further and accepted to return to school. I said I didn’t have to run away, that I should have spoken to him. No way, I was younger then and he was unapproachable. I told him I was scared of him.
Then, I was a kid. Now, we are best friends, we talk about everything. He comes to all my shows. He is very involved in my business,” Davido stated, highlighting the positive evolution of his relationship with his father.
Afrobeat star Davido reveals he co-produced songs on his upcoming fifth album, ‘5ive’, recalling his production debut with his first single ‘Back When’
Popular Nigerian Afrobeat artist, Davido, has shared new details about his highly anticipated upcoming album, titled ‘5ive‘.
Also read: Album clash: Dammy Krane revives Davido feud with ‘5ive’ release
In a recent interview, the singer disclosed that he took on a co-production role for several tracks on the album.
Davido mentioned that this wasn’t his first foray into production, as he had previously produced his debut single, ‘Back when’. “With this album, I did a lot of co-production. We got back in that bag,” he stated.
The singer had previously discussed the meaning and significance of his forthcoming album during a livestream with alternative musician Cruel Santino.
He explained that the album’s title, ‘5ive’, simply signifies that it is his fifth studio album and does not carry any deeper symbolic meaning.
Ahead of the album’s scheduled release on April 18th, Davido recently treated fans to a performance of some songs from ‘5ive’ at a concert in France. The singer is also preparing for an upcoming live performance in London.
CKay concludes recording agreement with Warner Music South Africa, hints at new horizons
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