Entertainment

King Of Boys, 7 Other Great Nigerian Movies Directed, Produced By Women

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2023

Editor

Nigerian women in the Nollywood industry have continued to look for new ways to strive in the male-dominated system, regardless of the existing patriarchy.

The industry has continually seen female actors become more assertive in their career pursuits. Over the last decade, six to ten of the Nollywood supernovas were either produced or directed by women.

Here are the works by women that have made visible strides in the growth of Nigerian cinema.

Battle on Buka Street

Battle on Buka Street is a 2022 Nigerian comedy-drama produced and directed by the ace Nollywood actress Funke Akindele.

Data from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) shows that Funke Akindele’s comedy movie earned over US$1 million (an equivalent of N459,000,000 as of the time we checked” after spending only nine weeks in theatres. And was pronounced the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time.

The movie starred Funke Akindele, Mercy Johnson, Nkem Owoh, and Sola Sobowale.

The story revolves around the rivalry between two women who confront each other in a food challenge to win the prestigious ‘King of Buka Street’, a title conferred to the best local food seller in the region.

Chief Daddy

Chief Daddy is a 2018 Nigerian comedy-drama produced by the renowned Nigerian media mogul Mosunmola Abudu with her daughter Temidayo Abudu.

The film starred famous Nollywood actors and actresses such as Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Nkem Owoh, Joke Silva, Patience Ozokwor, and Richard Mofe Damijo.

Within three days, Chief Daddy sold over N40 million movie tickets and a total of N115.7 million in the first ten days of release.

The comic movie tells the story of billionaire industrialist Chief Beecroft, a flamboyant benefactor to a large extended family of relatives, household staff, and assorted mistresses.

Fifty

Fifty is a 2015 Nigerian romantic drama film produced by media veteran Mo Abudu. The movie illustrates the complexities of Nigerian (African) women.

Fifity follows the story of four successful Nigerian women as they navigate the pinnacle of their careers. It connects the lives of four middle-aged women with a focus on their love, relationships, faith, and womanhood.

The movie starred Ireti Doyle, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dakore Akande, Omoni Oboli, Wale Ojo, and Timini Egbuson.

Fifty was the most successful film at the Nigerian box office in 2015 and has spawned a television series due to air on EbonyLife TV in 2017.

In 2015, Fifty was the only Nigerian film, and one of only five African films from a global selection of 238 movies to be screened at the 59th BFI London Film Festival.

The Wedding Party

The Wedding Party was the highest-grossing Nigerian film in 2016 and led the track with the release of its sequel in 2017.

The Nigerian romantic comedy-drama was directed by the celebrated Kemi Adetiba and produced by the brilliant Zulumoke Onuekwusi. The film’s popularity was fuelled by Banky W and Adesua Etomi’s engagement announcement, which coincided with its release.

The Wedding Party tells the story of a couple’s lavish wedding plans that gradually unfold into a nightmare as exes come into the picture, fights from parents on both ends, and uninvited guests make themselves comfortable.

King of Boys

King of Boys is a 2018 crime and political thriller produced and directed by Kemi Adetiba. It is the second movie directed by Kemi Adetiba following the release of The Wedding Party.

The film grossed ₦ 200 million after 7 weeks in cinemas and ₦245 million overall. King of Boys debuted the country’s indigenous rappers, Ill Bliss and Reminisce.

Three years after its sequel, The Return of the King was released exclusively on Netflix as an original limited series.

KOB follows the story of a businesswoman and philanthropist with a checkered past and a promising political future. She is a pillar of society; loved by many, feared by most, and indeed known by a select few.

Lionheart

Lionheart is the first Nigerian Netflix original film. Produced in 2018 by Chinny Onwugbenu and directed by the much loved Genevieve Nnaji.

The Nigerian family drama tells the story of a fearless daughter who wants to substitute for her father, who can no longer run his company due to health issues.

The daughter then works with her father’s younger brother, who came to assist his young niece, as they align forces to save the company from debt as well as a threatened takeover by a businessman.

Lionheart premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. It was selected as the Nigerian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.

It later got disqualified because the film had majority of its dialogue in English. However, Genevieve’s Lionheart was the first Nigerian film to be submitted to the Oscars.

Ijakumo

Ijakumo is a 2022 suspense thriller produced by Toyin Abraham. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Toyin Abraham, Kunle Remi, Bimbo Akintola, and Olumide Oworu.

The thriller title grossed N30.44 million in its first 3 days at the Box office and made N88.28 million in 7 days. And by one month, it had grossed a total of N221 million.

Ijakumo tells the story of Asabi, the daughter of a powerful spiritualist who is hell-bent on destroying the life of her ex-lover, a now-renowned prominent pastor in Lagos, Jide, who cheated her and left her to die.

The pastor belongs to a sort of cabal that commits all kinds of atrocities. As the story unfolds, the pastor falls into a trap set by Asabi that leads him to his doom.

Brotherhood

Brotherhood is a Nigerian crime-action thriller produced by the talented Jade Osiberu. The movie starred the veteran Nollywood actor Sam Dede, with Zuby Michael, Tobi Bakre, Falz, and more.

The film premiered with N53.23 million. ‘Brotherhood’ made N118.50 million in the second week, N177.67 million in the third week, and crossed the N200 million bar by the fourth week.

Brotherhood tells the story of twin brothers who fell on opposite sides of the law, with one joining the police force and the other joining a notorious gang of robbers.

The bonds of brotherhood are put to the ultimate test as one enters a taskforce to become the nightmare of the former.

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Entertainment

Tears, As Jnr. Pope Is Laid To Rest In Enugu

Published

4 days ago

May 17, 2024

Editor

The sleepy town of Uwala Abaka, Ukehe, in Nsukka, Igboetiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, was enveloped by sadness and grief, as the remains of one of their illustrious sons, actor John Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope was laid to rest.

The burial rites commenced at 10 am with a commendation mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Ukehe, and lying-in-state at his father’s compound, where family members, well-wishers, colleagues and friends had the final glimpse of the late actor before the body was moved to a private venue for internment at about 1.30 pm.

The atmosphere at the burial ceremony was somber as colleagues and fans gathered to pay their final respects to the late actor.

The late actor’s wife, Jennifer Awele couldn’t back tears as she was sighted weeping profusely at the commencement of the final funeral procession.

Her first son, who was trying to console his mother by wiping the tears off her face, equally broke down in tears. Unfortunately, some of the A-list actors and actresses, including the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, were visibly missing at the burial ceremony.

The 43-year-old actor died alongside four other people on April 10, after their boat capsized in the Anam River, in Anambra State, while returning from a movie shoot.

Speaking at the burial ceremony, veteran actress Rita Edochie said that she was heartbroken when she heard the sad news of Junior Pope’s death.

Entertainment

Spiderman: Reactions As Portable Releases New Track Following Arrest [Listen To Audio]

Published

4 days ago

May 17, 2024

Editor

Street-pop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has released a new song following his recent arrest by the Lagos State Police Command for failing to settle a debt related to the purchase of a G-Wagon.

It was gathered that Portable had paid only N13 million after purchasing the vehicle, which was worth N27 million. He was said to have refused to pay the N14 million balance.

Recall that the Lagos State police command released the singer on bail, on Thursday, after spending a night in custody.

Portable, in an Instagram post on Thursday, released a snippet of a new song, Spider Man.

The song, produced by 2tuponthebeat, hints at the singer’s agility and ability to “fly” over obstacles, referencing how he evaded arrest by jumping over a gate.

Recall that Portable released the track ‘I’m Not A Prisoner’ following his arrest in 2023 after failing to honour several police invitations.

Nigerians react

Portable just dropped a new song. He used the voice over from his arrest video as the intro. I said it yesterday, this guy doesn’t disappoint. Spiderman.

— OLAMIDE 🌸💖 (@Olamide0fficial) May 16, 2024
Portable don drop new song called Spiderman. He even used the voice over from his arrest video as the intro. You can’t shame the shameless.

— ✞ (@Deyvxxd_)
If all artists turned their experiences into songs like Portable does, they won’t struggle with their catalogue.

— Oluwatomisin 🦋 (@tomifab_)

It’s a bad thing to owe, evade arrest and to be an “Onigbese”.But Portable knows how to flip the narrative in his favour.

He understands that attention is the currency of marketing.#portable#spiderman

— Kehinde Ajose (@iamkenniajose)

In this era, it’s never about how good or talented you are anymore; it’s more about how long you can hold people’s attention. Interestingly, Portable has been able to do that consistently since he got his break in 2021 and has chosen not to leave the limelight anytime soon.

Watch video:

Entertainment

[FULL LIST] BET Awards 2024: Burna Boy, Asake, Others Bag Nominations As Drake, Nicki Minaj Lead

Published

5 days ago

May 16, 2024

Editor

Afrobeats superstar, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy has secured two nominations for the 2024 BET Awards.

The ‘African giant’ featured in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Best Male R&B/POP Artist categories.

The singer is joined by fellow Nigerian acts – Asake, Ayra Starr and Seyi Vibez.

BET announced the 2024 BET Awards nominees on Thursday as Drake leads the nominations with seven, while Nicki Minaj has six.

BET also announced the performance lineup for this year’s awards, including GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, and Victoria Monét.

The BET Awards 2024, will air live on BET on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 8 p.m. (European Time).

See the full list of nominations below:

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST

21 Savage
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Gunna
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Wayne

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST

Cardi B
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Sexyy Red

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

Asake (Africa)
Aya Nakamura (France)
Ayra Starr (Africa)
Bk’ (Brazil)
Cleo Sol (UK)
Focalistic (Africa)
Karol Conká (Brazil)
Raye (UK)
Tiakola (France)
Tyla (Africa)

BEST NEW ARTIST

41
4batz
Ayra Starr
Bossman Dlow
Fridayy
October London
Sexyy Red
Tyla

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

11:11, Chris Brown
A Gift & A Curse, Gunna
American Dream, 21 Savage
Coming Home, Usher
For All The Dogs (Scary Hours Edition), Drake
Jaguar Ii, Victoria Monét
Michael, Killer Mike
Pink Friday 2, Nicki Minaj

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST

Beyoncé
Coco Jones
Doja Cat
H.E.R.
Muni Long
Sza
Tyla
Victoria Monét

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST

Brent Faiyaz
Bryson Tiller
Burna Boy
Chris Brown
Drake
Fridayy
October London
Usher

BEST GROUP

¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $Ign
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
41
Blxst & Bino Rideaux
City Girls
Flo
Maverick City Music
Wanmor

BEST COLLABORATION

All My Life, Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
America Has A Problem (Remix, Beyoncé Feat. Kendrick Lamar
Barbie World, Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua)
Bongos, Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion
Carnival, ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $Ign Feat. Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti
Don’t Play With It (Remix), Lola Brooke Feat. Latto & Yung Miami
Everybody, Nicki Minaj Feat. Lil Uzi Vert
Good Good, Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage
Rich Baby Daddy, Drake Feat. Sexyy Red & Sza

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Agora Hills, Doja Cat
All My Life, Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
Barbie World, Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua)

Bongos, Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion

First Person Shooter, Drake Feat. J. Cole
Good Good, Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage
On My Mama, Victoria Monét
Rich Baby Daddy, Drake Feat. Sexyy Red & Sza

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Benny Boom
Child.
Cole Bennett
Dave Meyers
Janelle Monáe & Alan Ferguson
Offset
Tems
Tyler, The Creator

DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

Award All Of The Glory, Shirley Caesar
All Things, Kirk Franklin
Angel, Halle Bailey
Come Jesus Come, Cece Winans
Do You Believe In Love?, Erica Campbell
God Problems, Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore
Me & U, Tems
Try Love, Kirk Franklin

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD

Agora Hills, Doja Cat
All My Life, Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
Gunna, Fukumean
Lovin On Me, Jack Harlow
Made For Me, Muni Long
On My Mama, Victoria Monét
Rich Baby Daddy, Drake Feat. Sexyy Red & Sza
Sensational, Chris Brown Feat. Davido & Lojay
Texas Hold ‘Em, Beyoncé
Water, Tyla

VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT

Bellah (UK)
Cristale (UK)
Duquesa (Brazil)
Holly G (France)
Jungeli (France)
Makhadzi (Africa)
Oruam (Brazil)
Seyi Vibez (Africa)
Tyler Icu (Africa)

BET HER

16 Carriages, Beyoncé
Blessings, Nicki Minaj Feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Commas, Ayra Starr
Fly Girl, Flo Feat. Missy Elliott
Hiss, Megan Thee Stallion
On My Mama, Victoria Monét
Saturn, Sza
Yeah Glo!, GloRilla

BEST MOVIE

American Fiction
Bob Marley: One Love
Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
The Book Of Clarence
The Color Purple
The Equalizer 3
The Little Mermaid

BEST ACTOR

Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Damson Idris
Denzel Washington
Donald Glover
Idris Elba
Jeffrey Wright
Lakeith Stanfield

BEST ACTRESS

Angela Bassett
Ayo Edebiri
Coco Jones
Danielle Brooks
Fantasia
Halle Bailey
Issa Rae
Regina King

YOUNGSTARS AWARD

Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter
Demi Singleton
Heiress Diana Harris
Jabria Mccullum
Jalyn Hall
Leah Jeffries
Van Van

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Anthony Edwards
Gervonta Davis
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Hurts
Kyrie Irving
Lebron James
Patrick Mahomes
Stephen Curry

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese
Coco Gauff
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Naomi Osaka
Sha’carri Richardson
Simone Biles