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‘Sugar Man’ Singer Rodriguez Is Dead

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Sixto Rodriguez, the once obscure American singer-songwriter who found a career renaissance after his music developed a cult following abroad, has died at the age of 81, according to his website.

“It is with great sadness that we at Sugarman.org announce that Sixto Diaz Rodriguez has passed away” on Tuesday, the statement read, without providing a cause of death for the singer, whose hits included “Sugar Man” and “I Wonder.”

Born July 10, 1942 in Detroit to Mexican-American parents, Rodriguez worked on assembly lines while moonlighting as a musician, putting out two albums in the 1970s: “Cold Fact” and “Coming From Reality.”

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By most metrics they bombed stateside, and Rodriguez quit the music industry and lived a quiet, working-class life in Detroit.

READ ALSO: How Failed Movie Gigs Turned Me To Cab Driver In U.S – Nigerian Actor 

The musician had no idea that his music, and in particular “Sugar Man,” found a massive following throughout apartheid-era South Africa as well as New Zealand and Australia.

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That he was not a public presence fueled fan beliefs that Rodriguez was dead.

But a group of fans tracked him down online, and he played a 1998 South African tour to sold-out arenas.

The remarkable story was immortalized in a 2012 documentary “Searching for Sugar Man,” which went on to win an Oscar as well as give Rodriguez belated success in the United States and a music career resurgence.

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Wema Bank, Davido Push 5ive Tour Through Four Regions Ahead Of Abuja Finale

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Wema Bank and Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, are set to conclude the Nigerian leg of the 5ive Tour in Abuja on December 14, 2025, after successfully taking the tour through four regions of the country.

The Abuja show marks the latest development in the nationwide rollout of the 5ive Tour, which has so far attracted more than 80,000 attendees across four major cities.

The Nigerian leg of the tour has already made stops in Uyo, Yola, Enugu and Ibadan, covering all four regions in what organisers described as a deliberate effort to ensure diversity, inclusion and nationwide accessibility for fans.

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The homecoming tour follows a successful global run earlier in the year, when Davido embarked on the 5ive Tour to celebrate the release of his fifth studio album, 5ive. He later announced in October 2025 that the tour would return to Nigeria, continuing his long-standing partnership with Wema Bank.

READ ALSO:Davido Reacts To Kwara Church Attack, Kebbi Girls Abduction

Since its kickoff, Wema Bank has amplified the tour experience with exclusive customer access, VIP packages and premium Davido 5ive Tour merchandise that has gained nationwide popularity.

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The bank’s involvement has been credited with raising the bar for entertainment collaborations, contributing to what has become one of the biggest studio tours on the continent.

The partnership, already widely recognised from previous initiatives, has once again drawn commendation from fans and industry observers, who praise Wema Bank for maintaining a strong connection with youth culture and entertainment trends.

With excitement building ahead of the Abuja finale, Wema Bank has urged fans hoping to secure free tickets or limited-edition tour merchandise to follow its social media pages on Instagram, X and Facebook for updates as the #Wema5iveAliveTour approaches its grand conclusion.

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READ ALSO:I Don’t Owe Davido Apology – Ruger On Alleged Rift With Colleague

The tour featured performances in five cities across Nigeria: Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Enugu, Ibadan, and Lagos.

As the headline sponsor, Wema Bank spearheaded the execution of the tour, which promised to deliver an unforgettable experience for attendees.

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The bank launched an official hashtag, #Wema5iveAliveTour, and offered exclusive freebies and experiences to customers who sign up on the ALAT App using the code ‘Davido5iveAlive’ and remain active.

READ ALSO:Why It Would Be Difficult For Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy To Collaborate – Music Executive

The excitement is off the charts as Nigerians wait impatiently in anticipation of what the Bank has in store for its customers.

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“Anyone interested in getting access to the freebies and exclusives Wema Bank is bringing is expected to download the ALAT App, sign up using the code ‘Davido5iveAlive,’ stay active and follow the Bank on all social media platforms.”

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‘There Was No Blueprint For Me’ – Wizkid Claims

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Nigerian singer Wizkid has sparked controversy after claiming that he had no blueprint while coming up as an artist, despite having emerged through ace singer Banky W’s imprint.

The Ojuelegba crooner made the statement in a snippet of his upcoming HBO documentary Long Live Lagos.

There was no blueprint for me. I had to build a structure for myself,” he claimed.

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His comment sparked debate on social media, with many insisting that it not only downplayed Banky W’s impact on his career but also disrespected the great Nigerian musicians who paved the way for the new generation of artists.

READ ALSO:Wizkid Is Married – DJ Tunez Reveals [VIDEO]

Wizkid, however, admitted elsewhere in the documentary that Fela Kuti inspired him to pursue music.

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Fela Kuti was instrumental to why I believe I could really make music,” he said.

Some of the reactions on X include:

Franko_Nero wrote: “I still vividly remember the day that Bankole [Banky W] announced on a show that he wants to introduce a boy wonder, a germ in the making. Today, this ungrateful child is claiming otherwise. If Banky knew that today would come, I am sure he would have chased him far away.”

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READ ALSO:Why It Would Be Difficult For Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy To Collaborate – Music Executive

Arhcent said: “This guy is erasing the role Banky W and EME played in his career. The person Banky picked from school into the studio is saying ‘I had to build a structure for myself.’ God sees all.”

Duke of Isoko wrote: “If he never built a structure, Banky probably wouldn’t have noticed him. This dude came out with his own style of music, dressing sense, etc., but I understand that English is a problem in this place.”

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Sir Dickson opined: “People are debating this with reference to Banky’s impact in his life. There is no real context to that. I believe he was speaking about his style of music. He reinvented himself. Wiz has never denied Banky’s impact, nor can he. Let’s calm down.”

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‘I Am Not Shy, I’m Just Laid Back’ – Olamide Addresses Misconception

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Famous Nigerian rapper Olamide Baddo has addressed the misconception that he is shy.

Speaking in a recent interview with Ada’s Room, Baddo explained that he isn’t shy but laid back.

One thing I wish people could understand about me is I am not shy, I am just laid back,” he said.

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READ ALSO:Olamide Clarifies Seniority Debate Between Him And Wizkid In Music Industry

The host asked: “What is the difference between shy and laid back?”

Olamide responded: “Shy is when you don’t have the confidence and the charisma to stand people or look them in the eye or have conversations with them.

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“But being laid back is you just don’t want to be bothered. People think I am shy but I am not.”

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