Entertainment

Why I Chose R&B Despite Advice To Go Into Afrobeats — Tems

Published

2 years ago

August 30, 2023

Grammy-winning singer, Temilade Opeyemi, popularly known as Tems, has revealed that she got advised to go into Afrobeats because her kind of music ‘doesn’t fit in Nigeria’.

The music star, however, stated that she was ‘prepared to die’ for R&B because it was the only way she felt her message could be let out.

Tems said this in an interview with superstar rapper, Kendrick Lamar on Interview Magazine.

She said, “I was prepared to die. I believed in myself so much that I didn’t really care if I never became anything or anyone. I just wanted to get a message out. I wanted to get my frequency out. And I was like, ‘Even if ten people hear this, it’s fine.’ But also along the way, I used to listen to a lot of Nigerian music and I wasn’t getting a lot of spiritual—I love Celine Dion, so, I love that intense feeling of, I’m about to jump off a cliff.

“That’s how I want my music to feel all the time, and Afrobeats wasn’t necessarily giving me that type of stimulation. Everyone I asked for advice was like, ‘The only way you can do this is Afrobeats. It’s not that your music is bad, it’s just that it doesn’t fit in Nigeria. Nigerians don’t like this’.”

“And that’s not a lie, and it’s not a bad thing. But I felt in my heart that that’s okay. I’m okay with no one liking it, I just want to make this music. I want to make music that makes me pull my heart out, and if I can’t do that, I don’t want anything. I would rather do that and be broke than compromise.

Tems also stated that she cared less about money and was more particular about chasing a frequency.

“I didn’t really care about the money. It’s not that money is bad. Money is very good. But for me, even right now, I’m chasing a frequency. There’s artists I’ve loved all my life, that when they reach a certain stage, the music loses that frequency, it loses that touch they had. And I always wondered why. Why do I have to lose that touch? I don’t actually care where I end up. If I’m under a bridge and I have a way to make music, I’m going to be good.

“That’s what led me to meet the people that connected to that music. There was no indication that I would’ve ended up here. Nobody could have told me I would be sitting here in London speaking to you, Kendrick Lamar. “

Tems has enjoyed a winning streak ever since her collaboration with Wizkid, “Essence” became an international hit in 2021.

The song earned Tems her first feature on the Billboard Hot 100 at number nine.

Entertainment

VIDEO: ‘New Record’, Guinness World Record Confirms Hilda Baci’s Largest-serving Of Jollof Rice

Published

19 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has officially set a new Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, with a staggering total weight of 8,780 kilogrammes (19,356 lb 9 oz).

The feat was accomplished in partnership with food brand Gino at Victoria Island, Lagos, and has now been formally recognized by Guinness World Records.

Announcing the confirmation on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), Guinness World Records wrote:

— Guinness World Records (@GWR) September 15, 2025
“New record: Largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.”

Baci, who first rose to global fame with her headline-grabbing cook-a-thon in 2023, has once again placed Nigerian cuisine on the world stage with this remarkable achievement.

Ahead of the confirmation, Guinness World Records had sent her words of encouragement, reposting a video from the Friday event and writing:

“What’s cookin’?

Best of luck to @hildabacicooks who’s attempting a new record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice today.”

The record-breaking cooking event was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, attracting a massive crowd of supporters, celebrities, and food enthusiasts who gathered to witness history being made.

With this latest feat, Hilda Baci continues to solidify her place as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated chefs and cultural ambassadors.

Watch video below:

https://x.com/GWR/status/1967605828728549785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1967605828728549785%7Ctwgr%5Ef76dd52669a0205d225aa98b850aaf0d1cc2cf48%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-27499393753220136605.ampproject.net%2F2508281901000%2Fframe.html

Entertainment

Video: Davido Clarifies Viral Video Warri incident

Published

20 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Award-winning Nigerian singer, Davido has debunked social media claims suggesting he was slapped during a recent outing in Warri, Delta State.

A viral video that surfaced online showed the singer in the midst of security operatives and fans, with a brief moment where he appeared to be struck on the head.

This led an X user, #AsakyGRN, to post: “Warri people no get joy oo. See dem sl@p Davido for head.”

https://x.com/itzbasito/status/1967582406875254789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1967582406875254789%7Ctwgr%5E246ffeffb5e9575f6e4f4e2272b3c54eb91834d7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanguardngr.com%2F2025%2F09%2Fvideo-hit-me-by-mistake-davido-clarifies-viral-video-incident%2F

Addressing the speculation on his official X handle on Monday, Davido clarified that it was his security aide who accidentally hit him, not an assault from the crowd.

“Mumu that was my security… hit me by mistake… saddist,” the singer wrote.

His response has since put an end to the rumors and clarified the misunderstanding surrounding the viral clip.

Entertainment

Brazilian Jazz Legend, Hermeto Pascoal, Is Dead

Published

1 day ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Brazilian jazz legend Hermeto Pascoal has died at the age of 89, his family announced on Saturday.

Pascoal, known for his long white beard and hair, earned the nickname “The Sorcerer” for his ability to create music using a wide range of instruments and everyday objects.

In a statement on Instagram, his family said he died “with serenity and love,” surrounded by relatives and fellow musicians. They noted that at the moment of his passing, Pascoal’s band was performing on stage, “just as he would have wished: making sound and music.”

Born in Alagoas state in northeastern Brazil, Pascoal rose to international prominence through collaborations with jazz great Miles Davis and performances with other top musicians. Davis recorded some of Pascoal’s compositions, cementing his reputation as an innovative force in global jazz.

Pascoal was celebrated as a virtuoso who mastered multiple instruments and was renowned for his improvisational skill.

Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso paid tribute on Instagram, describing Pascoal as “one of the highest points in the history of music in Brazil.”