Category: Music

  • Portable Calls Out Father Over Alleged Exploitation, Sparks Fresh Family Drama

    Portable Calls Out Father Over Alleged Exploitation, Sparks Fresh Family Drama

    Daily Post Nigeria reports that singer Portable has accused his biological father, Mr. Olalomi, of exploiting him financially and taking personal property without permission.

    In a series of videos, Portable suggested he has long felt unsupported and warned his father “not to be like Baba Mohbad,” referencing a separate public controversy.

    PM News and Legit.ng also reported the outburst, which has reignited debate about family involvement, money, and management in the street-pop ecosystem.

    Echotitbits Take: This is the ugly side of “family as management.” Without clear professional structures, money issues spill into public chaos—and Portable is once again turning private conflict into a viral spectacle.

    Source: Premium Time — https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/848115-dont-be-like-baba-mohbad-portable-accuses-dad-of-extortion-manipulation.html 2026-01-07
    Photo Credit: Premium Time

  • Tiwa Savage Warns Influencer After Posts About Her Son, Promises Legal Pushback

    Tiwa Savage Warns Influencer After Posts About Her Son, Promises Legal Pushback

    The Punch reports that Tiwa Savage issued a public warning to an X influencer, saying any further posts involving her son, Jamil, would move “beyond Twitter.”

    The influencer later posted an apology as the incident fueled wider debate about cyberbullying and public commentary about celebrity children.

    Vanguard also covered the apology, while Legit.ng reported that Tiwa’s stance drew support from other celebrity parents who have faced similar online harassment.

    Echotitbits Take: The industry is shifting from “ignore trolls” to “set legal boundaries.” If this is pursued formally, it could become a reference point for how Nigerian stars protect their kids online.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/tiwa-savage-warns-x-influencer-over-posts-involving-her-son/ 2026-01-06
    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Wizkid Reported to Cross 10 Billion Total Spotify Streams, a First for Africa

    Wizkid Reported to Cross 10 Billion Total Spotify Streams, a First for Africa

    Techloy reports that Wizkid has become the first African artist to surpass 10 billion total Spotify streams across all credits, powered by years of global hits and features such as Drake’s “One Dance.”

    Pulse and The Beat 99 also highlighted the milestone, describing it as another sign of Afrobeats’ growing digital reach worldwide.

    Online tracking accounts have celebrated the achievement as a continent-wide win, as fans mark the number as a new streaming-era benchmark.

    Echotitbits Take: Beyond bragging rights, 10B streams is leverage—expect it to show up in tour pricing, brand deals, and every “greatest African pop run” debate for the rest of the decade.

    Source: TVC – https://www.tvcnews.tv/wizkid-becomes-first-african-to-reach-10b-spotify-streams-seals-spot-as-afrobeats-giant/ 2026-01-08
    Photo Credit: TVC

  • Adekunle Gold & Simi Welcome Twins After Months of Quiet Hints

    Adekunle Gold & Simi Welcome Twins After Months of Quiet Hints

    Daily Post Nigeria reports that singers Adekunle Gold and Simi have welcomed twins, expanding their family nearly six years after the birth of their first child, Adejare.

    The update surfaced after Adekunle Gold shared a celebratory message on Snapchat, sparking a wave of congratulations across the music community.

    Vanguard and MyJoyOnline also carried the development, echoing the couple’s message that what they asked for came “double.”

    Echotitbits Take: Nigeria’s “wholesome power couple” just became a family of four in one move—expect a surge in family-focused content (and maybe another baby-themed record) as fans celebrate.

    Source: WazobiaFm –  https://www.wazobiafm.com/news/hottori/music-power-couple-adekunle-gold-and-simi-welcome-twin-babies/ 2026-01-08
    Photo Credit: WazobiaFm

  • Lagos Welcomes Stars as 9th AFRIMA Kicks Off With Music, Culture and Business Talks

    Lagos Welcomes Stars as 9th AFRIMA Kicks Off With Music, Culture and Business Talks

    Reporting from The Nation indicates Lagos has begun hosting the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), with multiple leading artistes arriving for a week of performances, tours and industry sessions.

    Organisers say beyond the awards, the festival is designed to strengthen Africa’s music business ecosystem, including discussions around intellectual property and fair royalties.

    Lagos State officials are also positioning the event as a tourism and creative-economy showcase for the city.

    **Echotitbits take:** AFRIMA is major soft power for Nigeria’s creative industry. Watch for policy conversations around rights management—because global popularity won’t translate to wealth for artistes without stronger, enforceable structures.
    Source: Tribune – https://tribuneonlineng.com/lagos-hosts-9th-afrima-as-16-african-artistes-headline-week-long-event/ 2026-01-08

    Photo Credit: Tribune

  • Portable calls out his father on Instagram Live, alleges extortion and theft

    Portable calls out his father on Instagram Live, alleges extortion and theft

    In an update published by TheCable Lifestyle, singer Portable accused his father of neglect, theft and “financial exploitation” during an Instagram Live.

    He claimed the relationship worsened after fame and money, alleging his father blocked him from building on family land and demanded payments.

    Independent checks:

    • Adomonline: “Portable accuses father of theft and extortion…” — https://www.adomonline.com/
    • Legit.ng: “Portable… accused his father of extortion, theft…” — https://www.legit.ng/

    Portable’s public brand thrives on chaos, but family disputes can quickly become serious—especially if land ownership or property rights are involved. Watch for responses from relatives, and whether this shifts from online drama to legal or community mediation.

    Source: TheCable Lifestyle — 2026-01-07 — https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/portable-accuses-dad-of-extortion-theft/

    Source: TheCable Lifestyle 2026-01-07

    Photo Credit: TheCable Lifestyle

  • Davido shares ‘Mama Chi’ early birthday surprise on Caribbean vacation

    Davido shares ‘Mama Chi’ early birthday surprise on Caribbean vacation

    In a post-driven report by TheCable Lifestyle, Davido shared a family moment as he organised a surprise cake for Chioma’s mum during a vacation on Canouan Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

    The post caption described it as an “early birthday surprise for Mama Chi,” triggering fan reactions and renewed attention to the family’s public-facing narrative.

    Independent checks:

    • Punch Newspapers: “Davido celebrates Chioma’s mum…” — https://punchng.com/
    • Davido (Instagram): “Early birthday surprise for Mama Chi” — https://www.instagram.com/davido/

    Soft family content has become a major signal in celebrity branding—especially for stars rebuilding public trust. Watch for more vacation posts and whether brands lean in with partnership content around this family-friendly narrative.

    Source: TheCable Lifestyle — 2026-01-06 — https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/davido-surprises-chiomas-mum-birthday-cake-family-vacation/

    Source:TheCable Lifestyle 2026-01-06 Photo Credit: TheCable Lifestyle

  • Fela Kuti earns Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement recognition ahead of Grammy Week

    Fela Kuti earns Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement recognition ahead of Grammy Week

    According to The Guardian Nigeria, Fela Kuti’s legacy is back in focus as he is listed among honorees for the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award tied to Grammy Week activities.

    The recognition further spotlights Afrobeat’s global influence and the enduring impact of Fela’s artistry and activism.

    Independent checks:

    • Recording Academy (Press/Announcement): “Lifetime Achievement Award honorees” — https://www.grammy.com/
    • Pitchfork: “Lifetime Achievement” honorees list coverage — https://pitchfork.com/

    Lifetime Achievement honors don’t just celebrate history—they trigger discovery. Expect renewed streaming attention, playlist placement, and fresh debates about Afrobeat’s roots and how modern Afrobeats relates to the genre’s origin story.

    Source: The Punch — 2026-01-07 — https://punchng.com/netizens-hail-fela-kutis-grammy-lifetime-achievement-award-as-well%E2%80%91deserved/

    Source: The Punch 2026-01-07

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Governors Ball 2026 lineup drops: Lorde, Stray Kids and A$AP Rocky to headline NYC festival

    Governors Ball 2026 lineup drops: Lorde, Stray Kids and A$AP Rocky to headline NYC festival

    Writing for Pitchfork, Jazz Monroe reports that Governors Ball will be headlined by Lorde, Stray Kids, and A$AP Rocky on June 5–7, with a stacked undercard that includes Kali Uchis, Baby Keem, Jennie, Clipse, Blood Orange and more.

    The announcement matters because Gov Ball is a fast trend-confirmation marker for what’s hot across pop, rap, and alt in the U.S. festival economy—especially for New York’s early-summer circuit.

    The next phase will be sell-through speed, social chatter around billing order, and potential lineup-day additions.

    Two additional public references echoed the same development:

    Pitchfork (Official report): “headliners Lorde, Stray Kids, and A$AP Rocky…” (link)

    Pitchfork (Lineup detail): “Also headed to… Blood Orange, Clipse…” (link)

    Festival lineups have become cultural stock charts—one poster can shift streaming spikes, tour routing, and brand endorsements. Watch for diaspora acts on side stages (or late adds), and how A$AP Rocky’s booking plays in the wider hip-hop calendar.

    Source: Pitchfork — 06 January 2026 — https://pitchfork.com/news/kali-uchis-lorde-and-geese-to-play-governors-ball-2026/

    Source: Pitchfork 2026-01-06
    Photo Credit: Pitchfork

  • Bruno Mars says the new album is done—and 2026 could be a major rollout year

    Bruno Mars says the new album is done—and 2026 could be a major rollout year

    In a post quoted by Pulse Nigeria, Bruno Mars declared: “My album is done,” immediately triggering fan speculation about singles, features, and tour timing.

    Pulse frames the moment as a possible inflection point: a finished project typically signals label scheduling, marketing calendars, and teaser content about to move quickly.

    If accurate, the next few weeks often become the breadcrumb phase—cryptic posts, studio photos, and collaborator hints.

    Two additional public references echoed the same development:

    Pulse Nigeria (Report): “My album is done.” (link)

    Pulse Nigeria (Secondary framing): “biggest year yet” (link)

    Bruno doesn’t need volume—he needs timing. A controlled rollout can dominate playlists, TikTok audio trends, and festival bookings. Watch for a lead single announcement, producer credits surfacing, and whether he ties the drop to a big live-performance moment.

    Source: Pulse Nigeria — 06 January 2026 — https://www.pulse.ng/story/bruno-mars-new-album-2026010613010289711

    Source: Pulse Nigeria 2026-01-06
    Photo Credit: Pulse Nigeria