Celebs

BBNaija – Maria Chike Clears The Air Over ‘Home Wrecker’ Allegations

About a year after her image was smeared with allegations of being a home wrecker, Big Brother Naija Shine Ya Eye star, Maria Chike Benjamin has finally addressed the rumors stating that she has never ruined any marriage.

Maria took to her Twitter page on the evening of Sunday, July 3 to squash the rumors for good. In the lengthy Twitter thread, Maria said that the reason that she had been silent on the issue was not because she was weak but that she was only respecting the people involved. She however decided to finally address the accusations which seemingly interfere with her peace. Maria also scoffed at the other rumors of her being a ‘runs girl’ that have continued to plague her since her rise to the spotlight via the platform of Big Brother.

The reality TV star further added that the proceeds from her hard work, as well as support from her man and her family, were enough to take care of her needs.

Shortly after her untimely eviction from the BBNaija Shine Ya Eye season where she was one-half of the wild cards, Maria came under fire after rumors began to swirl that she had wrecked the home of a certain lady named MaryAnn and was dating her husband, Kelvin described as a Dubai-based businessman.

MaryAnn, per the rumors, is the sister to businessman and socialite, Cubana Chief Priest. Cubana Chief Priest was the first to reveal this after he called Maria out on social media and also claimed that Maria threatened her sister. Maria kept mum while Chief Priest continued to mount his accusations. Netizens would then dig up old social media posts of Maria including one where she wrote; “If I can’t have you no one else will,” — linking it to Chief Priest’s claims.

Maria had been quiet on the issue until now. Pulse would later reveal that at the time that Chief Priest alleged that Maria was the mistress to his inlaw, he, Kelvin, and his sister MaryAnn were already in the middle of their divorce proceedings.

Here is Maria Chike’s Tweet in Full;

“And I’m going to address this once and only this once, I’ve been quite on the whole husband snatcher issue, I DID NOT ruin any home, my silence is for the best of so many people involved. That I haven’t said my peace doesn’t make me weak, I am respecting so many people involved.

and their privacy, And for the rumours of me sleeping with several married men including a pastor, WE both laughed at it cause we literally breathe each other’s air day in day out and no room for dishonesty. When and if I ever start doing “runs”

Not that I have any intentions of this or knock anyone off their hustle but my man does look after me and my family are also very much okay to look after me and I work my ass off to look after myself. And also if I ever chop breakfast I’ll chop it with ice cream.

Cause this is life But I’ll always be happy that’s a given and I promise myself that on this Gods given earth. But for now, I just want to dance under the sunset make nobody stop my enjoyment.”

Celebs

Joeboy Releases Third Album – Viva Lavida

Released on March 28, 2025, Joeboy’s third album ‘Viva Lavida’ reinforces his status as one of Afrobeats’ most exciting hitmakers who crafts love tunes.

Ahead of the album, the hitmaker recently released the singles ‘SMH’ in partnership with long-term collaborator Tempoe and ‘Taxi Driver’.

Speaking on the album, Joeboy shares that there’s a lot of negativity in the world right now, and he wants to be a source of positivity.

“I feel like there’s so much negativity in the world. Everybody’s trying to be toxic, everybody’s trying to huff and puff. I just want to be that source of positivity, and that’s my message, that’s my motto.”

On the various sounds to expect from his album, Joeboy revealed that his time on the road has exposed him to different exciting sounds that combine to inspire the project.

“I get to travel a lot. I get exposed to so many different ideas and different cultures – and it’s only right that I let those cultures positively influence me.”

The 13-track album features guest appearances from Olamide, Elena Dara, Wizard Chan, and Qing Madi, whom he featured on his hit single ‘Adenuga,’ one of the notable collaborations of 2024.

Since breaking into the mainstream with his hit song ‘Baby’ in 2019, Joeboy has risen to stardom thanks to his steady release of hit songs that tug at the heartstrings.

His 2021 smash hit ‘Alcohol’ enjoyed international success and has garnered over 100 million Spotify streams, thus becoming one of the most-streamed Afrobeats songs on the platform.

Celebs

Davido releases New single ‘Be There Still’ Ahead Of New Album

The 5-time Grammy-nominated singer earlier shared the news in a post on his social media account on February 26, 2025.

The single, released on March 14, features uptempo Amapiano log drum fusion and a blend of pidgin and English. The song shows Davido restating his status as a superstar who will remain at the summit of the game.

The single comes ahead of Davido’s highly anticipated fifth album ‘Five’, scheduled for release on April 18.

2025 has already gotten off to a busy start for Davido who secured his fifth Grammy nomination at the 67th Grammys where he got the nod for the Best African Song Performance for his part on Chris Brown’s ‘Sensational’.

Davido was also recently nominated in 5 categories, including the Artist of the Year at the upcoming 17th Headies, which extends his record as one of the most decorated artists in the awards history.

Ahead of the album release, Davido has released two singles ‘Awuke’ featuring Jamaican Dancehall sensation YG Marley and ‘Funds’ featuring Chike and OdumoduBlvck.

In the social media post announcing his next album, the hitmaker described it as one straight from the heart.

‘5ive’ is also expected to feature a collaboration with Nigerian superstar Omah Lay, who, in an interview, revealed that the song is a perfect partnership.

Adekunle Gold also recently teased a possible guest appearance on the album, which Davido and his fans will expect to follow in the footsteps of his record-breaking fourth album ‘Timeless’.

Celebs

Ayra Starr announced as lead cast in Hollywood movie starring Idris Elba, Viola Davis

Ayra Starr has been announced as the lead cast in the upcoming Hollywood adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel, “Children of Blood and Bone.”

The Mavin Records signee joins a Hollywood all-star cast that includes Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, and more. Lucasfilm, the studio behind the very successful Star Wars franchise, is producing the movie Children of Blood and Bone.

The movie, set in an African fantasy kingdom, follows a young woman’s quest to reclaim her people’s stolen magic. Production is currently ongoing, and the release date is set for 2027. Her involvement in the project marks an exciting milestone in her burgeoning career, which has already seen her emerge as the first Nigerian woman to bag an RIAA Diamond single certification.

Ayra Starr’s ‘Santa’ earned her the coveted certification after it sold over 10 million units in the United States.

Note that for an African artist or someone who makes music outside of North and South America to earn an RIAA Diamond certification, the artist must sell over 10 million units of a song in America within the Latino market.

Additionally, the song must have been sung using a mix of Spanish and English. Influences of Afrobeats and Reggaeton are found in Ayra Starr’s RIAA-certified song, “Santa,” with the 22-year-old’s hit single featuring Puerto Rican singer and rapper Rauw Alejandro and Jamaican singer Tarik Johnston, commonly known as Rvssian

‘Santa’ is a smash hit that captivates listeners with its lyrics and vibrant sound. The single was released in 2024 as part of Ayra Starr’s second album, “The Year I Turned 21.” The album was just as successful as her first body of work, “Young and Dangerous.”