Entertainment

King Charles Reveals His 17 track Playlist With Davido’s Song Making The Cut

Nigerian five-time Grammy nominee Davido is one of the artists whose songs are on King Charles III’s 17-track playlist, which was recently launched on Apple Music.

Speaking on the song’s inclusion, the King stated that he loves pidgin English while recalling his admirable attempt to make a speech in Nigerian pidgin English when he last visited the West African country.

The hitmaker is the only Nigerian on the list, and he’s joined by late South African music legend Mariam Makeba, whose song ‘The Click Song’ also made the playlist.

‘Kante,’ featuring Fave, is one of the hit songs from Davido’s Grammy-nominated album ‘Timeless,’ released in 2023. The album enjoyed commercial success and set several streaming and charting records.

Speaking on the playlist, the English monarch stated that he wanted to share the songs that have brought him joy.

“I wanted to share with you songs which have brought me joy. They evoke many different styles and many different cultures. But all of them, like the family of Commonwealth nations, in their many different ways, share the same love of life in all its richness and diversity.”

King Charles III, who is the head of the Commonwealth, shared that he hopes listeners enjoy the playlist and perhaps discover new songs through it.

“I can only hope you have enjoyed these few songs I have had time to share with you. Perhaps you have heard some of your own favorite pieces- and perhaps you may have discovered something new.”

King Charles III’s playlist is another interaction between the monarch and Nigerian music as Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage performed at his coronation event in May 2023.

The inclusion of Davido’s ‘Kante’ is a recognition of the global popularity of Nigerian music and the country’s importance to the Commonwealth organization.

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.”

Entertainment

P-square’s Jude Okoye remanded by EFCC over alleged ₦1.38 billion fraud

In a shocking new twist in the P-square beef saga, the twin’s older brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, has been arraigned on charges of laundering ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.

According to reports by Channels Television, Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd., before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge.

The TV station reported that the charges against P-Square’s elder brother stated:

That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie, and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth N850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie, and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly, using bureau de change, convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts to conceal that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

During the hearing, Jude pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charges filed against him. The case was adjourned to February 28, 2025, while his trial was scheduled for April. Following the hearing, Jude was ordered to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility due to the maximum capacity at the EFCC’s facility.

Celebs

Ayra Starr hints at collaborations with Tems & Tyla

In an interview on the red carpet of the recently held MOBOAwards, Ayra Starr spoke on the chances of collaborating with Tems and Tyla. The singer was asked if she has plans to work with Grammy winners Tems and Tyla, especially after all three partied in Lagos during the star-studded Detty December season.

Ayra Starr referred to Tyla and Tems as girls and confirmed that they will be working together soon. At the 2025 MOBO Awards that took place in Newcastle, Ayra Starr fended off competition from Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, and Glorilla among other superstars to win the Best International Act.

This feat saw her make history by becoming the first Nigerian female artist to win the award that had previously been won by Burna Boy and Wizkid. Ayra Starr also picked up the prize for Best African Act which captures her fast-rising global popularity.

Since breaking into the mainstream with her self-titled debut EP in 2021, the singer has soared to commercial success thanks to hit songs like ‘Bloody Samaritan’ and ‘Rush’ which have gone diamond in France.

The Grammy-nominated singer kicked off 2025 with the release of her single ‘All The Love’ which showcases her ability to seamlessly blend Afrobeats and R&B. After scoring the biggest song in 2024 for an Afrobeats act on Spotify, Ayra Starr will be aiming to continue her impressive commercial run in 2025.