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D’Banj identifies factors working for Burna Boy, Davido and Rema

‘Mo bo lowo won’ singer, D’Banj, has identified what may be described as the unique selling point for each of reigning Burna Boy, Davido and Rema.

D’Banj reigned ahead of the trio, especially Burna Boy and Rema.

His stardom receded arguably after parting ways with Don Jazzy, in a then controversial professional divorce that led to the dissolution of their Mo Hits label.

The stage wizard was, however, unequivocal when he named the three as his current top three music artistes.

He thus excluded Wizkid, Tems, Asake and Ayra Starr.

According to him, Burna Boy is great with live shows; Davido is humble with wealth while Rema commands a great energy.

Speaking during an appearance on the Adesope Live podcast, cited by PUNCH Online on Saturday, D’banj praised each artist for distinct qualities: Rema for his vibrant energy, Davido for his humility and relentless consistency, and Burna Boy for his intentional artistry and powerful live performances.

“Shout out to Rema—I love his energy,” D’banj said. “Then there’s Davido. People should learn from the way he carries himself like he doesn’t have a penny, yet he’s so consistent. Burna Boy is too intentional; his live shows are amazing.”

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Burna Boy, Tems on awards holiday as Ayra Starr wins Best Int Act at BET 2025

Lasun Alagbe

Nigerian nominees – Burna Boy and Tems – were on what a metaphor freak will call prize holiday at 2025 BET Awards as their compatriot, Ayra Starr, won the Best International Act at the 2025 BET Awards on Monday night.

While the three Nigerian stars respectively lost out in the Best Hip Hop and BET Her categories, American star, Kendrick Lamar, bagged multiple awards with his sixth studio album, GNX, released last November at the event hosted by Kevin Hart, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

He got Album of the Year for GNX, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” and Best Collaboration with SZA for their track “Luther.” He also tied for Video Director of the Year alongside longtime collaborator Dave Free.

While other major winners include SZA for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist,  Chris Brown for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, Doechii as Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, below is the full list of winners:

Album of the Year

Drake and PartyNextDoor, $Some $Sexy $Songs 4 U
Chris Brown, 11:11 Deluxe
Doechii, Alligator Bites Never Heal
Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter
GloRilla, Glorious
Kendrick Lamar, GNX (WINNER)
The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow
Future and Metro Boomin, We Don’t Trust You

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ari Lennox
Ayra Starr
Coco Jones
Kehlani
Muni Long
Summer Walker
SZA (WINNER)
Victoria Monét

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Bruno Mars
Chris Brown (WINNER)
Drake
Fridayy
Leon Thomas
Teddy Swims
The Weeknd
Usher

Best Group
41
Common and Pete Rock
Drake and PartyNextDoor
FLO
Future and Metro Boomin (WINNER)
Jaquees and Dej Loaf
Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist
Maverick City Music

Best Collaboration

SZA Featuring Kendrick Lamar, 30 For 30
Doechii Featuring JT, Alter Ego
Teddy swims Featuring Giveon, Are You Even Real
Dee Billz Featuring Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, KJ Swervo, Beckham
Lil Wayne, Wheezy and Young Thug, Bless
Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar, Like That
Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Luther (WINNER)
Tyler, The Creator Featuring Glorilla, Sexxy Red and Lil Wayne, Sticky
The Weeknd Featuring Playboi Carti, Timeless

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Doechii (WINNER)
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Rapsody
Sexxy Red

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

BigXThaPlug
BossMan Dlow
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
Key Glock
Lil Wayne
Tyler, The Creator

Video of the Year
Key Glock, 3AM in ToKEYo
Shaboozey, A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Kehlani, After Hours
Doechii, Denial is a River
Drake, Family Matters
Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us (WINNER)
The Weeknd Featuring Playboi Carti, Timeless
Future, Metro Boomin Travis Scott and Playboi Carti, Type Shit

Video Director of the Year

Anderson .Paak
B Pace Productions and Jacquees
Benny Boom
Cactus Jack
Cole Bennett
Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
Dave Meyers
Foggieraw
Tyler, The Creator

Best New ArtistAyra Starr
BigXThaPlug
BossMan Dlow
Dee Billz
Leon Thomas (WINNER)
October London
Shaboozey

Teddy Swims

Best Gospel, Inspiration Award

Common and Pete Rock Featuring Jennifer Hudson, A God (There Is)
Pastor Mike Jr., Amen
Fridayy, Better Days
Yolanda Adams Featuring Sir The Baptist and Donald Lawrence, Church Doors (Terry Hunter Remix)
Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore and Anthony Gargiula, Constant
Tamela Mann, Deserve to Win
Rapsody, Faith
GloRilla Featuring Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Rain Down on Me (WINNER)

Viewer’s Choice Award
Chris Brown, Residuals (WINNER)
Doechii, Denial is a River
Drake, Nokia
Future and Metro Boomin Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Like That
GloRilla, TGIF
Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us
Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Luther
Latto, Brokey

BET Her
Mary J. Blige, Beautiful People
Beyoncé Featuring Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts, Blackbird
Doechii, Bloom
Tems, Burning
Cynthia Erivo Featuring Ariana Grande, Defying Grafity
Summer Walker, Heart of a woman (WINNER)
Tems, Hold on
FLO and GloRilla, In My Bag

Best Movie
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Luther: Never Too Much (WINNER)
Mufasa: The Lion King
One of Them Days
Rebel Ridge
The Piano Lesson
The Six Triple Eight

Best Actor
Aaron Pierre
Aldis Hodge
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Denzel Washington (WINNER)
Jamie Foxx
Joey Bada$$
Kevin Hart
Sterling K. Brown
Will Smith

Best Actress
Andra Day
Angela Bassett
Coco Jones
Cynthia Erivo (WINNER)
Keke Palmer
Kerry Washington
Quinta Brunson
Viola Davis
Zendaya

Youngstars Award
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter (WINNER)
Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Heiress Harris
Melody Hurd
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Tyrik Johnson
VanVan

Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese (WINNER)
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Dawn Staley
Flau’Jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Sha’carri Richardson
Simone Biles

Sportsman of the Year Award
Aaron Judge
Anthony Edwards
Deion Sanders
Jalen Hurts (WINNER)
Jayson Tatum
Lebron James
Saquon Barkley
Stephen Curry

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Again, Ayra Starr battles Burna Boy, Rema at BET Awards

All eyes are again on sensational afrobeats queen, Ayra Starr, as she looms large on the list of nominees for the 2025 BET Awards.

She dazed her elder colleagues in the MOBO Awards and now she battles Burna Boy, Rema and others especially in the Best International Act at BET.

In all, she commands the Africa’s highest number of nominations: three.

She is in the race in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best New Artist, and Best International Act categories.

The 21-year-old singer has been making waves globally with her chart-topping releases and acclaimed performances.

Other Nigerian stars have also earned recognition, including Burna Boy and Rema, who are both nominated for Best International Act.

Burna Boy, a dominant force in the Afrobeats genre, has previously won this award four times.

Tems, a Grammy-winning singer, has also been nominated in the BET Her category for her powerful tracks “Burning” and “Hold On” from her debut album Born In The Wild.
The 2025 BET Awards ceremony will take place on June 9 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on BET.

American rapper Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with 10 nods, followed by other notable artists such as Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla.

The Complete List Of Nominees is:

Album of the Year

$OME $EXY $ONGS 4 U                DRAKE & PARTYNEXTDOOR
11:11 DELUXE                                 CHRIS BROWN
ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL          DOECHII
COWBOY CARTER                             BEYONCÉ
GLORIOUS                                          GLORILLA
GNX                                                KENDRICK LAMAR
HURRY UP TOMORROW                    THE WEEKND
WE DON’T TRUST YOU                        FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN

 

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

 

AYRA STARR
ARI LENNOX
COCO JONES
KEHLANI
MUNI LONG
SUMMER WALKER
SZA
VICTORIA MONÉT

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
BRUNO MARS
CHRIS BROWN
DRAKE
FRIDAYY
LEON THOMAS
TEDDY SWIMS
THE WEEKND
USHER

Best Group
41
COMMON & PETE ROCK
DRAKE & PARTYNEXTDOOR
FLO
FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN
JACQUEES & DEJ LOAF
LARRY JUNE, 2 CHAINZ, THE ALCHEMIST
MAVERICK CITY MUSIC

Best Collaboration
30 FOR 30                              SZA FEAT. KENDRICK LAMAR
ALTER EGO                            DOECHII FEAT. JT
ARE YOU EVEN REAL        TEDDY SWIMS FEAT. GIVĒON
BECKHAM                          DEE BILLZ FEAT. KYLE RICHH, KAI SWERVO, KJ SWERVO
BLESS                                  LIL WAYNE, WHEEZY & YOUNG THUG
LIKE THAT                            FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN & KENDRICK LAMAR
LUTHER                                KENDRICK LAMAR & SZA
STICKY                                     TYLER, THE CREATOR FEAT. GLORILLA, SEXYY RED &  LIL WAYNE
TIMELESS                             THE WEEKND FEAT. PLAYBOI CARTI

 

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
CARDI B
DOECHII
DOJA CAT
GLORILLA
LATTO
MEGAN THEE STALLION
NICKI MINAJ
RAPSODY
SEXYY RED

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
BURNA BOY
BIGXTHAPLUG
BOSSMAN DLOW
DRAKE
FUTURE
KENDRICK LAMAR
KEY GLOCK
LIL WAYNE
TYLER, THE CREATOR

 

Video of the Year

 

3AM IN TOKEYO                KEY GLOCK
A BAR SONG (TIPSY)         SHABOOZEY
AFTER HOURS                     KEHLANI
DENIAL IS A RIVER              DOECHII
FAMILY MATTERS                DRAKE
NOT LIKE US                        KENDRICK LAMAR
TIMELESS                             THE WEEKND FEAT. PLAYBOI CARTI
TYPE SHIT                             FUTURE, METRO BOOMIN, TRAVIS SCOTT & PLAYBOI CARTI

Video Director of the Year
ANDERSON .PAAK
B PACE PRODUCTIONS & JACQUEES
BENNY BOOM
CACTUS JACK
COLE BENNETT
DAVE FREE & KENDRICK LAMAR
DAVE MEYERS
FOGGIERAW
TYLER, THE CREATOR

Best New Artist
41
AYRA STARR
BIGXTHAPLUG
BOSSMAN DLOW
DEE BILLZ
LEON THOMAS
OCTOBER LONDON
SHABOOZEY
TEDDY SWIMS

 

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

 

A GOD (THERE IS)                 COMMON & PETE ROCK FEAT. JENNIFER HUDSON
AMEN                                 PASTOR MIKE JR.
BETTER DAYS                      FRIDAYY
CHURCH DOORS              YOLANDA ADAMS FEAT. SIR THE BAPTIST & DONALD
LAWRENCE (TERRY HUNTER REMIX)
CONSTANT                            MAVERICK CITY MUSIC, JORDIN SPARKS, CHANDLER MOORE & ANTHONY GARGIULA
DESERVE TO WIN               TAMELA MANN
FAITH                                   RAPSODY
RAIN DOWN ON ME         GLORILLA FEAT. KIRK FRANKLIN, MAVERICK CITY MUSIC

Viewer’s Choice Award
RESIDUALS                            CHRIS BROWN
DENIAL IS A RIVER                DOECHII
NOKIA                                   DRAKE
LIKE THAT                               FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN FEAT. KENDRICK LAMAR
TGIF                                        GLORILLA
NOT LIKE US                       KENDRICK LAMAR
LUTHER                                    KENDRICK LAMAR & SZA
BROKEY                              LATTO

Best International Act
ANY GABRIELLY (BRAZIL)
AYRA STARR (NIGERIA)
BASHY (UNITED KINGDOM)
BLACK SHERIF (GHANA)
EZRA COLLECTIVE (UNITED KINGDOM)
JOÉ DWÈT FILÉ (FRANCE)
MC LUANNA (BRAZIL)
REMA (NIGERIA)
SDM (FRANCE)
TYLA (SOUTH AFRICA)
UNCLE WAFFLES (SWAZILAND)

 

Best New International Act

 

ABIGAIL CHAMS (TANZANIA)
AJULIACOSTA (BRAZIL)
AMABBI (BRAZIL)
DLALA THUKZIN (SOUTH AFRICA)
DR YARO (FRANCE)
KWN (UNITED KINGDOM)
MAGLERA DOE BOY (SOUTH AFRICA)
MERVEILLE (FRANCE)
ODEAL (UNITED KINGDOM)
SHALLIPOPI (NIGERIA)
TxC (SOUTH AFRICA)

BET Her
BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE                           MARY J. BLIGE
BLACKBIIRD                                   BEYONCÉ FEAT. TANNER ADELL, BRITTNEY
SPENCER, TIERA KENNEDY & REYNA ROBERTS
BLOOM                                          DOECHII
BURNING                                            TEMS
DEFYING GRAVITY                             CYNTHIA ERIVO FEAT. ARIANA GRANDE
HEART OF A WOMAN                        SUMMER WALKER
HOLD ON                                       TEMS
IN MY BAG                                     FLO & GLORILLA

Best Movie
BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE
BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F
LUTHER: NEVER TOO MUCH
MUFASA: THE LION KING
ONE OF THEM DAYS
REBEL RIDGE
THE PIANO LESSON
THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT

 

Best Actor

 

AARON PIERRE
ALDIS HODGE
ANTHONY MACKIE
COLMAN DOMINGO
DENZEL WASHINGTON
JAMIE FOXX
JOEY BADA$$
KEVIN HART
STERLING K. BROWN
WILL SMITH

Best Actress
ANDRA DAY
ANGELA BASSETT
COCO JONES
CYNTHIA ERIVO
KEKE PALMER
KERRY WASHINGTON
QUINTA BRUNSON
VIOLA DAVIS
ZENDAYA

YoungStars Award
AKIRA AKBAR
BLUE IVY CARTER
GRACEYN “GRACIE” HOLLINGSWORTH
HEIRESS HARRIS
MELODY HURD
THADDEUS J. MIXSON
TYRIK JOHNSON
VANVAN

 

Sportswoman of the Year Award

 

A’JA WILSON
ANGEL REESE
CLARESSA SHIELDS
COCO GAUFF
DAWN STALEY
FLAU’JAE JOHNSON
JUJU WATKINS
SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON
SIMONE BILES

Sportsman of the Year Award
AARON JUDGE
ANTHONY EDWARDS
DEION SANDERS
JALEN HURTS
JAYSON TATUM
LEBRON JAMES
SAQUON BARKLEY
STEPHEN CURRY

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Burna Boy reaping accolades after selling out England’s biggest indoor arena

Gideon Animashaun

‘Dangote still dey find money’ singer, Burna Boy, is still receiving accolades for the new milestone he achieved selling out England’s largest indoor arena.

The concert was part of his ongoing world tour.

The event took place today, Monday, April 22, 2025, at the O2 Arena in London, with fans sharing live updates on Instagram and Twitter.

Attendees described the performance as electrifying, with Burna Boy delivering hits like “Last Last” and “Ye” to a crowd of over 20,000.

In a post-concert interview, Burna Boy expressed gratitude: “I’m humbled by the love. This is more than music; it’s a movement.”

The achievement marks a significant moment for African artists on the global stage, showcasing the growing influence of Afrobeats.

Fans and fellow musicians have flooded social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating Burna Boy’s continued success.

The concert’s success is expected to boost ticket sales for his upcoming shows across Europe and North America.

Burna Boy’s team hinted at a documentary capturing behind-the-scenes moments from the tour, set to release later this year.

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Portable salutes Burna Boy for giving him N20m after the Zazoo singer beat Speed Darlington

Controversial artiste, Portable,  has saluted Grammy Award-winning artiste Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, after giving him N20m.

Portable got the gift following his victory over Speed Darlington in their celebrity boxing match.

The artiste, who was recently detained and arraigned but got pardoned after allegedly defaming fuji musician, Saheed Osupa, confirmed the  gift in a post shared on Instagram on Saturday.

“₦20 million from Burna Boy. If you wanna be like Odogwu, can you do like Odogwu? God bless your family,” Portable wrote.”

There is no love lost between Burna Boy and Darlington.

So, many are likely to see the gift in the light of celebrating the defeat of one’s enemy.

 

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A be Aba boy. We fight to finish – Cubana says amid beef with Burna Boy

Entertainment entrepreneur, Cubana Chief Priest, has vowed that he will pursue a battle he is currently prosecuting to the end.

He and Grammys winner, Burna Boy, have been at each other’s throat over some of the trending issues.

In a post on Friday, he accused someone of scanning his home in Ikoyi, promising to defeat the fellow if he made any foul move.

Cubana wrote in Pidgin:

This na my neighborhood for Ikoyi you drive pass my crib recording with eye symbol, you are watching me to shoot me a bit or abduct my family.

This is childish, dog wey dey bite no dey bark. I be Aba boy, we fight to finish.

All your men shall fall that day if you cross my lane. Make sha nothing happen to my family. Na Ikoyi be this here no be Ikate.

@nigerianpoliceforce already have the intel so I’m ready.

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Bobrisky to Burna Boy: Speed Darlington can’t afford money for VIP section in prison

Controversial crossdresser Okuneye Idris, aka Bobrisky, has hinted Grammys winner, Burna Boy, that his colleague he is prosecuting over alleged defamation, Speed Darlington, cannot afford VIP section in Nigerian prisons.

Bobrisky, who is now on exile, made this known while imploring Burna Boy to pardon Darlington, who has been in detention since last year.

The VIP treatment in correctional centres became an issue after it became known that Bobrisky paid his way to enjoy such when he was jailed for naira abuse in 2024.

In a series of posts on his Instagram story on Sunday, Bobrisky expressed concern about Speed Darlington’s welfare, urging Burna Boy to forgive him and arguing that 45 days in prison should suffice as punishment.

Bobrisky wrote, “I just want to mind my business this year and stay away from anything involving Nigerian celebrities, but my soft heart won’t stop me from thinking about many things.

“Please, Burna Boy, forgive Speed. Prison is not a nice place. I don’t think he has the money for the VIP section because it’s expensive.

“None of these people I’m using my platform to stand for did the same for me when it was my time. But you know what? Our hearts are different. I can’t stand seeing human beings hurt. I pray, Burna, please release him. Forty-five days in prison is enough punishment.”

Bobrisky also criticised fans for enabling Speed Darlington’s controversial behaviour and stressed the need for followers to hold celebrities accountable for their actions.

He added, “Fans, learn how to tell your favourites the truth when they are crossing the line. You all were applauding Speed when he was saying unpleasant things. Now, none of you is in prison with him.”

 

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Darlington saga: Seun Kuti speaks on relationship with Burna Boy

Bola Afolabi

Popular singer, Seun Kuti, has asked concerned individuals not to involve him in the quarrel between Grammys winner, Burna Boy, and fellow artiste, Speed Darlington.

Darlington has, for weeks, been in police custody over his claim that Burna Boy had an inappropriate relationship with troubled American music executive Diddy in his bid to win a Grammy trophy.

In a, Instagram live session, Kuti reacted to comments from fans, saying he did not want to get involved in the ongoing issues.

According to him, that Burna Boy gave him diamond jewelry doesn’t mean he is his adviser.

He said: “Don’t involve me in Burna Boy and Speed Darlington case. That I collected a diamond from him doesn’t mean I’m his close adviser.

Seun Kuti

“Diddy was even the one who made Speed Darlington popular. He reposted ‘Bangdadang’ which made the song popular.  I have done a lot of songs, and Diddy never posted any of them, but he reposted Speed Darlington’s song,” he said.

 

 

 

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Cynthia Morgan adamant on feud with Burna Boy. Vows not to reach out to him

 

Elijah Adebero

Popular female singer, Cynthia Morgan, has opened up on why she has refused to contact her colleague, Burna Boy.

Cynthia, who later changed her name to Martina,  took to social media to send a message to netizens who have been asking her to send a message to big name singer, Burna Boy.

She stated that it was likely Burna had decided to distance himself from her because she did not accept his claims regarding not having allegedly fathered a child with his previous partner, Uju.

She argued (stet): “For those of you sending me messages to reach out to burna boy, I won’t.

If it was me I would reach out but he probably still mad I didn’t believe he didn’t impregnate uju stella in 2016. That’s what most men do.

They lie and get mad when you don’t believe them… something he finally admitted to online 8years later.

Ya all leave me alone.

All the best damini…”

 

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I may not compete with streams, but I’m number one in terms of talent – Tiwa Savage

Star artiste, Tiwa Savage, has downplayed volumes of streams in choosing big artistes.

She says streaming apart, she is bigger than any Nigerian musician – including the Big 3 Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido.

In an interview on Beat FM 99.9, Lagos, she declares when asked about her thinking on the Big 3 rating: “Don’t get me started. If we are to go talent for talent, mic for mic, I am the big 1. If you take off the numbers [streams], and whatever you want to judge the big whatever with, you can’t see me on the mic. But again, it [the ranking] is not based on that [musical talent].”

Tiwa Savage is rich in artistry and swag and has survived a sex tape controversy, alongside other celebrity uproars.