Tribune Online

2016 was an eventful year in the Nigerian entertainment industry but while some celebrities had it good, some had it unobtrusively controversial. JOAN OMIONAWELE chronicles some of Nigeria’s top artistes and their controversies. Teckno: The Made Men Music Group (MMMG) recod label artiste has been in the industry for over 5 years, and just this year, his song ‘Pana’ became a hit and blew his fans away. Since then, he has been touring various states and countries across the world. The artiste who is very vocal on social media for various reasons, recently became more controversial when he received a Headies nomination for the award of the Next rated artiste. The musician who found this demeaning refused to accept the nomination and was disqualified from the award, by the organisers because he refused to honour their invitation. According to Tekno, “after how many years would I be recognised as the Next Rated Artiste?” He eventually boycotted the Awards and refused to show up. He has since continued to perform at shows for his teeming fans. Davido: In the early days of 2016, trouble ensued from the stable of Nigerian singer, Davido, as he had an internet brawl with his baby Mama, Sophia Momodu, who is a niece to Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine. Momodu was said to have heard that Davido wanted to take his child, Imade, out of the country and the singer, who was angered took to twitter to blast Momodu and his Baby Mama. It took the intervention of the elders in both families to settle this. A few months after, Davido was also put on the hot seat when Nigeria’s queen of dancers, Kaffy, lashed him for not paying her dancers after they had rehearsed and were abruptly dispersed by Davido, while they were about to perform at one of his shows outside the country. Falz: After starting the year by winning an AMVCA’s award as Best Actor in a comedy, Falz also won a Bet Award as the revelation of the year. The rapper also released some hit tracks with various artistes including Simi and Kobi Jonz. With his ability to evoke laughter with his rare comic tone, Falz broke through by posting funny skits online, a move which endeared him to millions of people. Infact, it shows that the bundle of talents will be here for a very long time. Yemi Alade: No doubt, Yemi Alade puts in work into her craft. This year, she released her Mama Africa Album, an album which launched her into other countries of the world. From winning the MTV base to getting on various major shows in Nigeria, it’s obvious that the Johnnu crooner had a good 2016. She also won the Future Awards 2016 prize for music in year 2016. Wizkid: During the course of the year, Wizkid made headlines for various reasons, especially with his brawl with popular blogger, Linda Ikeji, as well as his photoshoot in a toilet, while using money as tissue paper. He, however, dissapointed his fans when he cancelled a homecoming concert which he was supposed to have, explaining that he was supposed to rest on doctor’s orders. Meanwhile, he had been paid to perform at a show in Uganda, the organisers of the show alleged that the musician did not keep his end of the bargain and filed a suit against the musician, the matter is yet to be settled in court. Funke Akindele: When Nollywood Actress, Funke Akindele conceived the idea of Jenifa’s Diary many were optimistic about the success of the brainchild of the actress, but the series in one year has carted away many awards since inception. Not long after a messy divorce from her ex husband, Oloyede, the actress found love again and had a quiet and intimate wedding in the Uk, to a popular musicican JJC Skills. The duo have been helping each other improve theircraft especially with Funke’s movie premieres outside the country. Just this week, a disturbing prophecy from a certain prophet Faleyimu stating that she needs to conduct special prayers in order to be able to give birth to a child. Her husband, disturbed by the news stated ‘as you bring joy to many, I pray that joy will never depart from you, your children will fill our home. We will grow old together and reap the fruits of our labour” he prayed.