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COVID-19 Helped Improved My Music Career And Preserved My Brand

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Young street music sensation Ahmed Akinbiyi aka Bella Shmurda speaks about his new album “High Tension 2.0” and how COVID-19 helped improved him as a person and music as a whole. Bella Shmurda drops his second EP, a 8-track EP on Friday, July 9th which he described as a personification of who he is as a person which is why he didn’t feature any big artiste on it. \"Bella

Below are some of the excerpts of Bella Shmurda’s interview with TOFARATI IGE; 

Your music became popular at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was in full force and there weren’t shows. How did that make you feel considering that you would have made more money from concerts if things were different?

Actually, I think the COVID-19 pandemic preserved my brand as an artiste. It also preserved my talent and longevity. The pandemic also gave people the time to get better and learn more. COVID-19 actually helped me to improve. Before, I just wanted to be an artiste, but now I want to be an entrepreneur.
READ ALSO: High Tension 2.0 Is Very Intentional, It Feels Like Me – Bella Shmurda

Some time ago, you were in Ghana with Wizkid. Do you plan to collaborate on a song?

Yes, we did something nice. But, it’s up to Wizkid on when it will be released.

\"BellaConsidering the struggles you faced while rising as an artiste, do you have plans to help up-and-coming entertainers in any way?

I think all up-and-coming artistes need to start attending seminars on how the music industry works. They need to know where they are going and be educated about certain things. Some artistes don’t really want to sing, they just want fame.  Most times, artistes shout about money, but it is not all about that. They need to answer certain questions— ‘Am I talented’? ‘How well can I write songs’? ‘Will my songs touch people’s lives’?
READ ALSO: Popular Veteran Musician Sound Sultan Is Dead

While coming up, I was also shouting that I wanted to be popular and make money. But, it’s very important to have a strategy. That’s why we need to educate them, so they can have a better understanding of the industry.

\"\"What are some of the things you wish you could have done differently as an artiste or person?

I cannot change who I am. However, I wish could be more of an introvert, because I seem to talk too much. At a point, I had to understand myself and note areas where I needed to improve. But, nobody is perfect though. Even with one’s talent, one cannot be the best. Nobody can lay claim to being the best musician. After the demise of heavyweights such as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Michael Jackson, music has continued. And after me, music will still continue.

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AFRIMA President speaks on fostering collaboration within African music community as BridgeAfric launches in Malawi |

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The President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, would be sharing his thought at the BridgeAfric’s Southern Africa launch in Malawi on March 23, 2024.

It is in continuation of promoting and showcasing African artistes, providing them with platforms to reach a global audience beyond their home countries,

BridgeAfric is a revolutionary initiative aimed at connecting African artistes and industry professionals across the continent led by the dynamic Victoria Nkong.

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With the theme; importance of fostering collaboration within the African music community, Dada would be speaking on the significance of working together in promoting African music on a global scale.

In his statement, the AFRIMA President noted that there are potential for growth and success that come from uniting artistes, producers, and other stakeholders in the industry.

Dada, who lauded BridgAfric for its efforts in connecting Malawians artistes with industry professionals, helping them to build their careers and reach a wider audience, said he is committed to supporting initiatives like BridgAfric that empower African artists and promote the rich diversity of African music. He believes that by working together, they can create a more vibrant and inclusive music industry that celebrates the talent and creativity of artists from across the continent.

“This is very significant for the growth, development and promotion of the arts and music industry in Africa, especially when you look at it from the point of view of collaborations, the Malawi music industry and connecting to the center of the journey of the ongoing movements and the development of the African industry to the global audience,” Dada submitted.

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South African billionaire commits suicide

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A South African billionaire, Markus Jooste has committed suicide as he was found dead with a gunshot wound near Cape Town.

It was reported that the billionaire shot himself in the head while taking a walk just few minutes from his Stellenbosch home.

The former Steinhoff CEO had been involved in an accounting fraud scandal as he got a hefty fine on Wednesday.

Police are investigating, stating that no foul play is suspected.

“It is alleged that the victim sustained a gunshot wound at around 1520 (local time) at Kwaaiwater and succumbed to death on his way to hospital,” Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said in a statement.

Jooste’s death comes after a fine from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority for false financial statements linked to Steinhoff’s near-collapse in 2017 due to accounting irregularities. 

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El-Rufai Speaks On Dumping APC For SDP

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A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has denied rumours of his planned defection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

El-Rufai made an unexpected appearance at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

The National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Musa Gabam, and other chieftains of the party received the former Kaduna governor.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday issued by his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said he only visited the SDP headquarters to return a visit to the party’s chairman.

The former Minister said Gabam was among his friends who took part in the break of the Ramadan fast (Iftar) at his house in Abuja on Tuesday.

El-Rufai said he is known for being open and forthright, adding that his political decisions would not be subjected to speculation.

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