Entertainment
Ayra Starr and Tyla Lead Nigerian Nominations at MTV EMA 2024

Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr has made headlines with four nominations for the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards. The nominees list was unveiled on Wednesday, showcasing her talent across various categories, including ‘Best African Act,’ ‘Best Push,’ ‘Best Afrobeats,’ and ‘Best New Artist.’
Joining her in the ‘Best Afrobeats’ category are fellow Nigerian stars Tems, Burna Boy, Asake, and Rema. South Africa’s Tyla also shines with nominations in four categories: ‘Best New,’ ‘Best Afrobeats,’ ‘Best African Act,’ and ‘Best R&B.’
American pop icon Taylor Swift leads the nominations with an impressive seven categories. The 30th MTV EMA ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Manchester’s Co-op Live in the UK.
Full List of Nominations:
**Best New Artist**
– Ayra Starr
– Chappell Roan
– LE SSERAFIM
– Benson Boone
– The Last Dinner Party
– Teddy Swims
– Tyla
Best Afrobeats
– Asake
– Burna Boy
– Rema
– Ayra Starr
– Tems
– Tyla
**Best Push**
– Chappell Roan
– Ayra Starr
– Coco Jones
– Flyana Boss
– Laufey
– LE SSERAFIM
– Jessie Murph
– Mark Ambor
– Teddy Swims
– Shaboozey
– The Warning
– Victoria Monét
Best R&B
– SZA
– Kehlani
– Tinashe
– Usher
– Victoria Monét
– Tyla
Best Song
– Ariana Grande – ‘We Can’t Be Friends’
– Sabrina Carpenter – ‘Espresso’
– Benson – ‘Beautiful Things’
– Beyoncé – ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’
– Chappell Roan – ‘Good Luck, Babe!’
– Billie Eilish – ‘Birds of a Feather’
Best Video
– Charli xcx – ‘360’
– Ariana Grande – ‘We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)’
– Eminem – ’Houdini’
– Kendrick Lamar – ‘Not Like Us’
– Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – ‘Fortnight’
– LISA ft. Rosalía – ‘New Woman’
Best Artist
– Billie Eilish
– Beyoncé
– Post Malone
– Sabrina Carpenter
– Taylor Swift
– RAYE
Best Collaboration
– Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – ‘Like That’
– Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars – ‘Die With A Smile’
– LISA ft. Rosalía – ‘New Woman’
– Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – ‘Fortnight’
– Peso Pluma, Anitta – ‘Bellakeo’
Best Pop
– Billie Eilish
– Ariana Grande
– Camila Cabello
– Charli xcx
– Sabrina Carpenter
– Dua Lipa
– Taylor Swift
Best Rock
– The Killers
– Coldplay
– Green Day
– Lenny Kravitz
– Kings of Leon
– Liam Gallagher
– Bon Jovi
Best Latin
– Anitta
– Bad Bunny
– Karol G
– Peso Pluma
– Rauw Alejandro
– Shakira
**Best K-Pop**
– Stray Kids
– Jung Kook
– LE SSERAFIM
– Jimin
– Lisa
– NewJeans
Best Alternative
– Hozier
– Imagine Dragons
– Twenty One Pilots
– Lana Del Rey
– Yungblud
– Fontaines D.C.
Best Electronic
– Fred Again
– David Guetta
– DJ Snake
– Disclosure
– Swedish House Mafia
– Calvin Harris
Best Hip-Hop
– Travis Scott
– Eminem
– Megan Thee Stallion
– Kendrick Lamar
– Central Cee
– Nicki Minaj
Best Live Performance
– Coldplay
– Adele
– Doja Cat
– Travis Scott
– Taylor Swift
– RAYE
Biggest Fans
– Ariana Grande
– Anitta
– Beyoncé
– Chappell Roan
– Billie Eilish
– Charli xcx
– Lisa
– Katy Perry
– Nicki Minaj
– Shawn Mendes
– Sabrina Carpenter
– Taylor Swift
Best African Act
– Ayra Starr
– Asake
– DBN Gogo
– TitoM & Yuppe
– Tyla
– Diamond Platnumz
Best Asian Act
– Mahalini
– Bini
– Illit
– Masdo
– Sakurazaka46
Best Australian Act
– Cyril
– The Kid LAROI
– Kylie Minogue
– Sia
– Troye Sivan
– Confidence Man
Best Austrian Act
– Christina Stürmer
– Bilderbuch
– Esther Graf
– Wanda
– Money Boy
– RAF Camora
Best Brazilian Act
– Jão
– Matuê
– Pabllo Vittar
– Pedro Sampaio
– Luisa Sonza
Best Canadian Act
– Shawn Mendes
– Kaytranada
– Nelly Furtado
– Tate McRae
– AR Paisley
Best Caribbean Act
– Luar la L
– Eladio Carrion
– YovngChimi
– Myke Towers
– Young Miko
Best Dutch Act**
– Claude
– Mr. Belt & Wezol
– Jonna Fraser
– Son Mieux
– Roxy Dekker
Best French Act
– Dadju & Tayc
– GIMS
– Aya Nakamura
– Pierre Garnier
– Vitaa
– Slimane
Best German Act
– Luciano
– AYLIVA
– K.I.Z
– Shirin David
– Pashanim
Best Indian Act
– Chirag Todi
– Dee MC & EPR
– Kamakshi Khanna
– Hanumankind
– Mali
– Armaan Malik
Best Italian Act
– Mahmood
– Annalisa
– Ghali
– The Kolors
– Angelina Mango
Best Israeli Act
– Agam Buhbut
– Anna Zak
– Noa Kirel
– Shahar Saul
– Shahar Tavoch
Best Latin America Central Act
– Beele
– Blessd
– Kapo
– Manuel Turizo
– Sofia Castro
Best Latin America North Act
– Danna
– El Malilla
– Gabito Ballesteros
– Natanael Cano
– YeriMua
Best Latin America South Act
– Dillom
– Emilia
– Luck Ra
– Maria Becerra
– Trueno
Best Nordic Act
– Alesso
– Girl in Red
– Laufey
– Swedish House Mafia
– Zara Larsson
Best Polish Act
– Daria Zawiałow
– Kacperczyk
– Kwiat Jabłoni
– Pro8l3m
– Zalewski
Best Portuguese Act
– Bárbara Bandeira
– Bárbara Tinoco
– Dillaz
– Ivandro
– Slow J
Best Spanish Act
– Mikel Izal
– Ana Mena
– Belén Aguilera
– Lola Indigo
– Dani Fernández
Best Swiss Act
– Nemo
– Benjamin Amaru
– Faber
– Priya Ragu
– Stress
Best UK & Ireland Act
– Chase & Status
– Central Cee
– Charli xcx
– Dua Lipa
– RAYE
– Hozier
Best US Act
– Sabrina Carpenter
– Beyoncé
– Kendrick Lamar
– Taylor Swift
– Ariana Grande
Entertainment
Why I won’t sign up-and-coming artistes – Tiwa Savage

Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress Tiwa Savage has revealed that she has no plans to sign upcoming artists, citing the stress and responsibility involved in managing musicians. Instead, she aims to create an ecosystem where African artists can thrive independently.
Speaking in an interview with Forbes Africa on Thursday, Savage explained that handling artists can be overwhelming. “Everyone always asks me, ‘When will you sign an artiste?’ I don’t think I have the gift to sign another artiste, because artistes are stressful. I could just be sleeping, and then I will wake up and my artist is trending for something else,” she said.
Rather than signing musicians, Savage is focused on launching a music school that will equip artists with the skills they need before signing with record labels that can properly support them.
She also emphasized the importance of African artists building their own industry instead of seeking validation abroad. “Why are we trying to break into another market? We should build our own to be the one others try to break into,” she said, highlighting the need for infrastructure, affordable data, and investment in Africa’s entertainment industry.
Beyond music, the ‘Somebody’s Son’ hitmaker is expanding her portfolio, having made her executive producer debut in 2024 with Water and Garri. Looking ahead, she is setting her sights on greater ambitions. “I want to go into my mogul era – billionaire Tiwa Savage,” she declared.
Entertainment
Ayra Starr Makes History at 2025 MOBO Awards, Wins Best African and Best International Music Act

By Abigail Philip David
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has emerged victorious at the 2025 MOBO Awards, winning the Best African Music Act category ahead of fellow Nigerian artists Asake and Tems, as well as South Africa’s Tyla.
Her win makes her the first female artist in 16 years to claim the award, marking a significant milestone in her career.
In addition to this achievement, Ayra Starr also took home the prestigious Best International Music Act award, triumphing over global stars like Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion, Tems, and Latto.
The ceremony, held in Newcastle, was hosted by Indiyah Polack and Eddie Kadi and celebrated the best of Black music and culture.
During her acceptance speech, a visibly emotional and overwhelmed Ayra Starr expressed her gratitude:
“Okay, this is my first MOBO. And this is the first time I’m winning a MOBO Award—make some noise! I am actually shaking right now. I am actually nervous.”
She went on to thank her supporters, her team, and her label, MAVIN Records, alongside her producers and family:
“Thank you so much to everybody who supported me. Thank you to my team—my amazing MOB-STARS. My amazing brothers who make music with me—the producers in the studio—my studio partners in crime; my label—MAVINS Records, Embryo, my mummy… Thank you so much. Thank you, MOBOs.”
Ayra Starr’s double victory further cements her status as one of Africa’s leading musical talents on the global stage.
Entertainment
Portable Apologizes to Ogun State Government, Seeks Divine Intervention

By Abigail Philip David
Controversial street singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has publicly apologized to the Ogun State government following recent legal troubles.
For weeks, the singer has been entangled in a dispute with the Ogun State Police Command, which declared him wanted on charges of conspiracy, serious assault, armed violence, public disturbance, and attempted murder. The allegations stemmed from claims that he recruited armed thugs to carry out attacks.
In response, Portable initially denied the accusations, claiming they were an attempt to bring him down. He challenged the police to present evidence and labeled them as unjust.
However, in a recent Instagram post, the singer shifted his tone, praying for divine intervention. He pleaded with God to turn his struggles into blessings, protect his family, and send him a helper. Expressing remorse, Portable admitted that fear drove him to flee.
“Ogun State Government, I’m sorry. It was fear that made me run. Thank God the police are our friends and family. God is everywhere—please forgive me. I believe in You. Any disappointment is a blessing,” he wrote.
Earlier this month, Portable had a heated clash with authorities after the government sealed his unfinished building and hotel over illegal development without proper approval. The incident led to the detention of some of his workers and customers.
Following the ordeal, he canceled his London show, citing the need to protect his family and properties. Over the weekend, he expressed frustration, lamenting that despite his contributions to Ogun State, he felt unappreciated.
In a desperate appeal, Portable even called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene on his behalf, urging him to plead with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun. He claimed that his troubles were politically motivated, stemming from his support for a political figure, Yayi.
Despite the controversy, the singer remains hopeful, relying on faith to navigate his challenges.
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