Entertainment
Adunni Ade Speaks Nollywood Rejection Over Mixed Heritage
Adunni Ade, the Nollywood actress, has spoken out about the challenges she faces in the movie industry due to her mixed background.
Born to an American mother and a Nigerian father, Ade trained as an accountant at the University of Kentucky before moving to Nigeria to pursue acting full-time.
In an interview with Seun Oloketuyi, Adunni revealed that some producers doubt her ability to play certain roles because of her Caucasian appearance.
The 48-year-old revealed that she often gets rejected at the last minute without explanation and has learned to brush it off.
Adunni said she was happy that she is not limited to specific roles while being appreciative to God.
“I have played so many characters that even I would be like thank God I am getting this. I am very appreciative that I was never limited to roles that are been given to me,” she said.
“Moreso, sometimes playing lead or parent might be difficult for a filmmaker to cast. Who is going to play her mum who is going to play her dad? Someone who looks like her. Yorùbá never had that problem. If I needed to play someone’s daughter, Madam Saje is there, Shaffy Bello is there. So many people have played my mum. They would just have a story to tell about the dad.
“There had been days when I would get a call, or script, excited about the character, I am already in that mood, thinking of how I am going to transform into this person and just deliver. And then last minute, they will begin to (stutter).
“Back then, it will affect me, bug me, because I am like, did you not think about this before calling me? Why last minute did you change your mind? Of recent this happened. And I was like no problem. Another day it will rest.”
Award-winning singer Tems has won the Best Recording of the Year award at the 17th Headies awards for her captivating single “Burning”.
The song, featured on her 18-track album “Born in the Wild”, showcases her exceptional artistry and musical prowess.
Tems was up against stiff competition, beating out fellow nominees Seyi Vibez, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr ft Giveon, Sarz, and Lojay.
The award, one of the most prestigious in Nigerian music, was announced and received by Tems’ mother.
Since its inception in 2006 as the Hip Hop World Awards, The Headies has grown into the most respected music award platform in Nigeria, celebrating the country’s biggest talents year after year.
Award-winning Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, also known as Davido won the Best Digital Artiste of the Year at the 17th annual Headies Awards.
A well-deserved crown, considering his outstanding influence across streaming platforms and online spaces.
Davido’s collaborative track, “Ogechi Remix” with Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel, also received multiple nominations.
The Headies, which celebrates excellence in the Nigerian music industry, held its 17th edition on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos.
The event gathered some of the industry’s biggest stars in a night of high-profile performances and recognitions.
Other major winners included Zerry DL, Tems, Funke Akindele, and Rema.
Full list of winners:
Rookie of the Year
Zerry DL — Winner
Taves
Kaestyle
Llona
Soundtrack of the Year
“Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack) — Winner
“Eledumare” – Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
“Lose to Gain” – Kaline (Breathe of Life)
“Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
“Orisa” – Beriola (Orisa)
“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)
Best Recording of the Year
“Burning” – Tems — Winner
“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
“Higher” – Burna Boy
“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon
“Billions” – Sarz and Lojay
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
“Billions” – Lojay — Winner
“Moving” – Omah Lay
“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
“For You” – Johnny Drille
“Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
“I’m Done” – Liya — Winner
“Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr
“Level” – Niniola
“Stranger” – Simi
“Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade
Special Recognition Award Recipients
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
Songwriter of the Year
“Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi) — Winner
“Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
“Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
“Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
“Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)
Humanitarian Award Recipients
Temitola Adekunle Johnson
Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)
Producer of the Year
“OZEBA” – London — Winner
“Happiness” – Sarz
“Basquiat” – Magicsticks
“HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
“Different Patterns” – Dibs
Afrobeats Album of the Year
HEIS – Rema — Winner
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Music Video of the Year
“EGWU” – Director Pink — Winner
“Charm” – Rema, Perliks and Folarin Oludare
“Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala
“Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine
“Ojapiano” – Mattmax
“Showa” – TG Omori
“Na Money” – Dammy Twitch
Afrobeats Single of the Year
“Big Baller” – Flavour — Winner
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
“Egwu” – Chike (feat. Mohbad)
“Remember” – Asake
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad — Winner
“Big Baller” – Flavour
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
“OZEBA” – Rema
“Love Me Jeje” – Tems
“Cast” – Shallipopi (feat. Odumodublvck)
“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (feat. Fireboy DML)
Headies Next Rated
Odumodublvck — Winner
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Ayo Maff
Nasboi
Best Digital Artiste of the Year
Davido — Winner
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Best East African Artiste of the Year
Juma Jux (Tanzania) — Winner
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)
Music legend 2Baba has officially introduced his new partner, lawmaker Natasha Osawaru, to his family in a video that has since gone viral.
The introduction follows a rocky chapter in 2Baba’s personal life, including a widely publicised breakup with his longtime partner, Annie Macaulay, and an emotional plea from his mother urging Natasha to distance herself from the singer.
Earlier this year, 2Baba’s mother, Rose, made headlines when she tearfully appealed to Natasha to “release” her son from what she described as a troubling relationship.
“This message is for Miss Natasha Osawaru of Edo State. I’m calling on all mothers in Nigeria to help me beg her to free my son,” she stated.
The matriarch’s heartfelt message sparked widespread attention, with many wondering if the family would ever accept Natasha as a part of 2Baba’s life.
However, it appears that Rose has had a change of heart.
According to recent videos, Natasha met with 2Baba’s family, including his mother, in a private gathering that seemed to signify a new chapter in their relationship.
The meeting also included other key family stakeholders.