Entertainment
No profits made from viral ‘Gwo Gwo Ngwo’ dance challenge — Brain Jotter
Popular Nigerian comedian and skitmaker Chukwuebuka Amuzie, known as Brain Jotter, has addressed concerns about the potential exploitation of Mike Ejeagha’s 1983 hit “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo,” which he sparked a viral dance challenge with.
The 41-year-old song by the 93-year-old folklore legend has taken social media by storm, leading to questions about revenue distribution and copyright. In response, Brain Jotter clarified that he is not profiting from the viral trend.
“For those who think we ripped him off or we’re making money from this whole thing, I understand your concerns and they are very valid. I appreciate the fact that you want him to get value for his hard work, which is very valid, and I want you to understand that you are doing something good,” Brain Jotter stated as he posted a video on Tuesday of his visit to the music legend.
He explained, saying, “At the end of the day, no dime was made from this song by me, nothing like that.”
Brain Jotter further explained the mechanics of content monetisation on various platforms.
“All those music where I did put out there – Instagram, Facebook, YouTube – everything, the whole revenue is going to Mike Ejeagha’s record label, his production company,” he said.
He detailed how copyright protection works on these platforms.
He said, “You cannot even monetise another person’s song because these platforms have copyright violation tools. If I post that video on YouTube, YouTube strikes it for copyright and they give the revenue to the actual owner, which is Mike Ejeagha.
“If you post it on Facebook, Facebook will tell you outright that this song does not belong to you, it belongs to this person. They take the revenue and give it to the actual owner.”
The comedian highlighted a positive outcome of the viral challenge, stating, “The song increased its streams on streaming platforms massively, and there’s no way I can put the song on streaming platforms. So everything, all revenues, are going straight to Mike Ejeagha.”
Brain Jotter also revealed that he gave Ejeagha two million naira, stating, “The two million I gave him was from my pocket. My hard-earned money is just for humanity and not for profit. This whole thing is not for profit.”
He further expressed gratitude for the joy the challenge has brought.
“We got the reward, which is the joy in his heart now. The joy in his heart now is my profit,” he said.
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.