DJ Cuppy’s breakup rumour, Wizkid Headies omission… top stories of last week 

Last week was eventful in showbiz. TheCable Lifestyle examines the top entertainment stories that got tongues wagging in the past seven days. 

WIZKID HEADIES OMISSON

The organisers of the 16th Headies released the nomination list for this year’s award show on Wednesday, with Burna Boy leading the pack of stars.

The ‘Twice As Tall’ hitmaker secured 11 nominations while Asake followed closely behind with eight nods.

Ayra Starr will go head-to-head with Tems, Tiwa Savage and Simi for the ‘Best Female Artiste’ category while Asake, Victony, Young Jonn and Seyi Vibez will compete for the ‘Next Rated’ category.

Davido was nominated in the ‘Best Recording of the Year’ category.

Wizkid was, however, not on the list, making it the first time in 13 years that the singer will not be making the Headies nominations.

VICTORY GBAKARA WINS NIGERIAN IDOL SEASON 8

Victory Gbakara on Sunday won the 2023 Nigerian Idol, the local version of the Idol series franchise.

Gbakara defeated Precious Mac in the final to clinch the N100 million grand prize, part of which is N35 million in cash.

He will also get a music record deal and a video shoot among other gift prizes.

NOLLYWOOD STAR CYNTHIA OKEREKE IS DEAD

Cynthia Okereke, the ace Nollywood actress, died on Tuesday night at the age of 63. 

Actor Joseph Okechukwu, who broke the news of Okereke’s death, described her as an “amazing, decent, and lovely soul”. 

“I pray I’m able to recover from this shock. Life is really just a mist. One minute you have it, the next you don’t,” he wrote. 

“For the more than 20 years that I’ve known you, you’ve been such an amazing, decent and lovely soul to be around. I never imagined you’d exit so unceremoniously. Words fail me.

“Sleep on, Cynthia. May your gentle soul rest on till we meet again in glory.

ARSENAL UNVEILS DECLAN RICE WITH ODUMODU’S HIT SONG 

Arsenal unveiled their newly signed player Declan Rice with a hit song by Odumodublvck, the Nigerian rapper.

Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham United last Saturday in a deal worth £105 million, the highest paid by the North London club for any player.

The Nigerian rapper also took to social media to congratulate the footballer.

“Congrats to my boy on your new adventure @declanrice with the @arsenal. God bless everyone involved in this milestone, my producers. Abuja Stand Up,” he wrote.

BELLA SHMURDA, ODUMODU ‘ASSAULTED’ AT POCO LEE’S LASU CONCERT

Bella Shmurda and Odumodublvck were allegedly assaulted on Thursday at dancer Poco Lee’s concert at the Lagos State University (LASU). 

The star-studded homecoming concert held at the institution ended abruptly after some persons reportedly invaded the VIP section.

Bella Shmurda and Odumodublvck were among the musicians that fled the venue in the chaos.

There were claims that cultists were behind the disruption of the concert.

But in a statement on Friday, the institution said there “were indeed pockets of squabbles” but denied the alleged attack by cultists.

DJ CUPPY, FIANCÉ UNFOLLOW EACH OTHER ON IG AMID BREAK-UP RUMOUR 

DJ Cuppy and Ryan Taylor, her fiance, have unfollowed each other on Instagram, sparking rumours they are no longer together.

On Saturday, unconfirmed reports began to circulate on social media platforms that the lovebirds are no longer in a relationship.

Some blogs also claimed, “Cuppy has not been spotted with her ring nor has she been flaunting Tyler on her page”. 

Cuppy and Taylor are yet to confirm or deny the reports.

BLACKFACE ACCUSES ASAKE OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

Ahmedu Obiabo, the Nigerian singer better known as Blackface, claimed Asake sampled his song ‘Ikebe Super’ in ‘Joha’.

‘Ikebe Super’ is from Blackface’s 2016 album while ‘Joha’ is a track of Asake’s 2022 debut album.

The former Plantashun Boiz star said he is not against young artistes sampling his songs but is worried about the manner in which they go about it without seeking permission.