Nigerian artist and songwriter Jaya is taking the music world by storm with the release of his highly anticipated single and music video, ‘Don’t Tell’ released under Disruptive Label and distributed by Dapper Music, this release marks a significant milestone in Jaya’s burgeoning career, both in Nigeria and internationally.
Jaya introduces his AfroGlobal sound—a dynamic blend of Afrobeat and Dancehall in this captivating undercover love story. The track and its visually stunning video offer an immersive experience, showcasing Jaya’s ability to blend vulnerability with a confident, charismatic persona seamlessly. The single’s infectious rhythm, relatable lyrics, and engaging storyline invite listeners into a world where love is passionate and discreet.
Produced by the powerhouse trio of Ty Jilla, Rob “WhooDat” Jua, and Warren Zavala, ‘Don’t Tell’ highlights Jaya’s versatility and artistic depth. The music video amplifies the AfroGlobal aesthetic, reinforcing Jaya’s role in the global expansion of African music.
Building up to the release of ‘Don’t Tell’, leading independent publishing company Prescription Songs, in partnership with Disruptive Label Publishing, officially signed Jaya. This global publishing deal positions him alongside elite artists such as Doja Cat and Fridayy, underscoring his rapid ascent in the music industry. Jaya has also co-produced and contributed vocals to a track on rap superstar Da Baby’s upcoming album, further demonstrating his multi-talented prowess.
With major labels showing keen interest, Jaya is poised to become one of Nigeria’s most prominent global stars. ‘Don’t Tell’ is just the beginning of what promises to be a landmark career.
‘Don’t Tell’ is available on all major streaming platforms.
David Johnson, professionally known as Jaya, is a singer and songwriter sensation from Nigeria. His music blends Afrobeats, Dancehall, R&B, and Pop, giving it a global appeal. Inspired by artists such as Fela Kuti, Wizkid, Drake, and Chris Brown, Jaya’s diverse style embodies the essence of Africa. His musical journey began as a church drummer, evolving into a talented singer from a young age.
In addition to his singing career, Jaya is a prolific songwriter, contributing his skills to renowned African artists like Asake, RunTown, Tiwa Savage, SkiiBii, and Spinall, solidifying his role in the industry.
Jaya met Rob Jua, an African-American music executive, through Instagram, leading to his signing with Disruptive Label. Since then, Jaya has worked on Da Baby’s upcoming album “Jonathan” and works on records for Rihanna, Oxlade, “The Lion King 2” soundtrack, and many of Nigeria’s top acts.
Disruptive Label recently partnered with multi-platinum pop producer Dr. Luke and his Prescription Songs for JAYA’s publishing deal. His versatility as a singer and songwriter positions him to make a significant impact on both the Nigerian and global music scenes.
Nedu Wazobia, the on-air personality (OAP), has broken his silence on why he left ‘The Honest Bunch’ podcast.
Nedu stepped down from the podcast in February 2025 amid controversy over allegations made during one of its episodes.
The controversy began after comedian DeeOne alleged on the podcast that Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), had intimate relationships with men.
VDM responded by accusing Nedu of orchestrating the allegations, leaking private conversations between them, and engaging in sexual exploitation. He was replaced by Daddy Freeze.
In a recent video shared on X, Nedu said the controversy was not the primary reason he left the podcast. Instead, he attributed his exit to an ownership dispute with the podcast’s handlers.
“Pretty much every Nigerian thought I left because of what happened that last year but that wasn’t why I left. Now, I started ‘Honest Bunch’, it wasn’t called the Honest Bunch. When I started the podcast, I was on radio. I needed an outlet where I could talk and say my mind,” he said.
“So I went to a person that was running the place. I called him, and we agreed to meet in a particular place. So the day I was going, the guy that was working with me then, Chudy I told him to come with me. And there is another guy, Austin. So we went there together. We sat down and told him to this is my idea and this what I want. He said, ‘Okay, how do we do it. I said ‘how it is going to work is you have a production house, the cameras, the team, my own is just to sit down and talk.’”
Nedu said that although there was no written contract, they reached a verbal agreement to split the podcast’s proceeds equally. But he eventually discovered the podcast was registered as property solely owned by the other party.
“I had the idea, and I said, ‘Okay, let’s do it 50/50.’ So we shook hands. Anything that comes in, I take 50 percent and you keep 50 percent. It was a gentleman’s agreement. That was where I made the mistake,” he said.
“I brought everything together. I came with the people, they handled production, cutting of the teasers. It was posted on their platform, that was not a problem for me. I just felt ‘na my person be this’, let go ahead and do this.
“We started going on, when they were dragging me like tiger generator for something that I know 150% innocent off wey some people wey dey. around there know everything. I’m not going to mention names. They said something ‘Nedu, we are going to put out a statement that we are suspending you
from the show.
“In my head, I am like so what now? Show wey I get? you dey craze? You dey give landlord ‘quick notice’? The next day, they now did search at CAC, know found out that when they were registering the honest bunch, they
registered it as hundred percent their
product. I didn’t want to leave. I was going to wait for it to die down but
when I now saw that it was hundred percent their product, I’m like no. na him
be say I know fit.”Nedu Wazobia: Why I left ‘The Honest Bunch’ podcast
Afrobeats superstar Davido has announced that he will be releasing his sixth studio album ‘ORIADÉ’ on July 31, marking the 15th anniversary of his music career.
The five-time Grammy-nominated artist broke the news in a social media post on Monday.
The album’s title is a portmanteau of the Yoruba words “ori” (head or destiny) and “adé” (crown).
ORIADÉ 👑 31st JULY.
The kingdom expands. Chosen long before the throne.
Pre-order my new album now. (Link in bio) pic.twitter.com/DfVLtbmYxA
According to Davido, the new album reflects his current phase of reflection and gratitude, channelling his journey toward fulfilling his purpose into the body of work. The 33-year-old record producer has not yet announced additional collaborators or a tracklist for the project.
‘ORIADÉ’ is led by the single ‘I Know Who I Be,‘ which was released on June 26. The forthcoming project serves as the official follow-up to the singer’s 2025 album ‘5ive.’
Born David Adeleke, Davido rose to fame in 2012 after releasing ‘Dami Duro,’ the second single from his debut album ‘Omo Baba Olowo’.
Since his debut album, he has released four other projects: ‘A Good Time’ (2019), ‘A Better Time‘ (2020), ‘Timeless’ (2023) and ‘5ive’ (2025).
Davido is also the founder of DMW, a record label established in April 2016. The music label has served as a home to a plethora of musical talent.
The organisers of the Headies have announced that the awards will be leaving Nigeria again, unveiling Canada as the host of the 18th edition.
Recall that the awards first left Nigeria in 2022 for its 15th edition in Atlanta but returned to Lagos for the 17th edition in 2025.
Speaking on Monday during “The Big Announcement” event held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, Headies founder, Ayo Animashaun, said the
decision to hold the 18th Headies in Toronto, Canada, was highly economical.
He explained that although the main ceremony will take place in Toronto, it will run simultaneously with a live watch party in Lagos, where Nigerian fans will participate in the celebration and witness portions of the awards presentation as the event unfolds abroad.
Animashaun said, “Someone said Ayo, you are taking the Headies out of the country again, he said it doesn’t make sense. Tell me what makes sense. Does it make sense for us not to do it anymore?
“So how do we fund it? We will have a watch Party in Lagos.”
The family of Alexx Ekubo has announced funeral arrangements
for the late Nollywood actor.
The movie star died on May 11 after battling with stage 4 kidney cancer.
The family shared the details in a post on the actor’s official Instagram page on Monday. The post included the burial programme and a photo of the deceased
The post revealed that a service of songs will be held on June 10 at The Monarch Event Center in Lekki, Lagos.
It added that the wake will take place on June 17 at the family residence in Arochukwu, Abia state.
The funeral service and interment are scheduled for June 18 in Arochukwu, followed by a reception.
“With profound sorrow, yet gratitude to God for a life so beautifully lived and deeply impactful, we officially announce the funeral arrangements of our beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and colleague, Alexx Ekubo-Okwaraeke,” the post reads.
“The overwhelming outpouring of love, prayers, messages, visits, calls, support, and strength shown to the family during this painful period has been truly humbling. Words cannot fully express our gratitude. Alexx was deeply loved, and your kindness continues to remind us that his light, compassion, faith, and impact on so many lives will never be forgotten.
“Alexx was deeply loved, and your kindness continues to remind us that his light, compassion, faith, and impact on so many lives will never be forgotten.
“We warmly invite family, friends, colleagues, fans, and well-wishers to join us as we honor and celebrate his beautiful life, enduring legacy, and the precious memories he gave us all.”
The family also urged the public to keep the actor’s wife and relatives in their prayers during the mourning period.
“Please continue to keep Alexx, his wife, and the entire family in your prayers during this difficult time,” it added.
Born in Port Harcourt on April 10, 1986, Ekubo began his acting career in 2003 with a role in ‘Sinners in the House’. He also featured in hundreds of Nollywood films.
In 2012, he won the ‘Most Promising Actor’ award at the Best of Nollywood Awards, followed by ‘Best Supporting Actor’ honours in 2013 and again in 2020.
Toyosi Etim Effiong, wife of Nigerian actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim Effiong, has revealed that her marriage to the movie star influenced her decision to become a talent manager.
In her recent podcast outing, Mrs Etim Effiong explained that after she got married, she noticed that her husband’s career and Nollywood in general lack structures and legal frameworks.
She said banking on her experience as a show organiser in New York, she decided to introduce some of the structures in the American showbiz into Nollywood, starting with her husband as her first client.
She said after some months of managing her husband’s career, some of his colleagues who noticed the positive changes in his career also reached out to her to be their manager as well.
Etim Effiong said, “I am married to Daniel Etim Effiong -Nigeria’s finest filmmaker and actor. And earlier on in the marriage, I realised that there wasn’t a lot of structure in his career and the Nigerian movie industry generally.
“Producers just casually call actors and ask when they will be available for a shoot and when the actor is available, they start bargaining for the artiste’s fee over the phone like market women. It was very informal.
“Sometimes, you will clear your calendar for a shoot and the producer will call and tell you it has been cancelled at the last minute and give excuses. There was no structure or legal framework. The negotiations were also horrible.
“So, I became a self-appointed manager, which he was fine with. I started to support him, even with his social media and reading through his contracts. My support brought immediate results. And after some months, some of his friends approached me to manage them, too.”
The Big Brother Naija, BBNaija, reality TV show is set to return for its 11th season as the organizers have announced the commencement of
auditions.
The announcement was made on Saturday via the show’s official social media pages.
The post reads: “It’s time! #BBNaija Season 11 auditions registration is here.
“Register from 16 – 20 May to qualify for the physical auditions. Limited slots. Registration portal closes at maximum capacity. Link to secure your spot: africamagic.tv/bigbrother.”
According to the organizers, interested participants are required to follow the steps below to participate in the audition.
“Go to africamagic.tv/bigbrother
“Fill in your personal details
“Choose your preferred date, location and time
“Date: MAY 22nd-24th | Location: Lagos, Abuja or Enugu
“Watch your inbox for a confirmation email
“Show up at your audition venue on your confirmed date!”
The post added: “Audition is free and open to persons 21 or older with a valid identity document.”
Famous Nigerian actor Alex Ekubo has sadly died. Family sources say he passed away yesterday Monday, May 11, after a battle with Cancer. He was 41 years old.
His whereabout has been of concern to many as he has been off social media for a long time. His last post on social media was in December 2024.
Alex was famous for his versatility as an actor as well as his good looks.
Nigerian record producer and music executive Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has named alternative rock singer Johnny Drille as his best musician.
The Mavin boss said Johnny Drille’s music is unique, stressing that he is a complete musician.
Speaking in a recent episode of the Crea8torium podcast, Don Jazzy claimed that Johnny Drille has no rival in the Nigerian music industry.
“If you look at the Nigerian music industry right now, there is nobody like Johnny Drille. He is in a world of his own. He is like the best musician – the complete musician that I know. He is versatile. He mix, write, sing. He does everything.
“He is also an amazing performer – the way he sounds in the studio is the same way he sounds in live shows,” he said.