Entertainment
Shakira’s Colombian home city unveils statue in her honor
Colombian superstar Shakira’s Caribbean home city of Barranquilla unveiled a 6.5-meter (21.3-foot) hip-swaying statue in her honor on Tuesday.
The towering bronze and aluminum creation depicts the singer in a bikini top, bare middle and a long, flowing skirt, her hands clasped over her head and one hip jutting out in one of her characteristic dance moves.
“Hips that do not lie, a unique talent, a voice that moves masses,” reads the inscription at the base of the sculpture unveiled on the banks of the Magdalena River at a ceremony attended by Shakira’s parents William Mebarak and Nidia Ripoll.
“Hips don’t lie” is the title of one of 46-year-old Shakira’s award-winning songs.
On the platform X, the singer thanked sculptor Yino Marquez and his art student collaborators for “this example of the enormous artistic talent of the people of my country.”
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, an icon of Latina girl power, has sold some 80 million albums worldwide and won three Grammy awards.
She has recently been in the news for completely different reasons, investigated over unpaid taxes in Spain and paying millions of euros in settlements.
In 2021, Shakira was named in the “Pandora Papers” leaks, which revealed the wealth and tax avoidance strategies of the global elite.
She has since released a new hit song with Argentine DJ Bizarrap that has been viewed more than 666 million times on YouTube and won 2023 song of the year at the Latin Grammy Awards.
Entertainment
2Baba in talks with Defense Minister to leverage music for Nat’l Security
In response, the Minister described the initiative as one that strongly aligns with the Federal Government’s non-kinetic strategy for tackling insecurity, noting that 2Baba’s influence and credibility among Nigerian youths position him as a powerful mentor and voice for positive change.
•Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa , and music icon, Innocent Idibia (2Baba)
Nigerian music icon, Innocent Idibia, better known as 2Baba, alongside his team has met with the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa to discuss the prospect of using music as a tool to counter violent narratives among young Nigerians.
During the meeting held in Abuja, 2Baba unveiled an initiative designed as a national, culture-driven intervention that leverages music to promote behavioural change and youth reorientation.
The campaign seeks to transform entertainment into a force for positive social influence, particularly at a time when some music narratives and visual aesthetics risk normalising aggression and harmful “hustle culture.”
Explaining the vision, 2Baba said the campaign aims to turn up conversations around lasting solutions to insecurity, break down barriers limiting access to creative talent, and activate youth engagement through experiential platforms, and ultimately helping to turn down the culture of violence.
In response, the Minister described the initiative as one that strongly aligns with the Federal Government’s non-kinetic strategy for tackling insecurity, noting that 2Baba’s influence and credibility among Nigerian youths position him as a powerful mentor and voice for positive change.
Entertainment
Tiwa Savage foundation to train 100 African music talents
As part of its first programme, the foundation will choose 100 creatives from across Africa for a four day intensive training in Lagos from April 23 to 26, 2026.
Photo: Tiwa Savage (middle) flanked by Senator Daisy Danjuma (left) and Founder of The Delborough Hotel, Stanley Uzochukwu, at the venue that played host to the official unveiling of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation.
The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation is set to discover, train and support 100 emerging music talents across Africa.
As part of its first programme, the foundation will choose 100 creatives from across Africa for a four day intensive training in Lagos from April 23 to 26, 2026.
The foundation was unveiled on March 9, 2026, in Lagos during a launch attended by major figures from entertainment, business and the public sector.
At the event, the 46-year-old singer said the project would go beyond grooming performers and would also pay attention to other important parts of the music business.
“This is everything to do with music, film scoring, music publishing, music therapy, production, sound engineering,” the award-winning singer said.
Savage emphasised that the goal of the foundation is to help talented young Africans gain the training, structure and opportunities they need to grow.
“We don’t lack talents in Nigeria, we have so much talents. What I want to do is to be able to create access so that people that have the talent can find the right infrastructure, education and can also be a bridge and pipeline to the rest of the world,” Savage said.
Entertainment
Ben TV Chairman , Alistair Soyode Nominated for African Business Awards 2026
The award ceremony , scheduled for 29 May 2026, recognises outstanding achievement and leadership within the creative, media, and entertainment industries.
The African Business Chamber (AfBC) has nominated Alistair Soyode African – Growth – Diaspora – Engagement – Founder, Nigeria in Diaspora Leadership Forum & Chairman, Ben Television for the AfBC Creative, Media & Entertainment Industry Excellence Award.
The award ceremony , scheduled for 29 May 2026, recognises outstanding achievement and leadership within the creative, media, and entertainment industries.
It celebrates individuals, organisations, or enterprises that have demonstrated exceptional creativity, commercial success, and cultural impact across sectors such as film, television, music, fashion, digital media, publishing, advertising, and the performing arts.
Recipients are recognised for elevating African narratives, driving innovation, expanding global reach, and contributing meaningfully to economic growth, cultural influence, and industry development.
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