Super Eagles

Football

David Ben

<p>It was all fun and games on social media today until an agenda decided to break some tables on popular social media platform Twitter.</p>

<p>Football twitter is by far the most active community on the Twitter space, with constant agendas and banter always headlining the trend table nearly every day of the week on the platform.</p>

<p>However, a Twitter user decided to press some buttons in the midst of the mild calm on the social space due to the international break - which most football fans never seem to enjoy especially as the season just kicked off.</p>

<p>The user identified as <a href="https://twitter.com/imoteda">@imoteda</a> took to the social networking platform to post a hot take which has now angered most football fans.</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So many people think football players are crazy popular. It’s so weird. Like how can you say a football player is more popular than Beyonce? Then name two football players than even I wouldn’t recognize. <br><br>Lol</p>&mdash; Aunty Teda (@imoteda) <a href="https://twitter.com/imoteda/status/1573993530636247041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to her via her tweet: "So many people think football players are crazy popular. It’s so weird. Like how can you say a football player is more popular than Beyonce? Then name two football players than even I wouldn’t recognize. Lol"</p>

<p>Multi-Award winning Grammy artiste Beyonce is no doubt a music icon and one of the most successful artistes of her generation.</p>

Beyonce accepts the Best R&B Performance award at the 63rd Grammys on March 14, 2021, in Los Angeles, California.

<p>Beyonce is very popular in for her music globally as well as in the U.S but even so, her popularity arguably does not measure up to that of the biggest stars in the game, just from their social following.</p>

<p>It only took seconds before a large section of the football community decided to quote her tweet, slamming the sheer audacity to underestimate the popularity of the biggest football stars on the globe.</p>

<p>To begin with, two of football's biggest stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have a combined following of more than 1 billion on all their social media channels when put together with Ronaldo boasting as the most followed person on Instagram.</p>

Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi and his Portuguese counterpart Cristiano Ronaldo are the most followed footballers on the planet

Mohamed Salah, Ronaldo and Messi are some of the most popular footballers in the world

<p>Not to talk of the number of fans each most of the elite club sides in Europe boast of.</p>

<p>For a sport, which is undisputedly the most watched sport globally, her claims were deemed as largely an exaggeration, if not entirely untrue.</p>

<p>Underestimating how wide football is as a sport might even be considered as plain disrespectful seeing how much traction it gathers on the internet globally whenever there's a big event.</p>

<p>Her argument, though, might be valid to an extent. But many football fans on Twitter were not having it and have now reacted to her claims.</p>

<p>Here are some of the reactions below:</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The people in remote villages don’t listen to no damn beyonce be it in the north or south, but no matter how remote a village is their must be a football viewing center.</p>&mdash; Big Zan (@cityhunter232) <a href="https://twitter.com/cityhunter232/status/1574076638110916609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The siuuu alone is bigger than Beyonce and jay z combined</p>&mdash; Strength &amp; Hope (@GudOver3vil) <a href="https://twitter.com/GudOver3vil/status/1574085532291723264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Even my Grandma knows Messi and Ronaldo and she doesn&#39;t watch football lol</p>&mdash; 4:44 (@its_lammyffs) <a href="https://twitter.com/its_lammyffs/status/1574084843184525314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Abeg who is Beyoncé? If dem carry her beehive combine am with kpop, e never reach Ronaldo and Messi fanboy.</p>&mdash; 1Creek🔻 (@1creeknation) <a href="https://twitter.com/1creeknation/status/1574083726073819136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Beyonce kini? Ororo, siuuuuu is bigger than Beyonce and all she represents</p>&mdash; Abi_Jibrin #DataFestAfrica2024 (@AbiPreJibrin) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbiPreJibrin/status/1574082262596915205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Like I don’t even know how she looks like <br><br>Truth be told</p>&mdash; SCO 📈📉 (@sco_daddie) <a href="https://twitter.com/sco_daddie/status/1574086065916370947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What is a Beyonce? 😭😭</p>&mdash; . (@Millenniumm22) <a href="https://twitter.com/Millenniumm22/status/1574078923666870275?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Ronaldo drop a song it’ll top all charts and enter billboard hot 100</p>&mdash; . (@iam_igwewisdom) <a href="https://twitter.com/iam_igwewisdom/status/1574078508594339840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This ratio loud abegg.😬</p>&mdash; Fatima (@FatimaSovi1) <a href="https://twitter.com/FatimaSovi1/status/1574075997561016321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Siuuuu is bigger than Beyoncé and her husband . Pls don’t let me start</p>&mdash; 🇧🇧 (@f4b__z) <a href="https://twitter.com/f4b__z/status/1574075718799163396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let’s put it like this, my father doesn’t watch or care for football, but knows Messi and Ronaldo, ask him about Beyoncé, he will be confused</p>&mdash; Abi (@abibetiku) <a href="https://twitter.com/abibetiku/status/1574074802301698051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You set Beyoncé up 😭😭😭</p>&mdash; Mocha👸🏾 (@raychellered) <a href="https://twitter.com/raychellered/status/1574073200736083969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">lmfao the ratio</p>&mdash; chibby (@kingchibby) <a href="https://twitter.com/kingchibby/status/1574070307157155845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Salah is more popular than Beyonce. People tend to underestimate just how wide the reach of football is.</p>&mdash; 𝙴𝚣𝚞🇳🇬™ (@Ezu_nig) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ezu_nig/status/1574067513192812544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Could Beyonce be more popular than football's biggest stars

A Twitter user just subscribed for premium dragging this aftenoon, after making a bold claim about her Idolo, triggering epic reactions from all corners of the social media platform.

'Who is Beyonce?' -Football fans on social media slam Twitter user after claiming that the popstar is famous than most footballers

Motolani Alake

<h1>On March 14, 2021, Nigerian superstar, Wizkid won 'Best Music Video' for his role on 'Brown Skin Girl' at the 63rd Grammy Award.</h1>

<p>He won the award alongside <strong>Beyonce, </strong>who owns the song and featured artists, <strong>Saint Jhn </strong>and <strong>Blue Ivy. </strong>The award will also go to <strong>Jenn Nkiru </strong>who directed the video.</p>

<p>The song was made for Beyonce's album, <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/the-lion-king-the-gift-by-beyonce-album-review/v441rss">Lion King: The Gift </a>which featured other Nigerian artists. In October 2019, <strong>Pulse Nigeria </strong>reported that preparations were being made <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/wizkid-beyonce-blue-ivy-saint-jhn-brown-skin-girl-video/e50xje4">for the video</a>.</p>

<p>Wizkid will win the Grammy for his role in the song and in its video. The rules provide that the artists, producer and video director will get a statuette for this category. As of the time of this win, the video has over 31 million views on <strong>YouTube. </strong></p>

<p><strong>You can watch the video below;</strong></p>

Wizkid, Beyonce, Beyonce's daughter and Saint jHN feature in stunning new video for, 'Brown Skin Girl.' (NaijaKit)

The rules provide that the artists, producer and video director will get a statuette for this category.

Wizkid wins Grammy for 'Brown Skin Girl'

<h1>In 2013, legendary rapper and billionaire, Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter released ‘Magna Carta… Holy Grail,’ his 13th overall body of work. The album was torn apart by critics who felt the man affectionately called Hov had lost his way. Of course, it didn’t help that Jay Z was 43 at the time. Before him, we hadn’t really seen a rapper operate at top form well into his 40’s.</h1>

<p>As of November 29, 2020, the album has an average score of 5.4/10 on <strong>AnyDecentMusic</strong> and 60/100 on <strong>Metacritic</strong>. When <strong>Jay Z </strong>made his only appearance on <strong>The Breakfast Club </strong>in 2013 after the album dropped, he told the hosts, <strong>DJ Envy, Charlemagne tha God </strong>and <strong>Angela Yee </strong>that he had read two reviews of the album before shrugging without arguing or trying to make any point.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I doubted many things but one thing I knew for sure was what a beautiful body of work myself and everyone involved created. We created MAGIC.<br><br>Luke 4 16-30 “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honour” <a href="https://t.co/AikGuze0Kj">pic.twitter.com/AikGuze0Kj</a></p>&mdash; Tiwa Savage ⚔️ (@TiwaSavage) <a href="https://twitter.com/TiwaSavage/status/1332361721638477826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>On November 28, 2020, the <strong>Marc Beinoff</strong>-owned <strong>Time Magazine</strong> named Tiwa Savage’s album, <strong>Celia</strong> as one of the top 10 albums of the year. While Tiwa Savage took to social media to vaunt what seemed like ‘vindication’ and thank God, she also took time to take shots at Nigerians and Nigerian media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She felt foreign media endorsement was a greater representation of what she achieved with ‘Celia.’ Since 2018, the woman affectionately called ‘Mummy Jam Jam’ by the Nigerian music industry has struggled to impress Nigerians and Nigerian media since her critically-acclaimed EP, <strong>Sugarcane.</strong></p>

<p>After it was released, ‘Celia’ sailed under the radar like a hopeless lagoon playing host to dirtbags. As reported by <strong>Pulse Nigeria, </strong>‘Celia’ had<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/see-tiwa-savages-patorankings-fireboys-and-adekunle-golds-first-week-album/vlncnhh"> the lowest first week numbers</a> from an analysis of albums by her, <strong>Adekunle Gold, Fireboy </strong>and <strong>Patoranking. </strong>Pulse Nigeria also gave the album a reasonable score of 6.4/10.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But to Tiwa Savage, she deserved more from Nigerian media and Nigerians. On the day <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/tiwa-savage-celia-album-review-davido-naira-marley-stefflon-don-dice-ailes-and-more/dde0y8g">‘Celia’ </a>dropped, <strong>Yemi Alade </strong>was a bigger trending topic - either organically or inorganically. So instead of endorsing Nigerian narratives that don’t favour her, she’d rather embrace ‘Mungo Parking’ because it favours her.&nbsp;</p>

<p>That's interesting because Tiwa Savage has also embraced that ‘Pan-Africanist’ brand.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Mungo Parking and the laughable endorsement of foreign media&nbsp;</h2>

<p><strong><em>Mungo Parking: An act of gentrifying, tokenizing and renaming or repurposing existing African pop culture concepts into what they are not. Usually, this is based on agenda, paid promotion, misinformation and/or ignorance by foreign media.&nbsp;</em></strong></p>

<p>The term originates from allusion that Scottish explorer, <strong>Mungo Park </strong>'discovered' already existent places. How can you be credited with discovering something that already exists? That's appropriation. </p>

<p>Tiwa Savage seems so hungry for validation that she literally thanked <strong>Essence Magazine </strong>for including her on <a href="https://www.essence.com/magazine/women-hip-hop-2020/">a list of rappers</a> a few months ago. The closest she is to being an emcee is her gorgeous sleeve tattoo. Yet, she still endorses foreign media over local media and expects us to take that endorsement seriously?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Foreign media is the worst ground of reliable information on African artists.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong> <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/how-foreign-media-can-better-document-nigerian-culture-stories/sft37wp">Foreign media needs to do a better job at documenting African stories</a></p>

<p><strong>HipHopDX </strong>just named <strong>Burna Boy</strong>’s <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/burna-boy-twice-as-tall-album-review-sauti-sol-diddy-youssou-ndour-stormzy-chris/hxbfrgt"><strong>Twice As Tall</strong></a><strong> </strong>on<a href="https://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.4431/title.best-new-rb-albums-2020"> a list of R&amp;B albums</a>. How is ‘<em>Twice As Tall’ </em>an R&amp;B album? Interestingly, <strong>Warner Music Group </strong>owns the platform. <strong>Atlantic Records, </strong>to which Burna Boy is signed, is a subsidiary of <strong>Warner Music Group.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>A few days before that, <strong>Vogue UK </strong>named <strong>Amaarae </strong>on a<a href="https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/alte-music-changing-nigeria"> list of female artists challenging the norm in Nigeria</a>. Amaarae is super-talented and her album, <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/amaarae-the-angel-you-dont-know-album-review/68tmyjh"><strong>The Angel You Don’t Know</strong></a><strong> </strong>is an amazing listen, however she is not known in Nigeria and importantly, she is Ghanaian.&nbsp;</p>

<p>That article is worse than the 2018 Vogue article that named Nigerian alte artist, <strong>Wavy The Creator </strong>as the creator of the Shaku Shaku dance. The problem with foreign media coverage of Nigerian music is that it’s either paid, agenda-based or a product of heavy misinformation by well-meaning yet ignorant foreign journalists.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When they do give the job to Nigerian journalists, those journalists have to follow the agenda or lose their claim to money. Sometimes, some of those Nigerian journalists are also heavily misinformed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After Burna Boy lost the Grammy Awards earlier in the year, an article on <strong>Uproxx </strong>severely criticized the Recording Academy for its ‘Best World Music Album’ category. What’s interesting is the timing of the article and how Uproxx is owned by Warner Music as well.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am delighted that <a href="https://twitter.com/billboard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@billboard</a> is writing about <a href="https://twitter.com/burnaboy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@burnaboy</a> to raise his profile with U.S. audiences. But why is he suddenly &quot;Nigeria&#39;s surprise success story&quot;? He has been churning out hits since his first mixtapes in 2011.<a href="https://t.co/esDVEY9kNO">https://t.co/esDVEY9kNO</a></p>&mdash; Judd Devermont (@JDevermont) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDevermont/status/1152930825257852933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>A few months before that, <strong>Nicki Duerden</strong> ignorantly called <strong>Burna Boy</strong>’s ‘<em>Killing Dem’ </em>featuring <strong>Zlatan </strong>a “polemic” i<a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8520544/burna-boy-african-giant-interview">n a <strong>Billboard </strong>article</a>. On the same <strong>Billboard, </strong>we saw a laughable list of “gatekeepers” in Nigerian music. Finally, <strong>Soundcloud </strong>also called <strong>Cuppy </strong>an ‘Afrobeats veteran.’ Like how?&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ</strong>: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/dear-foreign-media-do-your-due-diligence-on-african-entertainment-stories-opinion/6kml3lw">Dear foreign media, please do your due diligence on African entertainment stories</a></p>

<p>The totality of these acts is what this writer calls ‘Mungo Parking.’&nbsp;</p>

<p>As for Tiwa Savage, people don't have to like your music, all you got to do is deal with it or find a way to find reasons for the dislike and improve on them. It becomes a problem when you try to endorse 'Mungo Parking' as a valid point when the creators of those lists haven't the slightest idea of what African music is.</p>

<p>Tiwa Savage might blame Nigerians and Nigerian media all she wants, but the continued lukewarm reception she’s been getting from Nigerian media and Nigerians is due to a recent history of terrible branding decisions, lukewarm music and her tendency for trying too hard. These things have severely backfired.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Problems with Tiwa Savage’s brand&nbsp;</h2>

<p>In 2017, <strong>Tiwa Savage </strong>released ‘<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/ep-review-tiwa-savages-offers-romantic-diabetes-on-sugarcane-ep/ff6te0z">Sugarcane EP’</a> which produced the smash hits, ‘<em>Ma Lo</em>’ and ‘<em>All Over’</em> - a classic. That EP was an impressively crafted recovery from the infamous drama in the wake of her marital troubles. The EP and all the positivity around it led to her being named ‘Best African Act’ at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But after that era, the drama began. At the time, a 38-year-old Savage started moving like she had lost her conviction. Her next single was ‘<em>Lova Lova'</em> jumped on the trendy <strong>Duncan Mighty</strong> feature spree. The song did succeed, but it was the first evidence of the cracks in her armoury. Tiwa Savage doesn’t tie into trends, she creates them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The next act was the biggest faux-pas from which she never recovered - her public 'dalliance' with <strong>Wizkid. </strong>A pop star who is 10 years her junior and whose personal life has been the subject of intense scrutiny. First off, we can’t tell a woman how to live her life and neither should we police what she chooses to do with it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Secondly, age is nothing but a number. However, branding is an important aspect of celebrity and the perception of celebrity - male or female.</p>

<p>When you are Tiwa Savage and a woman in Nigeria, the reality isn’t that rosy. Your life, your body and what you choose to do with them in the public eye is key to how you are perceived - especially when you’re a 38-year-old single mother.</p>

<p>Even when your brand includes the tag ‘<em>African Bad Gyal</em>’ and you have a beautiful sleeve tattoo, our patriarchal society is unforgiving in its judgement of groupie counter-culture.</p>

<p>When you go from the desirable Tiwa Savage to getting spanked by Wizkid in public, you’re acting like a groupie. Your value and brand as the lofty queen of Afro-pop will inevitably take a hit. It’s unfair, but that’s the reality for women in Nigeria and Africa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It also doesn’t help that she was basically a video vixen in Wizkid’s visuals for <em>‘Fever.</em>’ As if that wasn’t enough, anytime Tiwa Savage needed publicity for anything between August 2018 and December 2019, her team terribly found ways to use the trend-worthy dalliance with Wizkid as a promo point.</p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If wizkid and Tiwa savage want to be performing together (buy one get one free😂) every show let them enter studio and record new jam. They need to stop this their usual performance to Malo at every concert. <br><br>I&#39;m tired... <a href="https://t.co/MSbhNFUkwr">pic.twitter.com/MSbhNFUkwr</a></p>&mdash; OluwaGBENGA (@Oluwaremisneh) <a href="https://twitter.com/Oluwaremisneh/status/1206473711567679488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>It got to a point that Nigerians - as slow as they are - got tired of the repeated cycle of publicity stunts with the supposed relationship between Wizkid and Tiwa Savage. This was inevitably going to affect how she is perceived and in consequence, her music.</p>

<p>Equally, her brand managers didn't help matters. It’s even worse that they hadn’t the slightest understanding of the Nigerian realities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Their obsession with western visibility took the lead over her local base and she suffered for it. When you are the beautiful 39-year-old Queen of Afro-pop, you need to move with grace. Her brand never recovered from it and she’s having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that her time at the pinnacle of superstardom looks to be slowing down.</p>

<p>Like the saying goes, all good things come to an end. In 2019, all her singles were poorly received - including the heavily marketed<em> ‘49-99.</em>’<em> ‘Shotan’</em> was a good song that might have been mistimed though. However, it also seems her deal with <strong>Universal Music Group </strong>via <strong>Motown South Africa </strong>is taking a toll on her.&nbsp;</p>

<p>First off, that deal came a little too late for Tiwa Savage. As any music person knows, record deals like that come with a lot of obligations that Savage herself wouldn’t be at liberty to shirk. The fact that Tiwa Savage’s music isn’t what it was, and with her brand in tatters, she’s recently looked like she's been trying too hard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over the past 14 months, Savage has had to manage one faux-pas after another. While she honestly told <strong>Pulse Nigeria </strong>during a soon-to-be-published interview that it wasn’t her intention, her <strong>Guardian UK </strong>interview sought to position her as the zenith of an anti-rape movement that she had only recently publicly endorsed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The same thing happened during her chat with <strong>Ebro In The Morning </strong>on <strong>Hot 97. </strong>Then, she was unfairly accused of blocking Yemi Alade’s fans on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>The need for validation and bad judgement&nbsp;</h2>

<p>If you meet Tiwa Savage, her pure soul is evident even in how she talks. She seems to have a good heart too, but her public debacles are getting out of hand. Either intentionally or unintentionally, she also seems to be obsessed with validation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While all artists love praise when they feel like they deserve it, you have to sometimes accept that you might not have created the best work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This then brings back the conversation of her <strong>Time Magazine </strong>inclusion. For some reason, the inauthenticity of her inclusion shares similarities with the stench of excrement from a piggery.</p>

<p>For a lot of reasons, it seems like placement or the misinformed decision of an American who wants to tokenize African music and find a ‘unique’ angle to ‘Afrobeats to the world.’ You are filling a role in a quota system that favours the optics of white media capitalism.</p>

<p>It seems like the person who selected that album has no cogent understanding of African music. The selection also ties into the woke narratives - the beautiful, dark-skinned African woman whose pre-album branding revolves around anti-rape, womanhood, feminism and socio-politics.</p>

<p>Of course, Savage would endorse it. She seems to think like every Nigerian is against her at the moment - at least her social media activity suggests that.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A few weeks before that, Savage ridiculously went after <strong>Beyonce </strong>for not publicly supporting the <strong>EndSARS </strong>movement while looking high. Even if your record contract ties with your natural inclination to put yourself in every conversation, then you need better execution. These acts are getting ridiculous. She was also in certain comment sections saying she’s spoken to Diddy about EndSARS.</p>

<p>Beyonce and Diddy can’t even save Americans, how will they save Nigerians?&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you don’t want to give up despite your age, there are better ways to do things. The first step to that is taking a break from social media and hatching a great plan for your image.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Secondly, you also have to come to terms with the fact that you are now an OG and you must act like it. More importantly, when you have to shade other people to vaunt yourself or your work, it shows insecurity.</p>

<p>Quality and greatness don’t need a megaphone.&nbsp;That’s why <strong>Jay Z </strong>never shaded anybody for criticizing his album, <strong>Magna Carta, Holy Grail. </strong></p>

<p><strong><em>*Pulse Editor's Opinion is the viewpoint of an Editor at Pulse. It does not represent the opinion of the Organisation Pulse</em></strong></p>

Tiwa Savage’s, Time Magazine, Celia, her failing brand and her hilarious endorsement of ‘Mungo Parking.' (PremiumTimes)

Quality and greatness don’t need a megaphone.&nbsp;

Tiwa Savage’s faux-pas and her hilarious endorsement of ‘Mungo Parking’ [Pulse Editor’s Opinion]

<h2>On October 21, 2020, Beyonce's publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure&nbsp;responded to the Grammy winner being called out in a 20-minute video by Nigerian superstar, Tiwa Savage. </h2>

<p>Noel-Schurre wrote that, "<em>” Not all activists live on social media. Not all doers look for validation nor your approval. Not all work is for a Photo Op. Make it normal to stop judging people’s actions based on posts. </em></p>

<p><em>"Posts don’t make you an activist. Actions make you an activist. Whether in the background or out in the streets. We all choose a different path to get it done. Blessed are those who do not see yet they believe. Actions speak louder than posts! Stop Judging. S.T.O.P."</em></p>

Beyonce's publicist replies Tiwa Savage. (Tooxclusive)

<p>This comes after Tiwa Savage posted this viral video asking <strong>Beyonce </strong>to speak on the ongoing crisis in Nigeria. </p>

Beyonce's publicity replies Tiwa Savage. (BellaNaija)

This comes after Tiwa Savage posted this viral video asking <strong>Beyonce </strong>to speak on the ongoing crisis in Nigeria.

Did Beyonce's publicist reply Tiwa Savage?

Steve Dede

<h1>Music superstar Beyoncé&nbsp;has backed the #EndSARS protests and used her platform to solicit for funds to support the movement.&nbsp;</h1>

<p>Young Nigerians all over the world have in the past two weeks taken to the street to protest the unjust killing, brutality and extortion by the <strong>Special Anti-Robbery Squad </strong>(SARS), a dreaded and controversial unit of the <strong>Nigerian Police Force</strong> (NPF) <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/igp-disbands-sars-nationwide/l86hxre">that has been scrapped</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The protests have continued with further demands including a total reform of the Nigerian police and Beyoncé has now shown support for the movement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The American singer in a statement said she is heartbroken to see the senseless brutality in Nigeria.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>“There has to be an end to SARS</em>," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ</strong>: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/igp-disbands-sars-nationwide/l86hxre">Police ban protest in Nigeria</a></p>

<p>The 24 times Grammy Award winner said she has been working with some youth organisations to support those protesting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“<em>We are collaborating with coalitions to provide emergency healthcare, food and shelter,” she said. “To our Nigerian sisters and brothers, we stand with you</em>.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>On her website, the singer lists the organisations she has partnered with which include the <strong>Feminist Coalition</strong>, the group of Nigerian women that has been leading organisation for the protest in Nigeria and <strong>Connected Development</strong>, a non-governmental organisation in Nigeria focused on local communities.</p>

<p>Beyoncé’s statement comes after she had been called on by her Nigerian collaborator <strong>Tiwa Savage</strong> to lend her voice to the movement.&nbsp;</p>

Beyonce backs #EndSARS protests (Instagram/Beyonce) and Pulse)

Beyonce is using her digital platforms to help seek for funding to support the movement,.

Music superstar Beyoncé backs #EndSARS protests, says she is heartbroken from the ‘senseless brutality’

Jude Egbas

<h1>Nigerian music streaming platform, Meplaylist, has announced the appointment of Mathew Knowles and Michael Kay Kiladejo as members of its global executive team.</h1>

<p>The announcement follows their investment in the on-demand music streaming startup, Meplaylist. They are now to play executive roles in the company. </p>

<p>Both men have spoken of their optimism and excitement for the growth of streaming in the wider African market on a dedicated panel at this year’s Midem Digital in June.</p>

<p>Knowles is widely recognized in the industry for his effective approach in developing and promoting award-winning artists, from his iconic daughters<strong> Beyoncé </strong>and <strong>Solange </strong>to <strong>Chaka Khan, Earth Wind &amp; Fire</strong> and <strong>Destiny’s Child.</strong></p>

<p>Knowles has achieved record sales exceeding 450 million worldwide.</p>

<p>He is now President, Global Marketing and Communications of Meplaylist.</p>

<p>He will be tasked with leading and delivering all global marketing and communication initiatives aimed at positioning MePlaylist as a key player on the international music streaming landscape for the Nigerian-born platform.</p>

<p>The Destiny’s Child manager who is however going to be operating from the U.S. said:<em> “l look forward to my new role with MePlaylist and it gives me a deep sense of pride to partner with two incredible African men in a music streaming space where people of colour are not represented enough.</em></p>

<p><em>“Our goal at MePlaylist is to bring awareness to the many incredible artists and a plethora of African music genres.</em></p>

<p><em>“We want to take African music out of the generalized "World Music" category and give it the many powerful voices it deserves."</em></p>

Beyonce broke out of Destiny's child to become her own global star (CNN)

<p>On his part, Michael Kay Kiladejo, who is based in London, assumes the role of President, Global Licensing and Content Acquisition.</p>

<p>Kiladejo will generate leads, engaging global content delivery partners and rights holders to make trending and multiple genres available to MePlaylist users.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Michael began his career in music as a teenage songwriter signed to Sony in the ‘90s and co-founded the label, Sony Music Publishing (UK).</p>

<p>He played a major part in the writing, production and development of the girl group "Choice", whose lead singer is now popularly known to the world as ‘Pink’.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The group signed to Laface records and Pink's debut album, Can't Take Me Home, went multi-platinum.</p>

<p>Michael also consulted on the early development of <strong>Amy Winehouse</strong> and has written, produced and collaborated in an executive capacity with artists, including <strong>Jermaine Stewart</strong> and <strong>Kool &amp; the Gang.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Speaking on his new role at Meplaylist, he said: <em>“It is immensely gratifying to be embarking on this venture, at a time when Africa holds so much untapped potential to yield the next generation of global superstars.</em></p>

<p><em>“In this moment of great change and growth, it is a huge privilege for me to be working with my esteemed colleagues, to present MePlaylist, a streaming platform whose mission statement is to diversify the menu and enrich the global music palette.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p>

<p>Meplaylist is a subscription and ads based on-demand music streaming platform with an intuitive and unique interface to access unlimited music.</p>

<p>The service collects data about user tastes and preferences to create custom-curated playlists for users to listen to.</p>

Mathew Knowles (Right) gets a role in Nigeria's Meplaylist

Both men have spoken of their optimism and excitement for the growth of streaming in the wider African market.

Beyonce's dad Knowles, is now an executive member of Nigerian music streaming platform Meplaylist

<h1>In the 2000s, Keri Hilson was the talented American singer-songwriter who stole many hearts with her voice, her charm, her amazing hooks, her performances, her penmanship, her music and her good looks ‘In A Perfect World.’&nbsp;</h1>

<p>While the Theatre Arts major had been a hot songwriter for <strong>Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, Ciara </strong>and more, most of us only got to know her on <strong>Timbaland</strong>’s 2007 album, <strong>Shock Value.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>She featured on the smash hit<em> ‘Way I Are’ alongside </em><strong><em>D.O.E, </em></strong><em>‘Scream</em>’ alongside <strong>Nicole Sherzinger </strong>and ‘Miscommunication.’ But by the middle of 2008, she had been rolled out as a solo act. Songs like <em>‘Turning Me On’</em> featuring <strong>Lil Wayne, </strong>the soulful R&amp;B ‘<em>Energy</em>’ and ‘<em>Return The Favour</em>’ launched her into stardom.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Soundtracked by Timbaland<strong>, Danjahandz </strong>and <strong>Polow Da Don, </strong>the <strong>Zone 4/Mosley </strong>act wiped the floor with the best. She also became a sex symbol for young men across the world. Her smash hit single, ‘<em>Knock You Down</em>’ was a smash hit in Nigeria amongst younger millennials who were discovering autonomy and were going through the harsh realities of love.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the 2010 Grammy Awards, she was nominated for Best New Artist. Her sophomore album, <strong>No Boys Allowed </strong>on more expansive sounds and the topics were more political/empowering.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“<em>I do feel like a pioneer of certain vanguard sounds actually, but I didn’t want to admit it for a while</em>,” she jokes. “<em>I like experimenting in the studio..</em>”&nbsp;</p>

<p>When this writer questioned <strong>Hilson </strong>about what her 2000s sound could have been like without Timbaland, Polow Da Don<strong> </strong>or Danja<strong>, </strong>she says, “<em>I don’t know. I think they produced a lot of ‘In A Perfect World,’ but not as much on ‘No Boys Allowed.’ I think it was just all just a way to experiment with R&amp;B/Pop and I think I achieved that</em>.”</p>

<p>In 2011, she took a break from music at the peak of her&nbsp;career and stardom due to her mental health.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“<em>My battle with depression was very dark - I couldn't get out of bed at times. I knew something was wrong before then, but I had to keep going</em>,” she tells <strong>Pulse Nigeria. </strong><em>“It was tough, but I just knew I had to get away from the pressure of it all. I found healing because I did the things I wanted to do, not things I felt I had to do. I thought it would be short, but I needed that time</em>.”</p>

<p>At the time, there was talk about how she dissed <strong>Beyonce </strong>on ‘<em>Turning Me On [Remix]</em>’ in 2008. Tension had sprang up after <strong>Usher </strong>replaced her with Beyonce<strong> </strong>on <em>‘Love In This Club [Remix].’ </em>In a 2009 interview, she rejected the idea that ‘<em>Turning Me On [Remix]’</em> was a diss, but she did admit that it was Polow Da Don’s idea to record the song - <strong>Polow </strong>has also admitted the same.</p>

<p>She has also spoken about the toll that the breakup of her 11-year relationship took on her.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>New music, acting and COVID-19&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Her releases over the past 10 years have been sparse, but she tells <strong>Pulse Nigeria </strong>that, ”<em>I didn’t feel like releasing any music at time. When I feel like releasing new music, I will release new music. But I can’t tell you when that will be [laughs]. 2020 has been a really strange year - I actually just lost my father. I don’t think I will release music anytime soon.</em>”</p>

<p>She has also said that she is looking forward to acting. In 2011, she said that she would want to work with <strong>Quentin Tarrantino. </strong>This year, she says, “<em>I would still like to work with him, I think he’s brilliant. 2011 is a long time ago though - now, I would also like to work with black filmmakers. I love acting.. It makes me feel like a student again</em>.”</p>

<p>She says the highlight of her year was filming a movie during the pandemic. She says, “<em>We had to get tested every other time, which I hated [laughs] but it was a lot of fun</em>.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>While most people are scared of coronavirus, she says that she was never scared of the virus. She opines that the virus is not what they tell us it is.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>“I think very few people understand the virus</em>,” she says. “<em>I think there is then another side that they are portraying and using as a tool to do other things. That’s all I have to say [laughs]. It’s not just what I believe, it’s what is happening. The biggest lesson from it all for me has been discernment. That’s what we can learn in this ‘new world’ [smiles]</em>.”</p>

<p>She continues, “<em>It’s the only way to tell light from dark or deceit from reality for ourselves. We have to vibrationally be in contact with things</em>.”</p>

<h2>Africa, Nigeria and Pan-Africanism&nbsp;</h2>

<p>In 2019, Ghana had a year of return. Earlier in 2020, <strong>Charlamagne </strong>became one of the many African-American celebrities to purchase property in Africa. Keri Hilson<strong> </strong>is looking to follow suit and acquire property in either Cape Town, South Africa or somewhere in Ghana.</p>

<p>“<em>What has happened in 2020 has made me more resolute in my intention to flee America [laughs]. I’m looking to purchase a property in either Cape Town, South Africa or Ghana</em>,” she jokes. “<em>I like Nigeria - I’ve been there like four times, but I don’t think I’ve really experienced or seen a lot of it. I have some connect on some land in Ghana and South Africa. I don’t have one for Nigeria, but I would like one</em>.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Keri Hilson<strong> </strong>feels African-Americans are “displaced people.” And due to that, they don’t have a sense of identity. But over the past 10 years, Hilson<strong> </strong>has been able to evade that because she has regularly travelled to more than 14 African countries. She then feels like most African-American people should find something similar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“<em>There’s a sense of belonging you feel when you’re on the ground in an African country. There’s also this discontent that heals in you</em>,” she says with a bright smile.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over the past few years, Hilson has slowly become more spiritual than religious. She still believes in God and still identifies as a Christian, but she hasn’t really been going to church as she used to.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“<em>I believe in Jesus Christ and all the disciples, but I just don’t feel like God is limited to the four walls of every church</em>,” she says. “<em>I’ve been to a lot of churches, but I don’t know if I have felt God in all of them [laughs]. Truth be told, only you can create a relationship with God. Only you can create that alignment and discern it.</em>”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Keri Hilson is as warm as ever, still wears that glow and smile and she is aging like fine wine.</p>

Keri Hilson tells Pulse Nigeria about mental health, hiatus, living in Africa, losing her dad, COVID-19 and more. (Instagram/KeriHilson)

The Grammy-nominated American singer also tells Pulse Nigeria about Pan-Africanism, black identity and spirituality.&nbsp;

Keri Hilson tells Pulse Nigeria about mental health, hiatus, living in Africa, losing her dad, COVID-19 and more

<h1>On Friday, August 14, 2020, as social media was agog with celebrations and hype around Burna Boy’s new album, the Nigerian superstar was on the legendary nationally syndicated Power 105.5 New York radio show, ‘The Breakfast Club.’</h1>

<p>He met up with the legendary trio, <strong>Angela Yee, DJ Envy </strong>and <strong>Charlamagne Tha God </strong>to discuss black power and his new album. The best thing about the interview is how comfortable <strong>Burna Boy </strong>felt during the chat - compared to how unsettled he was in his earlier days on American interview circuits.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the conversation, <strong>Burna Boy </strong>revealed that he’s barely due to time differences. The best thing about the interview was when <strong>Burna Boy </strong>corrected <strong>DJ Envy</strong>’s allusion that he’s been stuck in “Africa.” <strong>Burn Boy </strong>said, “Lagos.”</p>

<p>Here are the top five things he said;</p>

<h2>1) ‘Twice As Tall’ would have been titled, ‘African Giant Part II’</h2>

<p>In May 2020, <strong>Burna Boy </strong>did a Q&amp;A with his fans. During the conversations, he revealed that his new album would be titled, <strong>Twice As Tall </strong>- after the unsavory experiences at the 2020 Grammy Awards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But during his chat with <strong>The Breakfast Club, </strong>he says, <em>“To be honest, man I wanted to call it ‘African Giant Part II’ but ‘African Giant’ did so well, I didn’t want to put pressure on this one.”</em></p>

<p>When queried about how <strong>Diddy</strong>’s contributions and influence on the album, <strong>Burna Boy </strong>said, “<em>He’s someone I’ve always looked up to, it’s a big blessing for me. It wasn’t the plan in the beginning [laughs], but then it just happened organically and it’s been perfect every step of the way, you know…”</em></p>

<p>He continues, “<em>I just wanted this album to be a strong bridge to everywhere there is black people. I just felt Diddy would be the best person to bring that power... I didn’t expect him to put in all that work. I appreciate it, man</em>.”</p>

<h2>3) Why does Burna Boy advocate black power and Pan-Africanism</h2>

<p><strong>Burna Boy </strong>has always championed black power and Pan-Africanism. On that, he says, “<em>It’s very important to me because I feel like most of us black people don’t understand the importance of us being together at a time like this and we tend to forget that our real power will come from the fact that the rest of the world sees this united black power.&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><em>“That’s the scariest thing western civilization and all that - the power of black unity. If that can be achieved, the world would be black [laughs]</em>.”</p>

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