This week’s entertainment highlights feature exciting news, music, movies, and updates in the entertainment industry. Here is what you might have missed.
‘A Tribe Called Judah’ ends cinema run with N1.4 billion
Funke Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ has ended its run in Nigeria, having broken records by earning a total gross of N1.4 billion.
The movie was released on December 15, 2023, and in early January 2024, it became the first Nollywood production to earn over N1 billion in cinemas. The film also had a successful opening weekend, grossing a record-breaking N113 million.
The film features five brothers who are struggling financially and turn to a life of crime to save their ailing mother. The film’s last weekend grossed only N14,745, and after 11 weeks, it was no longer in the weekly top 20 list. With 374,552 ticket admissions, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’s final gross was recorded as N1,404,207,541.
The movie was also shown in foreign countries such as Ghana, the United Kingdom, and a dozen regions in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Rwanda, Senegal, and Togo.
Funke Akindele’s Battle on Buka Street (N668 million) and Omo Ghetto: The Saga (N36 million) are among Nollywood’s highest-grossing films, with Battle on Buka Street in second place.
Nollywood’s Femi Brainard opens up about fame, financial struggles in the U.S.
Nollywood actor Femi Brainard shared his experience of grappling with fame and financial struggles while living in the United States.
The 53-year-old actor disclosed this information while being interviewed as a celebrity guest on Teju Babyface’s podcast.
He said, “I became a cab driver in America just to put food on the table. Whenever people see me, especially Nigerian passengers, they often stare at me in disbelief, wondering if I’m indeed the familiar star they recognise.
“America does not recognise your stardom, nor does it respect your celebrity.”
He said there was a time he was crying in his parking lot when he became penniless, concluding that he preferred to be a popular actor in Nigeria than a ‘nobody’ abroad.
He said, “At times it would be so hard, I no go get money for hand. That day I went to the parking lot of our apartment, I cried, na me bring this woman here. Yankee no know star o… I had to feed my family.
“I know this couple from the airport, the husband was like, ‘Ask him if he is Femi Brainard and I said yes. The husband didn’t know when he reached at me and asked ‘bros what are you doing here.”
Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama dies at 68
The famous Japanese comic book creator behind Dragon Ball, which is considered one of the most influential and bestselling works of its kind, has passed away at the age of 68. On Friday, Akira Toriyama’s studio announced that he had suffered from acute subdural hematoma, a type of bleeding near the brain.
In 1984, the Dragon Ball comic series premiered, featuring Son Goku’s journey to gather magical dragon balls to protect Earth from Saiyans, alien humanoids.
The series has a massive global fanbase, spanning comics, cartoons, and films.
His funeral was attended only by family and a few close friends, as stated on the Dragon Ball website. Despite his passing, his studio expressed hope that his manga titles and artworks will continue to be cherished by fans for years to come.
Aya Nakamura, Ayra Starr drop new single ‘Hype’
French singer Aya Nakamura features Nigeria’s Ayra Starr, two artistes in the global music scene who have teamed up to release their highly anticipated new single, “Hype.”
This collaboration between the talented singers has generated excitement among fans worldwide.
“Hype” is a catchy and upbeat track that showcases the unique vocal styles of both Aya Nakamura and Ayra Starr.
Rema joins J Cole, SZA, Nicki Minaj for the 2024 Dreamville festival
Nigerian Afrobeats artiste Rema will be performing at the 2024 Dreamville festival.
The 2024 Dreamville Festival is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The event will feature performances by popular music artists, with Grammy-winning SZA and Chris Brown headlining on Saturday, and J. Cole and Nicki Minaj headlining the show on Sunday.
A two-day electrifying concert is scheduled to take place at Dorothea Dix Park, featuring performances from more than 25 artists.
