Author: niyidaram

Cardi B’s new single Imaginary Playerz has underperformed on Spotify, debuting at #147 with just over 336,000 streams, despite heavy attention for its Jay-Z sample and perceived Nicki Minaj diss. Released on August 15 as the second single from her upcoming album Am I the Drama?, the track has drawn mixed reviews. Many listeners criticized Cardi’s flow, saying it struggled to match the beat. On the song, she boasts about wealth and luxury fashion while taking shots at Minaj, who has had disputes with Jay-Z over royalties. The song samples Jay-Z’s 1997 track Imaginary Players, which itself sampled René &…

The United States has warned that Nigerians applying for visas risk denial if they fail to disclose their social media history from the past five years. In a notice posted on its X account, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria said applicants completing the DS-160 non-immigrant visa form must list all usernames or handles used across social media platforms during that period. “Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last five years on the DS-160 visa application form,” the statement read. “Applicants certify that the information in their…

When Nollywood comes up on the global stage, the conversation often shifts to the quality of its films rather than its sheer productivity. Critics argue that, despite its massive annual output, the industry doesn’t produce enough standout works to rival Hollywood or other established film hubs. Yet Nollywood does deliver strong films they just don’t always get the recognition they deserve amid the flood of releases. A good entry point for anyone curious about the industry is its recent catalogue. Several films released in 2018 capture the essence of Nollywood not necessarily the pinnacle of its craft, but solid reflections…

Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of high-stakes talks in Washington, suggesting Kyiv could “end the war almost immediately” by abandoning its NATO ambitions and claims over Crimea. Writing on Truth Social, the U.S. President said: “President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. No getting back Obama-given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and no going into NATO by Ukraine. Some things never change!!!” The comments landed just hours before Zelenskyy’s scheduled Oval Office meeting with…

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is willing to meet Donald Trump, even after the US President branded him “a nasty person” who has “done a terrible job.” Khan, who has previously warned that Trump is “not a force for good” and that his rhetoric could unintentionally radicalise individuals, dismissed the President’s remarks as “water off a duck’s back.” Speaking at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, he compared the exchange to being “back in the school playground” at nine years old. Appearing on the Political Party show with comedian Matt Forde, Khan pushed back against Trump’s criticisms: “Somebody who has…

Veteran British actor Terence Stamp, best known for his commanding roles as complex villains, including General Zod in the early Superman films, has died at the age of 87. He passed away on Sunday, August 17. News of his death was shared in an online notice, sparking an outpouring of tributes from fans, colleagues, and industry figures, including the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Born in London, Stamp launched his career with 1962’s seafaring drama Billy Budd, which earned him both Oscar and BAFTA nominations. Over the course of six decades, he built a remarkable body of…

More than 250,000 people have signed two official petitions opposing the Home Office’s plans to make it harder for immigrants to gain permanent residence in the UK. The proposed changes, which would extend the waiting period for settled status, are set to be debated by MPs after sparking widespread backlash. Under the May-published Immigration White Paper, skilled worker visa holders would need to wait ten years up from the current five before qualifying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). ILR gives migrants rights similar to British citizens, including the ability to work freely and access benefits. One petition, calling for…

Cardi B’s latest music video, Imaginary Playerz, shot in locations from Paris to Greece, features flashy displays of wealth, designer fashion, and nods to her past gang ties. In the track, she calls herself the “Brimcess” a reference to the Brims, a subset of the Bloods street gang and raps, “Poor thing, Twitter must be gassin’ them heavy / Makin’ them jump in the ring with the Brim before they ready.” Cardi previously admitted to being a Bloods member, though in a 2018 GQ interview she expressed regret and warned young girls against joining gangs. That same year, she was…

Former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has revealed that he and his wife, Martina, are separating after 26 years together. In an emotional Instagram post on Thursday, the 43-year-old shared a black-and-white photo of the couple, writing: “Martina and myself are sad to announce that we are separating after 26 years together. We remain best friends and immensely proud of our two children.” Cech and Martina met in high school in 1999 and married in 2003. They share two children Adela, 17, a defender for Fulham and Czechia U17s, and Damian, both pursuing football careers like their father. Martina…

Singer and actress Teyana Taylor has been ordered to pay her ex-husband, former NBA player Iman Shumpert, $70,000 after a judge found her in contempt of court during their ongoing divorce battle. The July 25 hearing centered on claims from both sides over who violated the terms of their 2024 divorce judgment. According to Us Weekly, the judge ruled that Taylor breached the agreement which barred either party from publicly discussing the judgment when she posted an Instagram video about the divorce in March. Taylor also refused to answer questions from Shumpert about her assets and income, calling the inquiries…