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Badman Pondo, Biography

Badman Pondo is the alias of Shittu Usman Damilare, an eager beaver turned oracle whose sermons of street life and trench bustles are often relayed through dour Afro-adura tunes and experimental specimens of Afrobeats sensations alike. The weaning talent rose out of creative hibernation in February 2022 with his debut EP, Comfort Zone, a six-track project that validated Pondo’s decision to leave his comfort zone and take his music career by the horns. He however wasn’t going to let his year of emergence go without serving his fans something else to hold on to, and this led to the release of two consecutive singles, Lately and Dimension in October and November 2022 respectively. It should however be noted that Pondo had been around for a while as his first ever appearance on a track was in 2020 as a featured artist on the opening track of Dreymakanaki’s EP titled “Sonorous Sound”. As a testament to his reputation as an eager beaver, Pondo likewise made a busy year out of 2023 with his debut solo album The Dreamer, putting legacy-stamping hits like Ayo and World (a brilliant sample of Chief Sikiru Ayinde Barrister‘s “Aiye”) on the eight-course menu. He sealed the year with Billi, an Afrobeats single with an experimental Yoruba monkey tale which also got an acapella version. It is however unforgivable to write this piece without making a reference to the bromance between Badman Pondo and the fast-rising star, Bhadboi OML. In 2024, the duo made their first magic with OML getting featured on Pondo’s genre-defying single hit, Update. The duo would later produce the pivoting track of Pondo’s career in Life, the second track on Pondo’s second album Close to Fame, released in 2024. The album also enlists main course meals including Psalm 91/Surah Al falaq (a successful fusion of Afro-adura and Amapiano) and IG amongst other tantalising tunes on the menu. Complimentary singles including Alone, Pain and Halle also helped to clear all doubts of fans eating good from Pondo’s broth in 2024. In February 2025, the singer opened the floor with a traditional surreal vibe on Gbajumo and a bonus acapella variant. He retains possession of this self-acclaimed floor in June with Brag bearing the flag as his latest single. This is however bound to change soon as the baton might soon be passed to the mysterious track that is currently responsible for the unruly buzz, dance challenges and massive attention that’s been bringing a positive Tiktok mob action on Pondo recently. Written by Alaro Basit
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Meet Kehinde Bankole – Nollywood’s Leading Lady

Kehinde Bankole is an award-winning Nigerian actress, model, and television host, widely recognized for her remarkable versatility and commanding screen presence. She first gained public attention as a finalist in the 2003 Miss Commonwealth Nigeria beauty pageant and later in Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), before making her acting debut in Wale Adenuga’s Super Story — a move that marked the beginning of a flourishing career in Nollywood. Over the years, Kehinde has built an impressive filmography, featuring in several acclaimed productions such as October 1 (directed by Kunle Afolayan), The Set Up, Prophetess, Dear Affy, Render to Caesar, Perfect Church, Two Brides and a Baby, and the critically lauded biopic Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, where she portrayed the iconic activist and matriarch. Her range extends beyond film to television, with standout performances in Desperate Housewives Africa (the African adaptation of the U.S. hit series) and the Netflix original thriller Blood Sisters, where she showcased her depth and emotional nuance. A multiple-award-winning actress, Kehinde has received several industry recognitions, including the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actress in a Leading Role and nominations from platforms such as Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).Beyond acting, she has made her mark as a TV host and media personality, notably anchoring the daytime talk show Soul Sisters and other television programs that highlight women’s voices and societal issues. Kehinde Bankole is celebrated not only for her artistic range but also for her ability to embody complex characters with authenticity and grace — cementing her reputation as one of Nollywood’s most respected and enduring talents.
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Music Updates

The Nigerian music scene is highly active today, Friday, October 3, 2025, with major chart dominance, new projects, and continued global recognition for Afrobeats stars. We have them served below; ~Afrobeats star, Rema was named to the prestigious 2025 TIME100 Next List, an honor that celebrates the world’s most influential rising stars. He also happens to be the only Nigerian artist featured this year, with TIME noting him as “an embodiment of the international success of Afrobeats.” ~Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Asake, and Ayra Starr were named the top Afrobeats artists on Spotify’s 2025 Afrobeats list, hereby reinstating the global reach of the genre. ~Kenyan artist, Bien was announced as a performer for the 2026 Afronation festival in Portugal, joining Nigerian headliners like Asake and Wizkid, alongside South Africa’s Tyla. ~Taylor Swift has released her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” signaling a return to upbeat pop. One track titled “Wood,” has already started to generate buzz for its explicit lyrics. ~Bryson Tiller dropped his highly anticipated double disc album titled “Solace & The Vices,” featuring artists like Rick Ross and T-Pain. ~David Guetta has reportedly been named the World’s No. 1 DJ for the fifth time in the Top 100 of 2025. ~Bella Shmurda releases his highly anticipated sophomore album, “Sanity”. ~Adekunle Gold drops his genre-bending album, “Fuji”.
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Meet Sarz – The Architect behind Hits

Osabuohien Osaretin, professionally known as Sarz with the signature tag,“Sarz On The Beat.”, has been one of Afrobeats’ most essential producers & a major driving force of modern Afrobeats since 2007. Born in Benin City, March 17th, 1989, you probably know him as the mastermind behind everlasting hits like Wizkid’s Come Closer (ft. Drake), Niniola’s Maradona & Reminisce’s Kako Bi Chicken while also producing for the likes of Obongjayar, Drake, Tiwa Savage, Wurld, and Skepta. A pioneer and innovator, beyond singles, Sarz has a catalogue of projects that are a testament to his artistry, from the experimental I Love Girls With Trobul (2019) with Wurld, to LV N ATTN (2021) with Lojay, which gave the world Monalisa & Tonongo. Now he’s fully owning the stage himself with his recently dropped body of versatile brilliance, a 12-track debut studio album titled Protect Sarz At All Costs released on September 26, 2025 and packed with features including Wizkid, Asake, Lojay, Fireboy DML, Skillibeng, Joeboy, Libianca, Shallipopi, Theodora, amongst others. It’d also interest you to know that he runs The Sarz Academy where he grooms the next wave of producers with producers like P. Priime, Tempoe, Kel-P & STG being products of his tutelage. The academy released an alumni and academy compilation titled Memories That Last Forever 2 in 2023. All of these come off as Sarz’s contribution to pushing Afrobeats into new territories by bending dance, R&B, and electronic textures, hereby cementing his name on the hall of fame of Africa’s most sought-after producers. New to Sarz? Start with Monalisa(Lojay ft. Sarz), Billions(Lojay & Sarz), Maradona(Niniola), Gone Girl(Obongjayar) and Getting Paid(Wizkid, Skillibeng & Asake). @Alaro Basit
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Jimi Hendrix and the Flaming Guitar

Jimi Hendrix and the Flaming Guitar The Monterey International Pop Festival, California, 1967. This was to be Hendrix’s one shot at a breakthrough in the U.S as he was only mostly making waves in the UK. Also, considering the fact that the festival also featured huge rock names like Janis Joplin, Otis Redding and The Who who happened to be his agelong rival, Hendrix knew he had to do something spectacular to stand out since The Who already left an impression by smashing their guitars on stage just before Jimi’s performance came up. How the insanity unfolded • Hendrix had already lerformed an electrifying set that already had the crowd crazy and buzzing. • At the finale, he carefully set his guitar down, doused it in lighter fluid, and set it ablaze. • But he didn’t just light it and walk away, he knelt down with it and coaxed the flames as if in a ritual, hereby creating one of the most iconic images in music history. • When questioned about it, Hendrix said he already had it planned out after the altercation backstage with The Who about who is to perform first • A coin was tossed in favour of The Who after which Hendrix began hunting around backstage for some lighter fluid. • As Hendrix would later explain: “I decided to destroy my guitar at the end of a song as a sacrifice. You sacrifice things you love. I love my guitar.” How this carved him a legacy • The guitar itself, a 1965 Fender Stratocaster became a priceless piece of music history as it was later valued for thousands of dollars. • Hendrix’s fiery act became one of the most iconic moments in rock history, marking the moment he arrived as a legend.
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Federal Government cancels Nigeria’s Independence Day parade ahead of October 1st

The Federal Government has announced the cancellation of the parade earlier planned to celebrate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday, October 1.The disclosure was made in a statement released on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.According to the statement, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, the cancellation does not in any way lessen the importance of the anniversary. It further noted that while the government regrets any inconvenience the decision may cause, other scheduled events will hold as planned, including the presidential broadcast, cultural activities, and the grand finale of the National Campus Debate.
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