Sound: My Driving Passion ~ godmarr

As African music acts continue to dominate global charts and shape the soundscape of modern pop culture, the producers behind the music are stepping into the spotlight. These maestros, each with a unique touch of their own, are driving the evolution of African music into a new era. Here’s a look at the producers set to define 2025.

GodOmarr

Starting his journey at the age of 16 playing drums in church, godOmarr transitioned to producing beats still as a teenager, largely inspired by his creative environment and his friend at the time Yazeed. “I’ve always known the software, but I used to just mess around with it. Watching my guy, Yazeed, use it gave me the ideas I needed,” he shares.

Fast forward to 2024, godOmarr’s portfolio now boasts Falling with Lojay, Visa with Reekado Banks and notably Letting Go with Lojay off Fireboy’s Adedamola. Recalling the session with Lojay and Fireboy, he said, “I wasn’t even sure about playing that beat, but as soon as it came on, the magic just happened. It was all vibes.”

godOmarr is intentional about making music that stands out from most and with his eyes on delivering more projects in 2025 as he tells us, God’Omar is set to be a name we’ll hear a lot more of. As he puts it, “The journey’s just getting started. More stuff coming more stuff coming.”

MassKennyD Speaks Out on Bullying in Nollywood, Challenges in the Industry

Beautiful Nollywood actress and young entrepreneur Adebowale Kehinde, popularly known as MassKennyD, has affirmed the existence of bullying in the Nigerian movie industry.

The graduate of Accounting from Esa-Oke College of Technology, Osun State, made this assertion during an interview with Potpourri, where she discussed the challenges she faced while starting out and how her passion for acting kept her going.

She highlighted how bullying, especially from senior colleagues, is a reality many actors experience. “I have never liked the feeling of being bullied. This is something almost every last child can relate with. For this reason, I have a strong aversion to bullying. So, I try not to overstep my boundaries so as not to create issues with senior colleagues because I like to fight for what’s right and just,” she said.

Recalling a particular incident, she shared, “There was a certain time I was spoken to rudely by someone I didn’t recognize while at a location. I didn’t respond in the same manner I was treated. I was quite calm about it, not until one of our coordinators heard about it and had to reprimand the fellow.”

Her Journey into Nollywood
MassKennyD traced her love for acting back to her early years in school. “Right from when I was in primary school, I always enjoyed performing with the Drama & Cultural Group, and this continued in secondary school. After my O’Level education, I met Aunty Laide Bakare, who I looked up to while growing up. I used to call her Aunty Idowu. I told her about my passion for acting, and she officially started taking me along with her to film locations,” she recounted.

However, she desired formal training and was later introduced to the late Dejo Tunfulu, who had an acting academy at the time.

Speaking on the difficulties she encountered, MassKennyD expressed her displeasure with the misconceptions people have about actors.

“People assume that because you appear on their screen, you must be extremely rich and comfortable. But one major challenge is not being as free as I would have loved to, bearing in mind that some people might recognize me,” she explained.

She also addressed the controversial issue of Sex-for-Roles in Nollywood, emphasizing that it should never be an option for any aspiring actress, as it is a dangerous path to take.

Her Rising Career
MassKennyD has appeared in several Nollywood productions, including Owo Ma Go, Inu Ji, Omoge Jemila, Ago Kan Oru, Omo Meji, Temilade Oniyepe, Secretary, Iwa, Akuko Oru, Itele, Oga Google, Kakaki, and Jomiloju, among others. Currently, she is working on Okinni, her own production.

With her dedication, resilience, and talent, MassKennyD continues to carve a niche for herself in the Nigerian film industry, inspiring young actors to pursue their dreams despite the challenges.

Gangs of Lagos Producers, Amazon Prime Apologize to Isale Eko Over Cultural Misrepresentation

Nearly two years after a lawsuit was filed against them, the producers of Gangs of Lagos and Amazon Prime have issued a public apology to the Isale Eko Descendants Union over the film’s controversial depiction of the Isale Eko community and the revered Eyo masquerade.

The lawsuit, initiated in 2023, accused the filmmakers of misrepresenting the cultural heritage of Isale Eko by portraying the Eyo masquerade as assassins and depicting the historic community as a hub for criminal activities. The Lagos State Government and traditional leaders had also condemned the film, sparking widespread outrage among cultural custodians.

On Wednesday, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Chairman of the Isale Eko Descendants Union, Adeniji Kazeem, confirmed that a legal settlement had been reached. The Lagos High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square, presided over by Justice Idowu Alakija, delivered a consent judgment finalizing the agreement between the Isale Eko Descendants Union and the defendants, including Amazon Web Services and the film’s producers.

Terms of Settlement

As part of the settlement, Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited is required to issue an official statement acknowledging that Gangs of Lagos misrepresented the Isale Eko community and the sacred Eyo masquerade.

Additionally, the film’s producers, including Greoh Limited, Jadesola Osiberu, Kemi Akindoju, and other executive producers, must tender a joint apology recognizing the concerns of the Isale Eko Descendants Union.

The apology serves as a significant victory for the cultural custodians who had demanded accountability over the misrepresentation of their heritage. The Isale Eko community views the Eyo masquerade as a symbol of honor and tradition, and its wrongful depiction as a criminal entity sparked an intense legal and cultural battle.

While it remains unclear whether Gangs of Lagos will face further restrictions or edits, this landmark settlement underscores the importance of respecting indigenous cultures in cinematic portrayals. The resolution also sets a precedent for how Nigerian filmmakers handle cultural narratives in the future.