Entertainment
Dagrin’s Raw, Rare Talent, Deserves Immortalisation – Yakky
Since Dagrin’s demise on April 22, 2010, comments have been trailing the shocking and avoidable death that took away the life of the then foremost indigenous rapper.
As the tradition has been, remembering Dagrin, Yakky, a friend of the late rapper, who featured him in a song “Gbadun You”, reflected on his relationshtip with the Pon pon pon crooner.
Speaking in an interview on Sunday, Yakky described Dagrin as a “rare raw talent”, who will be difficult to replace.
“My relationship with Dagrin dates back to 2009. That same period, I featured him in a song Gbadun you. He was a true friend, who wanted growth for his friends. He was the one who advised me to be a make-up artiste, while we were shooting the video of his song Pon pon pon. He would always tell me, Yakky, do it like this, Yakky, try it this way. Very painful he died so early.
Reacting to the controversy trailing his collaboration with Dagrin, Yakky disclosed that he had to remix his song with Dagrin, featuring GreyC, Ayoola, Pepenazi, and retitled Adunni, not to leverage on it for stardom but “due to repeated dreams, calling for it”.
He however, called on all stakeholders in the entertainment industry to endeavour to keep the memory of Dagrin alive.
“Dagrin was very creative and hardworking and if he were to be alive, he would have made Nigeria very proud. For such a creative, talented star, we all in the entertainment industry should find a way to immortalise him,” Yakky said.
Lending his voice to the credibility of immortalising Dagrin, Nigerian-born Chicago based artist, Temi Yakubu, popularly known as Fresh, described Dagrin as an enigma, that died at a time the Nigerian entertainment sector needed him most. He shared his experience working on the song Beremole featuring Dagrin.
“I was thrilled by Dagrin’s intelligence when we met. He was thorough. His death threw me off”.
In the same vein, Producer Cool Breeze, said Dagrin’s death is still shocking.
“We had an appointment for the next day. Hearing the news of his death was quite unbelievable,” he said.
Born Olaitan Olaonipekun, Dagrin died on Thursday, April 22, 2010, eight days after his car ran into a stationary truck in front of Alakara Police Station, off Agege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos. He was buried on Friday, April 30, 2010. He was 26 years old.
Members of Nigeria’s entertainment industry turned out in large numbers on Wednesday for the service of songs of late actor Alex Ekubo.
Ekubo died on May 11, 2026, after a battle with kidney cancer.
Colleagues, friends, and dignitaries filled The Monarch Event Centre for the ceremony, dressed strictly in white as requested by the Ekubo family.
Attendees included Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Akpotha, Ebele Okaro, Nancy Isime, Ruth Kadiri, Nkechi Blessing, Stan Nze, Blessing Obasi, Ik Ogbonna, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, singer Chike, and socialite Cubana Chief Priest.
The evening featured worship led by gospel ministers Peterson Okopi and Ebuka Songs, with Pastor Jerry Eze, Nathaniel Bassey, and Kaestrings also ministering.
The Ekubo family had earlier released an obituary on the late actor’s Instagram page, asking the public to keep them in prayer.
Wednesday’s service of songs officially opened Alex Ekubo’s burial rites.
The funeral moves to Arochukwu, Abia State, for a wake-keep on June 17, with burial scheduled for June 18.
Tamunosoye Karibi-George has been crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 after emerging winner at the pageant’s grand finale held at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The 26-year-old beauty queen, who represented Bayelsa State and hails from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, beat 19 other contestants in the competition themed “Pride, Power and Purpose.”
She succeeds Joy Mojisola Raimi, Miss World Nigeria 2025, and will represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World Festival scheduled to hold in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, 2026.
Miss Karibi-George is the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative that supports children with special needs and promotes inclusion and equal opportunities.
Joining Karibi-George in the top five were Dionne Chisom Nwagbo of Anambra State, who finished as first runner-up; Shuntell Ezomo of Edo State, who emerged second runner-up; Irene Irene of Abuja; and Gold of Rivers State.
Miss World Nigeria, organized by the Silverbird Group, is one of Nigeria’s leading beauty pageants and selects the country’s representative for the international Miss World competition.
Award-winning artiste – Davido – is scheduled to perform at FIFA’s World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles, adding another major global platform to his career.
Davido will perform alongside Major Lazer, the music project led by producer Diplo.
FIFA announced the lineup on Instagram, noting that more special guests will be unveiled in the coming days.
The concert is part of FIFA’s first synchronised live entertainment series across the tournament’s three host nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Featuring Diplo’s Major Lazer and Davido, and more special guests to be announced soon,” FIFA wrote.
The Los Angeles show will open doors at 5:00pm PT, with the live broadcast beginning at 6:00pm PT.
The series is designed to link audiences across the host countries, with simultaneous live performances streamed from Mexico City and Toronto.
FIFA said the event will stream globally across its digital platforms, including an exclusive livestream on TikTok.
Full concert and behind-the-scenes footage will be available on VuMe Live the following day.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11, 2026.
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