The year, 2019 was an exciting one for the Nigerian entertainment industry, which recorded many feats including; groundbreaking events, more movie releases, enthralling music events, reality shows among other excitements.
From the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award, All Africa Music Festival, Africa Movie Academy Awards, Big Brother Naija reality show to the many music concerts that dot the last quarter of the year, especially the festive season, 2019 was entertaining for many despite the economic realities that negatively impacted their purchasing power.
The year 2019 began with exciting news from Multichoice Nigeria that Bet9ja, Nigerian sports-betting company, would be the headline sponsor of the 2019 edition of Big Brother Naija reality TV show, aptly tagged ‘Pepper Dem’.
That announcement in January 2019, got many excited, looking forward to the show later in the year. Bet9ja took over the sponsorship from Payporte, which headlined two previous editions of the reality show.
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When the show finally kicked off in June, it got Nigerians talking. After 99 days in Big Brother House, Mercy Eke won and became the first female ever to win the BBNaija reality TV show since it began over a decade ago.
But the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) also got Africa talking in 2019, especially when the organisers withdraw the hosting right from Ghana, the host country and later brought to show to Lagos, Nigeria, its debut city.
According to the International Committee of the awards, the withdrawal of the hosting rights from the Republic of Ghana for the 2019 and 2020 editions of the annual music festival was due to lack of capacity by the host country to meet the financial and contractual obligations entered to on July 12, 2018, necessary to retain hosting the biggest music event in Africa.
Well, the show later held in Lagos and was a huge success.
Nikita Kering, a 17-year-old Kenyan music sensation, was the highlight for many who graced the awards night, when she emerged winner in two notable categories.
She defeated the likes of South Africa’s Sho Madjozi and Tellaman, Nigeria’s WurlD/Sarz and Skiibii, Egypt’s Hamada Helal and Tanzania’s Rosa Reese to emerge winner of the Revelation of the African Continent category.
Of course, she was truly a revelation. She started in music when she was barely 9 years as a passion and today, the 17-year-old singer has toured the world, thrilling international audience and wining fans with her music at home and abroad.
Yet, she surprised those who undermined her prowess by going further to win the Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa, a category mostly won by established music acts.
Also top winners at AFRIMA 2019 include; Saudi Sol, who clinched the Album of the year in Africa, Artiste of The year in Africa went to Burna Boy, while Wizkid won the Song of the year award.
As well, the 2019 edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held in October at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos. Rwandan movie, Mercy of the Jungle, proved to be the biggest winner on the night with four awards, including Best Film of the award.
Top among the awards was Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award For Best Film by an African-Born Director Living Abroad, which was won by Julius Amedume’ Rattlesnakes.
Of course, the African Magic Viewers Choice Award thrilled viewers in the 2019 edition as Multichoice recognized excellence in movie production and business across the continent.
However, the excitement got better in the last quarter of 2019, especially December. There were many exciting music shows that ended the year in grand style.
One of the shows was Detty Fest by Bet9ja. Detty Fest December was a music and entertainment fiesta, which featured four concerts headlined by four top Nigerian music acts.
Teni the Entertainer thrilled the audience and won more fans during the first concert of Detty Fest, which was tagged ‘Teni Live Concert: The Billionaire Experience’.
Wizkid staged ‘StarBoy Fest Lagos’ at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island Lagos, Davido hosted ‘City of David’ at Ocean View Grounds in Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, while Naira Marley enthralled with his massive concert tagged, ‘Marlian Fest’, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island in Lagos.
The movie scene was groovy too with many new releases. However, Kemi Lala Akindoju made her directorial debut at the Lagos Theatre Festival in 2019 with ’Lavender, a stage play.
Funke Akindele also made her directorial debut with Your Excellency.
But the entertainment industry also welcomed outfits too. Ebonylife Place, which houses cinema halls, studious, lounges among other facilities, was a highlight.
