Entertainment

“I Just Want to Keep My Joy” – Cobhams Asuquo on Music, Life, and Finding Happiness

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

For many, Cobhams Asuquo is a musical genius, a producer, songwriter, and one of the most respected voices in the Nigerian music industry. But beyond the melodies and magic he creates, there’s a man who fiercely protects his happiness, values deep connections, and has a love for country living that might surprise you.

In this week’s edition of BellaNaija Doing Life With…, we caught up with Cobhams for a heartfelt conversation about life, resilience, and the things that truly matter to him.

“One of my greatest achievements is being able to keep my joy and happiness. It’s been threatened more than a few times, but I find that as people grow older, that’s something they lose. I often wonder if one day I will become one of those people. It’s a terrible thing to lose one’s happiness, and I’m acutely conscious of protecting it,” he shares.

Cobhams’ love for music started early. As a child, he created rhythms from anything he could find—metal barrels, forks, knives—turning everyday objects into instruments. With a home filled with music, his path seemed inevitable. Today, his work continues to shape the industry, but beyond the success, he stays grounded in simple joys.

“I like dirt roads, big trucks, a house on a farm, whiskey, guns, Jesus, and barbecue!” he laughs, revealing a side of him few would expect.

A storyteller at heart, Cobhams believes life is best understood through experience. “I know my own history, my successes, my failures, and I can draw lessons from them. If sharing my journey helps someone else, then it’s worth telling.”

He’s also a man of many hidden talents. Besides music, he proudly declares himself an expert in tasting food—“My taste buds are working overtime!”—and has a natural flair for voice acting. “Growing up, I could mimic almost anyone, especially my neighbors’ parents. It was my special way of entertaining my family.”

His daily life is a mix of work, creative daydreaming, and endless music. From Bach to Drake, Cece Winans to Davido, his playlist is as diverse as his talents. Some days are spent in deep work, others hosting barbecues for friends, and occasionally sneaking in some piano time.

When asked about things he’d add or remove from his life, he chuckles, “Most things I would have removed have shaped my most invaluable experiences. But if you have $50 million lying around, I’d be happy to include that in my life!”

Through it all, Cobhams remains intentional about his journey. “Weigh everything on the scales of love and intention. Let it come from a place of love, always mean well, and when mistakes happen—because they will—learn to forgive yourself and others.”

From the studio to life’s big moments, Cobhams Asuquo is proof that success isn’t just about accolades; it’s about staying true to yourself, embracing the journey, and holding on tightly to what makes you happy.

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Entertainment

5 Cultural Festivals to Look Forward to in Ekiti this August

Published

10 months ago

July 29, 2025

GistNaijaHub

Ekiti isn’t just the land of scholars, it’s a cultural stronghold, rich in heritage that deserves front-row seats on the national and international tourism stage. As August ushers in vacation energy, the state comes alive with festivals that honour the past, celebrate community, and welcome you into the heart of Yoruba tradition. If you’ve ever craved a soulful, story-soaked getaway, these five cultural events are calling your name.

Usi Day, Usi-Ekiti – August 2nd

2025 Usi Day Celebration

Usi Day is more than a festival—it’s a heartfelt homecoming. Since its inception in 1980, this celebration has become a powerful reunion of Usi descendants and admirers from across the globe. Held in Ido/Osi Local Government, the week-long festival from July 28th, 2025 culminating on August 2nd, 2025—features educational seminars, cultural parades, and entertainment that fuse old-world customs with modern flair. It’s a time for reflection, unity, and renewal of commitment to the town’s progress. Whether you’re a native or simply drawn to community-driven culture, Usi Day invites you to witness heritage in full bloom.

Ogun Onire Cultural Festival, Ire-Ekiti – August 11th

2025 Ogun Onire Festival

The Ogun Onire Festival in Ire-Ekiti is a mystical tribute to Ogun, the Yoruba deity of iron and war, who legend says disappeared into the earth right in this town. Marked by powerful rituals, offerings, and age-grade performances, this year edition is stipulated for August 11th, it promises to transform the town into a sacred stage of spiritual energy and ancestral storytelling as usual. Visitors are drawn in by the deep symbolism, the ram sacrifices, the priestly chants, and the communal feasting. If you’re seeking a cultural experience that connects mythology with living tradition, this is one event you’ll want to mark in your August travel plans.

Ita Ajero Cultural Festival, Ijero-Ekiti – August 18th

2025 Ita Ajero Festival

Crowning days of masquerade worship and spiritual spectacle, the Ita Ajero Festival on August 18 offers a royal climax steeped in centuries of tradition. Led by Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, the Ajero of Ijero, the festival includes royal processions, ancestral rituals, and the blessing of the revered Egungun Aje—whose sacred cane is said to bestow healing and fortune. With over 500 masquerades in attendance, the town becomes a living canvas of Yoruba cosmology. If the fusion of royalty, ritual, and raw cultural energy excites you, Ijero’s call this August is not to be missed.

Ekiti International Theatre Festival – Ado-Ekiti, August 20–25

2025 Ekiti International Theatre Festival

Lights, culture, action! From August 20 to 25, Ado-Ekiti will play host to the inaugural Ekiti International Theatre Festival—an electrifying blend of heritage and modern performance. Featuring stage greats like Prof. Ahmed Yerima and a new play on the iconic Hubert Ogunde, the five-day event at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre promises theatrical brilliance, an arts exhibition on Nigerian theatre evolution, and concerts that could shake the city. Organisers expect a crowd of 200,000, with economic ripples in tourism, hospitality, and culture. For creatives, wanderers, and heritage lovers, this is your backstage pass to Ekiti’s rising cultural capital.

Udiroko Festival, Ado-Ekiti – August 21st

2025 Udiroko Festival

Every August 21, the people of Ado-Ekiti gather for Udiroko Festival—their new year’s day in the traditional calendar and a moment rooted in over 700 years of history. Once a war-time debrief under a sacred iroko tree, the event now radiates regal splendour. The Ewi of Ado delivers a community address from the throne, followed by colourful age-grade parades, music, and communal thanksgiving. It’s not just a cultural spectacle—it’s a declaration of identity, pride, and purpose. For anyone yearning to witness history come alive through pageantry and vision, Udiroko offers a front-row seat to something unforgettable.

Entertainment

Yemi Alade’s “My Padi” Is the New Soundtrack for Celebrating Your Bestie

Published

11 months ago

July 10, 2025

GistNaijaHub

If you’ve ever had a friend who held you down through thick, thin and every broke moment in between, Yemi Alade just dropped your new anthem. Her latest single “My Padi” is more than a song. It’s a love letter to that one person who never switched up and the visuals take that message straight to the heart.

The video lands soft but hits hard. No flashy scenes, no distractions. Just Yemi in a lit room, a lone mic dangling from the ceiling and lyrics that speak volumes. From “I dey for you” to “Your enemy na my enemy,” every line feels like a warm hug wrapped in rhythm. She’s not preaching perfection, she’s singing realness. And in a world full of fake smiles and follower counts, that honesty is a breath of fresh air.

This isn’t your regular bestie goals track. “My Padi” is about the ones who don’t post you online but pull up in real life. The kind that sticks around when it’s not convenient, celebrates your wins louder than you and shows up without needing an invite. Whether it’s Puerto Rico or Okokomaiko, Yemi reminds us that real friendship isn’t about proximity. It’s about presence.

True to form, Yemi Alade doesn’t just sing songs. She creates moments. And this one? It’s for every loyal friend who deserves a thank you, a toast and a track that says “I see you.”

So if someone came to mind while reading this, don’t just smile. Send them this song. Let “My Padi” say the words your chest might be too shy to.

Yemi Alade - My Padi (Official Visualizer)

Effyzzie Music presents the official Visualizer for My Padi Performed by Yemi Alade LyricsYou suppose to know i be ur AlabamaAnd if cold dey I go be ur cardi…

youtu.be

Entertainment

Toyin Abraham Rocks One-Colour Outfits and She’s Not Missing

Published

1 year ago

June 5, 2025

GistNaijaHub

Toyin Abraham One Colour Outfits

Nollywood star, Toyin Abraham is turning heads with a fresh style streak: five back-to-back outfits in just one colour each. From bold black to bright lime green, she’s proving that dressing in a single shade can be anything but boring.

This isn’t your usual red carpet show-off. Toyin is keeping it sharp, clean, and focused — no clashing prints, no busy extras. Just one colour, head to toe, and she’s owning every look. With her new film Iyalode landing in cinemas this Friday, June 6, the timing feels deliberate. She’s not just promoting a movie; she’s setting a whole vibe.

Twice, she showed up in black — and both times looked completely different. One was red-carpet sleek, the other had boss energy. Then came the crisp white, the rich gold, and finally, a shock of lime green that made everyone do a double take. Each outfit felt like a fresh chapter in the same stylish story.

Toyin’s approach is simple: pick a colour, wear it like you mean it. And that’s exactly what makes it powerful. She’s not hiding behind trends or hype — she’s building a signature. One that reminds us confidence is louder than any accessory.

While other celebs play it safe or overdo it, Toyin is showing that sometimes, one colour is all you need to stand out.

Have a feel of it from her Instagram handle below: