Do you wonder why the year is running so fast? It feels like we only shouted “happy new year yesterday, and today we are in the third week of July. After that, it will be December and just like that: fiam! 2022 will be the same way 2020 sneaked out. I bet it’s hard to keep tabs on happenings in the creative space.
This is why as your creative buddy who delights in helping you enhance your creativity, I have taken it upon myself to keep you abreast with TT weekly creative round-up. This week’s content cuts across the creative space’s good, bad, and ugly. Tag along.
1. Veteran Nollywood Actress Ada Ameh Ada died on Sunday, 17th July 2022
Unfortunately, veteran Nollywood actress, Television personality, and comedian Ada Ameh is dead. According to reports, the comedian died en route to NNPC hospital in Warri, Delta State, around 11 pm on Sunday, July 17th, after she slumped. Before the news of her death, the actress opened up about her turbulent phase due to the numerous losses she had faced. She said:
“Everything is going to be fine. I have an issue right now, and it’s taking my life. I will not die. We will get over it.”
Before 2020, the actress lost six family members dear to her. And in 2020, she lost her only daughter, God’s Gift Aladi, at 30. Aladi died in an Abuja-based hospital due to complications from a surgery. However, the actress recounted that things hadn’t been the same for her since her daughter passed. This is because they shared a tight bond. Ada Ameh gave birth to Aladi when she was just 14 years old, and they instantly became best friends.
While still trying to cope with the loss of her daughter and best friend, the actress was slammed with the tragedy of losing another dear sister in March 2022. At this point, she became inconsolable, and her mental health went downhill.
Ada Ameh was very vast in her acting role, and her death was a significant loss to the Nigerian entertainment industry. The deceased actress came to the limelight for playing the role of Anita in Nollywood 1996 classic movie Domitilla and her role in the comedy series, The Johnsons.
2. Have You Listened To Sound Sultan’s Posthumous Album Yet?
The Nigerian music industry is yet to fully recover from the tragedy that struck on July 11, 2021, as Olanrewaju Fasasi, a.k.a Sound Sultan, died in the United States. He died at the young age of 44 following a longtime battle with throat cancer.
Sound Sultan was an avid rapper, singer, songwriter, and comedian that is greatly missed. Sound Sultan is arguably one of the early musicians who laid the building blocks for the evolution of HipHop in Nigeria today. Before his untimely death, the singer was working on an album. However, to honor him and keep his legacy, his family has announced their intentions to release the album to the public. On Monday, 11th July 2022, a listening event was held simultaneously in New York, London, and the Victoria Island area of Lagos, Nigeria.
The late singer’s brother, Baba Dee, took to the singer’s Instagram to invite fans and well-wishers to the listening party via a live session. He also put up a post that reads:
“We are having the one-year remembrance of Sound Sultan, the great iconic Nigerian singer, and his official listening party for the album, Reality Chq. This was the album Sound Sultan was working on before he answered the call of the almighty. this is a very special project. I promised myself this project will come out, and people will get to hear the voice of sound sultan, and it’s coming out on the 11th of July.”
3. Did You Know That Mr. Eazi Is Highly Involved In The African Tech Development?
Apart from other seasoned African music artists like Davido, Ajebutter 22, and Black Coffee, who are fostering technological development in Africa by funding start-ups, Oluwatosin Ajibade, famously known as Mr. Eazi, has made a staunch mark as a technocrat.
However, he still primarily makes music. He is majorly fixated on improving the African creative sector via his investment in diverse projects by startups inspired by the global tech ecosystem. He sparked fans’ interest recently with his role as an international venture investor at Paisa, a Mexico-based lending fintech startup in their $600 000 seed round. Paisa is dedicated to bridging the financial gender and digital gap. So if you are creative in the technological space, looking for Angel investors and VCs to find your current or next project, consider pitching your ideas to Mr. Eazi.
Although Mr. Eazi is widely known for his musical talent and record label, EmPawa, Mr. Eazi has been in the African tech scene long before now. In 2014, Mr. Eazi founded his first startup, Phonetrader, an online marketplace where Nigerians could buy and sell used phones. Interestingly, Phonetrader was part of the startups selected for an incubator program by 440NG, a partnership between venture firms 88mph and L5Lab. According to the singer, running a startup was one of the most influential periods of his life, and it prepared him for where he is today.
4. TT Creative Grant 2022 (Second quarter release) Application Is Still Ongoing
Dear creative, do you want to enhance your creativity? If yes, hurry now and apply for TT Creative Grant 2022 (Second Quarter Release). The TT Creative Grant is masterminded by yours truly, Talku Talku. The grant is dedicated to serving as a major Achilles heel to the underserved Nigerian creative community.
The TT creative grant is a grand avenue to propel creativity in Nigeria by helping creatives unlock their full potential by awarding $1000 to a deserving winner.
Because Integrity is a core pillar of our brand, we demonstrate that by having independent panelists and ambassadors review the application process and help us select a winner. As usual, the Ambassador for the second quarter release is the famous Nigerian rapper, “ The Guy,” formerly known as “M.I Agaba.” Our Independent panelists are Timothy Ojo, The Genie, and Ukalina Celine Opuwari.
In case you missed the first quarter release, this second quarter release is another opportunity for you to scale your creative journey In 2022. Hurry now and apply. The grant was launched on Friday, 15th July 2022, and the application closes on the 22nd of August 2022. It is important to note that the application can only be entered directly and cannot be administered via a third party. And also, the application for TT creative Grant 2022 ( second quarter release) is free and open to all creatives from all types of creative industry known to man. So, dear creative, don’t sleep on this; apply today!
5. Asake Gets Signed By American Record Label, Empire Distribution
Ahmed Ololade, with the stage name Asake, is one of the new and coolest kids on the Nigerian music industry block. After blazing the trails and topping charts with hit songs from his EP debut, Ololade Asake, all year, he officially got signed by an American record label, Empire Distribution.
Asake is originally a signee of the Nigerian record label YBNL Nation, owned by seasoned rapper Olamide Adedeji. On February 18, 2020, YBNL Nation struck a partnership deal with Empire Distribution. On July 18, 2022, Empire Distribution officially welcomed Asake to her label. The announcement was made by Empire label in a tweet that reads :
“We’re happy to officially welcome Mr. Money aka @asakemusik to the Empire family- Peep the thread below to get familiar with Nigeria’s breakout star.”
Although the contract terms are still unknown, the singer is set to make tidal waves in the national and international music industry like his predecessors, Fireboy DML and Olamide. Some of Asake’s hits include; Sungba to the remix with African giant Burna Boy, Omo Ope, Palazzo, and Peace Be Unto You.
6. The Federal Government Launched The Nigerian National Lottery Game On Monday, 18th July 2022
Dear creative, we have a lottery to win! On Monday, 18th July 2022, the federal government launched a Nigerian National Lottery Game in partnership with Elrae Technologies. It is believed that the idea of the lottery was conceptualized to raise revenue to finance the budget and create wealth for citizens.
According to the minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, George Akume, who spoke on Monday at the National Lottery Logo launch in Abuja, the initiative would widen and boost the country’s revenue streams. Interestingly, the idea of a national game has been in the enactment of the National Lottery Act in 2005. So, thankfully, it is coming to life now.
This news is a leap for Nigerian creatives as the game system is geared toward creating a more stable economy for the country. Even the Director-General of the National Regulatory Commission, Lanre Gbajabiamila, is in solidarity with Nigeria’s emergence of the National Lottery Game as he strongly believes that the Nigeria National Game was birthed to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
The launch of the National Lottery Game is undoubtedly a welcomed development as it proffers employment and allows creatives to explore their creativity via gaming. Notwithstanding, it is advisable to game responsibly and uphold the integrity of the game to ensure it serves its purpose fully.
Conclusion
Dear creatives, don’t forget to apply for TT Creative Grant 2022 (second quarter release). Also, May Ada Ameh and Sound Sultan’s souls continue to rest in peace. Congratulations to Nigeria’s breakout star, Asake, on his new deal with Empire Distribution. Do not forget to pitch your startup ideas to Mr. Eazi.
About the Author
LAURA TOMBIA
Creative Executive
Laura, alias Inky Parrot, is a seasoned SEO content writer with a demonstrated history of creating top-ranking SEO content. She is adept at telling captivating brand stories and shaping users’ experiences with concise UX copies. Her hobbies include cooking, eating, (winks) writing, and vibing to Tik Tok content.
