The MTV Video Music Awards 2016, held Sunday night, and indeed was star studded, as star arrived at the venue looking totally fab, while strutting the white carpet. The different performances at each point left the crowd on their feet, shouting, dancing having a good time.
One of the highlights of VMAS was when Drake revealed to the world that he has been in love with Rihanna since he was in his early twenties while presenting her with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award on Sunday night.
The 29-year-old, who has been romantically linked with Rihanna, raved about the hit-maker after arriving on stage in his tuxedo with the award in his hands.
‘She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22-years-old,’ Drake admitted as he delivered a lengthy and glowing speech in honour of Rihanna immediately following her fourth performance during the MTV Video Music Awards.
‘She’s a living, breathing legend in our industry, ladies and gentleman, the recipient of the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award for 2016, Rihanna.’
As Rihanna gave him a peck on the cheek, Drake continued to lean in to kiss her on the neck.
Drake presenting RiRi with The Vanguards Award
But the kiss didn’t last very long, as he pulled away after several seconds just before Rihanna said several words to him.
‘MTV, this is such an amazing night, it’s such an amazing moment in my career,’ Rihanna started off her speech. ‘When I think about the Vanguard Award and receiving this tonight, all I could think of was my country. They’re gonna be so proud, this is the first Vanguard to land anywhere close to my country,’ she said.
‘And so, you know my success, it started as my dream. But now my success is not my own. It’s my family’s, it’s my fan’s, it’s my country’s, it’s the Caribbean as a whole, it’s women, it’s black women, so many people feel like their little piece is such a major part of this puzzle, and I have to thank you guys for supporting me over and over.
‘Thank you to every director whose taken a chance on me, and a chance with my crazy ideas, there’s just so much growth that has happened over the last eleven years, and I can’t believe I’m receiving a Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at 28 years old.
‘It’s crazy. And I have so many people to thank, I mean, from the very beginning. Evan and Carl, from SRP, you guys believed in me, you brought me straight to Jay-Z’s office, where I met Jay, Tata, L.A. Reid, Jay Brown, my whole publicity team, my grandpeeps, so many people, man, they write with me from day to day.
‘And my best friends, they never left me. They actually followed my a** all the way to America, gettin’ on my d*amn nerves. They here right now, just witnessing this.
‘This is a big moment. Thank you to Drake, for that amazing speech. Thank you to MTV, I had so much fun! Good night!’
The songbird then left the stage hand-in-hand with Drake, but not before appearing to share another kiss with him.
OdumoduBlvck recently praised Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy in an interview with Beats FM.
The rapper discussed his latest project, “Nothing Changed,” a collaborative effort with the Anti-World Gangsters crew. The album features Don Jazzy on the track “Asampete.”
OdumoduBlvck revealed that after recording “Asampete,” he felt the song would benefit from Don Jazzy’s contribution. When approached, Don Jazzy readily agreed to the request.
During their meeting, Don Jazzy not only added his vocals to the song but also surprised OdumoduBlvck with a generous gift of $10,000.
Impressively, Don Jazzy declined any royalties for his contribution to the track.
“When I went to his house to get his vocals, he gave me $10,000 and even my friend was asking me why he gave me such a huge amount of money,” he narrated in the interview.
OdumoduBlvck further praised Don Jazzy, describing him as the most original personality in the Nigerian music industry and a true icon.
“There’s nobody more original than Don Jazzy…The way the younger artists look up to Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, and Olamide today is how they used to look up to Don Jazzy”.
OdumoduBlvck’s praise for Don Jazzy’s generosity and influence on the Nigerian music industry echoes sentiments expressed by numerous artists whose careers have been shaped by the Mavin Records boss.
Four-time Grammy nominee Davido has credited Don Jazzy and D’banj’s flamboyant lifestyle for inspiring him to relocate to Nigeria and pursue his musical aspirations.
Don Jazzy’s philanthropic endeavours also continue to make headlines. Recently, he donated a substantial sum of 100 million naira to Very Dark Man’s charity.
Nigerian actress and evangelist Eucharia Anunobi shared a compelling message about self-empowerment through her Instagram platform on December 19, 2024.
The Nollywood veteran directly addressed her followers in a social media post, urging them to break free from seeking external validation.
Anunobi, known for her influential roles in the Nigerian film industry, stressed that individuals should cultivate a strong sense of self-worth independent of others’ opinions.
The acclaimed actress articulated that personal growth and fulfilment stem from embracing one’s authentic self rather than conforming to societal expectations or public judgment.
In the video posted, Eucharia Anunobi enquired, “Why do you want everyone to like you? Even ice cream isn’t liked by everyone, come on.”Her post caption read,
“Seeking to be liked by all is a sign that you are emotionally and spiritually imbalanced! Some people will hate you because to hate is what gives them joy!! Because they are genetically wicked!!! So get used to not being liked!!!!1 John 5:19.”
The actress’s post ignited a flurry of reactions in her comment section, with followers expressing support and sharing their personal reflections.
Actress Sola Sobowale commented simply, “Fact.”
Other followers shared their thoughts, with one writing, “Anyone who is always seeking validation from the public whenever he or she does something, just know say that person no clear 💯.”
“Caring what people think about you is natural. Letting it drive your behaviours and keep you from doing things you believe in is usually a sign of,” said another person.
Another Instagram user shed more light on the issue, saying,
“codependency conditioning. The core belief in codependency is: what people think of me defines what I think of me. My mother always said, “Your opinion of me is none of my business.” It can get real exhausting perceiving yourself through the eyes of others. No matter how pure your intention, you cannot control how people receive you. Give others the freedom to perceive you as they wish, for it’s merely a reflection of themselves and not your reality. Never mind who sees you. Do you see you?”
“I don’t like people who wanna be liked by everyone, just do you and move on,”
“Thisss ,it’s okay to be a bad person in another persons story ,Only God is PERFECT 👍”
Former BBNaija star and content creator Elozonam revealed how Nigeria’s “japa” syndrome—where individuals emigrate in search of better opportunities abroad—has impacted his personal relationships, especially with friends and family.
During a conversation on the Uncoloured Podcast, hosted by fellow BBNaija alum Venita, Elozonam candidly shared how his twin brother’s relocation has significantly altered their once-close dynamic.
“For my twin brother and I, being twins, we naturally used to argue a lot,” Elozonam said. “But after he left, there was nothing to fight about. Now I have to consciously reach out to him because there are days or weeks when I don’t hear from him. It’s frustrating, but I understand that everyone has to do what they need to survive and build a better life.”
Elozonam reflected on how the japa wave has reshaped his social circle. He traced the trend back to 2018 when his former boss moved abroad with his family.
“That seemed to open the floodgates,” he said. “Since then, people have been leaving one after the other. It’s exhausting. You become hesitant to form new friendships because you don’t know if they’ll just up and leave tomorrow.”
He expressed deep frustration about Nigeria’s deteriorating economy and infrastructure. He acknowledged that unemployment, insecurity, and poor living conditions push many Nigerians to seek better opportunities in other countries.
“Between 2018 and 2024, I’ve seen so many people leave. Nigeria isn’t improving, and everyone wants a better future. It’s hard to blame them, but it’s also hard for those of us left behind.”
Watch the interview below.
“…you’re now too wary of making new friends. Nigeria is not getting any better. We all know this”
Elozonam speaks about living in a different country from his twin brother and the downsides of japa. pic.twitter.com/zc7KMuLcdX