On November 18, 2024, fans woke up to the shocking news that Wizkid’s latest single, “Kese (Dance)”, had suddenly vanished from the Apple Music Nigeria Top 100.

Just days ago, the song had been proudly sitting at the number one spot. This abrupt drop sparked widespread speculation, with many fans and industry insiders suspecting that Apple Music had penalized the track for streaming manipulation.

Such drastic deductions often indicate stream deductions or “chart-drinking,” which are common penalties that Apple Music enforces against artificial streaming boosts.

Adding fuel to the controversy is Wizkid’s “Kese (Dance)”, released on November 15, 2024, as the second lead track from his forthcoming album “Morayo”.

Within hours of its release, “Kese” soared to the top of the Apple Music Nigeria Top 100, demonstrating Wizkid’s enduring popularity and dominance on the charts.

However, the unexpected removal of the song from the charts sent shockwaves through social media, leaving fans divided. Some believe Apple Music may have acted to curb stream farming, while others argue it might simply be a technical glitch.

Historically, Apple Music has taken stringent measures to crack down on streaming manipulation, especially against high-profile artists.

This latest move, if confirmed as a penalty, would be one of their strongest actions yet against stream farming. However, the possibility of a glitch cannot be entirely dismissed, as similar occurrences have happened before.

Fans now eagerly watch to see if “Kese (Dance)” will rebound to its previous chart-topping position. A quick recovery would lend credence to the glitch theory.

Meanwhile, a continued absence would suggest that Apple Music has indeed taken a firm stance against streaming irregularities—even against a major act like Wizkid. For now, all eyes remain on the charts to see how this drama unfolds.

The 2024 AFRIFF celebrated exceptional African cinema through a vibrant week-long showcase of talent, creativity, and storytelling excellence.

Filmmakers, actors, and cinema enthusiasts gathered from across the continent to participate in screenings, masterclasses, and engaging panel discussions at the 2024 AFRIFF.

This 13th edition of AFRIFF demonstrated unprecedented diversity in African storytelling, featuring compelling narratives that captivated audiences through multiple genres and languages.

In the 2024 AFRIFF, carefully curated selections sparked meaningful conversations about contemporary African experiences while highlighting the continent’s rich cultural heritage.

Also, at the 2024 AFRIFF Globe Awards ceremony, outstanding films earned recognition for their artistic merit, technical excellence, and powerful storytelling.

These winning productions represented various African perspectives, from intimate personal narratives to broader social commentaries.

Let’s explore the complete list of winners who made their mark at this prestigious celebration of African cinema.

First and foremost, Wumi Toriola’s film ‘Queen Lateefah‘ has achieved remarkable success, surpassing ₦300 million at the box office and securing its position among Nollywood’s top-performing films.

Subsequently, the film joins other blockbuster successes such as ‘Ajosepo’ (₦257.2 million) and ‘Ajakaju’ (₦252.8 million). Moreover, ‘Queen Lateefah’ now stands as the seventh highest-grossing Nollywood movie to date.

Additionally, it holds the distinction of achieving the highest earnings for a non-December release, a period typically known for peak box office performance.

Throughout its theatrical run, the film has consistently broken records. Initially, it garnered ₦57 million in its opening weekend.

Furthermore, within just three weeks of its premiere, the film exceeded the ₦200 million milestone. By mid-October, consequently, the box office receipts had accumulated to ₦216 million.

Under the distribution of Cinemax and the direction of Adeoluwa Owu, the film presents a compelling narrative. Specifically, it follows Lateefah Adeleke, a 30-year-old businesswoman who portrays herself as a world traveller with high social status.

However, her encounter with Jide Rhodes, a 35-year-old businessman, eventually exposes her carefully constructed facade.

In contrast to her claims, Lateefah emerges from a background of extreme poverty as the only child of an illiterate mother.

Finally, the film features a stellar ensemble cast including Kunle Remi, Femi Adebayo, Nancy Isime, Bimbo Manuel, Elvina Ibru, Enioluwa, and Gbugbemi Ejeye.

As a result of these combined elements – compelling storyline, strong performances, and strategic release timing – ‘Queen Lateefah’ continues to demonstrate the growing commercial potential of Nollywood productions.