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Highlights on Drake, Asake, Oscars 2025, Taylor Swift and Keke Palmer.

AI Generated Image by Ask Nigeria

Recent entertainment bits across the globe

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Drake withdraws legal petition against Universal Music Group and Spotify.

Canadian rapper, Drake has officially withdrawn his legal petition in New York against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, which alleged they inflated streams for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” Journalist Bryson “Boom” Paul reported that Drake’s Frozen Moments, LLC filed the withdrawal on January 14, discontinuing the case with no costs to any party. Spotify, which had filed an opposition, did not object, while UMG “reserved its position.” Although the New York case is resolved, Drake’s legal proceedings against UMG and iHeartRadio in Texas remain active, with a hearing set for January 28. In November 2024, the artist accused UMG and Spotify of artificially boosting “Not Like Us” through bots and payola, violating the RICO Act. He also alleged that iHeartRadio engaged in a “pay-to-play scheme,” facilitated by UMG to promote the track on its airwaves.

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Asake’s Work of Art surpasses 500 million streams on Spotify.

Nigerian music star, Asake has enjoyed one of the biggest breakouts of any Afrobeats star over the past three years. With multiple certifications and commercial success, he has grown as one of the most dominant African stars. His sophomore album, Work of Art, has just reached an impressive milestone on Spotify, amassing 500 million streams. This remarkable achievement solidifies the Nigerian artist’s growing global influence and marks a significant moment in his career. Following the success of his debut album, Mr. Money With The Vibe, this accomplishment makes Work of Art Asake’s second album to hit the 500 million-stream mark. The album showcases Asake’s artistry and ability to captivate listeners with his unique sound, building seamlessly on the foundation laid by his debut project. With two consecutive albums achieving such milestones, Asake continues to cement his status as one of the leading voices in contemporary Afrobeats. The success of Work of Art further underscores his widespread appeal and the growing international recognition of his music.

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The announcement for the Oscars 2025 nominations has been postponed.

As the Los Angeles wildfires continue to wreak havoc, the Academy has adjusted its timeline for the 97th Oscars. The nomination voting period, initially set to close on January 12, has been extended to January 17 at 5 p.m. PT. Nominations will now be announced virtually on January 23 at 5:30 a.m. PT, with no in-person media presence. Despite the changes, the Oscars ceremony remains scheduled for March 2 at the Dolby Theatre. Additionally, the annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon, originally planned for February 10, has been canceled, while the Scientific and Technical Awards, set for February 18, will be postponed. The Academy has also pledged $750,000 to the Motion Picture & Television Fund to aid recovery efforts. This year’s nominees are expected to include critically acclaimed films like Anora, Wicked, and Conclave, showcasing the resilience of the industry amidst adversity.

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Shanghai is in talks to host a Taylor Swift concert later this year.

According to emerging news, Shanghai is in preliminary talks with global superstar Taylor Swift about hosting a concert in the city later this year, according to Zhang Qi, deputy director of the Shanghai Culture and Tourism Bureau. Speaking to “The Paper”, Zhang confirmed that officials have met with Swift’s team to discuss the possibility, expressing optimism about the event’s prospects. “As for whether it will happen, it depends on the market and the city’s appeal, but we remain hopeful,” Zhang stated. The potential concert aligns with Shanghai’s strategy to attract high-profile entertainers and boost the local economy through large-scale cultural events. As a key destination for international performers in mainland China, Shanghai has a strong reputation for hosting major concerts. Officials aim to further solidify the city’s status as a cultural hub while leveraging events like this to drive economic revitalization and tourism.

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Keke Palmer reacts to not being in the same conversation as her other teen stars.

Emmy winner Keke Palmer recently reflected on her career journey and the challenges she faced as a young Black actress. Speaking with The Cut, Palmer revealed feeling overlooked during her Nickelodeon days despite the success of her sitcom True Jackson, VP. “I wasn’t in the same conversations as Victoria Justice, Selena Gomez, or Miley Cyrus,” she shared. “It was very much, ‘That’s the Black show,’ or, ‘That’s Keke Palmer, the Black girl on the network.’” Palmer compared this to being the only Black child at her private school in Illinois, saying, “There’s a loss of innocence that comes with realizing you’re treated differently.” However, she no longer compares herself to others, particularly White peers. Since True Jackson, VP, Palmer has continued to thrive, starring in Scream Queens and landing roles in films like the upcoming comedy One of Them Days.

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