It’s a year that will ring a bell for decades to come. From
Laycon’s BBNaija heroics, DJ Switch’s controversial claims on Lekki shooting to
Hushpuppi’s arrest and extradition, 2020 is definitely packed with several
events that would dominate discussions for long.
In no particular order, here is a list of the
most-talked about celebrities of the outgoing year.
Mr Macaroni
Mr Macaroni may have been a sensation on social media for
his comedy skits prior to 2020. But that he gained an unprecedented prominence
in the outgoing year is unarguable. The reason is not far-fetched due to his
participation in the #EndSARS protest.
The comedian started gaining traction in several quarters
after staging an overnight demonstration alongside other #EndSARS protesters at
the Lagos house of assembly — a development which informed an emergency meeting
of the state parliament. He would later emerge one of the top voices for the
protest with critical remarks about the country’s politicians, including a dig
at Atiku Abubakar and call for President Muhammadu Buhari’s resignation amid
the country’s insecurity.
His link to Atiku alongside other top #EndSARS protesters
also stirred heated controversies while he elicited mixed reactions for
claiming the government hasn’t done anything for him in a skit. The 27-year-old
also joined other comedians to condemn jokes on sexual violence.
He capped off the year on a high note, snagging the ‘Content
creation’ gong at the 2020 edition of The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) 2020.
Laycon
By now, many would have come to terms with Laycon’s
description of himself as “a god in a human body“.
From relative obscurity, the 2020 Brother Nigeria (BBNaija)
winner rose to limelight on the groundswell of several factors including his
face-off with Erica, a former housemate, and his ‘Who Is Laycon?‘ EP.
Laycon’s personality endeared him to many, a development
which made him one of the top trending people in Nigeria for the outgoing year.
His appointment as Ogun state’s youth ambassador and brand new Mercedes Benz
gift by fans on his 27th birthday were symptomatic of the fact that he is loved
by many. The graduate of philosophy also bagged several deals, music
collaborations as well as a deluge of followers dubbed ‘Icons’ since he left
the ‘Lockdown’ house.
He was at the heart of several heated controversies
including a remark by Teni, his birthday, SC genotype as well as tax tussle
involving the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and the Ogun State Internal
Revenue Service (OGIRS).
Hushpuppi
Hushpuppi, an Instagram celebrity, has been in the news over
his flamboyant lifestyles — which he constantly boasts about. But he became a
global sensation after the police in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), barred
lurid details of his arrest for alleged involvement in cyber-fraud — which
could see him spend 20 years in prison if convicted.
It didn’t take long after his arrest before the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) branded him as “Nigeria’s most-wanted
hacker”.
His arrest and subsequent extradition to the US for trial
would later become a subject of heated controversies, social media jokes, as
well as accusations and counter-accusations involving Gal Pissetzky, his
lawyer, who earlier claimed that the 38-year-old was kidnapped by the FBI.
Daddy Freeze, a Nigerian OAP, also came under intense
criticisms for allegedly backing the self-acclaimed billionaire — a claim the
media personality denied.
Although his trial was eventually postponed to 2021 due to
the coronavirus pandemic, inquiries about him topped the trending searches on
Google for 2020.
Naira Marley
Naira Marley has continued to show that controversy remains
one of the fastest tickets to fame. His emergence as Nigeria’s most-viewed
artiste on YouTube for 2019 after strings of dramas was a good example.
The ‘Soapy’ crooner started out 2020 against the backdrop of
a car theft allegation against him, which was later struck out by a court. But shortly after, he was embroiled in
several other heated dramas.
It started with being tagged a ‘demon’ by a pastor which was
followed by the hijacking of his Twitter account by hackers. He thereafter
sparked outrage over his coronavirus tweet. In a seemingly unending cycle of
dramas, Naira Marley dominated discussions for long due to his party during
lockdown ordeal, Abuja concert and the attendant face-off with Executive Jet.
Barely a few months after his 26th birthday, the ‘Tesumole’ crooner again returned to the headlines over several issues including the shelving of his earlier plan to lead a scheduled #EndSARS protest. He was also in the news over his ‘racism’ rant against Turkish Airlines and redemption of his N1 million pledge to Jude Chukwuka, a veteran actor, who performed a karaoke version of ‘Mafo‘.
D’banj
D’banj doesn’t always make the headlines like most of his
peers. But 2020 was different. The singer was enmeshed in a heated scandal
during the year after Seyi Babatayo, a lady, accused him of rape in 2018.
The allegation led to series of developments, starting with
reactions from celebrities, a N100 million lawsuit, a probe order from Mohammed
Adamu, the inspector-general of police (IGP); signing of petitions against the
singer and calls for his arrest.
As the rape allegation, which occurred about the same time
the Koko Master marked his 4th wedding anniversary, continued to trend on
Twitter, it ushered in more revelation, lawsuit and probe order until the
police eventually cleared him after his accuser withdrew her petition.
The ‘Fall in Love’ singer also left tongues wagging for
flouting COVID-19 protocols at an Abuja party before eventually darting into
relative obscurity from the social media.
DJ Switch
DJ Switch’s rise to global prominence in a blink during the
outgoing year remains a mystery to many. Barely many knew her until her
impressive stint at the BBNaija’s Saturday party which in a short time fuelled
comparison between her and DJ Cuppy.
But about two months after, the Nigerian
entertainer-turned-activist attracted huge followers due to her Instagram live
update on the night of October 20, when soldiers opened fire on unarmed
#EndSARS protesters at Lekki toll gate.
The entertainer’s claim that at least 15 people died at the
protest, thereafter, ignited a heated controversy which earned her admiration
from some Nigerians, several interviews with international media platforms as
well as the Canadian parliament and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Switch also engaged in a face-off with Lai Mohammed and
Babajide Sanwo-Olu and then made headlines after alleging death threats which
prompted petitions against her rumoured request for asylum in Canada. She has
since continued to weigh in on socio-political issues affecting Nigeria while
pushing the narrative that the people can inspire the much-needed change.
Desmond Elliot
Desmond Elliot, an actor-turned-politician, least expected
the reactions that trailed his comment backing godfatherism ahead of the Edo
2020 election. When he eventually appeared to have calmed frayed nerves with
his support for the #EndSARS movement, the lawmaker again ignited a new wave of
criticism for seemingly advocating the regulation of social media, despite
earlier denying pushing for such.
The movie star would later apologise over his comment after
being called out for opposing social media which aided his electoral victory.
Wizkid
Wizkid’s recognition by the Grammys as ‘Afrobeats’ key
player’ exemplifies his growing influence over the past decade. The ‘Ojuelegba’
crooner started 2020 in a grand style, snagging continental and international
recognitions.
He thereafter made the headlines over controversies
bordering on the “greatest of all time” tag before talks of his ‘Made in Lagos‘
album, which was eventually released in October, after several postponements.
Outside music, the 30-year-old singer engaged in heated
exchanges with the country’s political class, taking on President Muhammadu
Buhari and Lauretta Onochie, his aide, on social media occasionally amid the
#EndSARS protest — a development which elicited mixed reactions.
Wizkid also appeared in several supremacy conversations involving him, Davido as well as Burna Boy. If not anything, the outgoing year is another evidence that the ‘Fever’ crooner remains a force to reckon with in the global music industry after another impressive showing which includes winning the ‘Best African Act’ category at the MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin).
Davido
Davido kickstarted the year 2020 on the backdrop of several controversies, first over his trip to Ghana, ‘betrayal‘ allegations and his decision to flaunt his family’s private jet.
The ‘Risky’ crooner again dominated discussions in several
quarters after news of Chioma Avril, his fiancee, contracting COVID-19 broke.
He was also at the centre of another round of controversies after declaring
himself and Wizkid as Nigeria’s greatest musicians of all time.
The ‘OBO’ singer thereafter darted into social media hiatus
and returned with ‘FEM‘, his hit single, which would become #EndSARS protest
song. Davido’s involvement in the campaign was not without some drama as he
jostled to debunk several claims about his visit to the IGP during the peak of
the protest.
The ‘Assurance’ singer then sent the music world into a
frenzy following the release of ‘A Better Time‘ album. His Wizkid’s snub claim,
comment on Psquare’s feud, Cynthia Morgan’s ordeal, sack of Lil Frosh Burna
Boy-Wizkid ‘gang up’ remark among others also stirred mixed reactions on social
media platforms.
Notwithstanding the controversies, Davido scaled new heights
in the music landscape during the outgoing year with several beautiful
offerings as well as recognition to his name.
Burna Boy
Losing the Grammys definitely isn’t the best way for Burna
Boy to start the year 2020. But for the ‘African Giant’ crooner, it was an
eye-opener and motivation to consolidate on his 2019 heroics.
Not long after the dust surrounding his Grammys’ loss settled,
the ‘Ye’ singer ignited a flurry of reactions over the claim nobody paved the
way for him and Fela’s comparison.
He again came under intense criticisms over his comment on
Davido’s description of himself and Wizkid as Nigeria’s “all-time greatest musicians”
followed by another heated exchange with Sho Madjozi, a South African rapper.
Burna Boy returned to the spotlight over his ‘Twice As Tall‘
album which was released after much delay. His refusal to join Omoyele Sowore’s
RevolutionNow movement generated outrage on social media platforms while his
initial absence at #EndSARS protest also sparked another round of criticisms
until he reacted.
He would eventually emerge as one of the top voices for the
protest dropping a single about the movement and commenting occasionally on the
campaign as well as socio-political issues in Nigeria. The ‘Wonderful’ singer
also took centre stage on social media over an alleged secret love affair with
a lady simply identified as Jopearl.
For now, the ‘Like to Party’ crooner looks unstoppable, and
his nomination for the 2021 Grammys is only indicative of one thing: his best
is yet to come.
culled: TheCable
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