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Wizkid and Ayra Starr Face Backlash Over ‘Gimme Dat’ Lyrics Referencing ‘Diallo’

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Wizkid and Ayra Starr Face Backlash Over ‘Gimme Dat’ Lyrics Referencing ‘Diallo’

Nigerian music stars Wizkid and Ayra Starr are under scrutiny following the release of their latest collaboration, “Gimme Dat.” The track has sparked controversy due to its chorus, which repeatedly mentions the name “Diallo” in a romantic context. Some listeners interpret this as a reference to Amadou Diallo, a 23-year-old Guinean immigrant fatally shot by New York City police in 1999.

The contentious lyrics—“Diallo, Diallo / If I give you my love, oh / Make you no disappoint, oh…”—have been deemed by some as insensitive, suggesting they trivialize a significant historical tragedy.

Following the song’s release, Ayra Starr promoted the accompanying music video on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a snapshot and inviting fans to watch. However, the post quickly attracted criticism. A user, @Catchoris, expressed disapproval in a tweet that has since garnered over 2.5 million impressions:

“Ayra Starr & Wizkid are so ignorant. Wyclef sang ‘Diallo’ about the US police killing an unarmed African in 2000. 25 years later, 2 African stars turn that sad tune about police brutality into a stupid song about sex, repeatedly calling the murdered man’s name in the silly chorus.”

While some fans echoed these sentiments, accusing the artists of cultural insensitivity, others offered a different perspective. User @menlotanna argued:

“I get your point but you’re wrong bro. Ayra’s song samples Wyclef Jean’s ft Mary J. Blige ‘911’ which is actually a love song. And the ‘Diallo’ in Ayra’s chorus doesn’t reference the song you’re referring to because the notes in these songs are totally different.”

Indeed, “Gimme Dat” samples Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige’s 2000 hit “911,” a song depicting star-crossed lovers entangled in drama, with the male narrator evading police while the female narrator expresses concern. The original “911” does not reference Amadou Diallo. However, Wyclef Jean did release a separate track titled “Diallo,” directly addressing the 1999 police shooting of Amadou Diallo and criticizing systemic racism and police brutality.(en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org)

The confusion may stem from the similarity in names and Wyclef Jean’s involvement in both songs. While “911” is a romantic narrative, “Diallo” serves as a protest song memorializing Amadou Diallo’s tragic death.

As debates continue, neither Wizkid nor Ayra Starr have publicly addressed the controversy. Meanwhile, “Gimme Dat” has achieved commercial success, amassing over 1 million Spotify streams within 12 hours of its release. The song’s popularity underscores the global reach of Afrobeats, even as discussions about cultural sensitivity and artistic responsibility persist.(Inside Port Harcourt)

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Jay-Z Emerges World’s Richest Musician with $2.5bn Net Worth — Forbes

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Jay-Z Emerges World’s Richest Musician with $2.5bn Net Worth — Forbes

 

American rap icon and business mogul, Sean Carter, better known as Jay-Z, has been declared the world’s richest musician by Forbes with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion.

 

The Roc Nation founder’s fortune cuts across multiple ventures, including his luxury champagne brand, Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spades), cognac label D’Ussé, and his stakes in real estate, hospitality, technology, and startups.

 

He also reaped huge gains from the sale of music streaming platform Tidal and his former clothing line, Rocawear.

 

Jay-Z’s rise to the top further cements his reputation as not only a cultural force but also one of the most successful music entrepreneurs globally.

 

On the female side, American pop star Taylor Swift retained her crown as the richest female musician, with a net worth of $1.6 billion.

 

Forbes noted that Swift remains the first artist in history to attain billionaire status solely from music and touring earnings.

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Single Mothers Can’t Raise Boys Into ‘Proper Men’ – Jim Iyke

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Single Mothers Can’t Raise Boys Into ‘Proper Men’ – Jim Iyke

 

Nollywood star, Jim Iyke, has stirred controversy with his recent remarks on parenting, insisting that single mothers cannot raise a boy into a “proper man” without the presence of a male figure.

 

Speaking during an interview with Okay 101.7 FM in Accra, Ghana, the actor argued that women are naturally built to nurture but lack the disciplinary balance needed to raise boys into men.

 

“A woman can’t raise a man. You can’t, you’re not built for it. A single mother cannot raise a man properly. You need a male influence – go get your brother that’s doing well or your father or even any man that you trust. There has to be a male presence in it [raising a boy child],” Iyke said.

 

He further maintained that boys require strict guidance from men in order to grow into disciplined adults.

 

“Because women are naturally built to nurture, to love. And then what you’re going to raise is a very weak man? He is going to be everything like the men that left you. You need somebody that would discipline him, tell him ‘No’ as often times as possible, and put him in the grind,” he added.

 

Iyke’s remarks have since triggered heated debates across social media, with some agreeing with his perspective while others accused him of undermining the struggles of single mothers who successfully raise responsible children without male support.

 

The actor, who has often been outspoken on social issues, did not back down on his position, stressing that the absence of a male role model leaves a critical gap in raising boys.

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Beyoncé’s Unreleased Music Stolen in Atlanta

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Beyoncé's Unreleased Music Stolen in Atlanta

Beyoncé’s Unreleased Music Stolen in Atlanta

 

A shocking theft has occurred in Atlanta, just days before Beyoncé’s highly anticipated Cowboy Carter tour stop in the city.

 

According to a police report, hard drives containing unreleased music, show plans, and past and future set lists for her tour were stolen from a rental car used by the singer’s choreographer and one of her dancers on July 8.

 

The stolen items included five jump drives containing watermarked music, unreleased music, footage plans for shows past and future, and set lists.

 

Other items reported stolen included a laptop, designer clothes, and Apple AirPods. The theft is a significant blow to Beyoncé, who is known for going to extreme lengths to prevent leaks.

 

Authorities are working to recover the stolen items, using tracking information on the laptop and headphones to track where the items may have gone.

 

They also dusted the vehicle for any fingerprints and discovered “two very light prints.”

 

An arrest warrant has been issued, but the suspect’s name has not been made public.

 

Beyoncé has a reputation for being meticulous about preventing leaks.

 

She pioneered the “surprise drop” with her self-titled fifth album, which appeared unannounced on December 13, 2013.

 

Recorded under the code name Lily, the album was released exclusively through Apple’s iTunes store to minimize the number of people with advance knowledge.

 

The star has employed similar tactics on every subsequent album, with songwriters often not knowing whether their contributions will be used until a record appears in shops.

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