Entertainment

‘Absolute mess and inner turmoil’: Adele details anticipated new album 30

After a slow drip-feed of information – the name of her new single, an unprecedented two simultaneous covers of Vogue in the US and the UK – Adele has officially confirmed the release date of her fourth album.

30 will arrive on 19 November – as fans had guessed when Taylor Swift pulled her latest release forward a week from 19 November to 12 November, presumably to avoid a clash with another pop titan.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Adele said: “I was nowhere near where I’d hoped to be when I first started [30] nearly three years ago. Quite the opposite actually. I rely on routine and consistency to feel safe, I always have. And yet there I was knowingly – willingly even – throwing myself into a maze of absolute mess and inner turmoil.”

— Columbia Records (@ColumbiaRecords) October 13, 2021
Adele and her ex-husband, charity CEO Simon Konecki, divorced in 2019. Speaking to Vogue, Adele intimated that they had been separated long prior to the split becoming public. The former couple have a nine-year-old son.

Now 33 years old, Adele wrote that she had “learned a lot of blistering home truths” about herself in the past three years. “I feel like I’ve finally found my feeling again. I’d go as far as to say that I’ve never felt more peaceful in my life. And so, I’m ready to finally put this album out.”

30 is preceded by the single Easy on Me, due for release this Friday. A brief clip of the song teased online suggested a return to Adele’s trademark balladry – but it remains to be seen whether that is a red herring.

She likened the album to the type of friend who appears during trying times with bottles of wine, good advice, comfort, impromptu trips out and surprise gifts of magazines and face masks – “to make me feel loved while inadvertently reminding me not only what month it actually was, but that I should probably exercise some self-care!”

She wrote that she had “painstakingly rebuilt my house and my heart since then and this album narrates it”.

In August 2020, Adele credited self-help author Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed: Stop Pleasing, Start Living with transforming her life. “I am so ready for myself after reading this book!” she wrote on Instagram. “It’s as if I just flew into my body for the very first time.” Speaking to Vogue, she explained that exercise had helped her through the profound anxiety that she had experienced in recent years.

30 will be Adele’s first album solely for Columbia Records. Her earlier albums were released in partnership between Columbia and UK independent label XL Recordings.

Entertainment

Singer, Rema donates N105m to Christ embassy

Nigerian international musical celebrity, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has donated the sum of N105 million to Christ Embassy Church, Benin City, Edo State.

The Edo-born musician was in the state for the celebration of Edo@33 and performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the 6,000-capacity Edo Dome and a musical concert at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium at the invitation of the state government.

Rema, who donated to the Edo Regional Headquarters of the church, located at Erediauwa Street off Ekenwa Road, said it was in appreciation of the church’s support for his family during a difficult period in his childhood.

The international musical artist, who was at the church for a thanksgiving service, recounted the role the church played in his family’s life after the loss of his father when he was just eight years old.

According to him: “I am not here to give myself any form of accolades or glory but to give to God the glory.

“And, I felt it was important to give back to the church that has embraced me, prayed for me and kept me very consistent with my spirit.

“When I was eight years old when I lost my dad, we felt very lost and abandoned.

“All that we had were taken from us and we felt alone, and I remember at the time Pastor Joy and Pastor Thomas, the pastors of this church; they opened a shop for my mum, and that was what she managed to take care of and feed us.”

He said, in the spirit of giving in appreciation of what the church did for his family, he donated the sum of N150 million to the church.

“Firstly, I want to give a pledge of N40 million to the infrastructural development of the church, N20 million to the Rhapsody of Realities publication, and, being a fact that I came from the teen church, I also like to pledge N25 million to the church.

“And just to add to that, if there is any widow in church today, I am pledging N20 million to assist all the widows in attendance,” he added.

Entertainment

Bbnaija 1 runner up, Francisca Owumi is dead

Former Big Brother Naija reality show star, Francisca Owumi, is dead

The reality star passed away following a brief illness.

Francisca Owumi, the runner up of the first edition of BBNaija television show in 2006, died on August 29, 2024.

Announcing her death on social media, her family wrote; “A daughter and sister. Make her soul rest in peace, Amen.”

The late Francisca, known for her fierce dancing moves, was present in the house with the winner of the show Katung Aduwak, Gideon Okeke, Ebuka Obi Uchendu, Maureen Osuji, and others.

After the show, she briefly entered the Nigerian music scene with the singles “Diva” and “Gbadun You.”

Entertainment

Actor Adeniyi Johnson reacts as AFRIMEK suspends him

The African Men Entertainment Kings, AFRIMEK club has suspended actor Adeniyi Johnson

AFRIMEK, led by actor Femi Adebayo suspended Adeniyi over gross misconduct and breach of its constitution.

Reacting to the development, Adeniyi noted that he was existing before joining the club.

Expressing his disappointment in a lengthy post on social media, the actor urged his fans to stay calm as he handles the matter.

“It saddens my heart that my honourable club made such a derogatory post about me. Please note that I’m not bigger than the club, but before the club there has been Adeniyi Johnson. If care is not taken, that post will do more harm than good.

“I feel this is detrimental to my name, family, standard, and even more importantly, my brand. I hereby implore my family, friends, and fans to stay calm and continue to show unwavering love and support.

“To all associates, I remain my humble self and thank you for the continuous belief and trust. God pass us all.”

AFRIMEK is a club recognized for its prominent members in the entertainment field.

The club’s notable members, include Femi Adebayo, Muyiwa Ademola, Odunlade Adekola, Ibrahim Chatta and Jamiu Azeez Olamilekan.