We are here again! Bringing you the hottest trends, drama, gists and more shaping the entertainment landscape of the last one week! From shocking takeovers to, farewells and top-tier musical collaborations; stay with Trickle Media as we give you the best of the last week!
Wizkid and Asake Announce Joint EP, REAL (Vol. 1)
Afrobeats giants Wizkid and Asake have officially confirmed the release of a highly anticipated collaborative EP, titled REAL (Vol. 1). The joint project, a surprise to many fans despite long-standing demand, is strategically scheduled to drop this December, aiming to provide the essential, non-stop party anthems for the popular “Detty December” festive season. The timing is set to dominate end-of-year celebrations across the globe.
The world got a first taste of the collaboration during a recent appearance on DJ Tunez’s show on Apple Music 1, where the two superstars previewed a track called ‘Jogodo.’ This new song immediately impressed listeners with a commanding, heavy beat that perfectly blends the smooth, signature delivery of Wizkid with the high-energy, infectious sound of Asake. Early reactions suggest ‘Jogodo’ is poised to be an instant club anthem, setting high expectations for the rest of the EP.
This joint venture brings together two of the biggest names in contemporary Afrobeats, promising a project that synthesizes their distinct styles into a potent blend of global pop and indigenous rhythms. The release of REAL (Vol. 1) is expected not only to dominate streaming charts but also to further cement the global influence and commercial power of African music.
KJ Spio Unites Global Stars for Party Anthem ‘Messi’
Ghanaian musical powerhouse and trend setter, KJ Spio has launched a major international collaboration with the release of his new single, ‘Messi,’ an infectious, genre-defying party starter. The track features a massive lineup, bringing together Tanzanian Bongo star Harmonize and Jamaican Dancehall icon Konshens, blending their unique global styles over complex, catchy beats. The song’s central theme is a motivating message about staying focused on one’s personal journey and avoiding unnecessary drama.
The production of ‘Messi’ was helmed by Grammy-award-winning Jamaican producer IzyBeats, known for his work with artists like Rema and Koffee. IzyBeats created a captivating percussive instrumental that seamlessly fuses the biggest sounds in black music right now: Afrobeats, Dancehall, and Amapiano. Both Konshens and Harmonize deliver “buttery vocals,” gliding over the beat to create a “wheel-up worthy anthem,” according to Spio, who aimed to create a vibe that helps people “have fun and enjoy themselves.”
The high-energy music video, directed by Lux London and filmed in Toronto, complements the song’s groovy nature by following the trio through a lively poker game that evolves into an ultimate house party, capturing their undeniable chemistry. The collaborators expressed mutual excitement, with Konshens noting his love for African music and Harmonize emphasizing the universal, border-transcending nature of the track’s sound fusion.
Takeover Trend: Netflix Acquires Warner Bros. Discovery in Historic $83 Billion Deal
Streaming giant Netflix has joined the takeover trend. They sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry by announcing a monumental acquisition of film and television studio Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly $83 billion. This consolidation deal is the largest in the entertainment sector this decade, granting Netflix a vast library of classic content and access to the HBO Max streaming service, positioning the combined entity as a formidable global content powerhouse.
The acquisition hands Netflix control over iconic properties created by Warner Bros. over the decades. They include classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane, alongside blockbuster franchises such as the Harry Potter movies. Others include Game of Thrones, and The Sopranos. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos stated the merger will allow them to “give audiences more of what they love. He also says the move will “help define the next century of storytelling.” It will also create an entity whose combined hits include Squid Game and Stranger Things.
The deal, which surpasses Disney’s 2019 takeover of Fox as Hollywood’s benchmark mega-deal, places Warner Bros. Discovery’s enterprise value at approximately $82.7 billion. While the boards of both companies have unanimously approved the merger, the news has caused uncertainty across the global streaming landscape, notably raising questions about the future of South African streamer Showmax, a competitor to Netflix that currently features HBO Max content on its platform.
South African Music Legend Pops Mohamed Dies at 76
The South African music community is mourning the loss of legendary icon Pops Mohamed. Mohammed passed away on Thursday, December 4, at the age of 76. Born Ismail Mohamed-Jan, the Benoni native leaves behind a powerful musical legacy spanning more than five decades. He forever shaped the country’s cultural and musical landscape as the widely known “Minister of Music.”
Mohamed was a masterful multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and cultural custodian. Furthermore, he basically set the trend of fusing traditional African sounds with diverse global genres like jazz, kwela, soul, and world music. In addition, he skillfully played a remarkable array of indigenous instruments, including the kora, mbira, and African mouth bow. He dedicated himself to preserving and evolving African musical heritage. Pops exemplified this by his landmark album Ancestral Healing, which successfully introduced traditional African sounds to global jazz audiences.
Throughout his career, Mohamed received significant accolades for his enduring contributions. They include the South African Music Awards (SAMA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie honored his passing. He called Mohamed “a guardian of our cultural heritage” whose music “carried the voices of our ancestors.” These words confirm his status as a pioneer who challenged boundaries of race, genre, and tradition.
The Witcher Series Ends Trend, Concludes with Fifth and Final Season
Netflix has officially confirmed that The Witcher, will conclude with a fifth and final season. The series is scheduled to be filmed immediately following the production of season four. This announcement marks the beginning of the end for the series as it prepares to adapt the final novels in Andrzej Sapkowski’s original book series. The concluding chapter is the show’s most pivotal. This comes as viewers anticipate how the narrative will balance fidelity to the source material while wrapping up the complex storylines established over the previous seasons.
This final run of the series comes on the heels of the highly visible departure of leading man Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia after season three. Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich confirmed that Cavill’s exit was permanent. She cited reported creative differences—especially regarding faithful book adaptation—and scheduling conflicts as the primary reasons. The most notable shift for the remainder of the series is the casting change. This comes with actor Liam Hemsworth stepping into the iconic role of the monster slayer starting with season four.
In addition, as the show heads toward its conclusion, fans are closely monitoring how this major casting shift will affect the overall legacy of the series. With season four receiving mixed reactions and serving as a “soft reboot” focusing more heavily on Ciri’s evolving destiny, the final two seasons face the task of honoring Cavill’s foundational portrayal while establishing Hemsworth’s version of Geralt. The final season determines how the show is remembered. It balances its established tone with the necessary narrative closure.
Final Words
And there you have it! The top trends and entertainment happenings this week! It is quite saddening that Henry Cavil is no longer a part of the Witcher series. We wish Liam Hemsworth the best in nailing the Geralt Character. We also wish Pops Mohammed a beautiful afterlife. Stay tuned to Trickle Media for the best entertainment news, gists, trends, gossips and more. Have fun in the new week!
