Welcome to this week’s edition of Trickle Media’s Weekly Trend Report: The Entertainment Sphere, where we dive into the pulsating heart of global pop culture, music, film, and celebrity drama. From heartfelt revelations in the Afrobeats scene to high-stakes legal battles in hip-hop and groundbreaking cinematic achievements, this report highlights the trends shaping entertainment in 2025. As we approach the holiday season, stories of resilience, family legacies, and creative innovation dominate, reminding us of the human elements behind the glamour. Let’s explore the key reports that are captivating audiences worldwide.
Hot Report!: Wizkid Nearly Quit Music, Partner Reveals
In the HBO documentary “Long Live Lagos”, now streaming on Max, Wizkid’s manager and partner Jada Pollock opens up about a pivotal moment that almost ended the Afrobeats superstar’s career. The film chronicles the behind-the-scenes chaos leading up to Wizkid’s historic sell-out concert at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July 2023, marking him as the first African artist to headline such a massive venue. Amid global acclaim, Jada reveals the intense personal pressures Wizkid faced, including a family crisis that brought him to the edge of quitting music altogether.
The crisis centered on Wizkid’s mother, who required urgent cancer treatment just as preparations for the show intensified. Jada, who has managed Wizkid for eight years and shares two children with him, describes the emotional toll in candid interviews, noting how the news hit like a “hammer blow.” Backstage teams, including presenter Julie Adenuga, braced for cancellation, assuming the concert would be called off. Yet, Wizkid’s reflection on his influence pushed him forward, as Jada explains he realized the performance could inspire young artists and open doors for Afrobeats globally.
Ultimately, Wizkid delivered an unforgettable set blending classics like “Ojuelegba” and “Essence” during his “More Love, Less Ego” tour. Tragically, his mother passed away weeks later in August 2023. This story underscores a growing trend in entertainment documentaries: raw vulnerability from icons, humanizing their journeys and highlighting the “mother instinct” that fuels perseverance in the face of adversity.
Daddy Lumba Finally Laid To Rest After Months Of Drama
Following months of controversy after the death of Ghanaian highlife legend Daddy Lumba in July, one faction of his family proceeded with his funeral in Kumasi on December 13. The event came after an Accra High Court ruling cleared the path, dismissing an injunction from opposing family members. Led by Daddy Lumba’s sister Akosua Brempomaa, this side had filed multiple lawsuits challenging the funeral arrangements, escalating tensions over the musician’s legacy.
At the heart of the dispute was a claim by Daddy Lumba’s first wife, Akosua Serwaa, who resides in Germany and argued she was his sole surviving spouse under civil law. She contended that their marriage invalidated any subsequent unions, presenting documents from a German registry. However, the Kumasi High Court, presided over by Justice Dorinda Smith Arthur, ruled against her, citing incomplete evidence and failure to meet legal requirements, such as providing an original marriage certificate authenticated by the Ghanaian embassy in Germany.
The court’s decision recognized both Akosua Serwaa (mother of three children with Daddy Lumba) and his second wife Odo Broni (mother of six) as legitimate surviving spouses, despite inconsistencies in testimonies about the dissolution of customary marriages. Although Akosua Serwaa’s lawyers appealed the ruling, the funeral went ahead amid ongoing legal wrangling. This saga reflects broader trends in celebrity estates, where family divisions and cross-cultural marriages complicate posthumous honors in African music traditions.
Kelvin Momo’s Brings December To Life With Amapiano Anthem
Amapiano sensation Kelvin Momo has once again delighted fans by dropping his latest album, *N’wana Wa Motsonga*, just in time for the festive season, announcing it on Instagram mere hours before its midnight release on December 12. Despite an early leak, loyal listeners tuned in eagerly to the 31-track project, praising its quality and cementing Momo’s reputation as a prolific hitmaker. Social media buzzed with calls to make his December drops an annual tradition, highlighting his consistent ability to deliver fresh sounds amid the holiday rush.
This marks the fifth consecutive year Momo has released an album in December, starting with “Ivy League” in 2021, followed by “Amukelani” (2022), “Kurhula” (2023), and “Ntsako” (2024). Fans like X user Thami Shezii advocated for continuing the pattern, while others, such as Lesedii Malete, lauded Momo’s creativity in maintaining his signature amapiano style with fitting collaborations. The album features returning artists like Jinger Stone, Nanette, Babalwa M, Makhanj, and R&B star Elaine on tracks like “Say I Do,” weaving personal narratives through music.
Beyond the beats, Momo’s projects tell interconnected stories, with album titles often hinted at in prior releases and covers serving as narrative art. *N’wana Wa Motsonga*, meaning “Child of the Tsonga,” features a nostalgic cover of Momo as a baby with his parents, tying into themes of heritage. This approach exemplifies a trend in South African music where artists build immersive discographies, fostering fan engagement and cultural reflection during peak listening seasons.
Diddy Fights 50 Cent Over Docuseries
On the brink of Netflix’s release of the docuseries “Sean Combs: The Reckoning”, produced by rival Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding the platform halt its premiere. The project, directed by Alexandra Stapleton, includes footage Combs claims was unauthorized, labeling it a “shameful hit piece.” A trailer released earlier featured Combs discussing challenges in “the dirtiest of dirty businesses,” filmed just before his September 2024 arrest.
Combs’ spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, explained that the mogul has been self-documenting his life since age 19 for a personal project, and the disputed clips were part of that effort. Neither Combs—currently serving a four-year sentence after convictions on two counts of transportation for prostitution—nor his team previewed the series, despite outreach attempts. Netflix defended the acquisition, stating the footage was obtained legally and rights secured, while noting failed efforts to include Combs’ input.
The letter threatens further lawsuits, citing Combs’ history of legal action, including a $100 million defamation suit against NBCUniversal. Amid his appeal and over 70 civil lawsuits alleging assault (which he denies), this feud with 50 Cent, who continues social media jabs, spotlights a trend in entertainment: adversarial documentaries exploiting rivalries, raising questions about ethics, ownership, and narrative control in celebrity exposés.
Avatar: Fire and Ash Music Theme Song Breaks Boundaries!
Composer Simon Franglen has revealed the monumental effort behind the score for “Avatar: Fire and Ash“, the third installment in James Cameron’s blockbuster series, set for release on December 19. Spanning seven years, Franglen penned 1,907 pages of orchestral music and even invented new instruments for Pandora’s inhabitants, pushing cinematic sound design boundaries. With Cameron editing until the last minute, the final cue was completed just five days before delivery, underscoring the film’s technical ambition.
The score, covering nearly the entire 195-minute runtime—four times more than a typical Hollywood film—mirrors the story’s emotional depth. Following Jake Sully and Neytiri’s grief over their son Neteyam’s death, Franglen crafted motifs that convey their growing distance through diverging musical lines, creating an austere, disconnected feel. He emphasizes how the quiet moments capture the rawness of loss, a theme rarely explored in action epics.
This approach highlights a trend in film scoring: integrating music as a narrative tool for emotional authenticity in sci-fi sagas. Franglen’s innovations, from custom instruments to extended compositions, enhance Pandora’s vivid world, blending spectacle with introspection and setting new standards for immersive storytelling in blockbuster franchises.
Final Words
As we wrap up this week’s Trickle Media’s Weekly Trend Report: The Entertainment Sphere, these stories illustrate the dynamic interplay of triumph, turmoil, and creativity defining 2025’s entertainment landscape. From Wizkid’s inspirational resilience and Kelvin Momo’s rhythmic traditions to legal showdowns and sonic innovations in film, the industry continues to evolve with authenticity at its core. Stay tuned for next week’s insights, and remember to engage with these trends on your favorite platforms—entertainment isn’t just watched, it’s lived.
