We are at the close of another week and as usual, the entertainment sphere has been active. Here are some of the highlights during the week:
Pope Skinny Reflects on Shatta Wale’s Influence and Clears Up Misunderstandings
In a recent interview on Accra FM, rapper Pope Skinny credited Shatta Wale for teaching him valuable lessons in both confidence and financial management. He emphasized how Wale’s discipline in saving money significantly impacted his own financial habits. “I learned how to make good money and adopted his financial prudence,” Pope Skinny shared, praising Wale’s ability to save.

Addressing rumors, Pope Skinny denied claims that Shatta Wale had bought him a Mercedes Benz. He clarified that while they celebrated the car’s purchase, Shatta never claimed to have bought it for him. “The next thing you know, someone spread the news that ‘Shatta Wale buys Benz for Pope Skinny,'” he explained, correcting the misconception.
Reflecting on their friendship, Pope Skinny expressed regret over their fallout, describing how he misses Shatta Wale. He defended his former friend, arguing that Wale is often misunderstood due to his outspoken nature. “He’s always painted as the villain, but Shatta won’t attack unless provoked,” Skinny explained.
Now based in the United States, Pope Skinny has transitioned from music to a new chapter in his life, working as a truck driver.
Tems Celebrates Success of North American Tour, Prepares for Global Expansion
Nigerian singer and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, is celebrating the successful completion of the North American leg of her *Born in the Wild* world tour. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the Grammy award-winning artist expressed her gratitude to her team, family, and fans for their unwavering support. “All I’m filled with is joy and gratitude… I feel like I’m part of something much bigger than me,” Tems wrote, reflecting on the experience.

The North American leg, which kicked off on August 22, 2024, in Miami, saw performances of some of her biggest hits, including “Not An Angel”, “Love Me JeJe”, “Burning”, “Wickedest”, and “Damages”. Supporting acts for this leg included American singer Naomi Sharon, Lekan, and Nigerian-American artist Godwin.
Tems has now launched the European leg of her five-part global tour, starting in London on June 11, 2024. The tour will continue into November, with upcoming performances in Australia, and Africa. Dates for the African leg are set to begin on October 19, 2024, though locations are yet to be announced.
Jennifer Lopez Reflects on Self-Worth, Divorce, and Embracing Freedom
In an interview, Jennifer Lopez opened up about the challenges she has faced over the past year, including the cancellation of her concert tour and her recent divorce from Ben Affleck. The conversation also touched on Lopez’s role as Judy Robles in the film “Unstoppable”, where she portrays the mother of wrestler Anthony Robles, born with one leg and later becoming a champion athlete.

Glaser linked Lopez’s preparation for the role to her personal battle with self-esteem. Lopez admitted that much of her life has been about proving her worth. “My whole life has been proving my enoughness,” she said, reflecting on how childhood feelings of being ignored as a middle child shaped her. Lopez explained that her parents did their best, but the emotional impact of her upbringing didn’t fully reveal itself until adulthood.
Turning to her recent experiences, Lopez spoke about working on her upcoming album “This Is Me…Now” and how it felt like a moment of triumph. But amid that success, her world turned upside down with her split from Affleck, following their highly publicized reunion and short-lived marriage.
Now, Lopez is looking forward to navigating life on her own terms. “I’m not looking for anybody,” she shared, excited to explore the possibilities of being independent. “What if I’m just free?”“Unstoppable” is set for a limited release in December.
Dr. Dre Faces Harassment Lawsuit from Marriage Counselor Amid Contentious Divorce Proceedings
Dr. Dre is being sued by Dr. Charles J. Sophy, the psychiatrist who mediated his 2021 divorce from ex-wife Nicole Young. In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, Dr. Sophy accuses the rapper and producer of launching a “malicious campaign of harassment” during their divorce mediation, which culminated in a $100 million settlement.

Dr. Sophy, has worked with high-profile clients like Paris Hilton and Michael Jackson. He alleges that Dre’s frustration with the mediation led to nearly a year of harassment. According to Sophy’s legal filing, Dre sent late-night texts, made threats, and used homophobic rhetoric. The harassment allegedly began months after they had ended contact. His claim had Dre sending a message that read, “You’re going to have to pay for that.” This references claims that Sophy had encouraged negative media reports about him.
Sophy claims that the harassment escalated to the point where he feared for his safety. This led him to seek legal protection and compensatory damages of at least $10 million. His lawsuit states that Dre’s persistent behavior has forced him to live in constant fear.
Dre’s attorney, Howard King, has dismissed the claims. He stated hat the lawsuit is a reaction to Dre’s confidential complaint seeking to have Sophy’s medical license revoked. King alleges that Sophy acted unethically by involving himself in the contentious divorce. He also berated Sophy for encouraging one of Dre’s children to take sides and go to the press with false allegations. King argues that Sophy’s lawsuit is an attempt to avoid accountability as the Medical Board investigates these claims.
SA Idols Winner, Musa Sukwene’s Wedding Attire Sparks Debate on Cultural Appropriation
Musa Sukwene, Idols SA winner, and his bride Tshiamo Makama recently faced criticism after their wedding. It comes as their wedding attire featured a blend of South African and Nigerian cultural elements. Designed by BMashilo Designs, the bride’s outfit, which included a traditional Nigerian gele (headwrap) alongside South African ShweShwe prints,. The outfit drew both praise and backlash on social media. Some users celebrated the cross-cultural fashion fusion. Others questioned the appropriateness of wearing attire from a culture neither the bride nor groom belongs to.

The debate touched on cultural appropriation, with critics arguing that South Africans should stick to their own traditions. Nigerian fashion designer Ify Ubby explained the significance of the gele. She called it a symbol of elegance and maturity in Nigerian culture. The explanation did little to ease concerns for some.
In response to the criticism, the designer defended the couple’s choices, arguing that African cultures have long embraced cross-cultural exchange. The incident has reignited discussions about cultural appropriation in South Africa. It especially questioned the context of broader inter-cultural exchanges within the country.
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