Radio & TV
Gyakie and other African artists to feature in Soul Cypher Sessions at the 2021 “Soul Train Awards”

Celebrating 50 years of the iconic “Soul Train” legacy from the world-famous Apollo, the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” is coming to Africa Monday, November 29 at 02:00 WAT/ 03:00 CAT exclusively on BET Africa, DSTV Channel 129
The 2021 ‘Soul Train Awards’ celebrating over 50 years of iconic soul music, is set to air on BET Africa (DStv Channel 129, GOtv Channel 21) on Monday, November 29 at 02:00 WAT / 03:00 CAT, with a repeat same day at 19:00 WAT / 20:00 CAT. In celebration of all that is Soul this year, an exciting lineup of artists are to feature in the Soul Cypher which will be aired at the awards. In addition to the star-studded lineup of performers, such as Summer Walker and Fred Hammond, BET also announced that the 2021 Soul Train Awards will have Jasmine Sullivan, Normani and casts of Sistas and The Game as presenters.
The cypher will explore predominant themes in Soul music, broken down into four pillars of Black Love, Black Power, Black Joy and Black Pride, with some of the biggest names in Black culture and entertainment who have embodied the poignant genre with great vocal embellishments and intense feelings.
Performing in groups of four and five, the artistes will give soulful renditions of freestyles and original songs that nod to and showcase the impact of soul from the 70s to date.
The Black Love theme will feature thrilling performances by Nigerian sweetheart, Ayra Starr; South African R&B Singer-Songwriter, Fila lah lah; Cameroonian Afro-pop/afrobeat artiste, Magasco; and Ghanaian musical artiste, Moliy.
Nigerian singer-songwriter, Mayorkun; Nigerian Queen of Afro-fusion, Goodgirl LA; Rwandan uber-talented artsite, Yvan Buravan; and Angolan heartthrob Rui Orlando will perform under the Black Pride theme.
Exploring the Black Joy theme will be Nigerian superstar, Buju; Ghanian afrobeat singer, Gyakie; South African musicologist, Manana; Cape Verde’s Soraia Ramos and Tanzanian bongo musician, Lava Lava.
Angola’s Gerlison Insrael; Nigerian lover boy, Johnny Drille; South African singer cum songwriter, Langa Mavuso and The Republic of Benin’s Ankaa will perform songs that nod to Black Power.
Commenting on the lineup of artistes, Monde Twala, SVP, General Manager ViacomCBS Networks Africa & Peer Lead at BET International said, “I am excited to witness the pure ingenious lines and performances that these artistes will drop on stage. Each of them has, in their own space, crafted beautiful music that has kept our souls moving to the rhythm. This is culture at its best. We are proud to bring the Soul Train to all our international audiences and lovers of soul music.”
The “Soul Train Awards” annual Soul Cypher is a tradition started by former show host Erykah Badu that features a group of artists freestyling. The cypher will bring together some of today’s top vocalists for what promises to be an electrifying performance. International participants in the cypher this year include D-Nice, Musiq Soulchild, Jac Ross, Koryn Hawthorne, Elle Varner, and Tone Stith. As a nod to the 20th Anniversary of her self-titled album Aaliyah, the late R&B great’s hit single “Rock the Boat” provides both theme and instrumental for the cypher.
BET announced that the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” will showcase an even bigger lineup of performances, special moments, and appearances, by some of the biggest stars in R&B, Gospel, Urban Adult Contemporary and Soul. On the heels of her first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 Chart for her second studio LP, Still Over It, R&B singer-songwriter Summer Walker joins the exciting line-up of performers at this year’s Awards. Fred Hammond, and BET Amplified artists Elhae and Marzz will take the stage, along with Soul of Justice honorees Ciara and Russell Wilson and Marley Dias. Rap legends Fat Joe and Ja Rule as well as R&B icon El Debarge will make special appearances. Additionally, BET announced the second group of presenters who will take the stage: Jazmine Sullivan, Normani, Hosea Chanchez and Wendy Raquel Robinson from The Game, a Paramount+ Original series, Devale Ellis and Crystal Hayslett from the cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas on BET.
Previously announced performers include the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” Legend Award honoree Maxwell, Lady of Soul honoree Ashanti, R&B super duo Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak of Silk Sonic, R&B/Soul songstress Ari Lennox, soul singer-songwriter and producer Leon Bridges, R&B singer Lucky Daye, and more.
Previously announced presenters include Mack Wilds, and Parker McKenna Posey, from BET series Games People Play and Paula Patton from BET+ Original series, Sacrifice.
H.E.R. leads the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” nominations with an impressive eight nods for ‘Best R&B/Soul Female Artist’, ‘Song of the Year’, ‘Album of the Year’, ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award (x2)’, ‘Best Collaboration (x2)’, and ‘Video of the Year’. Jazmine Sullivan and Chris Brown garnered the second most nods with six nominations each. Jazmine Sullivan’s nods include ‘Best R&B/Soul Female Artist’, ‘Song of the Year’, ‘Album of the Year’, ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award’, ‘Best Collaboration’, and ‘Video of the Year’. Chris Brown’s nods include ‘Best R&B/Soul Male Artist’, ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award’, ‘Best Dance Performance’, ‘Best Collaboration (x2)’, and ‘Video of the Year’. Wizkid and TEMS are the third highest with five nods each, followed by Blxst with four nods. Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, Doja Cat, and Yung Bleu each have three nods.
Three-time GRAMMY® award-winning singer-songwriter and producer Maxwell will receive the Legend award at the 2021 “Soul Train Awards”. Award-winning and multi-platinum singer/songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, and author, Ashanti, will be the recipient of the Lady of Soul honour.
Dynamic best-friend duo Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold will return as co-hosts of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards,” bringing their irreplaceable energy and hilarious comedic talents to this year’s show.
The Soul Train Awards from the Apollo will air on Monday, 29 November on BET Africa (DStv Channel 129, GOtv Channel 21) at 02:00 WAT / 03:00 CAT with a repeat at 19:00 WAT / 20:00 CAT same day.
For more information on the 2021 “Soul Train Awards”, visit www.betafrica.tv, like and chat to us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BETinAfrica, and join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram @BET_Africa.
Radio & TV
BB Menson the “Virus” returns with Night Train

One of Ghana’s finest broadcasters Bertrand Bannerman Menson popularly referred to as BB Menson, the “virus” makes a return to radio after a long break.
Yes, BB is back with his popular and controversial late-night show BB’s Night train on your power station radio Gold 90.5fm.
Starting on Thursday February 2, 2023 @9pm, the reloaded, repacked and re-engineered version of the night yrain will be airborne with the rumbling sound of “tsuku tsaka”.
It will be fun packed and super exciting with segments like “departing point and destination, Wano pa asem, Marley mode for the Sheroe’s and heroes, news fore view of the next day’s papers, pre – nocturnal personality and the big one, Ex Pee’s cross over”.
BB Menson took a break from being on-air to assume the role of General Manager of the Station.
After, close 13 years of break from the microphone, BB makes a return to full time radio with his award-winning show the Night Train.
The last time he attempted to host a radio program, he set a Ghanaian radio record by being on air for 20 hours, 20 minutes and 20 seconds,20/20/20, to mark the 20th Anniversary of Radio Gold.
For many, who grew up listening to him, BB’s Night Train evokes nostalgic memories. It makes them reminisce the days when one was glued to their radio sets listening to the rants of one man, who held the entire nation spellbound with his unique style of presentation. No wonder he was nicknamed the “Virus”.
Many listeners, who are anticipating his coming back on the radio are wondering if he still got his stuff on like he used to do back in the day.
BB, is however keeping his cards close to his chest waiting to deliver on Thursdays.
The Night Train will be filled with suspense, good music, great talk and loads of controversies.
Let’s make a date with BB Menson this and every Thursday at 9pm on Radio Gold 90.5 FM.
Radio & TV
Audiomack Partners With MTV Base to Enhance Music and Entertainment Accessibility for Africans

In line with its commitment to promoting the growth of music in Africa, Audiomack has partnered with MTV Base, one of the continent’s topmost youth entertainment channels. This partnership will serve to provide increased access to premium music content for listeners, whilst enhancing appreciation for African artists across the continent.
The strategic partnership has been implemented as an editorial collaboration aimed at incorporating MTV Base’s curatorial voice and shows into the Audiomack platform in Africa. With its initial focus on the Nigerian Afrobeat scene, this monumental partnership will strengthen end-to-end relationships between players in the music ecosystem, including listeners and artists.
Commenting on this laudable alliance, Charlotte Bwana, Director of Brands and Media Partnerships at Audiomack Africa, commended the undeniable growth of the African music industry in recent years and highlighted the importance of partnerships such as this in ensuring accessibility and variety in the satisfaction of music listeners’ expectations.
She said, “The African music industry has experienced iconic and undeniable growth in the last few years, and this has done more to refine the expectations of listeners in terms of access to optimal music entertainment. In this regard, as the leading music streaming platform within the African continent, we understand that the satisfaction of our listeners’ demands is paramount, and we are constantly seeking new avenues and strategic partnerships to create value for the community.”
“The collaboration with MTV Base, a renowned youth-driven African entertainment platform, will ensure that we satisfy our listeners’ demand for quality music entertainment, as MTV Base’s Music programs like Official Naija Top 10 (ONTT), amongst others will be available on Audiomack as playlists. These will also give artists the chance to be featured as playlist covers, and as a result, offer an increased opportunity in marketing efforts for African artists across both platforms which forms an integral part of our commitments”. She added.
Also speaking about the partnership, Busola Komolafe, Channel Manager at Paramount said, “We are excited about our partnership with Audiomack Africa as this will advance our mission of bringing premium music entertainment to our audience. We strongly believe that this strategic collaboration will not only allow our audience to listen to the best music wherever they are, whenever they want but will also give artists and other players within the music ecosystem a unique opportunity for their music to reach more youth across the African continent.”
With a presence in all 54 African countries, Audiomack remains committed to advancing the growth of music in Africa, through the implementation of strategic partnerships and investment into the region’s culture and communities.
Radio & TV
Best international series on Showmax this February, The Last Of Us, Young Rock S2 and more

Radio & TV
MTV Shuga Naija unveils new cast for fifth season of multi-award-winning social impact TV series

MTV Shuga Naija, an MTV Staying Alive Foundation initiative, is back for a fifth season and boasts a strong cast to extend the impact of its taboo-defying edutainment TV series. Set to premiere in April this year, the fifth season will focus on storylines about Gender-Based Violence and COVID-19, while continuing to address HIV prevention. Behind the camera, the focus is on empowering female creatives, with an 80% female crew while in front of the camera, an exciting lineup of new faces will be headlined by sensational actresses and co-stars on Netflix’s series ‘Far from Home’, Genoveva Umeh and Gbubemi Ejeye.
Susan Pwajok – best known on-screen from her role in the popular Nigerian family drama series, The Johnsons, has also been announced as a cast member as has well-loved Pan-African MTV Base Culture Squad member, Ilooise Omohinmi. Other new cast members announced include high profile talents Maggie Osuome, Lexan Peters, Ben Touitou, Kem Ajieh Ikechukwu, Okey Uzoeshi, John Njamah, Kiki Omeili, Chioma Edak, Francis Onwochei and, Bolaji Ogunmola.
Last year, MTV Shuga Naija initiated a search for exceptional young talent via online auditions that received over a thousand applications. The two winners of these auditions – Kanaga Emmanuel Eme and Chioma Edak – have been chosen to play lead roles on the show, while others selected will play supporting roles.
Returning MTV Shuga actors include Adesua Etomi-Wellington (Far From Home, Falling, Sugar Rush), Tomiwa Tegbe (My Siblings and I) and Sharon Jatto (The Griot).
“New cast always means deeper, richer stories and, of course, more drama,” said Adesua Etomi-Wellington. “Given the importance of the conversation we are making mainstream, I am so excited to be part of the new season, and excited to be sharing the screen with this group of uber-talented individuals and proud new members of the MTV Shuga Naija family.”
“The cast of MTV Shuga Naija are not just actors, but ambassadors of our edutainment campaign. They are working tirelessly to ensure that our messaging reaches and positively impacts millions of young Nigerians, empowering them to make better decisions about their health and lives.” remarked Anita Adesiyan, Country Manager, MTV Shuga Naija.
Season 5 of MTV Shuga Naija promises brand new storylines, fresh characters and a stand-alone story, so new audiences are welcome, as well as welcoming back the MTV Shuga family of fans across Nigeria. The magic of MTV Shuga lies in the research done with youth in Nigeria which informs the social and health topics tackled in the series and ensures that the storyline reflects the lives of the youth they hope to edutain. Their mission is to drive social change among youth, a mission they share with a number of like-minded organisations.
“In partnership with Unitaid, Global Innovation Fund and Paramount, we will focus on spotlighting the importance of HIV self-testing and accessibility of testing kits, Gender-Based Violence, COVID-19 vaccine confidence, gender capacity building and modern contraception. Also, through our partnerships with the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), the Lagos State Domestic and sexual violence agency (DSVA), the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Hello Lagos, we aim to provide support and direct our audience to the relevant agencies who will offer the required counselling and treatment they need,” confirmed Adesiyan.
In addition to the return of MTV Shuga Naija, MTV Staying Alive Foundation also unveiled their Talent Accelerator Program — a platform created to invest in young, emerging female creatives. The initiative will leverage internship placements and mentorship programmes across production units to advance gender-aware media in the Nigerian TV & Film industry. Its first execution saw the selection of 11 outstanding young women to work across different departments through the filming of the new season.
The crew of MTV Shuga Naija Season 5 is 80% female, further emphasising the campaign’s objective of investing in female creatives in the Nigerian media market. The fifth season of the award-winning TV drama is produced by 1Pod Pictures, a female-led production company out of Nigeria and boasts the youngest producers ever to film MTV Shuga Naija.
The new season of MTV Shuga Naija will premiere on MTV Base (DStv channel 322 and GOtv channel 72), BET, and the free-to-air platform, NTA later this year. All episodes of the season will also be available on Netflix and YouTube.
Radio & TV
MultiChoice Talent Factory goes live with online short courses for 300 filmmakers across Africa

The MultiChoice Talent Factory has partnered with SAE Institute, a world leader in creative media education, to offer fully funded online short courses to 300 professional filmmakers. The filmmakers come from Malawi, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. They work at various production houses and free-to-air channels, including public state-owned broadcasters.
The online short courses have been custom designed by MTF and SAE, after identifying certain skills shortages within the industry. The five courses created are Script Writing, Production Management, Cinematography, Audio Post-Production and 3D Animation. Each short course will run for five weeks. The courses were designed to address key areas of development that have been identified by content buyers and subject-matter experts in the industry.
SAE, with 47 campuses in 23 countries, has been setting the global benchmark for creative media education since 1976. In South Africa, they proudly offer nationally accredited Bachelor’s Degrees and Higher Certificates across 4 disciplines Animation, Audio, Games and Film.
“Following the success and immense impact of the MTF Academy, we’ve received numerous requests from established filmmakers, who are unable to apply for the Academy Graduate Programmes as they only cater for young filmmakers. To ensure we cater to those filmmakers, we wanted to create short courses to further enhance their skill sets and this is our response to those requests. The TV & film industry is constantly evolving and as such we as professionals must continue to diversify and develop our skills” say MTF Director for Africa, Nwabisa Matyumza.
The online orientation programme, hosted by South African comedian, Mpho Popps, was attended by the various filmmakers embarking on this exciting learning journey. During the orientation session, the filmmakers were taken through the online learning platform and had the opportunity to meet their course facilitators and fellow filmmakers from across the continent.
“We’re excited to walk this journey with the MultiChoice Talent Factory. Our purpose is to educate, empower and employ and this partnership allows us to expand this purpose into other African countries. These short courses provide much-needed upskilling for many self-taught individuals who have never had the opportunity to study at a university. It goes a long way in bolstering the existing skill and talent on the continent,” says Scott Rogers, Managing Director of Invictus Online at the SAE Institute.
Radio & TV
Top Gun: Maverick – and the original classic – now streaming on Showmax

Having any fun yet?
Top Gun: Maverick is now streaming on Showmax, having just been named Best Movie, Best Wide Release Movie and Best Action & Adventure Movie at Rotten Tomatoes’ Golden Tomato Awards, which recognise the best reviewed films of the year. Top Gun: Maverick currently has a 96% rating from over 450 critics and a 99% audience score from over 50 000 fans on the site.
After more than 30 years of service as one of the navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Oscar nominee Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.
When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialised mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Sundance winner Miles Teller), call sign “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.” Rooster’s father trusted Maverick; he isn’t about to make the same mistake.
Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears.
Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind), Emmy winner Jon Hamm (Mad Men), four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris (Westworld), multi-award-winner Val Kilmer (Heat) and Monica Barbaro (UnREAL) co-star.
The second biggest box office hit globally, Top Gun: Maverick has already won more than 60 international awards and is one of the 100 top-rated movies of all time on IMDb. It was also named the best film of 2022 by media as varied as Complex, The Globe and Mail, IMDb, People, The Telegraph, Total Film, Uproxx, and The Washington Post.
As Rotten Tomatoes says, “Top Gun: Maverick is why we love the blockbuster experience: exhilarating action with big emotional stakes and an on-your-feet sunset ending.”
Similarly, Independent calls it “as thrilling as blockbusters get”; Daily Telegraph hails it as “unquestionably the best studio action film since 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road”; and Time/Out says, “You will want to high five someone on the way out.”
Top Gun: Maverick has been shortlisted in multiple Oscar categories and is already nominated for four 2023 BAFTAs, including Cinematography and Special Visual Effects; the Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble; and a Grammy for its soundtrack, among other honours.
Showmax is also streaming the original 1980s classic, Top Gun, directed by the late Tony Scott and co-starring the likes of Oscar winner Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption), Emmy winners Anthony Edwards (ER) and Tom Skerritt (Alien), multi-award-winner Meg Ryan (When Harry Met Sally) and the late Kelly McGillis (Witness). Top Gun won an Oscar for Giorgio Moroder’s Take My Breath Away, a Grammy for Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Steven’s Top Gun Anthem, and the 1987 People’s Choice Award for Favourite Motion Picture, among other accolades.
So whether you’re feeling a need for speed, or Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, old-school action or 80s nostalgia, it’s time to strap in to Showmax.
Watch the Top Gun: Maverick trailer:
Watch the Top Gun trailer:
Showmax’s January movie line-up also includes the Oscar-nominated House of Gucci, the BAFTA-winning Licorice Pizza, and the animated blockbuster The Addams Family 2, with Jordan Peele’s Get Out, just named one of the top 100 films of all time in Sight & Sound’s once-a-decade critics’ poll, available from 26 January 2023, and 2022 BAFTA winner Together, starring James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan, available from 30 January 2023.
Showmax is also home to a wealth of Tom Cruise classics, including Mission: Impossible – Fallout, American Made, Oblivion, Interview With The Vampire, and The Last Samurai, as well as Jack Reacher and its sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.
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