Nollywood’s Impact: Origins, Kunle Remi’s Wedding, and Yul Edochie & DJ Chicken’s Controversies

Paul | January 22, 2024 | Nigeria | No Comments

Nollywood is a term used to refer to the Nigerian film industry, one of the largest and most vibrant film industries in the world. The term “Nollywood” is derived from combining “Nigeria” with “Hollywood,” the famous American film industry. Nollywood is known for producing a significant number of films, mainly in the form of direct-to-video releases.

Nollywood churns out over a thousand movies annually, making it a widely embraced form of entertainment in Nigeria and beyond, especially due to its popularity on the internet. Established in the 1990s, the Nigerian film industry initially aimed to provide an escape for local audiences from the harsh realities of daily life. Despite facing obstacles like censorship laws, financial constraints, and inadequate infrastructure, Nigerian filmmakers persevered. Over time, with some relaxation and innovation, they introduced new techniques, including unique effects not previously seen in African cinema.

Nollywood stands as one of Africa’s most successful film industries, generating billions of dollars annually. The roots of this thriving industry can be traced back to Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian author renowned for his 1958 work “Things Fall Apart.” Although Achebe initially aspired to create films, he authored “The Education Of A British-Protected Child,” outlining the process of establishing a film company. Political unrest in Nigeria led him to send the manuscript abroad, where it eventually found publication by Oxford University Press in 1975.

The exponential growth of Nollywood can be attributed to its warm reception worldwide. Nigerians, known for their expressive nature, have produced captivating films that captivate audiences for hours. The continuous expansion of the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, reflects its remarkable journey and widespread appeal over the past few decades.

The history of Nollywood films unfolds in five distinct phases:

The Origin (1960s): Post-independence in 1960, the Nigerian film industry began producing celluloid films. The emergence of cinema theaters in Lagos, fueled by foreign investments, marked the initial phase of Nollywood.
Video Filming (1980s): In the 1980s, the Nigerian film industry faced challenges, including currency devaluation and inadequate production equipment. This led to a decline, and the audience shifted to the emerging Nigerian video film industry. Films shot on home videos were released directly to TV and sold as VHS copies in the domestic market. The blockbuster success of Chris Obi Rapu’s “Living in Bondage” (1992) set the standard for “Video Films.”
The Emergence of Nollywood: With the triumph of “Video Films,” the Nigerian film industry evolved into Nollywood. It became a global powerhouse, employing a significant workforce in the country. Nollywood companies released multiple films daily, catering to both Nigerian and other African audiences.
The Modern Nigerian Cinema (2000s): Despite being low-budget productions, Nigerian Video Films saw government investment and the rise of modern cine theaters that dismissed them. This revolutionized the industry in the 2000s, giving rise to the Modern Nigerian Cinema. This phase brought complex stories, skilled actors, and professional production values, with films like “Irapada” and “The Wedding Party” achieving global acclaim.
At Present: The success of the Modern Nigerian Cinema propelled Nollywood to become the second-largest film sector globally, surpassing even the U.S. Nigerian Cinema contributes significantly to the nation’s GDP, accounting for five percent. Western streaming services have played a pivotal role in extending the global reach of recently released films and television shows.

The African language, Yoruba, is frequently used in Nollywood productions, while English, Hausa, and Igbo are other languages in which Nollywood movies are made. Living in Bondage, the first Nollywood film was released in 1992.

Kunle Remi and Boluwatiwi’s Grand Ibadan Wedding Sparks Mixed Reactions

Famous Nollywood actor Kunle Remi and his wife Tiwi have become the talk of social media with trending videos from their wedding after-party.

The circulating videos showcase the couple flaunting their dance moves and playfully displaying affectionate moments on the dance floor.

Kunle Remi and Tiwi officially tied the knot on January 20, 2023, in a star-studded wedding held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. The videos from the wedding after-party captured the couple having fun, providing guests with a glimpse of their joyful celebration.

The playful and affectionate display by Kunle Remi and Tiwi has sparked various reactions on social media, with many expressing excitement and admiration for the couple’s chemistry and lively celebration.

https://www.instagram.com/sabiradio/reel/C2VbO1CIhH7/

reactions below:

habeeybah._: This year won’t be easy for single people😩😭😭.

misshembe: They say if you’re a baddie, you won’t find a man. See what goodie-goodie is doing. You people won’t kill someone 🥹🥹🥹🥹

emerie898: Rubbish. Even if you’re married, there are things you just don’t do in public, especially at a wedding reception where families are gathered. So razz. Let’s hope their marriage lasts.

ble_ssing_sunda: The welder should weld their bed tonight 🥹.

miimii___o: She’s a baddie in disguise 😂😂.

seun_dreams: Father Lord, you said in your word that you’ll pursue those who pursue me 😢.

rockynancy: She’s an innocent baddie.

chyomsss: My fellow single people. How are y’all doing 😢 pressure has arrived.

efc_archivaldo: Only slim girls can be lifted like this… the rest will be lifted in prayers.

realtimbo6929: At least we know you got yourself a club girl for a wife. I don’t understand the public display though 🤷🏽‍♂️.

What did DJ Chicken said About Wizkid and His Late Mum

Ademola Abiodun, widely known as DJ Chicken, is a prominent Nigerian DJ, musician, social media influencer, and song producer, born on April 10, 1995. He has gained significant recognition and acclaim for his innovative contributions to the music industry.

DJ Chicken is renowned for his unique lingo, Kukuruku, which has become a trademark that his followers both recognize and appreciate. He has released numerous successful projects, including the Welcome Back Mixtape, New Era EP1 Mix 2022, Aare Ika Awaiting Star Mix, and the ongoing Kukuruku Mix series, currently in its 12th edition.

Collaborating with some of Nigeria’s top musical talents such as Portable, QDot, Fela 2, and Hybeekay, DJ Chicken has showcased his DJ and music production skills, earning him widespread acclaim. His contributions to the music industry have been acknowledged with numerous accolades and prizes, solidifying his position as a notable figure in Nigerian music.

Full Name: Ademola Abiodun
Stage Name: DJ Chicken
Born: April 10, 1995 (28 years old)
Place of Birth: Lagos, Nigeria
State of Origin: Ogun State
Nationality: Nigerian
Occupation: DJ, Internet Personality, Musician, Song Producer
Net Worth: $10,000
Marital Status: Not Married
Children: N/A

DJ Chicken Statement About Wizkid and His Late Mum

DJ Chicken, a prominent figure on social media, recently stirred controversy by engaging in a heated altercation with Nigerian artist Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid. In a TikTok video shared by DJ Chicken, he not only expressed disdain for Wizkid’s late mother, Jane Dolapo, but also went as far as wishing harm upon the artist.

The video, which quickly went viral on social media, featured DJ Chicken harshly criticizing Wizkid, asserting that the artist’s career had irreversibly declined. He claimed that Wizkid’s musical output had deteriorated, predicting his imminent downfall. DJ Chicken even went to the extent of suggesting that Wizkid would meet the same fate as his late mother. In his words, DJ Chicken stated that Wizkid would “soon follow his mother in the grave.”

The video faced widespread condemnation from social media users, prompting calls for the police to intervene and take legal action against DJ Chicken. The Nigerian internet personality and artist faced significant backlash for his disrespectful comments. In the controversial TikTok video, DJ Chicken made derogatory remarks about Wizkid’s late mother, who had recently been laid to rest in October 2023 after passing away in August 2023.

Not only did DJ Chicken criticize Wizkid’s musical career, claiming it had reached its end, but he also made offensive statements regarding the artist’s personal life. Despite later issuing a public apology to Wizkid, DJ Chicken continued to face criticism on social media platforms, with netizens expressing their disapproval in various online forums.

Yul Edochie: Career, Politics, and Marriage Split

Yul Chibuike Daniel Edochie, popularly known as Yul Edochie, is a Nigerian actor born on 7 January 1982, hailing from Anambra State, Nigeria, and the son of the renowned Nigerian actor Pete Edochie.

Personal life:

Raised in both Lagos and Enugu, Yul is the youngest of six siblings. He entered into marriage at the age of 22 and pursued his higher education at the University of Port Harcourt, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts. Yul Edochie was named after the Russian actor Yul Brynner. He is currently married to May Aligwe, with whom he has three sons and a daughter. On 27 April 2022, Yul revealed that he had taken fellow actor Judy Austin as his second wife, along with their newborn son.

Career:

Yul Edochie made his debut in Nollywood in 2005 with the film “The Exquires,” sharing the screen with Justus Esiri and Enebeli Elebuwa. His breakthrough came in 2007 when he starred alongside Genevieve Nnaji and Desmond Elliot in the movie “Wind Of Glory.” In 2015, Yul Edochie established a film academy in Lagos.

Politics:
In 2017, Yul Edochie entered the political arena by running for the position of Governor of Anambra State. He was the gubernatorial candidate for the Democratic Peoples Congress political party, but he faced defeat to Willie Obiano, who won re-election for a second term.

Marriage Drama

Nollywood actor Yul Edochie remains in the spotlight due to the ongoing controversy surrounding his home and relationship with Judy Austin, his alleged second wife and colleague. Recently, Yul’s aunt, Rita Edochie, called out Judy, urging her to release Yul from her grasp.

Pete Edochie, Yul’s father and veteran Nollywood actor, initially maintained silence amid the polygamous marriage drama. However, in response to the heightened separation and divorce lawsuit filed by Yul’s first wife, May, Pete Edochie spoke in proverbs about the situation during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo.

In the interview snippet shared on social media, Pete Edochie suggested that Yul is responsible for his current predicament, using the proverb, “He who fetches ant-infested firewood should be ready to host the lizards for a feast.” While initially stating that Yul is old enough to handle his problems, Pete Edochie later added, “He’s been living by himself for a long time and married for 17 years. It’s his business if he can cope with polygamy.”

Despite the legal issues and May’s silence on social media, Yul and Judy continue to showcase their affectionate moments online. Yul recently shared a happy video of him and Judy dancing on his Facebook page. It’s worth noting that despite their portrayal as a married couple on social media, Yul and Judy are not lawfully wedded. Yul and May had lost their first son, Kambilichukwu, some months earlier.

Why his Marriage with First Wife Fell Apart

Yul Edochie acknowledged that while there are a few tips that can contribute to a long-lasting marriage, there is no definitive formula for success. He emphasized that having a short-lived marriage with someone you dated for a decade is possible, while marrying someone you just met can result in a lasting union. Edochie pointed out that the true reasons behind a marriage’s collapse are rarely revealed on social media.

“Marriage is a beautiful thing,” Edochie said, encouraging individuals not to be discouraged if their dream is to get married. He highlighted that there is no proven formula for a long-lasting marriage and that only the couple knows the real reasons behind a marriage falling apart. Edochie also stressed that marriage is not a do-or-die affair and advised individuals to try their best to make it work. However, if it doesn’t, he suggested wishing each other well and moving on, as some journeys are meant to last forever, while others need to end for new ones to begin. Edochie concluded by expressing his wishes for love and peace always.