Entertainment
Sprite, Omah Lay Embrace in All-New Music Format to Inspire Youth
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
Sprite, a refreshing brand from the stable of Coca-Cola, has announced the launch of its new campaign, Sprite Limelight, which seeks to reignite life of purpose and aspiration for the youth, offering them encouragement at the tip of the heat by soothing them through music.
The new music program is in sync with Sprite’s new global brand narrative, ‘Heat Happens’, which positions the brand as the drink that helps people cool-down in the face of everyday heated moments.
A statement from Coca-Cola on Tuesday describes it as “one musical starting point reinterpreted through different creative and cultural lenses and was released for public consumption via streaming platforms.”
Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Bunmi Adeniba, said, “Sprite Limelight seeks to help keep the youths clear-headed, encouraging them not to lose themselves to the heat of the world during their discovery stage.”
She stressed that Sprite would connect with music fans through music that speaks to the heat in their lives, as the platform would have music from fearless artistes who take on the heat, using their creativity to make music that fans love, which speaks to them to create refreshing moments of clarity.
“Heat is the occasion. Sprite is the solution. And music is the connection”, she asserted.
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It was gathered that Sprite Limelight is a global music program produced in collaboration with a diverse collection of international musical talents and anchored by Grammy-winning producer, Mercury Prize Winner, and BRIT Award nominee, James Blake. The Sprite Limelight song dropped on July 29 across various streaming platforms.
In Nigeria, Sprite Limelight is headlined by the popular Omah Lay, Nigerian singer, songwriter and social sensation whose self-produced track ‘Bad Influence’ garnered viral status; and who remains a teen sensation across the country.
With Omah Lay leading the Nigerian front alongside two other global music stars, the campaign seeks to inspire Nigerians and young artistes with fresh perspectives, music, and experiences, vocalizing the brand’s resolve to help Gen. Zs not to lose their cool to the heated moments of everyday life.
Other global artistes on the campaign include American rapper, Coi Leray who has previously worked with Nikki Minaj; and prolific singer Hua Chenyu, from China, whose unique fusion of C-Pop and rock sold out shows in Olympic-sized stadiums in minutes, with all artistes selected for their authentic and unique styles.
On the Sprite Limelight project, Omah Lay expressed excitement and optimism around the work done to deliver an amazing sound and experience to the Nigerian audience. “It means a lot to me to be part of the Sprite Limelight Program, an incredible opportunity for me to share my culture with the world. I feel blessed to stand among these other amazing artistes to bring something refreshing and positive to the world; big Shout out to James Blake for masterminding the music, absolute Legend!”, he remarked.
With James Blake providing a central hook and lyric narrative, rooted in the core Limelight philosophy of keeping life’s heat at bay, three other distinctive global artists, who in turn had taken the hook and used it to inspire and create their own completely original songs.
It was gathered that the original content will be available on both YouTube and Spotify, as individual tracks and in the form of artistic documentary-style music films. These immersive “Heat Confessionals”, that shine a light on the artistes’ stories overcoming their own moments of heat through their iconic music, as well as artiste curated playlists for their fans, will be created on different music streaming services worldwide.
Sprite Limelight was created in partnership with Universal Music Group for Brands as the key content creator.
Africa’s biggest reality television show returns today as Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Season 11 officially premieres, with millions of fans across Nigeria and beyond eagerly waiting to meet a fresh set of housemates competing for the biggest prize in the show’s history.
The new season, themed “Everything Is For The Taking,” promises another 10 weeks of non-stop entertainment, drama, unexpected twists, strategic alliances and fierce competition as contestants battle for glory inside Biggie’s house.
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In what has become the most lucrative reward since the reality show began, organisers have unveiled a record ₦160 million grand prize, comprising ₦100 million in cash and a brand-new SUV, raising the stakes higher than ever before.
As with previous editions, the identities of this season’s contestants have been kept secret ahead of the opening night, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the moment the new housemates walk through Biggie’s famous doors.
Popular media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returns as the host of the hit reality show. Beyond anchoring the live eviction and launch shows, Ebuka’s launch-night fashion has become one of the programme’s biggest attractions over the years, with viewers once again looking forward to his signature stylish appearance.
Time and How to Watch
The BBNaija Season 11 premiere begins at 7:00 p.m. (WAT) today.
Fans can watch the live launch on:
Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151)
Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154 and GOtv Channel 7)
Viewers who prefer streaming can also follow the premiere live through the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream apps on compatible smartphones, tablets and smart TVs.
Following the launch show, fans will have unrestricted access to every moment inside Biggie’s house through the 24-hour live broadcast on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49, allowing viewers to keep up with the contestants throughout the season.
With a record-breaking grand prize, a brand-new lineup of housemates and another unpredictable journey ahead, BBNaija Season 11 is widely expected to deliver one of the most competitive and entertaining editions of the reality show.
Popular Nigerian content creator and self-styled relationship and finance influencer, Emmanuel Obruste, popularly known as GehGeh, has responded to criticism after videos of him attending what appeared to be a traditional wedding ceremony sparked widespread reactions online.
The controversy began after GehGeh shared videos from the event on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.
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In the clips, he was seen dressed in a matching burgundy traditional outfit with a lady, while an invitation card identified the couple as Mary and Prosper, leading many social media users to speculate that the influencer had secretly tied the knot.
The videos quickly went viral, with several Nigerians accusing GehGeh of hypocrisy, claiming his appearance at the ceremony contradicted the relationship advice he is known for giving on social media.
Addressing the backlash, GehGeh dismissed the claims, insisting that he has never advised anyone against marriage. He also clarified that he was only representing his brother, who lives abroad.
“So I no fit represent my brother wey dey abroad?” he wrote in one of his posts.
Responding directly to critics, GehGeh challenged anyone to produce evidence that he had ever discouraged marriage.
“I never for once told y’all not to get married. Did I? If yes, show me a video of me telling you not to marry.”
He further argued that many Nigerians misunderstand how social media works, saying: “Nigerians really don’t understand how social media works. If you know how to use it properly, you will never lack.”
Despite his clarification, the incident has continued to generate mixed reactions across social media, with some users accepting his explanation while others remain sceptical.
Global music icon Shakira has revealed why Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy was her top choice for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, saying she wanted a powerful masculine voice to complement the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound.
Speaking during an interview on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, which aired on July 8, the Colombian singer explained that the energy of the World Cup and the musical direction of the track made Burna Boy the perfect collaborator.
SEE ALSO: Burna Boy Breaks Record as Africa’s Top-Grossing Concert Artist
According to Shakira, she knew the song needed a strong male vocal to balance its vibrant sound.
“Once I had the song, I felt that I really needed a male vocal, a male voice in the song. The World Cup carries a big male energy, and I wanted someone who could bring that very masculine voice in this Afrobeat setting,” she said.
She described Dai Dai as a fusion of Afrobeats, Caribbean rhythms and elements of R&B, noting that Afrobeats remains the song’s dominant influence.
Shakira also disclosed that she had admired Burna Boy’s artistry for years and had always hoped to collaborate with him.
“I always loved Burna. I always wanted to do something with him,” she said.
The Grammy-winning singer revealed that although Burna Boy initially delayed sending his verse for nearly 20 days, she remained hopeful that the collaboration would come together.
“It took a while. I was waiting for 20 days for him to send something, and I thought maybe he wasn’t going to do it,” she recalled.
However, she said the wait was worth it after the Nigerian star eventually delivered what she described as the “perfect” contribution.
“But then he sent his magic, and it was absolutely perfect. His voice works so well on this song. I couldn’t imagine anybody else on it.”
Shakira further admitted she was determined to have Burna Boy featured on the track.
“I was so obsessed about having Burna on this track. I’m so glad that I got him,” she added.
Dai Dai served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was first performed by Shakira and Burna Boy during the tournament’s opening ceremony on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The pair later reunited for the historic first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, alongside Uganda’s renowned dance group, Ghetto Kids.
The collaboration marked Shakira’s latest contribution to FIFA World Cup music since the global success of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) in 2010, while Burna Boy’s appearance further cemented Afrobeats’ growing influence on the international stage.
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