If you鈥檙e new to his work, first of all are you living under a rock? Or if you want to revisit some of his work, we鈥檝e put together a list of movies where you can watch the icon flex his skills as one of the greatest Nigerian actors. Ranging from western productions to Nollywood ones, these are some of Olu Jacob鈥檚 best roles. 

(1980)

Running Time: 118 minutes 

Director: John Irvin

This 1980 movie directed by John Irvin follows a small unit of soldiers hired to overthrow an African leader. Olu Jacobs steals the show as a strict immigration officer who finds a balance between humour and seriousness. It鈥檚 a role that finds him opposite Christopher Walken and he holds his own with little to no effort.

(1979)

Running Time: 118 minutes 

Director: Richard Fleischer 

A young Michael Caine stars as Dr David, a man who goes on a perilous journey to save his lover from slavers. In this movie, Jacobs plays the no nonsense Commissioner Batak who assists him on this journey. It鈥檚 a role that gives a glimpse into the type of character he鈥檇 embody in many Nollywood productions. 

(2006)

Running Time: 120 minutes 

Director: Tchidi Chikere 

This role gave him the Best Actor in a Leading Role award at the 2007 African Movie Academy Awards. In this film he played a struggling writer who uses his wife鈥檚 flirting escapades as inspiration. With a balance of humour and emotional depth, he etched his name among the icons of the industry. 

(2015)

Running Time: 93 minutes 

Director: Curtis Graham 

He put forward a complex moving performance as Timipre in this movie that addressed the exploitative efforts of oil companies in the Niger Delta. In a movie packed with stars like Richard Mofe Damijo and Segun Arinze, he plays a man ridden with guilt as his community is destroyed.

(2004)

Running Time: 120 minutes 

Director: Andy Amenechi

In a rare, non-royal Nollywood role Jacobs plays Agumba, a man caught between duty to his village and a corrupt princess. It鈥檚 a role that showed his versatility as he brought a new side to his work. 

(2012)

Running Time: 120 minutes 

Director: Lancelot Imasuen

In this movie set in the ancient Benin kingdom, Olu Jacobs took on the role of Ezomo in a movie unlike any other of its time. Tackling themes of slavery and duty to tradition, the legendary actor brought new life to the movie helping it secure 10 nominations at the 2012 African Academy Movie Awards. 

(2013)

Running Time: 120 minutes 

Director: Shirley Frimpong-Manso

This time he takes his skills to Ghana in this crime thriller that follows a private investigator who tracks unfaithful partners of the men who hire him. His work leads him to a wealthy man played with menacing bravado by Olu Jacobs. 

(2017)

Running Time: 90 minutes 

Director: Ishaya Bako 

In his last onscreen role, he gives a small but mighty performance as Richard alongside his wife, Joke Silva. Written and Directed by Ishaya Bako, the movie was a fitting final appearance for our legend and icon. 

Here are the 10 Nollywood movies dominating YouTube this September that are worth your time.

10. (2025)

Running time: 1h 28m

Director: Mo鈥� Fakorede

Genre: Romance

A power broker, Caleb (Ray Adeka), needs more than a winning deal; he needs the perfect fianc茅e to impress his elite clients. So he hires Jane (Detola Jones), a smart, street babe, to play the role of his classy partner. But as they fake their way through upscale parties and sharp-eyed social circles, the lines between business and real emotion begin to blur. What starts as a transactional partnership slowly becomes something deeper, forcing them to confront public scrutiny, personal ambition, and the messy truth about love.

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9. (2026)

Running time: 1h 24m

Director: Uduak-Obong Patrick

Genre: Romance

Adaora (Sarian Martin) is a struggling event planner working on an exclusive Christmas Eve bash for a high-end business. It鈥檚 the big break she鈥檚 been working hard for, but the only thing standing between her and a career upgrade is Oladapo (Daniel Etim Effiong), an uptight tech bro with the keys to the rooftop venue she desperately needs.

Their initial encounter isn鈥檛 a great one. But as the late-night planning sessions stretch into the early hours of a new day, they become friendly and begin to open up to each other. Now, they have to make sure pride doesn鈥檛 ruin their work and if they want to take their feelings beyond work.

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8. (2026)

Running time: 1h 34m

Director: Best Okoduwa

Genre: Drama, Romance

The company that Theo (Timini Egbuson) works for is in the process of merging with Natalie鈥檚 (Uche Montana). As team leads, they鈥檙e assigned to oversee the deal. They have a meeting that leads to dinner in a restaurant, and eventually some feelings. They then find themselves at a roadblock due to work and professionalism. But eventually, they grab Cupid by its wings and give love a chance.

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7. (2025)

Running time: 1h 43m

Director: Uduak-Obong Patrick

Genre: Romance

Ayoola (Timini Eguson), a data analyst, wants to get married, but he鈥檚 unlucky when it comes to stable relationships. One day, out of frustration and faith, he does something unusual. He decides he must be married by Christmas. He consults a wedding planner and pays $5000 to begin preparations, but without a bride in his life. His meeting with Kamsi (Omawunmi 鈥淏amBam鈥� Adenibuyan), the wedding planner (who also happens to have her wedding coming up), starts a new, unexpected plot twist in this movie. They begin to bond and one thing leads to another, and they become entangled.

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6. (2026)

Running time: 2h 7m

Director: Uduak-Obong Patrick

Genre: Romance

After having too many drinks one night at a bar, Naya (Sophie Chioma) publicly claims a stranger called Chris (Saga Adeolu) as her boyfriend before blacking out in his arms. Seizing the unexpected opportunity, Chris ropes her into a fake-dating arrangement to help him navigate an upcoming family event. Though Naya establishes strict boundaries for the charade, her rules are quickly tested. As Chris鈥檚 family instantly embraces her, the carefully drawn lines of their fake relationship blur into a real thing.

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READ NEXT: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies to Watch On Netflix (September 2026)

5. (2025)

Running time: 1h 36m

Director: Great Valentine Edochie

Genre: Drama, Romance

After a painful divorce and a forced career break, an animator called Chigo (Bolaji Ogunmola) moves back into her parents鈥� house. Her life takes a turn when she reconnects with her childhood best friend, Izu (Blossom Chukwujekwu), who鈥檚 battling major setbacks of his own. Bonding over shared trauma and old memories, the two become a lifeline for each other. Together, they learn how to heal, navigate family pressures and figure out if they鈥檙e ready for a second chance at love, together.

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4. (2026)

Running time: 1h 39m

Director: Uduak-Obong Patrick

Genre: Romcom

Forced to attend her ex鈥檚 destination wedding, Ijeoma (Teniola Aladese) has no interest in meeting anyone new. But that changes when she clashes with Segun (Vine Olugu), an annoyingly attractive man who happens to be the bride鈥檚 ex. They鈥檙e stuck together, dodging awkward run-ins and old baggage, and they both watch as the wedding around them begins to unravel. Amidst the celebration and drama, an unexpected romantic connection sparks between them.

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3. (2025)

Running time: 2h 20m

Director: Jide JBlaze Oyegbile

Genre: Romance

Sixty-year-old corporate executive Margaret (Tina Mba) begins a secret affair with her 29-year-old intern, Tobi (Eronini Osinachi). However, as their intimacy grows, their hidden romance attracts unwanted attention and starts widespread workplace rumours. The controversy becomes personal when Margaret鈥檚 daughter discovers the relationship and disapproves. The two lovers are caught between public scrutiny and family pressure, but they have to make sure their relationship survives the drama.

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2. (2025)

Running time: 2h 6m

Director: Uduak-Obong Patrick

Genre: Romance

Tiwa (Detola Jones) leaves her small town for her friend鈥檚 place in the bustling, unfamiliar metropolis of Lagos. She鈥檚 immediately forced to adapt to a fast-paced world that鈥檚 completely alien to everything she knows. On first arrival, she鈥檚 picked up by Dr. Afam (Chris Attoh), who pretends to be a driver, then turns out to be her friend鈥檚 dad. A thing leads to the other and their connection begins to form and deepen over time. A possibility of a relationship is on the horizon and she鈥檚 conflicted on what to do: hold onto the traditional, principled life she was taught or fully embrace her new reality.

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1. (2025)

Running time: 1h 32m

Director: Great Valentine Edochie

Genre: Romance

A wealthy socialite and her manipulative mom recruits Ibiere (Detola Jones) to seduce Prince Tayo Daniels (Daniel Etim Effiong), the heir to a powerful family. However, this calculated one-night deception spirals out of control. Fate intervenes when Tayo unknowingly hires Ibiere at his company. Genuine chemistry begins to build between them, but the mounting lies threaten their connection, forcing Ibiere to risk telling the truth for love and a second chance.

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ALSO READ: 10 Movies That Prove Omoni Oboli is The Queen of Nollywood YouTube Romance

The music doesn鈥檛 wait for any season, it creates its own. Whether you鈥檙e having an actual summer or catching your tan under the Nigerian sun, these are ten Afropop songs that score this season and should be on your radar.

10. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Davido feat. Mayorkun & FOLA

This is a DMW reunion, four years after Mayorkun walked out the door. 鈥淏4 B4鈥� was originally Mayorkun鈥檚 own record, before he handed it to Davido for his sixth album, Oriade. FOLA is an additional feature and they sing about love, attraction and infatuation.

9. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Wizkid & Asake

Wiz and Asake released this without warning in January and it鈥檚 stuck around since. Magicsticks builds a groove out of percussion and brass; Wizkid and Asake trade verses about being jogodo, pidgin for tipsy. It stretches into a whole mood of freedom and not caring. It鈥檚 one of the year鈥檚 most persistent songs.

8. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Blaqbonez feat. Asake

These two OAU alumni connect on 鈥淐hanel鈥�,  a flex record dressed in Cartier and Nike. Blaqbonez opens with the wit he鈥檚 known for; Asake slides in with a rapper swag and a loose, hypnotic street-hop bounce. This is Blaqbonez鈥檚 biggest song right now and proof that his crossover into pop is paying off.

7. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Jamie Black & Azzi On The Beat

This OG version of this song dropped into Nigeria鈥檚 Afro House scene back in November 2025 and has been the life of raves ever since. Jamie Black named the track after Lagos slang for someone who鈥檚 the best at what they do鈥攁lmost to a deranged level. This year, he put out a remix pack with other DJs, and this one with Azzi backs up the boast and sends the crowds into a frenzy.

6. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� FOLA

After the success of catharsis, FOLA follows up with 鈥渇ine ting鈥�, talking his fine girl into staying. He switches between smooth crooning and rapid Yoruba-inflected runs without losing breath. From beauty to getting the girl to money, he sings of romance that feels like a unique experience.

READ NEXT:聽Is It Okay To Rave At 27?

5. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Ayra Starr

Ayra Starr previewed this song live at her NPR Tiny Desk session before its release. She compares her presence to the weather event and dares you to disagree. The production is percussion-heavy and cinematic. Ayra has become a woman fully aware of the storm she causes when walking into a room. The icing on this sweet song is FOLA鈥檚 vocals serenading at the end.

4. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Solana & Killertunes

Killertunes handles production on this Afro-fusion track, sung mostly in Yoruba, marking Solana鈥檚 entry point to a Nigerian audience that wants something different. 鈥淥KUNKUN鈥� means darkness, but the song moves toward faith and resilience. It has become one of 2026鈥檚 most talked-about, least conventional releases.

3. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Asake

Success humbles Asake here and he throws his hands in the air in gratitude. He got out of the mud and is having a global dominant run; what鈥檚 not to celebrate? The strings swell and a choir leans in behind him. It鈥檚 uplifting and high-spirited, in line with the joyful and warm energy of the summer season.

2. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� BNXN & Sarz

As the title suggests, “Back Outside” is the ultimate re-emergence anthem. Producer Sarz and BNXN pop out together for a comeback. Sarz’s laidback production mixingAfropop with South American rhythm while BNXN stays mellow and reflective over it. You can hear the confidence of returning to the scene after lying low for a while.

1. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Victony

鈥淪LICK鈥� earns its title. Victony and producer Ozedikus keep the tempo unhurried, while he switches between singing and a singy-rap style. It鈥檚 made for fashionistas, glam-up sessions, parties or nightouts with friends.

ALSO READ:聽10 Songs That Prove Erigga Is One Of The Greatest Nigerian Rap Storytellers

Here are 10 movies that prove that Omoni Oboli is the queen of YouTube Nollywood romance. 

Running Time: 2 hour 39 minutes 

Director: Mo Fakorede 

To save her family from embarrassment, Adanna (Toluwani George) takes her twin sister’s place and marries a man she has never met. An arrangement that is supposed to be temporary turns into a relationship of discovery and betrayal and a choice Adanna must make to tell the truth or continue living a lie. 

Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes 

Director: Uduak Obong Patrick 

Ijeoma (Teniola Aladese) finds herself at the destination wedding of her ex and as if that isn鈥檛 bad enough, she meets the bride鈥檚 ex who gets on her nerves. During the course of the wedding, their conflict morphs into curiosity. Will they let go of their past and find new love at this destination wedding?

Running time: 1 hour 28 minutes 

Director: Mo Fakorode 

 A lighthearted bet turns into a complicated situation for Bella (Bambam) when she gets entangled in a mess that tests her views on love and loyalty and she must make a decision that will affect not just her but others involved. 

Running time: 1 hour 32 minutes 

Director: Uduak Obong Patrick

A successful CEO (Chris Attoh) has his love life restricted by his family but then he meets a fiercely independent woman (Teniola Aladese) who he enters an arrangement with. Their pretense slowly starts to become real and now he must choose between family loyalty and the woman who might be the love of his life. 

Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes 

Director: Mike Fakorede 

Ufuoma (Bambam) is constantly unsatisfied with her life, making sure everyone in her life is aware of it. One day, she wakes up with her dream life but she soon discovers these desires come at a cost. Now will she continue living her dream life or go back to the life she鈥檚 always wanted to leave? 

Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes 

Director:

A bride (Uche Montana) wakes up on the morning of her wedding beside a man she doesn鈥檛 know. Both of them are confused and scared so they must retrace their steps together to find out how they ended up in this situation before it ruins her perfect day.

Running time: 1 hour 38 minutes 

Director: Mo Fakorede 

Akin has his life in control. Successful career, loving girlfriend and a bright future. All this is upended when his elaborate public proposal ends in humiliation and he turns into a recluse with a speech disorder. With the help of his best friend, Emem, he begins to discover that love and accountability must happen at the same time. 

Running Time: 2 hours 1 minute

Director: Mo Fakorede 

After a devastating heartbreak, Titi (Ekama Etim Inyang), a successful fashion entrepreneur must rebuild her life as a different person. She lives this new life and meets a man also suffering from heartbreak and they must find honesty and vulnerability if their love story must succeed. 

Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes 

Director: Uduak Obong Patrick

After a devastating tragedy, a man moves to a secluded village to restart his life. There, he meets an elderly man and his guarded daughter, this marks the beginning of his healing journey where he learns that he cannot outrun his past and hidden truths threaten his new life. 

Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes 

Director: Uduak Obong Patrick

A high profile proposal, a fancy Lagos restaurant, plenty of cameras, what could go wrong? Well, for Ramsey (Deyemi Okanlawan) everything goes wrong and his failed proposal goes viral. As the city takes sides, two hard headed lovers must quiet the noise and make the decision of their lives. 

 It makes sense, then, that his music has found a home in film and television. From Skinny Girl in Transit and Far From Home to Disney鈥檚 MADU and, most recently, the 91大神 Life Series. Dwin鈥檚 songs have repeatedly found their way onto our screens.

For him, the relationship between music and film is more than just finding a convenient placement. 鈥楢 song can elevate a film鈥�, he says, 鈥榖ut a film can also give a song a new meaning for its audience鈥�. In this article, Dwin tells 91大神 about the storytelling philosophy behind his music. Seeing 鈥溾�� and 鈥溾�� in the Dwin, The Stoic, believes stories can make unfamiliar experiences feel deeply personal. 

Glad to have you back with us, Dwin. What inspired the lyrics of 鈥淏eside Me鈥�?

I wrote the song to simulate how a person might feel at the end of a fight with their partner. Particularly, thinking of the things you wish you鈥檇 said. The song starts with 鈥淚 say to you these words unspoken,鈥� and from those first lines, there is tension implied. To say words that were unspoken means you didn鈥檛 want to say them, but you also regret not saying them. 

That鈥檚 why I really love the use of it in the film . The moment it was used in is what 鈥�Beside Me鈥� was made for. Two lovers share a tense moment and then get a chance to come back together. In the story of the album, they don鈥檛 go back to each other, but I鈥檓 glad they do in the film.

Did you draw from your own experiences when writing the song? 

When I play my music for people, I often hear, 鈥淚鈥檝e never felt this thing that you鈥檙e describing, but I feel the heaviness.鈥� I have a background in writing fiction, and my lyrics work the same way as any good story. It transports you somewhere else and makes you feel something that you may not have been feeling.

I try to do that when I write too. The tension in the song is not something I have to feel. In fact, when I feel tense, I鈥檓 not in the mood to write songs.  Overall, I don鈥檛 rely only on my experiences while writing songs. I think that would make my music very limited.

 鈥淭ime is Money鈥� also featured in A Happy Ending. How did you feel about both Placements?

Excited. I mean, I鈥檓 an Igbo boy, and making 鈥淭ime Is Money鈥� was very intentional. The character in the album is very close to me. He鈥檚 also an Igbo boy. 鈥淪teady鈥� is a song that鈥檚 sung entirely in Igbo on that album; 鈥淚funaya鈥檓鈥� is also on that album. 

People often say that Igbo people like money. The character in Time is Money plays into that. He鈥檚 likening the time that he thinks is being wasted by the girl he鈥檚 chasing to something precious to him, which happens to be money. But he鈥檚 also letting her know that the comparison is not to make her feel bad or to inspire guilt. It鈥檚 playful. It鈥檚 a man going up to the woman he likes and telling her, 鈥淗ey, I know you have options, but let me be the one. You鈥檙e happy here. Why are we wasting time?鈥�

I love the placement in the film because the scene is set in a bar. People are eating, drinking beer, and it feels very apt for what I imagine for 鈥淭ime Is Money.鈥� It鈥檚 also fitting because the characters are very Igbo. 

Despite their differences, what connects 鈥淏eside Me鈥� and 鈥淭ime Is Money鈥�? 

鈥�Beside Me鈥� and 鈥�Time is Money鈥� are opposites. On one hand, someone is saying, 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 say the things I wanted to. Now you鈥檝e gone, and I feel bad. I鈥檓 sorry, I can鈥檛 do this life without you beside me.鈥� On the other hand, someone else is saying, 鈥淗ey, talk fast o, if not I will do this life without you鈥�. But then, he鈥檚 jesting. In a way where there鈥檚 an unspoken 鈥� I love you.鈥� In both cases, the underlying feeling is love, expressed in different ways.  

I love the placement of both songs because it captures what I鈥檓 trying to make of the music I put on my catalogue. The tagline of my record label, , is 鈥楳aking your life鈥檚 soundtrack.鈥� This speaks to that.

We agree that these songs have been placed perfectly

Yes, they have.

But if you could pick two other songs to replace them, which ones would they be?

The scene where uses 鈥淭ime Is Money鈥� shows people drinking, eating, and having fun. I鈥檇 replace it with 鈥淚 Go Nowhere鈥� because it鈥檚 the kind of song that you listen to, bop your head, and just have a nice time.

For 鈥淏eside Me鈥�, I think 鈥淗old Me Now鈥�. The song says, 鈥淭here鈥檚 much we can worry our heads about, but all I know is here and now鈥�. After the fight, when Tola comes back, Nazo says to him, 鈥淚t鈥檚 hard. You know, this thing is hard,鈥� And the only thing they can say to each other is 鈥渨e鈥檒l figure this out.鈥� They hold each other, and in that moment they鈥檙e good. So I think it鈥檚 very fitting.

Is composing music specifically for films something you would be interested in going forward?

Almost every song I鈥檝e written has had some sort of visual story attached to it. And because I have set out to put the story into song, it influences the kind of words I  use. Take 鈥淭ime Is Money,鈥� for example. The playfulness is in the way the words are said. There鈥檚 a line where the song says, in Igbo, 鈥淎wam Guy鈥�. The best way I can translate that is 鈥榊ou鈥檙e doing guy for me鈥�.  Saying 鈥榊ou鈥檙e ignoring me鈥� would not fit because that鈥檚 not really what I鈥檓 saying. The songs are already strong stories by themselves. I think that is why they work so well for films.

With a film, you must tell a story, and you have to have some sort of coherence or cohesion. In terms of 鈥渋n this scene, this person says this while the other person says that.鈥� So when a song is brought in, it needs to serve that same purpose. My first film placement happened a few months after the release of my first album. The people working on Season 5 of used about eight songs from the 13-track album. That clued me into the fact that I make songs that work well with films. I鈥檝e been leaning into it since then.

How do you feel about seeing stories that you helped bring to Big Cabal on screen and still being part of the storytelling process?

Excited.

In my announcing that I would be leaving, I said that what I love most about 91大神 is that they do important work.  As people, we get stuck when we think that something in life is happening only to us. James Baldwin expressed this in the best way when he said, 鈥業 thought my pain was unprecedented in this world until I read a book鈥�. We become a more understanding society when we start to read more stories. That idea is why I鈥檓 excited about the work 91大神 does. The fact that we can still collaborate on telling stories in different ways is great. Someone has to hold up a mirror to society, and 91大神 does that.  

How have you seen that happen?

Take LGBTQ+ rights for example, 91大神 publishes stories about queer people, and there will always be outrage. But as someone who has been on the back end, I have seen people鈥檚 opinions almost change in real time. By the time you鈥檝e read three stories about someone who you believe you鈥檙e nothing like. You realize they too have a parent who鈥檚 in the hospital. And they can鈥檛 really make enough money to get them out of there.  They also have a lover who鈥檚 cheating on them; it doesn鈥檛 matter the gender, it does something to how you think. We start to see that even though we are dealing with life differently, we鈥檙e all still dealing with life.

I was able to take the role at 91大神 because  I鈥檓 passionate about storytelling, and that hasn鈥檛 changed. Now, someone who has listened to a song like 鈥淏eside Me鈥� may never have felt the tension in the song.  But when they feel it, they鈥檒l remember the song and probably go back to it. I鈥檝e had people say that they didn鈥檛 understand a particular song until they heard it live, had something happen to them, or saw something that made its meaning hit. Some people will appreciate 鈥淏eside Me鈥� more when they see it in this film. It鈥檚 why I鈥檓 happy to collaborate.  I think we should all be working together in some way. 

Next Read: 10 Songs That Prove Erigga Is One Of The Greatest Nigerian Rap Storytellers

Age only becomes a problem or shame when it鈥檚 a woman tearing legwork on the dance floor, or a man without a wedding ring, or anyone whose fun doesn鈥檛 come with a sign of responsibility attached.

Over the weekend, an X user why anyone past age 27 is raving. The timeline was split: some people pushed back, fighting back an ageism shot. The rest, mostly the Gen Alpha and the last wave of the Gen-Z stream, nodded along like it was gospel. But it鈥檚 a statement that forsakes facts. It鈥檚 a young person鈥檚 ageism and anxiety dressed up as a joke or troll tweet, drawing its confidence from group agreement.

The tweet treats raving like an inherited tradition, something with a generational clock you either fit or age out of, the way you might age out of Owambe as an elderly person. But it isn鈥檛 like that. What Nigerians currently call 鈥渢he rave scene鈥� 鈥� the warehouse parties, beach lineups, and the whole electronic-music culture stacked on top of Afropop, Amapiano, Gqom and House music 鈥� is barely a decade old. 

Trace it back to 2019, when Ebi Atte (AKA. Love), fresh back from studying in the UK and unable to find anywhere in Lagos playing the music he wanted, started a private gathering called Sweat It Out. It stayed small until 2020, when two things collided: a pandemic that pushed private parties out into bigger spaces, and the #EndSARS protests, which gave the young generation an appetite for rooms that felt like freedom 鈥� something far from surveillance.

From there, it multiplied fast. 脠k贸lectro, Group Therapy, Monochroma, Element House, Activity Music Festival 鈥� each one younger than the one before it. People who have watched the scene grow describe going from a single party a month a few years ago to a full weekend menu now: a beach edition, a warehouse edition, an interstate edition, back-to-back.

Which means the people this tweet wants to shame for still raving at 27 aren鈥檛 stragglers overstaying somebody else鈥檚 youth culture. In a lot of cases, they鈥檙e the ones who built it.

Also, look past the ratio and the quote-tweets, and the claim falls apart on contact with the people who run the scene.

Start with the DJ booth. Many of the loudest, most consistent names in the Nigerian rave scene over the last four years are not twenty-something. Sunrise (Munachi Abii) is 38 years old. Ifeme C.S. and Bigfootinyourface are in their 30s. Monochroma was co-founded by a software engineer who now DJs under the name Blak Dave. 脠k贸lectro鈥檚 crew includes someone who spends three months a year planning a festival around a day job. Sweat It Out has an investment banker on its founding team. None of these are undergraduates killing time before real life starts. They鈥檙e working professionals who built a scene out of group chats and rented warehouses, on top of full-time careers, in under six years. When the architecture itself is this new, there鈥檚 no 鈥渢oo old鈥� to measure against, because nobody has had the culture long enough to outgrow it.

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Importantly, what raves deliver, week after week, is the reason the age argument never had legs in the first place. They churn out mixes that turn strobe lights into kaleidoscopic visions, drops that raise hands like hallelujah, and industrial-level oontz that shreds body mass into sweat. Every week, attendees leave buzzing with euphoria that gets broadcast all over their timelines, enough to give the people who missed it real FOMO

Nobody rations that feeling by birth year. A twenty-two-year-old loses themselves in a drop the same way someone twice their age does. Shoulders drop, the week鈥檚 stress gets swallowed by the bass, and for a few hours, nothing else matters. The DJs producing that feeling, the promoters running the door, the security keeping the room safe enough for people to actually let go, most of them are already past the cutoff age the tweet invented. None of them is babysitting the vibe from the sidelines for the love of it. They鈥檙e chasing the same high as everyone on the floor and probably making money from it. Joy doesn鈥檛 care about your age group. Just be ready to dance.

More importantly, as the naira has lost value and club bills in Lagos have climbed past what most salaries can carry, raves have become the sensible choice. Nobody鈥檚 showing up to a warehouse party because the club shut them out. They鈥檙e choosing it because it鈥檚 cheaper and closer to what a night out was always supposed to deliver. You get good music, people who feel like a community, zero pressure to spend on a table to prove you belong. That isn鈥檛 a 22-year-old鈥檚 impulse decision. That鈥檚 the budgeting a 27-year-old with actual bills does before a Friday night out.

None of this means the scene stays exactly as it is, or that people should rave forever. People鈥檚 tastes change, their energy too. That鈥檚 just being a person with a life that moves. Culture moves with it, and some of tonight’s ravers will be tomorrow’s early sleepers, same as always. But that’s evolution, not an age limit.

There鈥檚 a difference between choosing to stay home because you鈥檇 rather sleep, and being told you鈥檙e not allowed to want to go out because of your age. One is preference. The other is policing, and Nigerian Twitter loves nothing more than policing joy it wasn’t invited to. No one gets washed out of a scene that鈥檚 still finding its footing. One can only be part of those who showed up while it was being built.

So no, raving after 27 is not fooling. It never was. The people who built the culture, the majority of those who still headline it, who still profit from it and shape what it becomes next year, are not the twenty-year-olds the tweet imagined as its audience. They鈥檙e older than the cutoff, and they鈥檙e the reason there鈥檚 a rave to attend at all.

If you鈥檙e 27 or above right now, that鈥檚 precisely what you are. The next time somebody tries to hand out an age limit for raving, ask them their age. Chances are, you鈥檝e been in the scene longer than they鈥檝e been into electronic music.

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built a career on refusing to sand down where he鈥檚 from. Warri-raised, Waffi Pidgin-first, he made his name telling the truth about his region and a fiercely loyal following followed him for it. Independent for most of his run, he鈥檚 gone from underground street singles to a 2025 Headies win for 鈥楤est Rap Album鈥� without ever losing that original voice 鈥� and he鈥檚 still adding chapters, most recently sitting down for .

Apart from his celebrated skillsets, what sets him apart is his patience to keep his head down and work his mainstream notice. His storytelling is impeccable too. From hustle to vices, betrayal and trauma; he narrates it, clearly, and lets the details carry the weight. That鈥檚 been the throughline from his earliest street records to his most recent introspective work. These ten songs are proof.

10. 鈥�鈥� feat. Olamide (2015)

This song immortalises Paper Boi, one of Erigga鈥檚 pseudonyms. The bouncy, club-ready trap song centre of money, spending it, making it back, and never mixing it fun or pleasure. This is the first link up between the King of the South (Erigga) and the King of the West (Olamide) and it鈥檚 a track for the streets, clubs, airwaves and personal playlists.

9. 鈥�鈥� (2011)

Erigga brings his street orientation and attitude to 鈥淢o Street Gan.鈥� This track is regarded as Erigga鈥檚 breakout single, going back to the start of his career. It earned him a Headies nomination for Lyricist on the Roll in 2012. It鈥檚 also the song that got adopted as a theme tune by Radio Continental.

8. 鈥�鈥� feat. Victor AD (2018)

The zeal for success is high and it鈥檚 driven by fear of poverty, doubters and the unachieved dreams of lost loved ones. It emphasises that no serious hustler should be ashamed of ridicule or classism while in search for their daily bread or breakthrough 鈥� their background is already rough, the struggle to success should be the least worry.

7. 鈥�鈥� feat. Duncan Mighty (2017)

This is off his From A Trip to the South album. It鈥檚 a triumphant narrative of his exploits from Warri to Lagos, from being an underdog to becoming general. 鈥淟agos鈥� is more of a boast track than story in the 鈥淜ettle (The Story of Okiemute鈥�) sense, but it does chart a journey: where he started, what people said he wouldn鈥檛 become, and what he became anyway.

6. 鈥�鈥� (2011)

This is a cult-classic from The Erigma album. It shows a portrait of Warri as a live wire. Erigga brings the atmosphere of the place to the song and dramatises how fast things turn violent on the streets he鈥檚 from.

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5. 鈥�鈥� feat. P Fizzy (2015)

OG listeners know that Erigga first made this on Adele鈥檚 鈥淗ello鈥� beat before he recorded again on another production. This song opens his Okorowanta album and it鈥檚 an industry commentary from the mouth of an outsider still fighting his way in. It sets the album鈥檚 鈥淚鈥檓 coming for this whole scene鈥� tone before the rest of the song plays out.

4. 鈥�鈥� (2015)

This is the closing track on Okorowanta (Since 1997), Erigga鈥檚 sophomore album, released in 2015. It鈥檚 a rap-R&B hybrid built around a single confession that his intentions are good, but the world keeps reading him as the villain. It鈥檚 perfectly hooked with Nina Simone鈥檚 鈥淢isunderstood鈥� classic. This one has less street reportage, and more internal monologue where Erigga turns the focus on himself instead of a character or an event.

3. 鈥�鈥� feat. ODUMODUBLVCK (2022)

The song opens with the story of what he survived on the streets before choosing to make music. Erigga recounts the routine gun violence of the neighborhood he grew up in, walking through a specific killing and the botched investigation that followed it. Then he moves into a second verse about picking up destructive habits from the older men he looked up to, ending in an admission of how those experiences left their mark on him.

2. 鈥�鈥� (2022)

After other songs about what happened to him, this one is about what he鈥檚 doing with it: piecing together a life out of the same poverty and dysfunction that once put him behind bars. It鈥檚 more like him stepping back to say what all the preceding songs add up to: a man refusing to let his past define his story. His style of delivery here is an unorthodox mix of rap and spoken word.

1. 鈥�鈥� (2018)

Erigga opens by making clear he lived through real danger long before music became his way out. From there, the first verse plays almost like a police report: a killing in his old neighborhood, and how little ever came of the investigation. The second verse turns inward, tracing the harmful habits he picked up (and still carries) from the older men he once admired.

From toxic love triangles and dark family secrets to street drama, here are the 10 best Nigerian movies you need to binge this September 2026.

10. (2021)

Running time: 1h 50m

Director: Seyi Babtope

Genre: Thriller

This movie is a murder mystery. After finding a dead body in the compound on a sanitation day, everyone living there is put on lockdown until the police arrive. Everyone is a prime suspect in what is the messiest investigation ever.

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9. (2023)

Running time: 2h 4m

Director: Moses Inwang

Genre: Thriller

Six Niger Delta boys think they鈥檝e found the japa cheat code by stowing away on a cargo ship loaded with stolen crude oil. The goal is to leave the bloody oil conflict behind, but they enter one-chance instead. Caught in the middle of the ocean with a ruthless captain, their grand escape plan becomes a desperate fight for survival. Instead of breathing fresh air abroad, these boys are about to see maximum shege on the high seas.

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8. (2022)

Running time: 1h 35m

Director: Date Olaitan

Genre: Drama, Romance

Busola (Immaculata Oko-Kasum) thinks she has finally escaped the trenches of talking stages when billionaire Tunji Owo (Efa Iwara) starts aggressively funding her soft life. But she doesn鈥檛 know it鈥檚 actually a trap. Tunji鈥檚 family wealth isn’t ordinary old money; it鈥檚 backed by a dark, generational covenant that requires sacrificing an innocent bride to the spirit of Sagbadewe. Busola鈥檚 fairy-tale romance is about to make her the main course for a hungry spirit.

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7. (2022) 

Running time: 2h 5m

Director: Bunni Ajakaiye

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Nollywood鈥檚 iconic Glamour Girls is back in a remake and it drags us straight into the underworld of the Lagos elite. Emma (Sharon Ooja-Nwoke), a young stripper loses her job and decides that sapa will not be her portion. To keep body and soul, she levels up her hustle and dives headfirst into the world of escorts. Now, she has to navigate risky setups, big money, and toxic Lagos sugar daddies who think their wealth can buy human beings.

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6. (2025)

Running time: 1h 58m

Director: Chinaza Onuzo

Genre: Romcom

Event planner Promise (Jemima Osunde) needs a cash-out to stop her family house from getting snatched. The universe finally answers, but it comes with stress: managing an Afrobeats superstar called King Kator (Mike Afolarin) for a major Lagos festival. It鈥檚 supposed to be a simple hustle to secure the bag asap, but it turns into an unpredictable collision of their two worlds.

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5. (2019)

Running time: 1h 50m

Director: Tope Alake

Genre: Action, Drama

Nimbe鈥檚 (Chimezie Imo) home is so toxic, he finds safety in the street. He鈥檚 only a gentle boy who’s still new to the ways of the world, but desperation and survival hastens his exposure. He goes from finding a place to fit in to running with the wrong crowd.

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4. (2024)

Running time: 1h 55m

Director: Akay Mason

Genre: Drama

Pastor Raymond (Uzor Arukwe) loves to shout about purity and perfect marriages, but behind the pulpit, he enters a very messy affair with Annie (Uche Montana), a girl who is out to blackmail. When Annie threatens to scatter his ministry, he鈥檚 left no choice but to confess his sins to his wife, Damilola (Mercy Aigbe), hoping for a soft landing. He thinks the storm is over, but the devil works hard. Annie suddenly turns up dead, and every single piece of evidence points straight to the man of God.

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3. (2023)

Running time: 2h 3m

Director: Adeoluwa Owu

Genre: Drama

After retiring from the runs life, Adire (Kehinde Bankole) packs her bags and leaves the city for a small town to have a new beginning. But a babe must secure her daily bread, so she gets creative and launches a lingerie business. She sews sexy bedroom-ready wears, using local fabrics. The local girlies are eating it up and Adire is making  bank, until she attracts the wrong attention.

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2. (2022)

Running time: 1h 37m

Director: Lyndsey Efejeku

Genre: Drama, Romance

Sarah (Beverly Naya) is trying to heal after leaving a toxic relationship. But her bestie, Lizzy (Bimbo Ademoye), who clearly doesn鈥檛 respect the 鈥渟ingle and thriving鈥� era, forces her back into the dating streets. Soon, Sarah finds herself trapped in a messy entanglement with two best friends, Fred (Uzor Arukwe) and Michael (Bucci Franklin).

On top of that, her demon ex, Dare (Daniel Etim Effiong), rises from the dead. Instead of moving on, his toxic guy starts dropping threatening messages to terrorise her. Sarah just wanted peace, but now she has to dodge a psycho ex and stressful love triangle.

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1. (2025)

Running time: 1h 46m

Director: Chee Keoung Cheoung

Genre: Thriller

American returnee Zion Ladejo (Razaaq Adoti) didn鈥檛 come back to Nigeria to do Detty December or complain about the heat. This ex-soldier is on a John Wick mission after his sister, Ronke (Sharon Rotimi), was violently silenced for witnessing a murder during her regular hotel shift. To track down her killers and serve them judgement, Zion has to reactivate the dark, violent military past he left behind. Whoever touched his sister is about to find out the hard way that they鈥檙e about to pay with blood.

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I鈥檓 not here to settle the argument, only here to make one we can all work with. Long before Fela Kuti and Afrobeat, the horns and the political fire, there was Highlife: guitar-led, brass-heavy music that moved  rooms. This music scored Nigeria鈥檚 independence, survived a civil war, minted gold discs and produced records that still outsell most things released today.

The genius of Bobby Benson can鈥檛 be contained in a single blurb nor the impact of 鈥淭axi Driver.鈥� But it鈥檚 a good way to start if you need an introduction to Bobby Benson鈥檚 music.

2. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Victor Olaiya & his Cool Cats (Early 60s)

Highlife trades mostly in easy, feel-good themes, but Victor Olaiya bends that on 鈥淢ofe Mu’yan鈥� (AKA 鈥淏aby Jowo鈥�). He鈥檚 begging a woman for her body. Here, he skips metaphors and gets lewd to express his desire. If you鈥檙e Gen Z, you probably know the legendary singer and trumpeter鈥檚 hit 鈥淏aby Mi Da鈥� (meaning 鈥淏aby, please鈥�) that features 2Baba (2013). What you probably don鈥檛 know is that it鈥檚 a remix made in an attempt to clean up the uncouth version, 鈥淢ofe Mu鈥檡an鈥� (meaning 鈥淚 want to suck breast鈥�).

Despite its explicit lyrics, it remains Victor Olaiya鈥檚 most enduring song 鈥� getting a remix featuring 2Baba, decades after its original run. It outlasted its era purely on the strength of its melody.

3. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Sir Victor Uwaifo and His Melody Maestros (1965)

This song was recorded by Victor Uwaifo and his Melody Maestros on Philips West Africa. It鈥檚 sung in Bini, and retells the legend of Joromi, a wrestler who battles a seven-headed spirit and loses. It sold over 100,000 copies and earned Uwaifo the first gold disc awarded to any African musician. It became a documented continental first and drove Nigerian Highlife music with its high industrial sales numbers. 鈥淛oromi鈥� remains rooted in Edo language and folklore, without diluting it for wider appeal.

4. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Oliver De Coque (1980)

鈥淚dentity鈥� is a story of faith, daily gratitude, self-awareness and self-respect over wealth 鈥� 鈥渕oney money identity鈥� as its recurring hook 鈥� delivered over Ogene percussion and his signature guitar style, which fused in Congolese soukous technique. Oliver De Coque playfully addresses the many prestigious titles people call him. Yet, the message always grounds him in his true, humble self. It鈥檚 a social commentary and dance song that stands out till date.

5. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Chief Osita Osadebe (1984)

This is a masterpiece of Igbo highlife music. The title translates from Igbo as 鈥淲hat pleases one, angers another鈥� or 鈥淥ne man鈥檚 food is another man鈥檚 poison.鈥� The song explores human nature, destiny and the reality of envy. It reminds listeners that success will naturally bring both celebration from friends and criticism from detractors, and encourages them to live fully and ignore their critics. 鈥淥sondi Owendi鈥� is a timeless, live-and-let-live philosophy laid over sweeping horn sections and a calm groove.

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6. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Prince Nico Mbarga (1974)

鈥淪weet Mother鈥� is a top five maternal tribute song in Nigeria, and it鈥檚 not number five. Prince Nico Mbarga and his band Rocafil Jazz International made a classic about mother鈥檚 love and sacrifice. It celebrates the sleepless nights, patience, and unconditional care that mothers provide. Its accessibility lies in the Pidgin English language. The production consists of interlocking guitar melodies and upbeat tempo that takes it from a message of gratitude into a pan-African celebration.

This is Mbarga鈥檚 only major hit and it sold an estimated 13 million copies across Africa, more than the Beatles鈥� 鈥淚 Want to Hold Your Hand鈥� sold worldwide at the time. This song should be a test of how much any Nigerian loves their mother.

7. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson (1969)

Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, a trumpeter and bandleader, recorded 鈥淪awale鈥� with Congolese-influenced guitar work sometime in the 1960s, before his death in 1971 at 33. The chorus is catchy and the word 鈥渟awa鈥� playfully implies something spoiling or going bad. Beneath its dance and groove vibe of the song, it carries a clear message of social commentary. Lawson used the track to observe the changing times, specifically cautioning young women against getting caught up in the fast, gritty life of the city.

鈥淪awale鈥� has been repeatedly remixed since, by Alex Zito as 鈥淏aby Walakolombo鈥� (1991), by Feladey under the same title the same year, and by Flavour as 鈥淣wa Baby (Ashawo)鈥� (2011). A generational hit.

8. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Celestine Ukwu (1972)

鈥淥kwukwe Na Nchekwube鈥� is a reflective song by Celestine Ukwu and his Philosophers National. The title translates from Igbo as 鈥淔aith and Hope.鈥� Over elongated guitar riffs, he uses Igbo proverbs to sing of how faith and love will save us. It鈥檚 a reminder to hold onto hope through life鈥檚 uncertainties. Celestine Ukwu teaches that whatever challenges befall us, faith is the primary driving force that will carry us through. Unlike the fast-paced songs of his peers, Ukwu was famous for his relaxed, mellow melodies and profound wisdom.

9. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Orlando Julius Ekemode (1965)

The 1965 song paints a picture of a metropolitan woman, an equivalent of a City Girl in 2026. It praises her striking fashion sense and her seductive dancing skills on the Lagos nightlife scene. It鈥檚 named after the title character of Cyprian Ekwensi’s 1961 novel Jagua Nana, a comparison to the Jaguar car, glamorous but high-maintenance. It came four years after the novel鈥檚 publication and helped cement the book鈥檚 cultural afterlife in Nigerian pop culture. The song is upbeat, heavily rhythmic, horn-driven and mixed with American Soul, and it鈥檚 an early groundwork for the Afrobeat genre.

10. 鈥�鈥� 鈥� Eddy Okonta (1978)

鈥淏isi鈥� is a love song named for a woman. Its melody is rooted in highlife鈥檚 older palm-wine tradition. It captures the joy and affection of romantic love. Apart from its allure of romance, the song stands out for Okonta鈥檚 masterful trumpet solos and a groovy percussion. This song is part of the long line of tradition of 1960s highlife naming songs after women (Olaiya鈥檚 muses, Lawson鈥檚 鈥淗annah,鈥� Julius鈥� 鈥淛agua Nana鈥�) 鈥� and 鈥淏isi鈥� is one of the best examples of this done right.

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So, what led to the downfall of the SheLLa ship (aside from the unfortunate nickname, of course)?

The Beginning 

The two former lovebirds first met each other in the Big Brother House and got close, forming an in-house relationship which some viewers loved, but others quickly saw the red flags. There were moments when he was verbally abusive to her, and he also threatened to break up with her a thousand times. He consistently hung marriage over her head and made her feel small, taking all their issues to other housemates when there was trouble in paradise (if you could even call the relationship paradise). If you don鈥檛 believe it, take this Twitter thread documenting their relationship in the house and make your judgment.

The Breakup Announcement 

Sometime last week, Sheggz took to Instagram to announce an end to their relationship in January of this year. His statement was diplomatic and amicable, so of course you know something was about to go down. He claimed that he was coming to the public with the news because he had heard false stories about himself that he needed to put to rest.

Bella soon released about the relationship. In it, she talked about how she had defended the relationship because she believed in it and how she had given Sheggz multiple chances during their time together.

It鈥檚 important to note that Bella had been seen a while ago, so the relationship seemed to be progressing towards marriage before this happened.

Shit Hitting The Fan

You could argue that shit hit the fan earlier on, but that was nothing compared to what came next. First, Bella鈥檚 sister commented on an old Instagram post from Sheggz where he was with Bella, asking him to delete it. That comment was like the opening of Pandora鈥檚 box because after that, WhatsApp texts between the couple were leaked and things were not looking good. For Sheggz, that is.

The texts revealed Sheggz was a man full of talk. He poured his heart out to Bella, asking her to come back after a breakup, saying that he missed hearing her sing Igbo songs around the house. I mean, he could have just put on some Chioma Jesus if it was that serious.

He also laid out a plan for their future, describing elaborate plans for their engagement, claiming that the buzz around them getting married would make Bella the first Nigerian influencer to break America鈥攄oes Jackie Aina know about that? Bella called him a liar and said he鈥檇 been ring shopping for a while now with no headway (he might have been in the diamond mines just for her; she should hear him out).

Like that wasn鈥檛 enough, Bella鈥檚 mother also weighed in, saying that no man will string her daughter along without consequences, and honestly? I live.

Aside from the failed promises, the chats also revealed all the times Sheggz borrowed money from Bella in very 鈥渋nteresting鈥� situations, and when she asked for her money back, he refused and called her names. Chats between Bella and Sheggz鈥� mother also revealed that he owed Bella 11 million naira. To add more shit to the fan, abuse allegations came into the mix, with the leaked chats showing pictures of Bella with a swollen face.

Sheggz, instead of addressing the allegations, posted pictures of himself flaunting a Rolex and a business class flight because the broke boy allegations meant more to him than the abuse ones.

The Lawsuits

The leaked chats weren鈥檛 the end of this debacle because Sheggz’s lawyers issued a cease and desist and a defamation notice, claiming that Bella鈥檚 statements were damaging his reputation鈥攍ike his BBN run hadn鈥檛 done that job already.

Bella鈥檚 lawyers quickly clapped back, saying that Bella was just expressing her emotions and that Sheggz was owing her money totaling over 拢10,166 and 鈧�19.8 million, and their relationship involved an alleged 鈥渂reach of promise to marry.鈥� They also added that one of Sheggz鈥檚 lawyers was contacting Bella at odd hours. If you ask me, I think that was Sheggz trying to make peace, but what do I know?

This is the most recent point of the debacle and hopefully, we get some more updates when they go to court but we know that these things rarely ever move beyond putting out statements on social media. It鈥檚 truly the law firms that are winning.

This story will continue to update as more details emerge.