Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, dies at 48 after battle with cancer: What we know

Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson attend
the Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2020.
 (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

His death comes a day after the singer announced the postponement of her Las Vegas residency due to his illness.

Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, talent agent and her former manager, has died after a battle with cancer, his family announced on Thursday. He was 48.

"It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," a representative said in a statement to multiple news outlets. "Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time."

By Dylan Stableford
Full story at Yahoo News

Mastercard launches Afrobeat and Amapiano Sonic anthems to deepen cultural connection across Africa

Mastercard amplifies its iconic sonic brand across Africa with the launch of two localized sonic anthems, “Wami" in the Afrobeat genre and "Amazwe" in the Amapiano genre. Featuring Nigerian star, Mayorkun, and South African sensation, Sho Madjozi, the new tracks blend Mastercard’s global sonic identity with the rhythm, emotion and culture that define the continent’s vibrant music scene.

Research by Kantar on sonic branding has revealed that it is a powerful marketing tool, enabling brands to achieve a 76% increase in brand power, a 138% boost in advertising effectiveness, and a 17% lift in ad recall. It reinforces Mastercard’s positioning from a payments brand to a culturally resonant brand embedded in people’s everyday lives.

By Staff Reporter

Full story at IOL

Nasboi features Victor Osimhen in cinematic visuals for his new single ‘Friday Night’

Nasboi has released the music video for his latest single ‘Friday Night’.

The feel-good anthem carries delightful melodies, heart-warming lyrics that encourage listeners to be of good cheer, and exciting production from Deeyaso that beckons everyone to the dance floor.

For the music video, Eminent Music, whose stellar leadership has propelled Nasboi to stardom, tapped the acclaimed cinematographer, Director Pink, to shoot a visual that matches the song’s message of hope, joy, and resilience.

By Adeayo Adebiyi

Full story at Pulse NG

D'banj rolls back the years with new single 'Tobari' featuring DJ Obi & DJ Maphorisa

D'banj's latest single, 'Tobari,' is intended to be the soundtrack for the summer

Afropop icon D’Banj returns to the spotlight with a magnetic new single titled 'Tobari', featuring Nigerian nightlife legend DJ Obi and South African amapiano powerhouse DJ Maphorisa.

Known for shaping the sound of a generation, D’Banj taps into his signature charm and leaves you wanting more.

Produced for the dancefloor, 'Tobari' rides the intersection of Afro-house, amapiano, and playful street-pop.

By Adeayo Adebiyi

Full story at Pulse NG

MasterChef and five other shows that survived a major controversy

MasterChef will feature John Torode and
Gregg Wallace in the pre-recorded series. (BBC)

As MasterChef returns with a pre-recorded series featuring axed John Torode and Gregg Wallace, these series also found the show must go on.

Beleaguered BBC show MasterChef is set to make a controversial return to TV on Wednesday, with the pre-recorded series airing despite hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode having both been axed after an investigation.

Not everyone is in agreement that the series making it to air is the right one - some of the women who complained about Wallace's behaviour have claimed that it is disrespectful for BBC One to show the final series that the long-running hosting duo made before their exit. Meanwhile, others have argued that MasterChef has the potential to change the lives of the winners and finalists, who shouldn't suffer because of the production's issues.

By Katie Archer

Full story at Yahoo News

TikTok to centre stage: how Ashlen Govender is striking a chord across South Africa

Ashlen Govender, a 36-year-old musician brimming with passion and dedication, is carving a unique niche for himself in the South African music scene.

Hailing from Richards Bay, a small town on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Govender is currently based in Durban, where he continues to cultivate his love for music.

With an innate ability to sing in multiple languages, his journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

By Lutho Pasiya

Full story at IOL

Despite financial strain, South Africans make a plan

Even though consumers seem to be feeling somewhat less financially stressed lately, there is no doubt that money worries still take a substantial toll on their daily lives.

Debt review company DCGsa paints a sobering picture of debt in South Africa through a collation of numbers on its website: R2.56 trillion in loan balances, R208 billion in overdue payments, and 17.97 million accounts in arrears.

DebtBusters' latest annual Money-Stress Tracker, now in its fourth iteration, found that 70% of respondents have felt money stress this year, which, although an eight-percentage-point decrease since 2023, is still a worrying picture.

By Nicola Mawson

Full story at IOL

You’ve seen the light - Charly Boy reacts as Yul Edochie backs South-East presidency

He says Edochie is now changing his lane.

Veteran entertainer and activist, Charly Boy, has applauded Yul Edochie for throwing his weight behind the call for Nigeria’s next president to emerge from the South-East, describing the actor’s recent stance as a long-overdue awakening.

It all began when the actor posted a video backing the idea of a South-Eastern president, stating that it’s only fair.

"The next president of Nigeria should come from the South-East, in fairness and everything," he said. "That's just the truth and that's how it should be."

By Ibukunoluwa Daramola

Full story at Pulse NG.