Simi Responds to Resurfaced 2012 Tweets After Speaking Out Against Rape

Simi Responds to Resurfaced 2012 Tweets After Speaking Out Against Rape

Nigerian singer and songwriter Simi, whose real name is Simisola Kosoko, has spoken out after some of her old social media posts resurfaced online. The singer said the tweets were misunderstood and had nothing to do with any improper behaviour.

The issue began after Simi recently spoke against rape during online conversations linked to the Mirabel TikToker case, which has been widely discussed on social media. In her comments, she said men should stop raping women and that rapists should be castrated. She also stated that almost every woman she knows has experienced sexual assault. Her remarks sparked heated debates, with some users disagreeing with her stance.

Days later, critics on the X app began sharing tweets she posted years ago. On Sunday, Simi addressed the matter in a statement shared on her social media page. She explained that someone had brought the old tweets to her attention, and she felt the need to respond.

“I haven’t been on twitter today – but someone brought a few of my old tweets to my attention and I can’t not address it,” she wrote.

The singer clarified that the tweets were from 2012, long before she became widely known. At the time, she said she was living with her mother and helping out at her mother’s daycare centre while working hard to grow her music career.

“In 2012, I lived and helped out at my mom’s daycare while I was hustling my music. I tweeted everything that happened in my life, as we all did at the time,” she stated.

Simi explained that the posts were simple observations about the children at the daycare.

“Kids can be mischievous. If a child did something I found funny, I tweeted about it. Kids are cute and lovable. I want to hug, kiss and cuddle them. I tweet about it. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion,” she wrote.

She stressed that she would not allow anyone to twist her words to support what she described as false claims.

“What I can’t let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives,” she said.

Simi also revealed that some of the tweets had been deleted because of how sensitive the situation has become for her family.

“My team has been deleting some of my tweets because of how sensitive it is for my family. To be honest, I did not want to,” she added.

Reaffirming her position, the singer said her recent comments about rape reflect beliefs she has always held.

“I have always spoken against rape and sexual assault, even before you knew I existed. It’s not a costume I’m wearing, it’s who I am.

“I’ve never claimed to be perfect. I’ve never claimed to know everything. I said stop raping women. I stand by it,” she said.

The situation continues to stir conversations online, with many sharing different views about the meaning and intent behind her old posts.

Simi maintains that her past tweets were innocent and have been taken out of context. She has also made it clear that her stance against rape and sexual assault has not changed. As online discussions continue, the debate around her old posts and recent comments shows no sign of slowing down.

Zule Zoo to Celebrate 20 Years in Music With Anniversary Concert in Abuja

Zule Zoo to Celebrate 20 Years in Music With Anniversary Concert in Abuja

Nigerian music duo Zule Zoo is preparing to celebrate 20 years in the entertainment industry with a special anniversary concert in Abuja. The event, titled “Ultimate Thank You Party,” will take place on February 21 at Blake Excellence Resort.

The concert marks two decades since the group began its journey in the early 2000s. Zule Zoo rose to national fame with their hit song Kerewa, a track that became widely popular across the country. The song helped introduce their unique “Takuraku” sound, a blend of traditional Nigerian rhythms, hip-hop, and reggae. That sound earned them recognition as pioneers in Nigeria’s music scene.

Organisers say the anniversary show will bring together top music artists, comedians, dancers, and well-known MCs. The night will feature performances and tributes to celebrate the duo’s impact and the fans who have supported them over the years. The gathering has been described as a historic moment focused on music, gratitude, and reflection.

A key part of the event will be a tribute to the late Michael Aboh, one half of the duo, who passed away in 2022. The tribute will honour his contribution to Nigerian music and his role in building the group’s legacy.

Al-Hassan Ibrahim, the surviving member of Zule Zoo, is leading the anniversary celebration. In a statement, organisers said, “This is our way of saying thank you for the love and support over two decades.”

To encourage strong turnout, ticket prices have been reduced to make the event more accessible to fans and music lovers.

For many fans, the concert will be more than a celebration. It will be a chance to relive memories and appreciate the music that shaped an era.

Zule Zoo’s 20th anniversary concert is set to be a night of music, memories, and gratitude. As fans gather in Abuja, the event will celebrate the duo’s journey, honour Michael Aboh’s legacy, and spotlight the lasting influence of their sound on Nigerian music.

Tems Becomes First African Female Artist With 7 Billboard Hot 100 Entries

Tems Becomes First African Female Artist With 7 Billboard Hot 100 Entries

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, known worldwide as Tems, has reached a new milestone in her career. She is now the first African female artist to score seven entries on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The achievement follows the debut of her song “What You Need,” which entered this week’s Billboard Hot 100 at number 93. The new entry brings her total number of songs on the chart to seven.

With this record, Tems now stands alongside fellow Nigerian star Burna Boy and South African rock band Seether. All three acts have seven entries each on the Billboard Hot 100, making them the African artists with the most appearances on the chart.

Tems has continued to break barriers in global music. In 2022, she became the first African artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. She achieved the feat through her collaboration with Future and Drake on the hit song “Wait For U.”

Her success on the international stage shows the growing influence of African music around the world. Over the past few years, more African artists have gained recognition on major global charts, and Tems remains one of the leading voices in that movement.

She may not hold the shared record for long. J. Cole’s “Bunce Road Blues,” which features Tems and Future, is expected to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 next week. If that happens, she will move ahead of Burna Boy and Seether with eight entries.

Tems has once again written her name into music history. By becoming the first African female artist with seven Billboard Hot 100 entries, she has set a new standard for artists from the continent. With another collaboration set to enter the chart soon, her record may grow even further in the coming weeks.