My Drive with Qing Madi
From routine to passion Nigerian Afro R&B star Qing Madi knew she belonged in front when her songs just didn't sound right in someone else's voice. She shares her musical journey on her drive.
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Cannes Showcases Africa's Film Future
African cinema has arrived in Cannes determined to blaze its own trail amid signs of a slowdown in investment across the continent from the world's leading streamers. Leading the way is Akinola Davies Jr.'s drama My Father's Shadow, an Un Certain Regard contender that's being touted as the first Nigerian film ever selected for Cannes' official lineup. The continent's vast array of location options, meanwhile, is being showcased thanks to the Cameroon-set police thriller Indomptables, from French director Thomas Ngijol, part of this year's Directors' Fortnight lineup. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'The Real Housewives of London,' NBCU Reality Streamer Hayu's First Original, Unveils Cast Andrew Tate and Brother Tristan Charged With 21 U.K. Crimes, Including Rape and Human Trafficking Susie Wolff Is Putting the F(emale) in F1 The much-anticipated Nigerian historical fantasy Osamede will also have its world premiere at the festival — screening at the Marché du Film's Pavillon Afriques on May 17 — and its makers believe the message Africa collectively wants to share is that the continent remains open for business. During the pandemic-era streaming boom, when the legacy studios joined Netflix in a race to boost subscriber counts, Africa — with its young demographics and large populations — was frequently touted as a promising growth market. But in the post-pandemic reassessment of streaming, when revenue per user became Wall Street's preferred metric for assessing success in the sector (rather than sub growth at any cost), U.S. studios and platforms began speaking much less frequently about their original content ambitions in Africa. 'We've already realized that we want to tell authentic African stories and we don't want to tell them just for local audiences,' says Osamede's Nigeria-based director James Omokwe. 'So Cannes is one of the first places we want to go internationally, for people to see what we've done — to see what's coming out of Africa and to see our first moves out of, you know, the rubble [of the streaming investment slowdown].' Set against the backdrop of the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom, Osamede follows an orphaned girl who happens upon supernatural powers, with the filmmakers promising a 'genre-blending epic that mixes myth, magic and resistance.' The stage-to-screen production is being driven by executive producer Lilian Olubi's Gold Lilies Productions, and it has been picked up for domestic and regional distribution by Nile Entertainment. The move to premiere the film at Cannes is designed to showcase it on a more international stage. 'In the beginning, we were having conversations about how we'd probably take the film to streamers — simple,' says Omokwe. 'But now we've had to figure out how to do it on our own. It's now like you're reinventing the wheel, innovating new ways to distribute the film and make money because as it is, there's no standard value chain, so we're all just trying our best to see how it works.' Amazon Prime's decision last year to cease operations in Africa sent tremors across the continent's content industries. The move cut investment in original content, along with momentum in the sector for mergers and acquisitions. Multiple industry insiders tell THR — asking not to be named to protect relationships and future opportunities — that they believed Netflix was implementing a slowdown of its investments in the region, too. But the California-based streaming giant is still spending more on African content than its peers. African titles in the works from Netflix include new seasons of the popular series Kings of Jo'Burg (season three) and Fatal Seduction (season two). The company also has an ongoing partnership with the Johannesburg-based production banner Burnt Onion (Seriously Single). Back in March — on the sidelines of the Joburg Film Festival — Netflix's vp content in the Middle East and Africa, Ben Amadasun, remained bullish about the streamer's prospects in the region. 'We have seen firsthand the power and impact of African stories, not just on the continent but across the world,' Amadasun said at the event. 'The global audience is hungry for authentic, bold and fresh African narratives, and Netflix is committed to ensuring those stories reach and resonate with millions of entertainment fans worldwide. Our approach is simple: We want to invest in the best African talent, collaborate with amazing local creators, and continue expanding the frontiers of what's possible in African storytelling.' On paper at least, prospects for the region appear full of promise. Some big names have rallied to the cause, with London-born The Wire and Luther star Idris Elba last year announcing plans to set up studios across the region, starting in Tanzania and on the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar. 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'We are also in the process of launching our own OTT platform [EbonyLife ON],' says Abudu. 'We will start small. We will build. But I do believe that it's important to take these baby steps and to get out there and to start creating some momentum. We can't keep waiting on anyone else to do this for us.' Co-productions continue to be one of the African industry's main drivers of investment and growth. My Father's Shadow — which stars Sope Dìrísù and centers on a family reunion around the time of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election — was produced by the U.K.-Ireland operation Element Pictures in partnership with Nigeria's Fatherland Productions. Support has also come via BBC Film and the BFI, while international sales are being handled by Germany's The Match Factory. Sarika Hemi Lakhani spent 18 years working across Africa with the Kenya-based One Fine Day Films (Nairobi Half-Life) before moving to Berlin last year to join Tom Tykwer's X Filme Creative Pool. The hope ahead, she says, is for co-production treaties that balance creative control between those holding the purse strings from outside Africa and the talent the region is providing. 'There are so many untapped stories on the African continent,' she says. 'And that means there are also so many untapped opportunities.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Hollywood Stars Who Are One Award Away From an EGOT 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now
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Wu-Tang Clan: Rise of the Deciever Debuts at Summer Game Fest 2025
In what might have been the most shocking announcement during Summer Game Fest 2025, players are asked to save the iconic rappers in Wu-Tang Clan: Rise of the Deciever. During the announcement trailer, players were called upon by Ghostface Killah to save his brothers—the members of the Wu-Tang Clan who have apparently been kidnapped by the titular Deciever. While not much gameplay was shown, Wu-Tang Clan: Rise of the Deciever looks to be a fast-paced action game heavily inspired by Hip Hop and anime. The game supposedly features Afro-surrealist meets anime-inspired worlds of Shaolin and the Medium, increasingly difficult battle Chambers with fantastical enemies, customization to show off your drip and tailor your fighting style, fully supported three-player co-op with a social hub, and the ability to fight with the powers of the Wu-Tang Clan. Wu-Tang Clan: Rise of the Deciever will also feature a dynamic gameplay soundtrack, including classic Wu-Tang songs and new material, overseen by legendary producer Just Blaze. According to a press release, Wu-Tang Clan: Rise of the Deciever began life as a tie-in to the movie Angel of Dust being which is being worked on by Ghostface Killah and RZA.'Creating Angel of Dust has been an incredible journey,' said Ghostface Killah in a statement. 'Bringing the story to life through film was just the beginning. Now, with the development of the video game, we are immersing fans even deeper into this supernatural thriller universe. Ghostface Killah added, 'It's about blending music, storytelling, and interactive experience. I can't wait for fans to step into the darkness and discover what lies beneath.' No release date was set for Wu-Tang Clan: Rise of the Deciever.
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TEMS' Headlining Set & 7 Other Highlights to Watch for at Inaugural SXSW London
The performance this week by Nigerian star TEMS is one eagerly awaited moment at the inaugural SXSW London, which opens Monday (June 2) and runs through Saturday (June 7), building on the four-decade legacy of the South By Southwest music, arts, film and tech conference and festival launched by four young colleagues in Austin, Texas, in 1987. More from Billboard Marcie Jones, Lead Singer of Marcie & The Cookies, Dies at 79 Peter Murphy Cancels 2025 Tour Dates Due To Ongoing 'Health Issues' Ye Says He 'Dreams' of Apologizing to Jay-Z TEMS will headline The Stage at SXSW London on Thursday (June 5) in an exclusive concert presented by Billboard at London's iconic music venue Troxy. She was featured on the cover of the magazine's May 17 issue. London is some 4,900 air miles from Austin where, in the mid 1980s, the idea of a conference and festival, initially focused on music, was hatched by the co-founders of SXSW: Roland Swenson, Louis Jay Meyers, Louis Black and Nick Barbaro. At the first event, held in March 1987, an expected 150 registrants reached 700 on the opening day. In 2021, following the challenges of the pandemic, SXSW gained an investment partner in Penske Media Corporation (which also owns Billboard) and the film and production company MRC. Two years later, Penske took majority ownership of SXSW. Under its new owners, SXSW has gone global. The third SXSW Sydney will take place in Australia's largest city from Oct. 13-19. This first SXSW London takes place at a time when the creative industries of the United Kingdom are more vital than ever, with the music business finding global success with superstars like Dua Lipa, Charli xcx, Coldplay and others. The event also follows the publication by Billboard of its annual Global Power Players list and its first U.K. Power Players list, whose honorees will be recognized at an invitation-only gathering. Here are seven highlights to watch for at SXSW London. Organizers report that SXSW London will take place across 34 venues, galleries, clubs and spaces in and around Shoreditch, in East London, where former industrial industrial buildings have been renovated and repurposed as offices and residences. SXSW London will feature 862 conference speakers across 500 sessions, 600 performances from 500 music artists and 110 total film and TV screenings. 'SXSW London is showcasing industry leaders and emerging talent at the cutting edge of what is new and future facing, alongside some of the world's biggest talent from across music, film, tech, arts, fashion and more,' the organization states. Specifically, the conference is organized around six key themes: AI, Robotics and Automation; Humanity, Machines and the Future of AI; New Tech Frontiers; Our Future Health; Tech, Governance and the Future of Society; and Navigating Business in a Changing World. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, will offer opening remarks at the conference. Deepak Chopra will give a talk titled 'Bridging Science & Spirituality for a Better Future.' Tina Brown will speak on 'Truth Power and the Press.' Björn Ulvaeus, co-founder of ABBA, will address 'The Future of Entertainment.' Stewart Copeland will be featured in conversation following his recent speaking tour billed as 'Have I Said Too Much? The Police, Hollywood and Other Adventures.' Bellwethers Group, which is focused on building a green economy, is the official sustainability partner of SXSW London and will host the Nature and Climate house with live panel talks and music performances. The design software company Canva is hosting a week of activations and events at its headquarters on Hoxton Square. The sportswear brand Converse is sponsoring the Strongroom Bar and supporting a week of Caribbean music, while also hosting its own music showcase on Monday (June 2). The Swedish automotive manufacturer Polestar is the official auto partner of the event and is hosting a live activation in the marketplace of Ely's Yard, where the luxury sunglass and eyeglass company Ray-Ban also is staging an activation with live music and DJs The Finish mobile game development company Supercell will host an an interactive gaming space and art gallery, along with other special events through the week. Like its counterpart in Austin, SXSW London will bring attention to groundbreaking new businesses. 'SXSW London's International Venture Spotlight Competition is for early-stage startups across life science, biotech, deep tech and creative tech,' the organizers state. 'The 20 shortlisted early stage companies includes start-ups who have developed game-changing innovations including self-healing concrete to improve the lifespan and cut carbon emissions of infrastructure, dissolvable breast implants that allow natural tissue regeneration after a mastectomy, and the world's first dexterous robot designed for minimally invasive neurosurgery.' In addition to Billboard, several Penske Media brands will contribute to SXSW London programming. Sportico will present The Sports Track, examining, among other topics, athletes as investors. The American Pavilion will bring its young Worldwide Student Program participants to the event. Luminate, which provides the data for the Billboard charts, will host a session titled 'Understanding Entertainment Trends Through Data.' Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne will engage in conversation with actor Joseph Fiennes. The Artforum Atelier series of live panel discussions will feature some of the biggest names in the art world. Deadline will bestow its Sound & Screen Impact Award to composer Anne Dudley (The Crying Game, The Full Monty and Signora Volpe, among others). Rolling Stone's Future of Music U.K. will feature two nights of buzz bands from the United Kingdom. TEMS takes The Stage at SXSW London (in the city she currently calls home) following the breakthrough success of her 2024 album, Born in the Wild. Reaching No. 56 on the Billboard 200, it is the highest charting album by a Nigerian female artist. Rolling Stone's Future of Music U.K. will draw attention to acts including the showcase headliners, the English punk-pop rock band The K's and the Afro-Caribbean-influenced indie pop trio Cassia, who hail from Macclesfield, England. Erykah Badu will perform in her persona as DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown. Among the other top names on the British scene headlining SXSW London are Mabel, Sasha Keable, NAO, Alice Glass, Lila Ike, Mono, Sinead Harnett, Mirra May and Idris. The 500 booked artists will be taking the stage at more than 30 venues in East London. Those venues, in turn, will vie to match the musical magic found through the decades in rooms like the Continental Club, Antone's and Stubb's Bar-B-Q back in Austin. Best of Billboard Diddy Judge Rejects Claim That Prosecutors Leaked Surveillance Tape of Cassie Assault Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100
