A year of hits, baby daddies, break ups, hook-ups, failed careers and more…

As we all look forward to 2013, Naeto C will be crossing over with a new wife and a baby in tow.  Whatever car he will be driving into the New Year, the MC with an Msc will hope that no one claims ownership of it. We pray so too!

Long before he became ‘badder’ than Tony Montana — the track in which  he featured the Koko Master himself, D’banj — he got hitched to a model, Nicole Chukwueke,  in a glamorous wedding in July, which spewed enough scandals to last more than a year.

First, it was the wedding gift of a 2012 Porsche Cayenne,  sponsored by his former brother-in-law, Dumebi Kachikwu,  and presented by D’banj. It was later discovered that the ‘posh car’ was actually a 2009 model alleged to have been sold by Auto Lounge boss, Larry Onuegbu. Then the blame game began. Next was the actual cost of the bride’s wedding gown specially designed by award winning couture bridal designer, Kosibah, for N1.7m. That’s a story for another day!

And how will we ever forget the antics of our dear ‘Lady Gaga’, Goldie, in the Big Brother House in July? Just as fans were gradually warming up to her, especially since she was the last man standing from Nigeria, Goldie was shown the door after 70 days in the house. The singer’s uninspiring performance, countless emotional breakdowns and on-and-off romance with fellow housemate, Prezzo, were cited as some of her greatest undoings. However, it appears that the pop star, whose iconic eyelashes have been an integral part of her musical career that began in 2006,  found her prince charming in Prezzo. After countless trips to Nigeria, the Kenyan ‘warrior’ captured her heart and the lovers have remained inseparable ever since.

While Goldie and Prezzo chose to play hide-and-seek, long time business partners and friends, Don Jazzy and D’banj,  made their split official in March. In posts on his Twitter account, Don Jazzy confirmed rumours that their partnership under the Mo’ Hits umbrella had crumbled. He described the development as “sad but true.” There had been reports that the two friends had parted ways over some issues, especially Dbanj’s collaboration with American R&B star, Kanye West, and his label, G.O.O.D Music. Dbanj’s interview with American magazine, Ebony,  shortly after, added fire to the speculations, especially where he described Don Jazzy as one of the artistes on the Mo’hits label. Two months after, Don Jazzy floated Marvin Records.

New kids on the blocks- Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and David O.

Besides major concerts and show appearances, Wizkid, David O, Tiwa Savage and Flavour undoubtedly smiled to the bank as a result of juicy endorsements and thriving business ventures.

At the beginning of the year, David O was a relatively unknown singer who had junked his education — he was studying Business Management at Oakwood University, Alabama, US, and moved back to Nigeria to do music. He had just shot the video for his hit track, Dami Duro. Within a few months, he carted a number of awards — including, Channel O’s Best New Comer, Hip Hop World Next-Rated Award and MTN Pulse Ambassador. Yet another American returnee, Tiwa Savage, announced her arrival last year with Kele Kele Loveand has since emerged one of Nigeria’s top female acts. She graced countless shows during the course of the year and sealed a mouth-watering deal with Pepsi as an ambassador.

Scandals aside, Wizkid is one of the hottest acts of the year. His awards also came in tow-from BET, MOBO, Channel O, Hip Hop Award to Nigerian Entertainment prize. The singer, who was also made a Pepsi Ambassador,  acquired new toys-BMW X6 Crossover and a Volkswagen Convertible for his father.

And the wedding bells tolled

It was a year of weddings, 2Face Idibia kickstarted things on February 14, Valentine’s Day when he ‘chose’ Annie Idibia at Club 10, same venue where Stephanie Linus got hooked. He chose a one million naira diamond ring for his leading lady. A few weeks down the line, they signed the dotted lines at a private ceremony. DJ Neptune, Kaffy, Samklef, J Martins, Golden Girl, Sexy Steel, Muma Gee, Niyore, Kefee and Daniel Wilson all followed suit.

Also a year of baby daddies

November: Terry G, welcomed a baby boy with his UK-based girlfriend, Mimi Omoregbe,  while Timaya welcomed his first child, a daughter.  Peter of Psquare is expecting his second child with baby mama, Lola Omotayo.

What better way to wrap the year other than with Tonto Dikeh’s musical fora? Under 48 hrs, Dikeh’s singles, Hiand Itz Ova, became two of the most listened and downloaded tracks, with over 500,000 views. Ironically, Dikeh, who joined the bandwagon of other actors who succumbed to the moonlighting itch to delve into singing, was lampooned and criticised for the uninspiring singles.