Cissy Houston, the legendary gospel singer and mother of Whitney Houston, passed away peacefully at her New Jersey home on Monday morning at the age of 91. Houston had been in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, as confirmed by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston.

In a heartfelt statement, Pat expressed the family’s grief: “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family,” while also paying tribute to Cissy’s strength and lasting impact, calling her a “strong and towering figure” in their lives.

Cissy Houston’s illustrious career spanned decades, with highlights that include collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, such as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Van Morrison. Born in 1933 in New Jersey, she was the youngest of eight siblings and started her singing journey early on, performing gospel music with her family. In the 1960s, she gained widespread recognition as part of the R&B group The Sweet Inspirations, singing backup for stars like Otis Redding, Dionne Warwick, and on Van Morrison’s iconic hit “Brown Eyed Girl.”

After finding success with The Sweet Inspirations, Houston launched her own solo career, performing with a diverse range of artists including Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and her beloved daughter, Whitney Houston. Her powerful voice earned her two Grammy Awards, one for her gospel album Face to Face in 1997 and another for He Leadeth Me in 1998.

Cissy Houston was also an accomplished author, penning three books, including Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night the Music Stopped, which shared memories of her daughter Whitney Houston, who tragically passed away in 2012.

Even in her later years, Cissy continued to perform, sharing a memorable stage with Aretha Franklin on The Late Show with David Letterman at the age of 80, where they covered Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”

Pat Houston expressed the family’s gratitude for Cissy’s extraordinary life and legacy: “Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts… we are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us.”

Cissy Houston’s memory will live on through her remarkable musical contributions and the deep love she shared with her family. May she rest in peace, reunited with her daughter Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina.

After a legal dispute over a 2 billion naira lawsuit, Davido and Amaju Pinnick have successfully reconciled. Pinnick initially sued the Grammy-nominated artist, claiming Davido didn’t fulfill his contractual obligation to perform at the annual Warri Again show. The disagreement spilled onto social media, with Davido speaking out against the use of his image to promote the event despite his prior communication of unavailability.

However, both sides agreed to resolve the matter amicably out of court. Their reconciliation was further solidified when Davido extended a personal invitation to Pinnick and his wife for his highly-publicized wedding.

Now, the multi-award-winning superstar has taken center stage at the 2024 edition of Warri Again, where he delivered a stunning performance. Hosted by comedian De Stalker, the event also featured performances by top artists including Oritsefemi, Odumodublvck, Fave, Shallipopi, and Phyno.

Davido’s electrifying set included a performance of his Grammy-nominated single “Unavailable” from his record-breaking album Timeless, capping off an unforgettable night. The headline performance also comes on the heels of Davido’s successful launch of his athleisure collection and sneakers in collaboration with Puma. As 2024 draws to a close, fans eagerly await his upcoming collaboration with Jamaican star YG Marley, which promises to end the year on a high note.

Phyno shines brilliantly on his fifth album Full Time Job, a 15-track masterpiece that showcases his remarkable talent for seamlessly blending singing and rapping in both English and his native dialect. This album, his most dynamic work yet, highlights Phyno’s versatility and creativity, as he effortlessly merges his rich cultural heritage with global music influences.

Featuring collaborations with renowned artists like Burna Boy, Fave, Chip, ArrDee, Cheque, Flavour, NSG, and Johnny Drille, Full Time Job stands out as a vibrant celebration of Phyno’s artistic journey. The album opens with the powerful “It’s Nothing,” setting the tone for an exhilarating musical exploration filled with confidence, introspection, and cultural pride.

Tracks such as “Back Outside” featuring Cheque, the high-energy anthem “Eyes On Them” with Chip, and the lively single “Time Of My Life” featuring ArrDee, capture Phyno’s unique ability to captivate listeners with both melody and lyrical prowess. The deep, soulful connection in songs like “Deep” featuring Fave and “Sweet Karma” with Johnny Drille further highlights his range.

With hits like “DO I” and its remix featuring Burna Boy, Phyno solidifies his influence, as the song has become one of the country’s biggest tracks. Other songs like “Men Don Show Face” with Flavour and “Pinterest” featuring NSG continue to break musical boundaries, seamlessly connecting Nigerian sounds with global audiences.

Full Time Job reaffirms Phyno’s position as a leading force in African music, offering an authentic and globally resonant sound that transcends genres and celebrates his cultural roots while reaching for the world stage.