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Namibian Afrobeats singer Nally dies at 33 in crash that killed seven

A studio microphone
Stock image: Lucasbosch / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Namibian music industry is in mourning after Afrobeats singer Nally Simson, widely known as Nally, died in a road accident on Sunday, 1 November 2026. He was 33.

What happened

Nally was one of seven people killed in a head-on collision between a pickup truck and an SUV at the Elim Curve on the Okahao-Oshakati main road in the north of the country. The regional police commander for Omusati, Commissioner Ismael Basson, said the crash happened at about 4am, and that six occupants of one vehicle and the driver of the SUV died at the scene. Police have not given further details about the cause.

Family statement

The singer's brother, Benjamin Simson, confirmed his death and asked for privacy as the family grieves.

His last post

A day before his death, on Saturday, 31 October, Nally shared a clip of his latest song, 'Untouchable', on Instagram. In the song he addresses critics, saying their words have no power over him. Fans who returned to the post after the news broke filled the comments with tributes, saying the lyrics now felt very emotional. A separate video in which a fan appeared to predict tragedy for him hours before the crash also spread online, drawing shocked reactions.

Background

Nally was one of Namibia's best-known Afrobeats artists and had built a following across southern Africa. Fellow musicians, fans and public figures in Namibia have paid tribute to him on social media.

What happens next

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

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Music
A church choir in red robes sings during a service (stock image)
Stock image: Zeetz Jones / Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Toluwanising burial row resolved as widow and father agree, Woli Arole calls for calm

A close associate of the late gospel singer Toluwanising says his widow and father have agreed to bury him at his Ibadan house, ending their dispute. Comedian-turned-pastor Woli Arole has urged people to stop using the singer's death for online attention.

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The dispute over where gospel singer Toluwanising should be buried appears to have been settled, according to one of his closest colleagues.

The agreement

In an Instagram video shared on Sunday, 1 November 2026, singer Lanre Alewilese said the widow, Damilola Olayemi, and her father-in-law had agreed that the singer should be buried at his house in Ibadan, Oyo State. He described the disagreement as a misunderstanding and asked Nigerians to let the family settle the matter in peace. He also appealed to people to stop attacking the widow, describing her as a young woman going through a very difficult time, and said members of the singer's band could vouch for her character.

Woli Arole speaks

On Monday, 2 November, comedian-turned-pastor Bayegun Oluwatoyin, known as Woli Arole, posted a video in which he condemned people seeking social media attention from the tragedy. Quoting Proverbs 31:8 on speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves, he described Toluwanising as a rare talent, and questioned why some of those now talking about him had shown little interest in his music while he was alive. He urged the public to support the widow and children, and said no dispute could take away the music the singer left behind. His comments came after unproven claims made online by a preacher based in Canada named him and other gospel figures in connection with the death.

Background

Toluwanising, 32, died suddenly on 14 October 2026, and a night of tributes was held for him in Ibadan on 27 October. His father had insisted that he be buried at the family residence or in his hometown near his late mother, and relatives had claimed that the widow preferred a cemetery. His younger brother later defended the widow, as did media personality Nancy Umeh.

What happens next

A burial date has not yet been announced.

Music
Don Jazzy
Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Don Jazzy says he blew his first big music money on 50 bottles of champagne

Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy says he spent his first big earnings from music on champagne and clubbing before he started investing in new artistes. He says that decision means he no longer has to work, and urged young people to invest early.

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Music producer and Mavin Records founder Michael Collins Ajereh, better known as Don Jazzy, has admitted that he wasted his first major earnings from music, and says the lesson changed his life.

What he said

Speaking on an episode of the 'On The Grind' podcast, in comments that spread on Monday, 2 November 2026, Don Jazzy said that when he got his first big money from music, he bought 50 bottles of champagne and went clubbing. He said he quickly pulled himself together and began investing in signing new artistes, adding that, as a result, he no longer has to work.

His advice

The producer urged young people to put the money they earn in their youth into profitable businesses rather than spending it on luxuries. He said they did not necessarily need to start a record label, but should find something lucrative to invest in.

Background

Don Jazzy co-founded Mo' Hits Records with D'banj in 2004 and produced many of the label's biggest hits. After the label split in 2012, he set up Mavin Records, which has gone on to sign and develop stars such as Tiwa Savage, Rema, Ayra Starr, Johnny Drille and Crayon. The label attracted a major investment from Universal Music Group in 2024. He is also known for his generosity online and recently announced a technology scholarship for young Nigerians.

How people reacted

Many social media users praised his honesty and said the advice was useful for young people who start earning early. Others joked that 50 bottles of champagne would be a dream night out, while some pointed out that his success depended on spotting talent, which not every investor can do.

MusicReported
Davido in sunglasses
Photo: OLAMIPOSI DANIEL / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Davido says he would charge $500,000 a show for a joint tour with Wizkid

Davido has reportedly said a joint tour with Wizkid would sell out every venue and that he would charge $500,000 per show. He also explained why the two have not recorded a song together in about 10 years.

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Davido has once again got fans talking about a possible joint tour with his long-time rival, Wizkid.

What he said

In an interview on the IONWANNATALK show, clips of which spread online on 1 and 2 November 2026, Davido reportedly said that if he and Wizkid toured together, he would ask for $500,000 per show because every venue would sell out. He was less sure that a joint song would be a hit, pointing to past collaborations between big stars that he said did not do as well as expected.

On the rivalry

Davido said the two had not recorded together in about 10 years, not because they could not work together, but because they were not in the same mental space. He acknowledged that people have different views on whether the rivalry helped or hurt their careers, and said he had once felt strongly about their differences but no longer did.

Background

Davido and Wizkid are two of the biggest names in Afrobeats. They collaborated in the early 2010s, but fans have long been divided into rival camps, and the two have occasionally traded words online. Davido has been in the news this week over his breakdown in relations with VeryDarkMan and his support for Zlatan's song 'Inferno'.

How fans reacted

Fans were excited by the idea of a joint tour, with many saying it would be the biggest event in African music. Wizkid had not responded at the time of the report.

MusicReported
Nathaniel Bassey
Photo: Emmacas TV / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Nathaniel Bassey becomes first African gospel singer to pass 1 billion YouTube views

Gospel singer and pastor Nathaniel Bassey has reportedly become the first African gospel artist to pass one billion views on YouTube. The milestone came during this month's edition of his Hallelujah Challenge worship programme.

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Nigerian gospel singer and pastor Nathaniel Bassey has reached a milestone no other African gospel artist has achieved, according to reports on Monday, 2 November 2026.

The milestone

His main YouTube channel had passed 1.014 billion views at the time of reporting, with about 5.24 million subscribers. The channel has been active since 2011. Among his most popular songs are 'Imela', 'Onise Iyanu', 'Olowogbogboro' and 'You Are God', which are sung in churches across Nigeria and the diaspora.

The Hallelujah Challenge

The milestone came during the October 2026 edition of the Hallelujah Challenge, the midnight prayer and worship programme Bassey started in 2017. It runs twice a year and draws huge online audiences, with many viewers joining live on Instagram and YouTube. Earlier this week, a plane crash survivor shared a testimony during the programme, and a Muslim woman's decision to join drew attention online.

A non-commercial approach

Some of Bassey's followers have suggested he should make money from the large audience. He has previously described the Hallelujah Challenge as a spiritual exercise focused on devotion and worship rather than revenue. He did not give a public statement about the milestone at the time of reporting.

Background

Bassey, who is also a trumpeter, has become one of the best-known voices in Nigerian worship music. His success shows the growing global reach of Nigerian gospel music, which has produced several international stars in recent years.

How fans reacted

Fans celebrated the news online, describing it as a proud moment for African gospel music.