Nigerian rapper, Richard Dilichukwu Okonkwo, also as Tidinz has reportedly died as a result of a drug overdose.
The rapper met his untimely death on Sunday, 9th of October, 2022 while he was preparing for a show.
The circumstances surrounding his death are still vague, as there has been varying information.
While some say that Tidinz passed out on drug overdose, others have claimed that he was poisoned by one of his bosom friends.
Before his death, Tidinz was a Nigerian Igbo rapper who specialized in trap music, hip-hop, and afrobeat. He also loved to be called “The King of the east”. He hailed from Enugu state. The rapper who last dropped a project, an extended play record dubbed “Rebirth” in 2021, was only 26 years old.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls writer and filmmaker Biyi Bandele has died. He died in Lagos at the age of 54, his family has announced.
According to a statement by daughter Temi Bandele, he passed on, on Sunday, August 7.
The statement reads:
“I am heartbroken to share the sudden and unexpected death on Sunday 7th of August in Lagos of my father Biyi Bandele.”
“Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and filmmaker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father. He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen.”
“He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.”
“He was taken from us much too soon. He had already said so much so beautifully, and had so much more to say.”
“We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of his family and friends as we grieve his loss.”
Born on October 13, 1967 in Kafanchan, Southern Kaduna to parents from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Bandele was studying dramatic arts at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, when he won the BBC Playwriting Competition, and thereafter relocated to England where he had a flourishing career as a writer.
He co-directed Blood Sisters, a four-part Netflix Original series by EbonyLife Films.
His earlier works include Half of a Yellow Sun adapted from Chimamanda Adichie’s novel of the same title and Fifty another EbonyLife production.
He was also a director of the TV series SHUGA: What’s Your Reality; FELA – Father of Afrobeat, a TV special documentary for the BBC, and his self-produced TV documentary Africa States of Independence.
His latest work Elesin Oba, the King’s Horseman, a Netflix Original movie by EbonyLife Films, adapted from Wole Soyinka’s classic drama Death & The King’s Horseman, is scheduled for screening at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.
His novels include The Man Who Came in from the Back of Beyond, The Street and Burma Boy.
Bandele is survived by his son Korede and daughter Temi.
