“Hello from the other side, I must have called a thousand times, to tell you I'm sorry, for breaking your heart. But it don't matter, it clearly doesn't tear you apart any more.”   Without being a fan of Adele, the odds that you haven't heard those lyrics before are very high, high to the point of impossibility for as soon as she released that song in 2015, vis-a-vis her album, it got massive airplay, not just in the UK but globally.    And just like most songs by Adele, it was largely due to the raw emotions interlaced in the song.  Adele's artistry and lyricism are top-notch, but what makes her standout, is that most people can easily relate to the lyrics, be it nostalgia or melancholy, and she sings in such a way that one can hear the emotions.   All these factors and more have culminated in a successful career for Adele.    However, just like every modern artiste, only the success of the artiste is seen, the pains behind those success or the pains caused by those success are usually hidden.   One might ask, for a sixteen—time Grammy Awards Winner, what kind of pain could she have possibly gone through that will be up to par with the success she has achieved?   Well, for one, she had a father who left when she was a child, estranged when she became an adult and reconciled with shortly before he succumbed to the deathly hands of Cancer and despite what most "Social Media Thinkers" say, the influence of paternal presence cannot be downplayed.    The beauty of this is the fact that she didn't let that weigh her down, okay, it might have weighed her down, but she didn't allow it to weigh her down completely.    It would interest the reader to know that just like every other person, Adele also grappled with confusion over life choices. Her path to mainstream success was not exactly paved because she didn't intend to ply that route.   As a student at the BRIT school for Performing Arts & Technology, she initially had no intention of doing music. Due to a stroke of good luck, she was discovered by major players in the music industry with little effort from her.  But this is where hard work meets talent; after her big break came when she got signed by XL records, she consistently worked towards becoming a better version of herself until she got to the top of her career.    Sadly, it's lonely at the top.   After eight years of being together, and three years of marriage, Adele announced in 2019 that she and her husband, Simon Konecki had split up, although the divorce wasn't finalized until 2021.  The emotional disarray associated with divorce, the pains from leaving a loved one, the uncertainty of life afterwards and more.   All these negativities, and what did Adele do?  She made a stellar album!   She released “30” in 2021, the same year she finalized her divorce. The records broken and sales accrued by that album bear testament to its complete brilliance!    And as a matter of fact, all of Adele's albums have the distinction of being inspired by pain more than anything:   19 (2008) Inspired by: Adele's first heartbreak, relationships, and teenage experiences.  21 (2011) Inspired by: Adele's breakup with her ex-boyfriend, Alex Sturrock, and her emotional journey. 25 (2015) Inspired by: Adele's reflections on past relationships, motherhood, and self-growth. 30 (2021) — Inspired by: Adele's divorce from Simon Konecki, co-parenting, and self discovery.    It's easy to wallow in pain, it's much easier to find sympathy by always telling sob stories, but then everyone goes through pain, and not everyone uses pain as a fuel for greater things.    The lessons from Adele's life will definitely inspire a dejected mind and possibly motivate a frustrated spirit.  Conclusively, as a human, and also as a creative, the pains will undoubtedly come. However, the ability to create blazing glory from the ashes of pain is what distinguishes some humans from others.    As the former First Lady of America, Michelle Obama said, “When Equilibrium is not possible, we are challenged to evolve.”   When the balance between joy and pain does not seem plausible, we must evolve to find joy in all things.    So, will you forge ahead despite the pain or will you allow the pain dominate you?  Shalom!

Recently, the Palmeiras president Leila Pereira said about Neymar, "Great player, but he's going to Santos. I don't know, you have to ask Santos, but not here, he wouldn't come. I want to invest in someone who can come in immediately, who can start tomorrow if the coach decides. Palmeiras is not a medical department. I do not accept that a player signed by Palmeiras is not ready to play immediately. I won't accept us signing a player who's unfit to play."   Though her words might have seemed harsh to the football populace, the fact that the element of truth in those words were high, made the harshness even higher... And for it to have been uttered against a player of Neymar's caliber, it definitely struck a bone or two.    But then, how did Neymar get to this stage?    Full Circle: Return to Santos Football, like life, is a series of decisions, some propelling players to greatness, others leading them down unforeseen paths. In early 2025, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior made a decision that, for many, felt like an admission of failure: he returned to Santos FC, the club where his career began. What should have been a triumphant homecoming felt more like a stark reality check.    At 32, a player once tipped to dominate the sport for over a decade was not heading to a Champions League contender or rejoining an elite European club. Instead, he was back where it all started, no longer as the prodigy who left to conquer the world, but as a superstar whose career had followed an unfortunate trajectory.    His move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, just months earlier, was supposed to be another chapter in his glittering career, but it quickly turned into a nightmare. A devastating ACL injury limited him to just a handful of games, and suddenly, the man once considered the heir to Messi and Ronaldo was no longer a major force in world football. Rather, in his place, players like Erling Haaland of Manchester City, Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid, Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, Vinicus Jr of Real Madrid, and others, were now the prominent players in football.    This was not how the story was supposed to go. Neymar's return to Santos, no matter how nostalgic, was far below where he should be at this stage of his career. It was the culmination of a series of choices that, in hindsight, did more harm than good. And it all started with one fateful decision, the moment he decided to walk away from Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain.     A Star is Made: Santos to Barcelona To understand why Neymar's career trajectory feels like a tragic miscalculation, one must go back to where it all began. Born with an extraordinary talent, Neymar was Brazil’s crown jewel, the next in line to carry the country's footballing legacy. His dazzling dribbles, audacious skills, and an eye for goal made him an instant star at Santos. By the age of 21, he had already won the Copa Libertadores and was hailed as the most exciting player outside of Europe. It was only a matter of time before he made the leap to the big stage.   That opportunity came in 2013 when Neymar signed for Barcelona. It was a dream move; he was joining one of the greatest teams in football history, playing alongside Lionel Messi, and learning from some of the best in the world. In his four years at the club, he won two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies, and, most notably, the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League. He was part of the legendary 'MSN' trio—Messi, Suárez, and Neymar—one of the most feared attacking forces football has ever seen, in recent times.   But there was a problem. No matter how brilliant Neymar was, he was always the second act to Messi. Even when he played a pivotal role in Barcelona's stunning comeback against PSG in 2017 (the famous Remontada), scoring twice and assisting the decisive goal, the headlines still belonged to Messi. Neymar wanted more. Despite contradicting claims by him, it appeared that he wanted to be the main man, the face of a team built around him.     The Pivotal Move: Barcelona to PSG And so, in 2017, Neymar shocked the football world by leaving Barcelona for PSG in a record-breaking €222 million move. The decision was monumental, not just for him, but for football itself. This was the most expensive transfer in history, one that shattered the dynamics of the sport. PSG, backed by Qatari money, wanted to build a dynasty, and Neymar was their centerpiece.   On paper, it made sense. He would no longer be in Messi’s shadow, he would be the undisputed leader, and he would be the one to bring PSG their long-coveted Champions League title. But the reality was different. Ligue 1, for all its talents, was never as competitive as La Liga or the Premier League. Neymar dominated domestically, but injuries, controversies, and moments of indiscipline began to overshadow his brilliance.   The Champions League title that PSG signed him for never came. While they reached the final in 2020, it was Kylian Mbappé who emerged as the club’s true superstar. Neymar’s time in Paris was a mix of dazzling individual performances, long injury layoffs, and increasing frustration. The ambition that drove him to leave Barcelona, of becoming the best player in the world, was fast slipping away.   Coupled with the fact that Messi came to join him at PSG after a series of confusing events at Barcelona, it was becoming glaring that his dream was fast fading from sight.    The Downward Spiral: PSG to Al Hilal By 2023, Neymar was no longer the defining figure of PSG. Injuries had taken a toll, and with Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos leaving, the club was moving in a different direction. He could have pushed for a return to Barcelona, or even tested himself in the Premier League, but instead, he chose the Saudi Pro League, joining Al Hilal for another record-breaking contract.   The move, for many, was the final confirmation that Neymar's prime had been wasted. He was 31, still capable of playing at the highest level, yet he chose the riches of Saudi Arabia over footballing legacy. What followed was a disaster. An ACL injury sidelined him for months, and his impact in Saudi football was minimal. Less than a year after making the move, Neymar found himself contemplating his next step, and the options were dwindling.     Conclusion And so, Neymar returns to Santos, not as the world’s best player, not as the leader of a Champions League-winning side, but as a footballer trying to find meaning in a career that has taken unexpected turns. His talent was never in question. At his peak, he was unplayable. But talent alone is never enough in football. Decisions matter too. And Neymar’s biggest decision, to leave Barcelona, was perhaps the one that completely altered his entire career path.   Now, as he steps back onto the pitch for Santos, one can only hope that he rediscovers his love for the game. The road back to the top may be closed, but football has a way of offering second chances. We wish him well, knowing that the weight of stardom makes even the most talented players vulnerable to choices they may one day regret.   At the end of the day, we are all left with thoughts of what could have been...

“International recognition wo o bobo gbagbe, Shee ye ni maami maje wo o bobo gbagbe.” These lyrics roughly translate to mean “what would I do with international recognition, is that what my mom will eat?” The contextual meaning would be that I don't need international recognition, as it wouldn't help me feed my mum.  These lyrics are from “Prayer for my client,” off the Street OT album released by Olamide in 2014. At that time, he was basking in his national fame and to an extent, his Continental fame, so he can be forgiven for thinking that he would never need to feature an international artiste before further establishing his name.    Funny how time flies.    November 14, 2024, would make it 10 years since he released that song. Coincidentally, he released a single on November 8, 2024, “Hello Habibi,” a sort of remix for the original version of the song he released earlier this year. And you know what?  Yes, you guessed wrong.  He featured an international artiste; Russ. Guess celebrities are humans after all. Opinions can very well change with time (A lesson to not completely idolize a celeb, but that's a story for another moonlight).  At a certain point in his career, it can be said that Olamide has outgrown the Nigerian Music market and needed new challenges. Hence, the need to change his orientation about accommodating international artistes. Even the artistes under his label have featured with international artistes. Funnily, this isn't even his first international collaboration.  He has collaborated with Wale, Skepta, Nas, and more. And there are no signs of slowing down, so it is safe to to predict that this won't be his last international collaboration.  So what may have changed his mind?  And not just him, the number of Nigerian artistes that have done a song with an international artiste is almost becoming too much to count.  BNXN did a song with Headie One off his Sincerely, BNXN album, Fireboy has a song with Ed Sheeran, OdumoduBlvck has a song with Skepta, Burna Boy has a song with J Hus, Stormzy and Ed Sheeran, Asake has done a song with Stormzy, Travis Scott and Central Cee, Tems has one with J Cole, let's not talk about Wizkid and Davido. It is evident that the wave of international collaboration has spread to the Nigerian Music hemisphere.  What then may have triggered this wave? Apart from the distance factors, the fact that the feature fee to be paid will definitely be higher than featuring a Nigerian artiste (no inferiority complex intended), the number of factors that may discourage Nigerian artistes from collaborating with International artistes are simply numerous.  So what are their motivating factors?  Walk with me… 1. Global Recognition: This absolutely has to be the first on the list. Besides going viral internationally which is more luck than talent it is almost difficult to tap into the music market of another country, not to talk of another continent.  This is where international collaborations come in.  As the biologists would say, mutualism has taken place; both sides benefit from the other. The international artiste gets to showcase expertise by jumping on a Nigerian beat, and thus, increases his artistic ratings, and the Nigerian artiste gets to tap a new market, while enjoying streams from another fan base.  Everybody goes home happy.  Plus, numbers don't lie. Compare the streams accrued from collaborations with international artistes with the streams accrued from local collabs. You'll see the difference.    2. Cultural Exchange: Who would have thought we would ever see Central Cee riding an Amapiano beat? Or Ardee speaking the Igbo language? That is what International collaboration does. Not only does it expose you to the side of an artiste you have never seen before or even know it existed, it also allows both parties to exchange ideas and thus exchange cultures, for example, Asake might have learned one or two about the UK music culture and Central Cee vice versa.  Some of you have probably developed a UK accent from listening to these songs.  3. Artistry Showcase: Famous sculptors like Michelangelo, well-known composers like Ludwig Van Beethoven and Mozart have one thing in common?  Let's just save the suspense. They basically had the ability to extend their expertise across various cultures. That is what an international collaboration provides you. The flex that an artiste has for being able to successfully ride a beat from another country, another continent, is simply eternal; It provides an avenue to immortalize one's name. Just within the span of 10 years, the Nigerian music industry has evolved to the point that it can conveniently accommodate international artistes. This is no mean feat in any way.  As Nigerian artistes continue to make their mark in the global scene, we also find other countries artistes equally willing to make their mark in Nigeria.  Word of advice? Delve into the world of international collaborations this weekend and experience bliss, you might just find your new favorite track.  Need pointers, start with Olamide ft Russ. 

Streets flooded with painful tears Pitiful masses wearing pitiful stares,  utopian wishes for blissful years Hope; becomes fragments of a broken glass. Did our cries get to heaven's gate?    An expanding loophole of vanity Slow silenced subjugation of strong spirits who dares to bell the cat of chivalry?  externally stoic, internally livid Did our cries get to heaven's gate?    Widened mouths of wailing hearts  in unity with forlorn faces, Weakened hands of struggling days, legs wearing sneakers without laces. Did our cries get to heaven's gate?      Uncertain paths scream our name the ladder to mercy remains a tale religion calls out to us but has religion also changed?  Did our cries get to heaven's gate?    Are we to continue swimming in this lagoon of unending sorrow?  are we to keep living  in this wasteland of hopeless tomorrows?  did our cries get to heaven's gate?   The ears have heard our cries As their eyes have seen, how pain has tailored our tails  a unified fight to fill the stomach But who can stomach the pain of fighting for all?  did our cries get to heaven's gate?    Self-destruction honed to a fault Cries unto celestial bodies become the norms As we are governed into a mess, With hope for a Messiah's help but to prise happiness into our lives  no one is willing to pay the price Will our cries get to heaven?

On 10th October 2023, three months after his departure from Madrid on mutual terms, Hazard announced his decision to retire from professional football at the age of 32.  For context, David Beckham retired at 38 years of age, Franck Ribéry retired at 37 years of Age, Ryan Giggs did his at 40 years and Gianluigi Buffon retired at 43 years of age.  To some Madrid fans who had been angered by his inconsistent appearances, considering the amount splurged on him, this was a news well-received. To others, who had witnessed his scintillating performances at both Lille and Chelsea, this was just another scenario of a talent left completely untapped.  If the likes of Giggs and Buffon could play into their late thirties, then Hazard's retirement at that age was not good news.    But then, life happens, and football happens.    Hazard's case is simply an example of a common phenomenon in football; a situation whereby a player with promise goes to a team and is unable to replicate earlier forms. More so, the blame cannot completely be on the player because the player has shown his mettle in different clubs and different leagues.  The Premier League is notorious for having squads with brutal defense – defenders ready to send you to the doctors for dribbling too much, and if Hazard could do well in this league, then the problem is definitely not the issue.  Can it be postulated that his move to Real Madrid was ill-timed? Maybe he would have had a longer career if he didn't go to Madrid?  A closer look at the situation around the time he moved to Madrid reveals that he can't be faulted for moving to Madrid, despite the harm it did to his career.    By the end of the 2018/2019 season, Hazard had won every individual Chelsea award there was to win. For a player who likes challenges, there really was nothing to do again, and following the saying of “Quit when the ovation is loudest,” the move was perfect.  But why Madrid?  There are hardly any players in the world that can say no to Real Madrid. This is a fact.  The history of the club, the prestige associated with the club, the lure of trophies to be won and finally (maybe most importantly), the pay… They are simply almost irresistible, a modern-day equivalent of the Sirens' Sea from Greek mythology.  With these, it is evident that going to Madrid wasn't the issue. Rather, the issue was what he did when he got to Madrid.  As painful as it might sound, Real Madrid is no Chelsea. Real Madrid is definitely higher.  Proof? He had 85 goals in 245 appearances for Chelsea, and 4 goals in 54 appearances for Real Madrid. Beyond the number of goals, the reduction in number of appearances says a lot.    Firstly, the injuries. It couldn't have been the injuries. He had had similar injuries and always overcame them, even coming back to do better.  Was it the pressure? Here was a player who had played at the Euros, the World Cup and the Champions League, and shone in these competitions. In the word of that famous commentator, “what pressure? Pressure is for tyres.”    From an ignored perspective, the problem was psychological… Even experts think so.  “Hazard's struggles at Real Madrid were as much mental as physical… He lost his confidence.” — Guillem Balagué, Football Journalist   “The move to Real Madrid didn't work out as planned… It's a shame because he's an incredible talent.” — Steve McManaman, Former Professional Footballer   When Louis Saha signed for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, he spent more time in the OR than on the field. Painfully, whenever he was fit enough to play, he performed impressively.  Sir Alex had to sell him. After he was sold, he no longer battled with injuries…   Think about that for a minute.    Much focus is placed on the business part of football, the physical part of football, the medical part of football. Lesser focus is placed on the psychological part.  From an unpopular perspective, Eden Hazard's woes at Madrid could be as a result of psychological incapability, which eventually led to recurring injuries. Coincidentally, when he wasn't battling with injuries, he was battling with dips in form.  Firstly, the shirt number he was given. Ángel Di María can attest to this. He had a solid reputation before he got to Manchester United, collected the Number 7 shirt and couldn't replicate his excellence, until he left.  An average football fan knows the weight behind the Number 7 shirt. One of the Greatest footballers of all time has made that jersey his trademark number (You already know who it is). One of the greatest free kick takers, David Beckham wore that number.  Not even in Madrid alone, the number 7 is a revered number in football.  The number 7 shirt given to Hazard might have done him more harm than good, in terms of the burden it placed on him.  Loss of passion. Eventually, his ability to get playing time ultimately led to a loss of passion for the game. Football is a game that demands passion: Passion for the money; passion for the fame; passion for the game itself, just make sure to have passion.  Finally, his mental health. If he had had a therapist or someone close to that constantly checking on his mental well-being while he was battling with injuries and lack of playing time, maybe his early retirement would have been avoided.  At the end of the day, it's more of maybes than certainty. No one can actually place a finger on what exactly led to his early retirement.  While we cannot turn back the hands of time for Eden Hazard, we can always pick the lessons. In life, it's either you are a lesson or a legend.  Going forward, clubs should prioritize therapy and psychological check-up for their players. If possible, psychology tests should be added when a player is invited for medicals.  On the other hand, Players should make sure they are psychologically ready before making a move to a big club.  Or what do you think is the reason for the Hazards faced by Eden Hazard?