From Bariga to Stardom: Lil Kesh’s Candid Reflection
Nigerian rapper Lil Kesh (born Keshinro Ololade ) has revealed the emotional toll of rising to fame as a teenager. In a heartfelt interview on The Esther Show , the 30-year-old artist opened up about how his meteoric rise—fueled by the 2014 hit “Shoki” —left him unprepared for adulthood and personal growth.
“Shoki” Success: A Double-Edged Sword
Signed to YBNL at 19, Lil Kesh became a household name almost overnight. While “Shoki” brought fame and wealth, it also robbed him of normalcy:
“I blew at a very tender age. Battling the limelight at 20 was overwhelming. There’s so much fun I could’ve had, so many life experiences I missed. It’s a struggle Justin Bieber and I share—he was brave enough to talk about it.”
The Cost of Early Stardom
Kesh emphasized the gap between his rapid success and personal development:
“I wasn’t given room to grow and learn intelligently before fame hit. Maintaining the brand over the years while figuring out adulthood was tough. I wish I’d learned more before the spotlight.”
A Relatable Struggle
The Bariga-born artist’s story mirrors challenges faced by young global stars, from Bieber to Nigerian peers. His honesty highlights a rarely discussed side of the music industry—where teenage artists grapple with pressure, identity, and lost innocence.
Why This Matters
- Mental Health in Music: Sparks conversations about the psychological impact of early fame on artists.
- Industry Accountability: Questions how labels support young talents’ holistic growth.
- Fan Connection: Humanizes stars, fostering empathy for their behind-the-scenes struggles.
About the author
Adenta Building Collapse Linked to Illegal Construction and Ignored Stop-Work Orders
A preliminary investigation into the collapse of a three-storey building at Adenta New Site in the Greater Accra Region has revealed that the project was carried out without the required regulatory approvals and in defiance of official stop-work directives issued by local authorities. The findings were released by a Joint Technical Investigative Committee comprising structural engineering experts and representatives from the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-Gh), and the Architecture Registration Council (ARC). According to the committee, the incident highlights serious violations of Ghana’s building regulations and raises concerns about compliance and enforcement within the construction sector. The building collapsed on June 3, 2026, trapping five occupants beneath the debris. The victims included three adults and two children. Rescue teams successfully pulled four individuals from the rubble alive and transported them to the […]
Kpandai Residents Encouraged to Promote Unity and Peace for Sustainable Development
Residents of Kpandai in the Northern Region have been encouraged to put aside tribal, linguistic and political differences and work collectively toward the development of their communities. The call was made by the Parish Priest of St. Kizito Parish, Rev. Fr. Moses Nseaminya, during the launch of the St. Kizito Parish Feast, Partnership and Cultural Day Celebration. The event seeks to promote peace, social cohesion and stronger relationships among the various ethnic groups living within the district. Speaking during the launch, Rev. Fr. Nseaminya emphasized that diversity should be viewed as a strength that can drive development rather than a source of conflict and division. He noted that although residents come from different cultural backgrounds and hold varying political views, they all share a common goal of improving the welfare and future of Kpandai. According to the parish priest, meaningful […]
ECG Explains Power Outages in Greater Accra and Western Regions Following Technical Faults
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has attributed ongoing power interruptions in parts of the Greater Accra and Western regions to separate technical faults affecting its distribution network. In a statement issued on Monday, June 8, 2026, the power distributor said a technical fault at the Nsawam Primary Station has disrupted electricity supply to several communities within the Accra West operational area. The affected communities include Hebron, Medie, Samsam, Satellite, Koleman and nearby areas, where residents have been experiencing intermittent power outages. According to ECG, engineering teams have been deployed to the station and are actively working to identify and rectify the fault to restore stable electricity supply as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, in the Western Region, a broken high-tension (HT) electricity pole at Ankasa has caused a separate power disruption, affecting multiple towns and communities across the area. Communities […]
Burkina Faso forme 8 000 jeunes VDP agricoles pour renforcer l’autosuffisance alimentaire
La cérémonie officielle de sortie de la 3e cohorte des Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP) agricoles et de fin de formation de 8 000 jeunes en entrepreneuriat agricole s’est tenue le 5 juin 2026 à l’École nationale de formation agricole (ENAFA) de Matourkou. L’initiative s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’Initiative présidentielle pour l’agriculture et l’autosuffisance alimentaire, portée par les autorités burkinabè. Cette formation vise à renforcer les capacités des jeunes dans le secteur agricole tout en les impliquant dans une dynamique de production locale et de souveraineté alimentaire. Une jeunesse formée entre agriculture, civisme et engagement citoyen Le directeur exécutif du Bureau national des grands projets du Burkina Faso, Hamidou Sawadogo, a salué l’engagement des bénéficiaires. Selon lui, le programme traduit la volonté des autorités de transformer durablement le secteur agricole afin de réduire la dépendance alimentaire […]
Clément Zongo dédicace trois ouvrages littéraires à Ouagadougou
Le journaliste-chroniqueur burkinabè Clément Zongo a procédé, le 6 juin 2026 à Ouagadougou, à la dédicace de trois ouvrages intitulés La fille aux cheveux châtains, Les Chroniques de Clément Zongo et Juste un coup de plume. La cérémonie, organisée dans la grande salle du Centre national des arts du spectacle et de l’audiovisuel (CENASA), a réuni des acteurs du monde culturel, des professionnels des médias ainsi que de nombreux passionnés de littérature. De son vrai nom Alexis Yaméogo, Clément Zongo est titulaire d’une maîtrise en sciences et techniques de l’information et de la communication. Conseiller des affaires culturelles, il s’est distingué au fil des années grâce à plusieurs récompenses obtenues dans le domaine littéraire. Un roman consacré à la lutte contre les préjugés liés à l’albinisme Parmi les œuvres présentées figure La fille aux cheveux châtains, un roman qui aborde […]
Three Rescued as Rescue Teams Search for Trapped Victims After North Industrial Area Building Collapse
Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate and extract individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in Accra’s North Industrial Area following a structural failure that has left several people injured. According to Alex King Nartey of the Ghana National Fire Service's communications team, three people have so far been rescued from the scene and are currently receiving medical treatment. However, emergency responders fear that at least three more individuals may still be trapped under the debris. Speaking at the site, Mr. Nartey explained that rescue operations have been slowed by the absence of earth-moving equipment needed to remove large sections of collapsed concrete and debris safely. He disclosed that the Fire Service has requested assistance from the military, while the Mayor of Accra has also facilitated the deployment of heavy machinery to support the […]
Related
Breaking: WAEC releases 2026 results; 1.2m candidates pass English, Maths
The West African Examinations Council on Wednesday announced the release of the 2026 Computer‑Based WASSCE for school candidates, revealing that over 1.2 million students met the minimum requirement for admission into tertiary institutions. WAEC said 1,200,514 candidates, representing 61.54%, obtained credits and above in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, slightly lower than the 62.96% recorded in 2025. Overall, 1,687,378 candidates (86.50%) earned credits in a minimum of five subjects with or without English and Maths The Council withheld the results of 167,486 candidates (8.59%) over various examination malpractice cases, while about 94.05% of results have been fully processed and released. WAEC added that candidates can check their results online via the WAEC Direct portal and generate e‑PINs themselves, with digital certificates available within 48 hours and hard copies within 90 days
BBNaija: ‘You are the Gambit’ — Big Brother reveals secret to Aikou
During his diary session on Wednesday, Big Brother told Aikou that he is one of two Gambits this season and warned him that his true role must remain a closely guarded secret inside the house. Aikou appeared stunned by the revelation but accepted the assignment, acknowledging the responsibility before leaving the diary room. The twist builds on Sunday’s live show, where host Ebuka Obi‑Uchendu announced that viewers had voted Aikou and Flora as Season 11’s Gambits, guaranteeing them spots in the house until the finale. Under the Gambit rule, Aikou and Flora are now barred from competing for the ₦160 million grand prize but remain full housemates tasked with carrying out confidential missions designed to influence events from behind the scenes. With Big Brother insisting that Aikou’s identity “must remain a secret,” fans will be watching to see how he […]
Veekee James defends always being with husband at outings
Fashion designer Veekee James has responded to criticism over her husband, Femi Atere, frequently accompanying her to public functions. She says their marriage means they share one life and sees nothing wrong with appearing together. Veekee made the remarks in a Snapchat video after a social media user questioned why Atere is often seen with her and suggested that he has no life of his own. She replied that marriage is about unity, saying, “His life is my life,” and adding that she also does not have a life of her own. The fashion entrepreneur used a padlock-and-key analogy to describe how closely connected she and her husband are. She also dismissed the idea that married couples should live separate social lives, insisting that people who “don’t know what marriage is” are the ones criticising her choice. Veekee said the […]
Jude Okoye denies $1.2m royalty diversion claim, says Mr P avoiding court
The former P-Square manager said the claims by his younger brother Peter Okoye are false and should be left for the court to decide. In a video released on Sunday, Jude said royalty payments and financial distributions were made according to existing agreements and were properly documented. He also rejected claims that Peter was removed as a signatory to company bank accounts or denied access to royalty records. Jude said the matter had already been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and is currently before a competent court. He added that bank documents, financial records and digital evidence have been submitted to the court, urging the public to ignore social media speculation. The dispute comes amid a fresh round of public exchanges between the brothers over royalty payments and the management of the P-Square catalogue. Jude said he […]
Troops exhume remains of community leader allegedly murdered in Imo
The Nigerian Army says the operation, carried out by 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation Udoka and Eastern Sanity II, marks a major breakthrough in efforts to dismantle criminal gangs in the South-East. Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said Chief Anyadu was allegedly murdered by members of a criminal gang recently arrested over violent crimes, including the killing of a soldier and theft of service weapons. During interrogation, one suspect confessed to involvement in the community leader’s murder and volunteered to guide troops to the burial site. On 2 August 2026, the suspects led soldiers to a shallow grave within Umudike Forest, described as one of the criminals’ known camps, where the remains of Chief Anyadu were successfully exhumed. The exhumation was witnessed by members of the deceased’s family, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema LGA and representatives of […]
Thugs injure 10 PDP members in Ebonyi, as party seeks security probe
At least 10 members of the Peoples Democratic Party were injured after hoodlums attacked a political gathering in Ikwuator Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The party has called for a security probe into the incident, while the APC has denied involvement. The attack reportedly occurred during a rally organised to welcome former APC member Ifeanyi Nworie into the PDP. Eyewitnesses said the event, first planned for a village square, was disrupted and later moved to Nworie’s private residence, where the assailants allegedly followed and attacked participants. Witnesses said chairs, canopies, a public address system and other property were damaged during the attack. Journalists covering the event were also reportedly assaulted on their way to the venue, with some alleging that their vehicle was targeted and nearly vandalised. The Ebonyi PDP condemned the attack, saying it was […]