Nigerian entertainers who have broken world records

Many Nigerians, and indeed people across the world, were enthralled by a chef, Hilda Baci, as she cooked for 100 hours (four days, four hours) to break the world record of the longest cooking time by an individual.

The record is currently held by an Indian chef, Lata London, who cooked for 87 hours, 45 minutes in 2019.

Though the Guinness Book of World Records is yet to certify her feat, many believe it is only a matter of time, as the body stated that it would be reviewing her record. Saturday Beats takes a look at entertainers who have smashed world records.

Kaffy

Popular dancer, Kafayat Shafau, held the attention of many in 2006 when together with her group, Imagneto, they participated in the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon, and set a record for the ‘longest dance party’. They danced for a record-breaking 55 hours and 40 minutes.

Since then, Kaffy has grown in her career and is currently one of the best-known dancers in the country.

In 2017, she created ‘The Dance Workshop’— an initiative aimed at training and mentoring dancers, as well as promoting cultural exchange.

She also wrote a book titled, ‘Alajoota: Diary of An African Dance Queen’.

A dancer and choreographer, Debbie Odumegwu, aka Pinki Debbie, was also said to have broken the Guinness World Record for ‘Longest Dance by an Individual’ in 2017 when she allegedly danced for 150 hours (six days, six hours). However, Saturday Beats could not independently verify if this record was certified by the Guinness World Records.

Rema

Singer, Divine Ikubor, has come a long way from his humble beginnings in the ancient city of Benin in Edo State.

Ever since he got signed to Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records, he has continued to make giant strides and is currently a globally recognised music star.

The singer broke new ground and got into the Guinness World Records when in November 2022, his song, ‘Calm Down’ became the first song to top the Middle East and North Africa music streaming chart. The chart is said to collect data from 13 MENA countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates), covering a population of more than 300 million people.

As of that time, the song had garnered 388 million streams on Spotify, while its remix with an American artiste, Selena Gomez, had over 717 million streams on the same music streaming platform

At a time when many were still getting to know the singer, he had caught the ear of a former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. In 2019, his song, ‘Iron Man’ made it to Obama’s list of ‘Favourite Music of 2019’.

In 2022, ‘Calm Down’, also made it to Obama’s ‘Favourite Music of 2022’ list.

DJ Obi

A disc jockey, Obinna Ajuonuma, aka DJ Obi, was said to have set a world record for the longest set ever played in 2016 when he played on the turntable for 240 hours (10 days). He allegedly broke a 2014 record of 200 hours set by a Polish DJ, Norbert Selmaj. During his set, Obi was allowed a five-minute break every hour, had to have someone dancing at all times, and could not repeat any song within four hours of playing it.

In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, DJ Obi said, “People came to support me. Schools came by with their students. Mind you, this is in Nigeria, where people think partying is for irresponsible people.”

The disc jockey was said to have begun playing on June 22, 2016, and concluded the set by 11.30 pm on July 2.

Another disc jockey, Oyinka Asu-Johnson, aka DJ Yin, was said to have broken the same record in 2021 when she allegedly played for 240 hours.

Yin had written on Instagram, “I just broke the @Guinnessworldrecords! 240 hours of live set Djing. Still unbelievable, guys! I’m crying right now! Queen Tiwa Savage and everyone who has supported me thus far. Now, let’s set a new world record.”

Saturday Beats could not verify her claim.

Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir

A choral group, the Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir, based in Akwa Ibom State, broke the world record for the largest number of Christmas carol singers in the world, in 2014.

Made up of 25, 272 singers, they performed at a concert in the Uyo Township Stadium on December 13, 2014. They rendered songs such as ‘The First Noel’, ‘Joy to the World’, ‘O Christmas Tree’, ‘Hark the Herald the Angels Sing’, ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ in a set that lasted over 20 minutes.

A Guinness World Records adjudicator, Liz Smith, was said to have certified the choir’s record at the body’s headquarters in London, United Kingdom. She said, “It is now time to reveal the report of the official attempt to break the Guinness World Record of the largest group of carol singers. Our team of highly trained record specialists have reached a decision. The record to beat was 15,674. I can now confirm that your attempt to break the record has been successful. Congratulations on receiving a new Guinness World Records title. The title of the largest group of carol singers has been achieved by Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir. You are officially amazing.”

The choir surpassed the record hitherto held by 15,674 carol singers, belonging to a group known as CENTI in Bogota, Columbia.