Entertainment Gists
#EPL – English Premier League Team of The Year

After the 2017-18 Premier League season came to an end on Sunday, AFP Sports presents its Team of the Year, playing in a 4-3-3 formation:
Goalkeeper
David De Gea (Manchester United)
The 27-year-old remains arguably the world’s top stopper and, with reported interest from Real Madrid, United boss Jose Mourinho has made it clear there is “no chance” he will allow the Spaniard to be sold this summer after another rock-solid season.
Defenders
Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
The England right-back forced his way out of Tottenham last year because he felt City offered a better chance of winning silverware.
The move paid rich dividends as Walker celebrated Premier League and League Cup triumphs while his old club finished empty-handed.
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
Marshalled by the Belgium centre-back, Tottenham boasted one of the Premier League’s most imposing defences, prompting boss Mauricio Pochettino to declare: “He is one of the best in Europe.
He looks like a 20-year-old because it is easy for him to run, he’s like my new dog!”
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he does not expect to see the best of Van Dijk until next season.
That should be a daunting prospect for opposing strikers after the Dutch centre-back’s superb form following a £75 million ($102 million) move from Southampton in January that made him the world’s most expensive defender.
Ashley Young (Manchester United)
Operating mainly at left-back, Young has emerged as an integral figure in United’s defence after successfully making the transition from his previous role on the wing.
“For the last couple of seasons, there were lots of doubts. He is now an important member of our squad,” Mourinho said.
Midfielders
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Although he was pipped to the PFA player of the year award by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, De Bruyne finished the season widely rated as the driving force behind City’s title success.
“Maybe in numbers there are guys better than him, but no there is no better player in this season. For me he was the best,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.
Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
“Now you know why I call him ‘Golazo’,” grinned Pochettino as he saluted Eriksen’s sublime contribution to a 3-1 victory that secured Tottenham’s first success at Chelsea for 28 years.
Eriksen is Tottenham’s chief creator but, as he showed against Chelsea, he can also conjure superb goals. “You can see he is so important for us. Eriksen makes the team play,” Pochettino added.
David Silva (Manchester City)
While other City stars may have hogged the spotlight, Silva is the quiet catalyst for their success.
The diminutive Spaniard’s metronomic passing makes the champions tick and, recognising a tenacious spirit that belies his diminutive stature, Guardiola hailed him as “a huge competitor”.
Forwards
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Egypt ace enjoyed an incredible debut season with Liverpool as he rewrote the record books with a goal blitz that makes his £34 million price tag look like the bargain of the century.
Salah’s arrival from Roma was greeted with ambivalence after a lacklustre spell with Chelsea, but just nine months later his astonishing 44-goal haul, featuring a record 32 in the league, has catapulted the 25-year-old to superstar status.
Harry Kane (Tottenham)
For all the jokes about Kane’s successful appeal to have a goal credited to him instead of Eriksen recently, it is that ruthless nature that makes the England international “the world’s best striker” according to Pochettino.
Kane was at his deadly best throughout another impressive campaign that saw him break Alan Shearer’s Premier League record by reaching 39 goals in a calendar year.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Aguero, already idolised for his famous title-winning goal in 2012, was enshrined forever as a City legend after becoming the club’s record goalscorer this season.
And the Argentine insists Guardiola deserves the credit for his prolific form. “Being able to adapt to Pep’s playing style has a large contributing factor in my form this season,” he said.
Entertainment Gists
RUAN-Badkid.96: The Unfiltered Voice Recommitting African Sound to Truth

RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.
Inspired by both African culture and international music, RUAN-Badkid.96 embraces the confidence and ambition of global hip-hop while staying deeply connected to his roots. His lyrics explore love, heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, social injustice, hope, and the everyday realities of life. He doesn’t create music to follow trends, he creates music to reflect truth, emotion, and human experience.
Behind his fearless image is an artist who believes in kindness, equality, justice, and genuine human connection. His appearance may be intimidating, but his message is rooted in compassion and authenticity. Every record carries a piece of his journey, proving that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same voice.
For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.
Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
Entertainment Gists
Uncle Wisdom The Mind Behind The Motion – Talent Manager/A&R
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
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