Category: Celebrity

With the release of her hit singles like ‘Diet’, ‘Get It Now’, ‘Lova Love’ featuring Duncan Mighty, ‘Tiwa’s Vibe’ and the controversial song of the year, ‘Fever’, with Wizkid, Tiwa Savage has continued to enjoy the admiration of music lovers .

She won the award for the ‘Best African Act’ at the recently held MTV EMA’s in Bilbao, Spain. She was also honoured with ‘Afropop Female Artist of the Year’ at this year’s edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Awards  at Washington DC, US. Mummy Jam Jam, as she is also called, performed on the same stage with international superstars – Beyonce and Jay Z – at the Global Citizen Festival in South Africa.

Tiwa, also an actress, made her debut as a musician with the single, ‘Kele Kele Love’, in 2013.

Before Moses Olaiya-Adejumo, popularly known as Baba Sala, eventually died at the age of 81. there had been rumour in certain quarters that he was dead, but it was later it was found out to be ‘fake news’.

He was a comedian and movie maker .

His health condition came to the fore in November 2017 during a press briefing organised in Lagos to shed light on his biography.

During one of his most famous interviews, published in PM News in 2011, he revealed that he had 18 wives and 50 children.

Pirates dealt a big blow on Baba Sala when his celluloid movie, ‘OrunMooru, was pirated in 1982.  He never recovered from the shock.

“This film, unknown to us, was dubbed by some wicked people and pirated as original,” he told told Premium Times in an interview.

“I had never experienced such a disappointment in my life. I was shocked to the marrow and only God knew how I survived paralysis at this period. I was cheated and left shattered. For the realisation of this dream, I had gone to borrow over N1.5 million from a bank to see me through the business. You can imagine how much that translates to in the present day, I automatically became indebted, and I sold most of my properties to settle the debt.”

He will forever will be remembered for his good works which include ‘OrunMooru’ and ‘Mosebolatan’ .

A receiver of many awards, he was conferred with the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) title in 1978.

Seun Kuti, scion of Afrobeats founder,  Fela Anikulapo Kuti,  has been nominated for the 61st Grammy Awards in the Best World Music Album category.

His recent album, ‘Black Times’,  was nominated alongside Bombino (Niger Republic), Fatoumata Diawara (Mali), the Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa) and Yiddish Glory (Canada). According to the Grammys, the category is “for albums containing at least 51 per cent playing time of new vocal or instrumental World Music recordings.”

Since his father’s death in 1997, Seun has led his father’s band, Egypt 80 Band.

The Grammy is scheduled to hold on February 10, 2019, at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, United States.

Seun joins other Nigerians nominated for the awards like juju legend, King Sunny Adé, late traditional drummer, Babatunde Olatunji and his older brother, Femi, a four-time Grammy nominee.

Seun started performing with his father when he was nine years old and in 1997 when Fela died, Seun who was 14 years old at that time became the band’s lead singer. His 2008 debut album,  ‘Many Things’, was produced by Martin Meissonnier, who had already produced two albums for his father.

In 2011, he the band recorded a new studio album called’ From Africa with Fury: Rise’ which was released in April 2011. It was recorded in London, produced by Brian Eno, John Reynolds and Seun himself.

In June, Adekunle Kosoko, better known as Gold, entertained his foreign fans at the popular O2 Arena and finished the year with a three-day concert featuring heavyweight giants, including his former YBNL boss, Olamide, Simi, Asa and others.

His unique way of fusing artistry with his contemporary sound was made more popular during the year.

The songwriter and performer sounds great in his poetic ‘Damn’ and ‘Delilah’.

The 5th edition All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, that lasted four days from Wednesday, November 21 to Saturday 24, 2018 was packed with invigorating activities which had invited guests and artistes from across the continent, Europe, North America and Middle East fully engaged through their stay in the gold coast city of Accra, Ghana. The Republic of Ghana through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Ghana played host to the 2018 edition.

The event kick-started on Wednesday 21st, with a Welcome Soiree where the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Catherine Abelema Afeku, alongside the Director of the Creative Arts, Gyankroma Akufo-Addo, welcomed everyone to Ghana, with ‘Akwaaba’ hospitality, and ensuring them a swirling time in Ghana. In her welcome speech, the minister said: “For the next few days, you will feel the splendour of Africa through AFRIMA, showing the beauty of our continent through music, arts, and culture.”

The following day was the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS), where music executives, professionals, intellects and enthusiasts had interactive discussions and networking on issues surrounding the business of music in Africa, forging ways forward to fully develop the economic potential of the music industry in Africa. This had in attendance South African music legend, Yvonne Chaka Chaka; Ugandan music activist and parliamentarian, Bobi Wine; Ghanaian media owner, Bola Ray; Internationally acclaimed video and audio disk jockey, DJ Van; Nigerian music executive, Kenny Ogungbe; President of the Musicians Union of Ghana, MUSIGA, Bice Osei Kuffour, also known as Obour, and other music stakeholders.

The night of the business summit was lit with performances from various African music stars at the 100,000-capacity Independence Square in Accra. Thousands of music lovers were thrilled with performances from Ghana’s own Sarkodie who charged up the stage with his applauding performance. Complimenting this was Stonebwoy, who also left the crowd yearning for more great music. These superstars were accompanied by other African artistes including Ghana’s Fancy Gadam, Guru, Aletse Tinny, Feli Nuna, Nigeria’s Olu Maintain, Mr. P (of P-square), Mr. Real, Kenya’s Victoria Kimani and Rash Band; South African Rapper, Nasty C, among others, who all gave breath-taking performances.

The city tour on Friday 23rd was a success with the cooperation of the Ghanaian government, had guest guided around the city of Accra. Places visited include the National Museum of Ghana in the capital city of Accra, which is the largest and oldest of the six museums under the administration of the Ghana Museums and Monument Board (GMMB) and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park, where guests were shown the monumental histories of the founding father and first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah.

The AFRIMA team and guest then visited the St. Thomas Presbyterian Primary School in Osu Town, Accra, where AFRIMA carried out its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. Here, AFRIMA presented the school with lots of reading items and school materials including computer sets, piano set, guitar set, and drum set, all brand new, while the nominees and guests had fun time with students, in a game of dance and singing competition.

The entourage was then ushered to the Jubilee House on a courtesy visit to the presidency, where they were received by the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, in the absence of the president, Nana Akufo-Addo. Accompanied by Honourable Catherine Afeku, with veteran Ghanaian highlife musician, Nana Ampadu, where the Chief of Staff reiterated the interest of government of Ghana in hosting ARIMA for the next years (2019 & 2020) before it is moved to another African city. It was a merry congregation, as it had all attending AFRIMA nominees, past winners and other African artistes attending the music awards.

The 23rd night was also the official AFRIMA Nominees’ Party, held at Carbon Lounge, Accra, in partnership with CIROC, hosted by Universal Music. All nominees, artiste managers, and music executives came together in a frenzied atmosphere as this gave room for artiste to interact and exchange contacts with their counterparts, paving room for future relationships and possible collaborations.

On Saturday, November 24, the red carpet was brought to life as African celebrities, music artistes, dignitaries, and diplomats in the arts and culture industry on the night of the awards came with a full display of glitz and glam on the red carpet. There was a showcase of African fashion to its fullest.

The night was crowned with the awards ceremony, a night to celebrate the talents and crafts of African artistes who have done immensely great work over the year. The night saw nominees from the 36 categories produce a winner each, alongside the special recognition awards fully decided by the International Committee of AFRIMA. This uncategorised recognition is awarded to individuals who have impacted positively to the music world using their craft, position or personality. The 5th AFRIMA Legendary Award was given to the internationally recognised South African singer, Yvonne Chaka Chaka. Executive Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, was awarded a special recognition for his contributions towards the growth and development of the arts and tourism sector of Lagos State, most importantly the role Lagos State played as official host of AFRIMA in its last four years from 2014 – 2017.

In what turned out to be an emotional moment for the audience, a special recognition award was given to one of Ghana’s music veterans, Teddy Osei, the leader of the famous Osibisa group, an Afropop band created in 1969. The veteran who was helped to the stage in a wheelchair had been suffering from a mild stroke but was overwhelmed by such great honour.

Nigerian Davido and Ethiopian Betty G became the biggest winners of the night; Davido won three awards for the categories of Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa, and Best A|rtiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary for Odo remix, a collaboration with label mate Mayorkun and Ghana’s Kidi. Betty G, Ethiopian singing sensation, who also gave a heart tricking performance on the awards night, won the categories of Album of the Year, Revelation of the Year, and Best Female Artiste in Central Africa.

Neddy Music Tanzania

Other winners include Shekhinah with two awards for Songwriter of the Year, and Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa; the song Akwaaba, by producer GuiltyBeatz featuring Mr. Eazi, Patapaa, and Pappy Kojo, also won two awards for Best African Collaboration and Song of the Year.

Other winners are Fally Ipupa (Best Male Artiste in Central Africa); 2Baba (Best Artiste, Duo Or Group in African Pop); Bebe Cool (Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa); Stonebwoy (Best Artiste, Duo Or Group in African Ragga, Reggae & Dancehall); Falz (Best African Rapper or Lyrist), Afrotonix (Best African DJ); Toofan (Best African Duo, Group Or Band).

The music village and the award ceremony were broadcast live to over 84 countries around the world in partnership with Multichoice, HipTv and other media partners on the continent.

Popularly known as Alabi Yellow, Samuel Oludayo Akinpelu, has made a name for himself in the Nigerian acting landscape. For about four decades, the actor who hails from Ikorodu, Lagos, has graced many TV programmes and movies, particularly the Yoruba language genre. In this interview with JOE AGBRO JR., Alabi Yellow talks about his beginning in the make believe world and his venture into writing literature book. Excerpts

When did you get into acting and how did it happen?

I started when I was in primary school at  African Methodist School, Ikorodu. Then, I was in primary three. There is a biblical story about Job, and we acted that story on stage and I took the part of Satan that went to torment Job. The audience was large and vivacious. So, when I came out of  the stage, people came and gave me money. Later, I joined my late master, Pa Oyin Adejobi  in 1978. We did a lot of TV programmes.

I think we had two television stations then -WNTV/WNBS and NTA Channel 10 in Lagos. Before I left the place, we shot a few celluloid films, Aiye, from our late legend, Baba Ogunde (Hubert Ogunde). It was shot from 1979 to 1980. Then Baba Moses Olaiya comes in, Ade Love comes in, Ajani Ogun too. I left my master in 1981 to start my own theatre group. And since I have started the theatre group, I’ve made name. God has helped me to promote the talent. The passion is still there.

 There was a time you were very popular in Yoruba films. How was that period?

The period was very okay because anything we did then was with passion. It’s not that money but the interest, the passion was there. When people see you on television or hearing you on radio, people knew these people were special. They saw actors and actresses as special people because they educate people. They teach people what to do and what not to do. I did a programme for John Hopkins Population Communications in the US. It was a family planning programme and I did 13 episodes. It was a joint production with Ogun State Television. So they invited me. I’ve written a Yoruba literature book, A ba oko ku for pupils in JSS 1 to JSS 3. They use the book. It’s in the syllabus.

What informed your writing a literature book?

That’s what I’m saying about talent, and inspiration. If you’re talented, God is there to clear the way for you. When you are from Professor Wole Soyinka, Baba Ogunde, Baba Adejobi, you have the basic talent.

 Are you still in touch with many of the people you started acting with?

Yes, we see each other. It’s only for now that things have already changed. Things are on a digital level now. And we’re looking forward to what will happen tomorrow in terms of our film industry. More so, I think they still need support. And we old ones need more support because they can’t forget us like that.

 You’re on the set of Kunle Afolayan’s movie. How did it happen?

I see Kunle as a visionary. I just phoned him, “Kunle, how are you?” He said, “fine.” I said, “I need a little help from you.” He said, “What kind of help? I would do it for you.” And after that help, he said “I need you, you old artistes. I need your encouragement. We don’t have to leave you like that. We need you. Also, you’re the ones that do a lot of things in our lives.” So, he called me to his office and when I got to his office, we talked together. He has a vision about what he is doing. And he has the foresight. When you have a vision, you need to have a foresight.

 So, what’s your role in Mokalik?

My role is that of Argentina. Argentina is a mechanic assistant chairman that knows much about the mechanic work and he has so many apprentices under him, showing them what they should do and what they should not do. The storyline is fine, very, very educative.

 Training as an apprentice mechanic is something that is gaining currency now in Nigeria. Beyond secondary school, did you get formal training in what you’re doing now?

The whole world needs public enlightenment programme that can educate people on what they should do and what they should not do. It’s only one person that God would send, ‘Go and do this thing to my people and once you do it, when people grab it, they know this thing is the right thing.” This film is a public enlightenment programme and many people would learn that there should be a vocational set-up in life. They shouldn’t just abandon it at all.

 How old are you now?

By next year, I would be 62.

 And when you look at comedy and acting generally, with the training you had  and what is happening now, how would you access the acting industry in Nigeria now?

I like comedy and I enjoy serious drama. When I was with my master, Baba Adejobi, I was trained with comedy and a serious drama.My master said when someone is watching you and for two minutes, five minutes, the people cannot enjoy you, the people cannot say anything about what you’re doing, he says that person is a nuisance. He said whenever you go to the stage, people pick money from their pocket to come and watch you. Once you go to the stage, without even talking, they must laugh. And you should teach people moral education. He said moral education is very, very important and a public enlightenment thing. That was what my master told me. This film, Mokalik, I told you about the public enlightenment – it’s good to have a vision of what you’re going to do. And secondly, you should have a foresight. That is what I see in Kunle Afolayan.

When did you write the book?

That was 1988.

So, what do you these days because you don’t act like before?

What I’m doing now is music. I’m doing something in the church because I’m a Celestial Church of Christ member, evangelising, moving from one church to another for people to listen to word of God. So, I’m an honorary evangelist now.

What moments do you really remember during your active acting days?

There are a lot of things. In 1985 in Ogun State when the people from the United States – John Hopkins, came, our programme was recorded, so they took the film to the editing room for preview. They were seven in number at the previewing studio. I came and saw the white men laughing. So, by the time they saw me, they were very much happy. We embraced, discussed. I think that moment in my life was something.