The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Splash returns with sophomore

    Splash returns with sophomore

    THOSE who may not recognize her by name would certainly remember the petit lady whose rap lyrics and mannerism rivals Olamide and Phyno with similar ‘craze’.

    Interestingly too, she sings their style of the local language hip hop, and like Phyno, mostly in Igbo language.

    The young lady, whose debut single was Church Agbasa is out with another effort she calls“Ego Uwa”.

    Church Agbasa which brought her to critical acclaim, recorded so much downloads with iROKO TV as one of its vendors. Industry watchers had predicted that with consistency, the young girl has the prospect of taking the lead as Nigeria’s female emcee.

    Those who understand the Igbo language say her lyrics are deep, and with the English language, it is easy to acknowledge that the code-mix is well blended. Expectedly, Ego Uwa may just ride on the success of Church Agbasa for a start.

    “I stepped off the scene a bit to work on myself,” Splash stated. “Now I’m back to give my fans something fresh, deep and of course good music as usual.”

    While away briefly, the artiste was said to have taken some time to re-strategise, moving base from her former label, the HMan-led August Pee Entertainment to join Brodock Music Group, home to the young talented kid, Vito.

    “Splash is a brilliantly talented artiste, and we’re excited to have her with us at BMG,” says Smart, Chairman of Brodock Music Group.

    “Ego Uwa which literally means ‘the world’s money’ is a feel good music, with a socially relevant message, lyrically deep, with the entire recipe that makes a good hip-hop music,” added the Brodock Music boss.

    Planned for release on March 6, promoters say a video will follow in another two weeks. The video is said to have been shot on location in South Africa by Godfather Production.

  • Our CRITICS are suffering from Complex–Skuki

    Our CRITICS are suffering from Complex–Skuki

    Tumininu (Vavavoom) and Atewologun (Peeshaun) Laolu-Ogunniyi, otherwise known as Skuki, are still in a state of euphoria, following the success they recorded in their career in 2013. In this interview with VICTOR AKANDE, they spoke about the controversial video of their song, Silifa, among other interesting issues.

    HOW will you describe your career in 2013?

    It was a great year to the glory of God. The acceptability of our music was really huge. We switched our style and ensured that we were as consistent as ever.

    Could you explain better?

    We switched our style as regards staying close to our fans and keeping them up-to-date on everything going on with Skuki, unlike before. I want to tell you that it really worked for us and we hope to improve on that this year.

    Could you share with me some of the high and low points of your career last year?

    There were really no challenges. And everything happened for a reason. God is in absolute control of all our affairs. As regards achievements, we were appointed ambassadors for Nairabet.com. Also, our single, Voomva video, was in the top five most played songs in Southern Africa and was selected to make the theme song for the biggest event in Lagos, ‘The Lagos countdown’, which came with numerous benefits.

    What benefits are you talking about?

    Benefits na ni…(Smiles). I mean benefits in terms of money and other big things of life. Really, God has been faithful to us.

    What are your plans for this year?

    Our plans for 2014 are huge. Our album will drop later in the year. It’s not only about our music this year; you’ll be seeing more of the music business side of us. However, we are not letting the cat out of the bag yet.

    What inspired the song, Silifa, and its video?

    Well, Silifa is based on a street setting. Silifa is that pretty girl, whom every guy on the block will love to date. Apparently, she is not interested in the guys, despite all the material things they woo her with (She no wan do, like we said in the song).

    The video is inspired by unique quality, which sets apart the richly endowed African women from skinny European women.

    There are criticisms about the choice of ladies you featured in the video, particularly because they exposed their bums?

    It’s people with inferiority complex that say we are imitating the Western world. They argue that why we should imitate the likes of Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Shina Peters. But as far back as the 80s, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s girls used to twist on stage much more than the Miley Cyrus do these days. Honestly, twisting started from Africa; it has always been part of our dancing culture. Yoruba call it ‘redi’. So, why are they rubbishing it?

    But is there any significant relationship between the lyrics and the video?

    Well, it’s all part of the entertainment. Sometimes, the dancing or twisting in the video is for the beat, not for the lyrics. If you study Fela’s music very carefully, you find out that he would sometimes sing about the government, while the girls, who were half clothed, would be shaking their bums in the back. It’s part of entertainment. A music video can follow the lyrics of the song or can just be a dance routine to the beat. It depends on the angle the director wants to take it from.

    How are your parents supporting your career?

    We have the most understanding parents in the world. At times, our mum questions some of our actions, but she still remains our number one fan. Our dad is Mr Laolu-Ogunniyi, a playwright. He did the first ever soap opera in Nigeria entitled ‘Winds against my soul’. He also wrote and directed the blockbuster television series, Abija. He is currently working on the Return of Abija, which we are looking forward to ourselves, as his number one fans.

    And how has his reputation influenced your music?

    His reputation has opened many doors for us in so many ways. As I said earlier, he’s a great man. He did the first soap opera in Nigeria in 1979, long before Vavavoom and Peeshaun were born. He was the first movie producer to shoot outdoor scenes in Nigeria; and today, you can’t talk about the success of Abija, without our dad. This really helps our career, especially when people get to know he’s our father.

    What kind of person is he?

    He is very generous and kind-hearted man, though he is a disciplinarian. But it’s all for our good.

    I call him the unsung hero in Nollywood. When there was no Nollywood or movie industry in Nigeria, our dad had been doing movies.

  • Omotola tours Ghandour Cosmetics’ facilities

    Omotola tours Ghandour Cosmetics’ facilities

    NOLLYWOOD star actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, is currently on a tour of facilities at Ghandour Cosmetics Ltd, Ghana.

    The visit was necessitated following her appointment as the face of the company’s BO-16, a hair care range of products.

    The multimillion naira deal, signed earlier in the month, was witnessed by her manager, Michael Djaba, and Ali Jihami, Marketing Manager, Ghandour Cosmetics Ltd., at the Protea Hotel, Lagos.

  • NEO PHLAMES SET TO DROP ‘SHAWDY SAY’

    NEO PHLAMES SET TO DROP ‘SHAWDY SAY’

    REGGAE dancehall musician, Adeniyi Babatunde Adewoyin, popularly known as Neo-Phlames, is set to drop a new single titled “Shawdy say”.

    Phlames already is optimistic that the song will be a club banger, which will enjoy massive rotation among DJs across the country.

    According to him, “Shawdy is different. I believe it will be well received by the vast majority of Nigerian music lovers as the tune is fresh.

    Shawdy is produced by MD Hazz, one of the fast- rising producers.”

    The Lagos State-born singer, who discovered his musical talent in his secondary school days alongside a friend, explained how hard it was doing music back then due to low funds and unwilling sponsors.

    Shawdy, who holds a national diploma from the Lagos State Polytechnic, further said that his music is influenced by his guitarist father as well as Sean Paul ,Fela Anikulapo Kuti ,Bob Marley and Lucky Dube, among others.

    The young artiste, who intends to make music a full- time career after his studies, released his latest track, Be Mine, late last year.

  • Ice Prince, Princess thrill Abuja kids

    Ice Prince, Princess thrill Abuja kids

    HIP hop star, Panshak Henri Zamani, a.k.a Ice Prince, and comedienne, Oluwadamilola Adekoya, a.k.a Princess, recently treated children in Abuja to a weekend of fun at an event put together by the wife of House of Representative member, Mrs. Temitope Adeola, to mark the official launching of Kidz Pleaure Family Fun Fair.

    The fun-filled event was a perfect weekend for parents to spend quality time with their kids.

    Ice Prince regaled the children with beautiful lyrics from his collection of songs, while Princess thrilled the kids with her jokes.

    DJ Humility (Afagwu Benedict) displayed his dexterity behind the turntable, as Fireman and other acts put up scintillating performances.

    Princess commended Mrs. Adeola for the initiative to put such an event together for families.

    According to her, “This is a very nice initiative. Children want people who can play with them and make them laugh. They have varieties of things to play with, including the bull, bouncing castle and car racing. Next time, the kids from other schools should be invited, so that they can see their friends from other schools.”

  • Lil Prince Ameen unveils Coming Thru

    Lil Prince Ameen unveils Coming Thru

    FOR Ameen Oba, popularly known as Lil Prince Ameen, there cannot be any better time than now to announce his presence in the Nigerian music circle, as he recently launched his debut album,Coming Thru at the Grasshopper Place, Festac Town, lagos, amidst applause.

    A galaxy of artistes, including Sound Sultan, African China, Godwon and Baba Dee, among others, had joined the young act, who had previously released a number of singles, on the stage during the event.

    In a chat with The Nation, he said his inspiration comes from gospel songs, adding that “I felt I could do make beats and sing.”

    The Pop R n B singer, however, revealed that he could not develop his talent until he met the trio of Sound Sultan, African China and Baba Dee, who gave him some tips on how to succeed in the industry.

    In 2005, his musical career slowed down when he ventured into beat production. “The problem with up and coming artistes is that they don’t seek advice from older colleagues. They always think they can do everything in their own way. I can say that my music is becoming more popular because of the advice I got from Baba Dee and Sound Sultan.

    He said his parents are in total support of his choice of career, having obtained his degree in Agricultural Economics from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

  • HALIMA ABUBAKAR signs new artiste

    HALIMA ABUBAKAR signs new artiste

    MODEHOUSE Entertainment, a production outfit owned by Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar, is set to unveil Issa Abubakar, alias Yung Issy, as an officially signed artiste under its management.

    The outfit is also planning to premiere its new single titled, Fine Girl, produced by Chimbalin, a.k.a. Mr. BigBeatz.

    Yung Issy, whose style has been described as rap music synchronised into R and B with a bit of hip-hop, also fuses classical and local lyrics to create a different style of music.

    The graduate of Business Administration from the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin said, “I love music. But initially, I didn’t really know I was going to someday go into the studio to record tracks for an album. I started out professionally in 2004. We are planning to release my album this year, but all the plans rest with my management, Modehouse Entertainment. We are still working on promoting the singles to the mainstream of Nigerian entertainment industry.”

    He has already recorded two singles, Way 2 Success produced by Jamiu Drum Dealer and Blow Mind.

  • Kenechukwu Anthony launches Open Door

    TODAY, lovers of gospel music will have another exciting moment of spiritual bliss, as Kenechukwu Anthony, a member of the Christ Life and Image Church will play host to dignitaries from different walks of life who will be attending the launch of his album entitled Open Door.

    The event, which will hold inside the church auditorium in Akowonjo, Lagos, will be chaired by Barr. Emeka U. Opara.

    Expected to grace the events are Chief Eugene N. Ibeaha, Chairman, De Ross Water Limited, Barrister Emeka U. Opara and Bishop Rueben Ifovboa, among others.

  • KELANI’S double celebration

    KELANI’S double celebration

    IT was a day of joy last Sunday when Tunde Kelani’s Mainframe Production team was announced as winner of the Culture Shift 3 Hackaton workshop organised by the British Council and Co-Creative, a programme created to engage creative entrepreneurs and organisations to use technology in providing solutions to some challenges.

    Culture Shift started last year on the ideation stage with 15 companies competing and six companies getting shortlisted to progress to the Hackathon stage and the selection of a winner.

    By building mobile app called Opomulero, Mainframe presented a platform for Yoruba Global Content, including movies, trailers, musical videos, teleplays and the likes across mobile, web and internet TV. The app would run on Android, Ios, blackberry and other operating systems.

    For TK, as he is fondly referred to in the movie industry, it was double celebration as the announcement came up three days to his birthday on Wednesday, February 26. “I am excited about this and this platform is like a birthday present to me. I am not planning any party this year, but I believe that it has been marked by this milestone. I wish to thank my family, friends, benefactors, supporters and audience for your love and support,” Kelani said.

    The veteran cinematographer, who unveiled a new logo on his birthday, added that “there are a lot of goodies in 2014: Dazzling Mirage, a new film set for release soon; Omuti-Palmwine Drinkard (stage re-adaptation); YEEPA Solaarin Nbo (stage) and Opomulero, a platform for Yoruba Global Content.”

  • YMAA: Posthumous honour for Bisi Komolafe

    YMAA: Posthumous honour for Bisi Komolafe

    THE organisers of the Yoruba Movie Academy Awards (YMAA) have set plans in motion to honour the late actress, Bisi Komolafe, alongside other movie legends like the late Duro Ladipo, late Kola Ogunmola, Professor Akinwunmi Ishola, Lanre Hassan and Adebayo Falaeti.

    The event is scheduled to hold on Sunday, March 30, at the Civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    According to Tunde Oshinibosi, a.k.a Laface, the award ceremony is hinged on objectivity, transparency, trust and reliability. “YMAA is a celebration of creativity in the Yoruba movie industry. It will light up the cultural and historic city of Ibadan, amidst glamour, style and paparazzi,” he said.

    Komolafe’s sudden death at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan at the age of 27 on December 31, 2012 sent shockwaves through the industry.

    The late actress attended St. Louis Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan and later studied Business Administration at Lagos State University (LASU).

    The second child in a family of five children, Komolafe started her career in theatre as part of her drama unit. She later went into professional drama when she joined the Odunfa Caucus, while waiting to gain admission into LASU.

    Komolafe is credited to have produced four major movies including Latonwa, Oka, Igboro ti Daru and Eja Tutu. She also starred in numerous movies such as Aiye Ore Meji, Leyin Mi, Irawe Oke, Akanmole, Apere Ori, Omolomo Larin Ero, Eberu Bojo and Mofe Jayo Ebute, among others.