The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Birth of a mobile night club

    Birth of a mobile night club

    A unique club experience took Port Harcourt by storm penultimate Friday, leading fun seekers in their hundreds to the Aztech Arcum, located at the city centre. Tagged the Gulder Club Ultimate, the makeshift venue was shaken to its very foundation by music blaring from the repertoire of famous Lagos Disc Jockey, DJ Humility.

    A little fun drama here and there, as Channel O VJ and host for the debut edition of activation, Denrele Edun, brought ladies to the dance floor, frolicking in pretentious competition.

    The first in a series of what organisers call a city-to-city experience, notable at the VIP arena housing officials of Nigerian Breweries Plc, were famous celebrities like, filmmaker Kunle Afolayan; Wazobia Radio personality, Yaw; comedian Tee A; music star, DJ Zeez, Tunde Ednut and Nollywood actress, Beverly Naya, among others.

    The presence of the stars speaks about the class of the show, and with Denrele’s nine appearances in different jackets, there was no telling anyone of the uniqueness of the club session.

    Designed by Remi Buttons, Denrele’s outfits dominated talks all through the night, and fashion pundits say the red carpet host has outdone himself this time.

    Denrele had showcased four crazy and unique jackets on the red carpet and five other daring blazers during the entire event with each jacket costing over N100, 000.

  • Words Aren’t Just Enough for Waje, December

    Words Aren’t Just Enough for Waje, December

    WITH months of relentless effort on the tow, hiphop artiste WAJE is set to release her second work and first album titled W.A.J.E, Words Aren’t Just Enough under Waje Music Entertainment come December 2013.

    Though the release date is yet to be confirmed, information has it that the album, a 14 tracker, features Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, M.I, Phyno, Eva and is produced by Del B, Spellz, E-Kelly, Sizzle Pro, Cobhams Asuquo, J. Martins, Pappy J, Leriq, and M.I

    Tracks in the album include I Wish, produced by Pappy J, which also serves as the project’s lead single and has been enjoying massive airplay. Other tracks include Oko Mi, Onye featuring Tiwa Savage; Ijeoma, Fine Girl, Grind featuring Burna Boy, Time Na Money, No Be You, Higher, Black & White featuring Eva and Phyno, Only You feat. M.I, Na the Way (Remix) featuring Sarkodie and J. Martins, No Tomorrow as well as One More Time.

  • Honours for Onyeka Onwenu

    Honours for Onyeka Onwenu

    ELEGANT Stallion, Onyeka Onwenu, was recently bestowed with a Life Time Achievement honours, courtesy The Image Awards of the Nigerian Reunion Corporation, an organisation based in the USA and dedicated to promoting unity among Nigerians both at home and the Diaspora.

    The award, which was held in Houston, Texas, on July 6, had top personalities from the Nigerian society in the US in attendance. In her acceptance speech, an excited and elated Onwenu said: “I am really honoured to receive this award today. This is a testament to the fact that my works have had a profound impact here in the US. I am greatly encouraged to continue to strive to contribute my own quota towards the growth and development of Nigeria through my gifts and talent. I am proud to be identified with the Image Awards of the NRC. ”

    Onyeka, one of Nigeria’s foremost divas, received her award alongside other Nigerians including Trybe Records label CEO and artiste, Eldee, and Chido Nwangwu, CEO of US Africa.

  • Obesere, Taiye Currency, others storm Ibadan for Oyo Mega trade fair

    Obesere, Taiye Currency, others storm Ibadan for Oyo Mega trade fair

    POPULAR Fuji crooner, Obesere, will be leading the pack of entertainers who are billed to storm Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, for the forthcoming 10-day Oyo Mega Trade Fair 2013, holding in the state capital in August.

    The entertainers, including another popular Fuji artiste, the Ibadan-based Taiye Currency, Yinka James and Adetoun, will perform at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, venue of the trade fair which comes up between August 9 and 18.

    According to the entertainment consultant to the trade fair, Femi Odewole, Obesere and Taiye Currency, as well as other artistes billed to perform at the 10-day marketing event, have confirmed the deal. Odewole, who himself is a highlife musician leading Femi Odewole and his Guitar Band, said visitors to the trade fair will be entertained with cross-over music, featuring various types of music such as hip hop, apart from fuji and juju.

    According to him, there will be no dull moment throughout the exhibition as an event DJ will start playing delightful music from 12 noon while live bands will take over from 5.00 pm daily.

    The Oyo Mega Trade Fair will feature over 1,000 corporate organisations showcasing their goods and services and attract over 300,000 visitors at a daily average of 30,000 visitors. Odewole said adequate security arrangements have been put in place while foolproof traffic measures have been worked out ahead of the event, according to the organisers.

  • Nonso Diobi spots new look

    Nonso Diobi spots new look

    WONDERING where one of Nollywood’s superstars, Nonso Diobi, has been? Information has it that the Glo ambassador, who has been lying low for a while, was spotted last weekend with some friends at the premiere of Moses Inwang’s Torn, which took place at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, wearing a blonde look. He was later at N-tyce on Victoria Island for the after-party.

    Judging by his appearance, the actor, who also deejays as a pastime, showed his fans that he is still much around, and has other things he is committed to aside acting.

    Other notable faces at the premiere included: Femi Ogedengbe, Padita Agu, Alex Mouth, and Yemi Blaq.

  • My relationship with Ayo Adesanya—Nollywood actor, Femi Brainard

    My relationship with Ayo Adesanya—Nollywood actor, Femi Brainard

    Femi Brainard, a regular face on a number of TV series and a cross-over actor, has been described as one of the scandal-free actors in Nollywood. The artiste recently quit bachelorhood when he took his heartthrob, Uche Nwokocha as wife. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUKANMI, Brainard talks about life as a married man and how they both manage their time, among other issues.

    APART from your pet project, what other thing do you have at hand at the moment?

    Apart from my project, I also dabble into events running and management

    Would it be right to say that you have been cutting down on movies lately?

    I’ve not been cutting down on movies. I must admit, I do more of soaps because it’s longer lasting.

    Could it be that being married is keeping you away from acting?

    Marriage is not taking me away from acting. It’s my first love

    How would you describe your present status, compared to when you were single?

    My present status is more serene as opposed to when I wasn’t married. I see life differently now.

    Tell us, what attracted you to your wife?

    The major attraction to my wife was and still is her zeal in wanting to help others and her calm mien.

    As a public figure married to a public figure too, how do you manage your time together?

    As a public figure, family comes first. You go out to hustle but make sure you come home. The day you start allowing your hustle to take first place in your life, then your home becomes a house.

    How long have you known each other?

    We’ve been together for a long while.

    When did you make up your mind to settle down?

    I finally made up my mind to tie the knot when I noticed that I was empty without her.

    A number of actors and actresses are known to have ventured into producing and directing; do you also have interest in this area?

    Actors make good producers and directors because they started from scratch. I’ll eventually become one

    Now that you are married, how do you ward off your female admirers, especially those who tend to be aggressive?

    To my female fans I say a big thank you but I never allow them get in my way.

    Have you been to a public function with your wife and you had to deal with a female fan who makes advances at you?

    God has been kind to me and I do my best possible to carry people along.

    What do you consider as a good script?

    A good script has to teach good morals and have a ting of social thrust

    How do you manage, married to a lady from another tribe?

    I fail to see the proverbial tribe barrier. We all have our different culture though. This presupposes that both parties respect that, list or no list

    When you are not busy moving from one set to another, what do you do?

    When I’m not shooting, I’m at home.

    Who would you say are your mentors in the industry?

    My mentor is Olu Jacobs.

    What was it like working with Hollywood stars that came in for Doctor Bello?

    Working with Isaiah Washington and our home grown celebs was like working with any other person; great as always.

    Having featured in the movie, what do you think about cancer, the theme on which the movie is centered?

    I honestly think there is a cure for cancer and other life threatening diseases, but Man is yet to patent it.

    What would you say to aspiring talents looking forward to making a stand in the industry?

    They should look to loving what they do before jumping into it. It can be a rough road. They shouldn’t go looking for fame only.

    What are some of the awards you have won as an actor?

    I have received quite a number of awards. Some of them include Best Actor, English African Award, UK 2011 and Merit Award for Best Actor on Educational Development by Upper Hands Consult 2009.

    What can you remember about you childhood?

    I loved cowboys and guns as a kid. Back then, I used to make gun holsters with cardboard papers, clip it to my belt and stick my toy gun in it.

    If given the chance, what would you change about yourself?

    I would change my mood swings. I can be annoyingly quiet at times.

    What would you have done, if you were not into acting?

    I would love to have been a farmer. I love planting and seeing things grow. But Ayo Adesanya said no, that I should try my hands on acting. It was her who took me to Uncle Tunji Bamishigbin and that was it. Professionally, I started acting in 1997.

    How would you describe your relationship with Ayo Adesanya?

    She is a friend, colleague and family. We met like about 14years ago and thought I would fare better in entertainment. That was how it began. My first scene ever was with Funsho Adeolu, which didn’t go down well because I was scared when I saw the camera. It wasn’t funny. I rehearsed my lines with Funso Adeolu and Jide Alibi then. They took me through the ropes, told me it was easy. I had gotten my lines, only for me to see the camera, hear the word “action” and everything I had read grew wings. Uncle T was so mad at me. I got home that day feeling dejected because I had let everybody down. Little did I know about editing, only for me to see myself on screen that same day in the rested soap opera, Palace. I liked it and made up my mind to shape up or ship out. I felt it was something I could do with the support of my parents.

    What was it like shooting the movie Love is not Enough?

    It was fun being on that set. The story is actually about the character of Ken played by my humble self. He finds his true love in Adesuwa, but is still hunted by his ex-girlfriend, Patra. Patra jilted Ken because he couldn’t foot her expensive lifestyle. But out of the blues, she wants him back. A battle then ensues. I believe viewers will learn from the movie because the first thing I learnt was and is to be contented with what you have. If God creates the chance for more, then go ahead and have some more. Otherwise, what you have at hand should be enough for you.

    Which would you say brought you to limelight, movie or soaps?

    It wasn’t a film that brought me to the limelight. It was the rested soap opera Palace produced by Tunji Bamishigbin, followed by Tajudeen Adepetu’s Everyday People. My first film was Contractors 1&2 produced by Messrs Tunji and Ralph.

    How would you describe your career so far?

    It has been wonderful, with a bit of ups and downs. Life is not a bed of roses. Gone are the days when opportunities came in droves. Now, you have to create the opportunities via friends and loved ones. But it’s been fun. The beauty of being an actor is that you get to play the role of so many people, hence, the versatility of actors worldwide. It’s more interesting when you are on a set with like minds. It makes the job go faster; like minds being old and new actors.

  • Before the X Factor is rebuffed

    Before the X Factor is rebuffed

    ONE attribute that has characterised competition in this part of the world is the inability of the loser to accept defeat. Now, the average talented contender can go to sleep, knowing that the SMS voting pattern, employed in most reality shows can fill the gap. Indeed, this method has upturned results that could have gone the ways of more talented participants.

    The first time I noticed this obvious case of this deficiency was two years ago, Vickiola was kicked out of the Glo Naija Sings competition as first evictee, and viewers who thought she probably did better than one or two participants did not feel too good about her abrupt exit. Even some judges of the competition who saw the prospect in the lady couldn’t do anything to keep her in the house.

    What did she get afterwards? The usual words of consolation that says a competition is a platform for artistes to show and develop their talents. Such phrases like; ‘win or lose, the experience and exposure is the most important.’ I’d wondered how much experience a girl like Vickiola acquired in just one day of being on stage. Is it not likely that her fate has been finally sealed forever by that imbalance?

    Will she not forever blame her fans, friends and family members for not being responsive enough to buy loads of recharge cards and send multiple text messages, just to keep her in the competition? Wouldn’t that have at least galvanised her to the next level?

    There is need for people to continue to vote for their favourite contestants and not rely on popular accolades. For all you care, the contestants who feel disadvantaged get more aggressive with his campaign for votes.

    Sole singer, Vicky and group performers, SmoothBoiz who are considered the best performers in the ongoing Glo-sponsored X Factor reality show nearly exited the competition. Vicky is seen by the three judges; Onyeka Onwenu, Reggie Rockstone and MI, as having the best voice among the remaining contestants. On the other hand, members of SmoothBoiz have continued to earn the judges’ plaudits for their beautiful renditions and synergy and have been tipped to go far in the challenge for Globacom’s N24 million and Sony Music’s recording contract. But with the voting result in their disfavour, it took the intervention of the judges to keep both of them in the show.

    Perhaps if Omawuni had been evicted first in the West African Idols that gave Timi Dakolo the laurels in 2007, her self-confidence could have been dampened, while inferiority complex may have set in, killing the fortitude with which she has excelled today. Omawumi, who is today a reference point, fits well into such consolation phrases. The songstress is making great success out of music today because she had enough time to showcase her talent. People also had enough time to judge her based on her low and high moments. Therefore, the result can be said to be largely accurate. And today, she fits properly into the position of the winner of that show, even though she didn’t get the prize money.

    A school of thought believes that luck and ability are the two major factors that rule a competition of that nature. Others are of the opinion that, luck seems to be occupying a huge position in the scheme. If the latter is anything to go by, very soon, we may start having contenders going for luck charms just for the coveted prize.

    Well, that’s on the lighter side. But candidly, in a world where fanaticism and favouritism reign supreme, it is dangerous to put the fate of the creative largely in the hands of the voting public. However, because every competition comes with its model, and has got its rules, the format for a show that is sponsored by a telecommunications company for example, may not be otherwise. Or how else will the company recoup part of its investments, alongside popularising the network? Suffice to say that, that pattern is not being used by telecommunications companies alone, as a reality show like Big Brother Africa also adopts this method.

    Therefore, the popularity of voting system in reality shows is an indication that it has its advantages, one of which may be the fact that there is need for massive participation and consequently, a balance in decision arriving process. This way, the autocracy of the judges is checked while the fans are given a sense of belonging.

    Looking at this dilemma, a school of thought is of the opinion that the fear of an unfair result is no longer pointing in the direction of judges of reality contest, but to the unsuspecting voting public. This is because the number of friends and family members you have, and how much money they are willing to spend to make you win a competition, is more important than how talented you are.

    Perhaps it won’t be out of place to delay voting by the public until a competition gets to the point where finalists are declared. But should we feel that veto power of the judges would be near absolute, it may be necessary to match the judges’ choice with public votes in equal measures. That way, we can be sure that the decision to pick who stays and who leaves is the prerogative of all.

  • Tunde Kelani calls shots for Kunle Afolayan again

    Tunde Kelani calls shots for Kunle Afolayan again

    AFTER playing ‘Aresejabata’ in Tunde Kelani’s “Saworoide” a political satire shot in 2004, Kunle Afolayan who himself, has groomed several talents as a film director of international repute will be saying “yes sir!” to Kelani again.

    Typical of a movie set where the director sees what the actor does not see most of the time, Afolayan will be freezing under the ace cinematographer’s shout of “cut!” as he plays a role in Kelani’s Dazzling Mirage.

    The elderly filmmaker has just unveiled the poster and cast of his next movie which also stars unassuming movie character; Yomi Fash-Lanso. For Afolayan, it is a return to where it all started. It would be recalled that the son of late film icon, popularly called Ade Love, played in his early days alongside Khabirat Kafidipe (Araparegangan).

    Dazzling Mirage’s official poster was launched by Mainframe Productions in Lagos last Wednesday. The new film is written by Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare and adapted for screen by Ade Solanke. It is a love story marked by acts of betrayal and loyalty such as in the life of a typical sickle cell person. Kelani hinted that the film is presently at the final stage of pre-production while filming will start on August 14, 2013.

    Typical of Kelani’s movies, Dazzling Mirage deals with the thematic subject of Sickle Cell anemia. “We believe the production of the film is of utmost importance as it is estimated that about 500,000 children are born annually with sickle cell disease worldwide and 50% will die before they attain the age of five years. In Nigeria specifically, more than 40 million carry the trait and 150,000 children are born yearly with the disease.”

    For Kunle Afolayan it is another homecoming. “I’ m very excited to work with my boss and father again. I’ m more excited because it’s over a decade we worked together on actor director basis. I’m really looking forward to the shoot.”

    Speaking on his debut in Mainframe’s production popular actor, Yomi Fash Lanso, said it is a great privilege. “Tunde Kelani’s antecedent in film making speaks volume, so it will be a great thing to work with him. It is such a great privilege for me because when you are talking about filmmaking in Nigeria, he’s a reference point and year-in year- out, he has been there, not relenting or resting on his oars, promoting our rich cultural heritage. I’m sure it will be an experience.

  • Why I called it quits with music at a point—Nomoreloss

    Why I called it quits with music at a point—Nomoreloss

    Love or hate Muyiwa Osinuga, one of the judges of MTN Project Fame who is presently at the forefront of OJB Jazreel’s fundraising for medical treatment abroad, the singer and music producer, otherwise called Nomoreloss, never shy’s away from being blunt . In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the musician speaks on sundry issues.

    WHAT kind of relationship existed between your and OJB Jezreel; were you so close before he took ill?

    I wouldn’t be singing if not for OJB Jezreel in the first place. He’s my producer; he’s my friend and my ‘brother’. I learnt a lot from OJB. I stayed in his house for almost seven years.

    How did you feel the first time you learnt he had a kidney problem?

    I’ve always known that he had issues. We just didn’t know how bad it was. OJB has been dealing with it, but he never told anyone. He never went public, but when it was stopping him from working, we just had to go public for him. Most of the time when he had been paid for a job, he’d to return the money because he couldn’t make up with the appointment. It was getting really bad. We just had to tell everybody and ask for help. He didn’t like the idea but we just had to do it.

    At a point in your life, you said you were done with music. Why?

    Anyone that knows me well will tell you that for me, it’s not just about commercial music. I’m not a commercial singer. I don’t believe in commercial music. It got to a point in my life when I felt I was no longer with that conviction, I was lacking that conviction. I feel like every time that I sing I should mean what I am saying to a large degree and if I can’t feel like that I should just stop. And also my mum’s passing away really altered that for me. My mum is the major reason I stopped singing. When she died, I just lost interest in everything. You know feeling of just going back home and there is only one person telling you I understand, you are just doing great. She was my number one fan. When she ‘left’, I fell into a very deep depression. It took a lot. I did a lot of therapy sessions. It was hard. But people don’t understand depression in Nigeria they just think you will get over it, but sometime people die out of it. A part of me died. And when my dad now had cancer, it just sparked something in me again. I went into the studio and I put out a song called Ojuri and the song just went viral.

    So, are you back into music full-time now?

    I’m back to performing full-time. I have a weekly show. I have refused to release an album because I want to have a complete understanding of what I want to do now. I stopped any form of appearances on music reality shows and stuffs like that to concentrate on myself; to concentrate on the new brand I’m trying to come up with. The return to music was Ojuri for me. I dropped a new single, but I had to go back to Surulere where the passion started. I had to go back to that environment to get the vibes. And if you watch the video for Ojuri, for me it was going back to my root.

    What is the story behind Ojuri?

    Ojuri means ‘Eyes have seen’ and it’s basically the summation of my life’s story and my return to music, my constant fight with my family. It just sums up all that I’ve gone through. My return to music is for a purpose; it’s not just because I want to sing and make money again. I have a management company, I have a record company. I do a whole lot of stuffs. My return to music now is to show by example what I am trying to sell; I can’t be sitting down at home and saying this music is bad, that one is bad. I have to get back on stage to show what I am trying to teach.

    What was your worst experience during the OJB fundraising?

    Ha! See now, I don loss weight. I stayed up till 4am- 5am in the morning. People call me from abroad, raining curses on me thinking I am a scammer.

    Did you feel like backing out then?

    No I didn’t. I’ve always been a production person, always behind the scene. It’s like my music; I never got anyone to say oh you are good. People will put you down. The closest people to you will call you unserious. Loads of stuffs went down; people turned the fundraising to an avenue to do business. Some people started to do shows. People assumed that it’s just a kidney issue that OJB has. But I tell a lot of people the day they announce to you that you have kidney issue or you have some ailment that you may die soon, try and imagine how you will feel. Half the time he’s depressed. At a point we had to even stop him from relating with the media because he was always down, he was always feeling miserable.

    It is believed that drinking and smoking are largely responsible for Kidney diseases…

    OJB is not in the league of your average smoker or drinker. If you say blood pressure those are hereditary issues that could further complicate issues. And that standard that he could come up with it but drink, ask anybody that knows OJB. OJB that can’t even drink anything in club; it doesn’t add up. We all drink but he’s a social drinker like every other person that I know.

    Are you also a social drinker?

    I drink, I smoke, I do everything.

    For once, have you thought of quitting the habits?

    The Bible says that in everything, moderation should be applied. I don’t have any qualms about doing anything; my qualms is, don’t do it to kill yourself.

    Talking about quitting stuffs to concentrate on music; does it mean you are going to be missing in MTN project fame season six?

    I can’t say o. if God says we should go back there, we’ll go back, but if God says no, I fear God. I don’t fear man. If he says go I go, if he stays I will stay.

    What’s your style of music?

    Really it’s difficult for me to define my music. I play RnB, I play all sorts. I can’t really fathom it. I just love music.

    You also came under criticism that you dont have the music credibility enough to be a judge…

    Coming from the background of who is he. I don’t need to blow my trumpet. I’ve won several awards for excellence for technical and stage. I’m a live band person, so my appreciation of music is not the average. I love stage. I love an atmosphere that speaks music. So, when you are doing it, it’s either you do it right or you don’t do it at all. I’m hardest on myself. I have in excess of hundred and fifty something songs I’ve not put out because I’m not satisfied. When those people were complaining about me, I was like they need to get to know the person they are talking about. I think the sweetest thing you can hear is “I hated you; I hated you for like three years and then I took out time to listen to your music and watch your video and then I realized you are good.”

    But is it pretty difficult for you to cut a commercial single?

    No, like Iyawo Asiko for instance, that was at the point that I was telling a story. That was real to me and it became a national hit. Suru, Grass to Grace, Kilode, my first single became a national hit. These are songs that stayed on the average of twenty three weeks at number one nationwide. I don’t need to prove any point to anybody. Ololufe went on number one. It was there for long and it was based on that we, that we had a Wande Coal do a reply.

    How challenging has marriage been for you?

    It’s very challenging. We just made up our minds early to do things differently. She has her own radio show and she has her own TV thing she’s trying to do. I just let her be her own person like she’s my girlfriend. She has her own life. If she needs my advice on certain things, I give her and vice versa.

    How are the kids?

    Those ones; they already know that both of us are ‘not well’ (laughs). They are nice kids. They are book warms.

    Do you believe in the maxim ‘Happily ever after’?

    Na lie. I don’t believe in it. Tongue and teeth they fight where is the happily ever after in that one. There will always be quarrels. Only just learn to bend over for each other. You can argue, you can quarrel, but learn to say sorry. You see that word ‘I’m sorry’; it’s not far from my mouth. I like to see my wife as my girlfriend. My wife and I go to night clubs. We drink together. She does skimpy. You no go fit tell say she don born and men they toast am 24-7. We don’t touch each other’s phones. Not that we can’t touch it, but it’s a case of ‘anything your eye see there, don’t get angry’. We don’t lock our phones, but we have an understanding. And I think that’s the most important thing.

  • Day ‘Trekkers’ invade Rock City

    Day ‘Trekkers’ invade Rock City

    THE buzz went far ahead of the concert, paving way for an explosive population that saw music buffs storming the Abeokuta Sports Complex, Ogun State from neighbouring Sango Otta, Shagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ilaro and other towns in the State. The crowd from the host city, Abeokuta is better experienced than imagined.

    It was like a home advantage for the Yoruba artistes of international reckoning, like D’banj and Olamide whose lyrical slangs have become clichés among the youths and young at heart. There was also notable Fuji act, Abas Akande Obesere whose energetic state act and subtle bawdy lines have never ceased to excite fans.

    There was an evidence of choice for every lover of music, as Dr. Did and Sound Sultan also got the crowd asking for more.

    It was the eighth leg of the ongoing Star Trek concert, a musical road-show sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc. Feelers have it that it was perhaps the first time in a long time that music lovers in that part of the country had enjoyed a star studded concert of that nature. The show, which is billed to round off at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on August 10, 2013, is expected to make its next stop in Agege, also in Lagos this weekend.

    The concert, a tour of 10 cities which kicked off in FESTAC on June 8, had also featured in Lokoja, Owerri, Enugu Nnewi, Aba, Nnewi and Asaba.

    The Abeokuta edition was anchored by stand-up comic, Laff Up who was supported by a comedian Gbenga Adeyinka, a regular MC on the show. Together, they made the show a night of dance and laughter.

    Juke Box, 2010 winners of Star Quest, was a delight to watch as they also performed some of the hits that won them the coveted 2010 Star Quest Crown. The melody makers are fast becoming a crowd favorite, winning a hard earned place in their fans’ hearts.

    After a long break from The Trek -since the first leg in FESTAC, Sound Sultan who was accompanied by his band took music to the very heart of his fans, as he dished out several popular hits from his repertoire.

    With overwhelming cheering by the crowd, Dr SID’s motley selection of songs obviously kept the crowd going. Accompanied briefly by fast-rising rap artiste XBUSTA, Dr Sid’s fast paced act was another crowd winner.

    And if the crowd was extra appreciative of the artiste perhaps it was because his fans knew that they would have just one more chance to meet him on The Trek in 2013; the multitalented act has confirmed that he will be performing at the Grand Finale on August 10, 2013.

    There’s no doubt that fast rising rap star Olamide has an extremely promising future as he stormed the stage to remind his fans why his popularity has waxed stronger ever since releasing his debut album in 2011.

    The young artiste who is gradually carving a dominant niche for himself in the Nigerian music industry gave the performance of a lifetime.

    The rap star could not have asked for a more loyal army as the crowd ensured they kept him weaving back and forth on the center stage and down the ramp, churning out verse after verse to the delight of his fans.

    D’banj proved the ultimate crowd pleaser, placing his set in the crowd’s hands and urging them to ask for any song they wanted him to sing.

    His aim, he claimed, was to please, as he sang every song his fans requested, bringing back fresh memories right from his Mo’hits days.