Category: Glamour

Cynthia Ikponmwenosa Morgan is a fast-rising dancehall artiste who isn’t afraid to flaunt her sensuality. The svelte diva signed to Jude Okoye’s North Side Entertainment and has been getting buzz from her hit song Don’t Break My Heart. She shares her stardom journey with Adetutu Audu

MUSICALLY, how has it been for you?

It has been great. I have been like six years in the game now and it has been work, work and work all through. We are getting there, despite that it is not easy for female artistes. But when people respect your talent and your style is different with faith in God, one will go places.    Professionally, I started when I was seventeen. I did my first collaboration with General Pype when I was seventeen years. I also featured alongside Jhybo when I was nineteen in 2009/2010. I am 22 now.

You mentioned that female artistes have challenges. Can you share yours with us?

We are living in a world where people pay more attention to the male. We have to work two times harder than the guys to be on the same platform. Naturally, the guys catch the attention of people than the females. It is changing now with the females standing their ground and with one knowing her brand. Working on your craft, yourself and brand, I think it is all important.

You have been tagged sexy. How do you feel?

I think sexy is that aura that you carry around you before people say it. It is what people see.  First of all, you must be sexy inside before people recognise it. Though sexy is not my priority now, I try to be real as possible.

So, what will you now say is your strong point?

My strength lies in my sound and talent. You can’t have a brand and not have a sound and, either way, I think the two work hand in hand. My strength also lies in God because you could create something outstanding and people may not notice it without the favour of God. So, my strength lies in God, talent and brand.

You sing dancehall. What inspires your kind of music?

People say I do dancehall. I will say I listen to R&B, Pop, Jazz, Rap while growing up.  My mum is a gospel artiste and growing up I was able to pick from different genres of music I listened to.  I basically do everything but people notice that I do a lot of dancehall. So you can’t really box me into any particular genre of music. I personally created my genre of music. Every new material from me is a different kind of Cynthia Morgan and people have come to appreciate that. I always want to wow my fans because there is more to Cynthia Morgan.

Who would you say influenced you early in life?

My grandparents, my mum and my uncles. I grew up with my grandparents being an only child and I don’t have a father figure. I can say I inspire myself to an extent because I wanted to be different; a figure that people would say she is able to do this for herself despite that she didn’t have this or that. Life is what made me who I am today. My mum is also a strong figure in my life and my story of being raised by a single parent transcends to who I am today.

Take music away, who is Cynthia Morgan?

A young lady that is quiet and homely. Personally, I love to be with my family and care for people. I dream for a living. Fame has not changed anything in me.  I try to be humble, I still call my friends. I have been able to manage the two and not get caught into doing what I am not supposed to do. I believe in God and love to make people happy. I believe whatever you can dream, you can get.

What inspired your songs Don’t break my heart and I’m taking?

As a creative artiste, I get inspired with what is happening around me. When I am writing my songs, I concentrate on myself and my fans. Don’t break my heart is about me to an extent. It’s a song that people do love because it connects with everybody. If you are in a relationship, the first thing that comes to your head is that ‘I don’t want this person to mess up’. I don’t want to put my heart into it. I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to do that. It’s a common thing. But the depth in the song brought the whole message out. It’s about an African woman who is happily in love and who doesn’t want to be heart-broken. And with I’m taking, people think I am talking about relationship. I am saying I have been taking my fans. When you listen to the lyrics you will understand. I’m saying I’m in demand and I’m taking by my fans. It is good that people can relate it to other things.

What inspired your recent raunchy photo shoots?

Personally for an artiste, besides music, you have to be creative when it comes to your branding, your pictures, your performances and stage craft. Pictures are part of the things that brand an artiste. A lot of people say different kind of stuffs, but when you start something in Nigeria or in Africa, people start talking. We are in the 21st century and Nigeria is not like America. When I create a song, I can actually create the video in my head. So, it’s all about the craft and the branding. I wasn’t actually nude, I was wearing a tattoo and a pair of snickers. It’s just about being different and people are definitely going to talk. It’s part of the whole business. If they don’t talk, you don’t make money. So they just have to keep talking.

You have a gun tattoo on your body, what does it mean to you?

I am a fan of art and I am an artiste. It is all about creativity. I have a gun tattoo and I know that girls normally wear roses and heart tattoos, but I am a different kind of person because I am Cynthia Morgan which stands for being distinct. My tattoo represents violence in music; it’s just a symbol that confirms the image of a bad girl.

How will you describe your style?

In as much as I try to be in vogue. I like to wear what I am comfortable in. My style is colourful and young.

What fashion item is hot for you now?

That will be shoes.

JIDE Adenuga is a chip of the old block and one of the most eligible bachelors in town. The son of billionaire Mike Adenuga is not your typical silver spoon kid. His forays into the wine business was spurred by fate, and not design, since numerous other options were open to him early on in life. He owns the sole distributorship rights for Veri Beri and Shiraz Wines in Nigeria and West Africa.

The young Adenuga, who has added the franchise of the importation of the Montaudon Champagne to his chain of businesses, is elated that the brand is gradually carving out a niche in the ever-bustling champagne market in Nigeria. Jide belongs to the emerging breed of highly resourceful individuals who, by dint of hard work and uncommon natural endowments, have attained lofty heights in the world of business. Apart from his wine business, the MD/CEO of 3 Inclusive Limited, sources said, is also involved in the importation of newsprint for newspaper organisations. He is no doubt taking after the Globacom boss, who has his hands in many pies.

FASHIONISTA and socialite Abisola Kola Daisi, the daughter of Oyo State governor, was at the British Fashion Awards which held last Monday. Bisola, who is behind the wave-making Florence H luxury Boutique, stunned in a $16,900 Valentino dress. She mingled throughout the night with A-list stars including Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. A trendsetter always, she was also in Paris for Kim Kardashian’s recent wedding. Bisola studied at California State University, Northridge. So, while she was there, a lot of these celebrities were her friends back then, including Lala Anthony and Malika who are her besties.

THE clothes that one wears always leave an impression on the people that view them. A good rule is that formal attires should be worn for formal occasions, and informal attires should be worn for informal occasions. A good number of times, a request to a cocktail or a dinner party will specify whether the event calls for formal, semi-formal, or informal attire. At all times, one must be prepared to dress correctly for any circumstances. When dressing for any occasion, one must take dress and appearance into great consideration in order to feel comfortable.

•Formal clothing must be a very fine evening gown and tuxedo.

•Semi-formal clothing could be a cocktail dress and business suit

•Informal clothing could be a comfortable jeans/pant with a top and flow smart gown.

•For a business job interview, it is proper to wear something conservative and non-revealing.

•Funeral attire consists of dark coloured clothing, they are meant to be black, navy or charcoal gray.

•Never wear a lighter coloured shoe than your trousers, skirt, or dress

•Never wear more than four colours combined

•When you wear the same colour top and bottom it has to be an exact match especially when it comes to black or navy.

•Your belt, handbag, tie, shoes colours must coordinate.

•In a business setting do not take your jacket off unless you are invited to do so.

•Too sexy clothes should not be worn to the office.

•Ladies, your bag must be appropriate for the office.

•Lacy shoes are meant for suits.

•And never forget not to wear ankle chains to the office, they are meant for owanbe parties.

CHIEF Basirat Olayinka Ojugbele is the woman leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ojokoro area of Lagos South West Nigeria. A very disciplined  and no nonsense woman, the former international business woman turned politician recently organised a women empowerment programme where she trained over 100 women in Ojokoro land on various crafts like tailoring, hairdressing, catering and soap making, among many other things. She didn’t just end there, the very philanthropic lady who is one of the wives of veteran estate merchant, Chief Lamina Ojugbele, also gave all the over 100 beneficiaries a measured sum of money to kick start their volition and become economically empowered.

SINCE he remarried a few years ago, Benny Obaze, the socialite and businessman behind Bevista/Rivista and Jevista, has cut down on his visibility on the social radar. He is said to be giving his all to making his home and marriage work. But the fashion aficionado has taken u-turn from his normal way of life.

He has joined politics and he intends to represent the people of Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, come 2015, under PDP. His younger brother, Dubem, a former Commissioner under ex-Governor Peter Obi, will also be running for a seat in the senate under the All Progressives Congress. Incidentally, his elder brother, Oseloka, is the Secretary to the Anambra State Government.

DO you consider your income too small to for you to look good? Don’t let your limited budget limit your style. All you have to do is add a little effort and perhaps read thoroughly through the sale racks. Here are few simple and inexpensive ways to freshen up your style.

Wear more colours

A great way to liven up your look is to incorporate more colours into your wardrobe. Perhaps, this is just a matter of wearing a brightly coloured T-shirt or sporting a new shirt. Adding colour will liven up otherwise dull neutral tones. But the most important thing is to wear colour near your face since this is where it will have the most impact and keep you from looking washed out.

Seek out a new pair of sunglasses

This is one area where you allow yourself to spend a little money in order to get the best looking glasses you can find. After all, it’s your face! The interesting thing about glasses is that you could simply be wearing jeans and a T-shirt, but with the right glasses, you suddenly look fashion savvy. This way, you can match your glasses with your mood or outfit.

Treat yourself to one or two super pieces

If you can possibly afford it, I believe in buying one or two great pieces that will really keep you looking stylish. This may be a cool sport jacket, a leather jacket or an awesome pair of jeans that really shows off your assets. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that you know you will wear often and is flattering.

Snappy belts

Why not go out there and get a really cool belt with a big buckle that you know will be a show stopper? You may have noticed that recently elaborate belts with interesting buckles have become quite the fashion statement and they can be quite inexpensive as well.

Avoid tattered looking shoes

A tattered pair of shoes is always a turn-off. I don’t care if you wear dress shoes or sneakers, keep them looking their best. This may just mean shining your shoes to give them a face-lift or picking up a new pair altogether.

Get a groovy wrist watch

Do you know, you can get varieties of watches, match them with what you are wearing as well as you don’t really need to spend a lot of money on them either? Since men don’t have many options when it comes to jewelry, this is a great way to express yourself as well as liven up your look.

SIMI Esiri, nee Osomo, the beautiful wife of music sensation, Dr. Sid, is over the moon. The former assistant editor of Complete Fashion magazine is rocking baby bump. Her elated hubby took to his instagram page to share the news.  Born to lawyer mum, and businessman dad, Simi toed the line of her mother by graduating with a law degree in 2012 but has often expressed interest in the fashion world. In September 2012, she was featured in the London Evening Standard which reported she spends £30,000 yearly shopping on six trips to the UK.