The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Arese

  • A’RESE dazzles in ‘A Night at the Kazbah’

    A’RESE dazzles in ‘A Night at the Kazbah’

    Having built up anticipation for its three-band concerts, A Night at the Kazbah, Smooth FM, last Saturday, shut down the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos as it delivered on its promise. Prior to the show, Nigeria’s Agharese Emokpae, aka A’rese, expressed enthusiasm especially as she will be performing on her first big stage since winning the maiden edition of The Voice Nigeria.

    True to her expectations, the vocalist opened the show to a packed house. “I couldn’t have asked for a better debut concert experience. It was an honour and a privilege to open for Mi Casa and Jonathan Butler. I was inspired watching them perform. I hope A Night At The Kazbah becomes a Lagos institution. I can’t wait for next year,” she enthused.

    Speaking backstage after his performance, headliner – South African guitarist, singer-songwriter, Jonathan Butler could not hide his excitement.

    “I had an awesome time in Lagos at Smooth FM’s A Night at the Kazbah. It was amazing, I can’t wait for another opportunity to come back and do it all over again,” Butler stated.

    Presented by Smooth 98.1FM, A Night at the Kazbah has been described as a cultural exploration designed to bring good Nigerian, African and World music to the forefront of our consciousness and promote indigenous artistry.

  • JONATHAN BUTLER, MI CASA, A’RESE TO IGNITE KAZBAH’ CONCERT

    FOR the second consecutive year, A Night at the Kazbah concert will return to at The Federal Palace Hotel, Lagoscome October 22. Presented by Smooth 98.1FM, the curators of contemporary African and Nigerian music A Night at the Kazbahhas been described as a concert that is more than just music. According to the organisers, it is a cultural exploration designed to bring good Nigerian, African and World music to the forefront of our consciousness and promote indigenous artistry.

    Last year, A Night at the Kazbah was a huge success as it raised the bar and reshaped live music on the Lagos scene with a pioneering blend of Afro Soul and Afro Jazz which. The show featured the likes of Ruby Gyang, Bez, Kunle Ayo and Brymo.

    Organisers say that this year’s concert boasts of a bigger line-up and will be headlined by South African singer song writer and guitarist Jonathan Butler supported by soulful house trio Mi Casa and The Voice Nigeria reality TV winner, A’rese.

    Smooth 98.1FM is a 24-hour, regional and commercial music station offering a mix of soul, jazz, funk, old school and world music.

    One of its feature programme is The Kazbah, which offers a feast of music from Nigeria, Africa and the World, with special features such as Postcards from the Kazbah.

  • ARESE, THE VOICE NIGERIA WINNER RECEIVES PRIZES

    ARESE, THE VOICE NIGERIA WINNER RECEIVES PRIZES

    WINNER of the maiden edition of talent hunt show, The Voice Nigeria, Arese Emokpae, has been presented with an SUV valued at seven million naira by Africa Magic.

    The presentation which followed a press conference at the Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos, was done with Airtel Nigeria and Coca Cola, respective lead and associate sponsors, and also saw Arese receiving her four day, all-expense paid ticket to Abu Dhabi courtesy Etihad Airways.

    Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said: “We are extremely delighted with the success of The Voice Nigeria. It’s the first ever season and we are thrilled with the outcome. For three months, Nigerians and indeed the rest of the continent were treated to the best entertainment on television with our amazing coaches and contestants putting their best feet forward. Today we celebrate Arese who is undoubtedly a deserving winner and in the same vein thank our sponsors whose support made the show possible.”

    The Voice Nigeria which began on the 10th of April with 48 contestants ran for three months and featured all the excitement of blind auditions, contestant battles and the intrigue of the live shows and public voting. At the end of the nail biting season, stage actress Arese Emokpae emerged as the first ever winner of show after an exciting live finale on the 31st of July, 2016.

    Mr. Enitan Denloye, the Vice President, Brands and Advertising for Airtel Nigeria, said: “The Voice Nigeria presented an amazing opportunity to do this and we were more than excited to come on board as lead sponsors. The sponsorship of The Voice Nigeria is yet another example of Airtel’s commitment to empowering young, talented Nigerians like Arese.”

    Arese Emokpae, whilst expressing her delight at winning, also thanked Africa Magic and the show’s sponsors, even as she saluted the uniqueness of The Voice format.

  • Arese is The Voice Nigeria winner

    Arese is The Voice Nigeria winner

    After weeks of battling for the top price, The Voice Nigeria music talent show officially came to an end on Sunday with Team Waje’s Arese emerging the first ever winner.

    The finale began on a high note with the audience being treated to individual and group performances, as the coaches graced the stage with their charges. The ensemble performances of the evening opened with Timi Dakolo, Cornel and Dewe performing Timi’s song, Heaven Please.

    Chike, from TeamPatoranking, followed with a memorable rendition of Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry while hunky Nonso Bassey also stirred the audience’s emotions with a bass laden performance of Impossible.

    Petite but powerful voiced Viveeyan from Team2baba was next for the evening, and she got a standing ovation from the audience with an amazing performance of Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball.

    Competition’s favourite, Brenda followed with an energetic rendition of Rumour Has It and Someone Like You. Waje, ably assisted by Arese and Patrick, performed the hit single, Ominiknowest as TeamWaje thrilled the audience with an amazing display of stage mastery.

    Arese took to the stage and elicited screams as she literally kicked off her shoes performing Freedom. Following Arese’s performance was the nerve wracking unveiling of the top four finalists. Making the cut from Team 2baba was Brenda, while Arese made it through from TeamWaje. Chike made it from TeamPatoranking and Cornel made it through for TeamTimi as the nail biting evening progressed.

    The evening climaxed as the host, IK announced Arese as the winner, with ladies’ man Chike coming second.

    For winning the competition, Arese walks away with a recording contract with Universal, an SUV from Africa Magic worth 7 million naira and a 4-day all-expense paid trip for two to Abu Dhabi courtesy Etihad Airways.

    The Voice Nigeria was sponsored by Airtel in conjunction with Coca Cola.