The dust is yet to settle over the Tiwa Savage/Teebillz saga as celebrities have continued to weigh in on the matter. While the public seem to be divided along even lines, a couple of artistes have called on both parties to tread with caution.
Veteran singer, Charlie Boy, aka Area Fada, decried a situation where celebriaties wash their dirty linens in public stating that it is sad, especially if they are amongst stars that he admires and love.
“TeeBillz and Tiwa Savage una fall my hand no be small. Una no know say MUTUAL RESPECT IS NON-NEGOTIABLE for marriage? Why yeye una self for public like this.
Una no know say competition na for business no be for marriage,” he admonished.
In his words, artistes are more fragile than normal people; however they must understand that they are role models to millions of people.
“No marriage can escape bad weather even my own, I dey sometimes see Oba for the matter but like I say, “marriage is not about being compatible but how couples deal with their incompatibility. Make I no hear una problems for loudspeakers again, joor.
AreaFada done talk him own,” he wrote.
One of those who was at the receiving end of Teebillz’ rant was Tuface Idibia, but it appears he is more bothered by the wellbeing of both parties. The entertainer took a swipe at those who have been making disheartening comments about Tiwa and Teebillz’ marital issues. “I’m so disgusted at some people that have been making distasteful jokes out of people’s real life heartbreaking predicament. GOD forgive u,” he tweeted.
Cool FM presenter, Freeze, who had earlier blamed Tiwa Savage for escalating the issue, made a u-turn after having a lengthy chat with the songstress. Describing his earlier post as ‘being bit insensitive’, the OAP said that it’s too late for regrets now. According to him, we all have to stop blaming either party and focus on praying for both of them.
“Teebillz and Tiwa are both at a fragile state, and it is so unfortunate that this matter has been brought before a fanged public ready to tear us all up for their amusement. Like @official2baba said, don’t make jokes about a serious matter, instead, remember them in your prayers. I love you Tiwa, I love you Billz, there is a light at the end of this tunnel, GOD is your strength and he will see you through this,” his latter post read.
In a simple tweet, and perhaps speaking from his own recent experience, Paul Okoye of Psquare fame advised the couple; “Don’t ever go to the public to solve a private matter… It will only get worse!!! You are only entertaining people. And they are having fun.”
Meanwhile, statistics show that Tiwa Savage broke Youtube records with her all-revealing interview, emerging one of the fastest to reach 300,000 views in 24 hours.
AS the date for the maiden edition of Daylight Annual Leadership Awards (DALA) 2016, inches closer, organisers have announced that some tested and trusted comedians have been painstakingly chosen to thrill guests at the gathering.
The awards ceremony, which holds on Sunday, May 22, at the prestigious Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, will parade the likes of Klint da Drunk who will be leading the team of comedians waiting to serenade the venue with his rich repertoire of jokes and exhilarating performances.
Also, the hilarious quartet of De Don, Elder O, D’Lectura, Baba de Baba and a few others, will also be teaming up with Klint da Drunk on the big stage to further electrify guests with their widely acclaimed rich reservoir of jokes.
According to a statement issued today by the Chairman and Founder of the awards scheme, Azuh Amatus, the star-studded list of comedians expected to crack ribs at the ceremony is tight and carefully selected to add fun and undiluted entertainment at the high-net-worth event.
“DALA is a glamorous awards ceremony and we are bringing the very best on board to make the event memorable and fun-filled,” stated Azuh who is also the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of online newspaper, Daylight.ng.
Meanwhile, in separate brief chats, all the elated comedians confirmed they are ready to storm #DALA 2016.
Lagos will make headlines again as host of an international music festival – the Gidi Cultural Festival.
Slated for March 26 at the Eko Atlantic, organisers say the event will feature a line-up of top and up and coming acts from Nigeria and South Africa, including Davido, Tiwa Savage, Phyno, Yemi Alade, Timaya, as well as South Africa’s K.O and Riky Rick who will be performing in Nigeria for the first time.
The festival’s founder, Chin Okeke, describes the show as one that defines the progression of music and urban youth culture in Africa.
“The festival was naturally born in Lagos because the city is the melting pot of the continent, yet it maintains a global outlook. Our lineup represents the current crop of African music stars,” said Okeke
Produced by Eclipse Live Africa, Gidi Fest is also expected to feature the likes of Adekunle Gold, Small Doctor and disc jockeys.
The show which will be hosted by MTV Base VJs; Nomuzi from South Africa and Nigeria’s Ehiz, alongside City FM OAP, Sensei Uche, DJ Obi and DJ Kaywise will also feature some comedians.
There is also the return of ‘Flow with The Beat’ competition which gives up and coming talent a chance to perform live on the Gidi Fest stage. Everyone has a chance to partake in the competition #LiveYourMusic by downloading the Gidi Cypher beat produced by DJ Chopstix, flowing over the beat and sending it in to the Gidi Fest team for review.
The festival is in collaboration with Eko Atlantic, Lagos State and Heineken with support from Red Bull, Mikano, South African Airways, Eko Hotel and Hyperia.
WITH every passing day, it seems the Nigerian entertainment scene gets more interesting. Once every while, it is common to see bloggers go toe-to-toe with entertainers over one mundane issue or the other, but when it reaches a crescendo, it is only normal for them to fight back.
Perhaps that was the case when Nigerian music superstar, Wizkid, who rekindled his never-ending squabble with super blogger, Linda Ikeji. It all started when the singer applauded an article which described Linda Ikeji as suffering from “poverty mentality”.
He even cropped out a part of the article that reads, “A major symptom of poverty mentality is money and material fixation. Sometimes, no matter how far away from poverty one runs, some people still need an open brain surgery to expunge the poverty mentality” on his Snapchat account and added a hilarious emoji.
Perhaps, not wanting to be outdone, Linda last Monday posted an article about American rapper, The Game, throwing shades at an internet troll who called him a dead beat dad. “Unlike a dead beat father who hasn’t started to cater for his child”, she wrote, possibly referring to Wizkid who was called a “deadbeat dad” by his rumoured baby mama, Binta Diamond Diallo.
The pop star wasn’t ready to let it slide as on Monday evening, he replied in a Snapchat post that made fun at Linda’s unmarried status. He shared an old picture of the ex-model along with the caption, “Almost 40, lonely and bitter, Prayers up for you.”
While the fans of both personalities were still making the most of the situation, another blogger, Stella Dimoko, entered into an internet rumble with comedian, Ayo Makun, aka AY.
The blogger had reported that AY’s wife of 12 years, Mabel, had moved out of his mansion, stating that she was deliberately leaving out the ugly details of the separation.
Not happy with the report, AY took to his Instagram handle to describe her as a harbinger of bad news.
“Some blogs are, for the most part, the bringers of bad news… and it’s not entirely the bloggers fault, bad news gets higher ratings, travels faster and sells more than good news. The reality is that you will continue to hear negative information from many sources against anything that showcases your blessings and pride. Gossip is just a tool to distract people who have nothing better to do from feeling jealous of those few who are still remaining in the institution called ‘Celebrity Marriage’. It lies in our will to decide whether to discard them into the waste bin or record them into our brains,” AY responded.
To her admittance, Stella says that AY’s clap back puts her job on the hot seat. “Some Blogs will not be bringers of bad news if you do not produce the bad news! If you are talking about gossip, you produce and distribute it too so why call out your colleagues?” was her response.
Only last week, Linda Ikeji was given a dose of her own medicine when someone revealed that the blogger was flaunting an imitation Hermes bag. She spent the whole day defending herself without much success.
Nigerian Highlife music sensation, Flavour N’abania and his South African colleague, DJ Cleo have requested sales data from MTN, its subsidiary and content aggregator, Content Connect Africa (CCA), and Vodacom, suspecting that their copyright has been infringed upon, sources have said.
Although the companies have denied any such infringements, pundits reason that their liability could run into billions in unpaid royalties and fines in South Africa alone.
‘It is not correct that MTN is liable for billions of rands in royalty payments’ said sales, marketing and distribution executive, Larry Annetts.
According to City Press, if they can prove copyright violations, the SA Copyright Act provides for a first offence fine of up to R5 000, or a jail term. If it is a repeat offence, the act provides for a fine of up to R10 000 or a jail term, per infringement.
Copyright expert Graeme Gilfillan, representing DJ Cleo’s company, Will of Steel Productions, and Flavour’s company, 2Nite Enter10ment, began sending out separate requests for data from MTN, Vodacom and CCA since mid-December.
Annetts however maintained that “MTN is up to date with most royalty payments with Capasso and is in the process of settling the recent royalty invoice…for the current period, which amounts to less than R1million. MTN understands the importance and imperative of paying music royalties for music that it sells on its platforms. With regard to payment of mechanical royalties, we have…been trying to resolve [this] from as far back as 2012.”
He added that “MTN has been dealing with alleged claims for Will of Steel Productions since 2012…Mr Gilfillan was invited to participate in this process; however, MTN had not received any document or response from him.”
In the same vein, Vodacom has rejected any suggestion of criminal misconduct. “We have communicated with Mr Gilfillan on this issue on an ongoing basis. Vodacom informed Mr Gilfillan that it reports to CCA…in respect of his clients’ recordings. Mr Gilfillan needs to approach CCA,’ it stated, just as CCA is saying that, ‘Neither Will of Steel nor 2Nite Enter10ment has shown any proof that they each own the songs and publishing underlying the sound recordings.”
According to CCA’s Antos Stella, “CCA denies that it has infringed the copyright of Will of Steel and 2-Nite-Enter-10-ment’s copyright in any of their songs and publishing. We informed Gilfillan that CCA sends recording royalty statements to his clients and that his clients are in possession of these statements, We informed him that mechanical royalties are reflected on statements sent to his clients… CCA can prove that it receives invoices from Will of Steel and 2Nite Enter10ment for recording royalties and that it pays them.”
Coming days after the release of the emotional song, Mama Oyoyo, a collaboration by top Nigerian Music artists; Iyanya, Yemi Alade, Tekno, Olamide and Selebobo, the performing artistes on Monday came together to film a befitting visual for the track.
Facilitated by Premium Music, the artistes converged at the Music Africa studio at Surulere and dramatised the emotive lyrics dedicated to all beautiful mothers in Nigeria and all over the world. According to the management of Premium Music, as with the audio part of the song, the video will celebrate every woman, sister, aunt in appreciation of the strength and courage with which they support their families.
The video recording was a mix of laughter and creativity as the artistes dramatised ingenuous ways to show their love for motherhood.
Speaking with The Nation at the shoot of the video, Nigerian superstar, Iyanya, said; “I’m happy being a part of this. I was just being natural in the track. For me, it is a way of saying thank you to my mum for being the woman that she was to me. The music has given me a very strong purpose and a sense of not wanting to let anybody down.”
The video was produced under the expert hands of Aje Film Works. According to the management of the award winning production company, they chose to be the project because of the creativity, research, entertainment and innovation depicted in the song. “Those qualities matched our core values and we just had to do our bit to join these creative stars to celebrate our mothers by telling the story of this song in a unique way.
‘We have receipts for the spaces,’ – Victims cry out
Over a week after the demolition of the Artistes Village at the National theatre in Lagos, the dusts are yet to settle, as victims and the authorities trade words. Udenma Chukwuma reports
When news broke that the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), also known as Artistes Village in Iganmu, Lagos, has been destroyed, lots of questions arose. Chief among them were: What could be the problem? Who authorised the demolition? Were there any notices?
As one approaches the scene of the demolition, the sight that greeted this reporter was one of exasperation on the part of artists who had been affected and their sympathisers. A certain voice said, “Government get power o,” while another remarked that “What can we do? Na anything they like, they do.”
Sources said the demolition took place on Saturday, January 23. One of the occupants of the place, Pelumi Lawal, said they suddenly saw a large number of policemen in the arts and culture council around 5am. He said it was a strange sight, especially at that time of the day and he and others were frightened. He told this reporter that before they could ask any questions, the structures which serve as studio and workshop for artists were being pulled down by a bulldozer.
He said other structure that serve as stores went down as well. Majorly affected were some dancers and choreographers, whose rehearsal studio was destroyed.
Now, the occupants are pointing fingers at Alhaji Kabiru Yussuf, General Manager of the National Theatre, wondering how come buildings of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) were left untouched.
An attempt to get Yussuf’s version of the story was however not successful, as he was not in the office. It was however gathered that Yussuf was present during the demolition at NCAC.
A source who works at the National Theatre said the demolished structures were illegal. “We did not demolish the NCAC building. What we demolished were the illegal structures and shanties,” he said.
But the occupants said the spaces were rented to them by the NACA management before they erected the structures.
The source said “Immoral activities were taking place in the buildings, insecurity reigned, some people were even rearing pigs in the area and Indian hemp were freely sold and smoked there.
He said, “NCAC is competing with the National Theatre. They are renting events place, and showing cinema there… they wanted to create a kingdom for themselves but government said no.”
He also said the place had been turned into a residential area and was fast becoming an eyesore, and that the government’s intervention was to give the place a new face.
He stressed that no artwork was damaged, but a visit to NCAC showed lots of artworks scattered among ruins.
Gubadia Monday, an artist, was affected the most. His artworks were scattered on the ground, while the saved pieces stood beside the debris.
Wearing a sad look, Gubadia said there was no warning from the authority and he was not given any notice or chance to remove his works and belongings. He said before he knew what was happening, “Kabiru (referring to the National theatre GM) don carry caterpillar come here.”
Presenting invoices, which he said were issued to him by NACA, the sculptor said he has been there for three years and legally too.
Smart Owie, a visual artist, who was reported to have been shot during the demolition explained that he wasn’t particularly aimed at and that a bullet hit him on the calf when the artists followed the police in protest.
Although our source at the National Theatre office said no shots were fired, Owie said shots were fired to scare the protesters. “Everybody ran away, but I stood there.” he said; “I felt it would be safer to stand still than run, because I knew they wouldn’t deliberately aim a gun at me.” Luckily for him the bullet passed through the back of his right calf.
He also said he had paid for the space on which he built his workshop.
Even as he recuperates, Owie said he is devastated and still in shock at the loss at his source of his livelihood. “I have three children to pay their school fees and my wife is pregnant!” He said.
Owie said the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammad, when he visited NCAC, offered to take care of his injury; but as at Monday when this reporter visited the scene, he hadn’t heard anything from the minister’s office.
Aremo Tope Babayemi, who said he is the Coordinator of NCAC, Artistes Village, alleged that Yussuf is trying to get back at them because they opposed the idea of selling of the National Theatre. He stressed that there was a report in the media that miscreant disrupted activities at the National Theatre, which Yussuf used as a tool to convince the minister to demolish the structures.
They asserted that the Minster had visited them and pledged to look into their matter.
Popular Nollywood actor, Yemi Adeyemi, known as Suara, was also affected. His store where he sold soft drinks and provision was destroyed. Suara however said his heart goes to the artists “who have lost priceless artworks. “
He also said “I paid for the store and sought government consent before building the store.”
Rap artiste, Slow Dog, has been announced as the headliner of this year’s edition of Ogbunike Cave Carnival (OCC).
Scheduled for December 30, 2015, the entertainment and tourism event, according to the organizers, will also hold a one day Five-Aside Football Tournament.
Slow Dog is however billed to perform on January 1, 2016, during the Ada Ogbunike Beauty Pageant at the Ogbunike Town Hall, Ogbunike, Oyi LGA, Anambra State.
Known for his fusion of Igbo rhymes with English, the rapper is expected to treat guests to the best of his recordings at the event that will also witness the crowning of first ever Ada Ogbunike.
Speaking at a contract signing ceremony at his Enugu base, Slow Dog urged fans and music lovers to keep a date with him at the carnival.
“It’s confirmed that I will be in Ogbunike for the Ogbunike Cave Carnival; we’ve just signed an agreement with the organisers. For my fans in Anambra, this is an opportunity to entertain you all; I’m looking forward to the event,” he said.
The Carnival which made debut in 2013 is put together by 90 Degrees Entertainment. The three-day festival is centered on Ogbunike Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When the show returns on December 30, it will see eight teams slug it out for the carnival trophy. There will also be a Sport Parade, which will see football fans, clad in their different club jerseys, parade the Oyeolisa market square with a traditional ogene music leading the train.
Day 2 of the event, according to organizers, will feature Ogbunikewalk4life; a Street Carnival that will kick off by 7.30am. The carnival float is also expected to take off from the Ogbunike Town Hall, through the usual routes, to the Round Palace of Igwe Ogbunike, HRH John Ositadimma Umenyiora, where guests will pay homage to the King.
“From the palace, the train will move to the Cave, where visitors and tourist will have the opportunity of exploring the tourist destination that has put Ogbunike community on the world map. The day will wrap with the Carnival Concert/New Year Countdown by 6pm, at the Town Hall, with different musicians and comedians on parade,” said Mr. Chuks Nwanne, Founder/Creative Director of the carnival.
He said further: “ On New Year Day, Ada Ogbunike Beauty Pageant will take centre stage. The event, which will see pretty Ogbunike ladies contest for the Ada Ogbunike crown, will be spiced with musical and comedy performance.
This year, the carnival, which has the blessings and endorsement of His Royal Highness Igwe John Umenyiora, his Cabinet, and the Ogbunike Progressive Union (OPU), will honour some deserving individuals, who have contributed to the success of the project in the last three years.
Meanwhile, the Central Working Committee for the carnival has sealed a media partnership deal with the management of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) and National Light Newspapers, both state owned media outfits. With the agreement, both media outfits are now official media partners for this year’s celebration and will help project the carnival nationally.”
In her remarks, the project manager Adaeze Uzodoh informed that the team is doing everything possible to stage a hitch free carnival this year.
“This year, we are going to surprise guests with the package we’ve been working on. I can assure you that we’ve taken care of all the logistics involved, including security. We look forward to hosting all of you this year, as you come to explore our natural heritage,” she said.
That Nigerian music has come of age is not in contention anymore. And 2015 was a consolidation on the efforts of the musicians. JOE AGBRO JR., OVWE MEDEME and DUPE AYINLA OLASUNKAMI capture some highlights of the year
2Face Idibia ‘Election No Be War’ Campaigned becomes tool
TUFACE Idibia can be rightly said be part of creators of the modern Nigerian music. However, the artiste made use of his voice in 2015, to encourage youths not to be used as tools for violence was Tuface Idibia, with the flag-off of his ‘Vote not fight Election no be war” campaign, geared towards a violence free electoral.
The timely initiative was officially unveiled at a press conference held in Lagos on the September 30, 2014.
The campaign was put together by the 2face Foundation in partnership with Young Stars Foundation, National Democratic Institute (NDI), and other partner organisations.
The voter education campaign was aimed at promoting peaceful participation by Nigerian youth in the 2015 elections. The campaign seeks to encourage youth to make a commitment to shun violence and embrace peace.
Known for his uniqueness the legendary singer also made headline with his Fortyfied concert; celebration of a living legend, to mark his 40th birthday while also highlighting his achievements thus far, with the launch of a book.
The event attracted top notch personalities and colleagues from around the globe.
Adekunle Gold
ADEKUNLE Gold whose real name is Adekunle Kosoko has continued on a success path following his breakthrough into the Nigerian music scene with Sade 2014. Signed under YBNL Records, Adekunle followed up with Orente and early December, he released his third single,Pick Up, an inspirational song asking God to answer his desires.
His exploits enabled him to clinch the ‘Revelation of the Year in Africa’ award at the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA 2015. Unknown to some people, Adekunle is also a graphic designer and designed the YBNL logo. As an artiste however, he enjoys regular airplay on radio and performs regularly at shows
Small Doctor
SMALL Doctor comes raw, direct and full in your face. Known by his moniker, ‘Akeweje Oganla’, his peculiar style of music which blends fast tempo beats with street lingo and slangs has made him popular. And it is this street credibility that ensured the Mosquito crooner got a 2015 Headies nomination in the ‘Best Street Hop’ category, his first major nomination for an award. He however, will be battling for the title with Olamide (Bobo), Reminisce (Skilashi), Falz (Ello Bae) as well as as Masterkraft’s Indomie which features Olamide, CDQ and Davido.
Olamide
Olamide
FOR Olamide whose real name is Olamide Adedeji, 2015 has been bountiful. The artiste who records his songs in Yoruba with a high dose of street slangs continued endearing himself to a growing global fanbase. His effort was rewarded with the award of ‘Best Male Artiste in West Africa’ at the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA 2015. MTV Base also named Olamide at the Hottest Nigerian artiste 2015.
In November, he dropped his fifth album Eyan Mayweather. The founder of burgeoning music label, YBNL, also got seven nominations the highest for any artiste at the 2015 TooXclusive Awards. And in December, Google also recognised Olamide’s videos of Bobo, FalilaKetan, MeloMelo and Lagos Boys in its YouTube Rewind of 2015 which reviews videos that shaped the world in 2015.
Yemi Alade
Yemi Alade
SHE might not have found her Johnny, but musician Yemi Alade is blazing trails in the industry. She clinched the Best Female Artist in Western Africa at the All Africa Music Awards in November. Earlier in July, the 26-year old songstress got Best Female Artiste in Africa at the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards, MAMA. In 2014, she released her first album, Kings of Queen which have garnered some awards.
D’banj
AFTER a brief hiatus from active music scene, Dapo Oyebanjo, more popularly known as Kokomaster D’Banj, released a visula EP titled ‘An Epic Journey’ to mark his 10 years of being an entertainer. In July, he won the Legendary Award at MTV Africa Music Awards, MAMA 2015.Confidential, one of the tracks on the album, features Hollywood actor, Idris Elba and rapper, Shadow Boxer.
D’banj who was appointed as Agriculture Ambassador by the Nigerian government last year also became the Brand Ambassador of Slot, and he received a brand new Porsche for that. After a spending seven years with Mo’Hits records with Don Jazzy, D’banj signed to Kanye West’s Good Music record label.Also, after a two-year break, D’banj is also set to revive his Koko Concert, taking the show to five Nigerian cities between December 5 and December 29.
The maiden edition of Koko Concert took place in 2010 in the United Kingdom while the subsequent year’s concert was held in Nigeria. The 2012 concert saw D’banj bring to Nigeria G.O.O.D Music acts Big Sean, Pusha T as well as Tinie Tempah and Idris Elba.
Supreme Mavin Dynasty
Arguably the most successful music group in Nigeria, the Supreme Mavin Dynasty led by Don Jazzy continued to be impressive. Though SMD’s first lady Tiwa Savage put to bed a baby boy and wasn’t so much active, it wasn’t the case for the rest of the crew.
The family – Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid, D’Prince, Di’Ja, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello came out with a single, Jantamantafollowing the mould of Dorobucci and Adaobi.
In August, Don Jazzy and Reekado Banks won the City People Entertainment Awards respectively for ‘Special Recognition’ and ‘Most Promising Act of the year (Male)’ categories while Mavin Records got the Record Label of the Year Award. Reekado Banks and Korede Bello’s videos have garnered over 1.2million and one million views respectively on Youtube. Tiwa Savage and Reekado Banks were also nominated for the 2016 KORA All-Africa Music Awards in the Best Female (West Africa), Most Promising Male Artiste of Africa categories respectively while Mavin’s Adaobi was nominated for Best Collaboration.
On their individual capacities, Don Jazzy became a Johnnie Walker Ambassador while Korede Bello was practically everywhere as his hit single, GodWin, trended on virtually every platform. GodWin won ‘The Song of the Year’ award at the 4th Annual Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA). Bello who is back in school for his HND even performed at President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration.
Reekado Banks, famed for his singles ‘Chop Am’ and ‘Katapot’ also did a foreign collaboration with one of Jay Z’s artistes.
Wizkid and Davido end rift
They are contemporaries yet the music industry has cast a sort of rivalry between Wizkid and Davido. This has made the young musicians to be pitted against each other to determine whose music is better, who is richer, who has the most awards and who has more fans.
Though this rivalry may be good for business, those expecting a collaboration had waited a while. The fans however, got their wish as Wizkid and Davido stunned industry watchers when they both performed at the grand finale of the Remy Martin club tour which held at Ocean View, Victoria Island, Lagos early December.
Though their new albums are due to be released in 2016, fans enjoyed the sight of Wizkid and Davido on the same stage at the same time before 2015 wound out.
ONE campaign
ONE Campaign, inspired by an advocacy organization ONE, made headline in the year 2015, with its focus on using prominent singers globally to preach against the impact of poverty on gender equality.
The campaign had seven prominent African singers -Victoria Kimani from Kenya, South African Judith Sephuma, Waje from Nigeria, Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania, Arielle T from Gabon, Gabriela from Mozambique and Selomor Mtukudzi from Zimbabwe – recorded the song ‘Strong Girl’ to address the gender inequality that they believe goes hand-in-hand with poverty. They sang their hearts out in the song.
The song is inspired by a recently released report by ONE, an advocacy organisation that aims to fight extreme poverty and preventable diseases particularly in Africa titled Poverty is Sexist: Why girls and women must be at the heart of the fight to end extreme poverty.
Lead singer of legendary Irish band U2 and founder of One Campaign, Bono, also paid a visit to Nigeria; Bono who is the front runner of One Campaign’s philanthropic movement to alleviate poverty in Africa got to meet with some of Nigerian celebrities like Cobhams Asuquo, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Waje and D’banj.
‘Strong Girl’ was produced by award winning music producer Cobhams Asuquo.
A lot has been said about the relationship between the arts and politics but when a number of entertainers decide to throw their resources into seeking political offices, the motive is called to question. As veteran actress, Clarion Chukwurah posited, those artistes who sought political offices did so just for financial gains.
Making the entertainment scene more interesting this year were a number of entertainers who sought to be elected into various positions. Though they turned out in their numbers, only a few made it through the primaries held in December last year. Entertainment guru, Dayo Adeneye aka D1, for instance, lost the APC House of Assembly ticket for Odogbolu area of Ogun State. Kenny Saint Best also lost her bid. Others who lost the primaries in their states were Kate Henshaw and Abolore Akande aka 9ice.
Of the lot, only two prominent entertainers prevailed through the primaries; Nollywood actress, Funke Adesiyan and actor and filmmaker, Desmond Elliot.
Adesiyan, won the All Progressive Congress, APC, ticket to vie for a seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly. She however lost the election which was said to be keenly contested.
Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Desmond Elliot on the other hand emerged successful in his first shot in politics. He contested for and duly won the election as a lawmaker on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).
M-Net shelves BBA 2015
ORGANISERS announced that the popular M-Net reality TV show, Big Brother Africa (BBA), has been put on hold, even though the regional Big Brother shows, including Big Brother Angola and Big Brother Mzansi still held.
Though no concrete reason was given for the development, it is rumoured that M-Net had to cancel the highly critiqued TV show for want of sponsors.
According to its management, though the move to regionalise the show allows producers to re-evaluate its direction, Big Brother continues to captivate audiences in each market in which it is produced.
“M-Net wish to thank Big Brother Africa fans for their continuous support and assure them that in the future further announcements will be made,” a statement from the body reads.
Last year, the annual show was almost marred when what was described as a devastating fire engulfed the Big Brother house.
The 2014 competition, dubbed Hotshots, saw Tanzania’s Idris emerging winner after 63 gruelling days in the house. Coming closely behind him was Nigeria’s Tayo who came a few points short of clinching the prize.
Glo X-Factor replaced with Dance With Peter
THE maiden edition of X Factor, one of Nigeria’s singing reality TV show, which saw sensational rapper Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, crowned Africa’s first X Factor winner in 2013, this year witnessed a change.
The reality show was replaced with one of the telecom’s ambassador pet project tagged ‘Dance With Peter’; a dancing competition organised in collaboration with Africa’s dance star, Peter Okoye of the P-Square fame of the duo singers P-Square.
While the winner of the show wins a brand new Toyota RAV 4 sports utility vehicle, N3million cash prize and the rare opportunity of featuring in P-Square’s next music video. The first and second runners-up will receive a Honda Civic car with N2million and a Kia Rio car with N1million respectively.
GUS 2015: Brand gives back to consumers
UNLIKE the previous years; reality TV show, Gulder Ultimate Search which has had several editions since 2004, the show took a different direction this year, with the company putting up for grab 11 brand new Hyundai Elantra cars; as a way of giving back to their consumers.
The Gulder promo kick-started the 2015 edition of the Gulder National Consumer Promotion, with the display of one of world’s biggest poster in Enugu; which beats the previous largest poster in the world which measured 4,793.65 square meters and was achieved by Global United Media Company Pvt Ltd (India) in Kochi, India, on 27 June 2015.
The promo had a journalist, Mr. Chuka Nnabuife who works with National Light newspaper, Anambra State, emerge the winner of one of the Hyundai Elantra car.
The company also this year unveiled three new ambassadors: Yemi Blaq, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Ill Rhymz.
K-Peace crowned Nigerian Idol Season 5 winner
THE fifth edition of the Nigeria Music contest sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria ended with Kunle Ogunrombi, known as K-Peace, emerging winner.
K-Peace smiled home with a brand new SUV car, cash prize of N7.5 million and a recording deal with Universal Music Company.
K-Peace follows the likes 26-year-old Oneyka “Yeka Onka” Gilbert Elizabeth Onwuka from Ohafia who was announced the first Nigerian Idol in 2011.
Other Nigerian Idol winners are Mercy Chinwo, Moses Obi Adigwe, and Evelle.
THIS year, Nigerian artistes made their mark on the award platform. Some of the top platforms include the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Music of Black Origin (MOBO) and the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) with other awards being Too Exclusive Awards, Top Naija Awards.
And Nigerian artistes got their fair share. At the 2015 AFRIMA
At the 2015 MAMAs, Yemi Alade (Africa’s Best Female Act), P-Square (Best Group), Patoranking (Best New Act) and D’Banj (MAMA Evolution Award) represented Nigeria.
