The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Darey

  • Tuface, Darey, others thrill at Olori Wuraola’s Give-back concert

    Tuface, Darey, others thrill at Olori Wuraola’s Give-back concert

    The Give-back-concert organised by Olori Wuraola, an initiative under the House of Oduduwa Foundation, in support of orphanages, held recently, at the Eko convention centre, Lagos, attracting stars like Tuface Idibia, Darey, Adekunle Gold, Waje, Cobhams, Sound Sultan, Kenny Blaq, Funbi and Lamboghini and others.

    The superstars thrilled the audience to world-class performances that left the crowd asking for more.

    In her address Olori Wuraola, wife of the Ooni of Ife, expressed the need to contribute individually to help the orphans achieve a good future.

    “We cannot do it alone,” she said. “None of us can.”

    Speaking on her dream for orphanages, Olori Wuraola said: “I want to assist in the renovation of local orphanages and provide food and other items to orphans in the rural areas of Nigeria and across Africa.

    “Orphans are society’s lost children. They are homeless; they are often a group without hopes. These children have lost their parents and families due to the devastating effects of war, drought, famine and economic hardships; hence they are suffering from malnutrition, diseases and hopelessness. These vulnerable children face a disastrous future without our immediate intervention.”

    Other dignitaries in attendance include the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi; His Royal Highness Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, billionaire businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya, Senator Ita Giwa, Nike Osinowo, Erelu Dosunmu, Sisi Abah Folawiyo among several others, including Nollywood stars.

    More than 20 orphanages are expected to benefit from the proceeds of the concert, which she promised would be used to renovate such orphanages.

  • DAREY: ‘MY WIFE IS NOT THREATENED BY MY FEMALE FANS’

    DAREY: ‘MY WIFE IS NOT THREATENED BY MY FEMALE FANS’

    Multi-talented singer and songwriter, Darey Art-Alade, son of renowned Nigerian entertainer, Art Alade of blessed memory, started music professionally when he emerged third runner-up at the 2004 edition of Project Fame Academy.
    He bears his mind in this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI on a number of issues, including his 10th wedding anniversary, why he went ‘Naked’ on his album and other issues.

    YOU recently celebrated your 10th wedding anniversary, tell us about it?

    This is a personal milestone that was spent with my wife and kids. I believe it is important to keep the memories away from prying eyes.

    How would you describe the experience of being married for a decade without front page headlines?

    Marriage is a beautiful thing. Front page headlines are most times ugly and negative and sadly that’s what sells the news. The two things are like oil and water. Don’t mix!

    Does your wife feel threatened when you are amidst female fans?

    I just asked her. She said no oh and laughed out loud.

    What brought about the concept of your song, Pray For Me, featuring the Soweto Choir?

    It is a wonderful song that was simply born out of inspiration. Oscar heman-ackah who produced the song has also worked with the likes of P-square and others. He told me of a story of how P-square left home many years ago in order to achieve their dreams. The rest as they say is history.

    You have been in the game for a very long time, yet you do not follow the general trend of music. How have you been able to manage your own style?

    I have never been one to follow trends. It is just not in my composition. I like to keep things simple and create new waves. Most of my life’s work has paved the way for others and birthed new beginnings. Staying true to oneself is extremely important in the music game.

    There was a period you went silent. What was behind that decision?

    I think this was a few years ago when I was focusing on live spot as a creative agency and ensuring our team had the wherewithal to operate on the next level and help our teeming clients bring their ideas to life. All that while I was still recording music which gave birth to the Naked album that had songs like Pray for me, Orekelewa,  I go make am and others.

    You usually pick international stars for your concert, why?

    Love Like A Movie has had several international stars from Nigeria, Africa, Europe and beyond, featured in different capacities. From dancers to singers to special performers to special guest appearances and red carpet hosts. The format of LLAM is quite detailed and extensive and we have been able to raise the bar for event production and audience experience in Nigeria.

    Don’t you think it is quite expensive bringing them down to Nigeria for a day concert?

    I guess you are referring to our special guests in the past like Kelly Rowland etc. There is no price you can put on creativity. Whether you charge $10 or £5m per appearance, what is paramount is the value you add to wherever you are required to showcase your creativity.

    What is the next big project you are working on?

    I really wish I could tell you about it but it is under wraps for now. Be rest assured that I am recording new music though amongst working on other ground-breaking projects.

    What is it like working with artistes whose genres of music are different from yours?

    Always a pleasure to learn from others; making music is magical, so traversing each genre brings a lot of excitement.

    Aside music, do you have other engagement that also adds to your income, as an artiste?

    Certainly; as I mentioned earlier, Livespot group is a rapidly growing creative agency that creates the wow factor for our clients. Aside from Livespot, our other business interests include interior decor, equipment hire, solution consulting and more.

    Going naked for the cover of your fourth album, tell us what makes that album special?

    It came from a special place; naked is a metaphor for baring emotion. All you need to do is listen to it in order to understand the depth and soul.

    You were reported to be the first Nigerian male singer to strip in this manner; did you get negative response towards this particular concept?

    Not at all. People realised what the actual message was especially when everyone began sharing their own “naked” moments on social media that showed their own vulnerability. Naked is all about being okay with who you are regardless of circumstances.

    Are you fully back to Lagos?

    Fully back to Lagos and still operating in Abuja. Please don’t ask how.

    Share with us the fun memories of being son of Art Alade?

    There are too many to mention! He was always making us laugh even when he tried to be stern. He always loved music around him and he always cared about his family. Sometimes I would go out with him and just watch the effect he had on people. I also remember him helping me with my music homework when I was still a young boy.

    You said in an interview that you don’t care about money, why are you then working if not for monetary gain?

    Money comes and goes and does not respect anyone. What is important to me is how i make people feel. It is about having a positive effect on people around you. Lending a helping hand, building a legacy that will outlive you, of course you need money to survive. Saying I do not care about it does not mean I do not need it. We all do!

    Can you share with upcoming artistes the secret to being a successful brand?

    Be prayerful and God-fearing. Be good to people who come your way. Stay humble and true to yourself. Learn your craft well and become a master at it. Everything else will fall in place!

    Would you say getting endorsements is also a surviving strategy for an artiste?

    It is not a bad thing as it helps you pay your bills and keeps your brand out there but it is more important to build your brand to that level where you are sought after. Unfortunately, piracy is still ripping our income apart so artists have to find new ways of surviving.

    What is the difference between Darey the artiste and Darey the father?

    This is a question for my kids! The artiste is the public figure and the father is the local superhero his kids look up to!

  • Darey releases Orekelewa video

    Darey releases Orekelewa video

    Popular multiple award winning R n B crooner, Dare-Art Alade, is out with the visuals of a song from his latest album Naked. Titled Orekelewa, which simply means ‘lovely damsel’ in Yoruba, the video treats the theme of family and treasured family memories by reminiscing on beautiful memories inspired by filial devotion.

    The video was directed by Mex, was shot in Lagos and features the likes of Linda Ejiofor, Veteran actor Victor Olaotan, multiple-award winning humour merchant; Hafiz Oyetoro, popularly known as Saka, and Funny babe, Chigul.

    Orekelewa is the second of the thirteen tracker album released in October 2015, and is rendered in Yoruba, Pidgin, and English languages.

    Darey is already in the studio working on his next album.

  • DAREY DROPS STAR-STUDDED ALBUM, ‘NAKED’

    AFTER weeks of anticipation, R&B superstar, Darey Art Alade has released his 5th studio album titled Naked.

    The album, which was released yesterday, has been described as a raw musical expression which strips away pretense and exposes the very depth of Darey’s musical essence and emotions.

    Featuring some of the best artistes in the Nigerian music scene, Naked is a fusion of R&B, Afrobeat and Soul. The critically acclaimed album brings together stellar production work, deep and insightful musical arrangement and Darey’s signature vocals into one raw musical expression which strips away pretense and exposes the very depth of Darey’s musical essence and emotions.

    “From the start of this recording project, my plan was to create music that will connect with people on a deep personal level, stand the test of time and still be fun. The whole album is a journey that I hope my fans enjoy. Over the course of my career, I have recorded hundreds of songs but I can truthfully say that what I feel is the best music I have recorded in my life is on this album. Naked is more than just an album title,” says Darey.

    According to the artiste, Naked encapsulates everything he hoped it would be about. I wanted my fans to get to know me and feel me in a very close and personal way. I feel that the music on this album brings out what I wanted it to and I can’t wait for my fans to get their hands on it.”

    The 13-track album features collaborations with Asa, Olamide and Soweto Gospel Choir with superb masterful production work from Oscar Heman-Ackah and some additional input from Cobhams Asuquo, Vtek and Darey himself.

  • Darey drops star studded album, Naked

    Darey drops star studded album, Naked

    After weeks of anticipation, R&B superstar, Darey Art Alade has released his 5th studio album titled Naked.

    The album, which was released yesterday, has been described as a raw musical expression which strips away pretense and exposes the very depth of Darey’s musical essence and emotions.

    Featuring some of the best artistes in the Nigerian music scene, Naked is a fusion of R&B, Afrobeat and Soul.

    The critically acclaimed album brings together stellar production work, deep and insightful musical arrangement and Darey’s signature vocals into one raw musical expression which strips away pretense and exposes the very depth of Darey’s musical essence and emotions.

    “From the start of this recording project, my plan was to create music that will connect with people on a deep personal level, stand the test of time and still be fun. The whole album is a journey that I hope my fans enjoy. Over the course of my career, I have recorded hundreds of songs but I can truthfully say that what I feel is the best music I have recorded in my life is on this album. Naked is more than just an album title,” says Darey.

    According to the artiste, Naked encapsulates everything he hoped it would be about. I wanted my fans to get to know me and feel me in a very close and personal way. I feel that the music on this album brings out what I wanted it to and I can’t wait for my fans to get their hands on it.”

    The 13-track album features collaborations with Asa, Olamide and Soweto Gospel Choir with superb masterful production work from Oscar Heman-Ackah and some additional input from Cobhams Asuquo, Vtek and Darey himself.

  • Pray for Me reinforces Darey’s art

    Pray for Me reinforces Darey’s art

    Darey Art-Alade is back. And this time, with a soulful ballad in his RnB style. Titled Pray for Me, the song’s danceable tune, according to music followers, reaffirms the singer as belonging to the big league of RnB genre.

    Pray for Me is the tale of a simple country boy’s decision to relocate to the city in search of better life. In spite of his father’s warning that the city is a tough place, he leaves, but not before asking his parents to pray for him. Gbadura fun mi (‘pray for me’ in Yoruba), the child’s passionate plea, serves as a refrain for the song.

    The quest for a better life and belief in a brighter future against all odds is the subject matter of the song. It also chronicles a constant occurrence in the lives of country boys, and sometimes girls, who relocate to the city; their inability to visit home, oftentimes for years at a stretch, usually due to lack of funds, and the unwillingness to visit home without having anything tangible to show for their years of sojourn.

    The song also reinforces the singer’s reputation as a creative and talented artiste, with a clean wholesome image as evidenced by ‘clean’ lyrics.

    Darey is known for writing in the sublime style; one that moves the listener, often taking them to another plane, while handling universal human experiences like love, pain, loneliness and heartbreak. His hit song, Not the Girl, is a reminder of this fact.

  • No date yet for Darey’s Love Like A Movie 3

    No date yet for Darey’s Love Like A Movie 3

    Ahead of the April 4, 2015 date earlier fixed for the third edition of Darey Art-Alade’s long-awaited concert, Love Like A Movie, organisers have announced an indefinite postponement of the show.

    It will be recalled that against the traditional February 14-Valentine’s Day of the show, the mind-blowing risqué event was first shifted in lieu of the earlier planned presidential elections in Nigeria.

    “The event is now being pushed back again due to plenty uncertainties that made it difficult to plan,” said Alade, referring to the current political climate.

    “I’m pretty disappointed myself. But LLAM will no longer hold on April 4. I truly apologise on behalf of the entire Livespot team,” he said, adding that, “Everyone is asking us what’s happening. All I can assure is that we will do it and do it big again. And it will be worth the wait.”

  • Again, Darey Art-Alade plans Love Like a Movie concert

    Again, Darey Art-Alade plans Love Like a Movie concert

    Nigerian music superstar, Darey Art-Alade, popularly called Darey, has revealed his plans to stage another edition of his widely acclaimed concert, Love Like a Movie.

    Produced by Livespot Productions, this year’s edition tagged Love Roller Coaster will hold on Saturday, January 15, at the Oceanview Grounds, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Although the award-winning singer and songwriter is yet to disclose the identity of the host, the general feeling is that he will pick a major headliner like he did last year when he featured Kim Kardashian.

    Although last year’s event was rated as one of the few shows in the country, with international clout, fans had criticized it for what they perceived as Kardashian’s wasteful coming.

    The American Reality TV star was said to have been paid $500, 000 as host of the show last year, but did not stay for more than 45 minutes.

    The show however went on, with some of the best performances, stagecraft and kaleidoscopic dance.

  • Darey’s Asiko makes MTV Base top chart

    Darey’s Asiko makes MTV Base top chart

    DAVIDO joins Ehis in the studio for an Official Naija Top 10 discussing the music videos and tracks making it big on this week’s Nigerian music scene.

    In first place this week is “Asiko” by Darey featuring Ice Prince and Jozi. Davido’s “Gobe” which climbs into the number 3 slot while former number one “Ezioku” by Lynxx slips to number 2. The only new entry in this week’s chart is Wande Coal who enters the chart at number 9 with “The Kick”. This week’s highest climbers are 2Face who continues his swift ride up the charts as “Dance Floor” moves to number 8 and Kcee with “Limpopo” up two places at number 5.

    Every week the Official Naija Top 10 is put together by an elite panel of judges comprising of Nigerian broadcasters, music specialists and tastemakers, working with MTV Base to pick the winners and losers in the week’s chart. On the panel are Onos Ariyo (Bella Naija.com), DJ Humility (Rhythm FM), DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Xclusive (Cool FM), Big Time (Rhythm FM), DJ Caise (The Beat FM), Toolz (The Beat FM) and Osagie Alonge (Nigerian Entertainment Today).