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  • Destiny Child reunites in Say Yes

    Destiny Child reunites in Say Yes

    DESTINY Child, the singing trio that held sway in the early 2000s, has come together to support their band member, Michelle Williams, for her song, Say Yes.

    Michelle is joined by her Destiny’s Child sisters, and Kelly Rowland, on the gospel tune.

    Over a rolling drum beat, the three friends celebrated the Almighty Lord, singing out: “When Jesus says yes, nobody can say no,” on the song. The song is expected to appear on Michelle’s upcoming fourth solo album, Journey to Freedom, soon.

    Formed in 1990 in Houston, Texas, Destiny’s Child members began their musical careers as Girl’s Tyme. After years of limited success, they were signed in 1996 to Columbia Records as Destiny’s Child.

    Destiny’s Child was launched into recognition, following the 1999 release of their best-selling second album, The Writing’s on the Wall, which contained the hit singles, Bills, Bills, Bills and Say My Name. Despite the commercial success, the group was plagued by internal conflict and legal turmoil, as Roberson and Luckett attempted to split from the group’s manager Mathew Knowles, citing favoritism of Knowles and Rowland.

    After about 15 years together, the trio of Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams went their separate ways, after wrapping up their Destiny Fulfilled … And Lovin’ It Tour in 2005.

    Rowland made the surprise announcement onstage before 16,000 fans in Barcelona.

  • 18 finalists for ‘Destiny Child’ gospel reality

    HE audition train for Destiny Child Gospel Music Talent Hunt season II which began some weeks ago in Abuja finally came to a stop recently in Lagos. Lagos was the climax of the last leg of the auditions which had been at Benin and Ekiti State.

    An excited and animated crowd of youths turned up at the venue, Water Parks, Toyin Street, Ikeja. And for two days, the hopeful contestants displayed their musical talents to win the hearts of the judges but at the end of the day, there was a quota of only two finalists from each zone who were expected to make it into DC City.

    From the cheerful atmosphere of camaraderie, the mood at the audition ground soon moved to that of competition. Interestingly, the never-say-die spirit of one of the contestants who had auditioned in Benin paid-off at the end as he got the nod of the judges. To complete the quota was another testimony of resilience and perseverance for another contestant who was part of the auditions for season I.

    Joining U-Cheena Eshareturi, Programme Producer, to form a three-man, were two guest judges; gospel music producer, Wole Oni, and gospel music DJ, music promoter and on-air personality, DJ Gosporella.

    The Benin auditions which held at the prestigious Excalibur Benin Hotel had music producer and sound engineer and pastor, Kaycee Avwomakpa Oghenenyerhovwo, as guest judge. At Ekiti, gospel minister, Ogedengbe Olufemi, was a guest judge joining the duo of U-Cheena Eshareturi and Destiny Child Music Director, Tolu Obanro.

    On the Lagos outcome, Wole Oni expressed satisfaction at the quality of talent on display. “It was a lovely experience and I can say that I had fun. I’m happy about the encouragement that this platform gives to the gospel sector in our great country. With this going on, the spread of the good news of Christ is imminent because they work hand in hand. Destiny Child Gospel Music Talent Hunt as a platform, set to uplift the name of Jesus, is unique, standard and completely educative. I’m proud to be a part of it,” Oni explained.

    The 18 finalists from Abuja will now proceed into the DC City where they will slug it out with 16 other finalists from other regions before a jury that comprise U-Cheena, Samsong, Tim Godfrey and Wole

  • Destiny Child season II auditions hold in Abuja, Markudi, Owerri

    FOLLOWING the success of its season I, Destiny Child Gospel Music Talent Hunt began the quest for Season II on a high note in the city of Abuja, the city that produced Isreal Funsho, the winner of the first season. The audition train, which began at Agura Hotel, Abuja, continued at Hotel Reuphina, Markudi and later moved to Rockview Hotel, Owerri.

    Season II hosts, Quest and Iphy were on hand to receive the boisterous crowd of hopeful contestants at each of the three zones. However, the premature enthusiasm soon drained from the eyes of the contestants, soon after they were confronted with the reality of keen competition, with only two finalist spots up for grabs.

    At each of the zones, the auditions held for two days, beginning with a pre-audition screening. It continued the next day to pave the way for the two finalists who will proceed into DC City for the main competition. The rigorous screening exercises recorded some exciting performances of popular gospel tunes, ranging from R&B to contemporary African tunes, as well as hip hop, leaving room for only the best. In Abuja, the duo of renowned gospel musicians, Asu Ekiye and Solomon Lange, teamed up with the show producer, U-Cheena.

    One of the highlights of day II in Abuja was the visit of Isreal Funsho, who rode into the venue in his brand new car, with a customized plate number Destiny 1. The Abuja-based singer, whose first album was released on the imprimatur of Autographs Records, also had a few advices for the contestants before he left the scene.

    The two finalists from Abuja, Markurdi and Owerri will now proceed into the DC City, where they will slug it out with other finalists from other regions.

    The winners of the show will smile home with fantastic prizes, including a 1st prize of a brand new car, N1million and Autograph records deal, worth N3million. The first and second runners-up will go home with Autograph Records deal, worth N2million and N1million respectively.

  • Destiny Child embarks on Nationwide Tour

    AS auditions for the second season of gospel music reality TV show, Destiny Child draws near, organisers have concluded plans to begin a nationwide tour to major geographical zones across the country. Organisers say the show will visit Lagos, Ilorin, Akure, Markudi, Port-Harcourt, Calabar, and Abuja.

    According to findings, the six finalists of the first season have metamorphosed into a group known as the Supreme Six. The group consists of the top winners – Israel Funsho, Femi Flame (1st runner up), Rasine Brown (2nd runner – up) and three other finalists: Shalom, King David and Frances.

    The group of six will embark on a nationwide tour Tagged Product of Hope which begins on July 4, 2013. The tours kick off at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), after which it will move to Ilorin, home of Israel and from there to Akure home of Femi Ashana.

    Product of Hope will later move to Warri before Port Harcourt, home of Rasine Brown, plays host to it. After the Supreme Six must have toured the homes of the top winners, Calabar will be its next port of call from where it will finally berth in Abuja.

    Equipped with what it takes to take over and rejuvenate the gospel music scenery in Nigeria and the world at large, the Supreme Six will perform songs from their debut album titled Destiny Child before a live audience at the zones.

    According to the organizers, part of the essence of the tour is to activate the zones in preparation for when auditions begins in August. Destiny Child album is a compilation of the original songs of the six finalists at the boat camp.

    Meanwhile, the trios of Israel, Femi and Rasine have followed up their singles with a video which is presently enjoying rotation on major TV across the country. The singles Praise Your Name by Israel, Adanimagbagbe (Mindful Creator) by Femi ak.a Femi Flames and Amazing Love by Rasine, display the creativity of all three gospel artistes as it is composed of rock, afrobeat and a hint of pop which have been blended together to produce extraordinary sounds that ministers to all.

  • Destiny Child: Israel, Femi, Rasine drop singles

    WINNERS of the maiden edition of Destiny Child gospel music reality show have all released their debut singles. The young talents who are all signed unto Autograph Records teamed up with the label’s in-house producer, T-Yanks, who was the competition’s music director in season one to churn out 21st century music that edifies the soul of Christians as the songs have strong gospel themes.

    The winner of Destiny Child season one, Israel Funonsho, has a track titled Praise your name. The well-crafted song is Israel’s gift to the world, borne out of his desire as a music minister to praise God in every way possible. In his words: “I strongly believe I am alive today because God brought me into this world to do only one thing – praise and lead his people to praise him, hence the reason why my first single is titled praise your name. The Osun State-born music minister believes lovers of good and clean music will surely have a blast listening to this song.

    Femi Flames decided to stick to his mother tongue as he sings about the supremacy of God in his first single he has tagged: Adanimagbagbe. The song exalts God’s supremacy and reminds us all that God is a mindful creator. “I love singing from my heart, because if I do not connect to the song I am singing, I believe others won’t. So I decided to keep it indigenous because I needed to feel it in a different way. One thing is certain: the world will be blessed by this song,” he affirmed.

    Rasine Brown is a combination of God’s beauty, creativity and intelligence. She brings her multiple blessings to bear in her song as she combines rock, afrobeat and a blend of pop to deliver a truly amazing sound that will minister to your soul and keep you entertained. Amazing love is a certified song that deserves a permanent place in your stereo, be it at home, office or your mobile device.

    The pretty lad who is excited and hopeful about the prospects of the song had this to say, “I feel so blessed by this opportunity and I am believing God the general public, both Christians and non-Christians alike, will be blessed by this song.”

    The trio will out lined a road tour from May to June, with the biggest being a performance at Mike Aremu’s concert in London, come May 6.