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Tag: Iyanya

  • Iyanya, Seyi Shay, others for Cupid Concert

    Iyanya, Seyi Shay, others for Cupid Concert

    COME February 20, all roads will literally lead to Lamibele Place, Asaba, Delta State, as the Cupid Concert makes its debut.

    According to the organisers, the show, which will feature top Nigerian music stars like Iyanya, Seyi Shay, Beejay Sax and other artistes, will celebrate values, culture and relationships.

    It will feature a fashion show, showcasing gorgeous attires from Delta State and bring together notable Delta State professionals in both the public and private sectors.

    According to the project director of Cupid Concert, Anne Omezi, the desire to promote the cultural values and enhance viable relationships is the main reason for the concert.

    “The Cupid Concert will offer a unique entertainment for all lovers of music and fashion. We will expect both individuals and corporate sponsors to take full advantage of the event to reach out to their various customers within the South-South region. We have also got confirmation from the Nigeria Police for the provision of security to ensure that the concert is hitch- free and fun-filled.”

    The Cupid Concert is supported by leading organizations in Nigeria, especially in the corporate and entertainment industry.

  • CALFEST: 2face, Davido, Iyanya others excite

    CALFEST: 2face, Davido, Iyanya others excite

    One would have thought that following the boisterous carnival activities of last Friday, the tempo of fanfare would subside.

    But Calabar, the ancient city of Cross River State, rose again, with renewed vigour, featuring top Nigerian artistes in a post- Calabar carnival concert.

    2face Idibia, Iyanya, Davido and Sound Sultan were an irresistible lineup for revelers, who thronged the main bowl of the U.J Esuene Stadium on Saturday night.

    Tagged “Calabar Rocks”, the 16,000 capacity stadium, at 8.00p.m., was literally bursting at the seams, as hordes of spectators got thrilled by the best of Nigeria’s musical gladiators.

    After what seemed like an endless wait by the music buffs, whose appetite had been whet by local acts, the crowd suddenly went haywire with the appearance of Sound. The act stood the most unwilling from their seat.

    If anyone thought the crowd was jaded by fatigue of the previous day jamz and the gyration on display on this sweaty Saturday night by the old, the young men and women offered no such hint.

    Nato C dished out some of his rap tunes much to the excitement of the music throngs who wound and wriggled while the act did his thing.

    The stadium erupted in ecstasy when the ‘Skelewu’ and ‘Omo Baba Lowo’ crooner, Davido, mounted the stage and got the crowd crooning and yelling along to his rave tunes. It was a moment they sure would live to remember in a long while to come.

    In what could be regarded as home-coming, it was the turn of Iyanya who was given a hero’s welcome by the crowd as he took to the stage.

    With his ‘Kukere’ and ‘Your Waist’ anthems, the singer, expectedly, wowed the crowd into a wild moment, singing and dancing to his native ‘Etighi’ dance steps.

    And then it was the turn of 2face to thrill the crowd. Tunes after tunes, the Nigerian multi-award winning music sensation got the crowd rocking back and forth, as the night wore on into the early hours of Sunday.

    It was not just a night of music alone, one of Nigeria’s finest comedians, Julius Agwu, thrilled the crowd with his rib-cracking jokes.

    It was obvious the fun- seekers wished the show didn’t end.

  • Fighting piracy, according to Iyanya, Davido, KC, others

    Fighting piracy, according to Iyanya, Davido, KC, others

    IN the face of the unchecked scourge of piracy, Nigerian artistes are now smiling to the banks and getting the deserved royalties for their creative abilities from the MTN Callertunez service as they now use the platform to monetise their songs.

    This, according to findings, is because the MTN Callertunez service has grown to become one of the safest and largest distribution platforms for music content in Nigeria, having over 17 million subscribers patronising the service. This number holds a yet unbeaten record in the telecommunications industry.

    Many Nigerian artistes now see the MTN Callertunez service, which was launched in 2008, as one of the inimitable ways to monetise their creative content and offer solutions to the distribution problems, facing the Nigerian music industry. Besides, it’s impossible for the service to be duplicated or pirated. With its wide outreach to millions of subscribers, the service has a library of over 12, 000 Callertunez. This library warehouses Callertunez, of various artistes, including those of Nigeria’s leading artistes like Iyanya, Davido, Kcee, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Chidinma.

    Iyanya’s hit track, Kukere, which was released on December 11, 2011, was the first to cross three million downloads on any mobile telecommunications network in Nigeria, thus making the MTN Project Fame maiden edition winner to continually smile to the bank. Worthy of note, Kate Henshaw’s song, Treasure, is the most downloaded tune on the MTN Callertunez service.

    Talk-of-the-moment song, Skelewu, by Davido, has become the tune of many MTN Callertunez subscribers, with over a million downloads. The song, which is making waves, is also using the MTN Callertunez service to create popularity. This week, the tune is occupying sixth position on the MTN Callertunez Weekly Top 10. Following the Skelewu king, Davido, is the Limpopo master, KCee. Kcee’s song, Limpopo, has also become an anthem to many Callertunez subscribers.

    Other songs making it big on the MTN Callertunez are: Tiwa Savage’s Eminado, Wizkid’s Jaye Jaye, Jaywon’s Odun Yi and the legendary Fela’s Water No Get Enemy, among others.

    Apart from Nigerian artistes making it big through the platform, subscribers are also smiling as MTN Nigeria has started rewarding them with expensive smartphones and other exciting gifts. To further excite and make it easier for customers to discover their favourite songs on MTN Callertunez, the Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, Larry Annetts, has stated that a Facebook app and a smartphone app for the service will both be launched before the end of the year.

  • Iyanya, Wizkid, others go Loud in Naija

    Iyanya, Wizkid, others go Loud in Naija

    ALL is set for Telecommunications Company, MTN, to storm four of Nigeria’s cities with its array of musical superstars and ambassadors in what has been rated the mother-of-all musical concert. Tagged Loud in Naija, the concert which kicked off November 8, in Ibadan is expected to run all through the month in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.

    Artistes lined up for the shows include Wizkid, KCee, Iyanya, Don Jazzy, Dr. Sid, Sound Sultan, Tiwa Savage, Praiz, Chidinma and other Project Fame’s graduates that include Oyinkansola and many more.

    Some of the artistes who will be performing at the concerts have expressed their desire to entertain their fans in all the four cities. Sound Sultan has expressed his readiness going by feelers. KCee who just released his album also spoke about his willingness to deliver a most memorable performance.

    Over the years, MTN it has worked with highly rated entertainers in the Nigerian music industry and those from the foreign scene but, this time, by lining up its Project Fame’s graduates like Oyinkansade, besides Chidinma and Praiz, with the well-established ambassadors, the company is proving it can indeed breed superstars that can compete on the bigger stage.

  • My relationship with Iyanya —EMMA NYRA

    My relationship with Iyanya —EMMA NYRA

    Born Emma Chukwugoziam Obi, the first lady of Iyanya and UB Franklin’s Made Men Music Group who goes by the moniker Emma Nyra, is a Nigerian performing artist out of Houston Texas. The graduate of Health Administration from Southern University is a singer and also an actress. Her relationship with Iyanya, no doubt, has given her that platform which has launched her into the limelight. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, Emma opens up on her foray into music, growing up, dating, among other things:

    WHEN did your journey into music start?

    I have been singing since 2009. That was when I started my first professional show but I have been singing since I was really young, like singing in the choir and all of that.

    Musically, what has been happening since 2009?

    I didn’t graduate from the university until 2010. So while I was singing I was still studying because I did promise my parents I would get my degree first. When I told my parents I wanted to be an artist, they were shaky, so I got my degree first. 2011, I moved to Nigeria because I signed with Made Men Music Group, which is owned by Iyanya and UB Franklin.

    How did you meet Iyanya?

    In 2009, my mentor then was Sauce Kid. He treated me like a little sister. He would take me to interviews and all of that. Along the way, during one of our dates, he took me to the radio station and then after that we went to meet UB Franklin, my manager now. He introduced me to him as the guy who managed Iyanya. I hadn’t met Iyanya then. That was after Project Fame. But I didn’t know Project Fame. I wasn’t familiar with it. When UB saw me he was like, ‘you’re a female act. I manage artists and having a female and a male will be a good idea.’ There was no label then. I hadn’t finished my studies yet, but I had made up my mind to move back to Nigeria because it didn’t make sense for him to manage me from abroad.

    After that meeting, in 2011 Christmas, I met him again through not.justok concert. I was performing there. We got talking and he was like you are done with schooling now, so come back to Nigeria, let’s do this thing. I told my parents and they were like we don’t have any plans of leaving you in Nigeria, so I went back January the following year. When we returned, I had to convince my parents to allow me come down to Nigeria. Eventually I succeeded, so my mom brought me back in March, so she met UB. He convinced her that it was a good idea to leave me behind. I also have family here so I moved into my uncle’s house. Immediately I moved to Lagos, everything started happening at the same time.

    People here have drive, so it was good that I moved here. So Made Men came about. UB had the idea. He brought it to all of us. There are three artistes, Bassey Okon, Emma Nyra and Iyanya. Iyanya and UB Franklin are the presidents. They are my two bosses. He told Iyanya, let’s name it Made Men Music Group. He brought logos for Iyanya to look at. We decided all of that and UB went to register it, Made Men Music Group.

    Why did you choose to sign with Iyanya’s label?

    Actually, it wasn’t the name I was looking for. It was the fact that they took the time to say we believe in you. We’ll back you. We’ll support you. And that was what I needed because I knew I have talent. I needed someone who will sit me down and say we are willing to help you train. We are willing to put money into your project. We are willing to help you 100 percent. I didn’t really need money. I didn’t need that. What I needed was support and backing.

    Before they did Kukere video, I had already signed with them. So as it was picking up I was doing shows with them, I was gaining experience and everything. If I had come now after the success then everybody would have said she’s looked for him. So it’s better that I stuck with my team and we are moving together at the same time. Luckily, when we did Your Waist, that was like my biggest platform. People know my face now so I have that platform I needed.

    What are your challenges as a female artist here?

    Because I’ve been signed on to Made Men Music Group, when people approach me they have to go through the same method as any other type of artist. Before, when I was on my own, it was the public dealing directly with me. But because I have a manager now, you are not even going to see me or deal with me until it’s time for me to step in, so that helps people to offer the right price. People know that when you are dealing with a manager you can’t try and be funny. That was my major issue when I was independent.

    What genre of music do you do?

    I do Afro pop, Afro RnB. My training is heavy RnB. When I moved to Nigeria, I had to change it slightly. So my single Ori mi wu is a very fast-paced dance, infused with drums, that’s what makes the Afro pop. People all over the world now are starting to embrace African music, that’s why you see Rick Ross with PSquare, Akon and so on. People are looking for African music now.

    Who were your influences musically?

    Marie Carey trained me for the high pitch. I also like Beyonce. She has a heavy voice that I love. I learnt some runs from her. I grew up listening to Fela. Fela, Sunny Bobo, that’s what my mom listens to day-in-day-out. Fela most especially, people in America are influenced by him. Don’t think because I was raised outside Nigeria, I don’t know my training. Even all those classic Ibo songs, I grew up listening to them. My mom and dad are both music collectors. That’s what I grew up with.

    Iyanya as an artiste, what’s your perception of him?

    A lot of artistes right now are gimmicks. I think Iyanya is unique because he’s actually talented and he’s a total package. He can sing very well. He can dance very well and he’s passionate. He’s not doing it for the naira. People think Iyanya is a rich boy, he makes millions. Iyanya is passionate about what he does. If it wasn’t for his passion he would have quit a long time ago. He doesn’t have time for anything else. So that’s what makes him different.

    How much of his style have you imbibed?

    Iyanya helped me in the studio to learn how to make my voice a little lighter because he told me to look at him. For example, he sings only RnB and that was what I was doing as well. So he now gave me some tips on how to make my voice run a little bit. He also helped me with dancing because he said as a woman I have to learn how to dance, to engage the crowd. That is what he’s helping me do.

    Tell us your first major platform and what was the experience?

    My first major platform was Davido’s album launch. I was very shy because I know that Nigerians are very blunt and honest. I was like, ‘oh my God, I pray they like me.’ I’m actually not scared of being booed. I have been booed before on stage, when I opened up for Fally Ipupa in Houston.

    The women were waiting for Fally. They came to concert at 9pm; Fally didn’t come to the concert until like 4’oclock in the morning. I was one of the opening acts. When I said, ‘you guys want me to sing?’ The crowd said no! So I have been booed before. So at the Davido’s concert, Iyanya was like ‘go up there and do your thing.’ The only thing you can do as an artiste is give your all.

    Iyanya is single, is there the possibility of dating him?

    No, because he’s a colleague. A lot of times, I feel a lot of good relationship go sour because you let love get in the way of your hustle. So right now, no, there is no relationship. It is just a professional relationship. We have the Made Men House where everybody stays; you can’t now be dating somebody within the house. You can’t be doing that at this point because you don’t want any kind of conflict. It’s too risky. Right now I’m about my hustle. I don’t have any relationship, but when I do it shouldn’t be within the team. That’s how I feel right now, maybe it will change, I don’t know.

    Tell us about your background

    Both of my parents are from Asaba, Delta State. They moved to America in the 80s. My elder sister, she’s fifteen months older than me, we were all born in Texas. She’s first and I’m the second born. Then I have two younger brothers. One is 18 and the other is 21. We are very close and we grew up in Texas. I didn’t even eat America food until I was a certain age; I grew up on rice, stew, fufu, pounded yam, that’s what we eat. That’s what I knew.

    I’m still picky, if you call my friends and ask them what I eat, they will tell you rice. I still eat like that until now. I grew up in a house that was very loving. Both my parents worked together. They were around all the time. I’m very well rounded because I had love from each side. I have brothers. I have a sister. I have a dad and I have a mom, so that’s why I’m a loving person because I’ve always been with my family. And I had a big family as well. My grandmother had twelve. My other grandmother had six. There are still some cousins that I haven’t met. That’s how big my family is.

    Would you say that you actually have your parents support now?

    Oh yes, my dad and my mom are my two biggest fans. Yes, both of my parents are artistes actually. My father acted. He’s a DJ, but professionally he’s a pharmacist. So when I said I wanted to be a singer, he was like, ‘That’s a hubby. That’s not really something you can make money off.’ So I told them I would get my degree first just in case something doesn’t go well, I will have something to fall back on. I studied Health Administration. My mother does medicine. She has a medicine home. My dad is a pharmacist. So I studied something I’m familiar with.

    What are your plans?

    Don’t fall, stay on top, don’t be distracted. As a woman you see women come into the music scene and they just disappear while men can be famous from the day that they started till they are old. You see them still rocking. So as a woman I want to be like that. Even when I have my kids and my husband, I want to keep doing what I love. I don’t want to stop. So this year I’m going to focus on making it a loud statement for the women. We need more representatives. People are looking at Africa right now from everywhere.

  • ‘Iyanya’s sex video a stunt’

    ‘Iyanya’s sex video a stunt’

    In recent times, some young Nigerian entertainers have been caught in the web of covertly recorded nude photos and videos that have left their managers sweating for image revamps.

    For Project Fame Reality Show 2008 winner, Iyanya Mbuk, a rumour about his nude video broke, but could not sustain the usual internet buzz, despite being aided by a purported CNN report. Fans believe that the story was short-lived because Nigerian audience have gone sophisticated in such a way that photo concoction, otherwise called ‘Photoshop trick’ no longer sways them easily.

    Reports say the artiste’s ‘privacy’ was secretly captured and uploaded on Youtube by one of his female acquaintances, the night after a U.K show tagged Kukere Concert. Sources say the same girl may be connected to the artiste’s earlier hacked twitter account. The video was said to have been taken down because of youtube policies on sex material on their website.

    Noted for his erotic performances, Iyanya’s fame has grown in leaps and bounds, endearing him to males and females admirers. The singer was said to have conducted a little dancing competition at his Kukere Concert in Manchester, where a girl in a bid to win, pulled up her short gown, causing an awkward thrill for the crowd.

    But these are not deterring corporate bodies who have staked huge sums on the artiste, by way of corporate endorsement.

    Only on Wednesday, the pop singer was at the popular Computer Village, Lagos where Solo Phones Nigeria LTD signed him as their brand ambassador. The one-year contract is said to worth $220, 000 (about 35 Million Naira) in cash, plus a brand new 2013 Toyota Prado. The Solo Phones deal is coming on the heels of an earlier deal with telecommunications company MTN Nigeria, and Zinox Computers.

  • ‘Iyanya’s sex video a stunt’

    ‘Iyanya’s sex video a stunt’

    In recent times, some young Nigerian entertainers have been caught in the web of covertly recorded nude photos and videos that have left their managers sweating for image revamps.

    For Project Fame Reality Show 2008 winner, Iyanya Mbuk, a rumour about his nude video broke, but could not sustain the usual internet buzz, despite being aided by a purported CNN report. Fans believe that the story was short-lived because Nigerian audience have gone sophisticated in such a way that photo concoction, otherwise called ‘Photoshop trick’ no longer sways them easily.

    Reports say the artiste’s ‘privacy’ was secretly captured and uploaded on Youtube by one of his female acquaintances, the night after a U.K show tagged Kukere Concert. Sources say the same girl may be connected to the artiste’s earlier hacked twitter account. The video was said to have been taken down because of youtube policies on sex material on their website.

    Noted for his erotic performances, Iyanya’s fame has grown in leaps and bounds, endearing him to males and females admirers. The singer was said to have conducted a little dancing competition at his Kukere Concert in Manchester, where a girl in a bid to win, pulled up her short gown, causing an awkward thrill for the crowd.

    But these are not deterring corporate bodies who have staked huge sums on the artiste, by way of corporate endorsement.

    Only on Wednesday, the pop singer was at the popular Computer Village, Lagos where Solo Phones Nigeria LTD signed him as their brand ambassador. The one-year contract is said to worth $220, 000 (about 35 Million Naira) in cash, plus a brand new 2013 Toyota Prado. The Solo Phones deal is coming on the heels of an earlier deal with telecommunications company MTN Nigeria, and Zinox Computers.

  • ‘My fondest memory with Iyanya’

    ‘My fondest memory with Iyanya’

    Ghollywood actress, Yvonne Nelson loves this country so much she claims to be half Nigerian. On a light note, she says that she has adopted the Nigerian name, Damilola. The sultry thespian who in recent times has been in the news for one reason or another recently came into the country on a twofold mission; the City people’s Award and the premiere of her latest movie, House of Gold. She takes time out of her tight schedule to speak with OVWE MEDEME on a number of issues including her crashed romance with hip-hop artiste Iyanya and her decision to star Nigerian musicians in the new flick, religion and family.

    HOW has been your stay? It has been wonderful. I always say Nigeria feels like home. I come here often times and I don’t even want to go back home. It is like Ghana, just that everything is a little fast paced here.

    Do you prefer the fast pace?

    It is just like Ghana, the difference is just how fast things are done here.

    What is your new movie, House of Gold all about?

    I don’t want to give the story out but what I can say is that it is a comedy, a family story. I want people to come out to see Ice Prince and Omawumi act. They were amazing in it. It also features Majid and Eddie Watson from Ghana. It was directed by Paschal Amanfo and written by him too. I produced it, my Executive Producers are Media Gh. It is a story about a rich man who had a lot of kids around the world. He was on his sick bed so he invited all of them to come down and the kids did not really like each other. I am just urging people to come out and see the movie because they will laugh and have a nice time.

    How were you able to get Omawumi and Ice Prince to be a part of the production?

    It was very challenging because they are always performing one show or another. I have my own way of doing things so they agreed to be a part of it. They gave me their schedule so I worked with their time. It was very challenging though but we had to do it?

    How long did it take to shoot the movie?

    We spent about 15 days on set.

    This is your second production with Paschal as Director. Why do you fancy him that much?

    Paschal is like the best writer I know. He is one of the best Directors in Ghana. Paschal is a very straight forward and honest guy. It is very easy working with him. He always wants to work with somebody who can deliver and make things go on smoothly.

    Were the Nigerian artistes difficult on set?

    Amazingly, they were all really good. It felt like they were actors. Ice Prince was the one who really shocked me because he had a show the night before he came in. He didn’t sleep; he went to the airport at about 6am and flew straight to Ghana. He didn’t even rest. He wore his costume and started acting. Everybody was surprised when he started acting. Omawumi is a natural. She is so good. At some point I jokingly told her that if she starts acting, I am sure most of us would be put out of jobs because she is really good. They were amazing.

    Why the choice of Ice Prince and Omawumi?

    It is my own marketing strategy. I believe that they all have their audience; they all have their fan bases. As a producer, you should be creative, know how to sell your movie. I just wanted spice things up. When you watch my movies, you will know that my casts are usually very interesting.

    People get tired of seeing the same things. It has nothing to do with preference for Nigerian musicians. It is just something I thought about doing. I could have used Nollywood actors but I just wanted to spice things up a little bit. I don’t think people were expecting it at all.

    How did Single and Married fare in the Nigerian cinemas?

    I believe Single and Married was the longest running Ghanaian movie in Nigeria. It did great. It won best movie of the year last year in Ghana so I believe house of gold will do the same.

    Does it have anything to do with why you are bringing House of Gold here?

    Not really. I am always going to be producing and I know that my movies are always going to do well because I do good materials.

    Where else are you taking the movie to?

    It will be showing in Nigeria. It is already showing in Ghana. I don’t know how plans are right now but we might take it to the States. I am not really sure now but people are asking for it outside of Africa.

    Recently, you have been linked with a couple of controversies…

    I don’t live in Nigeria so I might not know what they say about me. As journalists and media people, we just have to know that people use certain headlines to attract readers or to drive traffic to their websites.

    What actually happened between you and Iyanya?

    I guess it is out there. I granted two interviews recently and I said everything in it so I don’t want to repeat myself. People have ways of writing their headlines which I cannot control. They can write anything they want to write and whatever I say can be misrepresented.

    Is it right then to say you have moved on?

    That was so last year. The reason I granted thus interviews is that I was just getting tired of lying to my fans and I wanted them to know the truth. Sometimes the fans deserve to know.

    It is also said that you bleach your skin. How true is that?

    Do I look like I bleach? I don’t want say anyone is dumb but people should know that there are so many filters that we use for our pictures. If you watch TV for example and I look a little dark and you see a picture of me where I look lighter, you should know that it was filtered. This thing has gone on for so long. My mum is lighter than myself. Everybody in my family is light. I don’t even know these people, I don’t know why they say the things they say because most of them have not even met me and they claim that I bleach.

    Do you feel disturbed when you hear most of these things?

    I don’t. Some people will remain like that. They believe whatever they read so it is good for them to sit back in their houses and believe everything they see online. You can’t go into everybody’s home and tell them you don’t bleach. At the end of the day, I am very happy with myself. I appreciate God and I don’t intend changing my colour.

    Are you in any relationship now?

    Not that fast. I am a secondary virgin. That means you are not a virgin but you have decided to abstain. After a long time, you become a virgin again.

    Are you seeing that through till you say ‘I Do’?

    I don’t know but there are a couple of people that I hang out with once in a while. They are special people in my life but I am not in any relationship. I just want to take my time. It is not something that I am looking for. I am not looking for any guy or something like that. I believe that when it is right, he will come.

    The general tendency is for ladies to worry about the biological clock. Aren’t you bothered about that?

    I am still young though at the end of the day, it is something that I think about. I don’t want to rush it but if it comes my way, fair enough.

    Would you date an entertainer?

    Definitely not.

    Is it because of the Iyanya experience?

    I guess everybody knows that. It was quite a shocking experience.

    At some point, Tonto Dike engaged you in a Twitter spat. Have you seen or spoken with her?

    Like I said in another interview, I don’t like bringing a third person into my affair. I don’t want to even mention names but it is all good. That actress did whatever she had to do and I know that the tweets were meant for me. Fair enough. I hope she is happy with whatever she has told me to do. She told me to move on, feelings change and all that. I guess she is also happy. I wish her luck.

    At some point, Iyanya said you can say whatever you like…

    We are all into this business. Everybody is trying to protect their fan bases. Most of his fan base is women; most of my fan base are men. I would want to not really bring out who I am dating because my male fans are going to be angry. He was also trying to protect his angle; he can’t run away from it. I decided to talk about it because like I said, I did not want to keep my fans in the dark. Nobody can stop me from doing that.

    Would you turn down a job because Tonto is on the same set?

    I don’t have any problem with anyone. As a professional, if I get a phone call from a producer and I like the script and I like who is directing it, why won’t I take it? It should not be a problem at all. I am not fighting with anyone. We are not friends but all the same, I know that her tweets were meant for me and it’s ok. There is nothing wrong with that. We all have our lives and how we were brought up. I didn’t have to reply anything.

    What was the healing process like?

    I passed through it just like every other person. Everybody goes through heartbreak. It is a natural thing. I have my work and stuff to do. I can’t just sit at home and cry. I had movies to shoot, projects to do, traveling and stuff like that.

    What were your fondest moments with Iyanya?

    He is a great guy with great talents. He is like the best singer ever and he gives me goose bumps anytime he sings.

    Did you ever think the relationship would have ended in marriage?

    I don’t know where it was leading to. I am sure in a relationship, everybody give their best and we all gave it our best I guess.

    What was the real problem?

    The real problem is what I spoke about in an earlier interview. I don’t want to keep repeating it, that is why I keep referring to them. I don’t want it to look like everywhere I go, I talk about it. I don’t want to talk about it again. People already know the story

    They also say that you have interest in Nigerian men. Is that true?

    Really? I don’t.

    If a Nigerian proposes to you, would you accept?

    Why not? If I like the person, I would accept.

    Have you ever gotten any proposal from a Nigerian?

    Let’s keep that on the low. It has nothing to do with Ghanaian men. Wherever your heart takes you, you go. You don’t decide, you don’t choose. It just happens. You don’t plan these things.

    If you had a question for yourself, what would it be?

    I would say things people don’t know about me. Back in Ghana, you will never see me hanging out with any guy because I am always indoors, I am not a night person. The reason people get to hear so many things about me is that when I come here, they see me with my colleagues and they start writing stories. That has been my problem in Nigeria. I cannot really continue like that because I don’t live here. If everybody they see me with will be an issue then there is an issue.

    What is happening with your Glaucoma Foundation?

    It is on the low now because of lack of funds. I do everything myself, from my own pocket. It is challenging. I have people I buy drugs for and it has been tough doing all of that alone. We are planning to do essay competition soon.

    Have you tried seeking funds from other sources?

    Most of the stuff, I do it myself and my Manager and because I am always not around, it is difficult to do all these things. It has been challenging.

    What is your one wish in life?

    I desire to go to heaven. I don’t care if I have to die today to make heaven.

    How are you working towards that?

    I pray and I am okay. We are all sinners, I know what I do. I read my bible.

    Are you a born-again Christian?

    Of course I am born-again. Can you see somebody and just decide they are not born-again? I come from a very religious background. My mum is like an elder in my church. The funny thing is that people just see you and they judge you. Appearance is very deceptive. I don’t judge people.

    Who is your ideal man?

    I don’t really have a perfect, ideal man in my head. It’s just something that you feel. When you like or love somebody. You just feel it. You don’t really mind whether they have money, whether they are broke or not. That is just me. As an individual, I work hard. I don’t have to wait for any man to buy me what I need. Love should be unconditional. That is what I believe in.

    Would you be comfortable being the bread winner in your home?

    Not really. He should be hardworking. He doesn’t have to own the whole world, he should just be hardworking.

  • Yvonne Nelson finally opens up on Iyanya

    Yvonne Nelson finally opens up on Iyanya

    Out-going actress Yvonne Nelson has finally come clean about her relationship with Iyanya.

    In an interview, the actress said:  “I think it’s time my fans get to know the whole truth so I’m going to let it all out. I dated one person here, he’s in the industry. There were too many lies in the relationship. I found out a whole lot of things and I just felt like he took advantage of me.”

    On why she went on Twitter about the relationship, Ms Nelson said: “I’m human; I’m not like a robot or anything. I just wanted the whole world to know what I was going through and I just wanted them to know that I was done with the relationship. I didn’t break up on Twitter. I just tweeted how I was feeling that very moment.”

    The actress also added that she has moved on. And has since been working hard, producing movies. Though she still listens to his music, and loves his album. Hear her:  “I love the Track 1 with MI and I love ‘I Got It’. He is a very talented guy; I always have goose bumps on my body when he sings.

    “You can’t really explain when you love somebody. It’s everything. It was just something that I felt and I can’t explain. It was love, I really really loved him and he knows that,” she added.

  • BBC interviews Iyanya

    BBC interviews Iyanya

    MADE Men Music hit maker, Iyanya, and his crew dropped by at the BBC office in London for an interview on BBC’s popular ‘Focus on Africa’ show as part of his just-concluded ‘Kukere Concert’ in the UK.

    Hosted by Komla Dumor, ‘Focus on Africa spotlights the biggest African and international stories. Iyanya was interviewed on his career, his success and his just concluded sold out concert.

    Iyanya was accompanied by Made Men Music CEO Ubi Franklin and label mate Emma Nyra. This would be the second time that Iyanya would be featured on the BBC. His first time was on 14th December 2012 when he was interviewed by BBC Africa’s Fidelis Mbah. The ‘Kukere Concert’ which was organised by Coko Bar was held at the Indigo2 arena in London to a sold out audience and also in Manchester at the HMV Ritz.