The Nation Newspaper

Tag: music

  • El Dee rethinks retirement from music

    El Dee rethinks retirement from music

    Popular Nigerian rapper, record producer and architect; LanreDabiri, stage name El Dee the Don retired from the industry that brought him fame and fortune last year in order to pursue other interests. The musician turned entrepreneur is now the CEO o a Playdata; a content monitoring app, but  is now considering coming out of retirement.

    Recently, popular singer Olamide tweeted that he would love to do collaboration with El Dee so bad, which made the El Dee consider coming out of retirement. As he puts it in a tweet, “This kind tweet go make person wan Unretire now.”

    The former member of the Trybesmen band boasts an impressive resume which includes being an artist, a music producer, video director and an accomplished interactive media consultant for Fortune 500 international companies such as CNN, D3 Publishing, Hines, Accenture, Andersen, Kimberly Clark, Naruto, Primedia, NBA, UPS, Cartoon Network, Consumer Source, and Warner Bros, and numerous national and international awards for design and new media campaigns.

    His solo career boasts five albums, which garnered him over 50 major award nominations, and critically acclaimed singles like “I’m leaving”, “I go yarn”, “Champion”, “African Chiquito”, “big boy”, “Ota mi”, “One day”, “BosiGbangba”, “Higher”, “Wash-wash”, and “We Made It” airing on radio stations all over the world.

  • DAY OF MUSIC, PEPSI AT CORPORATE ELITE

    DAY OF MUSIC, PEPSI AT CORPORATE ELITE

    IT was all fun, last Sunday, at the 9th edition of Corporate Elite Concert co-sponsored by Pepsi at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, as several music artistes performed to the excitement of fans.

    From its brand ambassador to refreshing cocktail, the Pepsi family joined the razzmatazz as the show went down as one of the top events of 2015.

    The audience were held spellbound from start to finish as top artistes, both local and international dished out their evergreen and brand new tones from their rich repertoire.

    While thousands were still trying to find their way into the alluring Expo Event Center of Eko Hotel, upcoming artistes: Immaculate, Young Grey, Simi, Shadee etc were rocking the stage with their performances. Immaculate thrilled the single ladies with A Natural Woman, a song co-written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin in the 60s while Simi was comfortable singing her popular song, Jamb Question.

    The event took another dimension with the emergence of Nigeria’s king of soul, Timi Dakolo singing Iyawo mi, the song young ladies sang along with so much gusto. Banky W’s Yes No was good enough to maintain the tempo of excitement among the audience who kept asking for more. Mr. Olu Maintain staged a comeback with his popular tone Yahooze, driving audience crazy while Styl Plus was cool and calm on stage with Olufunmi.

    Tecno the rising star of Nigerian music took the entertainment notch higher with Baby Palanga and other beautiful songs from his music inventory.

    Cobhams Asuquo marked his presence, combining instrument with sonorous rendition of Duro while Nigerian rapper and singer, Mo’Cheddah dished out tunes from her award winning album, Franchise Celebrity.

    112 and Jagged Edge, American R&B singers went memory lane, as far back as 1997  spending more time to entertain their fans with 112 singing  Anywhere, Dance With Me, It’s Over Now amongst others.

    The event reached its climax with the performance of Nigerian superstar, Sound Sultan who kept fans on their feet singingOrobo, Mothaland and Ole. Guests however became emotional and more patriotic when African China stormed the stage with its award winning political song, Mr. President. Everyone joined the superstar to echo the lyrics  ‘lead us well’.

    Speaking at the event, Managing Director, Seven Up Bottling Company, Mr. Sunil Sawhney described the event as bigger and better with the quality artistes who performed at the concert. He said Pepsi as an international brand is proud to be associated with the Corporate Elite Concert to give its teeming consumers a platform to enjoy themselves and live for now. He noted that the recent signing of Seyi Shay as Pepsi Ambassador was in line with the vision of the brand to encourage young Nigerians to continue to aim high adding that Pepsi is committed to providing opportunities for them to make their dreams come true.

  • I’m into music to express myself, says Honey K

    I’m into music to express myself, says Honey K

    Budding artiste, Anthony Ekpo, better known as Honey K, says that he is striving to climb his way up the very competitive global music industry.

    According to Honey K, he ventured into music professionally in 2012 when he recorded some of songs in his native Annang dialect.

    Now in the studio to perfect songs for his debut album before April next year, he disclosed that the greatest challenge has been paucity of funds.

    “Some of the people who have listened to my music say that I have a sweet voice; some say that I have a honey voice, so I decided to go for the name Honey,” said when asked to tell the story behind the name. “And I just added the K to it. I think the name has been catching on.”

    Honey K, whose music has deep lyrics and an African feel, also said that he is a total musician because he can also sing Hip-hop and reggae dancehall.

    “It depends on my mood and the kind of inspiration I get; all that determines the music I record. I also write all my songs.”

     

  • Blind music act wins talent hunt

    Blind music act wins talent hunt

    He dreamt of a future when he would rule the airwaves and his songs on every lip. Today, 18-year-old aspiring gospel artiste, Godspower Ikharehon, is one step closer to his dream.

    Beating 467 other contestants, Godspower, a.ka. BOG, emerged winner the SOO Live The Dream™ Music talent hunt that comes with N200, 000 prize money, a recording contract from Dihoo Records and a trip to Dublin, Ireland where he is expected to perform at the Crowne Plaza Hotel courtesy of Perod’s Foundation, sponsors of Miss Nigeria Ireland beauty pageant.

    Participating in the event, BOG said was a deliberate act to show his talent to the world. In short, he was out to make a statement, an act which was seen in the passion with which he battled for the prize.

    To those who feel their lives are over due to one disability or the other, BOG, a pupil of Ihogbe College for the Blind in Benin, the Edo State capital, said he had shown there is great ability in disability.

    The hunt was aimed at identifying budding music talents of the oriented youths from Esan Northeast/Southeast Federal Constituency of Edo State.   It was an initiative sponsored by a member representing Esan Northeast/Southeast Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Sergius Oseasochie Ogun.

    At the hunt, the 18-year-old prided himself with a unique voice and dexterity with the keyboard. He gave such thrilling performances that dazzled the crowd and the judges, comprising Muyiwa Asenuga, a.k.a Nomoreloss, Sydney Shocker, Monique D Vibes and Elcee McEdwards.

    And like story of most great men, BOG wasn’t always so confident. Once upon a time his life, he suffered from depression owing to his condition, and then, music saved his life.

    “I have music to thank for taking me away from self-pity and putting me in the limelight of his community. Whenever I go to church and listen to people sing I feel very happy. In fact, inside me I would wish I was the one doing the songs.  There were times I felt hopeless, especially with my condition.

    “I used to say people can walk, sing, see and here I am not being able to see; I felt that was how my life would be wasted but one day I took a decision and made a step to start singing. That decision helped me to get over self-pity and built my confidence that music is for me. Since then, I have never looked back and I must say that immediately I took that first step, God took it up from there,” he said.

    As he stood with hundreds of other hopefuls in the initial audition, he did not imagine he would make the first 120 contestants. After the number was screened from 120 to 20, to be named among the top, BOG said, boosted his morale and increased his energy to battle for the prize.

    He said: “While I was at home I usually believed that I would win but when the auditions started and I started listening to some of the contestants , I was afraid that I had lost it all. My condition helped me to be serious in the sense that when I heard the performances of the other contestants, it spurred me to work harder. The fact that I don’t see their faces was an advantage to me.”

    He made the list of the top 10 contenders and emerged winner. His pronouncement as winner drew a load and emotional applause at the grand finale held at the Social Hall of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Ubiaja, Edo State.

    It was an overwhelmed BOG that took to the stage: he fell down on the floor with joy, started dancing while being held by his brother. The move that brought the audience and fellow contestants to tears.

    Delighted Godspower  said he can’t wait to release his first single. He advised the young and aspiring talents: “I believe that everybody has a talent that needs to be harnessed; it will only take you to look and identify your talent and use it to prosper. I wish my story will touch them to believe in themselves and take a decision not to run away from their country. We have great opportunities here. I don’t know why many are running away from a country with potentials. ”

    Deborah Christy Odiboh, 16, won N100,000 for emerging second, while sound engineer, Destiny Ogunnubi, got N50,000 as third place winner.

    While presenting prizes to the winners, Ogun said he was happy with the outcome of the event and believed the next edition would be better.

    “I am satisfied with the turnout of the event, it was wonderful, my prayer is the by the time we host the second edition next year the turnout will be more than this,” he said.

     

     

  • Cloud 9 to monetize music for artistes

    A new music streaming site, Cloud 9, is here to monetize the intellectual property of music artistes in Nigeria and beyond, according to its management. Described as an integrated mobile music platform, Cloud 9 offers music lovers the best of Nigerian and International music, as well as a host of other features that enhance the experience of consuming and enjoying good music.

    Presenting the platform to the public at a press conference recently, Totola Odunsi Content Aggregator for Cloud 9 said that it offers unique end-to-end experiential music performances from iconic musicians and upcoming breakthrough artists, thus giving individuals and businesses the cloud experience.

    According to Odunsi, “Cloud9 basically is a music streaming service from full track downloads to music videos. We are trying to use the platform to showcase and help artistes monetize areas where they’ve not really been able to monetize. For example their exclusive footage, a lot of music lovers want to feel closer to the artiste, so this helps them engage more.”

    International booking agent, Hakeem Condotti said accessing the platform is very easy. “All you need is to have a data-enabled mobile device, and that’s it. It is available via WAP and Web, as well as mobile apps. The app can also be downloaded from the Google Play and Windows App Stores,” he said.

    Present at the press briefing was South African rapper Casper Nyovest who welcomed the idea of the new online music streaming platform. “For an artiste like me who is trying to find new ways of making money through music, something like cloud 9 will be very beneficial,” he said.

  • Doxy gets Top Naija Music nomination

    Nigerian hip hop artiste, Dolapo Oyatomi, better known as Doxy, has been nominated in the Top Naija Music awards. The young artiste who was nominated in the Most Promising Artist of the Year category describes his nomination as a product of his hard work.

    “I know a lot more are coming up. This is what I have always dreamt about. I have worked hard on the dreams and I’m still working on them and the results have to just come up. I believe that this nomination came about as a result of my latest track, Roadblock. It has helped in pushing me up and getting to releasing more singles more than what I did in Roadblock.

    Doxy is nominated alongside other artistes like Ycee, Meyar, Troms, Radeo, Sonax, Naomi Mac, Jay Collinz, Gil Joe, Pammy Jo, Classiq and Ashley stephanie

    Top Naja Music Awards is an award for emerging Nigerian artistes. The award ceremony comes up holds on Tuesday January 26, 2016 in Lagos

  • SAINT OBI GOES INTO MUSIC

    SAINT OBI GOES INTO MUSIC

    Saint Obi is back. But this time around, he is coming as a musician. Penultimate Monday, AM Krew which consists of D-Style and Wic-Moral featured Obi on the singles  Sarakute and You and I.

    David Joseph, the manager of Agwhyte music who is also the producer of the music, confirmed the actor’s involvement in the songs in a telephone chat with The Nation.

    Obi, who also owns Agwhyte Music, the label under which AM Krew released the singles, is also promoting a new song of his, Imagine… The Dream, on The Official Saint Obi Facebook page.

    The song, a cover of John Lennon’s Imagine was uploaded on his YouTube channel on Monday. In it, Obi sues for global peace.

    On Wednesday, he announced that 20 of his friends on Facebook who like his page will share $1, 000 by answering a question asked during the video.

    Obi launched into Nollywood in 1996 and has acted in over 100 movies.

  • Orpheus advances classical music with concert

    Orpheus advances classical music with concert

    With the aim of boosting the Nigerian audiences appreciation of classical music and showcasing some of its latest products, Orpheus Company, last Sunday, treated guests to its annual classical concert.

    Held at the Agip Hall of MUSON Centre, the evening featured performances from one of Nigeria’s finest composers, Ayo Bankole, celebrated Opera singer, Joseph Oparamanuike, and Michael Koenig, an organist of global repute.

    The evening opened with Bankole performing Egun variations, a piece by his late father, the senior Ayo Bankole himself, also a composer and a performer. After several performances on the Steinway Piano, he wrapped up his show with his own version of popular Nigerian worship song, Kabiyesi Hosanna, giving a classical feel in the realm of the likes of a Handel or a Bach. His last performance elicited  thunderous applause from the congregation.

    If Bankole’s performance set the tone for the evening, Oparamanuike’s renditions took the concert a notch higher. Accompanied by Ayo Bankole on the piano, he doled out Operas in several languages, justifying his alias, Mr. Tenor.

    Michael Koenig’s performance, on the other hand, put to test the recently manufactured Rogers Infinity 484 piano. His presentation on the 4-manual piano took the audience around the world and back as he reenacted GF Handel’s The Cuckoo and the Nightingale, as well as a piece from the senior Ayo Bankole among others.

    The high point of the evening was a joint performance by the trio.

    Chijioke Nwamara, Chief Operating Officer of Orpheus Company Limited says that it is an annual concert, designed not only to entertain but to whip up a love for classical music in Nigerians.

    “We have a yearly concert where we have artistes come from outside the country to perform. What makes this year different is that we have a new company we are representing in Nigeria called Steinway Piano. Part of the plan for this year’s concert was to introduce the Steinway piano to the Nigerian market.  That is what this concert is all about. It was a fantastic experience. The turnout was even more than expected and what this points to is the fact that there is awareness; there is a right kind of music that is beneficial for the average Nigerian,” he said.

  • CYNTHIA MORGAN- ‘My tattoo represents violence in music’

    CYNTHIA MORGAN- ‘My tattoo represents violence in music’

    You have been tagged sexy. What does this mean to you? I think sexy is that aura that you carry around you before people say it. It is what people see. First of all, you must be sexy inside before people recognise it. Though sexy is not my priority now, I try to be real as possible.

    Musically, how has it been for you?

    It has been great. I have been like six years in the game now and it has been work, work and work all through. We are getting there, despite that it is not easy for female artistes. But when people respect your talent and your style is different with faith in God, one will go places.   Professionally, I started when I was seventeen. I did my first collaboration with General Pype when I was seventeen years. I also featured alongside Jhybo when I was nineteen in 2009/2010. I am 22 now.

    So, what will you now say is your strong point?

    My strength lies in my sound and talent. You can’t have a brand and not have a sound and, either way, I think the two work hand in hand. My strength also lies in God because you could create something outstanding and people may not notice it without the favour of God. So, my strength lies in God, talent and brand.

    You sing dancehall. What inspires your kind of music?

    People say I do dancehall. I will say I listen to R&B, Pop, Jazz, Rap while growing up. My mum is a gospel artiste and growing up I was able to pick from different genres of music I listened to. I basically do everything but people notice that I do a lot of dancehall. So you can’t really box me into any particular genre of music. I personally created my genre of music. Every new material from me is a different kind of Cynthia Morgan and people have come to appreciate that. I always want to wow my fans because there is more to Cynthia Morgan.

    Who would you say influenced you early in life?

    My grandparents, my mum and my uncles. I grew up with my grandparents being an only child and I don’t have a father figure. I can say I inspire myself to an extent because I wanted to be different; a figure that people would say she is able to do this for herself despite that she didn’t have this or that. Life is what made me who I am today. My mum is also a strong figure in my life and my story of being raised by a single parent transcends to who I am today.

    Take music away, who is Cynthia Morgan?

    A young lady that is quiet and homely. Personally, I love to be with my family and care for people. I dream for a living. Fame has not changed anything in me.  I try to be humble, I still call my friends. I have been able to manage the two and not get caught into doing what I am not supposed to do. I believe in God and love to make people happy. I believe whatever you can dream, you can get.

    What inspired your songs Don’t break my heart and I’m taken?

    As a creative artiste, I get inspired with what is happening around me. When I am writing my songs, I concentrate on myself and my fans. Don’t break my heart is about me, to an extent. It’s a song that people do love because it connects with everybody. If you are in a relationship, the first thing that comes to your head is that ‘I don’t want this person to mess up’. ‘I don’t want to put my heart into it. I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to do that.’ It’s a common thing. But the depth in the song brought the whole message out. It’s about an African woman who is happily in love and who doesn’t want to be heart-broken. And with I’m taken, people think I am talking about relationship. I am saying I have been taken my fans. When you listen to the lyrics you will understand. I’m saying I’m in demand and I’m taken by my fans. It is good that people can relate it to other things.

    What inspired your recent raunchy photo shoots?

    Personally for an artiste, besides music, you have to be creative when it comes to your branding, your pictures, your performances and stage craft. Pictures are part of the things that brand an artiste. A lot of people say different kind of stuffs, but when you start something in Nigeria or in Africa, people start talking. We are in the 21st century and Nigeria is not like America. When I create a song, I can actually create the video in my head. So, it’s all about the craft and the branding. I wasn’t actually nude, I was wearing a tattoo and a pair of snickers. It’s just about being different and people are definitely going to talk. It’s part of the whole business. If they don’t talk, you don’t make money. So they just have to keep talking.

    You have a gun tattoo on your body, what does it mean to you?

    I am a fan of art and I am an artiste. It is all about creativity. I have a gun tattoo and I know that girls normally wear roses and heart tattoos, but I am a different kind of person because I am Cynthia Morgan which stands for being distinct. My tattoo represents violence in music; it’s just a symbol that confirms the image of a bad girl.

    Criticisms have trailed your skin bleaching. How do you feel?

    People who complain about my skin tone are clearly those who do not know me very well. I did not bleach my skin. One thing people fail to understand is that you cannot remain the same forever. The only constant thing is change.  I have grown into a beautiful woman.

    How will you describe your style?

    In as much as I try to be in vogue. I like to wear what I am comfortable in. My style is colourful and young.

    What fashion item is hot for you now?

    That will be shoes.

  • ORPHEUS MUSIC HOLDS CLASSICAL CONCERT

    CONTINUING in its tradition of bringing the best on stage, Orpheus Music will, tomorrow, at Agip Hall of Muson Centre, be presenting a triumvirate of organist, pianist and opera tenor in the persons of Michael Koenig (concert Organist ) from Austria, Ayo Bankole Jr (pianist) and Joseph Oparamanuike (tenor), both Nigerians, who have excelled brilliantly in the music industry .

    According to the organisers, each of the trio comes with high credentials and acclamations of excellent proficiency in their chosen areas with offerings of classical, sacred, operatic and contemporary music, that will entertain, please and inspire the audience.

    Organisers also say that the concert provides an opportunity for Orpheus Music to showcase the Steinway Piano and Rodgers digital Organ, both representing the very best in the world of musical instruments. “They truly epitomize the Company’s tradition and faithfulness in the purvey of instruments of highest quality of operation and tone. A concert that delivers the inimitable sound of the Steinway Piano and the richly brilliant pipe organ sound of the Rodgers Organ, above which soars the sonorous voice of Joe the Tenor, promises an unforgettable, happy-making evening of beauteous music,” a statement from the organisers say.

    Since 1994, the Orpheus Music concerts have been a constant feature of the Concert Programme at the Muson center’s Agip Recital Hall.