The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tiwa Savage

  • Nigerian Idol: Aspirants kick for Top 30 spot

    Nigerian Idol: Aspirants kick for Top 30 spot

    ALREADY, tension is mounting in the ongoing Nigerian Idol reality show, which is in its theatrics, otherwise called the boot camp stage.

    A nerve-racking and highly emotional phase, fans laugh to the mannerism and obvious desperation of 64 contestants as they compete for the next stage of 30.

    While it may be difficult to know the group out of the eight that may scale the hurdle, one group stood out with a performance that not only earn the loudest applause from the crowd, but also got a pleasant comment from the judges.

    “Well done and good job,” said Dare Art-Alade, one of the three judges on the show.

    The group had sung the hit song, Runaway, by Styl-Plus, delivering a stellar acapella version.

    However, another group of eight took up a trending Nigerian song, but could not impress. The song, Great Nation, was performed, also in acapella by Vicci, Blessing Isaac, Daniel Buba, Onyinechukwu Udodi and others, but Blessing Isaac didn’t hit the last note right, and the judges, especially Dede Mabiaku, booed the performance, calling it a disaster.

    There are other interesting sides to the show that airs every Saturday and Sunday on HIP TV, STV, Startimes Channels, DRTV Warri and CRBC Calabar.

    For instance, a Nigerian make-up artiste returned from the United Kingdom for an opportunity in the Nigerian Idol show.

    Adebola Adeyoye, a.k.a V.E.R.A (Voice Every Race Accepts), decided to come back to her roots to showcase her vocal talent through the platform.

    “I have studied a lot of people in the industry like Tiwa Savage and Omawunmi, and I believe I have what it takes to get to where they are today,” she said at the venue of the Lagos auditions.

    Singing Big White Room by Jesse J, V.E.R.A stole the hearts of the judges with her soulful version of the song. “I am just going to affirm that you have been the best voice here today and give you a golden ticket,” said Mabiaku.

    There is also an award-winning producer/singer Ayo Faboro, a.k.a Dr Frabz, who was unveiled as a new music director on the show. Frabz’s turf will be to separate the wheat from the shaft in the Top 30 rounds, during which the competition will be tougher.

    The guy who runs an independent music production company called N’sayne Entertainment has produced smashing hits such as Chuddy K’s Slow Slow, Shank’s Too Late and Weird MC’s Riranwo, among others.

    ”I expect that we will be able to help the best of the contestants to shine this season,” said Dr. Frabz.

    The show continues this weekend. According to the organisers, a dramatic cut of the Top 64 to Top 30 is the next thing in line.

  • Brandy seeks duet with Tiwa Savage?

    Brandy seeks duet with Tiwa Savage?

    American songstress, Brandy, has expressed her desire to work with Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage.

    The international and award-winning singer was in Nigeria for a show held in Lagos on Valentine’s Day.

    While addressing journalists at a press conference held in Lagos, Brandy disclosed that she had admiration for Tiwa Savage, adding that the Nigerian songstress had an ‘amazing voice’.

    She reportedly said she wouldn’t mind to do a song with Tiwa Savage, who used to be a backup singer for Mary J Blige, another popular American female music star.

    “I like her and she has an amazing voice. Please, when you see her, tell her I will like to have her doing a song with me. She is a fantastic singer,’ Brandy had told journalists at the briefing.

    Tiwa Savage returned to Nigeria a few years ago. She reportedly dumped her banking job in the United Kingdom to pursue a music career in Nigeria. She is a brand ambassador for Pepsi, Etisalat and Forte Oil, which she sealed a few days ago. Tiwa Savage is married to her manager, Tunji Balogun, a.k.a. Tee Billz.

  • Nigerian artistes dominate WMA nominations

    Nigerian artistes dominate WMA nominations

    SEVERAL Nigerian artistes, including Waje, P-Sqaure, D’banj, Iyanya, Femi Kuti, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Dare Art Alade, Praiz, Tuface Idibia and others, bagged nominations in various categories at the 2014 World Music Awards.

    The World Music Awards rewards the best-selling music artistes from every continent. It is decided by votes. Iyanya leads the Nigerian nominees with six awards, while Waje was nominated in four categories, including Album of the Year and Female Artiste of the Year.The I wish crooner is enjoying some international attention, following her debut album. She was also nominated as African Artiste of the Year at the Black Canadian awards a few days ago beside South African star, Lira and Kardinal Offishall.

    Representing Nigeria in the Africa’s World Best Song category are Iyanya (Away); Timaya (Shake Yur Bum); Wizkid (Eledumare); Tiwa Savage (Eminado); Banky W (Jasi); Iyanya (Le Kwa Ukwu); D’Banj (Oliver Twist); P Square (Personally); Seyi Shay (Ragga Ragga); Mode9 (Super Human) as well as Dr. Sid (Surulere remix, featuring Don Jazzy, Wizkid & Phyno).

    The Africa’s World Best Album category has Femi Kuti (No Place for My Dream) and Waje (W.A.J.E) in contention, while Africa’s World Best Video category has Tiwa Savage (Eminado); Banky W (Jasi); Iyanya (Le Kwa Ukwu); D’Banj (Oliver Twist); P Square (Personally) and Seyi Shay (Ragga Ragga) slugging it out.

  • Tiwa Savage, others rock Big Valentine Rave

    Tiwa Savage, others rock Big Valentine Rave

    IT was a celebration of love as beverage brand, Pepsi, delighted party-goers with a Valentine’s Day concert tagged Big Valentine Rave at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The event drew lovers from all walks of life to enjoy musical performances from Pepsi music ambassador, Tiwa Savage, American R&B star and multi-talented instrumentalist, Mario Winans, as well as other Nigerian music sensations.

    Held in line with Pepsi’s new global campaign, Live For Now, the concert, according to the organisers, provides platforms for the Nigerian youths to celebrat.

    According to the Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Norden Thurston, “Pepsi is consumer-centric and is continually looking for ways to delight its consumers. Bringing together some of the best talents in the Nigerian entertainment on Valentine’s Day was to create a life-time memory for our consumers.

    The event was also spiced up with musical performances by Davido, Sound Sultan, Chidinma and Praiz.

  • Cameroonian singer seeks collabo with Wizkid, Davido

    Cameroonian singer seeks collabo with Wizkid, Davido

    HARRIET Nasang Ajone, a Germany-based Cameroonian singer, has expressed her desire to work with young Nigerian music stars.

    She listed Davido, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage as some of the artistes she would love to work with.

    In a chat with The Nation, she said, “I will love to do collaboration with Davido, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage. They are in my age bracket and if we work together, we will understand one another. I watch them live on YouTube. I follow everything on Twitter. Though I have not met them personally, from what I have read on the Internet, I think these are the set of people I can work with.

    “As a musician, I started with R and B, but I want to do Afrobeat this time. Back in Germany, Afrobeat is not known. When I give this to them, it is going to become something new. I decided to come down to Nigeria because I want to learn something new. I decided not to go to Cameroon because they can’t give me what I am looking for. Nigeria is known for Afrobeat and I can learn a lot from here.”

    “The way I dance informed my decision to switch to Afrobeat. I can’t dance the way I want to for R & B songs, but I can let loose and shake and dance to Afrobeat songs. I took to music because whenever I am sad, music is always the answer. There is nothing that makes me happy than music. I have got three tracks out there. What makes me different is my ability to dance. When I get on stage, it is not all about singing; it is also more about dancing.

    When asked if she knows anything about the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, she said, “He used his music to speak the truth without minding what the people in authority would do. This made me to love him. I have the same boldness too. If I don’t have that boldness, I won’t choose to come to Nigeria to do Afrobeat. This was what Fela was to me.”

    She, however, ruled out celebrity crush from her mission in Nigeria. According to her, “I am not here for romance. I am not thinking about that. I am focused and I can’t let anything like that come my way. I am not into a relationship yet, but even if the Mr. Right comes, I will tell him I am not ready now. I don’t have a celebrity crush.”

  • When the oath of ‘I-do’ rent the air

    When the oath of ‘I-do’ rent the air

    IT seems many of the celebs had vowed to change their individual status. While many of the guys were in a hurry to bid bye to bachelorhood, some of gals couldn’t wait to slough-off their spinsterhood status.

    This year, a couple of weddings took place that rocked the industry and changed the way celebrity weddings are perceived.

    Rated as the biggest of them was the union between superstar, Tuface Idibia, and his long-time beau, Annie Macaulay. It was held at the famous five-star Jumeirah Beach Resort in Dubai.

    The wedding, which had red as its colour theme, had lots of guests in attendance.

    Other famous weddings that took place in the year were those of pop star Peter Okoye and Lola Omotayo as well as Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz who were both joined in traditional weddings. Also on the list of those who wedded traditionally is popular Yoruba actor, Olaniyi Afonja, aka Sanyeri, who got married to the mother of his children and lover of many years. The footage of the wedding was reportedly sold for N1m.

    Others celebrity weddings involved actress Toyin Aimakhu who got married to fellow actor, Niyi Johnson; Mercy Aigbe and Lanre Gentry; Matilda Obaseki and Arnold Mozia; Charity Ekeh and Austin Fanni; Uchenna Nnanna and Richard Maduka as well as Uche Ogbodo and Arthur, a Norway-based football agent.

  • Tiwa Savage, Femi Kuti, D’banj, others for Music Meets Runway

    Tiwa Savage, Femi Kuti, D’banj, others for Music Meets Runway

    With a promise of a lifetime experience for guests, organisers of Music Meets Runway, Le Reve Event, have released a list of artistes who will thrill at this year’s event.

    According to the organizers, some of the sensational acts who will add colour and panache to the event scheduled to hold at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday, December 21, are Femi Kuti, Tuface Idibia, D’banj, Wizkid, Ice Prince and Tiwa Savage.

    They will be supported by female acts such as Seyi Shay, Lola Rae and Toni Tones.

    Popular On-Air Personality, IK Osakioduwa, will host the event, while international model and icon, Alek Wek, will be joined by international fashion designer and fashionista, Angela Simmons, as presenters at the fashion fiesta.

    The event is supported by Le Reve Pieces, Ciroc Vodka, Sovereign Trust Insurance PLC, ZARON, M-Net, Ebony Life TV, Beat 99.9 FM, 97.3 Classical FM, 96.9 Cool FM, Fascinating Nigeria Tourism, Cold Stone Creamery and Bella Naija.

  • Dr Sid, Tiwa Savage to compere 2013 Headies

    Dr Sid, Tiwa Savage to compere 2013 Headies

    Following several months of planning, Nigerian superstars, Tiwa Savage and Dr Sid, have been named hosts for the 2013 edition of The Headies music awards.
    According to the organizers, both artistes have been selected in line with the awards’ tradition of picking talented and inspiring entertainers to host the ceremony, which parades some of the continent’s biggest entertainers.
    Speaking on The Headies, Tiwa, who was full of commendation, said, “Being the eighth year, it’s not easy to be consistent in a country like Nigeria. So, I give kudos to the organizers for creating an award by Nigerians for Nigerians. It’s always sketchy when the nomination list comes up, like this year. We are not going to touch on that. We’ll just wait for the night and address those issues; and then, we’ll go ‘all Kanye West’ on the awards.”
    Dr. Sid was also full of excitement, saying, “I’ve been trying to host this event for the past six years. I had waited to be called to no avail; but this year, I’m one of the hosts. I’m so emotional right now and I’m glad for this opportunity.”
    The eighth edition of The Headies comes up on December 26, at the Grand Ball Room of the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.
    Also known as the Hip-HopWorld Awards, the event, according to the organizers, seeks to honour urbane music and hip-hop culture.
    Produced and presented to match some of the biggest awards shows from around the world, The The Headies annually celebrates deserving Nigerian music stars and gives honour to whom it is due, while also encouraging many to raise their game in order to enter the prestigious Headies alumni.

  • Tiwa Savage’s first public outing as wife

    Tiwa Savage’s first public outing as wife

    Newly-wed Tiwa Savage and TeeBillz made their first appearance as a married couple at the MTV Base Shuga premiere on Tuesday, at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The couple was a delight to watch on the black carpet clearly enjoying every moment of the exciting evening.

     Tiwa, who plays the role of club owner, Sade, in the third season of the award-winning drama series, joined a host of other celebrities like Basketmouth, Banky W, Bovi, Alex Ekubo, OC Ukeje, Uru Eke, Damilola Adegbite and Toolz as well as other members of cast, including Chris Attoh, Leonora Okine, Emmanuel Ikubese, Okezie Morro, Dorcas Fapson, Sharon Ezeamaka and Olumide Oworu to witness the premiere of the first Shuga season shot in Nigeria.

    Set against the clubs, bars and student hangouts of Lagos, Shuga relates a bitter-sweet tale of love, betrayal, relationships and misunderstanding among the youth of contemporary Lagos.

    The series is Savage’s debut as an actress. The singer, who is signed to a partnership with Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, tied the knot last Saturday. Savage and Tee Billz met in the United States in 2009, and on February 5, he formally proposed to her.

  • Tiwa Savage debunks rumour pregnancy

    Tiwa Savage debunks rumour pregnancy

    RECENTLY, Tiwa Savage has been in the news: from her engagement to her personal manager, to her shopping spree in the United Kingdom for her wedding slated to hold this month, to her interview on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

    The news making the rounds at the moment is that the singer is pregnant and might be in her first trimester.

    During a question and answer session at Tyme Out with Tee A at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, she said in response to an inquiry from one of the magazines about her bulging stomach, saying it was too much puff puff that made her stomach appear bigger than normal.

    At the moment, she is believed to have calmed down the rumour with her response.

    But like they say, time will tell.