The Nation Newspaper

Tag: YCEE

  • Prince George: How Olamide, Wizkid opened doors for Nigerian music in Canada

    Toronto, Canada-based showbiz promoter, Prince George Peters is one of the biggest influencers pushing African talents in North America. As a trained Computer Engineer and certified Project Manager, he has successfully hosted multi-cities tours for Nigerian talents including Wizkid, Olamide, Ycee, Bovi, Oritsefemi, Diamond Platnumz, Dr Sid, Korede Bello, Timaya, Flavour, Kwam I among others. Putting together such big tour concerts and hobnobbing with big entertainers also comes with a lot of rich personal experiences which he shares in this interesting interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUKANMI.

    How long have you been in showbiz and can you please tell us about yourself and career?

    My name is George Peters. I’m a twin, Kehinde is one of my names and I have a twin sister. All my siblings are based abroad. I was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. I’m a Showbiz promoter based in Toronto, Canada where I run Prince George Entertainment amongst other business interests in logistics and automobile. Entertainment wasn’t originally my thing. The journey started in 2009 when I registered my company, Prince George Entertainment. Before then, I was working with Bell Canada, one of the biggest telecommunications company in Canada as a Project Manager II. The pay was good but the passion to do what I love to do made me quit. I originally trained as a Computer Analyst.

    Can you tell us about your sojourn in Canada and your first baby-steps in the showbiz industry?

    I have lived in Canada since 2007 but before then I have lived for many years in the UK and US where I studied. Work brought me to Canada because I wanted to work in the Telecommunication industry. Showbiz for me started when I co-worked with a friend who is also a showbiz promoter, Microbell. We packaged concerts in Canada for Wizkid and then, Flavour, Bracket and Timaya back in the days. This was around 2012 thereabout.

    In those early days, how was the experience and was your turning point?

    Ofcource, there’s no endeavour without its own challenges. The turning point was hosting Olamide Live Concert in Canada in 2016. He was no doubt the hottest item and everybody wanted him in Canada and he came through. It was also quite expensive bringing him but at the end of the day, I was able to seal the deal. I brought him for the concert and it was a sold out show which we held in at New Continuation Banquet Hall in Belfield, Toronto.

    We recorded over 2,500 audience and that’s because his music cuts across different races and tribe. We had people like Jamaicans, Ghanaians, Kenyans and other African nationalities. Music is a universal language. Olamide was excited too because we delivered. That show opened the eyes of other Nigerian and African artistes.

    Predominantly, it seems like you have worked more with musicians but which other talents have you worked with?

    I have worked with a lot of comedians including I Go Dye, Seyi Brown, Bovi, Woli Agba, Arole, Mama Tobi, Aphricanape, Kenny Blaq. I won’t lie to you, I prefer to work more with comedians than musicians because the audience for comedy is bigger. People work hard a lot and do not miss any opportunities to come out and have a good laugh. Amazingly, the audience respond more to comedy than music here in Canada.

    What concerts should music fans in Canada and North America expect from you for the rest of the year?

    I have quite a whole lot of music concerts lined up for the rest of the year including Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde  aka K1 De Ultimate whose deal I just concluded during my recent visit to Nigeria in April. Other big concerts coming includes Tiwa Savage, Zlatan, 9ice, CDQ, Ray Vanny and Diamond Platumz etc. Ofcourse, Olamide is also coming back this year and the people can’t wait.

    What do you think the Nigerian Government can do to help your industry grow?

    I think Government should make the process of Visa application seamless for entertainers because these guys are Nigerian ambassadors. A letter of endorsement from Government to the embassies will go a long way. We have had artistes been denied Visas which should not be.

    Aside Olamide’s show, could you mention another memorable gig you have put together?

    That would be the one of Diamond Platnumz, the Tanzanian super star. We recorded over 2000 audience which was massive. I compare it with the Olamide show because we took Diamond Platnumz to three cities in Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton also Timaya’s Show was sold out and very memorable as well.

    Aside Nigerian acts, what’s been your experience working with other African acts and what’s the reception for African talents in Canada?

    I have not limited the talents that I have worked with alone to Nigerian artistes. As I speak, we are having conversations with artistes from other countries and by God’s grace, we will expand our network to International artistes like Cardi B which we are working on at the moment?

    What are you doing to give back to the Nigerian music industry?

    We are starting a project in Nigeria from next year which will see us bringing some big artistes from North America to Nigeria. If you call it a cultural exchange, that’s fine because music promotion is supposed to be a two-way traffic.

    For a young artiste aspiring to do international tour, what is your advise for them?

    Like I said earlier, just stay focused and believe in your grind, your craft and yourself. In good time, your work will be pronounced.

    What are the criteria you consider before touring with an artiste? And why does it seems like hip-hop and rap artistes don’t get invited for international tours from promoters like you?

    The style of music an artiste does matters a lot in our criteria. Majorly, the crowd we sell music artistes to are the students. Before we bring in an artiste for a tour, we put out a poll asking the students community who they would like to see perform. We then work with the outcome from that survey and bring in the popular choice. So, it’s not as if I won’t do tour with an artiste just because I do not like the face of the person. It goes beyond that. Don’t forget, this is a business that we and our staff must run prudently too.

    How is the mainstream media in Canada receiving Afrobeats music?

    It has been positive. We are having more media platforms show support for Afrobeats music in Canada. Some of the radio stations jamming our songs are GBK FM and G98.7FM. You see, the growing influence of Afrobeats in the Diaspora cannot be underestimated. Some of the most played Afrobeats songs are from Wizkid, Tiwa, Timaya, Olamide, OBO, Burna Boy and Wande Coal.

    Precisely, how do Canadian citizens relate with Afrobeats music?

    Ofcourse, they do. For instance, when I brought in Wizkid last month in Edmonton, we recorded an audience of over 2,000 and over 4,000 in Toronto. Big shout out to my partners, Kpopsy and Kiza for contribution to the Toronto Leg. We hosted show in several cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver. People love him irrespective of his collaborations with Drake who is a son of the soil. We had a mixed audience comprising Togolese, Kenyans and Canadians. This is the kind of reception you get when we bring the likes of Tiwa, Olamide, Davido, Burna Boy and Mr Eazi. The kind of music they make is not just for Nigerians but has international appeal. That’s a quality young artistes should copy.

    This question is an ongoing debate that has torn apart Wizkid and Davido fans but to you, who is Nigeria’s biggest export from the standpoint of a promoter?

    For me, I’m not going to be bias, I love both of them. I know it’s been a controversial topic, anyway. For me, I like Wizkid’s music because it is very relaxed and matured. David is my guy and I like and respect him, no doubt. They are both big artistes and they’re both African Kings making Afrobeats go viral home around abroad.

    What opportunities are there for African artistes who wish to relocate to Canada?

    At the moment, we do not have a lot of African artistes in Canada but opportunies surely abound. The sky is wide enough for birds to fly. Kelly Anthony is one of the upcoming acts based here and I like him, I pray he gets there soon. There have been big names like Dice Ailes of the ‘Otedola With The Money’ fame and Nonso Amadi who both came from Toronto. There’s also this fast-rising upcoming artiste called Bolu Ajibade. He’s doing very well as we speak and I want everybody to watch out for this guy, I pray he makes it big.

    What kind of professional relationship has promoters had with Canadian government?

    The Canadian Government has been very kind to us, I must say. The country is a calm place and nobody is above the law. We are all treated equally. Afrobeats is so welcomed in Canada and with Wizkid’s collaboration with Drake, we had more ambiance in the music sector here in Canada. The right authorities are duly informed whenever we have our events and we are good to go each time. They treat us nicely and support our events. The Nigerian and African community are not unruly and there has not been any need for extra security. The Nigerian community are quite big in Toronto which is like another Lagos in a way. The city of Edmonton is another place with a huge Nigerian presence.

  • WHY WE TERMINATED SONY DEAL –TINNY

    WHY WE TERMINATED SONY DEAL –TINNY

    Following the recent termination of the distribution deal which Tinny Entertainment and YCEE signed with Sony Africa in October 2016, Tinny has disclosed what necessitated it.

    According to the lawyers of Tinny Entertainment, Olaniwun Ajayi, in a letter, Sony has failed its obligations to its clients and YCEE was not pleased that Sony delayed the promotion of YCEE’ EP, ‘The First Wave.’

    “Our Client restates, maintains and adopts all its claims as set out in our letter of 27 October 2017,which in sum is, that your organisation have failed and continues to fail to fulfil its contractual obligations constituting breaches of material obligations under the License Agreement which came into effect on 4 October 2016, between Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Limited, SM Entertainment West Africa Limited, Sony Music Entertainment East Africa Limited (hereinafter collectively referred to as SONY), and our Client (the Agreement).

    “Notably, SONY continues to fail in its obligations in relation to Marketing in South Africa in breach of Clause 8 of the Agreement, its obligations in relation to Marketing in Territories outside South Africa contrary to Clauses 10.1 and 1.4.15 of the Agreement and its obligations in respect of Procurement of Live Performances and Payment of Consideration contrary to Clause 8.3 of the Agreement.”

    Sony was also accused of lacking transparency.

    “The statements rendered to date are incomplete,” the letter also read in part.

    “In addition, SONY has not exhibited the level of transparency and accountability provided for and expected under this Agreement.”

    In conclusion, the letter stated: “It is our Client’s position that SONY’s efforts and financial advancements do not compensate or cure the losses suffered by TE from lack of earnings of royalties on account of SONY’s failure to effectively market and promote its releases in various parts of the world. The advancement provided by SONY was reimbursement for our Client’s finances expended in promoting and marketing “Link Up” in Nigeria. It is also our Client’s position that it has not prevented SONY from carrying out its obligations neither has it breached the Agreement by independent uploads of its releases.”

  • YCEE Music is a jealous profession

    YCEE Music is a jealous profession

    WHAT is the concept behind the song Don’t Need Bae?

    Don’t Need Bae is pretty much a narrative. While working on it, I was trying to paint a scenario where a guy is trying to impress an independent woman. Like the chorus goes; she handles most of her stuff and the thing she wants, she gets them herself, she really don’t need anybody to provide for her, she don’t need bae. That was just the idea behind the song, and I put to her that ‘I know you don’t need bae but you also have to see it from another perspective’.

    Is the song related to any personal experience?

    No, it’s not. A lot of people, when they hear the title of the song, misquote it. A lot of people don’t really understand the song that much. Anytime I post about the song, I get comments like; ‘you need bae’, and I make it clear the song isn’t about me.

    Among other artistes, why did you feature Maleek Berry in the track?

    The first time I worked with Maleek Berry was in January 2016. He produced Don’t Need Bae. That was the first time we worked together. Since then, he played some of his songs for me before he started releasing music. He is someone that I love and I’m a fan of his songs because I like his kind of music. At the time, I was working on Juice. And once I was done with the whole process, I was thinking of featuring someone. But I didn’t want to feature someone the fans expect. If you think about it, Maleek Berry hasn’t really featured on too many songs. What I thought about was that at least I had Maleek Berry produce the songs on my EP, how about I have him feature as an artist? I sent the proposal to him and he was down with it and he did his verse.

    At that time, did you know Juice would be a hit?

    As an artist, the mentality I have is, whatever I’m doing will definitely turn out just fine. Before I put out a song, there are enough considerations that have been made; like what the fans expect from the song.

    So, for me, when I recorded Juice, I knew the song was going to be a hit. But the extent to which it has blown, I couldn’t predict that. It was beyond everybody’s expectation. Initially, I thought it was a song that would only appeal to some demography. When it came out, it was banging in the clubs and the streets. Kids loved it, parents loved it, and everybody loved it; especially my fans.

    What’s the song about?

    Juice was a song I came about through a long process of recording. I had the beat for a while and I recorded different songs on the beat, but I felt I could do better. So we stripped the vocals off the beat, recorded another song, and when I came up with juice, it just sank in, and we felt it made sense. Juice and sauce simply means you are on point. If you are doing pretty well in general aspects of life, you have juice and sauce. So when I was free-styling, it just came out. Do you have any plan to sign up and coming artistes?

    At the moment, I’m signed to Tinny Entertainment. I’m focused on being the best at what I do; trying to help the brand grow to the highest possible point. So, for me, the only thing I’m focusing on is myself and my career and becoming a bigger brand and a bigger part of Tiny Entertainment as a whole. Looking at the future, there is going to be a time when I will be in the position to help other artistes to get to the same point that Tinny Entertainment has helped me reach now. Definitely, I will play a big role in signing up and coming acts to Tinny Entertainment or pushing them myself. For now, I’m focusing on myself, focusing on music, and I’m focusing on Tinny Entertainment.

    How would you describe your style of music?

    My music is a mix of Afrobeat and what is called trap music. Sometimes I sing RnB because these are the major forms in music I listen to and I love creating. In a nutshell, I just make Afro-trap music.

    YCEE

    How unique is your brand in the industry?

    When I started making music, for me things were different. Music was just something I liked doing. I know how to sing a lot of people’s song. So, when I started doing that, I felt if it was easy singing other people’s song, I could easily just make my own music.

    At the time I started doing this, I got encouragement from people and I felt I should take this a lot more serious. Then I started and with every record I made I got better. The higher I got, the better I became. So when I started releasing my songs to the public, I knew it takes a process; everything takes time, but I was going to have my own spotlight. So I think anybody can blow. When you become popular, that fame, getting the people’s attention, it is what you do with it that matters. Over the years, there have been a lot of artistes that have come and gone. I believe everybody has their own time.

    Are you pursuing any other career aside music?

    For now, music is the only thing that is taking all my time, especially now that I have the attention of the people. Music is a very jealous profession. You can’t really do music and focus on something else. Music will take all of your attention; although if you are a business-minded person, you don’t focus on one business. For myself, I had other projects in the past that have been drafted and I would want to work on in the nearest future. But me, saying I’m focusing on music right now is tidying the fact that I’m buzzing right now and things are moving well for me. So, I just have to focus on the most important thing. Definitely, in years to come, I will venture into other areas of business, entertainment in general. If you do music right and have a good musical foundation, music should be enough for you at a point.

    Which other artiste do you regard as a competition?

    Competing directly, I will say none. Indirectly, I will say yes, in the sense that we are in a consumer-based industry and the fact that there are lot of fans that have different tastes and things that appeal to them. So, the fact that I am buzzing now doesn’t mean that another artist won’t take the spotlight. Indirectly, at the back of my mind, there are many competitions out there. But, it’s my own job to make my music with best quality and 100 percent vocals.

  • 2BABA, YCEE, OTHERS SHINE AS STELLA MARIS SCHOOLS ABUJA CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY

    IT was a children’s stellar show headlined by Nigerian finest musicians, Innocent Idibia, aka 2Baba and Jagaban crooner, Oludemilade Martin Alejo, aka Ycee.

    Both artistes performed at the Stella Maris Schools Abuja Gala, the climax of the school’s 20th anniversary celebrations, and parents, students, alumni and associates of the educational institution asking for more, during the night of colour and verve.

    But the show was not about these celebrated artistes alone, as the students, after weeks of rehearsals, displayed their creative prowess through a medley of songs, choreography, acrobatics, dance drama, poetry, and other applauding performances, showing the other strength of the school outside its 20 years of academic excellence.

    Changing from one attire to another, the students impressed the crowd who kept clapping and holding their breath to some of the gymnastic displays. Their energetic performances gave prominence to some of Nigeria’s great songs and musicians across different generations.

    From Wizkid ‘s Azonto to Olamide’s Shakiti Bobo and Davido’s Aye, the beats blended well with the afro dance step, the dance drama and well choreographed showmanship. No doubt, theirs was a keenly rehearsed show that pieced several complex plots together beautifully.

    It was a children’s night out with parents and peers. The beauty of the performances was that it had something for every generation. From their mannerism of Omawumi’s songs to Onyeka Onwenu and Lagbaja’s hits, the students also honoured their parents with Salsa, all pointing to the work of a good show producer.

    It all started with the National Anthem taken with sonority by an all-student choir, and opening prayers rendered in Islam and Christianity. This struck the desired balance despite the Christian ownership of the school.

    In between the students show, Ycee stormed the stage amidst loud applause, as everyone sang along as the Tinny Entertainment rapper/songwriter reeled out some of his hit songs.

    But when 2Baba entered at 10:21, shouting his signature element; ‘nothing dey happen’ the excitement took a new dimension. He started with See Me So, a song off his Grass to Grace album, stunning both young and old with his performance, and as many attested much later, he was the right man for the show.

    There were other side attractions, including some magical moment with two South African illusionists.

    Other activities that preceded the Gala night included Club Day, Cultural Day, Alumni Cocktail, Alumni Friendly Match, Inter-house sport among others.

    Speaking on the cultural event, Chairman of the school, Mrs Afoma Onyeanusi noted that the celebration is being given the needed attention due to its importance to the institution for learning.

    “We are from different backgrounds, which affect our dressing, greeting, feeding, marriage, dancing and other aspects of life,” she said, adding that “culture has formed part of our class activities, as it is reflected positively in our teaching and learning processes.”

    Continuing, she said “culture is important, because it can bring people together and you can learn how other people in different cultures live their lives. Teach them your dialect for easy communication at home and identification, anywhere and anytime. Allow them to mingle with people from different cultures to make them complete Nigerians. Endeavour to inculcate values into these children to make them useful ambassadors of our fatherland.”

    Also speaking on the 20th anniversary of the school, Managing Director, Mr. Chukwuemeka Anyaene disclosed plans of the school’s management to likely establish a standard institution of higher learning.

    Anyaene said having contributed immensely over the years to the education sector, it became important to consider extending the good work to a university.

    He stated that though the school is not there as rival to any other but is committed to knowledge, excellence and discipline.

    “We have actually grown from grass to grace. It’s been 20 years of different challenges, opinions and structure but we thank God today that the school has been upgraded from the way it was when our late mother left to the way it is now.

    “So 20 years from now, the school might grow into a higher institution. We are very prudent people and we are a bit conservative. At the moment, we have five schools and one more coming up which will bring us close to about 4, 000 students.”

    In his remark, the Principal, Stella Maris College, Mr. Jacob Dawodu said the college started 24th September, 2001 with only 17 children.

    He added that the children population comprised 13 in JSS1 and four in JSS2, with about 13 teachers including him.

    However, Dawodu who is also the colleges academic adviser described the school’s growth as product of hardwork and commitment with about 543 students currently in the college.

    ‎The Academic Adviser, Stella Maris Nursery and Primary school, Mr. James Arllo described the entire celebration to mark 20th anniversary of the school.

    He emphasised that the cultural day celebration among other lined up event was to promote indigenous culture such as food, clothe  arts among others.

    Arllo noted the school had come a long way with about 2000 students.