Monday, August 17, 2009
The Danger of P-Square
The brothers are ready with a brand new album which they titled ‘Danger’. The album is a ten tracker and contains songs like ‘Super fans’, which is dedicated to their fans. ‘I love you’, ‘Who dey there’, ‘Possibility’ and ‘bye bye’. It features Tuface Idibia, Frenzy and Jay Martins. According to their brother and manager, Jude Okoye, the album is fully ready for release. “We are releasing it this month, but we are trying to get the best deal from the best marketer. We will first release super fans to promote the album and then the full album would follow a week later.”
Totally looking forward to their album.
Actor Pete Edochie Kidnapped
One of Nigeria’s most respected actors, Pete Edochie was kidnapped yesterday on the Afor-Nkpor road, near Onitsha. The actor was on his way from his home in Enugu to an event in Onitsha when his car was ambushed and then he was abducted. The police and the governor’s of both Enugu and Anambra are aware of the situation. They are working towards identifying his current location and securing his release.
KIDNAPPERS of Nollywood actor and former broadcaster, Chief Pete Edochie, have demanded N10 million ransom from the Edochie family, even as many people in Anambra State expressed bitterness over the kidnap of the popular actor.
This is not really a good thing to happen. We pray he returns to his family well and safe and may no harm befall him in Jesus name. Amen
Seyi Solagbade launches album, begins Gid at White House
The formidable team of Black Face Band led by the multi-talented artiste, Oluwaseyi Solagbade has finished work on his third album entitled .
The 13-tracker album which has been commended by his fans is slated to be launched at the exotic hotel and conference centre on Toyin Street called White House on Sunday, 27th September 2009 by 4pm prompt.
The impermeable saxophonist who is well-known in the entire Europe will cease the opportunity to give a dose of his Afro style to his large fans. While preparation for the grand event is going on, Seyi, we were told, has also sealed off a deal to be entertaining his fans every last Sunday of the month in the same venue. The show is put together by Oju Dudu in conjunction with White House.
T.W.O deny quitting music, drop new single
Top showbiz couple, Tunde and Wunmi Obe, have materialised from the shadow of speculations of a shift
from Music to TV to announce that they are actually still working the notes and tones and hoping to release a new album before the year runs out.
“We have not left music, Music is our first love. We have been recording new songs, and in fact we are ready to roll,” Wunmi Obe who clocked 40 last week told journalists in Lagos this week. Her partner, Tunde Obe continues, “We are too legit to quit, we won’t do that to our fans, we owe it to them, we can’t leave them hanging.”
And as if to show to the world that they are still in the game for real, the couple whose singles “Adupe” and “Mogbomaya” remain regulars on TV and Radio nationwide, unleashed a new single titled “Zombie” this week.
Coined from Bantu language (a family of Niger- Congo languages predominantly spoken in Central and Southern Africa ), the word Zombie has over the years come to mean a walking dead. But not to worry, T.W.O is not sliding in that direction.
Instead, Tunde Obe explains, “Zombie in our own context, does not have anything to do with military men or a dead man walking. Our song tells a story of two love birds who are stuck on one other, and cannot do without each other.”
The single, which was produced by Sean Keyz is the first from the duo after their monstrous hit, “Mogbomaya” which established them as “a bridge between the old and the new school.”
A glance at the successes of their past albums tells that the pair will definitely make a larger than life impression as is their tradition. “We are definitely in this for good, and as we keep saying, we are too legit to quit”,Wunmi Obe says on a final note.
The title of the forthcoming album has not been announced yet. According to their publicist, Ayeni Adekunle, “All those other details will be known soon. All we just want to do now is let people know that contrary to widespread speculations, this couple we all love so much, are not quitting music.
Not now, not tomorrow, not ever” T.W.O started as lead singers in a campus band ‘Turning point’ in the 80s, and got popular nationwide with their popular weekly television performance on the Charly boy Show and Zoom time.
Female musicians warm up for Girlpower
Two years after Girlpower un-leashed made its debut in Lagos, the all female artists concert is back with new
and established artists warming up for the second edition billed to kick off later this month in Lagos.
Among the line up of artists are Ashionye, a former member of the defunct Emete group, rap artist dubbed “the hip hop Princess, Mo’ Cheddah, gospel artist and double nominee Kora Awards, Bukky Laoye and actress/ singer BB.
Unlike the first edition that was hosted only in Lagos, this year’s concert titled, “What a Feeling” will tour three major cities, Lagos, Ibadan and Benin between August and September.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, initiator of the Tetmosol sponsored event, Ashionye said the idea of the Girlpower concert is to empower women from all walks of life though music.
She pointed out that in a male dominated music industry, women are confronted with all kinds of challenges that it became imperative to do something not only to promote the women but also to get the upcoming musicians known.
“I am very passionate about women empowerment and Girlpower is our own way of saying let’s empower the Nigerian female musician because if you look around, the male musicians have dominated.”
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sammie Okposo is tired ‘I don’t want to compete with secular artistes anymore’
Nigeria’s king of gospel music, Sammie Okposo is having a rethink. As a matter of fact, the old Sammie is giving way for a new improved one, and this is not a public relation stunt.
It was with a heavy-laden heart that Sammie spoke with us when we made enquiries about his latest project.
‘This my new project is a clear departure from the old. We cannot afford to continue as before. We have all taken gospel music to the level where it lacks content all because we are looking for club bangers. We wanted the radio DJs and club DJs to bang our songs and compete on the same level with the secular musicians.
We have sacrificed our calling on the altar commercialism. That is not what God has called us for. God called us to be psalmists and worshippers. We are called to create an atmosphere of worship where God of the people can meet with them but what do we have now? We have a situation where we are following the crowd and changing our beats to follow that of the secular artiste. They have created a niche for themselves, why can’t we the gospel artiste do the same?’
Speaking further in a tone that was near tears, Sammie revealed his ‘new’ calling. ‘God called be to be a worshipper and a psalmist. That was where I started from and that is where I am going back. That is why my new album is more about God taking me back to the basics. All the mistakes I’ve made in my life as a Christian has made me a better person.
I won’t say I regret anything but I would say I have a better understanding of where God wants me to go to and I am going back to that place. And that is for me to create an atmosphere for you to fellowship with God. I have failed if I just make you shout and jump and your life is not touched. For me now, at this junction, it is only what I do for Christ that count.’
Isn’t he afraid this re-branded Sammie will lose fan base? No he isn’t.
‘I am not afraid or ashamed to take this stand now. I know I stand the risk of losing fans who will say Sammie has become over-spiritual but I know that this is what God has called me to do. That is not to say there won’t be danceable songs in my new album but I am not competing with the secular musicians. The concept behind this new album is taking people back to the place of grace.’
In Sammie’s own word this is a re-consecrated gospel musician. He said at this point of his life we might probably be hearing no more rumour about him as he is set to chart new course for his career and life. ‘ I had to do a rethink after my experience in Europe. I went there to minister and heavens opened. I would just sing a worship song and the people would start experiencing great testimonies. I did not even sing any of my own song. God just took over.
He made me realise that He has a bigger plan for me than where I am right now. I thank God for this second chance because it is not everybody that has the opportunity of a second chance.’
His new album will contain 15 tracks and four singles would be released in a matter of weeks. The songs feature Soji Isreal, Duby and Lamborghini.
Cancer Kills Top Actress Remi Abiola
Popular Nollywood actress and wife of the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO), Remi Abiola, died yesterday of lung cancer.
The talented actress, who has been battling with the ailment for sometime now, was said to have been in coma for 10 days, before she eventually died in a New York hospital.
It was gathered that the late actress discovered that she was suffering from the ailment about seven months ago, when she travelled to the United States of America, for an award ceremony.
She is survived by two children, one of whom she had for the late MKO Abiola. His name is Kamorudeen.
Remi, who studied in England, started her acting career with stage performances in London in the 1970s.
When she returned to Nigeria, she worked as a flight attendant at the defunct Nigerian Airways before taking acting as a full time profession.
Speaking on her death this morning, the National President of the Association of Nigerian Theatre-Arts Practitioners (ANTP), Prince Jide Kosoko, described the news as an unfortunate one.
“It is very sad. I never knew she was not in the country. I got to know that she was in coma about seven days ago,” Kosoko said, adding that “our colleagues in U.S. are currently making arrangements to bring her corpse home for burial.”
Paul Play Dairo down with Cancer
It's been reported that music star and R n B crooner, Paul Play Dairo, is down with cancer of the Kidney, in faraway South Africa, millions of Nigerians in both home and the Diasporas, have been fervently praying and fasting for his quick recovery.
It would be recalled that Paul Play, the son of late music maestro, IK Dairo, was originally in South Africa, with his crew to shoot some music videos for his forthcoming album, before taking ill.
Since the sad news was made public, millions of Nigerians, especially his teeming fans and colleagues in the music industry, have been praying and wishing him a quick recovery.
Most of these shocked fans and colleagues are also calling for a divine intervention, over the illness.
Learnt authoritatively, that some are even planning to visit him in South Africa, where he’s currently recuperating with the aide of his wife and other family members.
Nollywood, also is not left out in the on going prayers and fasting for Paul Play, most stars who spoke with us, said they are currently praying for his quick recovery, and cannot wait to have him back in Nigeria, to continue with his thriving music career. According to comic star, Victor Osuagwu, the ugly news hit him like a hurricane. “I cannot even wish my enemy cancer, its one illness we all dread.
We thank God that Paul survived it, we are now praying that God will give him the strength to carry on, because the post treatment its not easy. We wish him quick recovery and a big congrats too, for surviving it, its well with him”.
Some years ago, the late Pop queen, Tyna Onwudiwe, was also diagnosed with Cancer, while residing in South Africa. Onwudiwe, also known as African Oyinbo, eventually died while battling the terminal illness.
Meanwhile, good news reaching us from South Africa, has it that Paul Play, is in a very high spirit and recuperating fine.
2009 Soundcity Music Video Award Winners
Find below the list of the winners of the awards.
Best Male Video
• Naeto C – Kini Big Deal
Best Female Video
• TY Bello – Ekundayo
Best Choreography
• P-Square – Roll It
Best Special Effect Editing
• Dipp – Dangerous
Best Cinematography
• Bigiano – Shayo
Best Hip Hop
• Str8buttah – Last Standing
Best R&B or Pop Video
• Darey - Not the girl
Best Duo/Group Video
• P-Square – Roll It
Best Collaboration in a Music Video
• Tuface Idibia ft. Sound Sultan – Enter The Place
Soundcity Viewers Choice
• Bigiano – Shayo
Soundcity Fresh Video
• Steel – South African Girl
Discovery of the year
• Kel - Waa Wa Alright
Hit Producer of the Year
• “Suddenly” by D’banj (Don Jazzy)
African Video of the Year
• 340ML (Mozambique)
Best Video
• Tuface - Enter The Place
Best Live perfromance Western Africa (Honors)
* Seun Kuti
Best Live performance Southern African (Honors)
* Jozi
Tony One Week returns as a Champion
Eleven years after he stepped out with his wave-making “Onwa December album”, acclaimed king of gyration music, Tony One Week, is due to release his long awaited follow up album into the Nigerian and international markets.
The album, which hits shelves in the month of August is a 14-track album with “Champion’, as the hit track. The well-arranged work is a potpourri featuring leading singers like Nigga Raw, African China, Duncan Mighty, Singaholic, Sunny Bobo, J Martins, Stormress, Nwaba and Flavour.
According to the Abuja based entertainer, the side A of the album is a medley of gyration songs, while the other side brims with contemporary works.
He also disclosed that the album, which he described as “double-barrel release” is an infusion of hip-hop, highlife and gyration songs. It is going to be marketed by Iyke De-Don Entertainment.
“It’s an infusion of hip-hop, highlife and gyration. It’s a kind of music that emanated from Ghana, which is a combination of hip-hop, highlife and gyration. I wouldn’t feature somebody like J-Martins in gyration nor would I feature Nigga Raw. So, the best bet is for me to do something of that nature in my own way,” Tony One Week explained, adding that “ Champion” as the hit track is a gyration song.
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