Friday, June 17, 2011

AKON ROMANCES TUFACE IN A COLLABORATION.


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

In less than a week as US rapper Kanye West signed the entire Mo’Hits crew to his G.O.O.D Music record label, US pop singing sensation Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam simply known as Akon has hinted that he will be working with Nigerian pop star 2face Idibia in a collaboration that he calls "SONG OF THE YEAR".

The Grammy Award winning act,who took to his twitter account in the early hours of Sunday, June 12, 2011 to tweet a picture of 2face and himself in Atlanta, Georgia, US.

‘Me and @2faceidibia working on a master plan in Atlanta! The world is not ready! African Connection‘, Akon tweeted along with the picture.


So we suggest that Akon might have seen the potential in 2face and probably wants to sign him on to his Konvict Muzik or Kon Live Distribution label?

It’s not the first time Akon is identifying with a nigerian act. A brief romance with Faze met with a lot of controversies around 2008, after Akon, who had met and discussed business opportunities with Faze in Accra, reportedly denied knowing him or planning to sign him. He would later withdraw his statement, even putting out a video statement to give props to Faze.

Faze and 2face are both former members of Plantashun Boiz – a nineties R&B group.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

HIPHOP WORLD AWARDS HOLDS IN JULY 2011


Words: Adedosu ‘kenzy’ Adekunle

The annual Hip-Hop World Awards (HHWA) will now hold in July 2011.And this is considers the biggest music awards in Nigeria. The awards, which normally holds in March was pushed to July because of the general election in the country which was concluded last month April 26. According to Ayo Animashaun, the brain behind the award, the reason it was shifted to July is to allow for the swearing in of all elected politician office holders by May 29th, and be sure of stability in the country before the ceremony holds. What will actually interest people is that the award will not hold in Lagos this time as three states, RIVERS, BAYELSA and CROSS RIVER have been penciled down as possible host of the award.

HIP-HOP WORLD AWARDS is the number one annual music event that rewards genuine talents and hard work. It is an annual Award ceremony that celebrates music and artistes in Nigeria which is also in line with the objectives of the organisation.This awards has grown to become the most renowned music event in Nigeria that rewards genuine talent. We just did not stop here but rather proceeded to TV.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

RUMOURS OF WANDE COAL LEAVING MO'HITS CREW......


Words: Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

It all started as rumour, but more people are beginning to see the light of truth in the rumour, because It's gonna take more than a Tweets to quench the rumours. Nevertheless, Wande Coal and his label boss Don Jazzy are hoping that their twitter statements over the supposed feud tearing their relationship apart, will set the record straight and answer lingering questions.

There have always been reports – confirmed or not – of issues within the Mo’Hits camp. Reports of misunderstanding-going-out-of-hand between D’banj and Don Jazzy, D’banj and Ikechuckwu, D’banj and Dr. SID, and now Wande Coal and Don Jazzy keep surfacing. And apart from Ikechukwu whose altercation with D’banj became public, it would seem, because the other parties have carried on with business as usual, that other allegations are either untrue, or blown out of proportion.

But when the news broke out, a few weeks ago, that Wande coal was unhappy and on his way out, over concerns about the future of his career, many reporters ran with the story, and social media buzzed for days non-stop. Feeling the discomfort, and eager to stop the spreading story, Don Jazzy, who runs Mo’Hits with his partner D’banj wrote on Twitter ‘I think it helps to always wish your neighbours well sha. Some people just wanna imagine the worst by force. Positive mind doesn’t kill o’…. ‘I know a lot of good things that happens in the music industry everyday to different people but I don’t see in the papers o, but they’re quick to prophesy evil on a lot of people everyday not remembering that the word of the mouth is powerful’… ‘I’m sure the next news I will be read is ‘DON BABA J SACKS DON JAZZY FROM MOHITS. FIRE ON THE MOUNATAIN RUN RUN RUN’.

And in what seemed like a reluctant comment, Wande Coal tweeted ‘I’m still in Mo’Hits and I and working on the album’.

‘The album’ – that’s what fans have been waiting for; what pundits are asking for. And the non-availability of ‘The album’ of a single new WC cut for that matter, for years, is certainly what’s either causing the Mohits feud, if there’s any; or what’s making gossips think and say WC is ‘unhappy and planning to take a walk’.

The Mohits boys have mastered a winning formular; and instead of anyone throwing in a spanner in the works, we’d think what most well-meaning people desire, is for the boys to continue the domination while the smart ones among their peers take their notebooks and take lessons- lessons from Dbanj; lessons from Don Jazzy; lessons from Mohits.

There’s one lesson those calling the shots at Mohits need to take first though: It’s about time they stop pushing the crew as ‘Dbanj and the boys’. Each Mohits act has the capacity to be as big as Dbanj, if not bigger. And the sooner they start pushing other acts as individual brands that can compete in the market space, rather than as ‘second fiddles to Dbanj’, the better for the label and their investors…

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

ACES FOOTBALLER "RASHIDI YEKINI" NOW WALKS BAREFOOTED.



Words:Adedosu 'kenzy'Adekunle

The story has been on for long but as anyone who had heard anything about felt it was impossible, evidence proved otherwise. In case you have not heard, one of Nigeria’s greatest footballers, Rashisi Yekini is allegedly in dire straits as regards his sanity.

The one time 3SC, Africa Sports of Cote D’ Voire and Victoria Setubal of Portugal striker now walks the street of Ibadan barefooted, a development which has kept many people who know him from his active playing days, asking questions, Yekini is said to suffer Delusion, a neurological illness which hinges on belief that is pathological and held, despite evidence to the contrary.

Ever since people noticed this change in behaviour by Yekini, they have been worried. His neighbour near his Oni & Sons Ring Road residence in Ibadan had to cope with his attitude lately. Yekini, sources say, he has been acting strange for sometime now. He is reported to regularly talk to himself. One incident which perhaps jolted everybody,happened last year when Yekini, in the full glare of his neighbours brought his belongings and allegedly set it on fire.


It was then that those who cared a hoot about him decided to do something fast. His colleagues who played one time for the national Team were contacted. Ex-Golden Eaglet, Dimeji Lawal and popular ex- Super Eagles midfielders, Mutiu Adepoju have been of tremendous help.

Lawal is said to be a regular visitor to his home and has been very supportive. Only last month, the Nigeria Football federation (NFF) directed Adepoju to furnish them with details of Yekini’s problems with a view of helping him. Yekini scored Nigeria’s first ever World Cup goal in 1994 and has the record of highest ever goal scored for Nigeria. He also became the 1st ever Nigerian footballer to win the African Footballer of the Year crown.

Yekini live alone in his house, has a few tenants and rarely gets visitors,. Since his marriage crashed in 1994, he has refused to remarry but sources say he has 2 children who visit on holidays. Those who gave insight into the life of the football legend says Yekini had been betrayed by so many people in the past and that his recent bahaviour can be traced to the downturn of his personal life.

Yekini was born in Kaduna. After starting his professional career in the Nigerian league, he moved to Côte d'Ivoire to play for Africa Sports National. From there he went to Portugal and Vitória de Setúbal, where he experienced his most memorable years, eventually becoming the Portuguese first division's top scorer, in 1993–94, as his performances (32 matches, 34 goals) earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1993, the first ever from the nation.

In the 1994 summer, Yekini was bought by Olympiacos FC, but did not get along with teammates and left. His career never really got back on track, not even upon a return to Setúbal, which happened after another unassuming spell, in La Liga with Sporting de Gijón. He successively played with FC Zürich, Club Athlétique Bizertin and Al-Shabab Riyadh, before rejoining Africa Sports. In 2003, at 39, he returned to the Nigerian championship with Julius Berger FC.

In 2005, 41-year old Yekini made a short comeback, moving alongside former national teammate Mobi Oparaku to Gateway FC.

Scoring 37 goals for Nigeria's national side, in 70 appearances, Yekini is the national record goalscorer. He was part of the team that participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup (where he scored Nigeria's first ever goal in a World Cup, in a 3–0 win against Bulgaria) and the 1998 World Cup.

Additionally, Yekini also helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also topped the goal charts, and participated at Olympic level, in Seoul 1988.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

MR ENDOWED "DBANJ" MAKE PLANS TO RELOCATE TO NEWYORK



Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

it's no longer news that Mr Endowed "D'BANJ" is seeking to penetrate the west and take his music to a global audience, which he has been able to achieved with the remix of Mr Endowed with America Rap Legend "SNOOP DOGG". As a tribute to his mentor Fela, D'banj brings Afrobeat to life and into the 21st century with breathless enthusiasm as well as a good dose of humour. His songs are based on his life, often hilarious but with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young African trying to achieve his dreams. He performs in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English. All his albums are solely produced by Don Jazzy and himself.The entertainer, who had a more pleasant reason to be in the news on April 2, when he sat down with BET’s April Woodward to talk about his life and career, opened his heart and motives of moving down to NEWYORK city.We reproduced and repackaged the moving interview here… Enjoy!


What brings you here?

For me, pretty much as you know, I’m an entertainer from Africa, from Nigeria and I’m just here to take over this town, Yes! To come and eat out of the Big Apple.

I see, you have eaten everywhere else; in Europe and in Africa, so of course naturally you would want to come here and take a bite out of the apple. First of all I’ll have to ask you because I don’t know the history; I know your first name is Dapo…

(D’banj cuts in) oh, you said that so well, you’re African… (Laughs)

…and your last name is Oyebanjo. I understand that’s how you got your name but how did you get ‘Kokomaster’ out of that?

In 2004, I came out with my first single and it was titled ‘The Koko ‘. ‘Koko’ is a word that I came up with. That time for me, it was something I wanted to let people understand so I said to them that the ‘Koko’ is whatever you do to derive pleasure. So obviously, I’m the kokomaster, so ‘koko’ is the bone of contention.

So it’s an adjective, like if I say ‘You are koko’?

You can say ‘what’s the koko’ or ‘I’m feeling kokocious’.

Talk to me about the harmonica; you are self-taught, it’s something you said you were born to play. Why do you feel like the harmonica is so close to you and you were created to play it?

For me, firstly the harmonica is a very spiritual instrument. If you look back at the olden days long time ago, you see before there was the big keyboard or piano during the slave trade, most of the instrument that the people, our forefathers used to play in the farm was the harmonica. I think for me, it is something I picked up after I lost my brother, he used to play it and then he had a plane crash in 1991. I saw the harmonica from what was recovered back and I looked at it, it was an instrument that was handy, simple to carry around. Take it back to high school, take it back to university and from then I started playing it, I played every song that I heard and since then I’ve been playing it and I play it very well now.

You know, one person who is American who has influence from the church is R. Kelly. And that was one of the first albums you picked up. Was it ’12 Play’ you picked up?

Oh, Yes.

How did he influence you and tell me what you thought about that?

I don’t think it’s me alone that is R. Kelly influenced. I think he influenced the whole Africa, the world. Back home they call me a sex symbol but the first person I ever heard that from was R. Kelly and I think that was the ‘Bump and Grind’ album; ‘you remind me of my jeep’ (slowly gesticulates). That was epic, he is a legend, a godfather. For me that was one of the first albums that I saw and I got it and kept it and played it every time. And from there I started watching TV, watching his videos, watching his concerts, he is such a great entertainer and performer so yes he did a lot.



Any other American artiste that influenced you?

Oh yes, you know they call me ‘African Michael Jackson‘? (Laughs). So you know Michael Jackson, may his soul rest in perfect peace, is for me the king of Pop. What more do you want? Michael influenced everybody, telling us that we could use music to stop wars, you can use music to put smiles on people’s faces and make people happy. So, Michael Jackson, Wyclef Jean, a lot of people I met like that, even Jay Z, and Kanye West. Kanye West is someone now that is influencing the youths in Africa, we are looking up to him a lot because of the kind of things he is doing, what he represents is just the future

The harmonica makes me think of Stevie Wonder, he is such a musician on every piece of musical instrument but the harmonica especially. He started playing the harmonica when he was a little boy?

Yes, one of the first solo that I learnt as an instrumentalist was the one he did with Babyface. A Stevie Wonder and Babyface record, I can’t remember the title of the song. He played the really small harmonica and I was like ‘ah, this man is playing this thing o!’, because before, you would always think that the harmonica was played by the country musicians but then with him playing it and having it under the song, if you listen to my songs, I have it strategically placed there just like Stevie. Stevie baba!

Tell me about when you first left home. You were very young, you decided to go to London and some people didn’t really want you to go, mum and dad. Talk to me about that and your decision and how tough it was?

For me, I think when you are walking towards your destiny, whatever you meet, you have to adapt and understand. My mum and dad just like every other parent wanted me to be an engineer which is understandable but I wanted to do music so gradually when I had the chance to travel, my parents didn’t know. I had gotten my Visa and passport and then I travelled abroad to London, trying to be Usher or Craig David. I just thought going to London or getting out of Nigeria was the right thing to do.

What do they think of you know?

Now? (Gesticulates)This right here is called swag! (Laughs). Right now, my mum manages me.

Are you serious?

We’ve been very close, we’ve always been close and I let her know what I’m going through and how I’m going through it so when God brought the breakthrough, she was just perfect and she was there and she has been managing me ever since and I have no regrets. Mummy to bad!


When you look at your music, lyrics, words and everything, they are about your life and they are very humorous. Why do you take that approach?

Well firstly, I’m an entertainer, I don’t really think I’m a great singer. I’m not a rapper, I’m not a singer, I will just entertain you. Music is life and I found out that with studying people from Michael Jackson to R. Kelly to people that have been around that you can really pass a strong message with your music. Having the kind of following I have back home, I just thought the best thing to do is let everybody know this is who I am and even if it is the partying songs that I do, when you are going through the same situation, it will help you know how to party. So, it is very important.

Talk to me about your relationship with Don Jazzy?

You would probably hear Don Jazzy‘s name on every one of my records because he has produced everyone of them. Every one of the major songs that I’ve done. He’s also the C.E.O of Mo’Hits Records and I’m the vice president and his partner. So for me he’s my brother from another mother and we’ve been partners ever since. We started like about six, seven years ago and that has worked very well for us.

You have started this whole genre, a whole phrase ‘Afropean’. What does that mean and where did you get it from?

When I was in London Don Jazzy and I were at a former group and label that we run back then called Backbone Music, which also had JJC. Most of the festivals then we went to were European festivals and I know that in Europe they know Afrobeat from Fela who is a very big legend that came out of Nigeria. Our music sounded different to them so we decided to call our music something different like Afro, Europen – ‘Afropean’. But right now things have changed, people now categorize my music as ‘Afropop’ because it sounds like pop music but it has our flavour, it has our lingua in it.


I like ‘Afropean’ too though…

Afropean too is good though, that’s Afro-European music but (gesticulates) America is where we are now… (Laughs).



Earlier you were saying something about Fela, talk about the influence he had on you…

Fortunately for me or should I say unfortunately, I never met him and I never went to any of his concerts. From the time I started my music, everybody started comparing me to him. When I was on stage they said I moved like Fela, when I sound they say I sound like Fela so I went back to study Fela and I found out that he was bigger than what I thought he was. Fela to Africans is like Bob Marley to Jamaicans. He is that popular, he is well respected in Europe, France, everywhere even in America and earlier this year in New York, I auditioned for the lead role at Fela! on Broadway and I might be moving here (New York). I was at the Tony Awards and Fela! had 13 nominations and won three of them so I think it’s a big look for Africa.

So you don’t want to give any breaking news right now?


Not yet. All you need to know is that I’m here in America to come and eat the Big Apple. (Laughs)

Lets’s talk about your album ‘The Entertainer’, seven million copies sold. How do you think your new album ‘Mr. Endowed’ is going to do?

You got your information right! We have over 150 Million people in Nigeria, 850 million people in Africa, so seven million is just there. But from this new album, we are talking about 10 percent. We are trying to do what has never been done before, that’s part of the reasons why I am here in America. I’m working in studios that I haven’t done before. I remember walking into a studio in New York; the plaques I saw on the wall were platinum from Jay Z to Mariah Carey to Whitney Houston. I walked out, I was like ‘You’ve got to be prepared to be in a place like this’. Gradually as you move, you get to the next level and for me the next level is going global and I believe that ‘Mr. Endowed’ will do it.


Who do you want to work with?

First of all, I’ve played with everyone, the only person I’ve not played with when in Nigeria or Africa is Michael Jackson. I’ve played with R. Kelly, Jay Z, Beyonce, 50 Cent, Ciara.

But who do you want to get in the studio with?

I want to get in the studio with a lot of people actually. I like Kanye West, you know I like Kanye, I like Snoop Dogg, I like 50 Cent, Jay Z, I like Nicki Minaj because she’s giving me some African kind of vibe, Nicki is heavy, I also like Rihanna.


Your brand is humongous; you have Koko Mansion, Koko Foundation, Koko Mobile. Where do you go from here?

I’m about to start, like I said I’m here to eat the Big Apple because what I have done in the last five, six years in Africa is what most people that are very successful, that have brands are doing here. You see Jay Z with Sean Carter brand, you see 50 Cent with the G Unit brand. So after studying all of them I decided immediately in 2005/2006 when everybody started calling me the ‘Kokomaster’. I know that it’s a word I came up with so I decided to do products that would benefit the public. When I came here I saw the Boost phone, I saw the music phone and then decided to do something for my people. And it’s doing very well back home, about to come out very big. It’s my mobile phone and you can use any network on it plus it’s got all my music and videos on it. The Koko foundation is about eradication of poverty in Africa, I’m doing this for Africa because everything I made and all the wealth I made is from Africa. Koko foundation is a way I’m giving back to the poor and to the less privileged. We are empowering ourselves because it’s time!

Another part of your brand is the reality show ‘Koko Mansion’. What made you decide to do that?

Really I would say, America dictates everything. I was in the States last year and I saw ‘Flavour of Love’ and so many other reality shows, and back home a lot of people want to know who I’m with and what I’m doing. You know as ‘African Prince’, they want to know if I’m eating or if I’m …eating. So for me, we decided to do something because no one knows who I’m with. Everyone knows I’ve been into my work so much, and that I do not have a better half. So, we decided to look for the ideal women, the ‘Kokolette’ – the ‘complete woman’.

So you have one, she has got a ring, money, was companion for a year. Where is she?

(laughs) I think she got threatened by my fans. My Kokolettes out there are too many. But what we did with that was we tried to empower the winner because when you are a winner of a competition whether you like it or not, you become a popular face. She works as a TV presenter right now, that has always been her dream. She wanted to be like you (April), she’s also doing very well. She was chosen by the public and we are about starting off with season 2. I remain the Kokomaster.



When you thought about leaving your home in Nigeria and your parents were not really feeling it and you were on your way, did you ever think that you would be as successful and as huge as you are now?

Oh, I dreamt it. I bet I thought about it before moving. It’s crossed my mind but obviously not this fast, not this quick, I just didn’t know why I had the drive but I had the drive to just do it and I’m a very positive person so I think that has also helped. And believing in yourself, believing in God. Those are the three things that have got me going and even when I meet obstacles, that’s what they are. Beyond that, put your eye on the goal.

Was there ever a doubt? Were you ever afraid?

Oh yes, I was afraid. A lot of times I’ve been afraid. After every album, I’ve been afraid, before I drop any album I’m afraid. I don’t know if other people are afraid but I am because it’s a different world, you keep moving, you’re on a journey, you’re doing something every time. Yes, you must be afraid but believe in yourself, I think inner mostly you would know. Do not deceive yourself, don’t copy anybody.

The ladies need to know; What’s going on in your love life?

My love life is very personal. Let me tell you something, you see me; I’m a very very big person. I have a big heart, the love is for everybody but I’m still searching. As I’m entering the Big Apple, I think I’m going to look for one. My people in Africa want me to make the right decision.

You have won over 20 awards worldwide, that’s amazing. Which one do you still want to get?

Firstly, you should give me BET, and then a Grammy would not be bad.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

GENEVIEVE AND DAUGHTER REVEALED...


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Not so many people might want to believe this, but what you are about to read and see with your eyes could be unbelievable to you. Ever since movie star actress 'Genevieve Nnaji' made an entrance into the Nollywood scene, she has successfully managed to keep her private life private.

Yes we knew she was a teen mom; but not so many knew the identity of her baby, or the father. And despite sustained media reports on her alleged romances with different men in power (which she constantly denied), no one could provide any evidence or proven fact.


But in recent times, things appear to have taken a different turn. First there’s D’banj and the many pictures, quotes, alleged trysts and all, giving the media materials to convert rumours to news; to deduce fact from what many thought was fiction. And now, a picture has emerged, circulating on microblogging site Twitter, of Genevieve and an astonishingly beautiful young lady believed to be her 15-year-old daughter.

Just some few weeks back, a picture of Genevieve and a young lady who bears a striking resemblance with the actress popped up on Social Networking site Twitter. Many claim that the unknown lady is Genny’s daughter which she had over a decade and a half years ago. Different Twitter users, as well as movie industry insiders we spoke to, want us to believe the lady in the picture is Genevieve’s daughter.

But there are a few who insist the photo is a hoax; and that the lady you’re seeing is a model; not in anyway Ms Nnaji’s offspring…

Genevieve Nnaji, now 32, thought her whole world would crumble; her future cut short abruptly when she got pregnant while a teenager. It was a shame and disgrace to the Nnaji’s at the time, and sources tell us Genevieve had to stop school and move to the village. The identity of the girl’s father remains unknown as Ms Nnaji has successfully kept that part of her life private despite years of media intrusion.

But over the past years, the actress has put herself in shape, stayed out of scandals, and established herself as one of Africa’s most remarkable actors. Many use her as a case study for teenagers who have gotten into one trouble or the other; saying it is still very possible to dust their pants and catch up with, if not overtake their peers…

We’re working to get a confirmation from Genevieve’s PR reps. But no word yet as at the time of filing this report.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

DANCE HALL KING "MALLAM SPICEY" ATTACKS HOUSE OF GINGAH CREW "PRINCE BANTON".


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Dance-hall act Michael Tari Davies a.k.a known as Mallam Spicey is obviously still threatened or irritated by the mention of House Of Gingah C.E.O "Terry G" or any of his close allies as he allegedly threw caution to the wind few weeks ago at Festac town in Lagos when he sighted one of Terry G’s disbanded 'House of Ginger' members, Prince Banton.

According to sources, Mallam Spicey was at a video shoot location of an up-and-coming female act in Festac where Banton was also invited. Upon sighting the ex Terry G signee, he was infuriated and threatened to break Banton’s head, "not in this is my hood, the boy has no business here" he shouted.

According to eyewitnesses, Banton and his manager immediately left for a bar close-by (D’ Jamzbase) when Mr. Tari was hell-bent on letting hell loose. We’re told that, Spicey and his home boys headed to the bar to unfold fresh terror but the security men there curtailed the looming trouble.

Mallam Spicey, who was a defunct member of the 'TRIBUNAL' , got famous in December 2009 when he released a diss track directed at Terry G, 'One thousand five hundred naira' in response to Terry’s initial lyrical jab at the dancehall singer in 'Free madness'.