Thursday, March 31, 2011

NEWEST TV PROGRAMM ON AIR "BILLBOARD NIGERIA" DEBUTS ON TV.


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Over the years Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine. The two primary charts – the Hot 100 (top 100 singles) and the Billboard 200 (top 200 albums)factor in airplay, as well as music sales in all relevant formats.

On January 4, 1936, Billboard magazine published its first music hits. They parade the first Music Popularity Chart which was calculated in July 1940. A variety of songs charts followed, which were eventually consolidated into the Hot 100 by mid-1958. The Hot 100 currently combines single sales, radio airplay and digital downloads.Nigerian music has gone over age and it has transformed a whole lot, metamorphism into what we all now call AFRO HIP-HOP.

I can probably start counting those that started hip-hop in the early 80's.It all a bunch of African American cats.From a far perspective view, they were been referred to as the BLACK HIP HOPPERS. From RUN DMC, GRAND MASTER FLASH, THE FURIOUS FIVE, KEITH' COWBOY' WIGGINS.

Thirty years later, hip-hop is the premier pop music of Nigeria, dominating radio play as well as the sales charts(Billboard, feted in mega budget videos, glossy magazines and glitzy award shows.

When the average Nigerian kid decides to get into the music biz, the first impulse is not to grab a guitar or a talking drum, but to pick up a microphone. It was a long way from there to here, though.

For years, the earliest attempts at homegrown rap were ridiculed, resisted or downright reviled by the mainstream. And in some cases, perhaps, rightfully so,they were often awkward, overly imitative, fatuous. But they also laid the foundation for the 2Faces, the 9ices, the D’Banj's, Ruggedman's, Modenine's and the rest of today’s Naija hip-hop superstars.

So here’s our salute to some of the ground breakers in the first decade of Nigerian hip-hop. The like of this great Nigerian hip-hopper's, Ron Ekundayo, Lexy Mella , Super Doeths, I.C. Rock’s, Ernest McDormett Ofonedu , Mike Umoh, Timi Gawi “3”’s ,Emphasis, Kunle"Dizzy" Falola , Dili I. Jukson’s rhyme ,Gloria Hart ,Oby Onyioha......and the list goes on.

This guys actually started hiphop in Nigeria.
Nigerian Hip Hop is sometimes called "GBEDU"or"NAIJA". Afro Hip hop in Nigeria dates back to the late eighties and early nineties. Groups and solo artists i the early 90's include the likes of Junior & Pretty, Daniel 'Danny' Wilson,charlie boy, alex o,alex zitto,chris okotie and the rest. This guys open up the door for this dudes in the late 90's,likes of Plantaintion Boyz, The Remedies, Ruff,Rugged and Raw.
The early years of the new millennium saw an outburst of artists and groups like, Trybesmen, Naeto C, P-square (the duo of Peter & Paul Okoye),Tuface idibia, Dbanj. They all became a part of mainstream music in Nigeria after the collapse of pop trends like Yo pop.

The availability of computers and cheap music editing software in the late 1990s and the 2000s enabled Nigerian musicians to achieve higher quality recordings which quickly won over the Nigerian audience. Just as Nigeria's Nolly-wood movies have done with Western movies, Nigerian hip hop has begun to displace Western popular music.

Magazines like, Hip-Hop World" based in Nigeria, is a prominent publication that has helped fashion the orientation of hip-hop culture in Nigeria and across the continent.

African Beatz, Blast and Bubbles magazines are other similar major Nigerian hip hop publications.
Other notable Nigerian Hip hop artists include Modenine, Terry tha Rapman, O.D, Six-Foot Plus, M.I, Ruggedman, Duncan Mighty, Pherousheouz, Freestyle, Ill Bliss, Elajoe, Sasha, B.o.u.q.u.i, Tony Merlot, Jesse Jeggs. Meanwhile its seems like the coming up underdogs Nigerian/American rapper Tansion P Digga will bring African hippop to the fullness.

More recently the Nigerian hip hop industry has witnessed a wave of new artists which include Terry g, ice prince, wande coal, Dj zeez, omotee and sylence(a promising producer) and the late rap icon Dagrin.

Some American Hip hop artists have included and have been influenced by Nigerian music. For example on an episode of the radio show “The Let Out,” there was a “Nigerian Gangsta Remix” of the Jay Z song “Roc Boyz” which features the late Fela kuti's instrumental,one of the most influential Nigerian musicians of all time.
Nigeria has grown over the years to become the 'seat' of Hip hop in the African continent.Contributors to this 'success' includes the producers ID Cabasa, OJB Jezreel, Paul 'Play' Dairo, Don Jazzy, Ugly Beatz, Y.E.M.I., Puffy T, Cobhams Asuquo, Terry G, Omotee ,banky w,Sylence.Hiphop has finally come to stay.

This new revolution in the Nigerian music industry, have created a new billboard chart , originaly licensed from the American and Uk chart, called THE NIGERIA BILLBOARD.It is a way of re-organzing the music scene.

Originally, Billboard had separate charts for different measures of popularity, including disk jockey playings, juke box song selection, and best selling records in retail stores. A composite standing chart that combined these gradually grew to become a top 100, the ancestor of the current Hot 100 chart. The juke box chart ceased publication after the June 17, 1957 issue, the disk jockey chart, after the July 28, 1958 issue, and the best seller chart, after the October 13, 1958 issue. The July 28, 1958 issue was also the last issue that called the composite chart the Top 100 The following week began the Hot 100.

Currently, Billboard publishes many different charts, with the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 being the most famous. Billboard also has charts for the following music styles: rock, country, dance, bluegrass, jazz, classical, R&B, rap, electronic, pop, Latin, Christian music, comedy albums, and even for ringtones for mobile (cell) phones. In 2009 Billboard partnered with MetroLyrics to offer top 10 lyrics for each of the charts.

Currently it is been aired on Silverbird Television(STV), every mondays by 5pm to 5:30pm.Its runed by two yougest producers in nigeria. TAIWO OKUNREN and TOBI EROGBOGBO.

MEMORIAL CARNIVAL FOR THE LATE RAP ICON "DAGRIN" SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 21ST


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Misofunyi Entertainment (DAGRIN'S ENTERTAINMENT OUTFIT)in partnership with Stingomania Records will host ‘The Dagrin Memorial Carnival’ on April 21 at National Stadium in Lagos. Speaking to journalist about the forthcoming event, chief executive officer of Stingomania Entertainment Mr. Ope Banwo,said “its going to be an annual anniversary for the late rapper icon DAGRIN, particularly the first one, it cannot be complete without his colleagues gathering together to salute him in the language he understands best, which is music. A carnival like this will gives his contemporaries a platform to express themselves on an annual basis.

We are therefore happy to be working with Dagrin’s father on this project with Kenny Saint Browwn KSB, helping us with her experience as a seasoned concert organizer.” With performances from musicians/artiste like Naeto C, KSB, DJ Zeez, Jaywon, YQ, Goldie, Edreez Abdulkareem, Sheyman, General Pype, Baba Nee, Kas, Flavour and Obesere PK1st.

The carnival will include an awards session for the Best Dagrin Look-alike, Best Dagrin Tribute Song, Best Dagrin Collabo Song and Best Dagrin Collabo Video, Best Yoruba Rap, Best English Rap Artiste, Best Upcoming Hip-Hop Artiste and Best Upcoming Entertainer of the Year.

Ope Banwo also revealed that “the proceeds from the concert will be applied to the Ghetto Dreamz Foundation for Young Entertainers” which he is organising while the rest will go to Dagrin’s estate for the welfare of the parents and siblings. “It is a charity project that I am very proud to be associated with”, Banwo said. In a related development Dagrin’s biopic ‘Ghetto Dreamz’ starring Trybson Dudukoko as Dagrin, Doris Simeon, Pa Kasumu, Rachael Oniga, and Gabriel Afolayan will be premiered on Friday April 22, 2011.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

FULL LISTS OF WINNERS AT THE JUST CONCLUDED AMMA AWARDS.


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

The seventh Edition of the Annual African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has come and gone. The Prestigious award ceremony took place at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Saturday, March 26, 2011 and was well attended by various Nigerian movie stars including Mike Ezeruonye, Majid Michel, Joke Silver, Jim Iyke, Kate Henshaw, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki), Ini edo among others.

Notable performances on the night includes African pop duo P-square who wowed the audience with their dance routines.

Congolese movie ‘Viva Riva’ which initially led with 13 nominations received the most awards on the night; an outstanding number of six awards were for Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Director (Djo Tunda Wa Munga) , Best Actor in Supporting Role (Hoji Fortuna), Best Actress in Supporting Role (Marlene Longage) and Best Film.

Surprisingly, Nigerian star actresses Genevieve Nnaji and Omoni Oboli who were up against each other in the Best Actress in Leading Role category for the movies ‘Tango with me’ and ‘Anchor baby’ respectively, both lost out to Manie Malone for the movie ‘Viva Riva’.

However, Nigeria bagged five awards on the night. They include Edward Kagutuzi in the movie ‘Mirror Boy’ for Best Young actor, ‘Inale’ for Best Soundtrack, ‘In America: The Story Of The Soul Sisters’ by Rahman Oladigbolu for Best Film for African Abroad and ‘Aramotu’ for Best Costume Design and Best Nigerian Film by Niji Akanni.

Best Film
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga (Congo)

Best Director
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga

Best Actress In Leading Role
Amake Abebrese – Sinking Sands

Best Actor In Leading Role
Themba Ndaba – Hopeville

Best Actress In Supporting Role
Marlene Longage – Viva Riva

Best Actor In Supporting Role
Hoji Fortuna – Viva Riva

Best Young Actor
Edward Kagutuzi – Mirror Boy

Best Child Actor
Sobahle Mkhabase (Thembi), Tschepang Mohlomi (Chili-Bite) And Sibonelo Malinga (Khwezi) – Izulu Lami

Best Film In African Language
Izulu Lami – Madoda Ncayiyana (South Africa)

Best Nigerian Film
Aramotu – Niji Akanni

Best Screenplay
Sinking Sands

Best Editing
Soul Boy

Best Cinematography
Viva Riva

Best Achievement In Sound
Shirley Adams

Best Visual Effects
A Small Town Called Descent

Best Soundtrack
Inale

Best Make Up
Sinking Sands

Best Costume Design
Aramotu

Best Production Design
Viva Riva

Best Film For African Abroad
In America: The Story Of The Soul Sisters – Rahman Oladigbolu (Nigeria/USA)

Best Diaspora Short Film
Precipice – Julius Amedume (UK)

Best Diaspora Documentary
Stuborn As A Mule – Miller Bargeron Jr & Arcelous Deiels (USA)

Best Diaspora Feature
Suicide Dolls – Keith Shaw (USA)

Best Documentary
Kondi Et Le Jeudi Nationale – Ariana Astrid Atodji (Cameroun)

Best Short Documentary
After The Mine – Diendo Hamadi & Dinta Wa Lusula (DRC)

Best Short Film
Dina – Mickey Fonseca (Mozambique)

9ICE A NEW DADDY, AS MISTRESS DELIVER A SET OF TWINS.


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

It’s a set of Twins for 9ice and its Abuja lover "BUKKY"

Although the pair would prefer to keep it hush hush, we can reliably tell you that they are taking their relationship a step further with the arrival, early last week, of their first baby together a set of twins (BOY and GIRL).

The bundle of joy were delivered at an undisclosed UK hospital on Monday February 7, 2011 but returned to the country last week after medically certified fit, we LEARNT.

Sources close to 9ice tell us the singer -who’s separated from his wife Toni Payne – has been a regular visitor to Abuja, since Bukky – a fair-complexioned older woman – took in last year.

The relationship has never been public, even though those close to the singer are well aware they’re seriously dating.

We cannot tell for now, if the pair is planning to get married; especially as 9ice and Payne are still legally married.

A picture of 9ice’s partner, obtained exclusively by (thenetng), shows she’s a fair-complexioned lady with multiple piercings. Multiple sources tell us this lady is the reason the singer has been a regular visitor to Abuja; and that his ex Toni Payne is – unhappily- aware of the relationship(seems to be still in love with him). In fact almost all the ladies close to him know of her. She herself even went out of her way to contact them‘, we LEARNT.

Sources say Bukky’s set of twins, was delivered on Monday March 21. The baby is 9ice’s second. His first son named Zion was delivered on Thursday December 4, 2008, at Presbytarian Hospital, Southern California, United States of America.

‘I can tell you for sure that 9ice has gotten the girl pregnant, and she has put to bed. Toni knows. But even her is keeping quiet but it’ll be a source of embarrassment for her‘, one of 9ice’s close friends tells us. He does not want to be named.

‘I can’t tell if he’ll marry her or not. But she’s very close to him and I believe they’re serious‘. He disclosed.

9ice’s manager Dehinde Fajana through a telephone conversation claimed that he is ignorant of the situation and questioned the existence of his boss’ Abuja partner.

‘Is there any partner there? Does 9ice have any partner in Abuja? I’m sorry, I don’t know’ Fajana responded.

9ice did not immediately respond to our enquiries.

TERRY G QUITS MANAGEMENT OUTFIT "NOW MUSIK".


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adedosu

Not so many people have noticed him for quite some time now, the reason is not far fetched as the HIT-MAN(as he is referred to be called now) was about a month ago signed on to NOW MUSIC.Really, his fans thought it was a fluke played on him, but later it all came out glaring that it was all true. But Contrary to the misconception about the persona of Singer and producer Gabriel Amayi popularly known as Terry G as disorganized and unkempt, it's not what it seems after all.

Terry G who has recently been making frantic efforts to re-brand his music and public perception lend a charitable hand to the SOS children village, Isolo Lagos orphanage home on Thursday March 17, 2011 as part of events marking his birthday.



The happy Terry G recalled his days before stardom and success beckoned, noting it's a gesture of appreciation to God and humanity.

'It's good to show some love. I've once been in such situation even if I'm not an orphan. I just thought about going out of my hood to show love to these kids'

The singer in company of his mother, brother and other family members and friends presented bags of rice, salt, ground nut oil and other valuable items to the home as the children who seemed excited chorused his songs and mimicked his dance style.

'I really admire Terry G's heart, we appreciate his gesture. As you can see the kids are very happy to have him here. God will take him to greater heights'; one of the social workers at the orphanage home tells us.

After touring the facility in lead of the social workers, the ginger master as Terry is fondly called answered a number of questions from the kids and wrapped the visit with a brief performance amid random snap shots with both the home workers and the children.

Meanwhile, the ‘Free Madness’ singer has parted ways with ‘Now Muzik’ few months after he announced in a press gathering that he had resorted to pitch his tent with the management company.

Amayi sacked his manager Ayodeji to sign up with Now Muzik in November 2010 alongside singer Timi Dakolo but for unconfirmed reasons, the defunct ‘House of Ginjah’ boss exited the Efe Omoregbe led company prematurely.

Monday, March 28, 2011

BAMORAL EVENT IN BLAZE....


Words: Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Yesterday Sunday March 27, 2011 is that a fire outbreak has occurred at The Balmoral premises located on Oregun road, Ikeja where the City People Awards was being held.

The fire which started at about 4:05pm shortly after the event kicked off. A caterer who was trying to light the liquid-spirit used to heat the food that was to be served at the event mistakenly lit her dress on fire.

She hurriedly removed the skirt throwing it into the air, but it got in contact with the canopy, which served as an overhead covering at the premises. Efforts to quench the fire with an extinguisher proved abortive as the extinguisher’s gas only made matters worse as it accelerated the fire outbreak.

Celebrities and guests scampered all around as they rushed towards the nearest exit, which was difficult to see as the whole premises was filled with smoke.

Cars that were parked inside the premises were abandoned by their owners as they ran for their lives but rescuers managed to break into the cars by smashing the side glasses and wheeling them out to safety.

By the time the Fire Service men arrived, it was too late to salvage anything but they were able to stop the fire from extending to the next hall, we gathered.We learnt that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, who had just arrived at the scene when the fire started, upon seeing the developing crisis made a u-turn and left the area immediately.

Management of The Balmoral and City People declined to any media comments

We also gathered that it was only the caterer and a Lagos State Television (LTV) staff that sustained injuries. Property worth 50 million naira was lost in the newly renovated hall.

YEKA ONKA EMERGES WINNER OF THE FIRST NGERIAN IDOL


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

When it first started, not so many people thought it will go far, but after several months of thorough training, breath taking performances and tear-shedding scenarios, the first ever Nigerian Idol TV reality show has come to an end.26-year-old Onyeka Gilbert popularly known as Yeka Onka on Sunday March 27, 2011 has been announced as the winner of Nigerian Idol 2011.

The grand finale was nothing but a glorious show with laudable performances, fantastic renditions, emotional moments, beautiful costumes plus a thousand other things. An event of such will sink into the minds of the contestants, judges, guests and viewers for a while.

The main event started with the 13 finalists gracefully rendering the Nigerian National Anthem. The judges Jeffery Daniels, Yinka Davies and Audu Maikori were as usual seated and ready to watch the last two contestants Yeka Onka and Naomi Mac perform one last time as one of them would be declared winner of the show.

Hosts Anis and Misi, looking stunning as always set the ball rolling; the other 11 evicted contestants were called upon for one last time to perform a Black Eyed Peas single, the smash hit ‘I got a feeling’.

Anis then called on the R&B star Banky W, the first of three guest performers of the evening on the stage. Banky thrilled the crowd with his popular hit ‘Strong ting’ but it was Timi Dakolo, winner of the West African Idol 2007 that stole the night with a standing ovation. Fast rising R&B singer Praiz also wowed the crowd with a ballad. The dazzling Tiwa Savage and buzzing Retta were among the other acts who performed at the grand finale pre show.

One of the highlights of the evening was when Yeka and Naomi got on stage to render the Christie Essien Igbokwe ‘Seun rere’ song. Little did anybody know that the legendary singer would join the two girls on stage! Tears filled the eyes of many as they swayed side to side singing along.

For a final treat, Yeka and Naomi rendered the same songs they had performed at their first ever auditions. Yeka went first with Whitney Houston’s ‘I will always love you’ while Naomi followed with Michael Jackson’s ‘Heal the world’.

The time finally came for the winner to be declared. Steve Evans, C.E.O Etisalat Nigeria then pronounced Yeka Onka the winner of the reality TV Show. The announcement came as a surprise to some who thought Naomi would be the winner while others celebrated joyfully as Yeka fell to her knees in the euphoria.

‘I am really excited for this, it took me a while to get to this point, I was rejected in Enugu and Abuja, before I came down to Lagos and then I got the golden ticket. I loved the experience, all through the six months, And now here I am walking away with the grand prize’, an ecstatic Yeka said.

‘I just want to say that Naomi too deserved to win this competition, she’s my friend and I love her’, she further expressed. She also went ahead to thank the judges most especially Audu Maikori, stating in her bid to please them; she had become better at her singng.

She then went on to perform ‘Champion’, the Nigerian Idol theme song produced by Jesse Jagz.

Yeka, a former beauty queen in Abia State, had been to two other auditioning zones, Calabar, Enugu before she was eventually picked in Lagos. Emerging as winner, she now goes home with 7.5Million naira courtesy, a brand new car and a Sony entertainment TV center.

Naomi, the 1st runner up, walks away with N1.5M cash prize, a Blackberry phone, iPad, iPod, Easy Card, Standing Fridge, PS3 and other goodies.

‘Here’s a toast to Onyeka who beat all the odds by becoming the first Nigerian Idol, she thoroughly deserves her victory and we should all applaud her and support her’, Rotimi Pedro MD of Optima Media Group, owners of the Nigerian Idol franchise implored.

After a successful debut, producers of the TV show are already working on the follow up season as audition forms become available on the official website www.nigerianidol.com at midnight on March 27, 2011.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

KOKO MANSION FINALIST #CHIDINMA' DIES AT 22....ANOTHER GREAT LOSE


Words: Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

A whole lot has been happeing quite sometime now and to be frank with you, am not happy with the rate young stars are dieing in the industry.Koko mansion finlist 'CHIDINMA MABALASO' made it to the final four on Koko Mansion which ran on HiTV in 2009.

And, sadly, we can now confirm that Chidinma Mbalaso, the beautiful Koko Mansion contestant, who was on thursday involved in a road mishap in Kaduna, is dead.

Details are scanty for now, but multiple sources, including Koko Mansion winner Bolanle Okhiria and another contestant Sharon Ojong have confirmed Chidinma’s unfortunate passing.

Also, Abuja-based Amara Nwakpa, who sources say was close to the deceased, has taken to microbloging site Twitter to announce her death and bless her soul. ‘RIP Chidinma Mbalaso – 22 Jan 1989 – 25 Mar 2011. You will be remembered fondly and with love. Adieu little sister’ Nwakpa posted through his handle (@bubusn).

Mbalaso, who schooled at University of Abuja, and was building a career as a stylist and actress, was reportedly in a Coma for hours, as friends and family members ran helter-skelter trying to get her blood donation.

‘She lost so much blood. We were really working hard all night to get blood donations’ a friend tells us.

From midnight to this morning, several messages were spreading, urging anyone with contacts in Kaduna to please rise up and convince them to donate blood for the young lady.

‘Chidinma is at St Gerald’s hospital in Kaduna. Please call … (numbers withheld) if you can help. If you’re a B- or O-. She needs blood donation. Please save a life. Thanks!’

A reliable source from the internet, tells us she was on her way back to Abuja, from Kaduna where she had gone to pick up her car. ‘This was her first car; she paid for with her money. She was driving back to Abuja when a motorcycle ran into her path. She was trying to avoid the motorcycle when she lost control…’

Miss Mbalaso’s death, coming a day after that of comedian CD John, seconday after the demise of yoruba actor Ahmed Alasari and about a year to the anniversary of Dagrin’s, brings to the fore again, the horrible state of Nigerian roads, and the mess our medical system is in.

No word yet from HiTV or Mohits, but our reporters are working the phones to get more details and reactions.

Friday, March 25, 2011

ANOTHER LOSS.....CD JOHN GONE TOO SOON


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Its a great loss and when i heard it, i reminisce how cool he was when i met him at a show one on one. CD John, one of the best upcoming Nigerian Comedian has just been confirmed dead after an accident when coming from an event.

Less than a month to the first anniversary of the tragic death of rapper Dagrin, another very bright and promising star has passed on, in very shocking circumstances.

Multiple sources have confirmed that CD John, who emerged last year as one of the most promising acts in Nigeria’s stand-up comedy industry, is dead.

The young cracker, who became a regular performer at almost every gig/concert since late 2010 when major promoters and critics first noticed him, was on his way back from Industry Nite when he crashed his car and ended up at St Nicholas Hospital, in Lagos Island.

‘He was the MC at Harrysong’s album listening party which held at Tribeca’, a source reveals. Yesterday’s Industry Nite was dedicated to Questionmark act Harrysong who is promoting his new album. ‘He was driving back to the mainland, heading to his home at Jakande estate, Isolo when the accident happened’.

The exact crash location hasn’t been confirmed but it was gathered that He was rushed to St Nicholas where he gave up the ghost at around 7am this morning.

Fellow comedians like Gbenga Adeyinka, Teju Babyface, Tee A, Basketmouth, Ali Baba and a certain Tee Gee are confirming that they are aware of the accident, and reports of his death. However, no one has seen a doctor’s statement or his corpse as at press time.

The late comedian, born John Chijioke, was a truly gifted singer and comedian who tried his hands first on music (as far back as 2006) before settling for stand-up comedy. ‘He used to sing but when I found out he was funny, I pushed him to join me do comedy. He had a breakthrough before me. And now that I want to be proud of him, I suddenly lost him’ his friend Tee Gee says.

CD John will mostly be remembered for his funny Christian choruses – a unique style where he messes around with the lyrics of popular songs; presenting his own account of how different Nigerian tribes would deliver the lyrics. With a superb voice, growing repertoire and audience control; he was set to become a big player in the competitive stand-up comedy scene;

Until death put a stop to all that promise.

DOWNLOAD THIS SONG FOR YOUR LISTEN PLEASURE www.reverbnation.com/omotee

Thursday, March 24, 2011

BETWEEN I.D.CABASSA AND TONI PAYNE.


Words:Adedosu ‘kenzy’ Adekunle

That once upon a time best friends, pop star ‘9ICE’ and top music producer ‘I.D.CABASSA’ are no more on good terms is no longer news, but what is amazing everybody is that the award winning music producer is now a close associate to 9ice’s estrange wife ‘TONI PAYNE’.
The rift between 9ice and i.d.cabassa was an issue which took everyone by surprise in the “Nigerian Music Industry” because people never believed the duo could part ways so easily, going by how they both started their friendship.
It would be recalled that their friendship which turned sour a couple of months back, started several years back in their hood ‘BARIGA’ Lagos, where i.d.cabassa was said to have given 9ice all the support he needed to make it in the music industry .
While i.d.cabassa became one of the highly sought after music producer in Nigeria, 9ice received numerous accolades, having positioned himself as one of Nigeria’s front line pop acts.
Their relationship spanned over 5years during which 9ice first 2 albums ‘CERTIFICATE’ and ‘GONGO ASO’ were produced by i.d.cabassa.
Things fell apart between the 2 friends, when 9ice floated his ‘ALAPOMEJI RECORD LABEL’ and began to do things his own way.
And at that point in time, according to what we gathered, 9ice began to avoid i.d.cabassa and their other friends like 2phat, jahbless and few others whose with him were all ‘CODED TUNES’ member.
Though, the friends pretended as if every thing was alright.
The huge success of 9ice’s latest album ‘TRADITION’ in which i.d.cabassa said 9ice has been making money with the new album and he (9ice) is yet to give him money for his effort on the album. He also said he has always treated 9ice as his blood brother and as such, every job he has done for 9ice was all free and now that the ob is yielding profits, he expected 9ice to at least show some appreciation instead, but 9ice was avoiding him and the rest of the coded tunes members. 9ice also granted an interview where he refuted i.d.cabassa’s allegations by saying he got an apartment for him (i.d.cabassa) and that he also bought him a car which he thinks is enough to show some appreciations.
In the interview, he never denied the fact that i.d.cabassa made him who he is, but he said he has ever since been reciprocated.
Up till this moment, 9ice and i.d.cabassa are yet to reconcile their difference but surprisingly ,I.d.cabassa is now the closest person to 9ice ex-wife ‘TONI PAYNE’ in the music industry. I.d.cabassa is in a new deal with toni payne’s artiste management outfit ‘TONI PAYNE CONCEPT’. He is in charge of grooming every young artiste signed n to toni payne’s label. Already, they have done stuffs for 2 young and talented artistes ‘ADOL’ and ‘LAMIDE’.
Their working relationship has made them so close now such that their days of them being enemies have become history.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

LKT FEATURES P.SQUARE


Words:Adedosu ‘kenzy’ Adekunle

He came into public conciousness when he took the fuji hook on the smash hit single “YAHOOZE” by olu maintain, and since then he has featured in a host of other hit tracks and has been expected to drop his own album since he came into the spot light over 4 years ago. Finally, LKT is expected to drop what could be termed one of the most anticipated album this year 2011. In doing so, he has dropped a new video where he features “P.SQUARE”. The track is titled “FOLLOW FOLLOW”. The soon to be released album features other A-list acts like, DURELLA, LORD OF AJASA, PUFFY T and TOLU MAINTAIN.

"THE DAME ELIZABETH TAYLOR DIES OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE AT 79" .


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

For as long as I can remember, I have been in awe of Dame Elizabeth Taylor. It is my admiration of her strength, her courage, and her zest for life.

The violet-eyed film goddess and the Cleopatra goddess whose sultry screen persona, stormy personal life and enduring fame and glamour made her one of the last of the old-fashioned movie stars and a template for the modern celebrity, died Wednesday at age 79.

She was surrounded by her four children when she died of congestive heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she had been hospitalized for about six weeks, said publicist Sally Morrison.

"My Mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love," her son, Michael Wilding, said in a statement.

"We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."

"We have just lost a Hollywood giant," said Elton John, a longtime friend of Taylor. "More importantly, we have lost an incredible human being."

Taylor was the most blessed and cursed of actresses, the toughest and the most vulnerable. She had extraordinary grace, wealth and voluptuous beauty, and won three Academy Awards, including a special one for her humanitarian work. She was the most loyal of friends and a defender of gays in Hollywood when AIDS was still a stigma in the industry and beyond. But she was afflicted by ill health, failed romances (eight marriages, seven husbands) and personal tragedy.

"I think I'm becoming fatalistic," she said in 1989. "Too much has happened in my life for me not to be fatalistic."

Her more than 50 movies included unforgettable portraits of innocence and of decadence, from the children's classic "National Velvet" and the sentimental family comedy "Father of the Bride" to Oscar-winning transgressions in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Butterfield 8." The historical epic "Cleopatra" is among Hollywood's greatest on-screen fiascos and a landmark of off-screen monkey business, the meeting ground of Taylor and Richard Burton, the "Brangelina" of their day.

She played enough bawdy women on film for critic Pauline Kael to deem her "Chaucerian Beverly Hills."

But her defining role, one that lasted long past her moviemaking days, was "Elizabeth Taylor," ever marrying and divorcing, in and out of hospitals, gaining and losing weight, standing by Michael Jackson, Rock Hudson and other troubled friends, acquiring a jewelry collection that seemed to rival Tiffany's.

She was a child star who grew up and aged before an adoring, appalled and fascinated public. She arrived in Hollywood when the studio system tightly controlled an actor's life and image, had more marriages than any publicist could explain away and lasted long enough to no longer require explanation. She was the industry's great survivor, and among the first to reach that special category of celebrity — famous for being famous, for whom her work was inseparable from the gossip around it.

The London-born actress was a star at age 12, a bride and a divorcee at 18, a superstar at 19 and a widow at 26. She was a screen sweetheart and martyr later reviled for stealing Eddie Fisher from Debbie Reynolds, then for dumping Fisher to bed Burton, a relationship of epic passion and turbulence, lasting through two marriages and countless attempted reconciliations.

She was also forgiven. Reynolds would acknowledge voting for Taylor when she was nominated for "Butterfield 8" and decades later co-starred with her old rival in "These Old Broads," co-written by Carrie Fisher, the daughter of Reynolds and Eddie Fisher.

Taylor's ailments wore down the grudges. She underwent at least 20 major operations and she nearly died from a bout with pneumonia in 1990. In 1994 and 1995, she had both hip joints replaced, and in February 1997, she underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. In 1983, she acknowledged a 35-year addiction to sleeping pills and pain killers. Taylor was treated for alcohol and drug abuse problems at the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Her troubles bonded her to her peers and the public, and deepened her compassion. Her advocacy for AIDS research and for other causes earned her a special Oscar, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, in 1993.

As she accepted it, to a long ovation, she declared, "I call upon you to draw from the depths of your being — to prove that we are a human race, to prove that our love outweighs our need to hate, that our compassion is more compelling than our need to blame."

The dark-haired Taylor made an unforgettable impression in Hollywood with "National Velvet," the 1945 film in which the 12-year-old belle rode a steeplechase horse to victory in the Grand National.

Critic James Agee wrote of her: "Ever since I first saw the child ... I have been choked with the peculiar sort of adoration I might have felt if we were in the same grade of primary school."

"National Velvet," her fifth film, also marked the beginning of Taylor's long string of health issues. During production, she fell off a horse. The resulting back injury continued to haunt her.

Taylor matured into a ravishing beauty in "Father of the Bride," in 1950, and into a respected performer and femme fatale the following year in "A Place in the Sun," based on the Theodore Dreiser novel "An American Tragedy." The movie co-starred her close friend Montgomery Clift as the ambitious young man who drowns his working-class girlfriend to be with the socialite Taylor. In real life, too, men all but committed murder in pursuit of her.

Through the rest of the 1950s and into the 1960s, she and Marilyn Monroe were Hollywood's great sex symbols, both striving for appreciation beyond their physical beauty, both caught up in personal dramas filmmakers could only wish they had imagined. That Taylor lasted, and Monroe died young, was a matter of luck and strength; Taylor lived as she pleased and allowed no one to define her but herself.

"I don't entirely approve of some of the things I have done, or am, or have been. But I'm me. God knows, I'm me," Taylor said around the time she turned 50.

She had a remarkable and exhausting personal and professional life. Her marriage to Michael Todd ended tragically when the producer died in a plane crash in 1958. She took up with Fisher, married him, then left him for Burton. Meanwhile, she received several Academy Award nominations and two Oscars.

She was a box-office star cast in numerous "prestige" films, from "Raintree County" with Clift to "Giant," an epic co-starring her friends Hudson and James Dean. Nominations came from a pair of movies adapted from work by Tennessee Williams: "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "Suddenly, Last Summer." In "Butterfield 8," released in 1960, she starred with Fisher as a doomed girl-about-town. Taylor never cared much for the film, but her performance at the Oscars wowed the world.

Sympathy for Taylor's widowhood had turned to scorn when she took up with Fisher, who had supposedly been consoling her over the death of Todd. But before the 1961 ceremony, she was hospitalized from a nearly fatal bout with pneumonia and Taylor underwent a tracheotomy. The scar was bandaged when she appeared at the Oscars to accept her best actress trophy for "Butterfield 8."

To a standing ovation, she hobbled to the stage. "I don't really know how to express my great gratitude," she said in an emotional speech. "I guess I will just have to thank you with all my heart." It was one of the most dramatic moments in Academy Awards history.

"Hell, I even voted for her," Reynolds later said.

Greater drama awaited: "Cleopatra." Taylor met Burton while playing the title role in the 1963 epic, in which the brooding, womanizing Welsh actor co-starred as Mark Antony. Their chemistry was not immediate. Taylor found him boorish; Burton mocked her physique. But the love scenes on film continued away from the set and a scandal for the ages was born. Headlines shouted and screamed. Paparazzi snapped and swooned. Their romance created such a sensation that the Vatican denounced the happenings as the "caprices of adult children."

The film so exceeded its budget that the producers lost money even though "Cleopatra" was a box-office hit and won four Academy awards. (With its $44 million budget adjusted for inflation, "Cleopatra" remains the most expensive movie ever made.) Taylor's salary per film topped $1 million. "Liz and Dick" became a couple on a first name basis with millions who had never met them.

They were a prolific acting team, even if most of the movies aged no better than their relationship: "The VIPs" (1963), "The Sandpiper" (1965), "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966), "The Taming of the Shrew" (1967), "The Comedians" (1967), "Dr. Faustus" (1967), "Boom!" (1968), "Under Milk Wood" (1971) and "Hammersmith Is Out" (1972).

Art most effectively imitated life in the adaptation of Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" — in which Taylor and Burton played mates who fought viciously and drank heavily. She took the best actress Oscar for her performance as the venomous Martha in "Virginia Woolf" and again stole the awards show, this time by not showing up at the ceremony. She refused to thank the academy upon learning of her victory and chastised voters for not honoring Burton.

Taylor and Burton divorced in 1974, married again in 1975 and divorced again in 1976.

"We fight a great deal," Burton once said, "and we watch the people around us who don't quite know how to behave during these storms. We don't fight when we are alone."

In 1982, Taylor and Burton appeared in a touring production of the Noel Coward play "Private Lives," in which they starred as a divorced couple who meet on their respective honeymoons. They remained close at the time of Burton's death, in 1984.

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born in London on Feb. 27, 1932, the daughter of Francis Taylor, an art dealer, and the former Sara Sothern, an American stage actress. At age 3, with extensive ballet training already behind her, Taylor danced for British princesses Elizabeth (the future queen) and Margaret Rose at London's Hippodrome. At age 4, she was given a wild field horse that she learned to ride expertly.

At the onset of World War II, the Taylors came to the United States. Francis Taylor opened a gallery in Beverly Hills and, in 1942, his daughter made her screen debut with a bit part in the comedy "There's One Born Every Minute."

Her big break came soon thereafter. While serving as an air-raid warden with MGM producer Sam Marx, Taylor's father learned that the studio was struggling to find an English girl to play opposite Roddy McDowall in "Lassie Come Home." Taylor's screen test for the film won her both the part and a long-term contract. She grew up quickly after that.

Still in school at 16, she would dash from the classroom to the movie set where she played passionate love scenes with Robert Taylor in "Conspirator."

"I have the emotions of a child in the body of a woman," she once said. "I was rushed into womanhood for the movies. It caused me long moments of unhappiness and doubt."

Soon after her screen presence was established, she began a series of very public romances. Early loves included socialite Bill Pawley, home run slugger Ralph Kiner and football star Glenn Davis.

Then, a roll call of husbands:

• She married Conrad Hilton Jr., son of the hotel magnate, in May 1950 at age 18. The marriage ended in divorce that December.

• When she married British actor Michael Wilding in February 1952, he was 39 to her 19. They had two sons, Michael Jr. and Christopher Edward. That marriage lasted 4 years.

• She married cigar-chomping movie producer Michael Todd, also 20 years her senior, in 1957. They had a daughter, Elizabeth Francis. Todd was killed in a plane crash in 1958.

• The best man at the Taylor-Todd wedding was Fisher. He left his wife Debbie Reynolds to marry Taylor in 1959. She converted to Judaism before the wedding.

• Taylor and Fisher moved to London, where she was making "Cleopatra." She met Burton, who also was married. That union produced her fourth child, Maria.

• After her second marriage to Burton ended, she married John Warner, a former secretary of the Navy, in December 1976. Warner was elected a U.S. senator from Virginia in 1978. They divorced in 1982.

• In October 1991, she married Larry Fortensky, a truck driver and construction worker she met while both were undergoing treatment at the Betty Ford Center in 1988. He was 20 years her junior. The wedding, held at the ranch of Michael Jackson, was a media circus that included the din of helicopter blades, a journalist who parachuted to a spot near the couple and a gossip columnist as official scribe.

But in August 1995, she and Fortensky announced a trial separation; she filed for divorce six months later and the split became final in 1997.

"I was taught by my parents that if you fall in love, if you want to have a love affair, you get married," she once remarked. "I guess I'm very old-fashioned."

Her philanthropic interests included assistance for the Israeli War Victims Fund, the Variety Clubs International and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

She received the Legion of Honor, France's most prestigious award, in 1987, for her efforts to support AIDS research. In May 2000, Queen Elizabeth II made Taylor a dame — the female equivalent of a knight — for her services to the entertainment industry and to charity.

In 1993, she won a lifetime achievement award from the American Film Institute; in 1999, an institute survey of screen legends ranked her No. 7 among actresses.

During much of her later career, Taylor's waistline, various diets, diet books and tangled romances were the butt of jokes by Joan Rivers and others. John Belushi mocked her on "Saturday Night Live," dressing up in drag and choking on a piece of chicken.

"It's a wonder I didn't explode," Taylor wrote of her 60-pound weight gain — and successful loss — in the 1988 book "Elizabeth Takes Off on Self-Esteem and Self-Image."

She was an iconic star, but her screen roles became increasingly rare in the 1980s and beyond. She appeared in several television movies, including "Poker Alice" and "Sweet Bird of Youth," and entered the Stone Age as Pearl Slaghoople in the movie version of "The Flintstones." She had a brief role on the popular soap opera "General Hospital."

Taylor was the subject of numerous unauthorized biographies and herself worked on a handful of books, including "Elizabeth Taylor: An Informal Memoir" and "Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair With Jewelry." In tune with the media to the end, she kept in touch through her Twitter account.

"I like the connection with fans and people who have been supportive of me," Taylor told Kim Kardashian in a 2011 interview for Harper's Bazaar. "And I love the idea of real feedback and a two-way street, which is very, very modern. But sometimes I think we know too much about our idols and that spoils the dream."

Survivors include her daughters Maria Burton-Carson and Liza Todd-Tivey, sons Christopher and Michael Wilding, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A private family funeral is planned later this week.

GONE TOO SONE......


Word:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

With utmost respect and regrets, a notable actor and comedian, Ishola Durojaiye, popularly known as Alasari, lost his life in an auto crash which occurred at Onipepeye village along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway on the 18th day of March 2011.

Reliably sources disclose that Mr. Durojaiye left his Abeokuta home in the early wee hours of the morning for a business trip in Lagos alongside four of his staff, but met his untimely death when one of the tyres of his grey colour Jeep burst on motion at about 9am and he lost control of the vehicle.

The impact of the auto crash led to severe injuries on the victim, who was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre{FMC}, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, by motorists travelling along the road. Mr. Durojaiye did not survive from his injuries, while the four other occupants of the car survived.

As the news of the accident spread to his colleagues yesterday, they trooped to the hospital to visit him. They were, however, shocked to learn that the man had died.

It was wailing and gnashing of teeth by sympathizers at the hospital. Similarly, at his home located within the Federal Housing Estate, Ita-Elega, Abeokuta, the atmosphere was in mourning mood, as visitors and his neighbours were seen discussing the calamity which befell the family. As at the time of this report, the corpse had being deposited at the mortuary.

The deceased, who featured in a number of Yoruba home video, survived a similar accident last year along the same road when one of the tyres of a vehicle he was travelling in bursted. He was then returning from the United Kingdom embassy in Lagos where he went to retrieve his passport.

His last public outing was last Sunday when he featured as guest at a monthly radio programme known as ‘Evening with Kasnaty.’

“ADOL” RELEASES 1ST ALBUM.


Words: Adedosu ‘kenzy’ Adekunle

City People Talent Hunt winner 2006 and Fast rising artistes, Solomon Adewole, popularly know has “ADOL” whose hit single “ORIN” has gained him so much respect as well as a huge fan base, has release his much anticipated Album titled “ORIN” on March 14th 2011. This young talented singer who made his debut appearances in the music scene in 2007 with the track ‘Orin’, has also shot two new videos to promote the album which he described as one that will change the face of soul music in Nigeria .The 13th tracker album contain songs like “ORIN”, “GHETTO LIFE ft MI”, “GUGUGAGA”, “BIRTHDAY”, “LONELY”, “DIFFERENT”, “IFE RE” and many more. Speaking, he said; ‘I have waited for so long for this album to be released. I am not going to release it under any record label but I have a management deal with “TONI PAYNE CONCEPT” which has been so supportive of my career”.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

WEST COAST RAPPER GONE TOO SOONAT 41


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

With his deep baritone voice no one can match in the american music industry,he died with. According the star's family confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning (15th March), with the cause of death currently unknown.

The West Coast singer previously suffered a stroke in December 2007 leaving the left side of his body paralysed. He also had another stroke a year later.

Dogg, real name Nathaniel Dwayne Hale, shot to fame in 1994 after collaborating with Warren G on smash hit tune Regulate and has also worked with the likes of Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg.

Nate Dogg was born in Long Beach, California. He was the friend and partner in the rap game with rappers Snoop Dogg, Warren G, RBX, Daz Dillinger and was the cousin of Butch Cassidy and Lil' ½ Dead. He began singing as a child in the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach and Life Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi where his father (Daniel Lee Hale) was pastor. At the age of 16 he dropped out of high school in Long Beach, California and left home to join the United States Marine Corps,serving for three years. In 1991 Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, and their friend Warren G, formed a rap trio called 213. 213 recorded their first demo in the back of the famed V.I.P record store in Long Beach, the demo was later heard by Dr. Dre at a house party and he was instantly hooked on the soulful voice of Nate.

Nate Dogg made his debut on The Chronic. Singing in what later become his trademark style, he was well-received by fans and critics alike, and would go on to sign with Death Row Records in 1993. Nate Dogg was also featured on Mista Grimm's "Indosmoke" with Warren G. Then in 1994 he produced his first hit single "Regulate" with Warren G. Nate Dogg was also featured in many Tupac releases, including his collaboration record Thug Life: Volume I. Then in 1998 after a tumultuous time at Death Row Records he released another album. The double album was titled G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2 and was followed up in late 2001 with Music & Me on Elektra Records. Music & Me peaked at number three on the Billboard hip-hop charts in 2001.

In 2002, Nate Dogg appeared on a celebrity episode of the Weakest Link, making it to the last three players before being eliminated by Xzibit and Young MC.

Nate Dogg was arrested in Arizona in April 2002 and was charged with firearms and drug offenses. He pleaded guilty in May 2002 and was subsequently sentenced to probation and community service.He was also ordered to attend drug counseling sessions.

Nate has found his greatest success, not in solo projects, but in collaborations with other hip-hop artists. As of 2004, Nate Dogg has featured in and contributed to over 40 chart singles.

After a number of delays and an original release date of April 2004, his self-titled album Nate Dogg was released on Affiliated Entertainment Group on June 3, 2008.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

CAUGHT IN THE ACT..


Words :Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Now what will you do if you were "CAUGHT IN THE ACT"? Will you just simply acclaimed to what he (TUFACE) said in one of his tracks? "ME I NO SEND YOU" . Ok but you shouldn't get paranoid if you were caught. I thought by now you would have want me to spill the beans??...

Ok i will, but just before the Upcoming singer Zara and Chocolate City rapper/producer Jesse Jagz were alleged to have engaged in a make-out session in the rest room of GET Arena, Lekki, some weeks back.

The incident reportedly took place at the ‘One Night Stand’ event with Chocolate City rapper Jude ‘M.I’ Abaga, organised by 1 music networks.

According to the report which was published on the internet, the young acts made their way to the rest room ‘and while they were having a nice time, the Club’s manager reportedly caught them and embarrassed them seriously, bringing their happy moment to a premature halt”.

In a telephone interview, Zara who is currently a Radio presenter at Rhythm FM dispelled the rumour.

“I was at GET Arena for M.I’s One Night stand, that’s no secret but the making out story is very funny. Tell your source I said ‘Hi’,”Zara said laughing off the story.

Jagz, however, did not respond to repeated phone calls and SMS sent to his phone.

Friday, March 11, 2011

SHE IS ALIVE......................


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

If you guys would remember sometime in January, we did an article on the falling health of a popular Yoruba movie star 'SIKIRATU SINDDODO'. Contrary to the rumour making rounds on social networks,tabloids and TV for almost six months that the popular Yoruba actress 'Sikiratu Sindodo' has passed away, her colleague, Funke Akindele has debunked the tales on Twitter.

"Akindele" in her tweet said ‘@funkeakindele: Hi tweet hrts,our darling Tayo Odueke aka Sikiratu Sindodo is hale and hearty. Pls let’s pass dis on. God will be with us all AMEN’.

Tayo Odueke popularly known as "Sikiratu Sindodo" the name of her character in her debut movie titled ‘Sikiratu Sindodo’, has been ill for over four months.

The Ijebu Ode born actress was admitted and been taken care of at a private ward in Lagos University Teaching Hosiptal where she is undergoing treatment for what doctor can’t seem to rightly diagnose. The fair complexioned and bubbly actress is said to have lost weight with movement of her arms and leg restricted.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

STILL THE BIG POPPA AFTER 14YEARS


Words: Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Fourteen years gone now.It has been a decade and four years since the late Christopher Wallace better known as Notorious B.I.G, the acclaimed ‘King of New York’ shockingly passed away. If my memory does not fail me, I can vividly remember that I was having breakfast with my folks on March 9, 1997 when suddenly the news about a shooting at the Vibe Magazine after party of the Soul Train Awards that took place in California, came on the TV.

Biggie as he was fondly called by his fans had travelled to California to promote his upcoming sophomore effort ‘Life After Death’ and was partying at the Vibe Magazine after party. He decided to go back to his hotel and jumped into the passenger’s seat of a GMC suburban vehicle.

On their way home, Biggie and his entourage stopped to observe a traffic red light. They were attacked by a gunman who had apparently been trailing them from the awards show. Biggie was shot four times in the chest. He was rushed to the hospital but died an hour later. His killer was never found.

I was shocked, this was Biggie! I was only 11 years old but I had been watching this fat chubby black dude in his videos with Diddy (Puff Daddy as he was called back then) dancing all around. I had not gotten my head into the hip-hop culture back then, but I could relate in some way. I wanted to know more, but they wasn’t anywhere I could get information about his death apart from what I had just watched on the TV. It was 1997, no internet, no mobile phones, i was stuck in temporary ignorance.

Over the years, Biggie’s death which was barely 6 months after his former friend and rap rival Tupac Amaru Shakur was shot in similar fashion, has come to play an influential role in hip-hop. The thing about Biggie’s death that fascinates me is that he had themed his debut work ‘Ready to Die’ around his death. Even though he made it look as if he was taking his own life, it was still scary. His follow up work ‘Life After Death’ which was to continue with the theme suddenly blended with his death.

Biggie died at the age of 24. Yes, he was that young! With all that talent, dark mind state and character personification, it’s hard to believe but the streets of Brooklyn had played a very strong role in his growing up as he was exposed to hard drugs that hit most US ghettos in the late ‘80s. This was the same period hip-hop was introduced into the streets of New York. Biggie made a mash up of the streets and the art as he just kept pouring his mind out through his lyrics

Singed to Diddy’s Bad Boy Records in 1993, things looked bright for the young fat kid as he concentrated more on making music than selling drugs or involving himself in other criminal activities. His first break was the release of ‘Juicy’, the first single of the ‘Ready To Die’ album. It reached #27 on the billboard charts and was good enough for the hitherto little-known Brooklyn MC to gain prominence and start his dominance as the East Coast’s frontline MC.

The album debuted and turned the heads of hip-hop critics, as it immediately became a template for most rappers to create a rap album, even up till now, 14 years later. The Source Magazine, which was at that time referred to as the ‘Hip-hop Bible’ reviewed it as a classic, awarding it the highly craved-for ‘five mics’.

So, a sophomore which would see Biggie champion his cause and finally place him way above his rivals would have just been the perfect recipe but unfortunately, he never lived to see it. ‘Life After Death’ a double-disc album which was also reviewed as a classic was released 15 days after his death and hit #1 on the Billboard Charts selling over 10,000,000 (ten million) units.

Just last month, news came about a witness testimony that might finally shed light on the controversial, long-rumoured link between the Biggie’s death and the LA Police Department. In a 14-year unsolved murder case, which has had many hip-hop activist scream for justice, this is considered as a big break. In 2005, Voletta Wallace, B.I.G’s mother, filed a lawsuit against the L.A police department for suppressing evidence but it yielded nothing.

Recently, it was found out that LAPD officers, David Mack and Rafael Perez less than a year after Biggie’s death, were revealed to have been on Death Row‘s payroll as security for Suge Knight (Death row, owned by Marion ‘Suge’ Knight is a record label that housed 2pac as an artiste). David and Peter were found out to be involved in an $800,000 cocaine heist, which eventually ended their careers in law enforcement. This saga continues…

Notorious B.I.G is considered to be the greatest MC who ever stepped into the studio. This is quite arguable. Nevertheless, before I round this up, here are 10 things the ‘Black Frank White’ did, that made him spectacular:

1. B.I.G made looking fat and ugly cool; he rapped about ladies loving his overly chubby physic and yes, they did.

2. B.I.G popularized Coogi tops; he wore them all the time, in the heat or cold.

3. B.I.G ‘out-boned’ Bone Thugs ‘N’ Harmony on ‘Notorious Thugs’, as he trashed the group, using their tongue twisting rap style.

4. B.I.G used the expression ‘uh’ in all of his songs; we can see today almost everybody does that.

5. B.I.G easily created and/or adopted characters, which he personified through his lyrics; he employed the style of ‘Mafioso Rap’, which was very new as at that time.

6. B.I.G found Lil’ Kim. Nuff said.

7. He is the only rapper to have claimed the King of New York and was never challenged by a notable rapper.

8. B.I.G was known to enter the recording studio without a pen and paper, he always rapped off the top. Unrehearsed.

9. B.I.G rocked tailor made suits, creating a persona for himself; with hats, scarves and polished shoes.

10. He married one of the hottest chicks that was on the rise as at that time – Faith Evans.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

BATTLE OF SUPREMACY IN THE NIGERIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY "PMAN"


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy'Adekunle

Just like OLIVER TWIST, There is a battle of supremacy in the music union, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) which started few weeks back. Peace now seems far from the union.

Earlier this week in Lagos, another faction whose president is being touted as Preddy Wise is opposing the current leadership of the union led by Admiral Dele Abiodun and they are currently persuading different music acts to join their train and be part of their government.

This is however different from the coalition of Hip-Hop acts who tried to take over the leadership of the association at the last PMAN election in Osogbo.

Reports from Rhythms & Sounds indicate some prominent members of the association have been challenging the process the returned the President of the association, Admiral Dele Abiodun.

The allegations leveled against Admiral Dele Abiodun were that he refused to follow due process in conducting the elections and misappropriation of the union’s fund.

The faction named Kenny Saint Brown popularly known as KSB as their First Vice President earlier this week in Lagos and KSB told Rhythms & Sounds that it might be an opportunity to give the association a new face but she is yet to accept the offer.

“We went to Oshogbo on behalf of our team, the young artistes to agitate for a change but we got was a big resistant. We were called all manner of names and greatly ridiculed. We washed our hands off the union and came back to Lagos to form our own association which I’m a part of the executives.

The alleged impeachment of Mr. Dele Abiodun has ushered in another president and they want me to be part of it. The new president is young and he has identified with the ideology our association. The new PMAN President which is yet to be sworn in wants to work me because he believes I have what it takes to turn PMAN around.

They want me to be the Vice President and I appreciate them for calling me but I still have to consult with my people to make sure their ideology is the same with our association’s ideology. Young people should be allowed to run PMAN.

They should be allowed to take their destiny into their hands and probably that’s why they feel that if they can get Kenny St. Brown, it will help a lot in restructuring the union. PMAN needs a new image and a new identity.

The artistes will be happy because they will now have a place they can call a home in PMAN. I don’t think I want to be part of their politics actually but my association will decide”, she said.

However, these were the words of PMAN President, Admiral Dele Abiodun the last time we spoke to him. “If people are part of an agreement that presented them with defeat, they tend to turn around and cause confusion.

I’m still the President of PMAN. I took over the office again on Tuesday February 15 as the new president. The disgruntled elements spreading rumours and maligning my name are no more in the secretariat.

They are now negotiating and begging to come back but we don’t have time for them now. The allegations leveled against me are baseless. All our decisions in the union are properly guided by our legal advisers”, he explained.

With the present situation, it will be very difficult for anyone to predict what will happen next to the union.


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FELA'S REBIRTH IN LAGOS


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

The hit Broadway musical about the life and music of Nigerian performer and political activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is to be performed in his home town of Lagos, Nigeria making it the first Broadway show to be performed in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fela the landmark Broadway musical, which won three Tony Awards (Broadway’s highest honor) including Best Choreography (Bill T.Jones), is coming to Lagos from April 20th to 25th. It will be performed at the prestigious Eko Hotel’s New Expo Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

This critically lauded musical will star its original Broadway cast with Sahr Ngaujah showing off his Tony-nominated role of Fela Kuti with music provided by the internationally renowned Antibalas as well as other members of the New York City Afro-beat community. Concurrently with the Broadway production, Fela opened and triumphed at London’s Royal National Theater for a three-month sold-out run.

That production was nominated for three Olivier Awards, London theatre’s highest honor, including Best Musical, Best Actor (Sahr Ngaujah) and Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones). This Nigerian engagement will be the first since the closing of the Broadway and London productions and the NT Live performance which was broadcast to in 370 cinemas worldwide.

The aim of Fela, in Lagos is to unite and connect Africans in spirit and unity, to serve as a catalyst for cultural revival in Nigeria, and to celebrate Fela Kuti, for the contribution he has made to Nigeria and the world. Fela depicts the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afro beat rhythms ignited the spirit of empowerment and cultural awareness in a generation.

It is a tale of courage, passion and love featuring Kuti’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award winner, Bill T. Jones. Fela in Lagos is being produced by a Nigerian production company, Broken Shackles in conjunction with Lagos State Government.

The musical style performed by Fela Kuti is called Afrobeat, which is a complex fusion of Jazz, Funk (especially the music of James Brown), Ghanaian/Nigerian High-life, psychedelic rock, and traditional West African chants and rhythms. Afrobeat also borrows heavily from the native "tinker pan" African-style percussion that Kuti acquired while studying in Ghana with Hugh Masakela, under the uncanny Hedzoleh Soundz.The importance of the input of Tony Allen (Fela's drummer of twenty years) in the creation of Afrobeat cannot be overstated. Fela once famously stated that, "without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat".

Afrobeat is characterized by a fairly large band with many instruments, vocals, and a musical structure featuring jazzy, funky horn sections. The "endless groove" is used, in which a base rhythm of drums, shekere, muted West African style guitar, and melodic bass guitar riffs are repeated throughout the song. Commonly, interlocking melodic riffs and rhythms are introduced one by one, building the groove bit-by-bit and layer-by-layer to an astonishing melodic and polyrhythmic complexity. The horn section then becomes prominent, introducing other riffs and main melodic themes.

Fela’s band was notable for featuring two baritone saxophones, whereas most groups were using only one of this instrument. This is a common technique in African and African-influenced musical styles, and can be seen in funk and hip hop. Fela’s bands at times even performed with two bassists at the same time both playing interlocking melodies and rhythms. There were always two or more guitarists. The electric West African style guitar in Afrobeat bands are paramount, but are used to give basic structure, playing a repeating chordal/melodic statement, riff, or groove.

Some elements often present in Fela's music are the call-and-response within the chorus and figurative but simple lyrics. Fela's songs were also very long, at least 10–15 minutes in length, and many reaching the 20 or even 30 minutes, while some unreleased tracks would last up to 45 minutes when performed live. This was one of many reasons that his music never reached a substantial degree of popularity outside Africa. His LP records frequently had one 30 minute track per side. Typically there is an instrumental “introduction” jam part of the song, perhaps 10-15 mins long before Fela starts singing the “main” part.

His songs were mostly sung in Nigerian pidgin, although he also performed a few songs in the Yoruba language. Fela's main instruments were the saxophone and the keyboards, but he also played the trumpet, electric guitar, and took the occasional drum solo. Fela refused to perform songs again after he had already recorded them, which also hindered his popularity outside Africa.

Fela was known for his showmanship, and his concerts were often quite outlandish and wild. He referred to his stage act as the Underground Spiritual Game. Fela attempted making a movie but lost all the materials to the fire that was set to his house by the military government in power. Kuti thought that art, and thus his own music, should have political meaning

Sunday, March 6, 2011

M.I ACQUIRES RANGE ROVER JEEP


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle


Call him the short black boy from J TOWN.Jude began his music career when he returned to Nigeria in 2003. Finding his place in an industry dominated by the likes of Modenine, Ruggedman and Eedris Abdulkareem, he quickly commenced the production of mixtapes with his friend Djinee. This led to the critically acclaimed single "Safe", which has gathered impressive airplay by African radio and music video stations such as MTV Vibe. The track also earned him awards at the Nigerian Music Video Awards, City People, N.E.A amongst others.

Less than two months ago that Chocolate City rapper M.I Abaga bought a white C Class Mercedes Benz, he surprised his minders when he unveiled another automobile weeks back – a white Range Rover jeep.

M.I reportedly acquired the brand new car few weeks ago, adding it to the two cars already in his garage.

‘He just bought a new white range a few weeks ago. I can’t remember the date exactly’, his manager, Lola tells on the phone.

The short black boy (as M.I is fondly called) who upon the release of his second album ‘MI2‘ has continued to garner local and international acclaim, seems determined not to lax in his quest for super stardom.

The hype surrounding the release of Safe led to the critical acclaim given to his first studio album titled Let's Talk About It. The album gathered awards such as Musician of the Year (Modemen Awards in 2008), Best Hip Hop Artist (City People Awards).[citation needed].His first mixtape was PYERIBOY .He later went on to bring out a sample mixtape ,ILLEGAL MUSIC,in which he fully exploits his lyrical prowess.

Back in Jos Nigeria, he teamed up with his brother,Jesse Jagz, IcePrince, Ruby, lindsay,Moses (Elbulk),E kelly to form a record label, called LOOPY records, and they perform every Sunday at an open bar, with a theme tagged Jam Session. M.I was later signed to Chocolate city Record, a renowned music label in Nigeria,[citation needed] which made him move from Jos city to the nation's capital Abuja and also influenced the beginning of his successful career in the Nigerian music industry. He has also received international recognition in south Africa from the popular Channel O music Award, MTVbase Awards and also the American BET Awards.
In November 2010, he released his sophomore album M.I. 2: The Movie

His popularity has quickly reached the youth of Nigeria as he has become one of the most critically acclaimed[citation needed] Nigerian artists, and has recently been compared to other artists like Naeto C, D'banj, 9ice and Mode 9.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

DAREY DUETS WITH CHAMILLIONAIRE


Word:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

I believe you must have seen my picture with him......that's because he is my role model and as per am his PROTEGE in making. Well R&B star, Darey gears up to release his double disc album in a matter of days, SKY WALKER has exclusive news that the popular R&B singer-songwriter has collaborated with Nigerian-American rapper 'Chamillionaire' to record a remix to one of his singles.

Dare Art Alade is the last of the five children of Olapeju Art Alade, wife to Art Alade a famous Nigerian highlife / jazz artiste in the sixties and seventies. His older siblings are Abimbola, Taiwo, Kehinde and Bolaji and he hails from Lagos state, the former capital of Nigeria.

Dare's road to stardom started in 1998 when as a teenager, he was performing at B Jez Nite Club on Victoria Island, Lagos State. It was there that a member of the Cool FM management spotted the talent in him and invited him to radio station, where he (Dare) groomed him in all aspects of radio production and marketing.

Dare grew in Lagos, where he resided with his mum, and shuttled between the CoolFM radio station and University of Lagos where he was a student in the Department of Creative Art.

Apart from playing music on piano and drums, Dare also loves riding all kinds of motorbikes and keeping dogs.

Sources says 'Darey', who’s enjoying massive on-air support for his singles ‘The way you are’, ‘Sisi eko’ and ‘Ba ni kdi’, has recorded a remix of ‘The way you are’, with the Grammy award-winning rapper Chamillionaire who even spiced up his lyrics with Yoruba language.

‘They hooked up on the internet’. And it is believed it was Cham that contacted Darey.

Born to a Nigerian father, 31 year-old Chamillionaire (real name Hakeem Seriki) is an American rapper mostly known for his monster hit ‘Ridin’’ (featuring Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs n Harmony) which earned him the MTV Video Music Awards in 2006, and a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2007.

Critics say the remix with Chamillionaire might very well see Darey who is an ambitious singer, launch his career and presence into the global scene as he has already announced plans for a 2011 UK release, followed by a US project.

‘The Chamillionaire collabo was not planned at all, it came as a surprise. The ones we were really planning are still in the pipeline. Once these come through, and we have a go-ahead, we’ll definitely let you know…’, one of his associates tells us.

DBANJ TO LAUNCH KOKO MOBILE


Words:Adedosu ‘kenzy’ Adekunle

Pop singer, Dapo Oyebanjo a.k.a ‘DBANJ’,is set to launch his set of mobile phones called ‘KOKO MOBILE’. After his successful music collaboration with foreign music act 'SNOOPDOGG’ on the remix of his track ‘MR ENDOWED.
The koko master has decided to step up his game by joining the cliques of successful artiste around the world.
The phone which is said to be of high quality will be at a very affordable rate and will work with all networks and not just Globacom as intially planned. According to his management, the light complexioned singer has spent millions of naira on the business.
Interestingly, Dbanj and Genevieve are models of the mobile phones. We know D'banj has been talking a lot about many projects and dreams besides showbiz and the one that i can remember last is 'Koko water' which he mentions a lot in his music videos.
For D'Banj, a top artiste with MoHits records, this is a promising feat and the branded mobile phones are set to be launched in October 2011(this year) and the first batch of the phones will be made available in these colors: Black, Silver and Pink.
Some features of using Koko Mobile include preloaded D'banj's songs as well as videos.
" I am hoping that it would equally come with a free browsing subscription for a year or so." How will Koko mobile fare in the market?
"Well, we are not sure yet but I think it would depend on the features and affordability of the phone itself and then the marketing. If it is a god enough Phone, it would probably sell." He said.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

GT THE GUITARMAN LEAVES STORMS RECORDS,OUT WITH NEW SINGLES ON OWN LABEL.


Words: Adedosu ‘kenzy’ Adekunle

Diminutive Afro singer , ‘GT THE GUIRTARMAN’ who use to be with ‘STORM RECORDS’ before leaving to start his own label company earlier this year, ‘EMBER RECORDS’ has a new video for his new single titled ‘KINIMATISE’. The song is basically a cheating man’s ballad begging his partner for forgiveness.

The gifted but under-celebrated songwriter-singer, who waited for years, before finally releasing his only album for the label, has confided in very close friends he’s moving on from Obi Asika-led Storm.

The Guitarman was one of the last set of acts on Storm 360. In the past three years, prized talents like Darey, Jazzman Olofin, Eldee and Ikechukwu have quit dealings with the label. However, beloved rapper Naeto C is still signed to the label, as well as Sasha, Tosin Martins and Sauce Kid. All four remaining acts have brand new albums on the way.

Although inside sources at Storm say GT ‘has quit for real’ this time, this is not the first time the young talent will be trying to severe ties with the label. In 2008, when it looked like his album would never drop, he gave TV and print interviews, accusing the label of footdragging, and saying he was walking away.

‘He really liked it at the label, and Obi really loves him. But, let’s face it, he’s spent so much time there and seen so little results. I think it just got to a point when he started asking himself: ‘what am i doing here?” one of his confidants told us early today.

It is believed he still has a valid recording contract with the label; having renewed his deal with them shortly before he released his debut album. And it is uncertain if he’s accusing the label of specific breaches, or simply walking away as is common with most Nigerian acts.

However, Storm boss Asika insists GT is still with the label.

Continuing, Asika says ‘GT is fully on Storm Records.

2FACE GRACES THE MO'NIQUE SHOW


Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

One of Nigeria’s biggest musical exports,2face Idibia was hosted on popular American talk show, ‘The Mo’nique Show’ last month.The one hour talk show which airs on BET and hosted by American comedienne and actress Mo’nique, sees 2face sharing his experiences on being a recognized African act.2face who is on holidays in the US appear on the talk show on Tuesday, February 8 2011. You will recall that 2face’s award winning hit track "African Queen" was used as the sound track of the 2006 comedy film, Phat Girlz.This made him even more recognized internationally.His Unstoppable Album (The Intl. Edition) won 2 awards at the 2010 SMVA.He also won the Channel O Most Gifted Western African and the MTV African Music Awards (Best Male and Artist of the year) making him the most successful pop singer in Africa.
He is the lead vocalist of the Sony All African 08 Project alongside 7 other stars across Africa recording their first singles with R.Kelly and Prince Lee titled "Hands Across The World". He was also known for his narrow escapes from death, he had close shave with death three times, at different locations and times, including gun shots.Aside from running his own record label known as Hypertek after leaving Kennis Music, the artist has established the Tuface Idibia Foundation, which is into charity. In December 2010, the foundation collaborated with the Hands Project International for an Aids charity dinner.His show held at the expo centre was the best of its kind, as it featured all the notable Nigerian artists, particularly 9ice, Dbanj and P-Square.

LATE RAPPER DAGRIN IMMORTALIZE


Words: Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

As a way of immortalizing the late award-winning rapper, 'DGRIN', Stingomania Records has decided to begin filming the a movie based on the late rapper’s life titled “Ghetto Dreamz”. Auditions for all roles scheduled 3 weeks back on Saturday, February 5, while shooting commences 3 weeks back on February 9 at the former Kingsize Restaurant, Ikeja, Lagos. The movie which features the life and times of the rapper and is expected to hit the cinemas in April 2011 to celebrate Dagrin’s first anniversary memorial project.

“Ghetto Dreamz” was directed by Award Winning 'Daniel Ademinokan'. Revealing the reason behind the movie, the chief executive officer of Stingomania Records, Ope Banwo said... “Dagrin was an emerging star in the Nigerian music scene, it is only imperative for stakeholders in the industry to do something about memorializing his name in a constructive and enduring manner. There is need for something to be done to keep his hopes and dreams alive for the next generation of struggling and upcoming artistes.”