By Osagie Alonge
Watch Harrysong‘s new video for the remix to his single ‘I’m in love‘ featuring rapper of the moment Olamide.
By Osagie Alonge
The stylish rapper hooks up with producer Sossick on this reflective tune (her second post-Trybe Records single). Listen up and tell us what you think…
By Osagie Alonge
He might not have a strong online presence but this young singer has been tearing up the streets for a while.
Now pitching his tent with Dozage Records, Lace will be looking at toppling his previous efforts.
Here’ his new single titled ‘Fere‘ (whistle)…
By Osagie Alonge
Surreal and sensitive, Waje‘s new video, ‘I wish‘ tells a million words with the visuals.
The very talented singer makes a bold move, shedding her clothes in a scene.
Watch the Clarence Peters directed cut below
By Osagie Alonge
Watch Olamide‘s new video titled ‘Stupid love‘.
The video to the single off his YBNL album was directed Matt Max.
By Osagie Alonge
Laylow on the set of his new video ‘Soul Survivor’. Photo: Clinton Ray
The talented producer who was a recent guest on Nigezie‘s interview show ‘RUNZ’ broke down his artistry, part of that being how music artistes and producers live in ‘their world’.
‘Music is more like a gift and a curse for most people that are in it. You have the ups and downs, you have the days when you feel like, na, I don’t want to do this anymore….you have the days when people ask you ‘what do you want to make out of your job?”, the producer explained.
He however had this positive thing to say ‘If you love what you are doing, at some point, it all starts to connect, you start to make a lot of money from it. It’s fulfilling at that point’.
LayeLow weeks ago released his video ‘Soul Survivor’ which features the likes of Buckwylda, Erigga , Liu T and Base one.
Watch the interview below…
By Osagie Alonge
Watch Tonto Dike‘s new video to her controversial first single ‘Hi’.
The video which was directed by Gbemi Philips can best be described as fun and colourful. Tonto also made a smart move of reworking the audio which sounds more dance-electro.
Watch below…
By Osagie Alonge
Nigerian singer Password is no rookie in the game – after working with the likes of Darey, General Pype and ghost writing on Davido‘s new single ‘Gobe’, he’s back to release a new single.
Listen to official debut ‘Obiageli‘…
By Osagie Alonge
After his work with the eLDee/Trybe Records collective Da Trybe and the release of his solo album ‘Na flash ‘ in 2005, he has not really been a constant face on the Nigerian music terrain; his reason being the jealous demands of his medical career on his time and person.
In 2012, he tied the knot with Cool FM OAP Taymi B and they recently welcomed a baby boy. Timi says all that won’t be putting a hold on his music career though.
Here’s his new single ‘No be today’…
By Abiodun Omigie
Brymo at work. Photo: Chocolate City
Brymo recently shot a video for ‘Omoge Campus’. The second single since the release of highly acclaimed ‘The Son Of a Kapenta‘. The Video which is a documentary style video is set to be released officially on March 28, 2013.
Check out some more photos below…
By Victor Enengedi
Banky W all suited up for 2face and Annie Idibia’s Wedding
It seems the ‘Lagos Party’ has suddenly moved to Dubai, as the Empire Mates Entertainment, EME, Chairman celebrates his 32nd birthday in the arab city.
After wishing himself a happy birthday, Banky tweeted this morning ‘Suite @ the Burj al arab #7starbirthday #thankful’, referring to the comfort of the prestigious Dubai hotel.
Banky who had visited Dubai over the weekend to be part of the 2face/Annie wedding has decided to stay back to treat himself to a special birthday party as he celebrates with a few friends in the luxury of arab hospitality.
Congratulatory messages have been pouring in since the early hours of this morning from friends, colleagues and fans on twitter, facebook and instagram.
Last year’s celebration was marked in grand style as many of Nigeria’s celebs gathered in Lagos to wish him well, plus a surprise appearance by Senegalese-born American Singer, Akon.
Born Olubankole Wellington on March 27, 1981 in the US, Banky W is one of Nigeria’s most talented singers and music execs.
By Osagie Alonge
Sad news for Port Harcourt Pop singer Mr 2kay who lost his father on the evening on Monday, March 25, 2013.
NET learnt that 2Kay’s father who was just 56 had taken ill a while ago.
2kay’s manager told us the rising singer has immediately travelled home to mourn and begin preparation to give his father a befitting burial.
The ‘Bubugaga’ singer recently relocated to Lagos in a quest to penetrate the mainstream, after dominating the music scene in PH.
His label Grafton Records told NET the burial will take place sometime next week in Okrika, the port town in Rivers State.
By Osagie Alonge
Young and ready for whatever, upcoming female rapper Splash is heating up with her new video ‘Church Agbasa‘.
Dumping Mikel Obi‘s MMM record label to sign with former Pop singer H-man‘s ‘August Pee Entertainment‘, this newbie who started her rap career in 2010 might be the new face of Nigerian female rap if her big sisters don’t put in work soon enough.
Watch ‘Church Agbasa’ directed by Adasa Cookey of SquareBall
By Osagie Alonge
And he might very well be, even though it’s just three months into 2013!
Phyno has been in the game for quite some time and having gotten co-signs from the likes of established rap veterans like Mr Raw and Illbliss, the young rapper-like-a-rock-star is raising a lot of storm.
Here’s his new single, another street-club banger ‘Obaga (man of the year)‘. ‘Two years ago, I introduced myself, two years later, now they introduce themselves‘.
Listen to ‘Obago’ below…
By Ayomide Tayo
Lewis Hamilton. Photo: MetroUK.
Lewis Hamilton’s pop singer girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger has revealed that she knows nothing about her boyfriend’s sport.
Lewis Hamilton is Formula One driver and was champion in the 2008 season. The British driver is also hailed as the first black driver in Formula One.
‘I am in awe of Formula 1 because there is so much money, technology and talent,’ the Daily Star quotes Scherzinger as saying. ‘But as for the racing, it really is like trying to understand rocket science when I’m there’ the former Pussy Cat Doll singer said.
Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger started dating in 2007. They’ve had many splits during their 6 year relationship.
By Osagie Alonge
Another leaked single from D’banj….
This is titled ‘No more’, it is rumoured the full version will feature G.O.O.D Music boss Kanye West.
This might just be true because ‘No more‘ portrays that G.O.O.D Music sound and theme which is quite reminiscent of their 2012 ‘Cruel Summer‘ album which D’banj also featured on. Listen below and tell us what you think..
By Osagie Alonge
You’ve heard of the 2face and Annie Idibia traditional wedding that held in Eket Community, Akwa Ibom that cost a whooping N130m.
Now you can watch some scenes from the star studded wedding here:
By Ayomide Tayo
Album- The Lasso of Truth
Artiste- Omawumi
Guest features – Timaya, Wizkid, Flavour, 2Face Idibia and Afay
Producers – Cobhams Asuquo, Don Jazzy, Sizzle-Pro, Oscar Herman Acker, Young D, Sarz and Soso Soberekon
Record Label- Oma Records (2013)
Running Time- 46.5 minutes
The Lasso of Truth is a weapon used by comic book heroine Wonder Woman to make people tell and comply with the truth. What does this have to do with Omawumi? Nothing much, apart from the fact that she is a fan of the DC Comics character. Her 2009 debut was titled Wonder Woman.
What truth does Omawumi want us to know and obey on her 12 track sophomore? Who is the villain, who needs to be rescued? On the Sizzle-Pro produced ‘When The Boss Is Coming (Actor Sef Dey Run)’ our wonder woman tells us that life will undoubtedly knock us down but we must learn from the defeat and come back stronger. With a slight macabre EDM beat she uses Nigerian cinematic terms (actor and boss) to teach on the benefits of being patient in life. On paper it should sound corny but Omawumi’s mainstream appeal makes the song work. If this track isn’t your cup of tea then ‘Stay Alive (Jeje Laye) should be. Omawumi with South African House music encourages you to be patient and reminds you that you only live once (shout out to Drake!).
The Lasso of Truth is a pot-pourri of sounds. ‘I Go Go’ is a reggae song about love gone wrong. ‘My love you don dismiss. We know plan am like this…my food you no wan chop, body sef you know touch. I am tired tired of the pain that I feel inside’ our super-heroine sings. Weary of fading love, Omawumi says she is ready to move on. It isn’t though as our wonder woman still believes in love and hopes that her love is reciprocated on ‘You Must Love Me’. We don’t know if the object of her affection loves her back but on the next song ‘Warn Yourself’ featuring Wizkid, Omawumi struts her sexiness on the track and warns guys that she is so sweet she can give you a running stomach- ‘Stop! Wait a minute! Although you want some sugar in it but the jedi jedi wey go catch you e no go finish.’ Wizzy’s verse is largely uninspiring, rehashing parts of his verse on Iyanya’s ‘Sexy Mama’. A super woman doesn’t need a star boy so ‘Warn Yourself’ is good by itself without the help of Wizkid.
Omawumi has a gift of making what should be corny into a sweet song. I mean when you feature Timaya on your song, you shouldn’t expect the song to be rated as high art. ‘Personal Race’ is an inspiring Afrobeat tune from Omawumi. She’s really into teaching life’s lessons on this album and she does so on this song too albeit with more local ‘bounce’. Timaya’s verse is standard Timaya-nothingness but you can’t hate on his adlibs. Even with some shaky features, Omawumi succeeds because she doesn’t use them as a crutch but as supporting acts. She leads and they follow.
Omawumi’s mainstream appeal is because of two things- her command of Pidgin English and her humour. These two assets are displayed best on her hit single ‘Belle’ featuring Flavour. Really it is a nonsensical, groovy and funny song that you can’t do but love. It is a local lullaby. The version of this song on the album features Omawumi’s baby singing the song. ‘The Best You Can Be’ is another song for her daughter. Omawumi thanks her mother for the strict upbringing she went through and tells her own daughter that she will be appreciative of her upbringing when she becomes a woman.
Our heroine seeks justice on ‘What A Bang Bang’ featuring 2face Idibia. She uses 2’s simple effective rhyme pattern ‘dem dey claim political immunity/ on top all the civil, political ingenuity and dem people using spirituality like a mask to dey hide their anxiety’ to sing about political oppression in the country.
So what truth does Omawumi show us with The Lasso of Truth? The wonder woman lets us know that life is not a bed of roses, never give up on love, have fun, fight for what is right and if you’ve got it flaunt it. Oh yeah she also lets us know that she is a bloody good singer. The Lasso of Truth is a well thought out album derive of the gimmickry and half-assed effort by many singers in the country. This makes Omawumi a hero in my book, a wonder woman and that is the truth.
Rating- 4/5.
By Victoria Ige
2face and Annie Idibia Wedding – Annie Idibia, Alexander Amosu, 2face Idibia. Photo: Instagram
She’s waited 13 years to say this and yes she finally got her chance to do so in grand style!
Read Annie Idibia‘s touching wedding vow to hubby 2face Idibia
I stand before you today as open as I can ever be, humbled by the light and love in your eyes. 13 years ago, I met the most amazing man on earth! I flew on the wings of that love, uncaring, unheeding! Believing firmly that you are and will always be the wind beneath my wings!
Life happened, oh yes Life happened but through it all my heart beat only for you!
My heartbreak became my greatest joy! My strength! My life! Day after day I am more in love with you!
When people ask me what is love! I say Love is right here! This moment! This second! Today! Tomorrow! Love is you! Love is real! Love is my eternity with you Innocent ujah Idibia! I give you all of me today knowing that in you and you only has this imperfect girl found perfection!!!
I do 13 years ago when I met you, I do seven years ago, I do five years ago when we created our daughter! I do through all the blogs and tabloid headlines! And on this day, at this very second I stand in front of the world and I say I do take you as my wedded husband! I love you! I love you so much, so so much!!!
By Victoria Ige
2face and Annie Idibia and daughter Isabella. Photo: Bella Naija
Read 2face Idibia’s simple but touching vow to the number one woman in his life Annie Macaulay-Idibia.
When I look into your eyes, I still see you came into my life and you lit it up like the sun, like the moon, like the stars.
All the words in the dictionary, all the words in this world cannot be enough to say what my heart feels for you.
But all I can say is baby, my heart is like a stereo right now and it will beat only for you till death do us part.
I love you baby.
By Tosyn Bucknor
Last week was lovely; and full. When I wasn’t doing a Google hangout with Bovi, I was snooping in on Lami’s video shoot to see what was going on.
And between all of that, I learnt some business lessons; some of which I will s.h.a.r.e here!
10. Stop saying ‘I can’t’.
I was trying to convince a friend of mine to work with me on some project and kept saying ‘…cos I can’t…’, ‘…don’t know how to…’ And so on. He said to me, ‘Stop saying I can’t because then you really won’t be able to’ Or something like that.
While it is okay to put teams together and hire people who do some things better than (or differently from) you, surrounding yourself with negative statements is never a good thing.
How many ‘I can’ts’, ‘I won’t understand’, ‘no’ and more do you say? Cut them out today!
9. Be an Oliver Twist and always want more, but don’t forget to appreciate what you do have it is easy to in life, want what someone else has- the grass IS greener.
But how about today, taking a second to appreciate what you do have and celebrate what you have achieved?
You may want a million naira tomorrow but celebrate that hundred thousand you made today.
If you don’t learn to appreciate the things the universe brings your way, you’ll never enjoy anything you earn or are.
8. Oh and by the way, the grass is greener because they water it! So water yours!
7. Know it, but be able to communicate it too so I was chatting with this cute guy and I mentioned a project I worked on in the past. He said he had never heard of it/us. Now in my head, what I said or wanted to say was, ‘we may not have been successful with hyping our work but we were very effective’.
What I ended up saying was- ‘/:(;?!,.5#;?6′;66g;’/6’ He WAS cute so maybe that affected things, but if you can’t communicate what you know, you might be just as bad as the person who doesn’t know what to communicate.
6. Models have brains too cliche?
Well, this chick walks in and first, all I saw were legs. For days. But we started chatting and my goodness! I learnt more about branding, positioning and making crucial business decisions in one thirty minute cab ride with her than I had learnt in business law class.
I kid you not.
5. Wanna be a millionaire? Find something you love doing and get paid millions to do it.
This advice came from my friend who lives a charmed life. And that is his secret- he does exactly what he loves (travelling, making videos and movies) and gets paid to do it.
4. No one’s going to force you to do it but when you’re ready, you won’t be able to stop the calls.
Sometimes we complain about how no one is calling us for gigs or helping us do stuff. But it might be we have not made the first move.
Put yourself out there and let people know you’re available for whatever work you want. And use every resource at your disposal.
Don’t be shy to make those calls and knock on doors.
3. ‘I want what she has’ is #LastBorn behaviour; not business behavior if you change business policies or make business decisions not based on your core competencies or even your passion but because someone else does it or has it and you like it, you’ll confuse your customers and yourself
2. Great conversations are all well and good but you have to follow through.
Gavin DeGraw says it best really, ‘so/since you wanna be with me/you have to follow through/with every word you say/And I/all I really want is you/(For) you to stick around/I’ll see you everyday/But you’ll have to follow through
He is of course talking about a girl, but it’s the same thing. You get a good vibe about something, have a brilliant idea, meet a great person you could work with?
Follow up, follow through
1. This has absolutely nothing to do with business, but I just wanted to take a minute to make a shout out to guys you have great conversations with who never ask for your number.
By Ayomide Tayo
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake’s new album The 20/20 Experience is projected to sell over 800, 000 copies in its first week.
If the projection is accurate it would not only be Justin Timberlake’s biggest opening week but will also be the highest number of copies sold in the first week by a male artist.
Lil Wayne moved 964, 000 copies of The Carter IV in 2011. Justin Timberlake has revealed that he will be dropping another album this year.
By Ayomide Tayo
Le Bron James
Miami Heat forward Lebron James and his longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson are finally getting married after being together since Lebron’s high school days in Ohio. The couple is scheduled to get married in September and have asked their relatives and friends to block out the dates September 13, 14 and 15 for their nuptials.
Lebron and Savannah have two boys- Lebron Jnr who is 8 years old and Bryce who is 5. Lebron proposed to Savannah last New Year’s Eve with a ring that reportedly cost $300, 000.
By Ayomide Tayo
Carlos Tevez
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez could be facing jail time after being arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified. He was banned from driving for 6 months in January but was arrested last week near his home driving.
He was later released on bail.
He was released on bail because there was no interpreter at the Macclesfield Police Station.
Carlos Tevez will be returning to the police station this week. If found guilty of driving while disqualified, Tevez faces a six-month custodial sentence and a fine of £5,000. We’re told that Courts also consider anti-social behaviour orders and community service.
By Ayomide Tayo
Nigeria played a one all draw with Kenya in Calabar. Photo: BBC
The champions of Africa, kicked off their post-AFCON campaign in Calabar in a disappointing World Cup qualifying draw at home to Kenya.
Despite early confidence on the pitch and in the stands, the Super eagles failed to spark—they were left stunned as Francis Kahata gave the Harambee Stars the lead with a sweetly struck freekick towards the end of the first half.
To the immense relief of the home supporters, Nnamdi Oduamadi sealed a late, stoppage time equaliser, getting Nigeria out of jail.
With the recent result, Nigeria stands top of Group F in the World cup qualifiers with five points while Kenya remains at the bottom of the group with two points.
Read article Nigeria escapes loss to Kenya at home»
By Abiodun Omigie
Somi on Stage
Hennessy recently partnered with international jazz vocalist & songwriter, Somi’s ‘The Gratitude Tour ‘.
The American singer and songwriter of Rwandan and Ugandan descent kicked off her tour in Lagos supported by songstress, Efya and rising star, Ese Peters.
With her New-York based band flown in to delight fans over 2-nights showcasing new material from Somi’s new album inspired by her 15-month creative sabbatical immersed in the fiery spirit of Lagos, Nigeria and scheduled for release internationally later this year.
The event was kicked off with a cocktail reception with four Hennessy signature recipes whilst guests waited to be seated for a specially-paired 5-course meal by Executive Chef Lalu before the lady-of-the-hour, Somi took the stage.
The star-studded contemporary music event is another testament to Hennessy’s support of global music events.
Joe Obiago
Efya on Stage
Ese Peters on Stage
Fife Osikanlu
French Consul General, Francois Sastourne and Guest
Ivy Kakiiza
Jay Jay Okocha
Kemi Balogun & Fidelity Bank MD, Reginald Ihejiahi
Kiki & Muyi Kazim
Liberty Ellman, Micheal Olatujia, Somi, Toru Dodo, Otis Brown II
Lisa Leigh-Okojie
Deji Rotinwa
Somi on stage
Rimi, Efua Oyofo, Lolade Awogboro, Davn
Re Olunuga, Aderonke Adebanjo
Nkiru Alintah, Lolo Erimie
Somi, Lere Awokoya II (Hennessy Brand Manager), Efya
Tomiwa Aladekomo
Zainab Abiola
