NIGERIAN artiste, Anyanwu Obinna Kelvin, aka Waconzy, who is currently on a musical tour of the United States, has signed a deal with one of the biggest names in the Nigerian entertainment industry, Edi Lawani, CEO/ Head Consultant, Showbiz Network Services Ltd./Paragonis Multi-Media Productions.

According to reports, the deal will cover Waconzy’s consultancy and bookings.

The Dv8 Media’s artiste, who broke the news on his Instagram page, said: “It’s official, guys! New deal signed and sealed. It feels great to work with the boss, Edi Lawani.”

Waconzy came into the music industry in 2008, with the hit song, I Celebrate, which shot instantly him into the limelight.

Over the years, he has been able to distinguish himself in the ever competitive industry with his style of music, which is a blend of Western and African rhythms, otherwise called Afro-soul.

Over the years, he has collaborated with U.S.-based Truth Hurts, Banky W, Faze, Duncan Mighty and Naeto C, among others.

A few weeks after the release of his song, Baby Jollof, featuring Tiwa Savage, Joshua Iniyezo, better known as Solidstar, has dropped another single, My Body, featuring Timaya.

Since he signed an ambassadorial deal with the Nigerian Football Association, in-conjunction with the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, early this year, he has been trying to live up to the expectations of his fans.

Interestingly, Solidstar has made a name for himself with his blend of reggae, Afro R&B and traditional African music.

Born in Delta State, he fell in love with music from a tender age. In 2009, Solidstar recorded his successful solo debut, One in a million, which included the global anthem, One in a million, featuring superstar, Tuface Idibia.

Fast-rising Nigerian rapper, Magnito, is still basking in the euphoria of his latest feat, having landed a mouth-watering deal with a phone company, Tingo Mobile. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, he talks about his clothing line, Fresh Out, his music career and marriage plans, among others. 

HOW is your clothing line faring? Fresh Out just went on low because we had so many things we wanted to do. We wanted to do big things, so we set out a date we would start. Since then, we have just been waiting; but now, we want to start afresh.

Music-wise, what have you been up to lately?

We are about to bring out new stuff. I have a new video and a new song with Timaya, Kaka remix. I’m dropping the video and I have a show in India, where I am going to perform for Nigerian students there. My song, Kaka, is very popular there. You can’t know how far your music is travelling. I’m shooting a video of Mr. Medicine there as well.

Your song, Kaka, seems to have opened doors for you…

It has. It is taking me to India and South Africa. I was supposed to go to Liberia, but there was a problem. They were supposed to organise a show for me at a stadium; so, that should tell you how big the show would have been in Liberia. But they had to cancel it because of the outbreak of Ebola. That’s why I just don’t want to let Kaka go by dropping the remix.

What inspired the song, Kaka?

It’s just a song that came; I didn’t really write the song down. I got the beat from Patrick Ellis and voiced the song. Patrick Ellis shot the video for me and made everything happen for me. We promoted it and it went viral. We didn’t even push that song like that. We shot the video and just put it on Soundcity.

In a recent interview, you said your style of music had changed…

No, it is still rap, but it is not as deep as it used to be. Now, the rap is infused with a little bit of comedy.

Why do you rap mostly about women?

Those are the ones you know. If you listen to some of my other songs, I rap about myself and my environment (laughs). But if women like you, your music will definitely fly. Also, if women love your music, your music is going to go everywhere. If men like your music, the acceptance can never be the same. The reason is when a man is playing a song in his car and a girl is saying, I can’t feel it, the man will definitely play her own kind of song. And when you play her kind of song for too long, you will get used to the song and even like it. So, I would rather keep my female fans very close. My female fans are really very important; I do music for the girls.

But basically, how do you get inspired?

I get inspired when I hear a good beat. I’m a good writer, so when I hear a beat, I know I have a new song to write. I have a new song I just wrote, but it does not have a beat yet. It has a story line and it is titled Welcome to Afghanistan.

The title of the song sounds interesting…

That is how my music is: funny name, funny lines.

What is the storyline about?

I’ve not been to Afghanistan before, but I put myself in the shoes of someone who has been there. Basically, I’m acting like I am your tour guard. So, some Nigerians are in Afghanistan and I’m the tour man, rapping with an Arabian accent, while also telling them where they are supposed to go and the need to be careful about the girls there. Meanwhile, the Nigerians guys are replying. I’m playing both parts, speaking in both the Arabian and Nigerian accents.

That sounds interesting and creative too. How did you come about that?

I like to do things that no one else has done before. In my song, Mr. Medicine, I used musicians’ names to create a song and people were wowed when they heard it.

What’s the relationship between you and On Point?

On point is my shirt maker; he makes all the Fresh Out T-shirts for me. Now, we are concentrating fully on music. On Point is travelling with me to Indian too. When we are back from Indian, we are going to get some new stuff that we will use to start our Fresh Out T-shirts again.

You’ve stayed through to your genre, despite not hitting it big yet. So, what’s that thing that keeps you going?

I would not change my style of music because in this same industry, I still see some rap artistes becoming very successful. Olamide, Phyno, Ice Prince and MI still get endorsements and make so much money.

Some of these guys met you in this industry, but they are now big. Do you believe destiny has a lot to do with it?

Olamide came in at the time I did. I was in Abuja, but it is not a place, where you can become very successful in music. Phyno, Olamide and the likes were already here in Lagos. But I just came into Lagos. Now, I have understood Lagos already. I dropped a song, Kaka, and it became big. Now, I’m just waiting to drop the new songs that I want to drop. I know it will definitely be big, but we all have our destinies. I’m friends with Patoranking. He has been there, but nobody knew him. Now, everybody talks of Patoranking. Before now, Orisefemi was being ignored by so many people, but if he sits here today, everybody will gather round him. That’s music. Some people would rather be with Orisefemi than all those names that we know before. So, when it is my time, I will take all the glory. I’m so positive that I’m going to take over the rap music in due time. But I just have to play my card well and that is exactly what I’m doing.

But does music pay your bills?

Yes, it does. Music pays my bills. Music is a very jealous career. You can’t say you are a musician and at the same time a banker. You have to be on all the shows; you have to be on the red carpets and you have to dress like a musician. If I want to work now, I have to go back to Abuja, but I can’t be doing that with music. That was what I was doing before. I was in Abuja, making money, but it never worked. But now, people are saying because I’m in Lagos and I’m dropping the materials; so, I’m closer to the market.

Is there any pressure from home considering that it’s taking quite some time to hit it big?

Our mothers are always the problem. They would want to plan your life for you. She thinks I’m going astray, asking when it is going to happen and if I am not wasting too much time.

I am not a five-to-nine kind of person. I can’t wake up early and go to work; they will sack me definitely. I would rather do what I like to do and I know how to do best. If you put me on the stage now, I will rap and everybody will clap for me and I will get paid. So, I would rather do that stuff until I get to the age when I’m not supposed to be doing that anymore and I will now put my money into business.

What age are you looking at calling it quits with music?

I guess when I have my kids and I see them running around, saying, “Daddy…” Then, I’ll know it is about time for me to go and face the real life because the music industry is a fake life.

Could you expatiate?

The lie in the industry is too much (laughs). That’s one problem I even have. I’m being too real in the industry. Now, I have to put on my fake swag and start moving on with my life. I’m a very fake guy now (laughs).

Do you have a song with Monica Ogah, the winner of Project Fame Season 4?

Yes, we are from the same state. I have a new song with Monica and it is called Gucci.

What’s been happening to her?

She just shot her new video.

Is marriage on your card?

If I have a wife, I will marry her tomorrow.

But there are women now…

Yes, there are women, but there are no wives.

What is that you are looking for in a wife?

I will marry any girl with whom I connect very well with. She must be fine and intelligent. No Kaka o; that one is just music. That’s the fake part I was talking about. We say things we cannot do.

What is the preference for fair-complexioned girls in most videos?

They are attractive, so they put them on TV. But personally, I would rather roll with a dark-complexioned girl. Television is meant to be flashy and that is why we wear blue clothes and pink shirts. We put light everywhere, so you need the light skin girls to make everything look bright.

IT was a fusion of business and pleasure as Betcolony, a Nigerian sports betting brand, launched its VIP lounge on Thursday, October 9.

The launch, which witnessed a high dose of comedy and music, was held at the SS Lounge situated on Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to Lekan Saka, the chief promoter of the sports trading outfit in Nigeria, the party was put together to portray the uniqueness of the brand. “Come November, we will have been in existence for two years. In the developed world, where we adopted this thing from, the concept of sport betting is known as sport trading. You trade your skill, your knowledge of football or any other sport to make some money for yourself. It is different from lotto, which is a game of change. In this, skill comes in,” Saka explained.

 TV and radio sports presenter, producer and brand ambassador to Betcolony Africa, Kibati Bankole, said Betcolony VIP is a concept aimed at building the company’s brand, while affording sports lovers to place their bets in style.

“I agreed to be their ambassador because Betcolony and I share a similar vision. I’m an entrepreneur. I’m one of those few young people who produce. I like to do things for myself and Betcolony is a company that encourages people. The company shares my vision of helping young people who are visionaries. That is why I do this with them,” she stated.A number of Hip hop artistes, including Shank, as well as comedians Mc Abbey and Odogwu thrilled the guests at the event.

Also present Betcolony’s ambassador and Ex – Eagles International, Mutiu Adepoju.

Peace Oni, a graduate of Economics, studied Screenwriting at the Royal Arts Academy, Lagos. Today, it is clear that she is ready to make a name for herself in the nation’s movie industry, having done five short films for Afriwood and written several scripts for Daddy Girls, a TV series. In this interview with TOLU GEORGE, she talks about life as a screenwriter, among other interesting issues.

HOW did your passion for screenwriting develop, given that you studied Economics?
I hated every minute of studying Economics. I have always been interested in the arts, but I just wasn’t sure if I wanted to take it up as a career or not. I also did a little bit of stage acting in school, so I decided that this is something I really would like to do. But at that time, it was acting.
Of course, I knew that my daddy wouldn’t allow me do acting, so I decided to go into screenwriting. The idea was to go into screenwriting and show my daddy that I am intelligent and have good plans. So, from there, I could switch to a career in acting. I did acting back then, just for the fun of it. But after a while, I decided that I could just take it up seriously. When I looked at the movie industry in Nigeria then, I had a lot of issues with it. I am a firm believer of doing something about things that are wrong; so, I thought screenwriting may just be it.
So, how did you eventually come into the industry?
As a writer, I met Yinka Ogun, the creator of Tinsel, in June, 2013. He came as a judge during one of our examinations at the Royal Arts Academy. So, from there, we got talking and then he introduced me to Afriwood.He told me about the project and how they were interested in up-and-coming writers who could write an hour script for them.
So, I wrote the first script titled A shot in the foot. It took me two months to write that script. I sent the film to the guys at Afriwood and they replied after a month that they liked the story. They, thereafter, went on to shoot the movie, while I went on to write four other scripts for them-and I am still with them.
So, how will you describe your experience as a screenwriter in the last one year?
Well, for me, I would say it has been encouraging and that is because there are lots of projects for up-and-coming writers, unlike before where you had producers treating screenwriters like thrash. I think the screenwriters are getting the respect they deserve. Although it is not yet completely smooth, it’s better than what it would have been.
Do you feel in anyway intimidated, given that you work in a male-dominated industry?
No. I feel intimidated as a young writer more than I feel intimidated as a female writer. The reason is, when they call a writers’ conference and you see all the elderly ones like the man who wrote Mortal Inheritance, you have to look like you know what you are doing too. It takes a while to convince people that I am actually into this thing and I am in it to give the best. Maybe I have not entered the circle, where I will feel intimidated as a female writer.
So, why do you feel intimidated by their presence in the industry?
As I said, they look very confident, they look like people who know what they are doing and they look like they have a lot of ideas about how things should be done. Meanwhile, things are changing, but this generation of old writers seems set in their ways and ideas. So, young people seem like a threat to them. For me, I think that you just have to respect yourself, do your own stories and you will definitely find an audience. So, that is the thing I like about Ivie Okujaiye, who has broken the norm by doing her own thing. I know a lot of people who talked about that movie saying it cannot work already.
What exactly were you talking about when you said you had issues with the Nigerian film industry?
With due respect to the industry in Asaba, we like to say we all belong to Nollywood, but these guys seem to have a set of movies called Asaba movies. These are movies with the village scenes and epic stories. And whether we like it or not, before the new projects like Afriwood came out, we had had these Asaba movies. Those are the movies that the people outside see. But if you take a look at the story lines, they can be entertaining and all.
However, I am a huge fan of intelligence. So, inasmuch as they can be entertaining, some of them don’t have a certain level of intelligence that I look for in my movies. In fact, that is what most people of my generation look for in their movies. This, I believe, is the reason you hear most people say they cannot sit down and watch a Nigerian movie. They would rather sit down and watch an American movie. But you can’t blame them because they believe that watching a Nigerian movie is just for the laughter and nothing more. So, when I say I have issues with the Nigerian films, those are the kinds of issues I am talking about. These movies are entertaining, but we are very dramatic and all that in Nigeria.
However, there is more to us as a people than drama. We have issues that surround our lives and I think that you can use movies to show these ideas. If you watch these movies, you will see that there is really nothing deep going on. It gets entertaining to a point, but there are times when you need something more. But to me, they don’t do that. Whether we like it or not, these movies have their audience as well as their fan base. Those of us who decide that we have ideas and want to write intelligent stories will need to wait for some to get our own audience. But I think these changes have to come. I will do the little I can do. Apart from Ivie Okujaiye, there is Nonso Madueke, Valerie Okeke, Tobe Osigwe and others who are all young writers. Some of us went to Royal Arts Academy together, some trained themselves on their own and some went on the Internet to study screenwriting.
What inspires your own writing style?
Well, for me, I write what I will like to go to the cinema to see, which is saying a lot. We have people who will like to go to the cinema to see an American movie. But whether we like it or not, we don’t have the American culture. We are still Africans and there are still things that we do that make us who we are. I think we are more than drama. So, the fact that there is more to us than what the world out there sees (and you can’t blame them) is what inspires me.
Who are the people you look up to in the screenwriting industry?
Tunde Babalola is one of them. When I can start writing like Tunde Babalola, I think that will be nice. Tunde Babalola is deep and he writes from the angle of someone who understands the Nigerian culture. You know he has lived here and he understands these things and still aspires to show more about us as intelligent people.
Most of the recognition in films goes to actors and very little recognition goes to screenwriters. So, does that make you sometimes toy with the idea of going back to acting?
I think it depends on why you are doing what you are doing. You know, some are in it for the glamour. If you are in the industry for the glamour, you are not supposed to be a screenwriter; rather, you are supposed to be an actor, so people can see your face and all. For me, actors are in the public light and I don’t want that. I want to be behind the scenes and that is another reason why I decided to stick to screenwriting.
The Screenwriters Guild of Nigeria is discussing an awards show strictly for screenwriters, where they get to give directors awards. I do not think that there is anyone who would not like his work to be appreciated. Though most of us screenwriters are quiet people, I think it will be nice to get appreciated because without a script, no other person will have a job. Inasmuch as appreciation will be beautiful, it doesn’t mean that is what we live for or why we do what we do.
How do you relax?
I sleep a lot, hang out with friends, watch movies and go for church activities
Are you in any relationship?
Not that I know of (Laughs)! You know, there are sycophants out there, who may be thinking we are dating.
As a young and beautiful screenwriter, are you under some pressure from men, so your scripts can be accepted?
No. Though I hear that I will get that, it hasn’t happened. I think it happens more for actors than it does for screenwriters. When a lady comes and says she is a screenwriter, it is a whole new level entirely and it is more of an intellectual stuff.
But that is not to say that actors are not intelligent. I happened to meet some guys and I could see from their look that they already thought I was an actress and they were ready to do their ‘deed’. But when I told them I was a screenwriter, their entire demeanour and mood suddenly changed. It is like a whole new level of respect, which, of course, is a great thing.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
I mean no offence to Tyler Perry, but he is in competition with me. His movies are all over the place and I think that is amazing. And for the kind of movies he does, which are mostly Christian movies, I think it is really nice. So, that is what I will aspire as a Christian. We have this talent for a reason and some of us are still trying to find our purpose, trying to know why we are here and trying to find out why we have this talent. I know that there is definitely a reason for it. But I am on this path and I know it is the right path because of how things have been working out for me recently. Personally, I would really like to have my own production company, where I will be producing my own Christian movies.

AS part of the activities for this year’s edition of Nollywood Film Festival, the Nigerian High Commission hosted a community reception to premiere Tunde Kelani’s Dazzling Mirage first at Paramount Cinemas on Thursday, October 9, in Wellington and then in Auckland on Thursday, October 16, at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket.

The movie is an inspiring story of how a young sickle cell carrier overcomes the social stigma and prejudice.

Chris Dada’s Lagos Stories and Tunde Kelani’s Maami are the other Nigerian movies screening at the festival this October.

The festival will also feature academic forums at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT). The forum hosts are: the Film Studies programme at VUW, African Communities Forum Inc as well as West Indian & Caribbean Society at AUT.

The theme of the forum is: Nigerian Movies in the Diaspora: Sociocultural, Political and Economic Issues.

The keynote speaker is the Nigerian High Commissioner, Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, while the panellists are: Professor Jonathan Haynes (Long Island University, U.S.A); Dr. Onookome Okome (University of Alberta, Canada); Dr. Kole Ade Odutola (University of Florida, U.S.A); Tunde Kelani (Director of Dazzling Mirage and Maami) and Chris Dada (Director of Lagos Stories).

“Hopefully this will help in the construction of a new and positive narrative on Nigeria in New Zealand and the Pacific region in general,” said Ambassador Ayo Olukanni, Nigerian High Commissioner, Canberra, Australia.

Nollywood Film Festival is envisioned as an annual festival that screens the best of Nigerian movies in New Zealand and Australia.

WHEN it comes to African cinemas, a lot of mileage is yet to be covered. However, enthusiasts and pundits are not resting on their oars until the desired status is achieved. One of such is London-trained Keith Shiri, the Artistic Director of the soon-to-be-held Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

With a vision to place AFRIFF as Africa’s premier film festival, he spoke on the festival and possible ways of exploring new frontiers for African cinemas.

AFRIFF, he said, serves mostly to address all the issues relating to the paucity of African film initiatives across the continent itself. “I’m talking about co-production and possibilities of working together and so on. The vision is broad; but importantly and most specifically, we would like to promote African cinemas to continue to use this platform as an incubator for African cinemas. That is basically what it is.”

In his view, putting together a festival of that magnitude is no walk in the park. According to him, African cinemas came very late compared to the rest of the world cinematic experiences. Thus, he said there is need to urgently catch up with the rest of the world. However, he lamented that filmmakers are faced with the disadvantage of trying to work within the continent, where there is paucity of accoutrements to help build a festival of this nature.

“So, this becomes the major issue. There are filmmakers who are making really interesting films. But without infrastructure, we might not find a basis on which we can train our young people. We don’t have film education in most countries in the continent itself. There are no film schools. That is where the challenge starts from. There is no government support in most countries in the continent,” Shiri said.

He expands this notion by first looking at the world cinema history and how it came to be. Shiri further delved into the emergence of Italian neorealism that produced Cica Bertolucci and his ilk who got together in the ’40s to begin to build on Italian cinema at a time when there was very little being talked about it. That came with cultural activists, people who were aware of the absence of voices coming the grassroots.

“Art was only for those people who were at the upper level of the society, who would go to the opera in Italy. Then, it was the young people of Italy who, at that time, challenged the status quo that art, especially films, should be shared by everyone and that everyone should have access to images about themselves. Then, over time, the government started responding; after all, it was the ordinary people who run government,” he explained.

Narrowing it down to the African movie industry, Shiri believed there is a role cinema can play in developing the industry.  According to him, “We are just at the moment looking at the inventory, which is possibly what we can do in the continent. People are beginning to figure out how to make films now, so that will not be a problem anymore.”

In spite of all, he revealed that this year’s edition of AFRIFF promises to be fun. He described the forthcoming festival as a celebration films and its accoutrements. “We do hope that we overcome the challenges we experienced at the last festival because we did our own evaluation and I think that we are encouraged by the kind of responses we have been getting from people as well as filmmakers from across the world. In terms of film production, we have more filmmakers this year than we had in the past. We also have more women filmmakers participating more than the past years. This year, we have countries that have not participated in the past, like Rwanda. We have over 20 African countries represented in the programme,” Shiri revealed.

As he earlier admitted, every year comes with its peculiar challenges and this year is no different. With too many productions, some of them coming very late, the festival organisers had to source some of the films from different places. That posed some serious challenges. “We had so many films and it was so unfortunate that we had to leave some of them behind because we only had limited time frame for the festival and we had limited slots to screen all the films. But we did our best to make sure that we have feature films, documentaries and short films,” he said.

 This year’s edition of AFRIFF, he said, will be attended by stars, both local and International. Some are coming in from South Africa, even though Nollywood acts dominate the line-up. “The fact that you have not heard of this festival is because it has been very quiet, working and growing; and I think that we want the pace on which it is slowly evolving organically with the words of mouth.”

But with the current attention the festival is getting, there is no immediate intention to make it a touring festival. This becomes even more so owing to the fact that it is a luxury that cannot be afforded at this stage.

“It is not like the Olympics. Tinapa is the natural home for this festival and I would suggest that it should remain here and let it grow. As I said, why do we need to run before we can actually crawl? We really need to make sure it is where it has actually established itself. We have to make sure it achieves its status as the number one African film festival and one of the most important film festivals around the world. And when that time comes, if somebody decides to propose even within Nigeria, that is a prerogative my CEO would take, but I don’t think that is a priority now,” the film expert opined.

 What are his dreams for African cinema? He said:

“There is a reason why Hollywood was created. There is a reason why people are fighting for ownership of media organisations. What I like to see is for us to have complete control of all our screens and all the sources of information. We have to provide mostly positive images of our continent; we need to be able to control what goes there; we need to be able to discuss amongst ourselves and inform one another about our different cultures and stories. So, we must make sure that we own that before we can go elsewhere. That is my dream for African cinema.”

AWARD-WINNING Nigerian Hip hop star, Peter Okoye, on Wednesday, was officially announced as the brand ambassador for Olympic Milk at a ceremony held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.  With the theme: Winning with Olympic: The Healthy Choice, the management of Nutricima said the move was a bid to provide wholesome varieties for consumers in Nigeria.

Two new variants of the product, Olympic Powdered Milk and ready-to-drink Olympic Apple Flavoured bottled drink, were also unveiled to join the Olympic Evaporated Milk.

According to management, the Olympic Powdered milk and Olympic Apple Flavoured Drink offer nourishment, vitality and healthy choices to children, youths, adults and families.

The Managing Director of Nutricima Limited, Mr. Suneel Vasudevan, said; “We commence today a new phase of our journey aimed at empowering consumers in Nigeria across West Africa with healthy choice in milk, one of the most important nutritious products known to man,” he said.

Also, the Head of Marketing, Nutricima, Mrs. Wande Oluwasegunfunmi, said that the new products, under the Olympic milk portfolio, had been improved to give consumers the highest level of value they can get for their money. Peter Okoye, the new brand ambassador for Olympic milk, unveiled the two new variants with a theatrical spectacle that was followed by his thrilling and captivating dance performance.

Nutricima, the makers of Coast, Nunu, Olympic milk and other nutritious food drinks, said their choice of the award-winning Hip-hop star “is premised on the fact that his qualities perfectly portray the essential goodness offered by the brand, including vitality, fitness and health which Olympic milk offers.”

The event was attended by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Chairman, Nutricima Limited, Chief Kola Jamodu (OFR); Vice Chairman, PZ Cussons, Mr. Tunde Oyelola; Ex-officio of Nutritional Society of Nigeria, Dr. Bartholomew Brai and top executives of Nutricima Limited.

IT was a night of music and dance last Friday at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife when beverage giant, Coca-Cola, hosted the Coke Studio Concert, amidst fanfare.

Immediately the gates to the concert grounds were flung open, students were seen posing for “selfies”, as they made their way to the front of the stage after the compulsory Ebola screening. Beside the stage, one of Nigeria’s few female disc jockeys, DJ Lambo, was on hand to ensure that the atmosphere was charged with good music.

The show, however, got into full swing when the school’s budding music acts got on the stage in turns to woo the crowd with their different genres of music and dance steps.  From R&B to Rap and Hip-Hop, each of the rookies put their best foot forward for the chance to be voted to perform with their music icons.

At the end of the competition, Damilola Babatunde, Olamide Oladipo and Olusola Bakare emerged winners selected to perform with Dammy Krane, Reminisce and Orezi respectively.

Soon, My Dear crooner, Dammy Krane, got on stage to thrill the crowd with his hit tracks. The artiste, who recently released an album, The EnterKraner, gave a good account of himself, thrilling the audience. It was a similar experience when sensational singer, Orezi, performed. He ended his performance by staging an impromptu Shoki dance competition.

But the concert reached a crescendo when popular rapper, Reminisce, took the microphone to deliver his hits, including Kako bi Chicken and Daddy, throwing the crowd into excitement and taking the concert to a climax.

Appraising the concert at Ile-Ife, the Brand Manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Olufemi Ashipa, who also doubles as the Project Manager, Coke Studio, said: “The atmosphere at OAU was tremendous. The turnout was more than we anticipated. Even the change in the weather did not deter Coca-Cola fans from watching all the artistes perform. This goes to show the level of connection that Coca-Cola has established with the OAU community”, he said.

Ashipa further said the concert was an extension of Coke Studio that the delivers the music experience directly to the target market. “It’s about strengthening our relationship with the teens,” he said.

So far, the concerts have swept through the campuses of the Lagos State Polytechnic, University of Benin, Abia State University and University of Lagos respectively.

 Coca-Cola Nigeria, through its flagship brand, Coke, launched the Season 2 of its popular music platform, Coke Studio Africa, in September. The show is one-of-a-kind music platform that features studio performances by various Nigerian and African artistes. This season parades top Nigerian artistes such as Flavour, Olamide, Waje, Omawumi, Seyi Shay, Chidinma and Burna Boy in collaboration with over 13 leading artistes from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania as well as Mozambique.

However, this season, Coca-Cola decided to take the excitement of the Coke Studio literally to the doorsteps of its core target demographic.

FOR fast-rising Nollywood actress, Mimi Orjiekwe, the romance with the entertainment started when she contested for the Miss African Queen Beauty pageant while in school.  A child of destiny, she won the diadem. But little did she imagine what fate had in stock for her. But she knew better when one of the judges, Nonso Ekene Okonkwo, a movie director, discovered the latent acting talent in her.  As a result, he featured her in the movie, Royal Madness, which was her first acting role.‎ “After shooting the movie, I went back to school to concentrate and complete my studies. I also got my MBA from the University of Abuja. Thereafter, I returned to acting again in 2012. So far, I have done over 50 movies and still counting,”she said.

Orjiekwe, who described her role in Mission to the Grave as the most challenging, said though the make-believe world appears to be all about the glitz and glamour, it is never the case for most budding actresses.

“Recently, I refused to chat with some of my fans on the Facebook because the truth is that I cannot give them all my time. But surprisingly, they started abusing me. Some even advised that I should have time for my fans. But you cannot please all your fans. In the end, I had to apologise to my fans,” she recalled.

  She recounted another embarrassing moment, saying, “I remember riding on an Okada sometime ago to the airport, so as not to miss my flight. When we got close to the airport, the bike rider recognised me and asked if I shot a particular movie, and I was so embarrassed. I am sure he was surprised to see me on a bike, but I just smiled.”

The beautiful actress also assured her fans of new juicy deals with Caro White, which she just rounded off. “ I have a charity project which falls under the MIBI House of Hope NGO. It will be launched soon. It’s just a way of me giving back to the society and showing God my appreciation,” she said.

WHEN it comes to displaying wealth on the social media, one top-rated act who readily comes to mind in Nigeria is the Limpopo king, Kcee.

According to the artiste, there’s nothing wrong with what he does, as foreign stars also do the same.

In a recent interview, he was quoted as saying that “I am just expressing myself. Even American artistes like Beyonce and Rihanna, do the same. If they get anything, they put it on the social media; and if they want to go anywhere, they put it on the social media. I just like to express myself, without bothering myself on what they say. It is just keeping your real followers or die-hard fans informed about what you do. It’s not a problem.

 “No matter who you are on earth, people will criticise you. People criticise presidents and pastors. Even Jesus Christ was criticised in the Bible. So, I don’t care about what they are saying, the only thing I do is to make sure I learn from whatever my fans are saying. As far as my fashion sense is concerned, I think its 100 percent correct.”

BASELINE Music’s First Lady, Saeon, has unveiled her debut EP titled I Am Saeon -The EP.

Describing it as a body of work that gives a true depiction of her alluring persona and unique song writing style, she said: “I am extremely excited about this project. I Am Saeon encompasses what and who I truly am.

I hope many can relate to me through this body of work. I had an amazing time working with Of A Kind Creatives in order to tell a story through each photo and I am delighted to present them to you.”

ONCE again, the city of Lagos will literally rise and tumble, as Andrew Bisnaught, aka DJ Babey Drew, the official DJ for Chris Brown and other superstars, will be arriving the country for the Heineken Green Light Party scheduled to hold on October 24, at Spice Route, Lagos.

The superstar DJ, who is set to touch down Lagos in a few days, is reportedly excited about his visit, saying,“ The last time I was in Lagos with Chris Brown was absolutely electrifying and I can’t wait to come back to Lagos better get ready to party hard.”

The internationally renowned DJ Babey Drew, who made the Vibe Magazine’s list of Top 100 DJs, has worked with a number of artistes, including Lil’ Wayne, Jordin Sparks and Kelly Rowland and spinned regularly for the Kardashian family.

 He has performed in over 20 countries and sold out his own tours in Europe, Dubai, Africa, Brazil and Australia.

The Heineken Green Light party, a series of clubbing events poised to give the Lagos nightlife a transformative new look, will feature three world renowned DJs in three different nights of glamour and exquisiteness in three premium clubs in Lagos.

•As Iyabo Ojo, Desmond Elliot, Ivie Okujaye, Tope Tedela shine

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has praised the Nigerian motion picture industry for what he described as its pivotal role in the nation’s economy.

Amaechi, who spoke at the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, which held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last Thursday, noted that not only did Nollywood start as a protest literature by addressing social issues, but it also provided employment for several people in the movie production chain.

But a report purportedly saying that the governor insulted Nollywood practitioners who trained in other professional areas has now gone viral in the social media.

The governor, who arrived Port Harcourt for the awards ceremony that evening from his trip to Abuja, where General Muhammadu Buhari had declared interest as APC 2015 presidential aspirant the previous day, had just presented Recognition Awards to veteran artistes such as Liz Benson-Ameye, Nobert Young, Kasimu Yero and Adebayo Salami, when he was asked to give his speech on the occasion.

“Let me say, first and foremost, that this organisation is entirely that of BON Awards…” As if the governor knew that his speech might be misrepresented, he said: “If you were not my friends, we probably wouldn’t have had this hall for use, as some government officials had fixed a dinner or cocktail here this evening before I arrived. But I told them to move it to the other side.” This statement was greeted with thunderous applause.

Amaechi went further to state how Nollywood had rescued the Nigerian economy, by employing hundreds of thousands of Nigerian youths who, despite their qualifications, may have remained jobless because of the unemployment challenge in Nigeria. Speaking interactively, the governor had asked the audience at each point, if they agreed with his analysis.

Corroborating his remarks, popular entertainer, Okey Bakassi, confessed he is an Agricultural Engineering graduate of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. This threw the hall into another round of laughter.

The governor then recalled a recent conversation between actress Kate Henshaw and her colleague, Basorge Tariah Jnr., on how they both used to trek the streets in search of jobs and how Nollywood became the saving grace.

He then delved into a similar challenge in the banking sector, where a good number of female staff are employed for marketing, noting that such system had been promoting prostitution indirectly.

He said: “If you look at the Nollywood industry, it first started as a protest literature, an expression by the people that we are tired of the current leadership in Nigeria. We need change. Then, funding of the industry became a problem. The Onitsha traders who began to fund these films now determined what kind of contents that were made. At that point, it was no longer about protest literature… So, they began to explore stories about witchcraft. I stopped watching at that time. But here now, I watched The Meeting (movie produced by Rita Dominic), which again was another protest work of art… In the film, we saw a Minister who was abusing his office; you saw the professor waiting and you saw the whole community of people who tried to see him. But to be able to do so, they have to corrupt the secretary… Our films must continue to explore social issues.”

He, therefore, urged practitioners to look into producing more movies that will address social messages rather than allowing political interest to becloud their works, saying they owe the country that duty as her heroes.

“Nollywood is important to me, as it is important to the Nigerian economy. From Kenneth Okonkwo, who has joined politics, to the producers of The Meeting, there is an underlying message, which is the inability of Nigerian elite to lead Nigeria out of the comatose that we found ourselves,” he said. He added that even where jobs are available, the civil service, for example, sometimes does not employ people based on merit.

The governor then said he had contracted veteran actress Joke Silva to produce into a movie the popular Chinue Achebe’s book, Man of The People, which he said is another socially relevant classic.

The main categories of the awards gave accolades to the like of Iyabo Ojo whose movie, Silence, clinched the Movie of The Year diadem, while Ivie Okujaye and Tope Tedela won the Best Actress and Best Actor respectively.

While Desmond Elliot won the Amaka Igwe Director of The Year for the movie, Apaye, Femi Jacobs and Rita Dominic clinched Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress respectively

Others include Yinka Quadri, who won the Best Actor in the Leading Role (Yoruba) award while Ayo Adesanya picked the Best Supporting Actress (Yoruba) honour. Abdulateef Adedeji and Ijeoma Agu won the Most Promising Actor and Actress; Daniel K Daniel and Linda Ejifor picked Revelation of The Year Male and Female; Olamide Davids’ performance in Black Silhouette fetched him the Best Child Actor, even as Priscilla Ojo, Iyabo Ojo’s daughter won the Best Child Actress laurel.

Also rewarded are Best Kiss In A Movie-Majid Michel and Beverly Naya (Forgetting June); Movie with the Best Social Message (Our Difference); Movie with the Best Special Effect (A Mile From Home); Best Use of Make Up (Cobra); Best Use of Food (Being Mrs Elliot), Best Sound (Render To Ceaser), Best Production Design (Osunfunke) and Best Short Film (Brave).

Others are Best Comedy Movie of the Year (30 Days In Atlanta); Best Cinematography (Apaye); Best Screenplay (Render To Ceaser); Best Documentary (Fatai Rolling Dollar); Best Edited Movie (A Mile From Home); and Best TV Series (Lekki Wives).

Other notable guests at the event are Kenneth Okonkwo, Shola Sobowale, Moses Inwang, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Patience Ozokwor, Ayo Makun (AY) and Emem Isong.

Ace Juju musician, Admiral Dele Abiodun, put up a superlative performance, last Friday, when he thrilled members of the Island Club of Lagos, who had gathered to mark the 71st anniversary of the club, Nigeria’s Independence Day as well as the Ileya festival.

There was a large turnout of guests from both the public and the private sectors at the colourful event that held within the premises of the club.

Welcoming guests to the ceremony, the chairman, Demola Dada, said that it had become a tradition for the club to hold a joint celebration whenever one or more events fall within the same period.

“The founders of the Island Club were in the forefront in the fight for democracy and the present members still need to key into the campaign for the sustenance of democratic rule in the country. It is the bedrock of the club and because we believe religiously in these principles, we will go to any length to preserve them. We will continue to support the present administration as well as the government and private sectors. It is a legacy handed over to us by our forefathers and we shall also hand it down to the coming generation,” he said.

Dada also drew the attention of guests to the uncompleted seven-storey parking space embarked upon by the club.

Also, the Chairman of the Day, retired Brig.-Gen. Raji Rasaki( rtd.), thanked God for making it possible for members to gather for what he termed an august occasion. “At the same time, we thank God for being alive to witness this important event. I am very glad to be associated with the Island Club. There is only one Island Club and that is why it is unique; that is also why I will continue to honour your invitation,” he said.

The highpoint of the occasion was the conferment of membership of the club on Brig Raji Rasaki as well as Vice Admiral Ganiu Adekeye.

Dignatories present at the event include the Royal Father of the day, HRH Abdulrazak Adebayo Adeoye and his entourage, Alhaji Yahaya Quadri(Trustee for Island Club), former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ganiu Adekeye, the Osolo of Isolo and Oba Kabiru Adelaja.

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has declared open this year’s edition of the annual Carnival Calabar.

With a mock event tagged ‘Celebration Time’, the event touted as Africa’s biggest street party, began on a high note, thereby evoking memories of the December fanfare, which enters its 10th edition this year.

“Ten years is no mean feat. For us, Carnival Calabar has grown bigger as we promised Cross Riverians and Nigerians when we came on board in 2007. With our vision of institutionalising the event, by allowing the private sector to be the main drivers while government regulates, there is greater hope that this Carnival will grow in lips and bound,” said Imoke.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham, noted that this year’s event is significant to the life of the administration, adding that it will serve as a hallmark celebration to coming administrations.

Institutionalising the annual festival, he said, is still worked out run, following the formation of the Carnival Calabar Band Associations, which are now the main drivers of the event.

“Last year, you said it was the biggest, but this year is going to be extra ordinary,” he said.

While thanking the private organisations for investing in the brand, the governor urged others to join the train.”

The chairman, Carnival Calabar Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, said the private sector had taken full ownership of the celebration with the band enjoying enormous sponsorship.

Also speaking on the occasion, the chairman, Carnival Calabar Bands Association, Sen. Florence Ita Giwa, who was excited about the level of sponsorships, also expressed delight at the level of commitment given to the event by the state government.”

Ita- Giwa also stated that about N15 million had been invested so far through the private sector participation, including the Nigerian Port Authority and SCOA (Nig.) Ltd. that donated   a brand new Hilux vehicle.

The First Lady of the state, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke, later presented the utility vehicles donated by SCOA (Nig.) Ltd. to the Carnival Calabar Band Association.

As a prelude to this year’s edition of the Music and Entertainment Gospel Awards, aka MEGA Awards, the inaugural nominee’s unveil ceremony holds today at The Combo-Hall, LTV Broadcasting Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event, according to a release by the Central Working Committee (CWC), is to “warmly recognise and celebrate all the final nominees for the main awards show.

The MEGA, which is Nigeria’s premier gospel music awards, aims to “honour and celebrate the best Nigerian talents in the service of humanity and exaltation of the Almighty”.

Organised by Footprints Publication & Media Limited, an event management outfit in collaboration with the 2014 Main Organising Committee (MOC), MEGA is designed to recognise and celebrate outstanding performances and exemplary talents in the Nigerian gospel music community.

According to the organisers, the ceremony will bring together the nation’s most influential entertainers, musicians and other individuals in different sectors of the Nigerian society to share in a rewarding gathering of networking and celebration.

The maiden edition of the MEGA held on Friday, November 9, 2013 at The Haven, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. It was headlined by ace comedian, Ali Baba, alongside top rate stars like Bimbo Manuel, Iretiola Doyle, Yemi Solade, Yetunde Fosudo, Yemi Sodimu and Feyikemi Niyi-Olayinka.

Artistes who lit up the MEGA stage, last year, included Sammie Okposo, Sola Allyson, Taiwo Oladoye, Hadassah, Ify Chukwu, Efe Nathan, Ayiki The Trados, MC Abbey and Koffi, Akpororo, among others.

For the members of the Felabration Organising Committee, the presence of the Jamaican reggae singer and composer, Don Carlos, at the recently held Felabration, which ended on Sunday, will be treasured for a long time.

No wonder, the organisers have expressed satisfaction at the performance of the headline act at the annual event celebrating the memories of the late maverick singer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

A member of the Committee, who simply gave her name asTosin, said: “On the whole, I would say it was a success, although there is more to be done. Though we can still do more, we did our best to ensure that it was a success. When you bring somebody, you have to be satisfied. Don Carlos pretty much represented what we are trying to achieve as a celebration and as an international brand. Over everything, he did very well.”

A festival of music of different genres, this year’s edition of Felabration also witnessed performances from the likes of Weird MC, Omo Baba, Wale, Olamide, Saeon, Duke Amayo, MC Bash and a host of others.

•Tayo gets immunity 

It was end of the show on Sunday for three more female contestants in the ongoing Big Brother Africa reality show tagged ‘Hotshots Edition’, as the dreams of Nigerian model, Lilian, alongside Uganda’s Esther and Kenya’s Sabina were dashed irredeemably .

The three, who were among the nine put up for eviction penultimate week, were said to have scored the lowest votes from participating countries.

The Sunday’s live show brings to five the number of contestants evicted so far from the show, as Zambia’s Resa and Mozambique’s Mira had been previously evicted.

However, it was an exciting moment for Tayo, the Nigerian male contestant, as he escaped eviction from the show. While Tayo got votes from three countries, JJ (Zimbabwe) received votes from five countries and Permithias got votes from two countries. Also, four housemates received one country vote each and two housemates received no country votes.  Consequently, the tie-breaker rule was evoked in order to separate the four housemates who received one country vote each.

IK, who went into the house for the first time, teased Permithias and Idris about their closeness to some ladies in the house, before asking the Head of House, Samantha, to stand and reveal her ‘add’ decision. Samantha revealed that she had based her decision on the strongest member of the winning Extravaganza group, with Ellah as her choice. Then, IK announced that Lilian and Esther, who were the closest to Tayo, would be heading home. It was obvious that Tayo was greatly shocked by Lilian’s eviction, as he rushed to hug her, saying: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

IK also revealed the StarMeter results for the week, a measure of the popularity of the housemates based on social media buzz. Tayo topped the viewers’ poll this week.  But hardly had the remaining housemates heaved a sigh of relief than IK took viewers back into the house, saying there would be another eviction. He then revealed Sabina, the comedian from Kenya, as the third housemate to be evicted on the night.

With composure, Samantha said she had connected with Permithias because of his music and his background. She told IK that she was still living in hope that there was a second house for evicted Hotshots, but he confirmed that this eviction was the end of the road for her.

IK later revealed that Team B( where Tayo belongs), had won this week’s Extravaganza task with their traditional Bollywood performance, suggesting that they are immune from nomination this week.

The show featured Kenyan Urban Afro-Pop group Elani, who performed Jana Usiku & Koo Koo before returning later with Zuzu.

It was another landmark in the careers of popular Nigerian artistes, Tuface Idibia, Vector Tha Viper and Brymo, as they were recently appointed Goodwill Ambassadors for the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Speaking with journalists at the event which held at the Commerce House in Victoria Island, Lagos, Vector Tha Viper said it is important, especially as a rap head, to influence thoughts and focus on the issues and actions that actually influence lives.

“Beyond the music, the fans and the excitement, this is the kind of thing that really keeps me going. Being recognised alongside a music maestro like Tuface is an honour to me. The experience is a lot to take in and the honour is inspiring,” he said.

Vector Tha Viper, who recently staged a comeback after a two-year hiatus, has been busy taking his career to another level. He launched his #A7 mixtape in September which, according to him, is what his team is trying very hard to push out at the moment.

He also recently released a song titled Shiga, featuring popular on-air personality, Toolz. The song has been described as rich with strong vocals by Waje. The song, he also said, is a bonus track off the #A7 mix tape which has a track list of 13 songs.