Ayeni Adekunle
1 July 2007
column
Lagos — In a matter of days, Nigerian music fans will witness the much-expected second edition of the ThisDay Music Festival organised by Leaders & Company, publishers of ThisDay newspapers. The musical extravaganza, presently topping discourse in every sector of Nigeria's existence- from tourism to culture, finance and entertainment- has now become the most profound showbiz event in the country's diary; with a multitude of fans already armed with tickets to see the two-day concerts scheduled for July 14 and 15 2007.
Coming at a time when the emerging music industry in Nigeria is in dire need of global attention and enormous investment, the Thisday music festival is not only making Nigeria's decision-maker pause and take a second look at an often over looked sector; but it also tells the rest of the world, that to ignore the notes and tones coming out of Africa's largest country, is a risk not worth taking. Following the debut last year, global media attention immediately shifted to Nigeria, as Beyonce sang the Nigerian national anthem; Ciara greeted fans in Yoruba and Jay Z proudly endorsed the green-white-green.
Now, the show is on again. And everyone can't wait to see what the visiting stars and their Nigerian counterparts will be up to this year. Shakira, the Latino sexy singer-dancer that makes men develop a bulge in the most embarrassing places, will, expectedly, raise many blood pressures, make girlfriends and wives jealous for a moment, and, maybe, fall in love with a Nigerian hunk! Same for Kelly Rowland, the Destiny's child singer who, just like Beyonce, is blessed with an overdose of talent and beauty. Male fans across the country will find Shakira and Rowland absolutely irresistible. And it won't be surprising if non-Lagos residents fly in from the south, north and east to witness the two-day feast.
'Oh, he's so cute, smooth and talented', said a Lagos-based fan of John Legend during the week. The 28 year-old sophisticated singer is a bona fide fashionista and ladies' man who's strolling up the ladder of success- thanks to a loyal worldwide fan base made possible by his remarkable talent and unbelievable versatility. Legend will get the ladies swooning and moaning; with some clinging to their partners and asking for an encore.
And for those familiar with eight-man reggae-pop band UB-40, the experience will be a mixture of different emotions: pain, pleasure, romance, love, lust and infatuation as the UK-based group take them through their greatest hits of the past two decades: 'cherry' oh baby, 'red red wine,' "falling in love" amongst several others
It is surprising to many, that despite a huge followership in Nigeria , spanning over a decade, it is the group's debut in the country. UB 40 is also visiting other African countries, especially South Africa this month.
Meanwhile, as the anticipation of the arrival of the international artistes reaches a feverish level, home based Nigerian musicians who will also be performing live at the festival have unanimously confessed to Glitterati that they have more that a few surprises up their sleeves. While individually lauding the concept and execution of the annual music festival, Psquare, Asa, D'Banj, Mode 9 and 2face Idibia all expressed delight at the opportunity to hit the festival stage, where they are expected to thrill over 15,000 fans.
In an exclusive interview, Peter Okoye of rave duo Psquare admitted 'it's very nice to be part of the ThisDay music festival. We feel good to be part of it. It's the biggest concert here and it's a great thing for us to be involved this year'. On their plans for the concert, he says 'we will definitely do two songs from our upcoming album. And we have some surprises in store for our fans ' No. I won't like to let the cat out of the bag now. Let's keep it down low for now until the day' he insisted when pressed for details.
Mode 9 who, like Psquare is making a debut appearance at the show, woke up from a late morning slumber last Thursday June 28 to talk about his biggest engagement so far. 'The organisers will know they chose me and I did my best', he says, adding that 'my performance will be a classic hip-hop performance. I'll be performing with my DJ; DJ Tommy. Most Nigerian acts don't use DJs we'll do something very special'. The 'something special' for the Questionmark act, who had battled obscurity and under-celebration, before getting a deserved break in 2006, includes, according to him, 'a song that'll shock people'. And, according to sources close to him, 'some collaboration with some Questionmark stars and another act people won't expect'. Mode 9 was at the ThisDay festival in 2006, where, as a guest, he watched some of his favourite rappers rock the mic; confessing all through the show, that he wished he was 'up there' doing his thing.
While Mode 9 was tucked in the audience last year, pop icon 2face Idibia climbed the stage and rendered fans' favourites from his debut album 'face 2 face'. The 31 year-old charmer returns this year to repeat the magic and deliver fresh hits from his second solo album 'grace 2 grace.' Idibia, who is currently in Spain , was not available for comments. But his manager Joice Ize-Iyamu, speaking from London , assured that 'fans will see for the first time, an elaborate live performance of 2face's new album'. It's a wonderful experience to be part of the festival this year again. It means we did well last year. Last year the new album wasn't out. Now we have a new album it's an opportunity to perform the new album live and, in case you might want to know, we have a few surprises up our sleeves ' she confessed to us in a telephone conversation.
Surprises will not be all for self-confessed rap queen Sasha who plans to give '110%' at the festival. The debutant said she was not surprised when she did not make the bill in 2006. 'I told people that if my materials had been out, I would have made it. So when they came calling this year, I wasn't surprised. I was only surprised that the timing was earlier than last year. This is my year and I intend to give my very best.'
D'Banj, who proved to be master of his art when he performed on day two of The festival in 2006 is on the line up again this year, and he's excited about it. 'No long thing. You know last year, God was faithful. We rehearsed, did our thing, and despite a few hitches, everyone had fun. This year, believe me, after my performance, everyone will think D'banj is the international act that was brought in from America '. The 27 year-old gifted performer who has spent the past two years planting himself in our hearts and homes, will be breaking his tour of the US to be part of the highly-rated music festival. 'I'm happy I'm playing with my band this year. And last year, we did not even play why me. This year, I'll perform why me, why me remix and fans will see the Mo' Hits all stars. Everybody will see another era of D'banj. Even Shakira will know that the Koko master is here'. Lauding the organisers for a well-thoughtout initiative, D'banj confessed that his performance last year 'boosted' his career. 'If you go to the US and tell anyone you were part of ThisDay music festival, they sit down and listen to you.
There's been none like it in these parts. Go all over the internet, it's there. They'll take you serious. Especially because they're showing that foreign acts are not different from Nigerian acts. That's why I'm passionate about it. I think it's a revolution. Corroborating D'banj's point, his manager Sunday Are explained that 'the festival cuts across to so many people. We are so happy to be part of it. That's why we're breaking our tour to be art of it. Anybody that's important in the Nigerian music industry will want to be part of the ThisDay music festival'.
And it appears he spoke the mind of soul kid Asa who was also part of the festival in 2006. The yet-to-debut performer who's spent the better part of the past year performing and recording in France, gave ThisDay music festival thumbs up, because, 'it's a great event'. 'Last year, they had the biggest acts in the world now. There's Shakira and the others. All great pop acts. I expect this year's show to be great too', she said.
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