19 July 2008
Lagos — The early morning drizzle was totally unexpected. The night was warm, and as dawn approached, there was no sign rainfall was approaching. Well, it didn't rain, after all. It was just the drizzle, rushing and consistent, that created a community of droplets on windscreens, and left many commuters half-wet.
It was Thursday July 17. To many, this was just another day. But to close friends and family members of 9ice, the intermittent drizzles on a morning the weather man predicted as 'warm and sunny' were a sign that this was no ordinary day.
The 28 year old singer finally took the bold step, last Thursday, as he walked down the aisle with his fiancée Anthonia Oluwaseun Payne.
While most of his female fans and admirers were still asleep, curled up in bed and listening to the radio, 9ice took close friends and family members to a registry in Surulere local government where he exchanged wedding vows with 'Toni.
9ice announced his engagement to Toni early this year, promising they would tie the knot before year-end.
His bride, a US-based entrepreneur returned to the country last Monday to prepare for the wedding.
The couple arrived the local government secretariat, at a few minutes before 9 am, in the company of family members and bodyguards. 9ice looked smart in a black suit while his bride wore a white V-neck gown.
Quiet and devoid of all fanfare, the wedding lasted for half an hour, as the registrar Mrs Tola Awoliyi counselled them, made them sign the wedding register and exchange rings. At about 9:30am, she pronounced them husband and wife: 'may I introduce to you, Mr and Mrs Abolore Akande', she told the excited audience, as the hall was overtaken with wild jubilation. 9ice and Toni shared a kiss, clinging to one another for more than a few minutes.
The formal wedding at the registry was later followed by a traditional wedding at Abiona close, off Falolu Street, Surulere, Lagos.
Sources close to the couple revealed to Glitz Beats that they may not be going on honeymoon immediately, as 9ice has a multitude of engagements to honour. 'They're planning to spend sometime in the UK and the US from August. I guess that's the only time they'll have to honeymoon', the source said.
Julius Rocks Abuja Again!
Julius Agwu's annual comedy gig 'Crack Ya Ribs' will return to London this summer. But first, the best-dressed comedian is dragging his colleagues to Nigeria's seat of power for a weekend of exciting Nigerian comedy and music. The comedian-entrepreneur, who only recently tied the knot with his fiancée Ibiere, has been rocking fun-lovers for nearly a decade now; and it doesn't appear he's about to stop. 'We're throwing a comedy bomb that will engulf Abuja', he told Glitz Beats. 'But don't worry, when the dust from the explosion clears, they'll discover that no one is hurt'.
Well, except for a few cracked ribs.
Julius nicknamed his annual gig 'crack ya ribs' as a way of describing what fans should expect to undergo when they get to see him perform. And he rarely disappoints - with sensitive, but often caustic jokes that leave a sour taste in the mouth of its target, while fans laugh hysterically, rolling on the floor, and shedding tears of fun - aiming to control themselves and stop, but unable to hold back the laughter roaring from their inside. Many fall off their seats, while some hit their partners hard, in a moment of comic hysteria.
That's the effect Julius, and most of his equally talented colleagues have on us all. And together they've been able to build an industry out of a sector hitherto neglected by many.
So if you're in Abuja on July 27, you may want to make a date with Julius, I GO Die, Gandoki, Dan D'Humourous and Funny Bone. The team of stand-up acts are joined by rave music stars 9ice, Dare Art Alade, Shank and M.I.
As has become traditional, the gig will hold at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Not everyone is a fan of D'banj's music. And many more are those conservatives, who would frown at the regular theme of his lyrics - sex. D'banj is sexy. He radiates sexiness. He knows it. And he preaches it. But he has not come this far simply by throwing sex in our faces. Since October, 2004 when he first hit headlines, after stealing the show at R70's Nigerian independence gig (held in London), D'Banj has shown that he may not be the best singer in the world; he may not be the best songwriter; and he may not be the finest guy around the corner; but he's told us repeatedly, until we have engraved it on our brains, that he's got such an incredibly charming persona; he's got an amazing fashion sense. And when he hits the stage, don't we all get up from our seats, mouths wide open, palms held together as we clap, scream and marvel at his mastery of the stage?
Everyone's agreed on that: D'Banj is an entertainer many entertainers should be taking lessons from. Like Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, the 28 year old is a delight on the stage, as he struts around, swirling, dancing, flirting and most times making overtly sexual moves that throw the ladies into a frenzy.
Such is the man's art that he continues to dazzle us, hypnotizing us all, and making us forget that -until now- the last time we had fresh solo materials from him was 2006. Okay, so you've heard him on Pere and Booty Call and other Mo' Hits cuts. But think about it, when was the last time D'Banj gave us a body of work entirely his? 2006!
Yet, he's on top of his game, even strutting father up the ladder than some of his contemporaries who have dropped two albums in the past 18 months.
What has kept the young man going, truth be told, is not just his sex appeal and his lingo pattern and his stage wonders. The joker that has worked for him is a successful brand identity made possible by the acumen. It is much more easy because the man Dapo Oyebanjo is very comfortable with the persona of the entertainer D'Banj.
But is he just anther passing phase; a changing mood in the life of a fast-paced industry? Or will he stand the test of time like Fela and KSA? With just one LP and one EP to his name, it might yet be difficult to tell.
That's why we're all excited he's taking time of performances; time off signing endorsement deals and harbouring a community of 'kokolets', to put together another body of work. D'banj's third CD 'The Entertainer' is the material that should vindicate his supporters; convince doubting Thomases, and shame his critics. Most importantly, with near-excellent music coming from the likes of Nayo, 9ice, Asa, Etcetera and many more, this may be the one album that'll determine where fans and critics will place him on the catalogue of music-makers.
Time will tell. And that time is not too far off - The Entertainer will hit the streets in a matter of days, after a high-power launch on July 26.
But whatever happens, either he goes on to conquer the world, or fades away like many before him, D'banj would have taught us more about music business, about giving back, about enlisting fans, and about building a showbiz brand than any book anyone may have written. Armed with past and present endorsement deals with Power fist, Virgin Colours, Virgin Nigeria and Globacom, he boasts the highest number of corporate endorsement for any act in his category. With his upcoming reality show (The Entertainer), the koko mobile range, koko wears collection and his investments in Mo' Hits, D'Banj is putting his money where his mouth is. And there's the koko foundation, an initiative that enables him give back to the society that has helped him achieve his dreams - nurturing him from a wanna be to a bonafide star.Remember Project Fame? The music reality show where Nigeria's Dare Art Alade first grabbed international attention, is back. Three years after first debuting on the continent, the hit talent show, which has been hosted in over 16 countries, is back. And this time, it's coming like a thief in the night - with its announcement catching the entire music industry napping.
'No one saw Project Fame returning', said a VJ at the flag-off last week. 'We were all expecting Big Brother. Then suddenly it's Project Fame, coming back, just like that'.
The show's return may be surprising; but it is a pleasant one. Pleasant for scores of wannabes desperate to have their voices heard; pleasant for an industry in search of direction, and fresh talents; and pleasant for Dare Art Alade - the only Nigerian Project Fame alumnus who was last week announced as the anchor person for the new series: Project Fame West Africa.
Dare left his broadcasting job in 2005 to participate in the show, becoming a hit among the show's viewers across the continent, and proving to many that he's talented. Eventually coming third, he has gone on to establish himself as a singer to court, and an entertainer far more mature than his contemporaries.
Dare took time off recording his upcoming second album to attend the launch last week. And in the coming weeks, he may need to take more time off, as the show gathers momentum.
According to a statement from the producers, 'the programme will provide huge opportunities to harness the abundant musical talents on the continent. All students selected for the academy must be able to play musical instruments, write and perform their own songs'
An initial 16 contestants will be chosen from a legion of applicants. 'they will be trained and groomed musically, for a period of three months during which different artistes, critics and other industry experts will take turns to train and nurture them.
Although a kick-off date is yet to be announced, the entire show is expected to be broadcast on the NTA network.
Project Fame Academy West Africa is being put together by Endemol, Ultima Productions and MTN - the title sponsors.
Denrele in Car Crash
Soundcity's top VJ Denrele Edun was left in pain, and the car badly damaged after he was involved in a car crash on Saturday July 12. The eccentric model-broadcaster was on a night out with friends, when the accident occurred. And he was not the only known face involved. Dayo Ephraim, a popular reporter with Hip TV was also affected.
According to sources, Denrele and Dayo, known to be very close friends, were in a convoy, heading towards Lekki in Lagos, when they crashed into a stationary Police van.
Denrele was not driving. He was reportedly in Dayo's car, a Hyundai Accent. A friend driving Denrele's Toyota Corolla first crashed into the van, before Dayo's car came crashing too.
Both cars were badly damaged, the occupants in bad shape, as they made frantic efforts to get help.
'Dayo's car somersaulted', said a source. 'They should be very glad they escaped with minor injuries'.
The victims were not available for comments.
Sultan Floats Label
Sound Sultan is now an independent artiste. The gifted lyricist who released his debut album 'Kpsheew', with Nelson Brown's Dove records, told friends recently he's floating his own label following the expiration of his three-year contract with Kennis music. Sultan joined Kennis at the same time with his elder brother Baba Dee in 2005, before his contract with Dove expired. His first Kennis Album 'Textbook', was a joint venture between Kennis and Dove.
With singles like 'back in the day' and 'motherland', and his satire-laden lyrics, many expected his career to soar, but his second and third albums failed to out-perform his debut.
Plagued by the sophomore jinx, (he's had two unsuccessful albums in a row: Textbook and 007) his career has not taken the expected leap, leaving many surprised and disappointed; as Sultan is one of the most gifted talents around.
Now, he's ready with a fourth album: SS4.
The new album will be released on Sultan's own imprint, Naija Ninja. The name is derived from a collective Sultan belongs to. Apart from the label, sources say a fashion line is also in the offing, and together with his brother Baba Dee, he's hoping to build a strong business chain as he hopes to drive his career to the top again.
Juju Comes Home
What comes to mind when you hear the word Juju? That rhythmic Nigerian music that emanated from highlife? Or is it "Charms"? The manipulative tool used by the fetish, against unsuspecting folks? Well, maybe you'll consider giving the word a new meaning; 'cos there's a fresh talent in town who has named himself Juju. And though he's fresh in these parts, the returnee act is not a stranger to those familiar with the music scene in Europe, where he's based.
The Anambra-born act lives in Holland, where he has steadily built a growing fan base for his kind of dancehall music. But obviously not satisfied with building a career away from home, he is back in the country, like many before him, to find his feet in the developing music industry.
Juju has worked as a dancer, radio DJ, while shuttling between London and Spain, before settling down in Amsterdam. Now, he's set to drop his first album in the Nigerian market. Titled 'Da Key', the album, according to him, is a mixture of reggae, dancehall and pop music. 'They call me the cute prince of dancehall', he said. 'I'm here to show Nigerians how we do it, and to get my share of the market here'.
His album is expected to feature collaborations with OJB, 2face Idibia, Glenn Gaddum and Rymzo
Businessman Or Entertainer?
Not everyone is a fan of D'banj's music. And many more are those conservatives, who would frown at the regular theme of his lyrics - sex. D'banj is sexy. He radiates sexiness. He knows it. And he preaches it. But he has not come this far simply by throwing sex in our faces. Since October, 2004 when he first hit headlines, after stealing the show at R70's Nigerian independence gig (held in London), D'Banj has shown that he may not be the best singer in the world; he may not be the best songwriter; and he may not be the finest guy around the corner; but he's told us repeatedly, until we have engraved it on our brains, that he's got such an incredibly charming persona; he's got an amazing fashion sense. And when he hits the stage, don't we all get up from our seats, mouths wide open, palms held together as we clap, scream and marvel at his mastery of the stage?
Everyone's agreed on that: D'Banj is an entertainer many entertainers should be taking lessons from. Like Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, the 28 year old is a delight on the stage, as he struts around, swirling, dancing, flirting and most times making overtly sexual moves that throw the ladies into a frenzy.
Such is the man's art that he continues to dazzle us, hypnotizing us all, and making us forget that -until now- the last time we had fresh solo materials from him was 2006. Okay, so you've heard him on Pere and Booty Call and other Mo' Hits cuts. But think about it, when was the last time D'Banj gave us a body of work entirely his? 2006!
Yet, he's on top of his game, even strutting father up the ladder than some of his contemporaries who have dropped two albums in the past 18 months.
What has kept the young man going, truth be told, is not just his sex appeal and his lingo pattern and his stage wonders. The joker that has worked for him is a successful brand identity made possible by the acumen. It is much more easy because the man Dapo Oyebanjo is very comfortable with the persona of the entertainer D'Banj.
But is he just anther passing phase; a changing mood in the life of a fast-paced industry? Or will he stand the test of time like Fela and KSA? With just one LP and one EP to his name, it might yet be difficult to tell.
That's why we're all excited he's taking time of performances; time off signing endorsement deals and harbouring a community of 'kokolets', to put together another body of work. D'banj's third CD 'The Entertainer' is the material that should vindicate his supporters; convince doubting Thomases, and shame his critics. Most importantly, with near-excellent music coming from the likes of Nayo, 9ice, Asa, Etcetera and many more, this may be the one album that'll determine where fans and critics will place him on the catalogue of music-makers.
Time will tell. And that time is not too far off - The Entertainer will hit the streets in a matter of days, after a high-power launch on July 26.
But whatever happens, either he goes on to conquer the world, or fades away like many before him, D'banj would have taught us more about music business, about giving back, about enlisting fans, and about building a showbiz brand than any book anyone may have written. Armed with past and present endorsement deals with Power fist, Virgin Colours, Virgin Nigeria and Globacom, he boasts the highest number of corporate endorsement for any act in his category. With his upcoming reality show (The Entertainer), the koko mobile range, koko wears collection and his investments in Mo' Hits, D'Banj is putting his money where his mouth is. And there's the koko foundation, an initiative that enables him give back to the society that has helped him achieve his dreams - nurturing him from a wanna be to a bonafide star.
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