PROJECT FAME WEST AFRICA SEASON 3 KICKS OFF

As this year’s contestants gear up for the most exciting 90 days of their life in this year’s MTN Project Fame West Africa (PFWA) Season 3, the lucky 18 contestants selected for Nigeria’s biggest music talent competition were welcomed to the show by past winners of the competition - Iyanya and Mike, at the opening gala night.


The two gifted singers entertained contestants with their different hit singles and dished out tips and advice on how to conduct themselves in the Performance Academy. Speaking from experience, they taught the freshers how to be better performing artistes and how to maximize their potential while in the Academy.

Iyanya was the first winner of MTN Project Fame Season 1 in 2008. Shortly after his historic win he released his first single ‘Love Truly’ which was positively received. In 2009 he dropped his album ‘My Story’ which so far has been a critical and commercial success.

In 2009, Mike Anyasodo became the second winner of PFWA. His dazzling performances captivated the whole nation and it was no surprise when he was declared as winner. He has released three beautiful singles which includes fans’ favorite, ‘Fine Fine Lady’.


The 18 contestants who will be participating in Season 3 of Project Fame will be hoping to be this year’s Iyanya or Mike, but first they will have to undergo serious professional training from the Faculty and would have to survive many rounds of performances and eliminations.

AYANBINRIN, SSP GROOM TALENTS FOR FITS

Nigeria’s celebrated queen of drums, Tosin Olakanye, a.k.a Ayanbinrin is stepping out to groom her successors even as she was recently crowned the queen in the house of the forthcoming Fortune Instrumentalist Talent Show (FITS). The talent show promises to be exciting and seeks to take the country’s music back to the root. Ayanbinrin will be working with Afro-Juju creator king, Sir Shina Peters who was equally  appointed the king cum ambassador of the talent show.

At the unveiling of the musical talent hunt show that is being powered by D. Board Media, in Lagos, Ayanbinrin took out time to talk about the project, her reasons for accepting to be part of it and her musical career.

Ayanbinrin said, drumming comes to her naturally, having been born into a family of artistry.
According to her, her interest in Fortune Instrumentalist Talent Show is to I’ll help discover and groom stars by teaching them how to play musical instruments and grooming them on how to be good musicians and instrumentalists. “We are going to correct so many wrong things about our music with FITS” she said.
Forty eight selected contestants drawn from across the country will be trained by a team of seasoned musical icon in a natural setting in the rudiments of music making.

The regional auditions will hold in Ibadan, Lagos, Benin, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Abuja, and Kaduna respectively. The star prize for the first team is N6m and a recording contract worth N5m, while the first runner up team will get N3m and the second, N1.5m.

LANCELOT IMASUEN TO DIRECT DAGRIN MOVIE

Renowned director, Lancelot Imasuen has been drafted as the director of the film which is being produced by Stingomania Entertainment.

The film will chronicle the growing years of Dagrin, his struggles, rise to fame and death, while it is also part of the efforts put in place to immortalise the Pon Pon Pon crooner, who died on Thursday, 22 April, 2010, a week after he was involved in an auto crash.

Tagged Dagrin Memorial Project, proceeds from the movie will be given to the deceased musician’s family.

The memorial project will also provide a lasting structure and means to encourage upcoming, struggling and budding entertainers deal with the challenges and lack of resources limiting them from fulfilling their dreams.

MCSN SUES HITV OVER COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has ordered Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria, MCSN, and the bailiff of the court,  with the assistance of a Police officer not below the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, to enter into the offices of  Entertainment Highway Limited, HITV, in Ebute Meta and Ikeja, both in Lagos State, to impound copies and plates of musical recordings, equipment, machines and appliances used for the infringement of the plaintiff’s copyright material by HITV.


It will be recalled that MCSN had dragged HITV to court,  claiming over N1.2 billion from HITV in the suit, for  alleged copyright infringement of some Nigerian and foreign musical works.But while the trial judge in the matter, Justice Okechukwiu Okeke, ordered Mr Toyin Subair, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HITV to appear before him, Subair is yet to do so and for a pregnant staff among the workers of HITV, the court would have sent them to prison.

The court said since Subair was yet to appeal before it, that the plaintiff should at least be protected against HITV, consequently granting an interim order against the pay TV outfit.

The court said, “after reading the affidavit of urgency filed in this suit and hearing counsel to the plaintiff, it is hereby ordered as follows, “that the defendant respondent whether by itself, its agents, assigns, privies or howsoever permit a bailiff of this court, the plaintiff, its agents and assigns in company of a police officer not below the rank of an assistant superintendent of police to enter upon the defendant respondent’s offices on any working day from Monday to Friday between the haul’s of 8.00am and 6.pm or any other day or time which the defendant may open for business at its known addresses specifically at 10, Ondo Street, West Ebute Meta, Lagos, 24 Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja and any other place or places within the jurisdiction of this  court where the infringing copies and plates of musical recordings, equipment, machines and appliances used for the infringement of the plaintiff’s copyright are kept to inspect, search and take into custody and possession any infringing copies, plates of musical and audio-visual  recording, equipment, machines and appliances used for the infringement of the plaintiffs copyright, moveable property or thing that would constitute a breach of tile injunction and or order that the court may make pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction herein.

* That the defendant/respondent whether by itself, agents, assigns privies or howsoever to deliver up and surrender forthwith to the bailiff of this court serving High Court order all infringing copies as well as other materials which constitute evidence of the fact of infringement of the plaintiff’s copyright in tile listed musical works in the plaintiff’s repertoire as contained in the schedule to tills application, the volume of transaction or trade which has been done by the defendant, such other subscription forms. invoices, delivery order and receipt books which are in the possession of tile defendant, its servants or anyone pending tile determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction herein.

* That the defendant/respondent, its agents, assigns privies howsoever are restrained from infringing or continuing to infringe the copyright of the plaintiff in the musical works listed and described in the schedule to this application, which schedule is reproduced hereunder, and or any other work which copyright is or shall be acquired by or vested in the plaintiff within the territory of the  Federal Republic of Nigeria pending the determination of the notion on notice for interlocutory injunction are kept to inspect, search and take into custody and possession any infringing copies, plates of musical and audio-visual  recording, equipment, machines and appliances used for the infringement of the plaintiffs copyright, moveable property or thing that would constitute a breach of tile injunction and or order that the court may make pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory .

Some of the works allegedly infringed by HITV include that of King Sunny Ade, Charly Boy, Tuface, Faze, Fatai Rolling Dollar, Lagbaja, Adewale Ayuba, Tunde and Wumi Obey, Weird MC among others.

The court, had granted an ex_parte order permitting the MCSN to inspect the office of HITV to search and take possession of any infringing copies, plates of musical and audio visual recordings, equipment, machines and appliances used for the infringement, pending the determination of the suit.

The court had also restrained HITV,  from continuing with the infringement of the works which copyright is vested in the plaintiff (MCSN), pending the determination of the matter.

The court had also directed the defendant to deliver and surrender to the plaintiff’s lawyer, accompanied by the courts’ bailiff, all infringing copies as well as other materials which constitute evidence of the infringement. But according to the bailiffs,  in the process of executing the court orders, the HITV officials allegedly maltreated them and ordered its workers not to obey the court order.

The bailiffs further averred  that they were almost lynched if not for divine providence. Consequently,  Justice Okeke ordered that the HITV MD, the company secretary and four other officials of the company to appear before the court to show cause why they should not be committed to prison for disobeying the orders of the court.

Subair had failed to appear before the court despite the fact that he was summoned on two occasions and it took the intervention of a counsel, who pleaded passionately with the court, if not, the HITV officials including the company secretary, who was heavily pregnant, who were in court, would have been remanded in prison custody, when the matter last came up. HITV, in a statement of defence, is contending  that it had not at any point in time, infringed on the copyright of any work belonging to the plaintiff.

NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS NOMINEES LIST

The Producers of the NEA Awards are pleased to announce the Nominees for the Fifth Annual NEA Awards scheduled for Saturday, September 18th, 2010 at 5:30pm at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Art Center. This year’s nomination list is considered the most intriguing in the history of the show. The producers of the show also expanded this years’ category list to include non-traditional entertainment segments like Radio and TV personalities, Reality shows and Fashion. The producers of the show recognize the continued popularity and successes of these segments and want to make sure that these groups are recognized as part of the Nigeria Entertainment community.

West Africa Idol runner-up Omawumi leads this year’s pack with five nominations for her debut album Wonder Woman. Four of the nominations were for her debut album and one for her feature on the late Dagrin’s song “Thank God”. Dagrin came in second with four nominations along with Tuface and new comer Kefee. The late Dagrin received nominations for Best Album for “C.E.O”, Hottest Single “Kondo”, Best Rap Act and Best Collaboration with Vocals for “Thank God” with Omawumi.



This year’s Best Album category is the most intriguing category in the music segment of the nomination category. For the first time, the category has different genres of music including Rap, Hip Hop, Soul and Pop/R&B- M2M by Wande Coal, Dagrin’s CEO, Omawumi’s Wonder Woman and Tuface’s Unstoppable are all nominated for the Best Album award.
 The Best Actress in a Film/Short Story will be one of the most highly competitive categories this year. The nominees for the category include veteran actresses Nse Etim for her role in Reloaded, Ini Edo for Native Son, Genevieve Nnaji for Silent Scandal, Stephanie Okereke for Nneda and Omotola Jolade for Deepest dreams.   Voting begins on July 9th, 2010 at www.nigeriaentawards.com (see complete list below) and ends August 31st, 2010. Winners will be announced at the Award ceremony



AWARD CATEGORY:

BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Mushin 2 Mohits - Wande Coal
CEO- Da Grin
Wonder Woman-Omawumi
Unstoppable-Tuface

HOTTEST SINGLE OF THE YEAR

Kondo- Da Grin
Kokoroko - Kefee ft. timaya
Omoba- D Prince
Free Madness- Terry G
You Bad- Wande Coal

BEST NEW ACT OF THE YEAR

Jaywon
D'Prince
Jesse Jagz
Lami
Omawumi

GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

KSB
Kefee
Bouqui
Lara George
Kore

INDIGENOUS ARTIST OF THE YEAR

ASA
Nneka
9ice
Pasuma
Jesse King

BEST POP/R&B ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Banky W
Wande Coal
Chuddy K
Omawumi
P Square

BEST RAP ACT OF THE YEAR

Jesse Jagz
Modenine
M.I.
Da’Grin
Naeto C

BEST SOUL/NEO SOUL ACT OF THE YEAR

Tuface
Lami
EVA
Nneka
Toba Gold

BEST COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS

Born Champion- Pype ft. Dagrin, Vector, Naeto C, Sasha & GT
Kokoroko - Kefee ft Timaya
E No Easy P Square ft J Martins
Nobody-  M.I. ft Tuface
Thank God- DaGrin ft Omawumi

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTIST

Wale
Keno
JJC
Kas
Mo Eazy

MUSIC PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Don Jazzy
So Sick
J. Sleek
Dokta Frabz
Cobhams

BEST INTERNATIONAL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Kid Konnect
Dogmites
JJC
Mictunes

BEST MALE MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (ARTIST & DIRECTOR)

One day- eLDee/eLDee
Fall in love- Dbanj/Sesan
Implication- Tuface/Godfather production
Lagos Party- Banky/Kemi Adetiba
E no easy- P Square ft. J. Martins/Jude Okoye

BEST FEMALE MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (ARTIST & DIRECTOR)

You know it- Goldie/Clarence Peters
Today na today- Omawumi/Kemi Adetiba
If u want me- mocheddah/Clarence Peters
Know- Lami/Brandon
Kokoroko - Kefee ft. Timaya/Wudland

BEST ACTOR IN A FILM/SHORT STORY

Ramsey Noauh - Guilty Pleasure
Jim Iyke - The Shepherd / Dream Maker
Femi Adebayo/ Ifederu
Desmond Elliot - Before the light
Kayode Akinbayo/ Bi a ti ko

BEST ACTRESS IN A FILM/SHORT STORY

Nse Etim – Reloaded
Ini Edo - Native son
Genevieve Nnaji- Silent Scandal
Stephanie Okereke-Nnenda
Omotola Jolade - Deepest of dreams

BEST FILM (DIRECTOR)

The Figurine by Kunle Afolayan
Guilty Pleasure - Daniel Adenimokan and Desmond Elliot
Nnenda - Izu Ojukwu
Silent Scandal -T.K. Falope
Behind a Smile -by Frank Rajah Arase


BEST ACTRESS IN TV SERIES/REALITY/GAME SHOW

Genevieve Nnaji/Guiness Ultimate Survivor-Celebrity edition
Bimbo Akintola/Circle of 3
Kate Henshaw Nuttal/Circle of 3
Damilola Adegbite/Tinsel
Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi/Tinsel

BEST ACTOR IN TV SERIES/REALITY/GAME SHOW

Frank Edohor- who wants to be a millionaire
Kayode Peters- Flat Mates
Gideon Okeke/Tinsel

BEST ON SCREEN PERSONALITY (PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD)

Denrele
Ill
Andre blaze
Dorisha brick George
Adaure Achumba

BEST TV SERIES/REALITY SHOW/GAME SHOW

Half Sisters
Circle 3
Tinsel
Star quest
Gulder Ultimate search

INTERNATIONAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (TO A PROMOTER)

Thisday Music Festival
UK Naija Carnival
Arise Fashion Week New York
Ovation Red Carol
Miss Nigeria in America

BEST WORLD DJ

DJ DeeMoney
DJ MightyMike
DJ Vinny
DJ Stramborrella
DJ Ike
DJ Xclusive

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY

Rhythm 93.7- Ik (Wild Child)
99.9 beat fm- Toolz
Top Radio- Tosyn Buknor
Beat FM- Olisa Adibua
Inspiratiom fm- Dan foster

BEST COMEDIAN

Seyi Law
Wale Gate
Jedi
AY
I Go Die

FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Deola sagoe
Alvins
Momo couture
Adebayo jones
Ouch!

ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Nduka Obiagbena
Cecil Hammond
Keke and D1
Dele Momodu
Obi Asika

MOST PROMISING ACT TO WATCH

Chuddy K
D'Prince
Eva
Femi Adeyinka
Mo'Cheddah

PMAN TO RESSURECT NIGERIAN MUSIC AWARDS

The national president of PMAN, Admiral Dele Abiodun, ha promised to resurrect the glamorous NMA (Nigerian Music Awards) within months. He made this promise after a courtesy visit to the headquarters of ANN Plc, publishers of tribune newspaper in Ibadan.

Admiral Abiodun  who was accompanied by Mr. Kolawole Olusegun of golden apple marketing solutions and Mr. Cletus George of PMAN informed that NMA had been the property of PMAN, but the crisis in the past created a lull in the music body’s activities allowing others to do what they like with the award. “Even before the court declared me the winner of the last election, I had always said that those organizing the NMA were doing so illegally, now that peace has returned, PMAN has begun works on the return of NMA” he said.

Speaking on the reason behind his visit to Tribune, he said it was to seek the support of the organization in ensuring that the proposed NMLA was successful as it is almost impossible to get the required mileage for events without the support of the media. The World cup, Grammy awards and other big events of today are big brands because of the media. The PMAN of today will always seek the support of media organizations for all our events especially the first ever awards for Nigerian music legends”, he said

“As we talk, Silverbird is one of the electronic media outlets that we have reached out to on NMLA” he admitted.

CHARLY BOY QUERIES COSON & NCC ON COPYRIGHT COLLECTION

The approval of COSON as a copyright collecting society by the NCC has continued to generate controversy as a former president of PMAN, Charly boy, has queried the motive behind Adebambo Adewepo’s action on the issue. The musician expressed surprise at the approval as he sees most of those behind COSON as “anti-artistes”.

According to him, the collecting society has been in disarray since that approval, “as COSON is being powered by those who have exploited us, those who have never been sympathetic to our plight”. “It is interesting to note that most of the people we fought during my tenure as PMAN president , labels that have cheated artistes, and pirates who have defrauded us are the same set of people that make up COSON. It’s a big problem but we will fight it” he said.

Insisting that he would not embrace COSON because NCC is bent on forcing artistes to belong to one collecting society, Charly boy expressed dismay on the sudden turn around of the NCC DG as regards standing for justice. “This same man that we fought for when we took on pirates is the same man that is supporting an association that consists of pirates and cheating record labels”. “In fact I am using this opportunity to call for his resignation because he is not the one to regulate what happens in the industry”, he added.

A spokesman of NCC said that the commission would not join issues with Chary boy or anybody. “the court is there”, he said.

FREESTYLE PREPS SOPHOMORE SET

After a 4 years hiatus, multiple award winning rapper Freestyle has officially dropped 2 singles from his much anticipated sophomore album titled "My name is Essien". under his record label Make Somm Noiz Entertainment. The album which has been tagged as “ one of the most anticipated album of 2010” will reportedly hit shelves before the year runs out.

The album which will be released under his record label Make Somm Noiz Entertainment is a fusion of highlife, hip hop, dance hall and the proverbial unique rap he is known for. The former Trybesmen front man is currently in the studio working with  some of the best producers Nigeria has to offer to wrap up the final details of the album.

The two singles “Ariwo Ko” and  “Na wah oh” which have been released off the upcoming album show the versatility of Freestyle as he experiments with beats, new sounds, song themes, concepts and still maintains that distinctive element of rap that can only be attributed to Freestyle.