ONYEKA ONWENU COMMENCES TOUR

Nigeria’s soul singer, Onyeka Onwenu, began a nationwide tour aimed at publicizing her latest musical works – “Legends, Nigeria @ 50 and Inspiration For Change,” all of which were released three months ago. The tour tagged; “Inspiration for Change Tour” is part of the massive publicity strategy Onwenu and her management company, Ayollo Productions, have drawn up to get the three CDs across to as many Nigerians as possible.

According to her publicist, Toni Payne, the tour which will take the musician and her crew round the six geo – political zones in the country took off in Lagos last week..
“The idea of the tour is to tell Nigerians about the need for attitudinal change; Inspiration for Change Tour is to further educate her fans and Nigerians in general on the essence of ‘one man, one vote. It is about change in all facets of our nationhood,” Payne said.

“For the tour, a website, inspirationforchange.com has equally been opened where her fans can download songs contained in Inspiration for Change CD and pictures for free.
They will also get all the information the need about the tour from the website. They are also encouraged to make comments which will be responded to personally by Onwenu.”

P SQUARE UNVEILED AS GLO AMBASSADORS

Nigerian telecommunications giant, Globacom have formally signed on hip hop sensation duo, Peter and Paul of P-Square as brand ambassadors at a breathtaking ceremony which also saw the contracts for other Glo ambassadors renewed. The event, held at the Mike Adenuga Towers in Lagos, was another opportunity for the crop of Globacom ambassadors to reaffirm their commitment to the telecom icon for endorsing them and for taking such a commendable step to lift Nigeria’s entertainment industry to a higher pedestal.

P-Square, the newest addition to the classy list of Glo ambassadors, described the endorsement as a welcome recognition of the group’s contribution to the entertainment industry in Nigeria and indeed Africa, adding that this would spur the duo to greater achievements in the music industry.

Globacom’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr Mohamed Jameel said that the engagement of P-Square as brand ambassador and the renewal of the contract for others was a testimonial to the willingness of Globacom to always recognise the vast, shining talents that abound in the country.

“P-Square remains a well focused and popular music group and the youths of this country and this continent would find the group worthy of emulation. The choice of P-Square to join our brand ambassadors was therefore not misplaced. We have carefully selected our crop of brand ambassadors and we believe they represent the very best in their chosen professions,” he disclosed.

“We have been actively projecting enterprising Nigerians who have excelled in their fields of endeavor. We are of the firm belief that their faces would help fire the aspirations and dreams of many youths to reach for their goals and rule their world”, Mr Jameel added.

He also said that the feedback from the public largely influenced the renewal of the contracts of the ambassadors as there has been wide acceptance and recognition for the step taken by Globacom to lift the status of Nigerian stars.

Stars whose contracts were renewed at the event included Ramsey Nouah, Desmond Elliot, Jim Iyke, Mike Ezuruonye, Nuhu Aliyu, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal and Ini Edo-Phillip Ehiagwina. Others were Uche Jombo, Monalisa Chinda, Funke Akindele, Nonso Diobi, Sanni Denja and Mohammed Yakubu.
Also on the bill were Pasuma Wonder, Original Stereoman (Ekwe), Ego Ogbaro, Sammie Okposo and ace comedian, Basketmouth.

NOMINEES FOR THE 2010 CHANNEL O MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Nominees for the 2010 channel O music awards have been released and as usual Naija artistes didn't disappoint as they were nominated in various categories. Check below to see which one of your favorite artists made the list.

MOST GIFTED MALE VIDEO
WANDE COAL – BUMPER TO BUMPER
BANKY W – STRONG TING
ZEUS – CHAMPAGNE MUSIC
BLACK COFFEE FT.ZAKES BANTWINI – JUJU
K’NAAN – T.I.A

MOST GIFTED FEMALE VIDEO
WITNESS ATTENTION – PLEASE
KENNY SAINT BROWN FT DA GRIN – TURN ME AROUND
MO’CHEDDAH FT.OTHELLO – IF YOU WANT ME
THEMBI SEETE – FREE
LIZHA JAMES FT. LOYISO – VOU TE ATACAR

MOST GIFTED NEWCOMER
OCTAVE COUPLET FT. HYDRO – DO UR THANG 1C
DJINEE – OVERKILLIN’
L–TIDO FT.T-P – CALLING
GABRIELA MINA – NAWENA
M.I. FT. DJINEE – SAFE

MOST GIFTED DUO, GROUP OR FEATURING
M.I. FT. DJINEE – SAFE
TUMI FT.BRICKS & TRACY LEE – BAMBEZELA
OBITA FT.LOYISO – EVERYBODY DANCE
P SQUARE FT.J-MARTINS – E NO EASY
DEEP LEVEL – WE RUN THIS CITY

MOST GIFTED DANCE VIDEO
DJ CLEO – MZIMBA SHAKER
BIG NELO – HOJE E SURRA
BIG NUZ FT.DJ TIRA – UMLILO
DJ VETKOEK VS MAHOOTA/PROFESSOR – BAYETE
LIQUIDEEP – FAIRYTALE

MOST GIFTED RAGGA DANCEHALL VIDEO
GENERAL PYPE FT.NAETO C,VECTOR, SASHA, DA GRIN & GT – CHAMPION (REMIX)
SAMINI – SWEET MISTAKE
BUFFALO SOULJAH – TOO MANY OF ME
WYRE – UPRISING
KWELA TEBZA FT. VARIOUS ARTISTS – BETTER DAY (REMIX)

MOST GIFTED AFRO POP
D’BANJ – FALL IN LOVE
NTHANDO – NGIYOSEBENZA
NAMELESS & HABIDA – SUNSHINE
ANOGIRI -OYIBO
JOZI – PARTY TIME

MOST GIFTED RNB
JON GERMAIN – IN MY HEAD
TOLUMIDE – MY LOVE
GELLY – MZURI
URBAN REIGN – ADDICTED
ANSELMO RALPH – DOMESTICADO

MOST GIFTED KWAITO
GAZZA – SHUKUSHA
BIG NUZ/DJ TIRA – UMLILO
FISHMAN FT GAL LEVEL – LET’S HOOK UP
MZAMBIYA/HOWZA – BADALA
TKZEE – SDUDLA

MOST GIFTED HIP HOP VIDEO
K’NAAN – T.I.A
J.R FT. HIP HOP PANTSULA – SHOW DEM (MAKE THE CIRCLE BIGGER)
D-BLACK & KWAKU T – BREATHE
NAETO C – AKO MI TI POJU
TEARGAS – GO AWAY

MOST GIFTED SOUTH VIDEO
BUFFALO SOULJAH – EZANDHLA PHEZULU (HANDS UP)
PROVERB FT. HIP HOP PANTSULA – BREADWINNER
DAMA DO BLING – CASAR COM OUTRA
BIG NUZ FT. DJ TIRA – UMLILO
PRO – SEKELE

MOST GIFTED EAST VIDEO
WYRE – UPRISING
AVRIL – MAMA
NAMELESS & HABIDA – SUNSHINE
OBITA/LOYISO – EVERYBODY DANCE
SHAA – ZAMU YANGU

MOST GIFTED WEST VIDEO
2 FACE – IMPLICATIONS
BECCA/SAMINI – FIRE (REMIX)
DA GRIN – PON PON PON
J-TOWN – GUNS & ROSES
SASHA FT.NAETO C/SAUCE KID – MAKING MONEY (REMIX)

MOST GIFTED VIDEO OF THE YEAR
TEARGAS PARTY 101
D-BLACK &KWAKU-T – BREATHE
LIZHA JAMES FT. LOYISO – VOU TE ATACAR
M.I. FT. DJINEE – SAFE
TKZEE – DIKAKAPA
K’NAAN – T.I.A

ALBUM REVIEW - LEGACY - DUNCAN MIGHTY

Most people didn’t know Duncan mighty initially, not until after his hit single “dance for me” started impacting dance floors nationwide did people begin to pay attention and then his debut album “Koli water” began to get the recognition it deserved. With a totally different style like no other, it was no surprise that his sophomore album was one of the most anticipated albums of the year.

With mounting pressure, unbelievable expectations, and the musical burdens of the Port Harcourt people on his shoulder, Duncan mighty hit the studio for the follow up to his successful debut album “Koli water” knowing that he had no option but to deliver, hence the birth of “Legacy”. Without his friend & collaborator Sandaz black or any other artist for that matter on board, the Port Harcourt first son goes in all alone.

From the opening track “hand of Jesus”, one does not need to have the brightest mind to understand that Wene mighty was never alone. The lead single “ahamefuna” showcases the much more reserved and changed man Duncan mighty has become while “na God” sees him toeing the gospel line again. The pendulum swings into mainstream on “isimgbaka”, which is vintage wene mighty on a dancehall beat, proclaiming his love for the girl of his dreams.

The obligatory rep-your-hood song comes in the form of “port harcourt son”, but it is on “I don’t give a shot” where we catch a glimpse of the Duncan mighty we all know and love as he manages to score a hit with this one. With lines like “its another hit, get busy, if you dey kolobi your baby, you be junkie, it’s a portharcourt and lagos party, a collabo of tombo and henessey” wene quickly explains to the uninitiated what a PH/Lagos party is supposed to be like and on the second verse, he takes a dig at nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson, “one shot, mercy Johnson nearly touch my rod, I don’t know what to do cos I no fit talk, I come dey feel like person wey dey chop kolanut, could be sweet or bitter, whether yes or not, if you lovee me, I will lovee u, if you gbadun me, I will gbadun u, if you givee me, I go givee u, no dey carry ikebe dey television me”.

For an artist who has had incredible success, it’s hard not to try and recreate that, which is what wene tries on “I love u” where he uses the same beat he used for his hit single “dance for me”. On “same fire” he gets on his knees and pleads with the lord to give him power to conquer his enemies and if you run into wene mighty at any point in time, he will probably be armed as he claims that “the fire of God is his pump action”. The regrettable “golden ring” covers admirable subject matter but lacks execution while “obianuju”, “aroma” and “I no fit shout” all fail to lift the album on the back end. 

They say that heaven helps those who help themselves and wene mighty doesn’t help himself this time around, so it is easy to understand why “legacy” falls below expectation. On this album Duncan mighty becomes too predictable as when he is not praising God, he is wooing some girl. Duncan mighty might be a great artist but one thing that he certainly isn’t is a one man band

RATING – 5/10

PLAY – isimgbaka, I don’t give a shot, ahamefuna, same fire, goodluck jonathan

SKIP – I love you, golden ring, Indian girl, obianuju

                       

ALBUM REVIEW - THIRD AVENUE - LORD OF AJASA

Lord of Ajasa’s journey in the naija rap wilderness has been a long and arduous one. From his shaky debut “its too much” to his solid sophomore “second turning by the right” he has finally arrived on “third avenue”. For a pioneer of Yoruba inspired rap, staying relevant has become a priority and in the face of growing competition, Ajasa goes in real hard. With ID cabasa out of the picture, Ajasa pitches his tent with K solo and Yeankeys on the production tip and fills the guest spot on his junior album with the likes of YQ, Jemima, 7^th chord, the late Da grin, The suspect, Isolate, Klever jay, Reminisce and Pasuma.

The first single off the album “bo se nlo” featuring Pasuma finds them both going toe to toe flaunting their street connections and affiliations, lines like “mo mon ti mo le se, ma ma foju dimi, mo lenu ladugbo mi, mo mo eyan ladugbo keji” might come across as mere chest thumping but with every verse on the song dedicated to street credibility, it’s safer to give them the respect they deserve.

On “ko se fowo ra”, Ajasa teams up with songstress Jemima and together they deliver an outstanding love song that is bound to be every first time listener’s choice. The Klever jay assisted “its ok” keeps things ticking along smoothly but the joy is short lived as you encounter the unnecessary and unwanted “nigbatawa nikekere (remix)” which also paves the way for the instantly forgettable Yeankeys produced “swagger na swagger”.

The album’s most optimistic moment is also one of its saddest as Ajasa vibrantly swaps verses with the late CEO Da grin on “virus” with YQ on the hook. The album moves on with the mellow “moving on” where he raps with a lot of determination and struggles to convince us that he is the finished product but his claims sound more believable on “kon nse voodoo” where he lyrically murders the competition and proclaims himself the lyrical king kong of naija rap.  With witty lines like “min se rapper mo, mo ti di rap, to ba fe mo ona, wa fi mi she map, ajasa, baba agbalagba, on’le fe kuru ju laba, gbogbo ijaya. Music industry, tin ba ti wole, se ni won ma gbe ito mi, won ja ni ile keji, iyen o kan mi, mi o jo anybody, she ni won fe jo mi” such claims are definitely not outlandish.

Backed by K solo’s lush piano keys and saxophone, Ajasa changes tactics on “ojumo ire” where he sings and praises God for his trials, tribulation and successes. After which everything becomes a bunch of misses, from the agreeably cheesy and agonizingly schmaltzy “owo epo” featuring Isolate, to his cheap attempts at crafting a club banger on “bragaad” and “straight to the dance floor”, Ajasa succeeds in undoing all his good works.

With Third avenue, Lord of Ajasa successfully changes his sound and gets a lot of stuff off his chest but fails miserably at the most important mission of all, stamping his authority on the naija rap game. Hopefully by the time he gets to fourth close or takes the fourth turning on the left he will finally get it right.

RATING – 6/10

PLAY – bo se nlo, ko se fowo ra, its ok, kon nse voodoo, virus, moving on

SKIP – bragaad, nigbatawa nikekere (remix), straight to the dance floor

ALBUM REVIEW - TURNING POINT - DR SID

 Just when we were thinking that Mohits records couldn’t come up with a dud and Don jazzy couldn’t touch anything without turning it into gold, out comes Dr sid with his long overdue debut album “turning point” to prove us wrong. After cutting his teeth in rap with defunct rap collective Da trybe alongside 2shotz, Sasha, Timi & Del, Dr sid then moved on and pitched his tents with Don jazzy’s Mohits records and the rest as we all know is history.

After trying unsuccessfully to record and release a rap album, the multi talented artist finally switched lanes and decided to try his luck at R&B hence the birth of “turning point”. With major support coming from his Mohits fam (D’banj, Wande coal, Ikechukwu, K switch), Dotstar, MI, Sway & his mentor Eldee and with Don jazzy behind the boards, who is to say his transition from rap to R&B won’t be a smooth and easy one?

The prodigal son of naija rap first tests the waters with the catchy & clubby “when the song comes on” which sorts of wets your appetite but is quickly followed by the overly simplistic “over the moon” featuring K switch which suffers from cheap lyrics and poor delivery, the first single “something about you”, the lone glimmer shines like fools gold and with Wande coal on the hook, “winchi winchi” stands out in the midst of all these ramblings.

Although nothing calls for celebration, the D’banj assisted “pop something” comes on to put a little bit of life in the LP, “bamijo” which was supposed to be a posse cut featuring MI, Ikechukwu & Eldee turns out to be the most disappointing record on the album as Killz unabashedly jacks redman’s da goodness style while MI drops his weakest line till date with “we fly like helicopter”. On “e je ka jo” Don jazzy comes to the rescue as he does the hook in his trademark raspy voice and a couple of remixes later, the album comes to a close.

At nine original tracks and two remixes, this album doesn’t offer you much in terms of quantity and also fails in terms of quality. Dr sid gets an E for effort as he tries so hard to please everyone with this LP. With almost every song missing the mark, it is safe to say that Dr sid will never amount to anything musically in Nigeria and at this point in time no one will be clamoring for a second dose of Dr sid’s medicine.

RATING – 3/10

PLAY – when the song comes on, winchi winchi, pop something, something about you

SKIP – pillow, over the moon, bamijo