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Monday 23 September 2013

Nollywood at 20: Half Baked Idea






Some key players in the movie industry including President of Association of Nigerian Theater Practitioners, Jide Kosoko and prolific film maker and actor, Kunle Afolayan has kicked against the Nollywood at 20 celebrations. The major argument is that any attempt to celebrate Nollywood at 20 is re-writing the history of the industry.
The Nigerian movie industry has come of age and as a history student, we learnt that the first ‘commercial’ film in Nigeria, Ajani Ogun was shot by Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love) in 1976 while the first home video titled Ekun was shot in 1988 by the late Muyideen Alade Aromire. The phrase, ‘Nollywood at 20’ is however very disturbing!
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka had once observed that the term Nollywood borrows from Hollywood. Albeit warning against unnecessary copycatism, the Professor’s analysis may be unpopular. The entire Nigerian movie industry has accepted the term ‘Nollywood’ as a common identity.
The idea of Nollywood at 20 has been faulted. It’s either the promoters of the event didn’t do their research well or intentionally doesn’t want to reckon with history. If Living in Bondage produced in 1993 by Kenneth Nnaebue is seen as when Nigerian movie industry started because it’s the first home video produced in English Language, then the organizers and promoters of the event are saying movies shot in indigenous languages are not part of Nollywood. If they are, the organizers will reckon with efforts of the pioneers before blindly christening an event Nollywood at 20.
The Nigeria film industry has different associations from different geo political zones of the country. There is the English language industry, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) which has its main production center in Lagos and is dominated by people from the south east of Nigeria. While the language used is English, the stories in these films mostly reflect the ideology of the Igbo people of the region. The second industry is much, much older, and consists of the indigenous Yoruba language movies. This can be traced back to the Nigerian feature film industry of the 60’s and 70’s, up until the economic downturn meant that people could no longer afford to produce feature films anymore and started making videos instead. The Yoruba movie industry has an association called Association of Nigerian Theater-Arts Practioners (ANTP).
Then you have another industry in the Northern part of the country now known as Kannywood. By the Hausa population, it has a lot of Islamic influences. There are also pockets of smaller production, like in the south around the Niger Delta. These are also indigenous, mainly made in the Edo language. Each of these has its own associations for the industry professionals. The meeting point is supposed to be the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria, in which all the different areas are represented for the purpose of regulating the industry and lobbying the government but nothing seems to be happening.
There is no National body that adequately represents the industry and which all the associations are answerable to. The Guild, AGN is supposed to be the umbrella body of all the associations but it has been polarized. There can be no one Nollywood unless a board is created with the leaders of all the associations represented in all major decisions making to create a level playing ground.
When Entertainment Rave spoke to AGN President, Ibinabo Fiberesima, she admitted that Nollywood is more than 20 but she couldn’t explain while they are celebrating 20 years of Nollywood. “It’s about celebrating our own even though Nollywood is more than 20 years. It’s been long that people have been celebrating us but right now, we are celebrating ourselves and giving lots back to the society. It’s a good step we have taken especially now that the qualities of our movies have improved. Aside the film village we are planning to build, we will also be remembering people of yesteryears. It’s big celebration because it’s a collective effort of everybody in Nollywood including all the associations.
Speaking with a veteran film maker and actor, Jide Kosoko who is also the president of ANTP, he said the organizers are telling their own story and not the story of Nollywood. “The Nigerian movie industry as far as I’m concerned is not 20 years and I had an extensive discussion with them on this issue. If we all truly belong to the same industry, then the industry I belong to is not 20 years. There is a need to tell the world the sincere story of our industry and don’t rubbish the pioneers. As far as I am concerned, what they are celebrating is ‘Living in Bondage’ and not Nollywood. At the right time, we will tell our story of Nollywood. So we will join them to celebrate their own story”.
A movie producer, Kunle Afolayan is one of those that also faulted the Nollywood at 20 idea. “The whole idea of Nollywood at 20 does not make sense to me because the Nollywood that I know is more than 20 years. I remember my father shot a film about 37 years ago and I also grew up in the industry. As far as am concerned, it’s absolute crap”.
When the idea of Nollywood at 20 was conceived by AGN and other associations such as Movie Producers Association of Nigeria headed by Zik Zulu Okafor, other associations were not consulted. They went ahead to have a dinner with the presidency, pay courtesy visit to governors and continuously asked for financial support for the development of the movie industry. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio gave them N50million which have been cornered by few who called themselves Guild of Nollywood Stars including actress Stephanie Okereke-Linus and Zik Zulu Okafor. The money has torn their association apart with accusations and counter accusations. The recent is a court case instituted by Zik Zulu Okafor demanding N150million damages from the President of Association of Nollywood Core Producers, ANCOPS, Alex Eyengh for libel. All these dramas over N50million portrayed some level of selfish interest because other associations across the country that are supposedly part of Nollywood were not carried along.
The argument is that Nollywood at 20 is a half baked idea and does not represent the interest of the whole movie industry in Nigeria. The organizers should go back to the basis, identify with history and preserve the labour of our heroes past. Aside different associations scattered all over the country, there must be a national body that has the membership of all movie practitioners of Nigeria. 
ibinabo
(www.eraveng.com)
WORDS BY SEUN APARA

Tuesday 17 September 2013

E-RAVE SPECIAL REVIEW The Nigerian Ministry of Culture &Tourism and the Entertainment Industry Development





The Nigerian Ministry of Culture and Tourism needs to take a cue from the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment of Jamaica by establishing Entertainment Advisory Board (EAB). The main objectives of the Entertainment Advisory Board are to strengthen public-private partnership to maximize contribution of the entertainment industry to economic and social development, provide advice to the Ministry regarding key issues and strategies and in particular, the development of an Entertainment industry policy and facilitate the engagement of entertainment industry stakeholders in the policy-making process.
This report is by no means meant to rubbish or undermine the efforts of the Ministry but to point out gray areas they have not been sensitive to while the industry groans. Currently in Nigeria, the only Ministry directly or indirectly in charge of entertainment industry is the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. There is no ministry created for entertainment and other related business.
Carnivals are good and we are not disputing their essence, Abuja Carnival et al but we do not quite agree that these should enjoy the chunk of government support at the expense of the development of our local entertainment industry as a whole (music, movies and comedy inclusive), instead, lets develop more music festivals that will sell the real Nigerian culture to the world and not adopted cultures.
The Ministry, year in and year out does not have a plan for the growth of entertainment business in Nigeria. For one reason or the other, the industry has gotten used to some certain styles of language whenever entertainers approach them for support. Major entertainments events are dying because of lack of support and sponsorship. The ones that still hold annually struggle amidst all odds to make it happen.
Many of these events by now should have been adopted as National Events but the ministry has been carrying on like it is none of their business. We understand that not all events can be supported but there is a need to create a board that will be saddled solely with the responsibility of identifying the ones that possess great potentials and also advising the ministry on the best approaches towards embracing such. This is part of the works of Entertainment Advisory Board (EAB).
The Ministry is expected to promote dialogue and cooperation between the private and public sectors for the development and implementation of policies conclusive to the creation of an enabling environment. It must also provide opportunities for creative practitioners to participate in international markets to expose local talents and promote the entertainment products; raise the level of awareness and appreciation of Nigerian Culture as an entertainment product, to develop and foster synergies among Tourism & Entertainment Sectors and to facilitate institutional strengthening and capacity building.
Events that by now should have been adopted as National events and given every necessary support to thrive based on the values they add to the country’s entertainment sector include; the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) and The Headies. There are many more with great potentials of becoming world class events but are still struggling to stand and make impressions due to their shoe string budgets.
Every year, these few events mentioned here attract people into the country. People come from all over the world to attend AMAA. In the last six years, there have been regular faces of some foreigners at Headies, same for NMVA.
The big question is, why is the Ministry overlooking all these and have no plans to enhance or support these initiatives. There is more to developing the industry than taking only the National Troupes of Nigeria for competitions and exhibitions. The organizers of these events need government’s support and recommendations to be able to secure major sponsorship that will bankroll the expenses of these events.
Aside providing employments for creative Nigerians every year, these events constantly puts Nigeria on the world map. Another world class event similar to the Grammy or Oscar awards may very well stem out of Nigeria with immeasurable benefits to the industry and government respectively if we persevere.
Speaking during the Joy of Jazz press conference in Sandton in 2010, the initiator of the Festival went down memory lane to thank the South African Ministry of Arts & Tourism for its support when the idea berthed. They had no money and the corporate bodies were not willing to take risks with their brands as sponsors. The Ministry saw an opportunity to support an initiative that will later become a tourist attraction to the country and they lent their total support to the project. From a classroom event, the festival has grown to become one of the biggest Jazz Festivals in the world. For three consecutive nights with more than five stages in that particular year, different international Jazz artistes entertained different class of audiences.
Aside Standard Bank sponsored Joy of Jazz Festival, the contributions of South African Tourism to other events including Channel O Music Awards are quite commendable. Every year that these events have been staged, the influx of people to the country no doubt contributes in no small measure to the South African economy especially during Cape Town Jazz Festival. Sometimes getting a flight might be pretty difficult. All these events have been adopted as National events worth government support, sponsorship and encouragement especially as they help in also keeping the teeming youth population who would otherwise have been restive gainfully engaged.(www.eraveng.com)
Words by Seun Apara

BASKETMOUTH AND BUCHI'S HILARIOUS HOTEL ROOM





''Menta Music presents this Interesting and interactive comedy skit via Hip Tv Featuring top Nigerian Comedians Basketmouth and Buchi "Booking an hotel room is just one thing, Eating in the Hotel room is
another thing - BasketMouth How True is that ? Watch Basketmouth's Reaction after ordering his
meal in 5 star hotel room somewhere in Nigeria..

For more Exciting Videos, subscribe to Hip Tv's Official Channel.''

Monday 16 September 2013

El'Vee - Oga Pata Pata (Lyric Video) ft. Don Jazzy





''In less than 2 weeks since the release of their debut single, Female twin group El'Vee has released their first visuals for their debut in what we could call "Nigeria's first lyric video" and it's definitely lived up to the hype.
Visuals looking stunning, as the lyrics pop out, watching them both dance as they belt out the catchy song.''



Yemi Alade - Birthday Song + My Head O! (Happy People)





''Just months before her debut album is to impact stores, talented singer Yemi Alade is premiering hot new music produced by Shady Bizniz. TheBamboo belter excites with the tribal afro-house fusion 'Happy People' and shines in the mid-tempo groovy cut 'Birthday Song'. The brilliance and boldness of Yemi Alade's music proves why is one of leading females in the music scene. Download, listen, enjoy and share.''

Birthday Song

My Head O! (Happy People)

Nonny D - SADE ft. Solidstar





''Few months back Nonny D(@Nonnydd @Nony_D)gave us a hit highlife song titled SADE now the Blue Sky ENT Artiste is back with the Remix of SADE in this one he features Solidstar(@solidstarisoko) Produced by Mr Tee & mixed by Neduction..
The two talented singers really showed us what they are made of in this one..Be sure to download this one and share your thoughts..''
DOWNLOAD HERE

Friday 13 September 2013

Ezi Emela + Pheelz - Party x Like to Party [Acoustic Sessions]





''After the recent release of her latest single, "Feeling Good", rising songstress Ezi Emela teamed up with 19-year old super producer, Pheelz, to record an acoustic blend of Beyonce's "Party" and Burna Boy's "Like to Party".
While sharing her personal and free-spirited side, Ezi Emela gives us a raw sample of her melodic voice. Mr. Producer aka Pheelz completes the piece by matching her sound on the keys.''
Check on it!

MIDNITE CREW's MIKE ABDUL premieres the Visuals to his duet with MONIQUE titled - MORIRE






''Mike Abdul (of MIDNITE CREW) is back with the visuals to his banging solo single featuring Monique titled MORIRE (which means I SEE GOODNESS in yoruba parlance)..... 
The video describes how we'll feel when we partake of God's goodness, blessings and favour..
The video is directed by LEX-TEN.
Watch, share and keep your praise revved up!!!''
EXHORTATIONS
Morire Proclaims your testimony..
Morire is your Thanksgiving song..
When mercy speaks for you,
When GOODNESS follows you,
When Favour goes before you,
And your blessings finally come,
MORIRE is the song for you.
Morire is the declaration of God's immutable grace and favour over your life.
Welcome to your wealthy place.
This is the video you want to see:
MORIRE by MIKE ABDUL

Victor Atenaga - There is no one like our God




We wish to let you know that yesterday was Rev. Victor Atenaga's birthday and in the spirit of the celebration we decided to drop a new single to appreciate God for his faithfulness.
Please we ask again for your support in celebrating this man of God.
Thanks and God bless.
Connect on Twitter @atenagavictor

Maytronomy - Ekabo [New Video]






MAYTRONOMY AND GREEEN LYGHT ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT VISUALS TO HIS SINGLE ''EKABO''.
DIRECTED BY OSCAR MEDIA.
Check on it!

Sun X - Blow my Mind





"Pepe Records delivers a sizzling video to the catchy tune, Blow my mind performed by her frontrunner act, Sun X. The visual is directed by Amazing video maker, Gambit sees the vision-er , merged crisp clear visual, with colours and sizzle.

With a lead co-star that is total eye candy and can move. The clip sees Sun X plays his part as a smooth talker and her interest who is as smitten as she is."

Check out the captivating visuals.

Connect with Sun X on Twitter: @SunxDflykid

MUSIC AWARDS IN NIGERIA: ENTHRONING INTEGRITY





In the history of America’s music calendar, majority of the artistes look forward to one night with glee, fondness and great sense of anticipation in their hearts and only very few events are credited for arousing these feelings; especially the prestigious GRAMMY Awards!
It is startling that after 52 years since its inception, the Grammy Awards has not lost its credibility in any way. This made me ponder for a long time if there is a replication of such an event in Nigeria that the music industry especially the artistes particularly look forward to with so much enthusiasm like the GRAMMY.
As much we would have loved to, most of us couldn’t make it to the event but footages reveal that the event remains the most glamorous and credible music awards in the entire world. The artistes were well dressed for the evening. They honoured the ceremony because of its credibility and they wanted to be counted not just because they were ‘persuaded’ upon to attend. The enthusiasm on the faces of the nominees showed that they craved so much to win. The expressions on their faces couldn’t hide how much they desired the statuette. They love and appreciate the awards that have been in existence before most of them were born. But the reverse seems to be the case ‘to some extent’ back home here in Nigeria.
A typical Nigerian artiste has one or two things to complain about our awards. African China, Dagrin (in blessed memory), P-Square and host of others have one time or the other took awards organizers to the cleaners and that the organizers were all after what they would gain from it monetarily. Different comments, accusations and counter accusations keep flying from different corners from various artistes. They no longer hide their feelings. They are becoming more vocal by the day. Their list is inexhaustible.
At this point, one is forced to wonder why it is so difficult to have an award ceremony in Nigeria that would be the cynosure of most if not all eyes in the world. Why do majority of Nigerian artistes lose hope in the credibility of our awards? Why is it becoming increasingly difficult for corporate bodies to sponsor our awards? There are so many unanswered questions that that no one seems keen to provide answers to at least not just yet. We vividly remember few years back how the entire music industry in Africa looked forward to KORA. It symbolized our own GRAMMY then or so we thought. We loved and cherished the statuette. The awards attracted lots of people from all over the continent of Africa with South-Africa as the convergence point. But now, it has lost its credibility in a very controversial manner.
We feel it is high time we started organizing awards the whole industry would be looking forward to especially the artistes whose creativity the awards are meant to reward. What is the essence of giving someone a statuette he or she doesn’t appreciate or value? It is just like a mere waste of time considering what organizers have to go through.
Organizers of awards should make the artistes see reasons to want to attend the event. They should build the credibility of the awards to uphold its integrity. So that even after their demise or when they are no longer in charge, the awards will continue to hold and remain relevant. We need no seer to tell us that most of the people that started GRAMMY Awards are no more today. Awards organisers should distance themselves from the judgments to reasonable extent thereby creating transparent and credible judgement criteria.
Currently in Nigeria, two major awards are being held consistently and annually. They are: Headies (formerly Hip Hop World Awards ) and the Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA). There is also the City People EntertainmentAwards likewise the Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA) which holds in New-York annually. Headies no doubts raised the bar in the staging of awards in Nigeria. Their carpet (yellow or red) has always been amazing. They have all what it takes to be the biggest awards in Africa but the only snag is that it doesn’t cover all the genres. That is why the organizers of AMEN Awards need to bring back the awards. We understand the organizers have been facing sponsorship challenges but the award covers the entire music industry and as such all players should rise to the occasion. It recognizes highlife, fuji, juju, afro-beat, gospel, Islamic, talk albums, hip-hop, reggae/dancehall and many other genres that exist in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, it is the awards with the greatest number of categories ever in Nigeria. Nigeria Music Awards (NMA) was another credible alternative to AMEN but it became very controversial.
STEPS TO ENTHRONING INTEGRITY
1. The time is now for our awards to have their own academy. The GRAMMY Awards has a Recording Academy which has been in existence since the commencement of the Awards. The recording industry's most prestigious award, the GRAMMY, is presented annually by The Recording Academy. A GRAMMY is awarded by The Recording Academy's voting membership to honor excellence in the recording arts and sciences. The annual GRAMMY Awards presentation brings together thousands of creative and technical professionals in the recording industry from all over the world. I remember Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria (AMEN) had an academy called Academy for Creative Arts in Nigeria (ACAN). I served as one of the judges in the last edition in 2007. I remembered the organizers gathered lots of music heads one sunny afternoon to vet the nominees since there was a crack in the academy
2. Where winners are most likely to emerge through a voting process, let’s declare the votes of the populace by publishing the voter’s log. The masses aren’t even sure their votes count anymore.
3. Awards organisers should also leave room for constructive criticism and suggestions to further strengthen the award to be better positioned just like the GRAMMY that welcomes contributions from every part of the world. The time is now to lay a solid foundation which will determine how far the awards will go even after the initiator quits the scene.
4. Aside publishing the voters log and forming an academy with respected music heads, awards organizers should try as much possible to organize workshop/seminars every year to improve on a certain aspect of the industry.
The organizers should try to institutionalize the events some more. For music videos awards, they can organize workshops that will serve as exposé for those that intend to be music video directors or other strata of the industry. They should do more than just staging awards but look for ways to better the industry every year.
5. There should be no reason for rivalry. A guitar has so many strings but they all make beautiful melody when played together.
6. Who are the judges? How do we get convinced that the initiators of the awards don’t have candidates? NMVA has done well by actually making known the judges of the award since inception and in 2009 and they piloted an on-line/transparent voting system powered by Gobbleabba. But there is so much more to be done. We do not know who the judges of some awards are because they have not made them known at any point in time neither do they have an academy.
CONCLUSION
The general concensus is that awards organizers should have a credible academy, always publish their voting logs, make known the criteria for each category and try as much as possible to be transparent in their procedures. Organize workshops which do not necessarily have to be held during the time frame of the awards. Leave sentiments out when deciding winners. Give music buffs the opportunity to see the awards as theirs. Let’s do these consistently for five years and see if many more people won’t change their opinion about awards in Nigeria. At that point, any of the artistes that lost in the category he/she believes he ought to have won wouldn’t critize since he believes in the process that produced the winner. Most of the artistes have developed a sudden tradition for boycotting award ceremonies because they feel they have been cheated at one point or the other. These should also be applicable to all other entertainment/talents awards in Nigeria.
Most importantly, the corporate bodies can do a lot more than their current efforts as part of their corporate/social responsibilities. It’s becoming more difficult by the day to get them to sponsor our major events/awards. While lauding MTN for their consistent support for Headies in the past, we wish to note too that more is desired. They can empower the organizers to do a lot more because of the big dreams of the initiators. As big as NMVA has become in the last seven years, they are yet to have a titled sponsor. The likes of; Delta, Hilton, Master Card, Waste Management, People, Harman International and Westwood One do sponsor GRAMMY Awards. Let the corporate bodies in Nigeria take a cue from this. Even Nokia that has made so much profit from Nigeria has done little or nothing in this regard. But the company is known to have sponsored the Grammy and other great events around the world. (www.eraveng.com)
Words by Seun Apara

FELA KUTI by RAPCHEFF





''Rapcheff born Ameh Owechi Gideon is an undergraduate uprising emcees making waves in the Nigerian music platform. Rapcheff came to the scene with the song NIGERIAN with visuals from Oludare which made massive wave in the period of its release. He also did a remix with visuals to wiz khalifa's black and yellow which made it to top 10 on trace urban that year.
The Benue born and Lagos based multi talented Rapper/Producer Dat Kid Cheff has being on the rise for a while. He went off the radar to complete his education and now being a graduate, he is finally poised to drop his first project The Kitchen Works EP.
Here is this first single from Kitchen Works named after legendary afro beat icon; Fela Kuti. DOWNLOAD,sHARE AND ENJOY.''

MOELOGO featuring MISTA SILVA - "DEM GIRLS" (LIVE BAND SESSION)





''UK-based Nigerian AfroPop sensation MOELOGO links up with fellow UK Afrobeats star Mista Silva to debut the first instalment of theMista Silva EP Live Band Session which will see Moelogo releasing one live performance video every week of songs from his recently released critically acclaimed debut EP. The first of which is an exquisite live performance of the Bayoz Muzik-produced “Dem Girls” which features Mista Silva and is also one of the fan-favourites from the Moelogo EP.

Accompanied by renowned four-piece band Empire Sounds, Moelogo and Mista Silva deliver “Dem Girls” in a stirring alternative live version different from what fans and critics have heard on the Moelogo EP, making this live interpretation full of artistis flair, ingenuity and excellent musicianship from Moelogo, Mista Silva and the Empire Sounds band...

With more live renditions of your favourite songs from the Moelogo EP following in the coming weeks, watch and enjoy the first instalment which sees Moelogo and Mista Silva performing “Dem Girls” LIVE!''

MOELOGO’s ‘MOE IS MY NAME, MUSIC IS MY LOGO’ EP

GAISE RETURNS WITH BRAND NEW SINGLE "LITTLE DROPS"










''With his latest single “Awa O Tush Oh” continuing to dominate airwaves across the country and with the highly anticipated music video coming soon, award-winning Afrofusion artist GAISE is back with a brand new single titled “Little Drops”.


Serving as the third single from his forthcoming sophomore album which is due to be released in 2014 via Sanctified Records, “Little Drops” sees GAISE take an expressly more conscious, profound and self-reflective tone, over the resounding Olaitan Dada-produced musical backdrop, led by resounding horn arrangements and a stirring string section, all played live.

With lyrics such as “little drops make an ocean” clearly the driving sentiment behind “Little Drops”, Gaise asks his listeners to look inwards with him and take individual responsibility for trying to make our nation better on this new single. Listen, enjoy and take stock with Gaise’s “Little Drop” below…

“Our various individual actions as Nigerians affect our nation, to show that we all in our very little ways contribute to the present state our country is in. And so if we shift the focus of our energies to our little corners and each one starts to improve his/her actions no matter how little, the nation will follow suit.” - Gaise.''


Tuesday 10 September 2013

Yung6ix - First Class ft. Percy





''Afro-rap royal and KKTBM resident 'Yung6ix' presents the visuals for his critical acclaimed single "First Class". Yung6ix wows with the Unlimited L.Adirected video for the chart-topping number which features singer and label-mate Percy. The clips see the king of the south in his best form yet, throwing his signature punchlines and edgy delivery in grand style. Want to know why Yung6ix is regarded as one of the best rappers in these shores? Check out the captivating video!''

MORELL UNVEILS ALTERNATIVE NEW SINGLE "GANGA DA GARAYA"





''With the music video for his latest single “Anti-Social” featuring Olamide still sitting high on nationwide charts after nearly five months,MORELL returns with a brand new offering titled “Ganga Da Garaya” but with a very alternative and unique twist as the exciting artist continues to be a shining light for innovative forward-thinking music and continues to push the boundaries for modern Nigerian Pop music.
 
Produced exquisitely by DANJA and backed by lush traditional Hausa drum patterns and traditional Hausa guitar instrumentations, “Ganga Da Garaya” is a feel-good record sung uniquely in Morell’s native language of Hausa. With a glorious vocal performance and catchy indigenous lyrics with emotive and uplifting translations such as “come and see the gathering of the youth, real love born out of likeness” and “celebration is what’s happening, growth came with a promotion”, Morell is in resounding form with this new song.
 
Already poised for massive radio success in the Northern regions of Nigeria with Rhythm FM Abuja showing early massive support for “Ganga Da Garaya”, this gloriously infectious tune is set to spread like wild fire across the country, with both Hausa and non-Hausa speaking audiences falling in love with this song. Listen to “Ganga Da Garaya” below and join in the celebration…''


Monday 9 September 2013

Ice Prince - I Swear Ft. French Montana




One of the most anticipated singles of 2013, which features Chocolate City's artiste Ice Prince and Bad Boy's recording artiste French Montana is finally upon us. Produced by Chopsticks.
Check on it and please don't forget to leave a comment.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Sunday 8 September 2013

E-RAVE SPECIAL RELEASE - THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY


Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola


CASE STUDY: THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT AND NMVA 2013

One of the roles of a government in any society is to strive for growth and development in every area and the role entertainment plays in developing the tourism potentials of a state and invariably the country cannot be over emphasized.
As the government strives to make a state a tourism destination, valuable entertainment platforms are often required and deployed to further attract revellers and tourists to the state. To this end, it can be described as a symbiotic relationship.
In recent years, the level of participation of government, both at the state and the federal levels in the entertainment industry is quite commendable compared to the past when it wasn’t even considered by any arm of government.
The Calabar State Government was the first to key in to entertainment with a view to promoting the tourism potentials of the state having invested so much in tourism thereby creating the need to attract the attention of the world to the huge investments in the tourism sector of the state. The Cross-Rivers state government started with the Calabar carnival but the need to further prop up the state as a tourism destination made the state to romance KORA Awards, a pan African music awards ceremony which constantly held in South Africa. It was looking good until Earnest Adjovi, the Executive Producer of the award dumped the Cross-Rivers State contract controversially to pitch tent with Lagos State.
The interminable court drama nevertheless affected the awards integrity and Adjovi took it to another African country. Likewise, the governments of Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos and recently, Delta have constantly identified with viable entertainment platforms. The Bayelsa State Government has been supporting the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for years and recently, Delta State has supported Best of Nollywood Awards (BON) for the 2013 edition.
It is noteworthy here too that one of the biggest jazz festivals around the world, Joy of Jazz Festival in South-Africa was supported by the Ministry of Arts and Culture in its early days. But today, it contributes to the economic growth of the country annually. During the festival, sectors like; transportation, hospitality, shopping etc benefit immensely in terms of income from tourism. The South-Africa Tourism Board capitalizes on this to expose the tourism potentials of the country to visitors.
The recent partnership between Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2013 is a symbolic one. Though huge projects like this are majorly sponsored by corporate bodies, but the state supports with infrastructures and other logistics. Thus, the event will afford people the opportunity to see Lagos in a very different light.
The Lagos State Government is concerned about creating ample job opportunities for thousands of unemployed youths who should have otherwise been restive and constantly engaging in various social vices and major events like the NMVA require lots of labour to stage successful a event. Rather than deport people who are not of Lagos origin and perceived to be constituting a nuisance or security threat from the streets of Lagos, major events like this will engage some of them who are willing to work in major street activations and promotions as well as skilled labour areas such as; driving, carpentry, photography, sound installations, printing and ticketing, camera men, and several others.
With the influx of people into the state from around the world during major events, hotels get more patronage, make more sales and render their tax to the state promptly. Also, it boosts the transport business and exposes the tourism potentials of the state to new visitors.
Speaking with the initiator of NMVA, Mr. Cally Ikpe on how the involvement of Lagos State will affect the 2013 edition of the awards, he said “the stakes have become higher, so we are required to work a lot harder to make the event classier than the previous ones. Having the approval stamp of the Lagos state government in every sense is a very big deal. Lagos State’s involvement with the NMVA means greater reckoning. We expect a lot more corporate institutions to follow suit. Of course, this presupposes part of our bills been catered to and irrespective of the magnitude that is quite some relief”.
Cally also gave his opinions on how the partnership will benefit the state. “That the awards hold in Lagos is an automatic gain to Lagos, given that it attracts visitors from outside of Lagos and even abroad. The implication for tourism is obvious. Remember, it is important for the state that young people are gainfully engaged which is what the staging of NMVA each year brings about”.
“The Nigeria Music Video Awards, NMVA is a project that seeks to project the cultural ideals of Nigeria, via music as represented with music videos. It debuted as Nigeria’s first ever music video awards in 2007. Prior to this time, awards of this kind and magnitude were mostly organized by foreign media like; MTV and Channel O. The NMVA, as a wholly Nigerian initiative represents an important milestone in the promotion of the Nigerian spirit of innovation and creativity. Thus far, six episodes have held consecutively at the Eko Hotels, Lagos”
Preparation has however commenced for the 2013 edition of the event. NMVA which prides itself as the most credible, attractive and highly respected awards in Africa and rank as one of the most consistent in the Nigerian entertainment calendar. This year, the NMVA will be using its platform to further project the rich cultural heritage of Lagos State.
To commence the 2013 preparations, the organizers of the awards have declared open its call for entries for the 2013 edition of the iconic event. Intending contenders are expected to complete entry forms from the awards website; www.livebeats.net and submit with their videos on DVCAM tapes. Jpeg pictures and brief bio data of the artistes are also required to be submitted along with the entries on a data CD at the awards secretariat located at number 15, Toyin Street in Ikeja Lagos.
Words by Seun Apara

Gabriel-Afolayan - PLUG-IT




''Hails from Kwara state, born in Lagos but grew up in Ibadan to a prominent film maker in Nigeria Late Mr. Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love) that produced to his credits films like Taxi Driver, Kadara, Ija-Ominira, which added more to his acting/singing career.

In 1997 Gabriel Afolayan  was signed to Phynix Studio Ibadan as a backup singer. He has performed his songs at the Nite Of A Thousand Laff hosted in Ibadan and at the Coloseum in Opebi Lagos with King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall(K1) the ultimate he also performed at his brothers film launch titled "The Score",also he's set to feature  various artistes on his upcoming album. Gabriel Afolayan turns it up on this new offering of his titled “Plug It“. The “Kokoro Ife [Love Bug]” crooner sure kept the DJs in mind with this quite up-tempo material. With this new single from G-Fresh,it can authoritatively be said that he is a complete,all-round,undiluted entertainer. His lyrical prowess knows no boundary and he has a voice to die for,likewise a talent to kill for,as far as this song is concerned. This sure is a new direction away from the lovey-dovey tunes,a club song which would surely grow it’s listeners. Listen up and share your thoughts.''

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TitoBrown Ft. P6ix + Cidas - "FLANGUS"




''Two of J-City's most impressive and fast growing Acts got together to give life to a monster jam!!!...Here's TitoBrown,P6ix and Cidas with "FLANGUS"..."Your love Portion,is deeper than the Ocean Girl".Download,Enjoy and Share.''
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Saturday 7 September 2013

Viktor 'Living Water' - Jangolova (Higher) Produced by Frank Edwards




''VICTOR IKE a.k.a "Living Water" is the younger brother to the "Wamilele" crooner KINGSLEY IKE, and also a Praise/Worship leader with "Believers LoveWorld".
VIKTOR was recently signed under Frank Edwards' Rocktown records and without wasting time, he's out with a new single "JANGOLOVA" prod. by Frank Edwards himself. The Beat and the song is just off the hook. Download, Enjoy, Share and Comment.''
Connect: @VICTORIKE @FRANKRICHBOY @rocktown_music

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618 - Zangami Ft. Solidstar + School of hard knocks





''NMMNG Music Crew presents the first official singles off 618's Section 90 Documentary album; conscious rap song, School of Hard-Knocks and soulful club jam, Zangami. ft Solidstar (prod. by Popito), an adventrous 618
teams up with Afro-pop singer & Skibo crooner, Solidstar & tells us about his encounter with an
attractive party girl.

The second single SOHK(prod. by Kordys), evolves into an anthem as 618 gives us an in-depth look into the life of the common university student in Nigeria.''


 618 ft Solidstar - Zangami
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 Hard-Knocks
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