Monday, 24 June 2013

The President’s Friends In Showbiz (Nigeria)


Until the democratic era of President Goodluck Jonathan, the showbiz industry has never had the kind of attention they now enjoy. SAMUEL ABULUDE writes on the personalities in the industry that can be regarded as the President’s Showbiz men

The showbiz industry has experienced a kind of sparkle in recent times. This is not unconnected with the global recognition that our music and movies have gathered over the years. This indeed has made it easy for the government of the day to appreciate the efforts of the industry in giving the nation a positive image.

President Goodluck Jonathan in its 2010/2011 campaign sought the support of musicians and actors and it worked for him. With the likes of D’Banj, Onyeka Onwenu at the fore front of his campaign drive, artistes in Nigeria realised that the president would listen to their cries for a proper structuring of the motion picture industry as well as the music industry, which is beginning to yield positive result with the $200million intervention fund and N3 billion grants.

Personalities like Richard Mofe Damijo, former AGN boss, Ejike Asiegbu, Ini Edo, Klint Da Drunk, Gordons, D’Banj among several others have been seen with the President on different occasions. One of the President’s close aides, Dr Oronto Douglas, who is the Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, has been the interface between Nollywood and the presidency.



Onyeka Onwenu

Popularly referred to as the elegant stallion, Onyeka Onwenu, the music diva has tried her hands on politics at different times but yet to occupy any elective position. The chairperson of the Imo State Council of Arts has used her music fame to campaign for different political figures.  Her Jonathan Run, Run, Run campaign song in 2011 was a major one and with that she warmed herself into the presidency. Onyeka has performed at different times and recently at the Democracy day Dinner.



Aki and Pawpaw (Chinedu Ihedieze and Osita Iheme)

These Nollywood icons are among visible faces of not just the President’s men but the governors as well. Chinedu Ihedieze known as Aki along with his partner have always globed trotted with the presidency and enjoyed patronage of different governors at different events. These diminutive figures are celebrities in their own right. As Aki celebrates the burial of his father this weekend, most governors particularly, in the South east are expected to grace the occasion.



Kanayo O. Kanayo

The intellectual actor and movie maker has been a recurring decimal at the corridors of power. Having spent 33 years of his life in acting, Kanayo O. Kanayo has never hidden his desire to dive into the murky waters of politics.  

He is a major player in the love relationship between the presidency and Nollywood.   He was one of the six Nollywood stars that the Nigerian government honoured with National Award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) last year.

Kanayo declared his intentions to contest for a House of Representatives slot in his Imo state constituency but unfortunately the ambition of The Political Science Masters degree holder was not immediately realised as he lost at the primaries.

 Not giving up, he joined the Jonathan/Sambo 2011 bandwagon and became a visible member of the campaign – touring the world to sell the message of the campaign. He capped his role as an emerging political force when at the Grand Finale of the campaign in Eagles Square-Abuja in April; he gave a stirring speech that received a standing ovation from the cream of Nigerian political, military, industry and pop culture personalities.



Ibinabo Fiberesima

She is the first female president of the largest guild of actors, AGN. Ibinabo Fiberesima, former beauty queen and actress has come of age and saddled with the responsibility of steering the ship of Actors Guild of Nigeria to the next level. Definitely, this has afforded her the opportunity of being a constant visitor to the presidency.



Bob Manuel-Udokwu

Bob Manuel-Udokwu, an A-list actor can also be referred to as the President’s showbiz man. The actor has always landed a couple of juicy deals including being the host of the popular Guilder Ultimate Search at different times.  

He was made a Special Adviser on Creative Media to the Anambra State Governor early this year. With his connection to personalities at the corridors of power, it would have been a surprise if the handsome actor was not one of those in showbiz whom the presidency has chosen. The native of Idemili local government area of Anambra State landed a 2-year ambassadorial contract with Don Morris brand of wines as well.



Emeka Ike

Emeka Ike is one of the big actors in Nollywood; he has been in the industry for a while now. The president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan recently made him an ambassador of the Rhythm and Play program of the National Academicals Sports Committee NASCOM. It was for the recognition of his selfless service to humanity.  Other artistes notably, rapper MI and Victor Moses were also made ambassadors for the program set to revive school sports in the country.

The actor has taken a leave from the make believe industry in recent times after losing the AGN position to Ibinabo Fiberesima. The dude who won the Gulder Ultimate Search Celebrity edition invested his energy in managing his school, St Nicholas College at Magodo Estate in Lagos even as he is working on establishing another one in Accra, Ghana. Recently Emeka Ike was appointed into the Board of Director for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development.

       

Sani Danja

He is one of the leading lights of Kannywood movie industry in Northern Nigeria. Sani Danja is an actor of repute and loved by many, so it was not a surprise when he was spotted at the dinner celebration hosted by the president to celebrate Nollywood at 20.  

He was among the entertainers that were decorated as Rhythm and Play   ambassadors by the president. Sani Danja, a movie producer is also a musician.

M.anifest Shuts Down Minnesota



At first I was wondering if M.anifest’s June 15 performance was going to be cancelled as only about a dozen people were there at the beginning of the show, the second in The Cedar’s African Summer series.

Then the opening act, Minneapolis local, Ashley Dubose, came on stage and was so personable and sweet that it didn’t matter how many people stood around as she did a fantastic job to create a feel good atmosphere for the main act.

Ashley especially connected with the group with her song “Life Goes On.” Her style is neo-soul and reminded me a bit of Nelly Furtado when she sang “Like a Bird.” It was touching to see her mom out in support of her. As she continued to sing her repertoire for the night, the crowd began to build and by the end of her set, everyone was glad to be there.

About ten minutes after Ashley left the stage, M.anifest came out, and there were applause and shouts of joy from the crowd of fans. Not knowing what to expect as the last time I listened to rap music was way back to the Sugarhill Gang, I was more than pleasantly surprised with the songs and sounds of M.anifest. The band was superb, with trumpet and trombone flashing off the lights, and excellent electric bass and guitar, drummer and keyboard rounding out the group.

M.anifest rocked the house, with his charismatic stage presence, and got the crowd in the groove with waving arms, jumping down into their midst and singing personally to a trio of kids up by the front of the stage.

It became a group sing a long for a bit as the crowd sang along with him. He performed hit songs such as Makaa Maka, Chale What Dey Happen and Suffer. It was a happy crowd at the Cedar this Saturday night.

M.anifest is from Ghana, but has Twin City roots, having come here in 2001 to attend Macalester College, where he earned a degree in economics. He is known as being a socially conscious rapper, having produced the album “Birds and Bees” to make people aware of the non-profit group, Young Entrepreneurs Africa.

He has collaborated with music artists like with Damon Albarn (Gorillaz), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Erykah Badu and others.

This concert is the second in the series African Summer 2013 at the Cedar in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis music lovers will enjoy this series immensely as they hear music and styles performed in fresh new ways. I am glad I went and came away with a new appreciation for Ghana rap music.



Source: Henry Kendrick

Thursday, 20 June 2013

Russia: MP calls for law allowing gays to be whipped in public squares



A Russian MP has reportedly called for the right of marines to whip gay people in public.

Alexander Mikhailov is deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Trans-Baikal Parliament and said he plans to put forward the violent proposal as a new regional law.

Speaking to the Chita news agency on Thursday, Mr Mikhailov linked gay people to paedophiles and suggested they should be whipped in public squares by “marines”.

He described homosexuality as a “common shame”.

Referencing a doctor, who criticised the decision of several European countries to legalise marriage rights for same-sex couples, Mr Mikhailov praised the doctor and reportedly said: “We have to deal with such things”. He added that his province should adopt a law in which the marines have the right to flog the “asses” of gay people.

“In Russia for many centuries the ass was used for educational purposes and not for love entertainment. So we should use it according to its intended purpose,” the MP said.

Last week, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Russian MPs for passing a draconian homophobic censorship law.

Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said he would back a ban on foreign same-sex couples from adopting Russian children, but denied it amounts to homophobic discrimination.

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Is Akaida here to upstage Azonto?



In case you are not aware of the new dance move making waves across several parts of the country, then you need to sit up and stop missing the latest trend on the music scene.

The new trend, according to the Lapaz Toyota hit -maker, Guru, is furiously taking over from Azonto and it is called Akaida.

The dance is fairly well known in senior high schools and tertiary institutions in the country. In Accra, one can often see people gleefully moving to the beat in places like New Town, Alajo, La and other places.

The artiste that has a song titled Akaida at the moment is Guru. He claims to be champion of the beat and is excited about how fast the dance is catching on.

Guru is even convinced that the Akaida dance is more popular than Azonto now and will soon cross our borders to other lands.

He said though Akaida sounds like Al Qaeda, people should not attach any notion of terrorism to the new dance craze.

“It is just a fun thing. It is a dance that has some swag to it though not as communicative as Azonto. Akaida has a future,” Guru says.

Describing how to do the Akaida, Guru said: “You lean back and go sideways and flaunt your arms with some kind of swag to the rhythm of the song. ”

In an interview with Rebecca Agbolosu Mensah, a drama teacher at the Ghana International School and a freelance dancer, she agreed that the dance is for fun but felt the name which sounds like Al Qaeda must be changed.

“We all know that Al Qaeda is associated with terrorism and if we want this dance to go international, then we have to change its name. For Ghana to boast of such a thing, the name must go so we are not seen as people supporting a wrong thing,” she said.

She was emphatic that the Akaida moves originated from some of the moves associated with Azonto.

“There is no way Akaida can overtake Azonto because Akaida is basically a move taken from Azonto and renamed. Akaida is a subset of Azonto so it cannot be bigger than Azonto,” Rebecca said in response to whether she thought Akaida could upstage Azonto.

Source:Graphic Showbiz

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Blakk Rasta grateful for his 7 BASS Awards nominations


The maiden edition of Reggae/Dancehall awards has Ghana’s controversially out-spoken Obama hit maker eloping with seven (7) whooping nominations including the coveted Artiste of The Year nomination. Other nominations for the conscious Rastaman include Reggae song of the year, Video of the year, collaboration of the year, album of the year, reggae performer of the year and best reggae artiste of the year. This means that Blakk Rasta has received more nominations than any of the nominees.

Blakk Rasta commented: ‘We do Jah works from down the heart. If awards come, it’s just an icing on the cake and to Jah be the glory. We will not break our necks over awards but we still must feel appreciated,’.

It could be recalled that the controversial artiste released two albums VOICE OF THE AFREEKAN REBEL and BORN DREAD in the period the awards covered and is no surprise he scooped several nominations. He also visited the Nsawam prisons twice for charity concerts last year and this year as ‘part of his social responsibilities’, he intimated.

Blakk Rasta is one reggae artiste who is so upbeat about reggae music you would at times think reggae is almost a religion to him.His live performances with his Herbalist Band are energetically electrifying. When so many artistes in Ghana now release only singles,Blakk Rasta still releases albums.His new album, ANCESTRAL MOONSPLASH comes out on 20th July.

‘yahman, we throw wi corn, we nuh call no fowl..we just fulfill Jah works through reggae. Big up reggae. It is the heartbeat of conscious music’,he replied when he was asked about why he so believes in no-so-popular reggae in Ghana. ‘I’ll do reggae till I fly away home…Rastafari’.

The awards is slated for July 6 in Accra preceded by a concerted featuring Elephant man from Jamaica alongside some other artistes including Blakk Rasta.

Monday, 17 June 2013

BBA-The Chase Update: Elikem, Natasha, Pokello to face eviction

Monday morning nominations for eviction kicked off in the Ruby House and Ghana’s Elikem was on the lips of many.
He received 4 nominations. Natasha also received 4 with Pokello topping with 5 nods. Here is how the Ruby housemates voted:
Elikem – Natasha, Pokello
Feza - Natasha, Elikem
Antonio – Elikem, Fatima
Oneal – Pokello, Elikem
Bassey – Natasha, Cleo
Sulu – Fatima, Pokello
Cleo – Bassey, Feza
Natasha – Elikem, Angelo
Pokello - Sulu, Selly
Selly – Pokello, Natasha
Fatima – Pokello, Sulu

Okyeame Kwame officially adds blogging to his CV


Okyeame Kwame-the Rap Doctor has once again shown that his ability in churning award winning lyrics goes beyond expressing his sentiments through his music.

As he says, he is “a multi-faceted man with my own ideologies, alter-egos, flaws and emotions”, thus, the intuition to share his thoughts, love, consciousness, dreams, past, future, vision, fears and strengths, all blossoms on the new OKYEAME KWAME BLOG.

GhanaWeb Ventures is proud to announce to the general public that Okyeame Kwame is now a blogger with its firm. A relationship that hopes to grow and last for a very long time.
The blog is basically a platform where OK’s perfect extension of thinking, and environment, as complex yet gratifying as it is will be shared and no issue will be too small or big to be discussed on the OK Blog.

With the uniqueness of the person (Okyeame Kwame – a renowned award winning act who has been able to carve a niche for himself for over 15 years in the Ghanaian music industry) in charged, one beauty that will be displayed will be the fact that there will be a universal touch with a distinctly Ghanaian flavour to the millions that will be following every step.

Welcome to the OK Blog, where you will come to find out that, just like you, he is a multi-faceted man with his own ideologies, alter-egos, flaws and emotions.
On his first piece, the multiple award winning song writer started by leading us into his life, enjoy by clicking here … As a child, I was told that if I was going to do something or be somebody, I had to observe rules and follow them without questioning…


Source: Adeyemi Adebayo Victor

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Efya mad at Sarkodie over collaboration with Tiwa Savage


Probably a joke, but according to Sarkodie, Ghanaian songstress Efya is angry at him for featuring Nigerian female musician Tiwa Savage on his track ‘Ordinary Love.’

Sarkodie in interview said, Efya is angry because he wrote the song with Efya in mind to sing on it but to Efya’s dismay, Sarkodie featured someone different on the track being ‘Tiwa Savage’

“I had this song and the hook was ready waiting for Efya. I know Efya is going to kill me for this one because she was actually pissed off.”

He further explained that he has several songs with Efya so he decided to feature someone else in the person of Tiwa Savage who didn’t fail him.

“You know we’ve had lots of collaboration back-to-back and I wanted someone different. I’m on Tiwa’s album so it was just right for us to do another song on my album. Tiwa was there, I sent her the song and she laid good vocals on it which was also perfect,” he said.

He added that “Tiwa has a large following in Nigeria, Ghana and everywhere and I think it is right to do a song with her.”

Sarkodie is hopeful of winning awards with his tack ‘Ordinary Love’ which features Tiwa Savage from Nigeria. The music video directed by award-winning Ghanaian Director Geo, of Phamous Films according to ‘Obidi’ is a high budgeted video because he wants it get an international recognition.

Monday, 10 June 2013

Zainab of BBA Fame Attacked By Armed Robbers



On a broad day light between the hours of 3pm, Zainab was attacked by two gangs in an isolated Island in Sierra Leone.

The model went in search of locations prior to her movie production. The gangs scared her with a gun and machete and successfully made away with all her gadgets (Blackberry Porche, Ipad 3, 5D camera and an Apple Laptop) and €850 Euros.

The now producer begged for a division of the money and her SIM card but the robbers ignorantly, insulted her late mother who died of cancer. At the mention of her mom, Zainab became furious.

She quickly entered into her pink Hammer 3 Jeep and followed the gangs on a motor bike but they went through a bush and left no trace.

For those who don’t know Zainab, she’s very tolerant and down to earth but woe to the one who insults her mother.

Hope you haven’t forgotten that a similar thing happened leading to her exit from the Big Brother House last year. She had a confrontation with Ghana's DKB which ended up in the disqualification of both of them from the game.


Source: Yemoh Ike

Let's stop breaking up R2Bees, artistes of the Year for VGMA 2013 with divisive comments and remarks.


 Mugees is a good song composer than Paedae! Mugees raps better than Paedae! Mugees can survive if he goes solo! Mugees is the backbone of R2Bees! Mugee's lyrics are matured than Paedae! And so what? If indeed Paedae's input in the group is wussy, how come R2Bees is now the Artistes of the Year for Ghana Music Awards 2013? Why didn't the organizers give it to only Mugees? The answer is because they both contributed something to achieve that feat. Mugees is good in his own-way and so is Paedae. The fact that many root for Mugees does not make Paedae an in-utile character for the group. Mugees has his fans and Paedae has his too. The two fans put together, make R2Bees a strong force.
 

Granted Mugees is better than Paedae; have we forgotten the wisdom in the saying “every chain is as strong as its weakest link?”For instance, the fact that men are stronger than women does not mean the latter is of less importance. If God wanted only those who are stronger to live in this world, perhaps God would not have created females because they are the weaker sex. However, God knew though females are weaker, they will complement men in all endeavors.
  

Don't we all get shocked and crestfallen when groups break? Don't we have evidence of groups that broke up and today the center is not holding? Of course, there are some groups that broke up and each are doing well in their solo music career, but, it's always a journey of discovery. Why not be where you are now as R2Bees with all the goodies; rather than go experimenting……I strongly admonish Mugees to pay deaf ears to what people are saying. The same people will fuel your break up and after breaking up if your solo careers take a nose dive, the same people will hypocritically say; “R2Bees were even better when they were together,” as they  did to Wutah.
 

We should not forget that R2Bees have been nominated for BET Awards. Any negativity we publish or say about them can adversely affect their triumph. BET Awards organizers do not just nominate artiste (s) and sit back with their hands in their “damirifa;” they read around to update themselves with regards to the credibility of who wins what. Our “Ratatata…” boys should come to Ghana with the award come what may. Flex newspaper promises to use our august medium to promote them come rain or shine. If R2Beses wins, Ghana has won. Until then…..MOTWUM!!


Credit:Osarfo Anthony