Category: Latest

Due to the ongoing crises in the country, Nigeria's highlife king, Flavour released this comforting song to sooth the pains of Nigerians. In the past few days a large number of artists have joined the protest against the removal of fuel subsidy. The early protesters included Jesse Jagz, Seun Kuti and Banky W, who all came out to voice out their plights. Others who joined later included Olu maintain, Eedris Abdulkarem, Tiwa Savage, Omawunmi, Waje, Pasuma, Zeez, Femi Kuti, Eldee amongst others. It has also been rumored that they are using these as an opportunity to do PR. Whatever the case may be, a strong voice is always needed to hear a cry.

[color=orange]Femi Kuti had this to say: "When my father started this struggle, I was 13. I will be 50 in six months’ time. My son is 16, we still have no electricity, no healthcare. People are poor. People are dying because of N10, 000 in this country."- [color=orange]Femi Kuti

[color=orange]Similarly Eedris poured out his heart saying: “the man wey say i dey craze because i sing Nigeria jaga jaga where him dey now inside this hardship. Na 2002 I sing Nigeria JagaJaga, na 2012 we dey so o”, Eedris lamented to the mammoth crowd.

The rapper who has six albums credited to his career had released ‘Jaga jaga’, a single which described the country’s down-state back in 2002. Obasanjo supposedly replied him derogatorily.
Eedris disclosed that he was also approached to campaign for the current president but he said ‘no’. ‘They called me too but I turned them down, D’banj can’t be here because he knows he has disappointed the people’, Eedris said.

[color=orange]Enjoy Flavour’s Video as well as other musicians who saw necessary to voice out.

[color=orange]Enjoy Flavour’s Ebezina (Subsidy)


[color=orange]Enjoy Eedris Nigeria My Country (JAGA JAGA PT.2 )


[color=orange]Enjoy Tha Suspect Subsidy Video


[color=orange]Short Film By Tha Suspect

It's Davido with Dami Duro. Davido is a fast rising music star, who is expected to attain a superstar status in 2012. Since the release of "Back When" featuring Naeto C, there has been considerable buzz all around the young star. His follow-up hit single “Dami Duro” confirmed his place as an artiste to watch out for. Enjoy Dami Duro Video directed by Clarence Peters.


[color=orange]Watch Video



[color=orange]Who Is Davido? Part 1


[color=orange]Who Is Davido? Part 2

Kween Onokala's style of music is unique because it cuts across the conventional R&B, pop and high life. And so naturally when she ventured into a different terrain with the release of the single Player, a lot people felt she was deviating from her usual style. In a telephone chat she had with this writer, Keen disclosed that "My music remains the same, nothing has changed. The only thing that changed was on the track, Player. I tied to do a few things to show that in music, one is capable of doing anything. I just wanted to show my other side."

[color=orange]"Every other song in the album remains vintage Kween", the Umuahia, Abia State born musician revealed.

With two videos shot for her first two released singles, Gold Digger and Player ruling the airwaves, Kween said that, “I have officially released my new album titled “Kween Don Come” into the market. The job is handled by high profile marketer Obaino who has promised to do everything to ensure that the album gets to every nook and cranny of the country.

Kween Don Come is a 14-track album. The videos for Gold digger was shot by ace producer Chuma while Player was shot by award winning Clarence Peters.

CLICK TO FOLLOW @9JABEATS ON TWITTER
Source: Vanguard

In 2011, Chidinma Ekile, a contestant on one of West Africa's most popular Reality TV shows, MTN Project Fame West Africa, stole the hearts of thousands of viewers across the continent with her powerful voice and thrilling stage performances to clinch the "Project Fame" title. Since then, she has recorded hits like 'Jankoliko' and ‘Kedike’, proving herself as not just some passing Reality TV sensation, but a musician that has come to stay. She speaks to Adeola Adeyemo on her journey into the world of professional music.

[color=orange]To Chidinma, the bustling town of Ikorodu in Lagos state is home; where she grew up, lives with her family and has her closest friends. Little wonder she chose a restaurant in the busy town to sit down for her interview with BN, a place where the waitresses and security guards are familiar, and greet her with a smile.

It isn’t hard to believe when she says “I’m as simple as I look, really, I am.” Clad in a tank top and short denim skirt with a pair of flat shoes, she looks smaller than she does on TV. She is shorter than most of her peers, only a little over five feet tall, but that does not stop her from doing big things, from dreaming big dreams.

Tired from singing at a show the previous night and en route to another performance, Chidinma tells her story, sometimes slipping in yawns, but with a bubbly spirit and open mind.

[color=orange]How it all started
It was an uncertain but hopeful 21 year-old Chidinma that trooped to the venue of the MTN Project Fame West Africa Audition in Lagos in 2011 along with over five thousand people for a chance to participate in the widely acclaimed Reality TV Show. The petite girl endeared the judges to her with her powerful voice and was selected to be among the 18 contestants that made it to the Project Fame Academy. After ten weeks of rigorous training- from voice and movement to performance and songwriting, Chidinma had enough performances to win the hearts of the judges and thousands of viewers to clinch the ultimate prize and become the first female winner of the competition.

Recalling her journey to the Project Fame Academy, Chidinma said was lucky to be chosen. “I felt lucky, I felt privileged and most of all I felt favoured. At that time, there were a lot of people that were more professional in music, that were a whole lot older, so I just felt, if I could be chosen, then I must be favoured.”

[color=orange]Her Experience at the Project Fame Academy
Work at the Project Fame Academy was tough, she said, and she initially felt intimidated by the musical experience of some of the contestants. But she admits it was also fun because she was doing what she loved to do, which was music. “It was a lot of work having to perform every single week. We were given songs, sometimes two songs and we were supposed to rehearse those songs and get them right in five days. Some songs we’ve never heard before, so it was tough.”

“Some people were more experienced, older, and were already used to it unlike myself. Having to cope with people from different backgrounds, people from different families, people from different countries, people with different behaviours, it wasn’t so easy; then we had to share one bathroom and one toilet. It was tough but I would say it was also fun because of the music aspect of it. It was the music that made it fun for me because I just enjoyed what I was doing.”

[color=orange]Chidinma also enjoyed the classes. Being under the tutelage of people like Ben Ogbeiwi (Music Director), Kaffy (Choreographer) and Joke Silva (Academy Principal), for her, is not “something you could just come by.” “We used to keep notes and to be sincere, I still refer to those notes.”

For someone who was never on probation while in the Academy, she said she never knew she was going to win. “I knew anything could happen. It was a competition and anything could happen.” So when she was announced winner, the feeling that washed over her was that of shock.

“I was shocked, really,” she said. “There were much more experienced people in the house. The day I was announced winner on the stage, we were left with just three people and the winner was supposed to be chosen. I was in the middle. The people on my left and my right were bigger than me, and they were even much more musical than me so I just felt one of them was going to win so when I was called, I was so surprised. I was like what is happening here- I couldn’t shout, I couldn’t jump, I couldn’t even do anything. Some people even said it’s like she knew she was going to win because there was no expression on my face, none at all.”

[color=orange]Facing the Real World
Now, one year later and faced with the challenge of getting her music accepted, 22 year-old Chidinma says the music industry is very different from weekly performances on the Project Fame stage. “It’s not been easy. It’s the real world now. Then we were just playing, it was child’s play. Now in the real world, you have to start competing with the people that are already there. You have to start seeking for people’s attention. They already know the bigger names, they are already used to them, so you’d have to convince them that you are actually supposed to be here in the music industry. So it’s really not been easy but with the grace of God I’ve been trying my best and I think I’m doing well. Gradually, one day I know I’d get there definitely.”

[color=orange]With four singles out already – Jankoliko, Carry You Go, Kedike and Run Their Mouth, Chidinma is working with producers such as Cobhams, TY Mix, WazBeat and Oscar Heman Ackah, and is collaborating with musicians like Ice Prince, Muna, Sound Sultan and Olamide to release her album before the end of January. She isn’t currently signed on to any record label but is producing the album under her contract with MTN and Ultima Studios.

In her forthcoming album, Chidinma says her fans should expect contemporary Nigerian music. “Everything about my songs definitely is Nigerian. Whatever I try to do, my music is Nigerian.”

[color=orange]As a stage performer, Chidinma has thrilled crowds at the Rhythm Unplugged Concert, Ovation Red Carol, MTN Tour, Nokia N9 Launch amongst others. But her most memorable performances are those of the MTN Tour and Nokia N9 Launch. “I just concluded the MTN Tour where we had a lot of artistes performing,” she said. “We went round ten states. It was fun for me because it was a road tour and it wasn’t a planned crowd. People just came on their own and it was fun just having to relate with a lot of people. The Nokia N9 Launch was fun for me because I had white people sing Jankoliko with me and it was funny.”

Since leaving the Project Fame Academy, Chidinma’s style has evolved from the pretty girlish dresses she wore then to the sassy, bold outfits she wears now. There is also a lot of ‘Africanness’ to her style now as she experiments a lot with African fabrics. “In the academy, they gave us clothes. Right now I am doing my thing myself. I wear mostly African prints – Aso-oke, Ankara, anything that has African Prints. Because the style of my music is Nigerian, my dressing has to depict that I’m Nigerian so that is why I wear African prints. My clothes are made by a designer. Her name is Jane but sometimes I sketch what I wear.” However, she feels under no pressure to emulate the ‘sexy’ style being exhibited by lots of female artistes. “Sexy sells, for some people it does and that is why I’ve decided to do my own thing. The African prints, it’s not something I’m copying from anybody, it’s not like I’m trying to be anybody. I just design my African prints and I sew my clothes and that’s it. I don’t have time for stress. There is no time for that. I have to spend more time with my music.”

[color=orange]Family, Aspirations and Influences
Chidinma says she isn’t dating anyone right now, and is making plans to return back to school. At the time of entering the competition, she had an admission to study Mass Communication at the University of Lagos. She didn’t know she’d go very far. “I had an admission waiting for me. I just said that when I get evicted I’d come back and continue but it didn’t happen for me.” Hence, she lost her admission that year, but still wants to study Mass Communication. She’d love to be a radio presenter and just recently started presenting a segment of the MTV Big Friday Show. She is inspired by the music of Omawumi, Tuface, Dare, Lagbaja, Beyonce, Bob Marley and Sound Sultan whom she says she likes for different reasons. Bob Marley, because of the message in his songs, Sound Sultan because he writes with intelligence and Beyonce for her vocal strength, amongst others.

[color=orange]Being the sixth out of seven children, Chidinma grew up in Lagos under strict Christian parents, hence, had more restrictions than most of her peers. “Growing up wasn’t much fun, really it wasn’t. I have a very strict father. There was no time to hang around with friends. I didn’t have the opportunity at that time to do what my fellow young girls were doing. But I look back at those days and I just thank God for everything because if it had not been for that, probably I won’t be where I am today. The home training was really hard. Everybody in my family loves God, it’s a very strict Christian family.”

However, still living with her parents, she receives tremendous support from them now in her career. “My family has been very supportive. They don’t have a choice that is my job now. That is what pays the bills.”

Chidinma grew up among family members who were musically inclined, but is the only one currently doing professional music. As a member of her Church choir and as someone who loves music, no one in her family was surprised when she went in for Project Fame. “Music has been there. A lot of people would say they started singing from my mother’s womb, but no, I wasn’t singing from my mother’s womb. But my mum said I was six when I started singing. It started from the Church, and then there were birthdays, weddings, a whole lot of karaoke. We all grew up loving music, so the music aspect is a family thing, it runs in the blood, so when I came up with that nobody was shocked because they all knew that it’s been there all the while.”

[color=orange]Having won N2,500,000 prize money among other things, Chidinma explained how she has been spending the money. “When I won the money, people were asking me what I was going to do with it and I was telling them, this money is for school, my music and my family and that is exactly what I’ve been doing with it.” But she hopes to be able to give back to the society, most especially young people, little children and women.

To upcoming artistes, Chidinma says “they need hardwork, consistence, persistence, humility and they should put God first in whatever they do. It takes a whole lot more than their talents. Respect those who are before you.” And to everyone who loves her music, she says “I love them, they should keep supporting my music. I promise to do good music that will make them happy and lift their spirits.”

[color=orange]Check out the video of Chidinma’s hit single Jankoliko Ft Sound Sultan


[color=orange]Behind the Scenes on the set of Chidinma’s Soon-To-Be-Released Video – Kadike


CLICK TO FOLLOW @9JABEATS ON TWITTER
Source: Bella Niaja

Musician Tha Suspect plays lead role in a movie illustrating the damage which can be caused by the present fuel subsidy removal. Fuel subsidy removal has been causing chaos all over Nigeria. The individuals at Capital Dreams Pictures & Team Capital Media company, took it upon themselves to create this short video. X.Y.Z of Team Capital directed and edited the short movie.
CLICK TO FOLLOW @9JABEATS ON TWITTER
Watch Clip Below

Rising R& B artist, Eric Arubayi recently concluded work on the video of his new single, Number One.Eric whose rise to fame began with his participation in the debut edition of the West African Idols, had late last year released his 'Redefined' album which had the Number One track in the compilations.

The launch of this album had appearances and performances from some of Nigeria’s leading artists. The Number One video, which was shot on location in South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria in high definition was directed by Frizzle n Bizzle.

[color=orange]‘This video is particularly important to me because the song touches on the subject of love”, said Eric Arubayi. “We (my team and I) wanted to get the right quality and make the production exceptional. We had to shoot the video four times, twice in South Africa and twice in Nigeria before we agreed on the current production’.

The debut edition of the west African idols in 2007 had opened a flood gate of stars into the Nigerian music scene with the likes of Omawummi,Timi Dakola and Jodie already striking solidly as internationally renowned stars.

[color=orange]Understandably, Eric who had come fourth place at the same competition, hopes to use the leverage of his success from the competition to launch his career with an album that has already picked up strongly in the market and a toast on the airwaves.

Source: Vanguard
CLICK TO FOLLOW @9JABEATS ON TWITTER
Watch Number Below

Popular entertainment personality Frank Nero is dead. Nero, who until his death, was the CEO of Nure TV (a budding media outfit), was said to have slumped and died at his grandfather's burial ceremony held yesterday, January 2, 2012 in Bauchi State.A doctor's report could not be obtained as at the time of this report but multiple sources suggest that the cause of Nero’s death was a case of food poisoning.

‘I still can’t believe he’s gone. This is disheartening’, Nero’s friend and buzzing rapper A-Q told NET.Another close friend IK tells us that he was the second of three children. ‘…and he was his mum’s favourite’.

Nero, 29, became a popular face on TV a few years ago when he anchored ‘Video Wheelz’ – a 30-minute music video show.

Source: Nigerian Entertainment Today

CLICK TO FOLLOW @9JABEATS ON TWITTER

As announced earlier, the protest march which was organized by the Joint Task Front, Nigerian Labour Congress and other activist bodies in reaction to the controversial removal of fuel subsidy held on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. Tons of Lagosians gathered at the NLC secretariat, Yaba and walked to the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota as they sang and chanted anti subsidy, anti government and solidarity songs. However, there was a low turnout of celebrities and influential Nigerians at the march.

The few celebs that made appearances include Seun Kuti, son of the late Afrobeat legend Fela, Fela protege Dede Mabiaku, singer Banky W, broadcaster Funmi Iyanda, and Jesse Jagz. Other notable protesters include Gbenga Sesan, Lamide Akintobi, Tolu Ogunlesi, Bayo Omisore, and NET publisher Ayeni Adekunle. Activists Femi Falana, widow of Gani Fawehinmi Ganiyat, JTF president Dipo Fashina, Femi Aborishade and several others were also part of the peaceful protest

[color=orange]‘It’s been a long time since Nigerians came out en-masse like this. I guess it’s because it’s not a sex issue or tribal issue. It’s something that affects us all. That’s why we have come to speak against this inhumane behaviour by our government’, Seun Kuti told our reporters during the protest..

[color=orange]‘I think it’s time for Nigerians to stand and stop sleeping. It’s not just about fuel subsidy, it’s about corruption, about LightupNigeria, healthcare….you can’t just impact the lives of Nigerians negatively and not expect any backlash’, Banky W said.

[color=orange]According to Dede Mabiakwu, the demonstration is ‘called for, it’s about time. ‘I’m happier there are much younger people coming out nowadays. The government should think about the amount of ghost workers they have, irrelevant companies and parastatals. Nobody is being accounted for eating up money’.

Protesters lit bonfires on the usually busy Ikorodu road, in Lagos, turning back private and commuter vehicles, and taking over the entire road for the duration of the protest. Despite viral rumours about violence and Police shooting, our reporters who witnessed the Lagos protest say it was largely peaceful, in spite of heavy Police presence. A confrontation ensued at Ojota, between protesters and riot policemen, but it did not escalate. ‘It was largely organised and peaceful; even though there were initial fear bandits could hijack the demonstration‘, says our Chief Correspondent Osagie Alonge. However, there were reports of harassment and violence in other parts of the country where similar protests were held – with the possibility that one protester may have passed in Ilorin, Kwara state.

[color=orange]‘I’ve grown into this protest. I have come to understand in this life, the word freedom is not free, you must fight for it. Nigeria has not had any sort of freedom. As for the celebs, you can make all the music and shoot all the videos, you can make all the money, but this is us’, Jesse Jagz told NET.

Meanwhile, Mo’hits head-honcho Don Jazzy, whose lead artiste D’Banj campaigned for Goodluck Jonathan during the April 2011 polls says he regrets voting for the PDP president. ‘I hardly regret decisions I make. That my 1 vote added to put the current Govt in power is one decision i regret with all my heart’, Don Jazzy who was absent at the protest march tweeted.



Source: Nigerian Entertainment Today, Linda Ikeji

CLICK TO FOLLOW @9JABEATS ON TWITTER

J Martins, like Samklef and Naeto C has sealed the deal with a traditional wedding. This makes me wonder if 2012 will still have single male singers, Girls Shine Your Eyes (GSYE). On Monday 2nd January 2012, J Martins & Nnezi Diana Mbila were joined as husband and wife, the event took place in the bride’s family home in Ohafia, Abia State. Watch out for the white wedding. Congrats to the Juba master & his sweetheart Nnezi.

CLICK TO FOLLOW @9JABEATS ON TWITTER

Brymo is out with the video for the hit single Ara. Ara (Wonders) as many have enjoyed is an all-round solid song with melody and delivery properly done. The video quality shows the creativity with which it was produced. This creative work, was shot on Location in Lagos Nigeria and directed by Aje Filmworks. Brymo, full name “Ibrahim Ashimi Olawale”, is definitely an artist to look out for this year. Enjoy the video below and Happy New Year



CLICK TO FOLLOW @9JABEATS ON TWITTER