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R&B-Pop singer and first lady of MAVIN RECORDS Tiwa Savage has landed a major endorsement deal with beverage company Pepsi, a deal we are told is worth a couple of millions of Naira. We are told that the endorsement deal was sealed with Tiwa's current management 323 Entertainment headed by Tunji T-Billz Balogun about a month ago. The deal sees the 32-year-old follow the likes of pop singer Ashionye who was endorsed as the face of ‘Pepsi Light’ back in 2007.

‘Yea, the deal is true, I can confirm that but that’s all I can say for now’, Balogun told NET in a phone conversation. Balogun later explained he signed a non-disclosure agreement with the parties involved. ‘I’m still surprise how the news got out so soon‘, he added.

There’s no announcement yet from Pepsi. But an insider tells us there’s the possibility that another Nigerian pop star will be joining Tiwa at Pepsi.

Meanwhile it’s big things popping for Tiwa who just yesterday, was announced as a new signee under top notch producer Don Jazzy’s new label outfit, MAVIN Records.

Click here to Listen to New Song under MAVIN RECORDS

After what seems like an eon, R&B pathfinder Darey Art Alade is planning to bless fans with some new music again.We have just confirmed that a new single, 'Asiko' (meaning time in English) featuring South African group Jozi and rap heavyweight Ice Prince will be released in a matter of days.

It will be the singer's first single since Sisi Eko (remix, Ft Flavour); and the first single off his upcoming fifth album.

Insiders who have had a listen tell us the cut is ‘fun and fab’, and a collaboration fans here, and in SA will find ‘exciting’.

Darey himself tweeted yesterday: ‘my new single drops this week’, ending the message with a smile.

No release date has been announced.

Darey is signed to his own label Soul Muzik, which is also home to the rapidly-rising act Moeazy.

A brand new new video from Matt Houston, titled Positif which is also an official Remix of E no Easy who else will be on it but p-Square Check it out.



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Nigerian pop singer - Goldie is one artiste we surely can't get enough of, whether its for ever changing questionable costumes or her hit tracks that keeps us all dancing, she is surely a Nigerian artiste that truly represents Entertainment. When her new single "Say My Name" officially came out, fans near and far have been anxiously waiting for a video. The video isn’t out yet but the disco queen has given BellaNaija.com exclusive behind the scenes photos.

[color=orange]The soon to be released video which was directed by Oludare James and Shawn Gold, was shot for 3 days in Ikeja, Lagos. Goldie is seen in some creative Avant-Garde outfits designed by Ejiro Amos-Tafiri and Anuba Couture.

The video also features cameos by DJ Sose, Nigerian dance hall queen – Kaffy, Channel O VJ – Denrele and some Video Vixens.

click to see photos
source: BELLA NIAJA

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Those who attended 2faces' Buckwyld and Breathless concert on Monday, April 30 must have been close to tears at the point where the pop giant decided to take his guests down memory lane by bringing back the Plantashun Boiz on stage! 'Let's go! Blackface, Faze where you at? Plantashun Boiz in the building!', 2face screamed out as former band mates Blackface and Faze stepped on stage to the delight of the audience. The trio drove fans wild as they performed hits songs from their past albums, including fan favourites Knock me off', ‘Don’t you know‘, ‘You and I‘ and ‘Say you believe‘. Even though it was obvious they had not properly rehearsed the performance, they kept backing and filling each other’s verses, hugging and laughing as they entertained the crowd.

Long time Plantashun Boiz friend and collaborator Sound Sultan later joined the trio on stage to perform a revamped version of the hit song ‘Enter the place‘ which featured a surprise freestyle verse form Blackface. Plantashun Boiz emerged in the Nigerian music scene in 1997. In 2000, they released their debut ‘Body and Soul‘ produced by Nelson Brown. Three years later, they released ‘Sold Out‘ which featured the hit song ‘Can’t leave without your love‘.

[color=orange]In 2004, the group went under after lead singer 2face called it quits and launched his solo career. 2face signed up with Kennis Music and released ‘Face2Face‘, Faze with Westside Music releasing his debut ‘Faze Alone‘ while Blackface released his ‘Ghetto Child‘ LP. All albums were critically-acclaimed, although only Idibia recorded major commercial success.

Several albums now down the line, Idibia remains the most successful of the trio, with an international career that ranks him as the most remarkable African pop icon of this era. In 2007, the group briefly reunited and released a reunion album titled ‘Plan B‘ with the single ‘Say you believe me‘.

Source: NET

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One track that has however stood out from M.l's latest album M.I2 is 'Beef', two years after M.I drops the video to thrill his fans . Watch the video directed by GINI below...




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Son of the late legendary Afro-beat musician, Femi Kuti turns 50 on July 16, 2012. In this no holds bare interview, the only Nigerian based musician ever to be nominated thrice at the Grammy opened up on the day to day challenges of sustaining the legacies left behind by his late father. He also speaks on his relationship with women and how he was able to overcome the pains of separating from his ex-wife Funke. Excerpts:

[color=orange]What does fifty years mean to you; people say as a golden jubilee, it is supposed to make a man wiser?
Nothing, but I believe I’m wiser and more experienced in age and life but I’m indifferent towards it. Pertaining to celebration, some people are making it look like a glorious day because they appreciate my works, but to me, its just another day that will pass.

[color=orange]Regarding your career, can we talk about the high points of it?
There are so many of it. My first hit was ‘’Wonder-Wonder’’ which won a lot of awards in Nigeria. I was the first Nigerian to win ‘’KORA Award, ‘’World-Music Award and some others. I believe I was the most appreciated Nigerian at the Grammy award even though I haven’t won any yet. I have been nominated for a good number of awards too. I’ve toured extensively all around the world. I’m definitely in ‘the fore front of Afro-beat. The period when ‘’Bang-Bang-Bang’’ became an international hit, it opened so many doors especially to the new generations who did not know my father; they were now able to relate me and my works to him.

[color=orange]Even regarding sales too?
Well, I can’t really say that about sales because it has dropped for everybody. One who used to have a sale of twenty million then should be happy and grateful if he can have a sale of two million now.

[color=orange]How about the low points?
That would include bad press, especially from some particular National newspapers. Once I was called and asked where I was in France, it was rumoured that I was running around the ‘’Eiffel Tower’’ naked. I didn’t bother to call them to clear the air; I think my sister (Funke) did. Also, my crashed marriage was as a result of the same bad press. I decided to keep quiet about it for the sake of my son but they fueled it by exaggerating the story.

The death of my sister would most likely be the lowest point of my life and my mother’s death too because on that day, I had to play at Okoya’s 60th birthday party. I was glad I was able to sail through but those two days were the worst days of my life.

[color=orange]How about the death of your father?
Not really, because my father was a celebrity. So it was more of celebration rather than a burial. The only sad thing is that he didn’t get to see his grandchildren and give them a piece of advice for their career but it was not as regretful as that of my sister. My father lived a rather fulfilled life with 27 wives, fame and fortune. He was nothing short of the biggest star Nigeria ever had. So his death was not a regret but a celebration.

[color=orange]Faced with the reality of your father’s death and as the first male of the family, how did things go for you?
His death was not something I was prepared for. Notwithstanding, he had been grooming me for a life after him so, I wasn’t shocked. But as the days went by, the burden of the legacy that had been passed on to me dawned on me because the African tradition emphasizes on the male son to take over everything but luckily for me, my sister was very helpful.

[color=orange]What were the initial challenges?
The initial challenge was trying to get the ‘’Shrine from the ‘’Burlington’s and when we could not get it, we immediately licensed his back-catalogue. If you remember then, a lot of his music was bootlegged because he was dead. We quickly convinced the family to give Universal Music the license because that was the only multinational organization that could sue and stop the bootleggers. They took a fast decisions so we would not loose licensing to back catalogue.

Convincing and keeping the family together became a major challenge because a lot of people wanted to separate the family, using Seun as an excuse to cause friction. I had to keep my band, tour and music career together as well. It wasn’t easy but I learn that nothing good comes easy in life.

[color=orange]Talking about your Music, how much would you say it has grown in the last five years?
I think my next album would be a dynamite. From the Grammy nominations, you can see that if I wasn’t progressing, I wouldn’t have been nominated for that award. If ‘’Bang-Bang” won the ‘World Music nomination in 2001, 2010 and 2012, it shows that it’s not the end of my career, I’m progressing and it is not just a flick. If it were to be that I had just one nomination, people would have said it was because I happened to be Fela’s son or that I featured American artistes, but it wasn’t so. I featured more of French artistes and had no American collaboration. The performances of the French artistes on my album was done in Lagos.


[color=orange][size=18]Femi Kuti performing[/size]
There was no technological enhancement. It was live from the studio. That shows that people appreciate what I’m doing and it is not easy to be nominated for awards. Femi Kuti has taken the Broadway to a different level and here, where it started, nothing much is happening but in Europe. My fear is that we would soon have a situation whereby they may not have services of the original owners of the music…

We should understand that Afro-Beat has become a global thing; it doesn’t belong to just Nigeria anymore. The world appreciates the fact that it is Fela’s creation and nobody runs away from that fact. So it can only keep growing. It is now going to have a new dimension and more branches.

The Afro-beat I play now is quite different from what Fela played and when my son (Made) who is being trained, makes his own album, whatever he plays is going to be different from what we both play but, he would still have the influence of his father and grandfather. As the years go by, it is not going to be done by Nigerians alone, other people would emerge.

[color=orange]I’m talking about the originators, nobody would be there to take over?
That’s not true. I’ve seen a couple of bands that play Afro-beat. I cant remember their names but I know a good number play the same.

They may not be as known as myself and Seun but they do exist. It is just because the critics are over-critical, insisting that you must be like Fela. I once had a problem with these critics due to the fact that Seun acted more like Fela but I refused to act like him and it took me years; that is over a decade to convince Nigerians that you don’t have to be like Fela to play Afro-beat. It was ‘Bang-Bang-Bang’ that opened their eyes to the fact that you can do something else with the Afro-beat and it has opened a whole new market that people are capitalizing on now.
[color=orange]
You seem to have come back to where you started from, was that an experiment?
No, its all part of the going. When I did the work with most of those Hip-hop artistes in America, an opportunity came and I seized it. If another one comes by and I have to work with classical musicians, I would not hesitate. It is all part of growth and development of music.

What are those basic things in Afro-beat that makes it distinct from other genres of music, particularly when you do a collaboration with a Hip-hop artiste?
First, you must remember that Hip-hop came out of Afro-beat, so there are a lot of similarities between the two and merging is not a difficult task. The difference between Afro-beat and the rest is finding melodies for your rhythm and being political and sincere with your lyrics.

[color=orange]Is it really compulsory?
No it’s not. ‘Bang-Bang-Bang’ showed it is not compulsory but that should be the major factor. If you want to hear a love song, people want the sincerity of that music kept in place, so when I play ‘’Sorry-Sorry’’, people want to hear the frustrations of a young man regarding bad government.

You are looking very good, honestly, I’m quite impressed
Well, thank you. I try as much as possible not to stress myself at my age. Notwithstanding that I’ve been through so much, I have tried to live and stay healthy in the toil surrounding my life.

[color=orange]How has it been keeping a band together?
I’ve had to start up a new band for over five times now because of indiscipline among my band members. Sometimes, they refuse to understand the political message behind my music; building and maintaining the ‘’Shrine’’ also. In all these cases, if you don’t try to comport yourself, you might lose your head (laughing).

[color=orange]Lets talk about romance, is it dead?
No. You can see one of my beautiful girlfriends over there.

[color=orange]I mean ‘wife’, not ‘girlfriend’…
I don’t have to be married to be happy and I’m not getting married again. I can actually say I’m married and I don’t necessarily have to call a Pastor to serve as a witness to it. I even consider that a low point on my integrity.

If I live together with a woman who has a child for me, in the African tradition, she is already my wife-that’s common sense. I can say I’m married only that it is not documented which is preferable because if we start a fight, we don’t have to go to a court; we can settle it amicably or just walk away from the relationship. I just got off the phone with Funke before you walked in. We talk about our son and other issues like we are still married but not legally married anymore.

[color=orange]But why is she not here?
She does not have to be here. She stays at her own house.

[color=orange]Asking as a friend now, do you sometimes miss her?
Like I said, I have no regrets and we are no longer married. But sometimes, I miss her. I’m the kind of person that gets up and picks his life back after a problem or else, it will kill you; not physically but mentally or psychologically. There were times we tried to come back together but it just didn’t work. There were stronger forces against our coming back and I did not have the energy to keep on pleading for understanding. A lot of things changed but it is something nobody is bitter about now. We talk about the past but nobody accepts responsibility for the mistakes, so we just let it die down.

[color=orange]If she comes to you for sexual pleasure now, would you succumb?
Most likely not. (laughing)

[color=orange]What is your perception of the talent hunt show,’Next Afro-beat Star’?
I think it would be wonderful and fantastic if it is focused.

Source: Vanguard

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Innovative, entertaining and eclectic are some words that clearly describe music productions and remixes from the well acclaimed DJ Caise. His entry into the Nigerian music scene with his creative blend of local and international sounds to create what he terms ‘GidiHouseMusic’ couldn’t have come at a better time. 26 year-old DJ Caise, real names – Derin Phillips, also goes by the code name ‘Mr Make It Happen’. And he has made ‘it’ happen on several tracks. As a producer, he is known for several hit tracks including Lynxxx ‘International’, and as a DJ, has done some famous remixes such as 2face vs Calvin Harris ‘Implication vs Flashback’ and the M.I. & Waje ‘One Naira’ remix. The University of Reading graduate is the in-house DJ for the radio station, BEAT 99.9 FM and is signed on as the DJ for Chocolate City, the record label that has artistes such as M.I, Brymo, Ice Prince and more. He is the recipient of FAB Awards 2011 DJ of the Year Award and Dynamix Youth Awards 2011 DJ of the Year. He has thrilled audiences at major shows including MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 and the Big Brother Africa Season 5 and 6. I heard him before I saw him; a blend of sounds from musicians I couldn’t really place, but the sound was entertaining nonetheless and I was already in a good mood by the time I reached the open doors of his in-house studio. It wasn’t difficult to see that he was a lover of music. We had an interesting conversation as he took me through the journey of how he fell in love with music as a child to when he started out as a DJ in the UK about 10 years ago. And when he played an unreleased remix of two musicians from two continents singing in completely different genres, I was no doubt left in awe. [color=orange]‘Caise’, now where did you get the name from? I used to tell myself that whenever I get on the deck, it’s going to be a problem and from the problem everybody is going to dance and go crazy and we’re going to have a good time. Then the ‘Problem’ became ‘Case’ and I just put an ‘i’ there. [color=orange]I believe you didn’t study music or ‘DJ’ at the University. What course did you study then? For my undergrad I studied Business Economics and for my Masters I studied Finance at the University of Reading, UK. [color=orange]At which point during your time in school did you realize that you preferred to have a career in Music to what you were studying? I’ve always been into music since I was young. I was in the choir and I asked my mum to buy me a band set for my 10 year old birthday. When I got into the University, I had a friend who was a DJ. I was the kind of person that was the first to enter the club and last person to leave. So I was always having fun whenever he used to do it and then one day he mixed two of my favourite songs and then I stopped and was like “How did you do that? You actually just created your song.” So I stepped into the booth to watch what he did and from that moment, I was hooked. [color=orange]If you loved Music so much as an undergraduate, why then did you go ahead for a Masters Degree in Finance? I was in University doing my undergrad, and DJing all over the UK at concerts, house parties, weddings – I did everything. I used to carry my heavy decks around my neck, up the stairs…. It was one of those experiences you just had to go through, so I did all that and at the same time I was doing my undergrad and Masters. I’d say from University experience, even though I didn’t get an A class grade, I got an A class experience. I got to travel around, I got to meet with all kinds of people, I learnt about business as well- negotiating skills, how to deal with people because I was dealing with bouncers to drunk people to police… [color=orange]Since obtaining your degrees, have you at any point in time worked in the ‘Finance’ or ‘Business Economics’ sectors? I worked in a bank for my Youth Corps experience and then a while after that. [color=orange]Upon your return to Nigeria, how easy or difficult was it to break into the music industry and get yourself recognized as a DJ? I literally just saw the General Manager of Beat FM. I saw him out and luckily he was wearing the Beat FM T-shirt and that is how I recognized him. I walked up to him and told him I had just moved back in to the country and I was really passionate about music and can he give me a chance, and he was like “OK, come and audition”. So there was no introduction, no hook ups, I just walked up to him, and talked to him and did the audition and he liked it. That was in 2009. [color=orange]Is your career as a DJ something you have always envisioned or did it just happen by chance? It was meant to happen. I’ve tried other jobs, I’ve worked in a consulting firm, I’ve worked as a cashier at a department store, I’ve done quite a lot of jobs but with music, I don’t have to try hard to do it, it’s just something that comes very natural to me. I think it’s just one of those things that I am meant to do. [color=orange]For those who are interested in following such career path, how lucrative is it? It has its moments. The future of the Nigerian music industry is looking very bright. I’m glad to have gone into it at this time. It might not be as lucrative but we are getting there. [color=orange]What do you hope to achieve with your career as a DJ? I really just want to make people dance, as simple as it sounds. I want to play a more relevant role in the Nigerian entertainment industry in the nearby future. [color=orange]For other DJ’s out there trying to get into the night life scene, what would you say is the most important thing? Practice, practice, practice. Always read the crowd and know and love your music very well, its very important. You need to be able to know the right songs to play and when to play them. [size=18][color=orange]The Music Producer[/size] [color=orange]I understand you are a music producer as well. Tell me about some of the work you’ve done in that regard? Currently now, I’m releasing a song every week on Chocolate City GidiHouse Friday. It’s a bit of a challenge but it’s something that will keep me active and also brush up my skills and share my music with the world. Those are just remixes but in terms of producing original songs, I’ve worked with a few artistes. Some have been released like Toyin with GRB Lasgidi, Lynxxx – International and some will be released soon. [color=orange]Who has been the most interesting artiste you’ve worked with? I’d say for now, Waje. I’ve produced something for her and it’s yet to be released. She is such a powerful singer. [color=orange][size=18]From Both Worlds[/size] Tell me about your work as a DJ with Chocolate City, what does it entail? It entails a lot actually. I bring something different to the table, something that has never been done before. If there are any tours or anything I need to support any of my brothers with, I’d definitely jump on it and help out; basically, be a good team player. [color=orange]There aren’t much good DJ’s signed on to record labels in Nigeria. How did you get the job? I did the M.I and Waje one naira remix and one of the directors of Chocolate City heard it and we got talking, and he said I should join the team. [color=orange]Compare your work as a DJ in a radio station and a DJ on a record label. What are the differences? DJ on a record label mostly involves DJ live at concerts and shows. The Everybody Loves Iceprince concert was exhausting because it was quite long. A lot of preparation, about three weeks of steady preparation, a lot of timing, I had to know the structure of the songs so that was quite intensive. DJ at a radio stations is more of an expressive thing. I play whatever music I like. Thanks to Beat FM, they don’t give me any limits as to what I can play and I’m glad the feeback is good because it shows that whatever I’m doing, they enjoy it. [color=orange]Whilst spinning, what are the most annoying things that could happen in a club or party? People coming to ask me to for songs I’ve played more than two times. The other thing would be when there is a technical fault that has nothing to do with me but because I am the DJ, everyone just assumes that it’s my fault. Or if NEPA should take light, or the generator should go off, or the equipment is faulty. [color=orange]What if your audience is not just feeling you, not dancing… It’s all about confidence because you have to be confident to know where you are taking your audience to. Sometimes, you just want to entertain your audience with good music, you don’t want them to dance or go crazy, you just want them to have a nice time. They might be eating or relaxing or a guy might just want to talk to a girl so you have to play something appropriate. [color=orange]What is your favourite party to DJ at? I’ve DJ at almost all kinds of events – from concerts, to parties to weddings to Big Brother, to MTV award shows and honestly the best kinds of parties I enjoy the most is a club party with people that have energy. It never gets better than that. When people go crazy to your music, there is no greater feeling. [color=orange]Growing Up, Family, Inspiration & More You must have role models in your line of work. Who is the DJ you look up to the most? David Guetta, he is one of the biggest DJs in the world. Also DJ Khaled. I like them because they are good DJs and producers. [color=orange]You mentioned that you grew up listening to lots of music. Who were your favourites back in the days? KRS-One. Nigerian wise, Shakebody by Trybesmen, that is why I went on to remix the song. [color=orange]What do you think about often; beats, soundtracks… What goes on in your head most of the time? There were so many times especially in secondary school where everybody would be doing a test or an assignment and I will just burst out singing. And everybody would just say “what the hell is wrong with you men”. It happened so many times and it still does. I remember when the comedian AY cracked a joke about Don Jazzy that sometimes when you’re talking to him, he looks distracted because he is thinking about music and I can totally relate to that. For me, 24-7 it’s music. [color=orange]Is it ever quiet around you? Most of the time, its music playing in the background. If not, it’s quiet because I am thinking about music. [color=orange]While growing up, you must have disturbed your family with loud music very often… That was the reason why I had to move out. I needed a studio and the music was too loud for them and besides, I get inspiration at very odd times. [color=orange]What is your family like? I am the last born. I have three older ones, two guys and one lady. [color=orange]What is your definition of good music? Music that can put you in the mood – whether it’s a party song that makes you want to dance or a slow song that reminds you of a special someone or a special time, I think music is all about expression. [color=orange]Sometimes I hear your remixes and it sounds completely different from the original songs. And at other times, you just tweak it to sound a bit different. What do you really set out to achieve when you remix a song? It’s all about the mood. For instance if you listen to One Naira, it’s a love song, very passionate with strong lyrics. I always used to listen to it but I wanted to play it in the clubs for people to dance to so that’s why I switched it up. I just hear a different version of it in my head and I share it. I also see remixes as a medium of reviving songs that are not as popular as they once were. For instance, Shakebody is a song that I loved while growing up and I just wanted to remind people of the song. [color=orange]Your use of Eurocentric sounds is quite different amongst most Nigerian DJs. Why do you use it often? The funniest thing is while I was in the UK, I could not stand such sounds. I used to say it gave me a headache but after a while, I understood the message it was trying to convey. It’s all about positive energy. [color=orange]Tell me about your hobbies. What do you do when you’re not playing music? I’m an exercise freak, I work out a lot. I like watching movies; I use the internet a lot probably because of my music, but especially now that I’m producing music, it’s very time consuming because I have to make every single sound so it takes a while. [color=orange]Which artistes do you dream of mixing their songs? Then good thing about remixing songs is that anything is possible; there are no limits. I have a remix of Adele and Mc Loph. It should be out soon, it’s Adele singing highlife; that would possibly never happen but I made it happen. There is a Lagbaja House remix coming soon, I’m going to mix Lagbaja with a popular Kenyan house song. I’m excited about that one. [color=orange]Are you a good dancer? Yes, I’m a very good dancer [color=orange]That’s hard to believe. I watched your dance performance to the “Oliver Twist” song and I wasn’t too impressed…. That was a joke. It was ‘TheBigFridayshow’. I’m not the kind of person to brag but before I started as a DJ like I said, I was the first person to enter the club and the last person to leave, so yes, I’m a good dancer. [color=orange]Tell me about your first crush She used to sit in front of me in Primary school and I had such a big crush on her and I didn’t do anything about it; obviously I was too young to do it anyway but I just really liked her. But funny enough, I met her again in the UK and we actually went into a relationship. So it was pretty fulfilling to date someone I liked when I was a child. [color=orange]Are you still dating her? No. [color=orange]So, who is the special lady in your life now? My Mum. She is super cool. [color=orange]Seriously…. I don’t have a special lady now. [color=orange]What attracts you to a lady? What is the first thing that will draw your attention? The way she carries herself; her confidence, her demeanor, her general aura. [color=orange]Would you be attracted to someone who isn’t a big fan of your music, or music in general? It would be difficult to date someone that isn’t into music because music is around me 24-7. I also like getting a second opinion about my music so I would need someone who can give an opinion. My girlfriend should be my best friend and if my best friend doesn’t like music, what then do we talk about? [color=orange]You must have worked with a lot of upcoming artistes in your career. How do you relate with someone who is obviously not talented but is trying to push his/her music. I’m always a very blunt person. If they don’t have talent, I just won’t work with them. I have a lot of respect for music and I take music very seriously so I only work with people that take music very seriously. To follow DJ Caise on Twitter: @djcaise