AMBER ROSE LIVE IN LAGOS FOR D'BANJ AT 10

DKM media presents the kick off party for Dbanj’s 10th year anniversary celebration. Come celebrate the evolution of Ejanla from the Koko master to Bangalee hosted by Amber Rose.

DATE - Saturday the 31st of January
VENUE - ocean view restaurant VI
TIME - 7pm.

For table and cabana bookings call 08123647576/09034014669.
Tables – 500k
Cabana – 1m
Regular tickets – 20k.

Supported by Diamond bank TV, 7up, Diageo and LASAA

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D’banj, Olamide, Obesere Debut on ‘The Trek’ to Rock City Abeokuta

 Anticipation is on the rise as Rock City Abeokuta will this weekend get to host some of Nigeria’s favourite artistes on the 8^th leg of Star Music Trek.

On Saturday July 27, international award winning artiste D’banj makes his first appearance on The Trek having been missing from the 7 other legs of the concert held around the country.

Also, fast rising Yoruba rap star, Olamide is set to make his debut performance in Abeokuta. The taciturn artiste has promised fans who have been patiently awaiting his appearance on ‘The Trek’ not just a thrilling time but hinted at lots of surprises in store for them as well.

Sound Sultan who appeared last in FESTAC joins Dr SID who debuted in Lokoja to also perform for the second time on The Trek in Abeokuta.

D’banj who has been enjoying an extremely rewarding year has urged fans to come all out to have fun at the venue “I’m reaching out to all my fans everywhere, not just in Abeokuta, but in Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Akure, Benin, Asaba, Warri and other cities, this is my open invitation to you to be my special guest. I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Abeokuta Sports Club this Saturday.”

“I’ve been watching performances from all the concerts since the The Trek started on June 8. I know our fans in Abeokuta cannot ‘carry last’! Abeokuta must ‘rock’ this July 27^th!” Olamide noted.

The 9^th leg of the concert will hold in Agege, Lagos State.

The 10-week 10 city ‘Trek’ will come to an end at a Grand Finale on August 10^th 2013 at the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos.

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YOU ARE NOBODY! - J.J.C SAYS TO D'BANJ #VIDEO

Hey guys. Just when we thought that the Don Jazzy and D'Banj saga was getting out of hand, things just took an interesting turn. In the recent interview with D'Banj, he mentioned how his ex-partner Don Jazzy was cheated by J.J.C. As it happens, J.J.C did not find that comment funny.

Here is a video from J.J.C to D'Banj

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HOW DON JAZZY BETRAYED ME - D'BANJ SPEAKS

It was 4am on Saturday, April 21. I arrived in London eight hours earlier, and had spent almost all of that time chatting with D’banj, in his first interview with a Nigerian newspaper in a long time, and his first interview on theMo’Hits brouhaha.

London is D’banj’s town. He’s performed there over and over, his single ‘Oliver Twist’ is on the A-list at Choice FM, and enjoys heavy rotation on other stations. A day before I came, he spent hours doing interviews at the Universal offices in Kensington. Some might hail D’banj as the man championing the gospel of ‘Afrobeats’ across the world. But, just like the cab driver, London does not yet know D’banj.

As we walk into the Choice FM building in the afternoon on Saturday, there are no heads turning or fans gazing. In fact, his lawyer, Elias, who wore a pair of loud snakeskin boots, attracted more attention than D’banj.

Who leaves a zone where they’re comfortable and celebrated; where they’re established and successful, for a place where no one seems to give the slightest care?

D’banj, that’s who.

The 31 year-old entertainer has spent nearly two years building structures he hopes will help take his music to new markets in Europe, and especially America. This move, he believes, cost him his friendship and business relationship with his long time partner Don Jazzy.

‘I’m a risk taker’, he says. ‘Life is all about risks. But you must never endanger yourself. I don’t endanger myself, which is why, even though I’m here, I’m still in Nigeria all the time, performing’.

With incredible energy, and the kind of passion that endeared everyone to him when he first moved back to Nigeria in 2005, D’banj says his deal with Kanye West is a case of ‘preparation meets opportunity’.

‘I pulled up with my entourage at the Emirates first class lounge in Dubai. We were returning from Scott Tommey’s birthday.  I came down with Bankuli, my P.A. Chuchu, and my business manager Chidi. My entourage was large and I was looking fly. One of the hostesses ran to me with a Kanye West placard. I said I’m not Kanye o – then I told my guys ‘Kanye is around so no dulling.’ Chuchu and Bankuli spotted Kanye walking in to check in. They went to him and he said we could come over’.

‘As they came, I had my iPad with me, and my headphones. First thing Kanye said was ‘I like your T-shirt’. I wore a Zara T-shirt and a D&G ring. He liked my appearance and said he’d give me 5 minutes. I told him ‘I played with you in Nigeria during NB PLC Star Megajam. I’ve done a song with Snoop and we’re going to shoot the video now. I’d like to play you my songs.’ I played Oliver, Scapegoat, and Fall in love. He was dancing. He removed the headphones and said ‘I don’t mean to sound rude, but if anyone has to bring you out in the states, it has to be me, not Snoop. He asked when I was going to be in the US, and  I told him I was going there that day. Then he asked who my producer was, and I said Don Jazzy. He said ‘come with him.’

Three months later, D’banj, Don Jazzy and their crew were in New York, where, according to D’banj, it took almost forever before they could establish contact with Kanye. ‘It was only an email address he gave us at the airport. So when we got to NY, we sent several emails but got no response. Not a single one.’

‘Then we met someone that knew someone that knew another someone and we got another email address. We sent several messages again, no response. Then Bankuli sent a final one saying, ‘we have been in New York for some time and sent several emails. We have waited long enough and are now on our way to do the Snoop Dogg video’

And then the reply came. ‘Sorry to have overlooked your earlier emails. Mr. Kanye would like to meet with you tomorrow.’

‘We didn’t believe it. Don Jazzy, who had been reluctant all along, still did not believe it. Even when we got there (Wyclef’s studio) the next day, he stood outside. When Kanye came I went to call him ‘Oya come now, come play am the music now’. It was difficult to believe it was real and it was happening. Then when Kanye came in, with the GOOD music acts, I was like, ‘wow’.

From there everything happened fast. Next they were meeting Jay Z, making a presentation to LA Reid (At Electric studios), and discussing contracts. But while the label offered him a traditional recording contract, D’banj opted for a joint venture agreement structured to guarantee three things: retaining full control of his materials in Africa, signing Don Jazzy on board (on behalf on Mohits USA), and, he says, bringing the Universal/Def Jam imprint to Africa.

‘I’ve always thought of how I can be a useful vessel to the industry. A friend and colleague always says to me:  ‘D’banj, you’re the Jesus Christ of the industry.’ So having ran Mohits for nine years, I already had plans of how we could blow Mohits up.  I had plans of expanding, and most especially, bringing hope to that 11 year-old kid somewhere in Africa who may never have had the opportunity to get signed to major labels’.

‘So it was not really just about me.  There’s a big market in Africa.  I said to them, ‘I’ve sold millions of records in Africa, we’ve done millions of hits with CRBT, and I’ve run the most successful label on the continent. You take care of the US, but let me take you to Africa.‘ 

 And I’m happy to tell you that we’re doing that. D’banj’s album will be the first under Universal/Def Jam Africa, and we’re already putting all the structures in place’.

‘I’m a businessman.’ I learnt from my mom, who’s a very successful businesswoman. So having run and funded Mohits for nine years, I knew we had to move to the next level. And everything we wanted was happening. Finally we could take African music to the world.’

Just like the lyrics of the song, D’banj was an Oliver Twist. Here’s a guy who had conquered a continent; was sitting on the top three list, and making more money than anyone else in his category. D’banj was a big player in Nigeria, where there are over 150 million people; a big player in Africa, with over 850 million people. But he wanted to play big globally, with 7 billion people to grab from.

And that’s where the problem started.

‘Don Jazzy was no longer comfortable. You know, we were like fishes out of water, in this new system, starting all over again, like when we returned home in 2004.   I got him a place in the US, set up a studio there, just so he’d be comfortable and be able to work without going to hang around the studios. In one year Jazzy did not make a song. I said, maybe you want to go back to Lagos, you’ll get inspiration there?’ I was all about the work, I wanted us to make this happen, so we can bridge that gap and create a path for Africa. But Jazzy wanted us to go back home. And I understand. He’s my friend, my brother’.

‘But I never expected him to do what he did.’ He said to me in July last year ‘Let’s scatter Mohits. He told me there are two captains – two captains cannot be in a ship. I was like ‘that’s not possible, this is a marriage’. He said ‘then this marriage is no longer working’. I said then let’s go for counseling; I asked, so what happens to our children?’

Don Jazzy wanted Mohits, D’banj says. And that happened on April 16, 2012 – after months of a bitter feud, characterized by accusations and counter accusations, widespread speculation, leaked emails and failed reconciliation attempts.

‘You can see he has signed already’, he said, showing the agreement with Don Jazzy’s signature. ‘I have full rights to my catalogue and full ownership of my Koko Holdings, while he has full ownership of Mo’Hits, including the artistes and liabilities.’

Already judged guilty in the court of public opinion, and publicly disowned by his own boysWande Coal and Dr SID, D’banj says he’s sad, but not bitter. Does he feel kind of lonely, alone in the cold?  ‘Asking me if I’m lonely because Wande or Jazzy has left me is like asking my first sister if she’s lonely now – she has two kids now, lives in Canada. Don Jazzy is still my brother – we just had to move on. We’ll still work together in future, same with my boys. In fact, just this week, he sent me the remix to Oliver Twist that we’re releasing in the UK on May 14. All the interviews I’ve had here, I kept hyping him. It’s already in my system – you know me, I’m a one-way soldier.  Jazzy is a very quiet person. Loyalty is key. My loyalty still lies in the friendship I had with him. He was cheated by JJC, and I was present. I swore never to cheat him. But I’d like to think our visions became different.

‘It was clear when we met that Jazzy wanted to be the biggest producer, I wanted to be the biggest African entertainer, not the biggest singer. I had my mind on money. In order to say I’m the biggest, I had to be the richest. So for a very long time, he was on the back end. He respected my act, I respected his music judgment. Every meeting that brought us money I went for. I’d say I need to confirm from Don Jazzy because that was the agreement, even though I knew it was my decision. First Glo deal was $500,000. That Landcruiser jeep was because of my demands. It was because of the skill and exposure that I used to bargain. I’m a businessman’

‘People say I’m less talented, I was known as a jester in the JJC squad. I’d make everyone happy and play the mouth organ, but I knew what I wanted. I decided to give Don Jazzy power in 2007 when we realized that after four years, they did not recognize us as a record label. We had signed artistes and done all this work. So we restructured, and restrategized. So I told him to chill, so he can be more respected and be the don. I’m older than him by one year, yet I respected him like a don. I remember when he came out at Ali Baba show, I knelt down for him, so people would say he’s the baba. All the talking in my ears and all, it was an arrangement. All the Soundcity advert and all, he did not tell me anything. It was all an arrangement.’

With his UK publicist Vanessa Amadi taking notes nearby, his manager Bankulli interjecting every now and then, and several legal documents surrounding us, D’banj spoke passionately of his former partner in the same way a man might go on about a cherished and respected, but estranged, lover. He’s on his sixth cigarette, and thinks the room is stuffy, even though no one complains. So he opens the sliding glass for ventilation. ‘Jazzy did his part’, he says, sitting down again and looking me in the face. ‘He made the music for nine years. But nothing stops him from making for twenty more years. We could have changed the formula. Why didn’t he want to change the formula? It was time to expand the business, Mohits was Motown reloaded. We always knew we would expand, he always said I had more swagger than anyone else he knows, And I know he’s one of the best producers in the world; we wanted to make Mohits the biggest in Africa. Other labels were springing up. So if we could conquer America, London when no one had done it before. Most of our people stop in Germany, or Paris. But this is America, this is the big league; it makes us the strongest, the biggest. We had already made the money. And who best to introduce me to the rest of the world? Kanye did not want to change anything about my music, my style of dressing, or my brand. It is God’s favour. But Jazzy was and is very scared. Something had worked for eight years, so he wanted to maintain the status quo. People are afraid to try new things.’

‘But’, he tells me, still maintaining eye contact while lighting another cigarette, ‘I’m not afraid. I’m a vessel that God is trying to use to help the industry. I’m a bridge. Once in a few years, one artiste comes from the UK to run the world, none has come from Africa. Fela was the closest. It’s been my own dream; I made my name from Nigeria, unlike Seal, Wale, and Tinie Tempah.  And I want to bring Universal, Def Jam and all to Nigeria. So if I can build that bridge, then we’re good, because it will give hope to the boys in Asaba, in Oshogbo that this thing is possible.’

The day after our Canary Wharf interview, we meet up at Highbury Islington, where he’s shooting a documentary and the promo for the Oliver Twist competition for the UK. D’banj’s new crew: Semtex (a white A&R rep from the label), Bankuli and Vanessa, are on the ground, working with the production team. ‘This is why we’re here o. This is the work’, he says as he invites me into the dressing room.

‘And when people say why am I not talking, this is why. I’m focused on making this happen. It’s more important for me to make sure I don’t disappoint all those who have invested in me; all those who believe in me and are supporting the movement, than to be fighting over who’s right or wrong. Even now that I’m talking to you, I don’t even know if I should be doing this interview.’

It’s very unexpected that D’banj – the super aggresive D’banj – is speaking in this manner. He has fought many battles, cut off many former friend-associates, ignored the Nigerian media, and reportedly humiliated several Mo’hits members, including Ikechukwu and Dr SID. Temperamental, often impatient, and vocal, those who know him will tell you the D’banj they know, is not the one that’s speaking.

So I ask:

The perception is that you’ve become arrogant, unreachable, proud. You’re not the D’banj we used to know; not the D’banj I used to know – and most people in the media will say this is true

Obviously people will say stuff – but this is me. I can’t keep up with everyone, no matter how much I try.  But I understand where I’m coming from. I cant forget my roots – all the interviews I had yesterday, I was ‘bigging up’ DJ Abass, he gave me my first show in London. You saw me giving Jazzy props in my interview earlier. That’s me. If I was arrogant I wouldn’t have been the one even chasing Jazzy around since he told me last July that he wanted to scatter Mohits. Last time I saw him was on February 19 at Irving Plaza. He didn’t support the show, and he only came on stage when SID and Wande were performing. I wanted peace.

And even my mom, who had supported us from beginning, who gave us the house we stayed in (in Michael Otedola estate, Lagos), the Previa bus we used and paid for Tongolo video, spoke to his parents last December; ‘this is what your son said o’. I remember my mom saying to me, ‘if you guys have been together all these years, and no wahala, then if you need to part, I hope there’ll be no wahala.’ She was very particular about that. I had enough proof to have come out and speak; this thing has been on for a long time, and we’re in April now. But I don’t want to cause any wahala. I don’t want to spoil anything. I don’t want trouble. Right now, I just want to be able to move on and do my business.’

That’s surprising, because when the leaked emails emerged, revealing private email conversations between the estranged partners, all fingers pointed at D’banj. Don Jazzy, a likeable celeb and social media addict, didn’t have anything to prove. D’banj was the one who looked bad, and, understandably, would want to make a move that could earn him public sympathy.

‘The signing (away of my shares in Mohits) was already being discussed before April 16. If I kept quiet from January till now, what would it benefit me to leak anything? Remember all the stuff about my password and all? We know where that was from, I really wouldn’t want to think it was from him, my brother, but it could be from anywhere, but I don’t want to call anyone’s name’

But were the emails forged?

Everything in those emails were facts. And I don’t even think the mails favoured me in any way. It’s not the exact mails that were sent and signed, but there were elements of truth in the mails that were published.’

Why did you tell Ebony you own Mohits?

My mom advised me not to speak. And the interviewer took it out of context. I co-owned Mohits.  We registered the business in 2004, and we owned it 50:50. So I spoke about that, but the interviewer took it wrong and the fans put pressure on them and they corrected it.

How about Sahara Reporters?

I never wanted to have any interview. It was on the eve of my US show. I was told I should do the interview, because they’re very troublesome. I had to do the interview for the sake of my show the next day. I was guaranteed that there’d be no politics questions. I had not been in the country. And I had been under pressure.  Sadly, when that happened and I was being attacked in the media, none of my guys came out to support me.

Looking at all this, what are your regrets?

The truth is that if nothing went wrong, you’d have still heard all this good news and Mohits would take the glory, I didn’t come out in eight years to say anything. Everyone made their contributions. There were no issues, as long as it worked. My mistake was thinking that we were one. People don’t question their brothers and sisters.

How do you feel about Wande Coal and Dr. SID taking sides with Jazzy?

I won’t be too quick to judge Wande Coal. I hear it was Jazzy that tweeted those Wande tweets. I don’t know how true that is, but I know he had our social media accounts. As at a month ago, I couldn’t access any of my accounts. My password was changed on Twitter and Facebook. Then Universal intervened. I’m about to be verified on Twitter now. I’m not really a social media person, so it was Don Jazzy and some of our other guys that were running it. Wande himself knows the truth. He cannot talk to me like that. The whole Mohits knew who ran the label businesswise. They knew who to come to when they needed to get money out, after we recorded the album. Who knows the factory where Dansa was made? But you will know the marketing manager. The car he’s driving, I bought him a brand new Prado from Phyllis and Moss after he crashed the car he won from Hiphop World awards. I bought six Range Rovers last year. I bought D’Prince an LR 3 last year, he crashed it, then I bought him a Range, and it’s true that I bought two Bentleys. Because of Jazzy. But after July last year, after the issue with Jazzy, I bought myself the Aston Martin.

You bought that? I thought that was a gift?

I bought it.

How were you able to fund all that?

In the last nine years, there are a few people and corporate bodies that God has helped me build relationships with, either individuals or banks, or even corporates that are involved in the growth of the industry. I’ve enjoyed their support, and even now that we’re going global, we’re pooling the funds together from all these places.

Could you possibly be Nigeria’s richest pop star? A billionaire?

Vanity upon vanity. Money is material. In terms of what we’re doing, you’ll call me a Trillionaire, because this vision is too big for only me. With the help of the industry, the government, people like you Ayeni, we will not only be billionaires, but trillionaires, and not just me, but every little kid that has same talent like Beyonce, or Nicki Minaj. And with the standard of the UMG worldwide, we can pass people out from our own Universal Music Group Africa, Universal Def Jam Africa, and everyone should jump on this ship with us. It’s not the Titanic.

There’s been a lot of confusion – what label exactly are you signed on?

My album comes out under my label/GOOD Music/Island Def Jam. I’m funding the D’banj album, in America, through GOOD Music/Island Def Jam. GOOD Music is Kanye West who is co-executive producing with me. The deal comprises of Island Def Jam, in US. But in UK, it is under Mercury. My first single will be released in Europe on May 14. My work will be released in Africa through Universal/Def Jam. We don’t have these structures in Africa, and they’ve seen how much money they’ve lost. They’ve seen what I’ve done with Mohits. I made my pitch to them; I’ve made them realize how much they were losing in the African region. Over 150m Nigerians, over 800m Africans. 2% of that is 8.5m. They were not making anything except from S.A, which has been the US of Africa. So we will be launching this label in Ghana, in partnership with Vodafone, launching in Nigeria in partnership with MTN. Def Jam Africa will be up soon; Kenya, SA, and North Africa will follow.

Why are you risking all this? What if you burn your fingers and lose everything you’ve worked for?

Lose out?  Well, I am happy I even have something to risk. To whom much is given, much is expected. Look at Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Jay Z, Kanye West, these people take it to the max, take it to where they believe that they can push it to. In the first instance, coming back to Nigeria with Jazzy was because I was a risk taker. And I wouldn’t say I’m throwing everything away. I would say I’m putting everything back in, in order to rip into the future. I get a broadcast from Tonye Cole everyday. He says when you tell people this your vision, know that it’s not for you alone – it’s for everyone. It’s like what Fela did. If what I’m doing doesn’t work, but sows that seed that will germinate in three, five years, it means my name will be written in gold.

Some people have tried this before you, unsuccessfully. Do you have doubts and fears  sometimes?

My last album was in July 2008 – no album in four years and I know what I still command in those four years. The momentum for me to be able to do this is because I see how much it took me, I saw the benefit, it’s God, and the favour of the relationships we’ve built. Plus, I don’t take no for an answer, I don’t take negativity. It will work in Jesus’ name. If not, I wouldn’t have landed in the UK and hear Oliver Twist on the radio. Nor would I be in the mainstream media with them saying I’m pioneering afrobeats. I said to them ‘Oh hell no, that’s Fela’s music. Fela is the legend.’ So I pray to God – I beg my fans, it‘ll be good to do half a million downloads. It’s possible, it’s a different market. Platinum in UK is 300,000. I believe with the support of my people in Redding, Coventry, Dusting, Hackney, Thamesmead, Abbeywood, we can do it.’

And so, as I say my goodbyes and flag down the cab that’ll take me to Heathrow Airport, I can’t help thinking out loud: should one man sacrifice the wishes of the collective on the altar of ambition and material wealth? But then, what should be expected of the man whose dreams and ambition grow beyond those of other – possibly myopic-  members of the collective: should an individual sacrifice his personal desires; derail his destiny, so to speak, in the interest of the collective?

In all of this, faithfulness and loyalty have been brutally murdered. And the jury is still out on who pulled the trigger.

In all of this, faithfulness and loyalty have been brutally murdered. And the jury is still out on who pulled the trigger.

Source: The Nigerian Entertainment Today

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GENEVIEVE NNAJI, DBANJ, ASA SLUG IT OUT AT FAB AWARDS

FAB Magazine, Nigeria’s leading international fashion journal has announced a star-studded list of entertainment, fashion and music icons nominated for the second edition of FAB Night out- An annual fashion/ awards show scheduled to hold at the Landmark events centre Victoria Island, Lagos on December 11, 2011.

The long list of nominees were unveiled at an event held at The Marquee in Lagos on October 22, 2011. Nollywood acts Kate Henshaw Nuttal, Monalisa Chinda, Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji, Jim Iyke, Ramsey Nouah, Nse Ikpe Etim, Mike Ezuruonye, Majid Michael are joined on the most stylish actor and actress list by Tinsel favorite Gideon Okeke. The music industry is not left out as Dbanj, Naeto C, Goldie, Muna, Bez, Tiwa Savage, Darey, Asa, Sasha and Lynxx are up for the most stylish artiste contest.

The fashion world is well represented by the likes of Deola Sagoe, Mai Atafo, Uti Nwachukwu, Dimeji Alara and Bolaji Animashaun. In addition, this year’s list of nominees accommodates On Air Personalities from Radio and TV- Fan favorites Toolz, Tosyn Bucknor, Yvonne

Ekwere, Yaw, Wana, Efe Tommy, Eku Edewor, Frank Edoho and Adams Ibrahim. Well known for showcasing exclusive designs from Africa’s latest fabric collections, FAB Night Out will also have spectacular displays from designers drawn from across Africa, as well as performances from some of the continent’s finest artistes.

‘‘Guests can look forward to a night of endless drinks, dancing and shoulder-rubbing with some of fashion and music's finest, so dress daring and arrive on time’’ FAB founder F

amilusi Akin Babajide , a well known bespoke suit designer and entrepreneur says. Born January 25, 1978 and raised in Lagos, Familusi Akin Babajide (FAB) is believed to be a reincarnation of His grandfather who was a tailor and passed away a few weeks before he was born. In 2001, when
he was 23, he discovered his interest in making his own clothes, having traded in clothing and accessories for a few years. Mostly self-taught, the young designer used his background in the Sciences to do research in Fabric, Fit and Finishing to create winning

pieces -and the first shirt he ever produced was mistaken for a Jermyn Street product! With the applause a

nd exclamations that came from clients, friends and family, the brand was born; and Exclamations Couture has since focused on setting the standards for the tailoring of Shirts and Suits in Africa.
In all, 26 awards will be given out to deserving talents at this year’s FAB Night Out including a special recognition category for Deola Sagoe.

The event is produced by FAB Magazine, and supported by Vlisco, Trace TV, Beat FM, Pattaya Oriental, Zapphaire Events and Barcadi. FAB Night out debuted in 2010 as a platform to recognize and celebrate talents with the best, offering every calendar year with a total of twenty six award plaques to reward deserving talents.

click to enlarge image(s)

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
1. DESIGNER OF THE YEAR (WEST AFRICA)
- Bridget Awosika (Bridget Awosika)
- Bunmi Koko
- Grey
- Eki Orleans
- Christie Brown

2. DESIGNER OF THE YEAR (SOUTH AFRICA)
- KLUK CGDT
- Heni
- David Tlale
- Stiaan Louw
- Stoned Cherrie

3. MODEL OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)
- Makida Moka
- Emmanuella Chika
- Milen Magese
- Kinee Diouf
- Nyasha Matonhodze

4. MODEL OF THE YEAR (MALE)
- Francis Nwodu
- TY Ogunkoya
- Brookly Soumaharo
- Uti Nwachukwu
- Kevin Godson


5. FASHION BRAND OF THE YEAR
- Kinabuti
- Mai Atafo
- Zebra Living
- David Wej
- Jewel by Lisa

6. LIFESTYLE BRAND OF THE YEAR
- Temple Muse
- Polo Luxury
- Quintessentially Nigeria
- The Life House
- The Play Group

7. MOST STYLISH ARTISTE (MALE)
- Darey
- Lynxx
- D’Banj
- Naeto C
- Bez Idakula

FEMALE
- Muna
- Asa
- Goldie
- Tiwa Savage
- Sasha P

8. MOST STYLISH ACTOR
- Majid Michel
- Ramsey Noah
- Gideon Okeke
- Jim Iyke
- Mike Ezuruonye


9. MOST STYLISH ACTRESS
- Genevieve Nnaji
- Monalisa Chinda
- Rita Dominic
- Nse Ikpe – Etim
- Kate Henshaw – Nuttal

10. TV SHOW OF THE YEAR*****
- Jacob’s Cross
- MTN Project Fame
- Big Brother Amplified
- Glo Naija Sings
- Gulder Ultimate Search
-

11. TV PRESENTER OF THE YEAR
- Yvonne ‘Vixen’ Ekwere
- Eku Edewor
- Adams Ibrahim
- Frank Edoho
- Efe Tommy

12. RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- Beat 99.9 FM
- Inspiration 92.3 FM
- Wazobia 95.1 FM
- Cool 96.9 FM
- Rhythm 93.7 FM

13. ON AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru
- Wana
- Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu
- Tosyn Bucknor
- Emmanuel ‘Mannie’ Essien

14. CAR OF THE YEAR**********
- Mercedes Benz S550 (2011)
- Range Rover Sport (2011)
- Toyota Land Cruiser (2011)
- Porsche Cayenne (2011)
- Volkswagen Toureg (2011)


15. RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
- Indigo Restaurant
- Bazaar Restaurant
- Yellow Chilli Restaurant
- Jevenik Restaurant
- Piccolomondo Restaurant

16. BAR OF THE YEAR
- De Marquee
- Reeds
- Soul Lounge
- Liquids Lounge
- Ediz Wine Bar

17. DJ OF THE YEAR
- DJ Caise
- DJ Humility
- DJ Neptune
- DJ Jimmy Jatt
- DJ Sose

18. CLUB OF THE YEAR
- Dueces
- Chrome
- Play
- Cubana
- Aqua

19. HOTEL OF THE YEAR
- Radisson blu
- Federal Palace Hotel and Casino
- Four Points by Sheraton
- Southern Sun
- Protea (Ikoyi Westwood)

20. MAKE-UP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
- Lola Maja
- Seun Omisesan
- David Onyedike
- Banke Meshida
- Jide Adedeji


21. HAIR STYLIST OF THE YEAR

- Ugo Igbokwe (Make Me)
- Ola Garba
- Shola
- Racheal

22. FASHION WRITER OF THE YEAR
- Rukky Ladoja (Y! Naija)
- Mary Ononokpono
- Ijeoma Ndekwu
- Ezinne Chinkata
- Chioma Nnadi


23. FASHION STYLIST OF THE YEAR
- Dimeji Alara
- Crystal Deroche
- Ebun Aboderin
- Bolaji Animashaun
- Veronica Ebie

24. FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
- Hakeem Salam
- Kelechi Amadi-Obi
- Moussa Moussa
- Toni Tones
- Oladipo Oladapo

25. ONLINE PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR

- Bella Naija
- One Nigerian Boy
- Y Naija
- 360 Nobs
- The Fancy Hub

26. FASHION ICON OF THE YEAR
- DEOLA SAGOE

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MO’HIT’S STARS STORM BENIN, PORTHARCOURT AND WARRI FOR MTN FUNLINK CAMPUS CONCERT

Top Nigerian artistes recently visited the beautiful city of Benin, Port Harcourt, Sokoto and Warri for the MTN Funlink campus concert tagged “Who ROCKS da MO”.

Project Fame winners, Iyanya and Myk joined the Mo’Hit’s crew- D banj, D Prince, Wande Coal, Dr Sid and K-Switch to thrill students from different campuses Also in attendance was Comedian, Seyi Law who hosted the shows. Students came to take part in the fun and got the chance to win exciting prizes from participating in various competitions that held at the concert.

The youth segment of leading telecommunication brand, MTN Nigeria started the Funlink campus concerts in October. It is expected that they visit six major campuses in Nigeria.

Funlink Campus concert will hold in Abeokuta on Thursday October 17, 2011 before the final campus concert which would hold in Lagos.

click to enlarge images

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Dbanj, Psquare, Tiwa Savage, Terry G and Whizkid dominate prediction list for TOP10MICS

...organizers keep mum on remaining five acts

The upcoming musical concert Top 10 MICS, from the stable of entertainment giant, KOGA, keeps grabbing the headlines on social networking platforms daily as the online competition to determine the five artistes that will eventually perform alongside the five artistes previously unveiled by KOGA draws to a close this week.

The African Queen crooner, Tuface Idibia, Mr incredible, M.I Abaga, Trybesmen chief executive, Eldee tha don, the Afro Juju creator, Sir Shina Peters and the paramount King of Fuji, Abass Akande Obesere are names previously unveiled by KOGA and will be performing live on stage.

The online competition requires music lovers to predict correctly the remaining five artistes that will join the above five on stage come December 23 at TBS, Lagos. Several mouthwatering prizes like sleek black berry phones, mini laptops, television sets,T-shirts from the award winning clothing line, Shakara clothing are some of the prizes put up for grab.

Kelekele crooner, Tiwa Savage, Akpako master, Terry Gee, Oleku exponent, Ice Prince Zamani, the lady of soul music, Omawunmi, love diva, Waje, Terry tha rap man, Noni boy, Samklef, Brymo and Sauce Kid top many people’s predictions on twitter and short sms code. Other names that feature frequently in the gale of prediction are D’banj, Psquare, Wande Coal, Whizkid and many others.

The identities of the remaining five will be unveiled by the organizers at the World Press Conference slated for next week.

Expectations are high as the organizers who claim to have signed top ten acts for the event that many as dubbed ‘event of the year for the people and by the people’ said they are still keeping the names under wrap. ‘The competition ends this week and we have many predictions have been made, we shall wait till next week at the world press conference to reveal the winners and the host’.

According to the PR agency, Bigsam Media, the world press conference will have the 10 acts in attendance and major industry stakeholders. ‘This is an industry event as far as we are concern. It is an event by the people and for the masses. We are striving to bring back live concert and entertainment at a price generality of the people can afford’.

The musical concert which is a first of its kind since the days of Lekki sun splash will hold on the 23rd December. Speaking on the event, the head of operations at KOGA, Elsie Oluku stressed that ’’KOGA is presenting a medium that will bring together the young and the old. Our selection of artistes shows that we intend taking this to a whole new level and we don’t intend settling for anything less’’.

Meanwhile the show is getting supports across the nations as reputable organizations such as Beat FM, Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Naija FM, Bellanaija, Lindaikeji, Nigeriafilm, Ozone Cinema, LASAA, thenetng, LAGBUS, Shakara Clothing, Ynaija, Soarnaija, Gabrielz360, and many others are throwing their weight behind the concert.

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BRANDY, JOE AND DBANJ STORM MTN PROJECT FAME CONCERT!

As 17 contestants enter Project Fame Season 4 Academy

MTN Project Fame season 4 is back!

After a long period of auditions across Africa, the all new season opened with a lot of glamor as a lot of celebrities in the entertainment industry flooded the MTN Project Fame Opening Gala on Sunday, October 2, 2011. Notable faces at the event include Veteran actor and Actress, Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva, Segun Arinze, Jay Jay Okocha, Chidi Mokeme, Dayo Adeneye, Cobhams, Banky W, Sasha among many others.
The event had international award winning sensational singer, Brandy, revered R&B artiste, Joe and Nigerian popstar, Dbanj thrill the audience of over 5,000 guests. MTN Project Fame past winners, Iyanya, Mike, Praise, Kesse and Chidinma also performed at the electrifying event.

“Just landed in the states! Nigerian love will keep me smiling forever! Thank you to all the fans who supported the MTN event…Love you all!” an excited Brandy tweeted from her official handle @4everbrandy shortly after arriving the US today Tuesday October 4, 2011.

17 finalists emerged out of the 19 contestants that were introduced to the audience for the MTN Project Fame season 4 as two of the contestants went home from the opening gala night. The Project Fame academy will train the finalists on the A- Z of the art and business of music, using special in-house coaching and performance as well as external mentors who will take turns to prepare the contestants for a future in the music industry. The contestants are to spend some weeks in boot camp before moving into the academy for proper training.

MTN Project Fame West Africa started in 2008 and has produced some of Nigeria’s rising stars.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL 70 PHOTOS

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Wizkid, D'banj and Seun Kuti nominated for the 2011 MOBO Awards

The MOBO Awards happens only once a year, so of course announcing this year’s nominees had to be done in style. The beautiful St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London housed this year’s nominations press launch for the 16th annual MOBO Awards in association with Lebara Mobile. The event played

host to an array of familiar faces from acts such as Wretch 32, Tinchy Stryder, Omar, Dappy and Fazer to models such as Jourdan Dunn and TV stars such as the TOWIE girls and Eastenders’ Wunmi Liadi and Preeya Kaladis, who is set to release her new single next month. Guests were treated to Cotton’s Caribbean Canapés, Champagne upon arrival and Dannoff Vodka cocktails.

DJ Swerve warmed up the party vibes with a lively set. Swerve currently plays the best in R&B, Hip Hop and club tracks on Kiss FM’s flagship show which runs Monday to Thursday from 10pm to midnight. Also a producer, he has previously produced for D Double E, P Money and ad campaigns for Blackberry and Bajan newcomers Cover Drive who were also present at the nominations launch.

So the nominations are announced and the MOBO Awards is one month away. For a full list of nominees check out the video below and for information on how to get voting Click here!

And the nominees are.....

BEST AFRICAN ACT

CHEIKH LO
D’BANJ
FATOUMATA DIAWARA
LIQUIDEEP
OWINY SIGOMA BAND
SEUN KUTI
SMOD
SPOEK MATHAMBO
VIEUX FARKA TOURE
WIZKID

Check out all other categories

BEST NEWCOMER in association with Lebara Mobile

ED SHEERAN
WRETCH 32
JESSIE J
RIZZLE KICKS
EMELI SANDE
JAMIE WOON
YASMIN
ALEX CLARE
LOICK ESSIEN
MAVERICK SABRE

BEST UK ACT in association with Capital FM

ADELE
CHASE & STATUS
CHIPMUNK
EXAMPLE
JESSIE J
KATY B
N - DUBZ
WRETCH 32
THE STREETS
TINIE TEMPAH

BEST UK HIP HOP / GRIME ACT

GIGGS
RIZZLE KICKS
TINIE TEMPAH
WILEY
WRETCH 32

BEST VIDEO

CHIPMUNK ft. CHRIS BROWN – CHAMPION
JESSIE J – DO IT LIKE A DUDE
RIZZLE KICKS – DOWN WITH THE TRUMPETS
TINCHY STRYDER & DAPPY – SPACESHIP
WILEY – NUMBERS IN ACTION

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

ALEXIS JORDAN
ALOE BLACC
BEYONCE
BRUNO MARS
CEE LO GREEN
JASON DERULO
NICKI MINAJ
RIHANNA
SNOOP DOGG
WIZ KHALIFA

BEST SONG

ADELE – SOMEONE LIKE YOU
CHASE & STATUS ft. TINIE TEMPAH – HITZ
JESSIE J – DO IT LIKE A DUDE
TINIE TEMPAH – WONDERMAN
WRETCH 32 – TRAKTOR

BEST ALBUM

ADELE – 21
CHASE & STATUS- NO MORE IDOLS
JESSIE J – WHO YOU ARE
KATY B – ON A MISSION
TINIE TEMPAH – DISC-OVERY

BEST REGGAE

ALBOROSIE
DAMIAN MARLEY & NAS
KHAGO
MAVADO

BEST JAZZ ACT

DENYS BAPTISTE
GWILYM SIMCOCK
KAIROS 4TET
MATTHEW HALSALL
USONIC

BEST GOSPEL ACT

BOBBY BOVELL
FOUR KORNERZ
JAYESS
JUNIOR GARR
TRIPLE O

BEST R&B / SOUL ACT

ADELE
DIONNE BROMFIELD
MARSHA AMBROSIOUS
MIKE HOUGH
OMAR

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