2FACE, FUNKE AKINDELE, SIR SHINA PETERS, WIZKID, GENEVIEVE READY TO DAZZLE AT ENCOMIUM WHITE GIG

The Encomium White Gig is finally here, and celebs from all walks of life are gearing up to be part of the one-of-its-kind annual event holding this Sunday.

Billed to be an evening of Cognac cocktails, beautiful ballads and unbelievable fun, the event aims to bring together the bright, the bold and the brave in an evening filled with enough fun to go round.

“We’ve invited everyone that matters and we are looking forward to hosting the brightest and boldest minds from all over the country” Kunle Bakare publisher of Encomium says.

Bakare tells us that guests will include distinguished musicians, actors, socialites, entrepreneurs, business leaders, Government, media titans, and ardent Encomium readers.

Tagged “Take the steps, Walk the Talk”, the high octane gig will hold at The Haven GRA, Ikeja on March 18, 2012.

“Many pillars and supporters are with us in this merriment, and we are more than ecstatic that our path is being smoothened in no small measures”

Regular guests of the gig include Funke Akindele, Bisi Olatilo, Jimmy JATT, Weird MC, Genevieve Nnaji, Omowunmi Akinnifesi, Julius Agwu, T.W.O, Princess, Sunny Neji, Dayo Adeneye and Keke Ogungbe. And we are told that a couple of them have already been confirmed for the annual event.

The 6-hour event will kick off with an elaborate red carpet reception. The iconic DJ Jimmy JATT will guide guests through soft, smooth and at times wild music; and guests will have an opportunity to dance and prance from 4PM to 10PM.

In its fifth year, the White Gig started when Encomium marked her 10th Anniversary in 2007.

This year’s event is supported by LR Cognac, Kiss Events, JATT INC, Couture Cakes, BlackHouse Media, and Replica Digital. It will take place at The Haven from 4PM to 10PM on Sunday March 18, 2012.

Founded in May 1997, Encomium Weekly has gradually but steadily risen to become the celebrity journal to beat and copy. The magazine captures the triumphs and travails of celebrities, from all walks of life – from music to movies, politics to big business, and those who dominate the social circuit. It has developed from being a purely black and white magazine with only color covers to one parading many pages of color and the most respected magazine in its category

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KOGA UNVEILS THE NAME OF FIVE ARTISTES

KOGA entertainment recently unveiled the names of five out of the ten artistes that will perform at the Koga TOP 10 MICS concert, while keeping the identities of the remaining five artistes under wraps.

The first of its kind concert in Nigeria, TOP 10 MICS which will hold on December 23, 2011 at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos will be bringing on stage a blend of artistes from different genre of music like; Hip hop, Fuji, Afro Beat, Juju, Dance hall and others. Artistes already revealed to perform at the show are; 2face, MI, Obesere, Eldee and Sir Shina Peters.

Before now, a competition has been introduced online for music lovers to guess the names of the remaining five artistes that will perform at TOP 10 MIC correctly, and get a chance to win juicy prizes like Blackberries, TV’s and branded T shirts from Shakara clothing and much more. To enter into the competition, just log on to twitter and follow (@koga_top10mics), and answer the questions.

KOGA Entertainment, the brain behind TOP 10 MIC is broken down into KOGA studio, KOGA production, KOGA records, KOGA publishing and KOGA lounge. It operates and provides entertainment services through various divisions like its Four Live ultra modern recording studios with full HD and SDI cameras, Digital and Analogue audio sound recording studio, Ultra modern Event hall with capacity to seat 800 persons in banquet style, 1400 persons in theatre arrangement and 2000 persons in concert style and a Lounge designed for relaxation and entertainment.

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HENNESSY SCORES HIGH WITH HALO CONCERT

Those with a healthy entertainment palate that made it down to the GET Arena on November 27th for the Hennessy Artistry Halo Concert 2010, were not disappointed. Excitement, elation, fun and pleasure are some modest words that describe the experience of the night. From the red carpet where celebrities like Olu Maintain, Caroline Ekanem, Olisa Adibua and DJ Humility strutted, to the stellar performances by living legend, Sir Shina Peters, Nneka, MI, Ice Prince and Bez, the Hennessy Halo Concert stands out as an event with exceptionally well-thought planning.

To set the ball rolling, popular TV personality, Andre Blaze, came up stage to announce the reason for the gathering. He thereafter introduced DJ Tony Blaze and DJ Rexy, and the two DJs took to their turn tables, engaging in a mild competition much to the delight of guests. If the competition between the DJs was fun, then the next performance gave even more, with talk-of-the-moment producer, Kas, taking to the stage with his popular ‘Fi mi le’ track. That got the audience on their feet, and followed suit with ‘If you wind for me’.

Kas’ performance was followed by soulful guitarist Bez, who took to the stage with members of his band. Though not the regular dance hall musician, guests couldn’t help but ask for more during his engaging set. He performed songs off his new album and also did a remix of Fela Anikulapo’s 'Water'. Bez wasn’t done yet, not until he gave guests a glint of his forthcoming album, performing his yet-to-be-released song, ‘Supersun’.

Andre Blaze, the MC of the night, came back on stage and asked guests what Nigerian song they would they like the DJs to play. Many answers came from different quarters but the shouts for ‘Oleku’ were the most dominant. To this end, Blaze told the DJs to thrill the fans for a while, and not long after, he called Ice Prince onto the stage. Wild applause greeted the Chocolate City artist who took the concert to another level with his tracks ‘Rewind’ and 'Nobody test me', which he performed with M.I and Jesse Jagz. He rounded off with the chart buster, ‘Oleku’, which he performed with Brymo.

Next, Nneka emerged on stage in simple jeans and a t-shirt, and showed guests why her unique talent has made her loved the world over. Performing songs like
‘Conversation’, amongst others, international act, Nneka was on point all through the night. The dexterity of her performance matched with the message of her songs was a plus for her that night.

Nneka soon made way for Mr Incredible who came in and did his thing. M.I, being the crowd-puller that he is, got a wild ovation that heralded his entrance on stage. The audience couldn’t have asked for more as the rapper turned the audience on to his tracks, performing hit songs like ‘Anoti’, ‘Superman’, 'African rapper No.1' and ‘Gold digger’. MI
got proof that he was the crowd favourite when he asked the audience who the number 1 rapper was, to which the guests chorused "M.I".

Not finished with the concert yet, all six artists that had featured on the 'Like A Bottle' track came upstage to perform the title song.

Like the proverbial big masquerade that caps every festival, Afro-Juju inventor, Sir Shina Peters re-emerged on stage with members of his band to wrap up the event. He performed songs that had made him the toast of the young, old and middle-aged in his heyday. He however proved that he still knew how to interact with the youth, sending the audience wild with his sensational drumbeats.

The Hennessy Artistry Halo Concert is surely one event that will remain in the memory of those who attended for a long time.

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LAGOS GETS SET FOR THRILLING HENNESSY ARTISTRY HALO CONCERT

In what promises to be an elegant night of breath taking performances and the last of a series of evens to storm Lagos, Hennessy Artistry will be hosting contemporary soul, R&B, hip-hop and Juju Music in a Halo Concert on November 27th 2010 at GET Arena in Lagos.

The concert will feature the all-star talents of super-star rapper, M.I., soul-music singer, Nneka, fast-rising lyricist, Iceprince, alternative soul guitarist, Bez, ace producer, Kas, and the King of Afro-Juju, Sir Shina Peters, who will all be giving unforgettable renditions of their best-known songs, as well as the Hennessy Artistry ‘Like a Bottle’ title track.

A taste of what is to be experienced on November 27th was dished out on October 30th at Road Runners in Yaba, by Iceprince. The huge turn out of fans were thrilled as the winner of Hennessy Artistry's competition in 2009 ensured they were highly entertained. Speaking on the total Hennessy Artistry experience, Iceprince said - "It’s been very exciting, I am also unconsciously counting down to November 27th. My fans can expect a great performance from me."

Another club session was held on November 6th at Auto Lounge in VI, hosted by Bez. Speaking on the show, Bez said, "I started performing around 1am that night and the reception was great. A lot of people loved what we did and I am sure they had a great time." On the Halo Concert on November 27th, Bez said, "I have been getting a lot of calls about the concert, people are greatly looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to performing that night, I am sure it will be a night to remember."

Iceprince and Bez, in preparation for the Halo Concert, will take the stage together on November 13th at D Place, and November 19th at Rehab. The 2 artistes will then converge with Nneka, MI, Kas and Sir Shina Peters on the Hennessy Artistry stage at GET Arena on November 27th.

MI's words on the concert are, "Lagos will be taken by storm that night. I am going to be dropping very hot lyrics. Watch out people!"

Copies of a special edition Hennessy Artistry DVD and the highly exclusive Halo Concert tickets have already been won at various night clubs in Lagos, and through Beat FM, Rhythm FM, Sound City, STV and Bella Naija. The highly sought after prizes have also been available at top stores in Lagos with the purchase of a Hennessy VS or VSOP bottle.

The Hennessy Artistry ‘Like a Bottle’ track was produced by Kas, the brain behind the hit songs ‘Fi Mi Le’ and ‘Wind for Me’. It likens every artiste’s goal of the ultimate performance to that of Hennessy cognac. The track and music video have been making the rounds on the airwaves since October 20th 2010.

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Sir Shina Peters, Nneka, M.I., Bez & Iceprince For Hennessy Artistry 2010

In 2007, it began with a cocktail-mixing contest between renowned bartenders. In 2008, it evolved to a battle among some of the country’s finest DJs, and in 2009, it advanced to a live music contest between five of Nigeria’s fastest rising urban-music artistes. Now, in 2010, Hennessy Artistry returns with the ‘Like a Bottle’ experience – a three-part collabo project that is set to lift the bar a notch higher in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

‘Like a Bottle’ is a blend between the all-star talents of super-star rapper, M.I., soul-music singer, Nneka, fast-rising lyricist, Iceprince, alternative soul guitarist, Bez, and the King of Afro-Juju, Sir Shina Peters.
The ‘Like a Bottle’ track was produced by Kas, the brain behind the hit songs ‘Fi Mi Le’ and ‘Wind for Me’. The track likens every artiste’s goal of the ultimate performance to that of Hennessy cognac, and has already begun to make its rounds on the radio airwaves.

Part 2 of the ‘Like a Bottle’ experience is the music video, shot by Dragon Fly Productions. The video expresses the smooth style of each of the 5 artistes, and shows them making their way to the ultimate concert. The video will drop on all major music stations on 20. 10. 2010. A special edition ‘behind the scenes’ film has also been created, which chronicles the making of the ‘Like a Bottle’ track and video. This film will be shown on Sound City TV every Sunday until the end of November.

The third part of the experience will bring ‘Like a Bottle’ to life with a bang, at an exclusive Grand Finale Halo concert in Lagos. On November 27th 2010, Sir Shina Peters, M.I., Nneka, Iceprince and Bez will share the Hennessy Artistry stage, giving unforgettable renditions of their best-known songs, as well as the ‘Like a Bottle’ title track.

Hennessy Artistry’s ‘Like a Bottle’ is one of the most exciting projects to come out of the Nigerian music industry in 2010. Fans of Hennessy cognac and the artistes will have the chance to live the ‘Like a Bottle’ experience in a number of ways.

Copies of the special edition DVD, and the highly exclusive Grand Finale concert tickets can be won at top stores in Lagos when a Hennessy VS or VSOP bottle is purchased. The official Media Partners of Hennessy Artistry 2010 will also be giving away some concert tickets and special edition DVDs, and they are: Beat FM, Bella Naija, Rhythm FM, STV and Sound City. The prizes will also be available through the Hennessy Nigeria facebook page.

Finally, the special edition DVDs and concert tickets will be up for grabs at Hennessy Artistry club nights in Lagos over the coming weeks. Beginning on October 30th at Road Runners in Yaba, the first Hennessy Artistry club session will be hosted by Iceprince. The second club session will hold on November 6th at Auto Lounge in VI, hosted by Bez. The 3rd and 4th, hosted by Iceprince and Bez together, will be on November 13th at D Place, and November 19th at Rehab.


Like a Bottle _ Hennessy Artistry Track

For more information about Hennessy Artistry, visit www.hennessyartistry.com.ng or www.facebook.com/hennessynigeria.

About Hennessy Artistry

Hennessy Artistry is an innovative musical platform, launched worldwide by Hennessy in 2006 to celebrate the vibrant multiculturalism of different music genres. Hennessy Artistry combines contemporary, hip and inspirational music from around the world, and has worked in collaboration with talented artistes like Kanye West, Wyclef Jean, Ne-Yo, Leona Lewis and LL Cool J. Through its commitment to ‘the global art of mixing’, Hennessy Artistry has since become a permanent, anticipated fixture on the urban music scenes of many countries around the world, from China to South Africa, Malaysia, the USA and more.

About Hennessy Artistry in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the first Hennessy Artistry series was unveiled in 2007, with a cocktail-mixing contest between renowned bartenders. In 2008 the concept evolved to a battle between some of the nation’s best DJs. In 2009 Hennessy partnered with five leading music producers – Cobhams, Jesse Jagz, Knighthouse, Dr. Frabz and Mr. Daz – to put together a live-music contest between five of Nigeria’s fastest rising urban-music artistes. The artistes were Bez, Iceprince, Mo’Cheddah, Jimmy Flames and Blaise. Iceprince emerged as the winner of Hennessy Artistry 2009.

About Hennessy

Since its founding in 1765, Hennessy has been driven to create the world's best cognacs. In its continued quest for excellence, Hennessy's master-blenders have sustained the House's 'savoir-faire' from one generation to the next. Today, Hennessy, the world's No. 1 selling cognac, distills, ages and blends a full range of marques, including Hennessy V.S, Hennessy V.S.O.P, Hennessy X.O, Hennessy Paradis, and Richard Hennessy. Hennessy is represented in Nigeria by GDN Nigeria Limited.

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