DRUMMER Boy in NIGERIA’S GOT TALENT FINALE
Kate Henshaw
The seat is getting hotter and the race tougher as Africa’s No 1 talent show, Nigeria’s Got Talent is gradually wrapping up for the season.
Joining Akorede Odukale and Laff Doctor in the finale is 9-year-old David, who thrilled everyone with his exceptional drumming skills right from his audition in Ibadan. David is currently the youngest amongst those in the finale and is being compared to season 1 winner, Amarachi Uyanne as one strong competitor who may cause a child to emerge the winner of this show for a second time.
Also CI Squad dance crew, a group selected by the judges over another contestant Omotolani was selected into the finale from the second group of Top 40. Andre Blaze announced these results at the last eviction show.
“David is one exceptional act we have seen shine continuously in this competition and I am not shocked he made it to the Top 10,” said Kate Henshaw.
With 4 spaces occupied and 6 more to go in the finals, the competition is definitely getting tighter and in need of all the contestants to come with their A-game so as to win the coveted prize of N10 million.
There is something about Odukale that made Nigeria’s iconic masked musician, Lagbaja to be drawn to him. He is one act to watch out for.
Thirteen year-old Akorede Odukale was thrilled as he got to perform with Lagbaja at a yearly Lagbaja concert at the General Hospital, Ikeja.
Koresax played “Nothing for You” and the legend played along as they both serenaded the crowd.
“This is a dream come true,” said an over-excited Korede. “With this I know that all the hard work is starting to pay off for my family and I,” he added.
Akorede, a star in the making is one of the finalists in the on-going second season of Nigeria’s Got Talent.
Caption: Jay Z
AFRIMA 2014 New York Concert builds up
The maiden edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, a continental showpiece to celebrate the rich musical heritage of Africa and her talented artistes, has made significant progress in preparation for the ‘On the Way to AFRIMA Concert’ holding in New York, USA
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Last week, a reputable and foremost US-based live event production team visited the Nigeria office of PRMAfrica, the producers of AFRIMA, to deliberate on how a partnership between both interests could bring about successful build-up edition of the New York concert.
“The meeting was held behind closed doors and while PRMAfrica does not want to disclose details of who we are deliberating with or what has been discussed thus far, I can say we are excited the momentum is building for 2014 AFRIMA. Many stakeholders and practitioners in the music industry both within Africa and outside the continent are already contacting us to be a part of this ennobling awards project”, says Mr. Mike Dada, CEO of PRMAfrica and Executive Producer, AFRIMA.
Mr. Dada, a Public Relations and brand communication professional, revealed that the New York concert will hold at the prestigious 15,000 capacity Barclays Arena, the landmark indoor entertainment space in Brooklyn, New York where international music superstars like Beyonce, Jay Z and Youssou N’Dour have played. The arena also hosted the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards and is a regular venue for NBA games.
“The pool of the African Diaspora living in the US is staggering and add to that the number of non-African fans the continent’s music artistes have in America, then you’ll get a better understanding why the New York leg of ‘On the Way to AFRIMA Concert’ must hold in a venue like Barclays Arena”, says Ms. Adenrele Niyi, AFRIMA Programme Director.
“The concert is going to feature 80% performances from some of our best talents in Africa and 20% performances from international artistes. Our host for the concert will certainly be one of the top names from contemporary pop culture or TV/movie. We are in talks with artistes’ managements and the artistes too. It is guaranteed that this concert, as well as other aspects of AFRIMA 2014, would be memorable”, Ms. Niyi assures.
Co-producer and Regional Director, East Africa, AFRIMA, Mr. Michael Strano reiterates the uniqueness of the awards. “The African continent has had her fair share of awards events. However, AFRIMA stands out by being the only one that would honour music professionals who operate behind the scene, hitherto ignored perhaps because other event organisers largely see their activities as trivial. For the first time, honour would be accorded to song writers and music/entertainment journalists”, he says.
Scheduled as part of the series of high-value concerts billed for major African and international cities, the New York event in July 2014 would be the first of concerts to hold outside the continent in the run up to AFRIMA 2014 hosted towards the end of the year in Lagos, Nigeria. Other cities include Douala, Kampala, Dakar, London, Paris and Johannesburg.
All Africa Music Awards 2014 will provide opportunities to showcase the strength of Africans for global competitiveness and project our musical and cultural values from our perceptive in an unambiguous manner that reflects our heritage and bright future. Without doubt, AFRIMA’s highpoint rests on the plan to collaborate with the African Union, AU, to foster unity, peace and love among African nations.
The live awards event is expected to be broadcast to 700 million viewers across the world on 109 TV stations in 84 countries.
Rush In Festival Of Music And Comedy …Two Flame Entertainment supported by Don Lulu Filmz recently brought the best of the showbiz community to De-Latinos Event Place, Umuahia for a seven hour total fun. The show tagged ‘The Rush’ lived up to its billing as a burst of energy was on display on stage.
Though it was a window for award winning singing sensation Tiwa Savage, and D Prince, representing Marvin Records to bring their world class act to Abia state, the show began with fast-rising stars like Exnel (Aba first son), Muno (the lover-boy) and Slim Joe the Dancer who gave a new interpretation to the business of dancing.
Rap sensation, Ruggedman, Sheyman and DJ Kentucky combined well with Big Brother Africa winner, Uti Nwachukwu that hosted the show to the admiration of the audience. Other artistes that added to the fun-filled night were Mora-chi of the ‘Hapu Ya Like Dat’ fame and lots of upcoming comedians who gave a good account of themselves as they cracked up the house with hilarious jokes.
The event organizer, Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu) who spoke with the media on the upscale event at his cozy Lagos office, said, “The Umuahia glitz and glamour is the first in the series of carefully planned new music and comedy concert tagged The Rush. It is a celebration of music and comedy at its best. And on parade were top musicians and comedians who showcased their talent to thrill the Abia audience.”
For Don Lulu: “After this time out the ‘Rush’, fashioned in the trail of established shows like the popular ‘Rhythm Unplugged’ is coming with a slight variation. And it is expected to touch base in major cities and towns across the country.
The show which was held at an elaborate but exotic environment had special guests enjoying the welcoming ambiance with so much delight. On queue is Abia State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, Hon. Emma Nwabuko, Commissioner for information, Hon. Chikamnayo and members of the House of Assembly as well as other top politicians and businessmen were on hand to savour the show. Former special adviser on The Diaspora, Hon. Kingsley Megwara was also there.
Sylvester Sunday Ekot
Establishing an Alabai
Sylvester Sunday Ekot better known as Alabai is a Nigerian multi-talented artist based in Lagos, Nigeria. The singer/songwriter/rapper/model/actor is a native of Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria but was born and raised in Lagos state Nigeria. Alabai grew up with an obsession for poetry and began to experiment his poetic skills with rap music at a very tender age. Growing up with loads of musical influences ranging from pop, rock to rap music artists, Alabai began to write his own rap songs at an early age precisely on his 10th birthday on November 29, 1992.
In 1995, he formed a rap band which he named Def-O-Clan together with several rap talents in Festac Town, which dominated the hip-hop scene locally. The group was made up of Rabbi, Azadus, Dac-eye, Cyclone, Bu:zman, B.L and Alabai. The group released their first hit single branded ‘Kilonso’ in the year 2000 and followed up with another successful hit single branded ‘Countdown’ later that year.
In 2001, the group disintegrated due to the exit of one of its key members, Azadus who secured a solo record deal. This triggered a break up. Alabai at that period studied Chemistry at the University of Calabar where he obtained his first degree and while in the university, he worked as an OAP in the state owned radio station, CRBC (Cross River Broadcasting Corporation).
After graduation, he returned to Lagos and secured a job as an OAP with Brila FM in 2004 where he worked until 2005 when he resigned to pursue his music career. Shortly after his graduation, he collaborated with Blackface a member of the defunct Plantashun Boiz band on a smash hit titled ‘Hard Life’ with one of the most memorable rap verse he rendered on the song.
In 2007, he collaborated with Paul Play Dairo on another smash hit titled ‘Forever’ which dominated the airwaves and topped charts both in and outside Nigeria for years. Later that year, he also collaborated with Sunny Nneji on two tracks on his ‘Off Tha Hook’ album branded ‘Without Your Love’ and ‘Dancia’.
In 2008, Alabai released his first major hit single named ‘Voice of God’.
In 2009, he released his first studio album branded ‘The Calling’, a 13-tracker rap album but due to a non existent management team which had been the bane of his career, the album unfortunately did not live up to its market potential.
After years of searching for a credible record label and management team to work with, he met Ugoh “Don Coleone” Edmund in January 2012 in a recording session in Festac Town where his amazing talent caught the attention of Mr Ugoh, CEO of Don Coleone Cribx Recurdx (DDCR), who later signed him and in January 2013 released his first single after years of absence from the industry. The single branded ‘Ogbanje’ has been a massive hit enjoying tremendous airplay both on TV and radio, topping various charts for months and getting critical acclaims.