Busta Rhymes on set of Sotey.

Just the most bizarre pairing in the Nigerian music history. They came as a big shock and stirred up confusion. Still looks like a dream that is yet to come true, even though it has. Seeing these two artistes sing together was the last thing one can ever think of. Is either they’ve got nothing in common; the opposite of each other’s persona or they’ve once been a fierce rival. We thought the chemistry was not just there, but they proved us wrong. For some perfectly legitimate reasons best known to them, they’ve decided to collaborate. Here are the 5 songs

Eedris and Ruggedman – koleyewon
This is arguably the most popular unexpected hiphop collabo. As the title implies, we still dont understand how these two rivals reconciled and went ahead to make this track. These two rap maestros laid the foundation of rap/hiphop in nigeria amid the dominance of traditional music few years back. While this track was to make amends for their long-lived beef. Some years back, the two rap legends had a face-off on who heads the rap game in naija, a familiar case we all know with hiphop; their case likened to that of pac/biggie. While ruggedman had claimed that he redefined it, Eedris monopolized the rap industry. Some still believe that Ruggedman had a chip on Eedris shoulder on why Eedris’ musical career failed. Kennis, another rival of Ruggedman might have been out of the hoop when these two rappers came together to make this unbelievable joint.

The Pulse and Busta Rhymes – Sotey (remix)
The collaboration which i still see as a bizarre coincidence had proved to many that american rappers can definitely blend with afro pop. It served as a reference point on why drake’s alleged collaboration with our psquare might not flop. For a newcomer like the pulse to have paired with a legendary rapper at the early stage of their career still amazes many. Busta spoke pidgin with his american accent in a line ‘i got to go and pray sotey‘ and sounds interesting, funny though. I know this would have got some artistes wondering why they hadn’t done something like this.

Jim Iyke and 2face – Who Am I
Jim doesnt sound like that usual guy you watch in movies, and he asks ‘who am i?, a nollywood actor of course, and not a rapper with this track, hell no. This pairing came as a shock and it was quite comical, you just laugh it off. Jim was lucky to get a humble and ‘ the always ready to collaborate’ 2face on this one. Many still believe 2face had condescended to do a song with jim, he was just too important for that. The track isn’t totally bad, what do you expect of a track that has got 2face on it. Jim took the first verse and 2face helped with the chorus and came in to sing the second verse. We wouldn’t like to see this kind of collaboration again, as it sounds disastrous for the growing music industry.

Lagbaja and Mode 9 – scream
How this pairing worked out successfully is still a mystery. They must have spent more time in the studio trying to work out their differences. They did the odd thing, we still call it afro hiphop. Mode 9′s rhymes really worked on lagbaja’s perfected percussion. Scream was a track in Lagbaja’s penultimate album, africano, in case you forgot. The saxophone virtuoso challenged Mode 9 by taking him out of his hiphop beat zone on traditional afro beat. Its great to hear mode 9 rhyme over talking drum.

9ice and Nneka- show some love
9ice wasn’t doing his normal deep yoruba proverbial lyrics which made it possible for 9ice to blend with nneka on this track. And you wonder who gave 9ice this idea. It worked coz nneka isn’t knew to reggae unlike 9ice, and even the message the song carried was in line with what the activist, nneka has been preaching in her songs. 9ice made a big move to have called on nneka to assist, and she never disappointed. But still, no one knew 9ice could flow well on reggae not to talk of pairing with the german based soul singer, nneka. Quite inspiring.

Ruggedman Vs AQ

Ruggedman is reacting to the calling out by the fast rising rap artiste, A-Q did on his latest single ‘Names’. AQ rapped that “We don’t say autotune, we say Jesse Jagz – We don’t say whack, we say Ruggedman is whack” and it was later reported as a ‘diss’ at the two artistes while  some other media have reported it to be a publicity stunt which AQ addressed in a recent interview with NEXT newspaper – “If it is for a publicity, I would  go after Naeto C or M.I.”.

AQ was on Radio Contentinental 102.3 FM, Lagos with radio OAP on Saturday, 28 August with OAP and rap artiste K Show where he addressed the Jesse jagz/Ruggedman situation again and played tracks off his new mixtape ‘bars and Hooks’ hosted by DJ Jimmy Jatt that he informs would be released soon.

Credible Sources inform that after the recorded show  was aired, Ruggedman sent a SMS to K Show questioning why he would ever have AQ on his show. SMS asked why K Show would let AQ ‘belittle‘ Ruggedman on his show and ended with “It is highly unacceptable”.

Nicki Minaj and Drake.

Looks like April Fool’s Day found its way to August. Last night, Young Money’s Drake and Nicki Minaj took to their Twitter pages to announce that the pair had gotten hitched, putting the internet into a frenzy. But as it turns out, the joke was really on us.

Reps for each MC have denied that the two are an official item, confirming with E! Online that it was all in jest.

Drizzy pulled the prank yesterday afternoon, first tweeting, “Please refer to @nickiminaj as Mrs. Aubrey Drake Graham and dont stare at her too long. She’s finally mine. .” Nicki followed suit, tweeting, “Yes, its true. Drake and I tied the knot. > RT @drakkardnoir @nickiminaj Baby I am never scared. PROUD is more the word I would use.”

But the union wouldn’t really be all that unexpected. On his track “Miss Me” off his debut release Thank Me Later, Drake raps, “I love Nicki Minaj, I told her, I’d admit it; I hope one day we get married, just to say we f–king did it; And girl I’m f–king serious, I’m with it if you with it.” Guess it isn’t a fairy tale ending after all.

Source

Onome Ovwori (pronounce ‘Owori’) a jazz artist was born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa. Onome attended the Delta State University, Nigeria and graduated with Bachelors in Mass Communication. In addition to that he attended the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) in 2003. He serves as Music Director at his local church. Onome resides in the United States and is happily married with three children.

Onome is currently in the studio putting finishing touches to his sophomore album titled MON JADE an EP due to be relaesed summer 2010!

Onome Ovwori

WHEN WERE YOU HAPPIEST?
I have several happy moments and I am always a happy person because I
always try make the best of any situation I find myself but I must say
the happiest for me was the birth of my daughter.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
I don’t do fear. Don’t get me wrong, they are times I get afraid but
fear isn’t in my dictionary. I have in me power, love and sound mind.

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY?
Hmmmm this is a tough one, my earliest memory is the death of my mother.

Listen To Naijaman –

WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE, AND WHY?
I do admire a lot of people but for the purpose of this interview I
would say the President of the United States Barack Obama (this might
change tomorrow). I admire his ability to take on the status quo, not
being limited by his background, colour of skin, and other inhibited
factors. Now I must say I might not agree with all his policies though.

WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN YOURSELF?
Patience. I’m not very good at waiting (in other words patient). This
is something I am consciously working on with the help God, because I
have come to learn that it is only through waiting (patience) you
learn and achieve substantial results.

WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN OTHERS?
Negative energy. I can’t deal with people who are so negative,
pessimist, would give up before even trying, only seeing the wrong,
always seeing the glass of water half empty.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My hands. I play the piano so you would understand why they are.

WHAT MAKES YOU UNHAPPY?
Bad news. Like bad press about Africa. I really get unhappy when I see
on the news negative characterization of Africa and Nigeria in
particular. Like saying we are fraudulent, corrupt, prone to war,
militants, kidnappers, terrorist etc. Now why some of this things are
true, we are no different than any other nation and there is always
another side to the story so I wish the press would be more balanced.
Well the onus is on us to prove them wrong and that’s one of the
inspirations behind the song “Naija Man”.

WHAT DO YOU MOST DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR APPEARANCE?
Nothing, I am beautifully, wonderfully and perfectly made.

IF YOU COULD BRING SOMETHING EXTINCT BACK TO LIFE, WHAT WOULD YOU
CHOOSE?
Dinosaur because my kids think they are so cool.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST UNAPPEALING HABIT?
Flossing in public.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?
The Bible. Growing up I use to read a lot of books like Pacesetters,
James Hadley Chase (I could read two in one day) but as you grow older
you begin to realize that only one thing is really important and that
is Life. The Bible is a good instructional and inspirational manual.
Now I might not read it as often as I should but it always provides
answers every time I do.

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTIEST PLEASURE?
Stealing goat meat from my own pot. Funny? I know.

WHAT DO YOU OWE YOUR PARENTS?
Love and care. They brought me to this world took care of me, watched
over me, provided for my needs and best of all taught me the righteous
path to follow.

WHAT OR WHO IS THE GREATEST LOVE OF YOUR LIFE?
My wife. We’ve come a long way, been through a lot together, she has
been very supportive all the way and my biggest fan.

WHO WOULD YOU INVITE TO YOUR DREAM DINNER PARTY?
For now it would be Governor Fashola of Lagos State. He is doing a
tremendous work in transforming Lagos so he deserves an invite to my
dream dinner party.

WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVER USE?
All things work together for good

WHAT IS THE WORST JOB YOU’VE DONE?
I don’t even know the actual word for it but when I was still in
Nigeria (that’s a while back) I used to carry blocks, cement,
concrete, water, sand (on my head I must say) to build houses. Not a
very pleasant job.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT?
When I had a misunderstanding with my very good friend. I was
disappointed at myself for being a tool to letting it happen. You know
they are some friends that are closer than a brother he was this kind
of friend that was also a brother. Everything worked out good though
and we are still great friends.

HOW DO YOU RELAX?
Playing the piano, watching TV (anything comedy or soccer), playing
with the kids.

WHAT IS THE CLOSEST YOU’VE COME TO DEATH?
This was in school (Delta State University Abraka), I went to swim in
the resort and drowned. I think I must have died and woken up
(unconscious). That helped in aligning myself with God.

WHAT SINGLE THING WOULD IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE?
Money of course. Money answers all things.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
The release of my first album titled TIME. It’s available on iTunes,
Amazon, Cdbaby and other digital media outlets.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?
Playing the piano, writing a song or if the baby is awake.

WHAT SONG WOULD YOU LIKE PLAYED AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Going up Yonder by Yolanda Adams

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?
An  artist, a husband, a father and a friend of God.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON LIFE HAS TAUGHT YOU?
That in the journey of life, what is most important are the things we
learn along the way and that all things do work together for good. It
might not start off well, it might not garner enough speed at take
off, it might not seem rosy, you might be surrounded by haters, you
might stumble, you may feel like quitting but it will work out all
good just put your trust in God.

TELL US A SECRET.
When my Mother was pregnant with me, my Father considered abortion.
How do I know this? My Dad told me and no I wasn’t angry when I was
told.

IBB

According to Ibrahim Babangida’s spokesperson, Prince Kasim, the former head of states will be declaring his intention to run for the president under PDP September 14 and 15 at Eagles Square Abuja. Mr. Kasim also went further to release names of the IBB Campaign team which includes AIT and Ray power FM owner, Chief Raymond Dokpesi as director-General of the campaign team as well as Senator Kanti Bello as the deputy campaign team. Prince Kasim disclosed this to Tribune.

Now, this gives us a clue as to why there has been seeing a short video which has gathered plethora of criticism, showing IBB’s speech making. Criticisms has trailed the announcement, criticism directed at Raymond Dokpesi – new Y! Magazine editor Chude Jideonwo taking to Facebook said: ‘All this bellyaching over Dokpesi as IBB’s campaign manager. Why do invest our faith in people who did nothing to earn it?’ and Founder/Chairman of BLING, Ohimai Godwin Amaize saying:  “Fellow citizens, I woke up this morning in tears as I struggled to say a prayer for Nigeria. IBB appoints Dokpesi as his Campaign Director. Is this a bad dream or a painful reality? Are Nigerians really fed up? Are we just going to fold our hands and allow these people slaughter Nigeria mercilessly again? What happens in 2011 is up to you and me. #NigerianYouthsWakeUp!”

Empress Njamah

Empress Njamah just recently spoke about the last year  breakdown of her affair with singer Timaya – addressing all the accusations by Timaya, his sister and producer/friend K Solo. She say:

I will first correct that word, Love. I don’t think he is in love with me. I know he is obsessed with me. Anyone that is in love will not do the things he has been doing. You know what obsession means? He is obsessed with me. And talking about a second chance, you know sometimes you get into some wrong situations for Christ to actually elevate you. Everything can’t be rosy. Without events, there won’t be history. People make mistakes, but the most important thing is to correct the mistakes. I’m correcting my mistakes and that is the best I can say. I won’t go to the papers and start saying stuff that his sisters said. This time and age, you want to tarnish someone’s image and then you just go to the press and start talking rubbish. I still have the papers, talking about my diabolical approach to issues, talking about me caging their brother, talking about me having charms in my bag and then you went to my church and my pastor asked youto bring sponge. You know you could go free doing what you want to do, but don’ forget that God lives. You probably might not get your punishment now but, you know that what they do, artists. It’s easy for someone to go to the papers and say bullshit but the most important thing is that people know me. I have friends who stood by me when everything happened. I know the people, I have musicians, many of his friends, they know the truth, I know the truth. I will never go to the press and talk rubbish. I had been in the industry long before he even thought of raising a key in music. I know how it’s been. I always ask God to help me in anything I do. I just don’t make a move and regret it later…..

...

After striking deals with Lionsgate, MGM and Sony Pictures in the US and UK movie service Blinkbox, YouTube launched a free new movie service with an initial catalog of 400 full-length movies available on-demand.

Simply entitled “Films”, the new section has its own YouTube URL and offers mainstream releases, classics and also Bollywood hits. Presently the front page offers a couple of Jackie Chan films, Ridley Scott’s Life In A Day YouTube project and a number of independent films.

YouTube head of video partnerships, Donagh O’Malley said;

“This is one of many efforts to ensure that people can find all the different kinds of video they want to see, from bedroom vlogs and citizen journalism reports to full-length films and TV shows.

We hope film lovers enjoy the range of titles in this free library, whether catching up on a mainstream hit or delving into the vast archive of classic films from decades past.”

YouTube’s deal with Blinkbox sees around 165 of it’s films, normally priced at £1.99 and upwards, available for free. These films will have advertising incorporated into the films.

The video for “Ota Mi” featuring LKT off the Producer extraordinaire and artiste eLDee’s “Is it your money” mixtape album.

FACT: In the history of music, you can search the globe but you may not ever come across one individual who writes all his lyrics, produces the beats from start to finish, raps on it, sings the chorus, records it, mixes it, masters it, directs the video, shoots it, edits the footage and then releases final product to MTV and radio under his own fully independent record label then goes back to drawing board to do the same for other artists in the industry.

The “Don” in eLDee’s extended stage name is not fancy per se. A true master in every sense of the word, there’s no better definition for the term “do-it-yourself” and that’s why I call him EL-DIY. Get his album from i-Tunes if you haven’t already.

Baba Dee and Sound Sultan.

Dare ‘Baba Dee’ Fasasi, Sound Sultan’s elder brother  has declared his intention to become an honourable member of the Lagos state House of assembly come next year. He would be contesting under the Oriade Local Government Development Area of the Lagos State Action Congress of Nigeria.

RMD, Onyeka Onwenu (if she hadn’t lost), Hanks Anuku and now, Baba Dee want a piece of the national cake. The choice of Sound Sultan as campaign manager would be logical following his several  social commentary-ing music.  Sound sultan going into politics would be ‘sweetness’ – Sound Sultan should try walking the walk, think he has talked the talk enough [enough singing, try making a change by participation]

Beyonce is known for always looking pristine and well put together but she looked like a drowned rat after toppling off her jet ski while on holiday in the South of France.

The singer was having fun racing along the ocean but fell into the sea, fully clothed, and had to be helped back on to her ride by one of her minders.

Wearing a floral mini dress, sunglasses and big hoop earrings, Beyonce looked dressed more for a night out than for a high speed race on the ocean.

Fierce: Before toppling in the water Beyonce enjoyed skimming along the ocean on her jet ski.

But as she skidded atop the waves she lost her balance and ended up falling in.

Proving she really is Sasha Fierce she wasn’t deterred and scrambled back on to her ride for more fun.

Beyonce and husband of two years, rapper Jay-Z are currently enjoying a Mediterranean cruise. Maybe as an early birthday present for Bey as she celebrates her 29th birthday on September 4.

Helping hand: One of Bey’s minders helps the soaked star get back on the Yamaha waverunner

Beyonce shows off curves as she regains her composure after her fall into the ocean

The couple have rented a 180-foot luxury yacht named The Altitude for £240,000-a-week. Having travelled around the Italian resort of Portofino, sailed to Cannes, they are now enjoying St Tropez.

Beyonce was using The Altitude’s Yamaha waverunner when she had her mishap, which she has used regularly on the trip.

The only thing that was bruised was probably her ego as her friends in the nearby boat looked on.

Their vacation will soon be coming to an end as Beyonce’s calendar is busy over the coming weeks.

She is nominated for her two collaborations with Lady Gaga – Telephone and Video Phone at next month’s MTV Video Music Awards.

There will be a husband and wife battle as Jay-Z is also nominated in the same category for his duet with Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind.

Beyonce will also be heading to New York for Fashion Week to promote her Dereon clothing line.