All is now set for the final leg of Hennessy Artistry 2011 VIP Night holding at Rehab Night Club in Lagos this weekend.

The initiative which has been talk of the town for several weeks now has planted itself firmly in the hearts of millions of music fans and entertainment enthusiasts across the country.

With a combination of different genres and styles, the globally celebrated musical platform pushes the envelope as far as experimental collaborations are concerned. Hennessy Artistry combines contemporary, hip and inspirational music from around the world presenting a platform for consumers to enjoy this fine art of blending while savoring the best possible cognac experience in the world.

As the team returns to Lagos this weekend for the final VIP Night, it is going to be a blend of fun, surprise and unlimited excitement. With an eclectic combination of pop, rap and R&B, the trio of Banky W, Tiwa Savage and eLDee will deliver the supplies and keep the crowd on their feet all night.

“It’s been so much fun touring Abuja and Port Harcourt. Lagos Island is going to be a blast, I can’t wait to see who’s going to be the winner of the Facebook competition” headliner Banky W says.

For the last time, one lucky Facebook fan will get to win a VIP Night-Out with the superstars at the VIP event and hang out with them at Rehab this Friday. Past winners include Bodunrin Oluwafemi and Kennedy Ihenacho who were both treated like superstars in Lagos and Abuja.

“I can’t wait for the final VIP party, touring with eLDee and Banky W has been fun. This is the final party, but this is not the end of the journey, wait till you see the video for “Toast to the good life” Tiwa Savage says.

The video for this year’s theme song, according to Hennessy’s Communications Manager Tokini Peterside, will be premiered in the presence of select guests in a matter of weeks.

Peterside also assures Lagos residents that “Several surprise acts will be performing at Rehab this weekend alongside the headliners. You just have to keep your fingers crossed”

In Abuja, WizKid made a surprise entry on stage and got the crowd cheering. Which surprise act will share the stage with Tiwa Savage, Banky W and eLDee in Lagos?

Like the previous VIP nights, fans will mingle with the stars – rocking all night to lavish beat and tunes from Nigeria’s biggest talents

Since inception in 2006, Hennessy Artistry has been at the forefront of mixing and blending hip and inspirational music from around the world. Artistes that have been involved with the music platform include Kanye West, Pharell Williams, Ne-Yo, Leona Lewis, LL Cool J and Fabulous.

Last weekend, the Hennessy Artistry train made a stop in Port Harcourt, and it was fun all the way as hit makers Waconzy and Banky W thrilled the crowd alongside upcoming acts Mr. Drill, Zealot and Lily Jeans at the Eddiez Night Club which played host to the headliners on October 21st, 2011.

The event also attracted Duncan Mighty who made a surprise appearance at the event

The VIP night will be a blast, I can assure you. Hennessy is a brand that we have been supporting for a while, we only just decided to make it official this year. The first Lagos event and the other city events were so much fun, I am guaranteeing you one thing for the Rehab VIP Night – An unforgettable night-out!” Eldee one of the headliners says.

Currently in its 5th edition, Hennessy Artistry is Nigeria’s most innovative musical platform. The series was first unveiled in Nigeria in 2007. Through the years, it has evolved from a cocktail-mixing contest between renowned bartenders to a battle of DJs and now a platform for experimental collaborations among multi-talented artistes.

D’banj speaking On Genevieve in a recent interview:

I really can’t remember, it cost between N4m to N5m. I ‘m not too sure. But I think it’s a beautiful idea if not for the way everyone is trying to go about it. I think Genevieve is a stunner I could date or love her. But we didn’t date. She’s my friend and a star you know. We’re close and we both understand that things couldn’t work out. That song was recorded two years before the video was released and it remains my biggest song ever. I wanted to make a statement with it. We had options of whom to use in the video, but at the end of the day, we saw that it’s an African song and by that time I had already played it in about fifty weddings.

Am I good in bed? How I’m suppose to know? I think you should ask the women, but please don’t ask a virgin. That song is misleading them. When you say how big is the koko?, then they want to see if it’s that big. But when some come, they see what they either want to see or don’t expect to see.

The nominees list for the 2011 Nigerian Music Video Awards has been released. Topping the awards list this year are Darey and J’odie with four nominations each ,followed closely by Goldie and Freestyle with three nominations. Other great contenders are Omawumi, Sammie Okposo, Dipp, T.I.V and Tipsy who all have two nominations.

For the first time since its inception, NMVA has included Best Southern Africa Video and Best Western Africa Video as new categories in this year’s award.

Aside recognizing new artistes who are doing extremely well in their chosen careers, the awards is also recognizing the efforts of incredible new music video directors. Nominated alongside Clarence Peters this year in the Best Cinematography category are Nodash and Tokah for their ingenious directing on No Be Dada and Kuchi Kuchi respectively. They were also nominated alongside Patrick Elis in the Most Promising Video Director category. The NMVA has established that artistes and video directors as well as producers can share glory side by side on the same stage as witnessed at the previous successful editions.

Lots of plans are already in the pipeline as preparations for the fifth consecutive edition of the awards heats up. Expectations are also very high in every sector of the entertainment industry as to what to expect in this year’s event that is fast positioning as the most credible, most respected and most attractive out of Africa.

The awards organizers re-instated their commitment to transparency and as such are weary of all lobbyists warming them to stay at bay as only good videos will be duly rewarded.

To lend credence to the theme of this year’s event, the Federal Ministry of Tourism has endorsed the project as a viable national brand deserving all institutional and corporate sponsorship

Full nominees list

BEST MAINSTREAM HIP HOP VIDEO
1. OVER DOSE – DRINKS IN A GLASS
2. PASTOR J – CONQUEROR
3. THA SUSPECT – I NO SEND YOU
4. ATTITUDE – STREET CRY
5. VECTOR – GET DOWN

BEST AFRO HIP HOP VIDEO
1. FREE STYLE – ARIWO KO O
2. JAH BLESS – JOOR O
3. KONGA – KABA KABA
4. NAETO C – 5 AND 6
5. SAMKLEF – MOLOWO

BEST AFRO POP VIDEO
1. D’BANJ – MR. ENDOWED (REMIX)
2. CHIDINMA – JANKOLIKO
3. DAREY – BANIKIDI
4. GOLDIE – DON’T TOUCH MY BODY
5. WIZ KID – HOLLA AT YOUR BOY

BEST REGGAE / DANCE HALL VIDEO
1. MALLAM SPICEY – FREE CURE
2. MIMA IKYOR – LOVE YOU
3. SOUL SULTAN – VERY GOOD BAD BOY
4. WAJUDA – NO BE BY DADA
5. TIPSY – CHING CHONG

BEST R ‘N’ B VIDEO
1. JOEL – I NO MIND
2. DAREY – I LIKE THE WAY YOU ARE
3. TIMI DAKOLO – THERE IS A CRY
4. HARRYSONG – IM IN LOVE
5. DIPP – KOSORO

BEST GOSPEL VIDEO
1. KENNY SAINT BROWN – MO TI GOKE
2. KEFEE – EGUONO
3. SAMMIE OKPOSO – I GO DANCE
4. T.I.V – KOMOLE
5. ZOE – YOUR LOVE

BEST HIGH LIFE VIDEO
1. JODIE – KUCHI KUCHI
2. FLAVOUR – NWA BABY
3. BRACKET – REMEMBER
4. SAMMIE OKPOSO – JAWA CHINEKE
5. J-MARTINS – JUKPA
BEST AFRO BEAT VIDEO
1. SEUN KUTI – RISE
2. W4 – CONTROL

BEST CONTEMPORARY AFRO VIDEO
1. ICE PRINCE – OLE KU
2. D’PRINCE – GIVE IT TO ME
3. M.I – UNDISPUTED CHAMPION
4. WAJE – SO INSPIRED
5. JAYWON – TINKO ANGEL

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
1. GOLDIE – DON’T TOUCH
2. JODIE – KUCHI KUCHI
3. TIPSY – CHING CHONG
4. DAREY – THE WAY YOU ARE

BEST INDIGENOUS CONCEPT
1. GAISE – FOLLOW FOLLOW
2. STAN ANETO – OH WATER
3. FREE STYLE – ARIWO KO O
4. JODIE – KUCHI KUCHI
5. IKECHUKWU – NOW IS THE TIME

MOST POPULAR NIGERIAN MUSIC VIDEO IN EUROPE
1. DEE SPLASH – LOOSE CONTROL
2. MO EAZY – MAKE YOUR MOVE
3. ADASNOOP – GIRL POWER
4. BIG BOYZ ALL STARS – SE N GBOMI
5. AZ – LOVE I KAKU

BEST USE OF COSTUMES
1. GOLDIE – DON’T TOUCH
2. OMAWUNMI – IF YOU ASK ME
3. FREE STYLE – ARIWO KO O
4. DAREY – BANIKIDI
5. JODIE – KUCHI KUCHI

BEST USE OF CHOREOGRAPHY
1. DIPP – KOSORO
2. T.I.V – KOMOLE
3. T. CROSS – LOVE IS TRUE
4. MAHEEDA – OKO YAMPIA
5. TIWA SAVAGE – KELE KELE LOVE

BEST PRODUCER
1. ZAMAR ENTERTAINMENT
2. KENNIS MUSIC
3. MO’ HITS

BEST DIRECTOR
1. CLARENCE PETERS
2. DJ TEE
3. AKIN ALABI

MOST PROMISING DIRECTOR
1. TOKAH
2. NODASH
3. PATRICK ELIS

BEST EDITOR
1. CLARENCE PETERS
2. TOKAH
3. BIG BOYZ ENTERTAINMENT
4. SESAN
5. NODASH

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
1. TOKAH – FOR THE VIDEO KUCHI KUCHI BY JODIE
2. NODASH – FOR THE VIDEO NO BE BY DADA BY WAJUDAH
3. CLARENCE PETERS – FOR THE VIDEO 5 AND 6 BY NAETO C

BEST USE OF VISUAL EFFECTS
1. AFAM THA MAN – FOR THE VIIDEO DA SAGE BY DA SAGE
2. MEX – FOR THE VIDEO KOSORO BY DIPP
3. BIGZ BOYS – FOR THE VIDEO CHING CHONG BY TIPSY
4. CHIBUEZE – FOR THE VIDEO I AM BLESSED BY TEMPLE
5. PLAY SAY – FOR THE VIDEO 9JA BY JHYBO

BEST VIDEO BY A NEW ARTISTE
1. MIMA – LOVE YOU
2. UNIK – LEKE LEKE
3. UTI – ONCE IN MY LIFE
4. 2SEC – LAMBORGHINI

BEST SOFT ROCK/ALTERNATIVE VIDEO
1. ALEJO – LET ME HOLD YOU
2. CLAY – OGADISINMA
3. SEGUN OBE – ALEWILESE
4. OMAWUNMI – IF YOU ASK ME
5. UTI – ONCE IN MY LIFE

BEST SOUTHERN AFRICA VIDEO
1. CABO SNOOP – WINDECK
2. PROVERB – THE BEGINNING
3. PROFESSOR – LENTO

BEST WESTERN AFRICA VIDEO
1. 4 X 4 – WAIST AND POWER
2. ASEM – NO MORE KPAYOR
3. OKYEAME QUAME – FAITHFUL
4. ASHLEY STEPHNEY – YOUR TIME IS UP

This is the new single from A-Q off his forthcoming sophomore album which is tentatively title ‘Groove Theory’. The track titled ‘groovement’ features M.etal managed recording artiste, Sammy. A-Q held a press briefing and media parley event on the 1st of October at Swebar, Lagos where the single was performed for the first time – pictures from that event would be made available soon. Days ago, he released the buzzing collaboration with Terry Tha Rapman, Vector, XO senavoe and Baseone. The new single is sure to groove.

Listen:

Download: A-Q – Groovement feat. Sammy

What in the Hell is this?
Is this her 58th tattoo, as she had revealed earlier that she has 57 tattoos. The fresh ink is located on the actress’ upper back.
We need Tonto to explain the inspiration behind her latest tattoo.

Not good at interpreting tattoos but seriously, this looks demonic. The “expensive tattoo” as she claimed shows Tonto Dikeh squeezing a heart. Now Is she just being controversial or does she really mean what she does?

Venturing into music in an age where common play and generic rhythms are the order of the day forces today’s artiste to evaluate where he stands.

Jarmeu brings a new voice, a new sound and a new message to the dance floor. In a phrase, this artiste can be described as philosophical, lyrical and very danceable with his new music rooted in the great and rapidly evolving Afro Hip-hop genre.

Listen E no eazy:

Download: Jarmeu - E no eazy (198)

Listen Am Bad:

Download: Jarmeu - Am bad feat. Jide (117)

Jarmeu ventured into music at a young age and this has allowed him mould his style into an artiste with a defined musicality.

Prior to his relocation to Lagos, Jarmeu resided in Ilorin where he developed hobby for music, which prompted him to set up a mini-studio with the name DrumDealarz. Under DrumDealarz, he recorded lot of upcoming artists and worked on many radio jingles. He was one of the founding members of Prospekts and the Defunct NCS Clan in Ilorin.

Today, a versatile song writer, singer, sound engineer and producer, he has worked with many acts and produced quite a number of songs and commercials. Jarmeu has two sides to his style of music the philosophical/motivational personality and the sex appeal /commercial style for the ladies and Party Marshals.

Currently, Jarmeu works in Spring Board Studio as a Producer and Sound Engineer. He is being managed by both DRS and Bonafyde Initiative as an artist under Dee-R-S Tunes.

The excitement is THICK as the Coal City prepares to play host to Nigerian Idol, Africa’s biggest music reality show on the 28th and 29th of October. The global music phenomenon holds Season II auditions in Enugu at the Universal Hotel in Independence Layout.

“Our expectations for Enugu are very high,” says Rotimi Pedro, Executive Producer. “We had a wonderful experience discovering great musical talent last year in Enugu. In fact, the winner of Season I, Yeka Onka first came under our radar at the Enugu auditions .We expect to find great talent here.”

Idol hopefuls in the Coal City are preparing for the arrival of the auditions as impromptu rehearsals and amateur singing competitions crop up at the numerous campuses across the city. “We are very happy that Nigerian Idols is in Enugu this weekend,” says Uche Mba, a student. “I will be at the auditions and I hope to go far in the competition.” The winner of the show takes home a whopping new prize valued at $100,000 which includes a management contract, prize money, and a recording contract. Everybody is a winner this time around as the runners – up and each of the top ten finalists also win mouth watering prizes.

The Idol franchise is the world’s biggest and most popular music platform responsible for the discovery of musical heavyweights like Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard, Adam Lambert, and more recently, Nigeria’s own Yeka Onka. Idol enjoys a cult following in countries like the USA, the UK, China, the UAE, South Africa and Nigeria.

The audition train will end after a 3 day audition finale at the Dream Studios in Lagos on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of November. The show begins airing 4th December, until the winner is announced at a grand gala on April 1st 2012.

ENUGU VENUE AND DATE
ENUGU: 28th and 29th October, Universal Hotel
To register:
1. Complete the Registration form at http://nigerianidol.com/registration
2. Confirm your Audition location, by sending an SMS from your Etisalat line with your FULL NAME & PREFERRED AUDITION CITY to 5599.
3. Show up at the audition venue with the ETISALAT SMS confirmation, a printed copy of your application form and 2 passport photos.

West African Idols finalist Jerrilyn Mulbah is working on an video album and first off that album is leka – we have behind the scene pictures that we would be uploading soon but enjoy the audio for the record titled ‘leka’.

Her first video is for ‘Leka’, with a very native/traditional concept. She would be working on MUSIC VIDEO ALBUM where every of her songs would have a video. ALready work has been on set, where the team travelled outside Lagos for the video ‘Leka’, There would also be videos for previously released single ‘Molejo’ and ‘Mr DJ’, the team at Kiss Music is set on breaking the norm and setting standards with this video.

Listen to Leka:

Download: Jerrilyn Mulbah - Leka (109)

It was an amazing night for the near legendary singer and Hypertek frontman, Innocent ‘Tuface’ Idbia has carted away most of the plaques from the 2011 Headies. The well dressed crooner was a sight to behold on stage as he walked up to take the plaques. From jokes about ‘it wasn’t me’ comment to Record breaking dancer Kaffy’s pregnancy and the respect bestold on him by Don Jazzy – who by the way spoken at a gathering of this size. Wizkid won the NExt rated category, host eLDee the don won the new category – Conscious music of the year which got a $10,000 prize money, Sir Shina Peters on the Headies hall of fame and Tuface’s win for artiste of the year. Just before we give the full list of winner, the pairing of Rita Dominic and eLDee the don as host was the worst the award has got, Rita was bland and wasn’t connecting with the audience, Dr. Sid’s performance was a sham – first it was thought to be theatrical when he stood on stage with the lights dimmed in an awful costume and music refusing to come on, only for it to happen minutes later and he was unable to move and was forced to cut the performance short, got angered and soon as he got off the stage, screaming ‘fuck you!’. The Headies took place with the MTN branded yello red carpet missing and this edition didn’t beat its previous. Memories of this edition won’t linger for a long time.

Now, the list of winners:

Album of the year – 2face’s Unstoppable int’l edition

Artiste of the year – 2face Idibia

Song of the year – Ice Prince – Oleku

Recording of the year – Darey – The Way you are

Producer of the year – DOn Jazzy for Over the moon, Mr ENdowed and pop Something

Best music video (Award goes to director) – DJ Tee for Olamide’s Eni duro.

Best RNB Single – Darey – The Way you are.

Best Pop SIngle – Dr Side – Pop Something

Best RNB/Pop album – 2face – Unstoppable

Best Rap single – Ice Prince’s Oleku

Best Rap Album – MI – MI2

Lyricist on the roll – Modenine – RHyme tight

Best Collabo – M.I. – Number one featuring Flavour

Best vocal performance (Male) – Femi – Money Money money

Best Female vocal performance – Waje’s For a minute

African artiste of the year (non-Nigerian) – Cabo Snoop – WIndeck

Best Street hop – JahBless – joor oh [remix]

Next Rated – Wizkid – Holla at your boy

Hiphop world revelation of the year – Dr Sid

Best Conscious song of the year – One day – eLDee

Headies Hall of fame – Sir Shina Peters

The news now is The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, may have started singing a new song on why they have detained ace comedian, Baba Suwe, for nine days now, according to an online report published early today.

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has denied ever accusing Nollywood actor, Alhaji Babatunde ‘Baba Suwe’ Omidina, of ingesting drugs in his body. Rather, the agency is blaming the media for over blowing the story and putting the agency in a precarious position all in a bid to gather scoops for themselves.
the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Mitchel Ofoyeju, described Baba Suwe as a complete gentleman who is doing everything with- in his purview to assist NDLEAs investigation into whether he ingested drugs while attempting to travel out of Nigeria last week.

Ofoyeju said the comedian had been cooperating with the agency and was in good and healthy condition while the agency continued to detain him pending the final investi- gations into the case. The agency spokesman, who declined to comment on whether the suspect had excreted three times as being speculated in the Nigerian media, said that the actor remained innocent until proved otherwise.

“We have never told anybody that he carried drugs in his body. Baba Suwe is under observation just like it has been the case with every other suspected Nigerian passenger, the law is no respecter of anybody, we don’t want to speculate about anything and we will make a comprehensive press conference on the case after we conclude our investigation. We are still investigating the case, well address the press as soon as we conclude our investigation on the matter, and we are not going to say anything until we conclude our investigations.

Like I said before, we have never said Baba Suwe was arrested for drug, it is the media that are writing this, we never said he was arrested for drug. On the temperament of the ace comedian, Ofoyeju has only praises for him.”