Darey’s Soul Muzik has announced the signing of singer-songwriter Zaina to the label. Zaina, who recently moved back home from Atlanta, ‘is a supremely talented singer, writer and performer who has worked with some of the best brains here and abroad; a fierce entertainer who wants to make music fans happy’.

LOLOLA, Zaina’s official debut Soul Muzik single, is a party anthem for every lady who’s ready for that good love. The message is simple: “now is the time for love, no games, no preamble, no second thoughts, no pretence, let’s get straight to the point, I’m ready for the next level so make your move!”

Lo lo la Mobile Download Link - bit.ly/lolola2012

On TOTALLY YOURS, Zaina features Jamaican reggae sensation Wayne Wonder, for a soulful exploration of timeless love, submission and devotion. It’s a sensual love song about friendship that has evolved beyond the platonic. It’s about a commitment that has overcome the battles of loyalty and doubt. Zaina and Wayne collaborate ‘wonderfully’ to express the thoughts of a couple in love who have come to that special place in their relationship where they are certain beyond any doubt that they are ready to give themselves totally and completely to each other – body and soul. This is Zaina’s 2nd official Soul Muzik single.

Totally Yours Mobile Download Link   - bit.ly/totallyyours

Darey would be releasing a video for ‘Ba Ni Kidi’ off the new album that was released recently. Watch teaser video below then check out the behind the scene pictures.

BEHIND THE SCENE PICTURES

Darey plays Aladdin

Darey.

Stunts off the location

Darey's stunt.

Darey.

Julius Agwu’s Festival of Love event took place in Abuja on February 13th – it featured MI, Darey, Waje, Iyanya, AY and Onyeka Onwenu. Read report by our writer that attended the event.

Julius Agwu and Iyanya

Julius again.

Julius Agwu and guest.

Steph Attahiru and Soundcity OAP Adam.

The event ‘festival of love’ hosted by Nigeria’s favorite funny man Julius Agwu turned out to be an evening of fun, love and entertainment. It all went down @ Transcorp Hilton Abuja with the host giving out prizes to the couple who won his love test game show.

Talented artist and songstress Waje wowed the crowd with her amazing voice and great performance.

The legendary Onyeka Owenu who was received with a standing ovation performed her hit songs such as ‘one love’ and ‘falling in love’. She also announced that her new album would be out soon, and proceeds go to her church

International star Darey who was also present at the event looking all fly with so much energy staged a great performance with songs from his new album, and also his hit single ‘just the way you are’.

Julius Agwu laid emphasis on the theme of his show, which is to spread love wherever and in whatever way we can. He also urged Nigerians who haven’t registered to do so, and also make the effort to vote.

Talented comedian Cd John took over the stage, and the hearts of everyone present with his jokes and unforgettable performance.

The show ended with the long awaited performance from Africa’s ‘number one rapper’ and hip hop artist M.I, after which the after party was announced to hold @ the silver bird lounge.

Other notable celebrities at the event were Charles and Justice Oputa, comedian Ali baba and wife, upcoming artiste praise, and of course myself…lol.

Stephanie Attahiru’s scrambles down her heart in text on her weekly column – Forever Young. Stepha’s FY column would chronicle the ramblings that take place among the young and young at heart – Steph is unapologetic, personal and fierce – She writes on every other thing too. She also wants to read from you – drop a comment / email steph.attahiru@questionmarkmag.com

Darey.

QMarkMag gather American rapper and indie record label owner Chamillionaire, who is of Nigerian descent has recorded a remix to Darey’s single ‘The Way You Are‘.

Darey says he was contacted via the internet for the remix and it is gathered that Chamillionaire would include a bit of  Yoruba in his rap.

Darey’s Double Dare new album would be released on Monday February 28, 2011 and the double album would feature Psquare, Mo’Cheddah and Timaya.

On Chamillionaire, he says, ‘we hooked up on Twitter. He liked the beats to ‘The way you are’ and wanted to be on a remix. I was happy to oblige. And I’m still amazed by what we were able to come up with. I Hope you like it!‘

Download: [download id="48"]

‘It’s such a big big blessing to be able to create such beautiful, fun music. And I’m blessed to have such great talents like Cobhams, Don Jazzy, El Dee, Wayne McNeish and Ayodele Basil as friends and producers. The album is what it is because of the help of so many people, especially my team at Soul Muzik. But, essentially, it is for the benefit, the enjoyment, and satisfaction of my friends spread across the world…’

DAREY – DOUBLE DARE TRACK LISTING.
HEART (Vol.1)
1. Sisi Eko
2. Sweet Mother
3. Stroke Me
4. Close
5. The Way You Are (Acoustic)
6. Don’t Let Me Know
7. Never Say Never
8. Maybe Baby
9. Cure The World

BEAT (Vol.2)
1. The Way You Are
2. Provider ft. P Square
3. Elevate Ya
4. Turn Me On ft. Mo’Cheddah
5. Pillow
6. Like A Movie
7. Ba Ni Kidi
8. Back To Sender ft. Timaya
9 The Way You Are ft Chamillionaire
10. Belly
Bonus Track: Style Na Style (Remix) ft. 9ice, Jesse Jagz

Double Dare…

Already there are five singles from Darey’s forthcoming ‘double’ album released, the album is well anticipated and long overdue for release, there are speculations that it would be released on February 28th. ‘Double dare’ would feature Timaya, Cobhams and Mo Cheeda.

In related news, Darey was hosted by City people Magazine on SUnday, 6th February and he was awarded as King of R & B at the event attended by Waje, Jedi, Ali Baba and Julius Agwu, Kunle Afolayan, Banky W , Bisi Olatilo,Ayo Animashaun, Moyeen, Audu Makori, Djinee, Emeka Ike, TY Mix, Femi Adeyinka and others.  It was hosted by Tosyn Bucknor, Gbenga adeyinka, Ali Baba and Tee A.

Darey

Darey’s sophomore is titled ‘Double Dare’ (he would be playing with the four-letter word that makes up his first name again, His most popular pay-off line when he worked as an OAP at Cool FM was ‘How dare you dare Dare?’ And his last album, released in March 2009, was titled ‘UnDareyTed’.)  Earlier in October, he released two singles – ‘The way you are’ and ‘Don’t let me know’. A video for the latter was released only last week.

‘We’re finally ready!’ he says excitedly. ‘I can’t wait to share what we’ve put together with my friends from all over the world’.

‘DOUBLE DARE’ is a two-part album – coming in two CDs (each CD is titled ‘HEART’ and ‘BEAT’ respectively – together read as HEARTBEAT)..

Yesterday, he released two new singles – ‘Ba Ni Kidi’ and ‘Sisi Eko’ via his Twitter page (@darey). In an unexpected, unsual and funny twist, Darey delivers a song in Pidgin and largely in Hausa with ‘Ba Ni Kudi’. Assumably, In a bid to ‘double dare’, Ba Ni Kidi is distant from previous effort (any record released by Dare) – There would be alot of experimenting on the album.

‘There’s going to be a lot of love and romance on the album, as you’d expect of Darey. But there’s also going to be a lot of fun; even naughty and mischievous stuff’ a privileged source reportedly said. ‘There’s another song called ‘Belly’; you might want to watch out for that’, he added.

‘I recorded Ba Ni Kidi with the kind help of my friends’ Cobhams, eLDee and Bayo who speak very good Hausa’ says Darey. ‘We were just messing around really’.

‘‘Sisi Eko”, a ballad done in Yoruba is  Produced by Cobhams and Darey himself.

DOUBLE DARE will be released in a matter of weeks into the Nigerian market, while a UK debut, tentatively titled ‘DAREY’ is expected to follow.

Download Sisi Eko here

Download Bani Kudi here

…

Reports were Darey would be relesing a US album with a source who was part of the production team informing his desire to work with Keri Hilson on the album. The US album would not materialise as it has been suspended by the singer following the death of label Chairman Dick Griffey. Following the demise, Darey has been working with producer Cobhams Asuquo on his third yet-to-be-titled album.

Two Singles from the album would be realised on radio next week. Like with the Un-dareyted album, The first single is a ballad, while the other is more upbeat that would earn rotation in the clubs and dance halls.

‘Don’t let me know’ and ‘The way you are’ suggest this is the direction of the new album.

Darey’s Publicist informs: On ‘The way you are’, Darey advises the ladies to love who they are because “You’re a born star!” he says. With fun ad libs and a refrain that sticks from your first listen, the song’s message is simple: what matters most is who you are – not the fancy clothes you wear, kind of car your drive, or what people say. So why not learn to embrace who you are? (while) ‘The way you are’ will make you bump, nod and dance while provoking deep thoughts that stay with you long after you’ve pressed the stop button.

Don’t let me know is an ode to a lover who he can’t be with due to circumstances. It’s the story of a man in love who still sits around, thinking about the love that once was; wondering what the other person is doing in their new found relationship. They love each other but yet circumstances keep them apart. He is asking a-thousand-and-one questions, yet wanting no answers. ‘Does he make you smile; giggle like a child? Does he keep you warm? Is he weak or is he strong? Where did we go wrong?’ Darey’s voice as usual is soaked in powerful emotions; insisting all the while, that he wants no answers. Don’t let me know is the song for those who truly believe in the power of love. Just like with ‘Not the girl’, Darey says he hopes Don’t let me know ‘will help us all look within and trust that true love will always overcome’

Both songs were written by Darey and Cobhams Asuquo and recorded at Soul Muzik studios (SMS) in Abuja, Nigeria.

Listen to ‘Don’t Let Me Go’

Listen to ‘The Way You Are’

GUS

Actor Emeka Ike is the ultimate man as he won the celebrity edition of the Gulder Ultimate search. The last three celebrities standing were Darey, Daddy Showkey and Emeka Ike.  Emeka Ike received the sum of N7.5M cash prize over the weekend at a ceremony he attended with his wife. The comedian, Princess who was also a contestant was on hand to crack the rib of those present.

Questionmarkmag.com was informed that Darey and Emeka were on the same spot digging for the treasure but Darey yielded to the director’s advise to back out after Emeka Ike was getting violent.

Emeka eventually dug to the treasure alone and found it.