Born Michael Egube in Benin City, Pope spent his early years at oil-rich Warri before moving to Lagos. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of influences including Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, The Fugees, Jay-Z and Fela; he started music at an early age, learning to play the keyboard in primary school. He later added the drums and bass guitar to his repertoire, as well as what would ultimately become his foremost skill: rap.
By 2006, Pope had become a respected name on the underground hip-hop scene in Nigeria, where he cut his teeth on numerous underground mixtapes while honing his signature melody-driven rap sound, eventually getting the attention of Cackland Music, his current label home.
His two debut singles, ENJOY and BAALE BAALE, have been getting massive air-play putting them on top ten charts, getting amazing reviews, and also his newly released mixtape singles POWER and NOTHING ON YOU.
With the highly anticipated video of ENJOY dropping in a few weeks and the album set to drop soon, it is quite obvious that POPE THE HITMAN is poised to take the entertainment industry by storm.
I will be writing very soon on Pope's sensational and breathtaking producer, who goes by the name of SPELLS. Trust me, he is someone to fear!!!
Rap artiste Kelechi ‘KEL’ Ohia and her management M.et.al Entertainment have announced the official dissolution of KEL’s contract with Capital Hill Music. Although her contract with the label was originally scheduled to end in March 2011, the rap artiste has decided to be independent of any record labels for now.
The dissolution of contract with Capital Hill was a mutual decision. KEL still remains good friends with Clarence A. Peters, CEO of Capital Hill Music. The Nigerian femcee is leaving the record label with ownership rights of her debut album “The Investment” and an undisclosed fee to effect her release.
When asked about how she felt about dissolving her recording contract with Capital Hill Records, KEL replied “It is not easy leaving people that you had a pretty good working relationship with over an extended period of time, but at the end of the day, you have to be objective about certain things.”
Her management, M.et.al Entertainment, which is led by Osagie Osarenkhoe also cleared the air about rumors of the rap artiste with Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) or any other label at the moment. According to Ms. Osarenkhoe, “Kel is back in the studio working on new music and collaborations with other artistes. She is also engaged in some upcoming social and business endeavours.”
KEL still remains the ambassador for Soulmate Haircare products and is appreciative of all the love and support shown by her fans worldwide. There is no official release date for her sophomore album, but new singles are to be expected in this final quarter of 2010.
This dissolution will not hinder KEL’s studio sessions, performances, appearances or relations with the press, and her camp will continue its routine work as scheduled because according to KEL, “my gratification comes in my ability to put smiles on my fan’s faces.”
Black Gold -The Story...
Multinational coffee companies now rule our shopping malls and supermarkets and dominate the industry worth over $80 billion, making coffee the most valuable trading commodity in the world after oil. But while we continue to pay for our lattes and cappuccinos, the price paid to coffee farmers remains so low that many have been forced to abandon their coffee fields.
Nowhere is this paradox more evident than in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee. Tadesse Meskela is one man on a mission to save his 74,000 struggling coffee farmers from bankruptcy. As his farmers strive to harvest some of the highest quality coffee beans on the international market, Tadesse travels the world in an attempt to find buyers willing to pay a fair price.
Against the backdrop of Tadesse's journey to London and Seattle, the enormous power of the multinational players that dominate the world's coffee trade becomes apparent. New York commodity traders, the international coffee exchanges, and the double dealings of trade ministers at the World Trade Organisation reveal the many challenges Tadesse faces in his quest for a long term solution for his farmers.
Despite the charm of Iyanya Mbuk who was the first winner of Project Fame in 2008 and the swag of Mike Anyasodo, the Season 2 winner in 2009, this years contestants displayed the worth of their 90 days preparation.
After 90 days of pure fun and entertainment, the third season of MTN Project Fame came to a glorious end on Sunday September 26 when the petite bombshell Chidinma became the first female to win the competition since its introduction in 2008.
To lighten up the atmosphere before the hour of judgment arrived, Mo’ Hits recording artiste Dr. Sid came up and performed two of his numbers Something About You and Pop Champagne which got the audience all whipped up and dancing.
The first position to be called up was that of the third runner up and when the envelope was opened and the name revealed it was none other than Yetunde (omo Ibadan). She went home with a nice sum of N1m. Next position was that of second runner up which was the Akwa Ibom fine boy Eyo. He won himself N1m and a Toyota Yaris. Ghanaian wonder boy Kesse Frimpong who many had tipped to win the competition ended up being the second runner up and earning himself N1.5m and a Toyota Corolla. Despite coming second he was still visibly happy as he danced away with his cheque and car keys.
As Mike pulled up the card and Adora screamed “Chidinma!” members of the audience leapt for joy. As confetti fell on the stage, Chidinma looked visibly stunned; she didn’t believe it could happen to her.
Chidinma, the contestant who at the final stretch off the competition improved drastically was joined by her parents on stage as she was presented a cheque of N2.5m and the keys to a brand new Toyota RAV4 jeep.
By winning this season’s MTN Project Fame Chidinma is entitled to recording contract as well. Her feat has made her the first female to win Africa’s most watched music talent competition joining the formerly exclusive league of male winners; Iyanya and Mike Anasodo.
A new festival, Nollywood Now, takes place in London from 6-12 October and is the first major event to celebrate the second largest film industry in the world. Its chief aim is to draw wider attention to the success and popularity the films enjoy across Europe, and particularly the UK.
Inspired by Bollywood musicals and Brazilian soap operas, the Nigerian film industry is now the second largest in the world Die-hard fans have known for some time that the Nigerian film industry is truly unique, but even they may be surprised to discover just how big – and lucrative – it has become.
Nollywood makes about 2,400 films per year, putting it ahead of the US, but behind India, according to a Unesco report last year. Nigerian film-makers tend to operate in a fast and furious manner; shoots rarely last longer than two weeks, cheap digital equipment is almost always used and the average budget is about $15,000 (£9,664). The finished products often bypass cinemas altogether and are instead sold directly to the "man on the street" for about $1.50 (£1). Most films shift between 25,000 and 50,000 copies globally – although a blockbuster can easily sell up to 200,000.
So, what exactly is it about the films that resonates so much with their audience? For all of their populist appeal, Nigerian films are very rooted in local concerns
Ultimately, it's the way the films are crafted, rather than their juicy content that gives them universal appeal, says Fry. "The storytelling is so good. Nigerian filmmakers really know how to entertain their audiences. They've studied the populist genres from other countries – Bollywood musicals, low-budget horror and Brazilian soap operas, for example – and reworked these to appeal to anyone with a love of drama."
In October, Nigeria celebrates 50 years of independence, and thanks in no small part to Nollywood, its creative industries are under the global spotlight like never before. Film-makers need to make the most of these new opportunities to showcase the country by accurately portraying its flaws as well as its triumphs.
Fashion, a general term for the style and custom prevalent at a given time, in its most common usage refers to costume or clothing style. In the Nigerian scene, one tailor as been able to sustain creativity to his designs. Yes, i said tailor. Luto Tailo has always made it known to everyone that he is a tailor not a fashion designer.
His brand known as N.A.C.K has faced controversial interpretations for a while now, but the true meaning still stands the test of time. THE NIGERIAN ARTICULATE CULTURE KULLECTION (N.A.C.K).
According to Luto, N.A.C.K is a fashion project to find every fashionable Nigerian and friends of the Nigerian people, as for him - he invented the trend and the reason you look good.
The all anticipated new kullection is out...about 30,000 already certified NACKaholics...500 limited items...1 venue...1 brand...NACK...
FASIONIFICATION...a cassual affair...a COME and BUY event...an opportunity for you to be amongst over 30,000 fashionable people in the world...
Its all happening at the Eko Gym...no 9 akarigbere close off idejo street VI... time: 2pm...
This will be one of the happiest news Nigerian Musicians would have heard in a long time. No more free music in Naija from Oct 1 - as COSON engages accounting firm for full copyright licensing.
Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s sole government approved collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings has announced that come October 1, 2010, the era of free music on Nigerian air waves and in public places will be gone forever. The announcement was made by COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, at the Boardroom of the society in Lagos during the signing of a royalty collection agreement between COSON and Olusola Adekanola & Co, one of the nation’s foremost indigenous firms of chartered accountants.
The implication of the new regime is that from October 1 all broadcast media organisations, hotels, restaurants, event venues, advertising companies, banks, telecoms establishments, airlines, road transporters, oil companies and such other enterprises in Nigeria which use music in any way to aid their operations will be made to comply with the Copyright Act or face legal consequences.
Omo wahala has sheled...who will agree to pay? Ko ma funny o!
Can this work in Nigeria?
By the agreement, the skills and resources of the two organizations are being aggregated to ensure that starting October 1, no organization using music in a commercial setting or in public anywhere in Nigeria is allowed to do so without the payment of copyright royalties as required by law. According to Okoroji, “Since the government approval of COSON in May, we have engaged the key users of music in continuous dialogue.
We have taken the COSON Stakeholders’ Forum around the country and used different media to discuss the issues with all concerned. We did not jump on anyone neither did we harass anyone. We have been very professional about our mandate. The time has finally come for everyone to do their duty.
We have respected the users of music. We expect them to reciprocate that respect. Any of them that is not licensed by October 1 may be attracting sanctions from us or will be exposed to the full weight of the other tools in our tool box”
The rate at which Ghana churns out Adult films through Nollywood is now alarming. Ghanaian filmmakers have either topped the notch with a plan to conveniently cater for their audience as they have shut out Nollywood with a fee for every Nollywood movie project or they are bluntly ignorant. 'Hot Fork', a Ghanaian movie production hit the fans amidst mixed reactions following explicit sex scenes. Ghollywood is not done with selling sex as another movie is to be released soon.
The movie is titled “Adults Only” and also showcases what a fellow blogger calls ‘veteran actors’ in the Ghanaian movie industry. The movie is centered solely on countless sex scenes including scenes with lesbians (as seen in the picture above).
The trailer was uploaded to Youtube but it has been removed following what it said to be ‘use of terms violation’. Hot Fork (preview video below) sold out, the Movie maker expects ‘Adults Only’ to outsell ‘Hot Fork’….
Personally, I think Ghollywood is taking the wrong turn if they are geared towards developing and improving their own industry. Yes, it may give them immediate fame and cash but it will definitely disturb the growth of the industry, because it was never recorded that Adult rated movies sustained Hollywood, Bollywood or even Nollywood's development.
Its either they improve on their creativity or enjoy this fame and money they are presently getting while it last.
There is definitely hope for Nollywood's rap scene, even after peeps like M.I. and Nateo C will go. This will not be the first, second, third, nor the last time i will write about this guy.
Vector extra impresses with his ability to spit all his lines articulately, playfully and nonchalantly while flowing damn near perfect with the feel good theme of a song (notjustok.com).
Olanrewaju David Ogunmefun a.k.a Vector Tha Viper is one of the brightest rap artists on the Naija Hip hop scene. You may have heard him feature on tracks like Bigiano’s ‘Shayo remix’ and J Martin’s ‘Good or Bad remix ‘ ? Or you might have seen his venomous freestyles on Dj Jimmy Jatt’s show ‘The Jump off’?
"As you know the most accepted meaning of the word ‘Vector’ is a carrier of something .So I have been blessed or cursed with the gift of Hip hop to share with the people.Pappy if you too no take time I go make you self turn rapper as we dey talk now (laughing)" - Vector
Enjoy his new release, featuring 2face - Get Down
He is soon about to drop his latest video – I Luv You Nigeria by September the 21st.
Below is the exclusive footage from Soundcity Lyricist Lounge with Vector in the building. As usual, Vector manages to drop an ill 16. Enjoy...
Am sorry for giggling at first, but this caught so many of us unawares. Infact, I am still confused and I don’t know why (:s)... Ok, lets get straight to the point.
It has been said that he (Jim Ikye) is the most popular and versatile Nollywood celebrity, the ROMATIC FANTASY of every single woman who saw his movies (cracks throat - no be me talk am o).
According to his official website, “ Jewel for Jim” is a nationwide search for a “rare gem”, a cultural and social ambassador, a lady of substance, a role model who personifies a perfect blend of the traditional and modern mind, a great talent, a Princess fit to be soul mate to Africa's most eligible bachelor Mr. Jim Iyke
Jewel for Jim will present and document unscripted dramatic and sometimes humorous social experiences, situations and/or events, while featuring beautiful women of all races, cultures, ethnic groups, religions and sects, struggling to excel at specific tasks and contests with the ultimate goal of winning Jim’s heart and crowned “The Jewel”.
PARTICIPATION CRITERIA
•Must be Single
•Minimum age is 21
•Must agree to "JewelForJim" terms and conditions
•Must posses a special skill
There have been lots of interesting comments on this reality show by Nigerians home and abroad, but the most facinating one that i have seen yet should be from Bella Naija (which i think you should check for laughs at your spare time).
Below is the promo video =))
This SUNDAY 3pm – 7pm: Chronicles of an Entrepreneur goes LIVE at the Impressions Events & Conference Hall, West Ham, E15 3AD. London. The conference guarantees to turn your potential to performance, valuable exchange of useful contacts, business skills and expertise, a priceless opportunity to network, all In one sitting.
This will be playing host to:
Dele Momodu - The Legend in journalism and Successful Entrepreneur– He would be sharing on how he built his multi million media empire.
Martin Chan – Guest Speaker on Power of Marketing and an expose into experience on trading in places like China and Hong Kong
Ibidun Ighodalo – Ibidun Ighodalo is known for her excellence in delivery of diverse projects, she is the Director awarded a part of the Lagos State Beautification project worth over 600million consecutively.
Mavis Amankwah – The CEO of Rich Visions, A PR, Networking and Marketing Specialist of Ghanaian origin based in the UK and rated by “PR WEEK” as one of the top 100 people in PR 2009, 2010 consecutively.
Patrick Campbell - With a career that spans over twenty years, Patrick is an International award winning Producer/Director in the UK and US. He is currently the Creative Director of UK TV network OHTV. Before this, Patrick spent 7 years as a Director and Producer at the BBC in London. He is Executive producer OH Films.
Eryca Freemantle – Speaker on the Power of Vision – Having attained high levels by clear vision herself, International Brand Consultant, Motivational and Empowerment speaker and Award winning Make-up Artist.
Ope Bankole – A Media publishing magnet, who has worked with Euro Money, UK Observer, CNN and many other Media outlets- He would share on the power of media.
The event is sponsored by: Strides Media, Elizabeth R, Ovation, UKTI, Petchey Centre for Entrepreneurship, Eryca Freemantle.
And supported by, Global Link, OHTV, Ben TV, Checkout Magazine, Bella Naija, GidiNoize.
Last year, MTV hosted the Video Music Awards in its birth place, New York City. But this year, it's time for a change of scenery, and the VMAs will take it to the West Coast when the show airs live from Los Angeles on September 12.
And after 27 years, you know that when you tune in, you'll be treated to an unforgettable awards ceremony starring the biggest A-list presenters and rockin' performances from your favorite artists, plus plenty of Moonmen to give away.
So who's going to take us on an unforgettable ride through this star-studded night? Comedienne Chelsea Handler is confirmed to host the 2010 VMAs! Don't worry, she's no stranger to hosting TV programs - she's been the wisecracking anchor on her late-night show "Chelsea Lately" since 2007. Known for her tongue-in-cheek commentary, Chelsea's honest and witty banter won her the honor of being the second woman to grace the VMA stage as a solitary host, followed by Roseanne Barr in 1994. Whew, it's a been awhile. Let's hear it for the girls!
And of course, when it comes to the VMAs, expect the unexpected. Who knows what kind of award show memories the 2010 VMAs will chalk up? But if years past are any indication, the possibilities are endless. Who can forget just last year when Kanye West hijacked Taylor Swift's acceptance speech?!
Ego who was born in Imo state, worked for over 10 years in the Lagbaja band. She sang a soaring solo in Lagbaja's song titled "Never Far Away" causing listeners to suggest she released a single or break out as a solo artist. One of the proud Glo Brand Ambassadors, believes music has made her a deeper person.
Ego, whom many thought would have released her debut album by now urged patience on the part of her fans. "Getting an album out there is not easy because I have to do everything myself and then I think, I've waited this long, I can afford to wait a bit longer to make a real good album. So I intend to take my time but then, it will be out anytime soon."
Assessing how her singing career has impacted on her person, Ego said, "My association with music has made me sit up and take note of lots of things which I might have been carefree about. I have learnt a lot from my singing career while with Lagbaja and even now that I am running my own band. On the whole, music has made me a much deeper person."
Finally, Ego is out with her first video which is directed once again by the stunning Kemi Adetigba. One might try to weigh the video quality with the song, but the most important thing is that the director was able to create and establish that blend that makes the song unique.
If I was ElDee, I personally wont leave that chick...lool
Enjoy... EGO – Fall In Love
Recently, I posted one of the director's work (Bez - More You) which tells a different and inimitable story compared to her peers. I have now decided to add this video below to show the extent of Kemi Adetigba's creativity. This is a mix tape form Kid Konnect's Afu La Gah Fu La Geh, lmfao. The mix tape is about Hon Patrick Obahiagbon Grammer Session in the House of Representative, Nigeria. Enjoy...
Kid Konnect - Afu La Gah Fu La Geh
Just in case you do not know about the great Nigerian Honorable, watch this... Hon Patrick Obahiagbon Grammer Session in the House of Representative Nigeria -FULL CLIP (Afu La Gah Fu La Geh)
