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Some weeks back I wrote a feature on a new Nollywood movie about to be released titled 'The Mirror Boy'. CNN covering a story on Nollywood and using this movie as a point of reference focused on what is next for this fast growing industry.

I stumbled on a comment by 'beaut668' who said, "No matter what Naija remains the Gaint of Africa. we are the entertainment, we are the boss of Entertainment because we know how to make it juicy and real. Am proud to be a Nigerian. Am proud of Nigeria and I pray we will make it to the upper most top once again". I proudly second hand that statement. Naija 4 life!

Enjoy...

CNN - What's next for Nollywood?

The Federal government in Abuja condemned in strong terms the use of Naija in place of Nigeria saying such usage is uncharitable and unpatriotic. The Minister of Information Prof. Dora Akunyili frowned at the continuous use of the word especially by musicians, artist, advert managers and corporate companies.

“It is very offensive to call Nigeria Naija. We are making plans to write to companies to stop using the world Naija. I have heard the name Naija in adverts. I want them to go back and remove that word.If anybody says this is Naija, ask the person ‘Where is Naija?’ We have to stop this word because it is catching up with the young. If we do not put a stop to it’s usage now, it will continue to project us wrongly”, she said.

The Minister’s condemnation was prompted by a sentence in the presentation made by the participants of Heir Apparent Reality Show when they paid her a courtesy visit. In the presentation the sentence ‘Our World Is Naija” was used. She ordered that the sentence be changed to “Our World Is Nigeria.”

Personally, eradicating the word naija shouldn't be an issue. This word is actually a vernacular word (our very own broken English) that differentiates us from other countries round the world. This identity that is spoken on the streets and every corner of the Nigerian community round the world because it makes us stand out when we speak and proudly stands us out, just like how the Chinese and Indians stand out when they speak.

Whereas The minister should focus on other pertinent issues. Naija or Nigeria, we still have millions of people who are unemployed, starving, have no access to constant electricity and such. Or to say the least, in her Ministry Nigerians are still information starved. What is she doing about the Internet situation in Nigeria? What is she doing about the technological and technical improvement of her public institutions; THE NTA (Nigerian Television Authority). Or is it that she dose not watch the BBC? Eradicating the word naija from our vocabulary, which is pretty silly, is the least of our problems.

The video for “Moonlight Serenade“ was shot in Johannesburg, South Africa by Fiendish Productions (same crew who did Banky W‘s “Don’t break my heart” video.

Loving the video concept which is loosely based around the 1942 American romantic drama Casablanca in its look and feel. The video focuses on 2 characters who are in love with the lady being the gentleman’s P.O.V. (hey! does anyone remember the group Point Of View) . The gentleman’s character resonates some form of braggadocio which the leading lady isn’t initially impressed by but eventually falls for. He serenades her perfectly from the park bench to dinner and to a final dance.

“c’mon naa, u already know the deal/ c’mon naa, i’m elevating the game/ c’mon naa, get up and roll with a boss I got u”

Enjoy...

F.SHAW- Moonlight Serenade [Official]


Making the Video... F Shaw - Moonlight Serenade

Watch the unique making of the song and video for the Hennessy Artistry Nigeria 2010 Theme Song “Like a Bottle” which features some of the hottest names in the Nigerian Industry – MI, Nneka, Bez, the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Winner - Ice Prince & Afro Juju Legend – Sir Shina Peters & production from Kas (beats).

The video production is on point, artists... hmmm most of them are on point, but i cant still pin point why i feel there is something missing in the song. Is it that the artist did not blend with the beat or??? I really cant say.

Now that Sir Shina is back, with all due respect I want to relate his performance here with 2face's current performance when he made the statement that "he is sorry to say, 2face is empty". We can then compare his verse here with 2face's verse in the new song - Hands across the world with R.Kelly, to see if that statement was worth it.

Enjoy the making of the Like a Bottle video...



Official Video: Shina Peters, M.I, Nneka, Bez Ice Prince -- Like A Bottle

8 SUPERSTARS FROM ACROSS AFRICA UNITE WITH ONE MAJOR GLOBAL MEGASTAR TO FORM ONE8 – THE ALL STAR GROUP TO TAKE THE BEST IN MUSIC FROM AFRICA ONTO THE GLOBAL STAGE, CONNECTING MILLIONS OF FANS THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF MUSIC

Through the power of the universal language of music and combining genres, sounds, voices and audiences - while breaking down stereotypes, geographical borders and divisions - ONE8 is the ultimate music force that is single-handedly changing the face of the African music industry.

Over the past few weeks rumours and speculations have been flying wildly across the internet as everyone tried to predict – or influence - who would be next join ONE8. The waiting is over; and it is a proud thing for us all to know that our very own 2FACE IDIBIA is one of the superstars making up this group

2Face started his musical career with BlackFace and the two of them formed the group Plantashun Boyz, a highly acclaimed group in their own right. However, 2Face has achieved most of his success as a solo artist and is now one of the most internationally recognized celebrities Nigeria has produced in recent years. 2005 saw 2Face become a household name when he took home an MTV Europe award for best African act, a Channel l Music Video Award for Best Male Video and Best African Video (both for "African Queen") and a Kora award for Revelation of the Year. Last year he took an MTV Africa Music Award for Best R&B and as he joins forces with the ONE8 project the sky is the limit for this amazingly talented artist.

Other artists in the ONE8 group include; JK: Zambia, Navio: Uganda, Amani: Kenya, Alikiba: Tanzaniak, 4x4: Ghana, Fally Ipupa: DRC, and Movaizhaleine: Gabon.

Enjoy 2FACE's Diary...

2FACE's VIDEO DIARY on ONE8 project


TANZANIA's ALIKIBA ONE8 DIARY with 2face Idibia


ONE8 - Hands Across the World (Official Music Video)

I am so fascinated with short films, but this particular film is different. So different that it caught my attention and I decided to share it for every one's taste. Based on a short story by Roddy Doyle and written and directed by Steph Green, this poignant and comedic short film deftly captures the experience of being the new kid in school through the eyes of Joseph, a nine year-old African boy.

CAST DETAILS:
•Joseph: Olutunji Ebun-Cole
•Christian Kelly: Simon O'Driscoll.
•Seth Quinn: Fionn O'Shea
•Hazel O Hara: Sinead Maguire.
•Teacher Lady: Norma Sheahan.

Be sure to expect more short films from me. Enjoy...

Watch New Boy Film

First of all, why wont the government focus on building a standing and self supporting structure for Nollywood, Secondly are loans not meant to be re payed? How do they intend on recouping this fund when there is nothing on ground to enable them recoup it. To me, this is just another method for corruption plus enslaved thinking.

Well am not the only homie taking about this. This are the reactions from Celebrities in the Nigerian Entertainment scene.


Don’t cause inflation —eLDee, musician

I don’t really know how they intend to release money to an industry that doesn’t have a structure. How did they even come by the figure? Some statements are just ambiguous. But if it’s true, it’s a good thing. The problem will be how to share the money. If they can work out a way that a few greedy people will not sit on the money, that will work. You don’t just give stimulus to people without a structure. They should put a structure in place and then tell us what you want to be done with the money. Don’t just cause inflation.

List out modalities– Bond Emerewu, CONGA president

We are yet to understand the modalities for accessing the fund. Therefore I cannot make any official statement in connection with the pronouncement by Mr. President at the moment.

Actually, I’m aware of the announcement but we want to keep our fingers crossed as we watch development before coming out with a statement.

Soft loans is the way to go — Cally Ikpe

The president has good intentions no doubt but I can’t trust the implementation. They’ve not shown me any sign of seriousness.

They need to work hard and convince us this is not a fluke. I know he means well. The mechanics that will be employed so that this doesn’t turn into a national cake is what we await. I’ll suggest that the money should be deposited in the financial institutions and disbursed in terms of soft loans without stringent conditions. Integrity is also key. We should work on ourselves.

Only elected excos should appropriate the fund — Emeka Ike

It’s a welcome development but only a democratically elected exectives can appropriate the fund. The said fund can only be useful to Nollywood when the crisis rocking the industry is resolved.

Actually, we welcome the gesture but the industry must be refocused and made to be crisis-free to enable us benefit from the fund.

It’s a blessing — Weird MC, artist

I think for once that we should be positive. I think it’s a good thing for the industry. It’s a blessing. I just hope the money gets into the right hands especially the upcoming acts.

Hope it’s not a political statement— Alex Eyengho

It’s no doubt a boost to the entire Nigerian entertainment industry. However, As members of the Association of Core Nollywood Producers(ANCOP) we hope this is not a mere policy or political statement.

In terms of utilization, the Nigerian entertainment industry must first be properly defined. Nollywood’s share of the gesture should be put on hold and kept in an escrow yielding account until MOPICON is put in place.

For now, the fund should not be handed over to any individual or group of self-serving individuals in whatever names, masquerading as representative of the entire Nollywood practitioners.

A Nigerian film company is gaining global attention by producing award-winning 3D animation titles made from an African perspective.

TransTales Entertainment was started in 2005 on a budget of less than 5 000 dollars by Nigerians Segun Williams and Obinna Onwuekwe, and is the first film company to produce African themed 3D animation films to fill the void in animation with myriads of authentic African stories.

The titles produced by TransTales are widely acclaimed by industry experts and the animated series "Mark of Uru" recently won the United Nations World Summit Award for the use of technology to promote African culture. The UN praised the series for its combination of digital expertise with local folk story, imagery and culture.

African accents
"Mark of Uru" is written and directed by Obinna Owuekwe and produced by Segun Williams. Owuekwe also lends his voice to two of the characters: The Warrior and Isi Agu. The costumes and makeup are authentically African and the series has a woman empowerment theme embedded in it. The voices also feature varied accents, mostly Igbo and Efik from West Africa.

At least this is a start, we expect more from them in the nearest future. Kudos!!! Enjoy the movie trailer and teasers...

Trailer


Teaser 1: Mark of Uru Teaser


Teaser 2: Business and Pleasure Teaser

Ramesh Babu Raparthy is an Indian filmmaker who knows the geography of Nigeria more than most Nigerians. This charismatic young filmmaker has worked on several Yoruba film productions, had a stint at the D’Banj’s Koko Mansion Reality TV and the Jay Jay Okocha Show too. Currently, he is working with Lilian Bach on a Nollywood film to be shot majorly in Hyderabad, India.
“Tinapa is the film city of Nigeria,” he says. “I’m sure you don’t know there.” Ramesh talks about the beautiful landscape where the so-called film city is built and the man-made beaches. He speaks passionately about Nigeria; a country he says has a lot to offer to the world. “I find it appalling when you get onto forums for expatriates and people are saying, ‘Be careful in Nigeria. Nigerians are this and that.’ I feel like shutting someone up. These are foreigners who come here and go to work from their homes and know nothing about the country they live in.”

Nollywood, he says, is not known to Indians. He is going to introduce it to Indians in India very soon. He has encountered a lot of Nigerians who can sing Hindi songs clearly and that amazes him. He has met Nigerians who are huge fans of Amitabh Bachchan and Dhamendra and these Nigerians follow the lives of these Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan. “I have a lot of plans,” he adds. “I’m in touch with some Nigerians who have close ties with India to present a show or carnival titled, Namaste Naija. It will feature good dances and choreography from Bollywood stars, costume workshops and scriptwriting workshops too.” More of cultural exchanges? “More than that,” he smiles. “It will afford Indians the opportunity to know the good side of Nigeria. It will show Indians that Nigeria is not the country we read about in the media. A lot of good stuff dey come out from Naija.”

For him, The Figurine by Kunle Afolayan is a movie that challenged his sensibility and he believes that Nigerian filmmakers can do better. “You have your story,” he says. “What you should do then is to engage a foreign company for collaboration and from there, your story which transcends the screen gets an international appeal.” This is exactly what most Nigerian productions lack, but Ramesh is ready to bring in that flavour.

He has wonderful ideas to help Nollywood and Bollywood come together. He’s working on a Bollywood film too that will be entirely shot in Nigeria. His movie idea that will have Nigerian tourists in Bangkok sounds like a blockbuster already. For of course, the way he talks about the camera operation and handling, you know that Ramesh is a gem and is here to push the two countries forward.

In recent weeks, D’banj has been constantly in the news for one controversy or the other. Notably was his scuffle with video director Clarence Peters few weeks back.

His outburst was reported to have resulted from the ‘ridiculous’ cost of N3m charged by Mr Peters for the shoot of his highly anticipated ‘Scapegoat’ video.

Sources say the ugly incident occurred on the set of MTV’s ‘REP NAIJA’ Video shoot, which the Capital Hill boss was directing. He walked Dbanj out of the set after the Scapegoat singer allegedly made some ugly remarks about him, Ill Bliss, MTV and DJ Tee.

Now the new buzz coming from the Mo’hits headquarters is the appearance of the Dogg father (Snoop) on Dbanj’s ‘Mr Endowed remix’. Fans, friends and the media are already asking questions – anticipating to know the truth about the collaboration as many are wondering if it’s not another alleged ‘doctored’ track like that of 2face’s ‘Flex’ with R.Kelly.

According to Don Jazzy’s Twitter status on Friday 29th October 2010, the collaboration is a fact.

‘Hi tweeps. So everyone is asking me about ENDOWED RMX ft snoop dogg. Good news is YES its true. Bad news is today is not the release date’, he Tweeted through his handle @donjazzymohits.

If this development is confirmed, then Mr Oyebanjo was with his right senses when he came out of the blues to declare his new nickname as Mr Endowed. And with the Koko Mobile, Koko Mattress and Koko Water still in the pipeline, it will be unfair to say D’banj’s newly acquired alias is not justified.

‘Mr Endowed remix should have been out last Friday but there are some internal issues being sorted out in Snoop Dog’s camp, that’s why it’s delayed. It will be released this week’, one of Mo’hits sons, D’Prince tells.

Snoop Dogg’s management has not still given any response to this.

In a brief interview, conducted at TV Continental in Lagos, Shina Peters says this; ‘…I want to see someone like 2face to be very successful because everything is just name. But deep down, I’m sorry to say this, he’s empty and it’s not good for our artistes…

Whaaaaat?! why would he say that tuface is empty. Men I think that's so huge big talk. I know who i will choose if I am asked to make a choice!

2FACE video "ONLY ME"

SIR SHINA PETERS ( ACE AFRO- JUJU SERIES 1 )

Finally the fairy tale romance between the man the music industry has come to know as the Koko master and telecoms giants, GLO is over.

Although no official statement has been issued by the Dr. Mike Adenuga led company, D’Banj’s contract as GLO ambassador has been terminated.

And not only has the contract been terminated, he has been allegedly paid off. There were conflicting reports about the real reason, the Koko master who emerged as highest paid branded musician in the country was dropped.

It has however been revealed that D’Banj may have been dropped after he refused to put pen to a new contract extension that was less attractive financially.

The musician who signed an initial two year contract worth N70million but was allegedly paid for a year, felt insulted at the new sign on fee the telecom giants were offering.

“He was pissed that apart from being a far contrast from his initial sign on fee, it was far less than what was offered P-Square.

Instead he opted out rather than accept what he called a ridiculous and humiliating fee”.
This development puts to an end, the long running battle between the musician’s management team and GLO officials over sign on fee.

Two years ago, the embattled musician had incurred the wrath of GLO chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga, when he demanded an upward review of his N70million annual sign fee.

In addition, D’Banj wanted an upward review of the N2million per GLO campus show deal, that would have taken him to 36 locations. The request back fired, with GLO replacing him with P-Square.

It took the intervention of some prominent persons for GLO management to give him a second chance.
What happens to all the branded recharge cards and promotion materials that have D’Banj’s photographs, Showtime sought to know?

Glo sources made this statement; “They are our property and will remain so until his initial contract finally elapses”

This is how to vote using the web...
1. Follow the link above
www.mnetafrica.com/naijasings
2. At the top right of the page u will see login, click on it (but the email needs to be registered)
3. put in ur email and password on the next page.
4. then u can vote Ekeng and confrim.

u wont be able to vote for another one hour with that email. unless another registered email.

HIS NUMBER HIS 4 and here's how to keep your favourite contestant in the competition!

Remember: You are voting for the Glo Naija Sings contestant that you want to win! Voting opens after the Sunday night show (22:00 CAT) and closes on Thursdays at 01:00 CAT.

The winner of Big Brother Africa All Stars, Uti Nwachukwu of Nigeria was back in Nigeria few days ago with a carnival-like welcome-back party. In fact a lot of organisations, including his home state governor of Delta State, Gov. Uduaghan has been out-doing themselves to host Him.

However, 411daily gathered on good authority that Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jnr), Chairman and owner of Nigeria’s leading telecommunications company, Globacom, trading as glo, is going to sign him on as an ambassador in the next few days.

According to information at our disposal, Uti has already been reached by Adenuga himself and he has tentatively agreed to become a Glo ambassador. Sources say the contract is worth in the neigbourhood of $ 700 000USD (N105 000 000).

Uti has already attended an event held by Globacom where he got to meet other Globacom ambassadors like Ramsey Nouah, Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Desomnd Elliot and Ini Edo. The contract we hear, is going to be announced in the coming weeks, where Uti will be presented to Nigerians through a press conference as the latest Globacom ambassador.
Globacom recently signed on Nigeria’s music sensation, PSquare for over $ 1.5 million USD.

NEW YORK (AFP) - – New York law enforcement authorities announced Thursday the seizure of more than 10,000 counterfeit DVDs of Nigerian movies after complaints by the African country's "Nollywood" film industry about rampant piracy.

Investigators under District Attorney Charles Hynes in Brooklyn allege they found 10,300 pirated DVDs featuring films like "Material Girl," "Mind Games," the "Governor's Gift" and "Stolen Will."

They also say they found high-volume disc copying machines, hundreds of blank DVDs, and pre-printed labels for movies in the nine stores targeted.

"The villains in this drama are the shop owners who peddle pirated DVDs, a crime that is tantamount to outright theft," Hynes said.

"The sale of bootleg and counterfeit goods deprives the city and state of New York of millions of dollars in sales tax revenue at a time when we all need it most, and it deprives the artists who made the movies of their well-deserved proceeds."

Tony Abulu, president of the Filmmakers Association of Nigeria, thanked Hynes for the crackdown, saying "the African film industry in the United States is a veritable revenue generator for Africa and the infringement of copyrighted African films in the US will not be tolerated."

Known as "Nollywood," the Nigerian movie industry has in recent years galloped ahead of Hollywood -- at least in terms of sheer output -- to rank second to India's Bollywood.

A UNESCO study last year placed Nollywood second to Bollywood in terms of the numbers of films produced, with Hollywood trailing in third position. In 2006 for example, Nigeria churned out 872 productions against 485 in the United States.

Nigerian’s movie exploit in cinema started with Through the Glass produced and directed by Stephanie Okereke, the movie was said to have grossed over N10 million. Figurine, by Kunle Afolayan followed with over N22 million and now Ije, the latest offering from US based Nigerian, Chimezie is said to have broken records by grossing over N47 million.

With this amount, said to have been grossed from six cinema houses, Ije is competing favourably with other Hollywood movies and no Nollywood movie has done anything close to that. For now, there are only few Hollywood movies in Nigeria that has done more than N47 million, among which is Avatar, which did over N80 million.

Ije was shown in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. And it became the longest running movie in cinema when it kept doing cinema runs for over three months and it kept packing the halls week after week. Ozone Cinema in Yaba was said to have sold the highest and cinema owners reluctantly pulled it from the screens.

The movie features Omotola and Genevieve (who recently was featured on CNN's Connect); many attributed the success of the movie to the two actresses who are adjudged to be the leading light of African movie at the moment.

IJE - Movie Preview