Meet Bimbi

Welcome to this beautiful loving season for which we have to show love, even if you don't intend to. In this celebration mood I have decided to start a new page I have titled 'My Wiki' (where as creatives' you would get a wide range of inspiring support information). In this age and time of our fast growing industry, competition has been a gain and more of a pain in the a*s.
Therefore we as up-coming (and also made) artists are forced to work and strive harder than we did a minute ago, cos someone else has just completed his reality that is still our dream.

Don Jazzy

Managing our creative businesses will therefore always be challenging especially when there are never enough resources to cater for present times, not to talk of the forced innovative steps and tensions we experience and have to take as generators of creative ideas. Imagine the pain 2face Idibia had to go through in the late 1990s in other to get his voice heard, or the amount of persuasive words and actions Ayo Shonaiya had to make just to convince every single person he met in the early years of the modern African music scene, and even the amount of cash spent on publicity by Don Baba J to prove D'banj was worth listening to10 years back. Just as we artists know that our products  are intangible and risked high in working with other forms of institutions like banks... Hmm, now what's my plan?

Well, I am willing to share innovative ideas I have gained through formal and informal studies of the industry. Every week, covering one topic after the other on how we can help ourselves as artists, especially if we can't afford the creative products we intend to burst out as the internet have given us (cheap) power worth millions five years ago.

Freebies yea! And did you ask what I stand to gain from giving you these valuable infos for free? I guess you know who I am now :)

Now lets get down to today's wiki focusing on 'Digital Accessibility'. I will be drawing from a resource training with Jonathan Hassell (Director, Hassell Inclusion) at Media Trust, where we will see how to implement accessibility across our digital communications.


Digital Accessibility

Digital Accessibility is often a misunderstood concept.

It isn't just a form of billboard that would possible be ignored at every sight.

It’s about working to ensure your website, intranet, widget, workplace application, mobile site, mobile app, or IPTV app is able to be used by as many people in music, film, art, fashion or any type of creative audiences as possible.

It’s about recognising that no product is ever going to be usable to all users, and finding a reasonable, justifiable way of balancing the resource costs of inclusion against the benefits. And it’s about letting your users know when you’ve not been able to fully support their needs.

Fundamentally, it’s about understanding the challenges of inclusion, and solving them in creative ways, to gain a bigger audience so your product is more successful. To simplify the big inclusion grammar, 'make any of your on line product have a justifiable goal'. No matter how small, no matter how simple or useless you think it might be it should, have a measurable value its adding to you. And trust me, facebook, twitter, youtube or even photo bucket is not a while-away-time tool for we artists.
While the pirates try to take over our products within Africa, we have the power to control it internationally. As you can't compare the 6,840,507,000 world population to Africa's 1,022,234,000 in terms of market accessibility, and the good news is that its free!

Tips:

• Be motivated by the benefits of inclusion: increased reach, minimised complaints & legal risk, CSR.
• Appoint someone  in your organisation (friend, brother, sister) to be ultimately responsible for it and champion it.
• Ensure that the person directly responsible (could be you) know how the direct functionality and impact of the sites on the creative products you create and are trained and empowered to make justifiable decisions and document them. Even youtube has an incredible back end far above your imagination.
• Don’t just do accessibility on projects, identify all your business-as-usual processes that could impact on the inclusion of your products and ensure they uphold it.
• Ensure you are clear on the purpose of the product and its target audiences.
• Do the best real-world user-research you can at the start of projects to help good decision making.
• Where users’ needs diverge, feel free to use product variations and personalisation to help them.
• Follow the best-practise technical, design and authoring guidelines for the platform you are developing on.
• User-test your products iteratively during their production, testing for usability with non-disabled and disabled participants together, to the level your budget will allow.

As a result of bulk requests I have been receiving on help on how to build a blog and its essence to better our creative products, next week I will be sharing how and Ten Blogging Tips. Till then...

A young Nigerian who has become a shining star in the Zambian movie industry is Olutunji Ebun-Cole, popularly known as Tunji in Zambia’s film industry.

For his dazzling role as a young actor, in 2010, when he was 13 years old, Tunji emerged the winner of the Black Entertainment, Film, Fashion, Television and Arts Awards.

Tunji, a Zambia-based Nigerian ace actor was announced as the winner of the award, widely known as BEFFTA after he defeated seven other contenders, aged between 13 and 28 in the BEFFTA Young Achiever Award in the BEFFTA Special Awards Category.

The young ace actor has featured as lead actor in a number of films and television movies, popular among which is a short film entitled “New Boy” nominated for Oscar Awards in 2009, where Tunji played the role of Joseph. Born to a Nigerian father and Zambian woman, Tunji at 13 has become a world-class actor working with the likes of David Schwimmer, a famous American actor and director of television and film.

Tunji played the role of “Cola Kid” in James Bond’s “Casino Royale,” directed by Martin Campbell, who was once described by films analysts as someone who “knows how to entertain an audience when he steps behind the camera.”

Tunji was also a background actor in Paul Wieland’s film, “Sixty Six,” a 2006 feature film which is Wieland’s autobiographical comedy-drama, while also featuring as a “Child in Street” in David Corneberg film, “Untitled.”

In 2009, when Tunji was just 11 years old, he attended Oscars Awards for the role he played in “New Boy” nominated that year for Oscar Awards.

This opportunity, he said, availed him the opportunity to meet his hero, Daniel Craig, an English actor, whose early film roles include “Elizabeth,” “The Power of One” and “A Kid in King Arthur’s Court.”

He was also glad to hear Dana Elaine Owens, popularly known as Queen Latifah, an American singer, rapper, and actress, saying he had a good skin.

Speaking on his experience at Oscars, Tunji said: “I got to meet my hero Daniel Craig and Queen Latifah said I had beautiful skin.”

Besides his involvement in movies and films production, Tunji has featured in high profile advertisements by “Nickelodeon,” “Nickelodeon” being a term first used in 1888 by Austin’s Nickelodeon, a dime museum located in Boston, Massachusetts, United Kingdom.

Tunji has also featured in adverts sponsored by world-class agencies and kids’ channels such as BBC, BBC2, Sky News, ITV, JWT, CBBC, BBDO and AMV including

Originally many African languages have no word to define music, as they were mostly expressed through dance in tribes or worshipping gods. These dances teach social patterns and values and helps people work, mature, praise or criticize members of the community while celebrating festivals and funerals, competing, reciting history, proverbs and poetry; and to encounter gods.

African dance utilizes the concepts of polyrhythm and total body articulation. Shoulders, chest, pelvis, arms, legs etc., may move with different rhythms in the music. They may also add rhythmic components independent of those in the music. There are said to be certain types of performances in which scantily clad females circle a sick male whilst incorporating suggestive movements in order to "excite" the man thus reviving the male to his previous good health. Very complex movements are then possible even though the body does not move through space.

Different parts of the body are emphasized by different groups. The upper body is emphasized by the Anto-Ewe and Lobi of Ghana. Subtle accent of the hips is characteristic of the Kalabari of Nigeria. In Agbor strong contraction-release movements of the pelvis and upper torso characterize both male and female dancing. The Akan of Ghana use the feet and hands in specific ways. Dancers are able to switch back and forth between rhythms without missing movements. It is extremely important that the dancers maintain clarity.
Dancers in Nigeria commonly combine at least two rhythms in their movement, and the blending of three rhythms can be seen among highly skilled dancers. Articulation of as many as four distinct rhythms is rare.

In 2011, three African dance steps topped the fun chat worldwide. 'Windeck' from Angola made popular by Cabo Snoop took the head start followed by Nigeria's MoHits 'Oliver Twist' which caused a viral quake on-line. Then the most talked about - 'Azonto' which is currently still on everyone's lips was brought into international lime light by both Sankondie and Fuse ODG featuring Tiffany.

The international artistic market didn't slack on this groove as well, as Beyonce took one of the first initiatives to tap into this Africa's exploding resource. I will start by showing you the fabulous work she did in its blend with her type of music in her run this world video, and will say that she shouldn't be criticised but praised for her marvellous creativity.

Enjoy the video views of Windeck, Azonto and Oliver twist as well... I am eagerly looking forward to more steps in 2012, probably i might get the opportunity to use a few for my videos as well :D

For Colored Girls made its international mark to the plain man in the 2010 drama film adapted from Ntozake Shange's 1975 stage play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Written, directed and produced by Tyler Perry, the film featured an ensemble cast which includes Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Thandie Newton, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose, Kimberly Elise, and Kerry Washington.

Like Shange's play—which is considered to be a landmark piece in African American literature and black feminism—the film depicted the interconnected lives of nine women, exploring their lives and struggles as women of colour. It was Perry's first R-rated film, with a budget of $21 million. For Colored Girls was released on November 5, 2010, grossing $20.1 million in its opening weekend.

With generally mixed reviews, several critics have asserted that Tyler Perry failed to adequately translate the original stage play to film, while more supportive critics describe the film as his finest work to-date. Shange noted her apprehension in allowing Perry to adapt her work, but was ultimately supportive of the film.

After all the chatter, we get to watch the play expressed in an African way! The Nigerian stage play adaptation of “For Coloured Girls” will be opening on the 29th of December 2011. This is truly something to be excited about.

For Coloured Girls: The Nigerian Adaptation is directed by Wole Oguntokun and will premiere at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre.

For Coloured Girls brings some of Nigeria’s hottest and most prolific actresses together in what promises to be an emotionally powerful and thought provoking play.

Joke Silva brings years of theatre experience to the award winning play and will take the role of the Lady in Red. Tinsel favourites Iretiola Doyle and Matilda Obaseki will play the Lady in Brown and the Lady in Green. Studio 53 Extra anchor Marcy Dolapo Oni is the Lady in Blue, while Reanne Weruche Opia plays the Lady in Purple. Olajumoke Ladi Bello plays the vivacious Lady in Orange. Tiwa savage is also not left out.

Also enjoy part footage of the American "For Coloured Girls" film below...

My first words simply shows that I have mixed feelings about this. Music, Talent and Kids, what an inspiring connection. We are all born possessing certain gifts and talents, and parents play a vital role in harnessing these gifts. Of course, not all children who love music will become prodigies, and parents shouldn't let this be their goal. Rather, if a child seems to be interested in music, parents go a long way to stimulate their child's interest. Am not going to mourn about mine lol, so lets go on with my little story :).

These Royalpriesthood kids of the Iloyi family with parents as musicians themselves are nothing less than a bunch of talent coupled with passion. Most will say they look cute but I think not only that, they like to see people enjoy themselves through what they have to offer. There have been strong criticisms as some insist it is difficult to say if it's a good thing for children to try rapping and that they should concentrate on school and learning how to speak correctly before trying to rap because of their age.
Well, personally although I think part of that is true, but rapping makes ones vocabulary increase and the quality of ones speech is increased as well. It also helps people with self-confidence because it's not an easy task spitting bars in front of people you don't know, even harder in front of people you do know.

Is it possible that they will be the GREATEST brother duo EVER in rap? Some say the Clipse are gonna have a hard time with these shorties when they get older... The ability to stay on beat and switch up the flow is UNREAL for this child and his brother...
Big ups to the Royalpriesthood family "mom and dad", as it doesn't matter the words those kids are trying so hard to pass across lol, at their age I don't expect more. As the flow he already has for his age is so unreal and which many older rapper can not on a beat so easily

The Royalpriesthood family are members Smooflow (mc/producer) and Roucheon (mc/ singer), a dynamic duo who continue to earn respect with their consistent sound of authentic soul infused hip-hop. This team offer superb lyrics laced over bumping in-house production, and have recently added video / film production to their growing empire. Founded ten years ago and ten albums deep they have gained much experience and developed a passion to inspire both lyrically and musically.
The group have since been nominated for many awards. Smooflow won the MTV Show us what your made of competition in 2010 with the film Broken Silence.

...Now, just in case you haven't come across the young kid everyone calls a born star . X Factor's Blown out kid - Astro, then this is your opportunity as you can watch videos of Astro's mind blowing performances below and then decide if you are still planing on redirecting your kid's dreams from being a musician to a doctor or lawyer :).

Enjoy the videos below, although I learnt that khaliyl the older brother has stopped rapping for now. Hopefully he gets into it again. You'll watch khaliyl iloyi rapping at 2 years old with Alim Kamara, Roucheon iloyi with Khaliyl iloyi and kieyen iloyi, Khaliyl Iloyis older bro Kieyen at 3 years old rapping with mother Roucheon (This is off an old Royal Priesthood album village nation. 4 YEARS AGO - I wish I can can get hold of the studio footage), Reading with his son, and kieyen Rapping at 3 and 2 years old

Enjoy...

Baby-talk translator: If you listen carefully this is what Khaliyi is saying in his first verse:
0:03 - "I can do whatever!"
0:08 - "I can do it in my head"
0:25 - "What you do, I do better"

Femi Kuti's voice is featured in the videogame Grand Theft Auto IV, where he is the host of radio station IF 99 (International Funk 99, described as "playing a great selection of classics from West Africa, the US and elsewhere").

Afrobeat singer Femi Kuti has been nominated at the 54th edition of the prestigious Grammy Awards.

Femi picked up his third ever nomination in the World Music Category for his ‘Africa for Africa‘ album last night Wednesday, November 30, 2011 when the list was unveiled at the ‘Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!‘ in Los Angeles, US.

In 2003, Femi, eldest son of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti picked up his first ever Grammy Award nomination but lost out to Panamanian salsa singer Rubén Blades. He similarly lost in 2010 when he was nominated in the same category. US banjo player Bela Fleck walked away with the award.

His recent nomination sees him up against Latin/Roots music band AfroCubism, South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Malian band Tinariwen.

Femi has vowed not to attend the Grammys again after losing out the first time he was nominated. Femi disclosed then that he regret attending the prestigious event.

Last year, he said;

"When I arrived at the red carpet, nobody came for me, my record company didn't come, I felt stupid and so I knew I could not win. I sacked my manager, a French man, and they sacked me too. The journey back home was very long. I felt sad. Since then I vowed never to attend the Grammy Awards again.


My father never went for any awards, and where they presented him an award, he didn't go personally and when they brought the award to him, he would send them back with the award. One day, I was at the World Music Awards and I brought the awards, he said did I send you? You better take it back. As I grew older, I understood what he was saying then."

Pop music is a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ world. A starburst of YouTube notoriety and then oblivion. Or at least it is for most. But when your journey has been as long and extraordinary as Nneka’s – when you’ve travelled 10,000 miles and are still only just starting out - then instant celebrity is the last thing on your mind.

When your heart is as big as your Afro, when your talents stretch from teardrop soul-singing to freestyle rapping to a first-class degree from a top Continental university, when you’ve got so much to say about so much, then you are in it for the long haul.

But this time around there’s more of the best ingredient – Nneka herself. Her first US release, Concrete Jungle is a collection of songs that put the singer/songwriter at the forefront. This album is an offering of love, hope and optimism dedicated to the people of Warri & the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Holding it all together is the emotional focus of her beautiful voice, located in a place somewhere between yearning and rage.

The daughter of a Nigerian father and a German mother, Nneka Egbuna was born in Warri, Oil City in the Delta region of Nigeria at the height of its new found wealth in the mid 70s.
But at the age of 19 this modest and hard-working young girl made the big decision to leave behind the African way of life. To further her education, she moved not just to Europe but to Northern Europe, to the industrial seaport of Hamburg in Germany. For the young Nneka, it was a dramatic change, and there remains an intangible quality in her voice that speaks of being a long, long way from home.

With all his fame and fortune, Nigerian music star 2Face Idibia remains humble! This past weekend, 2Face was featured on CNN International’s African Voices along with the formidable Asa.

The interview was taped during his recent visit to London for a headline concert, where 2Face talks about bringing his unique sound and message to the world.

Also soulstress ASA was rocking her new blonde locks on her interview where she spoke to Ayesha Durgahee about her musical upbringing and her hopes for Africa. The feauture also sees her on stage and playing at the iconic Parisian book store, Shakespeare and Company.

Enjoy...

Some might say this is late, but i will join others to say witness the death of the Enigma instrumental by Yaylow.

He narrowly missed out on a Top 10 spot during the Don Jazzy #Enigma competition hosted by one of my favourite blog notjustOk.com but still made it on DJ Neptune’s “Battle of the Enigma” mixtape. Like NotjustOk says, 'This dude is crayzie, yo!' The way he switched from English to Pidgin is effortless. Only a few can do it like him.

As for me personally, he is worth joining the 'Fresh in the Scene' League. I have also added two of my many leaders in that league.
Enjoy...



Click on this link to enjoy more Fresh Killers

The year 2007 was the first time I experienced the glory of celebration, fun and most memorably - 24 hours non stop entertainment. What amazed me the most was that, the same amount of people in their hundreds of thousands (probably millions) I saw at noon, where still the same number I saw by 3am. Family, friends, children, and all sorts where on the streets of Calabar. There was also a carnival park and an entertainment functioning stadium (all in walking distance) where the known world stars of that year where giving performances in turns.
It got to a point right where I was standing enjoying my back stage pass, witnessing Nokia and MTN disputing over mounting both of their stages in regards to time slots for their individual performances. Never have I seen sponsors fight over a time space they both paid massively for lol. Trust me it was memorable.

In 2004 the Calabar Carnival Christmas festival tagged "Africa's Biggest Street Party", was created as part of the vision of making the Cross River State in Nigeria, the number one tourist destination for Africans and tourist all over the world. The carnival which begin on every 1st of December and last till 31st December (i.e. everyone in Calabar gets a compulsory one month holiday lol) has boosted the cultural mosaic of Africa while entertaining the millions of spectators within and outside the Continent.

The event has hosted top African musicians, Nolly-wood Actors, Politicians and international artists. Over the last 7 years international artists like, the late Lucky Dube, Akon, Fat Joe, Joe, young Jeezy, Nelly, Kirk Franklin, and many more has thrilled the large crowd of Nigerians and tourist from outside the country.

Fans of the famous Calabar Carnival will be thrilled this year as the organisers has gone a step further to make the tradition more exciting. Top American Rap artiste Rick Ross and Jamaican American singer Sean Kingston will grace the stage of this year edition to entertain their fans.

Sean Kingston is scheduled to perform at the U. J Esuene sports stadium on Reggae night December 16, while Rick Ross Rocks Calabar on the 28th of December alongside the likes of Psquare, Wizkid, Banky W, Ojb Jezreel, Stunts, and comedian Julius Agwu at U.J Esuene stadium.

Also to perform at the carnival is American Jazz, R&B, Soul and Funk group Kool and the Gang. They would be perfoming at the Governors masked fete on the 20th of December, at the Tinapa water parks dishing out their ever green old skool tunes like Get Down On It, Celebration and Joanna..

This year carnival promises to be bigger and better. So if you can make it down there, don't miss out. Life is short.
Enjoy some cool Calabar Christmas Canival 2010 videos and pics below. I also added Beyonce's video singing the Nigerian anthem...