Entertainment
Budding Artiste Needs Sponsors, Push
It is quite obvious that Ni
gerian artistes have taken the music industry in the country to greater heights by garnering global recognitions, awards and financial rewards for their efforts. Based on these laudable achievements, a Port Harcourt based upcoming artiste, Miss Janet Gogo, popularly known as ‘Mummy Naija’ has called on government and well meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of young artistes by promoting their talents to sustain the positive growth in the industry.
The ‘Orukanam, Akwa-Ibom State-born gospel artiste who spoke with The Tide Entertainment recently, noted that here in Rivers State, The government has created an enabling environment and a level playing field for all musicians in the state both indigens and non-indigenes which is a source of encouragement, stressing that the absence of discrimination is a big plus to the industry in the state, He lauded Governor Wike for his contributions to the music clan in the state.
The multi-talented artist who said she joined the music industry in 2004 stressed that music is an inborn talent and a divine calling. She disclosed that she uses her songs to preach the gospel in order to bring mankind closer to God. According to her, she also preaches against social vices in society such as rape, cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and moral decadence among others.
She stressed that apart from Gospel music she is also into other genres such as dancehall, circular, Afro Hip-hop, RnB, gyration and Raggae music based on her experience on Ajegunle which is dominated by Raggae and dance hall music. She said as a versatile artist her current album titled ‘How Can We Make Nigeria Better?, Contains 8 tracks covering all the popular music genres in Nigeria. She disclosed that the album is yet to hit the market due to lack of promotion, sponsorship, marketer and financial support.
Miss Gogo pleaded with government and public spirited individuals to come to her aid to enable her achieve her aim of becoming a star like her role model Shakira. She also called on the older musicians to carry along the younger artistes for them to ably step into their shoes whenever they retire.
The popular artiste maintained that this will not only ensure continuity in the industry but provide employment opportunities for budding artistes. She noted that there are so many talented artistes in the state whose talents are not being promoted or harnessed which has brought about untold hardship and frustration. She urged the older artistes to have a change of heart to ensure more achievements in the Nigeria music clan.
Report Rates Yemi Alade Better Than Tima Savage In 2016
The year 2016 has been incredible for Nigerian entertainment and whatever we achieve from now on, we will always reference this year as perhaps the major turning point in 21st century entertainment for us, particularly in the music industry. With this growth, we have seen Davido ink a massive deal with Sony/RCA, just as Wizkid has done. Crossing over to the females, Tiwa Savage has got something with Roc Nation under the tutelage of American hip hop mogul Shawn ‘Jayz’ carter and the possibilities remain unending for the local industry.
On the flip side, there’s a brewing debate that Yemi Alade has had a more successful year than Tiwa Savage and so we thought to run through this discourse with as much available data as we could gather for the time being. We have analysed both stars based on their performances and star power for the year and we think Yemi Alade edged Tiwa Savage out for these three reasons.
1. Controversies: Since April 2016 when the world witnessed the tumultuous nature of Tiwa’s marriage with ex-husband Tunji ‘Tee Billz’ Balogun, it hasn’t quite been the same for the pop star. You can argue that she retained her endorsement deals and has managed to perform at some of the biggest African gigs in the US, but it is what it is. Critics will always maintain that the episode was a setback for her in one way or the other, even though we believe she did an excellent job bouncing back from it. Yemi Alade on the other hand has had a near-impeccable record this year as far as social media dramas and controversies are concerned which is a huge plus.
2. Local Audience/Demographics: While Tiwa Savage has forayed into the international market with particular emphasis on the American audience base, many are of the opinion it is a wild goose chase. They maintain that it is almost impossible for an African to come from outside the continent and dominate the sounds except him or her is resident there and ‘playing ball’ in total conformity with the culture of the core American. It remains to be seen how far she goes with this.
But on her part, Yemi Alade has remained true to her root, connecting with a sizeable chunk of the African market and churning out materials appealing to their ethics, their existence as a people as well as performing on possibly very big stage. The continent has set up for their entertainer.
.3 Awards: With Yemi Alade’s MTN MAMA award for Best Female Act for 2016, it makes it two years back to back for her and hardly anyone is in doubt of her artistry. We believe it is the result of persistence drive and staying true to ones root because not only did Tiwa Savage drop her R.E.D album in late 2015 which served as an early start for her 2016 campaign, she also dropped a deluxe version of the album in 2016 so that whatever the case she had ample materials with which to jostle for the top shot on the continent.
Expose Of Naija Artistes Women Are Dying For
Music is the language of the soul as they say and every music lover knows listening to a song you like can make you feel a lot of things at once. The music industry in Nigeria has grown over the years and more Nigerian artistes keep getting global recognition for their music. These days, women not only want to move to their songs, their hot body and swagful personality triggers many other things.
It’s not every day you find yourself wishing to be held by a musician because of his physique or his lips but it seems some of our favourite artistes have perfected the act of making girls swoon over them. Asides from the great tunes that have girls rocking, their faces and mannerism also have girls blushing and some feeling funky in various parts of their body. Below are the Nigerian artistes that are confusing Nigerian ladies.
1. Burna Boy
It’s not just his reggae-dancehall songs that have the girls wanting more from this talented singer. Damini Ogolu was born in 1991 and hails from Rivers State. The Fela inspired musician released a hog song back in 2012. The song had every lady rethinking guys they turned down as per the lyrics of the song. The “Omo Aristocrat” as he calls himself is a favourite of many.
2. Peter Of Psquare
When you meet a man that can sing and dance, two things come to mind; hot and incredibly hot. Peter is one of the Okoye twins, born in 1981. He and his identical twin developed a flare for music back in secondary school and both have been unstoppable ever since. Peter might be married, but still reps in the well-built six sexy Nigerian musicians that make girls wet body department, which has girls wishing many things.
3. Iyanya
You know the things they say about Calabar ladies and guys. Well Iyanya is a clear representation of that, stereotypical thought. The ‘Kukere’ singer has an amazing physique and to top it off, his dance moves are fire!
4. Flavour
Who doesn’t like some Flavour in their life? Chinedu Okoli is that Igbo boy that will literally make you blush at first sight. Not only in the multi-talented, the Enugu-born musician started his career at the early age of 13. With a couple of h it tracks off his long list of albums. Flavour is easily the go-to-choice for weddings. Although, we are not sure how grooms feel having this out-of-a magazine sexy man perform at their wedding, we are sure the singer is very entertaining and his melody is sweet.
5. Lynxx
Remember the hig song ‘Change Your Parade’ by Lynxx as a knight in shinning armour looking to change the parade of the girl of his dreams. With his gorgeous physique and cute face, it was not difficult to have the ladies swooning, Lynxx these days is the man every girl wants to take home as he’s gotten more spiritual and still hot. If you want a fine godly man with a loaded wallet, look no further.
6. Dbanj
From his sexy body, to his Afropop fusion tunes, to the size of his bank account, D banj turns on the ladies in more ways than one. The Koko master himself was born in 1981 and started his music career in 2004 with the hit single, “Tongolo.” Oladapo Daniel Oyebanko is a recipient of various music awards and signed on to Kanye’s record lable, G.O.O.D music as a recording artiest. There have been rumours of the hot guy getting hooked secretly, this however, does not stop his female fans from wanting more of all he has to offer.
Entertainment
Ijaw Nation Day Festival Begins, Today
All is now set for the three-day cultural event tagged, Ijaw ‘Nation Day Festival’ expected to commence today, in Lagos State.
The fiesta is organised by Miebaka Aggo, a professional cyclist and an Ijaw son who is currently based in Lagos State.
Aggo, who disclosed this to The Tide Entertainment yesterday, said that the cultural event which is organised annually, serves as a reminder of the Ijaw culture to the ijaws residing in Lagos State
’For the cultural festival is to show the Ijaws in Lagos our tradition, so they don’t forget,’ he said.
According to him, the fiesta will feature cultural displays such as masquerades, Ijaw dance performances, boat regatta and traditional wrestling, arts and crafts displays and musical performance.
Meanwhile, preparations are ongoing to host a traditional sports festival this year end in Bayelsa Sate or Rivers State of the Niger Delta region.
‘“The traditional sports festival will be held in Niger Delta this year end or early next year. It is a big budget,” he explained.
He mentioned that the organisers are hopeful of sponsorship from companies and well-meaning individuals in the region.
Sports to be contested for include
1. Wrestling
2. Swimming
3. Canoeing
4. Draft
5. Aquathlon(run, swim, run respectively)
6. Triathlon (bike, swim, run)
“However, 5 and 6 are borrowed Olympic sports that favour our region because we can swim, but the major sports to expect are wrestling, swimming and canoeing,” he said.
Nancy Briggs
Entertainment
Life And Times Of Goddy Oku
“In his book, ‘The Wings’, drummer-turned-guitarist, Manford Best, wrote extensively and glowingly of the pivotal role Goddy played in his music career, in the face of his (Manford’s) natural challenge”
On Friday, January 19, 2024, Chief Tony Okoroji, the Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Uche Emeka Paul, Sir Angus Power Nwangwu and other members of COSON were in Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area, Anambra State to pay the last respects of COSON to Engr Goddy Ogomegbunam Oku. Describing Oku as an “iconic musician…long-term motivator of the music industry…leader of the Hygrades, proprietor of Godiac Studios…a great man and a true genius”, Chief Okoroji draped the casket with the flag of COSON. To perform this rite of passage, Okoroji flew in from Lagos, Paul flew in from Abuja, Nwangwu drove in from Enugu and other members arrived from various states reflecting the esteemed regards Goddy Oku commanded in the COSON family. My experience with Goddy Oku and those of others as contained in the following dirge epitomise the essence of Okoroji’s graveside oration. Goddy was really a “long-term motivator of the music industry”.
During the Nigerian civil war, my family took refuge in Umuchima, down the valley at the outskirts of Orlu, Imo State. One evening, my father returned from Orlu with a message from my friend, Emeka Ifejika, that Biafra Army Officers Training School (BAOTS) was setting up a pop band and they were searching for a bass guitarist. Goodness gracious!!! I was the bassist of The Hardnuts, my defunct teenage band in Port Harcourt; so, I saw it as the opportunity to avoid conscription, which had intensified at the time. Very early the next morning, I sneaked through the back into the sprawling scenic compound of Bishop Shanaham College, Orlu, which housed BAOTS and, as God would have it, I met Goddy Oku. For three hours, he drilled me on bass guitar playing, basic chord progressions and eventually accepted me as bassist/vocalist of the proposed band. An identity card and a “Pass” were quickly prepared to enable me return to Umuchima the next day, pick up my personal effects and report for duty.
With Dona Dyke (Donatus Nwadike) on drums and Goddy on lead guitar/vocals, we became The Silhouettes, a power trio that played side-by-side Sunny Nwamama of “Umunwanyi ji ukwu achodi” fame. That was at a time Jimi Hendrix Experience, James Gang, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Cream, Grand Funk Railroad and other Power Trios were hip in Europe and America but hadn’t emerged in the West African music scene; so, our ensemble was peculiar or odd, if you prefer.
One day, Warrant Officer Murphy introduced a young man by name Justus Nnakwe (JU-Xperience) to Goddy and appealed that he (Justus) should be taught an instrument. Within two weeks, Goddy drilled Justus and transformed him from a complete neophyte to a rhythm guitarist. Eventually, JU had his first outing and The Silhouettes morphed into a four-some at an event for the Commandant of BAOTS, Colonel Tim Onwuatuegwu. Thereafter, Goddy groomed a singer whose entry gave the band a greater body and earthy sound. At the end of the civil war, I returned home to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, cofounded The Blackstones Band in January 1970 and chased the stars until 1972 when societal and family pressure leashed me back to school in the United States where I consistently earned pocket change thru playing guitar; the trade in which Goddy Oku groomed and gowned me.
Goddy mentored numerous artists in his days; the list is virtually endless. Sonny Okosuns, John Kerry, Nelly Uchendu, Panam Percy Paul, Chris Okotie, Felix Liberty, Felarday, Clement Amaechi and a host of others. Kenny Koburn (KK) once reminisced on how he broke bounds in high school to watch The Blackstones perform at Golf Course Hotel, Owerri in the early 1970s. Enamored by the performance of the bassist of the band, KK said he dropped out of school and headed to Enugu where he was tutored to play bass guitar by Goddy Oku. Subsequently, KK co-founded Founders Fifteen of Port Harcourt. In his book, ‘The Wings’, drummer-turned-guitarist, Manford Best, wrote extensively and glowingly of the pivotal role Goddy played in his music career, in the face of his (Manford’s) natural challenge. Before his demise, Prof Frank Onyezili (Frank Zilly of The Fractions) narrated to me the crucial role Goddy played in his music career before he returned to school. Goddy it was who played the classical guitar interlude in “Igede” by Celestine Ukwu. Arguably, “Igede” stands out as the first instrumental music in the Highlife genre and one of the most memorable songs of Celestine Ukwu.
Over the years, Goddy and I maintained contact and I visited him periodically. We even planned that he’d do one week with me in Port Harcourt and we’d embark on a musical pilgrimage to Abak, Akwa Ibom State to visit Emmanuel Ntia of Solo Hit fame, but that didn’t come to fruition. However, when JU came home in April 2021, I hopped into Enugu on the 13th and the three of us spent one night of reminiscences. We put two mattresses on the floor in Goddy’s parlor and played guitar and talked all night. We relived our collective experiences and walked through the engagements we played during the civil war. It was a memorable night.
JU Xperience, Goddy and
The next morning, April 14, 2021, we took a group photograph without realising that that would be the last time we’d see each other. First, JU sailed to the great beyond in far away China and now Goddy is gone; a rather grim reminder of my sitting at the “Departure Lounge of Life”.
May the creative soul of Godfrey Ogomegbunam Oku rest in the Bosom of God, Amen.
Jason Osai
Entertainment
TB Joshua:This Is Why Victims Do Not Speak Up -Seun Kuti
Seun Kuti has weighed in on the ongoing controversy regarding late Nigerian Prophet, TB Joshua, and states that the vilification of victims is why they do not speak up.
Seun Kuti does not believe that all people who do good things are completely good people.
“I don’t care if he took your family to space, you aren’t everybody,” he said.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the singer aired his views on the issue on Wednesday, charging “religious people” to “do better.”
“Eyin Elebi. Once person someone shares money and rice for people, he is a good person automatically,” he said.
”When this man was alive, he was sooo powerful that his criminal negligence, according to state coroner in Lagos led to the death of 84 people and he didn’t spend one second in police station and you want some young women to come and do what?! When Timis wife came out, you all turned a married woman to a prostitute like magic! That’ is why victims do not speak up!! E du Betta, religious people!!”
Going further, he slammed people who defend the late prophet on the grounds that he helped them one way or another, stressing that the experience of some is not the experience of all people.
In his words, “I don’t care if he took your family to space, and he was good to you, you are not everybody! Because a politician helped one person he would prove to the world that the man is a ‘good person!’ News flash- YOU ARE NOT EVERYBODY!!!”
The late prophet and his church have become the subject of controversy after a three part documentary produced by the BBC, highlighted the negative experiences of ex-Synagogue Church of all Nations members, who called the church “a cult”. Some women also accused TB Joshua of rape, forced abortions, child abuse and overall abuse. These claims have become a topic of discourse ever since with some siding with the church and others choosing to believe the victims.
However, the church has denied all the allegations.
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