Nigeria’s Entertainment Scene: Tit Bits

When Music Met Runway In Lagos

It was a night of fun and good cheer at the recent annual music and fashion festival, Music Meets Runway, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos. The event had some of Nigeria’s young talented singers collaborating with top fashion designers to thrill fans with great performances.

Star artistes on parade included D’Banj, Davido, Wizkid, Naeto C, Iyanya, May D, Burna Boy, Ajebutter and others who dished out hit tracks from their various albums. The 10 designers at the occasion also complimented to give a blend of their fashion and music, as the models strutted on the runway with their collections. collections. collections. collections. collections.

The event host was D’Banj who excelled on the night as a compere and a performer. The kokomaster combined well with the super model and former Miss Tanzania, Millen Magassi, to lighten up the arena with scintillating performance. Seasoned choreographer Kaffy and her dance group put up a special appearance.

One of the highlights of the event was the modeling competition that saw the emergence of a new face of Music Meets Runway for the next one year. “I am extremely grateful to everybody that made this event a successful one and for all those who supported us. We really appreciate your effort. I say a big thank you to all those who came for the event. I look forward to seeing all of you again and also look forward to a greater Music Meets Runway next year,” Jennifer Olize, producer of the show enthused.

 —Funsho Arogundade

Banky W Eyes Valentine’s Day Album Release

R&B star, Banky W, will on 14 February, release his highly anticipated #R&BW album. His record label, Empire Mates Entertainment, made this known recently. Ahead of the release date, the label has also dropped the official video of Banky’s hit song, Yes/No. The song, which was produced by Cobhams Asuquo, is the lead single from #R&BW.

The video of the song was co-directed by ace cinematographer, Clarence Peters, and Banky W himself. It was shot in the heart of Lagos and features Nigerian-born British model, Tokunbo Daniels, and Banky W in a classic love story set up.

The video also has cameo appearances by EME’s first lady Niyola; former model and blogger, Uche Odoh, and Trybes Records boss, eLDeeTheDon.

The Yes/No video also has Banky’s alma mater, Home Science Association Secondary School, with appearances from students from the school playing the roles of Banky W and Tokunbo in their childhood.

—Funsho Arogundade

Skales Promises Best Of Both Worlds Debut

Empire Mates Entertainment rapper/singer, Skales, has revealed that his debut album will feature him singing and rapping.

Skales, whose initial skill was rap, said his album won’t have him singing all through. “It’s going to be both. I’m going to have songs where I would just sing and rap in others. At the end of the day, I would be bringing something new to the table,” said Skales.

Despite the success of his two singles Mukulu and Komole, many of Skales’ early fans are still not convinced that singing is his strength.

Skales understands this and believes it is all part of the process you go through in convincing people. “Of course, it is just normal for people to misunderstand you until you prove them wrong. But a lot of people are beginning to believe in my new strength. That’s how it is,” the singer said.

Skales signed to EME in 2009 and is almost through with his debut album scheduled to drop before the end of second quarter of the year.

—Funsho Arogundade    

Ochendo Won’t Give Up Acting

Actor McSmith Ochendo has debunked rumours that he is quitting acting to start a musical career.

Ochendo has recorded his debut single, Onye Eze. He has also shot the video of the song, which hit the airwaves recently. The cut is produced and mastered by Ochendo himself.

While working on the single, rumour of his exit from acting grew because of some unsavoury developments in the movie sector. But he has denied it all.

On Tuesday, Ochendo told Entertainment Cafe that he has no plans of quitting acting for music. “It is not possible for me quit acting. Can Mikel Obi quit football for something else? Actually, at a time, I had problems with some people in the movie industry, but it has been resolved now. So I’m going nowhere,” he said.

Ochendo, a strong member of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN, was one of those who supported the former President of AGN, Segun Arinze, during his leadership tussle with Emeka Ike.

–Bayo Adetu

Lamboginny Drops Omo Alhaja

Olayinka Lawanson, a.k.a. Lamboginny, has released a new single, Omo Alhaja. The song is one of the cuts on his forthcoming album.

Omo Alhaja, Lamboginny said, is true life love song rendered to be enjoyed by both young and old generations of music lovers.

“I fell in love at first sight with a girl, whose mum is called Alhaja. But I never had the chance to show her my love until we lost contact. So, I did this dance song called Omo Alhaja as a way of reaching out to her wherever she is at the moment,” he said.

Lamboginny was recently signed to Yemi Sax Records and has been involved in some charity works lately. Aside his annual prison concert, Say No To Crime, he recently donated relief materials to Delta State flood victims in collaboration with Stella Damasus Foundation and Delta State government.

A few weeks ago, he was also appointed as an ambassador of the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

— Bayo Adetu

Coco Drops My Heart

Sultry singer, Coco, has hit the airwaves with a new single, My Heart.The song is a follow-up to her previous singles, Gidigba and Emi Gan Gan, which featured Vector.

My Heart is a love ballad and the third single off her forthcoming album expected to hit the shelves later this year.

Coco is currently managed Blarque Brotha Entertainment. She is the first lady to be officially signed to the company.

— Sade Adesanya

‘Itohan: A Call To Action’ Making Waves

‘Itohan: A Call to Action’, the latest story in the Superstory series, has continued to arrest public interest. The story, which focuses on the dangers of human trafficking and child abuse, has been commended b and this has brought commendation from the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).

The story is woven around a young lady, Itohan, who travels to Europe through an illegal route, with genuine aspirations to be signed on as footballer in a football club, but ends up being deceived by a gang of men who intend to sell her and other young ladies to a notorious prostitution ring in Europe.

Itohan: A Call To Action is a collaborative project between NAPTIP and Wale Adenuga Productions Ltd.

It was shot in prime locations within and outside Nigeria and makes use of top Nigerian actors as well as cast members from the different places where it was filmed.

Superstory, a popular TV drama, is aired weekly on NTA Network, wapTV Network (StarTimes Channel 222), AIT Network, TVC Lagos, Superscreen Lagos and NTA 10 Lagos.

Apple Spinners Features Olaiya In New Work

Governor of Lagos chapter of Association of Juju Musicians of Nigeria (AJUMN) and leader of Apple Spinners Band, Prince Oluwajoba Ojatunwase, is set to drop his third music album.

Entertainment Cafe learnt that the album features top juju, highlife and hip-hop artistes, including the legendary highlife trumpeter, Dr. Victor Abimbola Olaiya. One of Olaiya’s evergreen songs is also featured in the album.

Famous for his debut album, Se E Ti Gbo Ri? (Have You Ever Heard?), the Ondo State-born singer hinted that the album promises to be a success considering the involvement of top music acts.

And tonight, he will be jamming at Wilfred Club 68, Adeniran Ogunsanya area, Surulere. The venue is a celebrity hangout that hosts the likes of Dipo Gatos and Yinka Best among others.

— Kayode Aponmade

Omo Jesu Now A ‘Landlord’

Stand-up comedian, Omo Jesu, has made his debut as an On-Air-Personality on Faaji 106.5 FM. He hosts a comedy-drama programme christened No Tension.

On the programme, Omo Jesu is known as Landlord and he satirically presents the problems between landlords and tenants in Nigeria, particularly in the ‘face me I face you’ housing system that is common among the low income earners.

“It is a unique programme that I have been working on for sometimes now. It is an edutainment concept highlights the problems tenants face with their landlords, and also proffers solution to them.

So far, the acceptance has been quite impressive, both from the listeners and corporate bodies. I’m optimistic that this is just the beginning of better things for Omo Jesu. Very soon, I will unveil other plans in the kitty.”

— Bayo Adetu

Ibinabo Gets Benjamin’s Well-Done Lift

The Night of Tributes organised in honour of the late actor, Enebeli Elebuwa, did not grip everyone who attended it. In some, the pain of the actor’s death showed. Stephanie Okereke’s face was a mess of tears while eulogising Elebuwa.

But beneath the gloom was some cheer. The height of this was when Joseph Benjamin lifted Ibinabo Fiberesima,  Actors’ Guild of Nigeria President According to Benjamin, Ibinabo deserved to be lifted because she succeeded in bringing about unity in the movie industry for the night.

Benjamin said that what the industry needs to move forward is unity and expressed optimism that with the steps taken by Fiberesima so far, there will be progress.

Sources said the ceremony was exclusively funded by Ibinabo, who is said to have inherited a negative bank balance when she assumed office as president of the guild a few months back.

Julius Agwu and Okey Bakassi, MCs of the event, entertained guests with jokes. Even the children and widow of Enebeli could not help but laugh.

Sunny Neji’s Mansion Ready

Highlife artiste, Sunny Neji’s profile has received a big boost in Igoli, Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, as his beautiful mansion is almost ready. Located in the posh area of GRA in Igoli, the mansion has become the talk of the town. The house is close to the home of former House of Representatives member, Paul Ada, and  Akuma Lodge owned by the Ukpos.

Neji has remained one of the artistes that command high performance fees and attracts endorsements.

ICS Entertainment To Release ‘Lontanna’

ICS Entertainment is set to thrill movie lover with its latest work, Lotanna, a story of a young man who discovers at an early age that he has to offset a N20 million debt owed to a mysterious stranger called Don Creflo by his late father. The titular character goes through a myriad of trials and challenges that stand to either break or make him; aided by an unbreakable resolve to succeed, a sonorous voice, friends, enemies and mysterious individuals he meets along the way.

Lotanna, a movie set in the mid 70s and 90s is about an opinionated and introverted son played by Christopher Okagbue, winner of Gulder Ultimate Search Season 8.

Other members of the cast include Ireti Doyle, Bimbo Manuel, Beverly Naya, Chris Attoh, Jide Kosoko, Joseph Benjamin, Kaptain Tony, Sandra Okagbue, Ifan “Ifeanyi” Michael, Ocean Adaeze, and Seun Kentebe to mention a few.

Lotanna was produced by Ifan Ifeanyi Michael and Christopher Okagbue and directed by George Sunom Kura, with screenplay by Godson Ukaegbu and Seun Kentebe.

—Edwin Usoboh