Showing posts with label Celeb Gossip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celeb Gossip. Show all posts

Sunday, 29 January 2017

‘Why we arrested Harrysong’ – Five Star Music releases official statement

‘Why we arrested Harrysong’ – Five Star Music releases official statement


Singer Harrysong was yesterday arrested by Five Star Music over charges of fraud and breach of contract.
Five Star Music label has now issued a statement on why they are taking legal actions against Harrysong. The label also advised the general public to tread with caution and desist from transacting any business with Mr. Harry Tare Okri, as same is both illegal and a total breach of his existing contract with Five Star Music Label.
Read below.
It has become both imperative and necessary to state our position on the ongoing misguided and fallacious news making the rounds in the media between our esteemed record label and Mr. Harry Tare Okri.
Sometime in 2008 when Mr. Harry first approached our record label for a music contract, we immediately declined the request when we found out that he had a subsisting contract with one Mr. Kevin Luciano of ‘Question Mark Entertainment Label’.
All efforts then by Mr. Harry to influence our management proved abortive as our position was maintained on grounds of equity, fairness and professionalism.
For further avoidance of doubts on the true facts of the present situation, our management has decided to officially set the records straight, because of negative and pervasive influence being foisted on the psyche of our numerous and well meaning fans.
Our first encounter with Mr. Harry was sometime in 2008 when he approached our management for a music contract. As stated above, according to our findings at that time, his contract with ‘Question Mark Entertainment Record Label’ was still subsisting and valid.
Obviously we declined when we found out that Mr. Harry’s plans were ill orchestrated against his employers, by walking out on them without fulfilling the obligations clearly contained in his running contract with them.

When Harry’s employers (Question Mark Entertainment) got wind of his frantic efforts to desert his contract, a stern and official public statement was issued against Mr. Harry and a certain clause establishing his existing contract was clearly published for full consumption by the general public.
3a. The tussle continued between Harry and his employers till sometime in 2014 when Harry once again approached us, this time very desperate.
We opened preliminary discussions with him but demanded an official document from his former employers relieving him of any obligation or liability with regards to his contract with them.
3b. Our move to do things right and professionally with Mr. Harry earned us a Twenty Million Naira Legal Suit (N20,000,000.00) from Mr. Kevin Luciano of Question Mark Entertainment (Records are there for confirmation). We were joined as co-defendants with Mr. Harry.
Juxtaposing the above with what is going on now, it is quite unfortunate because “Good intentions counts as much as good actions, and the person seeking to do good is as good as someone who actually does it.
3c. Knowing the vulnerability of Mr. Harry on the impending legal suit, we solicited the help of certain well respected individuals in the Music industry to wade into the matter, one of which was our dear veteran Daddy Showkey.
Mr. Luciano having found out our intention from inception to act in good faith, agreed to withdraw his suit against Mr. Harry and our company BUT, not without consequential and settlement fees of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00, records available for verification).
We paid this amount solely without Mr. Harry contributing a dime!
It is often said that “When people sense that someone else is vulnerable, they tend to attack, for when the calf falls, the knives come out”.
However, in Mr. Harry’s vulnerable situation, we did nothing of the sort. Rather, we whole heartedly bought all his liability off Question Mark Entertainment Label, and welcomed him as a family into Five Star Music Label, a genuine gesture and decision we are all regretting this present day.
Because we are known for running our affairs professionally and legally, we signed a three year contract with Mr. Harry and certain conditions and obligations were specifically and properly spelled out apart from the terms of the contract.
Most important of these were his obligations to our Music Label, which amongst others include:
That he must deliver at least, three (3) full music albums on or before the expiration of the first term of his three year contract, otherwise the label solely reserves the right either to rescind or extend the contract.
These conditions were never met.
While in the employment of the Five Star Music Label, he must not engage himself in anyway whatsoever, whether directly, by proxy or through a third party in any Music or recording business other than that of Five Star Music. This condition was also repeatedly breached as Mr. Harry has been releasing music, going on tours locally and internationally without our consent or paying the agreed percentage to the label.
Five Star Music wishes to state categorically that this reckless breach of contract by Mr. Harry stands contrary to our company’s work ethics and will therefore be pursued to a logical conclusion using the full instrument of the law.
In setting the records straight, let it be known that before now, the label refrained from instituting any legal actions against him for his blatant breach of contract, just because he was still considered as part of Five Star Music family.
However, his posture as clearly manifested through his lawyers whom have continued to write and make all kinds of assertions and threats to the label necessitated our immediate response for the general public to know the truth and inherent facts of the story. For it is said, that facts speaks for themselves.
We therefore advice the general public to tread with caution and desist from transacting any business with Mr. Harry Tare Okri, as same is both illegal and a total breach of his existing contract with our record Label, ‘Five Star Music Label’.
Notwithstanding what propaganda he feeds the public, we further advice that proper verifications are made from us, as there is no iota of truth emanating therefrom.

Thursday, 15 September 2016

Celeb Gossip: Is There Any Producer Who Can Dethrone Don Jazzy As King?

Celeb Gossip: Is There Any Producer Who Can Dethrone Don Jazzy As King?


Michael Collins aka Don Jazzy has come a very long way as Nigeria’s most decorated music producer and astute music mogul. The name Don Jazzy commands a mammoth amount of influence. Don baba J has produced a long list of first class hits songs, best selling afro-pop albums, headed one of the biggest record labels in Africa, defunct Mo’Hits Records and now Mavin Records. Yes, that makes him such a big deal in the Nigerian music industry.
It will take anybody that aspires to beat his record more than just magic fingers to dwarf his achievements. Why? Because Don Jazzy is not just an ace music producer, he understands the business part of music; he knows how to sell records. At this time in Nigerian music we have very ‘mad’ producers; Pheelz, Young Jonn, DJ Coublon, GospelOnDeBeatz, Masterkraft, DJ Ruffee and the rest too numerous to mention. But the above listed producers have not come close to achieving as much as Don Jazzy, nonetheless they have fabricated viral hit tunes.
This year has revealed quite a few badass music producers like Krizbeatz, DJ Altims, Egarboi, P2J. These guys are the names behind hits like Pana, Oluwa Ni, Standard, Do Like That, Ajaga, Bad.
Out of the lot mentioned I warm up very well to DJ Altims productions. I dare say one music producer to watch. His sound interpretation of afro-fusion is crazy. Only worthy of a protege to Nigeria’s king of sound Don Jazzy. DJ Altims is easily a type of Major Laser.
Altims Beat, born Aluku Timothy, started out as a rapper in his days as a Computer Engineering student in University of Benin. He decided to move behind the microphone after testing himself to improve the contemporary sounds he was hearing on the radio. His rich fusion of afrobeat and hip-hop ensures that he will remain at the top of his game for a long time.

DJ Altims was signed to Mavin Records in 2012. I want to bet my chips on DJ Altims as one music producer who can replicate the massive success of his Boss Don baba J or better still dethrone him. But it won’t all happen overnight.
Is There really Any Producer Who Can Dethrone Don Jazzy As King?


Saturday, 9 July 2016

Celeb Gossip: Peter Okoye lied! Watch him and Paul Okoye announce their live in Congo show today

Celeb Gossip: Peter Okoye lied! Watch him and Paul Okoye announce their live in Congo show today



Psquare Peter Okoye has been caught in a lie. You recall yesterday, he issued a disclaimer threatening to sue his brother Jude Okoye after they released adverts that Psquare Peter & Paul were going to perform together in Congo, July 9th.
Well, here’s a video of him and twin brother Paul announcing their Congo 9th July concert.


Turns out, according to a staff at Airtel East Africa , Peter was not only aware of the show, he endorsed and promoted it. They claim he waited for them to start promoting the show before giving them outrageous conditions and then pulled out and went online to do this disclaimer:
This goes out to all my Fans in Congo Specifically and the entire world in General. My attention has been drawn to a much publicised show holding today 8th July, 2016(VIP SHOW) and tomorrow 9th July, 2016,(in Goma) and on the 17th of August in Kinshasa 
wherein the name Psquare was used maliciously and mischievously to garner patronage and huge fans attendance as against the stage name Rudeboy which is used when my Twin Brother, Paul, and Co-owner of the stage name Psquare performs alone.
I never endorsed the usage of my name as the contractual terms presented were not favourable to me, thus I am not part of the show booked by our former manager Jude and I wholeheartedly disassociate myself from the unauthorized use of my Co-owned stage name (Psquare) and images for promotional and economic reasons without my express written consent or permission. Contrary to the wild allegations making the rounds that I could not attend the show because I am sick and missed my flight along with my crew members, I wish to counter same and state categorically, that I am 101% healthy. I shall take appropriate legal actions in the nearest future against the character assassination and malicious misrepresentation. Thank you. MR.P (Peter of Psquare)”

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Photos: Cynthia Morgan To Adopt A Loyal Fan, 16-Year-Old Mariam From The North

Photos: Cynthia Morgan To Adopt A Loyal Fan, 16-Year-Old Mariam From The North


A 16-year-old Northerner, Mariam, who despite her young age, could do anything within her capability in defending Madrina on blogs and also calling her to wish her well whenever any unfortunate occurrence happens (when her car was stolen)
to Madrina, has gained Cynthia Morgan’s utmost attention and Mariam is about to be adopted (perhaps scholarship) by Madrina in compensating her loyal followership.
Attesting to this good move by Madrina is the statement she personally released on her wall saying:


“THIS KIDDOS LOVE FOR ME MAKES ME BELIEVE HUMANS STILL LOVE HUMANS…TRUE FAN LOVE…THE REALEST LOVE I HAVE FELT IN A WHILE.SHE IS 16. FROM THE NORTH PART OF THE COUNTRY… SHE WOULD PRAY FOR ME ANYTIME SHE SEES ANYTHING ABOUT ME ON BLOGS. EVEN WHEN MY CAR GOT STOLEN.SHE TOLD ME ‘DON’T WORRY MA, YOU’LL FIND IT.THEM NO FIT SEE YOUR BACK BOOMBAH… I AM PRAYING FOR’. ISN’T THAT TOO SWEET?EVEN WHILE SOME PEOPLE WERE PRAYING I SHOULDN’T FIND IT ‘SMILES’..AND WHEN I DON’T REPLY HER MESSAGES FOR A WEEK OR TWO SHE NEVER TURN OUT TO SAY “BLEEP YOU MADRINA” ‘SMILES’ I THINK I AM GOING TO ADOPT HER(GOD WILLING…SHE GOT A GOLDENHEART.)” GODBLESS YOU MARIAM.GOD KNOWS I APPRECIATE YOU #ROADTOTHEALBUM



Thursday, 19 May 2016

Celeb Gossip: Burna Boy says his Manhood is his most ‘prized possession’ (video)

Celeb Gossip: Burna Boy says his Manhood is his most ‘prized possession’ (video)



In a new interview, reggae-dancehall singer Burna Boy revealed that his most prized possession is his pen.!s, and this comes days after the babymama scandal involving Uju Stella who is accusing him of impregnating and abandoning her.
“What’s yout most prized possession?” The interviewer asked Burna Boy, and he laughed, swung open his legs, clamped his crotch and said, “That would be my privates.”



Celeb Gossip: Details on why music star Ice Prince left Chocolate City

Celeb Gossip: Details on why music star Ice Prince left Chocolate City

 Nigerian music star Ice Prince Zamani has announced that he is officially out of contract with foremost Nigerian record label Chocolate City music and the situation has caused quite uproar on social media.
The Aboki rapper did media rounds today, May 19 in promotion of his latest single Chike featuring Mavin Records star Korede Bello and he opened up about the situation both at Cool FM and Beat FM in Lagos.

Ice Prince signed to Chocolate City in 2010 under the tutelage of Audu Maikori and then went on to hit prominence in the Nigerian and African music industry with several hit songs such as Oleku, Aboki, I Swear, Gimme Dat, Can I Talk and N Word among others.

Before now, there were speculations that the 29-year-old was uncomfortable in the music label and wanted out hence the subtle promotion of his new music imprint Super Cool Cats, but he previously denied every such thing stating that Chocolate City is family and he will remain with the label come what may.
In his announcement today, the rapper told Toolz of Beat FM that he is still a part of the label even though his contract is expired and he has decided to move on.
He said that spiritually he is still with Chocolate City but has only chosen to do things a different way for now.
He also downplayed rumours of a rift in-house which led to his public declaration of leaving the label.
The rapper told Cool FM during his interview that his contract expired two years back but he chose not to make it public owing to his relationship with the label’s executive.

Regardless of his decision to move on following the expiration of the contract, the rapper added that he still has a superb working relationship with the Chocolate City, his former label mates and the label’s executives.
NAIJ.com sought to get a clearer picture on the situation and so we reached Chocolate City music for an official statement but a label representative said that the company is not willing to address the issue yet until a press briefing is ready.
When we probed further to know the exact situation between Ice Prince and the label executives, his former label mate and the exact reason(s) the rapper left the company after a streak of successful years musically, the rep told us that a press briefing is being planned and scheduled to hold on Monday, May 23 at the label’s office in Lagos.
In response to our questions on the rapper’s new imprint Super Cool Cats, the rep stated that Ice Prince is still a part of the label even though out of contract as an artiste.
He added that on May 23 Chocolate City will be unveiling Super Cool Cats by Ice Prince and Jagz Nation by Jesse Jagz.
He also stated that Chocolate City is in fact going to unveil both new imprints by the music stars, an allusion to the fact there is an existing working relationship between the label and the artistes.
Ice Prince is not the first artiste to exit the label.
In May 2012, Jesse Jagz left the label and went on to make music independently under Jagz Nation but returned in April, 2015 to the label under the new management structure.

Similarly in 2013, Brymo left the label unceremoniously after a widely publicized spat with label executive Audu Maikori.
The Ara singer cited several reasons for his action and then went on to sign with Tate Music Group in 2015.




Celeb Gossip: Phyno Reveals Why he is Not Married, You will be suprised

Celeb Gossip: Phyno Reveals Why he is Not Married, You will be suprised

 
 
Rapper Phyno in an interview session with Beat FM talked about marriage and the baby mama trend.

Phyno who is promoting his second studio albulm began by reacting to a recent comment made by Flavour, where he said ‘marriage is not for everyone’. He said, ‘I think Flavour is right about entertainers and marriage. Right to some extent and wrong to some extent. Depends on your wife. If your wife is jealous, she may not be able to handle it’.
‘For me, talking about marriage, when it happens it happens. I’m old enough to marry. But I’m married to the music right now’.
Asked about the growing baby mama trend among Nigerian showbiz stars, Phyno replied, ‘I don’t believe I shouldn’t marry. 90% of acts that have baby mamas never planned it. Nobody dey plan am. When it happens, you then decide what to do. Your kid is your kid at the end of the day, whether you marry the mother or not’.

Sunday, 15 May 2016

Celeb Gossip: People Are Still Getting It Wrong – Lil Kesh

Celeb Gossip: People Are Still Getting It Wrong – Lil Kesh



Lil Kesh told Punch in a recent interview that no one pressurized him to float his own record label.
The rapper also revealed he’s still working with Olamide and YBNL crew. According to him,
“People are still getting it wrong; no peer group or friends pressurised me to leave YBNL. To set the record straight, I don’t move with any other crew other than YBNL; so who would possibly want to influence me? Nobody. It has always been Olamide’s dream that we all grow big in the industry; Olamide had shared the idea with me before I even thought of it. I am still very much around in the industry and good stuff is still going to come out from my stable and YBNL.
“The fact that I am floating my own label does not matter, neither does it mean that I am no longer under YBNL. That is where a lot of people are getting it wrong. Olamide and YBNL movement are still managing me as an artiste and the fact that I have my own label simply means that YAGI Records is being managed by YBNL. We are still together; I and Olamide still record in the same studio and work with same set of producers. As you all know that YBNL is a family thing and we all support one another.”

Sunday, 8 May 2016

Celeb Gossip: What Happened To L.A.X? Has Wizkid Dropped The Singer From Starboy Records?

Celeb Gossip: What Happened To L.A.X? Has Wizkid Dropped The Singer From Starboy Records?



Last night at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, where our very own Wizkid, win the award fr the African artiste of the year, he made a huge announcement.
Wizkid, who is the CEO of Starboy records, while accepting his award, unveiled the new artistes recently signed to his Starboy label made it clear that he has just four artistes signed to his label, Starboy Entertainment Worldwide. 
The ‘Ojuelegba’ singer, went ahead to mention the four acts signed to his label but failed to mention L.A.X begging the question, has L.A.X been dropped?
Read his speech:
I’m here to make a special announcement to you guys, we have a new Starboy records – ‘Starboy Entertainment Worldwide’, and we have 4 artistes (Efya, R2Bess, Mr. Eazi and myself). Please support us not, just today but forever.
Wizzy, signed L.A.X back in 2014. The singer while being interviewed by Thenet.ng, revealed what his contract with the label entails saying:
I have a record label deal with Starboy to release two albums in a duration of two years. The contract says we can extend the contract at the end of the two years, so it’s pretty much flexible, but really working with Wizkid is great, he’s very hard working and he motivates me a lot.
As at the time of this report neither Wizkid nor L.A.X has confirmed or denied this latest development.

Sunday, 7 February 2016

 Don Jazzy Shares Throwback Mo’Hits Photo, Reflects On Their Success

Don Jazzy Shares Throwback Mo’Hits Photo, Reflects On Their Success



Mavin Boss, Don Jazzy, was in a  reflective mood yesterday.
Don Jazzy, took to twitter to talk about him being fortunate enough to have been able to own and run two major labels in Nigeria, Mo’Hits and Mavin.
He shared a photo of the Mo’Hit team and wrote:

I have been fortunate to start and run two major music labels in Nigeria. Mo’Hits and MAVINRECORDS. Gave me rare opportunities to collaborate with artists on a global scale.

Sunday, 31 January 2016

 Lil Kesh And I Are Not Close Friends – Reekado Banks

Lil Kesh And I Are Not Close Friends – Reekado Banks



Mavin Records act, Reekado Banks, was recently interviewed by HipTV, where he talked about his relationship with YBNL act, Lil Kesh.
When asked about his relationshop with the ‘Efejoku’ crooner, Reekado said they are not close friends, but have a cordial relationship.


I Will Be Releasing Three Albums This Year – Banky W

I Will Be Releasing Three Albums This Year – Banky W



EME boss, Banky W, has revealed that he will be releasing not one but three albums this year.
The singer/record label boss, made this known while talking about his label act, Shaydee’s album, via Snapchat.
According to Banky, Shaydee’s album will be everyone’s favourite for the year 2016, while his own album will come in at 2nd, 3rd or 4th place.

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

 Davido Has Got The Perfect Moves This Valentine

Davido Has Got The Perfect Moves This Valentine



Valentine is here again, and Close-up in their usual style will be making it a great one for the lovers out there.
This year’s edition of the yearly competition tagged ‘Make your move’ will see three winners emerging to win exciting prizes.
Music act, Davido, rolled off this year’s competition in two videos, which showed him teaching love struck men overcome their shyness and winning their special ladies over with just 6 words story.
To enter the competition which will run from January 18 – February 13, 2016, here are the rules that must be adhered to:
  1. Choose a background from the available ones on the site and upload your photo
  2. Tell us your bold move in a 6 word story.
  3. Enter your details.
The grand prize winner gets a romantic island resort getaway for two. Second prize winner gets a customized his and hers Iphone 6, while the third prize winner gets, a customized his and hers Ipad Air.
There will be weekly winners emerging as well. Top ten entries for the week gets goody bags, while the top weekly entry wins an Ipad mini.
Users are also allowed to submit as many entries as they wish.
Wizkid To Drop New Song Soon

Wizkid To Drop New Song Soon



Starboy boss, Wizkid, seems to more ‘gingered’ following days of several controversies/scandals, from Dammy Krane to Blackface now to his personal life.
The ‘Babanla’ crooner, seems to not be phased by any of this as he just tweeted how life couldn’t be more fantastic.
The music star also revealed that he will be dropping a new song pretty soon.
See his tweet below:

Mr 2Kay Set To Release “Count It All Joy” EP In February

Mr 2Kay Set To Release “Count It All Joy” EP In February



Mr 2Kay is set to release a new EP titled, ‘Count It All Joy’. The project will be the first set of work he will be putting out in the new year, 2016, after which he will be releasing a new album in September.
Without a doubt, Mr 2Kay had an action packed 2015, enjoying rave attention for his songs such as “Bad Girl Special Remix, (featuring Seyi Shay and Cynthia Morgan)” “Who No Like Better Thing,” and “Moniegram” (featuring Timaya). He also performed at most of the top-rated events in country and won several awards including an NEA, Niger Delta Advancement Award and not forgetting – two nominations at the Headies amongst several other achievements.
On Sunday, January 3, Mr 2Kay, real name, Abinye David Jumbo via his Twitter page, said, “My EP will be called ‘Count It All Joy.’ I have a body of work for my wonderful fans to enjoy.” Meanwhile, he will be releasing the EP inspired single, “Count It All Joy” on 1st February and followed by the EP. The project will be made up of 6 songs and 2 bonus tracks from his hits from 2015.
Mr 2kay worked with his longtime producer and friend, Orbeat to create the lead single, “Count It All Joy” amongst other songs from the coming EP.
For the record, Orbeat is the production brain behind songs like “Sanko” (Timaya), “Soke” (Burnaboy), “Jam It” (DJ Xclusive featuring 2Baba and Timaya) to mention a few. It may also interest you to know that Mr 2Kay gave the producer his first major break in Port Harcourt where he produced Mr 2Kay’s first ever single, “Run This Town“. This song in return gave 2Kay his first major recognition on the mainstream, as it enjoyed heavy rotation in PH and its environs.
<a href='http://tooxclusive.com/ads/www/delivery/ck.php?n=a9143de6&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE' target='_blank'><img src='http://tooxclusive.com/ads/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=52&cb=INSERT_RANDOM_NUMBER_HERE&n=a9143de6' border='0' alt='' /></a>
Apart from Orbeat, the ‘Count It All Joy’ EP, will also feature productions by UK based producers called Team Salut, and Grafton’s in-house producer, Ayzed as well as, Hans Mills, Cordless .
Further commenting on the coming project, Mr 2Kay said, “This body of work (Count It All Joy EP) that I have put together, is just to make my core fans feel the old and new me. The lead single of the EP tells my story because I have seen ‘zero’ and I have also seen ‘Hundreds’. I just pray that God bless our hustle. Say ‘Amen’ if you believe no man can pull you down.”

Monday, 25 January 2016

Wizkid Named Artiste Of The Year 2015

Wizkid Named Artiste Of The Year 2015



Starboy boss, Wizkid, has been named ‘artiste of the year’ for 2015.
The singer was named by freely distributed magazine, Super Crush, which also saw the  ‘Babanla’ crooner gracing their February edition.
The new edition also featured talented disc Jockey, Dj Coublon as well as Hip TVs Nancy Isime.

See photo of the magazine’s cover page:

I Am Not Bothered That I Have Been Replaced In The Music Industry – Tiwa Savage

I Am Not Bothered That I Have Been Replaced In The Music Industry – Tiwa Savage


Mavin first lady, Tiwa Savage, has made a comeback to the music industry, following her one year leave to have and cater for her son, Jamil.
The singer, recently sat down for an interview with TVCconnect where she talked about a lot of things to include her son and career.
When asked about how she felt when it became clear she had been replaced as the queen bee in the music industry while on maternity leave, she replied:

 I don’t think I was really bothered. I know how entertainment is and sometimes you need that kind of news so I didn’t take it personally and I wasn’t really moved by it because when you’re having a baby that’s one of the biggest joys that you can ever ever imagine.

Tiwa, also talked about her comeback, stating her number one priority.
My priority was just to make sure that I was healthy and that my baby was healthy and that we had a safe delivery. So at that time I was taking time away from music and I knew I had to take time off but my focus was really my baby…and I had worked while I was pregnant. I had recorded my album so I also knew that I had something when I was going to come back and I was going straight back into work. I also believed in the grace of God over my life and I guess that helped me.
Tiwa Savage, recently dropped her album titled R.E.D, which received a 2.5 point grade form our team.
Blackface Accuses Tuface Of Stealing Songs, Threatens Lawsuit

Blackface Accuses Tuface Of Stealing Songs, Threatens Lawsuit


Just days after accusing Starboy boss, Wizkid of stealing his song ‘Ojuelegba’, Blackface has come out to accuse Tuface of also stealing his song.
The veteran singer took to twitter to acuse the legendary singing of stealing his song ‘Erima’, saying Tuface should have asked for permission before remixing the song.
See tweets below:

 


Saturday, 23 January 2016

3 Things You Must Note About Omawumi’s New Music, “Play Na Play”

3 Things You Must Note About Omawumi’s New Music, “Play Na Play”


Not only has Ms Megbele been away from the music melodies that resonates my heart, she’s also starved me of her eclectic persona which never fails to rear it’s fun and witty self everytime she graces the screen.
Play Na Play shows Omawumi’s depth as a creative artiste and new levels of growth attained since natal events put her on hiatus. The emphasis placed on strict attention to detail on this record, is what gave rise to an extensive breakdown in review. Don’t get bored reading, just try hard to make some sense out of it. Please.

THE SOUND

Permit me to share my bias when it comes to collaborative works that involve Cobhams Asuquo especially, with Timi Dakolo and Omawumi. Cobhams understands the artistic nature of these two and he continues to dish out timeless elements that makes them tick. And since he exudes right in totally different reigns of this music class, it’s not at all surprising that Omawumi has enlisted his technical prowess in the making of her third studio album.
Since she began this journey, one of the best feats revealed from this project would be the fact that she’s recording the entire album, LIVE! The dynamic order of instrumental slayage on Play Na Play, which includes mutli-tasked efforts in musical arrangement done over an epoch composition of ornamental sounds and adept vocal direction, only leaves so much more to be expected from the album’s creative perspective. Who said tingbangban music cannot be calm, mature, and inspiring in ways that do not have to involve money, semi-nude stupid hoes and a bunch of shabbily clad airheads whose thought prowess are centered majorly on popping bottles?

THE VOICE

What more can be expected from the queen of all vocal slay? Let Omawumi tell you what. It’s not about the fact that she can sing or pitch notes for all of Africa. It’s the the way she does it – the hows and whens. Omawumi bathes her dexterity all over this song, making you fall in love with her voice over and over again. She has quite the big and strong voice, yet her vocal effort here is done to almost perfect moderation. Her vocal riffs and ad-libs do not distract the listener from the song’s melodies, neither does it overshadow the message she’s preaching. Mind you, Omawumi can be such a showoff when she sings, but interestingly she’s never all up in your face about it.
Then Mama Angelique Kidjo. She’s another demonic pitch goddess who brought a demure edginess to this song. Ms Kidjo keeps her vocal cut very confident and simple by singing in her native dialect while dropping brisk growls on one or two of her lines. And by the time they duet on the vamp, you can’t miss how the magic moment alternates between Angelique’s mild, yet crisp voice singing ‘jo kpe kpe doni’ as an undertone to Omawumi’s ‘shine your eye shine your eye’.
This is the kinda stuff you can only get from advanced music minds. Unarguably too, there’s an obvious Cobhams factor in the mix.

THE VIDEO

Perhaps you never actually cared to watch this video, I humbly opine that you do.





Thank God Clarence didn’t shoot it, I might have gorged my eyes out. Omawumi raises the art stakes impressively high with this new material out. But because our standards have fallen somewhere down down beneath the benchmark of fairly good, it’s okay for nobody to care (or overlook) that she actually expended serious effort in trying to do the right thing, the right way. As of now, only Timi Dakolo’s Wish Me Well and Asa’s Satan Be Gone stylishly commands cerebellar processes, leaving you truly emotionally influenced. Play Na Play joins this list.
This video doesn’t act itself out like another Nollywood script, there’s a creative pattern at play and it’s the kind that evokes your senses to think. There’s a symbolic interpretation for even the minutest detail such as the chalk markings on Omawumi’s skin or having herself and Ms Kidjo standing as pieces on the chessboard. Don’t just watch and be entertained, that’s so 2005 –  as in the time of P-Square! Regardless, you can tell they had so much fun shooting this video with the way both personalities stayed ravishing throughout the set.

IN SUMMARY

This song cocoons Omawumi’s usual mode of preaching matters on social redundancy – using self-derived idioms to exposit pressing issues. Unlike her title suggests, Omawumi is not here to play. She’s taken her stand place outside of the fussing crowd, away from the little girls and the diva wannabes. To some extent, this record may fail to interest you because it doesn’t induce doing an epileptic dance or perhaps because there’s no gibberish mumblings looped sequentially over the beat, but what you must know is that Omawumi is representing the true essence of African music from the shores of Nigeria, and has successfully secured the attention of those who essentially matter.
Just wait on when this recognition is officially made global.