BET Awards: Lara George Joins Voting Academy ...Shoots new video

Come June 27, the stars will grace the red carpet and shine on stage at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles for the 2010 BET Awards. The multi-talented actress, singer and MC, Queen Latifah will host the show as BET attendees and viewers celebrate 10 years of the award show that highlights the accomplishments of Black musicians, actors, athletes, directors and young stars on the rise.
In recognition of other black talents around the world, the award organisers decided to include a new category this year. The category is the Best International Act category and it has the likes of Corinne Bailey Rae (UK), P-Square (Nigeria), M.I (Nigeria), K'naan (Somalia), Hip Hop Pantsula (South Africa), Estelle (UK), Dizzee Rascal (UK), Chipmunk (UK), Kojo Antwi (Ghana) and Sade (UK) as main contenders.
Nigeria’s respected vocalist, who won the Best Vocal Performer (FEMALE) at the just concluded Hip Hop World Awards, Lara George has been selected as of the voting academy members. She is now one of the international members of the BET Voters Academy set up to decide the winners in different categories. This further shows that Lara’s recognition and contribution to the music industry is beyond the shores of this country.
To further promote her kind of music, she will be shooting the video of one of her popular songs, Halleluyah featuring Patricia King of Midnight Crew in a couple of days from now. The video will be directed by Wudi Awal.

Duncan Mighty Drops Sophomore Album

Port-Harcourt based dancehall act and one of the most sought after acts in that region- Duncan Mighty has released his sophomore album titled Ahamefula.
The fifteen tracker album has tracks like Golden Ring, Indian Girl, Same Girl, Hand of Jesus, Port-Harcourt Son, Na God and Isimgbake, among others.
It will be recalled that the lead single in his debut album, Dance for Me, was released to critical acclaim which immediately turned him into a household name. Despite the fact that he is based in Port-Harcourt, he received invitations to Lagos and other parts of the country on different occasions to spice up several events with his hit number and his electrifying stage craft. But few months after the release of the single, it was banned by the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) for obscene lyrics.

Styl-Plus, Azadus and X-Project For Collabo Album

Baring any change in plan, SKP Records is going to release a collaboration album of some of its artistes like Styl-Plus, Azadus, X-Project and Calcu Republic. The label revealed this to Rhythms & Sounds few days back.
The CEO of the label, Sam Kargo, explained that they are 70 percent done on the project which means the album would soon be released. “As we speak, Styl-Plus has recorded three songs on the project, Azadus has recorded one, X-Project and Calcu Republic have recorded some too. We are almost at the final stage of mastering the album and releasing it into the market”, he said.
Sounding very confident about the songs recorded so far, Uncle Sam as he is fondly called said SKP Records is about to make another statement in the music industry with the on-coming collabo album. “We are going to adopt the system we used when we released the monster hit, Lorile by X-Project. We understand the business so well and this informs why we always take our time in everything we do. I will rather say that music buffs should watch out for one of the best albums of 2010. It’s going to be explosive”, he bragged.
The label artistes’ individual or group albums will follow after the release of the collabo.

Fela: Still Winning Awards Even in Death

Years after the death of AfroBeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, his life and works have refused to die. Different parts of his life are constantly being re-invented. This goes to show that the late performer was the embodiment of talents. An example of this is the hit Broadway Musical show: ‘FELA!’ which recently won three awards out of its 11 nominations at the TONY Awards in America.
The organisers of the Broadway Musical show described ‘FELA!’ as the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician, Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation. ‘FELA!’ is a triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, featuring Fela Kuti’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony-Award winner, Bill T. Jones.
The three ‘TONY’ plaques won by ‘FELA!’ at the Radio City Music Hall in New-York where the event was held are Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical and Best Choreography category.





Rundown of other winners at Tony Awards
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play: Eddie Redmayne (Red)

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play: Scarlett Johansson (A View from the Bridge)

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical: Levi Kreis (Million Dollar Quartet)

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical: Katie Finneran (Promises, Promises)

Best Play: Red

Best Direction of a Play: Michael Grandage (Red)

Best Direction of Musical: Terry Johnson (La Cage aux Folles)

Best Choreography: Bill T. Jones (Fela!)

Best Orchestrations: Daryl Waters and David Bryan (Memphis)

Best Scenic Design of a Play: Christopher Oram (Red)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Christine Jones (American Idiot)

Best Costume Design of a Play: Catherine Zuber (The Royal Family)

Best Costume Design of a Musical: Marina Draghici (Fela!)

Best Musical: Memphis

Best Book of a Musical: Memphis

Best Original Score Written for the Theater: Memphis

Best Revival of a Play: Fences

Best Revival of a Musical: La Cage aux Folles

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play: Denzel Washington (Fences)

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play: Viola Davis (Fences)

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical: Douglas Hodge (La Cage aux Folles)

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical: Catherine Zeta-Jones (A Little Night Music)

Best Lighting Design of a Play: Neil Austin (Red)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Kevin Adams (American Idiot)

Best Sound Design of a Play: Adam Cork (Red)

Best Sound Design of a Musical: Robert Kaplowitz (Fela!)

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater: Alan Ayckbourn and Marian Seldes

Regional Theater Tony Award: The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center

Isabelle Stevenson Award: David Hyde Pierce

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theater: B.H. Barry and Tim Viola.

GLOBACOM REVIEWS AMBASSADOR’ FEES

One of the leading telecommunications company in Nigeria, Globacom, we heard has abridged the ambassadorial fees of its ambassadors to be retained for another two years.
One of the most affected ambassadors is Dapo Oyabanjo popularly known as D’Banj. He signed a luscious deal with the telecom company two years ago to the tune of about N70M which made him the highest paid Globacom ambassador ever. We gathered that the company is has reduced his fees to N40M for another two years if he is still interested in being an ambassador. Globacom is said to be resolute in its decision.
Other ambassadors to be retained by the company will earn N30M as their retainership fee for another two years. The only ambassador who will retain his initial bargain is Basketmouth. He will be paid N40M again for another two years.
One of the ambassadors, Stereoman has been dropped. Ego too would have been dropped but for timely intervention of some powerful interests.

TETUILA TO SHOOT 18 VIDEOS

Former Remedies member, Tony Tetuila is preparing hard for the release of his new album. Aside pitching his tent with a new management company, he will be shooting a new video tomorrow which will serve as the first video from his on-coming album.
The title of the song he is shooting video for tomorrow is Fire featuring Pasuma. The video is to be directed by Kuti of Lo’ Records. We heard he is entering an agreement with Lo’ Records for the shooting of 18 videos when the album is finally released.
The 18 tracker album featured the likes of 9ice, Ruggedman, Durella, Key Note, among others. He also joined forces with his ex remedies members, Eedris Abulkareem and Eddy Remedy to perform a song together.

NEA GATHERS MOMENTUM

The fifth edition of the Nigeria Entertainment awards in New York is currently gathering momentum. All hands are currently on deck to ensure that this year event is spectacular compared to the previous ones.
The event co-ordinator in Nigeria, Mr Wale Oluwaleimu, explained that they are about to stage the biggest entertainment event in the history of Nigeria. “We are not trying to be braggadocios about this but Nigerians should get ready for the biggest entertainment event. This year NEA will be different from the previous ones in terms of packaging and execution”, he said.
The producers of the annual NEA are passionate about promoting African entertainment as well as using the NEA platform to address issues of concerns to Africans and friends of Africa.
The Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA Awards) are presented annually by NEA producers in the United States for outstanding achievements in Nigerian music, film, TV, comedy, fashion and radio.
The awards ceremony features performances by prominent Nigerian and international artists, and some of the awards of more popular interest are presented at the Award ceremony.
The award show was established in 2006, and the first event was held at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center of the University of Maryland at College Park. The second and third editions were held at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.
The NEA Awards of 2010 will take place on September 18 2010 at the Tribeca Performing Art Center in New York City.

ARA READY FOR ALBUM RELEASE

Female talking drummer, Ara is finally ready to release her debut album into the Nigerian market. Having been released into the European market, the popular act and her management are currently finalising their strategies to release the album into the Nigerian market.
Chatting with us, she said they are good to go. “Everything is at the conclusive stage now but we need to get the marketing sides right before taking any decision”, she said.

NIGERIA WINE AND SPIRIT FESTIVAL LIVES UP TO EXPECTATION

Nigeria Wine and Spirit Festival (NWSF), the first wine and spirit exhibition in Nigeria which held at the Lagoon Restaurant on Friday June 4th and Saturday June 5th respectively no doubt lived up to expectation. Different wines and spirits across the world participated in the highly successful exhibition.
Wines and spirits form countries like Chile, France, Italy, South-Africa, Argentina, among others took part in the exposition. The country with the highest number of drinks at the festival is South-Africa.
Wines and spirits present at the exhibition are Italian wines like Ca Delle Rose, Cormons Ribolla Gialla Collor, Brunello Di Montalcino and Asti. There is also Malvayor Cosecha from Spain, Valdivieso Single Vineyard from Chile, South-African wines like Wines like Alto, Saxenburg, Nederburg, Coderburg, Fleur Du Cap, Zonnebloem, Van Loveren, Durbanville Hills and Noble Hills also participated. It is also interesting to know that Glenfiddich Scotch Whiskey made a huge appearance at the Nigeria Wine & Spirit Festival with its Limited 50 year’s old whiskey. Other wines and spirits that participated at the exhibition are Amarula, Tiramisu, Soulo Shira, Prosecco,Valdives sparkling wine, Meme Cape Blend,Ustinqyvodka Lemon,Auka, Bentas, Slanghoek, Grandmaster, Grand Pegalle Vindoux, Don Romeon, Cape Maclear, Laurent Perrier Champagne, Louis Latour, Borie Manoux, Grandes Serres, Les Caves de Landiras, Angostura wines & spirits, Ian Macleod, among many others.
Aside this, the exhibition also paraded lots of important dignitaries who came around to discover new wines that will fit into their bars. It was such a great event that those who attended it have not stopped talking about it.
The Nigeria Wines & Spirits Festival (NWSF) is a world class event that showcases and exhibits various wines & spirits from all over the world. The event is aimed at promoting the wines & spirits culture in Nigeria, and also to celebrate the growth and acceptance of wines and Spirits. The event is also centred on promoting trade amongst the wines & Spirits producing countries and Nigeria. The event which is going to be an annual event is put together by Ronke Sobodu of Spronks Creation.

LO’ RECORDS BERTHS

A new record label cum Management Company has just berthed in the music industry. The new company known as Lo’ Records is an off-shoot of Logical Entertainment own by respected advertising guru, Otunba Ajiboye.
Speaking with us at the corporate office during a facility tour, Otunba Ajiboye said he is ready to make a change in the music industry. “I have been watching the music from afar for a while and I felt it is high time I bring my own knowledge to bear. We want to do music business the way it is being done in the western world. As you can see, we have two recording studios and we are about to have one more. We have different cameras ranging from Canon, P2, 35MM lens and other great stuffs. We are here for real business”, he said.
The company revealed that they are about taking over Tony Tetuila’s management and at the same time speaking with ex- Tribe’s Men rapper, Freestyle. They have also signed new acts like J-Black and Fakia.
Lo’ Records is a subsidiary of Logical Media Group of companies, a group involve in advertising, media management, public relations, awards exhibition and other entertainment business
The company has a production outfit, Logical Media Productions which equally specialises in the shooting of television commercials and radio jingles. The company also specialises in shows, talent hunts and great musical events.
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