Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Friday, 3 February 2012
An Evening With Sound Sultan At Deuces This Saturday
Celebrities mourn, eulogise Don Cornelius
Following the death on Wednesday of one of America’s most iconic show hosts and producer of the groundbreaking Soul Train, Don Cornelius, it has been an outpouring of grief and eulogies by top American celebrities from movies to music. Cornelius, who was 75, was found dead by the police after a self-inflicted gunshot to the head in his Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles home. A long time professional and business collaborator and producer of some of late Michael Jackson’s early hits, Quincy Jones, says, “I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague and business partner, Don Cornelius. Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV, there was ‘Soul Train.’ That will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched. My heart goes out to Don’s family and loved ones.”
Former presidential aspirant, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, is quoted as saying he was on the phone with the deceased days before his death and he did not betray any angst. Jackson concludes, “He was a transformer. Soul Train became the outlet for African Americans. Soul Train was the first and only television show to showcase and put a spotlight on black artistes at a time when there were few African-Americans on television at all, and that was the great vision of Don.” 80s rapper, MC Hammer, tweets, “It meant more to me to perform on Soul Train than to win a Grammy. Loved U So Much Don. Thank U. RIP Don Cornelius. Bluesy singer, Ginuwine also tweets, “RIP Don Cornelius… Someone who paved the way for black music. I still remember my first time on soul train what an experience.” So did R n B singer, Mya; “So grateful for his decades of innovative contribution to black music. R.I.P.” A lot of other entertainers paid homage to the man who led black American culture by the hands to mainstream acceptance.
With the creation of “Soul Train” in 1970, regarded as the longest running nationally syndicated programme in television history, Cornelius helped break down racial barriers and broaden the reach of black culture with funky music, groovy dance steps and cutting edge style. The show is credited with giving voice and visibility to legendary artistes as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White and brought the best R&B, soul and later hip-hop acts to TV. Singer, Jody Watley and dance partner, Jeffrey Daniels, who would become part of the hit-making trio, Shalamar, got their start on the show. Cornelius stepped down as Soul Train host in 1993. In his later years, he had a troubled marriage up to th point of being sentenced to three years’ probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanour spousal battery in 2009. In his divorce case that year, he also mentioned having significant health issues.
Funke Kuti unveils Engager
Estranged wife of Afro beat star, Femi Kuti, Funke, who recently floated an events, public relations and artiste management outfit, FK Management, has unveiled her outfit’s new artiste, Engager. Engager, whose real name is Afolabi Ogunleye, is a young hip hop artiste who is also at ease with other genres like Fuji and R n B.
“I can do any kind of music as long as the music engages people,” he tells E-Punch. To underscore his readiness for the drudgery and benefits of the music industry, Engager has dropped the video of his debut single, Engage You, featuring Skales and RIC. The song, and his second single, Hunny Bunny, is produced by Samklef who attained prominence as the producer of Wizkid’s successful debut, Superstar. Samklef also directed the video of Engage You.
A Masters’ degree holder in International Business from the University of Birmingham, Engager says his name derives from his passion and fixation with making people happy. “I really love making people happy and I believe that my music will achieve that and leave a lasting legacy for posterity.” Speaking on Engager, Funke, whose outfit also manages rappertainer, Weird MC, says she would go the whole hog in promoting him because of his vibrancy, talent and vocal prowess. “He has all it takes to be a superstar; he is young and very well educated and tops this with a rare singing talent. Engager has a long way to go,” she notes.
Beckoning viewers into Hotel Vibrations
Beginning from second quarter, TV viewers, including those addicted to cable TV, will have ample reasons to stay tuned to their sets as a new drama series, Hotel Vibrations, hits the airwaves.
One interesting thing about the serial is that it is a familiar story narrated in a humorous, engaging and suspense-filled style. Gboyega Oyeniya, who is the brain behind the project, explains that the idea for the story came when he was in a hotel in Cotonou.
The activities he witnessed in the hotel caught his attention in a different way. Hence, his resolve to pass messages across to people about them.
Oyeniya says, ‘‘When I returned to Nigeria, I contacted Mr. Inumidun Atie, who is the executive producer. We did the screen play for about a month and two weeks. The story is a sitcom – a kind of movie production done in a single location. We have about 29 episodes ready. They largely explore themes such as dirty ways, HIV/AIDS and so on.’’
He adds that part of the story is where a woman tells her maid she is looking for one of her panties and she replies that even the husband of her boss can testify that she does not wear same size with her.
‘‘We are trying to pass a message through humour – that operators of hotels should be careful of things that go on there. For instance, a visitor to a hotel may be told to proceed to a particular suite to see the person he or she is looking for, without first seeking the permission of the person to ask if he will want to see the visitor, ‘’ Oyeniya notes.
According to him, the movie production, which took about a month and three weeks, is rendered in English and a little blend of Pidgin.
The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife graduate of Dramatic Arts does not pretend that such a project carries its own challenge. He discloses that it is not an easy task restraining the movement of the thespians who featured in the movie for the period the production lasted.
The actor/producer, who has starred in films such as Dadubule, Scorry Bebo, Ose maami and Olosho, reveals that some of the dramatists sought permission to attend to one thing or the other for two or three days.
He states, ‘‘Besides, there was a time hoodlums besieged the location which is Alesh hotel, Ajah to demand for money. I think they got the information that some artists were shooting a film there. So, they decided to come and disturb us.
“It took the intervention of policemen to make them go. They seized our camera and beat the cameraman.’’
Disclosing that talented role interpreters such as Saheed Balogun, Folake Shadare-Atie, Kunle Afod, Alex Shabi and Makinde Moses are some of those who starred in the movie, the actor, who hails from Ogbomoso, Oyo State, states that the series derives its title from the plethora of activities that take place in a hotel.
Like every creative individual who always develops many ways of contributing to nation building, Oyeniya says he is also currently planning a reality show titled Omo Yoruba Ponbele (The Authentic Yoruba Indigene).
The show, he notes, will showcase Yoruba culture by camping selected persons from the Yoruba-speaking states in a location in Oyo State where they will be tested on areas such as language, cooking ability and so on.
He adds, ‘‘They will be dressed in Ankara, Kampala and Aso Oke throughout their stay on camp. The winner will be rewarded with a good prize. For now, we are planning an audition to select participants.
“They will go to farm, make garri, hunt and prepare meals. Each of the participants will also be required to converse in his or her dialect throughout the duration the camping period. They will also pay visits to some of the traditional rulers in the South-West.’’
Oyeniya, however, says he is currently having talks with corporate organisations that have expressed interest in promoting culture by identifying with the idea.United to take talented kids to global village
Peekok Youth Arts leads eight Lagos-based pupils to an exhibition in the US, writes AKEEM LASISI
Five kids from three schools based in Lagos have got a beautiful date in the US. It is their artistic talent that secured the opportunity for them. They will be joining other young chaps from different parts of the world at the creative connections programme, Norwalk, connecticut, having triumphed in a visual art competition organised by Peekok Youth ARTS, a non-governmental organisation founded and run by five Nigerian artists.
Kingdom Heritage Model School, Ogba is the luckiest school in this regard, with five pupils on the list. These are Obaloluwar Kukoyi, Ogwueh Awele, Nonome Isohor, Ejiro Ideh and Oluwatamilore Omokanye. From Bethview School in Gowon Estate Ipaja are Evbuoman Laura and Onyekachukwu, while Ojelere Babatunde is flying the flag of Nickdel School.
Nigeria, others compete for AFRIMA host right
Nigeria is among the 14 countries set to participate in the screening for selecting the five nations that will host the South Africa-based All Africa Music Awards for 2012 and the next four years.
A statement from the organisers indicates that the international committee of AFRIMA will be holding a congress in Windhoek, Namibian, by the weekend, when the committee will review and screen the biddings by the countries.
According to the Director, Media and Communication, AFRIMA, Emmanuelle Namun-Biko, the other 13 countries that will be screened by the committee include, Zambia, South Africa, Gabon, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, DR Congo and Kenya.
Others are Mozambique, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Namibia and Algeria.
Namum-Biko said part of the factors being considered in selecting the final five included quality of the bid, security, venue avalaibility for the shows, availability and attractiveness of tourist sites, the environment and infrastructure, availability of functional International airport and good transportation system.
The award presentations, which are expected to feature live performance and television broadcast show, are expected to be attended by over 5,000.
Musical chip off the painter’s block
Before now, the name, ‘Tola Wewe’, had been easily attributed to visual art. That is the field in which the Ondo-State born artist, Tola Wewe, had excelled. He diversified into politics a few years ago when he emerged the commissioner for tourism and culture in Ondo State. But now, the Wewe family is adding another artistic feather to its cap.
This is coming, courtesy Wewe’s last born, Adeleye, who has just launched three singles under the title, Winner. Lewes G, as he wants to be professionally known, gave a picture of what the world should expect from him when he performed some of his songs when his talent was unveiled at Bogobiri in Ikoyi area of Lagos.
“Music comes to me naturally,” he says. “It is something I do easily.”
He calls his brand of music afro hip hop, a trend depicted by the fusion of modern and cultural elements in the video of Winner.
Although he says he is not imitating his father, he says he has been admitted to study Fine Art at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
“My dad has been very supportive of my dream as a singer. But I don’t really discuss music with him. The other day, he told my manager: I am not saying he should not do music. But this should not disturb his education. I fully understand why he said this, and I will not let him down. My dream is very big as far as music is concerned. You know, everybody wants to be great.”
Good talk. Perhaps the only thing Lewes G and his manager need to realise is that part of the way not to let the father down is by always remembering that he (father) is a man of culture. They cannot afford to, for instance, give room for avoidable immoral spectacles in their production. That is why they may need to take another look at the video of Winner. The work can stand without some of the sexually suggestive actions in it.
Basworld: Growing talents in schools, on air
A travelling ‘edutainment’ outfit, Basworld Entertainment, has stepped up its talent-development programmes across schools in Ibadan and Lagos.
Founded by actor and singer, Samson Alli, the group launched its school outreach projects aimed at moral and social development and discovery of budding talents in 2009.
According to Alli, each show is divided into three segments. These are ‘Comedirado,’ where Basworld presents comic but educative sketches; “Flaunt your Talent,” which gives young talents the opportunity to discover themselves; and ‘Jabulani,’ which celebrates and rewards pupils that excel in different aspects of learning.
Alli’s dream got a boost when the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State gave the programme a slot. It thus airs every Friday between 4:30p.m and 5 pm.
He notes that efforts are also on to spread to NTA and Star Times networks.
Among other schools in Ibadan, Basworld recently staged the show at Loyola College, Livingstone College, Bodija International College and Best Brain College.
In Lagos, it was also at New State High School and Command Day Secondary School.
Who gets the wildcard slots?
This weekend, three earlier evicted contestants in the ongoing reality television show, Nigerian Idol, will come a tad closer to their dreams of being the winner of the show with its promises of fame and fortune and grand entry into the Nigerian music industry. The fate of the contestants, nine of them, who were evicted during the contest for the 10 finalists but were brought back by the judges to compete for the Wild Card slots, now lies in the hands of voters. The wild card allows three winners into the Nigerian Idol finals. However, the contestant with the highest number of public votes would make it back into the competition while the other two would be decided by the judges comprising Yinka Davies, Charly Boy and Jeffrey Daniel.
Stepping into Dad’s shoes
LIFE&BEAT focuses on popular Nigerian musicians, past and present, whose children are poised to follow in their footsteps
King Sunny Ade/ SAJ
Popular juju musician, Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, aka King Sunny Ade, is regarded as one of the most successful
Omotola cares for widows
Perhaps reminded of her own mother’s experience as a widow, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde recently hosted some widows in Lagos.
The event, which was titled, ‘The 20 Widows Makeover’, was her way of encouraging widows that strive to keep the
P-Square’s hidden secret
It is no longer news that the Okoye brothers, aka P-Square, travelled to the USA to shoot some videos for their recent album titled, Invasion. Well, LIFE&BEAT just learnt that the twins, who will be coming back to Nigeria in two weeks, had more on their schedule than they were letting on.
