Nigerian Hip Pop Awards Nominees 2010

The highly anticipated nominees list of Hip Hop World Awards 2010 was unveiled on Tuesday, April 6,at a brief breakfast event held at the awards secretariat in Lagos. But why were some of the biggest songs of 2009 were missing from the list?

Songs like “Kondo” by Dagrin, “Free Madness part 1” by Terry G, “Choko the Choko” by Sean Tero, Ekaette by Maye Hunta, amongst others were nowhere on the list; and fans and pundits are already wondering and asking “why”?

In a chat with the Secretary of the awards committee, James Silas, he explained that one of the criteria for nomination is that no music materials that encourage fraud, alcohol abuse, narcotics and wanton sex are eligible for nomination, except if said songs have radio-edited versions. You may recall that “Shayo” by Bigiano was also missing from the nominees list in the 2009 edition of the awards for the same reason. “This screening process is our social responsibility and contribution to the sanitization of music in our entertainment industry,” he added.

‘‘Terry G is undoubtedly one of the most controversial artists in Nigeria today, but he was smart enough to make a radio-edited version of “Free Madness Part 1” which made “Free Madness Part 2” eligible for nomination in the song of the year category’’ Silas adds.

In recent times, music of Nigerian origin has been replete with reckless content, glorifying fraud, alcoholism, drug and other substance abuse, sex and get-rich-quick-mania. The NBC-although belatedly- have banned many of these materials, while responsible media organizations are stiffening their NTBB regulations. It is our desire at HHWA, to help encourage artistes to be responsible with the music they churn out; and in cases where they choose to cross the line; to at least provide broadcast edit; and also label albums properly.

The 2010 edition of Hip Hop World Awards will hold on Saturday, May 29 at Eko hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos and the theme is “Power. Prestige. Pride

Beyonce gets 2 million Dollars to sing at Bella Adenuga's Wedding

It was heared that Beyonce Knowles was paid $2M . . . to sing at the wedding of Nigeria's richest man's daughter.

According to the source, Nigerian billionaire entrepreneur Chief Mike Adenuga Jr hired Beyonce to sing at his daughter's wedding. His daughter, Bella Adenuga and her fiance Jameel Disu are scheduled to be married next week.

Linda Ikeji's "It Takes You" is Officially Out

Blogger, Ex-Model and Entertainer "Linda Ikeji" now adds to her list of title as she officially rolled out her first book "It Takes You" 

Linda: "My book came out two days ago and it's been really exciting for me. Totally proud of myself. I decided to do this book in January...and by April, I actualised that dream. That's why I titled the book - It Takes You. Everything in our lives is really up to us.

From now on when you want to address me, you must include Author. For example, ex-model, blogger and author, Linda Ikeji...oh yeah...loves it! lol"
 
Basic info you all need to know.

The book - It Takes You, (A Book of Inspiration) is a 130-page book of 30 inspirational, motivating and life changing articles written by ex-model, entrepreneur and blogger, Linda Ikeji. (Make sure you write my title like that :-))

It will sell for N800 naira at the bookstores (You can start buying at the stores after the launch). But if you buy directly from me, it's just N600, but totally free to students. I don't have that many copies to give out for free, that's why I'm hoping to find a generous individual or a corporate organisation to pay for the cost of printing more copies. I'm talking to one already. Hope it turns out well.


Book Launch/Signing
The official launch date is May 5th, @Theatre 5, Genesis Deluxe Cinema, The Palms, Lekki.
Time: 5pm prompt.
Book signing is 8th May at the Hub Media Store, The Palms, Lekki.
Time is 2pm.

Home/Office delivery.
The book is N600, but if you want it delivered to your home or office anywhere in Lagos, it will cost you an extra N1000. Anywhere at all in Lagos. If you want a copy, please call Uche on 08030529633. Just text her your address and how many copies you want and it will be delivered to you...then you pay when you get your delivery. 

If you live abroad and want a copy or some copies.. contact me directly. (I want the western union in my name and my name alone :-)). The book is less than $5 but to deliver it to you will cost money. So you will be looking at buying a copy between $30 to $50 or even more depending on where you reside. Contact me - lindaikeji@gmail.com or 08033595004.

Rapper Dagrin in a Minor Accident

Rising rapper Dagrin was in a minor accident Wednesday evening, NET sources have confirmed.

The hip hop act, who had been underground for years, before finding favour with fans last year, had his car – a black Nissan Maxima- damaged yesterday while driving to Surulere (in Lagos) with his friends, after a careless truck driver ran into him and tore off his car fender. They were returning from Ikeja.

There was a brief argument, multiple sources tell NET; but no one was injured – and no punches were thrown.

Here’s a picture of the car Dagrin was driving.

The rapper has been unreachable, and repeated attempts at getting him to comment proved abortive. ‘The calls were getting too much, so he had to put off his phone’, one of his close friends who was in the car with him told us.

The source says the truck driver has agreed to be responsible for the damages; but we are unable to confirm this from Dagrin or a rep.

Larry King and Wife files for Divorce in Los Angeles

Larry King joins the list of celebrity divorce 2010 as he ends his 13-year-old marriage on the ground of "Irreconcilable Differences"

The 76-year-old host of CNN's "Larry King Live" filed hours before Shawn King filed her own petition. Both cited "irreconcilable differences."

The couple were married in a hospital room in 1997 three days before Larry King underwent surgery to clear a clogged blood vessel. They have two sons, ages 11 and 9. The petitions differ in that Larry King is seeking joint custody, while his 50-year-old wife wants physical custody.

Larry King is also asking a judge not to award his wife any spousal support and to invalidate an agreement in which he transferred property to her, court records show.

Shawn King's petition seeks spousal support from her husband, along with ownership of the couple's home in Beverly Hills, Calif., and two properties in Utah.

"His major concern is the welfare of his children," said Howard Rubenstein, a spokesman for Larry King, adding that the talk-show host would not comment further on the divorce.

King's nightly news and interview show has been a CNN mainstay for nearly 25 years. He has three children from previous relationships.

The couple started house-hunting in California shortly after their marriage and lived in Beverly Hills. He is a Los Angeles Dodgers season ticket-holder and announced the start of the team's home opener to fans Tuesday.
Source: Yahoo News

Nigeria Films and the Image of Nigeria

For many years, the image of Nigeria has been a soiled one. The people are misunderstood, and the image stands firm. The image has been built throughout the years, and culture and history has combined as powerful forces to form the image of Nigeria. The rest of the world thinks of this country as poor, illiterate, and slow in advancement. 

This is unfortunate because this image is mainly formed by stereotypical perceptions of the population in the country. In other words, it’s due to a lack of understanding for the people residing in Nigeria. People outside of this country do not truly understand the culture, and this leads to misconceptions. The people of this country understand that it’s going to take a lot of time and resources to help reshape the image that has taken root throughout the years. For this reason, they turn to popular culture – educating through movies and films.

Films are one of the fastest way to communicate important messages across the globe. Because they are created to entertain, they often attract huge crowds. A well made, award winning film can attract a lot of attention from the media. They are showcased in film festivals, and people from other nations can exchange ideas and appreciate the works of others. Through this manner, perceptions of each and every culture starts to change. From the films, there is an exchange of information – information about one culture with another. 

Such information is conveyed through films in two different manners – the graphic images, and the music. Music, as everyone knows, is universal. By listening to the sounds in the films, the audience gets a good understanding of the feelings of the characters within the film. Thus, in a non-verbal manner, they are able to understand the emotions of the people belonging to a certain culture. 

Graphic images are more straight forward. They convey messages of what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. Nigerian films are starting to portray the lives of the young living in their country. Such films provide insight as to what is happening within the country. The cities are starting to flourish, and many of the young and able are moving into the cities for a higher quality of life. The lives of these young people provide rich content for the films. 

The movies show that Nigeria is no longer a country that is lacking behind, and slow in advancing. Due to the evolution of technology, the young has become more and more tech savvy. Harnessing the power of technology, many has been able to make progress in leaps and bounds with their careers. It is a sure sign that the country is thriving.

The active movie industry is another indication that the country is doing well. More and more talented artists are coming forward to become directors, actors and actresses. Armed with great story lines, they have been known to shoot high quality movies even with a limited budget. It just shows how resourceful and creative the young citizens of Nigeria can be. The future looks brighter than ever. 

Adetola Banbe is the owner of a site that deals in Nigeria Movies and Nigeria Films website.

Yoruba Movies - The Growing popularity of West African Yoruba Movies

The Rise of West African Movies and Popularity 

What makes African movies and especially Yoruba Movies as well as Nollywood movies so popular is the story. Nigerian Yoruba Movies are very popular outside of Africa in countries in Western Europe as well as the US and the Caribbean. African movies are now making headlines and moves beyond its origin continent and are growing in popularity daily.

Nollywood is currently just behind Hollywood and Bollywood as the biggest movie distributors in the world. African movies are gaining attention worldwide with films from Western African countries such as Ghana and Nigeria being sold alongside Hollywood’s finest productions. Anyone who does not appreciate these movies if missing out on great African movie culture.

In African it is in the daytime that Yoruba Movies are at their most popular as they are preferred by a more female audience. They are now earning International attention despite the majority of these movies taking and comedic theme and their somewhat low production in comparison with movies you may find in Hollywood. Most of Africa’s movies are formed in Nigeria and Yoruba Movies are amongst the most popular. Not only did they spread beyond Western African the Africa as a whole but they have spread worldwide. Nigeria, Togo and Ghana lead the charge in the popularity of African movies. In one of only a handful of cinemas in Nigeria, a cinema in Lagos screen Yoruba Movies alongside Hollywood blockbusters.