Dancehall singer, Olakira follows up with ''4Play'' EP

 

Hard on the heels of the release of his latest single 'Sere', Afro-Pop and dancehall sensation, Olakira unveils an incredible journey of sound in his next musical chapter chronicled in his EP titled ''4Play".

Strong, sensual and powerful are the words used to describe the musical genius in this EP. With producers ranging from SterryO, Drumatik, Simba Tagz, Mr Kamera, Qasebeatz, TBoy Daflame and Olakira himself and features from Tanzanian songstress, Zuchu, South African musicians, Sho Madjozi and Moonchild Sanelly, ''4Play'' is auditory gold!

Olakira's EP which opens with the fan favourite 'Sere' featuring Tanzania's Zuchu, offers four beautifully crafted songs and two bonus tracks. "Gotchu'' is the second track of the EP; produced by Drumatik, a love song through and through dipped in a splash of highlife, about reassurance and dedication to one's love; This is a simple melody that boasts of a truly beautiful song, strongly tipped to be another fan favourite.

With ''Hot Night'', the internationally recognized "Shinning Star" changes gear and switches things up while in ''Call On Me'' which features Sho Madjozi, Olakira shows his production skills alongside Tboy DaFlame in rhythms from the south of the continent akin to Master KG's 'Jerusalema' and Yvonne ChakaChaka's 'Umqombothi'. The bonus tracks of this brilliant body of work are 'For life' and 'Summer Time'

''4play'' is indeed a confluence of African sounds and the multi-instrumentalist is the genuine article. Sung in Yoruba, lbo, Pidgin and English, Olakira brings African sounds together in rich melodies that echo the heartbeat of the Motherland.

Olakira's 4Play EP dropped on Friday, May 14, 2021, on all digital  platforms

Nigerian Idol contestants thrill judges at first live performance

 

The first live performance of the widely acclaimed Nigerian Idol reality show Season 6, screened last Sunday signposts the numerous music talents that abound in the country, as the 11 contestants demonstrated they have the capability to outwit the other to clinch the grand prize.

The show, which will continue till the finale on July 11, will see the winner clinching a recording contract with a leading record label, including N50, 000,000 (Fifty Million Naira) worth of prizes.

It was an evening of excitement and display of musical prowess from the contestants who appeared on stage with their stunning outfits, thus making the show more colourful. They include Kingdom Kroseide, Akunna Okey, Faith Onyeje, Dotun Deloye, Francis Atela, Daniel Ikechi, Beyonce Ajomiwe, Clinton Francis, Comfort Alalade, Emmanuel Elijah, Faith Mac Ebiama.

And with the breathtaking rendition from the first performer, Akunna Okey, followed by Beyonce Ajomiwe, Clinton Francis and others, all made the reality show quite enjoyable.

Also, the performance of the contestants spurred the nice comments by Seyi Shay, one of the judges, to Emmanuel Elijah that sang “Remember Me” by Lucky Dube.

“Your stage performance today was electrifying and energetic; you have been able to hold the entire audience throughout your rendition,” she said.

Consequently, DJ Sose, who is also a judge at the show, applauded Faith Mac Ebiama, who sang a legendary song Jeromi by Victor Uwaifo, saying, “Indeed you are a superstar.”

The other judge, Obi Asika, could not hide his feelings with the smile on his face, commending the singers whose fates for the next show on Sunday, May 16, will depend on the numbers of votes attained, as two with the lowest votes will be evicted. Interestingly, the widely viewed reality TV show which is aired on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 29, is sponsored by Rite Foods Limited, a truly World-Class and Proudly Nigerian Food and Beverage Company, through its premium Bigi soft drinks brand.

U-Roy begins journey home!

 

Pioneer of toasting, Ewart Beckford, popularly known to the world as Daddy U-Roy, will begin his final journey home on Wednesday, May 19, when his remains will be laid to rest.

U-Roy died early in the year after a long illness.

According to U-Roy's partner of over 40 years, Marcia Smikle, there will also be a viewing at Perry’s Funeral Home for the 'Wear You to the Ball' singer beginning Monday, May 17 so that the public can say their final farewells to the singer. The burial will be at 1pm on Wednesday.

All the arrangements are being handled by Perry’s Funeral Home but there will be no traditional funeral service and the event will not be live streamed. Nonetheless, it promises to be an “exciting bashment event” befitting a musical icon of Daddy U Roy’s stature.

An original toaster from the 60s, often hailed as the Godfather of Dancehall, Daddy U-Roy was also known as The Originator and Hugh Roy. His melodic style of toasting, applied with a highly developed sense of timing, set him in a class by himself.

He helped transform Jamaican music through an innovative vocal improvisation process known as 'toasting' where he expanded the role of a DJ into someone who didn't just play and introduce records but added their own verve and vocal ability to the product. He was 78.

Cobhams, Timi Dakolo join Tuface as judges for Trophy Extra Special band season 2 show

Trophy Extra Special Stout today announced that multi award-winning artists, and producers 2Baba, Cobhams Asuquo and Timi Dakolo will serve as judges for the second season of the Trophy Extra Special Band show which will premiere on MTV Base DStv Channel 322 and GOtv, Channel 72.

In addition to the stellar cast of judges, this season will also see fan-favourite presenter and producer, Bolanle Olukanni share hosting duties with former Big Brother Naija finalist, Victoria "Vee" Adeleye. The hosts will guide the viewers through a 12-episode season, packed with electrifying performances from competing live bands.

Now in its second season, the show was created to give bands a platform to showcase their talents and further spotlight the intricacies and beauty of band music. Trophy extra special stout is fast becoming known to do only extra special things that bring out extra special talent and entertainment. With exciting new additions to the shows season 2, such as more music genres for the bands to perform, this season promises an exhilarating and thrilling show featuring some of the best upcoming bands in Nigeria.

Acknowledging the importance of platforms like the Trophy Extra Special Band to upcoming acts, 2Baba said, “Africa is truly blessed with immeasurable music talent and this has been highlighted by the cross-continental recognition our artistes are receiving. There is however a need to give not only solo acts a voice, but also groups who work very hard to perfect their craft. I am excited to once again serve as a judge and mentor on the Trophy Extra Special Band and I hope that we are able to give a voice to the next Alternate Sound, Lijadu Sisters, or even the Beatles. I can't wait to see the magic the bands bring this season."

Cobhams and Timi Dakolo will be serving as first-time guest judges on the show, supporting 2Baba, who served as a coach and judge in the first season. We will also be having a surprise celebrity judge this season.

Commenting on the show’s purpose and the selection of judges, Tolulope Tomori Adedeji, Marketing Director at International Breweries said, “International Breweries, through its various brands like Trophy Extra Special Stout, has been at the forefront of supporting Nigerian art and the creative industry for a long time. The Trophy Extra Special Band show is a unifier, bridging the long-existing gap between solo artists and bands. This year, we have a remarkable lineup of accomplished artistes as judges and we trust that they will draw on their wealth of experience in highlighting the next memorable indigenous band. The winning band will walk away with 10 million Naira cash prize and a complete set of Musical instruments."

D'banj’s newly signed Tanzanian artiste, Feza Kessy drops ‘Bless Me’

 Music heavyweight, D’banj has announced the signing Feza Kessy, a fast-rising Tanzanian artiste to his record label,  DB Records.

The award-winning musician and entrepreneur broke the news in his Instagram page  on Friday.

“I present to you @fezakessy; first lady of @dbrecordsofficial,” he wrote in a terse post alongside the picture of the newly signed artiste.

Kessy also shared her latest feat with her followers on social media.

“To my friends, family and ninjas across Africa and the world, meet my new family@dbrecordsofficial @iambangalee,” she wrote.

This comes as the Tanzanian singer also released the audio and visuals for ‘Bless Me’, her debut project for the record label.

Kessy started pulling the weight of fame after she emerged runner-up in the 2005 Miss Tanzania beauty contest.

In 2013, she contested for the Big Brother Africa reality TV show along with Nigeria’s Beverly Osu, Melvin Oduah, and 23 others.

DB Records has signed several artistes in the past including Tonto Dikeh, Nigerian movie star, during which she released songs like ‘Oti Ya’, ‘It’s Ova’, ‘Hi’, ‘Suger Rush’, and ‘Ekebe’.