Ycee drops new single, “ Dakun” off his debut album

Award-winning rapper, Oludemilade Martin Alejo, better known by his stage name, Ycee releases a brand new song, ‘Dakun’, off his highly anticipated debut album set to be released in November titled “YCeevsZAHEER”.

‘Dakun’, which is a Yoruba word for ‘please’ is a pulsating easy-to-learn single which embodies a message to a beautiful lady, who is presumed to possess a charming personality laced with high moral standards and values.

The enchanted male character in this story pleads that she allows him a place in her heart and the chance to prove that he is nothing like the other men she has met.

Dakun last Friday on all music platforms. The song which is accompanied by amped-up Afrobeat resonances and hip-hop beat structures was produced by Krizbeatz.

YCee announced the release of the album via his social media handles on Twitter and Instagram on Wednesday, October 16,  putting out the album art and song listing for the 15-track body of work. Within 24hours of the announcement, the #YCeevsZAHEER hashtag had reached 2.2million people on Twitter and Instagram across Nigeria, United States, United Kingdom, Canada & France.

FG pledges support for AFRIMA... as Nigeria hosts 2019 edition

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government has promised its full support for the successful hosting of the 2019 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), as the country prepares to host the glamorous event in Lagos 20-23 November 2019, with the theme: ''Feel Africa''.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the promise in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.

''When you look at the All Africa Music Awards, it's one of the biggest awards for the music industry in Africa, and what government has done in the past is to provide the enabling environment for the awards to take place.

''We provided support services for AFRIMA, we gave them the backing they need and I think it's on record that the AFRIMA editions that have been held in Nigeria have been among the most successful.

''This year again, we are ready to partner AFRIMA professionally, give them the maximum support such as effective media coverage and also help them in reaching out to other critical stakeholders,'' the Minister said.

He said part of the reasons why Nigeria has successfully hosted the music awards is because the country has relaxed its visa regime, with the visa on arrival policy, thus making it easier for people to come in.

AFRIMA, which was first held in 2014, was established in collaboration with the African Union (AU) to reward and celebrate musical talents and creativity in Africa as well as to promote African Cultural Heritage.

Steve Benson plans big for showbiz industry

Music business enthusiast and songwriter, Ohenhen Osazuwa Stephen a.k.a Steve Benson (SB) has concluded plans to launch a broad-based record company that provides and produces all related high-demand entertainment solutions.

The new outfit, MSN OCEAN will be a major player in the fast-growing Nigerian entertainment industry as it has huge interests and business dealings as a record label.

Steve Benson (SB) as he's fondly called by his fans has been working underground for past four years alongside his team of dodged professionals understudying the peculiarities of the global entertainment sector.

Steve said serious plans have been made to sign not only artistes but also, Deejays too. Besides, the first act whose project is 85% ready, the company is said to be setting its eyes on the big picture with the talents discovery project called MSN Talent Hunt. The show, according to Steve Benson, who is not a newcomer to the music scene, will be powered in conjunction with an international branding and events company. The contest will feature musicians (solo or bands), DJs, dancers and comedians.

Steve is a songwriter and recording artiste as well as a music business enthusiast. He decided to take the backstage to empower other young and talented persons, hence the establishment of the MSN OCEAN outfit.

AFRIMA unveil plans for 2019 edition

The African Union Commission, AUC, during the week officially unveiled the 2019 All Africa Music Awards, tagged; 6^thAFRIMA, calendar of events at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In a statement by the Acting Director, Social Affairs Department, African Union Commission, Mr. Machacha Shepande, the first activity on the continental awards event calendar is submission of entries, which opened globally to African music professionals either living on the continent or in the diaspora from Wednesday, May 15 and closes on Friday, August 2, 2019.

Other activities on the event calendar are the 13-man jury adjudication process and nominees selection from August 6 to August 12. A 'World media announcement of 6^th AFRIMA Nominees' List' will take place on August 13, to publicly unveil African artistes and/or works who have been nominated.

According to the statement, the awards ceremony, a four-day fiesta of music, glamour and entertainment holds from November 6 to November 9 in the official awards host city. It will be preceded by Welcome Soiree, AFRIMA Music Village, the Host City Tour, the Africa Music Business Summit and the exclusive Nominees Party.

The live awards show is broadcast to over eighty countries around the world. The 2018 edition of AFRIMA awards ceremony was hosted by the Republic of Ghana, through the partnership of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid, others thrill fans at Alternative sound live concert

It was all live music which is an entertainment staple as old as time itself. We loved all the bass and synthetic whistles of all our favorite hits, as they were dished out back to back from all our favourite people last night, but there's no denying the enthusiasm we felt from witnessing the live performances from Alternate Sound. 

This is why we get really excited when Alternate Sound Live rolls around. Alternate Sound Live was a unique live band concert with performances by Tiwa Savage, Praiz, Skales, Dr Sid among others which thrilled all fans and everywhere was super lit.

Alternate Sound delivered performances more sensational than any we've ever experienced and it was was a blast!

The end of an era as Tiwa Savage, Simi leave their record labels

Leading Nigerian songstress, Tiwa Savage and talented Afro-pop singer, Simi yesterday shook the music industry to its foundation as they  announced terminating their contracts with record labels. 

While Tiwa Savage has signed a new record deal with Universal Music Group, UMG, the world leader in music-based entertainment, Simi exited from X3M Music, following the expiration of her recording contract with the label.

Under the agreement, Tiwa Savage's future music will be released internationally through UMG’s operations in more than 60 countries worldwide. Projects will be executively produced by Efe Ogbeni of Regime Music Societe and Vannessa Amadi-Ogbonna.

As an effect of this contract, the award-winning singer has also left the Don Jazzy-founded, Mavin Records which she joined seven years ago (in 2012) during its transition from Mo’Hits Records. During her time with the label, she has transformed from just a talented singer to an A-lister, show headliner and multiple award-winner.

In his farewell message to the songstress via Instagram, Don Jazzy, thanked Tiwa Savage for an amazing seven years with the label. “Our darling Tiwatope. We at Mavin would like to say a very big thank you for being such an inspiration to all of us, a friend, a sister.”

“It’s been an epic journey with you and we are very proud of what we have achieved together. As you start this new chapter in your life we want you to know that we are solidly behind you and can’t wait for the world to see what we have always believed you can be.”

“Your jersey as the `First Lady of Mavin’ will forever be yours as we do not intend to fill that position with anyone else,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, in a statement signed by A&R executive, Vincent Nwanze, Simi and her former record label have determined to not renew the contract after its expiration. In a career that is still unfolding, Simi has emerged one of the most remarkable music talents of her generation; combining a peerless skill for writing and arranging, with a vocal prowess like none before her.

That special voice, an unassuming look, and writing talent are what attracted her to X3M when she was signed in 2014. She immediately warmed hearts with the hit single ‘Tiff’ which earned her a Headies nomination. Her debut album for X3M (her career second) was released to local and international acclaim in September 2017, and named album of the year in 2018, by The Headies Awards.

Her final album for X3M music ‘Omo Charlie Champagne’ was released on April 19, 2019.

X3M music is reputed to have a bias for original, alt music; especially in an industry dominated by pop. X3M Music’s management said: ‘We only sign artistes that we love and believe in. We know our taste in music is rather different; but we only sign talents who meet that taste. Fortunately, we have been able to find millions of music lovers here and abroad, who share similar tastes, as is evident in the success of all the artistes we have worked with, including Simi who is without any doubt one of the biggest music talents in the country today…’ Indeed, for the two superstars, it's the end of an era.