@TushMagazineNig · Almighty God for the strength and grace he bestowed upon my team and I. Also, not forgetting the many wonderful personalities who have in one way or the other

@TushMagazineNig

CONTENT

29

45

14

PEARL CANDY

ONE NITE LIVE& UNPLUGGED

GODDESS OF SKILLZ

PRAIZ

24

06. Editorial Focus – The Nigerian Music Industry: A success story08. UnderG – Dynamyt10. Exclusive interview session with 960 Music’s Geoffrey & Password14. Dear Artiste – “Finding Art & Entertainment with Purpose”17. Interview with DJ Lo19. Celebrity Hub – Oye Akideinde21. Music Fizzers – Exclusive Interview with Suka Sounds23. TPL31. Inheritance is Accidental – written by Phidelia Imieghia35. LMK’s Diary – Music: The new occupation37. Jason Porshe – Fashion & Style39. Johnnie Walker Black Podium40. Christiano Ronaldo – Football’s most famous superstar 42. Movie Review – Selma43. NYSC 47. Spinlet Karaoke

4 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

EDITORIAL TEAM

PEARL CANDY

Issue

X

Interestingly, words cannot perfectly express the height of joy I felt when I picked up my pen to write my intro for Tush Magazine’s 10th issue. Looking back through time at the many successes and improvements we have made straight up from our maiden issue until now, I cannot but give thanks to the Almighty God for the strength and grace he bestowed upon my team and I. Also, not forgetting the many wonderful personalities who have in one way or the other believed and supported our movement in becoming one of Nigeria’s prime youth platforms.

This issue – our first for the year 2015 – is a continuation of our mission of celebrating young Nigerians excelling in the entertainment industry. Due to insights, requests and suggestions from our consultants, the selection process for our cover page personalities would no longer be limited to the name or alphabet factor; We’d be giving opportunities for more people who are worthy of it to grace our cover pages subsequently.

Our double cover for this issue focuses on and features one of Nigeria’s most reputable vocalists and singer Praiz who has overtime developed his singing capabilities and has further unleashed his talent in a super-packed double debut album likewise. Also stocked in this issue as well are exciting and beautiful pages filled with glamorous pictures from events, educating articles centered on relationships, sports, the entertainment industry and so many more.

I am also pleased to announce another great improvement on our digital platform, YES! We have developed another means to aligning with the ever fast growing digital world with the aim of serving you better by introducing the inception of the very first Tush Magazine Mobile App which is presently available to iOS and Android platforms only. Download to enjoy the best of what Tush Magazine offers. [See page 44 for details.]

Before I put an end to my intro, I will like to introduce and welcome the latest addition to the Tush Magazine family – Alexander Thandi Ubani, who would be operating in the capacity of a Senior Editor. I’m guaranteed his experience and skills will furthermore bring favorable achievements to Tush Magazine subsequently.

As usual, I appeal you share this issue with a friend, colleague or family member. ENJOY!

Sincerely,

Anslem Jon@TheAJCompany.

10

Editor-In-Chief Anslem Jon

Sub EditorLeonard Onwubuoya

Editorial ConsultantJoyce “LMK” Imiegha

Senior EditorAlexander Thandi Ubani

Art DirectorEdesiri Ukiri [@edesiriuk]

Proof ReadElite Resources CS.

CorrespondentsRufai AhutuAugustine OgbonnaJeffrey Onomoasor

Featured WritersPhidelia ImieghaWinifred Ononikpo

Additional GraphicsGraphixed Nigeria

Production/ResearchTush Kingdom Media

Tush Magazine is a quarterly publication of Tush Kingdom Media, a media outfit into magazine publishing, events organizing and event coverage. Tush Kingdom Media possesses rights to all published articles, interviews and pictures.

For comments, suggestions, criticisms or editorial submission, write us via:

[email protected] [email protected] our website on: www.tushmagazine.com.ng

A note from the Editor...


Unarguably, the Nigerian Music Industry is Africa’s largest depot of talented, industrious, creative, budding and evolving musicians who have taken Nigerian music to the world stage. Such names as the renowned Fela, Tu Face Idibia, Don Jazzy, Davido, Olamide, Wizkid, Flavour, Dbanj, Psquare, Banky W, Tiwa Savage, Asa, M.I, Ice Prince, Wande coal, Naeto C et al are household names making waves in Africa and far beyond. The quality and style of music being dished out by upcoming and established acts can only be A-classed.

This new development is a thing of great joy. Everyone is living up to the challenge to be counted as the competition has resulted in better quality of audio, video and lyrics in demand. Even better, the music sphere is graced with international collaborations, adding another milestone to the success story being recorded. Well known international acts like Rick Ross and T.I got featured by Psquare; Dbanj also saw music legend Akon feeling it in his “Feeling the N*” and a host of other international collaborations with Nigerian musicians which points to the growing popularity of the industry not just in Africa but the world.

Such banging hit songs as Olamide’s Eleda Mi; Davido’s Aye; Flavour’s Ada Ada; Kcee’s Limpopo; Patoranking’s Girlie O; Tiwa Savage’s Eminado; Psquare’s Collabo and a host of many other banging hits showed the enormous growth the industry has recorded over the years. Interestingly, the increase in the number of television channels showing Nigerian music is a great plus to the industry. Stations such as MTVAfrica, Channel O Africa, HipTV, Primetime Africa, SoundCity, TraceTv, AfroPop TV and many others play important roles in bringing many of the numerous talented artistes to the global stage. More so, the introduction of awards for best performing artistes and the rewards for hard work has propelled many to work even harder. Such ceremonies of distinction and recognition namely: Channel O Music Video Awards, Headies Awards, Afrimma Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) etc are milestone novelty gestures fertilizing the rapid development of the Nigerian Music Industry. Added to it, are the mouth-watery prizes for winners. It is no wonder then, that the artistes have sworn an oath of high performance to churn out high quality and top-notch audio, video and lyrics for their teeming fans. By this gesture, Nigerian artistes have indicated a high degree of seriousness in setting the pace for others in Africa to follow.

THE NIGERIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY: A Success Storyby Alexander Thandi Ubani

COLLABOS...

EXPOSURE& AWARDS...


However, the success story is not starved of little hiccups; the profusion of the industry by fame-thirsty individuals has resulted in congestion and somewhat increased number of musicians singing for honors. We are not left out in the controversies, gossips and rancor as it adds spice and fun to it all. Some of the celebrities fight it out with abusive words on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. On twitter, these fights become more demeaning as tantrums fly here and there, which adds to the whole fun after all. The Nigerian Music Industry is a bubbling platform offering many of our idle, yet very talented youths an escape route to stardom. It is pertinent that those who have benefited from the industry should emulate the good gestures of their international colleagues by providing enabling platforms to grow others who are of little means but well talented. This way, they would have given back to society and affect positively the lives of others.

Today’s reigning acts like Davido, Olamide, Flavour, Patoranking, Phyno, Seyi Shay, Praiz, KCee, Eva et al all have the stage for grabs. It is interesting then to note that, this industry must be supported to grow all the more as it plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economy. The industry employs a sizeable amount of our numerous idle youths who go on to become responsible members of the society. The issue of royalties, piracy and theft of intellectual properties (songs) must be considered with utmost seriousness as musicians should be given what is theirs and what they have worked for. The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) must ensure that piracy is rooted out of the system and measures taken to punish people found wanting.

The Nigerian Music Industry is a wind that will blow without stop. The future of the industry is filled with promises. Many more will come. Let us all join hands to make it a success!

BUTS...

GROWTH...

NEXT...


Popularly known as Dynamyt, Damilare Olabimtan was born on the 16th of October in 1989 to Mr. and Mrs. Olabimtan in Yaba, Lagos. Damilare attended Bright Star Nursery and Primary School and St. Gregory’s College, and later went to Yaba College of Technology. He started his early musical career in the church youth choir when he was six years old and went on to be the lead singer of the choir for over ten years.In 2007, he started a defunct gospel band, Divine O3, with a few of his childhood friends from the choir. They performed around churches in Nigeria for three years before the group disbanded. In 2010, he began to diversify into different genres of music like Pop, R&B, Hip-hop and Dance. He records mostly in Yoruba dialect his native tongue, as well as English. He got his stage name “DYNAMYT”, from friend and frequent musical collaborator, Tesan.

In early 2014, he released his first solo effort, “Hostel”, which was met with critical acclaims and had a huge underground following. The song earned him “The Most Promising Artist” in 2012 and 2013 in his alumnus, Yaba College of Technology. Quite luckily for him, he gained the attention of new Island-based record label, Wildlife Records, and two months later, he signed a recording contract with them.

He released his first official single under Wildlife titled, “I Remember” on 22nd of October 2014 and an accompanying promotional single “Jekomo” was released on the 14th of November in 2014 also. He recently released his debut video for “I Remember” and he is concluding plans to release two follow up singles by the beginning of on the second quarter of 2015.

UnderG...set to blow

Dynamyt


TUSH MAGAZINE INTERVIEW WITH GEOFFREY OJI By Alexander Thandi Ubani

It was electrifying seeing the duo of Geoffrey Oji (Winner of Project Fame West Africa 7.0, 2014) and the award winning talented singer, songwriter and producer Patrick Mathias (a.k.a Password − Winner of MTN Songstar Competition 2013). These handsome and talented men shared their touching life stories on how they passed through many odds to be at where they are now. It’s a story that will inspire many who are aspiring to reach the top. The ever impressive Alexander Thandi Ubani was on hand to follow them on this great journey. First stop is: Geoffrey Oji.

For the records, what is your full name?

My name is Geoffrey Oji.

Kindly tell your fans a little about yourself.

My name is Geoffrey Oji and I am the current winner of Project Fame West Africa 7.0. I hail from Benue State in Nigeria and I’m Idoma by tribe; I grew up in Kaduna State. Everything turned sour for me when I lost my dad at an early age.

At age 15, I started hustling and looking for ways to reduce the load on my mother; we even bought a house which later turned out to be a scam. Mom had to return back to the village because things were very hard for us. I visited my uncle in Lagos only to discover he wasn’t exactly doing well financially, hence I slept outside in Lagos for a whole year and had nowhere to stay.

What kept me alive and going was my dream and hopes of using my talent someday; I kept pushing and went to churches to hone my talent. I auditioned for the MTN Project Fame West Africa seven (7) good times before I got picked into the academy. It was not easy at all. That’s the kind of persistence and determination one needs in other to succeed.

Since winning Project Fame West Africa 7.0 competition, you have acquired a huge fan base not just in Nigeria but all over Africa. What has been your experience so far?

They have really been welcoming and I know I I wouldn’t have been here if not for them. So far so good, I would say, the glory returns to God because I have really experienced a lot in life as a whole and the kind of hard things I have gone through in life. Now, I have a car

of my own and can go places. Poverty has a way of tampering with your mind and you forget most rights you have. My experience has been good so far.

Considering the fortune and fame that came with winning Project Fame West Africa Competition, how have you been able to handle the popularity?

I try my best possible to relate with my fans and be me. I’m still the simple and persistent guy.

What genre of music do you make?

I make `Soul and afro−pop music.

What songs have you released since winning Project fame West Africa competition?

I did ‘Bursting my brain’ I still have a couple of songs I’m working on like ‘Every day is a chance’ and ‘Oh baby’. I have close to 12 songs that are there but not out in the market. We are still coming out with more. My fans should expect more.

Do you have a selling point?

(Laughter) I will say my eyes.

What challenges have you faced from female fans?

(Laughter) Nothing out of the regular challenges other male artistes face. Girls want to be associated with me and some of them even go to the extent of trying to get my address to visit me.

What is your most embarrassing moment?


Ermm, I was singing somewhere in a show and I went off-key. It was so obvious and I was surprised. I put the blame on the keyboardist but I was the one that got it all wrong. The second one was when I went for a show with my friends somewhere and I went to use the restroom, I came out and forgot to wear my trouser. It was so embarrassing, I had to run back to get my trousers.(Laughs)

What is the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

For now I would say, was when someone put in about 500,000 naira (over $2,000) to vote for me.

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done for someone?

I went to visit someone in a hospital; she was quite old and I learnt she loved it when people danced. I just had to dance. I was dancing every time just to make her happy.

Are you in a relationship?

I’m not in a relationship now. This is because I just started my career and I don’t want too many distractions.

Who is your ideal woman?

I love a woman who is God-fearing, respectful, hardworking and with prospects. I need someone who can take care of the home.

What do you find attractive in a woman?

Good character. I’m someone who observers a lot. I love a woman with a good physique also.

What features should your ideal woman possess? Do you like it big in the back or front?

Everything o!

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I see myself as a successful global artiste.

When are you releasing an album?

Soon. I am working on two videos now. My album will be coming out soon.

Which international artiste do you wish to collaborate with?

I love Beyoncé. She’s very talented.

Which Nigerian male and female artiste would you love to collaborate with?

I will love to do collaborations with Tu-baba, Iyanya and Chidinma. I’d love to work with Seyi Shay and Onyeka Onwenu also.

What really inspires your kind of music?

Nature inspires me. Also, my experience in life and all the things I have gone through gives me inspiration.

Who is your role model?

That’s my pastor, Rev. Yinka Yusuf.

Why did you go into music?

Honestly, the fact is that I love music. Music found me. I thank God for giving me this gift and I will use it to affect people positively.

What’s your official twitter and Instagram handle?

Geoffrey_Pfame.

If you have the power, what will you change in the world?

I will change a whole lot of things. I will transform people’s character. I think that’s one of the hardest things in life − to make people good.

Define your fashion sense/style?

I’m just a simple guy. Anything that makes me look/feel good is okay by me.

Do you like clubbing and partying?

I do that because of the responsibility attached to my music career. Naturally, I’m not the type to go clubbing or partying. I love to stay at home and do my thing.

Can you tell us about your educational background?

Good! I started my education at St. Saviour Primary and Nursery school, Kaduna, I also attended St. Patricks Secondary School. Due to financial constraints, I couldn’t further my education because of my Dad’s death. I later went to Yabatech for a Diploma Programme. I couldn’t finish though before going to Ghana for further studies. I’m still on it now.

You are a very gifted, talented and hardworking musician, what advise do you have for those aspiring to be like you?

I always tell people ‘Never fake it to make it, Be you’. Be true to what you are and just keep pushing. Don’t allow anybody give you a life that you don’t want, Don’t give up. If it doesn’t happen today, it will happen tomorrow. If it doesn’t happen this year, it will next year. Just be determined and persistent in all you do.

What should your fans expect from you this year?

All my fans should expect the best this year. I will be reeling out good videos, songs and collaborations.

Thanks for honouring our invitation. Tush magazine wishes you the very best in your music career.

Photo Credits: Fegor for 960 Music


Geoffrey is an amazing artiste, singer and songwriter. Working with Geoffrey has been like a discovery channel for us. I like him because he’s humble and always ready to learn. He’s very talented too and ready to be introduced by those who have done it in the industry so they can have the password at the same time. It was fun working with him and importantly we have a chemistry that works.

You won MTN Songstar Competition 2013 and took home two prized assets, how were you able to achieve such feat?

Brother, I don’t think I’m spectacular. Well, the x−factor in me in the first place is God; his favour speaks for me. I went there to do my thing, and bagged home 16 million naira while I was having fun. One thing that kept me going was faith. Opportunity meets preparation. Always be diligent, determined and hardworking. Someday, your persistence will pay off.

Which Nigerian artiste would you want to collaborate with?

(Laughter) I would love to work with 2face any day, any time. I love him.

Have you had any controversy yet in your music career?

Yeah, there is a major one everybody knows I had with Davido. I’m sure you’ve heard about it.

(sings) See gobe. Omo see gobe

Could you shed more light on the Davido controversy? I’m sure many of your fans would love to read directly from you?

First, I have to say that Davido is my home boy; we do business together once in a while. Before then, his producer Shizzi already was my home boy back in the days.

Gobe was one of my demos; Davido heard it and liked it.I guess the major problem we have in this industry is allocation of credits. Songwriters should be recognized as it is done internationally.Password is your stage name, what is your real name?

My name is Patrick Mathias.

You are a record producer, award winning singer and song writer. Can you tell your fans more about your music career so far?

Well, for me it’s like a cliché because every artiste and singer would say their music career started in the church; that’s where we all honed our skills. Thank God for the church and my background back in the days which had me playing different types of instruments. Personally, I had a fundamental background as far as music is concerned; I grew up in a music loving family. It was all fun because I had the passion and flair for it.

What inspires your music?

I don’t know if it is easy for everyone to digest but I am very eclectic. Ultimately, I will say God is my inspiration. My mood and life experiences are also a source of inspiration.

Can you talk about the collaboration between you and Geoffrey?

Exclusive Interview session with Patrick Mathias a.k.a Password

Photo Credits: Fegor for 960 Music


So it wasn’t you who used the twitter handle to accuse Davido of intellectual property theft?

No! No! It wasn’t me. Trust me man, I don’t have an idea where that was coming from.

Did Davido pay for the song?

Definitely, he paid. It was business. There was no theft issue in this matter. I don’t know who the troublemakers were.

What’s your official twitter handle?

@iam_password

Who are your role models and mentors?

That’s a difficult one. There are two people I like to talk about. Cobhams Asuquo. Is one of them; I love that man. He’s my friend and brother. One of the reasons why I say so is because I am learning to see life through his eyes. Tuface inspires me as well.

Are you in a relationship?

Right now, I like to say I am in a relationship and it’s with…

With who?

With my music.. (Laughter)

Can you talk more about your educational background?

Well, I like to say I am educated. Music has taken the center stage. I just acquired more skills.

Can you talk about your family?

I come from a family of 6 (six); three boys and three girls and I am the last of them. I lost my Dad at age six and my mom had to carter for us. It was so hard. After my basic education, I took the bull by the horn to create my own story it wasn’t easy at all. I don clear

bush, fry garri, hawk and do everything normal guys go through in life.

What inspired the stage name Password?

It was one guy that I respect so much. He used to be my number one fan. I know he’s still very passionate about the Password brand wherever he might be. He called me one day and told me that after meditating a name just popped up to him and it was Password. I kept quiet for a while because I felt like ‘this is it’. I felt the name came with a huge responsibility. I accepted it ‘cos I want to be the password to open different doors for people.

What is your greatest achievement?

In 2013, I won the NMA Soundtrack of the year 2013 in the movie HoodRush. You know I write soundtracks for movies too. It’s really one of my strengths.

Have you ever been embarrassed by anyone before?

Sh** happens all the time. I can’t really remember one now.

What problems do artistes face in the industry that you will love to be changed?

Nigerian artistes are hard workers, but I think the aspect of royalties and creating channels for revenues for us to make more from our creative works will surely improve the industry.

What do you make of the Nigerian music industry today?

The Nigerian music industry is getting better by the day. The more opportunities we get, the more artistes come into the industry and many talented people are taken off the streets. The industry is creating more jobs for the youths.

What do you think are the reasons for the rapid growth?

I think it’s digital media, ICT age and the recording equipment for better quality of music has helped in improving the industry.

What’s your fashion style?

I’m trying to be an “Iyanya” but I don’t know how to walk in chains. I love vintage. I go easy on all that stuff. I like to keep it simple.

What do you have to tell your fans?

Well I like to tell my fans, I mean my friends out there, life is not a bed of roses. In life, you have to be very particular about what you want. I don’t believe in luck ‘cos life is no fluke. Sometimes I cry looking at my life story and where I am today. God has been so faithful. I believe in working hard and putting God first in all I do. Just have faith and work hard. Pa

trick

Mat

hias 960

MU

SIC


On March 7th 2015, renowned OAP and inspirational mentor, Fola Folayan converged music industry personalities for her educating platform #DearArtiste. The platform over its period of inception has seen experienced industry personalities dole out advices for emerging artistes and managers alike teaching them about the importance of understanding the craft they practice. This edition tagged: “Finding Art & Entertainment with Purpose” had speakers like ID Cabasa, Alero Eghagha of Cool FM, Somto of Spinlet, Demilade and the convener herself, Fola. The interactive session was held at Yusuf Grillo Hall in YabaTech and had partners like: Spinlet, CoolFM, 360Nobs, Tush Magazine and Pulse.ng

DearArtiste

Voucher code: DEARARTISTEValue: 1 month Spinlet Premium SubscriptionValidity of code/Expiry Date: June 30, 2015Please note the voucher code cannot be used on Etisalat network and it also only works on Android and BB7 downwards.

FREE SPINLET SUBSCRIPTION >>


Beautiful Goddess of Skillz has proven to be a master in her selected choice of career; being a model, TV Presenter and Video vixen, she has immensely proven her worth and having her for your gig or appearing on your video is a huge plus. Plying her presenting skills with an urban TV channel, Goddess of Skillz has created a brand image for herself. Tush Magazine’s representative hooked up with her and here are some of the answers she offered in a quest to getting to know her better.

Q. Goddess of Skillz is a catchy stage name, what is your real name?

A. My real name is Oruwari Kaine Daala

Q. Can you tell your fans more about yourself?

A. Well, I’m not sure what exactly they would want to know but I’m from a family of five, with one older sister and one younger brother, I’m a visual/fine artist as well as a graphic artist, makeup artist, basketball player, rapper, singer, dancer,

television presenter, model and……. the list goes on.

Q. Can you talk about your educational background?

A. I attended Fountain Nursery and Primary school, Queens College for secondary school and the University of Lagos.

Q. How do you combine modeling, TV presenting and Red carpet hosting to still deliver such stunning performances?

A. It’s really complicated but I do my best to balance it out, and luckily for me it’s all intertwined. One thing I make sure I always do is avoid getting too swamped with it all. I usually just take each day as it comes.

Q. How will you rate the Nigerian Entertainment Industry today?

A. Over 10? I would give it an 8. The Nigerian Entertainment industry has come such a long way since as far back as I can remember it. If we were still stuck in that era, we wouldn’t be able to have

Our New CrushGoddess of Skillz


as many international recognition and collaborations as we do now.

Look at the likes of D’banj who got signed to G.O.O.D music or Psquare who have worked with the likes of TI and Rick Ross, and these are just a few examples. There’s people like Omotola Jalade Ekeinde getting featured on Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people in the world in 2013 and Genevieve cinching international roles, it’s safe to say even in the movie industry front we are doing great.

Q. As a TV and Public figure/personality, what challenges have you faced?

A. Challenges? I don’t face challenges; I have experiences, because that is what they are. A brick gets thrown at you, you

pick it up, next time a brick comes flying, you will find that you are in a better place to deal with it because you start getting used to dealing with challenges.

Q. If given the power, what will you change in the industry?

A. Looking at the ratio of successful male to female artistes in the industry, one thing I would change if I had the power is the fact that female artistes aren’t recognized and find it very hard to get into the industry.

Q. Do you have other talents?

A. I’ve already given a list of them above, but to add to that I’m a great cook and I’m pretty good at anything I set

my mind to do (except mathematics.) Q. What were the early days of your career like?

A. It was pretty cool back then. I got to take first hand notes from people like Denrele Edun and VJ Adams and watch them while they worked so it is quite safe to say, I got a pretty good start, and so many of the artistes like Iceprince, MI, Jesse Jagz and others were so cool and made the job not so difficult.

Q. What is your selling point?

A. Selling point? I would say my dexterity and versatility and ability to adapt to almost any situation, but people say it’s my hair, or lack thereof, so yeah, my selling

point is my head.

Q. Are you in a relationship?

A. Nobody has sent me flowers or brought me flowers in a while so I guess I’m not in any *laughs* Q. What are the qualities you want in your ideal man?

A. Excessively rich so I can retire before I’m 30, [Loool] just kidding (but I really wouldn’t mind). My Ideal man would have to be God fearing, Understanding, Athletic, Brilliant, Loyal, Sensitive and the usual. Q. Have you had any controversy in the industry yet?

A. Not really, I try to stay out of trouble as much as possible, but if I really have to mention one, it would be the one with Seyi Shay which I don’t believe was as big a deal as people made it out to be. Q. Define GODDESS OF SKILLZ in one sentence?

A. It’s pretty expressive; Goddess of Skillz is a strong female with an inhuman amount to talents for one singular person.

Q. Who are your role models?

A. My mom for one, she’s the most hardworking and smartest woman I know. Ryan Seacrest is another person who I look to for inspiration. Q. Are you a fashionista? What goes for you?

A. Fashionista? Nah!! I wouldn’t say I am. I actually refer to my style as “Homeless fashion”. It’s kind of like how Johnny Depp dresses most times when he looks very not put together. I could wear my brother’s jeans, my dad’s shirt, mom’s jewelry, sister’s belt and my shoes and still look super cool. Q. Name five Nigerian musicians you love their music?

A. OMG!! there are so many talented artistes in Nigeria, but of the top of my head, I would definitely pick Phyno (even though my Igbo is terrible and I have entirely no idea what he is saying half the time), MI Abaga (because of his word play and lyrical skills), Olamide (because again just like Phyno I have no idea what he is saying because my yoruba is bad, but his flow is insane), Yemi Alade because watching her fiery performances on stage gives me so much life and everyone else. Q. What is your greatest achievement so far?

A. My greatest achievements so far, would be getting to interview Jah Rule and Ashanti, meeting Amber Rose, Akon and attending the 57th Annual Grammy awards in 2015.

Q. Where do you see yourself in the coming years?

A. I see myself working in one of the biggest Television stations in the world and possibly being a cinematographer/ film maker. Q. What will you tell many women out their aspiring to be like you?

A. Just be yourself, do what you do because you love what you not because you are trying to make other people happy, because happiness comes from within. Continue being a #StrongBlackAfricanWoman (or a light skinned one) and if you are a #baldblackbeauty like myself, then ROCK ON!!!


Tell us about Dj Lo.

My name is Cleopatra Amartey, I am a DJ and I go by the stage name DJ Lo. I am in my twenties, Ghanaian and grew up in Lagos.

What was your childhood like?

It was fun like every childhood.

You are one of the very few female Disk Jockeys (DJ) in the industry?

Sure. EDM is my specialty. But, I play a lot of AfroHouse/Afrobeat/Dance as well.

Can you talk about your educational background?

I attended Queens College, Yaba Lagos and later went to Lagos State School of Nursing and Midwifrey. I am a nurse by profession.

How did you become a DJ?

Well, music has always been a fundamental part of me. I used to think I was going to become a rapper till I realized that path isn’t for everyone. Then this passion was discovered. Now, it is a more creative way to express the music I love.

What have you done to grow more in the art so to say?

I am always open to learning new things. There is no such thing as too much knowledge. So I try to learn new techniques through various online platforms and from some mentors.

As a DJ, have you played in any show yet?

Yes. For the greater part of 2014, I played at Blak Lounge/Sand Bar Elegushi on a regular basis. I also played at the last TPL. I also recently played at the Afro POP Party.

To be a DJ is serious business, how have you coped in the industry?

Learning everyday helped me and is still helping me cope. More so, being new to the industry, it all about understanding how the particular industry operates in a given country.

What challenges do DJs face?

We face different challenges such as late bookings to impromptu cancellation of shows and many others.

Why did you choose this particular calling?

I would say this calling chose me. It has been a part of me. So it’s hard to think of it as me choosing this calling.

What projects are you working on?

Well, there are lots of projects presently on ground. But for the purpose of privacy, I cannot disclose their particular names. But, I can assure you that they would be explosive pieces coming very soon.

It must be a bit challenging to be a female DJ in the industry?

In the world we live in, it is challenging as a female to survive in a male dominated field. I’m working to make a difference. That’s why I focus on originality and sticking true to what I believe in. For me, that is enough to boost my excellence.

Who is your favorite Nigerian Artiste?

My all time favorite, now and forever would be Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Who is your role model?

My role models because they are definitely more than one. I have Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Louie Zamperini.

What is your twitter and Instagram handle?

@sensei_lo

What would you consider as your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement is to have gotten to this stage I am in as a female with lots of restriction around me. To have been able to successfully combine two opposing careers and master them both, that to me is great.

Define your fashion style?

My fashion sense is basically me just being original and retro when possible i.e. being an 80’s kid. Just real like that.

TUSH MAGAZINE INTERVIEW WITH FEMALE D̂J SENSATION̂ , DJ Lo

By Alexander Thandi Ubani


Do you like clubbing and partying?

Lol. Clubbing and Partying? Cleo is quiet shy and reserved. But Lo is more the open type. So I’d say a little in between the two.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Ok. In five years, God willing, I see myself being the best DJ to come out of Africa.

DJ Lo


Oyebowale Babatunde Akideinde, popularly known as Oye A.K.D. was born in the late 70s in Lagos to a lovely family of six [parents inclusive] as the last child and third son of the family.

Although his parents are from Ogun State, Oye was born in Lagos and also had his childhood in Lagos – Surulere to be precise where he had his nursery and primary education at Sunnyfield Schools, then later attended Federal Government College, Odogbolu for his secondary education. He studied in Odogbolu for a year and then transferred to Lagos State Model College where he completed his secondary education.

He got into the University of Lagos to study Computer Science, and after graduation, he got posted to Abia State for his youth service. From Abia state, he redeployed back to Lagos state and got posted to a newspaper company called Comet Newspaper in Ijora, Lagos. At Comet was where he first got his taste of working with websites as he was required to update and post content on their website daily. He then joined an Internet Service Provider - Prodigy International as a Web Developer where he nurtured his skills to perfection.After working for 2 years, Oye went to the UK for his Masters’ Degree and while in the UK, he tried his hands on music as a rapper seeing that he severally got applauded on for his rapping skills back in secondary school but he had to stop to focus on his primary assignment there. Done with his studies, Oye moved back to Nigeria in 2004 and joined the queue of graduates seeking jobs. Luckily for him, at a point where he was already getting frustrated by the situation, Oye got a job with UACN Plc as a Project & Web Manager making him the one of the youngest managers to achieve such a feat albeit it being a new position in the group. He would hold several other positions and one of his proud achievements during his stay at UACN Plc was the Corporate Rebranding project he project managed.

CelebrityHUB

Oye Akideinde

After working for four years with UAC, Oye moved to FCMB as the Head of Debit & Prepaid cards where he worked for two years and also successfully implemented several projects such as Verve, MasterCard & Visa Credit card projects amongst others.

All along, Oye had always been [and still is] a music bluff and when MI Abaga came into the music industry with his Talk About It album in 2009, Oye deemed it fit and wrote an album review on it which received many applauds from his friends and even got published in the newspapers.


While at FCMB, one of his friends – Noble Igwe reached out to him to help advise on developing a website which was meant to be an entertainment platform.

On near completion of the website, Noble asked Oye to come on board as a music editor for the website but during one of their many meets, Noble invited a mutual friend in the person of Anthonia Soares [presently the editor of Complete Fashion Magazine] and during the discussion, the idea of three of them becoming directors sprung up and was immediately adopted.Still working at the bank, Oye’s ‘workaholic’ energy arose; he was working 9-9 for the bank and the rest of the evening on the website.

With their combined efforts, they managed the website so well that its traffic began to increase on a monthly basis. Five years on, the website – www.360nobs.com has grown to become one of most visited sites in Nigeria with millions of views monthly.

Oye left FCMB for a CIO role at CCM Limited and then eventually left to focus on 360nobs fully for nine months to put in structures and processes. SPINLET then came calling. Before Oye took up the offer, he had several discussions with the founder who did let

him in on the vision of Spinlet. Sharing the same digital vision, Oye joined Spinlet and is currently the Head, of Business Development globally; a position that interestingly doesn’t clash with his commitments at 360nobs. One way he ensures that, is doubling the efforts into his duties at Spinlet.Oye’s 15 years+ big picture doesn’t end with all this as he has a few upcoming projects which should affect quite a large number of individual’s lifestyle in Nigeria.

In his words “I tell people life is one step at a time, Keep up with your competitors and always have a plan.”

Happily married, Oye is the proud father of his beautiful Oluwadarasimi and she is one of the main reasons that make him work harder.

CelebrityHUB

Oye Akideindecontinued from Pg. 19


Tush Magazine Exclusive Interview with Suka Sounds

The quality of music being released recently in Nigeria has increased greatly when compared to the past. Asides the improvements in the production of beats, we now enjoy clearer, melodious and soothing music. Most of these improvements in the quality of music are being made possible by sound engineers who mix and master songs. In Nigeria, we have quite a few talented ones and amongst them is a young chap who has lately, successfully created a niche for himself in the world of mixing and mastering or better put - sound engineering. Out of a possible 10 released songs today, 7 of them are possibly mastered by Suka Sounds; largely because of the creativity he inputs into songs to make them perfect. Tush Magazine hooked up with the amazing Suka Sounds in his studio for an exclusive interview. Find below excerpts of the interview session.

Music Fizzers

Q. Glad to meet you, Suka Sounds. Is that your real name?

Actually, my name is Suka Andrews.

Q. Tell us a little about yourself?

Suka Andrew is from Jos, Plateau State Nigeria. I am a Sound Engineer and a lover of music.

I am from a family of five.

Q. Can you talk more on your educational background?

I attended Amazing Grace Private School for Primary Education before going to Science Day Private Secondary School. I also went to a music Institute in Jos to add more value to my trade. I had wanted to be an architect but eventually fell in love with music. I later went to Studio One for 2 years as a sound Engineer. It wasn’t long before I was called upon by another major studio for another 2 and half years

to manage and be the in-house producer. I also went to School of Audio Engineering to enhance my career before being called upon by E.M.E to be the in-house producer and sound Engineer. That’s where I am now.

Q. How long have you been in the Nigerian Music scene?

Professionally, I have been in the industry for 8 years.

Q. What actually is your specialty?

For me, it is music production. I am a general Music Producer but people know me more as a Sound Engineer.

Q. Can you mention some artistes you’ve worked with in the music Industry.

I have worked with the likes of Brymo, Shady, Banky W, D’banj and Davido. Basically, I’ve worked with almost all the artistes in the industry.


Q. Can you mention some notable songs you’ve worked on?

I did Brymo’s ‘Ara’; Davido’s ‘Owonikoko’; Wizkid’s Album; Banky W’s Album and 6 tracks on Dbanj’s recent album; DJ Jimmy Jatts’ ‘Eto be’ and so many others.

Q. What challenges have you faced in the industry?

Some challenges I faced then was having clients complain about my ability to mix and master sounds. It was really challenging but those moments of rejection made me better. The growing phase was also very challenging. Thank God I have passed through that and now, I have been established.

Another challenge we face in the industry is recognition; Sound Engineers are not given much credit for the work they do. We are not recognized in the industry especially in the areas of awards. A category should be created to recognize the important role Sound Engineers play in the industry. It is important.

Q. Why did you choose this line of duty?

Well, the truth is that I love creativity; It is real fun for me ‘cos it’s like putting puzzles together. I love the technicalities, frequencies to cut, some calculations to do to get it right. I’m just in love with engineering and music.

Q. What projects are you working on now?

I’m working on a whole lot of projects. Many of the artistes are working hard to drop quality songs and I am working to make their dreams come true.

Q. How will you rate the Nigerian Music Industry?

Yeah. We are definitely growing. Just that we are having a little congestion. It’s more like we are forcing the world to hear us and they are listening. We have knowledgeable professionals in the industry; back then, everyone wanted to do things themselves, but we have outgrown that now, We are really growing.

Q. Do you have an official website?

www.sukasounds.com

It’s a site to let you know what I do generally. I also build studios. You know, I built Wizkid’s studio, the very first Davido’s studio and many other studios. The site will also show you some of the works we’ve done for people. You know I’m a general sound Designer and Engineer, so I do almost everything. There is a provision for uploading of songs too.

Q. Who are your mentors?

I love Christy Jones, he’s one great Engineer.

Q. What inspires you?

I’m inspired by good music.

Q. What is your greatest achievement so far?

I will say my brand Suka Sounds. That’s the mother achievement of all I have achieved now.

Q. Could you elucidate the importance of Sound Engineers to the Nigerian Music industry?

Sound Engineers enhance sounds from its raw state to a more acceptable top quality. We are like the interior designers of a house.

Q. In 5 years, where do you see yourself in the industry?

I see myself owning a record label called Suka Sounds if God wills it.

Q. What more are we expecting from you?

Expect more music, more good music. You guys should watch out for more Suka Sounds on your radios and TVs.

Q. What are your twitter and Facebook handles?

Twitter: @Sukaonpoint

Instagram: @SukaSounds

Thank you for your time and the enlightenment!


Interview withOluwafemi Adebule of the TWITTER PREMIER LEAGUEBy Alexander Thandi Ubani.

In this exclusive interview with Oluwafemi Adebule, Managing Director of Twitter Premier League, he explains more on the fascinating concept, aims and objectives behind the Twitter Premier League.

Can you explain what TPL stands for?

It’s the Twitter Premier League. We gave it the name since everybody likes tweeting about the team they support especially in the English Premier League, so we created an avenue for people to come, meet and play football together.

What do you do at Twitter Premier League?

We organize football tournaments. We plan to develop leagues for private schools, under 12’s and we have a lot of charity works we do. Every year, we give money to states to send children to school. We also do the Christmas on the street – where we go and feed people on Christmas day on the streets. So, the TPL is fun and simple; there are also a serious set of people behind it. It’s a brand that speaks for itself.

Does TPL involve growing football talents also?

From what we have already, it is a possible outcome.

What’s the idea behind this project?

The idea is to give people the opportunity to meet and express themselves, have fun and not just talk about soccer but also participate and play football.

Why is it called Twitter Premier League and what role does twitter play in this regard?

We chose that because it started on twitter. I and Efe (my co-director) thought out the name because it also had a nice acronym, so we took it up. Everybody has a twitter handle; it’s the easiest way to get word out to the general public.

How and who can participate in this game show?

Right now, we have 6 male teams and 2 female teams. We usually make a call out for new participants and get proposals as to what they can offer to TPL. The easiest way to participate is to join a team; it’s open to everybody but there is a selection process. You can check out the teams and know if you can fit in. You can choose to own you own team and assemble your players or walk up to any of the captains to join their teams. What does TPL aim to achieve?

The predominant aim of TPL at this point in time is to be the number football tournament in Lagos for people between the ages of 20−40. We aim at making the TPL bigger, better and more expansive.

What are the processes for participation? All participants must have twitter accounts and we don’t accept people that play football every day for a living. We don’t take professional footballers.

How did you fair in the last three editions?

TPL 1 didn’t have so much publicity and we had 350 people who turned up for the event in Lekki. Inspiration FM gave us audience too and that went well. TPL 2 was very massive as we had about 700 people who turned up for the event. Although the publicity was backboned on twitter, the turnout was impressive and the total experience was exhilarating for everyone present. We took TPL 3 to ELTV, radio and TV stations, about 1,200 people came to watch at Lekki. So far, the planning and execution of the TPL has been challenging but very successful.

What actually is the main attraction of the league/event?

If I am to be honest, most of us on twitter are like a family. Many of us have been tweeting together for years and with time, find ourselves become close. It’s often hard to organize a meeting and meet up. So, TPL is one avenue


The memory of this event still lingers in the mind of guests that attended the well organized and star studded event. Held at the prestigious Hotel Constantial in Benin City and hosted by Melvin Oduah of BBA, the event saw 18 years old BOLARINDE DAMILOLA emerged as the new Face of Amber.

Face of Amber is powered and organized by CYNOSURE MAGAZINE.

Face ofAmber

to meet everyone and have fun. It’s a lot of fun, football and friends. All of that! I know some people dating that met at TPL1. It’s a plus for all of us.

What challenges have you faced in setting up such a massive event?

The major one is funds; we need more sponsors for this great programme. We also have issues with organization as most of the directors are top bankers, IT gurus, Government workers etc. Well, it’s hard but all of us prioritize to make it happen. Thankfully, we have reached a stage where raising funds and

finding sponsors are no longer hard.

By partnering with ELTV which was aired on DSTV, it gives TPL more credibility, how do you plan to make this more interesting for many Nigerians out there who will be interested to participate?

For the first time, we are introducing lots of entertainment like popular Nigerian artists performing, dance shows, plans for kids and the likes. We have a whole lot of entertainment and fun for people that will come.

What plans do you have for the future?

We want to ensure that the brand continues to grow, remain fresh and provide entertainment and fun for everybody out there.

MEDIA LINKS:

Youtube: thetpltvTwitter: @thetplFacebook: www.facebook.com/thetpl

[ ...Continued ]


www.tushmagazine.com.ng

Praiz

Interview with PraizTush Magazine

When MI dropped his sophomore album in 2011, he had a huge audience anticipating the release largely because of the tactics his team used in dropping the album. Amongst the songs included in the album was Epic, where he featured Praiz and we were all made to wonder who the talented singer was. Then in 2012, Bez got him featured on his ‘Stupid Song’ and yet again, we all marveled at the serenity at which this talented individual sang.

Moving on, Praiz released his first official single titled “Rich and Famous” - a song that importantly stamped his spotlight glee. Interestingly, this once MTN Project Fame finalist had his story.

Praise Ugbede Adejo was born in Lagos but had his upbringing in Kaduna. At age 2, his family moved to Kaduna when his father got transferred there. An Igalla by tribe, Praiz is from Kogi State and is the second child of his parents’ five children. He attended Kaduna State Polytechnic where he studied Computer Science. Here are excerpts from the interview we had with him.


Tush Mag: You recently dropped your debut album, how would you rate it in your own expectations?

Praiz: Personally for me, the Rich & Famous album is one of the best albums out of the country and I’m proud of them both. Although it took me a while to put them out, I’m proud to have released two albums as my debut.

Tush Mag: What is the idea behind the double albums?

Praiz: The idea behind my double albums is to showcase my versality. The Rich album is the RnB album while the Famous album is the Afrobeat album. Both albums came on the number 1 spot on the iTunes chart and quite honestly for me that was huge and I’m proud to have achieved that.

Tush Mag: Putting together the albums, you worked with other artistes, how would you explain the experience?

Praiz: It was awesome, I had a super packed album working with the likes of Wizkid, Sarkodie, Patoranking, Shaydee, Seyi Shay, Chidinma, Sammy, Sound Sultan and a couple of others and basically for me, it was huge working with these talented acts.

Tush Mag: Let’s talk a little on how music started for you

Praiz: For me, music started in the church. I could remember as a little kid, I played the drums quite well in church and after secondary school there was this studio I visit where I occasionally play live drums for recording when they need it. Although I haven’t played the drums in a while, the skills are still in the blood [Chuckles]

Frequenting the studio during that period actually influenced my abilities as an artiste; I learnt how to produce beats, engineer songs and record there, I also had my first recording there – just to hear how I would sound basically.

Tush Mag: How was the feeling and what followed next for you?

Praiz: It was actually fantastic. After recording, I played it to a couple of friends and family members and they all gave me positive feedback, so I kept recording and recording to perfect my vocal strength. I went as far as putting out two singles back then and it grew to becoming number 1 and 3 respectively in a local radio station in Abuja. I was in Kaduna State Polytechnic while still pushing, then a friend advised I participate in some of the reality shows being organized which I did; Infact I participated in virtually every reality show back then but I couldn’t make any headline till 2008 when I entered for MTN Project Fame West Africa.

Tush Mag: From participating in MTN Project Fame till now, how would you describe your progress?

Praiz: [smiles] From Project Fame till now has been one word – progress. I have moved from being underground

Photo credit: Dele LawalMake up: Blessings


to participating in reality TV shows to getting featured by a great rapper, getting signed on a label and releasing my own albums; there is no other way to describe it apart from one progress to another one.

Tush Mag: Between participating in Project Fame and getting featured on MI’s Epic track, which would you choose as the milestone that broke you out?

Praiz: Like I earlier said, my musical career has been one progress to another. Participating in Project Fame sort of shot me into the spotlight and then MI came through as well. It didn’t end there for me; I worked on Bez’s “Stupid Song” which ended up becoming the first Africa song

to premiere on BET 106 & Park, after that I released my own single which was received positively from everyone. Each move has always being a milestone for me. I try to always make my next move greater than the last and I’m grateful for his mercies.

Tush Mag: Trying not to come at you but what is the reason for you switching your style now?

Praiz: I am usually surprised when people ask me why I changed my style of singing. Nobody questions R.Kelly when he does a party jam or a gospel song and then goes back to his normal RnB pattern

but when it comes to a Nigerian, many speculations and criticisms fly around. For me, being an artiste doesn’t limit my capabilities; Yes! I’m RnB and I forever would be, but then again as an artiste, there is a responsibility where you need to satisfy your fans and not all the time are they in for RnB, so doing a different genre of music for them only shows your versatility.

Tush Mag: You are one of the brand ambassadors for MTN, how is it being such?

Praiz: Being a brand ambassador to the biggest telco firm in Africa one of those factors that keeps me working hard and I’m grateful for being one of their ambassadors.

Phot

o co

urte

sy: M

aure

en A

depi

tan

for X

3M M

usic


A graduate of Geography and Regional Planning from the prestigious University of Lagos, Pearl Hart or Pearl Candy as she is often called in not your average presenter. Her ever smiling and ever bubbling personality has a captivating prowess with which she succeeds in holding her viewers spell bound.

Born Pearl Hart in the 80’s, Pearl is a Rivers State indigene but had her upbringing in Surulere – a place she visits every weekends as a point of duty except for weekends when she is out of the country or engaged on official assignments; her family house is in Surulere.

Although the last child of her parents, Pearl had learnt to be contented and independent at an early stage in her life prompting her to engage in activities that could earn her extra cash. At age 15, Pearl featured in a couple of Nigerian movies using her acting skills; she decided to concentrate on modeling when she got into the u n i v e r s i t y.

While in her s o p h o m o r e year in the university, she attended an audition organized by SoundCity and was amongst the few selected; she went on to becoming one of their presenters. Presenting became a new hobby for Pearl coupled with her dramatic nature and interesting personality, she excelled quite well and hosted some major events even as a newbie.

Screen Kings:Pearl

Continues on the next page.


Combining presenting and studies became quite a huge responsibility on her shoulders so she opted

for the latter; she paused her TV career to complete her education and when she was done quite

surprisingly, SoundCity still opened the door to let her in – apparently because of her talents.

Coming back to SoundCity further expanded her creative abilities as she has been able to successfully

host a couple of TV talk shows amongst which are Top Ten Count Down, City Divas and Rap Attack

which all shows her versality as each programme is totally different from one another.

Pearl’s fashion sense is also imbedded into her TV shows which habitually have her dressing

according to the context of the programme. While she is flexible in her dressings, she also likes to be

comfortable and wont cross the fashion line to impress others without being comfortable herself.

Screen Kings:Pearl


“Ovbiemwen, Lahor, bring the children to see me, the end is near.”

Those were the contents of the text message Ivie received a week ago from her mother that forced her to take her children to Ologbo, Edo state, to visit their estranged grandmother. Ivie had bluntly refused to stay at her mother’s place, she chose instead to lodge at a hotel a comfortable distance from the house. She had a premonition that staying at that familiar, old house would awaken the demons she had left behind. The hotel had poor service, poor food, no hot water and rude attendants, but she didn’t care.

Surprisingly, little had changed in the last 10 years since she left Ologbo. The red sand which was everywhere still had the same bright and fierce color she remembered, the families that lived in her street when she was a child still lived there, and the street tap, although now rusted from lack of use or repair, still stood at a strategic point in the middle of the street. Ivie’s mother’s 3 bedroom bungalow remained unpainted and ungated, the same old furniture lying around the living room; a tattered couch and three arm chairs arranged in a semi-circle; even the tiny black and white TV which had gone bad a few months before she left home remained on a small stool at the front of the room, unrepaired. The pots and pans and plates in the dark, warm kitchen, had not been changed. The familiar smell that had enveloped the house all those years ago still lingered, carrying a lot of memories with it. Ivie found herself wondering how ten years could go by with so little changing.

Ivie had spent 3 days in Edo State, taking the children every day to visit her mother but never actually talking to her. She would sit in a corner, allowing her mother and the children talk and play until she decided it was time to go. It annoyed Ivie that her mum still insisted on calling her ‘ovbiemwen’ meaning ‘my child’, a name she had always called her as a child.

Inheritance is accidentalWritten by Imiegha Phidelia [@ThePhidelia_]


On the evening of the 3rd day, Ivie visited her mother with her two children to say goodbye. Approaching the house, she heard a soft, familiar song playing loudly from one of the houses in the street; an old bini song by a local artiste whose name she tried to recall but failed. The song instantly made her feel nostalgic; it was one of her late sister’s favourites back in the day. She felt a lump form in her throat as she held back a sob.As Ivie watched her mother tell her children ancient Edo tales and sing songs she had sung to her as a child, the memories of her childhood which she had tried so hard to forget for years came flooding back & she felt an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, again. She felt her eyes brimming with tears and quickly excused herself to the veranda. It was almost 6pm and dusk was already beginning to set in; the chickens that moved out in groups at dawn to search for food in the streets and in dustbins had already returned to roost. Ivie hugged herself tightly, only just noticing that the cold breeze had caused goose bumps to form on her skin. The familiar sound of men laughing and talking loudly at a nearby beer parlour and of women loudly conversing in their backyards while cooking dinner transported her decades back. She had lived in this compound for twenty years; more than half of her life. This was where she had grown up and shared a life with her younger sister, and suddenly, the reality of her sister’s death hit her harder than it had in years. Unable to help it anymore, she burst into silent tears.

Ivie was raised by her mother, along with her late sister, Amenze, in abject poverty in this house. Their father, now dead, was a prominent titled chief, who married dozens of wives, who in turn bore him scores of children. When Ivie was barely 3 years old, shortly after Amenze was born, their mother left their father’s compound and brought them here to stay in the house she had inherited from her grandmother, so there was very little she could remember of her life in her father’s house. She only saw her father on the local TV channels, ITV and EBS when he either hosted or attended events. The only time she had seen him physically was when, against her mother’s warning, herself and Amenze attended his lavish birthday party in Benin. She struggled through the crowd to get close to his seat, expecting some kind of recognition, willing him to look at them and say, “Oh! There you are my daughters; I’ve been looking for you.” But Chief Imade had looked right through her, and when she and Amenze tried to go further, his huge bodyguards warded her off. They both returned home in disappointment, the kind of disappointment that numbed the pain of her mother’s lashes as she flogged her later that night for disobeying her orders.

Their mother was an abusive mother — she liked to call herself a disciplinarian but she was really just taking out her frustrations on her children. Whenever she had a bad day at the market where she sold second hand clothes, she would verbally abuse them and curse their father. She never told them why she had left their father’s compound or why she hated him so much. She would call him all sorts of names and blame him for everything that went wrong in their lives. When she didn’t have money to buy food or to pay bills, she would lament and curse the day she met him. Sometimes, she would tell Ivie and Amenze that giving birth to them was the biggest mistake of her life.

Amenze was the only solace Ivie had known. They would stay up at night for hours and talk about all the faraway places they would travel to, to escape their mother’s bitterness. They had inside jokes and nicknames; they shared everything and did everything together. People often asked if they were twin sisters. They both went everywhere together, and when Ivie got admitted into the University of Benin, Amenze studied very hard to ensure she also got in two years later. They both had plans of becoming successful women and proving to both their parents that they weren’t useless after all.

Delia | Inheritance is Accidental


When Ivie was in her final year at Uniben, Amenze fell sick. The doctor said her heart was packing up and she needed a transplant. Ivie couldn’t understand how a heart could suddenly pack up. The surgery could not be done in Nigeria and when Ivie heard the amount needed to fly Amenze out for surgery, she almost wet her pants. She went on the internet and searched for heart foundations and NGOs for people needing heart transplants. It would take months for Amenze to get to the top of the waiting lists and according to the doctors, she barely had weeks. After thinking very hard for a solution, Ivie finally came up with a seemingly brilliant plan and happily went to share it with her mother who was at Amenze’s side at the hospital. She told her mother that she would go to her father for help and her mother screamed that it would be over her dead body. Shocked, Ivie asked why and her mother became silent. Ivie tried to get her mother on board with the plan but she blatantly refused and kept insisting that ‘God would provide’.

A week later, with Amenze’s condition worsening, Ivie decided to go to her father on her own. She wasn’t even let into his compound; who would give a strange girl claiming to be the estranged daughter of a rich chief any audience anyway. She returned to the hospital in dejection, lost as to how to save her only sister’s life. The hospital ejected Amenze 3 days later due to lack of funds. Apart from the small deposit made by her mother’s brother, they had not paid a dime. Ivie cried and begged her mother to reach out to her father for help but she refused, and chose instead to borrow from her friends. After borrowing all she could, the money wasn’t even enough for the flight ticket.

The day Amenze passed away was a peculiar day, the sun was shining and rain was falling at the same time; it made Ivie think of elephants in labour in faraway lands. The house was very silent, apart from Amenze’s loud breaths and her (Ivie) own silent sobs. Ivie was massaging Amenze’s head with a wet cloth to bring down her fever when suddenly she had a seizure. Not knowing what to do, Ivie held Amenze, screaming, crying and praying it would stop. It did eventually, but so did Amenze’s breathing.

Ivie blamed her mother for Amenze’s death back then and she still blamed her. She hardly spoke to her after her sister died; talking to her only when necessary, in mono syllables and when her mother, frustrated, finally screamed at her about her attitude, she screamed back at her and said a lot of hurtful things. About a year later, to her utmost relief, she got posted to Lagos for her NYSC. She never returned until now.

A nearby sound awakened Ivie from her reverie. She looked at the watch — 6:45pm — they had to get to the hotel before it became too dark. She got up from the bench she had been sitting on and headed into the dark living room.

“Iye, ma kian kpa. We have to go, it’s getting late.” She said to her mother.

Her mother, reluctant to part with the children replied, “Ovbiemwen! I don’t know why you won’t stay here, ehn. There’s a lot of room for the three of you.”

When Ivie remained silent, she continued, “You will come tomorrow abi?”,

She looked very hopeful and for once, Ivie felt sad for her. She truly was old and alone. Still Ivie replied curtly,



“Eho, no, we have to leave very early tomorrow. We won’t be stopping by.”

As her mother averted her face quickly to hide the tears that had just now formed in her eyes, Ivie felt a pang of guilt.

Her mother walked her and the children to the front of the house where the taxi she had called was waiting. After she and the children had hugged and said their goodbyes, her mother tapped her as if to say something.

She looked at her pleadingly and said, “Ovbiemwen, my child, I know you may still be angry at me over what happened to our dear Amenze. But you can’t desert me like this, you are all I have”

Ivie winced a bit when she mentioned Amenze. They both had avoided the topic during her short and forced phone conversations over the years; the ones where she informed her of her marriage and then the birth of her children, more to fulfil obligations than from the need to share her life’s details with her mother.

Now holding her palms together, as if she was begging, her mother continued, “Tohan mwen, please forgive me. I wronged you and I failed as a mother but I want to be a grandmother to these children. They are my children. Ivie, ghė gui.”

Ivie stared at her mother for a few seconds, wondering how a mother would rather watch her child die than swallow her pride. Ivie muttered weakly, “I’ve heard you. The children are tired. Goodnight ma.”

As Ivie made to open the car door, her mother made one last attempt to change her mind.

“I did not kill Amenze, I didn’t kill my child.”, She said weakly.

“You didn’t kill her, but you let her die”, Ivie replied accusingly.

“Stop running away from your mother, Ivie”, she said, finally letting the tears fall.

“You chased me away”, Ivie replied quietly after a brief pause. She then got into the car and it sped off into the night leaving her weeping mother in a cloud of dust.

7 months later, Ivie received the news of her mother’s death and it affected her in ways she didn’t expect. It opened up fresh wounds and she regretted not forgiving her mother when she still had the chance. It dawned on her that she had become exactly like her mother – stubborn, cold and unforgiving.



It sickens me when I hear people tag and blame the government and lack of job opportunities on why the entertainment industry, especially music industry is oh-so crowded today.

But come on, let’s be realistic; which job doesn’t require you to leave the comfort of your home unless you got interviews, appearances, shoots or recordings to attend to? I mean which job gives you the leverage to party all day and night with the finest and wildest girls out there? How many jobs out there actually offer you over N500,000.00 for a sitting? Which job guarantees you an endorsement deal in the long run of your career? While your 9-5 mates are stuck in traffic after a long day at work, who entertains them on the stereo?

These and many more are the reasons why over 50% of our youths today want to try out a career in music probably regardless of an actual talent in making music and yeah our artistes up there aren’t exactly making it less worse. They putting out posts on instagram, twitter, facebook and snapchat (we can’t blame them) that psychologically frustrates and motivates emerging artistes on a daily basis.

While Davido is making these kids believe that money is the way forward (well, why not?), Wizkid kinda gives them the optimistic impression that singing about girls and the way they “whine and roll it” would get their songs on every body’s lips. Yemi Alade got the girls believing that if they sing about men’s incessant

womanizing would get them far enough to be popular. M.I.. this amazing rapper made people “discover” their careers in rap music; I am a witness to the fact that majority of them are still stuck somewhere between giving up or just trying one more time. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t blame the artistes; I blame the psychological effect it’s having on us.

The list is endless and our youths are hypnotized with the notion that the life of a superstar is probably all that there is to success. They believe that the life of a professional party dog is the easy way out of reality. These and many are the reasons why we have endless strings of upcoming artistes who aren’t exactly “breaking” into the industry.

We just have a bunch of okay singers and rappers who do not exactly have budgets hence you see them begging producers, graphic designers, promoters and finally, begging their BBM and Whatsapp contacts to kindly listen and download their songs. How many times does the struggle actually surmount to a performance slot at the Industry Nite, talk less of a paid event??

The struggle out there isn’t easier I know, but it’s way better than the money I’ve seen some artistes waste on production and promotion before falling out of sync. I imagine investing some of this money sometimes. In my 4-year experience as a media consultant and a publicity strategist, I have encountered people who wasted ill-gotten millions trying to be like Davido and

MUSIC: The New Occupation. LMK’s Diary


his cohorts. Some of them also have it all figured out that if you collaborate with A-lists on your songs, you’re likely to blow. I know a lot that didn’t. Why? they lacked promotional and marketing strategies. Some of them couldn’t even lace good songs after paying hundreds of thousands for collaborations and top-notch productions.

I have patted the backs of many who finally confided in me about giving up and finding something much more feasible to try out. It is heart breaking. We know hundreds of artistes who showed up on our favorite blogs and we were totally digging them and asking them for Mixtapes, EPs or Albums and all of an inevitable sudden, they disappeared from the music scene. Many of whom we know have settled for being Twitter and Instagram celebrities today (Uhm hmm).

Unless probably given an opportunity by a record label who is also trying out, accompanied with a trashy contract most times to try out your luck, you really should save the money you have and invest it into

something that may turn out to be very profiting or find a job then maybe you can consider hitting the studio. I’m a music lover, but I admire a youth who is an entrepreneur much more than my favorite rapper and singer. No lie.

Until you, your record label or managers are able to comfortably afford the demands of the industry, I’d advise you to just remain a fan of the industry, no hard feelings. The industry is spinning faster than it ever has, everybody’s demanding from you and very few people are actually helping you. Radio and TV rotations are no joke. Online publicity and social media brand publicity is becoming more and more expensive on a monthly basis. The industry is a whirlpool of swindlers, bluffers, and ballers who would hardly even believe in you.

Okpolor eye, no be open eye. Be wise, and above all, I wish you success in your musical careers!

One.

by Phidelia.

I’m lying on my bed hoping and praying that tonight my owner will fail to visit. He has never missed a night, but somehow, I still manage to harbour this strong hope every single night, that he would fail to come. I listen to the silent ticking of the clock above my head, counting the seconds, and then the minutes, still hoping. But at exactly 3a.m, as with every night since I came to be his slave when I was 14, I hear my owner’s light footsteps approaching my room.

I count his footsteps, it takes him 14 steps to get to my room and I count 14. I am precise, I count everything. It’s all I can do. Just as he begins to knock softly on my door, I make the decision I’ve been afraid to make for years, the decision which will free me as much as it will destroy me. It ends tonight; I feel under my pillow to make sure the knife is still there, it is, right where it has been for 3 years. And then he knocks, 3 sharp knocks, the sound I dread, ‘ko ko ko’.

I swiftly get up from my bed and open the door to find the fat bastard grinning as he sees me naked. He immediately reaches for my breasts and squeezes them while he shoves me roughly to the bed. I lie on my back, while he mounts me and starts pounding with reckless abandon. His eyes are closed; he is lost in ecstasy so he doesn’t see me reach for my knife. He doesn’t see me hesitate for just the slightest moment, before I aim the knife at his chest.

He feels the cold steel of the knife touch his chest and his eyes immediately widen. He sees what is about to happen, he sees his imminent end and opens his mouth to scream but I am faster. I plunge the knife deep into his heart and silence him forever. His body goes limp as blood sputters all over my body from his bloodied chest. I struggle to push his heavy body off of me and eventually succeed. There is blood everywhere; my hair, my clothes, my bed, the floor. But today it doesn’t irritate me; today it feels me with an overwhelming joy.

I may escape, I may get arrested, I may get the death sentence, I may even be tortured first, but right now, I don’t care. For 8 years, 2 months and 18 days, exactly 3000 days, I have been a slave, and every day I counted down to this moment, in this moment, I am free.

and a slave. Flash

Fiction 3000


Nigerian luxury bespoke fashion design label “Jason Porshe” is a brand which solely focuses on bespoke tailoring, with Design aesthetic of redefining classic masculinity and feminity. Established in 2012, the Jason Porshe Brand is owned by 21 year old award winning menswear architect Jason Samuel.

Jason Samuel has unveiled series of collections, But is known for his collection “Elusive Invasion” which made its Debut at the Native and vogue international week and “SkyFall” which Featured Celebrity models and Nollywood actors Alex Ekubo, Ik Ogbonna, Bryan Okwara & more.

The Creative Director of the Jason Porshe Brand has been able to raise a celebrity clientele with the likes of Korede Bello, Yemi Alade, Praiz, Eva Alordiah, Uti Nwachukwu, Gbenro Ajibade, Denrele Edun & a lot more.

Jason Porshe


Jason Porshe

Jason Samuel - Creative director


Abuja Takes a Step Up To The Black Podium

The Johnnie Walker Black Podium brought bold, unforgettable performances to Abuja

From top artists to double-jointed contortionists, the Johnnie Walker Black Podium set the new benchmark for entertainment at XO in Abuja with a unique blend of performances, ushering in an entirely new entertainment experience for the capital city.

Along with reggae-dancehall maestro, Burna Boy and hit maker, Kiss Daniel, the bold and diverse line-up included DJs Nani and The Mouth DJ, contortionist act Dflex, saxophonist Doyin Sax and dancers. The evening was hosted by charismatic radio personality Sensei Uche.

“The night was a blend of top-class performances, sometimes unreal and definitely unseen before in Abuja! The event underscored the Johnnie Walker Black Podium’s reputation for bringing masterful acts to the country’s stages and raising the caliber of Nigerian nightlife,” says Liz Ashdown, Head of marketing, spirits and RTD at Diageo Brands Nigeria.

Among the numerous memorable moments of the night was the phenomenal performance by Burna Boy, who alongside a never seen before contortionist act, brought to life the kind of performance that sets the Black Podium apart from any other event in Nigeria.

Over the months to-date, guests to Black Podium events have experienced everything from mind-bending contortionist acts to magicians, star-studded artists and top class DJs, as this event series continues to bring bold and unexpected entertainment to Nigeria.

For those who missed this magnificent installation of the Johnnie Walker Black Podium, more events are on the way, and more information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/johnniewalkernigeria.


CR7

He is handsome, athletic, rich, famous, and classy. Cristiano Ronaldo is a famous football star whose name reverberates on the lips of every soccer fan and even beyond. A superstar brewing with talent and dazzling footwork, Ronaldo is a dribbling ace and soccer genius shining more brilliantly amongst his mates. His physique, charming face, stylish hairstyle, amazing celebration and enchanting smile gives him away any time. A woman’s dream man, Cristiano Ronaldo is a story of fame, determination, hard work and trials.

Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos is a Portuguese professional footballer plying his trade with Spanish giants Real Madrid. Ronaldo is the first Portuguese player to win three FIFA Ballons D’or awards in 2008, 2013 and 2014 respectively. He also won the 2013/14 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award and has scored over 400 senior career goals for his club and country.

He is one of the best soccer stars to grace planet earth; he’s built with amazing speed, pace, strength and outstanding skills and immense talent. C. Ronaldo has been classified and described as a notorious goal-poacher, ace free-kick taker and a goal-scoring machine. He is Portugal’s best player of all time and has won three Premier league competitions, one FA Cup, two Football League Cups, one FA Community Shield and Champions League trophy with Manchester United. He also has won one La Liga, two Copas del Rey, one Supercopas de España, one UEFA Champions League Trophy, one UEFA Super Cup and two FIFA Club World Cups trophies with Real Madrid. He is the only second Portuguese player to win three European Golden Shoe awards. Ronaldo holds the record as the first player in England to win all four main PFA and FWA awards. In 2008, he won 3 of the 4 main PFA and FWA trophies and was named the FIFA World Player of the Year, FIFPro Player of the Year, World Soccer Player of the Year, and the Onze d’Or.

He is the world’s most expensive player bought from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009 for a staggering sum of $132 million dollars. He is ranked as the best player in the world for his numerous contributions to the world of sports.

His rise to fame is soiled in many troubles as early life was not kind to him. Cristiano Ronaldo was born into a family of four; his father was a municipal gardener while his mother was a cook who lived in the neighborhood of Funchal Maderia. Things were not that very easy with his family because they were not rich, he had to cope with his brother and sisters in their little cubicle. The youngest of the lot, he was a controversial figure during his early days in school that once resulted in his expulsion from school after he threw a chair at his teacher. Life was really difficult and knowing that education wasn’t his greatest strength, the young Ronaldo who got his name from the former United states President - Ronald Reagan, pursued a career in soccer.

He was good with his legs, very fast and had many footy tricks in his boot. At 14, Ronaldo decided to give football all the attention it needed. Football was his life and even at a tender age, he had begun winning laurels when in 1995, he won the title with Nacional. C. Ronaldo was diagnosed with a racing heart - a heart disorder that causes it to beat faster than normal, forcing the heart to pump less efficiently and provides less blood flow for the rest of the body, hence a

surgery was performed and the area of his heart cauterized to stop the condition. The surgery was successful as he returned to training just a few days later. If that was not detected early, it would have put a dent to his career.

Today, Cristiano Ronaldo is a celebrated world class star, model and an inspiration for the many youths who want to be like him. He is a success story of sheer hard work and belief in determination. A class on his own, he has broken records after records and set records for many to challenge. He is football’s most prolific scorer of goals and the first footballer to score against every team in a single season in La Liga.

He is poles apart from many of his contemporaries and is classed as the one of the best football player ever. Apart from the World Cup, Ronaldo has won every of the globally recognized football trophies on planet earth. In December 2014, Ronaldo became the fastest player to score 200 goals in La Liga when, in his 178th La Liga game, he scored a hat-trick against Celta Vigo; his 23rd hat-trick was also a La Liga record. He has amassed individual records and awards too numerous to mention.

This amazing talented superstar football maestro who scaled all odds to climb the pinnacle of success through sheer hard work and telling brilliance deserves nothing but great recommendation. He is an enigma, dynamo, a paragon of raw ego, an achiever and a shining star. Ronaldo is a true assurance that obstacles cannot hinder the success of those who have made it a case to be successful. Through odds and intimidating challenges of early hard times, he fought his way to world fame by harnessing his potentials fully. We give it up to this amazing human, son, brother, father, star and hero - Cristiano Ronaldo. He is football’s most famous Superstar.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Football’s most famous Superstar.

©Copyright 2015 Alexander Thandi Ubani


CAST

David Oyelowo – Martin Luther King Jr.

Carmen Ejogo – Coretta Scott King

Oprah Winfrey – Annie Lee Cooper

Tom Wilkinson – President Lydon B. Johnson

Common – James Bevel

Wendell Pierce – Rev. Hosea Williams

Giovanni Ribisi – Lee White

Director: Ava DuVernay

Duration: 128 Minutes

Release Date: 06-02-2015

Genre – Drama

Selma is a small town in lower west Alabama, where the eyes of America turned nervously in the spring of 1965, sensing a revolution. It was hardly a hotbed of racial unrest. It wasn’t Harlem. It was the strategic site of a battle, a historic march for voting rights, and a bitter but long-awaited victory for Martin Luther King in his ongoing fight for democratic parity.

What he’s up against isn’t just the hard-dying legacy of racism in the South, but an administration fobbing him off with “not now”. The issue at

hand is the black vote – legally guaranteed by the Constitution, but practically stymied by all the literacy tests and intentionally obstructive registration rules local government had managed to pile up in its path. In the early Sixties, more than half of Selma’s citizens were black, but only 1% were registered to vote.

Oprah Winfrey (Annie Lee Cooper) is turned away at the film’s start for failing to name Alabama County’s 67 judges. And because registration was a requirement to serve on juries, black people had no

Movie Review

SELMA


say in their own trials, and brutality against them went unavenged by the justice system time and again.

King explains all this in the Oval Office to Lyndon B. Johnson (Tom Wilkinson), but it’s no good: the latter is busily embroiled in Vietnam, and extends a welcoming arm across King’s back which tells us exactly how he plans to patronize and humour him.Wilkinson’s Jowly Avuncularity can jar in some American films, but this is the best use of him in years. By the end, after the flare-ups in Selma have made it impossible to table the voting issue any longer, we get the irony of LBJ’s March 1965 address, whose final three words come straight from King’s phrasebook: “We Shall Overcome”.

When King comforts the grieving grandfather of slain protestor Jimmie Lee Jackson, whom police chased into a café behind Selma’s church, and shot, unarmed, at point-blank range, it’s a scene that’s desperately moving for all it’s holding in, and holding back. You see King as an almost intimidating inspiration – a leader commanding so much respect that grief has to compose itself. But you also see him as a man, especially in close quarters with his wife Coretta (a forceful Carmen Ejogo), who elicits a subtle confession of his extra-marital affairs.

Ava DuVernay, previously responsible for the little-seen features I Will Follow (2011) and the Oyelowo-starring Middle of Nowhere (2012), makes a thrilling surge into the front ranks of American filmmakers here. She’s likely to be the first black woman ever nominated for the Best Director Oscar.Working again with consistently inspired cinematographer Bradford Young (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints) and Editor Spencer Averick, she reconstructs Selma’s whole tug of war – bludgeoning outside the courthouse, the two marches across Edmund Pettus Bridge, and the terrifying rampages of mounted police, glimpsed through a fog of tear gas – with a righteous visceral authority. Young’s camera inscribes people’s fury, pain and bewilderment: when Winfrey is knocked to the ground, it goes down with her. DuVernay’s film goes down with the lot of them, drags itself back up, and never lets that summit out of sight.

Culled from, the Telegraph.

Movie Review

SELMA

[ ...Continued ]


N.Y.S.C. OR …?Written by Winifred [@TheWinifred]

I cannot begin to recount the numerous tales I heard about the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) before it was finally my turn to serve. All overwhelming if I must say, But before I delve into the crux of this write up, a few “fun facts” about NYSC.

The N.Y.S.C. was established on May 22, 1973 by Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, after the Nigerian Civil War (July 6 1967- January 15 1970) with the primary aim of integrating and uniting the whole of Nigeria. It comprises of 4 cardinal programmes; 3 weeks Orientation Camp, the Primary Assignment, the Secondary Assignment also known as Community Development Service (CDS) and then Passing Out.

When any Nigerian graduate is through with his/her tertiary education, he/she is expected to serve Nigeria under the auspice of the NYSC. Unfortunately, the purpose for which NYSC was established has been relegated to the background. Blame it on the moral decadence which is rampant among the youth who are the core participants in this programme.

First of all, integration is not achieved in the highest capacity because people “work” their posting to favorable places as against being randomly mobilized to places different from the individual’s state of origin or residence. Take the situation in 2014 Batch C for example – everyone wanted to serve in Lagos and the over population of intending corpers in the state led to a split into two streams; this has never happened before. This indicates there are many lagosians and residents of Lagos State serving in Lagos.

Secondly, based on popular opinion, the best part of NYSC is the Orientation course simply known as “camp”. Camp is supposed to be a time where intending corp members are drilled and lectured on what is expected of them during service year. This in no doubt, takes place in full capacity but the free time given to corpers to interact is where the trouble comes in. Now, there is this mentality where people believe camp is the time to explore all their sexuality; basically, take advantage of “fresh fish” from other institutions they will be meeting for the first time and probably never see again. Once, I wouldn’t succumb to this guy’s whims and he said “why are you behaving like this, is this not camp?” indicating I was supposed

Someone described camp as “three weeks of gross indiscipline”. That is decadence against unity through service.


to throw caution to the wind and act carelessly. Someone described camp as “three weeks of gross indiscipline”. That is decadence against unity through service.

I made effort to ask a couple of corp members, both past and present what NYSC experience was like, especially camp; and I got practically the same response – high rate of depravity. There are cases of people engaging in intense make out sessions, performing oral sex, actually having sex, married/engaged ladies taking off their rings and hiding them just to take part in the fun. Once, there was a case of a married woman caught making out with a fellow corper. She was decamped and her husband was the one who came to pick her up. Imagine what would have transpired between them in the car on their way home and what would have become of that marriage all because of NYSC. In one of the camps in 2014, there was a rumor about an orgy involving a married woman. In another, used condoms littered about the parade ground every other morning. Well, if it is any consolation, at least they practiced safe sex.

Haven heard these stories and with everyone saying “I’d cave and go with the crowd”, I made up my mind to prove them wrong. Not everyone who goes into camp has to mingle and partake in the things that are not pretty. I’m not reprimanding or appraising anyone; I believe everyone has what drives them or keeps them going. But best believe, leaving camp with your dignity intact comes with a really good feeling.

It is also good to know there are upsides to camp. People have met their spouses there and are happily married, people have established and maintained life long friendships with people they met in camp, there is the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme on the platform of NYSC where people have become successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour, to say a few. Different interpretations have been given to the abbreviation NYSC – Now Your Success Comes, Now Your Suffering Continues, National Year for Sex and Cuddling etc. At the end of the day, it is really what works for you, what you want to be remembered for and how you’ll like to feel about yourself after spending one calendar year serving your beloved Nigeria.


LoudNProudLive celebrated its February Editions in style with a Loopy music ‘All Stars’ showcase & ‘The Chairman’ MI who headlined the popular ‘ONE NITE: LIVE & UNPLUGGED with MI’ premium solo artist platform. On SATURDAY 28th FEBRUARY at QUILOX, NMO Management & PR Ltd presented: LoudNProudLive Series: hosted Loopy Music ‘All Stars’ + One Nite: Live & Unplugged with MI’

The Loopy Music ‘All Stars’ were on fire on stage on LoudNProudlive stage as they joined their CEO Mi as headline host at ‘One Nite Live & Unplugged’

First up new recruit ‘Milli’ set a high standard with a sterling set receiving rapturous applause from a upbeat audience. Dj Lambo, host for the night did the honors of introducing another Loopy Music ‘Family’ member RUBY. In sensational vocal form, she belted out a succession hits including ladies anthem ‘Good Man’ followed by a super music segment of African ‘genre themed’ medlies which showcased her awesomeness & the ‘One Sound’ band. ‘Pastor’ LOOSE KAYNON’ brought a touch of humor to his set with a series of tracks including the hilarious hit song ‘Halellujah’. Loopy Music ‘All Stars’ & fierce skillz on the decks by DJ Lambo correctly set the scene, for the Main act of the night. The Chairman’s full live band performance was highly anticipated- MI flowed like the lyrical wizard he is & African No1 Rapper crown he owns, just as the audience flowed back in full verse to ‘Safe’ like a church Choir in song. The atmosphere charged, venue full & cameras jostling for space as MI ABAGA played keyboards with his band. He effortlessly displayed a diverse & versatile side to his music repertoire performing hits, including the smash ‘Bad Belle’..... Mr INCREDIBLE we Salute you! One Nite: live & Unplugged - every last Saturday of the month – a LoudNProudlive production LoudNProudLive.....Keeping REAL music ALIVE

One Nite Unplugged with M.I


One Nite Unplugged with M.I


SPINLET KARAOKE

The March edition of the monthly Spinlet Karaoke featured one of Nigeria’s talented music producer - LERIQ.

Spinlet Karaoke is a monthly gig being held at Shaunz Bar in highbrow Victoria Island holding every last Wednesday of each month and it is a musical platform in which a selected artiste/producer is made the headliner; guests also get to participate and the best singer gets either a bottle of champagne or #20,000 cash.

Since it inception in late 2014, Spinlet Karaoke has featured Falz, Blackmagic, Oritsefemi, DJ Jimmy Jatt and it is fast becoming one of Nigeria’s anticipated musical event.


@TushMagazineNig

Documents

@TushMagazineNig · Almighty God for the strength and grace he bestowed upon my team and I. Also, not forgetting the many wonderful personalities who have in one way or the other