Filmmaker and Record Label Resolve Conflict on DaGrin Biopic.

Manager for late rapper Da Grin, Tunde sent a press statement calling for boycott of the Dagrin’s movie early last week. The movie titled Ghetto Creamz is put together by Stingomania Entertainment led by Mr. Ope Banwo.

Though the producers have been in touch with Da Grin’s family, the rapper’s label was in the dark until after the press release. Producer of the movie, Mr. Ope Banwo had a meeting at the late father’s attorney office and Tunde, Dagrin’s manager was in attendance.

“The only mistake they made was that they were contacting the family lawyer instead of informing us first” Tunde reportedly said. An undisclosed amount was given to the family at the meeting with a contract that says the family gets 20% of the proceeds from the movie while 10% will be the charity set up in the name of the Late rap artiste.

One dead, two BRT buses burnt, as LASTMA and Okada riders clash in Lagos

It happened yesterday morning @ about 10:30 am around the Mile 12 area of Lagos State. An okada rider was crushed to death by a BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) while trying to escape from being arrested by the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, (LASTMA) officials who had been pursuing him from Ojota towards mile 12 for violating a traffic law.

After discovering that the Okada rider had died in the pursuit, the LASTMA officers took to their heels and ran towards Ketu for safety.

Okada riders and and angry youths who witnessed the incident set an empty LAGBUS and a BRT ablaze.

Yeah, things like this happen in Lagos. May the Okada man RIP.

Iya Ofili Ganga is Dead

odupe Tomori,popularly known as Iya Ofili Ganga was confirmed dead on Sunday night,a few hours after complaining of a slight headache. President of the Association of Theatre Practitioners (ANTP), Prince Jide Kosoko has declared that an artiste night will be held in her honour tomorrow by the Ogun State chapter of the association.

The president of ANTP lamented bitterly, “Her death is a big blow to the industry. She was one of our best actresses that have contributed invaluable to the music industry in Nigeria. It was said that she was meant to be at the shooting of Omo Ghetto 2 over the weekend but was absent with an excuse of being ill The middle aged actress would be buried on Friday

DBANJ FT SNOOP DOGG MR ENDOWED RMX

DBANJ FT SNOOP DOGG MR ENDOWED RMX

CELEBS GATHER TOGETHER FOR DAREY ART ALADE

It was fun, excitement, banters and all at the star studded reception for Darey last Sunday

On Sunday, February 6, 2011 not only did R&B King Darey Art Alade spend his evening hobnobbing with colleagues, Journalists, Radio DJs and industry top shots, he was also the centre of attraction as City people hosted him to a grand reception in honour of his outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. “He was decorated with an award as “The King of R&B” in Nigeria.

The event was hosted by a team of comperes, including Tosyn Bucknor, Tee A, Ali Baba and Gbenga Adeyinka, who drilled and thrilled guests; taking them through series of jokes and comic sketches. Waje was the only artiste that performed at the event!

The Publisher of City People Seye Kehinde says “the essence of the event is encourage and appreciate the king of R&B for making Nigeria proud and for being a good ambassador of the country”

In view of this Bisi Olatilo presented a glass crystal plague to honor Darey on behalf of City people Darey in turn thanked everybody for honouring him.

Guests at the event include Bisi Olatilo,Ayo Animashaun, Moyeen, Audu Makori Djinee, Emeka Ike, TY Mix, Femi Adeyinka, Ayeni Adekunle Waje, Jedi, Ali Baba and Julius Agwu. Others include, Lamide Akintobi, Tee A, Kingsley James, Kelvin Orifa, Abisoye Fagade, Kunle Afolayan, Banky W and Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi .

PSQUARE SECRET OF MAKING HIT AFTER HIT FINALLY EXPOSE

For every success one sees in the open most times is usually perfected in the spiritual realm and that is the case of the duo of Peter and Paul Okoye popularly known as Psquare.

Their success story in the Nigerian music industry started in 2001 when they won the “Grab the mic” competition after which their debut album title last nite was released. Barely 3months after the release of their debut, they got nominated as “Most Promising African Group Kora Awards and won the 2003 Amen Awards for “Best R&B Group”.

In 2005, Psquare released their second album title Get Squared and produced mindblowing videos that held #1 position on the MTV Base Chart for weeks.

The group has performed along side international artiste like Akon, SeanPaul , Ginuwine etc

In 2007, they release Game Over album which sold 8million copies world wide after which they followed it up with Danger album in 2009 making it their fourth studio album which also came out to be a hit.

Psquare has won numerous Awards both Local and International i.e HipHop World Awards 2006,They carted away 4 Awards, “Album of the year” for Nigerian music Awards 2006, “Best DUO or Group”for channel O music video Awards 2007, MTV African Music Awards 2008 and 2009 for “Best Group” With the most recent one Kora all African Music Awards where they won Artiste of the year with a whopping sum of $1Million Dollars. They’ve also been nominated for “MOBO” Awards and BET in the past.

So many people have been wondering how this superstar go about it in making hit after hit in the industry were there is stiff competition. But they finally reveal at their House Warming/Birthday Party held last year that they do fast and pray for a period of a month before releasing any of their album. Which I think apparently pays for them.

For the aspiring celebrity wannabe hoping and working tirelessly for a success story like P-Square, I think this is a great tip for you and for P-Square keep on soaring like a bird in the sky.

Armed Robbers Invade Funke Akindele's Omo Ghetto 2 Hotel Set

The hotel actress Funke Akindele and her family and close friends were lodged at while shooting the movie, Omo Ghetto 2 was invaded in the early hours of this morning...around 12:30 am. Funke Akindele, her brother, her younger sister, her cousin, and close friends were all attacked. The robbers collected about six hundred thousand naira from Funke and her brother and also smashed Funke's marketer's Range Rover parked at the hotel. Funke's X Terra and her mother's CRV were also smashed.

Sources say it wasn't only Funke and her crew that were attacked, every lodger at the hotel was also robbed. Fortunately no one was really hurt.

The Hotel is called Imperial Hotel on Lagos street, Ebutte Metta, Yaba.
Some other members of the Omo Ghetteo 2 cast and crew are lodged in another hotel.

MAN WITH 86 WIVES SUE INEC

The celebrated polygamist, Pa Abubakar Masaba, is heading for a showdown with the Independent National Electoral Commission and the police following allegations that members of his family, numbering over 5,000 were denied registration by suspected thugs in the just concluded voter registration exercise.


Our correspondent gathered that suspected thugs allegedly thwarted efforts by members of the Masaba’s family to participate in the voter registration exercise at a registration unit in Bida Local Government Area of the state.

Masaba is reported to have 86 wives.

It was learnt that the thugs specifically prevented INEC officials from registering the Masaba family and that security operatives allegedly refused to come to his rescue.

The lawyer to the family, Mr. Shehu Jubril, told our correspondent in Minna, Niger State, that over 10 hoodlums frustrated efforts of the Masabas to register.

He alleged that the thugs, led by one Gimba, created pandemonium in a registration unit close to Masaba’s residence as they stormed the area beating and wounding members of the family who had queued up to register.

He said the hoodlums overpowered officials of INEC and prevented them from registering Masaba’s family members.

He claimed that about nine members of the family were wounded by the attackers, lamenting that despite complaints lodged by Masaba to the police area commander, nobody was arrested in connection with the incident.

He accused the police of connivance and said Masaba had concluded plans to seek redress in court.

He said the development amounted to a breach of fundamental human rights and assault.

“The recent interview granted by the area commander in a local newspaper has however indicated that police have taken sides on the matter as he went on saying that the family has no business registering at their own Masaba ‘A’ polling unit”, he said.

When our correspondent contacted the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Richard Oguche, he said he was yet to receive the report.

He said the district police officers would brief the command on developments in their various areas on Monday (today).

Also, INEC state Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Abdulmalik Wase, claimed ignorance of the development and said he knew nothing about Masaba and his family.

INTERVIEW WITH ZARA

Oluwatoyin Joseph is a bundle of fun. Playful and intelligent, Zara, as you know her, lets her hair down talking on her kind of man, her thoughts on marriage and why she may never get pregnant.

In this engaging chat with Lolade SOWOOLU, the ex-Alapomeji Record artiste speaks on her music, admitting that ‘the brand, Zara is not exposed enough for an album yet’.

She bought a round trip ticket she didn’t need when she journeyed to Nigeria in 2009 to explore her music talents, after living in the United States for a decade.

The once engaged to be married chubby beauty hasn’t looked back since taking on music professionally. Armed with three singles and two videos, here’s Zara Grett for your weekend delight.

Are Zara and Ejiro two different persons?

Zara’s the artiste; Ejiro’s the girl you hear on radio. I can’t be Zara working at the station, it won’t make sense because tomorrow I might want an interview as Zara. In fact right now Zara has a last name – Grett. It’s from my birth name, Magaret.

The surname is just to create a name that stands out because I’m not the only Zara in the world. Since we’re planning on going global, it only makes sense that I take on an added name so I’m now Zara Grett.

What’s your real name in full?

I’m Magaret Mary Oluwatoyin Ejiro Joseph. I’m from Popo Aguda in Lagos Island, Lagos. I’m a people person.

How do you prepare for a show?

I sing a lot in the car on my way there and all that. I’m a rapper and singer and I love to have fun. I’m like a bowl of salad rather than a pot of stew.

How does a bowl of salad differ from a pot of stew?

In a pot of stew you don’t get to see all the ingredients. But with salad, there’s expression for each component.

Now I get it. So how do you come about your songs?

I don’t freestyle, I write. I pick on a topic and create a story around it. Sometimes if I hear a beat that gets to me, I’d write something. I learnt to ‘show’ and not ‘tell’ from my English teacher in eleventh grade. When you personify feelings or a topic, it gives it a human face.

What’s that weird sound you make in your songs?

Don’t make me do it (laughter). It’s an ape call. I am part of a sisterhood in the States that is tied to a fraternity. And it’s in this fraternity that they make the ‘ape call’. I do it on every track that has to do with Zara. I don’t make faces. I make sounds and it works for me.

You were signed on to Alapomeji Records. What happened to the agreement?

Yes, Alapomeji Records released my ‘Flyest’ (a single) video but we just decided after evaluating things, that it’d be better for us if we worked independently of each other.

How long was it supposed to last for?

The contract was very clear on the terms for leaving. I didn’t just opt out or something. We reached an agreement to part ways. Right now, I’m an independent artiste and I’m working very hard. I’m managed by Toni Payne Concepts.

What’s happening with the album?

It’s still being put together. At the same time I don’t think I’ll be releasing an album in the next six months. I’d like to allow more publicity for the artiste Zara before I take that step. So many people have released their albums prematurely because people keep asking, ‘Is your album out?’ There’s no rush about it. The brand, Zara, is not exposed enough for an album yet.

What were your expectations and why did you buy a round trip ticket?

The ticket was cheaper (laughter). But seriously that way I didn’t have to lie to my mum because she didn’t want me coming in the first place. She had heard so much of bad news and was afraid.
I didn’t even really have any expectations. I was just coming to give music a shot and I never used the ticket back.

Is Abokoku a true life story?

It’s so many people’s lives’ story.

Is Zara a lover girl?

Zara is an emotional and tough person at the same time. I’ve heard people say I pretend to be
tough. But the thing is we’re all humans and so we have our sentiments and that’s why I carved the song ‘Abokoku’. It refers to something some people have or wish they had, or that they have lost.

It could be love between a man and his God, love in the family or love shared between a man and a woman. I just didn’t want to go the typical ‘I love you’ fashion. Again I borrowed a leaf from Shaggy’s ‘Mr lover lover’ to say ‘I’ll wait for my lover’.

And is Kenneth really the lover or just a model in that video?

Kenneth is my homeboy. We met sometime somehow and when it was time for the video I thought he’d be perfect. Plus he looks great and I didn’t want a yellow boy.

What do you have against ‘yellow’ boys?

Nothing. But darker boys look sexier. My ex was a very ‘yellow’ boy – he was Igbo. But there’s just something about dark chocolate. I don’t like to eat dark chocolate but I like to look at it.

So the guys now know the basic requirement …
I have no requirements o. Don’t go and colour your skin o (laughter). If you must know, I like tall guys too. I’d like someone taller than me like 6′ 2′, 6’4′. Way taller, lean and fine. By lean, I mean with enough build to hold me because I’m not small. It also doesn’t mean I want a bouncer.

So is all these the reason you’re not in a relationship presently?

That’s not why. It’s just that I’m working; I’m busy. I’m not even looking. If I happen to meet somebody that I click with the right way, I won’t be an idiot that shoots herself in the foot saying ‘no relationships yet’. At the same time I won’t sit outside or go to church hoping to find a husband.

What do you think about marriage. Is it something you look forward to?

I’m not excited about marriage. I don’t even think across those lines. Some people think I’m getting old and I tell them ‘if anything’s supposed to happen, it will happen anyway’. If I’m suppose to get married it will happen at some point. It could be next year, it could be when I’m 60. You never know.

It’s life. Some people have this mind set of getting married at a certain age like it’s a must and really it ruins relationships. Because when it moves to looking for a husband rather than making friends, you’ll take anything from anybody. I don’t think things should be that way.
You’ve heard of love at first sight before.

I don’t believe in it. I think love grows. You discover love. I don’t think I can meet anybody
today and say that I’ve fallen in love. You should take your time, nurture it and let it grow.

Isn’t your mum worried about your perception on marriage?

My mother loves me. She’ll be alright. She understands that I’m a bit special and different. She started to know when I first came home with no hair and then I said I wanted to do ‘dada’ (dreadlocks).

I was engaged to be married sometime back in the states and when I talked to the person to let him know I didn’t think it was the right time for me to be married because I wasn’t ready, my mum didn’t understand where it came from. She kept asking me what happened but I told her it just wasn’t ‘it’ because there’s no point getting committed to something you don’t think will last forever. After a while she said, ‘okay I’m here for you.

So what would make you decide to marry someone?

I have to be comfortable with whoever it is. I have to be able to tell the person any thing and vice versa. Trust is important. It’s a huge task for me being an open book. I have to be happy.

I don’t care what money you have but if I’m not happy around you, it’s pointless being with you.

Would you consider separation or divorce as option?

I hope not. If I get into something, I hope it’ll be forever because it’s supposed to be. But seriously separation and divorce is always an option. Apologies to anyone out there who doesn’t agree with me. But if a man touches me or lays his hand on me, I won’t care what kind of drugs you’re on or the evil spirit at work in you at that time, it just will not work. I’m totally honest here.

And what if you’re still in love with him?

Olorun ma je’ari (God forbid). If you mentally or physically abuse me, or make me feel less than human, you’re certainly not my husband.

What of kids?

I love children but I’m not sure I want any (laughter). Children love to be around me. Trust me, I’m great with kids but I don’t want to be pregnant. Don’t you see how pregnant people look? After the whole nine months, you have to push him out (labour) and before you know what there’s part 2 and 3 (other babies). Even if I don’t get married, I’ll love to have kids. But then I’ll definitely adopt.

Do you plan on going back to the states for any reason?

I would love to visit my family and friends. But then how much time would I have to see them all so maybe they should come and visit me instead.

Young musicians to form new union •PMAN not worried

Adamant on their decision to effect a generational shift in the PMAN, the new generation of Nigerian musicians have drawn the line, following their humiliation in Osun State penultimate Tuesday.

Tony Okoroji's 12 disciples have reacted to last week's publication that they were humiliated in Osogbo at PMAN's convention, where Admiral Dele Abiodun was returned as the music body's national president for a second term of two years.

In a release to R signed by Banky W, the group of young acts eager to take over control of PMAN described the body as it constituted now as a disgrace to the legacy those that came before them.

Nigerian Musicians are achieving worldwide success in leaps and bounds, yet today's union shows that absolutely none of the significant musicians representing Nigeria are involved in the running of PMAN.

It was the desire to effect a change in PMAN that Eldee and others attempted to rejoin PMAN en masse, and that information reached them that the organization was as frustrated as we the artistes were about the state of things.

“We all came up with a team of executives amongst ourselves that represented a cross section of Nigerian musicians today. We went there to appeal to the powers that be at PMAN to vote for, put in a new team of leaders and give us a chance at resuscitating a failed union.

One would think that PMAN officials and delegates would accept our appeal coming from its musicians but this was not to be. We came with respect on our minds, appealing to those that had been in the rundown system for years, to let us help rebuild it.

We were met with resistance, bitterness, slander and ignorance. That is inconsequential to us. However, Dele Abiodun would not be dragged into the issue. ‘’Nigeria’s constitution allows citizens to freely associates, there is nothing wrong with our young generation of musicians’ plans to form a body.

Labour act, however, does not allow for duplication of parent bodies. That’s why there can never be another PMAN. But there can be sister bodies like CMAN, GOMAN, FUMAN, JUMAN, etc. We shall welcome them anyhow

FREE AIRTIME CREDIT

AIRTEL-9965-2207-0929-9693



GLO- 6447-8492-7350-324


VISAPHONE- 1209-608-423-5035


ETISALAT- 3601-6032-1891-049

THANKS FOR READING OUR DAILY NEWS UPDATE

FREE BLACKBERRY ONE MONTH SERVICE FOR 2 PEOPLE....COMMING UP 10TH OF FEBUARY 2011

2011 Elections: D’banj, P Square, Others Promise Free Concerts

Dapo Oyebanjo better known as D’banj has put together a youth targeted initiative called ‘Our Time’.

The Mohits Vice President formally announced this at a press conference on Wednesday, February 2 2011, stating that he would be leading a group of Nigerian artistes that will use this platform to create a campaign that will mobilize the youths to participate in the ongoing voter’s registration exercise.

In an effort to ensure youth participation in the ongoing voters registration, D’banj and the Mo’Hits crew along with colleagues P Square, Naeto C, Sasha P, Duncan Mighty, Timi Dakolo, Sound Sultan and other s will embark on a series of free concerts that will cover six geographical regions of Nigeria.

And Dbanj says Only those who have registered and can prove so with a voter’s registration card will be granted entrance into the concert to watch the Nigerian acts perform as no gate fee will be required…

2face To Appear On Mo’nique Show

One of Nigeria’s biggest musical exports, 2face Idibia will be hosted on popular American talk show, ‘The Mo’nique Show’.

The one hour talk show which airs on BET and is hosted by American comedienne and actress Mo’nique, will see 2face sharing his experiences on being a recognized African act.

‘We got a call from Mo’nique stating that she wanted 2face on the show. We agreed and have arranged 2face’s appearance ’, 2face’s manger Efe Omorogbe tells us.

2face who is on holidays in the US will appear on the talk show on Tuesday, February 8 2011. You will recall that 2face’s smash hit, ‘African queen’ was a featured soundtrack on the movie ‘Phat girlz’ which starred Mo’nique in the lead role as Jazmin Biltmore.

MC ACAPELA LOSES CAR TO ARMED ROBBERS

Young, funny and highly talented comedian, known as MC Acapela, lost his Toyota Camry 2.1 car with REG NO. EE429 LSR on Monday 24th January, night at gunpoint to armed robbers at Oshodi. Mc Acapela was on his way back from LAFF 4 CHARITY, a show which was organized by ROTARY CLUB in Ikoyi when he ran into the men of the night. The case has since been reported to the police. Our heart goes out to MC Acapela.

SSS seizes N1.7 billion cash at Lagos Airport .

Who owns this huge money? Ten million American dollars and one million Euros, equivalents of Nigeria’s N1.7 billion? In cash? And being moved out of Nigeria by four nondescript persons with no social or business pedigree?

Could this huge sum be a proceed of money laundering by some politicians or funds being funnelled to some sources for terrorist activities? These are questions that officials of the State Security Services (SSS) are currently seeking answers to.

Some SSS officials arrested the four men, believed to be of Northern origin, while they were attempting to board a flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The money was kept in sacks, commonly called Ghana Must Go bags. When the foursome could not explain how they came about the money and the purpose for which it was meant, the SSS officers promptly placed them on arrest and handed them over to officers of the Police Command at the Airport.



The Inspector General, Mr. Hafiz Ringim yesterday ordered a Commissioner of Police to lead investigation into the money-cache.

The chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs Farida Waziri has also sent a team of her officials to get to the root of thge matter, which is within the purview of her organisation, since it borders on suspicion of money laundering and terrorism fund.

A source said that the four men, who looked “ordinary”, could not explain what they were doing with such huge sums of money, even as they claimed to be on their way to the United Arab Emirates.

It was further gathered that when the money was brought out from the bags and counted, the total sum was about $10m (N1.5b) and one million Euros about N205m.

Said a source: “You know that there has been serious suspicion that some politicians and even governors, move money out of the country when the allocations from the Federal Allocation comes. This large amount could be one of such. It is also possible that the money is for some other activities that are terrorism related. You know this period, where there is crisis all over the country, anything could happen, really.”

While Nigerian Compass on Saturday could not confirm from Police authorities, the spokesman of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi confirmed that his commission was aware of the development. According to him, “The EFCC is aware of the matter and we believe it is witin the purview of the EFCC to unravel the source of the money. We are already investigating the matter and would make it public soon”

It was further learnt that the suspicion of security agencies on the source of the money was not unrelated with the crises that have become the lot of some parts of Northern Nigeria in the past one year and the incessant bomb blasts in the country recently.

While Borno State has been witnessing mayhem from a religious sect, Boko Haram, Jos in Plateau State has become a shadow of itself, over internecine wars, that border on both ethnic and religious reasons.

Between October 1 and December last year, Abuja, the once peaceful Federal Capital Territory, has witnessed two separate multiple bomb blasts that has tens of persons killed. That is in addition to similar blasts in some other parts of the country.