FEATURE: OY- A Fresh Sound from Ghana

The recent MTV Base concert in Durban was not only a chance to see the renamed Lion but a great opportunity to see performances from some great artists from this wonderful continent. In keeping with the African theme our musical star today is Joy Frempong more popularly known by her stage name OY. This genre defying artiste hails from Ghana and has been on a journey thought Africa that has influenced her latest album Kokokyinaka

Kokokyinaka is the Akan (Ghanaian language) name for the bird ‘Great Blue Turaco or Giant Plantain Eater’ whose looks I love – blue with a punky crown. It’s also said to have taught man to drum, and so drummers would not kill or eat it. The reason she chose the title was because of this poem:

Kokokyinaka Asamoa, the clock-bird, how do we greet you?
We greet you with ”anyaado”
We hail you as the drummer’s child,
The drummer’s child sleeps and awakes with the dawn.
I am learning, let me succeed.

You know the sonic journey is going to one of adventure when the first sounds you hear are of a clapped out public transport bus wheezing and grinding its way to a breakdown while OY explains how to pronounce the title of her album. And what an adventure it is. Kokokyinaka, the sophomore album  is an experimental, genre-bending, generously seasoned stew of Africa-inflected Electronica that captures, illuminates and refracts her journey through Mali (4 weeks), Ghana, Burkina Faso and South Africa (5 weeks), with all the “found” sounds recorded as she traveled  and with lyrics inspired either by traditional African stories or proverbs or by conversations held with various people she met during her travels, or simply picked up along the way.

If this sounds interesting then you’re in luck because she is on her way back to tour with her band: the tour dates are listed below.

• 25-05, Maputo (MOC) – Azgo Festival
• 26-05, Harare (ZBW) – Book Café
• 28-05, Cape Town (ZA) – Mahogany Room
• 31-05, Johanesbourg (ZA) – King Kong
• 02-06, Swaziland (SWZ) – Bush Fire Festival

Cape Town fans are in for a special treat as OY will also be hosting a workshop on the 29th of May  at 48 Albert Road, Woodstock.
Follow OY on twitter @Oymusic


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“MI couldn’t have spent N10m on the video of Chairman just to diss Olamide” – Publicist

MI Abaga’s publicist Oma Areh of Wild Flower PR, has strongly denied the rumours making the rounds, that MI recorded the Chairman song and shot the video, to get back at wave making rapper, Olamide.

According to some reports, trouble started after Olamide, reportedly mentioned a certain ‘chairman’ in his song, ‘Owotabua’, asking him to calm down. As a form of retaliation, MI is said to have done his ‘Chairman’ song. However, his publicist has now debunked those rumours.

“MI spent about N10m on the video,” she said. “He shot it in Los Angeles and they used two mansions, a private jet and various fancy cars. It took them three days to shoot the video. It is impossible for MI to diss Olamide, who said that? That is too cheap and impossible. It is not remotely possible.”

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Nigeria: Tuface, PSquare,19 Others Headline Star Trek 2013 + photos of sign-on press conference

Star Music Trek is back again. And this time, with an even more impressive line up of Nigeria’s biggest artistes.
Last year they brought the highly anticipated yearly music experience and shut concert venues down all over the country with millions of fans attending. This year, it gets even better.

--> So if you’re looking forward to meeting your favorite artistes billed for the Star Music Trek, here ‘s your opportunity!!
Organisers of the annual music tour, Star trek which shuttles artistes at the top of the chain to several cities in the country has announced the 22 artistes that will be performing on this year's tour.

A star-studded sign-on and announcement ceremony, which officially heralded Star Music Trek 2013, held at Rhapsodys Lounge, Victoria Island on Wednesday 22^nd May 2013.

The exclusive event witnessed attendance from celebrities, industry top shots, consumers as well as Nigerian and international media.

2face Idibia, D'banj and Psquare lead the pack of super acts which includes Ice Prince, M.I; rappers Mr Raw, Naeto C, Phyno and Olamide. Others are Timaya, Sound Sultan, Wande Coal, Obesere, Dr Sid, J Martins, KCee, Tiwa Savage, Seyi Shey, Yinka Best, Kas and Star Quest past winners Juke Box, Da Beatz and Crystalz.
The artistes were unveiled last Wednesday, at Rhapsodys Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The 10 weeks concert will hold in 10 venues including Lagos, Aba, Enugu, Abeokuta, Lokoja, Nnewi, Asaba.
Festac Town takes the lead on the 8th of June, Lokoja June 15, Owerri June 22, Enugu June 29, Aba July 7, Nnewi July 13, Asaba July 20, Abeokuta July 27, Agege Aug 03, with the climax of the show holding at Victoria Island on August 10.
Marketing Director, Nigerian Beweries,Mr. Walter Drenth said, the experience of witnessing Star Trek every year has been a fantastic one. He expressed optimism that this year's concert will be even bigger and better.
PHOTOS

Kahli Abdul & M.I

Kas & Wande Coal

DJ Jimmy Jatt

Toni Kan

Uti Nwachukwu

Omalicha

2Face Idibia at the Press Conference

Kcee

J Martins

DJ Lamborghini, Tosyn Bucknor & M.I

Gbenga Adeyinka

(L-R) Biyi Fagade – Brand Manager Star Nigeria Breweries, Tiwa Savage, Edem Vindah- Media Relations Manager Nigerian Breweries

Sound Sultan & Gideon Okeke

(L-R) Tokunboh Adodo Marketing Manager Star Gulder, Export.J Ottah Kalu, Executive Director Lowe Lintas

Multiple award winning entertainer, D'banj has put plans in motion to shut Lagos down with another five-star concert, featuring live appearances from some of the finest stars from the continent and beyond as he marks his 33rd birthday anniversary in grand style.
The MOBO and BET-winning hit-maker says, he's throwing a big, spectacular gig, at Eko Hotel in Lagos, on Sunday, June 23, to launch the debut DKM album, and celebrate his recent achievements with friends and fans in Nigeria.
The hugely anticipated concert will coincide with D'Banj's 33rd birthday, and he said, last weekend that fans can expect to catch electrifying performances from him and his friends, including Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 2face Idibia, 2Chainz(USA), Olamide and other local and international big names.
The big-budget concert will also feature DB Records acts KaySwitch, JSol, JSleek and others.
'It'll be my first time in Nigeria and I can't wait', 2Chainz says in a video drop released by D'Banj. 'My birthday is in September but I'll act like it's my birthday', he adds jokingly. The rapper is mostly known worldwide for his mega hit 'Birthday Song'
The June 23rd concert, D'Banj says, will be the first in a series of DKM concerts to be staged in collaboration with Ndani TV in Lagos and other parts of the world.
'We've done it all over the world, with the support of our fans everywhere', said D'banj who performed with Snoop Lion at the MTV All Stars Concert in Durban over the weekend, in South Africa. 'I know Nigerians have been yearning, and I can't wait for June 23 to bring Lagos alive and treat my friends to all the new stuff we've been working on.'

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Zambia: Artiste Partners With Al Pacino for UK Show

A Zambian artiste, Deepak Kuntawala, based in London has partnered with a global icon and one of the greatest actors in the world Al Pacino to exhibit their performances at the London Palladium on June 2, this year.
Kuntawala said the evening with Al Pacino, a European Premiere, who has won world-wide acclaim for his role as Michael Corleone in the Godfather, which also gave him his first of eight Academy Award nominations, was no doubt an indication that his work is being appreciated by highly experienced artistes.
The artiste said tickets for the eagerly anticipated event with Al Pacino went on sale on Friday, April 5, and sold-out in less than 24 hours, as demand soared to see the legendary actor of the silver screen.
He said an evening with 'Pacino' will explore the myriad highlights of one of the most celebrated careers in acting history, from his time off-Broadway in the 60s to the present day, with the actor himself, in intimate theatre surrounds.
"He has been one of my favourite actors since I was young and we are absolutely thrilled that our first project is with him. This is going to be very much 'one moment in time and a once-in-a-life-time opportunity that one must seize," said Kuntawala.
The Godfather of Hollywood, Al Pacino, will take to the Palladium stage for a live 'one night' performance, followed by an interactive interview on the stage to be projected on a state-of-the-art large screen, bringing the action closer to the audience.
In a statement released to the Times by DVK Sterling Communications and Junior Media assistant Sonia Sokhi, this exciting event will also give audience members a rare chance to speak directly to Al Pacino in an audience question and answer session.
And Al Pacino said he was excited to perform in a city so rich in art and culture and considered it an honour to be appearing at the Palladium.
"I am really looking forward to coming to London. I have always felt at home there. I consider it an honour to be appearing at the Palladium and I will be glad to be back on the boards in your great city."
The event will be sponsored by DVK and will also host an exclusive and select number of high profile, influential individuals, who will be flown to London from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Russia, Israel and USA, for private meet and greet opportunities with the iconic legend.
DVK has recently launched an entertainment investment fund platform, which will focus on financing the world's best entertainment and film projects to be governed by a leading international law firm Mishcon De Reya and structured by the world's largest professional services firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Al Pacino is one of the very few actors to have won the triple crown in acting (Oscar, Emmy and Tony awards), winning his first Tony in 1969 for Does A Tiger Wear A Necktie, followed with standout performances in Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Scarface, Sea of Love, Glengarry Glen Ross, Heat, Donnie Brasco, and Scent of a Woman for which he won the Best Actor award at the 1992 Oscars.
He has also directed and produced several films including Looking For Richard and the soon-to-be-released Wilde-Salomé and Salomé starring Jessica Chastain as Oscar Wilde's Salomé. With an enduring devotion to acting, Al Pacino has become one of film and theatre's most respected players and one of the most famous and loved actors in the world.
Kuntawala was born in Zambia and spent time in South Africa, Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa before migrating to the UK with his family in the 1970s from Zambia.

source: allafrica.com

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PHOTOS: CONTESTANTS FOR MR UNIVERSE NIGERIA COMPETITION

It’s that time of the year again to crown the next Mr Universe Nigeria.

34 eligible Nigerian gents will vie for the coveted titled of the 2013 Mr Universe Nigeria. The contestants will be present in Lagos on Tuesday 28th May 2013 for the camp – where they will be groomed for the D-Day.

The first assignment for the contestants was to create a signature look. A look that describes their totality in just a single picture.

*Viewer Discretion Advised*

Meet the 2013 Mr Universe Nigeria Contestants

Abia

Abuja

Adamawa

Akwa Ibom

Bauchi

Bayelsa

Benue

Borno

Cross River

Delta

Ebonyi

Edo

Ekiti

Enugu

Gombe

Imo

Jigawa

Kaduna

Kano

Katsina

Kebbi

Kogi

Kwara

Lagos

Niger

Ogun

Ondo

Osun

Oyo

Plateau

Rivers

Sokoto

Taraba

Yobe

Five of these 34 will stand a chance of becoming Mr Universe Nigeria and also an opportunity to represent at these international competitions – Mr Universe Model in Dominican Republic, Best Model Universe in Panama, International Best Model in Spain, Mr Nigeria Planet in Philippines, Mr Nigeria Motors in Italy.

Who do you think will win? Let us know!

The Mr Universe Nigeria finale will take place on Saturday 1st June 2013 at the Scintilla Events Place, 2nd Toll Gate, Lekki, Lagos.

For more info and general inquiries, log on to www.MrUniverseNigeriaPageant.com

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