BREAKING NEWS: Ice Prince wins ‘Best African Act’ at BET Awards 2013

Ice Prince has won the award for ‘Best African Act‘ at the 2013 edition of the BET Awards.

The Chocolate City rapper was awarded the coveted prize this evening at the BET Broadcast Centre a few hours before the awards proper kicks off at the  Nokia Theatre L.A. live in Los Angeles , California.

 

Last year, he lost the award to Wizkid and Sarkodie but it’s no small feat this year beating former winner and fellow Nigerian 2face Idibia, Toya Delazy from South Africa, Donald (South Africa), R2Bees (Ghana) and Radio and Weasel (Uganda).

 

Ice Prince becomes the fourth Nigerian artiste to win the award since 2face and D’banj jointly won it in 2011 and Wizkid in 2012.

5 big Artistes who started their careers with OJB Jezreel...

To most teenagers listening to music today, it would be hard to remember the impact OJB had in the late 90’s and early 00’s. As the famed producer battles his kidney condition, we take a look at the 5 artistes he helped jump start their careers. This is an expository list to those not familiar with his rich production credits and a refresher to those that have forgotten the production exploits of the man known to millions as OJB Jezreel.


                                                                2face Idibia.

1) 2face Idibia- 2Face was already a known star as a member of the 90’s/00’s R and B group The Plantashun Boyz. 2Face’s star power in the group was so great that everyone knew it was a matter of time before he went solo. In 2004, 2face struck out and went solo.

He sought the production prowess of OJB Jezreel who was the hottest music producer in the country at the time for his highly anticipated debut album. For months they slaved on songs that would end up on 2Face’s instant classic solo debut album Face 2 Face. The album catapulted 2Face into superstardom. In 2007, 2Face hooked up with OJB Jezreel again. The huge success of his sophomore Grass 2 Grace proved that you never change a winning formula. 2Face’s first two albums are widely regarded as his best LPs in his rich discography.

 

Ruggedman

 

2) Rugged Man- Rugged Man had been lurking in the underground scene for years. Tired of the mainstream rap music he heard on radio courtesy of Eedris Abdulkareem and Rasqie he went to OJB’s Silver Point Studios to record the classic ‘Ehen’ diss track featuring Nomoreloss. The song spread like wild fire and galvanized the underground rap community.

Rugged Man wasn’t through with the diss tracks. ‘Peace or War’ and ‘Big Bros’ completed his diss trilogy aimed at wack rappers, their fans and record labels that pushed them. Thanks to OJB’s production, Rugged Man became the new champion of rap music in Nigeria. He released his debut album 2 years after ‘Ehen’- 2004. Thy Album Come featured production from OJB and other Silver Point associate producers. Thy Album Come is perceived as one of the most influential rap LPs in Nigerian rap history.

 

D’banj

3) D’Banj- Most people think Dapo Oyebanjo’s music career started when he met JJC Skillz in London. D’Banj’s entrance into the music game goes a bit farther than that. In 2002, D’Banj recorded his first song ‘Kiss Me Again’ featuring Rugged Man. The song was produced by Jigga (OJB’s alias).

The song wasn’t a hit but it got a few spins on local radio. Buoyed by the little positive response the song got, D’Banj moved to the UK to pursue his dreams. He came back 2 years later with an unknown producer who would take over from OJB Jezreel. His name is Don Jazzy.

 

                                                                          Durella

 4) Durella- By 2008, D’Banj who started his career with OJB Jezreel had become a superstar. An unknown act named Durella whose style was similar to D’Banj’s knocked on OJB’s door in search of a hit.

OJB Jezreel blessed him with ‘Wiskolo Wiska’ a hard hitting club track. The song became so popular that people thought it was D’Banj who sang the song. Thanks to OJB’s production Durella had made a name for himself. Durella’s career has had more downs than up but a hit like ‘Wiskolo Wiska’ is a sparkling gem in his scattered discography.

 

                                                               Wizkid

 

5 ) Wizkid- If a biopic of Wizkid’s music life comes out, the flick would most likely start with him as a young thin boy watching stars troop in and out of OJB’s famed Silver Point studios.

Years before Wizkid scored his first hit with DJ Klem in the Knight House studio; he was a studio rat in OJB’s studio.

Wizkid who was barely in his teens was itching to record songs with OJB as his producer. Most times OJB told him to wait and watch. Wizkid’s recalls that while he was sitting in the studio waiting for his turn he learnt a lot of valuable lessons watching the likes of 2Face and Rugged Man record. It is most likely that Wizkid never released any of his OJB produced songs but the experience he gained chilling in the studio must have helped him become the star boy he is today.

Peter, Paul and Jude Okoye donate N5million to OJB

P-Square and their elder brother Jude 'Engees' Okoye yesterday donated N5million to ace music producer OJB who needs N16million for a kidney transplant

Don Saint auctions Iyanya's cloth to raise money for OJB's medical treatment (Photos)

According to Don Saint "This was one of the clothes Iyanya wore every day through out his stay in the MTN Project Fame Academy 2008 and can be confirmed by MTN, I have kept it since December 2008 and now I'm putting it out for sale to raise money for OJB's medical treatment". 

Before the fame, Iyanya and Don Saint lived and worked together for over a year when Don Saint was working as a DJ in Pinnacle Nite Club (Mirage Hotel) Calabar in 2008 during his NYSC service year while Iyanya handles the karaoke back then.

Don Saint says "OJB was one of the reasons that I relocated to Lagos, I'm his Personnel Internet PR and we also had a lot of projects to work together , We started Naija Music Movement together, and he was the one that approved the Logo of Naija Music Movement and was also the first person to use it on his Black Berry DP, I spoke with him two days before my birthday party and he promised to be there at all cost and when he didn't pick my 11 missed calls on that day, then I knew things wasn't going well. The campaign #SaveOJBnow has been on for a while now and we are trying to raise money from any way we can"

Any interested buyer should 

Call: 08033239298 or 08056381068 or Email naijamusicmovement@yahoo.com

                                             Don Saint and OJB 3 months ago in OJB's house

"I have 8 to 10 weeks left to get the transplant done" OJB Jezreel says

OJB Jezreel gave an interview to Encomium magazine yesterday Monday June 24th where he said he has about eight weeks left to get his operation done. Excerpts...

"When early diagnosis was done, it was just a case of renal failure. Right now, my two kidneys are gone. We are running dialysis at the moment. It started two years ago, but gradually depreciated. Most people tend to attribute kidney problem to drinking and smoking. I was told it doesn't have anything to do with that, because as much as I drink and smoke then, it was casual drinking. Maybe they offer you a bottle of drink and all that but not like I drink 15 bottles a day. I have a friend who has gone through this and he never drank or smoked.

"The whole process of the treatment from pre-process, transplanting process and post-transplanting will cost about $100, 000. In two years I have spent up to N5million which I have been trying to maintain myself. That is why it has been kept secret."

"God willing, I have like eight to ten weeks more to get the transplant done. It's strange, I still walk around a little. I can't eat much though. I trust God and Nigerians for their financial support"

WHERE IS THE LOVE? 2FACE/WIZKID YET TO SHOW FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR #SAVEOJB

Producer/Singer OJB is currently sick after being diagnosed with kidney failure and needs funds for a transplant. Fortunately for him, he has found a donor. Industry mates and fans alike have been involved in the fund raising campaign, raising awareness and sending in goodwill messages.
But the major question is: Where is 2face? Where is Wizkid?

OJB was the major producer of 2face’s debut album ‘Grass to Grace’, most notably for the production of the smash hit “African Queen”. Still, as at the time of this report and according to the #SAVEOJB camp, 2face is yet to contribute to saving the producer. His camp also revealed that OJB collapsed in the studio while working on a recent 2Face project.

Wizkid honed his skill as a studio rat at OJB’s studio in Surulere. Only two weeks back, Wiz crashed his Porsche Panamera; a car that reportedly cost him 15million Naira.
Don Jazzy on the other hand, has shown financial support. Rather than showing face and going to see OJB, he simply sent in money, and members of his camp went public with the news as to the amount of money.

An artiste of the stature of someone like OJB shouldn’t even have to cry out before aid comes his way. At the end of the day, someone’s life is on the line here. It’s only human to render assistance; most especially when you are in the position to do so, regardless of your relationship with the person.

 

‘I came to Lagos with N3500 night bus’, M.I tells FESTAC Fans...

While performing at the kick off edition of the Star Trek Nigeria Rocks concert in FESTAC, Lagos, M.I got a bit emotional telling his humble story from grass to grace.

‘How many of you have hustled the way I have‘, he asked the crowd. Not getting a satisfactory response he interjected, ‘I came to Lagos with ABC Night bus’.

‘3,500 naira, that was what I paid, look at me now! I thank God and you guys for making me who I am today‘.

And something he repeated all through the concert even as he prepared to leave the stage. ‘Don’t give up on your dreams.  No  matter what. Don’t ever give up on your dreams!

Producer/singer OJB Jezreel needs N15m for kidney transplant...

One of Nigeria's best music producers and composers, Babatunde Okungbowa popularly known as OJB Jezreel is down with kidney failure and needs about N15million for a kidney transplant in India. A donor has been found, he just needs the money for the procedure.

He's been battling with this ailment for a while but only now reaching out to well meaning Nigerians to help him raise the money needed for the treatment.

For those who would like to help, please donate to his account:
Babatunde Okungbowa. UBA - 1015075120. Thanks

Vector at war with his record label, YSG. Arrested twice by his label

One of Nigeria's foremost rappers Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, popularly known as Vector Tha Viper is currently at war with his label, YSG Ent - recently discovered to be a division Young Shall Grow Motors company, led by Obiora Obianodo, (Pictured right) the first son of  Chief Vincent Obianodo, the MD of Young Shall Grow Motors Ltd.

The disagreement between Vector and his label started a few months back after the rapper complained about his progress-rate and the label's nonchalant attitude towards his career and simply suggested more professional hands be employed to help his career, which the label took as a threat, and when they refused to heed to his suggestions, Vector hired hands he was paying personally.

He has been with the label for over four years and never asked to leave, all he asked for according to his camp was more work and results. Things actually got worse after Vector took a self-sponsored vacation to the US and returned to his record boss' anger, claiming he went to the States to sign a record deal. Continue...

 
Weeks after, Vector received and invitation letter from the Commissioner of Police of Lagos state and was summoned to the Area-E command (Festac). On getting there, he was presented with a "breach of contract" petition, claiming that he has engaged external hands to work for him. His parents got involved (as his dad is a retired police officer), and it was settled amicably.

Feeling unsafe and threatened, Vector surrendered the car and apartment provided for him by the label and acquired a replacement for himself. Thinking this was over, Vector went about his daily life (as lawyers were already handling the case) till the 10th of June. He was to be shooting his scene of the Ghetto RMX video by Shank, at his childhood neighbourhood (Mcarthy Barracks, Obalende, Lagos), when men of the police force came to seize him and his personal manager (Michael Umoru) and took them all the way back to Festac, this time it was a proper arrest and they were detained from 3pm till 10pm when his lawyers came through.

According to sources close to Vector, he has been receiving series of personal threats from the label, and he hasn't felt so safe and really did not want to talk to the press about it.

Just yesterday, his twitter account(@vectorYSG) with over 100,000 followers suddenly disappeared, and has been confirmed to be deactivated by his label.

Vectors manager says a new twitter handle @VECTORTHAVIPER has been activated and is now his artistes official handle, alongside the launch of his official Website www.vectorthaviper.com. As at the time of compiling this report, efforts to reach his record label has been abortive.

Iyanya signs N60million endorsement deal with MTN ...

Kukere crooner and MTN Project Fame winner Iyanya today Tuesday June 18 singed a one year contract with telecoms giant, MTN, said to be worth N60 million. The N60m includes sign on fee, performances and appearances for a whole year.

Heard Wizkid signed close to N45million with MTN, while Davido signed close to N32 million.  Big congrats to them!!!

Hot New Music... Dre- sticks "5Star" [Download]

Dre-sticks raises the bar, as he Drops his brand new single #5star. The singer & music producer is now officially signed to "Beverly Records" This new music piece #5star reveals Dre-sticks is ready and here to stay in this industry. He has many other credits to himself, one is JJC skillz's "Milengbe" which he featured on and he also produced. Expect the #5star music video in a few weeks. Enjoy the music!

[Download Here]

Follow:
@dresticks09 @beverlyrecords1

Fricker – As In (Remix) ft K-Switch, Shank, General Pype, JJC [Download]

Fricker remixes “As In” with an Allstar line-up of dancehall powerhouses. The cast includes K-Switch, Shank, General Pype and JJC.

Fricker:: Street-Hop, Raggae, Dance hall extraordinaire. Currently signed to Isana Records, a label co-owned with JJC. 

The dread locked musician who has a diploma degree from University of Ilorin first gained major attention back in 2009 with his smashing single ‘Ijo’ featuring Lord of Ajasa which gave him a lot of recognition in the streets of Lagos followed by another wave making single titled ‘Kulujaja’.
Early in his career before releasing his ‘As In’ official single featuring JJC, Fricker amassed a large street following and had already performed on same stage with the likes of Wyclef Jean, Sound Sultan, D’Banj and Don Jazzy, Faze JJC, and many others.
Fricker grew up in Lagos, Gowon estate, Egbeda to be precise, as a young master of ceremony (MC) with the stage name, MC Fricker and he later went ahead to record his first ever single in 2002 inspired by his back up performance with Cole Man of Krazy Kulture of the ‘Jupa Jupa’ fame back then in Kuwait ( a popular hood in Gowon estate) where he grew up with likes of Bigiano, YQ, Seemo D Black Czar, Flex and Debrahkan, Komoblastic and many other wave making acts doing street hop.

1n 2012, Fricker rebranded from ‘MC Fricker’ to just ‘Fricker’ removing the acronym ‘MC’ with a new target of satisfying his local and international fans.

 Produced by Puffy Tee [Download] 

Rapper Sinzu (Saucekid) with daughter at her graduation

Sinzu shared this photo of him and his cute daughter on her graduation day. Lovely!!!

Don Jazzy gets the N248million Champagne from Alexander Amosu...

Don Jazzy shared the photo above on his instagram page and wrote - 'So I was honored with the 1st bottle to touch Nigeria. #Goûtdediamants cheers to the weekend'

Luxury designer, Alexander Amosu, recently created the world's most expensive champagne called Taste of Diamonds, valued at 1.2million pounds and Don Jazzy just got one as a gift.

The champagne 'Goût de Diamants’ is worth a whooping N248million chilled naira!
And its creator luxury designer Alexander Amosu gave Don Jazzy the honour of having the first ever bottle to touch Nigeria.

Listen to the official ‘Blame it on the money’ D’banj collabo ft. Big Sean, Snoop Lion

Listen to official version of ‘Blame it on the money‘ featuring G.O.O.D Music artiste Big Sean and Snoop Lion.

Download here

2CHAINZ ARRESTED AT AIRPORT FOR DRUG POSSESSION

Rapper 2Chainz was arrested at the LAX Airport yesterday for possession of drugs on board a flight.
According to TMZ, 2Chainz was on board an outbound flight waiting to take off when TSA officials discovered the drugs in his checked luggage. He was subsequently removed from the aircraft before it departed, and placed under arrest.

2Chainz has been booked on felony narcotics possession.  Law enforcement sources also revealed that “the rapper was in possession of Promethazine — one of the 2 main ingredients in sizzurp. He also had pot, but less than an ounce.” 

D’Adshas returns with “MONEY LOVE” Ft O’black

D’Adshas is a female music duo of two lovely sisters born and raised in Calabar, Deo Kiki and Shosho Kiki. After the release of their debut album Ima (Love) in 2008 which enjoyed massive airplay home and beyond, D’Adshas followed up with three (3) fantastic singles one of which is Tinkinikinik ft Dammy Krane others are Omo Naija and Temptation ft General Pype, 50/50(Give n Take).
The Afro Pop singers D’ Adshas return with another brand new single titled “MONEY LOVE” Ft O’black.

DJ Donak drops another hit "Sexy Girl"...

After a successful hit "Com & Roll.... DJ Donak is back on the music scene and this time he drops something mainly for the ladies "Sexy Girl" is a beautiful song done on the popular alingo beat by P Square.....This song is dedicated to all the sexy ladies in Africa.....Mixed and Mastered by Sonero....Download,Enjoy and Share.

Download Here

Audition dates for MTN Project Fame season 6...

Project Fame is a reality singing show that have churned out mega stars like Iyanya, Chidinma, iMike, Praiz, Ayoola, Kesse. Now in its sixth season, audition dates have been set. Peep the picture to get audition dates for your location. You could be the next star!

I am presently living in D’banj’s house and will soon move to DB Records – Durella

 Now its cleared, Durella hasn’t moved to DB Records contrary to earlier reports, but the King of Zanga said he’s planning to move soon.

Below is what he said:
“I am still signed to Iconic Music but there’s a quest to move to DB Records. I want to pitch my tent in the international scene, that’s why we gave DB Records some consideration. I think it’s a platform for international advancement. I want Sony Records to take over the management of my music career. I also want international distribution for my works. D’banj is my friend, I am presently living in his house. We have not signed an official contract, but very soon, it will come to pass”

Peter Okoye's baby mama Lola Omotayo talks about the challenges of dating a celebrity...

The mother of two tells PM News:

"Having a relationship with a musician is one of the most challenging situations to be in. There are things you have to deal with; a lot of women, intruders, fans. You have to appreciate and respect the fans, but you also have some of them who are thinking of other things. I think it’s one of the most challenging relationships one can have.

You won’t even spend much time with your partner because he’s on the road most of the time doing shows and concerts; even during holidays like Christmas, Easter and New Year, they are not around. So I’m not really enjoying that part. But I thank God that we are managing it very well"

On what attracted her to Peter Okoye...???

"Peter has drive. He has vision and pursues it. He doesn’t let anybody distract him from that vision and that I saw in him, which a lot of people didn’t see. Some people were like, ‘what are you doing with a musician? Are you crazy?’ but I saw something very different and unique about Peter.I saw the goals he set for himself and how he accomplished those goals step by step, and I was very impressed with that. I also saw that he wasn’t a selfish person.
 He was a generous person from the outset, even though he didn’t have much then, he was always generous. I like a man who is generous, not for the financial reason, but also to see how he can add value to other people’s lives; that is very important to me. He is also a good listener; he listens to people, listens to me…those are the things that attracted me to Peter. He’s an amazing guy"

Exclusive pics from Don Saint’s Birthday Party ( 2face, JJC, Muma Gee, DJ Zeez + more...)

Exclusive pics from Don Saint’s  Birthday party, held on Friday nite @ J’S Lounge featuring : 2face, JJC Skillz, DJ Zeez,  IllBliss,  Suspect,  Fricker, Tigana Editson, Hype Mc and many more... over 1,000 people came out to party with Don Saint till the Club can't handle it anymore!!!