Show Dem Camp, Tems, Ycee, Vector, Reekado Banks, BOJ, Ajebutter22 thrill fans at Palmwine Fest 2019
Shout-out to Show Dem Camp. The ladies definitely had a great time.
For Show Dem Cap, it’s been a run that continues to gather pace by the year. For the first six years of their run in the consciousness of Nigerian music, they were absolutely niche. They boasted a cult following and built a loyalty with accessibility and relatable content.
But starting in 2017, they found a way around that to break their glass ceiling. They began to make music for the heart with content dipped in ‘wash,’ (love songs), a heart of gold and the embodiment of Hip-Hop. Although totally rapping in English, they had the potential to appeal to regular Nigerians.
Led by the mercurial Spax, they found a sound that’s totally built on African folk music cut from the ‘chill and unwind fabric’ and termed it ‘palmwine music.’ Although they still remain very niche, they now have a sub-mainstream appeal and following. The people who love Show Dem Camp don’t just love them, they live that love and cherish the opportunity of seeing them.
Sometime in 2018, Tec and Ghost came to Pulse Nigeria for an interview to promote Palmwine Music II. As they were in the studio, certain ladies pointed fingers as they passed by the studio that had a transparent glass barricade. On their way out, an employee of Ringier Nigeria who was at the rooftop scream the lines, “It’s up to you, I’m so ready…”
She was smiling and was engrossed in her act as she clutched her chest and smile. At the end, she waved and asked if a Palmwine Fest would be held in December 2018. The event held and by 2019, the fan base continues to grow.
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Source: pulse.com
Tribute concert for Fela’s drummer, Tony Allen
CEO of Inspiro Productions, Mr. Ayoola Sadare (left) and Afrobeat legend, Tony Allen… in Paris, France
• As Inspiro+Zome Naijazz-Afrobeat Tribute Concert Hold In Lagos
Ace Afrobeat drummer and former member of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s band, Tony Allen, will be honoured today, as Inspiro Productions, Zome International and Metroventures hold a tribute concert at the upscale Reserve Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Chief Executive Officer, Inspiro Productions and founder/organiser of Lagos International Jazz Festival, Mr. Ayoola Sadare, said, “Tony Allen is our very own living legend worthy of celebration and once the opportunity came for us to do so, we jumped at it. His impact on Afrobeat, Jazz and World music is undeniable. In Europe and on the global music scene, he is still very active, highly recognized, well sought-after, and respected for his contributions to music generally.
“As he turns 80 next year, we want to be one of the first to wish him a happy birthday in advance here in Nigeria with this event, as we know many other things are being planned to celebrate him around the world. Allen is a worthy cultural ambassador of Nigerian-African music and we are extremely proud of him and honoured to be able to celebrate him, too. This tribute also comes as recognition of the impact the musical creation he was part of birthing, Afrobeat, is making waves globally and the many fusions it has created and interest it continues to generate. Afrobeat has given Nigerian music an identity that has moved it from the general world music category to being in a genre of its own like reggae and others. Allen, playing and collaborating alongside Fela Kuti, ensured and shaped the genre of music. We use this concert to recognise that strong contribution.”
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Source: guardian.ng
A year of controversies: Four contentious instances of the literary world
From authors that were awarded for their writing, to books that were criticised for their stories, the year 2019 has been quite controversial in the literary world. Prestigious literary awards were scrutinised, authors were condemned for their writing and books were criticised for their titles…
Controversy: Man Booker Prize award criticised for being shared
Books: The Testaments & Girl, Woman, Other
Authors: Margaret Atwood & Bernardine Evaristo
This year’s Man Booker Prize award was shared between two female authors – Margaret Atwood for The Testaments and Bernardine Evaristo for Girl, Woman, Other. The former is a follow-up to Atwood’s iconic dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale, while the latter is told from the perspective of 12 different characters, many of whom are black British women. This decision by the committee was considered controversial, with many criticising the fact that Evaristo, the first black woman to receive the Booker, had to share the honour. According to the rules of this award, the prize “may not be divided or withheld.” Critics suggest that the decision to award the Booker to two authors detracts from the historic nature of Evaristo’s win.
Controversy: Blood Heir attacked for depiction of slavery
Books: Blood Heir
Author: Amélie Wen Zhao
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Author Amélie Wen Zhao faced gruesome backlash for the depiction of race and slavery in her young adult fiction Blood Heir. While it received some positive early reviews, several readers on Goodreads and Twitter called the author out for her ‘anti-blackness and blatant bigotry’ as described by a particular reader on Goodreads. The book was slated for a June release, however reacting to the negative feedback, Zhao requested her publishers, Delacorte Press, not to release the book “at this time”. Finally, in November 2019 the book hit the shelves.
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Source: freepressjournal.in
Scandals, breakthroughs, deaths that rocked 2019
This year was expected to be a big one for many celebrities in the entertainment industry, with some already recording huge successes and others showing signs of things to come. SEGUN ADEBAYO and KOLA MUHAMMED chronicle some of the events that shaped the entertainment industry this year.
From the look of things, the entertainment industry appeared to have emerged as one of the industries that have continued to lift the image of the country. Despite the myriad of challenges confronting the nation, many people have said that the industry’s growth and expansion would not have been possible if some of the practitioners had not taken the bull by the horns.
From music to movies, the dominance of Nigerian contents could be felt within and beyond the African continent.
In terms of achievements, many entertainers performed beyond expectations, blitzing landmarks and setting their own records, but some fell below the bar while others are already anticipating an eventfully better year.
In a year which featured celebrity marriages, Grammy nominations, international collaborations, sold-out foreign concerts, mouth-watering endorsements, box-office records, disqualifications, full-blown ‘Star Wars’ and even EFCC arrests, entertainment lovers had quite the fill with unusual news almost on a daily basis and countless memorable moments.
Music
The music industry in particular had another packed year with numerous headlines and unforgettable moments. Quite a number of artistes could call 2019 their breakout year, some built on the successes of previous years to up their game while some others simply drifted along with time. With many already referring to the year as heading towards the end of a decade, some established acts saw 2019 as the perfect year for consolidation.
The Breakouts
When Cobhams sang “give me one hit song Lord, let me blow like Olamide…”, it was an apt reflection of the prayers of many up-and-coming artistes in the industry and in 2019, the prayers of some were answered.
Teni
Teniola Apata, who is simply called Teni, released UyoMeyo very latein 2018 but the song did very well into 2019 alongside Case, catapulting her into prominence, setting the pace for what has been a fantastic year for the Lagos-born musician. She followed up on her Headies’ Rookie of the Year award in 2018 to win no less than four awards in 2019, among other recognitions. With an EP to her credit, 2019 has no doubt been Teni’s year.
Zlatan Ibile
Once you hear the trademark kapachumarimarichupaku¸ you need not ask who the singer is. Zlatan ruled the year. From music to banters, he was all over the scene. The 25-year-old rapper became a hot cake and everybody wanted to feature him. In the words of KingP, a fast-rising musician and CEO, “Zlatan is one of the hottest acts right now and having him on your song also means that you get the much-needed street swag.” Not even EFCC could stop his meteoric rise to fame and it was a crowning moment bagging three awards at AFRIMMA.
Naira Marley
The leader of the Marlian movement, Afeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, can lay claim to having ruled the streets in 2019 with his street-hop lyrics, with many believing that his rise was inversely proportional to Small Doctor’s decline. From Soapy, Opotoyi, O Por to Ma fo, he had the Midas’ voice which became gold in the ears of listeners. Despite allegations of cybercrimes and EFCC entanglement, the 25-year-old musician rose to become a cult hero and can lay claim to being one of the winners of 2019.
Joeboy
Two singles, and 2019 became an entirely different year for Joeboy. He went from an industry nobody to a stellar act that has become a mainstay on majority of playlists in the country, as he dropped consecutively Baby and Beginning. With the dream 2019 has been, he is one act who looks set to continue his great form into the coming year.
Fireboy DML
When Olamide announced the signing of Fireboy DML alongside Picazo and Yomi Blaze in barely two days into his record label, YBNL, speculations were rife whether he would cope with the burden of expectations that has characterised a record label which had produced stars such as Lil Kesh and Adekunle Gold. If this year were to be a yardstick, he certainly crushed the obstacles in his path. If “What if I say” still left some room for doubt about the 23-year-old rookie, “Jealous” obliterated whatever skepticism that was still directed towards him. But he didn’t stop there. He took his success a notch higher by releasing his first album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps.
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