What song

What’s good my people.  Yes I disappeared again, I swear it wasn’t my fault. I cannot categorically tell you why I’ve been missing but my oga at the top will clarify *points to the sky*. Yes I know that joke has lost its steam, but even till this day when I see the video I still burst into laughter. 

Ok enough about that let’s talk about today’s post. This post is going to be totally different from all my previous posts. There won’t be one piece of artwork in it…..
I hope you aren’t disappointed….

There are going to be Three!

But to make this post complete I will need you.  *YES YOU! *

below are 3 images that represent either the title or a line from a popular Nigerian song.

Put in your answers in the comments section and you could win a prize!

It’s good to be back and I wish you all a fantastic week ahead.

jaGO!

In the last 18 months we have seen break up after break up in the music industry. First it was Knighthouse and Mo’ Cheddah, then D’banj and Don jazzy, May-D and P-Square, Davido & Asa Asika, Wizkid and Banky W and now Jesse Jagz and the Choc Boys (please pardon me if I mixed up the order of events). Like really who is next??? BlackMagic & Icon? (Tufiakwa! *spits on ground*)

Why all this conflict? Have these individuals been suffering in silence prior to this and finally couldn’t take it anymore?
Jesse Jagz’ case for me is so alarming because he and his brother MI have worked together as a team for so long. I guess a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.
It’s possible there might be some bad blood (this is speculation based on certain events that occurred). In 2009 Jesse dropped his 1st album JAG OF ALL TRADES (the one with a Terminator type effect applied to Jesse’s face. The person who designed D’banj’s Entertainer album cover should go and check it out and see how good work is done) to this day I listen to it and think it is a very fresh album but there was no big hit from it. There were a number of honourable mentions like the tracks Sugar cane baby, Nobody test me, Jago, Intoxicated ft Wizkid & Soul E, Wetin dey . Truth be told, the album was not pushed very well and didn’t get the publicity it deserved. Besides that the mixing and post production on some of the songs was really poor. I don’t know for sure but those things might have made Jesse feel side lined.

The thing that makes me wonder now is how is he going to cope after Choc Boys? Hi current song “Murder them” is getting good air play both on radio and on TV but is it strong enough to jump start a solo career? (In the song he subbed Mo Cheddah, at the time she was still with Knighthouse and the rapper Phenom replied with his own version, y’all should check it out).

Of the two brothers I actually prefer Jesse’s music production but the truth is MI is a better rapper and people person. I have heard of a number of cases where Jesse pissed some people off and MI had to handle damage control, now that he is no longer under his big brother’s wings there are some things he will not get away with.
All in all I wish him all the best in his career and hope he has made a wise decision that will drive him far away from the music career graveyard (Eedris Abdulkareem anyone?)

Have a Gold

The truth is I never paid much attention to Goldie but she kept finding her way into my life through pop culture references. Despite this hearing about her death was a shock and very saddening. She seemed to be on the rise and was just beginning to reap the fruits of her labour.

In honour of her please find below this poem written by The Poetic Nerve:

 

 

Have a gold,
Was what the industry was offered,
Accepted not,
In raw form it was,
Later they appreciated the privilege,
Brushing the gold till she shined,
Criticisms made her better,
Opinions fading,
As it didn’t really matter,
Forward she went,
Even with draggers behind her,
Her smile so colourful,
Painting other faces and making it glow,
Pleasant and soft she was,
Yet braver than the jungle king,
Off the cliff she fell,
Just when the peak was near,
The heavens have a gold,
In harvey gold.,
Our goldie.

Adieu Goldie

 

Nerve also known as poetic nerve,is a columnist,poet,publicist,poetry blogger,artist manager,OAP,Diplomat by degree.

He writes for Alariwo,an online group of writers,He’s said to be an excellent writer,you can draw your opinion by visitingwww.poeticnerve.wordpress.com or www.alariwo.org

Hard Times for EMEazy?

First and foremost I want to wish you a prosperous 2013 and my apologies for the break. I’ve had alot on my plate and needed some time off to reassess some things in my life.

I’m glad to inform you that your boy is back!!!!!

B-)

For those who don’t know there have been rumours that Wizkid (aka Star boy Weezy) has left his record label Empire Mates Entertainment (EME). The label who is represented publicly by Banky W has not issued any reply to confirm or debunk this piece of gist. All we can do is wait and watch and for those of you with lives forget it ever happen.

I would like to put forward a theory concerning the conflict.

I am going to say that it was eventually going to happen!!!

Ask me why?
*waits for response*

I put it to you that since Banky W is an ambassador for Coca-cola and Wizkid is one for Pepsi there is no way that the bad blood between the 2 brands would not flow into their relationship!

I’m Just kidding….no Efa…

Seriously though its interesting how two members of TeamEME represented 2 brands that have had the biggest rivalry in history of modern marketing and now those 2 members are in conflict. Personally I think its a conflict of interest and if it was the USA, EME would not have gotten both deals from Coke and Pepsi.

Let’s take a quick look at the beef (no burger….my punchlines are too hard!!! ) between Coke and Pepsi.

Coca-Cola was born in 1886 (about the same time Arsene Wenger started coaching Arsenal ) and was ranked as the most valuable brand of 2012 (for more info check HERE) Coke was initially marketed as medication and was said to cure headaches and impotence (LMHOOOO). Today its marketed solely as a soft drink and is sold in every country in the world except Cuba and North Korea.

Pepsi, very much like Wizkid, is the younger brand and was born in 1893 under the name Brad’s drink but was renamed to Pepsi-cola in 1898 and finally Pepsi in 1961. And very much like Wizkid its likely there would have been little opportunity for Pepsi to shine if Coke had not created the market. On 3 different occasions Coca-cola had the chance to buy Pepsi but declined, little did they know the company would come back and bite them where the sun doesn’t shine. The Pepsi brand is known for celebrity endorsements and has used people such as Michael Jackson, MC hammer, Spice girls, Snoop dog (or is it Lion..) and most recently iyawo Baba Blue… Beyonce (did you guys see the super bowl half time show?).

The conflict between the two brands has raged over the years but one of the most memorable points of the conflict was called the PEPSI CHALLENGE.

It was very simple: they blindfolded people and had them taste coke and pepsi and asked them which one tasted better.

Guess which brand won?

We know for a fact that these two brands will never make peace let’s just hope this is not the case for the 2 members of EME.

So who do you think will come out better if they part ways Banky W or Wizkid?

Identify Ur $€LLING POINT

*If you don’t understand the above image, please check HERE*

Frenzy

[fren-zee]

-n

extreme mental agitation; wild excitement or derangement

Today is the day. The first Solo album from Mavin Records has dropped: Frenzy by D’Prince.

A lot is riding on this because since “The Entertainer” and “The Don” parted ways things have not been the same. D’banj released his less than stellar “Oyato” and the Mavins dropped the soon to be forgotten “Solar Plexus“.

But last week we saw a return to form as 3 singles were dropped off of Frenzy:
Goody bag
Call police and
Real G.

IDJA went all out on Goody bag reminding us of the “Endowed” days…

That song is a JAM and a half

*now playing goody bag* But really what is the GOODY BAG? .

We all know that D’prince’s lyric’s are weaker than a Nigerian Politicians conscience, but you have to give it to the guy. Amongst all the “jibberish” there is a gem or two.

For example in Wizkid’s Wadup:

If you wan know me whudup/ If you no kno me shut up/

and who can forget his classic line on the Mohits all stars TenTen:

hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmmm!

#Classic!

And now he has come with another one!

What’s your selling point/ Do you know your selling point/ Gats to know your selling point/ Identify your selling point!/

It might sound like another platitude but it is deeply profound, take a moment now and stop and ask yourself:

WHAT IS MY SELLING POINT?

In other words what do you have that adds enough value to people that they would gladly pay you money for it. Clearly D’Prince has found his own, now it’s your turn to find yours. 

I’m curious to know how many sales will be made in his first week.

Let’s look at the greatest first week sales of all time

1. No Strings Attached / ‘N Sync ~ 2,415,859 albums (April 1, 2000)
2. Celebrity / ‘N Sync ~ 1,879,955 albums (August 4, 2001)
3. The Marshall Mathers LP / Eminem ~ 1,760,049 albums (June 3, 2000)
4. Black & Blue / Backstreet Boys ~ 1,591,191 albums (December 2, 2000)
5. The Eminem Show / Eminem ~ 1,321,799 albums (June 8, 2002)
6. Oops!… I Did It Again / Britney Spears ~ 1,319,193 albums (May 27, 2000)
7. 1 / The Beatles ~ 1,258,667 albums (December 30, 2000)
8. Red / Taylor Swift ~ 1,209,817albums (October 29, 2012)
9. The Massacre / 50 Cent ~ 1,140,638 albums (March 12, 2005)
10. Millennium / Backstreet Boys ~ 1,133,505 albums (May 29, 1999)

Omo Oba abeg try join them ooooo!!!!

So who in the Mavin’s do you think should drop the next album?

The dirge by Tonto Dike

With heavy heart I wish to remind the general public of the passing of our friend and work colleague:

AUTOTUNE

He had been responsible for the successful careers of T-pain and Akon amongst many other artistes. In 2009 he was thought to have been killed by Jay-z but had secretly been hiding in Nigeria. He had been spotted in the EME studios in the company of Wizkid not to mention MI Abaga and Naeto C. It is rumoured that he is the reason that Akon had been visiting Nigeria so often

He was alive and well up until last week when he came in touch with the Nollywood “actress” Tonto Dike. She decided to delve into music and worked with him. In his career he has been able to talentless singers the semblance of a voice. But Ms. Dike defied all his abilities and promptly put him to death.

We would like to sympathize with his family and friends and hope that God will help them through their loss…

RIP AUTOTUNE

I’m sure Tonto was inspired by her fellow Nolly people such as Omotola and Genevive who in turn were probably inspired by their hollywood counter parts. Let me mention a few.

Jennifer Lopez
“Jenny from the block” was primarily known as an actress until 1999 when she released her debut album On the 6 which had hits like If you had my love and Waiting for tonight.

To date she has sold over 70 million records and still calls over $10 million per movie role. If only she could be this successful in her choice of men…

On to the next one!

Bruce Willis
No I didn’t make a mistake, the tough as nails Die hard star launched an album in 1987 titled The Return of Bruno. His music was greeted with very moderate success after which he returned to movies.

Eddie Murphy
In 1985 the comedian released his first musical album titled How could it be and had one noticeable track Party all the time.The rest of the album can be described in one word:

bleh!

Time will prevent me from mentioning the other like Jackie Chan, Nick Cannon, Lindsay Lohan and the plethora of failed transitions to pop music stardom.

Actually there was a time in hollywood when you couldn’t get a gig unless you could act and sing. How the times have changed.

So till Nigerian Politicians decide to release music albums I remain yours truly.

Laji D’wayem.

P.S. – What do you think should be the penalty for Nigerian songs that are rubbish?

Oppa Naija Style

I have a confession… ( *in D’banj voice* don’t take it personal ). I have carried last again, in a big way. But the good thing about it is that some of you who are reading this post will collect the “baton” of last from me . Feel free to pass it on!

I recently discovered a 34 year old South Korean who has more influence (right now) in cyberspace than our president (yes I said it, he is OUR president) his wife, Sanusi, Ini Edo, Mercy Johnson and Linda Ikeji all combined together!

Who is this man?

Stay tuned for my next post!!!

(Just kidding! )

He is a Korean musician named Park Jae-sang (with a name like “sang” he must hav been destined to sing ) but goes by the stage name Psy (pronounced “sigh”) and took the online world by storm. He also shares something with Nigeria, His twin children are born on the 1st of October.

On July 15th, 2012 he released the video for his song Gangnam Style and to date it has more than 325 million views on Youtube and has entered the Guinness book of records as the most liked video on Youtube. He has been signed by Justin Beiber’s Manager (Scooter Braun) and is basking in the euphoria of his success as he has been featured on The Ellen Degeneres show, Ryan Seacrest’s radio programme among a host of other places.

The most prominent thing about the video is the dance step which is extreemely interesting to watch.

If you are viewing this from a mobile device you can watch the video

HERE

On a desktop?
Check it out HERE

Yesterday being the celebration of Independence I’m sure a number of us went to parties to go and show off our dance moves. I’m sure you were feeling like a badt guy doing your azonto and kukere moves for the chicks not knowing that you were not globally dance compliant (SMH4U in Korean).

Better go and learn how to GANGNAM STYLE!!! Or you will be a weist!!!

So I’m sure you are wondering how this guy became an “over night success”? Well this “over night success” took 12 years in the making.

Psy had been hustling in the Korean music for a while with modest to fairly good results. Despite this he kept honing his craft and pushing out his music (this single is from his 6th album). When he released this current video T-pain stumbled upon it and tweeted

“Words cannot even describe how amazing this video is”

Then other celebrities like Katy Perry, Tom Cruise and Britney Spears went on to share it with their fans and the rest they say is history.

When asked if he saw all of this coming, Psy said that when he was making his video it was just for Koreans. He never ever expected it to go viral.

I think this is a very encouraging message for Nigeria as a nation. You and I might think that we are too insignificant to make a change in this country, that none of our actions will have a widespread effect on the country. But I don’t think that is our job, I think our job is to make the difference in our circles of influence and who knows one of our pockets of “good” could go viral.

So with that my prayer for the dudes is:

“may your girlfriend never know how cheap you really are”

and for the ladies:

“may your dream man never see you without make up until he has put a ring on it”.

Please, Please and please let me know what you think about the Gangnam style! Drop a comment.