FELA IN LAGOS

 

TONY^® AWARD WINNING SENSATION

FELA!

MAKES HISTORIC ARRIVAL IN LAGOS, NIGERIA APRIL 20-25, 2011

The hit Broadway musical about the life and music of Nigerian performer and political activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is scheduled to be performed in his home town of Lagos, Nigeria making it the first 
 Broadway show to be performed in Sub-Saharan Africa.


FELA!, the landmark Broadway musical, which won three Tony Awards (Broadway’s highest honor) including Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones), is coming to Lagos from April 20^th to 25^th.  It will be performed at the prestigious Eko Hotel’s New Expo Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. This critically lauded musical will star its original Broadway cast with Sahr Ngaujah reprising his Tony-nominated role of Fela Kuti with music provided by the internationally renowned Antibalas as well as other members of the New York City Afro-beat community.
Concurrently with the Broadway production, FELA! opened and triumphed at London’s Royal National Theater for a three-month sold-out run.  That production was nominated for three Olivier Awards, London theatre’s highest honor, including Best Musical, Best Actor (Sahr Ngaujah) and Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones). This Nigerian engagement will be the first since the closing of the Broadway and London productions and the NTLive performance which was broadcast to in 370 cinemas worldwide.
The aim of FELA! in Lagos is to unite and connect Africans in spirit and unity, to serve as a catalyst for cultural revival in Nigeria, and to celebrate Fela Kuti, for the contribution he has made to Nigeria and the world. FELA! depicts the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afro beat rhythms ignited the spirit of empowerment and cultural awareness in a generation.  It is a tale of courage, passion and love featuring Kuti’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award winner, Bill T. Jones. FELA! in Lagos is being produced by a Nigerian production company, Broken Shackles in conjunction with Lagos State Government.

Upon its Broadway opening Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote, “There should be dancing in the streets.  The hot (and seriously cool) energy that comes from the musical gospel preached by the title character of Fela! feels as if it could stretch easily to the borders of Manhattan and then across a river or two.  There has never been anything on Broadway like this production.”  The New York Post’s Elisabeth Vincentelli cheered, “There’s enough energy to short circuit Con Ed.”  David Cote of Time Out New York, in giving it 5 stars (out of 5) raved, “Fela! is more than a musical; it’s an ecstatic phenomenon.”  And Jennifer Farrar from the Associated Press exclaimed, “An exuberant celebration!”
The English critics were equally effusive after the London premiere of FELA! One critic, Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail, summed up the critical sentiment with his review saying FELA! is a “groundbreaking show that shook Broadway and London’s Royal National Theatre to the rafters. Getting Brits to get on their feet and ‘get loose’ as Bill T. Jones puts it, was a rare feat.  FELA! pulled it off by sheer exuberance and theatrical showmanship. At the same time, FELA! explored the soul of an artist and the darkness of a government that tried to block what Fela’s beam exposed.”
In addition to rave reviews from critics, FELA! has also won numerous awards and received standing ovations from such personalities as Mick Jagger, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Spike Lee, Ben Okri, Janet Jackson, Denzel Washington, Professor Wole Soyinka, Robert De Niro, and Hugh Jackman.  First lady Michelle Obama, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and President Obama’s Head of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano are but three of the dignitaries who have embraced this show.
Bill T. Jones, director and choreographer of FELA!, was recently honored with the prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts award along with Sir Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey. The Kennedy Center Honors are awarded annually for exemplary lifetime achievement in the performing arts. FELA! also won two Astaire Awards for its cast and choreography.
FELA! on Broadway was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel. Its producers include the entertainment legends Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith.
A spokeswoman for Broken Shackles suggests that “with a series of media partners and sponsorships, FELA! in Lagos will be the most talked about show in Nigeria for years to come. We have created sponsorship, branding and advertising opportunities for those who wish to be a part of this historic theatrical event.”
For sponsorship, advertising and brand affiliation opportunities, please email sponsorship@felainlagos.com
For more information on FELA! please visit http://www.felainlagos.com
For all press and public relations matters please email pr@felainlagos.com
For more information on ticketing and group sales please email tickets@felainlagos.com

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/felainlagos

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/FELA-in-Lagos/168784349834737

source: www.notjustok.com

TANGO hit cinema in April

Tango With Me is one of the most anticipated movies of 2011, brought to you by Brickwall Communications and will be released this April in cinemas across Nigeria. The movie talks about love and betrayal and a young couple’s experience dealing with this in their marriage.

Check out the new Tango With Me trailer after the cut...

Toni Payne Discusses Details Of How Her Marriage To 9ice Fell Over.

 Its such a *sad story of deceit and convertiousness, I fee this is just one side of the story, but this is Toni Payne's interview on how her marriage to 9ice fell Over.
Enjoy-

Abuja Lover Delivers Set of twins For 9ice

                                                          9ICE(BABA-IBEJI)

It has just being confirmed that 9ice and his Abuja based partner has given birth to a SET OF TWINS – a boy and a girl!

                                                     BUKKY(9ice's Abuja based partner)

Although the pair would prefer to keep it hush hush, we can reliably tell you that they are taking their relationship a step further with the arrival, early last week, of their first babies together.
Sources close to 9ice tell us the singer -who’s separated from his wife Toni Payne – has been a regular visitor to Abuja, since Bukky – a fair-complexioned older woman – took in last year.
The relationship has never been public, even though those close to the singer are well aware they’re seriously dating.

                                             9ICE AND TONY PAYNE(on their wedding day.)

We cannot tell for now, if the pair is planning to get married; especially as 9ice and Payne are still legally married.


note: source www.thenetng.com

old skool tuesday 'AYINLA OMO WURA' for your listening and download.

Going back memory lane to bring you this EVERGREEN song by AYINLA OMOWURA, feel it and let us know if you actually enjoy it.

AYINLA by black pride entertainment

C D JOHN is dead

Less than a week that we lost one of nigerian guru in entertainment  ISHOLA DUROJAYE aka ALASARI, another fast rising comedian, CD John, real name John Chijioke, is dead three days before his birthday. The comedian who came into limelight late last year from telling church jokes, died in the morning of Thursday March 24, 2011 some hours after being involved in an auto crash.

The Abia State born comedian was reportedly returning from anchoring a late night event that was held at Tribeca, Victoria Island when he had the accident. He was immediately rushed to St. Nicholas hospital where he eventually gave up the ghost.

Colleagues and associates have taken to the social media to express tribute to the comedian. Soundcity Music Video Awards winning singer tweeted "Just last Sunday, we laughed as he ‘yabbed' me backstage for not featuring him on my upcoming album and I told him I'll still do that. RIP CDJohn".

Sound Sultan and rapper MI also tweeted "heard about the passing away of the comedian CD John. This is really sad cause he was just starting, R.I.P CD John" and "CD John passed away???? Ahhhhh!!!! Why why why why why why!!!! Horrible horrible news!!!" respectively.

one of his many stage performance while he was alive..........Good night CD JOHN.

ALASARI a movie guru is dead

It is Another sad day for nollywood as popular Producer cum Actor Ishola Durojaiye Ahmed 'Alasari' died early sunday (20th of march) morning following injuries sustained in a fatal car Accident.

The actor had a car accident on his way to abeokuta from lagos, to promote his new movie “omo night club”.
The abeokuta based actor was rushed to federal medical centre at idi-aba in abeokuta after the car accident but unfortunately gave up the ghost..RIP ishola durojaiye........

 more story to come on the incident.

New Music: 9ice Ft Kwam 1 – Health Is Wealth

GHETTO DREAMZ (THE DAGRIN STORY) -Official Movie Trailer

I think this people really means business, just press play and pass your comments.

'OGOGO' TURNS A MUSICIAN.

Taiwo Hassan a.k.a. Ogogo Those who think the famous Yoruba star actor, Taiwo Hassan, also known as Ogogo, knows no other thing than giving life to different characters in movie scripts, may now have cause to change their minds. Ogogo, aka Mr Teacher, is also blessed when it comes to chanting.


Surprisingly, the gifted movie hunk made his debut in the music scene with the release of audio-visuals of his much talked about album. Though, the acclaimed "Ebony Alhaji" may not be seen as a good singer by critics, how on earth he got the vocal cord to drop his lines in the 50-minutes album titled "Appreciation" is a puzzle which will take a long time to unravel. Apart from displaying his chanting wit, Ogogo’s lyrical prowess is also felt in his 4-track album, which was wrapped in Yoruba popular chanting known as "Ewi" and spiced up with other songs that would definitely make top Fuji music stars go green with envy.
The album marketed by FJ Digital Studio and which has tracks like "Appreciation(Idupe), Ori, Bi Dudu Loluwa and Kogbodo Baje" hit the music shelves penultimate week.

OLAMIDE DROPS ALBUM SOOOON

These days, when you hear someone say Eni Duro, you automatically think of Olamide, Coded Tunes newest and freshest Alternative Rapper. It’s not news that the popularity of his hit single Eni Duro has spread like wildfire and it’s also not news that he is lyrically
tight.



Olamide, who is one of the hottest acts now, will be releasing his much anticipated first album titled "Rap-So-Di" on March 21, 2011. The double meaning album title gives an insight to what to expect from the suber talented rapper. Rap-So-di simple tells you this album not conventional yet it’s quite poetic. 15 hot tracks as well as a bonus track dedicated to a friend and colleague the late Dagrin, promises
not to have you skip single track.


The album covers topics like his life, praising God, hustling on the streets, love, and more. Tracks like his street popular street anthem Eni Duro exhibits Olamide's
lyrical prowess, Legendary Hustlers featuring 9ice is an inspirational song about getting to the top, Lift him high is a praise song dedicated to the most high reminding us to always give him praise,Gapa is a playful love song about a girl that makes him proud to call her his. These and many more inspirational, lyrically on point tracks make this album one to look out for.

Rap-So-Di will be marketed by Nigeria’s foremost music distributor Uba Pacific and will also be available worldwide on iTunes, Amazon and other online retailers. Olamide is currently managed by Toni Payne concepts and signed to Coded Tunes Records. He has a video "Eni Duro" on air and is planning to shoot many more before the end of this year

official trailer for RETURN OF JENIFA.

GHETTO DREAMS, A Movie About "DA-GRIN" Coming soon to your door step

On Friday, February 11, 2011 young and upcoming actors came out in the hundreds to be part of the cast of
‘GHETTO DREAMZ’, the upcoming Dagrin movie about the life and times of Olaitan Oladapo Olaonipekun, the late rapper known as Dagrin.
As reported earlier, ‘GHETTO DREAMZ‘, will historically narrate the life and times of Dagrin; his early years as an upcoming artiste, his rise to fame and the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.
The fans who didn’t mind standing out in the scorching sun at the auditions, waited for each of their turns to prove they had what it takes to be featured in the biopic which will be directed by Daniel Ademinokan.

After rounds of presentations, the producers of the movie, Stingomania Entertainment revealed the eventual actors who were judged as the best acts based on the similarities of the roles they were to play.
Upcoming act, Trybson Dudukoko who happens to be signed to Stingomania Records is expected to play the lead role as Dagrin while AMAA and ZAFAA awards winner Doris Simeon will play the supporting role as his girlfriend.
The movie will also feature veteran actors like Kayode Odumosu popularly known as Pa Kasunmu and Rachael Oniga who will play the roles of Dagrin’s parents.
Others in the line-up include Chelsea Ese who will feature as a reporter in the movie among other acts who would be making their debut appearances in the Nollywood movie.
The biopic is expected to hit the cinemas in April 2011 as part of the 1^st anniversary memorial project in honour of the late rapper as shooting of the movie has officially commenced.





Dagrin who had just started to rip the fruits of his labour lost his life in a ghastly motor accident on Thursday
April 22, 2010. His death sent shudders down the spines of music lovers and everyone in general.

source: www.thenetng.com

Pasuma In Search Of The Next Fuji Star

In a quest for discovering new talents in Fuji music, popular musician and Fuji star Wasiu Alabi better known as Pasuma has started a new reality TV show titled ‘Ohun’.
Auditions for the show which will take place in June, will be held in four cities; Ikeja, Ibadan, Akure and Ilorin. After auditions, the grand finale will then be held in August.

‘’Ohun’ was initiated by management company AO21 Media in November 2008 but for one reason or the other we could not kick off till now. There are quite a lot of music talent shows but all seem focused on Hip hop, Pop and RNB and no one is paying attention to Fuji music. Fuji music is the most popular indigenous music in Nigeria but what happens when my generation stops singing? There are quite a lot talented young men out there who want to sing Fuji music but since no one is encouraging them, their talent is just wasting away. Over the years I have wondered if someone will ever think of doing a Fuji talent show. Rather than wait, I have taken up the responsibility to contribute my own quota to the growth of Fuji music. I am optimistic ‘Ohun’ will open doors for more Fuji talent shows and the more credible shows like ours the better it is for the industry’, Pasuma expressed.
‘Ohun’ a Yoruba word when translated to English Language means ‘Voice’, but the Fuji star explained that it meant more than that going on to include sound, melody, beat and rhythm were also induced in its meaning.

source: www.thenetng.com

“Help, My Sister is Dying of Cancer!” – Actress Ronke Oshodi Oke Pleads

Popular Yoruba movie actress, Ronke Ojo better known as Ronke Oshodi Oke has found herself in a bit of dilemma.
The problem has to do with her adopted sister, Oluwabunmi Esther Akinleye who has been battling with cancer of the bone for the last three years.
The ailment which started as a ‘complain of a sharp pain’ in her shoulder joint was treated accordingly as she underwent surgery and was discharged days later. But upon close examination at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, she was diagnosed to have bone cancer.
Having spent two million Naira already in an effort to save the life of her sister, the condition has worsened and now, Oluwabunmi needs to fly to India for another surgery. This  surgery which will cost seven million Naira will cover her plane ticket, treatment and the need of a relation to accompany her.
‘She is my sister and I will do almost anything for her but the truth is I don’t have the seven million Naira required. We need help from all well meaning Nigerians. She is young and promising. At 29, we don’t want her to die’, says a tearful Ronke.

source: osagie alonge, www.thenetng.com

HOW FUNKE ''JENIFA'' AKINDELE GOT ROBBED AT OMO GHETTO'S LOCATION.

Actress Funke Akindele was in the early hours of Monday, February 7 2011 robbed by a gang of armed robbers who invaded an Ebute Metta located hotel where she was lodged.
According to sources Ms Akindele was lodged at the Imperial Hotel with some members of her family owing to the ongoing filming of her newly-abuzz movie ‘Omo Ghetto’ part 2 – the location which was not far from the Lagos street hotel.
NET investigations revealed that the robbers who shot into the air several times first raided a 2-storey building next to Imperial before retiring at the hotel as they gained entrance after successfully cutting off the electric barb-wires that surrounded the building.
‘As they came in, they started asking of Funke Akindele but our staff repeatedly told them she wasn’t in the hotel. They then broke into the rooms and robbed other customers of their phones, money (both naira and dollars) before they eventually found Funke’, one of the hotel’s authority who pleaded anonymity tells NET.
The Glo ambassador who had just concluded shooting ‘The Return of Jenifa’ lost her phones and a substantial amount of money to the hoodlums.
‘The total sum of money the robbers left the hotel with was over N2 million. They even took other customer’s international passports’, our source added.
Amid the pandemonium and fear the robbers created in the neighbourhood with their lavish gunshots, the hotel management allegedly called the Police but upon arrival they disappeared as they were unable to salvage the situation; we learnt.

‘This is not the first time nor the second that these robbers would be terrorising this neighbourhood in the past weeks. They still robbed Ogogo, a fellow Yoruba movie actor’s house down this street few weeks ago but luckily the actor was admitted at the hospital at the time. We reported to the police to beef up security in the area but they never made any effort to do so. How will the Police respond when they are not clean themselves’; the insider furiously lamented.
However, upon departing, the robbers smashed Funke’s Nissan X-Trail jeep, her mother’s Honda CR-V, and her marketer’s Range Rover which were all parked in the hotel premises.
Repeated efforts to reach the Lagos state Police public relations officer, Samuel Jinadu on the phone proved abortive as his line was unreachable.
Meanwhile, the Jenifa star and the other people with her at the hotel have since the incident being hibernating at an undisclosed apartment.


SOURCE: Dimeji Ogedengbe, www.thenetng.com

BLACK GOLD STRUGGLE FOR NIGER DELTA official TRAILER

THIS MOVIE IS GONNA BE THE BOMB JUST PRESS PLAY.

MR ENDOWED REMIX ' D'BANJ FT SNOOP DOGGY.

This time i think the MO HIT'S CREW got it sooo right.guyz just click on it and enjoy.

NIGER DELTA- 'THE BLACK GOLD FILM'

                                                      Pix from behind the scene

Vivica Fox, Billy Zane, Tom Sizemore, Eric Roberts, Michael Madsen, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Sarah Wayne Callies, Larry Minetti & Mbong Amata in Nigeria's most anticipated movie yet. The chronicles of the Niger Delta crisis is brought to the big screen. Filmed on location in Nigeria and Hollywood, CA, Niger Delta features an array of stars from both Hollywood and Nollywood in the first of its kind for a Nigerian movie directed by acclaimed Nigerian director Jeta Amata.

                                                   pix from behind the scene

The suspense drama will be released in 2011 and it's produced by Jeta Amata Concepts, Rock City Entertainment, Wheels Entertainment, Starkid Inc & Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions

                                                 pix from behind the scene.

Sypnosis; One local Niger Delta community's struggle against their own government and a multi-national oil corporation who has plundered their land and destroyed the environment.

source: http://www.celebregion.com/

            http://www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com/

TUNDE NIGHTINGALE 'A LEGEND OF ALL TIME'

                                         TUNDE NIGHTINGALE (OWAMBE MASTER).


Tunde Nightingale, a.k.a., "Western" was a native of Ibadan, the largest city in Nigeria. An incredible guitarist with a sonorous voice to boot, he was best known for his unique Jùjú music style, following in the tradition of Tunde King.
Born in Ibadan in the late-1940s, his contemporaries included Ayinde Bakare, I. K. Dairo and Dele Ojo. Nightingale was credited with the Owambe system, which was popular among Lagos socialites, who eagerly sponsored him on a tour abroad. When he returned, he signed with the TYC label and recorded over 40 albums in his career. Modern stars like King Sunny Ade and many other juju artists continue to be influenced by his style. He was unique because he "sounded," literally, like the proverbial singing bird, "Nightingale"

                                                     ONE OF HIS ALBUM COVER



Nightingale was perhaps the first musician to become a hit performer playing juju in the post World War II period. His particular spin on juju was known as "owambe" ( its there?), a slightly risque reference to the beads worn by women under their clothes to make their dancing more sensuous in those days.