Entertainers Who Went Flaccid This Year

Adedayo Odulaja
REPORTER, Lagos

As the year 2009 gradually winds to an end, the entertainment industry for the year has witnessed countless innovative and enchanting presentations and performances from musicians, actors, actresses and other industry players.
But on the other side of the divide are those who, by their performances at a time or the other, their promise or sheer noise-making, gave the impression that they would bring something spectacular to the table or would be like hot coals but at the end of the day, they are neither here or there in the running for names that made 2009 a memorable year.
It might be surprising that the focus on the celebrities drawn from the music and movie circles who refuse to marry the heights of success that industry watchers betrothed to them will contain different names, from the superstars to the not-so-big names in the entertainment square.
Probably the biggest name in the list of artistes that flopped in the outgoing year is that of Eedris Abdulkareem.
Eedris, whose other names are Turayo and Ajenifuja, is also widely known as Mr Lecturer, a name drawn from the title of his very well received second album of the same name.
Eedris was a pivotal member of The Remedies, the pioneering three-member music group through whom we can say hip hop was born in Nigeria and after the duo of Eedris and Eddy decided to go their separate ways after Tony Tetuila had left after the very first album of the group. With P.A.S.S, Mr. Lecturer, Jaga Jaga (which was a stinging criticism directed at the former president) but that was as far as Eedris could go until he got into trouble as a result of a bitter scuffle with 50 Cent in the latter’s time for a concert in Nigeria.
Although he released another album titled Mr President, his popularity waned and in spite of the expectation that greeted his collaboration with erstwhile arch enemy, Ruggedman in his new The King is Back album could sway the fans, let alone the market, in Eedris’ favour and one can only hope Eedris, a crowd favourite who has had the once-in-a-lifetime privilege of carrying the Olympic torch would reclaim his place in the music arena.
Innocent Ujah Idibia might not be such a familiar name but mention 2face or Tuface Idibia and ladies around would become unsure of their reaction.
Tu Baba, the handsome Idoma boy reported to be probably in competition with America’s Lil Wayne on who would come up with the highest number of kids from different women, was forced by hostile reception to shift the release date of the album from 2008 to 2009 instead of the proposed release date announced in 2007 and in spite of the huge promo concerning the feature of the sensational R Kelly, the album can best be described as an album that refuse to fly. This is the reason the prodigiously talented and multiple award-winning act whose pouch is brimming with many awards is a big feature of the list entertainment players that flopped in 2009 and whether he is really unstoppable or not, the new year might just be the time to find out but for 2009, he was more popular for his ability to father children than for his musical ability.
We all know Peter and Paul, the talented singing and dancing Okoye twins we like to call P Square and releasing their albums a few weeks before the yuletide is one business strategy that has always worked so well for them but Danger, their lastest album does not seem to be following the trend. Anyone still in doubt should go into the clubs and confirm and then rewind back to this time in 2007 when ‘Do Me’ was all the crowd wanted to dance to and so, either we like it or not, the verdict is that P Sqaure, whose “Get Squared” video once held the no 1 position on the MTV Base chart for four straight weeks, after all the hype and waiting, were expected to raise the bar a little higher but feelers are not showing they can even match the success of Game Over but even if they ever will, of course, not in 2009.
Emmanuel Nzemeke is the name of an artiste known as Kaha, an erstwhile pal of Rhymzo but he is little known although “Omo Ele,” a single from his albumback in 2002, Party Buddie got honourable airplay and Heart Robber, a track featuring 2face would be easily identified by nigerian music buffs although little is known of the name, Kaha. The album, whose promo single hit the airwaves few weeks after 2face was shot in 2007, was expected to catapult the Economisc and Statistics graduate to the eldorado of music success which he desires so much but 2009 has come and gone but little has changed for the ghetto child who almost joined the Plantahsun Boyz back in IMT Enugu.
The emergence of diminutive rapper, MI might be due to the cleansing or if you like, dissing job Ruggedman did some years back.
The Lagos State University graduate took Rasqie, Eedris Abdulkareem, Maintain, Black Reverendz and others to the cleaners with “Ehen”and followed up with “Peace or War” and gave fans “Baraje” but after his second album, Ruggedy Baba, which includes the lead single “Ruggedy Baba” (featuring 9ice) and Club Rugged which was said to have moved over one hundred thousand units after only three weeks of release and that is where the story seems to end for the fabulous rapper. News of retirement have trailed the ‘controversial character’ but the promise of a banging, pace-setting last album is not being fulfilled by the contentious music man at least as far as 2009 is concerned.
This time last year, shouts of ‘ID Cabasa, Lord of Ajasa, nkan to ba wun anybody no le fi enu won so’ was not far from television sets and that was a pointer to the fact that Lord of Ajasa really held it down. Olusegun Osaniyi, the Ikare-Akoko born lyricist had just released the video of “Le Fenu So” and many believed 2009 held so much promise for the man described as a rhymesayer but it seems the people are not feeling him so much now. It is actually not because he has lost his appeal but the fact that he was only active for the early part of the year accounts for his appearance on this list. With no video from his last album or a club banger to usher in the new year right about now, Lord, as some call him, would definitely hope for better prospects in 2010.
This definitely does not begin and end with only music stars. Ini Edo is one actress after the hearts of so many brothers but then, she got married this year and that is about all that made some sense about her this year. Maybe marriage has slowed her down or it is something else, 2010 would be a good time to find out but in her inactive status for the major part of 2009 earned her a place among flops for the year.
DJ Zeez hit gold, so to speak, with “O 4kasibe” which became an object of passionate love for those who only care for a good dance and that of intense hate for those who go a step higher to look at content. The handsome dude, who calls himself a mixed breed with an Igbo father and Yoruba mother became known by a single called “Same Ni” in 2005 but as it happened then, no other effort seems forthcoming after the track that fetched awards for the massively accepted street song and whether he has all it takes to replicate such remains to be seen but the fans are already asking if it was just a one off and with a stage name that has DJ in it, probably expressing the idea of another option and a Cadillac to show for his efforts, will Zeez give fans more or ‘call their bluff’?
Genevieve Nnaji is an immensely popular Nigerian actress who has been considered probably the biggest Nollywood player but for 2009, something remarkable was recorded when she was recognized by Oprah Winfrey as the most popular movie personality in Africa, following a painstaking survey carried out to arrive at the conclusion.
Aside this undoubtedly monumental achievement, not much washeard of Genevieve in 2009 as far as music and movies arenas are concerned and she belongs to this list for now but so many fans would be happy if she repositions better for 2010.
The identified players are not the only ones who failed to fly in 2009, there are so many others like Zaki Adzzay, Muma Gee, Fathia Balogun, Lagbaja, Tony Tetuila, Durella, Olu Mainatin e.t.c who did little or nothing for the outgoing year and could be said to have fallen by the way side in the battle for relevance in the soul of the entertainment arena.

Kerewa Ban Was A Blessing In Disguise– Ibro Zule Zoo

By Adedayo Odulaja
REPORTER, Lagos

Remember the two enchanting guys that held the whole country bound to television and radio sets few years ago with their spectacular dance steps and swaying moves? They go by the name, Zule Zoo and really, that is one name that many people will not forget in a hurry. Their reach was so wide and their strutting so seductively suggestive that it attracted the ire of the National Broadcasting Commision, NBC. Subsequently, Kerewa, their massively popular hit track was banned but according to Ibro Zule Zoo, who founded the group alongside his secondary mate/childhood friend, it only helped to expand their hold on the industry.
“Well, then we did not even know what NBC was saying and when they said they banned ‘Kerewa,’ it was like comedy to us. It was nothing and you know Nigerians and their inquisitive nature, everybody wanted to know why and it even helped the album to sell more. It was a real blessing in disguise but they wouldn’t let us see the money.”
Ibro, named Hassan Ibrahim, an Igala by tribe reminisces on other parts of their music, message and essence and, once again, says they are not breaking up.
“To be realistic, I won’t call it a break up. It is just that we want to do our things individually. I am just coming back from Abuja where I had a meeting with my partner. We are embarking on a tour and we are still coming back to work together on our label, you know we jointly own a label that is called Moonlight.
And on a personal level, I am coming out with a new album which is my fifth and when I say that, it means that I’m combining the albums we have as a group and the ones I have done since I went solo as Ibro Zule Zoo.”
A typical reaction from members of Nigeria’s musical units, but Ibro says this album, titled Ekelu, (which means fifth in his language) is the bomb that would be felt everywhere.
He also tells of how he found himself in music:
“I came into music a long time ago since when I was a kid. I just discovered that I was an entertainer right from childhood. I started by entertaining my mother and sisters in the house and later decided to take it to the next level by joining a theatre group called Ebony Theatre and stayed with them for about five years. After that I joined another theatre group for another four years before I relocated to Lagos where I joined up with Black Marble with the likes of Ijo Dee and it was from there that I started seeing myself in the musical side of it all and although it has been rough, I give glory to God.”
How did you meet Michael, your partner? That was the question and with his eyes seeming to light up in the fascinating pool of remembrance, he recalls:
“We met during our secondary school days, I was the leader in the school band and he wanted to join but I don’t know why, but I didn’t want him to somehow but he later became an integral member and later as friends, he liked hanging out with me but there was only a place I used to go that he did not know; which was for my rehearsals. One day, he traced me there and I was shocked but he said he would like to join too. I said it was okay and we became not only close but we got to understand ourselves so much that we became an item to the extent that when I am on stage, he would be on the drums and vice-versa. Later, there was a National Troupe auditions we heard about over the radio and as we wanted to became members of the troupe, we decided to come for the audition and after the auditions held in Lagos, those who had transport fare to go back home left but I was stranded. For two years, I was looking for transport fare to go back to Benue; you won’t believe it. It was like that until a voice spoke to me: ‘Anywhere you lay your head is your home, why don’t you stay here in Lagos’ and that is how I became a Lagos-based artiste and I ended up dancing for a lot of artistes. Julius Agwu, 2face Idibia and many others. I also went for Star Quest in Benin and came third and I said to myself that there must be something about you that would have made you come out like that in such a competition and so I decided to take it seriously. “Michael also came to visit me in Lagos and he told me he was tired of life over there where it is all dry and I took him to the people for him to join a theatre group so he can learn the style of dance. I took him to Cultural Ambassadors where he was for three years but when he said he wanted to work with me, I wanted us to bear different names but he said we should use the name, Zule Zoo which people had been calling me before the time. That was how it went and we have been working together both home and abroad before we decided to go solo. We knew people would misunderstand it but that is what we have decided, that we must do solo albums and at the same time, do the group’s album.”
Just what the name, Zule Zoo, means was easily offered to Saturday Independent.
“The concept is representing the true African culture even if there is a little bit of contemporary in it. If you look at the music industry four or five years ago, you discover that a lot of Nigerians musicians were trying to do like Americans and we know we have our roots and we want to show the world there is a place called Nigeria and Zule Zoo means positive warriors in the music industry who are out to preach the true meaning of African culture. I am Hassan Ibrahim, an Igala by tribe while my friend is Michael Aboh, a Tiv.”
Not a few music buffs would say they are nowhere to be found anymore in the entertainment playground but Ibro does not think so.
“We have the group’s project that will be ready soon in this January while my own album, as well as Michael’s album will be ready soon. It has been wonderful except for the pirates that would not let us rest and the crooked marketers everywhere in this country. Because of these problems, we are thinking of marketing it ourselves by using a unique way of selling on the streets, maybe through young and unemployed people.
“Well, entertainment is not only about Lagos. Many people think it is only when you are everywhere in Lagos that you are making it, they are getting it wrong and for instance, I have just come back from a tour of the country and you need to see how much people enjoyed my performances even though many of them had not seen me before. Another thing is that, when you listen to Wazobia fm, if they play two hundred songs, one hundred and fifty are my boys who have featured me. That is something I consider very highly; my dream is to be able to bring up as many as possible talents and turn them into stars, that would be my greatest joy because it is the greatest legacy you can ever think of leaving for posterity. Because as it is, there is nobody who can live forever and also make people know that after Fela, there is someone else in Nigeria who made Africa proud.”
Fela introduced and called his music Afro Beat, Ibro Zule Zoo calls it own, wait for it, Takuruku beats.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH GT 'D' GUITARMAN

Tai Solarin Has Been A Great Influence On Me –GT ‘D’ Guitarman

GT ‘D’ Guitarman is a notable young Nigerian artiste that was nominated along with the likes of Wande Coal, Kel, Niki Laoye and others for the Next Rated category of the Hip-hop World Awards for 2008. The award eventually went to Wande Coal but GT has easily become very popular owing to his prodigious talent. In this interview with Adedayo Odulaja, he revealed The salient Truth about himself.

Let’s have a brief account of your background

I am Olaolu Olugbemiro Akingbogun aka ‘D’ Guitarman, a Storm Records’ artiste. It has been four years in the industry. It has been filled with fun, sadness, and a whole lot of other feelings and emotions. But of course, it is not how far but how well. I grew up right in Amuwo Odofin and I attended Community Primary School somewhere around and later moved to Ogun State for my secondary education at Mayflower Secondary School in Ikenne, but I did not finish there; I concluded my secondary education at Amuwo Odofin High School and I am currently in 400 level in Lagos State University (LASU), studying economics.
What feelings does growing up in Amuwo Odofin give you?
It is like being home and having no need to form for anybody. This is home and I can take an okada anywhere because I am still in the neighbourhood.
How about your album?
I have an album that was released just on December 11. It is being marketed by T Joe on the label of Storm Records.
What can you say was responsible for your fame even as you didn’t have an album all this while?

All that while I had only singles but for real, it is God and hard work too. I also didn’t have the feeling that I have gotten there. I am always looking for ways to get better and asking myself what else would music lovers and my fans want from me, and I always try on that scale to do the best to improve myself.
Does your fame put you on your toes or make you feel otherwise?
It definitely presents more challenges. It makes me more challenged and aware that the fans’ expectation is high. Through that, I get to know that there is work to be done and also aware that anything I do is what I would be judged by. However, I am so proud of this album, which I have been working on in the last four years. It entertains me (myself) when I listen to it and I am so eager for people to hear me.
What would you call edge?
I don’t know actually but I can only point to probably the fact that I play with my guitar, I have good voice and continue to be humble; which is a good point in Nigeria because it takes you very far. If I am not humble, for instance, how would I have this opportunity and many more? Humility is a strong point and I have seen people, some of whom are those who introduced me into the industry, being nowhere today because of lack of humility and I have learnt a lot of things from such instances.

How did you get into the industry?
There are a lot of groups in this (Amuwo Odofin) estate that I have been involved with. Tears of Love, 4 Generation, Tempo & Excel and some other groups that I joined at one time or the other. About how I got into the industry, I was just pasting posters for a particular Valentine Day’s show in the estate for my friend’s brother called Yakoboh; who is a lecturer in LASU and a comedian. Deep down in me I was nursing the dream of performing at that show, but somewhere along the line it was not going to come through until I had to walk up to the guy and told him I can sing, and when he saw me play my guitar he gave me the opportunity on the day of the show. I did very well and that was where I met Omo Baba No 1, who started managing me before later that same year I met Darey Art Alade that introduced me to Storm Records and the rest, as they say, is history.
Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, under which we have Festac, and as a whole has been a hotbed of Nigerian music with the likes of 2face, Faze, Blackface, Def ‘O’ Clan, Blacktribe, Natives and others. Do you think you guys are still representing?
Yes, we still do. 2face is still representing. When I was coming up, sincerely I never had the opportunity of meeting these guys because they were in Festac town and I was in Amuwo Odofin, and here we didn’t really have anyone among the musicians to look up to. I only met Faze maybe like two years ago and by then, I even doubt if he recognised me. The rise of people like me, Soul E and Black Solo is a good thing for Amuwo Odofin; but Festac Town has always got many people up there.
How good is Storm Records?
Storms Records is a label, and for people like Darey Art Alade and the others to have been on the label was a good feeling, it is still a good feeling. Though I sometimes wonder why all those people left, for me I don’t have any problem with Storm Records. If I had any at all, it was about the album that took four years to be released. But it’s sorted out now and waiting for the album made me a better musician and better person.
Being on the same label with Darey has been so great an influence. He is like a brother and he keeps in touch regularly, and he is one of the persons I want to learn from. His humility is really influencing as he relates so well with everyone.
What do you call your type of music?
I don’t do hip-hop anyway. What I do is a fusion of rock, soul and African rhythms; but maybe now I am trying to mix a little of hip-hop to my thing, which can be heard in a song like O Si Ma Gbo Mi and that is strictly being done for the young ones.
Is that for the market?
Trust me, I am not going after the market in that manner; but look at Asa, a lot of people would have said she would not sell the number of copies she sold but nobody has sold the copies Asa sold in recent times.
Who are your influences in music?
That would be people like Shina Peters, I listen to all of his songs. Another would be Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey, which my dad loved while I was growing up and this rubbed off on me. Another is Onyeka Onwenu and all those legends.
How about foreign influence(s)?
That obviously would be Michael Jackson that has always been a great influence and India Arie, who in my estimation, is the best musician you can find in the world. I also like Alicia Keys though I don’t enjoy her hip-hop stuff at all, I like when she is on her keyboard. But India Arie is the best.
Do you play any other instrument apart from guitar?
I try a little bit on the keyboard and I have like a mini studio in my house where I make beats for myself, for friends and stuff; but there is nothing commercial for me in that line. It is not like I am not proud of what I make, but I believe I need time to step it up.
How did music begin for you generally?
It started like an ardent fan of music, someone that loves his radio so much.
Not the common church choir or societal rejection story?
I never joined a choir, all I did was listen to the songs and try to sing along, and most people think I sound close to them or even sing better than some of the artistes. Mayflower actually has a great influence on me.
How?
I really can’t tell why, you know Tai Solarin’s way of life. It was strange then, but right now I kind of like having to wake up at 5.15 a.m. and people are already waiting to beat you for you to run on the field. Also having to eat beans twice a day, not because there is no food but you still have to eat it and it helps you to manage your resources even when you are poor and not much is going on for you. The school also teaches self-reliance as it amazes people now when I tell them I service my generator, I do carpentry works, I do electrical works and all sort of things, and this is because of Mayflower’s influence, which makes me to be able to survive anything.
Do you know you are one of the youngest artistes in the industry?
Are you serious? I know you probably think I am 17.
How old are you really?
I am 25 years old, but I know a lot of ladies think I am as young as 17.
What do you think the future holds for you?
I think the first is the album entitled The Truth, which was released by December 11 and then we will move on from there. I also hope to set up my own company, a record label that we are working on very soon as the funds are available and we have the technical know-how. We do have record label, but maybe we don’t have record companies and I don’t think I or any other ‘new age’ Nigerian artiste has had the opportunity of being signed on to a record company. But the truth is look at our distribution channels, it is messed up. People only get CDs for N150, think about production cost, I am an economist and I know what I’m saying. Think about how much you sell it to the marketer, who will still sell to the retailers. How much do we record the songs, the printing, posters, promotion of the album, the videos? Imagine all this going for N150. It is a shame because nobody is actually thinking about the artiste, they just want you to drive big cars, live like the international artistes; but we (Nigerians) are not helping our artistes to grow. That is the truth, we so much believe in piracy and because of the computerised world we live in now anyone can easily go to a site on the Internet and download any song he wants and it’s really sad when your intellectual property is so violated. It will get to a time when music will just die totally and that’s the reason you see many people singing these jargons because they don’t take their time to think and sing anymore.
I was really pissed off when I started music and discovered that you just go into the studio and wait for the beat maker to make a beat. You just fluke anything and do anything that comes to your mind.
Have awards been coming?
I have been nominated for some and I have won some, but not the ones where you have to compete with people. They are from schools, organisations and all that. I don’t allow awards and recognition to becloud my music as the best award or recognition you can get is when people are telling you in different places that they like you and you inspire them.