Let’s talk about awards for a minute. Technically you have artistes, performances, presentation of the actual awards, right? Now let’s discuss HipHop World Awards 2010 (HHWA 2010). The idea behind the awards was creative, the follow through was a different kettle of fish. Let’s take a step back to the beginning. Publicity ran for weeks on end on all radio stations, pulling Media giants HiTv as their partners while Nigezie, STV and SoundCity provided their very best for the MTN yellow carpet.

When invitations finally got round to people, there was a long list of do’s and don’t's which didn’t apply to the VVIP tickets. The rules read thus:
1- the ceremony was billed to start at 8pm. Guests were to be seated by 7pm, gates would close at 7:30pm, and anyone who was outside at the time, will be left behind. (The show started at 11:30).
2 – Cellphones and all other recording devices were to be turned off as soon as you were in the building. (Someone was taping right in front of me)
3 – no vehicles were allowed to park within the premises, the carpark was the first destination, Limo’s (VVIP) and Buses (VIP) would convey you to the venue. (We parked, then we walked)
4 – movement will be restricted except for certain breaks in the show. (some people never sat down).

HHWA picked a disembodied voice over artiste to anchor the awards. The voice over artiste was at times inarticulate but mostly just bland! The result of this was that people got lost in their Blackberrys, between performances. Although quite pretty, the stage was never dark enough to conceal the change of scene for each artist. Huge accolades to HHW, they pulled people from across the entertainment industry: print, TV, radio, Moguls, tv personalities, stylists, fashion designers, the list was endless.

The Very, very important personalities and the VIP’s filled the main bowl surrounding the stage. Regular ticket holders sat in the wings. Refreshment was available for a pricey sum. 1st performer to take the stage was Goldie, who gave a wet dog Rihanna/Lady Gaga performance complete in Gaga military boots and Rihanna punk rock dress. This was one of those occasions when we wished the performer would have remained backstage. Her dancers were more intriguing and included a Denrele Odun look-alike. They followed that with a rad dance routine so maybe that could be rectified. At first, the  projector didn’t show the list of nominees and then there was an inconsistency with the number of nominees, sometimes 4, other times 5.  Jesse Jagz presentation was short and funny and became the bar other’s should emulate, sadly they failed horribly. From then on it was simply a downhill motion. First award went to Terry the Rap Man for best rap single then Banky W won best RnB performance and forgot to thank Cobhams, oh well. Kefee came on and performed, missing Timaya as usual but still carrying through and winning best collaboration. She was the only winner who performed at d show. Her category came up immediately after her performance and the show was put on hold while she changed to accept the award.

The Prince came on stage and showed us why he’s the prince, well at least his dancers did. They posed, preened and then entertained. It was obvious a lot of thought had gone into the routine for the dance. Timi Dakolo was effusive as he accepted the award for best recording of the year.
The human angle was very touching. When Dagrin won best rap Album, his parents came on stage to receive the award and his father rapped his lyrics. He got a standing ovation. The award was followed by a proper tribute in his honour. Dj Zeez‘s candlelight appearance in Military type gear would have had more impact if the lights were dimmed for effect, but Sage‘s spoken word to Dagrin got the crowd emotional. It was followed closely by Waje‘s beautiful rendition of the Dagrin tribute; Then Kel, with some help did a cover of Pon Pon Pon. Omawumi and Skales also came to thank God on the CEO’s behalf and the tribute ended with YQ and Darkpoet covering E fi mile.

Wande Coal aka WCeezy took home the Revelation of the year award revealing his much trimmer form, and five times in a row too. Modenine won best lyricist beating crowd favourite MI Abaga. Free Madness took one for the streets as TerryG snagged best ‘street hop’ while
Hall of Fame went to Femi Akintude Johnson aka Fash who was the entertainment writer for the punch. Research showed through here as the organizers pulled pictures and data from the past but the fill ins were way too long though and audience resorted to clapping a video off the screen. Mo’ hits claimed another award when Wande won best pop single. Obiwon gave a sleepy performance that came alive with the second single and ended just when people had started getting into the groove. Dare, always the king won best male vocal performance and there were no stars in the sky.
Best video went to Clarence Peters for Finest, partial much? He beat Safe and Akomiti poju. The award was presented by Mo Abudu and the stiffness of the presentation was unmistakable. The scripts were recorded in past tense and were therefore irrelevant at the ceremony itself. The graceful Lara George took home best female vocal performance beating out Kefee, Waje and Ibiyemi.

When YQ took the stage, one thing was obvious, the girls were lacking the essential part of the anatomy he was singing about like the Mo’hits all stars video for ‘booty call’. Again there was an abrupt ending, nothing felt like a natural out. There was little bit of confusion and then Keke and Chris Ubosi came to present producer of the year which the Don (It’s Don Jazzy Again) took home.  3 down for Mo’hits. Then unexpectedly Skuki shot their way to the top! Pishaun took the next rated award and the car (the car ! ). Then there was another tribute to Dagrin which left the audience silent and glued to the screens. The evergreen TY Bello presented Bracket with the best song of the year award for Yori Yori.

What better way to end the show than with more than a few bangs. First Pype came on stage and trust the Champion to do things different, he arrived in a Keke Napep vehicle which dropped right on the stage and proceeded to boldly perform to live instruments. Then the four best Dj’s in Nigeria created brand new hits on their turntables. Jimmy Jatt, DJ Neptune, DJ Humility and DJ Master Tee had the audience on their feet and dancing. Mo’hits took home another 2 Headies as Wande Coal won best pop album and album of the year. Arthquake was the final performer and their dancers took the crowd with them. A mini drama was played out on stage when a mother, father and son tried to outdo themselves dancing Alanta. The show finally ended at 3am, 3 hours 30mins after it actually started and a whopping 8hrs since the advertised kick off time. The audience cleared out rapidly.

Beyond a shadow of doubt, the organizers put together an amazing show. We can only hope that next year, they will present an awards ceremony.

And Broadway came to Nigeria, in colors as unforgettable and familiar as our motherland.

On the 19th of September 2009,  Aboriginal productions delivered it’s first child on the Muson Center,Lagos stage.  The progeny was called Oluronbi (The Musical). With two different shows catering to an audience of over 700, a newborn was introduced to the world. The clear-cut story was humorous and the language well understood.

The show began on time, was completely sold out and had people standing in the wings. An arresting and melodious medley launched the first scene. Impervious to the sound problems that usually characterize most Nigerian shows, it pulled you in and told a tale that spoke volumes of history. The  beautiful choreography was in sync and perfectly executed.  Actors and dancers performed not only with their skills but also with their hearts and it showed in their glowing faces and wide smiles. They were at home on the stage. Original, elaborate and appropriate costumes were on display and the stage was transformed, the props and settings absolutely believable. If these were the same performers in the first show, fatigue was not a word that existed in their dictionary. They poured their souls into every note and motion. Exceptional lighting placed the characters in the precise halo that was necessary. Even the stage effects were artistically adorned. Setting and rearranging the stage was a performance in itself.

Cast and crew comprised notable talents such as Omawumi Megbele, Yinka Davies, Waje Iruobe, Timi Dakolo, Dolapo Ogunwale, Niki Laoye , Kehinde Ayeni, Ayo Faboro, Toba Gold, Seun Kentebe, Hafiz Oyetor, Rotimi Folarunsho, the Ivory Ambassadors Troupe, Victor Eze-Okwuchukwu, Ayotunde Aladese and the ever charming Iretiola Doyle to mention but a few.

Oluronbi is every woman. She is the barren insecure wife, the loving overbearing mother, the antagonistic mother-in-law and the unsure yet domineering queen. Utibe-Abasi Nkanga-Olomola beautifully portrayed all aspects of womanhood and made it a performance to behold. Catharsis swept through the audience at the end when Oluronbi was forced to relinquish the child she promised and the curtain call received a standing ovation.

Superb is the category that this revived foray into the musical falls into.  The Arts have returned to our land and they have come to stay.

Artist-Wande Coal

Album-Mushin to Mohits

Rating-★★★★★

This is the much expected debut album of rags to riches crooner W.Ceezy! What he lacks in looks he more than compensates in vocals and charisma!!  The production is EXCELLENT, and u can see Don Baba J’s influence on each track (which they let u know every single time). Its mostly up-beat, party songs, which is quite disappointing as I was looking forward to more Ololufe type love tunes. The lyrics are original and down to earth. no fake forming at all.
Outstanding Tracks-
*Bumper to Bumper
*Taboo,
*Bananas,
*You Bad,
*Kiss your hands feat Ikechukwu
*Se Ope (Religious song with an amazing upbeat tempo which I lovee)
*Its all Gone (he sounds really good on this)
*Who Born the Maga
*Jehovah (amazinggggg beat)
*Confused feat D’banj- Not crazy abt that little voice that sings the chorus (like Akon’s Lonely) but D’banj KILLS it (as per usual)
*Ten-Ten feat Mohits crew
*Ololufe- Need I say more, one of the best Naija love songs

Good tracks-
*I know you like it-

*Shee na like this -annoying beat, and preaching about corruption and how we can fix naija etc,

*Thats whats up- not really his style,

*On my Grind

Overall its an excellent album you can listen to over and over again and not get tired of his voice (because he switches it up all the time and features a number of top artists). One of the best albums of the year so far! Cop yours! xoxo