Derenle is certainly not new to controversies in the Nigerian entertainment circles. Apart from is weird fashion style, he has often been perceived by many critics as an absurdist character and labeled different names including an homosexual apostle, despite all these, Derenle remains undaunted about others views as he told Tribe Times in this chart that he is not even sure of who he is. Excerpts

Derenle it is so interesting meeting you because people have different views about your personalities. Can you please tell Nigerians who you really are?

“Omo, that one na long story oh”. But let me put it this way. I am an angel; I am a devil and sometimes am in between. Am as bad as they can get and am good as I can be. Some time, I am a million colours, sometimes, I am black and white. I am both perfect and imperfect. Sometimes, I am not even sure who I am. You try to figure me out, hey! You will never can. But you know, I am full of life. I love to live life; I live life for each moment because life is short. A lot of people look at me and think that I do things that arrests attention. That is a lie. Attention comes naturally. “Emi o ron anybody! Emi o ron Iya laya anybody”.

How did your family take to this style of yours when you started?

Well, I will be very sincere with you. My parents, I mean my Dad and my Mum and my close siblings were on point but you see my grandma could not sink it. She woke up every morning and screaming Alaba! “Omo e ti ya were”. (Alaba, your son has gone insane. My Dad's name is Alaba and even in church, I was misunderstood, same as in school, when I was in UNILAG. I had to write different project before they let me out of school. And my colleagues were very negative about me. So basically all those times that I was trying to build my identity, it was in a totally negative society. They just didn't get it. So I did not understand why they just won't allow me to express my individuality. But you know, after a while, people started understanding where I was coming from. It took a long while though. That is why “dem dey talk am say, to craze easy but na the waka na him work dey”.

Some people insinuate that you are not just misunderstood but really that you are homo sexual. Is it true?

You know what ehm…; I have been labeled everything in this country. One minute, they say I am heterosexual, the next minute, they say I am bi sexual, another minute; I even tell them that I am solo sexual. All join. All of the sexual that you can think of, add them up. The thing is that we shouldn't judge people from what they wear or what they represent. I represent fun, I represent life. I am colorful, am funky. I make my cloths myself; I wear what I want to wear. I don't care if anyone doesn't like it. When people see you different from every other people, they put you in a box and label you as sexually twisted and honestly, I really don't care. You know, that is life. You can't have people love you all the time. If people don't talk about you, it means they don't acknowledge your existence. And I will always say this, good publicity is good publicity, bad publicity is good publicity for me. No publicity is bad for me

When is Derenle getting married?

I never reach 30. When I don reach 30, we go dey think about that one. Am still 28.

For a long time in Lagos, social night-out or the culture of night clubbing was in comatose but that has since changed as leading Nigerian stout brand Legend “the Real Deal” has not only reignited the tradition but also redefined it with the monthly “Legend Real Deal Nite” in collaboration with foremost event centre The Niteshift Coliseum.

From a novel gathering of corporate mutual friends which began in March this 2011, the “Legend Real Deal Nite” has taken on a great life of its own, getting broader by the day as its fame spreads abroad. Every last Wednesday of the month, the Nightshift Coliseum in Ikeja –Lagos is a beehive as many fun lovers now look forward to it. Today the event attracts top executives and captains of industry. The nite long event is surely a thriller with red hot music, unlimited dancing, gyration and so much to drink besides other forms of entertainment and dozens of gift items all sponsored by Nigeria Breweries Plc, makers of the alcoholic beverage that continues to enhance an atmosphere of fun and friendship.

For the month of October, fun-lovers defied the heavy down pour which preceded and threatened the event. The nights' excitement however hit the roof top when fans favourite and the crowd-pulling Tuface Idibia stormed into the Coliseum unannounced. Just as he took to the stage to perform, he was over-crowded and besieged by fans some of whom wanted a life-time photo session with the star performer

Click View Pictures of events

In today's Nigeria music circles, a mention of Sunny Neji is almost synonymous to Highlife, the Oruka exponent recently launched his new album entitled timeless. The multi talented artiste in this interview shares with Tribe Times his musical experiences, challenges and a word for President Goodluck Jonathan.

Excerpts:

When would you say you had your musical breakthrough?

I would say it from was from Mr. Fantastic that I released in 1997 that set the ball rolling for everything else that came.

What inspired that monumental hit Oruka?

It was in the course of having an ideal wedding song. When I got married, there wasn't any wedding song for me to dance to and that got me thinking that we should have a wedding song because people are always getting married every weekend. So, I started thinking about a song that will be like a wedding anthem, a status that Oruka now assumes.

Your music is mostly indigenous so how do you draw inspirations from what you do?

I don't create inner inspirations; I create from my immediate environment. I cannot sing about what is happening in Jamaica or Russia, I can't because I don't live there, I live here in Lagos, Nigeria and I sing about the things I see, the people I meet, the things I feel. So, it is my immediate environment that inspires me and when I sing about it and people hear it, they can connect to it because we live in the same society and they will know and understand what I am talking about.

If you have the opportunity of meeting the president, what would you tell him to urgently address?

Give us power, give us power and give us power. We need electricity. Without electricity, there will be no development because everything about development is tied to energy. That is the first and foremost thing he should address. If he gives us electricity, everything else will begin to fall into place.

Let's talk about the new album which you entitled “Timeless”, what is the attraction?

This is a very special album, it has thirteen tracks and from song-to-song, there is something there for you. It is basically Highlife and it is one music that everyone will be comfortable with. You can sit down and relax and you just enjoy it. You should be able to listen to it comfortably anywhere. There should be something in it to inspire you, challenge you and it is suitable for every occasion. Timeless is a total package, it's a full package and I believe it is going to remain relevant and that is why it is timeless.

Music they say is food to the soul and some say it is more than a pleasant sound not only rhythmic to the ears but one that creates the desired effect. In Nigeria, the dynamism of music has seen to its evolution over the years which is characterized by two main divides; the Old and New schools. In this vox pop, Tribe Times sort to know the opinion of a cross section of Nigerians on their preferred school of music. Excerpts;

Jibola Ogboye . ( Fashion Designer )- To me basically, I prefer the old school kind of music based on the fact that back in the days, there is what I call originality.

What I mean by originality is that in those days, whatever is put into a particular musical production whether English or Yoruba kind of music, you see the originality in it because there is somebody playing the kunga, the percussion and all that. But today, with the aid of computer, you can produce without the percussionist, guitarist and the keyboardist because everything is already programmed and all you need do is just put your lyrics together and the music is produced.

Abubakar Egbeweli (Journalist) - Am an apostle of the old school vibes. Those days, the lyrics were things that one could relate with, I mean, they were everyday experiences and occurrence. But today, everything has gone digital because the system today is dynamic, the world /life itself is dynamic. Despite this, artistes of today should try to add some originality to their music.

Emeka Ugo (Engineer) - The music of yesteryears had more content. There was always a message in the music of the artistes of those days. But what we have today is a completely different thing. There are often a lot to learn from the music of yesteryears but today, people just want to do music for the fun of it or for the money and fame.

Chima Anthony (Teacher) - I still prefer the music of yesteryears; I mean the highlife, the Sunny Ades' and the rest. I also like classic music. I rate them ahead of the current music of DBanj and Co. My reasons are obvious. Most old school kind of music were not after money, instead, they were trying to pass a message. For example, during the appetite era, most of our musicians then like King Sunny Okosun contributed so much to the fall of apartheid through music. So for me, these new stars do not have content.

They should not do noisy music that could blow off some one's head. They should always do music that would touch lives and cause transformation of souls so that at the end, God will be glorified.

Sulia Ilepe ( Civil Servant ) - Am a bit confused because they are two different things entirely. But the truth is that the music of those days, I mean artistes like King Sunny Ade, Sunny Okosun and the likes had message and were more cultural. Every group or class of persons could listen to them. You don't have to subject kids for instance to parental guidance when they are listening to these music. When I was young for instance, I used to listen to Onyeka Owenu, Christy Essien. But now, my little cousins, nieces and nephews are censored on what kind of music to listen to due to lack of good content. These days it's only a few that makes sense with their music.

2face, Innocent Ujah Idibia is no doubt one of the most successful artistes of the last decade or his era. His debut solo album Face 2 Face sold over 2million copies.

2face, Innocent Ujah Idibia is no doubt one of the most successful artistes of the last decade or his era. His debut solo album Face 2 Face sold over 2million copies. Most of his fans and critics are often divided in opinion either with delight or disappointment owing to different reasons. A father of five children by three different mothers has left the multiple MAMA, Channel ‘O and Korea award-winning artiste with criticism from some section of the press. The recently crowned City People 2011 Musician of the Year shared some of his thoughts with Tribe Times.

Excerpts

On Women, His Kids and Private Life

I am not married, if you heard anything it is a lie but I would get married not now. I'm not ready right away. For babies I have just five (laughter) they are the defining moments of my life. Having them made me understand what my parents did for me; although they were unhappy I had children out of wedlock. Nigeria is quite a traditional society. But now they've come around. They love their grandchildren and can see am taking responsibility the best way I can.

Can 2face have a polygamous home?

You mean to marry all three of my kid's mothers. Hahaha! No, I've never considered that before. I wouldn't be able to handle that. Being married is a whole different thing-I couldn't cope with four wives! Polygamous marriages are like rocket science to me-I can't understand how they work, it baffles me. I understand how very rich people do it- the wives have separate apartments. When ordinary men do it I'm like, “Whao!” Jacob Zuma in South Africa-he's a gangster man for doing it-he's a G! Believe me that is hard. I and my children's mothers are cool but marriage is a different thing altogether. It wouldn't work.

On His Public Life

Those who may have visited or know the ancient city of Benin, south-south Nigeria will certainly attest to its status as the cradle of African tradition and culture heritage. Her monarch, the Oba of Benin is one of the most respected and histo-political traditional rulers in Nigeria. Perhaps, Benin is the only city in Nigeria with the appendage of city to her name - Benin City and it is renowned to be the first to have established diplomatic relations with the west particularly the Portuguese when they signed a treaty as early as the 1500s. Yet, within this City in “the Heart Beat of the Nation” Edo State, is a tourist city: The Revelation Tourist Palazzo , founded by living legend and maestro Prof. (Sir) Victor Efosa Uwaifo. It is a place which encapsulates mysteries, myth, history, tradition, culture, arts, entertainment and tourism in a very lucid representation of symbolism, sounds and visuals with utmost verisimilitudes.

A visit to this tourist Mecca leaves one with feelings of regeneration as a result of the depth and precision with which the life and times of great minds, events and culture are presented and history is recaptured while the essence of life is wholly rejuvenated. A tour of the Revelation Tourist Palazzo takes a walk of more than a quarter of a mile within the complex, one will need to spend at least over two and a half hours to explore and discover the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful inexplicable experiences vividly in black and white except through personal experience. Certainly, there is a whole lot of revelation at The Revelation Tourist Palazzo which is segmented and leaves a visitor quite educated, better informed, highly inspired and well entertained. Here are some of the sections of the tourists delight; the Hall of Fame, Independence Square, Slave Trade Market, Chamber of Horror, The Execution Ground, The Ancestral Shrine, Oba's Palace, Animal Kingdom and the Monster Osanga, The Mami Water Place, The City of Blood, The Seven Headed Spirit and the Expedition of Joromi, The Oba's Palace Replica and The Uwaifo Music Studio

For more details reach editor@tribetimesnews.com for hard copy or call +234-8023672169

Nigeria's Afro centric music exponent, Alariwo of Africa has given thumbs up to the Nigerian music industry. The Afro -life music star made this known in an exclusive chart with Tribe Times recently in Lagos when he noted that Nigeria is naturally endowed with artistes of immense talents. This indeed he buttressed with the dominance of Nigerian artistes in the continent's musical scene over the last decade with the likes of Asa, Tuface, P-Square, MI amongst others many of whom have dominated the Kora Awards, Africa Music Merit Awards, besides making other international nominations.

The very articulate music star who though trained as a journalist, but has always wanted to be a musician from childhood and has a number of albums to his credit, has promised his fans to watch out for his next album. “God sent some lyrics to my head for me to voice out and put in the market, nothing big nothing small”. He enthused that the twelve tracks album billed to hit the market soon is a collection of various genres of music such that people, regardless of their choice of music would have something good to listen to in the album.

The Lagos based musical performer who has in the past attracted attention from the international music scene revealed his regret over his inability to do a proposed collaboration with the late reggae star Lucky Dube before he was brutally murdered. He recalled that Lucky Dube, to many Nigerian music stars was a mentor, a pace setter and a role model. This, according to Alariwo is the reason many Nigerian artistes dreamt of performing on stage with him. But for the Alariwo of Africa, it would have been the fulfillment of a dream to have had the opportunity to perform with the Legendary African reggae icon. ‘'Lucky Dube wanted me to have a duet with him, when he came to Nigeria and was performing while I was Master of Ceremony at one of the Felabration event. He called me to come on stage with him. He gave me an opportunity to sing his song, I sang it. He gave me another one, I sang it and we were happy about the whole celebration''

According to Alariwo, the South African reggae star, who was shot dead by car jackers in Johannesburg had finalised plans to do a duet with him before his sudden demise for which he expressed shock at the news of the death of the 43 years old. Hence, his motivation to go into the studio and do a specially dedicated song entitled ‘'Black Thursday ‘' to the evergreen memory of Lucky Dube whom he described as Africa's version of Jamaica's Bob Marley. Speaking about his fond memories of Lucky Dube, Alariwo said it was difficult for him to forget the famed reggae ambassador owing to the mutual understanding that existed between them from the very first time they met.

Reacting to questions about his choice of the stage name, Alariwo of Africa, the culturally inclined artiste, noted that the name was informed by his genre of music which is a very unique afro-centric brand. Adding that he is himself rather than trying to be an imitator; “I am Alariwo of Africa, I wear African fabrics, I play African music, I drink African wine. I don't take anything that is non-African. I needed to do something that is more creative.” He went further to say:”if you do like oyinbo man, Oyinbo man go still pass you and you go just end up as follow, follow”

The Nigerian print media, particularly the magazine stable has continue to expand just as it celebrates the formal unveiling of Tribe Times, a leading African affairs magazine. The magazine which is led by two of Africa`s leading media professionals, Bayero Agabi and Segun Oruame is primarily afro centric in nature. Published by Tribe Media Company; the Managing Editor, Bayero Agabi says the magazine is informed by the urgent need for an African rebirth and the fact that Africa's landscape affords a rare vista of an opportunity that makes it exploratory ventures a renewed quest for the continuity of humanity and the promotion of African history.

Tribe Times Magazine celebrates the richness of African tribes, her people in Diaspora with distinguishing landmarks the world over. It
promotes the enormous socio-cultural heritage and natural endowment of the continent and as well connect with her past to celebrate African icons capable of inspiring quality leadership in Africa especially the likes of Marcus Garvey, Emperor Hailes Sellassie, Kwame Nkruma, and Martin Luther King Jr. amongst in a bid to chat a brighter future for Africa.

The sixty pages glossy and colorful Tribe Times Magazine is intended to evolve a new culture to promote value for growth and progress in
all spheres of African renaissance and to awaken the intrinsic giant in Africa as well as enliven her pride and prestige among the continents of the world. Tribe Times main thrust features political developments across Africa especially as one third of the continent marks their golden jubilee of nationhood with almost the same number undergoing political transition within the next two years. Other areas of focus include Business, Tourism/Travels, Lifestyle/African Fashion, Arts/Music, Cyber Africa/ICT and Sports among others. Generally, readers will be delighted with richness in quality and contents of Tribe Times. Already, the magazine's official website; www.tribetimesnews.com has been receiving a lot of visitors most of whom have commended it as a worthy and noble initiative. Hitherto, the publication which is already in its fifth edition has explored the Pyramid of Egypt in its previous edition, the Hailes Sellesie Tomb and the African Union Secretariat, the wonders of nature which the Olumo Rock, Abeokuta encapsulates and now the histo-political relics of Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard in Lokoja, “Nigerian's Forgotten Beginning” as well as Kwame Nkrumah Park; an epitome of “A Preservation of Pan Africanism”.

The magazine which also features tips on African fashion, health and a full dose of the entertainment industry has in a rear show of general acceptability and endorsement won the hearts of some top Nigerian celebrities who have continued to identify with it has a noble ideal. Alariwo of Africa while commenting on the magazine noted that “Tribe Times is a right response to the vacuum that has existed before now in the promotion of arts, culture, tourism and pan African ideals of the continent's post colonial founding fathers”.
In their own opinions, top Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot and Afro-highligh music star Sunny Nneji described the vision of the publishers as very worthwhile. They both opined that the magazine is so culturally rich such that it will help to further promote and sustain the spirit of Africanity. Among other top celebrities to have endorsed Tribe Times are; Gulder Ultimate Search celebrity winner, Emeka Ike, Madam Kofo of the famed Village Headmaster, former PMAN President Chief (Mrs) Christy Essien Igbokwe, one of Nigeria's leading standup comedians, Omobaba, Chief Dele MOmodu, publisher Ovation International magazine,Ondo State Commissioner for Information,Mr Ranti Akerele, Lagos fashion icon Chief (Mrs) Opra Benson, veteran broadcaster Sunny Irabor, Afro hip hop
music star.Tuface Idibia amongs numerous others.

Johannesburg/Lagos/Nairobi, 22 November 2010: As leading mobile operator in Nigeria, Airtel and MTV begins the countdown to the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) with Airtel, four more awesome artists have been added to the performer roster for Africa's most exciting music event. USA hip hop star Rick Ross, Kenya's P-Unit, South Africa's Jozi and Nigeria's Wande Coal will join previously announced performers DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast), 2FACE (Nigeria), Daddy Owen (Kenya), Banky W (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Teargas (South Africa) and Cabo Snoop (Angola).

Visiting Africa for the first time to take part in the 11 December spectacular, US rapper Rick Ross has been described by the New York Times as “one of rap's most potent and creative forces”. The tattoo-loving, six-foot, larger-than-life rap figure first came to attention with “Hustlin”, his 2006 debut single. Influenced by artists like Luther Campbell and Notorious B.I.G, Ross, a.k.a. William Roberts, aimed to put Miami back in rap's national spotlight and went on to do just that with his 2006 album “Port of Miami”, which went to number one on the Billboard album chart. Similar acclaim followed for “Trilla” (2007) and “Deeper Than Rap” (2009), while his 2010 album release “Teflon Don”, which debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, has garnered critical acclaim for its emotional depth, cinematic production, sleek, synth-heavy beats, and rich soundscapes. Ross is nominated in the Best International category at the MAMA awards.

Making their first appearance at the MAMAs, Best Group contenders P-Unit are going head to head against Uganda's Radio & Weasle, South Africa's Teargas and multiple MAMA winners and Nigerian music phenomenon, P-Square. As well as performing at the 2010 show, former MAMA winners Jozi are also nominated in the Artist of the Year category, where they are pitched against 2FACE, P-Square and Fally Ipupa. Wande Coal faces a tough race in the Best Anglophone category, where Ghana's Sarkodie, Kenya's Daddy Owen and South Africa's Biz Nuz are also in the running.
The MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel takes place on Saturday 11 December 2010 and will broadcast on MTV base (DStv Channel 322), MTV platforms around the world and partner TV stations from 18 December 2010.

The MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 is sponsored by Airtel in association with MasterCard. Arik Air is the official airline partner of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Airtel.

The 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup may have come and gone but many have not forgotten in a hurry the colourful opening and closing ceremonies and the dramatis personnel that made the World Cup an unforgettable experience.
Unarguably, one of such stars that added spice to the soccer showpiece is Shakira the “Waka Waka” princes and Colombian born Afro-centric artiste .Months after the curtains fell on the football extravaganza ”Shakira”  has returned with irresistible and breath taking rhythmic dance. The new “Shakira” Ashley Stephanie is a Spain based Camerounian born but self confessed Nigerian.
  The fair-skinned dance sensation was recently in Lagos at t5he 2010 Top Celebrities Awards held at the 360 Event Centre, Oregun   where she thrilled music cum dance lovers with her Soweto-styled dance steps. Tribe Times caught up with her to answer some questions about her career.

For full stories or hard copies contact the editor:
Call 08023672168,08055001878 or send an email to
damissahhilary@tribetimesnews.com

Bob family's has lost a lawsuit seeking the copyrights to several of the late Jamaican reggae singer's best known recordings.

United States District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan said the Universal Music Group is the rightful owner of copyrights to five albums that Marley had recorded between 1973 and 1977 for Island Records, Reuter's reports. The album “catches a fire, ““Burning,' ”  “Natty Dread, ““Rasta man vibration and “exodus” were recorded with Marley's band the Wailers. They include some of Marley's best-known songs, including “get up, stand up, ““I Shot the Sheriff, ““No Woman, No Cry” and “One Love. “ Marley died of cancer in 1981 at age 36. The recent ruling was a defeat for Marley's widow Rita and nine children who had sought to recover millions of dollars in damages over UMG's effort to “exploit” what they called the quintessential Bob Marley sound recordings.

Marley's family accused UMG of intentionally withholding royalties from them and ignoring a 1995 agreement assigning them right under the original recording agreement, court papers show. But Cote concluded that Marley's recordings were “works made for hire” as defined under U.S. copyrights law, entitling UMG to be designated the owner of those recordings, for both the initial 28-years copyright terms and for renewal. 

USA—An auction of Michael Jackson‘s memorabilia has fetched more than $1m {E626,000} in Macau,                                            China.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, a basketball autographed by the late singer and former player Michael Jackson netted $245,000 {E153, 000} at the Hollywood legends sale.

An unidentified online bidder paid $180,000 {E113, 000} for a black crystal studded glove Jackson wore in a video shoot for 1995 album History.

Other sale items included a costume worn by Bruce Lee in Game of Death. Michael Keaton's costume in Batman Returns and a burgundy velvet ball gown worn by Princess Diana also went under the hammer.

The sale, put on by US- based Julien's Auctions was touted as the largest celebrity memorabilia auction in Auction in Asia.

Would You Say The Nigerian Music Industry Has Attained Maturity, After 50 Years Of Nationhood?
Certainly there has been an interesting evolution in the Nigerian music industry from what it used to be over the years especially if we have to consider what it was while growing up and what it is today. There is a great difference in sound. To a large extent, we have globalised such that Nigeria has been able to carve a niche for herself music-wise to the extent that all around the world everyone now knows that there is the sound of Naija. At the same time, what the fathers did was ground, unique and irreplaceable. Yet, I still feel we are a long way off getting to an all rounded sound that incorporates that old sound…

(Cuts in…) I Was Going To Take You Up On That When You Said We Have Been Able To Carve A Niche For Our Self, I Think We Have Tried To Experiment By Fussing So Much Together And Then Perhaps Lost Our Originality When Compared For Instance To The Caribbean Or Jamaican Where If You Hear The Reggae Tune, You Know This Is The Caribbean Brand Or Jamaican Style, But What Would You Say In The Nigerian Case?
Well, in defence of the music industry, I would not say we have blended in, rather I would say there has been a fusion of what the West offers and what other sounds around Africa offer to what Nigerian had originally which has produced a new sound altogether. But again, I am very concerned about the new sound because I feel it leaves the sound of the father's too far behind. So if there is a particular sound that defined a certain group of people, then we might have a problem if we have to come up with a sound that will defined Nigeria considering our population and ethnic diversity as well as the uniqueness of each of these cultures. It therefore means we could come up with as much as two hundred Nigerian sounds. Nevertheless, I think the Naija thing has gained prominence around the globe because it has been driven by the younger generation, so it is floating on the wings of modern technology and the social network stuff. I recall one of the recent musical video of a Nigerian I watched that was done by some Asians which perhaps they could not understand but could very well appreciate. So, it is very exciting to think that the world is look at Africa right now and that means, the world is looking at Nigeria.

How Would You Reckon With The Advancement Of Technology In Our Music Industry?
I think it is still rather expensive to come by. If you consider the enormity of musical craft and talent available in Nigeria, You will see that it is not commensurate to the quality of musical production in Nigeria owing largely to the exorbitant cost which an average talented musical star cannot afford even though we are so musically gifted. I was opportune to seat on a panel of judges for a music reality show and it  is amazing to see how much talent there is in Nigeria but the issue is that most of these talents do not come from homes that could afford the expensive cost of musical production.
However, to be far, it is probably like that around the world from my findings because if you really want to do a good job you just cannot cut corners and come to think of it, good thing do not really come cheap. Yet, I look forward to a time when technology will not be that expensive to produce a very good music in Nigeria.

Would You Say We Cannot Produce Good Music Videos In Nigeria Unless We Go To South Africa Or Europe?
Basically, I will say whoever wants to travel abroad for a musical video, should do so for the right reason not necessarily because we cannot do a good music video in Nigeria. Of course, we can produce top rate music videos here in Nigeria. All you need do is to look out for the very best producers who are extremely talented in the craft of editing, directing, and script writing and so on, Just the same way we have talents in music or singing and dance we equally have talented producers. Certainly, those outside Nigeria have better facilities and the technology readily available to them, But for us if we want to have all of that then we may need to import and then expectedly producing a good work will be more expensive, another thing is that you may need to contend with the challenge of having different scenery for instance if you are going to shoot a scene with snow you probably will not have that in Lagos. But I there say that with technology and the world becoming a global village, there is little or nothing that is not achievable.

Talking About The Issue Of Broken Promises Between Artistes And Producers/Promoters, What Do You Think We Can Do To Avoid Rift And The Usual Face Off Between The Two Parties?
It boils down to the absence of standards. If a producer/promoter invest s in an artist, there should be detailed information and issues trashed out from the outset. Then the entertainment lawyers need to be well involved in the contractual deals between both parties. Right now due to the imbalance in standard, any promoter can just walk up to any artiste and with just casual conversation they strike a deal and begin a working relationship but we then discover the imbalance when they begin to have problem by the time the big money starts coming in all because it was not done properly from the world go. When the entertainment lawyers are involved and contracts are explained, clauses discussed and possible loopholes explored, then these misunderstanding will be avoidable.
In any case the problem could be down to lack of adequate enlightenment and information. I do not think a promoter and an artiste have to fall-out all the time. If everything that needs to be spelt out is spelt out, then there will be no confusion. So we really need a great team that brings about a perfect production in the entertainment industry and that has not been the case in Nigeria.

Some People Have Said There Is A Missing Link And An Obvious Lack Of Bridge Between The Old And The New In The Nigerian Music Scene, What Is Your Opinion About This?
I do not know if that is the exclusive problem of music or that of the paradigm around here in this part of the world. It is obvious that there is hardly any form of continuity in a lot of things in Nigerian and not just music alone. I simply believe it is down to a lack of long term planning. As well as the absence of information and structures. So you find out that a lot of people either hit the heights of success early in their career and so they do not know how to manage their success and ensure a progressive transition to generation next, so that could account for the generational gap. Some, perhaps for failure to hit the heights early in music or record financial gains, they quit music too soon without transmitting the genre to the upcoming ones. So, I suggest there should be a concerted will and effort to under study the principle of these issues so that when imbibe, we can follow through on it, so as not to abandon our past.

It is not in doubt that Nigeria is naturally very endowed as a people in many respects and so the music industry is not left out in anyway. Fifty years after Nigeria's independence, Stakeholders in the music industry have being x-raying the evolution of Nigeria music scene. Adding his voice to development in the industry is one of Nigeria's very promising and multi -talented upcoming music sensation fondly called “Bayano” who sums up his opinion from the point of view of an upcoming artiste.

The gospel-inclined music star reasoned that Nigerian music has come a very long way and is in the process of attaining maturity in terms of sound quality, content, video production and lots more especially from the point of  view of an upcoming artist. However, the Lagos based singer was quick to reason that having a breakthrough as a new kid on the block in Nigeria is not an easy ride especially in the context of musical production, getting on shows, having media mileage, sponsorship among others. He added that for him and many of his likes who are determined to make it in music, most of the shows they feature in often do not have monetary incentives rather the young artistes use them for self promotion.

Bayano blamed the plight of the upcoming artistes on the lack of a well organized and structured system in the industry which should have created standards that will enhance best practices and the minimum amount artistes like them will be paid for shows, so as to encourage them and help promote the growth of their musical career. Speaking further, he added that most upcoming stars often get frustrated in a bid to get promoters or good music labels. Similarly, Bayano noted if it is a difficult task for most upcoming artistes to get there music promoted by marketer as most of them will rather want to cheaply and out rightly buy out the music while them make the money. He also spoke of his cherished memories of the late Dagrin, describing him as a humble personality who was very warm and friendly. Dagrin was the kind of person who spoke his mind openly about the plight of upcoming artistes and the pitiable condition of the average Nigeria.