SENEGALESE SINGER "YOUSSOU N' DOUR" RUNS FOR PRESIDENCY.

Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

The Senegalese music icon, percussionist, occasional actor and Grammy winner yesterday Jan 2nd 2012, announced he is in the race for the presidency of Senegal in the coming elections in February, competing against the country's 85yr old president, Abdoulaye Wade, who is running for third term.

"I am a candidate. I will engage in the presidential race. I do not have a university education but the presidency is not something you go to school for. For a very long time, many Senegalese of different backgrounds have called for my candidacy for the presidency next February. I've listened, I've heard and I am responding favorably to their request. I am a candidate. It's a supreme patriotic duty, the best I can give of myself. I am the alternative to the current leadership in place in the country" - N'Dour said in a broadcast.

Youssou N'Dour was born in Dakar to a Serer father. At the age of 12, he began to perform and within a few more years he was performing regularly with the Star Band, Dakar's most popular group during the early 1970s. Several members of the Star Band joined Orchestra Baobab about that time.

Despite N’Dour's maternal connections to the traditional griot caste, he was not raised in that tradition, which he learned, instead, from his siblings. His parents' world view encouraged a modern outlook, leaving him open to two cultures and thereby inspiring Youssou's identity as a modern griot.

In 1979, he formed his own ensemble, the Étoile de Dakar. His early work with Étoile de Dakar was in the typical Latin style popular all over Africa during that time, but in the 1980s he developed a unique sound when he started his current group, Super Étoile de Dakar featuring Jimi Mbaye on guitar, bassist Habib Faye, and Tama (talking drum) player Assane Thiam.

POPULAR ARTISTE AND PRODUCER "SAMKLEF" ENGAGES HIS LONG TIME FINANCEE.

Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Its no new that popular producer and singer "Samuel Chuks Oguachuba" a.k.a "SAMKLEF" and his fiance of a very long time "Yvonne Iheduru", celebrated their traditional wedding earlier today recently.last year December 28th 2011 at the bride’s family house in Imo State.

According to reports, Yvonne is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Lagos. As we can see from the photos, Samkelf and Yvonne are expecting their first child.

STORM RECORD ARTIST "NEATO C" WEDS HIS LONGTIME FIANCEE.

Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Undisputed icon and Nigeria's Rapper and Storm Records act "Naetochukwu Chikwe" a.k.a "Nateo C" as he is popularly known has had a traditional wedding with his fiancée of a long time – model "Nicole Chukwueke".

The key-low profile traditional wedding took place on Thursday, December 29, 2011.

Naeto and Nicole who is the co-owner of organic beauty product "Ours by Juliada" had announced their engagement back in October after an introduction between the couple’s parents.

We’re told a ‘white wedding’ is to follow, but no word yet from the couple; and Naeto could not immediately be reached for comments.

NOLLYWOOD (KANNYWOOD) CONVICTED ACTRESS "RABI ISMAIL" ESCAPED FROM PRISON.

Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

Exactly July 2011, we did a story on a certain Nolly-wood Actress from the northern region.How she was sentenced to death for killing a man, well their has been a twist in the drama as following several unconfirmed reports by different news outlets, we can now confirm that convicted actress "Rabi Ismail" is indeed on the run, having escaped from Hadejia prison in Jigawa State.

The popular actress mostly known for Hausa roles in the Kano film industry known as Kannywood, as reported earlier in July 2011 was sentenced to death by the Court of Appeal for killing a male friend.

Reports say Ismail was ‘found missing’ days before she was to be executed, and that the State Prison Service has issued a search order for her capture.

‘The escapee was accused of murder and a high court in Kano ruled that she was guilty and sentenced her accordingly, six people including three female wardens have been arrested and are being investigated for the mysterious disappearance of the convict’, the state’s comptroller of prisons disclosed.

The incident has sparked off an investigation, which has already consumed at least six prison officials.

‘I’m just getting to hear the news, it’s unfortunate, I hope she doesn’t complicate her matter’, President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Segun Arinze told journalists in a telephone conversation.

JAY Z AND KANYE WEST TOP UP THIER PERFORMANCE FEES.

Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle


Definitely its going to be a money rain this year, as big Hiphop gurus has increased their fees.

Hip hop’s most recognizable power duo and top earners Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter and Kanye West, commanded some of the highest performance fees in 2011 – and they’ve cemented that position further after they were recently paid a whopping $6M (N973M) for a private show in Dubai.

‘Hov’ and ‘Yeezy(as they were called) were reported to have been paid $2.9M (N470M) each as upfront payment for the show.

The duo, whose flight expenses were also borne by multi-billionaire Sheik Mansour, were billed to perform at a sweet sixteen birthday gig for the Manchester City Football Club owner’s niece.

Having recently wrapped up their ‘Watch the Throne‘ Tour in America, Jay-Z revealed that a follow-up to the collaborative album may be forth coming. ‘We, I say ‘we’ because I’m in throne mode–we’re in a great place creatively. You might see a Jay, then Kanye and a throne album next year… We’ve really found our zone’, the Brooklyn native said.

The ‘Watch the Throne’ album, which was released in August, 2011, made its way to the top of the Billboard charts, selling 436,000 units in its first week, and has been certified platinum with over 1.1 million copies sold in the U.S.

EEDRIS ABDULKAREEM ASSUALTS JAYWON IN A FIGHT.

Words:Adedosu 'kenzy'Adekunle

Information from several sources has lead us to know rapper Eedris Abdulkareem and singer Jaywon where engaged in a fight that lead Jaywon to the hospital.

Seven years after the infamous airport altercation between Eedris Abdulkareem and G-Unit bodyguards, the troubled rapper has been involved in another major fight.

Multiple sources, including eye witnesses, have informed journalist of the physical fight between two Kennis Music acts, rapper Eedris Abdulkareem and singer Jaywon.

The story is that Eedris and Jaywon amongst other artistes had attended and performed at a street carnival held in National Bank Estate, Satellite Town on Thursday, December 29, 2011. Sources say after Jaywon’s performance, his excited fans had followed him to the bus which conveyed the acts to the show.

‘Eedris started insulting him. Jaywon didn’t want any drama, so he decided to get down from the bus so that things wouldn’t escalate’, an insider who would rather remain anonymous speaks. The summary of the whole saga is that the younger singer Jaywon had blood stains all over him‘,

We’re told that didn’t stop Eedris from allegedly pouncing on the younger singer and raining blows on him as he stepped out of the bus. <b>‘Jaywon didn’t lift a hand and by the time Eedris was done, the poor boy had blood stains all over him‘, a source, who claims Jaywon was rushed to the hospital, told journalists.

Jaywon twitted (@JAYWONJUWONLO) saying ‘Funny how people that are supposed to be good role models turn out to be really ‘good’….#SMH’. He continued by saying “This iroko tree wasn’t planted by human so no evil shall befall me cuz am covered by the blood of the most high. #SMH’,.”

Eedris also twitted (@idris_Abdulkarm). ‘Don’t blv evrythn u read… Don’t blv rumours. Stay positive. 1luv’.


Comment from fellow Label Mates leads to this response “There was a misunderstanding but everything is under control”

CALABAR CARNIVAL ORGANIZER PLANS TO SUE "RICK ROSS"

Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle

The annual calabar carnival has come and gone,but there is one thing for sure that the organizers wouldn't forget, is American Rapper star "RICK ROSS" cancelling its performance at the late hour giving unknown excuses.


Organizers of the just concluded Calabar Festival have reacted to rapper "Rick Ross" cancellation of his performance which was scheduled to take place last year on December 28, 2011 saying the move was unexpected and they are ‘deeply saddened’ by it.

As reported, "Ross" representative had stated that they cancelled their Calabar appearance last minute, due to "unfulfilled contractual obligations".

In a statement released by the organizers of the Calabar Festival states that the Miami-based rapper had "confirmed a receipt of his entire performance fee many weeks ago".

"Cross River State and its agents have retained counsel in the United States to pursue their legal and monetary remedies against the artist", the statement on their official website reads.

"The Calabar Festival concerts raise money for many charities across Nigeria. The performance by Rick Ross was scheduled to raise significant amounts for the Destiny Child Centre Charity", it further reads.

The show,on that faithful day still went on despite Ross's absence as fans gathered to watch the other headliners Psquare, Wizkid, Banky W, OJB Jezreel and others at the U.J Esuene stadium.