HIP HOP ARTISTES: 2008

Friday, October 17, 2008

9ICE WINS MOBO AWARDS

Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice has added yet another feather to his already well decorated hat as he emerged winner of the Best African Act Award at the Music of Black Origin {MOBO} awards held last night in London.

You would recall that he was nominated alongside Asa, Faze, D'Banj and P-Square in the Best African Act Category. (Nigerians)

The Mobos is the biggest award ceremony in British urban music, attracting names from R&B, hip-hop and beyond.

In a note posted on his Facebook Page, 9ice expressed his profound gratitude to those who voted for him and made it possible for him to win the award.

Not resting on his oars, he was quick to solicit for more votes as he is still in contest in two categories; Best Hip Hop Act and Best New Act of the upcoming MTV Africa Music Awards.

9ice is up against other acts like HHP (South Africa), Professor Jay (Tanzania), Lil Wayne (USA), The Game (USA) for the Best Hip Hop Artist Category and Kwaw Kese (Ghana), Wahu (Kenya), Naeto C (Nigeria), Da L.E.S. (South Africa) for the Best New Act Category.

Gongo don dey so already!!!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Tuface Idibia

Hiphop music in Africa has gotten to a stage where artistes are not just entertainer, but they are going by the way of the artistes - producing and having their own labels, designers and outfit.
In Nigeria, rapper Ruggedman has the 20th Century and a host of others. Some are also launching NGO, charity and what ever you can think of, but what marvel me is Tuface is going to launch. Going through the papers sometimes back, i realized that the 'One Love' crooner has numerous girlfriends, babies and he's busy 'slissing' round town and he is still campaigning "Use a condom".
I researve my talk about Tuface for another day.

Monday, October 6, 2008

50 Cent Vs JAY-Z

What is rapper 50 CENT feeling like for him to have lashed out at the king of New York, JAY-Z, i think its too much. He has taken a sly swipe at rap rival JAY-Z, insisting the 99 PROBLEMS hitmaker was a "no one" until he wed BEYONCE KNOWLES.
Superstar Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, wed the Bootylicious beauty in
April (08), and 50 Cent claims it was their union - not the rap mogul's
music - that raised his profile on the international scene.

He says, "I'm a big fan of Jay-Z, but outside of the States and hip-hop
circles, no one really knew who he was until he married Beyonce."

The 'In Da Club' rapper has also disputed reports that Jay-Z is worth an
estimated $1 billion (GBP540 million), but is adamant he's not jealous
of his fortune.

He adds, "I don't believe he's worth that much! It's all been
exaggerated. I'm comfortable. I don't want for anything so I'm not in a
race."

50 Cent recently topped Forbes magazine's poll as the biggest earning
hip-hop star of 2008, making $150 million (GBP81 million) in the last
12 months, compared to Jay-Z, who came second with $82 million (GBP44
million).

In my opinion i think 50 is taking it too far, to have outlash Jay the way he just did.

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/50%20cent%20jay-z%20was%20nothing%20before%20beyonce_1081662

Friday, September 19, 2008

9ice Gets MOBO Nomination

As the year is gradually coming to an end, Nigeria’s most celebrated act, 9ice, has added another feather to his cap. He has been nominated for best African act at this year’s MOBO awards.

He will be competing with the likes of Magic System, Jozi, Jua Cali, Hip hop Pantsula Wahu, P-Square, Asa, Faze and D’Banj.

9ice, born Abolore Akande and a very hard working young man, who never gave room for discouragement, said: “I have always been someone who believes that when you want to be something, you should keep confessing it.

“When I said in a song that you will all see me on Channel O or that I will bring home Grammy, people thought I was bragging, but right now, my word is working for me and I am gradually reaching that point and who knows what’s next?”

He was named revelation of the year and best male vocalist at the Hip Hop World Awards.

The 2008 MOBO Awards is scheduled for 15 October at London’s Wembley Arena and will be hosted by Spice Girl Mel B and Run DMC Founder Rev Run.

Banky W Parley Etisalat

Nigeria hiphop artistes are really making waves in terms of recognition and style. The creativity coming from this country is something to acknowledge. This is what has been breaking new grounds for them in the international music scene.
Many multi-national organizations and companies are actually aligning with these artistes. Advertisers are even using Nigerian music to promote their products and showcase their stuffs.
The newest telecommunication company in Nigeria is proud to reckon with Nigeria music. The company used the "Ebutta Metta" crooner - Banky W, to advertise itself. You need to see the TVC, you would have taken him for Ne-Yo.
The use of Naija hiphop to promote Zain product is another success in the industry.
Besides, some companies have gone ahead in making these artistes their ambassador.
Many young Nigerians are now taking to music and hiphop generally that they have forgotten about other means of making a living.
It is good for the industry to have talents and ambitious individuals, but we should not zero in on this line alone.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

NAETO C is on Fire!

The first time i heard Naeto C "Kini Big Deal", i was amazed at his style of rap, i almost took him for Jay-Z. He has a very good video. I think he's gonna go places with his style and performance. He's got energy and good rap skill. Naeto C is a Nigerian and his performance with Ikechukwu would definitely open new room for Nigerian artistes. I would love to rate Naeto C among the A-List Hiphop artistes in Nigeria.
Want to know about Naeto C background check out his myspace site.

Another artist that i really love his style is Eldee, another US based artist. Born to Nigerian family, started with the Tribes Men, before leaving his squard behind for greener pasture in the United State. Eldee also have a very unique rapping style which i really fancy. I watched on STV somedays ago where he was saying he's back into the country to settle down and get married, while he's also planning to settle with Naija hiphop and make some new releases which he intend to collabo with young and upcoming arts in the nigeria industry.
This two naija hiphop artist are hot, who would you rate first?
Naeto C or Eldee?
Comments please.

T-Pain Emerges Song Writer of the Year

At the recently held BMI Urban Awards, the hook king, T-Pain took home the Song-'Writer of the year' along with 'Producer of the Year' awards, which he shared with J.R Rotem and Kanye West. T-Pain, known for writing records like "Buy you a Drink", "Low" with flo Rida "Bartender","Kiss Kiss" with Chris Brown and the Germany-winning song "Good Life" with Kanye, is an accomplished writer.
In related news, T-Pain's new album "Thr33 Ringz" is scheduled to hit stores this fall. Standing in his own confidence, T-Pain said, "I got the most number 1's," he said.
"I'm not just saying that, its really on the charts. I got 11 number one's (in one year)". While the Beatle got 13.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

THE BIRTH OF HIPHOP MUSIC IN NIGERIA

Hip Hop music in Nigeria is really rocking the world, unlike the days of Junior and Pretty, Daniel Wilson, Blacky and others that were doing hiphop years back, it was not generally accepted and commercialized the way it is now. This shows that a whole lot of revolution has taken place in the music industry.
I am going to narrow down my discussion to WHO ACTUALLY REDISCOVER THE 21st CENTURY HIPHOP MUSIC IN NIGERIA.
Should this be seen from different angle like:
1. Who were/was the first hiphop artist(es) that commercialized and make hiphop music popular an accepted by all in Nigeria?
2. Who were/was the first to go international like 'win award'and gain recognition in the international hiphop music scene?
3. Should we consider lyricist, while classifying the revolutionist of hiphop?
A whole lot of measures come into play when discribing the revolution of hiphop music in Nigeria.
From my own point of view i would like to state that 'The Remedies' are those that actually revitalized hiphop music in Nigeria. They came into limelight while doing jingles for the first independent televion station in Nigeria 'AIT'around 1997, then they came out with the hit single 'MI O SHAKO MO'.
They introduced the rap and RnB with their style of hiphop which we all later refer to as 'Naija hiphop'. Many hiphop artist followsuit and discovered themselves from there, before we all realise that hiphop could be generally accepted in this multicultural country.

I wouldn't know what your opinion is, but i strongly believe THE REMEDIES are the group that actually started or revive hiphop in Nigeria.

You may share your own views and opinion or challenge my claims by posting your comment. Comments would be appreciated.