By GBENGA BADA

Entertainers in Nigeria, just as it is in the western world, also experience professional breakups. This year has been unprecedented in Nigeria. GBENGA BADA writes about the pains and gains of some of the most shocking entertainment breakups so far in 2012

D’Banj and Don Jazzy

For D’Banj and Don Jazzy, not many believed they could split or go separate ways. They were like Siamese twins born to become great. They bonded and complemented one another. While the two were together, they consistently rocked the Nigerian music industry, churned out hits upon hits and left many asking for more. As if that was not enough, the pair went ahead and formed a league-with a crop of talented, young and success-driven individuals, who raked in more cash for them under Mo’Hits Allstars. When many were expecting greater things, the Mo’Hits allstar suddenly started disintegrating. By the middle of 2012, things fell apart and the centre couldn’t hold. The two granted different interviews, each showing displeasure over one issue or the other. But the bottom line remains that the two had overgrown mutual business and went separate ways to pursue individual dreams.

Not many in the music industry would agree that the breakup would have some gains. But some think that there is some gains because the split has given birth to two new record labels - DB Records and Mavin Records. Another gain to the industry is that high flying Tiwa Savage was able to get herself a platform -Mavin records - after several years of waiting. Talented music producer, J-Sleek, was also able to get himself a contract with DB Records. In all, more music acts are being signed up by the two new labels and the industry is getting more interesting with various labels showing off their creativity.

The Pains

One of the most talked about pain in the D’Banj and Don Jazzy breakup is fact that the brand which they both created no longer exist. Mo’Hits is now in the history book. The brand that has been sold all over the world is now history. Rather than make much more under a unified body, the two are now using their individual strength to pull resources to run their individual labels.

P-Square and May D

When the duo of Peter and Paul Okoye (well known as P-Square) introduced a new music act, May D, last year on their label, several lovers of their music were expecting great things. After few performances by May D, it was obvious the duo and their management took their time before signing the young dude on to their Square Records. However, barely 10 months after the announcement, the management of the label, headed by Jude Engees Okoye, announced the dismissal of May D. Many in the music industry were taken aback more because May D was just beginning to register his presence as an individual and not just a pet of the singing duo in the hearts of several music lovers. According to Jude, the record company and management firm have sacked May D due to irreconcilable difference.

May D is clearly the man that will gain from this breakup. He has leveraged on his relationship with the Square Records to build himself a career - a move that could have taken him many more years to achieve. Aside that, he has wined and dined with international music acts like Akon, Rick Ross, Tuface Idibia, M.I amongst others and this would improve his career. The young musician can easily pick up the pieces of his career and move ahead using the contacts he had made while with the Square Records.

The Pains

According to insiders, the pains for both parties are minimal because the music and business relationship were short lived and each party could easily move on with their careers. While May D would without doubt be missing in the actions associated with the Square family, Square Records on the other hand would be missing what should have been reaped from the labour of releasing two blazing hot singles for May D.

Obi Asika and Olisa Adibua

Just like D’Banj and Don Jazzy, Olisa Adibua and Obi Asika were at some point inseparable. Their relationship dates back to their teenage years and the two achieved a lot during their days together as business partners and very good friends. And interestingly, just like D’Banj and Don Jazzy, Olisa and Obi have refused to actually open up on the reasons for the rift between them. Obi and Olisa were so much bonded that they got awards together, attended events as a duo and became the other Keke and D1 that were popular on television screens. The duo built an entertainment content company, record company as well as a management arm but all that is now history.

The likely birth of two more firms company is seen as the gains of the Obi and Olisa split, thereby giving room for healthy competition in the fast growing Nigerian entertainment industry.

The Pains

The pains like every other would see the individuals fighting hard to carry on successfully without the input of the other partner. While Olisa might be confined to just giving more attention to his career as an on-air personality, Obi may also not get quality advice on some of his activities at Storm 360 group. According to further investigations, Olisa might be taken off as the host of some of the programmes that are the brainchild of Storm 360 for reasons they did not disclose to the public.

Working Together Is A Dream Come True
- M.I, Naeto C

The duo of Naeto C and M.I have claimed that working together has been a dream come true after collaborating on a song entitled ‘Bartender.’ The rappers, who have distinctively shown their worth in the Nigerian music industry couldn’t help showering accolades on each other after the song was facilitated by Hennessy through its annual project, Hennessy artistry. Though, produced by popular producer, TY Mix, Naeto C said he has always yearned for a song that would have him rap alongside M.I but hasn’t been possible until recently. In the words of the newly married rapper, “I couldn’t have asked for more because I had yearned to work with M.I for a very long time but had been unable to, as a result of out different schedules and all that. But when I got the opportunity on a platter of gold, I couldn’t but jump at it. I’m happy this collaboration is happening because it’s what I’ve always wanted.” Chocolate City rap act, M.I said: “Working with Naeto C is like a dream come true because I had always wanted to work with him. Naeto C has a way with his hooks. I was so happy when I found out that I had been paired with Naeto C for a song. TY Mix is just so interesting and very cool as producer. Like I have always known Naeto, he came up with the catchy hook for the song and we did some comparison back and forth and here we are today.”

Wild Card Contestants Rock Project Fame Season 5
…As Brenda and Kemi Bow Out

It was another emotion-laden show at the Project Fame house last weekend, not only for the contestants but also for the studio audience whom came to give moral support to them, knowing fully well that two more contestants will bid farewell to the competition. The evening started with the performances of the Wild Card finalists. After the Google hangout session which held earlier in the week with the three judges choosing the best five from the pool of videos submitted, these contestants were shortlisted and were given a chance to show their stuff live on the show.

The five contestants of the Wild Card performed songs from Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, All for One, Adele and Brian Mcknight. While viewers are meant to determine the top two, one of whom will eventually join the contestants in the Academy. Faculty saved Ayo and Grace, who narrowly escaped the claws of elimination by the votes of some fellow contestants.

T.W.O
Celebrity couple, Tunde and Wunmi Obe, are currently planning a comeback on television screens with their own show. “We are coming back on TV, which is where we started from. A lot of people remember the Charley Boy Show, where we come on screen ones a week and made you laugh. We are going to do that again. We know a lot of people have come out with various talk shows but we are coming back on a whole new level, to show them how it’s done.” The duo wouldn’t reveal the name of the intended programme, saying “We haven’t really come up with a name but it’s going to be a variety show; it’s going to be in different segments and we might be involving one or two people of like minds. All I can say is; It’s would be hilarious.”

Glo Big Friday Show

One of Nigeria’s weekly entertainment programme, The Big Friday Show, is beginning to spread its tentacles across Africa as it storms Ghana this week. Popular Ghanaian Hiphop group, R2bees and Efya recently joined comedian and host for The Big Friday Show, Basket Mouth, only for the R2bees duo to get pranked. Some of the interesting addition to the programme was when one lucky Glo subscriber and the Big Friday Show crew surprised his brother Josh with a visit from his favourite celebrity, Irene Logan.  At the end of the visit, Josh and Bright also won 2 Galaxy Tabs courtesy of GLOBACOM.

Supermom

Voters and viewers in the popular reality television show, Supermom (The Celebrity Edition) have decided that of the 20 celebrity Supermoms that made it into the show, only ten celebrity mothers have the strongest and most touching stories. The ten finalists, according to a statement from the producers, Digital Interactive Media, are the mothers of comedian, Julius Agwu, Cobhams, Kenny Saint Best, Obesere, Yaw, Ara and Skales. The other finalists are the mothers of one half of Artquake, Ice K, Tony Tetuila and Flavour. According to the executive producer of the show, Sola Fajobi, a five-minute review of the stories of each mother would be aired this weekend, during which viewers can vote for the five mothers that would make it into the finals. “It’s getting more interesting and exciting now because for any mother that has made into the top ten, it means she’s a super woman and her story must have cut across the broad spectrum of our viewers in Nigeria and beyond,” Fajobi says.

Hennessy artistry club tour

Some of the most talented and most promising artistes in Nigeria are about to hit the road for the Hennessy Artistry 2012 club tour. Acts like Dammy Krane, Solid Star, Flowssick, Rayce, Burna Boy, Mo-Eazy, L.O.S, Ms Jaie and Tunde Ednut will come together to set the clubs on fire from this weekend on the Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. A week after Nigeria’s favorite rappers, M.I and Naeto C, were announced headliners for this year’s Hennessy Artistry project, organizers of the musical platform revealed that the spotlight will also be given to rising acts as the Hennessy Artistry project is not only about established artistes but also promising musicians. The talented acts will perform in different clubs across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt starting on Friday, August 31, 2012 which will culminate in a series of VIP events which will see Hennessy Artistry Headliners, M.I and Naeto C performing.

DJ Jimmy Jatt

Spinlet has announced the signing of one of Nigeria’s most popular Disc Jockey, Jimmy Jatt, onto its platform. The prolific DJ, who has produced multiple hit tracks for many music heavy weights, while providing music for some of the biggest events on the continent, is one of the many of artists who have signed onto the platform in recent times. “We welcome DJ Jimmy into the Spinlet family as well as the many other artistes who have found a home on our platform. Disc Jockeys like Jimmy Jatt are very important bridge in promoting artistes music to their numerous fans and Spinlet has always been in the business of empowering and effectively promoting our artistes and in extension, the rich and vibrant music of Nigeria,” said Mark Redguard, Chief Marketing Officer, Spinlet.

Davido, Don Jazzy

In the last two weeks, top Nigerian celebrities have been doling out huge funds to support charitable causes in the Lagos metropolis. Leading the pack of the celebrities are Don Jazzy, who has donated N1 million twice to save the life of some of his fans, who have been afflicted with Cancer; Tonto Dikeh, who has donated N1 million to save the life of a fan; Davido, who doled out N1 million to save the life of a lab technician that is battling with cancer. Other celebrities, who have been showing support include Ruggedman, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st amongst several others.

Papas Place

One of the hangouts that has been habouring several celebrities at once is the newly opened Papas at The Place, Lekki, Lagos.
The celebrity spot, which debuted last Friday, has been creating a buzz in the Nigerian entertainment industry with several entertainers breezing into the spot to have fun. Sources noted that the duo of Kola and Frank, who are behind the lounge cum night club, have vowed to make the place irresistible and most patronized in the Nigerian entertainment industry.