Project Fame: Two Bite The Dust
It was another elimination show at the Project Fame house last weekend as five contestants with the least number of votes went on probation again. It can also be said to be a night of mixed feelings where two contestants sadly left the Academy and one fortunate candidate got in from the Wild card contest.
The show began on a beautiful note with the two wild card entries Henry and Ella who had the highest votes performing, Henry started off with Michael Bolton’s ‘How Am I Supposed To Live Without You’ and Ella did Beyonce’s ‘I Was Here’. After their beautiful performances, it was time for the Judges to pick the better contestant, Although TY Mix was absent Cobhams Asuquo was in as the guest judge, they unanimously chose Ella after thorough consideration. And so for first time in Project Fame history Ella became the first contestant to join the others in the Academy mid-stream.
Unfortunately for Chinyere, Joshua, Adetoun, Grace and Didi, they landed on probation block and had to repeat the songs they performed last weekend. After their performances, the Judges saved Chinyere for bringing the extra factor into her performance; faculty saved Adetoun whom they felt had been on top of her game. Didi escaped elimination with the votes of the contestants not on probation.
With Joshua and Grace left out as contestants not saved by any one, they both performed for the last time on the stage. Grace performed Yvonne Chakachaka’s ‘UMQOMBOTHI’ and Joshua rounded off beautifully singing ‘AHUKEWU’ by VIP.
When asked how they feel about their elimination, Grace with teary eyes appreciated the faculty and everyone who voted for her. Joshua also appreciated the judges and faculty and counted it as an honor to have been on the stage and for making it to ‘Naija’.
Ghanaian Singers drag flavour to court
Popular Nigerian highlife musician, Flavour N’abania is currently involved in a legal battle with Ghanaian singing duo, Wutah, over the alleged theft of their intellectual property.
According to the Ghanaians, Flavour’s new single Kwarikwa, featuring Fally Ipupa, was a ‘carbon copy’ of their Kotosa song, which they released in 2008. They are accusing the Nigerian singer of stealing the chorus, rhythm, and tempo of their song without consulting with them for permission.
‘This does not come as a surprise to me, as I already knew point blank that the material put out by Flavour was an outright plagiarized product of Kotosa. I mean, I heard what seemed like Kotosa blasting from the huge speakers in a CD vendor’s shop when I was driving to a friend’s home when I visited Nigeria last two months. I was happy and surprised that Kotosa had finally made its way to Nigeria after making hits in Ghana, only to hear Flavour’s signature hi-life voice on the beat. I was disappointed to say the least. I shook my head as I passed by’ said the manager of the defunct group.
Meanwhile, Flavour’s manager Benjamin, while speaking to THISDAY, refused to disclose any information from their quarters, “I’m not saying anything about it yet.’’
Flavour, whose real names are Chinedu Okoli, is currently signed to 2nite Entertainment. He released his second album, Uplifted in 2010.
Michael Clarke Duncan Passes on
Michael Clarke Duncan, the hulking, prolific character actor whose dozens of films included an Oscar-nominated performance as a death row inmate in “The Green Mile” and such other box office hits as “Armageddon,” ‘’Planet of the Apes” and “Kung Fu Panda,” is dead at age 54.
Duncan died Monday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles, where he was being treated for a heart attack, said his fiancée, reality TV personality Rev. Omarosa Manigault, in a statement released by publicist Joy Fehily, reports The Associated Press.
The muscular, 6-foot-4 (1.96 metre) Duncan, a former bodyguard who turned to acting in his 30s, “suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered,” the statement said. “Manigault is grateful for all of your prayers and asks for privacy at this time. Celebrations of his life, both private and public, will be announced at a later date.”
In the spring of 2012, Duncan had appeared in a video for PETA, the animal rights organization, in which he spoke of how much better he felt since becoming a vegetarian three years earlier.
“I cleared out my refrigerator, about $5,000 worth of meat,” he said. “I’m a lot healthier than I was when I was eating meat.”
Duncan had a handful of minor roles before “The Green Mile” brought him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. The 1999 film, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, starred Tom Hanks as a corrections officer at a penitentiary in the 1930s. Duncan played John Coffey, a convicted murderer with a surprisingly gentle demeanor and extraordinary healing powers.
Duncan’s performance caught on with critics and moviegoers and he quickly became a favorite in Hollywood, appearing in several films a year. He owed some of his good fortune to Bruce Willis, who recommended Duncan for “The Green Mile” after the two appeared together in “Armageddon.” Duncan would work with Willis again in “Breakfast of Champions,” ‘’The Whole Nine Yards” and “Sin City.”
His industrial-sized build was suited for everything from superhero films (“Daredevil”) to comedy (“Talledega Nights,” ‘’School for Scoundrels”). His gravelly baritone alone was good enough for several animated movies, including, “Kung Fu Panda,” ‘’Delgo” and “Brother Bear.” Among Duncan’s television credits: “The Apprentice,” ‘’The Finder,” ‘’Two and a Half Men” and “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.”
Born in Chicago in 1957, Duncan was raised by a single mother whose resistance to his playing football led to his deciding he wanted to become an actor. But when his mother became ill, he dropped out of college, Alcorn State University, and worked as a ditch digger and bouncer to support her. By his mid-20s, he was in Los Angeles, where he looked for acting parts and became a bodyguard for Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and other stars. The murder of rapper Notorious B.I.G., for whom Duncan had been hired to protect before switching assignments, led him to quit his job and pursue acting full-time.
Kanye West
Self proclaimed ‘African Michael Jackson’ D’banj has featured on Kanye West‘s label G.O.O.D Music compilation album titled ‘Cruel Summer‘.
The supposed tracklist, which leaked today HMV Japan and Tower Records, shows D’banj collaborated with six other US acts on the song titled ‘The morning‘. D’banj had a cameo in the video to ‘Mercy‘, the first single off the album.
The other acts include – Wu Tang rap veteran Raekwon, and D’banj’s fellow G.O.O.D Music acts Pusha T, Common, 2 Chainz, CyHi Da Prynce and Kid Cudi.
Other big names on ‘Cruel Summer’ include R. Kelly, Jay Z, and a surprise cameo from Harlem rapper Mase.
Teju Baby Face
Popular comedian and TV talk show host, Teju “Babyface” Oyelakin had his wedding recently with Tobi Banjoko in an elaborate wedding ceremony earlier held at Chapel of Christ The Light (interdenominational) Alausa secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos.
Veteran wedding planner Funke Bucknor-Obruthe of Zapphaire Events organized the wedding ceremony as well as the reception, together. Top Comedian Ali Baba was the MC for the reception. Top acts in the showbiz industry were in attendance at the event.
Teju wore a bespoke suit by Nigerian label Taryor Gabriels of Lagos paired with shoes by Calvin Klein and Russell and Bromley while Nigerian designer Mai Atafo, designed Tobi’s wedding gown as well as her bridesmaids’ dresses.
Kelly Hansome releases new mixtape ‘We Built America’
Singer-rapper-producer Kelly Hansome has been off and on the entertainment grid for the last two years. His much talked about third album ‘Names of Noise Makers‘ is still yet to be released.
But Hansome has surprisingly hit us with new material – a 22 track mixtape – Heavy! The mixtape titled ‘We Built America‘ consists of previously released singles we thought would make his third LP, new covers and original compositions.
‘We Built America‘, scores a high mark with Kelly Hansome’s arrangement, brilliant remixing of older tunes and vocal performance. It’s interesting to hear him switch from singing to rap while he handles production - great talent.
Until he releases his next album, fans will overdose on this brilliant effort.
Matilda Obaseki
Pretty actress Matilda Obaseki who was replaced by a Ghanaian actress, Leonora Okine on Tinsel, a drama based film production from MNET has recently given birth to a bouncing baby boy.
The lovers of the superb series who have been clamoring for her return back to Tinsel have all been sending congratulatory messages all over the world.
Mother and son are said to be doing well.
Matilda Obaseki played the role of Angela Dede, an eccentric young movie executive on the M-Net’s Hit Drama Series.