Teni the entertainer has two new songs: watch “Case” and listen to “Shakeam”

Posted on by The Native

“Case” and “Shakeam”, the two new singles Teni The Entertainer released today, boils down to a single  effect: to make people dance and have a good time; just as her last single, “Askamaya”, also did. The video for “Case” sees the singer—who graduated back in June and has had the best year so far with 2017 crossover hit, “Fargin” and this year’s “Askamaya”—stalking a crush who she vouches to do anything for.

“I go slap police for your case, I go slap agbero for your case”, she sings and visually depicts as we see her in the video beating up a man in a secluded area after he bullied her crush at the entrance of a supermarket. While  “Shakeam”—which she has no video for yet—is an afropop track that has all the major highlights of the genre to veritably do well on people’s playlists; as she wrote on twitter “I haven’t even announced that Gbedu has dropped the love is amazingggggg”.

As written on her Youtube account, Teni who is signed to Dr Dolor Entertainment, will be rounding up her 2018 with these two songs.

Watch to Teni’s music video for “Case” below.

Listen to Teni’s “Shakeam” below.

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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

ICYMI: See Teni The Entertainer in “Askamaya” video

La Meme Gang share new single, “Stone Island” featuring DarkoVibes, RJZ & Kiddblack

Posted on by The Native

Listening to music is always a thrill, but when close friends gather around a deck for a private party, it can be a spiritual experience. Perhaps, this is why La Meme Gang music releases are so appealing and irresistible at concerts. Their latest single, “Stone Island” is a tribute to their jovial relationship and a perfect expression of gratitude to those treasured people we call friends.

Featuring a soulful verse from Darkovibes, a chorus and a verse each from RJZ & Kiddblack, the La Meme Gang sing and rap over the soothing bed of synths and auto-tuned vocal samples Eargasm produces. While Darkovibes’ somber vocals, blending English and GA has a tear-to-the-eye tenderness, RJZ’s verse extends the mushy sentiments to threaten anyone who opposes his friends. “Stone Island” closes with a final verse from Kiddblack. And even his macho baritone can’t hide the warmth and passion from his lyrics; “Go the Same Way for Lukey/ Love Y’all Truly/ Probably Won’t Even be Here if You Didn’t Come Scope me off the Floor Every time I Ever Needed Your Help”.

The music video for “Stone Island” is a collage of clips recorded while the gang were together. You can watch it below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/lamemegram
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Watch the whole La Meme Gang revel in their collective youth in their music video for “Godzilla”

6 videos you need to see this week

Posted on by The Native

Hotyce – “We Don’t Do That Over Here”

Over the catchy beat Gray Jones produces with percussion instruments, scatting synths and a sample that listens like the loose hinges of a bed-frame, Hotyce performs his “We Don’t Do That Over” rap single, filled to the brim with righteous indignation and riotous energy. While he tears into haters with his rap bars, the video Aje Films directs sets him on a well lit up stage, performing along with a dancer and some models who show off their fashionable attires as glitch effects flash across the screen to match the scatting beats.

Vic Mensa, G Herbo, Taylor Benett and Nick Grant BET Hip-hop Awards 2018 Cypher

The BET Cypher has always held some excitement for Hip-hop fans since as far back as Kendrick’s Drake diss in 2013 to Eminem’s 2017 anti-Trump freestyle. This year, the cypher continues to be the highlight of the BET Hip-Hop Awards as Vic Mensa G Herbo, Taylor Benett and Nick Grant’s set delivered bars that generated controversy when Vic Mensa took thinly-veiled shots at XXXTentacion who passed away earlier this year. Vic referenced X’s sexual assault charges saying, “Only time you bear arms is as a wife beater, loser/Your favorite rapper’s a domestic abuser” before following that up with “I don’t respect ni**as posthumously/Homicide ain’t new to me”, there’s no denying who the bars were aimed at. Though he has been criticized for dissing XXXTentacion while his mom was present in the audience, he responded saying, “I never intended to disrespect her and I offer my deepest condolences for her loss at the hands of gun violence.”

Mz Kiss – “Igboro”

Mz Kiss has proven time and time again that she has the fuego bars to put her up there with the greatest emcees to come from the streets. She gives this a visual representation in her latest release for “Igara” freestyle, as she’s shown in fiery flames rhyming “Can Do” with “Candle”. Although WGFilms&Alien directs the video with a DIY aesthetic that has comical filters and scenes of Mizz kiss with dogs,  it takes nothing away from her performance over the gripping beat Tiwezi produces with sweeping percussion and vocal samples that listen like an orchestra.

6lack – “Pretty Little Fears” Feat. J Cole

After kicking off his world tour in South Africa earlier this month, 6lack released the music video for “Pretty Little Fears” off his East Atlanta Love Letter album. The standout track from the album explores the Atlanta based singer’s relationship and features a verse from J Cole who also shows up in the video set on a beach date. And though they both spit game to their love interests, the video has a somber melancholic feel that is 6lack’s forte. 6lack’s world tour for his album is going to last till December 21st, and we expect he might release more videos from the tape before the year ends.

Chinko Ekun – “Able God” – Feat. Lil Kesh & Zlatan Ibile

By now, everyone online knows Picazo Rhap, the latest signing to Olamide’s YBNL label. He has already featured on YBNL Mafia’s “Juju, Guns and Roses”, but it all started when he released his entertaining freestyle over Chinko Ekun’s “Able God”. The single has been hot on the street, but the recently released video is sure to reignite the buzz around it as the featured artists, Lil Kesh and Zlatan Ibile join Chinko Ekun in a church themed music video where they all sing and pray for blessings from the creator.

The Kid Who Would be King – Trailer 

Reignite your childhood fantasies with the latest 20th Century Fox retell of the mythical Excalibur sword, “The Kid Who Would be King”. The film is based on Alex, a twelve-year-old British schoolboy whose everyday problems are dwarfed by his discovery of the mythical sword. Though he now has the most powerful sword in history, he’s still  a mere schoolboy in Britain, who needs help from friends. And as you’d expect, a medieval evil villain, Morgana shows up to make the epic adventure even more awesome as she’s hell-bent on destroying the world. The trailer shows some promising CGI action despite the childish drama the kids get up to.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/6lack
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ICYMI: Listen to “Juju, Guns and Roses” by YBNL Mafia

Check out the Track list for L.A.X’ debut album, ‘Rasaking’

Posted on by The Native

After collaborating with Wizkid for their hit single, “Caro” in 2013, and releasing his own sleeper hit, “Ginger” in 2014, L.A.X has since acquired fans from the Nigerian music landscape and that of the diaspora with a little more than a hand full of releases. From the moment he vaulted into stardom, the release of a project was always inevitable; the laws of physics, commerce and streaming platforms guaranteed this.

L.A.X had been teasing his debut, Rasaking—an album title that merges his own name, Rasaki, and the royal title, king, into a comprehensive whole—for the most part of this quarter through his social media account, bill boards and other promotional strategies. The track list, which he shared on his Instagram account a few days ago, features two bonus tracks including “Panana” which he released a video for last week.

Davido, Duncan Mighty, Maleek Berry, Moelogo, Yemi Alade and a few other artists offer guest verses on the album, which will debut on October 26th. 5 days to the release, L.A.X will host listeners to a session of his album at Backyard Bar and Grill in V.I —21st October. The intro track of the album “Ile Aye” has now been made available on streaming platforms.

Check out the tracklist for Rasaking below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo1VCmNHtBk/?taken-by=izzlax

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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

ICYMI: Watch L.A.X get married in his video for “Panana”

Essentials: ‘rare.’ by Odunsi

Posted on by The Native

Releasing a debut has always been a gesture of blind ambition, but few artists have done it with as much confidence as Odunsi. The track rollout for his new project ‘rare’, started with the release of “Alte Cruise”, embellished with the urban lifestyle and distinctively retro-inspired aesthetic. Despite releasing Afropop records like “Desire”, with the same mid-tempo drums as any pop song playing on radio, he’s often labelled as an outsider in the music industry. And though Afropop is in such a good place that Davido’s “Fall” was the most Shazamed song in New York at some point last week, Odunsi’s album, ‘rare.’ takes on the brave task of reshaping Afropop zeitgeist with a new face.

He could never have attempted this if he didn’t already have a decent amount of influence across West Africa and beyond with collaborations and production credits. But for his own album debut, he reaches even higher up the celebrity chain, leveraging on a guest list that boasts of features from Runtown, Davido, Nasty C, Amaa Rae, Tay Iwar and international pop stars like Hamzaa and Deundita, among others. Davido assisted “divine”, the album’s official lead single, offered further hint to the nostalgic direction of the album, in line with the King Sunny Ade Easter eggs on Odunsi’s Instagram.

After establishing that he’s ready to handle the pressure of releasing his album debut on opening track, “rare”, he gets right into the clever, freewheeling pop music that’s happy to rip its own heart out then proudly tack it to its sleeves with a safety pin. Confessing, “Your Mama No Like Me, But Me I Love Your Mama” over the soft and sweetly melodic synthesized beat he produces for “falling” and following that up with “I Might Be Addicted to the Pain” on “take me there”, Odunsi’s humble indie-pop songwriting is a winning formula for anyone who finds themselves reflecting in the blues of romance.

However, his introspective lyrics still leave room for a handful of preppy cuts with tracks designed for the dancefloor. On “outcast”, he reclaims his self-confidence, recounting the trials he has overcome in his past while a beat that listens like it came from that past plays in the background. Though he returns to a romantic comfort zone on “wanted you”, the funky disco beat he produces and additional synth bass from Altra Nova are upbeat and distracting from the sultry sentiments expressed in the lyrics.

On the album’s standout track, “star signs”, Odunsi and Runtown sing about the type of women they are into. But it’s the fusion of highlife with a funk that elevates the song into its rightful position as a potential hit record. While Efe Jazz’s guitar riff listens like something you’d expect to hear on a vinyl from the 70’s, layers of synth lines enhance the sound so it comes across like something from the future. “hectic” featuring 234Jaydaa, Amaa Rae and Solis on the other hand tugs firmly on nostalgic strings with 90’s hip-hop inspired beat and the soulful performance from the singers. All 14 tracks on the album show Odunsi’s willingness to incorporate several styles of music to stimulate more musical experimentation.

Though ‘rare.’ draws on the past for inspiration, making it an indispensable part of the overall sound, he effectively incorporates the modern sounds of trap, Afropop, highlife and electronic dance music, such that he can be identified by the sound he creates on the album.

You can stream ‘rare.’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/odunsitheengine
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Check out all the credits for Odunsi’s ‘rare.’ album debut

Essentials: ‘Palmwine Music Volume 2’ by Show Dem Camp

Posted on by The Native

Palmwine Music: Volume 1 did not only stand out from SDC’s prior releases, it also challenged preconceptions about Afrobeat narratives and the music itself. SDC makes a decisive point of composing likeable, highlife-leaning Nigerian pop beats, through songs centring on love and party themes; a musical atmosphere in which Palm wine on the beach can be enjoyed. They have essentially curated a sound from last year’s “Feel Alright” with Poe and Boj, making the two volumes of Palmwine Music to be an extensive continuation of that sound.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo7tnNbBEJC/?taken-by=showdemcamp

While the first instalment in the Palmwine Music series has the feel of party music, the new sequel provides a good atmosphere for that and more. A “love will take you to the throne” lyric on “For a Minute”, “true love is hard to find” on “The Garden, combined with confessions of lovemaking with longing desperation elsewhere on “Love On Weekends”, sets a tone for summer warmth and love. On these three tracks, Lady Donli, Falana, Ladipoe and Tomi Agape feature as guest artists. Much of Palmwine Music 2  are arranged like this, with Show Dem Camp steering ship with a cast of different collaborators.

SDC’s ability to perform alongside a wide range of featured artists has always been one of the most special element of projects from the group. Even way back in 2011, when the group’s foothold on the industry was barely noticeable, The Dreamer Project, their debut, featured performances from M.I, 2face, Nneka, Efya and others. To top the features that made the first instalmemt in the series (Odunsi, LadiPoe, BOJ), Palmwine Music 2  leans more towards the mainstream with contributions from Moelogo, Nonso Amadi, Worlasi, Flash and even more obscure Afropop stars like Burna Boy.

Yet again, Spax takes the pride of place as a producer on all 10 tracks on Palmwine Music 2. The producer is responsible for evoking feelings of love on “Tropicana” and the chill of a outdoor BBQ with close family and friends on “Malibu and Palmwine”. Alongside Show Dem Camp, Producer Spax makes the cool urban sound that distances Palmwine Music 2 from regular Nigerian Afrobeats, by reframing it to a more desirable model of the dedicated titles and themes of mainstream Afrobeats. This way, the team is able to avoid pastiche, yet still manage to take everything about the genre’s high spirits into consideration. This differing style —of both production and narrative— gives the ambience of Palm wine music full flavour.

Listen to Show Dem Camp’s Palmwine Music 2 via Apple music below. Few days before the release of their project, the duo also released a beautiful collaborative alternative album, Live. Create. Repeat. on October 11th with Funbi, Ladipoe, Tomi Thomas, Tems, Spax and many others.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@king davies
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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

ICYMI: Show Dem Camp’s “Up 2 You” was one of our best new music last year

Listen to Ice Prince and Peruzzi on “Yawa”

Posted on by The Native

“Yawa”, Iceprince and Peruzzi’s new (and first) collaboration is a finely produced Afrobeats track that is sure to have repeated plays at the clubs or even while commuting. While none of their verses are really too ambitious—through familiar themes and words—the two are able to punctuate an ostensibly romantic atmosphere that highlights everything that is Nigerian mainstream pop. With the right mix of percussion instruments, synths and voice harmonies—produced by DMW’s Fresh—Ice Prince and Peruzzi are able to build a home for a shared sentiment that requires individual action to bop on the dance floor.

Listent to Iceprince’ “Yawa” featuring Peruzzi below.

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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

The NATIVE Presents: 11 dope projects you probably missed

R2Bees tap La Meme Gang, Humble Dis, Medikal & B4Bonah for “Boys Kasa”

Posted on by The Native

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpAWzjfgfGR/?hl=en&taken-by=r2beesmusic

Ghana-made group R2Bees is on course to release its third studio project, Site 51 in the coming months. Earlier in July, R2Bees dropped, “We De Vibe”, an uptempo club banger and lead-single off the project. For their new single, Mugeez and Omar Sterling bring on alternative Afro-hip-hop group, La Meme Gang alongside, Humble Dis, Medikal and B4Bonah who all share screen time and verses for “Boys Kasa”.

“Boys Kasa” is an Akan phrase loosely translated as “boys talk”, and as expected, casual banter about women and sex surface through the track. The accompanying video for “Boys Kasa” features shots of boys in the having a good time in the slums, a hint the new single will feature on Site 51 (their first LP in five years). R2Bees half, Mugeez, told Voice of America Site 51 is a tribute to Terma 51, the neighbourhood Padae and Mugeez spent a chunk of their childhoods.

Site 51 is expected before the end of the year. Stream “Boys Kasa” below:

Bobi Wine Says Kanye’s meeting with Uganda’s President is “Immoral”

Posted on by The Native

Reggae musician, Bobi Wine, who doubles as a Politician of an opposition party in Uganda, has spoken out against  Kanye’s meeting with President Museveni at the state house. He called the meeting “immoral”, further saying that Kanye West is “hobnobbing with a president who has been in power now for 32 years and restricts any freedom, a country where opposition activists are tortured and imprisoned”.

Since winning a seat as Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Bobi Wine has been more active than ever in politics, securing the votes of citizens who he has given hope to, some of who want him to become the next president of Uganda. The current president, Museveni has been in office for over three decades. Bob Wine’s supporters protested for his release in Kampala in August, after being arrested for treason by President Museveni’s team during a campaign in Uganda.

Wine expressed his disappointment for the American artist—who is currently in Uganda with his wife and kid, Kim and North, to record his YANDHI album— further criticising him for not using “his voice for the good of people in Africa”. He continued by saying, “I’m a musician but I am not allowed to stage a show in my own country because I disagree with the president. It is very disappointing.”

This isn’t the first criticism Kanye West will be getting on his visit to Uganda. While there, when Kanye West called himself “the best living recording artist” and claimed “the spirit of Fela” is within him, Nigerian artist, Political activist, Fela Kuti’s son, Seun Kuti opposed Kanye in a statement: “On behalf of the Kuti family, I want to state that the spirit of Olufela Anikulapo Kuti isn’t anywhere near Kanye West.”

All of the condemnations haven’t stopped Kanye from touring the Ugandan soil. On Tuesday, visited the orphanage, Masulita children’s home, which is founded by the First Lady, Janet Museveni who doubles as its patron through her charity organization Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO).

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images / SAUL LOEB

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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

ICYMI: Why Kanye West and his family landed in Uganda earlier this week

Watch Dapo Tuburna’s new video for “Other Side”

Posted on by The Native

Dapo Tuburna intimately knows how to party and tell relatable stories through his song’s lyrics. For his latest single, “Other Side” he combines both to narrate a night out at a club with picturesque descriptions to revival any YouTube tutorial video on how to party.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj70k2XHEeE/?taken-by=dapotuburna

Backed by the mellow atmospheric synth beat Yung Willis produces, Dapo Tuburna breaks down alcohol’s ability to add some colour to the partying experience. Without losing pace with the catchy beat, he runs through a list of activities to keep things interesting at the club; “Na Owo Eh, Gbo Owo, Gbahn Idi Eh/ Shake Up Your Bum Bum/ Shaku Shaku”. Though he brags about the quality of his music, his most dominant attitude—heard through his slightly slurred vocals—seems to say the best way to have a good time at a party is to get faded.

Check out Dapo Tuburna’s “Other Side” below.

NB: This is an updated version of the original post made solely for Dapo Tuburna’s “Other Side” Audio Track, released in June.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/dapotuburna

You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Watch Dapo Tuburna’s music video for street anthem, “Nothing”

Starboy co-sign, Terri, released beach-themed music video for debut single, “Bia”

Posted on by The Native

After debuting under Wizkid’s Starboy label with “Bia”, back in August, Terri was no longer the new guy with that one verse on “Soco”. Although his performance on the hit record was convincing enough to label him a promising prospect for Afropop’s future, his career only just began to blossom with the release of “Bia”. And the recently released music video Clarence Peters directs makes a point of that fact.

Terri is seen swiveling his hips on the serene sets, dancing next to a graffiti decorated car on a beach, and partying with beautiful tribal adorned models at a shrine set. While his sultry vocals and raunchy lyrics have proven accomplished on dancefloors, hearing Terri declare his euphoria while reveling in his own confidence and the serene beauty around him feels even more powerful and moving.

You can watch the video for “Bia” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Starboy Terri
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Tekno and Spotless team up for new single, “Benz”

Straffitti teams up with Blaqbonez and PsychoYP for unapologetic new single, “100BENZ”

Posted on by The Native

Since his debut, it has been easy to criticize Straffitti for his penchant for using his music as a medium to send violent threats to his haters. It stands to reason that if one warning isn’t enough to stop the hate, a hundred warnings isn’t going to make much of a difference. But there’s a levity to “100BENZ”, his new single featuring Blaqbonez and PsychoYP. Despite the bass heavy trap beat GClef and JohnsonIP produce with percussion samples and layers of synths, there’s a peculiar guitar riff sample that is so sweet, it counterbalances the potential severity of their lyrics.

While glorifying the trap lifestyle with flashy brags and gun-toting machismo, all three rappers infuse enough of their personalities to give a more wholesome perspective to the lifestyle. With a verse from each rapper, Blaqbonez and PsychoYP let slip that their actual issues are with their lovers. And even Straffitti sounds happy to give away all his money for some head. If he is trying to sell listeners on his street life, “100Benz” is a convincing tale about the rash lifestyle of young people trying to make their way on the street.

You can stream “100BENZ” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/straffitti
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Listen to Straffitti’s “Hotel Tokyo” featuring JethroFaded

Stanley Kalu’s ‘The Obituary of Tunde Johnson’ will be directed by the co-creator of ‘Everybody hates Chris’

Posted on by The Native

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, written by the Nigerian student, Stanley Kalu—who schooled in University of Southern California’s Cinematic Arts—now has a director, Ali LeRoi —the co-creator of the comedy hit Tv series, Everybody Hates Chris.

Kalu’s script for The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, won $1 million in a screenplay competition through The Launch, a fellowship co-created by Jason Shuman and Zachary Green to find excellent next generation of screenwriters from around the world. Shuman and Green are producing Kalu’s project with Chuck and Marni Bond, alongside LeRoi who just signed as the director.

Deadline reports that the movie production will begin later this month. And as the publication reports, the plot follows “a wealthy, black, high school senior who falls victim to an endless time loop of police brutality”.

In an old interview with his school, USC cinematic Art, the talented script writer—Stanley Kalu—spoke about his art through the perspective of his nomadic life with his family who has lived in seven different countries since his birth; “my fractured perspective turns my writing to mercury. Ever shifting. Ever changing. Always different”.

Through the many acheivements LeRoi has underneath his sleeves —being the creator behind the hit TV series, Are We There Yet, and an Emmy winner for The Chris Rock Show— he is a trusted partner to compliment Kalu’s artistic proficiency by directing The Obituary of Tunde Johnson.

We look forward to a release date.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@lord_kalu
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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

ICYMI: ‘Ugly Betty’ Is Getting A South African Version

Listen to “Yours”, a romantic new single by Gavi

Posted on by The Native

Produced by Konam, “Yours” is a gleefully mellow track with a rock-steady drum riff that’s certain to keep heads bopping. Over the mid-tempo beat embellished with ambient synth percussion instruments, Gavi performs a sultry set to win the affection of a love interest; “You’re the one that I want, I want to be with you”. The mix of English and his indigenous Igbo dialect helps to magnify the vulnerability in his vocals, as he admits to being in his feelings and willing to do anything to be called her man. “Yours” is Gavi’s second single, after debuting with “Sefunmi”, over a year ago.

You can stream “Yours” below.

https://soundcloud.com/listentogavi/yours-gavi

Featured Image Credits: Twitter/Gavi_Official
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Listen to “Sefunmi” by Gavi

Mo’believe shares “Poverty” music video to commemorate World Day for eradication of poverty

Posted on by The Native

Mo’believe is a singer and songwriter who makes smart indie-pop songs that everyone and their mothers will love. He just released the music video for “Poverty”, a compelling song narrating the harsh economic reality of Nigerians off his recently released debut project, Ariwo Eko. The video Adeniyi ‘TAJ’ Joseph directs for Nostalgia Media Agency is a perfect complement to “Poverty” as Mo’believe is seen in shots, invisible to the actors playing the characters he describes in his lyrics; “Preacher Man Dey Sell Hope/ Brother Emma Dey Live on Scope/ Sister Blessing Dey Sell Her Body”.

Although Mo’believe’s ghostly impression takes front and center in most frames, the obvious hardship in the rural compound setting of the video is striking. Still, it’s the type of cinematic sleight of hand that can make the song’s message more compelling, as Mo’believe releases the video on the 17th of October to commemorate World Day for eradication of poverty.

You can stream the video for “Poverty” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Mo’believe
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Listen to “Jolly Jolly” off Mo’believe’s ‘Ariwo Eko’ EP

Here are the full album credits for Odunsi’s “rare.”

Posted on by The Native

Odunsi’s first album rare. debuted last Friday. In addition to previously released singles like “Divine” and “Alte Cruise”, rare. contains 12 additional tracks, and there are some impressive features: Runtown makes a rare appearance, while Santi, Nasty C, Tay Iwar, AmmaRae, Zamir Los and Hamza amongst others contribute vocals.

Production contributions comes from sources as wide as Seyi Ogunnaike, Genio Bambino, Kingsley Okorie, Davido, Efe Jazz, Tay Iwar and Yinoluu. The artist himself is credited on almost every song as producer too.

See rare.‘s track list and production credits below.

rare

Arranged by Odunsi

Written by Bowofoluwa Odunsi and Malike Hamzaa

Vocals: Hamzaa, D.A.P, Dj Woske

Keys: D.A.P

Guitars: Efe Jazz & Banakoy aba

Rhodes: Clyde Lawrence

Spoken Word: Tomi Thomas

(this intro had 2 versions. TMXO inspired the current version on the album)

 

falling

Produced by Odunsi

Bass Guitar: Seyi Ogunnaike

 

take me there

Produced by Le Mav

Additional vocals: Lady Donli

Interview extract: Idris King speaking live on naija info fm with “massive mathew”

 

outcast

Produced by Genio Bambino

Keys: Tomi Thomas

 

divine

Produced by Hvrry

Additional Production: Davido

Additional Vocals: Sola King

 

wanted you

Produced by Odunsi

Additional Synth Bass: Altra Nova

 

angel

Produced by Odunsi

Bass Guitar: Kingsley Okorie (cavemen)

 

take a break

Produced by Odunsi

Additional Production: Krs.

Guitar: Efe Jazz

 

express

Produced by Odunsi

 

dancefloor

Produced by Odunsi

 

star signs 

Additional Production: Nosapollo

Guitar: Efe Jazz

Additional Bass: Kingsley Okorie (cavemen)

 

greenlight

Produced by Odunsi

Additional Vocals: Dj Yin

Guitar: Tay Iwar

 

hectic

Produced by Odunsi

Additional Synth: GMK

Bass: Kingsley Okorie (cavemen)

 

alté cruise

Produced by Yinoluu

 

All Tracks Mixed and Mastered by GMK

 

A&R: Chubbz

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/ @___tse

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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

Stream all songs from ‘Rendezvous: A Playlist by M.I Abaga’

‘Ugly Betty’ Is Getting A South African Version

Posted on by The Native

The ABC series, Ugly Betty, inspired by the megahit Colombian telenovela, Betty La Fea has been optioned for a local adaptation by South Africa’s Known Associates Entertainment. Variety reported that the deal was announced at Cannes’ Mipcom television trade show on Monday with Colombian net RCN, which owns the rights to the format.

Known Associates chairman, Joel Phiri, said the company intends to produce Ugly Betty just as the other seasons of it have been produced. Except this time, “with a local flavor, and in South African languages”. He is also quoted by Variety as saying, “It is a great pleasure to be able to bring this evergreen home to South African audiences, and we are looking forward to finding the best broadcaster for the series”. The production company is currently in talks with broadcasters to find the adaptation a fitting time belt and station.

The America version dubbed Ugly Betty, debuted in 2006, running for four seasons on ABC. The worldwide hit was created by Silvio Horta, executive produced by Salma Hayek and Ben Silverman and it starred America Ferrera, who later won an Emmy Award, making her the the first Latina to win a lead actress for the Emmys.

Featured Image Credit: Known Associates Entertainment
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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

ICYMI: South African Actress Phumzile Sitole Joins Cast Of “Orange Is The New Black”

YBNL Mafia’s “Juju, Guns and Roses” establishes them as the future of indigenous rap

Posted on by The Native

Over the length of his career, Olamide has had several narratives attached to his name; from the convenient DaGrin comparisons, street inclined rap, inspiring bromance with Phyno and later on, his preference for dance-ready pop songs. But after successfully establishing artists like Lil Kesh and Adekunle Gold in the music industry, he has earned a new career batch as an exemplary talent manager. Just yesterday, he threatened to expose “21st-century slave” masters in the music industry, disguised as record labels after signing budding talents, Picazo and Yomi Blaze. And though he is yet to make good on that promise, his latest signings, Picazo and Yomi Blaze have joined ranks with hip-hop acts in YBNL, Davolee and Limerick, to form a new rap crew called YBNL Mafia.

Just hours after the signing, YBNL Mafia have released their debut single, “Juju, Guns and Roses”, confirming the hunger the two new signings have shown in the freestyles released on social media. And after hearing their hard hitting bars over the percussion led beat with vocal samples and no hook, it’s easy to understand why they went with the name YBNL Mafia. Though they are still too new for their voices to be recognizable, all four rappers’ flow run into each other, packed with snap judgments, stream-of-consciousness observations that vanish as quickly as they appear. With their Yoruba bars embellished with English metaphors, Picazo, Yomi Blaze, Davolee and Limerick make rapping seem easy with their fluidity. But it’s the kernels of wisdom scattered in their musings that resonate more; “Wo Ni Sango Loko Iya But Mi O Gbo Pe Wo Se Engagement”.

You can stream YBNL Mafia’s “Juju Guns and Roses” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/baddosneh

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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Olamide signs promising new acts, Picazo and Yomi Blaze after social media hype

Ryan Coogler has signed a deal to write and direct ‘Black Panther 2’

Posted on by The Native

The outsized success of Black Panther, both critically and commercially, has long instigated expectations for a sequel. But no one knew when it would happen. Hollywood Reporter and Shadow and Act have reported that the film maker behind the $1.3 billion worldwide hit, Ryan Coogler, has quietly signed a deal to write and direct a second Black Panther.

Although they did not disclose their sources, The Hollywood Reporter, who first broke the news, writes that before and after Black Panther was released in February, “both Marvel and Coogler’s camp were hounded about when a sequel deal would be inked”. Usually, a filmmaker and a studio are quick to sign a follow-up, especially after a successful opening. “But Coogler’s camp shook off the peer pressure and took its time in making a deal, which occurred under the radar some time ago.”

While Ryan Coogler is currently working on his next movie, Wrong Answer, the plan is for him to write Black Panther 2 in 2019 and for production to begin in the last quarter of the year or early 2020. Coogler is also executive producing Space Jam, starring LeBron James.

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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

AV Club: “Klippers” by Black Panther Alumnus, Ofu Obekpa, is a recycled Nigerian action-comedy

Show Dem Camp share new project, ‘Palm Wine Music 2’

Posted on by The Native

Like all Show Dem Camp tapes, ‘Palm Wine Music 2’ was released with next-to-no promotion. Less than 24 hours after teasing the cover art and tracklist for the EP, the rap duo dropped the 10-track project as a sequel to their last project, Palm Wine Music Vol.1, released last year. The new joint enlists the usual Show Dem Camp collaborators like BOJ, LadiPoe, Ajebutter and some new features like Nonso Amadi, Burna Boy, Worlasi, Falana, Flash, Moelogo, Lady Donli and Tomi Agape.

Palm Wine Music 2 continues where the first volume left off with the smooth dance-ready beats, produced by Spax.

You can stream ‘Palm Wine Music 2’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/showdemcamp
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Check out all the essentials from Show Dem Camp’s ‘Palm Wine Music Vol.1’

If you are 20, Nigeria may still be world’s poverty capital when you are 50

Posted on by The Native

Nigeria is graded the 157th out of 157 countries in a new list of worldwide poverty ranking. This report is the most recent so far, published by Development Finance International (DFI) and Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (OxFam) dated October 2018. They have produced the first index to actually measure the commitment of governments to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor —as each country’s president promised that they will do in 2015.

Three years ago, precisely 25th September, 2015, when 193 countries adopted all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by the United Nations, President Muhammadu Buhari promised commitment to reduce the gap between the poor and rich, especially on the basis of goal 10; “reduced inequalities”.

In spite of that, Nigeria’s poverty crisis is worsening.

The new index developed by DFI and OxFam to measure each country’s commitment to reduce inequality covers 157 countries, which measures government action on social spending, tax and labour rights –three areas found to be very critical to reducing the gap.  The bottom 10 countries, stated in the report —from the 148th to 157th position— include: Bangladesh, Singapore, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Bhutan,  Sierra Leone, Chad, Haiti, Uzbekistan and Nigeria.

Over the past 30 years, many countries across the world, both rich and poor, have experienced rapid growth in the gap between the richest people in society and everyone else. But “Nigeria remains at the bottom of the Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) index, failing the poorest people, despite its president claiming to care about inequality”, the report explicitly states. Since the turn of the century, “the poorest half of the world’s population have received just 1% of the total increase in global wealth, while the top 1% have received 50% of the increase”.

It also predicts that “a child born in Nigeria today will be 34% as productive when she grows up, [only] if she enjoyed complete education and full health” today. This prediction is based on five indicators: the chances that a child will live to age five, a healthy growth, the expected years of schooling, quality of learning that is available and the survival rate of adults in the country. For all of these, Nigeria ranks last. The country’s Human Capital Index (HCI) value of 0.34 (every country is scored from zero to one) is lower than the global average of 0.57.

The report also explains how inequality is bad for everyone, and that the consequences for the world’s poorest people are particularly severe.  It reduces economic growth, and worsens health and other outcomes; it “undermines the fight against gender inequality and threatens women’s rights and it compounds other inequalities such as those based on race, caste or ethnicity”, the report states. However, DFI and OxFam believe that the inequality crisis is avoidable and that governments have the power to act against it; “Inequality is a policy choice,” states the report.

The report’s index which studies 157 countries over the past 30 years demonstrates that reducing poverty is an area where successive governments in Nigeria has been lacking in for three decades, showing the sheer ineptitude of the leaders’ economic plan. This therefore necessitates the arrival of a more capable presidential team upon the 2019 elections.

From just 1990 to 2013 alone, Nigerians living in extreme poverty increased by 35 million. DFI and OxFam’s report manifestly demands that in another 30 years from now —2050— which is the average period, generally considered to measure ‘a generation’ (during which children are born,  grow up, become adults, and begin to have children of their own), Nigeria’s efforts at reducing poverty will have to effect urgent and long-term results, given the continuous increase in the country’s population.

You can take a look at the full report HERE.

Featured Image Credit: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

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Fisayo is a journalist in search of words. Tweet at her @fisvyo

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