“The Twist Fashion Show” invites you to their debut event this summer

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The Twist Fashion Show invites you to their debut event this summer. The show’s founders, Alina Abdullahi, Adanma Nwankwo and Etopima Umanah are fresh out of secondary school, and they started this project to create a platform for self-expression for visual artists around their age.

The founders also plan to use the project and their platform for active advocacy in support of rape and domestic violence victims. 50% of their proceeds from their debut show will go to Mirabel Sexual Assault and Referral Centre For Rape Victims, one of the few sexual assault centres in Lagos. The support is important as the NGO almost closed down last year due to lack of funding.

The Twist Fashion Show will be a 2-part show held at the venue in Ikeja on the 23rd of June 2018 from 4pm to 10 pm. First a fashion show, then an art exhibition. We spoke to Etopima Umanah, one of the founders of The Twist Fashion to get a better understanding of the motive behind the Fashion show.

“Alright so it’s a fashion show and exhibition organized for teenagers by teenagers cause that’s our major target audience. It’s also involved in charity, particularly for rape and sexual assault victims because they are often ignored and marginalized group of people—both by society and government. And speaking from experience, it really hurts when no one believes you or it’s just so trivialized that speaking up about it is discouraged.

We’re donating a significant amount of the proceeds to the Mirabel Centre for Rape and assault victims at the end of the whole thing. It nearly got shut down last year in February due to a lack of funding, so yeah, we don’t want anything that horrid to ever happen. The Twist Fashion Show is also a youth empowerment event in the sense that all the art, fashion etc presented during the event will be delivered and produced by teenagers.

We hope to demonstrate the responsibility of the adolescent as well as our commitment to society through the efficiency of the organization because those are things adults often consider us as lacking.”

See the flyer, showing the dates and venue entry fees for  The Twist Fashion Show below.

Featured Image Credits: Twitter/thetwistfashion

Let Aramide’s “Magic” take you to a happy place

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Though Aramide is singing about her lover being magic, it’s her voice and aura over persistent guitar licks that enchants. Singing “Iwo l’adun mi, you are the sweetest thing”, she expresses her feelings as magic, warmly enough to melt hearts, whether they’re in love or not. Bash’em preemptively directs a clean and simple video for “Magic”, depicting only the beautiful singer showing off her pipes. Distractions with a cameo from the object of the affection would’ve been unnecessary and thankfully, it was left out. Instead, we get to watch Aramide have a lot of fun within bright colourful settings.

Watch the video for “Magic” here;

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Baseline Music

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This is why Black Panther actress, Sope Aluko is getting her own dedicated day in a Florida county

Banky W cameos wife, Adesua for “Whatchu Doing Tonight” video

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Earlier this year, Banky W brought our attention back to his most recent project, ‘Songs For You’, with the release of a music video for “Love U Baby”, the fifth song from the album. After continuing the string of releases through a remix of “Whatchu Doing Tonight” featuring Susu, he complements the release with a video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhbJZ3_HB4t/?taken-by=bankywellington

The video for “Whatchu Doing Tonight” is directed by Banky W. Through the video, we see Banky and Adesua enjoy their night together. While the song finds Banky W trying to coax a love interest to come out and hang with him for a fun night, he and his Mrs are seen leaving a club, then cruising through the third mainland bridge before ending at a party to perform the lyrics to the song.

Though it’s Susu’s verse that complements Banky’s, agreeing to hang with him through the night, Adesua plays out the singer’s part by miming the lyrics in dark love scenes and a stage performance with her husband. The final scenes of the video shows a twist that may be proof that crime is the glue that binds a couple.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Banky W Wellington

Listen to “Push Back”, Ne-Yo’s latest single featuring Stefflon Don and Bebe Rexhan

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For Ne-Yo’s latest track “Push Back”, he complements dancehall with R&B and pop featuring, American singer, Bebe Rexha, British-Jamaican rapper, Stefflon Don and Stargate, his long-time producers. Mavin boss, Don Jazzy also revealed via an Instagram post that he co-produced the song along with the Stargate duo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhD76AtFy-0/

“Push Back” creates a platform for all three artists to shine within their spaces. Ne-Yo delivers his familiar R&B melodies, after which Bebe Rexha takes the second verse with a more pop approach before Stefflon Don performs a fun rap verse over the Don Jazzy and Stargate produced instrumentals.

Watch the lyrics video to Ne-Yo’s “Push Back” here:

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/neyo

 

 

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Diplo recalls awkward encounter with Don Jazzy at a recording session with Kanye West

Watch Yvonne Orji, Tiffany Haddish and Kevin Hart in “Night School” trailer

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Universal Studios has released the first trailer for “Night School”; About a group of adults attempting to get a high school diploma. The Malcolm D. Lee-directed film teams up Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish as lead characters while also starring “Insecure” breakout star, Yvonne Orji and Megalyn Echikunwoke from “Arrows”.

In “Night School”, Kevin Hart’s character meets his match and then some in Tiffany Haddish’s after being forced to enroll in high school to get his GED as a consequence for the explosion he caused at his business. Haddish is his no-nonsense night school teacher, who explains that she’s taken the gig so she can “make a little cash”.

The Will Packer produced “Night School” is set to premier on the 28th of September but you can watch the trailer here;

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Universal Pictures UK

Koker’s first single for the year, “E Dey Your Body” comes with a romantic music video

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Afropop’s top hit makers recognize that one of the quickest ways to score a radio hit is to create a wedding soundtrack. Just ask Wizkid, Davido or Sunny Nneji, there’s something about celebrating love backed by live band music that Nigerians simply can’t resist partying too. From the gospel inspired “Haaaa Halle-lujah” riff, Yinka Ayefele-esque Yoruba ad-libs and the instrumentals Blaq Jerzee produces with horns, percussion, and drums, “E Dey Your Body” plays right into wedding tropes even before Koker’s pseudo-romantic lyrics. The video however focuses more on the romance as Adasa Cookey directs showing Koker playing music to entertain his lover through the days of the week. While it’s a bit of a nuisance for his love interest, she doesn’t seem to mind much and eventually replicates the romantic gesture at the end of the video.

Watch the video for Koker’s “E Dey Your Body” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Koker

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ICYMI: Listen to Koker’s gospel mash-up, “Testimony” here

Watch Cobhams’ exceptional awareness of pop music zeitgeist in video for “One Hit”

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Cobhams has sustained an uncommon connection with the mainstream over the years, from helming production to assisting the becoming of some of Nigeria’s biggest household names today. Thematically however, his own records often border on faith and pseudo-consciousness. His latest, the video for “One Hit”, a single released earlier this year, “One Hit” is a plea, a confession and an anointment.

Cobhams guides listeners through a somber mindset, weaving his voice around the organ that sounds alone, as if transmitting from an empty heaven. Cohbams references several pop stars with a songwriting style similar to Reekado Banks’ “Like” and pretty much every Tekno song since “Go”. It makes for an enjoyable and easy listen, but the somber melodies and his sighs gives the song an air of seriousness.

The video for “One Hit” follows in the same serious tone as Kurlevra Pictures directs a darkly painted room set where Cohbams sits at a chair singing the lyrics of the song. We also follow the story of another character’s longing to ‘blow’ through fragmented video cuts showing him staring at popular artists’ album cover arts while crumpled paper liters the floor.

Watch the video for “One Hit” here.

 Featured Image Credits: Cohbams Asuquo

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ICYMI: Listen to Reekado Banks and Tiwa Savage recycle some of your favorite Afropop hooks on “Like”

Skepta has been ordained a chief by the Baale, Chiefs of Odo Aje in Ogun state

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Skepta’s Homecoming concert fulfilled the rapper’s long dream to establish a sturdy home-base in Nigeria. But the fanfare wasn’t just an energetic performance for Lagosians who could make it to Federal Palace Hotel alone, after the concert, Skepta headed to Ogun state for matters closer to his heart. The rapper paid a visit to his parent’s hometown in Odo Aje, Ogun state to be robed with a chieftaincy title, as the “Amuludun of Odo-Aje”.

Skeppys’ new title loosely translates him to be the designated entertainer for his hometown, Odo-Aje. It’s a fitting role that strengthens his dedication to fully reconnecting with his roots. He shared a video from the ceremony where he can be seen in a black Agbada, a cap to match and white bids around his neck while traditional drums are heard celebrating his title. It’s the kind of heroes welcome for a man who has detailed struggles with embracing his Nigeria heritage while growing up.

Watch the video below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhKQLbOhQPd/?utm_source=ig_embed

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/skeptagram

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ICYMI: See how Skepta and other surprise guest performance made NATIVELAND 2017 our most memorable concert yet

Black Panther is the first movie shown in Saudi Arabia since 1980s

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Black Panther was breaking records months before its release. Post-release statistics have shown the Marvel flick did even better than projected, breaking more records and receiving even more fanfare from fans and skeptics. Just over a month after its release, the film is about to break another record: It will be one of the first foreign films to be shown in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom banned movie theatres in the early 1980s.

The removal of the ban was announced in December 2017. To celebrate the lift, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman organised a week of film screenings of animated films like “The Emoji Movie” and “Captain Underpants: The Epic Movie”. Speaking on the ban lift, the event’s designated organiser, Mamdouh Salim said, “Until now, there is no infrastructure for movie theatres, so we are trying to take advantage of (alternative) venues to approximate the cinematic form”. At the time, the public screenings of the animated films were held temporarily at the state-run cultural hall in the Red Sea city of Jeddah. But a newly branded AMC cinema originally intended to be a symphony concert hall, was recently revamped into a cinema, and “Black Panther” is to be the first official film they will be screening.

Disney and it’s Middle East distribution partner, Italia Film are set to show the film at the new cinema on the 18th of April, according to Italia Film’s spokesman representative. According to Vanity, this is the first of 40 cinemas AMC Entertainment intends to launch in Saudi Arabia within the next five years.

Featured Image Credit: Web/TheStar

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A Conversation with Dare Olaitan Before the Debut Screening of His Movie, “Ojukokoro” in New York

Naomi Campbell finally meets Ikorodu Kids Dance Crew

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If you were at BBK’s homecoming concert, you may have witnessed Naomi Campbell introduce a kids dance crew, DreamCatchers to perform as her special guests. Dream Catchers, also known as the Ikorodu kid dancers or Ikorodu Talented Kids, have been gaining steady recognition since stars like Naomi Campbell, Diddy and Rihanna shared videos of them performing on their social media pages.

The Dream Catchers are made up of 10 children who have been performing together since November 2014. The group was formed by the children’s caretaker and guardian Seyi Oluyole, who formed the group as a Social Enterprise to teach underprivileged street kids to dance and perform, using earnings to cater to their needs. Though the crew is fairly new, the recognition goes beyond celebrity encouragement, Seyi Oluyole and the crew were recently nominated for Best Creative Social Enterprise Award via African Creative Exhibition and Awards.

Naomi expressed her excitement to meet the crew before she came to Lagos for ARISE fashion week

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgIOYdoD96Q/?hl=en&taken-by=iamnaomicampbell

And they were just as excited about her visit, putting on this pretty sweet show when she finally met them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhC0GTIHAsw/?hl=en&taken-by=iamnaomicampbell

They also appreciated her introducing them at the Homecoming concert via instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhFX0eABPBP/?taken-by=dreamcatchersda

Check out more of the Dream Catchers videos on their youtube page. And maybe book them if the sweet moves get you too

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Naomicampbell

“Tomiwa is figuring it out…” Tweet at her @fauxxbella

Naomi Campbell calls on Vogue to launch African Edition

Watch the video for ClassiQ and M.I’s collaborative single “GUDU”

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Earlier this year, Arewa Mafia rapper, ClassiQ,  released “GUDU” featuring M.I. The song title, “GUDU” translates to “Run” in English and the lyrics imply that competition run away whenever both rappers drop new music. Though the song is mostly in Hausa with the occasional English lines, the G-plus Chang produced hip-hop beat and bellicose performance from both rappers is enough to portray the self-assured lyrics of the song.

ClassiQ and M.I. recently followed with the release of a music video for “GUDU” which carries on the militant theme heard on the song: street rap battles, models with baseball bats, fast flashing lights, and both artists commanding respect through their lyrics and body language.

See the music video for “GUDU” here:

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/ClassiQ

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Sauti Sol release “Afrikan Star” off their fourth studio album featuring Burna Boy

Two time Emmy winner, Uzo Aduba, to star in an indie drama titled “Miss Virginia”

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Nigerian born American actress, Uzo Aduba is set to star in an indie drama titled “Miss Virginia”. Uzo Aduba, who has earned two Emmys for her stellar performance as Suzanne (Crazy Eyes) on Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black”, will be starring alongside “Stranger Things” actor, Matthew Modine in the film set to commence production in Los Angeles this month.

“Miss Virginia” is inspired by a true story of a struggling inner-city single mother who moves her at-risk son from his dangerous neighbourhood school to a safe but expensive one. The mother (played by Uzo Aduba) sacrificing her financial stability is unable to afford her son’s new tuition payments, so she launches a movement that could vastly improve her son’s future and that of many other children in the community.

Uzo Aduba’s talent as well as her personality earned her the role, according to  Eric O’Connor, one of the producers, “The real Miss Virginia is as formidable as she is warm and down-to-earth, No one captures that spirit like Uzo. Her bravery, grit, and humor shine through in all her performances. We’re ecstatic that she will be bringing her infectious energy to ‘Miss Virginia.’”

Director, R.J. Daniel Hanna (“Shelter”)  will helm the feature film, while production will be handled by Erin O’Connor, Rob Pfaltzgraff and Maurice Black of the Moving Picture Institute, Stacey Parks of Media Sparks Entertainment; and M. Elizabeth Hughes. No official date has been released yet, but you can catch Aduba on “Orange Is The New Black”, which is rumoured to returning for the sixth season between 6th and 17th June.

Featured Image Credit: Web/BostonMagazine

Essentials: Brymo’s ‘Oso’ is perfect once you get past the melancholy

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Even by standards of critically uncool music, Brymo’s Oso album is not cool.

There was once a time when music branded as “alternative” just needed a well-told relatable story, but those simple times are over. The alt music scene is now self-aware introspection set to slinky Afropop and Adekunle Gold singing blues about love and life in the wilderness. It makes Brymo’s latest album a complete anachronism, and potentially more charming for it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf_HELllY3L/?hl=en&taken-by=brymolawale

The lead single off the album, “Heya!” came pre-marketed with a music video, depicting Brymo in nothing but a san bushman leather pouch. Though the video put Brymo at the top of Twitter conversations, the song’s message was sidelined for fandom debates on the singer’s ‘wokeness’, a fitting depiction of the song’s message about the dangers of ignorance; “Some Dey Talk And Some Dey Walk, And Time Just Dey Pass Us By”.

This is not surprising, given the singer’s willingness to juice up otherwise bland songs with pseudo-conscious lyrics and play PR ball. Speaking on his latest LP, Brymo told Pulse “there’s not been one Nigerian in history with my songwriting prowess or vocal dexterity or even stage presence.” This cynicism is what drives Oso’s exquisitely preachy 11-track album with blues-folk influences.

Opener, “No Be Me” finds the singer anchoring a hearty chorus around dark and world-weary lyrics: “We Dey Point Finger At Each Other, But No Be We Create The World Oh”. Save for the understated groove of the horns and electric guitar harmonies and drums Mikkyme Joses produces for all the tracks on the album, his songwriting dooms listeners to reflect on the world around them. On “Mama”, the second track, he nobly sets out to reassure listeners that we don’t live in uncertain times because times have always been uncertain.

“Patience and Goodluck”, one of the few optimistic cuts from the album, keeps OSO’s encompassing melancholy with a comforting underlying message; “If You Wait, You Go Soon Find Out Say Good Time Go Come Again”. But sung over the somber percussion, violins and other orchestra-esque harmonies, his breezy euphoria is barely glimmering. However, self-love advocating track, “God Is In Your Mind” showcases the richness of Brymo’s optimistic baritone, as he sings with the boyish vigour of a young preacher. Here, the chorus is the most potent element in the build up and composition; “For The First Time, God Shall Be Without A Name/ We’ll No Longer Look For Self in Every Mirror/ For The First Time, God Is In Your Mind”.

Brymo stays true to folk music’s evergreen topics of wanderlust, love and search for nirvana. But he tackles them with a graceful economy of language and fine gradients of emotions.

Take “Money Launderers and Heart Breakers”, the 8th track on Oso. Accompanied by Mikkyme Joses’ haunting production, he describes an empathy decay by explaining that everyone—including himself—is too rotten for love; “We’re Pretty Outside But We’re Ugly Inside”. Brymo works well with resignation and regret, to the extent that on “Time is So Kind”, he offers consolation for past failings by belting out “We’re All Blind! Blind! Blind! Blind!” over the catchy combination of electric guitar harmonies, horns and drums. Though it’s not the most uplifting song, with the solo electric guitar interlude, it’s the type of song that can really lift a concert to feverish heights.

At a time when traditionalists are treated as the avant-garde, Brymo closes Oso with three tracks sung in Yoruba language. All three tracks, “Olarewaju”, “Olumo” and “Ba’nuso” continues his preference for offering pseudo-intellectual counsel. Musically however, it shows how Brymo manages inclusivity with his style of pop, using familiar sentiments from the past to bring the dignified melancholy of old-school Yoruba folk right up to the present.

Stream Brymo’s ‘Oso’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/brymolawale

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ICYMI: Brymo breaks down his songwriting, his inspiration, background and career success on Wana’s “Culture Diaries”

Ignis Brothers explore human vulnerability on their official first single, “Braveheart”

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Bravery doesn’t signify an absence of fear or challenges, as any honest man who has allowed themselves thrive beyond their fears will tell you; staring down our fears is the only way to to survive our journey through the uncertainties of life. Ignis Brothers’ first official single, “Braveheart”  explores this theme.

On “Braveheart”, The three-man band explores the vulnerability often hidden behind every bold leap. The vocalists Dwin, The Stoic and Ruth Zakari with guitar support from Lamide Aranmolate tell various stories of embarking on journeys through the unknown and staying brave through it. On the chorus, they warn us “If I Said My Heart Was Steel, Oh Its Lies, All Lies”, and Dwin sings “The Cost Of Being Brave Is Far Too Much For Me”, signifying that the fear is often creeping, but we have to remind ourselves that bravery is not the absence of fear or self-doubt.

Listen to“Braveheart” here:

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Ignis Brothers

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“Dwin, The Stoic reaffirms his faith on his new single, “Are You The One”

Let Reekado Banks brighten your day with his new single, “Pull Up”

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With last year’s sleeper hit, “Like” still sitting pretty at top charts, Reekado Banks’ latest release, “Pull Up” is another go at the heart of neo-highlife lovers. While “Like” was a love song disguised as a countdown list of Reekado Banks’ favourite latest Afropop songs, his new single is more direct; an Afropop song geared towards romance at the dance club.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhG0bVNFZZK/?hl=en&taken-by=reekadobanks

Over the synth-driven Altims-produced beat, Reekado Banks sings an ode to exotic dancers with an airy summer flair; “I Love The Way You Whine That Body/ Sexy Rotate/ Baby Showcase/ Bend Your Low Waist”. His lyrics are sung with such charm that when he eventually admits his intentions to have his love interest “Pull Up In (His) Room”, it comes off as a compliment to her dancing.

Listen to “Pull Up” by Reekado Banks below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/reekadobanks

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 video for “Jeje” by Reekado Banks

Listen to Terry Apala’s latest Afro-fusion masterpiece, “Joosi”

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Half Apala and half feverish EDM synth-pop, Terry Apala’s first single for the year, “Joosi” shows the full force of the rapper’s polarizing music inspirations. Though “Campaign Shower”, his break out single, ear-marked him as a savvy Apala artist with a liking for trap fascinations, “Joosi” offers more perspective to his persona as he branches further from Hip-hop to embrace a more overarching pop sound. It is noteworthy to say if the fusion of African music with electronic music is future for Apala music, Terry Apala is taking us there.

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

Neduction produces “Joosi” with synth percussion, stretching synth samples that end in a satisfying base drop and uptempo traditional drums to give that Apala feel before Terry Apala’s gruffy Yoruba vocals firmly situates the era-bridging sonic. Singing “Gbogbo Yin Pata/ Le Joosi (All Y’all Can Dance to This)”, Terry Apala’s confidence in the sound is such that he isn’t trying to hide the gimmick in any introspective bullshit lyrics, but would rather explain his reason for merging the sounds is to ensure everyone can dance to the song.

Judging from the positive reaction of fans at the recent Gidifest 2018 when he performed the song, it’s safe to assume the gimmick worked. It’s an Apala song, hip enough to shakushaku to.

Listen to Terry Apala’s “Joosi” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/terry_apala

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: Terry Apala’s “Shape of You” cover shows how local sub-genres evolve

Korede Bello wants you to dance to his new single, “Work It”

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The words “Work It”, repeated as many times as Korede Bello does on his latest single, can be quite upsetting. But we’ve come to accept this style of pop from Korede Bello as a necessary escape from the blues of heartbreak and our harsh realities, notwithstanding mundanely happy themes and silly lyrics.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhCtwW4DTAB/?hl=en&taken-by=koredebello

Sure, there’s something intellectual about the way “Work It” warmly recalls the Galala melodies of classic tracks by Danfo Driver and the single’s stubborn refusal to conform to contemporary Afropop conventions. The most endearing element on “Work It”, is the recurring ‘Work It’ refrain that works like a charm for shifting moods in the club. As his voice rides the piano-led beat singing,”Work it oh, show your working o”, the mix of horns and synths and drums, is all the conviction you need to not to get your groove on.

Listen to Korede Bello’s “Work It” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/koredebello

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 video for Korede Bello’s “Melanin Popping”

Naomi Campbell calls on Vogue to launch African Edition

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In an interview with Reuters on Sunday, supermodel Naomi Campbell recommended that Condé Nast consider launching an African edition of Vogue. The model, who is visiting Nigeria to walk the runway for Arise Fashion Week, explained in the interview that she believes an African edition would be a befitting way to recognize the continent’s contribution to the global fashion industry.

She referenced to the appointment of Ghanaian-Born Edward Enninful as British Vogue editor-in-chief, “People have come to realize it is not about the color of your skin to define if you can do the job or not” but still thinks Africa is being neglected as a continent; “Africa has never had the opportunity to be out there and their fabrics and their materials and their designs be accepted on the global platform… it shouldn’t be that way”. Ms. Campbell who is also a contributing editor for British Vogue, said she believes this is the next step in progression for the magazine, stating that “We just had Vogue Arabia – it is the next progression. It has to be”.

In response to Ms. Campbell’s comments, a spokesperson for Condé Nast International The Independent that they have considered the possibility of a Vogue Africa; “We have considered Africa as a possible market for Vogue. It is something that we are looking at. Talent is so important not only to create our magazines but also to ensure that the market has a good landscape to write about and work with, like a strong fashion community in the case of Vogue. We also weigh the long term viability before making a decision, that we can stay for the duration”.

An African edition of Vogue will not only create a platform for designers to showcase their designs and have their stories told by people they feel connected to, it will also create a platform for the still growing industry to thrive both within the localities and globally and create a truly global creative opportunities.

Featured Image Credit: Web/VogueCovers

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Naomi Campbell finally meets Ikorodu Kids Dance Crew

TRAPLANTA and Odunsi trap about leveling-up on “Own That”

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“Woke up this morning feeling like, I’m Jordan”, Odunsi raps in the opening moments of “Own That”. There is a certain kind of confidence that comes from being a shining light for a blossoming culture, and Odunsi aptly describes this with a reference to a three-point streak. As expected, things get a bit hedonistic and self-absorbed once the rhymes set in. OBA raps about indulging a materialistic relationship. dndSection follows, with a motivational sing-song verse about remaining focused amidst distractions; “Gotta Keep, it moving, moving with the motions”. KA$H’s closing verse is no less a restatement of the track’s ethos, only with a deeper understanding of growing pains of adulting when he signs off the Odunsi-produced track rapping, “been on tour, get the rent paid”.

It’s not so glamorous, that after being on the road—literally putting in work—costs have to be funnelled back into the basics. But perhaps, in the way our individual becomings, that’s what it truly means to “own” our processes.

Stream Traplanta and Odunsi’s “Own That” here:

See the video for Brymo’s new single, “Heya!”

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Brymo is arguably one of the most creative artists in Nigeria at the moment and it has seen him garner as many fans as it has haters. Since his career took a bit of a wobble after his exit from Chocolate City, the singer has seemed on a mission to win over more fans with decidedly conceptual releases like his Klitoris album released in 2016. His latest effort is the video for “Heya!”, the lead single from his new album, Oṣó. 

As a lead single,“Heya!” does a good job of conveying the crux of the 10-track album which his website describes as an introspective project built on “philosophy and rhythm”. For the Ayomikun Oludoyi directed video, Brymo goes off the grid dressed in nothing but a vaguely revealing pant. Through the video, we see clips of Brymo playing a piano and exploring the earth under Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge. He sings “Some dey talk and some dey walk and time just dey pass us by”, as the video cuts from cars moving on the bridge, to a barely clothed Brymo—who looks straight out of a “God’s Must Be Crazy” set—walking under the bridge. Drawing inspiration from the San tribe in Africa for his costume, it’s perhaps a reflection of how one place can change over time.

Watch Brymo’s “Heya!” below

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/BRYMO Official

“Tomiwa is figuring it out…” Tweet at her @fauxxbella

Understanding Brymo on Wana’s Culture Diaries

Omawumi and Kiss Daniel come for haters on new single, “Me Ke”

Posted on by The Native

For her first single since her stellar album, Timeless, Omawumi presents us with “Me Ke”, song filled with the same confidence that makes her music so acclaimed. For “Me Ke”, the singer teams up with our often controversial fave, Kiss Daniel and they share a pleasant chemistry as they perform a playful, yet assertive set.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg3BfHrhZ2y/?hl=en&taken-by=omawonder

“Me Ke” opens with Omawumi doing a cheeky laugh before she begins singing—perhaps aimed at the haters she has been proving wrong and intends to continue chastening with her growing success. She refers to the anti-fans who thought she’d end up a one-hit wonder at the beginning of her career, “Some People Say She No Go Reign Again, Same People Go Change Their Mouth Again”. But if their words had no effect on her then, imagine how insignificant they are now when she doesn’t need their approval; “I’m Not Your Mate”.

Kiss Daniel echoes Omawumi on his verse, leaving a message assuring his haters that his hard work will continue to pay off with or without their approval; “Mama never taught me how to be lazy”. On the final verse, both singers get a little more comfortable in their cockiness as Kiss Daniel sings “Everywhere I Go They Put the Music Repeat, No Be Lie, I’m Doing Good”, while Omawunmi repeats the hook reemphasizing that she is, in fact, not her haters’ mate.

Stream “Me Ke” featuring Kiss Daniel here:

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/omawonder

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