New Music: Skales – Temper

Skales is taking no days off! After a successful European tour, Skales drops a new hit single, “Temper” produced by Kris Beats.

Yemi Alade features Imeh Bishop & Beverly Osu in her New Video | “Tumbum”

On her 2016 album Mama Africa, Nigerian afrobeats artist Yemi Alade explores sounds from all over her continent, but the video for its latest single “Tumbum” sticks closer to home.

In a riff on the food-themed lyrics of the song, Alade plays a restaurant cook who serves up tasty jollof and fufu in a rural Nigerian community. With a playful storyline starring Nollywood luminaries Ime Bishop Umoh and Beverly Osu, it’s a hilarious accompaniment to the Selebobo-produced track.

Phyno Appreciates Fans with Phyno Fest Concert 2016! Olamide, P-Square, Patoranking, Burna Boy & More Billed to Perform | Sunday, November 20th

He has become one of the most respected entertainers in Nigeria, admired and followed by many on a global scale. Since his debut with his distinct genre of music into the Nigerian music scene, Phyno is significantly one of  those musicians who has successfully transformed the general outlook and perception of the African music; this is profoundly evident in his music.

While Phyno continues to have lovers of Nigerian music step to his hit singles , ‘Fada Fada’, ‘Connect’, and most recently, ‘Pino Pino’, he has come into the news again. As part of his ways of giving back to his numerous fans, the seasoned rapper has put together a concert scheduled to rock the South-East of Nigeria.

This November, Penthauze, in conjunction with Nairabet and the Enugu State Ministry of Youths and Sports, presents Phyno Fest Concert 2016 as another opportunity for fans to watch Phyno weave his magic with his music. Other A-list artistes confirmed to perform are Olamide, P-Square, PatoRanking, Burna Boy, and many more surprises to come. This one of a kind concert will take place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on 20th of November, 2016, starting at 1pm. The concert has been made affordable, with an entrance fee of N200 for regular tickets, and N500 for VIP. This is so, every Phynoholic has the opportunity to meet with their favourite artiste in a venue boasting of enough space for a safe, explosive musical experience! The event is supported by Airtel.

Date: Sunday, November 20th, 2016
Time: 12 Noon
Venue: The Cathedral, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Fee: N200 – Regular tickets, N500- VIP tickets.

The feeling of anticipation is thick in the air as the clock counts down. Certainly, no true Phynoholic will want to miss this one as it will be a show to eclipse all shows. Mark the date down, now! For updates on artistes and other amazing surprises, visit www.phynofest.com or follow social media platforms @phynofest2016 on IG, and @phynofest on Facebook and Twitter. #ShutdownTheCathedral #Phynofest2016 #Phynofest2016

Grab your tickets now and stand a chance to win amazing prices on the day of the event. Tickets available at ariyatickets.com, eventsrep.com, NairaBet outlets in Enugu, Airtel experience stores in Enugu, Awka and Ebonyi, Slot stores in Enugu, Slot outlets in Enugu and Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.

Don’t be told! You already know!

BN Music Review: Simi X Falz Chemistry EP – by Adetoye Sokunbi

Falz and Simi have been dubbed many things; best buds, undercover lovers…even soul mates. But nothing reads more apt than two talented artists who are re-positioning the art of vivid storytelling in Nigerian music and vice-versa. The duo announced a joint EP titled ‘Chemistry’ earlier in the year, but their history together predates said science project.

The story of Falz and Simi is one we’re all familiar with; talented fast rising rapper meets songbird with an angelic voice. The rest of this Nigerian fairytale is played out on Simi’s ‘Jamb Question’, Falz’ ‘Soldier’ and this EP that says almost too little and nearly too much about a speculated real life relationship—or triangle with singer, Adekunle Gold— everyone but the partners-in-crime have been talking about.

For Chemistry’s seven-track serving, Falz and Simi play along with the psyche of an audience deeply fascinated with the lives of its rich and famous, by releasing pre-wedding themed photo-shoot for the EP’s roll-out promotional campaign. The Chemistry love story begins here with seven pictures, each correlating with the title of every song on the EP.

Opener, ‘Foreign‘ is a refreshing take on every overtly formulaic Afro-pop brag song you have ever heard. Falz and Simi trade comedic verses about hyperbolic lifestyles and undertones of sarcasm you can hear when Simi sings ‘I no too like winter/ so I travel for December’. Producer Sess’, who is credited for all seven songs, has trumpets smattered across hollow synths and mid-tempo pop soft kicks. You’re probably thinking this is not much of a love song. But thematically, if this were a Nollywood rom-com, this would be the hilarious first meeting scene where both lovers-to-be are refusing to reveal their core personas due to hurt from past relationships or deeply lodged insecurities. This assumption proves to be true as the rest of the EP unfurls with what attempts to be a realistic spotlight on the complications and uncertainties in the early stages of a relationship.

Jealousy is love’s aggressive cousin, so it is unsurprising that an undeniable chemistry is not enough to save Falz and Simi from doubting each other’s faithfulness. But while Simi is visibly angry and accusing Falz of infidelity on ‘Show You Pepper’, her partner maintains a slightly aggressive but hopelessly romantic stance. This yin and yang effect is one of the most discernible features of the record. Lyrically and sonically, Falz evens out Simi, staying low when his partner goes high and remaining confident when she is personal and emotive, and vice-versa. This allows both artists compliment each other, even on Afrobeat fillers, ‘Shake Your Body’ and ‘Cinderella’—two songs that would not have been missed if they’d been cut from the final tracklist.

The only exceptions to this rule are two of the EP’s best recordings; ‘Chemistry‘ and ‘Enough‘ where thematic constraints force both artistes to remain on the same wavelength for the greater good. Here, both artistes sing with amorous poesy and sentiments of love against all odds, because their mutual connection is too strong to ignore. ‘Even if me and you, go be the worst couple/ If we no dey (wo) e go cause trouble’ Falz raps nonchalantly on ‘Chemistry’, just as Simi reassures ‘Even when you’re head no wan correct/ even when your pepper no dey rest/ I hope say you no go forget, baby you’re enough for me’ on ‘Enough’. These two songs—aided by Falz’ and Simi’s continued silence about their rumoured relationship — capture the essence of the EP as a project that deeply will resonate with audiences because deep down we all nurse fantasies for magical connections and unconditional love.

‘Chemistry’ is a wholly great listen for most of its parts, but if you’re looking for anything other than a collection of feel-good occasionally dramatic songs, you won’t find it. The EP’s track by track arrangement and clear choice of language is indicative of dedication and procedure during its curation, but fans who will listen to this release in hopes of getting insight into Falz’ and Simi’s personal lives will be disappointed. For starters, ‘Chemistry’ is recorded in a dark world where Adekunle Gold does not exist.

Story arcs are detailed but not very honest, occasionally causing both artists to be distracted by moments instead of sticking to the plot. With the Nigerian social media constantly getting heated over issues of gender and relationships, ‘Chemistry’—a project largely born of the power of social media—could have been a medium for stronger politically relevant stories from two important perspectives, sadly, this too is absent on the record.

Still, Chemistry as an album is bigger than itself. Even when the narrative falls apart at its seams, what is lacked in tangible plot or vocal presence is often made up for in melody and wit. Simi’s continued biting of Bollywood melodies and Falz’ predictable Yoruba-accented shtick may raise questions about authenticity and freshness, but for the first time in a minute, we have, ‘Chemistry’, a cohesive record where mis-strokes, no matter how obvious, don’t damage the bigger artwork.

About Adetoye Sokunbi

Adetoye is a content developer at the Nimble HQ and The African Music Agency. He was a staff writer and editor at Sounds.ng where he published over 500 articles on Nigerian music and pop culture. Since he discovered words, silence has never been more precious. He's had nothing to say to anyone since, he's had no need to.

#MTVEMA: …and the Winners are Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Justine Bieber, Drake & More

The 2016 MTV EMAs has just about wrapped up with actor and DJ, Idris Elba presenting the last award of the night. The were so many awesome songs nominated and we are pretty excited for all the winners tonight.

See the full list of winners below!

Best Look – Lady Gaga

EMA Biggest Fans – Justin Bieber

Best Electronic – Martin Garrix

Best Live – Twenty One Pilots

Best Male – Shawn Mendes

Best New – Zara Larsson

Best Video – The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk (StarBoy)

Best Africa – Wizkid

Best Canada – Shawn Mendes

Best Korea – Got7

Best Colombia – Maluma

Best Sweden – Zara Larsson

Best Australia – Troye Sivan

Best Song – Justin Beiber (Sorry)

Best Female – Lady Gaga

Best Hip-Hop – Drake (Hotline Bling)

Best Rock – Coldplay

Best Alternative – Twenty One Pilots

Best Pop – Fifth Harmony

Global Icon – Green Day

“No one’s life is worth your life sentence” – Ali Baba shares a Friend’s Experience where Uncontrollable Anger landed him in Jail

Comedian Ali Baba shared a very important life lesson for his followers to learn from. He spoke about how having uncontrollable anger can cause dire consequences.

Read his post below.

              This story I am about to share, you would have heard, told several times, in different ways. But mine is not a story. A friend of ours, a lawyer, in Abuja, was at a 5 day retreat and decided to dash back home to get something that couldn’t wait. And meets his madam in an uncompromising position. And just as he and the lover boy got into a fight, lover boy broke free, ran for the door to the balcony, opened it and jumped for his dear life, when he heard madam say don’t shoot him, shoot me instead. And he jumped to his conclusion. He hit his skull against something and died instantly. The case took like a year and our guy was jailed. The wife was held responsible for the whole tragedy. She tried to make people see how sorry she was, and even tried to say there was no more love between them… but the deed was done. No one cared. Now pause for a minute. Agreed the man had a right to get angry. Agreed the lover boy was wrong to go to a matrimonial home. Agreed he should not have gone for his gun. What if he had recorded it and told her to move out? Would he be an ex convict today? Guess what? The woman is living her life now and the only thing is she is adulterous. Not an ex convict. She can still run for elections. Remarry. And hey! She DID remarry. She tried to see him in prison but after she realized the futility, because the family banned her from even coming near her son, she gave up, relocated and started a new life abroad. The lesson in this is, #MaaSheyBooSheTo! Don’t let your emotions make you use all your power and connections to deal with an issue that will be an overkill. Control your anger. Avoid people who work you up. Think twice. If you can not stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. If you can not do the time don’t do the crime… let us learn to control our emotions and anger. You don’t want to know what the consequences of road rage have amounted to in surveys. No ones life is worth your life sentence. Think fast. Think twice. Think well.

Yemi Alade calls out “Big Girls” with Fake Bags & Magas on New Song ‘Gucci Ferragamo’

Yemi Alade dropped a new track yesterday – Gucci Ferragamo.

She’s calling out “big girls” with fake bags and telling them to calm down. She also says the real big girls and OGs don’t make much noise.

In her boss mode, she asks them “where the maga where dey buy you shoe”?

She also says she’s not their ‘mate or homie’, ‘Ogbeni no dey call me Yemi, When you see me say Aunty’

Press Play! to watch the clip.

https://youtu.be/tyMV8COHI_0  

Jay Z and Beyonce dress up as Black Barbie and Ken for Halloween

Beyonce dressed up as Black Barbie, while her husband, Jay Z dressed up as Ken for the second Halloween party they attended.  Their daughter Blue Ivy, who stood with them, had a jacket with 'Barbie' written on it. More photos after the cut..