NETPod: ‘Excuse Me Sir’ – GT the Guitarman

‘Concious’ and ‘Outspoken’ – two words that best describe singer/guitarist GT the Guitarman.
The singer who is well known for passing socio-political messages through his songs has always made his music revolve round self awareness. At a time when Nigeria is re-evaluating its leadership, GT resurfaces (after a long period of time following his departure from former label Storm Records) with a new single called ‘Excuse me sir‘.
Surprisingly, GT delivers over a hi-tempo, pacey tune. ‘In the midst of pain, it’s a shame but we still have time to make a change‘, GT sings. The ambience the song provides satisfies the party poppers’ playlist yet carries a very strong message  - Change.

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NETPod: ‘Knock, Knock, Knock’ – Lagbaja

Nobody understands how Lagbaja has managed to remain relevant over the years.

While other artistes engage their fans with radio/TV interviews, Twitter et al, the Africano star uses his most powerful tool – the message behind his music to captivate us.

Lagbaja’s twist of humour, sarcasm, social and moral standards never bores us and on his latest single ‘Knock, Knock, Knock’, which depicts love-gone-bad tale, his coarse yet melodious voice paints a vivid picture.

The video does justice as well….

Video: Pop or Pour Champagne? Davido Debuts ‘Dami Duro’

It’s about a year since Davido debuted with his ‘Back when’ single and video. It seems like ages now with his second single ‘Dami Duro’ hitting the airwaves and tearing up clubs.

The young pop singer can be quite energetic on stage and definitely brings the whole drama in his music videos;

The video for ‘Dami Duro’, directed by the ubiquitous Clarence Peters doesn’t fall out of place in comparison to the song. Lavish lifestyle (he even pours out the content of expensive drinks to prove his point), fast cars and women with heavy makeup – Davido tells us not to even think about stopping him – he’s from a line of wealthy men.

NETPod: ‘Setting P’ + ‘Lowkey’ – Banky W

y Osagie Alonge

It’s taken him about two years to release brand new singles for his numerous fans spread across and beyond but I guess it’s worth the wait.

The EME boss has been quite busy; grooming his label acts Wizkid and Skales and yes the results have been fruitful. But before we forget that the singer first made an entry to the scene with his music and not his business sense, he whets our appetite with two new singles Setting P and Lowkey, from his forthcoming album R&BW.

Setting P (which is a slang used to describe covert ways of initiating an intimate relationship with someone) is hard hitting with the drums. Banky‘s swift and melodious delivery does justice to Masterkraft’s up tempo beat.

Low key, produced by Sarz, takes on the opposite route; slow and classy, Banky reminds us why he is considered one of the best in his field. Not bad at all.

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Occupy Nigeria: ‘Coffin For Head-of-State’

The photos speak for themselves. Some protesters at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom park, Ojota, paraded this white ‘coffin’ with the inscription ‘R.I.P. JONAT-HARM’. And they had our beloved President’s photo on it…

Occupy Protest DAY 3

Banky W: ‘No Album From Me Until 9ja Settles Down’

Nigerian R&B singer and EME boss Banky W has pushed back the release of his new album in support of the ongoing nationwide strike.
Mr W was scheduled to release his fourth album ‘R&BW‘ on Valentine’s Day Tuesday, February 14, 2012. But he says he has put a halt on releasing any new materials including singles and videos until ‘things start to look better’.
‘In other news, #R&BW won’t be coming out on Feb 14th. I’ve suspended promoting/putting out new music until after things in 9ja settle down‘, @Bankyw tweeted.
‘Will drop singles and a video after things start to look better, but no more movement on #R&BW music. Some things r more important right now‘, he continued.
Banky W had marched along with protesters on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 from Maryland to the Gani Fawehinmi Park in support of the Occupy Nigeria protest.
The singer’s discography boasts of three previous albums: ‘Back in the Building‘, ‘Mr Capable‘ and ‘The W Experience‘.

SUBSIDY STRIKE: PHOTOS FROM DAY 4

By Victor Obot

DJ Atte, Omawumi and General Pype

The nationwide Labour Strike continued in its fourth day and more Nigerians came out en-masse to join the Occupy Nigeria movement with the sole intention of wanting the Federal government to revert the pump price of fuel to N65 per litre.

Our photographer paid a trip to Victoria Island where protesters including Nigerian entertainers made their way from Falomo to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Headquarters where they expressed their dislike for the station’s shameful coverage of the subsidy debate and protests.

Popular faces at the protest include Nollywood actors Kate Henshaw, Uche  Jombo, Ufuoma Ejenobor, musicians Sasha P, Omawumi, General Pype, Waje, Mr Kool, Ikechukwu, stand-up comic Ali Baba and  DJ Jimmy JATT.

‘We should not give up, we will fight to the end. We voted these people in, we are not their slaves‘, respected politician Pat Utomi said.

Meanwhile, protests continued in other parts of the country – with the numbers in Ojota, lagos, and Abuja totally unprecedented. There is still no sign of when the protests will end as negotiations between Labour and Federal government ended in deadlock tonight.

Check out a few photos below…

Occupy Nigeria: ‘Don’t Betray Our Trust’ Celebs Tell GEJ

Baba Suwe and Kunle Afolayan

‘Day 3 and We Are Not Leaving until Goodluck Answers Us’ read a poster a young boy carried yesterday, Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota Lagos, on the third day of the on-going Labour strike in reaction to the removal of Fuel subsidy in the country which took effect January 1, 2012.
Just like DAY 1, people gathered en masse to show support for the strike. Tens of thousands…
If anybody thought the attendance at the park on DAY 2 would probably be the highest, they will be surprised to see the number tripled. Yes, tens of thousands occupied the park eager to be heard as each person’s face bore its own frustrated look.
And as expected more celebs and dignitaries made their way to stage to either sing or encourage the crowd or do both…actors, singers, lawyers, doctors…you name it.
‘I never thought Nigerians can stand up against insensitive decisions. We trusted you, that’s why we voted for you, don’t betray our trust Goodluck’, Baba Suwe told the crowd.
The park which was already half-filled as at 9AM kept accommodating protesters as they strolled in even after noon. It was a busier affair at the park; some protesters carrying ‘made-up coffins’ with inscriptions on them, touts causing trouble at different places, food sellers setting up their goods, offering a quick meal, and marijuana sellers making big sales.
Actors Ayo Badmaus, Kunle Afolayan, Yomi Black, Toyin Aihmaku, Babtunde Omidina a.k.a Baba Suwe, Afrobeat acts Femi and Seun Kuti, Sir Shina Peters, pop singers AY.com, YQ, Skuki, Djinee, Fuji acts Saheed Osupa, Obesere, comedians Klint da drunk, Seyi Law and Princess are some of the entertainers who showed up at the protest on day 3.
Others include Segun Obe, Oritse Femi, Omobaba, Zee world, Klever Jay, Art-Quake, and Daddy Fresh who mingled with union leaders, pastors, Imams and lawyers on stage. Pastor Tunde Bakare, Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Garuba Ibrahim popular lawyers Festus Keyamo, Bamidele Aturu also made appearances.
In other parts of Lagos, at the Tafawa Balewa square, and at Falomo on Lagos island, Occupy Nigeria protesters also gathered in their thousands, all sending out same message to the federal government of Nigeria: revert the pump price of PMS to N65, cut excessive government spending, and eliminate corruption from the system.
The mass protest is going on simultaneously across the country, including the seat of power in Abuja. Citizens say they plan to continue today, even as a meeting between labour and government ended without any resolutions yesterday, as the federal government insists there’s no going back on the fuel subsidy removal.
There is no sign of the protesters calling it quits soon…