Archive for October 2012

Home Archive for October 2012

Rihanna will battle it out with four other artists for this year's title...MTV can now reveal the final five nominees vying for the Worldwide Act distinction at the 2012 MTV EMA. For the past six weeks, MTV have given fans around the world a chance to vote for their favourite hometown artists, all to help that local act secure the nomination and earn a chance to represent their respective region at this year’s EMA.

More than 160 artists from every corner of the world have enjoyed the MTV EMA spotlight as part of the Worldwide Act voting competition, and now the final five Worldwide Act nominees are: Dima Bilan (Europe), Han Geng (Asia Pacific), Ahmed Soultan (Africa/India/Middle East), Rihanna (North America) and Restart (Latin America).

Starting today (30th October), these five artists will go head to head in one last round of voting in the Worldwide Act category, which celebrates the range and breadth of all the music that MTV has to offer across the globe.

About the 2012 Nominees for Worldwide Act

Dima Bilan (Europe)
In 2008, Dima Bilan became the first Russian artist ever to win the international Eurovision song contest, with the song “Believe.” His songs are always topping Russian and foreign charts. Dima Bilan is supported by a huge army of fans and friends, and he has received more than 70 awards in the music sphere. Dima Bilan is the only artist who has won the Best Russian Act EMA six times

Han Geng (Asia Pacific)
Known as “the most influential male celebrity in China,” Chinese Mando-pop singer and actor Han Geng debuted in South Korea in 2005 as the only Chinese member of Super Junior but left to focus on a solo career in 2009. His first solo album sold over 1 million copies, and tickets to his first concert sold out in a record-breaking 37 minutes. To date, he has received more than 20 awards for his solo works, including Best Artist of The Year and Most Popular Artist in Asia in 2011. Han Geng’s second album “Hope in the Darkness” was released in July 2012.

Ahmed Soultan (Africa/India/Middle East)
With the success of his first single "Ya Salam," Ahmed Soultan reveals himself as the precursor of a new style he likes to call Afrobian Soul. His album “Tolerance” has been so greatly welcomed, and given such wide media coverage, that Ahmed Soultan has soon become one of the figureheads of the "Nayda," the new Moroccan scene. After a second album, released in 2009, in which he definitely asserts himself, his popularity in and over the Maghreb got confirmed. Singing in four languages (Amazigh, Arabic, English and French), he has been part of many international musical events, among them the Kora Awards in South Africa, the opening of a Tiken Jah Fakoli concert in Dakar, his contribution to the People Power song (with Talib Kweli, Angelique Kidjo and Zap Mama), Fez's Sacred Musics Festival, Marrakech's Moonfest, Casablanca Music Festival, and many other European scenes (Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris). He collaborated with the Ne-Yo on a song called "Amazing You" and in 2011, his song "Jokko" was nominated as best North African song and best African reggae song of the year. He's now working on his third album (planned for spring 2013), for which he promises amazing and unexpected collaborations.

Rihanna (North America)
The Barbados-born R&B singer is an international megastar who has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide.

Restart (Latin America)
Restart is a favorite band of fans and a huge success, and was last year’s Worldwide Act nominee for Latin America. They have many stories to tell, especially when it comes to the VMB, the annual award show for MTV Brasil: in 2010, the group was left with five statuettes. Thomas, Koba, Pe Lu and Pe Lanza formed the band in 2008 and since then, they have released three albums. Their latest release was “Geração Z” in 2011. Thanks to their international success, the group recently recorded their songs in Spanish, once again demonstrating their success both in Brazil and abroad.

The “2012 MTV EMA” will air across MTV’s global network of more than 60 channels reaching nearly 700 million households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming and content will reach the entire interactive community, via more than 200 MTV digital media properties around the world. Bruce Gillmer and Richard Godfrey are Executive Producers for the “2012 MTV EMA.” For all MTV EMA news and announcements, check out EMA on Facebook, follow us @mtvema or download the MTV EMA app for free at the iTunes store.

By @Poca_huntas

Did you Miss out on Episode 1? Please Click HERE.

Exams started and it was time to write the particular paper I chose for the purpose of boosting my GP. We were in the hall by 9am which was the time slated for the exams but the invigilators didn't show up till about 9:30a.m.

By 10 o'clock, we had been given question papers. The drama that ensued in the next 10 minutes isn't 1 I'd forget in a hurry. A hall which was initially filled with about a hundred and twenty students was almost empty. At the end of the day, only thirty students sat for the paper. The rest submitted their empty answer sheets and trouped out of the hall. Truth be told, the exam was really tough.

I managed to remember a bit of what I crammed and used residual knowledge to do the rest; lest I forget, I'm a very smart girl though. I wrote a little on each question and by the time I was done, I knew there had to be a miracle to help me get nothing less than a B. A 'C' would make my GP worse than it already was, thereby defeating the original purpose of doing the course.

Walking out of the exam hall, I met a classmate who asked how the paper was. "Omo ehn, I wish I hadn't submitted that paper o! The thing hard die!" I said. He smiled and said "I fit help you runs am make you for get 'A' for the course sha". He explained that the lecturer-in-charge of the course had a younger brother who he gives the marking scheme and the scripts to mark. This lecturer's brother happened to be the runs guy who would collect your money. In turn, he would give you a new script and the marking scheme which would avail one the opportunity to re-write the exam. He would then staple the new script into the old stamped one, mark the script, give you an A! That way, everybody would be happy! This however meant that I had to wait till exams were over and students had gone home so that I could go to the guy's house to which was the venue for my 'resit' exam. Sincerely, I couldn't wait!

The day came to write the exam, I told two other friends with whom I had written the terrible exams (afterall, what are friends for?) And we left for the 'venue'. We got there, the new scripts were handed to us and we were instructed to fill in our details. I became worried because the old scripts had been stamped so I was wondering how these new ones would be stamped too. He showed me some scripts he had previously worked on and there was no difference so my mind was at rest. I started writing what was in his marking scheme and discovered that what I wrote in the hall wasn't really different from what I was re-writing and I stood a chance of getting a B with what I wrote from cramming and using my common sense. It got so bad at some point that I decided there was really no need to continue writing. I explained to the guy. And told him not to take out my old script. I even agreed to pay for the wasted sheets. He obliged.

As I walked back home alone, I thought. 'I'd make my 2:1 after all.'

It was that time when results were being pasted and students were hustling to get to the board. They were literally stepping on each other's toes, shouting and even fighting just so they could see their own results. tin my mind, I was wondering why on earth people liked to stress themselves.

"Won't we all still see it? Hian!". I was waiting for the crowd to reduce when one of my classmates came and told me that my name was on a separate sheet. They had equally pasted a list of students that were to see the lecturer. In my mind, I feeling like a scholar. I was almost sure that the lecturer wanted to see the student who didn't attend classes but gave him his marking scheme! I got to the lecturer's office and received the shock of my life. The lecturer brought out two scripts, both with my details! I felt my legs weaken under me that very minute! I wanted to jump out of my skin, I was weak...right there, I saw all crumble before me. I pictured my mum crying and the look of disappointment on my brother's face.

Where would I even start from if I got expelled?! In my final year?

"Well, young lady, as it stands now, this issue is beyond me. I have already involved a senior lecturer who has said you and your co-horts will face the school panel for examination malpractice. And I'm sure you already know, that the decision of the panel is final."

Tokini Peterside and Lere Awokoya

The Hennessy Artistry VIP finale concert, which held at The Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos, on Friday October 19, will go down as one of the most sophisticated events to ever hold in Lagos – the most upbeat and vibrant city in the country.

The private concert, which was the crowning event for this year’s Hennessy Artistry project, attracted the who-is-who in Nigeria’s business, media, entertainment, lifestyle, and hospitality sectors

Olisa and M.I

Guests included media big wigs LekanOnimole (Top Radio), Chris Ubosi (Beat FM), OlisaAdibua (Beat FM), Dele Momodu (Ovation), Toni Kan; heads of businesses EmekaOkeke (Carat MP), AbisoyeFagade(Sodium Brand Solutions), DejiAwokoya (Beat FM), Colette Otusheso (Viacom Africa) and Mark Redguard (Spinlet); as well as celebrities like JJC, EkuEdewor, Toolz, Gbemi, Darey Art Alade, Tee-Y Mix, Mode Nine and Big Brother stars, Seydou, Julio, Talia and Tamara. Other guests included Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, TosynBucknor, Yvonne Ekwere, among others.

Ajebutter

With such a heavy mix of A-listers gathering for one special concert, it was no surprise that Hennessy Cognac pulled all the strings to deliver a truly unforgettable night – treating premium guests to premium entertainment from some of the hottest talents on the scene today.

Headliners M.I and Naeto C opened the night with the Hennessy Artistry 2012 theme track, Bartender - a track that further showed their chemistry. As they performed Bartender, the Hennessy Artistry theme track, guests stood and sang along, as many paid tribute to the excellent collaboration. The iconic rappers set the mood for supporting acts MsJaie, DammyKrane, Flowssick, TundeEdnut, Solid Star, LOS, Rayce and Mo’Eazy to hit the stage and rock the audience.

Darey and Banky W

Energetic Dammy krane

Flowssick

With the avantgarde décor and interior styling, which transformed the Marquee into a cosy, intimate space, many guests admit they were glad to relax and soak up all the fun, with Hennessy Cognac more than happy to keep them company.

“The Hennessy Artistry 2012 Finale is our own way of rounding off a successful Artistry year. We are grateful to everyone who supported us during the project. The bars have been raised with this year’s project and we can only expect better next year”. Brand manager, Hennessy Cognac, Lere Awokoya said during the show.

The high point of the night came with the performance of UK-based acts DRB and Ajebutter with their popular tracks “Serenre” And “Omo Pastor”. They got the entire venue vibrating, as everyone danced and sang along. And as if that was not enough, Naeto and M.I returned to take it notches higher, with a well-choreographed finale performance featuring surprise acts Banky W and eLDee. Wild with joy, most guests stood from start to finish, clicking Hennessy glasses and dancing with the stars.

The Hennessy Artistry 2012 finale brought the sixth edition of Hennessy Artistry to a final close after a number of amazing parties, the release of a once in a lifetime collaboration between two industry heavyweights, M.I and Naeto C.

“This year’s Hennessy Artistry will definitely go down in history as one of the most successful projects in Nigeria. I am extremely happy to be a part of this epic project. Thanks to Hennessy for making this happen” M.I says.

Nedu and Lynxx

Naeto C also says, “We promised to give fans the best experience ever and I am happy we were able to achieve that. It’s a great honour to be part of this year’s project as this is the best Hennessy Artistry project since the inception”.

Since Hennessy Artistry was first unveiled in Nigeria in 2007, Hennessy Cognac has maintained its position as Nigeria’s and the world’s leading cognac brand.

Ms Jaie

Hennessy Artistry has since evolved from a cocktail-mixing contest between renowned bartenders to a DJ battle, and is now an important platform for experimental collaborations between multi-talented artistes.

Previous participating entertainers include Ice Prince, Nneka, Sir Shina Peters, Banky W, Eldee, Tiwa Savage, Jesse Jagz, Bez, Mo’Cheddah among others.

Hennessy Artistry is supported by The Beat 99.9FM, Trace Urban Channel 325, BellaNaija.com and Notjustok.com and Spinlet

Credit: Black House Media