Multi-talented rapper, Jude Lemfani Abaga, popularly known by his stage name, M.I has established himself as the undisputed king of rap music in Nigeria and he is not ready to relinquish his throne for anything.
*M.I
In a chat with Showtime, the ‘Undisputed Champion’ rapper explained why he would always remain the king of rap music in Nigeria.
“Rap is definitely my super power. If I could sing like RnB I might have been called something else. I love singers and great writers. So I think I will remain the King of Rap for now”, he said with confidence.
He also explained why afro-pop music culture has been gaining more traction than rap music in Nigeria.
“Pop music is not actually a genre but the popular sound of the time. And yes it’s doing great and has definitely been one of our greatest exports; considered as afro-pop or afro-beats outside Nigeria. It’s easier to find great afro-beats than great rappers so it will definitely be bigger than rap music just based on the amount of content available.”
Life experiences before becoming a father may have taught Timaya series of lessons that have shaped his perception about life; but none of these experiences taught him valuable lessons about love and patience as much as fatherhood.
Timaya
Speaking to Showtime in a chat, he admitted that fatherhood has taught him so much about love and patience.
“Fatherhood has taught me a lot about love and patience.”
He added that though he bore his daughters out of wedlock, they have been a source of his biggest blessings in life.
“Not at all, fatherhood has not deprived me of anything; it has been one of my biggest blessings”, he told Showtime.
Contrary to thoughts that he may have regrets for having children out of wedlock, he confirmed otherwise.
“I have no regrets; everything has been a lesson and I’m grateful for them. I can’t think of anything I’d change if given the chance to go back in time.”
The Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission,NCC, Mr. John Asein has urged the leadership of the Audiovisual Rights Society of Nigeria,AVRS, AVRS, to evolve strategies to manage the impact of the growth in digital technologies that has ushered in a new wave of services that has seen content consumption rise exponentially.
NCC boss made the call at the maiden edition of Stakeholders-Users Forum organized by the AVRS, which held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, last week.
While calling on content users to cooperate with AVRS in ensuring that licensing is conducted in the most business-friendly manner, the NCC DG canvassed a situation where the AVRS must be seen to discharge its function in a manner that justifies its existence as a collective management organization.
His words, “I encourage users to cooperate with the AVRS in ensuring that licensing is conducted in the most business-friendly manner. As long as it is acknowledged that creative contents are vital inputs to the operations of certain businesses, licensing of such content is no longer debatable, but rather a case of ascertaining what the appropriate licensing rates and tariffs should be.”Asein, however, expressed NCC’s willingness to assist parties who may have difficulties in coming to an amicable conclusion of such licensing deals through alterative dispute resolution.
Speaking in the same vein, Chairman of the forum and former DG of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Emeka Mba, canvassed the need to deconstruct and reconstruct the Nollwood value chain in a way as to maximally secure any real measure of value to the industry practitioners. Mba was unequivocal in his submission that the industry guild and associations have largely failed to design an engagement strategy with agreed deliverables that the NCC and other agencies can be measured by. He therefore charged AVRS to rise to the occasion and act in the overall industry interest.
According to Mba, “The AVRS should be the last man standing; the industry insurance vehicle to ensure that a measurable portion of the value created by Nollywood comes back to Nollywood for the benefit of industry practitioners.’’But to effectively play the role of the last man standing, AVRS according to Mba must conduct an audit of what is collectible based on the applicability of the law establishing it and this must be broken down sector by sector.
TALENTED singer, Mo Benjamin makes his debut in the Nigerian music scene with his smashing hit song ‘Sink or Swim.’ The track, which comes with a video, is gradually picking up on air.
A graduate of the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, Mo, makes a bold appearance into the Afropop and alternative music scene with this heartfelt, thoughts provoking song produced by the ace music producer, Mela.
However, the video was directed by the astute Nigerian filmmaker, Blessing Uzzi, of Eccentric Media and the brain behind Cobhams Asoquo’s Starlight video.
‘Sink or Swim’ reveals Mo’s artistry and creative intelligence which is not always associated with a newcomer in the scene. His lyrics show the two multi-faceted choices life and its hurdles throws at us. With his critical music studies and consciousness, the talented singer understands what good music is and is here to contribute his style and knowledge to the rising scene of alternative musicians in Nigeria. With his emergence into the bustling music industry, his good blend of acoustics, a night gale voice, and amazing song writing, Mo has indeed come to stay.
Thank you everyone for all your messages of support, I’m feeling much better now and on the mend – and also a huge thank you to all the hospital staff for doing a superb job.
US gossip website Drudge Report was the first to report that Jagger would need surgery to replace a heart valve. The story was also reported by US music magazine Rolling Stone.
The Rolling Stones were due to kick off a 17-concert tour in Miami on 20 April, before travelling across North America until a finale in Oro-Medonte, in Ontario, Canada on 29 June.
The band are working with promoters to reschedule the shows.
Jagger previously apologised to fans for postponing the tour, writing that he was “devastated” and would be “working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can”.
I’m so sorry to all our fans in America & Canada with tickets. I really hate letting you down like this. I’m devastated for having to postpone the tour but I will be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can. Once again, huge apologies to everyone.
Dan Robbins, the inventor of the paint-by-numbers kits, has died aged 93.
His kits inspired generations of budding artists to pick up a paintbrush and create multi-coloured wonders. Here, BBC News website readers share their artwork and stories about how the method helped them.
Marilyn Bruce-Mitford, London, UK
I was only 10 when I did them, so they aren’t exactly brilliant, but they are 64 years old and vintage.
On the reverse of ‘Coach and Horses’ is a handwritten note from me to my aunt which reads; “Dear Aunty Bett, if you don’t want one of these two pictures, (especially this one) will you send it back please, as Martyn wants one (especially this one). Tons of love and x’s. From Marilyn. P.S. Happy New Year.”
This poignant note suggests that I had been sent the ‘Painting-by-Numbers’ kit with a horsey theme for Christmas 1954 – maybe sent by my aunt in London and I was now sending her back my completed paintings of ‘Coach & Horses’ and ‘The Hunt’ in the New Year, which I had done during my Christmas/New Year school holiday at home in rural Staffordshire. My brother Martyn, then seven, had clearly not wanted to part with ‘Coach and Horses’.
Campbell Forbes, Massachusetts, US
As kids in Glasgow just a dozen years after the war we spent our time between lessons drawing war scenes.
We learned how to draw tanks, planes and ships and soldiers. Every thing had to get blown up in the end. Because we were kids, sound effects were obligatory. So not too many years later this acting out was followed by the serenity of painting-by-numbers.
As I think back on it three score years and some later, some disparaged it because it was about copying and there was no originality, but like learning how to use tracing paper it allowed you to develop a kind of muscle memory. It taught my young mind the discipline of process.
Miranda Wyeth, Kent, UK
Painting-by-numbers literally saved my life when I had a breakdown last year.
I could barely function and my anxiety was through the roof. I was crying all the time and everything felt like an overload.
Painting-by-numbers helped me to heal and gave me a break from the pain I was in. The act of painting each shape with a colour and being able to shut my brain off except for painting within the lines made such a difference to my recovery time, and I credit it with getting me to where I am today.
I chose the image because I like animals and the colours were attractive to me. There is also a slight sadness in the deer’s eyes which spoke to me.
I believe this image took me about three weeks to complete, doing about one or two hours a day.
It was my first adult paint-by-numbers kit. I used to do them as a child. I do a little bit of drawing and I like the idea of being able to paint but don’t feel confident enough to start a picture myself from scratch. I like the fact that all the hard work is already done with a paint-by-numbers kit, and at the end you know the image will be beautiful.
I framed the painting I finished and placed it on my wall to remind me of what I did, and how I overcame that difficult time.
Melissa D Matthews, Pennsylvania, US
I painted this in 2014 when I was in an art class at university. I went back to university as a non-traditional student in my 50s (and as a grandmother) to get a degree in Geography and Planning at Bloomsburg University. While I was there I also managed to get a minor in Art Studio. I loved doing art as a child and remember fondly the original paint-by-number sets.
I gave the painting to a friend of mine who is a native of Florida, since she never gets to see snow. We had both worked together in a photography and framing shop and enjoyed framing paintings.
Nancy Pope, Florida, US
I picked up a painting-by-numbers kit for the first time in 2011. This was my first time trying this type of craft. I was totally shocked how beautiful it came out. I loved it then and I love it still.
I selected that particular paint-by-number kit because I loved the hummingbird and the vibrant colours.
I just got a new paint-by-number kit from my youngest daughter for Christmas this past year. It’s a Japanese garden landscape. Just found my paint brush set and I’m getting ready to begin this new adventure.
Deb Meritt, Pennsylvania, US
My two sisters and I were gifted with a variety of paint-by-number kits in the late 60s and early 70s. Paint-by-numbers were one of the many thoughtful and fun presents we received over the years.
I could spend hours on a painting project and I think it helped develop my attention to detail and perhaps inspired some creativity.
I remember being thrilled at the process of bringing paintings to life. Sadly, I don’t have any of my completed projects.
My thanks to Mr Dan Robbins for creating such a delightful way to build the confidence of us youngsters.
