BABAYARO LAUNCHES ALBUM IN ABUJA

                             EMMANUEL BABAYARO

Erstwhile Nigerian international goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro, is set for the launch of his debut album in Abuja this weekend. On Sunday, September 19, 2010, the cream of the Nigerian politics, sports, public service etc, would gather to have their first listen to the works of the footballer turned musician and support him in an event organized by his record label, RECTITUDE RECORDS, at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

The event would be chaired by Chief Rochas Okorocha and has the confirmed attendance of Professor Dora Akunyili and a number of other ministers and senators plus past and present members of the Super Eagles of Nigeria including Daniel Amokachi, Ben Iroha, Mobi Oparaku, Osaze Odemwingie, Samson Siasia and, of course, his brother Celestine Babayaro. Performances would be by Cobhams Asuquo, Paul Play, Sound Sultan, label mates, 1924, Emmanuel himself and many more.

Emmanuel’s album entitled BEST OF BOTH WORLDS contains rap, jazz and Hip Hop numbers. It was produced by Cobhams, ID Cabasa, Frenzy and Lalah and has collabos with Cobmans, 1924 and Obyrymz. Listening parties have already been held in Kaduna and Abuja on the 3^rd and 4^th of this month, respectively. Lagos would follow in October.

Emmanuel Babayaro was a member of the Gold medal Atlanta Olympic team in 1996. He graduated to the Super Eagles but made just a handful of appearances for them. He has been coaching at his youth academy in Abuja since his retirement and return to the country. Speaking on the album and his music, he stated that his parents actually thought he would have a career in music instead of sports. “I have been an entertainer since childhood and during my football years I used to sing and dance to entertain my team mates. I and Celestine were the major entertainers in the national teams when we played. I have always had the dream of taking my music serious after my playing career and I am ready now. I have brought a new dish to the Nigerian music menu and I look forward to really making it big on the Nigerian music scene,” he said.

SHOCKER! MI WANTS TO QUIT MUSIC FOR ACTING!

Conflicting and confusing reports coming in from Abuja has it that Mister Incredible, M.I, the premier artist of CHOCOLATE CITY MUSIC has thrown the rank and file of the record label into confusion by announcing that he wants to pursue a career in the movies. 

As it is now, he may already even taken part in a film production because we immediately called him to confirm and this is what he said: “I think it’s about time for me to try something else and acting is something I’ve always had a passion for and I think it’s time for me to explore that area. I know my fans will love my new movie coming out and although this may not be final, I will no longer be doing music for the time being.”

As far-fetched as this may sound for a rapper who quickly rose to the top of Nigerian music scene with just one album in the space of one year, close sources to CHOCOLATE CITY MUSIC where he and his brother Jesse Jags and Ice Prince are signed on are saying that M.I actually put this request in writing. A call to Mr. Audu Maikori, the head honcho of the Abuja-based label, didn’t fully clear the air because while he didn’t outrightly dismiss the story he admitted that M.I has actually requested that the November release date for his sophomore album, M.I 2, be shifted indefinitely for the meantime. Further questions as to whether M.I would be fully quitting the label went unreplied.

M.I who first came to limelight in 2008 with the release of his debut album, TALK ABOUT IT, has been on top of his game and emerged as arguably the best rapper in the country. He is also the highest ranking Nigerian rapper in the recently released MNET AFRICA list of the ten best African rappers. He is widely respected in the Nigerian music industry and legend has it that TALK ABOUT IT sold 30 000 copies in the first 30 minutes of its release in 2008. He has also won numerous awards with it.

PECHA KUCHA NIGHT VOL 2

What is Pecha Kucha Night?
PechaKucha Night was conceived in Tokyo in 2003 as a place for designers (architects, inventors, graphic designers etc) to meet, network, and show their work in public. It is a non-profit event. Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each, giving 7 minutes of fame before the next presenter is up. Please see

PechaKucha (which is Japanese means chit-chat) has spread virally to over 200 cities across the world. Lagos Vol 1 was a success with talented creatives such as photographer Tunde Kuboye, architects Papa Omotayo, James George, landscape artist Jite Brume, artists Richardson and Emeka Ogboh and fashion stylist Biki John and designer Gozi to name a few.

Vol 2 will showcase the following artists
* Akintunde Akinyele - photographer
* Ituen Bassey - fashion designer
* Lemi Ghariokwu - illustrator
* Tuoyo Jemerigbe - architect
* Yinka Ogundairo - architect
* Olumide Onadipe - painter
* Olalekan Osibina - architect
* Patrick Rhodes-Vivour - literal artist
* Wura Samba - musician/inventor

PechaKucha is about inspiring the audience. It is an informal visual presentation. There is a beer break which gives the audience a chance to speak to the presenters.

PechaKucha Night is the first of its kind in Lagos, where contemporary art in all spheres unite. The night is hosted by Gozi Ochonogor who believes it is important that art be recognised in all spheres and not limited to paintings and sculpture. She hopes that Pecha Kucha will help creative people find a voice in our city and break the class and age boundaries that hinder progress. This vision is becoming a reality as presenters from Vol 1 collaborate on new projects and recommend each other for international exhibitions. She is joined by Tamilore Kuboye as co-host and Remi Solarin who makes up the team.

PechaKucha Night Vol. 2 will be held at 6pm-10pm, 10 September. 58 Raymond Njoku (off Awolo Rd) Ikoyi