According to Wikipedia an award is something given to a person, a group of people, or an organization to recognize their excellence in a certain field; more like a certificate of excellence. Awards are often signified by trophies, titles, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, badges, pins, or ribbons.

In the Nigerian music industry today, the
Headies is undeniably the most recognized indigineous music award.

Established by the Hip Hop World Awards in 2006, the Headies is an award that recognises outstanding achievement in the Nigerian music industry.

Every year for the past nine years organizers of this prestigious award have without doubt put smiles on the faces of a privileged few. All through the years recipients of this music award have felt loved and appreciated as it became clear to them that their hard work and dedication towards the craft was heavily applauded.

Ever since the year 2006 when organizers of the Headies began honouring Nigerian music artistes, the Nigerian music industry has boomed. The industry has evolved. Artistes of different musical backgrounds and orientations have sprung out, giving us a new feel of what music is. If you are someone who makes out time everyday to listen to radio stations in Lagos, say Smooth Fm or The beats Fm, you will agree with me that there have been times when a particular song was played, you enjoyed listening to the song. At the end of the song the Radio presenter hopped in and to your amazement announced that the song you just listened to was sung by a typical Nigerian. I’ve experienced such several times, don’t know about you. We call what such music artistes do Alternative music. That’s because It doesn’t conform to the traditional or conventional music style of a certain society, but it’s nonetheless music. In Nigeria today we’ve got a host of music artistes experimenting with genres as soul, jazz, pop, rock and funk. The issh there’s that these artistes are treated as though they don’t even exist.

The Headies and it’s Organizers may hold the spot of being the most prestigious Music Award in the country, but that’s not to say they are without flaws. Our music industry is where it is today because moulders of the industry like Ayo Animashaun and his band of biased industry experts continually promote a certain set of music artistes and a certain form of music during every award ceremony. In their opinion, if your song isn’t popular on the streets, then it doesn’t even deserve a nod. Sometimes I wonder if the Grammy Awards would be what it is today if it did not embrace, recognize and honour artistes of every musical genre including Gospel.

I checked this year’s Headies Awards nomination list and was appalled to see the sought of categories in which awards were to be dispensed. As usual it was lame and promoted only the famous Nigerian music artistes, forgetting that those on top are not always the best out there.

I’ll present an analogy to buttress my point. In the Olympics, the greatest sporting event on earth, there are several categories, every sporting category is recognized and honoured. Sporting events as Soccer, Basketball, Lawn tennis, Table tennis, Cycling, Swimming, High jump, Hand ball, Car race, etc all belong to different categories, and athletes who participates in any of the above categories and come out on top are awarded in accordance with their categories. The medal conferred on an athlete from the soccer category is no greater than the one conferred on an athlete from the swimming category. All this happens because the organisers of the Olympics are wise enough to understand that every field of sport is honourable no matter how flimsy and insignificant it might appear to be.

I dream of a period in our music industry when every music genre is embraced and promoted; when artistes doing Alternative music are recognised and honoured no less than the artiste who does the usual Nigerian sound.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/17/organizers-of-music-award-shows-in-nigeria-should-fix-things/

According to Wikipedia an award is something given to a person, a group of people, or an organization to recognize their excellence in a certain field; more like a certificate of excellence. Awards are often signified by trophies, titles, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, badges, pins, or ribbons.

In the Nigerian music industry today, the
Headies is undeniably the most recognized indigineous music award.

Established by the Hip Hop World Awards in 2006, the Headies is an award that recognises outstanding achievement in the Nigerian music industry.

Every year for the past nine years organizers of this prestigious award have without doubt put smiles on the faces of a privileged few. All through the years recipients of this music award have felt loved and appreciated as it became clear to them that their hard work and dedication towards the craft was heavily applauded.

Ever since the year 2006 when organizers of the Headies began honouring Nigerian music artistes, the Nigerian music industry has boomed. The industry has evolved. Artistes of different musical backgrounds and orientations have sprung out, giving us a new feel of what music is. If you are someone who makes out time everyday to listen to radio stations in Lagos, say Smooth Fm or The beats Fm, you will agree with me that there have been times when a particular song was played, you enjoyed listening to the song. At the end of the song the Radio presenter hopped in and to your amazement announced that the song you just listened to was sung by a typical Nigerian. I’ve experienced such several times, don’t know about you. We call what such music artistes do Alternative music. That’s because It doesn’t conform to the traditional or conventional music style of a certain society, but it’s nonetheless music. In Nigeria today we’ve got a host of music artistes experimenting with genres as soul, jazz, pop, rock and funk. The issh there’s that these artistes are treated as though they don’t even exist.

The Headies and it’s Organizers may hold the spot of being the most prestigious Music Award in the country, but that’s not to say they are without flaws. Our music industry is where it is today because moulders of the industry like Ayo Animashaun and his band of biased industry experts continually promote a certain set of music artistes and a certain form of music during every award ceremony. In their opinion, if your song isn’t popular on the streets, then it doesn’t even deserve a nod. Sometimes I wonder if the Grammy Awards would be what it is today if it did not embrace, recognize and honour artistes of every musical genre including Gospel.

I checked this year’s Headies Awards nomination list and was appalled to see the sought of categories in which awards were to be dispensed. As usual it was lame and promoted only the famous Nigerian music artistes, forgetting that those on top are not always the best out there.

I’ll present an analogy to buttress my point. In the Olympics, the greatest sporting event on earth, there are several categories, every sporting category is recognized and honoured. Sporting events as Soccer, Basketball, Lawn tennis, Table tennis, Cycling, Swimming, High jump, Hand ball, Car race, etc all belong to different categories, and athletes who participates in any of the above categories and come out on top are awarded in accordance with their categories. The medal conferred on an athlete from the soccer category is no greater than the one conferred on an athlete from the swimming category. All this happens because the organisers of the Olympics are wise enough to understand that every field of sport is honourable no matter how flimsy and insignificant it might appear to be.

I dream of a period in our music industry when every music genre is embraced and promoted; when artistes doing Alternative music are recognised and honoured no less than the artiste who does the usual Nigerian sound.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/17/organizers-of-music-award-shows-in-nigeria-should-fix-things/

GQ (formerly Gentlemen’s Quarterly ) is an international monthly men’s magazine based in New York City. The publication focuses on fashion, style, and culture for men, though articles on food, movies, fitness, sex, music, travel, sports, technology, and books are also featured.

Rapper, Iggy Azalea has been named Woman of the year 2016 by GQ Magazine. Congratulations to her.

See more photos:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/17/see-seductive-photos-of-iggy-azalea-as-she-is-crowned-gqs-woman-of-the-year-for-2016/

What a beautiful way to honor Michael.

Janet Jackson who is heavy with child has decided to name her baby after late brother Michael who passed away in 2009 at the age of 50.

Jackson, 50, is reportedly “due very, very soon,” and is excited to become a mother. Due to doctor’s orders, Janet had to postpone her Unbreakable World Tour until 2017, where tickets for the original dates will be honored.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/17/janet-jackson-to-name-new-born-baby-after-her-late-favorite-brother-michael-jackson/

It would amaze y’all to know that just recently multiple Grammy Award winning artiste Alicia Keys declared love for Wizkid’s music.

This statement was made by the ‘Girl on fire’ crooner during an interview with Oldman Ebro on Apple’s Beats 1 radio show.

On an upcoming collaboration with Wizkid, Keys says “We’re vibing on some stuff actually and it was dope. I think that’s what’s so incredible about music forever, whenever music cross-pollinates, blows in the wind, come all around and be influenced by different sonic and different sounds,” making reference to Fela Kuti being influenced by James Brown.

In other words, she explaines that whenever artistes of different musical backgrounds come together to do music, the greatest music is made because there is no boundary of its definition or where it can settle.

Our Nigerian music artistes are really making breakthroughs abroad oh. Just some days back it was Davido getting a nod from Empire Series Star Actress Taraji P. Henson, now it’s Wizkid get a nod from Alicia Keys. Big ups boys!!!

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/16/alicia-keys-professes-love-for-wizkids-sound/

The 2016 Soul Train Music Awards took place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 6, 2016. It will later be broadcasted for public viewership on Centric and BET on November 27, 2016. The ceremony, hosted by Erykah Badu, honored artists in 12 different categories.

The R&B singer served as the master of ceremonies for last year’s telecast, where she notably teased rapper Iggy Azalea “What you’re doing is definitely not rap,” she quipped), and also poked fun at her string of rap romances. “As you know, I am the queen of neo-soul, and people say I have this common effect on rappers: that I make them change gods and wear crochet hats, shoulder pads,” said Badu during the ceremony. “So they have banned me from all of the hip-hop awards with a sign saying ‘Erykah Badu, leave our rappers alone.”

Here is your list of Nominees:

Best New Artist

ANDERSON .PAAK
ANDRA DAY
BRYSON TILLER
CHANCE THE RAPPER
RO JAMES
TORY LANEZ

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist

ANTHONY HAMILTON
BRYSON TILLER
MAXWELL
THE WEEKND
USHER

Centric Certified Award

AFTER 7
ANDERSON .PAAK
BILAL
LALAH HATHAWAY
MUSIQ SOULCHILD

Video of the Year

BEYONCÉ – FORMATION
BEYONCÉ – SORRY
DRAKE – HOTLINE BLING
KANYE WEST – FADE
RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK

Best Gospel/ Inspirational Song

DONNIE MCCLURKIN – I NEED YOU
HEZEKIAH WALKER – BETTER
KIRK FRANKLIN – 123 VICTORY
TAMELA MANN – GOD PROVIDES
TRAVIS GREENE – MADE A WAY

Album/Mixtape of the Year

BEYONCÉ – LEMONADE
BRYSON TILLER – T R A P S O U L
DJ KHALED – MAJOR KEY
DRAKE – VIEWS
KANYE WEST – THE LIFE OF PABLO
RIHANNA – ANTI

Rhythm & Bars Award (Formerly Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year)

CHANCE THE RAPPER FT. LIL WAYNE & 2 CHAINZ – NO PROBLEM
DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE – FOR FREE
DRAKE – CONTROLLA
DRAKE FT. WIZKID & KYLA – ONE DANCE
FAT JOE & REMY MA FT. FRENCH MONTANA & INFARED – ALL THE WAY UP

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist

ALICIA KEYS
BEYONCÉ
FANTASIA
JILL SCOTT
RIHANNA

Song of the Year

ADELE – HELLO
BEYONCÉ – FORMATION
BRYSON TILLER – DON’T
DRAKE – CONTROLLA
RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK

The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award

HELLO – WRITTEN BY: ADELE LAURIE BLUE ADKINS, GREGORY ALLEN KURSTIN (ADELE)
RISE UP – WRITTEN BY: ANDRA DAY, JENNIFER DECILVEO (ANDRA DAY)
FORMATION – WRITTEN BY: MICHAEL L. WILLIAMS II, BEYONCÉ KNOWLES, KHALIF BROWN, AAQUIL BROWN, ASHETON HOGAN, (BEYONCÉ)
DON’T – WRITTEN BY: JOHNTÁ M. AUSTIN, MARIAH CAREY, BRYAN-MICHAEL COX, JERMAINE DUPRI, TAVORIS JAVON HOLLINS, ISOM BRANDON STEWART, BRYSON DEJUAN TILLER (BRYSON TILLER)
NEEDED ME – WRITTEN BY: NICHOLAS VALENTINO AUDINO, RACHEL DERRUS, ADAM KING FEENEY, ROBYN R. FENTY, BRITTANY TALIA HAZZARD, CHARLES HINSHAW JR., LEWIS BERESFORD HUGHES, DIJON ISAIAH MCFARLANE, KHALED ROHAIM, TE WHITI TE RANGITEPAIA MATAA WARBICK (RIHANNA)

Best Dance Performance

BEYONCÉ – FORMATION
DRAKE – HOTLINE BLING
KANYE WEST (DANCE PERFORMANCE FT. TEYANA TAYLOR) – FADE
RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK
USHER FT. YOUNG THUG – NO LIMIT

Best Collaboration

BEYONCÉ FT. KENDRICK LAMAR – FREEDOM
CHANCE THE RAPPER FT. LIL WAYNE & 2 CHAINZ – NO PROBLEM
DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE – FOR FREE
FAT JOE & REMY MA FT. FRENCH MONTANA & INFARED – ALL THE WAY UP
RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/15/2016-soul-train-music-awards-list-of-nominees/

The 2016 Soul Train Music Awards took place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 6, 2016. It will later be broadcasted for public viewership on Centric and BET on November 27, 2016. The ceremony, hosted by Erykah Badu, honored artists in 12 different categories.

The R&B singer served as the master of ceremonies for last year’s telecast, where she notably teased rapper Iggy Azalea “What you’re doing is definitely not rap,” she quipped), and also poked fun at her string of rap romances. “As you know, I am the queen of neo-soul, and people say I have this common effect on rappers: that I make them change gods and wear crochet hats, shoulder pads,” said Badu during the ceremony. “So they have banned me from all of the hip-hop awards with a sign saying ‘Erykah Badu, leave our rappers alone.”

Here is your list of Nominees:

Best New Artist

ANDERSON .PAAK
ANDRA DAY
BRYSON TILLER
CHANCE THE RAPPER
RO JAMES
TORY LANEZ

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist

ANTHONY HAMILTON
BRYSON TILLER
MAXWELL
THE WEEKND
USHER

Centric Certified Award

AFTER 7
ANDERSON .PAAK
BILAL
LALAH HATHAWAY
MUSIQ SOULCHILD

Video of the Year

BEYONCÉ – FORMATION
BEYONCÉ – SORRY
DRAKE – HOTLINE BLING
KANYE WEST – FADE
RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK

Best Gospel/ Inspirational Song

DONNIE MCCLURKIN – I NEED YOU
HEZEKIAH WALKER – BETTER
KIRK FRANKLIN – 123 VICTORY
TAMELA MANN – GOD PROVIDES
TRAVIS GREENE – MADE A WAY

Album/Mixtape of the Year

BEYONCÉ – LEMONADE
BRYSON TILLER – T R A P S O U L
DJ KHALED – MAJOR KEY
DRAKE – VIEWS
KANYE WEST – THE LIFE OF PABLO
RIHANNA – ANTI

Rhythm & Bars Award (Formerly Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year)

CHANCE THE RAPPER FT. LIL WAYNE & 2 CHAINZ – NO PROBLEM
DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE – FOR FREE
DRAKE – CONTROLLA
DRAKE FT. WIZKID & KYLA – ONE DANCE
FAT JOE & REMY MA FT. FRENCH MONTANA & INFARED – ALL THE WAY UP

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist

ALICIA KEYS
BEYONCÉ
FANTASIA
JILL SCOTT
RIHANNA

Song of the Year

ADELE – HELLO
BEYONCÉ – FORMATION
BRYSON TILLER – DON’T
DRAKE – CONTROLLA
RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK

The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award

HELLO – WRITTEN BY: ADELE LAURIE BLUE ADKINS, GREGORY ALLEN KURSTIN (ADELE)
RISE UP – WRITTEN BY: ANDRA DAY, JENNIFER DECILVEO (ANDRA DAY)
FORMATION – WRITTEN BY: MICHAEL L. WILLIAMS II, BEYONCÉ KNOWLES, KHALIF BROWN, AAQUIL BROWN, ASHETON HOGAN, (BEYONCÉ)
DON’T – WRITTEN BY: JOHNTÁ M. AUSTIN, MARIAH CAREY, BRYAN-MICHAEL COX, JERMAINE DUPRI, TAVORIS JAVON HOLLINS, ISOM BRANDON STEWART, BRYSON DEJUAN TILLER (BRYSON TILLER)
NEEDED ME – WRITTEN BY: NICHOLAS VALENTINO AUDINO, RACHEL DERRUS, ADAM KING FEENEY, ROBYN R. FENTY, BRITTANY TALIA HAZZARD, CHARLES HINSHAW JR., LEWIS BERESFORD HUGHES, DIJON ISAIAH MCFARLANE, KHALED ROHAIM, TE WHITI TE RANGITEPAIA MATAA WARBICK (RIHANNA)

Best Dance Performance

BEYONCÉ – FORMATION
DRAKE – HOTLINE BLING
KANYE WEST (DANCE PERFORMANCE FT. TEYANA TAYLOR) – FADE
RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK
USHER FT. YOUNG THUG – NO LIMIT

Best Collaboration

BEYONCÉ FT. KENDRICK LAMAR – FREEDOM
CHANCE THE RAPPER FT. LIL WAYNE & 2 CHAINZ – NO PROBLEM
DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE – FOR FREE
FAT JOE & REMY MA FT. FRENCH MONTANA & INFARED – ALL THE WAY UP
RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/15/2016-soul-train-music-awards-list-of-nominees/

According to Playdata radio chart, Tekno’s single Pana is currently the most played song on Nigerian radio, a spot he has held for thirteen weeks in a row. Isn’t that just brilliant?

The Playdata radio chart is based on measurements from impressions gathered from radio stations in Lagos and a couple of other cities across the country. The monitoring service puts together the most played songs on radio for the past week on its top 10 chart.

Augustine Miles Kelechi popularly known by his stage name Tekno has been around the music scene for a while now, but came to prominence in the year 2013 after he got signed to Made Men Music Group. Ever since then the 23 years old player has bombarded Nigerian music lovers with strings of hit songs.

Well this dude has been making headlines lately. Not too long ago, following the release of the Headies Music Awards 2016 List of Nominees, Tekno took to Instagram to air his grievance as to why he of all people was nominated in the Next rated category, a category he claimed to have surpassed considering the fact that he wasn’t a new artiste in the industry and he had dropped more hits than some of the artistes nominated in bigger categories. Never been a big fan of Nigerian music though, but in my opinion, from a Nigerian music perspective I think Tekno deserves far more than being nominated and labelled as nothing more than a Next rated artiste.

If there was ever a time he was more deserving of that award, I mean the Headies Next rated Award, it was last year. But somehow he got so invisible that the organisers of the prestigious didn’t even notice him, he wasn’t even counted worthy of consideration. And if you perfectly recall it was in that same year he released the nationwide hit Duro.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/15/teknos-pana-currently-the-most-rotated-song-on-nigerian-radio/

According to Playdata radio chart, Tekno’s single Pana is currently the most played song on Nigerian radio, a spot he has held for thirteen weeks in a row. Isn’t that just brilliant?

The Playdata radio chart is based on measurements from impressions gathered from radio stations in Lagos and a couple of other cities across the country. The monitoring service puts together the most played songs on radio for the past week on its top 10 chart.

Augustine Miles Kelechi popularly known by his stage name Tekno has been around the music scene for a while now, but came to prominence in the year 2013 after he got signed to Made Men Music Group. Ever since then the 23 years old player has bombarded Nigerian music lovers with strings of hit songs.

Well this dude has been making headlines lately. Not too long ago, following the release of the Headies Music Awards 2016 List of Nominees, Tekno took to Instagram to air his grievance as to why he of all people was nominated in the Next rated category, a category he claimed to have surpassed considering the fact that he wasn’t a new artiste in the industry and he had dropped more hits than some of the artistes nominated in bigger categories. Never been a big fan of Nigerian music though, but in my opinion, from a Nigerian music perspective I think Tekno deserves far more than being nominated and labelled as nothing more than a Next rated artiste.

If there was ever a time he was more deserving of that award, I mean the Headies Next rated Award, it was last year. But somehow he got so invisible that the organisers of the prestigious didn’t even notice him, he wasn’t even counted worthy of consideration. And if you perfectly recall it was in that same year he released the nationwide hit Duro.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/15/teknos-pana-currently-the-most-rotated-song-on-nigerian-radio/

Just last summer, news got to us that Pop diva Rihanna had won herself a role in the fifth and final season of TV series Bates Motel . A role where she would be cast as Marion Crane, a role made famous by Janet Leigh.

Well just recently RiRi announced she would be away from the music scene for a while, all for the sake of working on her TV debut.

Bubbling with pride and excitement RiRi hopped unto her Instagram page to add some extra anticipation to her upcoming TV appearance.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/14/rihanna-is-putting-down-the-microphone-and-clocking-in-tv-time/

ANTONINEUTRON:
Her lips don dey sag ma

today is my birthday
**Happy!!**

Happy Birthday bro. Wishing you all the best in life

Macmilla:
OP, I have just one word for you... BUSYBODY

Lol. Pardon me but that's what blogging's all about. Pokenosing

It’s just a shame!!!

This picture has got lips moving as regards the extent to which most females would go to look beautiful. But nature can’t always be defeated. This picture has been trending on the Internet with people checking out the discrepancy in age between Madonna’s young looking face and her real age through her hands.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/14/check-this-out-the-age-gap-between-madonnas-hand-and-her-young-looking-face/

It’s just a shame!!!

This picture has got lips moving as regards the extent to which most females would go to look beautiful. But nature can’t always be defeated. This picture has been trending on the Internet with people checking out the discrepancy in age between Madonna’s young looking face and her real age through her hands.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/14/check-this-out-the-age-gap-between-madonnas-hand-and-her-young-looking-face/

Popular Hiphop legend Snoop Dogg couldn’t contain his joy when Marijuana, a drug he’s been a long fan of got legalised in California. There are no strings on him anymore as he and other lovers of this stimulant can publicly smoke weed all day without having to hide from the cops during the act.

The 45-year-old rapper has long been a fan of the drug, and was a devoted supporter of reforming laws on the use of the substance in a recreational capacity.

After California was revealed to have approved the legalization, Snoop took to Twitter.
“We just legalised marijuana in Cali. #smokeweedeveryday,” he said, adding a marijuana leaf and smoke plume emoji at the end of his tweet.

Snoop has also made his love of marijuana into a business prospect, executive producing new MTV series “Mary + Jane,” about two young women who run a weed delivery service.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/14/snoop-dogg-reacts-to-legalised-recreational-marijuana-in-california/

The Just like fire crooner recently announced that she is expecting her second child with hubby Carey Hart.

Never knew this Pop diva was even married, not to talk of being married for a number of years now, had first baby, a girl years ago and currently expecting baby number two. This is just so beautiful!!!!

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/11/13/joys-of-motherhood-pink-anticipates-second-child-shares-baby-bump-photo/

Love never felt so good!!!

Ahead of 2016 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday (Aug. 28), where Rihanna will be honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, the Canadian star erected a large billboard in Los Angeles to congratulate the diva.

See photo:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/27/drake-congratulates-rihannas-mtv-vmas-honor-with-giant-billboard/

Rihanna is to receive a greater honour come tomorrow as she receives her Vanguard Award.

Really beautiful

Brooklyn Rapper Desiigner is unarguably one of the most successful breakout artists of 2016.

His single “Panda” spent two weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, making him the youngest male to land in the top spot since 2007.

The Brooklyn rapper’s record label announced the smash hit is now triple platinum. Def Jam revealed the news on Twitter:

“Today #PANDA hits 3x’s PLATINUM! still rockin’ @LifeOfDesiigner !”

This weekend Desiigner has the chance to earn more major accolades. The 19-year-old rhymer is up for Best Hip Hop Video and Best New Artist at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards airing on Sunday.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/24/desiigners-panda-single-hits-triple-platinum/

Joey Akan of Pulse.ng shares the story of a friend of his who met Wizkid at a club and took Wizkid for a scammer. Enjoy:

I once went to Quilox, where I was having a party with some of my friends. We were having a good time, dancing and sharing dirty jokes. All of sudden I feel dizzy, and needed some rest. I found the nearest chair, and dashed for it. Another young man was resting too beside me, and I said ‘hello’ in courtesy.

“Hi how’re you?,” he replied.

“I’m fine. Wild night eh”, yes. I’m just waiting for my manager to finish some business and then we can go home.” He looked visibly tired.

“You mean to say you and your manager at work club together? That’s some nice office culture. Where do you work?” I asked.

There was a puzzled look on his face. “You don’t know me?”
I thought it was rude. I had only just met this stranger, and he expects me to magically know him. Perhaps know his history, and also his mother’s favorite dress.

“Excuse me, I have never met you before, and I can’t remember us being acquainted in any way. Who are you please?”

The perplexed look on his face turned to mild anger, and he said: “You are serious, you don’t know me?

I felt unsafe, and taught I was about to be scammed. I have heard stories of people being ripped off with the ‘familiarization’ technique. This man is a stranger acting like he was entitled to my acquaintance. I have never met him in my life. I felt insecure. So I brought out my phone, and made the threat.

“If you don’t get off me, stranger, I will call security to throw you out. You are making me unsafe.”

The young man was clearly offended and angry now. But I didn’t care. He was trying to scam me. Just then a couple of guys came by and whispered to him that it was time to go. He was still angry, and tried to express it to them.

There was loud music, and he had stood up, so I didn’t hear what he was saying. But they calmed him down, and he followed them out. I simply felt thirsty, and walked back to my crew who were observing the encounter.

“Why did you make Wizkid angry?” one said.

“Wiz….who?” I replied.

“That’s the biggest African musician right now”.
“Oh.” I said. As I reached for the Hennessy and cranberry juice. There were more pressing things on my mind. Like how to get my party back on track, and flush my throat with some alcoholic goodness.

“I don’t know Wizkid, and I don’t f***ing care. Period.”

The whole conversation is quite hilarious.

People are beginning to Label this individual as a Pop illiterate, simply because he didn’t know Wizkid. But should that be the case ? The individual may have just been one who seldom listened to African music or who didn’t fancy music in general at all. Everybody can’t know Wizkid afterall.

By the way I wonder if I’ll recognize Wizkid if I see him in the flesh, without being surrounded by his usual wall of bodyguards. Plus one can’t even tell the real Wizkid from the fake Wizkid these days where you have too many Wizkid look alike and wannabees.

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/22/wizkid-taken-as-a-scammer/

The MTV music video award ceremony would be taking place this Saturday being the 28th of August, 2016.

Beyoncé and Adele lead the nominees for the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, with Bey topping all other contenders with a career high 11 noms for her visual album Lemonade. The British singer is just behind her with 8 nods for her global smash 25 . Also snagging multiple noms for the show — that will air live from New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 9 p.m. ET — are Drake, with 6 for his “Hotline Bling” clip, Ariana Grande (5) and Rihanna (4).

Adele stacked up 7 nominations alone for her YouTube crushing “Hello” video, which will go up against Beyonce’s “Formation”, Drake’s “Hotline Bling”, Justin Bieber ‘s “Sorry” and Kanye West’s “Famous” for the Video of the Year prize.

See full list of Nominees:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/07/26/2016-mtv-video-music-awards-list-of-nominees/

Joey Akan of Pulse.ng shares the story of a friend of his who met Wizkid at a club, barely knew Wizkid and took him for a scammer. Enjoy:

I once went to Quilox, where I was having a party with some of my friends. We were having a good time, dancing and sharing dirty jokes. All of sudden I feel dizzy, and needed some rest. I found the nearest chair, and dashed for it. Another young man was resting too beside me, and I said ‘hello’ in courtesy.

“Hi how’re you?,” he replied.

“I’m fine. Wild night eh”, yes. I’m just waiting for my manager to finish some business and then we can go home.” He looked visibly tired.

“You mean to say you and your manager at work club together? That’s some nice office culture. Where do you work?” I asked.

There was a puzzled look on his face. “You don’t know me?”

I thought it was rude. I had only just met this stranger, and he expects me to magically know him. Perhaps know his history, and also his mother’s favorite dress.

“Excuse me, I have never met you before, and I can’t remember us being acquainted in any way. Who are you please?”

The perplexed look on his face turned to mild anger, and he said: “You are serious, you don’t know me?

I felt unsafe, and taught I was about to be scammed. I have heard stories of people being ripped off with the ‘familiarization’ technique. This man is a stranger acting like he was entitled to my acquaintance. I have never met him in my life. I felt insecure. So I brought out my phone, and made the threat.

“If you don’t get off me, stranger, I will call security to throw you out. You are making me unsafe.”

The young man was clearly offended and angry now. But I didn’t care. He was trying to scam me. Just then a couple of guys came by and whispered to him that it was time to go. He was still angry, and tried to express it to them.

There was loud music, and he had stood up, so I didn’t hear what he was saying. But they calmed him down, and he followed them out. I simply felt thirsty, and walked back to my crew who were observing the encounter.

“Why did you make Wizkid angry?” one said.

“Wiz….who?” I replied.

“That’s the biggest African musician right now”.

“Oh.” I said. As I reached for the Hennessy and cranberry juice. There were more pressing things on my mind. Like how to get my party back on track, and flush my throat with some alcoholic goodness.

“I don’t know Wizkid, and I don’t f***ing care. Period.”

The whole conversation is quite hilarious.

People are beginning to Label this individual as a Pop illiterate, simply because he didn’t know Wizkid. But should that be the case ? The individual may have just been one who seldom listened to African music or who didn’t fancy music in general at all. Everybody can’t know Wizkid afterall.

By the way I wonder if I’ll recognize Wizkid if I see him in the flesh, without being surrounded by his usual wall of bodyguards. Plus one can’t even tell the real Wizkid from the fake Wizkid these days where you have too many Wizkid look alike and wannabees.


Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/22/wizkid-taken-as-a-scammer/

Edge records/LRR rapper Reminisce has released the official tracklist for fourth album “El Hadj”.

It features 16 tracks and has the likes of Mr Eazi, Solidstar, Olamide, 9ice, 2baba, Oladips and Sojay on the album.

The album is set for release on August 29, 2016.

Prior to this, the ace rapper has been up and about a ‘cypher session, an avenue for helping upcoming rappers showcase their artistry and also promote the Hip hop culture.

The first session featured CDQ, Vector, DJ Neptune and Ola Dips, while the second session ‘ Feego » ‘ featured Seriki, Ola Dips and Ice Prince .

View album tracklist:

1. ‘Asalamalekun’
2. ‘Where I Come From’
3. ‘Ibadi’
4. ‘Konsignment’
5. ‘If no be God’ ft Mr Eazi
6. ‘1 for the road’ ft Solidstar
7. ‘Ori’
8. ‘I remember’
9. ‘Skit’ [Terry Apala]
10. ‘Telephone’ ft Olamide
11. ‘Simple boy’ ft 9ice
12. ‘Daily basis’
13. ‘Nobody knows’ ft 2Baba Idibia
14. ‘Owo re’
15. ‘Oloun’ ft Oladips
16. ‘Larger than life’ ft Sojay

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/22/reminisce-releases-album-arttracklist-for-forthcoming-album/

Rapper Kanye West just penned an unexpected poem about popular fast-food chain McDonald’s, of all things, for Frank Ocean’s glossy magazine
Boys Don’t Cry , which arrived Saturday night (Aug. 20) in conjunction with the singer’s new album, Blonde.

Read Kanye’s full poem below:

“McDonald’s man / McDonald’s man / The French fries had a plan / The French fries had a plan / The salad bar and the ketchup made a band / Cus the French Fries had a plan / The French fries had a plan / McDonald’s man / McDonald’s / I know them French fries have a plan / I know them French fries have a plan / The cheeseburger and the shakes formed a band / To overthrow the French fries plan / I always knew them French fries was evil man / Smelling all good and shit / I don’t trust no food that smells that good man / I don’t trust it / I just can’t / McDonald’s man / McDonald’s man / McDonald’s, man / Them French fries look good tho / I knew the Diet Coke was jealous of the fries / I knew the McNuggets was jealous of the fries / Even the McRib was jealous of the fries / I could see it through his artificial meat eyes / And he only be there some of the time / Everybody was jealous of them French fries / Except for that one special guy / That smooth apple pie.”

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/22/kanye-west-pens-an-outstanding-poem-for-frank-oceans-boys-dont-cry-magazine/

Definining a hit song – In my opinion, a hit song is any song that at its debut captivates listeners.

There’s a clear cut distinction between a local hit song and an international hit song. While a local hit song appeals to people of a particular locality say Nigeria, an international hit song on the other hand cuts across continental boundaries and appeals to people of the global stock.

There’s also the case of objective and subjective hit songs. In the case of a subjective hit song, you alone as an individual or probably you and a handful of friends in contrast to the entire populace of your locality or the globe, might fall in love with a particular song, tagging it as a hit song while the greater mass of your locality or the world considers that same song of a mediocre stock.

Regardless of the fact that many atimes our perception of music differs as a result of differing psychological makeups, there are times when the mental perception of individuals from various localities, continents and musical orientations are in sync in their perception of a particular music piece.

Finally, hit songs shouldn’t be confused with evergreen songs. Not every hit song eventually ends up achieving the evergreen status. An evergreen song as the name implies is ever new, fresh and pleasurable, even after countless number of years it still possesses the same influence it had when it was newly released or first heard, the potency to bring its listener to the realm of ecstasy.

Despite the fact we live in the 21st century, a period where artists are solely concerned with the commercial success of their songs, true music artists still strive to craft one or a handful of evergreen songs during the short span of their musical careers.

From the look of things our modern day Nigerian artists are either unable to craft evergreen songs or just concerned about the momentarily relevance of their arts. While they yet live their art loses its relevance, What then happens when they’re dead and gone? Their music certainly dies with them.

Somedays ago I stumbled on an article that pissed me off and also did me good by crushing my writer’s block. The article written by a so-called music industry expert was sought of a guideline into how up-and-coming Nigerian music artists could create hit songs for themselves, thereby breaking into the music industry. I would have been cool with the article if it also guided artists into writing international hit songs but its such a shame it targeted only the Nigerian locality. It’s a pity our industry promotes local hit songs and not international hit songs with evergreen potentials.

Below are few contents of the article:

“You are desperate, hungry and in need of second life. Don’t overthink it. Just be ready. Become dumb.

“To make a hit song, you have to think like a dumb man. You have to sound stupid. Stupidly creative. That’s why Tekno brought down trees with the killer line, your beauty makes me to realize, Say Nepa don bring light.

“Remember when I instructed you to become dumb? You will need that lack of intelligence now. Choose the dumbest catch phrase you can find, and freestyle your song around it. Here are some example ‘Sweet panya’, ‘Baby caricature’, ‘Wahala tumbo’, ‘Waist five people’. If you can’t create a dumb catchphrase, let not your heart be troubled. Use popular vernacular phrases and words. ‘Aka gum’ ‘Jagaban’, Ónijogbon’, ‘Ukwu salambala’, and any other. Freestyle anything and everything around them, lace them on to the beat and like magic, your hit song will rise out of that miasma of loud beats, stupidity and disrespect for the art.

“Get a producer with high-tempo beats

“Anything below 160 BPM is bad for a hit song. Although the tempo of our hit songs have fallen between the ranges of 115 BPM and 120 BPM, the fast ways are still the best. Get yourself a producer who understands the art of fast-paced beats. Get familiar, pay for the production and get to work. Get to work. Make sure it bangs, and hits all the right spots on the bass speakers. Amp it, and get it threatening to contribute to global noise pollution. It’s a hit song, goddamnit! Let it hit everyone hard.

“Promote that rubbish

“You have created a beautiful nonsense, and melodious crap. Now it’s time to get the world to listen and like it. Spend money on promotion, distribute the song via the internet, find every channels and mode of dissemination that functions, and plug in your song. You have sacrificed a lot for this song. Let it fly.”

Imagine an entire generation of upcoming music artists subscribing to such crap directive. We all know the result of that. Trust me this is not what music should be all about.

Years ago a south African music group by name Mafikizolo released a spectacular song titled Khona. Countless Nigerian artists raced up to their various studios to do covers of that same song. The likes of Terry G, Kelly handsome to name a few. They obviously didn’t mind covering a song by a fellow African artist.

This year alone we’ve witnessed countless Nigerian artists covering songs from Justin Bieber, Adele, Rihanna, Desiigner, and Drake. Am not saying it’s bad covering the songs of other artists, but when are we gonna witness the reverse?

It’s no news that even in our local music reality shows as Project Fame, The Voice and the rest, majority of the songs covered by contestants have alien roots. What happened to our local music? Why are they not covered during such shows?

The answer is not far-fetched, our music is crap, lacks value and won’t appeal to an international audience.

Yes! these days we hear of our artists travelling round the world performing, having sold out concerts in the US, UK and other European countries. The sad reality is, those that makeup a larger part of the audience during such concerts are either of a Nigerian or an African descent.

Nigeria does have music geniuses, a few already are famous within the industry, the majority though still dwell in dark regions of our cognisance. As is rightly said The artists on top are not always the best out there.

The case of D’banj is very unique he was popular and successful as an artist in Nigeria and Africa, he got signed to Kanye’s label but when he wasn’t performing as expected Kanye had him kicked out of his label.

As our artists work towards recieving international recognition they also need to prepare for the responsibilities an international record deal brings. It’s not about signing an international record deal, it’s rather about making the best of that record deal. The best can only be made when our artists start now by equipping themselves with necessary skills needed to conquer the international music market. Skills as: Learning the art of proper songwriting; crafting songs Nigerians and music lovers of the international community can relate to; and also aquainting themselves with the fundamentals of music theory.

Our artists have to discard all false orientation they’ve been groomed in, and start now to improve their artistry before that major international record signing they all crave for comes.


Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/17/crafting-hit-songs-in-nigeria-correcting-an-impression/

I wasn’t born yet when the Beatles group was formed in the year 1960. This group consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr ruled the 60s.

Infact the Beatles are the best selling music artists in the United States with 178 million certified units. I could go on and on highlighting the achievement of this group of which Sir Paul McCartney was a founding member.

Although two members of this extraordinary music group are deceased John Lennon and George Harrison.
Other two living members of the group regardless of their advanced age are still very active in the 21st century music industry.

74 years old Paul McCartney just signed a new worldwide record deal with Capital Records.

(By the way McCartney was the elderly guy playing guitar in Rihanna’s 4,5 seconds music video).

McCartney excited about his come back had this to say:

“This is genuinely exciting for me. Not only was Capitol my first U.S. record label, but the first record I ever bought was Gene Vincent’s ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula’ on the Capitol label.”

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/17/paul-mccartney-signs-worldwide-deal-with-capitol-records/

Somedays ago I stumbled on an article that pissed me off and also did me good by crushing my writer’s block. The article written by a so-called music industry expert was sought of a guideline into how up-and-coming Nigerian music artists could create hit songs for themselves, thereby breaking into the music industry. I would have been cool with the article if it also guided artists into writing international hit songs but its such a shame it targeted only the Nigerian locality. It’s a pity our industry promotes local hit songs and not international hit songs with evergreen potentials.

Below are few contents of the article:

“You are desperate, hungry and in need of second life. Don’t overthink it. Just be ready. Become dumb.

“To make a hit song, you have to think like a dumb man. You have to sound stupid. Stupidly creative. That’s why Tekno brought down trees with the killer line, your beauty makes me to realize, Say Nepa don bring light.

“Remember when I instructed you to become dumb? You will need that lack of intelligence now. Choose the dumbest catch phrase you can find, and freestyle your song around it. Here are some example ‘Sweet panya’, ‘Baby caricature’, ‘Wahala tumbo’, ‘Waist five people’. If you can’t create a dumb catchphrase, let not your heart be troubled. Use popular vernacular phrases and words. ‘Aka gum’ ‘Jagaban’, Ónijogbon’, ‘Ukwu salambala’, and any other. Freestyle anything and everything around them, lace them on to the beat and like magic, your hit song will rise out of that miasma of loud beats, stupidity and disrespect for the art.

“Get a producer with high-tempo beats

“Anything below 160 BPM is bad for a hit song. Although the tempo of our hit songs have fallen between the ranges of 115 BPM and 120 BPM, the fast ways are still the best. Get yourself a producer who understands the art of fast-paced beats. Get familiar, pay for the production and get to work. Get to work. Make sure it bangs, and hits all the right spots on the bass speakers. Amp it, and get it threatening to contribute to global noise pollution. It’s a hit song, goddamnit! Let it hit everyone hard.

“Promote that rubbish

“You have created a beautiful nonsense, and melodious crap. Now it’s time to get the world to listen and like it. Spend money on promotion, distribute the song via the internet, find every channels and mode of dissemination that functions, and plug in your song. You have sacrificed a lot for this song. Let it fly.”

Imagine an entire generation of upcoming music artists subscribing to such crap directive. We all know the result of that. Trust me this is not what music should be all about.

Years ago a south African music group...

Read more:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/17/crafting-hit-songs-in-nigeria-correcting-an-impression/

Somedays ago I stumbled on an article that pissed me off and also did me good by crushing my writer’s block. The article written by a so-called music industry expert was sought of a guideline into how up-and-coming Nigerian music artists could create hit songs for themselves, thereby breaking into the music industry. I would have been cool with the article if it also guided artists into writing international hit songs but its such a shame it targeted only the Nigerian locality. It’s a pity our industry promotes local hit songs and not international hit songs with evergreen potentials.

Below are few contents of the article:

“You are desperate, hungry and in need of second life. Don’t overthink it. Just be ready. Become dumb.

“To make a hit song, you have to think like a dumb man. You have to sound stupid. Stupidly creative. That’s why Tekno brought down trees with the killer line, your beauty makes me to realize, Say Nepa don bring light.

“Remember when I instructed you to become dumb? You will need that lack of intelligence now. Choose the dumbest catch phrase you can find, and freestyle your song around it. Here are some example ‘Sweet panya’, ‘Baby caricature’, ‘Wahala tumbo’, ‘Waist five people’. If you can’t create a dumb catchphrase, let not your heart be troubled. Use popular vernacular phrases and words. ‘Aka gum’ ‘Jagaban’, Ónijogbon’, ‘Ukwu salambala’, and any other. Freestyle anything and everything around them, lace them on to the beat and like magic, your hit song will rise out of that miasma of loud beats, stupidity and disrespect for the art.

“Get a producer with high-tempo beats

“Anything below 160 BPM is bad for a hit song. Although the tempo of our hit songs have fallen between the ranges of 115 BPM and 120 BPM, the fast ways are still the best. Get yourself a producer who understands the art of fast-paced beats. Get familiar, pay for the production and get to work. Get to work. Make sure it bangs, and hits all the right spots on the bass speakers. Amp it, and get it threatening to contribute to global noise pollution. It’s a hit song, goddamnit! Let it hit everyone hard.

“Promote that rubbish

“You have created a beautiful nonsense, and melodious crap. Now it’s time to get the world to listen and like it. Spend money on promotion, distribute the song via the internet, find every channels and mode of dissemination that functions, and plug in your song. You have sacrificed a lot for this song. Let it fly.”

Imagine an entire generation of upcoming music artists subscribing to such crap directive. We all know the result of that. Trust me this is not what music should be all about.

Years ago a South African music group...

Read more:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/17/crafting-hit-songs-in-nigeria-correcting-an-impression/

Quite Hilarious!!!

Black comedian, Kevin Hart has just signed a record deal with legendary record label Motown Records and is set to release his music material.

This announcement comes according to Billboard, and Chocolate Droppa himself confirmed the news on his social media account.

The star comedian is fully ready to drop his mixtape in the fall through the Capitol Records company and he ain’t joking this time.

In his own words:

“Coming back to take what’s mine/ Drake, Future, Jay Z, 2 Chainz/ I’m about to smack all y’all on the behind / I let y’all suckas eat, but I’m hungry now,” he raps in front of the Capitol Records building in Hollywood after announcing the deal.

Hart hinted at signing with the label a day before the publication confirmed the news.

“I let all of you sucka’s have fun…..” he says, “well guess what Motha Fu&$a’s….I’m DONE!!!! It’s the RETURN OF DROPPA BITTTCCHHHEEESSS!!!! You’ve been warned!!!!!! I just got signed by “Motown Records / Capitol Music Group” …..Shit just got REAL!!!!! I’m dropping a Mixtape on you bitches….it’s war….y’all can’t run from this lyrical ass whooping!!!!!! #Droppa#TheReturn #WhatNow#hittingtheatersoctober14th #iGotaDeal.”

“If you’re a rapper I suggest you run because I’m about to come for all of you sucka’s….Y’all just knocked on the door of a small giant that loves chicken nuggets and long walks in the park in the summer….which basically means that I will kill everybody!!!! Real Rap Raw mothafucka’sssss…….Who wants war? Raise yo hand Bitches….that’s what I though….Droppa Motha Fucka’s!!!!!!! #WhatNow #hittingtheatersoctober14th #Droppa #TheBestToEverDoIt TAG YO FAVORITE PUNK ASS RAPPER AND TELL HIM THAT HE OR SHE HAS BEEN WARNED!!!!! GAME OVER MOTHA FUCKA’s.”

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/13/comedy-veteran-kevin-hart-set-to-drop-a-mixtape/

The music loving President of the United States just revealed his last-weeks-of-Summer Playlist.

The daytime playlist begins with some smooth-flowing Wale before dipping into Leon Bridges, Janelle Monáe, Jay Z, Pharrell, and Common. Of course, the president keeps things classic with good-feeling tracks like the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” and late Prince’s “U Got the Look.”

The nighttime playlist delivers a different kind of energy with the president relying on some insanely soothing and soulful voices to ease him into the late hours of the day. D’Angelo, Corinne Bailey Rae, Mary J. Blige, Billie Holiday, and Miles Davis are all rounded up to set the mood for balmy summer Washington, D.C. nights. Obama even throws it back to Chance the Rapper’s old project, Acid Rap, for some “Acid Rain.”

These are definitely some great music selection. Let’s hope Obama links us with a place to listen to and download his playlist.

I’ve always wondered if our dear President Buhari listens to music at all, and if he does, what kind of music will he fancy listening to ?

Source:
https://blarckbillboard./2016/08/12/check-out-president-obamas-summer-playlist/