Marcus Chuks, the embattled reporter (from Entertainment Now) who was allegedly beat up by Kelly Hansome says that no such thing transpired. He had earlier reported that Kelly Hansome was seen at a function begging movie producers for roles. He commended Kelly for showing so much maturity and appears to be apologizing to Kelly Hansome.

The singer has however denied beating u... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/05/reporter-apologizes-to-kelly-hansome/

Months after singer Omawunmi released her stunning new single which she titled Bottom Belle where she duet current wave making Afro centric act Flavour,the story reaching us has it that once upon a time popular Ajegunle act, called Xperience Oligbese now based in Edo State capital Benin City, has threatened to drag the song diva Omawunmi to law court for what he termed copyright breach.

The handsome seven footer,popularly known for his trademark Oligbese for sale told us that Omawunmi lifted some lines from his song he titled Do Something which is contained in the album he titled Givam Chance,released sometime in early 2004 and was produced by Nelson Brown for Progressive Sound Park a Lagos based Recording company.

The Delta State born Dancehall act said before Omawunmi recorded her song we have met several times at shows,where I performed my songs in her presence and the only thing she told me was that she loves my style of song but she never told me that she was planning to lift some lines from my song titled “Do Something” until in February this year when the label owner that released my album called me to ask why I allowed Omawunmi to lift some lines from my song without permission or credit to me and I was surprised..... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/benin-based-act-threatens-omawumi-with-n50m-court-action-over-bottom-belle/

The most anticipated Hollywood movie in the month of May, Avengers will hit the screens this week in Nigeria on Thursday, a day earlier than the worldwide release date. Avengers features superhero characters; Iron Man, Thor, Incredible Hulk, Hawkeye, Captain America and Black Widow.

The movie which will hit the theaters in the U.S will be shown to the Nigerian cinema audience on Thursday 3rd May as an exclusive costume premiere will hold at Ozone Cinema, Yaba, Lagos. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase costumes of their favorite superhero characters on the night or days before at a give-away price.

This is a first-of-its-kind exclusive costume premiere in this part of the world and it has been brought about by Ozone Cinema in partnership with Fanta, Blue Pictures, Walt Disney and Crimson Media. The costumes for the movie are already selling at Ozone Cinema; they include all sorts of costumes ranging from face masks, shields, full regalia of Iron Man and Thor, Captain America and others.

The costume premiere will start 5pm on Thursday 3rd May, 2012 with the Avengers red carpet but before then there would be.... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/05/avengers-is-here-hit-nigerian-cinemas-on-thursday-3rd-may-2012/

Months after singer Omawunmi released her stunning new single which she titled Bottom Belle where she duet current wave making Afro centric act Flavour,the story reaching us has it that once upon a time popular Ajegunle act, called Xperience Oligbese now based in Edo State capital Benin City, has threatened to drag the song diva Omawunmi to law court for what he termed copyright breach.

The handsome seven footer,popularly known for his trademark Oligbese for sale told us that Omawunmi lifted some lines from his song he titled Do Something which is contained in the album he titled Givam Chance,released sometime in early 2004 and was produced by Nelson Brown for Progressive Sound Park a Lagos based Recording company.

The Delta State born Dancehall act said before Omawunmi recorded her song we have met several times at shows,where I performed my songs in her presence.... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/benin-based-act-threatens-omawumi-with-n50m-court-action-over-bottom-belle/

Rizzz whose real name is Doris Ukwade is an sccenreric female artiste who is bent on making music that would inspire and influences the life of others.
http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/video-premiere-money-maker-feat-miekharry-by-rizzz/


Born and bred in Delta, she moved to Lagos in 2003 to pursue a music career. She has being passionate about the music from a very young age, she started from the choir and discovered herself early enough but she waited this long to debut simply because – in her words ‘I believe that what’s worth doing at all is worth doing well’.

She started with a live band, before she moved on to record her first studio song in 2004. A polished female artiste from the several nights in the studio, honing her craft as a singer, Rizzz has released a couple of singles and has shot two videos. She just won the plaque for the best raggae act at the Hype Awards 2012.

She is currently working on her debut album, still untitled..
Here’s the visuals of ‘Money maker’, directed by IBen... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/video-premiere-money-maker-feat-miekharry-by-rizzz/

Star actress, Stephanie Okereke and her fiance Linus Idahosa, were in Paris yesterday for their marriage. Their wedding took place at the Abbay des Vaux de Cernay Hotel, in Northern France. Richard Mofe Damijo, Genevieve Nnaji, Uche Jombo, Lilian Bach, Ndidi Okereke-Onyiuke, Azuh Amatus are among the delegates from Nollywood that graced Stephanie Okereke’s white wedding.

Other Nollywood stars that were in the guest list include Ini Edo, Monalisa Chinda, Emem Isong and Kanayo O.Kanayo. Idahosa’s friends and associates also attended the wedding. Ejike Asiegbu, according to inside source, couldn’t make the trip because of his sister’s health condition. Report is that Arik Air donated a chartered flight to convey those attending the wedding for FREE. Air France also provided seats to invited guests at discounted tickets. watch video here- http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/video-stephanie-okereke-linus-idahosas-wedding-in-paris/

Pictures of the HKN Family : Davido and Bro Adewale ( Chairman, HKN Group) alongside his Cousins and labelmates – Shina Rambo and B_Red(Bayo) Doing there thing big far away in the state weeks ago. They flew in with a private Jet from Atl to Miami, US for a 5 Day Holidays in Miami, Florida…..

They also Shot two new Videos, Supposedly the Video to ‘Ekuro. and a yet to be released single.

where's the contact info?

As 2Face prepares for the third installation of Buckwyld N Breathless (which will double as the release of his fifth album Away & Beyond), the good people at Platonique PR made certain that I had a chat with him. Now the man has lived in the public eye for the past fifteen years so it would be difficult to get a new perspective out of him right? Wrong! I am the Bayo Omisore and I do this.
Read excerpts of the interview below.


After African Queen, do you feel any pressure by the fact that most people internationally recognize you best for work you did in 2004? Do you feel any pressure when you go into a studio with say a Mary J. Blige or an Akon or maybe a Wyclef?
Yeah I do. I’ve come out with a bunch of music since then that has been marginally successful within Africa. But they’ve not been as popular as African Queen internationally. (Editor’s note: Incredible that after all this success, 2Face still feels pressure. He is human after all.)
That being the case, have you tried to make a specific attempt to make music that can go out there the same way African Queen did?
Yes I have but maybe it didn’t pan out the way we planned. (Editor’s note: If you paid any attention to the original The Unstoppable album, you would remember the song Appreciate It in which he sang in French to reach other non-English speaking parts of Africa and the world.)
You recorded quite a lot of songs with Femi Ojetunde. (Editor’s note: You might not know Femi. But if you ever liked or vibed to TQ’s 1998 breakthrough hit single Westside, then you’ve definitely come into contact with the man also known as Femdouble. His impressive resume also boasts of the name of the late great 2Pac Shakur. There! Now you know. Back to 2Face.)
Is there any particular reason why you chose to work with him?
The chemistry between myself and Femi is huge. In fact it is massive. If you listen to the songs we did, you’ll identify that the chemistry is wonderful. He’s a mature producer and his sounds are very clean.
I want to believe there was chemistry between yourself and Nelson Brown, OJB and J. Sleek. I apparently am not a musician but what happens between an artiste and a producer they have chemistry with? Does the chemistry just die or do they go in search of the chemistry elsewhere?
I won’t say the chemistry dies. For me, over the years I’ve not been stuck with any one producer. I work with a lot of people. Did you know that OJB still produced some of the tracks from the last album? As I go on I still need fresh sounds that can be provided by other people. I won’t record an entire album with just one producer because I hear other sounds from other producers whose work I like.
I asked you a question some three years back when I had the opportunity to speak with you. I noticed that in a lot of your songs you talk about love and how you’re looking to find true love. I realized it’s a constant search for love. So are you there now? (Editor’s note: re Annie and the February 14 engagement.) What will that do to your songwriting?
(Editor’s note: 2Face smiles wistfully) It will not do anything to my song writing. I mean if I have a concept about someone that’s searching for love, I’ll be creative about it and still write it. It doesn’t necessarily have to relate to me. It’s the creativity in music. Most of the things we sing about don’t always have anything to do with our lives. I’m definitely still going to write songs about love.
That said, I have a theory. And you might not have realized it, but when I’m done you’ll understand where I’m headed.
For your last album, you recorded a song titled Raindrops. More recently, you’ve recorded Dancing In The Rain and the lead single Rainbow. Now if you listen closely, Raindrops reveals you were in a lot of pain as you had issues you were dealing with. In Dancing In The Rain, you had decided to live your life and make sense of the whole situation but you were soaked cause it was actually raining. Then Rainbow will take us to the Bible after the flood. God sent the rainbow as a promise. So does this imply that you’ve reached your bus stop? I know you didn’t say this but do you agree with this theory?
(Editor’s note: 2Face was very impressed at this point. Cos it had never occurred to him before. I know, I know. Sometimes, even I shock myself. The sheer genius!) Wow! You are a very very brilliant person. In terms of Rainbow, that is the breakdown for me. I’ve been through it all and I feel it now. That’s why I say you’re my Rainbow. I actually like your analysis. (Editor’s note: Thank you. I like it too!)
The whole 2Face affair started with African Queen for a lot of people. In the video of that song you revealed Annie as your love interest. Eight years later you are engaged to her. Are we going to hear an African Queen Part 2?
Ooh African Queen Part 2? Well let’s keep our fingers crossed, it might happen.
Going to the other 2Face. There seems to be 2Face the businessman with Hypertek signing Dammy Krane and Rocksteady. Rocksteady has been somewhere around the picture for some time so wh....

read more: http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/the-bayo-omisore-interview-2face-speaks-on-new-album-concert-politics-songs-about-searching-for-love-after-engagement/

In the now widely read interview where he spoke about the split, D'banj is quoted as saying thus: 'Other labels were springing up. So if we could conquer America, London when no one had done it before. Most of our people stop in Germany, or Paris. But this is America, this is the big league; it makes us the strongest, the biggest. We had already made the money. And who best to introduce me to the rest of the world? Kanye did not want to change anything about my music, my style of dressing, or my brand. It is God’s favour. But Jazzy was and is very scared. Something had worked for eight years, so he wanted to maintain the status quo. People are afraid to try.... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/dbanj-takes-a-shot-at-asa-and-nneka/

Ghanaian actor, Van Vicker was arrested in Lagos for possession of some arms last weekend.

Van Vicker was billed to attend the just concluded Africa Movie Academy Awards in Lagos on Sunday but missed the event.

He was reported to have been arrested by some men of the State Security Services (SSS) at the airport in Nigeria when some guns were found in his luggage.

He then told the SSS that the guns were props guns brought in for a movie.

Not convinced enough, he was taken to the SSS office in Ikoyi, Lagos for further investigation, where he spent the night.

The gist further has it that Van Vicker later tried contacting his famili.... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/van-vicker-spent-the-night-in-police-net-missed-the-amaas/

Award winning artiste Tuface spoke in a recent interview about his coming concert and sundry other issues.

interesting bit was even he was asked by NET correspondent who he would want to meet dead or alive and he picked late Bob Marley and sultry singer Sade Adu.

I’ll choose one dead person and another who’s still living. One person I would like to meet that has passed away would be Bob Marley. The other would have to be Sade Adu. I just love her person, she is deep, spiritual and she is... Read more: http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/2face-i-have-a-crush-on-sade-adu/

Spinlet to fund DaGrin’s post humous album, ‘If I Die’ Remix featuring American Rapper STYLES P of the LOX (group with Jadakiss and Sheek Louch), Show Dem Camp and Nasty Jack.

The track produced by Frenzy is done and would be released soon to kick off the road to the release of the anticipated post humous album by the rap artiste which our source say is titled ‘da invinvible bullet-proof’... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/spinlet-to-fund-dagrins-post-humous-album-if-i-die-remix-featuring-american-rapper-styles-p-show-dem-camp/

D'banj has finally spoken on the widely reported split of Mo'hits Records. Speaking to NET publisher, Ayeni Adekunle in London, The entertainer gave an extensive insight into the split and failed partnership - which he called a 'marriage'. He informed that it was all Don Jazzy's idea to end the partnership as far back as June, 2011.

He informed on how he bank rolled and finance alot for their projects including the first studio Don Jazzy had after he disbanded from JJC and 419 Squad in the UK, saying the impressive that Don Jazzy ran the Mo'hits company was all an act.

He said: ‘Don Jazzy was no longer comfortable. You know, we were like fishes out of water, in this new system, starting all over again, like when we returned home in 2004. I got him a place in the US, set up a studio there, just so he’d be comfortable and be able to work without going to hang around the studios. In one year Jazzy did not make a song. I said, maybe you want to go back to Lagos, you’ll get inspiration there?’ I was all about the work, I wanted us to make this happen, so we can bridge that gap and create a path for Africa. But Jazzy wanted us to go back home. And I understand. He’s my friend, my brother’.

‘But I never expected him to do what he did.’ He said to me in July last year ‘Let’s scatter Mohits. He told me there are two captains – two captains cannot be in a ship. I was like ‘that’s not possible, this is a marriage’. He said ‘then this marriage is no longer working’. I said then let’s go for counseling; I asked, so what happens to our children?’

Don Jazzy wanted Mohits, D’banj says. And that happened on April 16, 2012 – after months of a bitter feud, characterized by accusations and counter accusations, widespread speculation, leaked emails and failed reconciliation attempts.


D'banj also informed that there would be a remix to his hit single 'Oliver Twist' that would be released in the UK on May 14.... read more: http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/dbanj-speaks-on-mohit-split-don-jazzy-betrayed-me/

There’s an important person in that building, right?’ the cab driver asked. ‘Important musician?’

I nodded, too tired to let any curious driver drag me into a conversation.

He got the message and left me alone the entire drive from Canary Wharf to the London Marriot Hotel, in Grosvenor Square.

Then, as I got down to get my suitcase from the trunk, he gave me a knowing look, smiled, and said ‘are you the musician?’

‘Of course not’, I said to him, smiling this time. ‘The musician is in Canary Wharf, his name is D’banj’.

Silence. Confused look.

‘D’banj?’

Yes, D’banj. He’s big in Africa. You know ‘Oliver Twist?’

Silence again, then as his final ‘no’ came, I said ‘Google him.’

It was 4am on Saturday, April 21. I arrived in London eight hours earlier, and had spent almost all of that time chatting with D’banj, in his first interview with a Nigerian newspaper in a long time, and his first interview on the Mo’Hits brouhaha.

London is D’banj’s town. He’s performed there over and over, his single ‘Oliver Twist’ is on the A-list at Choice FM, and enjoys heavy rotation on other stations. A day before I came, he spent hours doing interviews at the Universal offices in Kensington. Some might hail D’banj as the man championing the gospel of ‘Afrobeats’ across the world. But, just like the cab driver, London does not yet know D’banj.

As we walk into the Choice FM building in the afternoon on Saturday, there are no heads turning or fans gazing. In fact, his lawyer, Elias, who wore a pair of loud snakeskin boots, attracted more attention than D’banj.

Who leaves a zone where they’re comfortable and celebrated; where they’re established and successful, for a place where no one seems to give the slightest care?

D’banj, that’s who.

The 31 year-old entertainer has spent nearly two years building structures he hopes will help take his music to new markets in Europe, and especially America. This move, he believes, cost him his friendship and business relationship with his long time partner Don Jazzy.

‘I’m a risk taker’, he says. ‘Life is all about risks. But you must never endanger yourself. I don’t endanger myself, which is why, even though I’m here, I’m still in Nigeria all the time, performing’.

With incredible energy, and the kind of passion that endeared everyone to him when he first moved back to Nigeria in 2005, D’banj says his deal with Kanye West is a case of ‘preparation meets opportunity’.

‘I pulled up with my entourage at the Emirates first class lounge in Dubai. We were returning from Scott Tommey’s birthday. I came down with Bankuli, my P.A. Chuchu, and my business manager Chidi. My entourage was large and I was looking fly. One of the hostesses ran to me with a Kanye West placard. I said I’m not Kanye o – then I told my guys ‘Kanye is around so no dulling.’ Chuchu and Bankuli spotted Kanye walking in to check in. They went to him and he said we could come over’.

‘As they came, I had my iPad with me, and my headphones. First thing Kanye said was ‘I like your T-shirt’. I wore a Zara T-shirt and a D&G ring. He liked my appearance and said he’d give me 5 minutes. I told him ‘I played with you in Nigeria during NB PLC Star Megajam. I’ve done a song with Snoop and we’re going to shoot the video now. I’d like to play you my songs.’ I played Oliver, Scapegoat, and Fall in love. He was dancing. He removed the headphones and said ‘I don’t mean to sound rude, but if anyone has to bring you out in the states, it has to be me, not Snoop. He asked when I was going to be in the US, and I told him I was going there that day. Then he asked who my producer was, and I said Don Jazzy. He said ‘come with him.’

Three months later, D’banj, Don Jazzy and their crew were in New York, where, according to D’banj, it took almost forever before they could establish contact with Kanye. ‘It was only an email address he gave us at the airport. So when we got to NY, we sent several emails but got no response. Not a single one.’

‘Then we met someone that knew someone that knew another someone and we got another email address. We sent several messages again, no response. Then Bankuli sent a final one saying, ‘we have been in New York for some time and sent several emails. We have waited long enough and are now on our way to do the Snoop Dogg video’

And then the reply came. ‘Sorry to have overlooked your earlier emails. Mr. Kanye would like to meet with you tomorrow.’

‘We didn’t believe it. Don Jazzy, who had been reluctant all along, still did not believe it. Even when we got there (Wyclef’s studio) the next day, he stood outside. When Kanye came I went to call him ‘Oya come now, come play am the music now’. It was difficult to believe it was real and it was happening. Then when Kanye came in, with the GOOD music acts, I was like, ‘wow’.

From there everything happened fast. Next they were meeting Jay Z, making a presentation to LA Reid (At Electric studios), and discussing contracts. But while the label offered him a traditional recording contract, D’banj opted for a joint venture agreement structured to guarantee three things: retaining full control of his materials in Africa, signing Don Jazzy on board (on behalf on Mohits USA), and, he says, bringing the Universal/Def Jam imprint to Africa.

‘I’ve always thought of how I can be a useful vessel to the industry. A friend and colleague always says to me: ‘D’banj, you’re the Jesus Christ of the industry.’ So having ran Mohits for nine years, I already had plans of how we could blow Mohits up. I had plans of expanding, and most especially, bringing hope to that 11 year-old kid somewhere in Africa who may never have had the opportunity to get signed to major labels’.

‘So it was not really just about me. There’s a big market in Africa. I said to them, ‘I’ve sold millions of records in Africa, we’ve done millions of hits with CRBT, and I’ve run the most successful label on the continent. You take care of the US, but let me take you to Africa.‘ And I’m happy to tell you that we’re doing that. D’banj’s album will be the first under Universal/Def Jam Africa, and we’re already putting all the structures in place’.

‘I’m a businessman.’ I learnt from my mom, who’s a very successful businesswoman. So having run and funded Mohits for nine years, I knew we had to move to the next level. And everything we wanted was happening. Finally we could take African music to the world.’

Just like the lyrics of the song, D’banj was an Oliver Twist. Here’s a guy who had conquered a continent; was sitting on the top three list, and making more money than anyone else in his category. D’banj was a big player in Nigeria, where there are over 150 million people; a big player in Africa, with over 850 million people. But he wanted to play big globally, with 7 billion people to grab from.

And that’s where the problem started. ‘Don Jazzy was no longer comfortable. You know, we were like fishes out of water, in this new system, starting all over again, like when we returned home in 2004. I got him a place in the US, set up a studio there, just so he’d be comfortable and be able to work without going to hang around the studios. In one year Jazzy did not make a song. I said, maybe you want to go back to Lagos, you’ll get inspiration there?’ I was all about the work, I wanted us to make this happen, so we can bridge that gap and create a path for Africa. But Jazzy wanted us to go back home. And I understand. He’s my friend, my brother’.

‘But I never expected him to do what he did.’ He said to me in July last year ‘Let’s scatter Mohits. He told me there are two captains – two captains cannot be in a ship. I was like ‘that’s not possible, this is a marriage’. He said ‘then this marriage is no longer working’. I said then let’s go for counseling; I asked, so what happens to our children?’

Don Jazzy wanted Mohits, D’banj says. And that happened on April 16, 2012 – after months of a bitter feud, characterized by accusations and counter accusations, widespread speculation, leaked emails and failed reconciliation attempts.

‘You can see he has signed already’, he said, showing the agreement with Don Jazzy’s signature. ‘I have full rights to my catalogue and full ownership of my Koko Holdings, while he has full ownership of Mo’Hits, including the artistes and liabilities.’

http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/dbanj-speaks-on-mohit-split-don-jazzy-betrayed-me/

Already judged guilty in the court of public opinion, and publicly disowned by his own boys Wande Coal and Dr SID, D’banj says he’s sad, but not bitter. Does he feel kind of lonely, alone in the cold? ‘Asking me if I’m lonely because Wande or Jazzy has left me is like asking my first sister if she’s lonely now – she has two kids now, lives in Canada. Don Jazzy is still my brother – we just had to move on. We’ll still work together in future, same with my boys. In fact, just this week, he sent me the remix to Oliver Twist that we’re releasing in the UK on May 14. All the interviews I’ve had here, I kept hyping him. It’s already in my system – you know me, I’m a one-way soldier. Jazzy is a very quiet person. Loyalty is key. My loyalty still lies in the friendship I had with him. He was cheated by JJC, and I was present. I swore never to cheat him. But I’d like to think our visions became different.

‘It was clear when we met that Jazzy wanted to be the biggest producer, I wanted to be the biggest African entertainer, not the biggest singer. I had my mind on money. In order to say I’m the biggest, I had to be the richest. So for a very long time, he was on the back end. He respected my act, I respected his music judgment. Every meeting that brought us money I went for. I’d say I need to confirm from Don Jazzy because that was the agreement, even though I knew it was my decision. First Glo deal was $500,000. That Landcruiser jeep was because of my demands. It was because of the skill and exposure that I used to bargain. I’m a businessman’

‘People say I’m less talented, I was known as a jester in the JJC squad. I’d make everyone happy and play the mouth organ, but I knew what I wanted. I decided to give Don Jazzy power in 2007 when we realized that after four years, they did not recognize us as a record label. We had signed artistes and done all this work. So we restructured, and restrategized. So I told him to chill, so he can be more respected and be the don. I’m older than him by one year, yet I respected him like a don. I remember when he came out at Ali Baba show, I knelt down for him, so people would say he’s the baba. All the talking in my ears and all, it was an arrangement. All the Soundcity advert and all, he did not tell me anything. It was all an arrangement.’

With his UK publicist Vanessa Amadi taking notes nearby, his manager Bankulli interjecting every now and then, and several legal documents surrounding us, D’banj spoke passionately of his former partner in the same way a man might go on about a cherished and respected, but estranged, lover. He’s on his sixth cigarette, and thinks the room is stuffy, even though no one complains. So he opens the sliding glass for ventilation. ‘Jazzy did his part’, he says, sitting down again and looking me in the face. ‘He made the music for nine years. But nothing stops him from making for twenty more years. We could have changed the formula. Why didn’t he want to change the formula? It was time to expand the business, Mohits was Motown reloaded. We always knew we would expand, he always said I had more swagger than anyone else he knows, And I know he’s one of the best producers in the world; we wanted to make Mohits the biggest in Africa. Other labels were springing up. So if we could conquer America, London when no one had done it before. Most of our people stop in Germany, or Paris. But this is America, this is the big league; it makes us the strongest, the biggest. We had already made the money. And who best to introduce me to the rest of the world? Kanye did not want to change anything about my music, my style of dressing, or my brand. It is God’s favour. But Jazzy was and is very scared. Something had worked for eight years, so he wanted to maintain the status quo. People are afraid to try new things.’

‘But’, he tells me, still maintaining eye contact while lighting another cigarette, ‘I’m not afraid. I’m a vessel that God is trying to use to help the industry. I’m a bridge. Once in a few years, one artiste comes from the UK to run the world, none has come from Africa. Fela was the closest. It’s been my own dream; I made my name from Nigeria, unlike Seal, Wale, and Tinie Tempah. And I want to bring Universal, Def Jam and all to Nigeria. So if I can build that bridge, then we’re good, because it will give hope to the boys in Asaba, in Oshogbo that this thing is possible.’




The day after our Canary Wharf interview, we meet up at Highbury Islington, where he’s shooting a documentary and the promo for the Oliver Twist competition for the UK. D’banj’s new crew: Semtex (a white A&R rep from the label), Bankuli and Vanessa, are on the ground, working with the production team. ‘This is why we’re here o. This is the work’, he says as he invites me into the dressing room.

‘And when people say why am I not talking, this is why. I’m focused on making this happen. It’s more important for me to make sure I don’t disappoint all those who have invested in me; all those who believe in me and are supporting the movement, than to be fighting over who’s right or wrong. Even now that I’m talking to you, I don’t even know if I should be doing this interview.’

It’s very unexpected that D’banj – the super aggresive D’banj – is speaking in this manner. He has fought many battles, cut off many former friend-associates, ignored the Nigerian media, and reportedly humiliated several Mo’hits members, including Ikechukwu and Dr SID. Temperamental, often impatient, and vocal, those who know him will tell you the D’banj they know, is not the one that’s speaking.

So I ask:

The perception is that you’ve become arrogant, unreachable, proud. You’re not the D’banj we used to know; not the D’banj I used to know – and most people in the media will say this is true

Obviously people will say stuff – but this is me. I can’t keep up with everyone, no matter how much I try. But I understand where I’m coming from. I cant forget my roots – all the interviews I had yesterday, I was ‘bigging up’ DJ Abass, he gave me my first show in London. You saw me giving Jazzy props in my interview earlier. That’s me. If I was arrogant I wouldn’t have been the one even chasing Jazzy around since he told me last July that he wanted to scatter Mohits. Last time I saw him was on February 19 at Irving Plaza. He didn’t support the show, and he only came on stage when SID and Wande were performing. I wanted peace.

And even my mom, who had supported us from beginning, who gave us the house we stayed in (in Michael Otedola estate, Lagos), the Previa bus we used and paid for Tongolo video, spoke to his parents last December; ‘this is what your son said o’. I remember my mom saying to me, ‘if you guys have been together all these years, and no wahala, then if you need to part, I hope there’ll be no wahala.’ She was very particular about that. I had enough proof to have come out and speak; this thing has been on for a long time, and we’re in April now. But I don’t want to cause any wahala. I don’t want to spoil anything. I don’t want trouble. Right now, I just want to be able to move on and do my business.’

That’s surprising, because when the leaked emails emerged, revealing private email conversations between the estranged partners, all fingers pointed at D’banj. Don Jazzy, a likeable celeb and social media addict, didn’t have anything to prove. D’banj was the one who looked bad, and, understandably, would want to make a move that could earn him public sympathy.

‘The signing (away of my shares in Mohits) was already being discussed before April 16. If I kept quiet from January till now, what would it benefit me to leak anything? Remember all the stuff about my password and all? We know where that was from, I really wouldn’t want to think it was from him, my brother, but it could be from anywhere, but I don’t want to call anyone’s name’

But were the emails forged?

Everything in those emails were facts. And I don’t even think the mails favoured me in any way. It’s not the exact mails that were sent and signed, but there were elements of truth in the mails that were published.’

Why did you tell Ebony you own Mohits?

My mom advised me not to speak. And the interviewer took it out of context. I co-owned Mohits. We registered the business in 2004, and we owned it 50:50. So I spoke about that, but the interviewer took it wrong and the fans put pressure on them and they corrected it.

How about Sahara Reporters?

I never wanted to have any interview. It was on the eve of my US show. I was told I should do the interview, because they’re very troublesome. I had to do the interview for the sake of my show the next day. I was guaranteed that there’d be no politics questions. I had not been in the country. And I had been under pressure. Sadly, when that happened and I was being attacked in the media, none of my guys came out to support me.

Looking at all this, what are your regrets?

The truth is that if nothing went wrong, you’d have still heard all this good news and Mohits would take the glory, I didn’t come out in eight years to say anything. Everyone made their contributions. There were no issues, as long as it worked. My mistake was thinking that we were one. People don’t question their brothers and sisters.

How do you feel about Wande Coal and Dr. SID taking sides with Jazzy?

I won’t be too quick to judge Wande Coal. I hear it was Jazzy that tweeted those Wande tweets. I don’t know how true that is, but I know he had our social media accounts. As at a month ago, I couldn’t access any of my accounts. My password was changed on Twitter and Facebook. Then Universal intervened. I’m about to be verified on Twitter now. I’m not really a social media person, so it was Don Jazzy and some of our other guys that were running it. Wande himself knows the truth. He cannot talk to me like that. The whole Mohits knew who ran the label businesswise. They knew who to come to when they needed to get money out, after we recorded the album. Who knows the factory where Dansa was made? But you will know the marketing manager. The car he’s driving, I bought him a brand new Prado from Phyllis and Moss after he crashed the car he won from Hiphop World awards. I bought six Range Rovers last year. I bought D’Prince an LR 3 last year, he crashed it, then I bought him a Range, and it’s true that I bought two Bentleys. Because of Jazzy. But after July last year, after the issue with Jazzy, I bought myself the Aston Martin.

You bought that? I thought that was a gift?

I bought it.

How were you able to fund all that?

In the last nine years, there are a few people and corporate bodies that God has helped me build relationships with, either individuals or banks, or even corporates that are involved in the growth of the industry. I’ve enjoyed their support, and even now that we’re going global, we’re pooling the funds together from all these places.

Could you possibly be Nigeria’s richest pop star? A billionaire?

Vanity upon vanity. Money is material. In terms of what we’re doing, you’ll call me a Trillionaire, because this vision is too big for only me. With the help of the industry, the government, people like you Ayeni, we will not only be billionaires, but trillionaires, and not just me, but every little kid that has same talent like Beyonce, or Nicki Minaj. And with the standard of the UMG worldwide, we can pass people out from our own Universal Music Group Africa, Universal Def Jam Africa, and everyone should jump on this ship with us. It’s not the Titanic.

There’s been a lot of confusion – what label exactly are you signed on?

My album comes out under my label/GOOD Music/Island Def Jam. I’m funding the D’banj album, in America, through GOOD Music/Island Def Jam. GOOD Music is Kanye West who is co-executive producing with me. The deal comprises of Island Def Jam, in US. But in UK, it is under Mercury. My first single will be released in Europe on May 14. My work will be released in Africa through Universal/Def Jam. We don’t have these structures in Africa, and they’ve seen how much money they’ve lost. They’ve seen what I’ve done with Mohits. I made my pitch to them; I’ve made them realize how much they were losing in the African region. Over 150m Nigerians, over 800m Africans. 2% of that is 8.5m. They were not making anything except from S.A, which has been the US of Africa. So we will be launching this label in Ghana, in partnership with Vodafone, launching in Nigeria in partnership with MTN. Def Jam Africa will be up soon; Kenya, SA, and North Africa will follow.

Why are you risking all this? What if you burn your fingers and lose everything you’ve worked for?

Lose out? Well, I am happy I even have something to risk. To whom much is given, much is expected. Look at Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Jay Z, Kanye West, these people take it to the max, take it to where they believe that they can push it to. In the first instance, coming back to Nigeria with Jazzy was because I was a risk taker. And I wouldn’t say I’m throwing everything away. I would say I’m putting everything back in, in order to rip into the future. I get a broadcast from Tonye Cole everyday. He says when you tell people this your vision, know that it’s not for you alone – it’s for everyone. It’s like what Fela did. If what I’m doing doesn’t work, but sows that seed that will germinate in three, five years, it means my name will be written in gold.

Some people have tried this before you, unsuccessfully. Do you have doubts and fears sometimes?

My last album was in July 2008 – no album in four years and I know what I still command in those four years. The momentum for me to be able to do this is because I see how much it took me, I saw the benefit, it’s God, and the favour of the relationships we’ve built. Plus, I don’t take no for an answer, I don’t take negativity. It will work in Jesus’ name. If not, I wouldn’t have landed in the UK and hear Oliver Twist on the radio. Nor would I be in the mainstream media with them saying I’m pioneering afrobeats. I said to them ‘Oh hell no, that’s Fela’s music. Fela is the legend.’ So I pray to God – I beg my fans, it‘ll be good to do half a million downloads. It’s possible, it’s a different market. Platinum in UK is 300,000. I believe with the support of my people in Redding, Coventry, Dusting, Hackney, Thamesmead, Abbeywood, we can do it.’

And so, as I say my goodbyes and flag down the cab that’ll take me to Heathrow Airport, I can’t help thinking out loud: should one man sacrifice the wishes of the collective on the altar of ambition and material wealth? But then, what should be expected of the man whose dreams and ambition grow beyond those of other – possibly myopic- members of the collective: should an individual sacrifice his personal desires; derail his destiny, so to speak, in the interest of the collective?

In all of this, faithfulness and loyalty have been brutally murdered. And the jury is still out on who pulled the trigger.

http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/dbanj-speaks-on-mohit-split-don-jazzy-betrayed-me/

Akin Omotoso wins the Special Jury Award for Man on the Ground #AMAA2012

Chinedu Ikedieze presented the award for Best Child Actor #AMAA2012

#AMAA2012 Best Actress in a Leading Role goes to Rita Dominic for Shattered.

#AMAA2012 Prize for the best Actress in a leading role to be presented by Maya Gilbert, Hollywood Actress

Majid Michael has been nominated for 4 years consecutively, but this is his first win #AMAA2012

#AMAA2012 Majid Michel wins BEST ACTOR in a Leading Role for his performance in Somewhere in Africa.... SEE MORE HERE: http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/amaa2012-live-tweet/

Following the news of the breakup between ‘Gongo Aso’ crooner 9ice and his former manager Dehinde Fajanu, 9ice’s estranged wife, Toni Payne has moved quickly to quell rumours about her being behind the break up. “How would anyone expect me to be involved?” she reportedly queried.

“This is business and I am involved in the business with them. Perhaps, 9ice made the best decision for his business? I don’t know.”

Insiders insist that 9ice’s decision to part ways with his former manag.... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/toni-payne-distance-self-from-9ice-manager-split/

Are guys turned on or threatened by the most famous of intimacy gadgets?

Vibrators: They hold a special place in our hearts, Just maybe and in our night stands, now alot common that it was with African women tha it was years ago . But is your man intimidated by your battery-powered best friend or eager to bring it in for a party? We would want to know, Men: "What do you think about vibrators?" Please say here- http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/what-do-men-think-about-vibrators/

APRIL 22nd two years ago, Da Grin passed on. The rapper whose music talked about our daily struggle died in the hospital after a car accident… Here’s an early Tribute by Olamide, Tupengo & Olamide. Nostalgic! RIP DA GRIN. listen here: http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/two-years-after-olamide-tupengo-seriki-tribute-to-dagrin/

Scary! Bangladesh Hackers take down Interswitch websites for a while

Posted on 21 April 2012

The web sites of Interswitch, a Nigerian-based electronic transaction switching and payment processing company has been hacked by a group More... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/scary-bangladesh-hackers-take-down-interswitch-websites-for-a-while/

There is a VERY good chance Tupac Shakur is alive and well ... and hiding ... this according to the man who was with him during the supposedly fatal shooting in Vegas, Suge Knight.

Knight just appeared on 93.5 KDay in L.A. with Tattoo and Cee Cee ... and pumped some major fuel into the biggest urban legend in hip hop ... that Tupac FAKED his own death.

Knight says his theory explains why cops never found his murderer -- because there was no murder.... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/suge-knight-thinks-tupac-is-still-alive/

OAP and Flytime presenter Toke Makinwa sa5d blogger Linda Ikeji is not a blogger and her quote has been a sensation online. on her morning show on Rhythm 93.7, Toke Makinwa said: ‘I don’t think Linda Ikeji is a role model. She’s a gossiper, She sells gossip’… ‘I’m appealing to the younger generation not to take Perez Hilton or Linda Ikeji as a role model’.

The blogger, former model and magazine publisher Linda Ikeji took to her blog earlier to address Toke’s opinion. She shared a heartfelt story of growing up and being stranded when she had go to ..... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/04/oap-toke-makinwa-not-a-role-model-linda-ikeji-im-a-role-model-as-a-young-woman/

“I have decided that I will do with Jenifa what Tyler Perry has done with the character Madea.”

Funke Akindele has promised a return for her highly successful character Jenifa. The actress, who came to limelight casting as the eponymous character in the self produce movie ‘Jenifa’, has revealed that the much loved character will be returning for a third spell after a successful second installment last year.

“We are already working on the script for Jenifa three,” Akindele told in an interview. “Jenifa has come to stay now; the third part will be out before this year is over.”

“I have decided that I will do with Jenifa what Tyler Perry has done with the character Madea. We all watch Madia and love her. So I will make Jenifa a ch..... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/03/tyler-perry-inspired-funke-akindele-jenifa-movie-would-get-a-part-3/

The band, group or label break-up isn’t unheard of in the music biz. It’s a business rife with uncertainty and drastic changes. I’m well versed with the Destiny’s Child line-up changes, the inter-camp domestics, the back and forth media rebuttals, the drama – like any relationship, things go wrong.

So while the relationship between the two men at the helm of Africa’s finest African-owned label, Mo’hits Records – Michael Collins a.k.a Don Jazzy, the founder, and D’Banj, the label’s first signed artist as well as its Vice President – may now be at an end, it’s not earth-shattering news. It happens.

Nonetheless, their 8-year relationship seemed so perfect and fruitful that the reaction to mere rumours of the split was widespread disbelief, and Don Jazzy had to take to Twitter to clear things up: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the end of a long era and the beginning of a new one”.

So what does this mean for the recent signing of the label to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music? We’ll have to wait and see. Everyone knows that egos are usually involved such break-ups, so it won’t surprise you to learn that rumours of an ego clash between the two are floating around, rumours relating to the aforementioned signing with G.O.O.D. Both guys are making international moves, but Don Jazzy is the one with vocal and production credits on hip-hop’s most anticipated album of 2011, Watch The Throne, for Lift Off, a song featuring Beyoncé.

I’m not too concerned about what caused the split, the ‘exclusive interviews’, the division of the camp, the speculation and personal details. People who care about who takes which rides and who keeps the bling can monitor the gossip blogs all day long if they have the time. Music history has shown that the end of one thing often means a breath of life for another. And when Don Jazzy writes that, ‘…to end [the] old era, I will be donating the proceeds of my production catalogue from day one till date to five ch... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/03/what-up-and-coming-african-artists-can-learn-from-mo%E2%80%99hits-split/

Wande Coal rolled up in the brand new European sports car – Porsche in his new video for ‘Private Trips’. We are hoping there was an arrangement reached by the car makers and the singer and not simply an act of ‘showoff’ by the singer.

Porsche

Porsche

The German carmaker Porsche officially opened a new car dealership a while ago in the heart of Lagos’ wealthiest district, Victoria Island – understandably with makers hoping to capitalise on a promise of providing sturdier vehicles that can cope with Nigeria’s rough roads.
Next dealership store would open in Abuja, Questionmarkmag.com gathered... more: http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/03/wande-coal-drove-an-over-n21m-worth-automobile-in-new-video-private-trips/

Dancer & Mom Kaffy returns with new song ‘Won Le To Mi ‘ feat. Olamide
March 20, 2012 Posted by Dro under News
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Questionmarkmag.com premieres the new single from dancer and new mom – Kaffy titled ‘Won le to mi‘ featuring rapper Olamide. The Imagneto Dance Academy owner debut with two debut singles ‘Omo Lasgidi’ and ‘What U Got’ as an artiste… more... http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/03/dancer-mom-kaffy-returns-with-new-song-won-le-to-mi-feat-olamide/

the Susan Ogunro directed - video for 'Oliver' from D'banj - without Don Jazzy. The producer of the record and Mo’Hits president Don Jazzy is not seen at all in the video which also sees three energetic female dancers and a ‘white’ boy doing the popular ‘azonto’ dance and an appearance by Kanye West. Video was shot in London.... Watch here: http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/03/video-dbanj-oliver-twist/

Picasso Entertainment‘s Diva material, beauty and Dance/RnB/Raggae/Pop singer, Kelmah debuts her video with General Pype for the collaborative track titled ‘One love‘. ‘One love’ sees the sultry singer singing on a reggae riddim and General Pype on the subject of unity. Kelmah collaborated with Harrysong on her debut titled ‘thinking about you’, a duet artistically acclaimed by critics and sundry.

Follow @kelmahafrica and @hakeempicasso on Twitter.

Watch video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4rVyiYuLEE

D'banj's Oliver video has premiered on MTV Base at 19:30, 21:18, 23:01 (CAT) today, March 16th 2011. The video which has been played several times now sees cameo appearances from Kanye's GOOD music artistes including Mannie Fresh, Will.i.am, Big Sean and even Kanye West.

The producer of the record and Mo'Hits president Don Jazzy is not seen at all in the video which also sees three e.... Read more at http://questionmarkmag.com/2012/03/dbanj-oliver-premieres-with-no-cameo-from-don-jazzy-confirms-split/