Friday, March 19, 2010

My Dancehall Bizness, how I discovered Tuface, by Blackface

Comrade And Blackky

Augustine Amedu popularly known as Blackface of the Plantashun Boiz fame is back on the block. The Benue State-born musician has made it known to all and sundry that the launch of his new album, billed for next Saturday in Lagos, is going to be the bomb. 

For sometime now, Ahmedu, who would now love to be referred to as Blackface Naija, has been a scarce commodity in the music scene, making tongues to wag that he has nothing more to offer and has thus gone underground. 


He also revealed for the first time the reason he went underground, why his new album is the bomb, his life with marijuana and on many more issues. It’s da bomb. Enjoy:

Growing up
Since I’ve been a kid, I have always listened to music as one of the things I found when I was growing up. I just followed it from there. I listened to a lot of people, so many singers from Bonny M to Sledge Sisters and Whispers. 

Then I decided to write my own music. Overtime, I started listening to hip hop, and people like Tupac, Nas, Methodman and Redman inspired me. Then I started listening to dancehall of Sizzler, Elephant man and also R&B. That is why when I bring out my music, it’s a whole lot of musical idioms.

Environment inspires me
I derive my inspiration from the environment generally. I have a new song on radio, Gen for my Head, as you are sitting down, you can hear the sound of generator. It is constant. We don’t need that noise to create. So, I keep asking myself, what is the reason for that generator on my head? Why? There must be something wrong and whatever is wrong, we have to put it right. But it is killing me. You never thought about it until I point it out to you. 

So, a musician has to be creative in his environment. The generator gives me a new sound, reasoning and melody. So, the environment basically is what I use to sing my song. If I am writing a love song, I must be feeling love and am married to the best woman in the world, and my woman gives me so much love in so many ways. I can write about it in several ways. And some friends are backbiters, that would give me another inspiration and some ladies would want to come and get your pulse and get out, I write about that also and some haters don’t want to see you, I write that also. What I see, I write about.

Dancehall Business
Before now I had an album, Me, My Music and I that has tracks like Erima, Ghetto girls, The Way You Move, and If You Leave Me. After that, I went on tour of Europe. I went to Switzerland and Italy. In Italy, I played in Modina and Torino. I also went to Palma de Mayoka and Malaga in Spain. This was one of the times that I was able to reach out to my fans in some other parts of the world. 

Right now, I’m back home and since December that I came back, I have gone back to the studio. I have finished the recording of my next album, Dancehall Business. I already have some singles out on the radio and people are feeling some of the sounds and I’m feeling some of them too. I know when the album comes up that’s when they are going to feel it more. I’m just like getting ready till I put the album out and the release date is March 27. From then, I’ll start showing the videos.

What to expect
Nigerians know what to expect because it’s got to be the next stage of Blackface Naija since they have been following me for sometime. When I came out with Ghetto Child, they were there for me, I dropped Evergreen and Jungle Fever, they were there for me. I went to Me, Music and I, my fans were still there for me. After that, I gave a two-year grace before I came out with the new album. So, you can imagine how long they can wait to get a hold of some lyrics from me. It was not deliberate but I was getting ready for them like they want to hear from me and I got caught up with the tour. The new album features some artistes like Spiderman, Rocksteady, Oti and Ruffman, among others.

I discovered Tuface
I am the CEO of Loudhouz Entertainment. I have discovered a lot of talents because it is not for me to tell you that I discovered this or that. And if I tell you that I discovered Tuface Idibia, you will say it’s a joke. Most of the songs that he rendered were songs that I created and most of the songs that he delivered are songs that I have decided that this was the way it got to go for this artiste. 

So, it’s just about me being the CEO and to know who’s good and who’s not but in between I still got myself as Blackface Naija. However, Tuface is my friend and brother. Sometimes you are closer to your friend more than your brother. Sometimes you are closer to your neighbour than your brother because your brother is not there but your neighbour is there, and he’s always asking you how you are doing. 

You can be close to your neighbour because he is talking to you more and you are both relating more. So being my friend, being my brother has got nothing to do with it. For me Tuface is a friend, he is my buddy and we’re just moving forward.

Re-uniting Platashun Boiz
The Platashun Boiz is a group that was formed by me. Tuface and I were the ones that said it’s cool to have somebody else in the group so as to bring out a different kind of opinion, a different kind of vibes. It’s possible to get together once more. I’ve been in the Plantashun business for a very long time. We’ve had times that we were supposed to be taking decisions together and we are not doing so because of distractions from different places. I remember all the works that I did for all the time we were together as Plantashun Boyz like building the group, writing the songs that the group sang, writing the songs that made the group famous. 

We never had videos but we have the sounds and that is the issue but then the video is very important. Now it’s time to get the videos done and nobody is sitting on the table, so what’s going on? I’ve been worried about that for too long and I don’t want to put my mind to it any more. So, I feel its time to do my thing. It is not that I do not have love for my brothers like Tuface and Faze but they are doing their own thing. They are the ones that have the big videos but it’s time for me to do my own thing. It’s time for me to kick start my career once again.

Celebrating 10 years in music
I have been in music for about 10 years. I don’t have to celebrate it because a lot of people have been celebrating it already. People that have my albums in their homes have been celebrating the fact that I’m still there to give them more. When we get corporate bodies that are trying to work with us, then we can showcase one or two things about ourselves. But for now, we are just getting the fan base ready. A lot of people have been doing music, enough respect for them, but we know that when the masquerade comes out, the vibe is going to be different.

Music then and now
When we started, we didn’t use to do like copycats, trying to copy somebody’s lyrics and all that. We used to create something new that if someone that is creative hears it he would know that it’s something done out lots of thinking. Right now, everybody just creates from what has been created. I got to spend sometime to create music that is mine and with a landmark that this is my song but everybody is just jumping into other people’s song, they jump into me, they jump into foreign artistes. You have to take your time as a musician to create. Nobody says you cannot dribble like Ronaldo but dribble like Ronaldo with your own style. Everybody wants to be Kaka and Gerald. But it’s better to be yourself.

Me and marijuana
Weed, marijuana, ganja, can you ask yourself a question? The most prominent people in the society do they smoke weed? If somebody as great as Malcolm X could make a change in the world so why do you think he shouldn’t. Asking me about marijuana is like asking why a footballer uses boot, because it is to prevent him from getting a bad foot. Both of us are under a building which can collapse now. Let’s just live and give praise to the Most High and stop asking ourselves questions like why are we watching TV. You drive in a car, there is hazard, you send your children to school, there is hazard, you go to your office, there’s hazard. We all live with the hazards of life.

On my dreadlocks
My dreadlocks are gone. I came back from Europe and couldn’t stand the heat. I had to cover my head all the time. My kids never really saw me without my dreadlocks. So, I guess it’s time to see what daddy looks like. It still doesn’t mean I am not a Rasta man, I am still one, I still believe in Jah. I believe that the only way to achieving good life is through revolution. I still believe in the teachings and projections of Emperor Haile Selasie.

I’m a sports freak
Aside music, I love sports. I love playing football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, handball and volleyball. I’m also a ballet dancer. Sport is just another part of me but I can only let people feel the music part of me.

Regrets
I don’t have any regret. The only regret you can have is when you have not achieved anything. I have achieved a lot that I can beat my chest and say thank God for this. Before, nobody knows me. I couldn’t have a reporter ask for my opinion but now they do. I couldn’t have people say hello to me in the streets but now they do. I didn’t have people ask me what’s up, what is the problem? Now they do, which means God has taken me to another level because of the talent He has given me.


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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

My forthcoming album, by Blackface Naija

"The album I am going to release would be the best ever. The picture and presentation are fantastic, it is entitled Dancehall Business. I did it with some professionals in the music industry, it has some tracks such as, Wetin I go do, See them Hot, My Sherikoko among many others."

Monday, March 15, 2010

2face in a world of 'Implication'

2face berths
Tuface Idibia is a star! No matter what has happened, when you see 2Face and the fan reaction he gets wherever he goes, its obvious that the young man from Benue star is indeed a star.
Though his last album ‘ The Unstoppable‘ was not the megahit that many anticipated, the album still made an impact by delivering several hit singles including ‘Enter the Place’. The album also racked up some awards including at the recent MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs). Now 2Face is getting ready for the next step, a new album set to be released in 2010.
Here is a recently leaked song from his forthcoming album, the album is called ‘Implication’.
Catchy song, great to see 2Face infusing his native Idoma language into his music. Yes, the music industry belongs to us

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Ododo K’Ihotu rules Idoma

•Daniel, The Producer

Having produced many wave-making artistes in the music industry, Idoma, the birthplace of stars like Tuface Idibia, Blackface, TerryG and others is indeed not ready to leave any stone unturned in producing more credible stars in the showbiz.
A story written by the late Professor Armstrong entitled Ododo K'Ihotu has been adapted for screen. Ododo K'Ihotu, according to the producer Daniel Akpa relays on two brothers (Oko & Onugbo) who fell in love with a princess. The quest for who would marry the princess became imperative when the gods decrees that the two brothers should go and search for the rose of love in the forest and whoever finds it, is the true suitor. The suspense-filled movie features the likes of Joseph , Jayzee Nwamadi, Susan Okpe, Ernest Igah Rose Ogah Isaac Ochedikwu, Victoria Onwu and among others. YAF Media, producer of the superlative film is highly determined to promote the rich cultural heritage, train the minds of the youth that find acting as a career in the nation.
Ask if the movie is doing well in the market, Akpa said, “The movie is wonderfully doing well in Otukpo and its environs it has even been to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso and other West African countries.”
While thanking Young Alhaji and Adah Ameh who have been contributing immensely to the industry, He also urged other popular Idoma artistes to please come home and spice the sauce they are preparing in idoma land. His words, “\Well we are grooming artiste in Otukpo, and they are very good infact People like Jayzee Nwamadi kings, Susan Okpe, Ernest Igah, Isaac, Okoko Dorothy Aina, Justina Eyum Ezechukwu Godwin Ochola, Moses Okpe, Abrabram they wonderful people to work with, the amazing thing is about some Ibos that are fluent in speaking the language.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

2Fcae Wins Artiste of the Month


African Queen crooner and member of the defunct Planthasion Boiz 2face has been elected as the Artiste of the month in his country home, Otukpo, Benue State. Born, Innocent Ujah Idibia in Jos, the Plataea State Capital, 2baba, as he's fondly called by admirers is not leaving any stone unturned in the music industry. For all of us here: we say congratulations (Eyi nesi Kwiye)
source Joy Fm 96.5



Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Comarde bags Adole K'Idoma award, others

In recognition of their efforts and services towards the progress of Idoma community, veteran journalist and movie maker, Ameh Comrade Godwin has been elected as the Adole K'Idoma alongside other illustrious sons and daughters of Idoma on Facebook. According to convener of the Award Israel Achichi, he affirmed that the awardees have contributed immensely to the development of Idomaland. While conferring the award on February 8th, Achichi announced that "The winner of the idomayouthforce's pageant in the Adole category is Ameh Comrade Godwin....he won 12 out votes of 22 people that voted for the Adole K’Idoma. Samuel Agada won the Ochi'Idoma while on the Eni'nu category, the winner was Phateema Okpe, she has 9 out of 13 people that voted for the Eni'nu K’Idoma. For, Ochanya category IPAAS gathered that Princess Ogbeba had 14 out of 26 people that voted". While thanking those that has made the
Facebook looked like home away from home, Israel reminds all Idomites to get ready for the re-union for later this year.

Below are the winners!
Ameh Comrade Godwin (Adole K'Idoma)
(MORGON)
Ameh Comrade Godwin is a down-to earth feature writer, he is a lad of precocious serendipities, a critic, social convener and a comrade. Born in Udaburu Owukpa, Ogbadibo LGA of Benue state, to Mr\Mrs Mike Attah Ameh. He is a poet, scriptwriter, journalist and associate of Create4u, an international poets' organisation. He is the permanent sec. of the Idoma Performing Artistes Association and also an Associate Director of Talents Voice Production (an outfit specialised in Idoma moives). He won the 2009 Idoma Best Idoma Male Writer and Best Rising Poet. He is a member of the Azuh Amatus' led Movie Reporters' Guild of Nigeria (MORGON). His articles on the states of Idoma includes, Idoma: Yes we can, Idoma: Gifted but not lifted, Idoma: the way forward ect, all published in Daily Sun newspaper (where is working as an entertianment\arts reporter. Also the Ai-Ikpa Youth Ambassador.
In his speech, the penist said,
"As Adole K'Idoma, I promise to use my office to serve my people, in my chosen profesion. I kindly enjoin all my fellow Idomas to support the creation of Apa State, and above all; dont forget our dear land, there is no place like home. Be there at the 2010 Otukpo Music Fiesta, I thank those of you you voted for me, may god bless you all. Long Adole K'Idoma, Long Live Idoma Kingdom, Long Live Fed. Rep. of Nigeria.

Thanks to everyone who made this election a success.thanks to al those who voted for me n those who didnt vote i stil say 10k u. Let me use dis medium to congratulate princess Ogbeba (Ochanya),Comrade Godwin,(Adole),Phateema Okpe,(Eninu)....congrats to y'all.i want to also acknowledge de author n finisher of IDOMA YOUT...H FORCE,>> israel Achichi, for al his hard work to make de Idoma tribe outstand among equals. Finally to all Idoma sons n daughters out there,pls invite pple to join this group. Long live Idoma nation and the anticipated Apa state.

Princess Ogbeba is a student of the University of Lagos and also Alumnus of Federal Goverment Girls College Gboko, in her address, she said, "I want to start my reign as Ochanya k'doma by inviting 50 people to join ds group... Of course, i'l snd dm d invite, bt dy hav d choice f weda to join or nt. I love ds group... Honestly.

We are still waiting for her speech, she is a student of Benue state university.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

OTUKPO MUSIC FIESTA

The bomb, the music and the excitement!

Otukpo Music Fiesta, as packaged by Harmony Music and Talents' Voice Production and promoted by Atta Home of play & Ent. is a musical bomb that would shake the ancient city of Otukpo, it is going to feature jungle stars like, Jogodo, Intrudah, Raymond King, Atere and others.
It will as well feature talent hunt where the winner will smile home with a mouth-watering prize of 70,000 and a year record contract with Intrudah and free promotion in the media.
Intrested participant are advised to send their work to the promoter, @ No 2, Coscharis Street Kirikiri, Ind. Layout in C/O Ameh Comrade Godwin. or call 080234305915.

Blackface partners Otukpo Music Fiesta

Blackface
Dancehall music icon and member of the defunct Plathasuin Boiz, Austine Garuba Ahmedu is set to partner the biggest Benue Music\Comedy show tagged: 2010 Otukpo Music Fiesta with Atere & Freindz. In a recent chat with him in his Ocean view home, Festac Town, Lagos, Blackface as he is fondly called by admireres declared that he is happy and willing to patner the show.
He promised to make the concert a huge success.
2Face and TerryG awaiting.
Get ready!

Bongos unviles new album (The way it is) March


Since stepping into music industry with his debut Otachipopo in the early 70s, founder of Groovies Music Bongos Ikwue is not ready to leave the entertainment world even at 69.
In a recent visited paid to Bongos Ikwue’s Avenue home in Otukpo Benue State, the 69-year old Idoma baladist who believes in universal peace and love still wore his sports bushy Afro hairstyle that use to give him a youthful look. He affirmed that his next album tagged The Way it is
Otukpo is a home of entertainment; we’ve produced top musicians and producers in the country. Though music is good, that does not mean we should all turn to musicians. It has its own kind of message to deliver.
He is using this privilegde to invite all artistes from Idoma to the show 2 double K Resort.
would play for two hours non-stop. " I believe we musician are endowed with different kinds of genres. As for me, I am versatile such that I can even bring Australian music to Otukpo here."
Be there!