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Sunday, January 1, 2012

Those Who Rocked The Entertainment Industry In The Year 2011

Twenty-eleven came fully loaded. We had the good, the very good, the bad, and the very bad. The year was not devoid of the ugly as well. What rocked, what didn’t and what reeled in the last 12 months? Showbiz Now brings you details.
According to the SUN Newspapers they are:
  • Babatunde Omidina (Baba Suwe) - Filmmaker and comedian, Babatunde Omidina (popularly called Baba Suwe), is one of those whose circumstance highlighted the year under review. He was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly being in possession of hard drugs on his way to France to anchor an event. The anti-drug agency remanded him in custody for three weeks after which the court set him free and ordered the agency to pay him damages worth N25 million.
  • Ben Murray-Bruce- A very dominant figure in the cinema business and a gubernatorial aspirant in Bayelsa State, in Nigeria, he is president of the Silverbird Group, the biggest stakeholder in the cinema industry in Nigeria. For the group, 2011 was a year of consolidation on its achievements. Filmmakers throng Silverbird Cinemas for slots as they offer undoubtedly the best platform for movies.
  • Don Jazzy- The Executive President of popular record label, Mo Hits, won the producer of the year award in 2011 and is not slowing down one bit. Don Baba J, as he is fondly called in the industry, recently showed off his singing talent in a stimulating collabo with delectable Tiwa Savage. His label recently struck a deal with Good Music, another label owned by American artiste, Kanye West.
  • Denrele Edun- The athletic, enigmatic and energetic young man is a well known entertainer. Major red carpet events are incomplete without him. A former presenter with the popular entertainment channel, Soundcity, Denrele has proved that presentation is not his only talent, as he starred in the fastest grossing movie at the cinemas this year, The Return of Jenifa. He was recently signed on by South African music channel, Channel O.
  • Nse Ikpe-Etim- The delectable actress had a busy 2011 in which she won many awards and nominations. She was recently crowned the Best Actress at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards, which took place in New York.
  • Odunlade Adekola- Unarguably the most sought after actor in the Yoruba movie industry; movie lovers can’t just have enough of this talented thespian. Little wonder telecoms giants, Globacom, appointed him an Ambassador. Life was so good for the versatile actor in the year under review.
  • Omawumi- She became popular through the reality music show, Nigerian Idol. Omawumi was delivered of a baby last year in the United States, but she wouldn’t disclose the father’s identity. She also starred in The Return of Jenifa. She recently did a collabo with her friend, Waje, a popular diva too. The effort is entitled Jollification, a fine Christmas tune.
  • Linda Ikeji- Owner of the entertainment blogsite, Linda Ikeji's Blog. Linda has become the biggest competitor to Bellanaija in terms of entertainment coverage. Quality red carpet events are reported on her blog and it attracts huge patronage from sponsors and the public. The former model was very busy last year as she managed to keep the flag of blogsite flying, something that was very unpopular in the country few years ago.
  • Ice Prince- One of the artistes currently signed on Chocolate City record label, Ice Prince Zamani had his fair share of events last year even though he lost his mum during the year. His hit tracks Oleku and Superstar were talk of the town and won several awards. His album launch was also a hit as many celebrities thronged the venue. He was reported to have bought a Range Rover sport jeep.
  • JARA TV- The M-Net Africa Magic channel produced its first ever original series, JARA. JARA is hosted by Nigeria’s popular and sociable Big Brother All Stars winner, Uti Nwachukwu, and comedienne Helen Paul. JARA is packed with fun, news and information direct from the thriving heart of Africa’s busiest film platform.
  • Tiwa Savage- One of the hottest divas on the country’s music scene, the songwriter and singer’s physical appeal has an impressive stage presence. Last year was definitely one of breakthroughs for the talented singer, as she made her presence felt in the industry with hit tracks like Love Me, Kele Kele Love and the recent song with Don Jazzy, Without My Heart, which is enjoying massive airplay.
  • Alasari- Many Yoruba movie lovers are very familiar with this name. Ahmed Durojaiye was a prolific actor and filmmaker, a darling to many in the Yoruba genre. His death was a rude shock to many last year. He would surely be remembered for the roles he played and the movies he produced and directed.
  • Bellanaija- If you want to read news making the rounds in and outside Nigeria, particularly breaking news in the secular, entertainment and other social happenings, this blog is the place to visit. It is one of the positives of 2011.
  • D’banj- Christened Dapo Oyebanji, D’Banj rose to fame and fortune when his first song, Tongolo, hit the airwaves few years back. He hasn’t looked back since then. The Mo Hits vice president further confirmed his A-list status in 2011 when he did a groundbreaking collabo with the East Coast rapper, Snoop Dogg, in Mr. Endowed Remix. The track ultimately opened greater doors for the Koko Master as he won several awards at Channel O Awards last year. He later signed on to Kanye West’s label, Good Music. West also performed with him at the Koko Concert, which took place in London in 2011. As if that was not enough, he bought himself an Aston Martin car, which doesn’t come cheap.
  • DJ Jimmy Jatt- Cool DJ Jimmy Jatt, as he calls himself, is the most recognized disc jockey in the Nigerian entertainment scene. The year under review was a very good one for him as he anchored most popular shows in the country.
  • Davido- When you listen to the songs of this Babcock University undergraduate, you probably would not believe it came from an upcoming artiste. He is so composed and his lyrics are as appealing as they are exciting. His debut track, Back When, in which he featured Naeto C, showed that he is bound for fame and fortune. He has another song now, Ema dami duro, that is ‘jamming’ most social functions.
  • Chocolate City- Owned by Audu Maikori, the popular record label did very well last year. It parades a host of superstars in the class of MI Abaga, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, and Brymo. Its platform made the duo of Ice Prince and Brymo the toast of all when the hit track Oleku was launched. The song won awards for the label and artistes, and became an anthem of sort.
  • Darey- The son of legendary music icon, Art Alade, Darey, as he is popularly called, came into the music industry with tracks like Young Man and Fuji Music few years ago. Many gave up on him, tagging him a terrible singer, but he did not allow the critics to deter him. From stints at COOL FM and the Project Fame in South Africa as a participant, Darey went through some defining processes, and now his songs are talk of the town with award-winning tracks I Like The Way You Are and the Hausa tune, Ba ni kidi. He also anchored Project Fame West Africa and co-presented the Gulder Ultimate Search in 2011.
  • Duncan Mighty- Duncan Mighty had his fair share of humble beginning. The Port Harcourt First Son, as he calls himself, made it big last year with hit tracks like Obianuju and Port Harcourt Boy. He became the darling of radio presenters and DJs as his songs are constantly on the airwaves. He performed at major social functions last year and only recently bought a Rolls Royce Phantom reportedly valued at $300,000.

6 comments:

  1. They really rock.

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  2. Some of the main entertainment figures are not listed here.

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  3. Wow ...see stars. Kudos

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  4. Abeg you guys are too much.

    ReplyDelete
  5. it is well deserved. abeg

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  6. They actually rocked, in their little way.

    ReplyDelete

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