LATEST NEWS:BOBBY BROWN ARRIVES NIGERIA FOR CONCERT

 Bobby Brown, one of America's most talented and controversial entertainers arrived Nigeria this afternoon. He set his fool on Africa's most populous country ahead of a tour of Nigeria concert.
  The singer was not alone as some notable singers that made up the NEW EDITION group also arrived Nigeria for the same show.The trio of

CHECK OUT HOW MUCH PSQUARE COLLECT FOR THEIR SHOWS

 Some who have heard the duo of Peter and Paul Okoye of Psquare talk will tell you that they always put their shoulder high. 
  Well, don't blame them, those guys are made.As entertainers,n they can afford to close down the counter of a bank, at least for some them if they had to go through traditional bank transactions to get paid.
 Sources in the know disclosed that Psquare earn about one hundred thousand dollars each time they are engaged by promoters especially abroad. The promoters also provide their tickets and other logistics.
 "For now, their fee is the highest.You can cross check this fact", a reliable source told gistmaster.com recently
 Just last week they were in France and according to what we gathered, a were paid about eighty thousand dollars ($80,000).
 These guys know business like the back of their palm!

ASA SET TO DRAG FORMER LABEL OWNER KELVIN LUCIANO TO COURT OVER RELEASE OF HER SONG 'DOWN WITH ME'

 The battle line is drawn between Asa and her former music label owner, Mr. Kelvin Luciano Gabriel over what the former tagged the infrigement of her intellectual property.Only the court of law can settle the matter, Asa said through her rep.
In an email sent to gistmaster.com this afternoon,Asa's rep disclosed that they will take every legal means to secure what belong to them.
Read the email below
 "It has come to our attention that a certain Nigerian Chronotech Limited (a CD factory) based in Lagos Nigeria is preparing to go into commercial production of a purported Asa music production titled ‘Down On Me’.

The music production was purportedly authorised by Question Mark entertainment in partnership with marketer/ distributor MacKings Limited.

We wish to state categorically that Asa was not involved in this production in any form and the artiste's team is very shocked by this misrepresentation from Question Mark entertainment or MacKings Limited, two organisations with which she has no relationship whatsoever.

We also take this opportunity to notify individuals and

NEW YORK TIMES:THE FULL REPORT ON DBANJ AND MOHITS PERFORMANCE AT IRVING PLAZA

 By JON CARAMANICA

 There was talk of kokolets all Sunday night at Irving Plaza. D'Banj, the Nigerian pop star who was headlining the show, boasted, "I have too many kokolets around the world." Later on he wondered, "Can I get two kokolets that can dance better than my dancers?"

If it seemed like D'Banj, one of the quickest-rising stars in Africa, has a one-track mind - kokolets, in his lingo, are beautiful women - that wasn't far from the truth. As a style, his was as monomaniacal in focus as Miami bass, one lusty come-on after the next.

He is at the forefront of an emergent style loosely called Afrobeats by some, a mélange of hip-hop, R&B and other traditionally urban sounds with elements that hark back to older African styles.

In practice on Sunday all that meant was that D'Banj, backed by

LATEST NEWS:BOBBY BROWN CONFIRMS HE WILL PERFORM THIS MARCH IN NIGERIA

New Edition to perform in Lagos and Port Harcourt, as Bobby dedicates gig to Whitney

Lagos| Nigeria It’s official! - Grammy award winning American musician Robert Barisford Brown (Bobby Brown) is coming to Nigeria for the first time ever. And he’s making the trip with his pop group New Edition!

The R&B Singer, Song writer and dancer confirmed his appearance for the high budget concert organized by R28 events in an audio statement released on Monday from his base in America. The concert is scheduled for Friday March 9 in Lagos and Sunday March 11, in Port Harcourt.

In the audio message, Bobby Brown confirms he’d be in Nigeria in March “We’ll be rocking the stage live in Nigeria live on March 9 and 11. Don’t you dare miss it.”

This is the first time New Edition will be performing in Nigeria, a city where they have millions of fans and followers.

According to their management, the former group members will travel to Nigeria with a

LATEST NEWS:TUFACE PROPOSED MARRIAGE TO ANNIE MACAULAY

Tuface Idibia has finally proposed marriage to one of the women who bore him children. The lucky mistress is Annie Macaulay, a showbiz personality and former hosuemate of the Nigeria Next Movie Star TV reality show.

Tuface proposed to Annie Macaulay at Jay Jay Okocha's Club.The Cross River state born Annie was moved to tears as she galdly accepted to marry the singer.

Already, she has a baby for the Tuface. Pero Adeniyi another woman in the life also has two children for him and she is expecting the third one in the US. Sumbo Ajaba, another mistresss of Tuface has two children for him. There are speculations that the singer has another baby from another woman.

-By Niyi Tabiti

 

LATEST NEWS:WHITNEY HOUSTON FOUND DEAD IN HOTEL ROOM

American born international singer and actress, Whitney Houston is dead.She was found  dead at the Beverly Hills Hotel on the eve of this year Grammy Awards.She died at the age of 48

It was indeed a sad end to the pop queen once regarded as a good role model but who turned to hard drugs after her marriage to another singer, Bobby Brown.

Fox News said they have confirmed the death of Whitney.

Already, gistmaster.com gathered that there would be a special tribute songg for the late singer at the Grammys. Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan would be performing in her honour.

Hoston started singing in church.She was greatly influenced by the likes of her mother,Aretha Franklin. The award winning star was one of the highest earners in the American music industry some years back. She also played the lead role in the movie, Bodyguard alongside Kelvin Costner.

Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston met in 1989 at the Soul Train Awards but they got married on 18 July 1992 in New Jersey. They had a daughter together in 1993-Bobby Kristiana. It was a marriage that went through a lot of scandals due to regular arrests, drug abuse, domestic violence and infidelity.

Bobby Brown had three other children from three different women from previous relationships.

Eventually, Whitney quitted the marriage to Bobby but the drug addiction didn't quit her. Though she was said to have been well rehabilitataed, the drugs had already done its worst on her, making her a shadow of the the elegant and cerebral world star.

By Niyi Tabiti

news@gistmaster.com

 

 

 

TOP MUSIC ACT, KENNY ST BROWN TURNS FOOD SELLER

 

[caption id="attachment_6775" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="KSB"][/caption]

Popular gospel artiste Kenny Saint Brown (KSB) has added a new feather to her cap and has shown that creativity has no limits as she brings to town KSB Foodies. The Kennis Music act has decided to name the food after heavy weight in the entertainment industry. The initiative, which is a first of its kind in this part of the world, is a food-order only venture.

According to a release from the singer’s rep, KSB Foodies is an eclectic collection of local cuisines that promise to excite the taste buds of the callers at the eatery. KSB went ahead of the game in bringing this innovation to the food business as the main concentration of this eatery is on the sauce and how well it can be packaged to tickle the consumers’ fancy.

The sauces served have been named after several industry people like Don Jazzy, Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye, Genevieve Nnaji, JJ Okocha, Funke Akindele, Shina Peters, Tuface, Obesere, P Square, Charlie Boy, Goldie and a host of others featuring on the menu list.

Don Jazzy mixed grill (spicy fried stew deluxe) features very spicy chilli pepper, tomatoes and onions sauce with some oriental spices, jazzed up with locust beans for an unforgettable flavour and pep. It comes with ponmo and assorted meats. It is named after the popular African producer “DON JAZZY” who is known for churning out delightful and unforgettable hits songs for variety of Artists, leaving music lovers longing for more. Don Jazzy stew deluxe is recommended to be served with ‘P-Square Yam-Eggs’.

Oniru Fiesta (white soup with three horns) was inspired by the iconic legacy of Oniru beach as a rallying point for entertainment on the ocean front in Nigeria, the ONIRU FIESTA is a sauce made from a sweetly blended tomatoes, pepper & onions with a celebration of very tenderized Ox-tail, succulent Ox-tongue and Cowleg.

Genevieve Diva (captivating smoked stew) was inspired by one of Africa’s most glamorous and beloved actresses, this exquisite sauce is a mouth-captivating combination of well-seasoned smoked season, marinated in delicately spiced, juicy onions, full flavoured tomatoes and big peppers. The awe inspiring flavour of this special sauce has made it a favourite of adoring fans of good food just like the superstar who inspired it has held movie fans spellbound for years.

Keke’s Delight (vegetable soup fit for royalty) is a luxuriously prepared Authentic African soup with green veggies, okro, and yellow/red round pepper .This sumptuous sauce is enriched with nine lives: Snails, bush meat, stock-fish, dryfish, dry prawns, Cray fish and other assortment of meals with ponmo. Keke’s Delight is the pride of African cuisine and food fit for royalty just like its inspiration is a royalty in entertainment circles. This sauce translates the personality of Nigeria’s showbiz Royalty impresario, MR KEKE OGUNGBE into a palatable culinary experience.

JJ Okocha (egusi soup with palatable dribbles) A very tantalizing fried ‘Egusi’ soup, accompanied with great veggies and aromatic herbs topped with smoked fish, dried prawns with sift and tender stock fish, and other assorted meats. The herbs set the aroma and sweetness perfectly for the soup to take on and dribble all kinds of swallows from Ogbono, Eba, Amala all the way to your stomach.  Of course the culinary ability of this soup to take on all sorts of swallows is a special appreciation of the sensational personality and skills of Arica’s best dribbler “JayJay Okocha”.

Jenifa (cross-over gbegiri soup) Inspired by the crossover appeal of Funke ‘JENIFA’ Akindele who has been able to endear herself to all levels and classes of people with enchanting acting skills, JENIFA GBEGIRI SOUP is a highly nutritious soup made from soft and juicy local beans glammed up with smoked fish and assorted meats. It combines nutritious local delicacy with an urban twist. It is best served with Amala Obesere.

Shinamania (okro soup that bubbles) is a delightfully sumptuous Okro soup that embraces the eternal love affair between Okro soup and Solid foods prevalent in indigenous cuisines.  It is a hot, spicy meat/fish deluxe bursting with locust beans flavor (IRU) and goes perfectly with Charly Boy Fufu, DI Eba or Obesere Amala. This soup is inspired by one of evergreen musicians, Sir Shina Peters, SSP, who continues to infuse the best of African traditional music with a modern touch and presentation.

Ali Baba (ogbono soup that puts a smile to your face) A super flavoured, well-endowed ogbono soup carefully prepared with smoked dried fish, snails perrywinkle, ponmo, stock fish head, garnished with bitter leaves for a sweet lingering experience in your throat long after its gone into the stomach. This dish that never fails to put a smile on the face is inspired by the legendary comedian, Ali Baba, who never fails to bring a smile to your face anytime you recall one of his jokes. 

Tuface (rice and beans orchestra) Rumoured to be the favorite food of the megastar musician, Tuface, before major performances, this indulgent meal of rice and beans cooked together is a proprietary specialty of KSB Foodies for lovers of rice and beans. It is recommended to be served with Don Jazzy Stew for an unforgettable experience.

Primetime Africa crew brings Grammy to Nigerians live as Jaywon begins American tour

NIGERIANS will this Sunday, February 12 have the opportunity of again witnessing live happenings at the oncoming 54^th American Grammy awards ceremony scheduled to hold in Los Angeles, California, United States of America.

 At present, award winning TV, radio presenters and brains behind Kennis Music record label, Kenny 'Keke' Ogungbe, Dayo 'D1' Adeneye are in Los Angeles making sure that final arrangements for the successful coverage of the show are done. Also, Kennis' music star Jaywon will begin his second tour of American States immediately after the Grammy awards, hitting Houston's Zanziba on February 18 and Washington DC’s Love's Center on February 25. Boston, Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago shows are already sold out. Jaywon's successful tour of America last October which climaxed with his performance on the Nigerian Navy ship, NNS Thunder before it sailed to Nigeria gave birth to this tour.

An excited Kenny Ogungbe, C.E.O of Kennis Music who spoke through his media company, Media Image Managers, MIM, from Los Angeles on Monday night, assured that the seasoned TV crew would not disappoint Nigerians as usual. “What we do every other year is to make sure that Nigerian viewers and fans of our TV and radio shows do not miss out on the action of the Grammy and any other world event that we cover. As such, we bring to all, what ordinarily you would not see when you are watching the awards ceremony on your normal show. On PrimeTime Africa, it is always different,” he said.

 Viewers will experience the Grammy and all behind the scenes shots and interviews with American music, movie stars and celebrities on, AIT, Raypower and OGBC FM stations Monday through Friday while Kennis Music International Ray Power network, Tuesday through Saturday weekly will let you in on what you missed on Grammy day. Inspiration FM listeners from Thursday through Saturday will have a piece of the Grammy action too. Kennis Music channel, a music and lifestyle channel which plays Afro centric and music of black origin on Startimes satellite TV will feast on the biggest music award in the world from this Sunday.

Ogungbe, a prolific music presenter and entrepreneur who last December was appointed a member of the Board of Directors, DAAR Communications Plc, said this year’s Grammy promises to be more exciting “and the PrimeTime Africa crew is ever ready to bring the feverish excitement to 150 million Nigerians back home.”

On the US tour of Kennis’ Music and one of Nigeria’s hottest Afro hip hop stars at the moment, Jaywon, Ogungbe also assured everything was on point. “Jaywon took America by storm last October and this gave rise to the clamour by Nigerians, Americans and Africans in the Diaspora here in America for him to do a repeat of the tour. This time around, it’s a bigger tour of the United States and he will be playing at big show centres.”

Jaywon’s music career has been on the rise since the day he won the Kennis Music Easter fiesta talent hunt at the beach about two years ago. Performance slot of five minutes is given to upcoming talents at the show venue with the crowd as judge. Jaywon took the mic that fateful day and when his time lapsed, the crowd stood its ground that he is given more time. Ogungbe, a talent hunter did not miss the drama and months after, he was already a Kennis Music artiste.

 The crew is back in the country next month.

LORD OF AJASA OUT WITH NEW VIDEO

Lord Of Ajasa releases video for ID Cabasa-produced track - ANywhere I Dey Go.

LORD OF AJASA drops the video for his new single titled ANYWHERE I DEY
GO Produced By ID Cabasa, Directed By Ayoola 'Awizzles' Opere.

DESTINYPIZ RETURNS FROM THE UK WITH A BANG

DestinyPiz hit the entertainment scene at 19 when she began appearing
in Nollywood movies in Nigeria.  Finding an interest in writing and
poetry, she went on during her university days to feauture in several
social shows and gigs and also performed alongside others as part of a
congregational choir at her local parish.

She continued to develop her skillset and recorded a handfull of songs
during her time in Nigeria whilst studying and following expatriating
to the UK in the early part of the new millenium, she settled down and
began to put more of an interest into her entertainment projects.

A warm, affable, down to earth and beautifully west african damsel,
DestinyPiz is most recognised for her stage presence, vibrance,
vivacious and engaging stage presence and endearing; touching vocals.

Her message ' My music is about love, life and experiences, I don't
just love to sing, I love to bring my acting skills into play when I
present my music videos and I am happy that I have had such tremendous
response. Most of all, I am determined to be the voice of the African
woman, to inspire and to encourage women all over the world to rise
above all odds and always achieve'.

Now strictly moving into the live performance arena and finalising her
debut album, DestinyPiz is definitely a formidable and reckonable
contender on the Afropop scene, her style is original, her voice as
she croons out her ballards with a rich mix of soul, pop, r and b,
jazz and Afrocalypso is unique and alluring.

She has recorded ten singles and is gearing up to release three more
since her debut 'African King' in Autumn 2010 and she recently
released her video to her Afropop sensational rythmic ballard 'Yawa'
featuring JoeL in Summer 2011. Link for the video is attached below

KENNY OGUNGBE JOINS AIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SIGNS NEW MEDIA DEAL

KENNIS MUSIC, one of the country’s biggest record label company, has rolled out plans for the new year even as its helmsman, Kenny Ogungbe just got elevated to the position of the 24-member of the Board of Directors, DAAR Communications Plc. His appointment was endorsed at the multinational’s AGM held on Friday, December 30, 2011.

With his new position, Ogungbe, a prolific music presenter and entrepreneur, is now part of policy making of the media conglomerate which includes

TOP DANCER, KAFFY CONFIRMS SHE IS PREGNANT FOR PSQUARE BAND MEMBER,REVEALS WEDDING PLAN

Kafayat Shefau the popular dancer who goes by the stage name Kaffy has finally confirmed that she is indeed pregnant for Joseph Ameh, a band member with Psquare.The confirmation is coming weeks after the information first leaked to the Press.

Gistmaster.com gathered that Kaffy is getting really prepared  for motherhood.

In this week's edition of City People magazine, she told Afolabi Oyekoya that it was not a pregnancy by mistake. She said that she was doing it with her boyfriend without using any preventive measures so she was not shocked when she realized that she was pregnant.

Kaffy also revealed that she has already concluded wedding plans with her man and soon all roads would lead to Epe,the hometown of her father for the Nikkai ceremony (Islamic wedding).

Kaffy, dance 'machine' and gym instructor shot into limelight after a dance team she led won the Dance competition organized by Silverbird some years ago, this putting her name in the Guinness Book of all records.

She has featured in music videos of Nigeria's top music stars like Ruggedman and Psquare. She also made a huge fortune as a judge on the top rated dance reality show, Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa but this year she was dropped for May7, an American based singer and daughter of Nigeria ex-international soccer star, Mr.Segun Odegbami.

-Niyi Tabiti

niyi@gistmaster.com

EGO OMALICHA OUT WITH NEW SINGLE "ALCOHOL"

The model and singer that brought us 'Omalicha' and 'Thinking about you' was apparently been busy with putting together a body of work to convince critics that she is not a fluke.

Ego Omalicha signed to Questionmark Entertainment is set to follow up on the success of her singles 'Omalicha', 'Thinking about you' duet with Harrysong and the allstar record 'I want you with a Password produced track. Ego, Born Jennnifer Oduah made an impressive debut with the release of 'Omalicha' which was written and produced by Harrysong and Del B respectively last year with the charting topping video for her second single  'Thinking about you' which was released earlier in the year.

Ego was featured on the popular MTV Iggy show where she contended for votes to beat other artistes from Africa and Europe.

The new single is titled 'Alcohol' and produced by Password, the same producer that delivered General Pype's Hit record - Champion. It is performed alone by the one time and most sought after  model and MBGN contestant. The light heart and 'really fun' record touches on the topic of alcohol, which emblems celebration and having a good time with company. The fun is also employed in the delivery of the record by the model cum singer, Ego as she delivers the record very light and also halfheartedly.

There's a sample of Jamie Foxx's major hit 'Blame it' on the hook and takes a leaf from Kei$ha in delivery.

"Autotune is not half bad, when played with well and hard," Ego joked. "Alcohol is a really fun record, the fun from working with the amazing producer and friend Password, who produced 'Champion' had to be translated into the record, 'Alcohol' is a perusal and almost none-matching to some of the good music from me", Ego added.

The creative art graduate is working on her album which is still untitled but an album with records cut from her versatility should be expected from the singer/rapper.

AMERICAN ENTERTAINER LUDACRIS RETURNS TO NIGERIA FOR A MEGA PROJECT WITH KONNECT AFRIKA

Immediately after his concert tour in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, the multi-talented, and multiple award-winning American entertainer Ludacris will be accompanied by his renowned manager, and co-founder of Disturbing Tha Peace Records- Chaka Zulu Obafemi, to Lagos Nigeria to kick-off an Africa-wide project in partnership with Konnect Afrika.
Details of this ?landmark project? will be made public at the Volar Nite club (Jade Palace), in Victoria Island on Sunday, the 31st of July, 2011 at an exclusive V.I.P party with the top brass of Nigerian entertainment, and media personalities.
This project is powered by Konnect Afrika, an entertainment company based in Atlanta, United States and Lagos, Nigeria, in collaboration with Disturbing Tha Peace Records, a subsidiary of the Universal Music Group is a United States based record label founded by Chaka Zulu Obafemi , Ludacris, and Jeff Dixon.
According to Solomon Sonaiya, the spokesperson for this project, when we refer to this event as the advent of landmark opportunities for African entertainment, we?re not exaggerating ? on Sunday, Nigerians would be proud that such a project was launched from Lagos?. He further intimated that all the details of the project will be made public at the event, whilst a press conference has been scheduled for Tuesday, the 2nd of August to address questions from the media.

The exclusive party taking place this Sunday will be hosted by Ludacris. The party will also parade the crème de la crème of the Lagos society. Broadcast support for this event is provided by Trace Urban.

MTN NIGERIA IS 10:THE SEARCH FOR 10 UNIQUE TALENTS KICK OFF

And to show that it’s been an amazing 10 years of enriching lives and exploring the power of possibilities, the giant of the Nigerian telecommunications industry has announced that they are sourcing for 10 unique talents whose material will form the bulk of a special anniversary album the company is putting together!

In a statement released early this week via social media, the brand stated that “We’re looking for Thank You songs from MTN to the people of Nigeria. If you’re a music producer, singer or songwriter, get into the studio and record a ‘Thank You’ song for us. It can be in any genre, it could be in English or pidgin or in any Nigerian language - all it needs to be is tuneful and catchy, and it must convey the immense gratitude that MTN feels for ten amazing years of partnership and growth”

Interested participants are expected to

1 - Write a "Thank You" song on behalf of MTN to Nigerians.

2 – Upload the lyrics or go ahead and record an amateur video (60secs) of themselves singing it and/ an mp3 file of their song (Don’t worry about it being perfect, we will perfect it).

3 - Upload it on www.facebook.com/MTNLoaded or upload it on your Facebook page and share the link with us

What’s at stake N5m- The top 10 winners will win N500, 000 each, blackberry phones and will stand a chance to feature in the MTN @10 Music album.

Entry submission ends on July 28, 2011.

For more information, visit www.mtnonline.com or follow us on twitter @mtnng

MTN NIGERIA TO HOST MUSIC COMPETITION, RELEASE ALBUM FOR 10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

MTN Nigeria is currently planning the release of a 10th anniversary music album.
Information gathered from those in the know at the company’s head office in Lagos revealed a competition is being planned to have young musicians from across Nigeria send in their songs for a chance to be on the MTN 10th anniversary album.
Activities around the head office of the company suggests what we know might be beyond rumours or mere speculations.
Top music executives and producers were sighted leaving one of the company’s agencies on Tuesday.
More details to come your way soon on gistmaster.com

MUM ROCKS RED CARPET FOR IDOL WEST AFRICA STAR- JESSE JAGZ,MI OTHERS STORM ERIC ARUGBAYI'S ALBUM LAUNCH

[caption id="attachment_6363" align="alignleft" width="480" caption="Eric Arubayi & mum,Professor Mrs Dianne Arugbayi at SS LOUNGE victoria Island, Where Eric had his album listening party"][/caption]It was an evening of celebration as everyone came in droves to SS Lounge Victoria Island, Lagos on the 14th of July, 2011 to the much anticipated debut album launch of Eric Arubayi of West African Idols.
It was an intimate evening which started with notable guests like M.I, Mc Abbey, OC Ukeje, Lolo of Wazobia fm, Prof. Mrs. Dianne Arubayi (Eric’s mum), Lara George, Nikki Laoye, Wale Dizzy, Elvina, Gloria & Obukome Ibru posing, mingling & granting interviews on the red carpet.
[caption id="attachment_6366" align="alignleft" width="319" caption="Eric Arugbayi"][/caption]The event also witnessed electrifying performances from great acts like Waje, Keffi, Jodie, Timi Dakolo, Djinee, LoLo, Jesse Jagz, Ochuko, Sammie Okposo, Onos, Ibiyemi and a host of others with the support of Eric’s Eight man (2 female back-up singers inclusive) band as backup singers, gave brilliant performances that got the audience screaming. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for, unveiling of the album by Eric Arubayi which coincided with his birthday. Songs like” Number one “,She is crazy ft Jesse Jagz”,”I go make am” ,were performed from his album to great reviews and encore. He performed the last song for the night” One Love One Voice “which had fellow artistes present joining and he proved that he isn’t just a pretty face but has talent to back it up.
The album which is available for sale is a mix of Jazz, Soul, R n B, gospel. Cocktails, canapés and cake was served and even the weather didn’t hamper the show or attendance. This young, cute and equally talented musician is set to take the industry by storm and dare say it’s going to be explosive.
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YOUR VOTE COUNTS @ MALTA GUINNESS STREET DANCE IV

[caption id="attachment_6317" align="alignleft" width="480" caption="Frank, MaySeven and Wale Rubber, all judges at Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa"][/caption]

Yeah! It’s been six weeks of Top of the World street dance moves at the season IV of Malta Guinness Street Dance. If you can recall, a total of eight (8) street dance crews were selected by the judges from the nationwide auditions held in various regions across the country. They were Fly High, Sum’ry Crew (Abuja) Supreme Task, Shadows (Enugu) Genesis Plus, Soulja Guyz (Benin) Hephzibah (Lagos), and Dynasty (Lagos). Each crew partook in series of recreational activities and choreography sessions that aided in the delivery of their dance routines.

The first week had all eight crews displaying what they had in their kitty while the second week featured the first elimination stage of the competition, tagged “blast from the past” which made Dynasty crew the first crew to be evicted. Sum’ry crew lost out in the challenge which required crews to celebrate living “Legends” in the third week. Hephizibah crew and Fly High crew also bowed out in week four and five respectively when the challenges assigned were “Dance into the Future” and “Make or Break (Kitchen Dance)”

The final which was in the sixth week, dubbed the final showdown that featured two rounds of dance was to select the two crews that will go to the Pan African championship. To clear the air around what was to be expected at the final, the judges took turns to air their opinions on what the expectations should be. First to react amongst the judges was renowned African contemporary dance instructor Frank Konwea, said “They’ve built themselves already, it’s time to get the crew that will represent Nigeria at Pan African” followed by UK based singer and dancer May7ven who said “expect to see dynamic performances and astronomical display” while the chief judge Wale Rubber stated that “am expecting the very best, they (last four crews) should bring all their creativity and technicality to the stage. Hopefully we will have the best final ever in the annals of Malta Guinness Street Dance”.

The journey to the Pan African championship began as the four finalists keenly contested for the two slots to the African championship with the first round challenge tagged “Afro-vibe”. “Afro-vibe” challenged the last four crews to infuse African contemporary songs and steps into their dance routines for the round. The first round performances saw Supreme Task evicted as the other crews proved that they’ve got what it takes to move to the next round. The second round was the “freestyle” challenge which allowed competing crews to be more innovative with their dance routines. The last three crews Soulja Guyz, Shadows and Genesis Plus did put up a good show which further demonstrated to the judges and audience that they all had what it takes to be at the Pan African Championship.

The onus was on the trio of Wale Rubber, May7ven and Frank to be convinced of the crew that will better represents Nigeria at the African championship. Announcing the winner of the two spots with an emotional laden mood (name of judge) called out on Genesis Plus and Shadows as the African Championship spot winners while Souja Guyz emerged runners up. However, this where you and I can actually play the role of judges by voting for our favourite crew and that we think so far has fully shown that they are the crew that will best represent Nigeria at the Pan African Championship.

To vote for your favourite crew Genesis Plus or Shadows, simply SMS G (Genesis Plus) or S (Shadows) to 20120 from 2nd of 15th of July SMS cost only N10.00 or visit www.facebook.com/maltaguinness for voting details.

Let’s take a moment to recall the theme for this season “Back with Style, Back with Swagger” and your guess is as good as mine if you have experienced the new style used and the swag exhibited by all because its Malta Guinness Street Dance!

AMBER ROSE SAYS SHE WONT BE COMING FOR MUSIC MEETS RUNWAY IN NIGERIA+ORGANIZERS REACTION

By Niyi Tabiti/Gistmaster.com

Amber Rose, the  lead performer for the much talked Music Meets Runway show in Nigeria, has declared she won't be coming  for the show.   Amber, gistmaster.com,gathered won't be coming because she has not been booked for the show being sponsored by MTN, Samsung and others.

That Amber Rose won't be coming to Nigeria was confirmed by the star herself when she tweeted that she has not been booked by the organizers in Nigeria. The claim was refuted by the organizers through a statement this evening. " She has been booked" the statement reads in part.

Gistmaster.com gathered that MTN and others might pull out of the show based on various controversies. It would be recalled that just recently a massive turn out of of Amber Rose' leaked on the internet.

Darey Art Alade also issued a disclaimer stating that the organizers used his name for the purpose of publicity, despite misrepresenting him because he was not booked for the show.

Already, there someone is already claiming that Music Meets Runway belongs to him.According to what gistmaster.com gathered, the person is planning to sue the organizers for infringing on his intellectual property.

The formal statement issued by Music Meets Runway organizers reads

Early this morning, one of the major headliners of the highly anticipated show, Music Meets Runway, Amber Rose tweeted that she will not be coming to Nigeria to host Music Meets Runway 2011.

Due to recent developments of Amber Roses nude photos that surfaced on the internet last week, were in discussion as to what to do about the situation with some of our sponsors who had understandably shown some concern.

We were still in discussions with our sponsors to accommodate Amber when we read Amber Roses tweet about her not being booked to host Music Meets Runway.

Amber has indeed been booked and paid for through a reputable international booking agent and we were as surprised as anyone to see the tweet.

This situation is under investigation and details will be passed as more information comes.

The show, Music Meets Runway will still hold come Saturday, July 9 at Expo Center, Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

Music Meets Runway is an event poised & designed to create awareness for the laudable and fledging growth the Nigerian fashion industry has recorded in recent times.

The event won’t be all about fashion as 10 musical artistes will also grace the occasion dishing out hits after hits. It will be a great networking opportunity for fashion industry, professionals including educators, retail buyers, fashion journalists, trendsetters and consumers.

We want to assure the public that we are bringing you a great show with some of the most amazing Nigerian Artists and Designers and that this event will be nothing short of a phenomenal experience.