FRANK D’NERO READY FOR UK TOUR

Port Harcourt-based act Ibiba Frank Higwe is set to make a mark in the Nigerian music scene as he embarks on a tour around the UK. Song writer, performer and singer Frank D’Nero first hit the music scene in Port Harcourt Nigeria in 2003 alongside the now defunct group “Tuck Tyght Allstars”.

As a member of the group, he was a part of the album ‘Now Official’ which birthed the hit single ‘Suffer market’. ‘It is not like things were not going on well with Tuck Tyght All- Stars, but there is nothing as good as doing your own thing, so shortly after the successful album, I knew I had to move on which I did’ D’Nero commented.

His move further birthed the independent Label D’Large entertainment where he released the 100% mix tape; soon afterwards, he hit fans with the hit single “Kalangolo” which ruled the airwaves for months. Fresh from the success of the hit single, he dropped his full album “Kalangolo” which carries lots of energy along with it. The single from the album “Cure my Craze” is gradually gaining grounds on radio stations nationwide and is finding its way to the top of the charts. ‘The way the album was embraced was beyond my expectation, within the first three months of its release, the album went on to sell over seven thousand copies in the Niger Delta alone, I was amazed because I never expected such a reaction from fans. Then people started calling in from Lagos which I also did not expect’

He got yet another shocker when he was contacted to be a part of MTV base advance warning. ‘Really that was the height. It is not like I am undermining myself, but when I was contacted to partake in the advanced warning, I thought someone was trying to play a trick on me, but here I am, an artiste from the Niger delta being showcased alongside other promising acts in the Nigerian music industry’.

These days, Frank has been busy shuttling between studios and trying to make a mark in the Nigerian music scene. Having worked with the likes of Nigga raw, Mtrill, Timaya and P square. The hardworking act has decided not to relent, and keeps recording songs ‘my passion for music comes from within and I’d attribute my journey this far to hard work and dedication, this is what I have believed in throughout my career both as a producer and now as an artiste’ Frank D’Nero concluded With this acclaimed success coupled with the commitment and passion he holds for music, Roll-a-dice entertainment, a U.K and Nigerian based management label have taken him under their wing.

The label in joint effort with the Tonye Ibiama led Grafton team are putting together the 1st ever UK takeover tour which will feature Frank D’Nero as well as other acts signed to the Grafton label. ‘It is a dream come true for us to be working together with Frank as he is a very talented and focused individual and we are only sure that this will be history in the making” Donald Iro CEO of Roll a dice commented.

OREKELEWA BY TARA FELA DUROTOYE,SWE BAR OTHERS SET FOR RITA DOMINIC'S PRESENTATION!

Nollywood diva and fashion sophisticate, Miss Rita Dominic would be the centre attraction at a presentation in her honour slated for A-list celebrity hangout, Swe Bar, Onikan, Lagos on Saturday 11 October 2008. Top paparazzi, journalists and movie practitioners are expected to be part of the presentation.
Rita Dominic was adjudged the best dressed Nollywood actress following massive reactions and a poll conducted by Gistmaster, Nigeria’s foremost daily celebrity news/photos online tabloid. According to http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ the facilitators of the poll, Nigerians from different parts of the world tapped into the global opportunities of the internet to vote for their favorite stars and at the end of the poll spanning about 3 three months (we started in June), Rita Dominic came tops with the highest vote, closely followed by Genevieve Nnaji.We got thousands of comments, text messages and phone calls from lovers of the movie industry.
Apart from Swe Bar, the classy hangout for top celebrities, top make up artist, Orekelewa, a leading make up product owned by Tara Fela Durotoye and SHARE by Tosyn Bucknor are also co-sponsors of the event. Tara is a role model in Nigeria's beauty industry. She has done bridal make up for Nigeria's richest families.Right now, her fast moving make up line has provided employment opportunities to thousands of undergraduates and young school leavers.

A model in the United States of America has also sent us beautiful clothes as part of goodies meant for the winner.

We are overwhelmed by the massive reactions we got from Nigerians over the world. We saw many interesting comments.It was a real eye opener to the value glamour play in the acting business.

Apart from the votes, we took a step ahead by consulting with about 40 journalists and celebrities and at the end; Rita also emerged as the first. On and off screen, Rita continues to be a pacesetter in her well turned out fabric.
In her comment, Estella, a top fashion designer based in the America stated “As a Fashion Designer, I give her (Rita) the thmbsup! She dresses good. Nothing like what everyone else is wearing...she has her own style and not afraid to experiment.... Am looking forward to having her in one of my haute couture designs soon”
Mia a blogger commented thus “Rita, Omotola, Genevieve and Stephanie all look good for the most part. They all have their moments, but at the least they always look CLEAN, APPRORIATE, and PRESENTABLE. Let’s not forget that all four are in good shape (though in different sizes).

“Omotola, after four kids looks AMAZING! Stephanie always knows what looks good on her. Genevieve keeps it together and could loosen up sometimes but she is definitely a beautiful girl. And my favorite Rita ALWAYS keeps it NEAT and SIMPLE! From her hair to her makeup, she shows up to every event looking CLASSY!”
Another person wrote “RITAAAAAAAAAAAAAA all the way men. You could accuse her of anything, but in my book she could never be guilty of not dressing right and representing not just herself but Naija chicks well...she’s my girl any day”
Another reader figure out that “Like someone already said, this is not a popularity contest. Right Niyi? So when is comes to dressing, Rita gets it right for the most part on and off screen. She knows what suits her, her signature hair is always fresh and tidy. She takes risks, and is always interesting. Omotola is another one who gets it right all the time.

Stephanie is really good with gowns but her pants are always too short for her. Because of her height, she needs to shop in "tall women" for trousers. Dakore should definitely be on this list. She is gorgeous; she's fit, and very trendy. Kate also should be on the list. Genevieve on the other hand would be #1 or 2 on best actress, but not on this list.

An entertainmen journalist states “Truth be told, I cannot get past counting on one hand the ladies in Nollywood that should go for best dressed. But am going be nice and try to raise the number to more than 5. Hey ladies we talking best dressed here and good looking or beautiful and blah blah blah, lets not stray ok?Here is my review.

“I honestly think Rita is the best dressed. She always turns up simple and elegant. Even in her movies, I have never caught her looking off or dressed awfully. Her jewellery is always on point with what she wears and the functions. It takes a fashion conscious person to know the sort of fashion that suits the function.
She pays attention to her skin color-cloth selection (part of the reason she does not look like a disco light or appear dirty unlike some people we know in Nollywood). Though I must admit Rita takes some risk that turn out flawless. She probably has the same fleshy body like ini but she hides yet flaunts her body without looking like a TRAMP! I give her 89%. Well her low point is her signature headties……first they well cool now they are so old,so predictable.

Stella Damasus on the other hand just like Rita cannot be caught dressing awful. She keeps her game tight. She just does it without effort which is probably the difference. On set and off set she dresses amazingly well. She gets 85% for being her…..a natural fashionista! “People have ignored Dakore……why? She dresses well. Never overdoes it or makes an effort about her dressings. Though wearing on type of hair (dreads) could blind some people’s fashion 3rd eye I can look beyond it. I know when people tend to wear the same hair it makes people overlook details. Dakore in her movies looks just great and looks even better away from the set. She is HAWT! She surprises with her dressing because to those who overlook the details, they think Dakore and their minds think “pair of pants and top with amazing healthy dreads” but HELL NAW!!! She is not afraid to surprise us with her –BE SPOKE style. She gets 82%”

Lesson-Dressing is not how much it cost you to buy your Tommy Hilfiger, Prada or any label but wearing the right thing at the right time. We have taken photos of most red carpet events in Nigeria and found out that in the process of imitating Hollywood stars, our celebrities often make some obvious mistakes.for instance "don't wear evening gown to a boat cruise!"

FOLAKE ODUTOLA OPENS HANGOUT-AQUA 27 IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Lagos the heart beat of Africa's enjoyment,received yet another boost last week as Lagos big babe, Folake Odutola formally opened her new hangout, Aqua 27.It is located on highbrow Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria-Island. The club used to be same place where man about town, Lanre Nzeribe and society lady,Barrister Grace Egbagbe operated their (now defunct)club-Saga 8. http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ was told by the new owner of the hangout that the place have been totally upgraded to meet the demands of big boys and babes in town.Folake, a widely travelled lady promised to introduce the best concept in hangout business in Lagos.
Photo above:Guys having fun.Photo below:Folake Dancer-a singer & dancer

Folake Odutola, the owner of Aqua 27 and Tonya Merritt, an international music promoter
"Bosi gbagba kajo"-Chics having fun in the club on 1 October 2008
Yoruba Actress, Toyin Aimahku and her collegue, Iyabo Ojo also joined others to have fun.

MORE PHOTOS FROM ENCOMIUM/KENNIS MUSIC GREEN & WHITE GROOVE IN LAGOS.

Always winning-Uju Murphy Uzohoe knows the principles of fashion and how to apply it.A former beauty queen in University of Lagos and ex-staff of STB (now UBA plc after the merger),Uju operates her own business in Lagos,Nigeria.
Publisher of Encomium magazine, Mr.Kunle Bakare while making some arrangements.
Taiwo Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye a.k.a D-ONE and another person
Alhaja Islar Animashaun, the hairstylist and weavon producer. She is one of the most sought after by Nigeria's top female politicians and high society women enjoying herself at the party with Mrs.Kemi Otegbade of Heartlink Group.

ENCOMIUM MAGAZINE/KENNIS MUSIC GATHER NIGERIAN STARS FOR GREEN & WHITE INDEPENDENCE GROOVE IN LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

On Wednesday 1 October 2008, Encomium magazine was at it again as it organized a talk of the town Green & White Party in Lagos, Nigeria. It was a partnership between the Kunle Bakare led publishing outfit and KENNIS Music. Big boys and babes came stormed Planet One, Maryland, Lagos, venue of the star studded show. Here, http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ captured some of the faces at the event. Trust me to upload more!
Photo above-shows Kelly Handsome, the newest act on Kennis Music doing his 'maga don pay' anthem on the stage.The young man lives in the United States of America and he came to Nigeria about a week to independence day.
Aresejabata!Kunle Afolayan,producer/lead actor 'Irapada' looking cool on the green carpet.

Star comedian,Gbenga Adeyinka the first,actress-Ebube Nwangbo and Business Television personality,Elkanah Mowarin of EOM Communication at Encomuim magazine Green & White Groove sponsored by HARP
This 'chikito' surely have something to make her laugh as she posed for shots at the Green & White Independence party.
Simple yet dashing. This lady got it right.

Yoruba actresses, Kemi Afolabi,Nike Peller and Shade Omoniyi popularly known as Lepa Shandy
Nollywood star, Rukki Sanda was there too!
All for Naija! This babe came to the party with Kelly Handsome.Please don't ask me the connection (Kelly should be able to explain). All I can say here is that she posed well for me and i took the pictures.

TOGETHER OR NOT TOGETHER:STELLA DAMASUS AND PAPARAZZI

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Star singer and Nollywood wonder girl, Stella Damasus-Aboderin tried as much she could to evade taking photos with a ‘gentleman’ who came with her to a fun spot in Victoria-Island, Lagos.
Stella stepped into Club 868 with the young man and she felt so much uncomfortable as the paparazzi fired heavy shots from their cameras. She could not wait on the green carpet, as she barked at someone “Where is the entrance?” in an effort to evade her photographs being taken. The guy who accompanied her was wise enough to put his face off camera to prevent the insinuation in the press that she is new man in Stella’s life.
Immediately, they stepped out, there was even argument that Stella and the guy did not come to the place together. As a way of proving pundits wrong http://www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com/ managed to take their photo together shortly before they zoomed off in the Toyota Landcruiser that brought them.
No one could actually say whether they are busy partners,blood relations or dating, but almost everyone around could tell that the beautiful actress was only to trying to save her face from another imminent romance tale.
In the past, Stella Damasus had been romantically linked with several men such as Sammie Okposo, Lanre Nzeribe, Richard Mofe-Damijo and others-all of which she has repeatedly denied. She, however, granted an interview sometime ago that she was has a 'faithful friend' in a young man known as Lanre, the well youngman who took part in one of editions of Guilder Ultimate Search.

PROJECT FAME ACADEMY BUBBLES WITH SOUND AND ACTION GAME

It was not an all round rigor in the day one at the academy as the entrants were spirit lifted through an integrated gaming scheme by the house principal, Joke Silva. After giving them a dose of the morning instructions, rules and regulations that they have to comply and relate with, the multiple award winning Nollywood star, broods with the youths for proper integration. This was followed by an activity of sound and action which involves the entrants been partitioned into two groups.
Each group was required to make a complete sense with sound and action without having to say anything. The first team was tasked to create a sound and work out an action that fits that sound, while other team member will complement that sound and action with another suitable sound and action until the entire team members are involved and a complete story is told.
Praise led the first group which also had Bisola, Betty, Wilmort, Brenda, Joseph, and Benedicta. Together they made a perfect team and created sound and action that was interpreted as a complete music band.
The second group was led by Amechi. The group had Preye, Dorcas, Annette, Iyanya, Caroline, Ijeoma, and Joseph. Together they formed sound and action that was interpreted to tell the story of a lazy doctor who rebuffs a critical situation from his patients and flipping through the newspaper pages, while there was another urgent call from another patient. Then a contract doctor came to solve the whole situation. However, Bisola interpreted it to tell the story of a lazy man and his hungry family.
It was fun and excitement as the contestants had a swell time that helped them to relax and create friendly relationship with one another in the academy. They proceeded to the voice class where their voice trainer (Gogo-Margin) was waiting to take them on intensive voice training. They had a general routine training after which Caroline, Ijeoma, Praise and Iyanya took their turn to practice their song personally with the voice instructor. They were advised to practice their songs regularly and to ensure that they get the right key that is comfortable for them so that they don’t get stuck in the middle of a performance. She maintained that she wants to see the contestants improvising at certain point in their song so as to bring their personalities out in their performance.
Practicing various songs from Shania Twain to Michael Bolton, Shade Adu, TLC, and Mya, the contestants show commitment to their voice and songs as they put extra effort to outplace one another in their performances at the training session.
So much is in the line for the contestants as they are gradually gravitating towards the elimination stages. They are going to be judged for elimination every week by members of the public who monitors the academy activities on the daily broadcast on NTA Networks, 5pm, MBI and on Nigezie Channel on Hi Tv. Photos of some of the contestants.
Photo 1-Joseph Ankrah. Photo 2-Mbuk Iyanya.Photo above:Chukwuemeka Akpuru.Below-Mike AnyasodoPhoto above-Caroline Agbonalor.Below-Benedicta Ebute
Photo:Branda Johnson.Below-Abisola Grace Aiyeola
Photo:Annette Cookey