tansali paparazzi

Dbanj's after concert party on Monday the 31st of August at a posh night club called RSLOUNGE in South Woodford in Essex, United Kingdom (probably one of the few American styled night clubs in London) was very widely attended. People started queuing up at around 12:00 midnight and within an hour there were over 600 people waiting to get into the night club and party with the KOKO MASTER.  The management of the night club were overwhelmed by the number of young people waiting to get into the club and were asking the question WHO IS D'BANJ?

The crowd was a mixture of pretty, classy young Africans, Afro Caribbean’s, a few English and Italians etc all dressed to kill and from the music blasting from the numerous cars parked outside,  ready to party.

Unfortunately both the club management to include security personnel and the promoters were unprepared for the number of people who wanted to party with Dbanj. The promoters out of greed decided to introduce a two tier gate fee system, 30 and 50 pounds. For a VIP table which on normal nights were charged out at 500.00 pounds was now costing 600 and 1000 pounds respectively. To ensure that they clearly milked the tier system, people were left queuing outside for over two hours whilst the first class citizens who were paying up 1000 pounds for the privilege of partying with Dbanj were let in first.

Clearly Dbanj is one of the most talented entertainers in Africa in our time and it is not surprising that the African la crème de la crème in the UK were out in on mass to party with him.

At one point the crowd had enough of waiting and started trying to push their way into the club with only a handful of bouncers or security staff on hand (as the Club management clearly underestimated Dbanj's popularity after all he is African) and the whole thing started turning into a riot, the Police had to be called out.

Dbanj and his entourage drove past the night club took one look at the situation and decided that it was not worth attending as they would have clearly been at risk and rightly so.

So by 3 O’clock in the morning the situation was as follows; over 600 to 700 people trying to force their way into the Club, confirmation that Dbanj was no longer attending, latest Dbanj’s  and  Wande songs blaring from the different cars parked in the car park and the club management wondering what they had taken on.

Overall I think from the pictures below you can clearly see that people tried to enjoy themselves without Dbanj in attendance, the promoters and club management were the big winners on the night as they clearly made a lot of money.

The two lessons I believe should have been learnt are as follows;

1)      As African entertainment gets even more sophisticated and attracting even more talented individuals both in the west and in Africa; musicians, actors, models, comedians etc are now beginning to compete with their black American counterparts and should be afforded the same type of treatment or close.

African entertainers have come a long way and are probably more admired by Africans in Diaspora who don’t get to see enough of them.  Any time there is such an event the organisers should be prepared for the kind of crowd that may show up.

2) There is clearly a huge appetite possibly out of nostalgia for African type entertainment or entertainers, which will explain the numbers that turned out for this after concert party, but one, will hope that promoters and organisers of such events will not take advantage of the situation and be fair.

We live in a different society from Nigeria or other African countries and it would have been best to let people into the club on a first come first serve basis, instead of instituting a class system that ended up almost ruining what could have been one of the greatest after concert parties held in honour of an African Musician in the UK in more recent times and we could have all got the chance to party with Dbanj.

                                                Sylvia Tansali - August 31st 2009

 

 

 

 

Brand new singles from the talented Niger-Delta babe! As some of you may already know, she was the 1st Runner-Up at the 2008 Idols West Africa. She also laid a verse on the “Inspire Africa All Stars” track we all fell in love with.

Here’s the Diva’s follow-up effort to “In the Music.”


Go to this link to listen to the songs..... I think she did a good job and would definitely go far.....


http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=88573699134&h=rJfvz&u=6EkOR&ref=mf

 – Dayo (D1) Adeneye
By Taiwo Oluwadare
Saturday, May 30, 2009

Dayo Adeneye, a radio/T.V presenter, has carved a niche for himself in broadcasting as well as entertainment. Prime Time Africa, a programme that he anchors with his bosom friend and colleague, Kenny Ogungbe, is a rave both on radio and television.

But Adeneye aka D1 and Kenny are more visible in the entertainment sector with their record label, Kennis Music, which they floated during their days in Ray Power FM.
When the recording industry seemed dead with the collapse of major labels, the duo of D1 and Kenny went into the business headlong.

They discovered artistes like The Remedy, Paul Play, Tony Tetuila and invested huge amount of money on them. Indeed, their efforts have helped propel the growth of the music industry. In this encounter with Blockbuster, Adeneye recalls how it all started and talks on other issues like piracy, family life, his friend, Kenny Ogungbe and challenges facing the industry.

Beginning
We went into the music business when nobody was there. We invested our money, blood and sweat when everybody said music business was dead. Who discovered artistes like the Remedy, Tony Tetula and Paul Play Dairo? Who invested in them? We invested our money and sweat on them. So, why wouldn’t we always be visible? We can’t take the credit; it is God. But we are glad to be part of the process and for being the instruments to fortify the Nigerian music industry. So, why should we take a back seat having propelled this growth of the industry? We should be at the forefront.

What motivated me into entertainment
I like imparting knowledge in people. I like putting smiles on people’s faces, to make them relax either through music or entertainment programmes. It gives me joy and a sense of fulfillment. Whenever people stop me on the street, saying “we like what you do”, it makes me feel I’m doing what people appreciate and this makes me want to do more.

Economic meltdown and entertainment
Yes, it is a worldwide phenomenon. So, Nigeria cannot be isolated. The financial crunch is affecting everybody especially the multi-nationals. Of course, it is affecting the entertainment industry as people who would normally book like 20 to 30 artistes for shows are now reducing it to 5 or 10. And those who used to pay three or four million naira for artistes are now paying like N5,000. In the area of sponsorship of events, most organizations are pruning down because of financial constraints. Let’s pray and hope that things would pick up soon.

However, our movies and music are beginning to take a centre stage not just in Africa but across the world. The likes of Tuface, 9ice, Ruggedman and D’banj continue to represent Nigeria internationally. They consistently have won international awards. Our Nollywood movies have been quite well. I hope we can capitalize on that and turn it into a vibrant moneymaking machine that government and people of Nigeria can also benefit from.

Challenges facing the industry
There are a lot of things that need to be done. You can have the best idea in the world but if you don’t have a way to execute it, it would remain just an idea. We need to have bigger and better awards. We need to have better technology, music production, video productions, and better film making equipment. All these things cost money. That is why we keep asking government to invest in entertainment. If government invests in the entertainment industry and eradicate piracy, artistes will be able to earn their proper incomes and pay their taxes.

My friend, Kenny Ogungbe
Both of us met in school. We were basically in the same class for almost five years, studying accounting. We became very good friends. We left Ray Power because we just decided to move on. It was just another pace of life. We just felt we’ve done most we could do in that environment. It’s just like a bird, if it’s time for it to leave its nest it flaps its wing and takes off. It was just time to move on and thank God we don’t have any regret.

On Kennis Music and Prime Time Africa
We just get the job done. Here we have a Managing Director; we call ourselves partners and get the jobs done. And that is the secret of our success. The brand, Primetime Africa is what we sell here. We believe if we are successful, everybody gets to share the glory.

Why artistes are leaving Kennis Music
You need to ask them why they left. I’m the wrong person to ask. But I’ll tell you the only thing constant in life is change. Some of them, their contracts expired and both parties agree not to renew. It is not peculiar to Kennis Music alone. Go to Westside Music or Little Fish Record some of them don’t even exist anymore. So, that is the trend in the business. I don’t want to respond to the allegation that we don’t pay royalty to our artistes. You need to bring me those people instigating the allegation. You are a journalist; you should bring me the person that said this artiste is not paid. What you are telling me is a rumour and I don’t respond to rumours.

What fame has done for me
I don’t want to say that fame is a double-edged sword. It opens door for you but at the same time, you lose your privacy. You don’t have time for yourself anymore. But the advantages have outweighed its disadvantages. I love what I do.

Most embarrassing moment
It was some years back in AIT when a female presenter and I were presenting the morning show. She dropped a pen during a commercial break. I tried to pick up the pen and she also tried to pick up the pen not knowing we were live on TV. The situation was really awkward. It was like we were doing something we were not supposed to be doing. That was quite embarrassing but we laughed over it.

How I met my wife
I met my wife through my father. He introduced her to me. That’s all. Today, I’m happily married with children. My wife supports me; she and the children enjoy what I do. I love my family life.

In the next couple of months, in fact, June 1, 2009, to be precise, the biggest television reality show in Africa, Koko Mansion, would begin with a big bang.
Billed to be aired exclusively on the wholly Nigerian satellite television, HiTV, Koko Mansion, a brainchild of top musician, D’banj with support from the honcho of HITV, Toyin Subair. It revolves around 12 beautiful and talented girls that will live in a mansion for eight weeks, with the eventual winner becoming the ideal Miss Kokolette.
The mansion, according to the organizers, is situated in an undisclosed area in
Lagos. D’banj is also expected to play a vital role in
the oncoming show.
While in the mansion the lucky 12, would be groomed and tested
in various activities in order to determine the one with the
greatest Koko Virtues, worthy of being a wife material –a
Kokolette.
Some of these Koko Virtues that would be determined by viewers, who are also the
ultimate judge in the intrigue-filled show, would be looking out for are: the ability of the Kokolette to cook sumptuous meals for D’banj and his friends, especially during impromptu visits; as well as the ability to furnish and maintain
the mansion. The Kokolette must also be industrious while,
being able to take care of the home front; her ability to be
respectful and courteous at all times would be put to test too.
The potential Kokolette must be able to emulate notable women in society and several others even as she shows the ability to impress D’banj, under all circumstances in order to win the public’s votes to be in the house.
Top celebrities such as super model Oluchi, Nollywood actress Funke Akindele (Jenifa) and celebrity hair stylist Bobbys would be invited to teach the ladies poise, biks girls’ mannerisms and how to maintain a fashionable
hair-style.



D’banj would among other things, help the public determine who the winner should be, based on their ability to please him. He is currently one of the most eligible
single young men in Nigeria and it is believed that the music star will be able to adequately represent most men in the limelight, who people assume would not appreciate a complete woman. So, with the help of his friends and
associates, the public will know the most tolerant, hospitable and respectful woman in the mansion. Meanwhile, D’banj’s entertaining character may also act as a catalyst that will bring out the girls’ true personalities.
The winner of the show will emerge the most sought after Kokolette and will have full access to D’banj during her reign.
The Kokolette according Morayo Aka-Bashorun, Business Development and Sales Manager, HiTV, must be a beautiful young lady, at least 18 years old; she must be smart and
intellectually savvy; she must also possess a fun talent.
She must be willing to explore and definitely be a WIFE material. She
must be well cultured with sound domestic training, and an absolute diva with the ability to get along with a diverse crowd. The Kokolette must be someone with good moral values,independent and ambitious aside being a creative person.
The Kokolette must also be an excellent host, a very creative person who understands and can get along with the celebrity lifestyle of the hip hop star. Most importantly,
she must be D’Banj’s number one fan. A video audition would
help the panel determine the 12 finalists.
Eviction starts in the second week of the show, where two ladies with
the least number of votes from the viewers will be ushered
out.
However, eviction is primarily done by the public and could be based on D’banj’s comments.
Interestingly, each week, among the three ladies up for eviction, it would be D’Banj’s prerogative to give Koko Mycine (immunity) to one of the girls. He can only use Koko Mycine once in the duration of the show. “The winner will among other benefits, be crowned Kokolette 1, get a Chris Aires Diamond ring, a brand new convertible car, feature in his next music video, You Don Make Me Fall In Love alongside N5 million in cash. Aside these goodies, the winner will be D’Banj’s companion at public events both within and outside Nigeria. She would further emerge as HITV’s Hi-Babe.
The organizers further explained that D’Banj would not be living with them but would be required to come in often to see the girls.”
“The show is not about D’Banj, but about the Kokolette”. Also speaking at the unveiling, the founder of HiTV, Mr. Toyin Subair in his remark said the concept of Koko Mansion was a brilliant idea coming from brilliant Nigerians.
HiTV, Subair said, hopes to use Koko Mansion to show all the virtues of a true African woman. “It is going to be the biggest reality show in this side of the world and that can only happen on the platform of HiTV. It is the mother of
all reality shows, Koko Mansion.”
Subair, an intellectual property lawyer, further assured that the show would
not in any form promote immorality or nudity as the case may
be.