P-Square and Fally Ipupa are the kings of the MAMA 2010 nominees list – 2Face, Banky W, Wande Coal & Lizha James also receive multiple nods

MTV Networks Africa and Zain have today announced the nominations for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain(MAMA). The nominees for the annual poll of young African’s. music tastes were announced tonight at a star-studded celebration at De Marquee, Lagos, Nigeria, attended by artists, nominees, celebrities and VIPs including 2Face, Sasha and Mo Cheddah. The nominations were revealed by Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Group and Rajan Swaroop, CEO, Zain Nigeria. Nigerian artists scored an impressive 13 nominations including three nominations for duo P-Square (Artist of the Year,

Best Group and Best Video), and. two nominations each for MAMA 2009 winner 2FACE (Best Male, Artist of the Year), Wande. Coal (Best Anglophone, Best Male)and Banky W (Song of the Year, Best Video).

Nigerian female artists also rated well with Best Female nods for Nneka and Sasha, and a nomination as Brand:New artist for Mo Cheddah. D’banj, a four-time MAMA winner, received yet another MAMA nomination for Song of the Year for “Fall in Love”.
MAMA 2008 Best Live Performer winners Jozi (South Africa) notched up another ‘nod’ from the MAMA academy with a nomination for Artist of the Year.

Six further South African artists were recognised by the MAMA Academy, with nominations for
Teargas (Best Group), JR (Song of the Year), Black Coffee (Best Male), Big Nuz(Best Anglophone), Liquideep (Song of the Year) and The Parlotones (Best Video).

Fally Ipupa scored the highest individual number of the nominations with four separate MAMA award nominations. The charismatic artist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), who is also performing at MAMA 2010, has been nominated for Artist of the Year, Best Male, Best Video and Best Francophone. Barbara Kanambrought the DRC nomination tally to five with a first-time nomination in the Best Female category. East African artists continued their positive nominations run with five nominations from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Kenyan Gospel crossover artist
Daddy Owen is nominated for the first time in the Best Anglophone category while hip hop outfit P-Unit gets a mention for Best Group and Muthoni is recognised in the Brand:Newcategory. In Uganda there is a first time nomination for Radio and Weasle (Best Group) while Tanzania’s Diamond gets his commendation in the Brand:New category.
Following the MAMA success of Samini in 2009, Ghanaian artist Sarkodie gets a first time nomination in the Best Anglophone category.
Four US mega-artists are to fight it out in the Best International category which sees Rihanna representing the gals against Eminem, Drake and Rick Ross in the ultimate urban music face-off.Two new categories in 2010 have broadened the scope of artists eligible for the MAMA.

The Best Francophone category sees Gabon enter the MAMA race for the first time with a nomination for Ba Ponga, while Senegalese artist Awadi and Ivory Coast‘s DJ Arafat also pick up their first ever MAMA nominations.

Angolan artists Cabo Snoop and Paul G pick up nominations in the Best Lusophone category alongside Mozambique’s hip hop queens Lizha James and Dama do Bling.

Commented Alex Okosi, “This year’s MAMA is even more representative of the growth of the pan-African music scene and the added emphasis on Lusophone and Francophone artists makes this the most exciting MAMA nominations race that we have seen so far. We congratulate all the artists on their nominations and wish them success on December 11th in. Lagos.”Commented Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Africa, “The nominations today have shown the universality of music and the fact all genres strike a chord and a cross-over appeal with Africa’s youth regardless of their nationality.

We are happy to be associated with a platform that recognises and celebrates the rich musical heritage that positively depicts culture from across Africa.”

The nominees for the 2010
MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain were shortlisted by the MAMA Academy – a handpicked group of music industry experts and taste makers from across the African continent.

The winners for the
2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain will be revealed on Saturday 11 December 2010 at the Eko Expo Centre, Lagos, Nigeria.
The nominees for the
2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain are:


Best Video
Fally Ipupa – Sexy dance (DRC)
P-Square f/t J. Martins- E No Easy (Nigeria)
The Parlotones – Life Design (South Africa)
Banky W – Strong Ting (Nigeria)

Brand:New
Mo Cheddah (Nigeria)
Diamond (Tanzania)
Muthoni (Kenya)
JoJo (Gabon)

Artist of The Year
2 Face (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Jozi (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (DRC)

Song Of The Year
D’Banj – Fall In Love (Nigeria)Liquideep – Fairytale (South Africa)
JR – Show Dem (South Africa)
Banky W – Lagos Party (Nigeria)

Best Anglophone
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wande Coal (Nigeria)
Daddy Owen (Kenya)
Big Nuz (South Africa)

Best Francophone
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Awadi (Senegal)
DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast)
Ba Ponga (Gabon)

Best Lusophone
Lizha James (Mozambique)
Paul G (Angola)
Cabo Snoop (Angola)
Dama Do Bling (Mozambique)

Best Group
P-Square (Nigeria)
Radio & Weasle (Uganda)
Teargas (South Africa)
P-Unit (Kenya)

Best Female
Sasha (Nigeria)
Lizha James (Mozambique)
Nneka (Nigeria)
Barbara Kanam (DRC)

Best Male
2 Face (Nigeria)
Fally Ipupa (DRC)
Black Coffee (South Africa)
Wande Coal (Nigeria)

Best International
Rihanna (USA)
Drake (USA)
Eminem (USA)
Rick Ross (USA)

The MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 is sponsored by Zain in association with MasterCard.

Arik Air is the official airline partner of the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain.

Source: bellanaija.com

Soft-spoken 18-year-old American wins Miss World

BEIJING – The newest Miss World is from the United States.

Alexandria Mills, a soft-spoken 18-year-old, was named the winner in Saturday night's contest in southern China. The tall blonde was a relative surprise winner after speculation focused on other contestants.

Second place went to Emma Wareus of Botswana, and Adriana Vasini of Venezuela came third.

The host country's own contestant, Tang Xiao, also was among the final five.

According to a brief biography on the Miss World website, Mills calls Louisville, Kentucky, her hometown, and she recently graduated from high school. She would like to become a teacher.

"I've never met a stranger and enjoy meeting new people," she says in the bio.

For the final, she was wearing a shimmering ivory-colored dress slit up the leg.

Mills takes over the title from Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar, who was named Miss World 2009 at a ceremony in South Africa last December.

Women from more than 100 countries participated in the contest, organizers said.

This is the 60th year of the Miss World Competition, and organizers brought back contestants from past decades to give the night a retrospective theme.



Source: news.yahoo.com

New Video: Terry G – Sangalow Part 2

Ginjah Ur Swaggah Season 1 can be classified as Terry G’s breakthrough album; with its flagship single – Free Madness hitting mammoth status, making it one of the hottest songs of 2009.

On the third video from the said album, Sangalow Part 2 (Free Madness Pt. 2 and Troway being the first and second respectively) Mr. Ginjah directs the video himself. He features like minded Denrele and a cameo from dance queen – Kaffy.

On a side note, we’re definitely loving the lense-less spectacled look he’s recently been sporting.



Source: bellanaija.com

Basket Mouth Set To Tie The Nuptial Knot

One of the most successful comedians this year, Bright Okpocha popularly known as Bastket Mouth is ready to make the next step in life, and jump the broom. Yes he is getting married.

He will be tying the nuptial knots with his longtime girlfriend Elsie Uzonma next week. The traditional version of the wedding will be taking place on November 1st 2010, while the wedding proper will be on November 6th 2010 both ceremonies will be taking place in Lagos.

The Wedding Company will manage the wedding, while Uche Majekodunmi’s Newton and David will handle decor. Bonix will take care of food and drinks.

2face, Banky W, Dare Art Alade are billed to perform at the wedding.

Congratulations to Bright & Elsie. Stayed tuned for pictures from the wedding in a few weeks.

*** Shout out to Big Sam Media

Source: jaguda.com

Genevieve Nnaji is a “Connector of the Day” on CNN Connect the World airing in November 2010

Genevieve Nnaji with CNN anchor - Max Foster

Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji has been chosen as a “Connector of the Day” on CNN’s programme, Connect the World. Genevieve filmed her segment yesterday, 28th October 2010 at the CNN Studios in London and viewers from around the world sent in questions via various social networking platforms. Nollywood Uncut editor, publicist and scriptwriter, Bola Aduwo was featured via telephone on CNN’s Connect the World – Brazil/Nigeria show, she maintained contact with the producers and suggested Genevieve as a “Connector of the Day” and it was done.

Connect the World takes viewers on a sweeping journey across continents, beyond headlines and into the stories that are changing our world. In the segment, Connector of the Day, viewers get a chance to connect with some of their favorite personalities by sending in their questions and having them answered. Genevieve has joined the ranks of recent “connectors” including Matt Damon, Condoleezza Rice, Roberto Cavalli, Jose Carreras, Sheryl Crow and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

Though the air date is not confirmed, it will likely air during the Week of November 8th 2010.
Genevieve shared her excitement about the feature via social networking site, Twitter and also in a behind-the-scenes video which has been uploaded to the CNN Connect the World Facebook page. Also read Gene’s “Future Connector” profile on CNN.com.



Source: bellanaija.com

Video WORLD: P-Square – Gimme That

Brand new video from P-Square. It is for the track “Gimme That“. P-Square have had an outstanding year so far. They are now taking a break in their new home “Square Villa” and gearing up for their European tour which will kick off in a few months. The video features P-Square at a party surrounded by a bevy of women vying for their attention. As always, it was directed by Jude ‘Engees’ Okoye.



Source: bellanaija.com

Nigeria's secret police intercept weapons shipment

A large shipment of weapons has been seized by Nigeria's State Security Service at the port in Lagos city.

The secret police say they intercepted 13 containers, some of which had rocket launchers and grenades and other explosives hidden under tiles.

The authorities have said they cannot say who owned the containers or their intended destination.

But correspondents say the discovery has increased fears of possible violence during next year's elections.

'Major departure'

Intelligence agencies say they are still sifting through the weapons and they also included artillery rockets, mortar rounds and rocket launchers.

The BBC's Caroline Duffield in Lagos says the type of weapons described makes this a major departure from previous arms hauls.

Only a small part of the arsenal was shown to the media, she says, but it was enough to worry security experts.

They identified the artillery rockets as Norinco rockets - a type used by the Taliban in Afghanistan - suitable for high-intensity warfare.

Official sources told the BBC the shipment came from Iran.

But the National Security Adviser, Andrew Owoye Azazi, told journalists the authorities were still establishing the origin of the weapons and their intended destination.

"At this point, the only thing we can say is that we have some armaments we have discovered at the port... Let's not jump to conclusions," Mr Azazi said.

Officials told the BBC there had been some arrests, but gave no further details.

Security fears

Security has been stepped up in Lagos since the bombings on 1 October during celebrations of the 50th anniversary of independence.

A militant group from the oil-producing Niger Delta region claimed responsibility for the blasts, and it has threatened to strike again.

Our correspondent says that group has never used heavy weapons of the type just seized in its attacks, and there are fears it might be changing its tactics.

But there is also insecurity in Nigeria's northeast involving the radical Islamist group, Boko Haram -- and this arms find is also prompting fears of a new uprising there, our correspondent adds.

Source: bbc.co.uk

New York bed bugs invade UN building

Mayor worried about their effect on city's global image

UNITED NATIONS - New York's bed bug epidemic has struck the UN headquarters which confirmed Wednesday that the dreaded insect has been detected.


The blood-sucking bugs have been found at landmarks such as the Empire State building, department stores such as Bloomingdales, big name hotels and the Carnegie Hall in recent months and authorities have warned the problem is worsening.


A UN spokesman said the insects were found on October 22 in the library at the world body's headquarters and one week earlier on the upper floors of the HQ. An infestation in 2009 led to an outer building being fumigated. The spokesman stressed however that no staff had reported being bitten.


"We continue to follow the expert advice of our exterminator specialist making further tests with the bed bug sniffing dog to more fully assess and manage the problem," said the spokesman.


New York mayor Michael Bloomberg expressed concern this week about the effect the brown insects are having on the city's global image.


The bed bug's bite is a little painful rather than dangerous, but inhabitants are scared because the creature mainly attacks when people are asleep.

Source: montrealgazette.com

Inside SquareVilla… Pictures From P-Square’s Mansion

There has been a lot of speculation about the mansion, and how much it cost. Is it N100 million? N300 million? or N500 million? Whatever the price is, it sure looks like they spent a good amount of money on it. Here are a few words from Peter when asked about the price of the mansion:

“Getting a land in Omole Estate (Ikeja, Lagos) alone is N100m. When you look at the house, especially the finishing, it is over $2million. When people speculated that the house was worth N300 million, we had not even finished the interior. What do you think is the cost of a mansion that has a swimming pool, six living rooms, ten master bedrooms, all fully furnished? It’s far more than the speculated N300million”





Source: jaguda.com

Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2010 Nominees

NMVA HOTS UP – Press Release

As preparations for the fourth consecutive edition of Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) heats up, expectations are very high in every sector of the entertainment industry as to what to expect in this year’s event that is fast positioning as the most credible, most respected and most attractive out of Africa.

While the tempo is being sustained, the awards organizers remain resolute on their commitment to transparency and as such are weary of all lobbyists warming them to stay at bay as only good videos will be duly rewarded.

The event will take place at The New Exhibition Hall of Eko Hotel & Suites on November 28 and lots of plans are already in the pipeline. The lineup of artistes performing at this year’s award is quite legendary and it is something every music lover should be looking forward to. The nominees for the awards have since started canvassing for votes from their fans which can be done on the
award’s website, www.livebeats.net.

After the Saturday July 30, 2010 re-broadcast of the third edition of the awards on MNET via DSTV’s Africa Magic channel, the attention of the whole world was drawn to the first music video awards in Nigeria. The Nigeria Music Video Awards also received the NAFDAC stamp few weeks back. The Director General, Mr. Paul Orhii, a showbiz enthusiast, lauded NMVA as a truly Nigerian brand that is deserving of all the support it can get.

Artistes who were hitherto unknown were brought to the fore by NMVA owing to their excellently produced videos. In this league are names like, H-man, Mc-Loph, Jaywon and others; while also balancing their technical counterparts by rewarding new directors, editors, cinematographers and choreographers, e.t.c. New directors like, Mex, Gbenga Salu, Sesan Ogunro (who came all the way from the U.K to receive his honors), Wudi Awa, Bobby Hai and a host of others were encouraged to continue contributing their quota to the trail blazing feat of DJ Tee and Clarence Peters. The NMVA has established that artistes and video directors as well as producers can share the glory side by side on the same stage as witnessed at the very successful 2009 edition.

THE COMPLETE LIST OF NMVA NOMINEES
1. BEST AFRO HIP-HOP
ZAAKI -CATCH FIRE
LYNXXX- CHANGE YOUR PARADE
RAW- O CHUKWU
NIKKY LAOYE- TAKA SUFE
DAGRIN- PON PON PON

2. BEST MAIN STREAM HIP-HOP
BOUQUI- TAKE YOU AWAY
JESSE JAGZ- JAGO
MODENINE- RHYME TIGHT
YOUNG HANZ- DISPLAY
OVER DOSE- ALUJO

3. BEST CONTEMPORARY AFRO
KEFEE- THANK GOD
EVA- NA SO
SOUND SULTAN- 2010
SOLID STAR- ONE IN A MILLION
TIMAYA- PLANTAIN BOY

4. BEST AFRO POP
D’BANJ- ENDOWED
2FACE- ONLY ME
GOLDIE- YOU KNOW IT
BANKY W- LAGOS PARTY
WANDE COAL- WHO BORN THE MAGA

5. BEST REGGAE/ DANCE- HALL
MAHEEDA DUTTY- WINE
GENERAL PYPE- CHAMPION
AFRICAN CHINA- IF YOU LOVE SOMEBODY
CODE READ PATRICIA
RUFFMAN- BEAUTIFUL

6. BEST GOSPEL
KEFEE- THANK GOD
KSB- TURN ME AROUND
MANIE- X JUST LIKE YOU
NIKKY LAOYE- TAKA SUFE
ANNIE- COME AND SEE

7. BEST R ‘N’ B
BANKY W- STRONG TING
IBIYEMI- DON’T LEAVE ME
FEMI- BABY I GOT IT
MIKE ANYASODO- FINE FINE LADY
ESSENCE- FACE BOOK LOVE

8. BEST HIGH- LIFE
EEDRIS- CALABAR GIRL
BRACKET- ADA OWERRI
J MARTINS- EVA
GBOOF KWASA

9. BEST USE OF ANIMATION
T.W.O- I NEED SOMEONE
ALEC GODWIN- YOU AND I
WORKERMAN MOVEMENT- SWAGGER THIS, SWAGGER THAT

10. BEST USE OF CHOREOGRAPHY
KAFFY- OMO GIDI
DIPP- POP OFF SELECTA
WANDE COAL- WHO BORN THE MAGA
STYL PLUS- READY TO GO

11. BEST FUJI MUSIC VIDEO
DEKUNLE FUJI- OLUWA FUNMILAYO
FAITH AJIBOYE- JOMI LOJU

12. BEST AFRO BEATS MUSIC VIDEO
LAGBAJA- SOBOLATION
FELA VIVA AFRICA
ISRAEL- YES AMEN

13. BEST DIRECTOR
WUDI
CLARENCE
MEX
SESAN

14. BEST EDITOR
CLARENCE PETERS
WUDI AWA
GBENGA SALU
DJ TEE
MEX

15. BEST INDIGENOUS CONCEPT
KEFEE- THANK YOU
ISRAEL ABIARA- YES, AMEN
VIVIEN- IJO
IMAGE NOT AFRAID

16. BEST VIDEO BY A NEW ARTISTE
SOLID STAR- ONE IN A MILLION
MIKE ANYASODO- FINE FINE LADY
YOUNG HANZ- DISPLAY
MOCHEDDAH- IF YOU WANT ME
MESHACK- FEELING INSIDE

17. BEST SOFT- ROCK VIDEO
CONTRADICTION- DREAMS (PLACES TOGO)
DJINEE- OVER KILLING
MAD-ONNA TAMARA
HO SMITH BROWN SUGAR

18. BEST USE OF EFFECTS
DIPP- POP OFF SELECTA
DJINEE- OVER KILLING
D’BANJ- ENDOWED
MANIE-X JUST LIKE YOU
ZAAKY- CATCH FIRE

19. VIDEO OF THE YEAR
GOLDIE- YOU KNOW IT
2FACE- ONLY ME
BANKY W- STRONG TING
D’BANJ- ENDOWED
DIPP POP- OFF SELECTA

20. BEST PRODUCER
KENNIS MUSIC
EMPIRE MATES RECORDS
EFFYZZIE ENTERTAINMENT
MO’ HITS RECORDS

21. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
CLARENCE PETERS (GOLDIE-YOU KNOW IT)
TOSIN IGHO (IBIYEMI-DON’T LEAVE ME)
SESAN (D’BANJ- ENDOWED)
AK ONE (KAFFY- OMO GIDI)
GBENGA SALU (KSB- TURN ME AROUND)

22. MOST POPULAR MUSIC VIDEO IN EUROPE
MO EASY- RED CARPET
ADASHOOK- NAIJA GIRL
166FAMILY JEUN LO
JJC- WE ARE AFRICANS
DK WAA LAST

23. BEST USE OF COSTUME
GOLDIE- YOU KNOW IT
BANKY W- STRONG TING
XTACY- E GO BETA
DIPP- POP OFF SELECTA
KAFFY- OMO GIDI

24. BEST NEW DIRECTOR
GINI (DAGRIN -PON, PON, PON)
FRIZZLE (NIKKY LAOYE-TAKASUFE)
JAMES OLUDARE (MAHEEDA -DUTTY WINE)
KEMI ADETIBA (BANKY W-LAGOS PARTY)

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Source: jaguda.com