J-MARTINS ENJOYS GOOD TYM

The only reward for hard work is more work. That explains what is happening in the life of crooner Justice Okey Martins, better known as J-martins.

The talented producer/hip-life singer recently returned from Angola  where he went to perform at the political rally organized by the Australian president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, and an eye witness account said that the Ohafia, Abia state born guy did not disappoint his fans over there. The president himself was not left out of the excitement, as according the source, he stood up to dance with the joyous crowd.

J-Martins, who was also booked to perform in Sao Tome and Principe that same week, was said to have been given a straight visa from Angola, saving him the pain of returning to Nigeria to process his visa to the country.

Following the success of his hit album, ELEVATED, the dude is currently working on another one which he promised will surpass his first effort. Gathered that notable marketers like T-Joe and others who have had the opportunity of listening to some tracks in the forthcoming album have started bidding for the album which we gathered might not be dropping this year. In a chat with J-Martins recently, he disclosed that he will be focusing on his forthcoming concert which will hold this October at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Tagged J-martins and Friends. Recently he release three singles alongside a video. The singles, kelepapa, Pride (Ego) and Good Time is currently enjoying massive airplay.

J-Martins was  born on September 29, in Onitsha, Anamabra State. His love for music  was heavily influenced by his mother who was a choir mistress. As a child, young Jay travelled with his mum a lot and was exposed to various church choirs . He learnt to play multiple instruments. He holds two degrees in Mass Communication (IMT, Enugu) and Business Administration (Enugu State University of Science and Technology).

He has worked with very notable and successful Nigerian artists like P-SQUARE, RESONANCE, TIMAYA, SOUL E, WAJE to mention a few. Jay, as he is fondly addressed by allys,  also scored hits for so many notable gospel acts in Nigeria, including the legendary Patty Obasi, Chinyere Udoma and Agape Love Band.  The handsome dude who is currently the toast of event organizers has not stopped counting his blessings ever since he had his break with the hit single, ‘Good or Bad’, which featured Timaya and Psquare.

THIS YEAR EDITION OF HENNESSY ARTISERY IS HERE

Banky W

Jesse Jagz

At a media briefing that took place at Likwid lounge on Friday August 26th, It was announced that eLDee da Don, R&B singers Tiwa Savage, Banky W and pop singer/producer Jesse Jagz will be front lining this years’ Hennessy Artistry project.

Jesse Jagz was unavoidably absent as the other three artistes addressed the guest at the exclusive party/media briefing. The theme song that featured eLDee the don, Tiwa Savage and Banky W was produced by Jesse Jagz and co produced by Master Kraft. The artistes spoke about the the Theme song record described by Banky W as celebrating the good life and the company’s Communication manager, Tokini Peterside informed that it would be aired on BEAT FM come Thursday, 1st September 2011.

Last year’s edition had its theme song featured Nneka, MI, Sir Shina Peters, Bez and Ice Prince entitled ‘Like a Bottle’. The song, which was produced by Kas, was accompanied by a musical video.

Unlike the previous edition that involved producers and protege competing for a prize, it is not certain which turn this year’s edition take but Hennessy Artistry will be showcasing eLDee, Tiwa Savage, Banky W and Jagz to the public giving them the opportunity to see and meet fans live at the Hennessy Artistry VIP Nights coming up in September and October in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

There would be club tours headlined by singers YQ, Davido, Shank and BlackMagic will be performing live at various clubs in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt with DJ Caise of Beat FM announced as official DJ.

All Hail Ogechukwu Kimono The New Queen of Dan-Hall Music

Ogechukwu Ras Kimono

Writes Desmond Ike

Not many people are aware that the Under Pressure crooner who ruled the airways in the 80s and 90s has a daughter who is likely to succeed him. She goes by the name Ogechukwu Kimono.

Her journey into music started eight years ago as a backup artist with her father, the legendary Ras Kimono. A gifted young artiste with a sonorous voice, Oge has had the opportunity to work with some foreign artistes like: Tuklan, Ade Bantu, Uwe Banton, Rocky Dawuni and co. She has also performed in countless concerts and festivals in Europe where she was based for a while. Just recently, she was featured in the song, Without You, by KT40, another artiste on the same record label with her. The song which was produced by OJB’s younger brother, Chinchilla, has been enjoying massive airplay.

Ogechukwu Ras Kimono

Oge, who is currently working on a couple of  singles with one of Naija's finest producers, Puffy Tee, was inspired by the likes of Lauryn Hill, Queen Lateefa, Luciano, Sean Paul and of course the great Reggae legend, Bob Marley. Her music which swings from lover's rock to roots reggae and dancehall is as a result of her family back ground. In a chat with RN recently, the beauty with brains, who promises to uphold the standard and pace set by her father, Ras Kimono, assured that her job will be hitting our radio and TV stations pretty soon.

Ogechukwu Ras Kimono

ETCETERA EXTENDS LOVE TO FELLOW MUSICIANS...EMBARKS ON TOUR

Writes Desmond Ike
Paschal Ejikeme, known by many as Etcetera, is at it again. The soft rock crooner who didn’t renew his contract with Steve Babaeko’s X3M Music last year, is at the moment preparing for his national tour in collaboration with City FM, tagged Etcetera and the City. The tour which will have the singer reeling out songs from his current album is due to start in September, here in Lagos. After which it will extend to other cities in the country. Etcetera is a rare kind of artiste who cherishes good music and all it stands for. To prove this, he has decided to extend his love to his fellow musicians, especially those who have contributed immensely to the growth of good music in the country, by giving out a copy of his autographed latest album, ‘Yes I am Etcetra’ to the likes of Onyeka Onwenu, Sir Shina Peters, Paul IK Dairo, Pa. Victor Olaiya, Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Admiral Dele Abiodun, 2Face Idibia, Tony Okoroji and others. It would be recalled that Etcetera once sang about the afflictions of the civil war (Biafra War) in 1957. The song, titled Biafra, gave his brand a very high recognition and earned him a special recognition award from the United Nation. We also learnt that the UN is considering making him an ambassador.

9ICE AND TONI PAYNE RECNCILES AT LAST …ABANDON ABULEGBA MANSION FOR RENTED MAGODO APARTMENT

Yes! 9ice and Tony Payne finally reconciled and this is authoritative. Our eagle eyed reporter, Okabe Promise spotted the Gongoaso crooner in company of his once estranged wife, Toni Payne in Magodo, a high brow estate located in the heart of Isheri North in Lagos. According to our investigation, 9ice and Toni Payne, his wife whom he reconciled with lately had on the same day, come to pay for a three bedroom apartment in Gateway Street in Madodo, which cost them a whopping one million naira per annum, and they paid for two years. The agent who got them the house has his office in Tob Plazaa popular shopping complex inside the same estate.

Wondering why the couple will abandon their Abule-Egba home for a rented apartment in Magodo, our source hinted that the couple wanted to stay away from theprying eyes of the public and the press. Another reason given is the thatthey wanted  to have their family (9ice’s parents who live in their Abule-Egba mansion) out of the way of their family members, considering the fact that they  were allegedly responsible for the set back their union suffered in the past, according to Toni Payne, in an interview shortly after their breakup.

A call was put across to Toni Payne, who denied the story. Speaking on it, she said “I am tired of all these, the people saying these things have families of their own, let them go and handle their own homes. I’m tired of all these talks.”

Recall that 9ice Toni Payne breakup was among the highly celebrated breakups in the history of showbiz in the country and we hope this time they have come together for good, haven realized their mistakes.