Dear lover of Brotherhood and Sista by Cinemax, and Sons of the Caliphate and Halita by Innovative Television Kontents, these two film production companies are cooking something together with Money In The Game.
What’s the story?
Money In The Game dives into the world of sport talent management as two agencies fight over a gifted 17-year kid. It exposes the dark side of the industry through the rivalry, but it’s understandable why they want the talented kid so badly. He could be the next Mikel Obi.
Two years in the making
In August 2021, the pre-production team made up of veteran rapper, Six Foot Plus, Audi Maikori (Co-founder, Chocolate City Group), Emem Ema (Founder/CEO, One Management) and Eddy Madaki (Founder, EddiemPR), announced that they’d selected the songs for the soundtrack.
A limited TV series
The production team also announced that it’ll be a five-episode drama. As sports lovers, we hope the episodes are an hour long each, so we can savour this mini-series.
Fresh writer
Although the production companies are seasoned in the game, they brought in a talented writer named Kaahasa Zabedi, to handle the narrative of the series. We’re all for giving young people opportunities.
Filming begins
Principal photography starts this month, directed by Dimbo Atiya, the co-founder of Innovative Television Kontent. It’s his directorial debut.
Three locations
The production team will be set up in Lagos, Jos and an unnamed city in the U.K. Since the show centres around football, travelling back and forth can hardly be ruled out.
The cast
Money in the Game will feature Mawuli Gavor, Efe Iwara, Enado Odigie and OGs like Ifeanyi Kalu and Gentle Jack.
It’s been almost three years since Nigerian singer and record producer, Augustine Miles Kelechukwu, FKA Tekno, tried to recapture the essence of “old romance” on his 2020 debut full-length release, Old Romance. The album came with a cover art that creatively alluded to Adam and Eve, but the music failed to express the classic love experience it was packaged to.
The audience he was romancing gave his first album a cold reception, so it seems Tekno went back to the drawing board, took some time to rediscover his essence, before forging ahead again to produce another body of work.
Tekno has kept a mostly low profile, releasing a slew of singles, features and his JINJA EP, but on September 1, 2023, he returned with his sophomore album, The More The Better. With production services from June Nawakii (Twice Shy and Flashing Lights), Taylor Ross and Tuzi (The More The Better, Regina and Can’t Chase. Fiokee produced King of Pop with DJ Coublon; the co-producer with Selebobo and Tekno on Lokation. Egar Boi made Peppermint, Permit and Borrow. Insane Chips is the guy who patterns Peace of Mind and Pocket beats. Ace producer Kriz Beats made Play.
Album art (Spotify)
Once we clicked the play button, the unexpected sample of a classic song instantly grabbed our attention. On the opening track, Twice Shy, British singer-songwriter Dido’s vocals on Thank You spins on a piano chord, meshing into soft jagala drums and 808 bass with lyrics about triumphing over trials and tribulations. Famous for his love songs, has Tekno found a new direction to relaunch himself? After an unsuccessful debut that almost turned him into a has-been, Tekno preaches about staying positive and focused on all the hard work he puts into creating his art.
Tekno borrows a line from African China’s Mr. President, with “Food no dey, water no dey”, but unlike the socio-politically conscious song, Twice Shy is the song of reassurance Nigerians need today. Inspired by the saying, “Once bitten, twice shy”, Tekno subtly suggests that his listeners mindfully focus on self instead of calling on and waiting for the Mr. Presidents who’ve neglected the masses since African China spoke up in 2000.
Listen keenly and you’ll appreciate the effort that must’ve been put into scribing well-thought lines. Tekno has greatly improved himself. He gets into a feel-good groove on the titular track, The More The Better. Enjoyment is part and parcel of Nigerian culture. This is what Tekno melodiously articulates in simple rhymes on Tuzi’s mid-tempo afrobeats production with guitar chords that speak in highlife. Despite life’s challenges, man will still seek pleasure.
Tekno’s voice has changed a bit since he suffered acid reflux and had surgery in 2019, but he pushed through that to produce soothing vocals with a laid-back delivery that runs throughout the album.
Cutting through, Flashing Lights, a slowed-down dancehall with resounding synths and harmonic background vocals, Tekno delivers one of the real jams on the album. It’s like an afrobeats version of singing-in-the-rain r&b — the type of song that makes you close your eyes to listen and then passionately praise your love interest while longing for physical intimacy.
On Peppermint, we jump into the unique, party starter sound and style of Alhaji Tekno — pop-esque, fast-paced, slapping drums and repetitive lyrics. It’ll bang extra hard if he gets in African Chris Brown mode and performs a choreography whenever he decides to shoot the music video.
The Tekno party carries on into King of Pop, a musical breed of makossa and afrobeats. Hyped AF, Tekno gets the dance floor busy with his bright energy, owambe piano keys, body-jerking percussion, Fiokee’s guitar, a sample of Fela’s Shakara and adlibs reminiscent of Awilo Logomba. King of Pop is Tekno’s subtle reminder that he’s the best at making party jams when he wants to. This one is for a local setting like a bar with dull, multicoloured lights.
Tekno tunes down the party to reflect on his Peace of Mind on the sixth track. Through emotive songwriting, he vaguely recounts his humble beginning and sings about patience, blessings and contentment. Generic as the lyrics may be, Tekno shows faith in this new body of work, he’s ready to seize the moment it’ll create for him and you can’t tell him shit. His delivery blends with the to-match afrobeats production from Insane Chips.
Lokation has quelled log-drums and sparse guitar strings all over it, providing a lush medium for Tekno to ask about the whereabouts of a romance partner, as he shalayes about the love that’s got him hooked. He boasts that only kayamata can make him love like that. That can’t be healthy.
In Pocket, Tekno slips back into party mode to spread his motivational message of enjoyment, positive vibes and financial freedom with fast tempo, infectious drum patterns and his usual playful interjections. Permit employs thumping log-drums, fiddling guitar strings and simple drumlines. He swings between flattery and committing to spending all his money on his love interest — all the afrobeats lamba.
On Borrow, Tekno switches up his vibe and delivery and enters a fresh zone within the confines of african percussion instruments. Tekno spices things up with a backup choir in the chorus, chanting “Borrow borrow”. With the basicest of lyrics, the song further preaches that personal contentment is key for happiness.
On Regina, Tekno brings down the tempo again with konto drums and lush guitar touches to lay bare his romantic feelings, singing lines like “You be original, no substandard”. Biting off his early reggae-dancehall influence, Tekno spits it into the second verse, complemented by our emo boy, CKay — the only feature on the album — who says, “I like you way too much / E be like my brain dey touch.” Please, is this what love makes people feel?
“Na play-play, na play-play, na play-play, we take reach where we dey,” is the leading statement on Play, before Tekno sings about all the nights he tearfully sought the face of God in prayers to make an evident success out of a bleak beginning. Throwing all his gratitude to sky daddy, a children’s choir aids his thanksgiving, but the best thing about this song is its introspection and subtle political statement.
Tekno observes that everyone’s nonchalance has pushed Nigeria to its current sorry state. He takes from 2Face’s For Instance and African China’s Mr. President once more, while maintaining a mix that’ll slap as a political rally jam and a special number at church events.
The album closes out with Can’t Chase in which he confesses that he’s too lazy to go through a talking stage or apply pressure to win the love of his life — an emotional song about having no emotions. It’s sweet and toxic, clearly his perspective on relationships. It’s whispering red flags as Tekno Miles melodiously rocks Tuzi’s afrobashment (AKA afroswing) instrumental.
The More The Better is a thoroughly enjoyable album overall, an applaudable improvement from his last work. The brilliant sequence makes it a no-skip project for us. Doubling down on a refined version of his signature style, Tekno spices up the current afrobeats soundscape with a sprinkle of classic songs from Dido and Africa’s Fela, Awilo Logomba and African China. We only hope Tekno gives the album the proper marketing and promotion it deserves.
According to popular belief, sophomore albums are cursed, but The More The Better breaks the jinx to become Tekno’s best body of work so far. Even the album art, which features a three-headed Tekno, symbolises the transcendental spirit of expanding beyond one’s personal limits, an idea that shines through this album and cements Tekno as a returning Afrobeats champion.
Zikoko’s Burning Ram meat festival is coming soon. We can’t promise to bring Tekno, but you’ll stand a chance to win a live ram if you attend. Stay tuned.
Afrobeats isn’t monotonous. You can be laid back, vibrantly energetic, raving… or embody these three elements. There isn’t a perfect recipe for cooking a certified afrobeats song, but with these helpful ingredients, you can’t miss.
Know your sound
From afrotrenches to afroadura to afrowahala, there’s a niché you can comfortably fit if you know your strong suit and what you want to sound like. Dedicate your 10,000 hours to doing what you love, recognise what you want to sound like, soak in gems from your faves, and keep working and reworking. It’ll eventually come together, and you’ll know when it happens.
Get your beat right
Number one pro-tip: do away with free beats. Holla at dope producers like Sarz or Andre Vibez to pattern something sweet for you. Can’t afford them? Take what you have to that dope producer in your neighborhood. Combine your hunger, make jams and you guys might make it out the hood together. See Asake and Magicsticks, Seyi Vibez and Dibs.
Sample Fela’s music
There’s hardly any Nigerian musician in the last decade that isn’t influenced by Baba Fela. And tbh, it’s better than calling yourself the young or new Fela, because from where to where?
Don’t think about numbers
You’re not Tems, so why are you thinking Tems’ numbers? It’s good to dream about celebrating a billion streams on your jam, but don’t forget it’s a journey. Focus on making the perfect song first.
Lyrics
Don’t join the lie that Afrobeats songs have no substance. From 2Baba’s reflective lyrics to Bloody Civilian’s storytelling, there’s always something to say. Or just be like Wizkid, swing between smug brags and what your babe tells you.
Lamba should choke
A lamba is the ultimate, flattery — it’s a bunch of words you tell to make people feel good. Lamba will add spice to your song. We don’t even have to fully understand whatever you say. E.g “Hossana sussana sutana / Sister life is deeper / Deeper life is sister” (Davido, Like Dat).
Lay emphasis
This is a great hack. As an artist, you want people to sing your words back to you, so make sure certain lyrics are repetitive and easy to stick to memory. Why do you think Wizkid is doing multiple “kolobi, ko, ko” and “mo fo oo-ooo” on Ghetto Love?
Adlibs
These are short phrases you throw across a song, especially after a hot line. You can moan it or yell it with reckless abandon. E.g. Davido’s “shekpe” and Zlatan Ibile’s “ayiiii” and “kapaichumarimarimachupako.”
Throw your signature on it
Your signature is like the watermark photographers put on their photos. It can be in your intro or in one of your verses or end of the song. For example, “OluwaBurna”, “O.B.O — baddest” and Rema’s “another banger”.
Send your jam to distro
The distro = distributor that puts your music online. Not the free download site. If your jam isn’t on music streaming platforms, there’s no evidence you dropped a jam. Because what’s a jam if people can’t find it?
Don’t forget to position your work for playlisting (editorial or regular) too. You may just be a playlist away from being discovered or signed.
Burning Ram is coming. Don’t say I didn’t tell you.
On September 3rd, 2023, in Atlanta, U.S., the Headies Awards had its 16th edition. From the amateur stage production to the funny voice-over to Sukihana presenting an award, we’re convinced it was all just a simulation. If not, can someone then explain some of these questionable things?
Another U.S. edition?
The Headies went to Atlanta for a second time. But this writer thinks Nigerian music shouldn’t be celebrated on the coloniser’s foreign soil, leaving the homebase to battle with network providers in an attempt to watch the event. Some of the nominated artists couldn’t even be there because getting a travelling visa as a Nigerian isn’t anybody’s mate. Anyway, afrobeats to the world.
Osas hosted again?
Osas Ighodaro of Nollywood climbed the stage to host The Headies Awards a second time. She switched clothes a couple times, going from stunning class to choking baddie, in true movie star fashion. A familiar face who does the job well isn’t so bad, so it’s a yes for us.
And another Hollywood co-host?
The Headies seem to forget Nigerian MCs can also wear nice suits, speak foreign English and look the cameras in the eye. For the second time, they picked from a draft of African-American actors to co-host. In 2022, it was Anthony Anderson; this year, Terrence J had the mic. I guess since we were on their soil, we had to use their people.
What production?
Despite Ayo Animashaun’s statement that the cost of production is cheaper in America — interesting, by the way — the 16th Headies offered cheap lighting, sound and overall quality. It was hard to even see people’s faces clearly.
At first listen, “I asked where did this “egbon adugbo” come from?” Why was there even a voiceover artist when the event had a hostess and her host? Was that Don Jazzy backstage, calling categories and nominees, or was it “ChatJibiti”?
No female representation?
What’s the point of female categories if they wouldn’t award the winners on the main stage, in front of everyone? Arya Starr, Waje and Tems didn’t get their plaques. Instead, Headies decided to announce them on Twitter. What are they really doing?
I will never be grateful for winning a category that wasn’t even deemed fit to be announced on stage ! Best female artist na beans ? We work hard, every single one of us ! I’ve seen Tiwa record 4 hit songs in the same night , Tems breaths and lives for music , we didn’t deserve…
When Rema went to collect the Best Male Artist of the Year award, his first of three awards that night, he made some important statements about the Nigerian music industry. Divine preached about showing up on time to shows and supporting the industry. Was he throwing some kind of shade?
It was an emotional moment when the room went quiet to honour the Nigerian entertainment industry professionals we’ve lost over the last few years — Sound Sultan, Ada Ameh, Dablixx Orisha, Murphy Afolabi.
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How is M.I connected to Sound Sultan?
Kunle Afolayan presented the Special Recognition award to Sound Sultan, and M.I Abaga received it on behalf of the Sultan’s family. According to Kunle, the rapper is a friend of the late star’s family; M.I also promised to make sure the figurine gets to them.
Kunle Afolayan hustles for free publicity too?
Like every sharp Nigerian, Kunle Afolayan used the opportunity to hawk his market to the audience. His new film Ijogbon will come out in October, and the Anikulapo series will start streaming on Netflix in December 2023.
Kunle Afolayan
Will Director K get his plaque?
Director K won the Best Music Video award for Rema’s Calm Down, and the big question is will he get his plaque this time? The one he won for Davido’s 1 Milli at the 2020 Headies still hasn’t reached him. Who’s holding these plaques, or has the gold finished?
Asake
No question here. If Ololade Mr. Money didn’t get the Next Rated award, we’d have contacted Olamide to do a runback of the 2015 Headies saga. Obi Cubana and Omawumi — the 2009 recipient — presented the award to him. Mr. Money With the Vibe also got the Album of the Year, as Asake closed out the event with a performance of his hits, Lonely At the Top, Organize and Amapiano.
But they snubbed Magicsticks?
Magicsticks is the brother behind the production boards on Asake’s two albums, MMWTV and Work of Art. The guy who produced, mixed and mastered the “album of the year” wasn’t the producer of the year?
i guess 50 weeks as the number 1 record producer in Nigeria doesn’t matter to the Headies.
After being nominated for the category three times, Payper Corleone finally won the prestigious Lyricist on the Roll award dedicated to rappers who spat the hardest during the year. A big win for the young generation rappers.
The winners of 12 categories — Best Recording of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Best R&B Single, Best Vocal Performance (Female), Headies Viewers’ Choice, Best East African Artiste of the Year, Best North African Artiste of the Year, Best Southern African Artiste of the Year, Best Central African Artiste of the Year, International Artiste of the Year, Best Alternative Album and Best R&B Album — weren’t announced. What could’ve caused such an omission? Did the event centre tell them to pack up and go home?
In my opinion, Big Brother Naija Season 4, AKA Pepper Dem 2019, was the most dramatic of them all.
At the peak of the chaos, Tacha and Omashola had their famous fight in Biggie’s house, and viral music producer and content creator, Lord Sky, flipped the video clip to audio, laid it on an Ogene beat and turned into a banging mp3.
In 2020, Omashola, Tacha and Lord Sky brought some more housemates and friends together to do a music video for what Lord Sky had made. Money that could’ve been spent on COVID-19 palliatives for the poor was lavished on an abuse fest movie.
Lord Sky owned the song; Omashola and Tacha were just sample characters on the beat. So how did it get credited asOmashola’s song featuring others?
P.S: “Chiwawa” is the song title and it’s just Nigerian for “Chihuahua”.
Anyway.
If you didn’t already know you shouldn’t take this song seriously, you’d know from the beginning of the video.
Do I even need to say why?
I can’t tell if this is a high court or a circus. But they’re in a court of law. Are the balls on the judge’s table there to signify that “the ball is in his court” regardless of who’s actually guilty?
Don’t even get me started on the fake Navy officer who can’t tell a court setting from the air force. Or this restless court clerk.
Then comes Lord Sky. We know he was the producer, but why is he cooking in a court? He even brought his piano and Yamaha H8 studio monitors along. Why?
The song finally starts playing as Omashola and Tacha take their oaths. And we see that the video casts Nasty Black as a lawyer, only he’s holding a goat.
I’m not really surprised to see a goat in court because only stubborn people get dragged there anyway.
Next, someone strolls a Chihuahua dog to the front. Confusion gets me for two seconds, then it becomes clear. Remember the animals Omashola and Tacha called each other during their classic fight back then? They’re about to have a refight through an actual goat AKA Lil Sholzy, and Chihuahua AKA Little P Bites.
Little P Bites can fight.
The court audience is shouting, but it’s not clear if they’re rooting for any of these fighters.
Tacha, a defendant in the dock, is quietly thinking what in the fooling is going on. Omashola, a co-defendant obviously not conforming to court rules, is the one taking centre stage and causing drama.
Screams of “Barking dog, Chihuahua, nkiti, nzobu and anofia” mix smoothly with Lord Sky’s beat banging in the background.
A human fight breaks out finally as lawyer Nasty Black puts his finger in the presiding judge’s eyes while his client, Lil Sholzy, sprays documents in the air.
Tacha’s calmness ends, and “She-goat, Chihuahua, anofia” is thrown left and right.
Some of the audience are only there for the entertainment and are getting what they come for. While others focus on their female counterparts, ignoring the foolery around them.
In the midst of the chaos, a dance talent show breaks out. Three guys in shine-shine clothing do a funny routine. Nasty Black and the reigning face of misogyny, Seyi Awolowo, join in.
Female dancers aren’t left out.
The judge joins the circus.
Lord Skye knows the abuse fest won’t end until he calls his guys to set-up to entertain with music.
When Lord Skye begins playing, the spirit of unity falls on everybody. Fight ceases, and they all become cordial.
Lil Sholzy finally escapes and Nasty Black runs after it.
Tacha and Omashola give each other a hi-five and become best friends forever.
The video ends with a message on the screen as Omashola admonishes Little P Bites to stop tensioning Lil Sholzy.
I want to use this medium to thank Lord Skye for being an incredible pacifier, even though he cooked the video clips into a viral hit in the first place.
Thanks to the fighters, Tacha and Omashola, too. Finally, the two adults can rest from calling the names of animals in English and local tongues.
Okay, enough reaching for today.
Nigerian comedian and musician, Basketmouth, took to his socials on August 27th to announce that his third studio album is ready for release. Get all the gist here.
His third album
First it was Yabasi in 2020, one of the year’s best Nigerian releases. A year and two months later, he put out his second LP, Horoscope (2022), and he was lauded for it too. Barely 21 months after that, UBURU, his third music project, is locked in and ready to launch. We hope a trifecta will be achieved with the new album.
UBURU
“Uburu” is an Igbo word that means “brain”, which may mean only the best heads made this album. Subtle title; bold statement.
Out in October
UBURU is set to drop in October 2023. But Basketmouth hasn’t given an exact day yet.
Yabisi featured a cut onion on the cover. Horoscopes had horoscope symbols. UBURU shows Basketmouth’s face with his heated brain hovering over it.
One producer
UBURU‘s production credit goes to one person, Duktor Sett — the same talented man who cooked all the beats on Yabasi and Horoscopes.
This one-man producer formula looks to be working great for Basketmouth and his team.
The line-up choke
Basketmouth listed out some of the brains who’ve contributed to UBURU, in a video he posted on August 28, 2023. Expect features like Reminisce, BOJ, Lojay, Laycon, Timi Dakolo, Falz and frequent collaborator, Duncan Mighty.
Based on this line-up, we can say UBURU will have music for fans of rap, afrobeats, alté, dancehall and R&B alike.
Zambia made their official debut on the global streaming platform with Can You See Us? in August 2023, and this is everything we know about it.
It’s about albinism
In it, Joseph goes through a hard childhood — living with an unloving father and getting bullied because of his albinism — and finds comfort in music. This movie tells a common African story that’s rarely told on the big screens. Representation matters; stigmatisation must die.
Originally released in 2022
It was shot in 2021 and released in 2022, but most people didn’t know about Can You See Us? until Netflix picked it up. Truly, all good things get their time in the sun.
The move to Netflix
On August 27, Can You See Us? became available for viewing on Netflix. It offers a genuine storyline, clean photography and showcases young talents. Go watch, and let’s celebrate Zambia like a good neighbour.
Inspired by a true story
“Inspired by the true life of Mr John Chiti” appears at the opening of the film. John Chiti is a popular Zambia musician known for hits like Ifindingile and Ngoleya. He’s also an albino who was bullied as a kid because of his skin condition. Chiti is still alive, pushing awareness and support for albinism through his foundation. He’s credited at a co-writer on this project.
A child actor with a similar real-life story
Thambo Kaamba, who plays the younger version of Joseph in Can You See Us? is actually female. She was also born with albinism and rejected by her dad when she was small. You might’ve seen Thambo in the second season of South Africa’s Ubuntu.
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Many newcomers
The cast list is full of actors who’ve just arrived in the Zambian film industry. There are some OG names like Ruth Jule and Kondwani Elliot too, but we’re rooting for these new guys.
A self-taught director
Kenny Roc Mumba is a Zambian filmmaker who majorly directs brand commercials and documentaries. Now, his film debut is Zambia’s Netflix debut.
Hold several handkerchieves
Since it started streaming, word on the street is Can You See Us? is capable of making grown people cry.
Nigerian Hip-hop may not be mainstream yet, but it’s not dead or tired, you’ve just been looking in the wrong direction. While the OGs pop out once in a while, the new guys are making a loud noise. These are Naija’s most unique rap drops of the month.
Street Jam by Olamide
Olamide rhymes about his heavy bank account in street lingo, while having fun with the jiggy DMX/Ruff Ryder-esque flow. The sauce of the song — the last track on Baddo’s latest studio album, UNRULY, which came out on August 9 — is in its carefree attitude.
Pressure by Caleb Clay
Blowing up as an artist in this part of the world is a waiting game, and it’s even worse for rappers. Lagos-based Caleb Clay, and PH City emcee, Sknny, weaved some clever penmanship to express their underdog frustrations. Everyone who’s working hard for a good life would relate.
Air by Lifesize Teddy
Air is the opening track of Lifesize Teddy’s titular EP. On it, she displays her ability to deliver smooth hooks and clean-cut rap verses. It’s soulful as it effectively announces the arrival of a new rap chick in the +234, with lines like “Gat many women underneath this skin. They all fighting to be seen.” Don’t play with this babe.
E.N.K.R by Reminisce
If you know Reminisce’s music well, you’d know he never misses a chance to fire at his haters on any song. This track is no different. “E.N.K.R” is an acronym for “Eni kure”, which means “You won’t die well”. Alagba Ibile raps about performing daddy duties while maintaining his credibility in the streets and music scene. Braggadocious rap at its smoothest.
Boju Boju by D.S.6
Inspired by the local game also known as hide-and-seek, D.S.6 (Droxx and Slimsyxx) gives us a taste of their perfected afro-drill sound. Drawing an angle from the streets, Slimsyxx did his smooth sing-rapping on the chorus and first verse, leaving Droxx to finish off with an aggressive delivery and some details of his upbringing from Lagos to London and back to Lagos.
Run! remix
Abuja-based rappers Yôrkk and PsychoYP linked up for the remix of Run! off of Yôrkk’s two-song pack that came out in May 2023. It’s a trap song that warns other rappers to “japa” when these two guys step into the same space.
Operation Sweep by Falz
Falz confidently raps on his new single about his return to rule the airwaves and music charts. With a commanding title to match the theme, the rapper calls his guys up as he hits the streets.
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11:11 by Jeriq
It’s get-the-money o’clock. On this track, Jeriq is only concerned about his financial freedom. Whether 11:11 is his personal manifestation, or he made the song at 11 a.m. or p.m., the artist leads the comeback of eastern rap in a fashionable way, with heavy drill music and catchy flow patterns.
To the Moon by Tonee C
Listen to this one to witness the beautiful transition from singing to rapping as Tonee C reflects on his music journey. To The Moon is the dope hip-hop track that will get your head bumping and hand wagging in the air. Enjoy.
Dump All Your Worries on the Dance Floor by SGaWD
In two verses, hopping from flow to flow on GMK’s house music production, SGawD raps about her talent, hotness and unshakable confidence. After a long or stressful day, you can close your eyes, plug this to the ears and lose yourself like the extras in Party Rock Anthem.
My Way by Benjamz & Dremo
My Way is the last and best track on Tunnel Vision, a collaborative EP by music producer, Benjamz, and former DMW-signee, Dremo. On a dark, cinematic beat best for reflection or expressing pain, the rapper talks about paying his dues, doing things how he sees fit and his perceived setback since his disappearance from the mainstream. You’ll hear Dremo rap with that fierce energy reminiscent of Meek Mill’s Dreams and Nightmares.
Sure Odd by Gen Uru
For this song about being sure of success and respecting other people’s choices, members of Gen Uru (a south-east and south-south music group), Kolaboy and Kodopearl join forces. Using the betting term, “sure odd”, they express how certain they are that there’ll always be a way, whether they’re in Okuku or Kafancha. Gen Uru employs Igbo gyrate music with trap elements, another example of what Nigerian rap should sound like — easy to pinpoint its cultural origin with a beat that leans more towards African than conventional Western rap elements.
Well, Nollywood has done it again, and it’s called Orah.
The plot
At just 15, Orah Dokubo killed someone but escaped justice by hightailing it out of Africa, her newborn baby in tow. Fast forward 17 years, and she finally lands in Canada, the land of moose and maple syrup. However, she does this illegally.
Yet another crime thriller
Orah becomes a cabbie, shuttling a fancy attorney and his big-shot Nigerian pal, Bami Hazar — who are both into international money laundering — around Sudbury. Drama and murder comes in when Hazar puts out a hit on Orah’s son, forcing her on a one-woman mission to serve up a side of justice, extra spicy.
One-man writer and director
Orah is written and directed by Nigerian-Canadian filmmaker, Lonzo Nzekwe, the brain behind the indie gem, Anchor Baby (2010).
11 years in the making
Lonzo Nzekwe revealed in a chat with Hollywood Reporter in November 2022, that he’d been brewing this movie since 2011. The producers, Floyd Kane (Diggstown) and Amos Adetuyi (The Boathouse), joined the team in 2017. Apparently, if you’re not the patient type, filmmaking isn’t for you.
Shot in Canada and Lagos
Sudbury, Ontario, took the spotlight in 2022. Then Lagos joined the party for additional touches. Real recognises real.
Badass cast
It’s not every day you see Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama (93 Days, Gidi Up), Tina Mba (The Set Up, Battle on Buka Street), O.C. Ukeje (The Arbitration, Brotherhood), Femi Lawson (Because We Are), Lucky Ejim (Render to Casear, The Tenant), Oyin Oladejo (Star Trek: Discovery, Endlings) and Emeka Nwagbaraocha (Far From Home) in a single picture. This movie is giving the best of both worlds — diaspora and motherland.
Screening at TIFF
Orah has snagged an invitation to the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it will mingle with other Nollywood gems like Black Harvest and I Do Not Come To You By Chance, as well as Death of a Whistleblower (South Africa), Banel & Adama (Senegal) and Sira (Burkina Faso).
Looks like the spotlight will twirl around various corners of the continent this season.
Ruger has been talented from the jump. The self-titled afro-dancehall artist didn’t break into the mainstream until his 2021 single, Bounce, took off few months after his debut. But he only had to put out song covers on IG for nine months before he was discovered in 2019. Since then, he’s gone on to make hits, creating a unique spot for himself among peers.
As we prepare for his forthcoming debut album, RU THE WORLD, let’s dive into his musical journey.
When Michael Adebayo Olayinka began his journey to becoming a recording and performing artist, he was sure he’d make hits. But he didn’t know he’d have to be Ruger — a highly fatal firearm used at close range — first. The Nigerian artist FKA Mikky Drey got his current name because of his habit of making gun fingers in the studio. By 2019, afrobeats had another bad boy on its hands, with a name-change, pink-dyed hair and an eyepatch reminiscent of Baba Fryo.
After waiting three years for a university admission, Ruger got serious with his music while learning to repair phones at the popular Computer Village in Lagos. In November 2019, former Mavin artist, D’Prince, saw his content on IG and has since put him under his wings, talent management and music label.
Throughout the 2020 lockdown, Ruger recorded across music studios and hotel rooms and underwent some artist development. And in January 2021, Jonzing World released One Shirt on which Ruger led the first verse and chorus. This afropop song about humble beginnings and disappointments was his official musical introduction, a showcase of the youngster’s head for captivating lyricism and vocals. D’Prince put down gems and Rema delivered a beautiful verse, but Ruger carried the song on his back. He didn’t even need anybody else on the song.
A proper introduction came with a self-titled single, Ruger. Ru Boy, as he’s fondly called by fans, glided over the African percussion fused with 808 drum kicks, likening his arrival in the industry to the deadly coronavirus. The track opened his EP, titled PANDEMIC, a month later. On this EP, Ruger swam in and out of different sounds from the second track to the sixth, including uptempo afropop (Monalisa, Yekpa) and dancehall (Bow and Bounce). He sang exclusively to women, showing off his patois, pun strength, good-boy-gone-bad charisma and hypersexuality.
PANDEMIC came out to mild reception and didn’t cut deep into the mainstream until Bounce took on a life of its own and turned into one of the biggest songs of 2021. It went on to debut no. 39 on TurnTable’s Top 50 Chart and number two on the Apple Music Top Afrobeats Songs, giving Ruger his first global recognition, after which he linked with Jamaican artist, Projexx, on the mid-tempo dancehall Sidepiece remix.
Ruger closed 2021 out with the release of The Second Wave (four-track EP) in November, around the time COVID-19 made a comeback. On Champion, Ruger accepts his newfound stardom, expressing this through an afropop flavour similar to his early One Shirt jam. Useless has a dancehall-galala vibe that’ll get even Daddy Showkey up from his seat, throwing the popular “konto” dance.
He put the TikTok-friendly closing tracks, Snapchat and Dior, with the smash hit Girlfriend, WeWe and Warning — on which he mentioned his influences, like Lucky Dube, 2Baba and the late Sound Sultan — on a deluxe album in June 2022. This move gave Dior its time in the sun as it became a hit. At this point, Ruger had morphed into a full-blown bad boy, accepting his wayward playboy role. Girlfriend had everyone tilting their waists anytime it came on, and with it, he owned the IG, Snapchat and TikTok streets for a while.
Then came the back-and-forths with BNXN which birthed Asiwaju, a track on which he claimed superiority over his peers. However, the public accused him of making a campaign song for the agbado government. The hit song was rich in replay value with dramatic lyricism and all the nuance that make certified Naija jams.
Red Flag was his last drop of 2022 — a problematic song that saw him relishing in toxic masculinity, with lines like “you saw the red flags, baby, but you ignored the red flags / baby, you con dey vex, see, I can’t change / baby, you better rest or end this now” — maintaining the honesty of a villain who’s come to terms with himself. But on his first offering of 2023, Ruger took a U-turn from his Red Flag confessions to become a preacher of sweet love on DJ Neptune’s Bienvenue, without losing his sensual one-liners. You know you’re a hitmaker in the Naija music scene when popular DJs feature you on their songs. That’s how far Ruger has come since 2019.
On May 12, 2023, he began the journey to his debut album by releasing two singles: the amapiano-inspired, booty appreciation song, Bun Bun with Jugglerz; and Jonzing Boy, an allegiance record to the label that pays him. Jonzing Boy later appeared on a two-song pack, Kristy, that came out in July.
It’s clear that fun, hedonism and dancehall-galala aren’t leaving Ruger anywhere anytime soon, not even with his successful tours across Africa, Europe, and currently, the U.S. Since his nationwide six-concert deal with Eko Hotel & Suites and opening performance at Burna Boy’s 02 Arena concert, both in 2021, Ruger has been booked and busy on the road.
And he has managed to turn every performance to a debauchery show, grinding and dry humping willing fans, dressed in his iconic singlet, belt and ripped jeans. Just two days after his U.S tour, he announced his debut album, titled RU THE WORLD, drops on September 1st.
Ruger shared that his most stressful session on the album was with Legendury Beatz, as he was under pressure to deliver a great record like the other heavy hittas — Wizkid, Wale, Bad Bunny and Seyi Shay — who have worked with the production team.
We’ll also get some relationship confessions, like Dear Ex, an unreleased song he described as an apology to three babes he’d led on. In the announcement video he posted on his socials on August 28, he shared a preview of a drill jam we first heard on his Boston show.
Ruger plays an unreleased drill song at his show in Boston
We believe Ru To World will be multi-genre as he continues his penmanship flex as a wild, sweet-tongued singer exploring his youth. While he builds a solid CV as a stage performer, Ruger would finally have a full-length project to present on tour. The 23-year-old looks to be slowly bringing dancehall music back to the mainstream, following in the footsteps of Yung L, Patoranking, Timaya and General Pype.
