Jim Iyke seeks new identity

STORIES BY CHUKS NWANNE
Call him ‘the bad boy of Nollywood’ or whatever; Jim Iyke seems not to have objection to that. But with the way events are unfolding, the actor has proved that there’s more to him than the bad boy image his movies have created for him. Iyke, who has just concluded works on his 13 track musical album, Who am I, says he has resolved to tell his own story by himself. “I am tired of having to have others define me or give me an image that is not mine. It is true I am a bad boy and that is so because of the roles I play in movies, but my roles are not who I am.” He continues: “People see my sunglasses as me trying to be tough guy; I’m only shy and my sunglasses are my own way of trying to shield myself. Others have tried to define me based on my relationships that have been blown out of proportion. My relationship is not all about me; I’m human. The fact that I am Jim Iyke does not give me immunity against failed relationships. As a matter of fact, I lost a thriving relationship because of bad press. I want everybody to know that I’m also human, capable of various emotions.” The Globacom ambassador says his album is a way of trying to define himself to the people without coming across as in-your-face kind of person. “Music has always been a part of me and I’m using it as a tool for telling my own story with my own mouth.” According to his manager, Omar Oyin Bala, the album has got nothing to do with Jim Iyke as a star. “Jim is comfortable, he is doing well but he feels uncomfortable seeing children who could be better off with little assistance. He is embarking on massive drive for this work and he is leaving no stone unturned to make it a success. The tour, the album, the concert and donations are not all about him. Everything is about expressing a part of him that yearns for the less-privileged kids. He is trying to put his money where his heart is.” Meanwhile, a percentage of the proceeds from the album will go to less privileged people in the society “I’m trying to give a helping hand to the poor; that’s the kind of person I’m. I’m very emotional about children and I sympathise with them. I feel their pain and I’m most comfortable around them because they are less complicated unlike adult.” In line with the project project, the Anambra State born actor had to walk through the street of Abuja with over 7000 children to raise awareness for the children of Adonai Orphanage in Kaduna, whom he is planning to build a N5 million worth of house for, since their landlord has given the kids quit notice. The walk, which involved notable celebrities started from the FCT Minister’s office and ended at Millennium Park. The campaign will climax in Abuja on Saturday, September 26, at Thisday Dome, where the album unveiling is billed to take place. The event, which is being packaged by Rita Echeozo, led Promotie Entertainment, is being touted by Abuja resident as the most anticipated. Already, some distinguished personalities and celebrities, have indicated their readiness to grace the event. Epected at the concert include the chief launcher, Terry Wayas; Senate President, David Mark; 2face Idibia; Rita Dominic; AY, Sound Sultan; Slow Dog; Francis Duru; Terry G, Funke Akindele; Yinka Davies; Ali Nuhu; MI; Durella; I Go Die; Gandoki; Omobaba; Ireti Doyle; Mercy Johnson; Chinedu Ikedieze; Osita Iheme; Klint Da Drunk and all other Glo ambassadors. There are indications that Globacom, the telecommunication company Jim represents as an ambassador, is throwing its weights behind the album, which featured Tuface Idibia, Sound Sultan and Yinka Davies.







M.I., Cobhams Others for Artistry
Hennessy, one of the leading Cognac in the world, has kick-off of the third annual edition of the acclaimed Hennessy Artistry series in Nigeria. The global art of mixing, which arrived Lagos on September 10, will feature series of live-music concerts and cocktail, with some of the city’s fastest rising urban-music artistes on parade.
In a bid to make the best out of this year’s edition, Hennessy is teaming up with five of the notable music producers in the country, including Cobhams Asuquo, Jesse Jagz, Knighthouse, Dokta Frabz and Mr. Daz. The producers have been mandated to select an artiste from their repertoire, with the potential to be ‘the next big thing’ in the entertainment circle. The artistes will battle it out on the Hennessy Artistry stage this month, before the Grand Finale scheduled for September 25 at The Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island.
Competing artistes are Bez (for Cobhams), Ice Prince (for Jesse Jagz), Mo’Cheddah (for Knighthouse), Jimmy Flames (for Dr. Frabz) and Blaise (for Mr. Daz). The shows will involve an exciting eclectic mix of soul, hip-hop and R&B.
Meanwhile, the Grand Finale, will feature rap artiste, M.I as the headliner for Hennessy Artistry and chief host for the night. The Crowd Mentality singer, whose accolades include a string of Hip-hop World Awards, will thrill the audience with live performances of some of his popular hits. M.I. will then join Hennessy and audience in declaring one of the 5 contesting artistes winner of Hennessy Artistry 2009.
The Nigerian arm of Hennessy Artistry is part of Hennessy’s global urban music initiative, which has brought musical stars such as Kanye West, Ne-Yo, Wyclef Jean, LL Cool J, Ashanti, Fabolous, Leona Lewis and a host of other award-winning musicians around the world to the Hennessy stage. Later this year, hip-hop impresario, Common, will headline the ultimate Hennessy Artistry Halo Finale alongside The Roots in New York.
GDN Nigeria Limited is the exclusive agent for the Moet Hennessy portfolio of products in Nigeria. Hennessy distills, ages and blends a full range of marques, including Hennessy V.S, V.S.O.P, X.O, Paradis, Richard Hennessy and Ellipse.







Eziashi returns with Intimate Moments
After many years of performing in the United Kingdom, Nigeria-born-singer, Gabriel Eziashi, has thought it wise to head homewards with his latest work, Intimate Moments.
The ten-track album paraded notable Nigerian music producers such as Cobhams Asuquo, Wole Oni, Rotimi Akinfemiwa and Iyke Onka among others.
On his choice of working with Nigerian producers, Eziashi who is currently on a six weeks album promotional tour in the country says, “I’ve listened to works produced by our producers such as Asa’s album (produced by Cobhams Asuquo), Olorioko (produced by Wole Oni) and Midnight Crew’s Igwe (produced by Rotimi Akinfemiwa) and I’m convinced that they are world-class. So, when I decided to do a new album, I thought it wise to contact these guys. To me, Nigerian producers are doing their best. ”
Eziashi described his on going music tour, which saw him perform at the recently concluded yearly convention of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) before more than a million audience, as revealing.
“It has been a beautiful and awesome experience just as it has been tasking. It has been an eye opener for me,” he says.
At the moment, two of his tracks, My Praise and We Declare Your Kingdom are currently on air in Nigeria and UK TV and radio stations. He has also shot the video for My Praise, which was directed by cinematographers, Joel Benson and Akin Bakare.
Is Eziashi changing base?
“I am not thinking of relocating now, maybe that can come much later in the future. The focus is just to promote my work back home in Nigeria,” he says with laughter.


Born in Lagos as the fifth child in a family of seven, Eziahi’s foray into gospel music dates back to his day at the Business Admnistartion Department of The Polytechnic Ibadan, where he joined the choir of Rhema Chapel, Agbowo. He also had a stint with a music group known as Public Notice, but the group’s effort at recording an album at Klink Studios, Lagos, could not materialize before its members parted ways. From his humble beginnings as a cleaner and Nursing Assistant in his early days in UK, the artiste is now married to Oludayo with two kids.
In the summer of 2006, Eziashi recorded his first album entitled Stand By Me, a live recording, which was described as the first of its kind at the thousand-seater auditorium of Jesus House, London. The success of the album produced by UK-based Eddy Martin, was wrapped up with two years extensive tour of the United Kingdom and Europe.
He has shared the same stage with notable artistes such as Muyiwa of Riversongz, MOBO Award’s Best Jazz Artiste, Yolanda Brown, Bishop John Francis, Pastor Paul Irabor, Mike Aremu and Donnie McClurkin, amongst others.






For her video shoot, Nita P shops in Dubai
BY OYINDAMOLA LAWAL
Having concluded arrangements for the shooting of her music video, Chewing Love, featuring the self-styled Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa, Ogochukwu Anita Okuno, is currently in Dubai, where she had gone to shop in preparation for the shooting.
Popularly called Nita P in the music circle, the light skinned artiste informed that Wudi Awa has bee contracted for the work, while Lolar Shon will be in charge of make ups.
“It’s a dancehall track, currently playing on air. Chewing Love was produced by Jiggy Jek, while Foster Zeeno of Zane Pro Studio, mixed and mastered the work,” Nita P says.
Aside her music career, the 25 years graduate of Business Administration of the Lagos State University, has made a mark on in the industry through her fashion outfit, Xynosure.
Fourth in a family of nine, Nita P said she gets her inspiration from the cool breeze at the beach where she loves to write. Her target is to be the greatest female artiste in Africa.