MUSIC: Wande Coal - Baby Hello

Brand new tune from Wande Coal titled 'Baby Hello' produced by Star Boy's Maleek Berry. Wande Coal's career stays blossoming and this new single adds to the impressive collection of releases from the Artiste.

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INTERVIEW: Daddy Showkey Reveals Past Boxing Career, Story Behind His Dreadlocks, Career-Injuring Accident & More (READ)

In a recent interview with the Nigerian Music Industry Veteran, Daddy Showkey conducted by Ademola Olonilua of Punch Newspaper, the musician speaks explicitly on his career and the much needed break from it, the secret behind his dreadlocks, his signature dance - 'galala' and much more.


You claim not to take alcohol anymore. Is it true?

I stopped taking alcohol about a year and five months now. I have found out that there is time for everything. There comes a time you have to stay away from some things because at the end of the day, if you have any illness, you would be left alone to deal with it.  I don’t drink alcohol and I do not smoke again. I have never smoked Indian hemp in my life.

You were away from the industry for about 10 years. Why did you leave the music scene?

I did not intentionally leave the music scene. I had a car accident that affected my spine in 2007. Because it affected my spine, I could not do anything. For about three years, I could not walk and I was in a hospital in the UK. From there, I was transferred to another hospital in Germany. When I returned to Nigeria, I decided to rest a little before resuming work. In the process of resting, some incidents happened. After the fuel subsidy protest, some people came to my house looking for me but they did not see me. They eventually killed one of my workers in my house. Some months later, I was shot at a filling station in Agidingbi. But no musician called or checked on me throughout this period,
so I decided to be on my own. I rescinded my decision because people  were asking me what was happening, especially my people in Ajegunle; so I had no other choice than to return to the music scene.

Your galala dance involves intense movement of the spinal cord, does it not hurt you when you perform and dance nowadays?

Right now, I am okay but I take things easy. I believe in the Yoruba proverb that says the dance moves are in the leg. I have already started performing in major shows and it does not affect me. When the main Showkey Show starts, the people would know that I still have it in me.

How did you develop the galala dance?

The dance is called konto, galala is the music but people merged the dance and the music into one which I think is the right thing to do. The dance actually started from boxing.

Were you ever a boxer?

I started boxing in 1979. I was an amateur boxer. I never went professional because if I did, I might not be here today. I was very good. Some of my friends back then went to the Olympics.

Why did you choose to stick to music?

That is why my name is Showkey. Sports, music, acting, they are all shows; even life in general is a show. I was first called Showkid, then it later changed to Showkey. I used to do street entertainment where I was called Baba Pako. I would put some clothes in my belly and play around with a wooden guitar on the streets of Ajegunle. After that, we formed the group called The Pretty Busy Boys which consisted Cashman, David, Obanla, Daddy Fresh, Pretty and I in 1986. We were all about 16 years old then. I went to NTA one day to meet Danladi Bako and to ask him to feature us on his show, Morning Rise. When I got to the reception, I saw people waiting to see him but I just barged in to his office without waiting. He was shocked but I explained to him that I had to do that because I wanted to see him. I told him that I was from Ajegunle and that I would like him to feature my group on his show. When he asked me to show him what I could do, I started rapping. We were a rap group and he said I should bring everyone. There were some people slotted to be featured on Morning Rise, but somehow they disappointed. He told us to be prepared. We were shocked but he gave us a chance and we took it. He saw that we were good and because we were from Ajegunle, he started repackaging us. . That is why I owe everything I have become today to him.

What is the story behind your dreadlocks yet you are not a reggae artiste?

I have had this dread for over 22 years. I don’t have to be a reggae musician to wear dreads. Reggae is from Jamaica, galala is Nigerian. There are reggae musicians that don’t have dreadlocks. My own dreadlock is a vow between me and God. I told God that if I, a nobody from Ajegunle,  become someone that the world would know, I would not cut my hair again. It is a vow that I made. Many people do it for fashion but I don’t do it for fashion. God has kept his side of the vow, so it is left for me to keep my part of the vow.

Credit: PUNCH NG

VIDEO: D'banj & African All Stars - Cocoa Na Chocolate

Brand new Allstars Video from Dbanj featuring Seun Kuti, Victoria Kimani,Omawunmi and a host of African artistes for 'Cocoa Na Chocolate' Single in an attempt to raise awareness in the agricultural sector. The video ‘Cocoa na Chocolate’ was co-produced by Cobhams Asuquo and DeeVee of DB Records and directed by Godfather Productions in South Africa.

Anna Banner's Black Lipstick, You Like? (PHOTOS)

The Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria 2013, Anna Banner recently posted this daring photo of herself on her Instagram page bearing a black lipstick. Black coloured lipsticks are not your everyday choice for makeup but Miss Anna seems to rock the colour rather fiercely....what do you think?

Greater Heights! Lancôme Introduces Lupita Nyong'o As New Spokesperson

31year old Oscar-winning Actress, Lupita Nyong'o has been announced by French Luxury Brand, Lancôme Cosmetics making her the first black ambassador for the luxury brand.

“I am truly honored to join the Maison Lancôme, a brand with such a prestigious history that I have always loved. I am particularly proud to represent its unique vision for women and the idea that beauty should not be dictated, but should instead be an expression of a woman’s freedom to be herself,” Nyong’o said in a statement.

This is Lupita's first major endorsement since her Academy Awards Big Win and the Actress joins the likes of Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, Julia Roberts as ambassadors and her ads are slated to start appearing from September.

Congratulations to her

Meet The New Africa Fashion Week Nigeria Ambassadors

As the African Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) gears to kick off in May, the organisers of the prestigious events have announced ex BBA Stars, Elikem of Ghana and  Pokello of Zimbabwe as the Ambassadors.

The event scheduled to hold at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos will provide equal opportunities for thriving fashion designers to shine as well as promote African Fashion alongside its potentials

“The event aims to bind emerging talents in the fashion industry, connect them to the right people, showcase them to their customers and provide them with a platform to grow and create awareness. Interested participants can register on our website - www.africafashionweeknigeria.com,” says AFWN founder, Ronke Ademiluyi 

Queen Elizabeth II Of England Meets Pope Francis In The Vatican City [PHOTOS]

Queen Elizabeth II — bearing a basket of honey, whiskey and other goodies from the royal estates paid a visit to Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday, April 3 2014. The pontiff returned the courtesy with a gift for Prince George, Elizabeth's great-grandson.

The Argentine-born pope presented the queen with a stone orb topped with a sharp cross, saying it's for "el ninetto" — a term of endearment for little child. Elizabeth said George "will be thrilled by that when he's a little older." The exchange of gifts capped a private meeting of just under 20 minutes between Elizabeth, her husband, Prince Philip, and Francis with communication facilitated by an interpreter.

Francis did say "Welcome!" in English when the royal couple arrived about 20 minutes late for their appointment. "Sorry to keep you waiting," Elizabeth told Francis. "We were having a very pleasant lunch with the president." She was referring to Italy's head of state, Giorgio Napolitano, who hosted the queen and Philip for lunch at the presidential Quirinal palace. The white-gloved monarch arrived earlier in the day in Rome wearing a lilac-colored spring coat and hat that matched the wisteria blooming over much of the Italian capital.

Previously, Elizabeth had met with four pontiffs, starting with Pius XII in 1951, a year before her accession to the throne. Elizabeth is head of the Anglican church. There was no immediate word on what was discussed in the meeting with Francis, who is in his second year as pontiff.

Brand New Music; SHiiKANE - Suga Kane (Prod by P2J)

After their smash hit "Omo Shelen Geh" SHiiKANE are back with another club banger entitled "SugaKANE" produced by P2J who has worked with the likes of Lolarae and Iyanya.

The track is a fusion of Afropop and reggae with a touch of RnB resulting in a fresh sound that sets the ladies apart from the rest. With a catchy hook and heavy baseline this track is set to be a club banger and summer hit.

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