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Arts Lounge
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
FAR AND NEAR
Bits & Pieces Culture pivot for promoting harmony -Gov. Ahmed
National Anthem composer gets paid NGOZI EMEDOLIBE
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omposer of the National Anthem, Pa Benedict Odiase, (MON), has received the sum of N150,000 being proceeds from the usage of his composition “Arise O Compatriots”, which was adopted as a ringtone by a telecommunication content provider in the country. The copyright payment for the use of the National Anthem was made possible by one of the content providers who obtained the necessary licence from the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria, MCSN for the purpose of deploying the work as telephone ringtones on the network of telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria. MCSN is the assignee of the copyright in all works written, composed and authored by Pa Benedict Odiase, including the work now known as the Nigerian National Anthem. In a recent letter signed by the Director General of the MCSN, Mr. Mayo Ayilaran and addressed to the ex-police officer, MCSN informed Odiase that the money being paid accrued from the use of his composition-‘National Anthem’ as a ringtone through one of the contents providers operating in Nigeria. “Arise O Compatriots” was chosen and adopted as the Nigerian National Anthem on October 1, 1978, but there is no record to show that Pa Odiase, a retired Assistant Police Commissioner, has been duly recognised and compensated for his contributions to this national edifice.
Pa. Odiase
Al Mansour
Women directors take front row at Venice film festival
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tarting today, Hollywood veterans will brush shoulders with up and coming starlets and auteurs in Venice for the film festival in which women directors are set to take centre stage. “Maybe this is a sign that something is finally changing in the world of cinema, which as we all know, is very sexist”, festival director Alberto Barbera told reporters in Rome last month as he unveiled the line-up. Women directed a total of 21 of the 52 films being shown and there will be a particular focus this year on the economic crisis gripping the Western world, the Arab Spring revolutions and the theme of religious fundamentalism. American movie icon, Robert Redford, will fly in for the first time to the world’s oldest movie festival, where Terrence Malick’s To the Wonder and Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master will be among the 18 films vying for the Golden Lion prize. Barbera said: “A festival should not just be a catwalk for celebrities. Festivals should revert to their original roles of exploration, of scoping out innovation, instead of relying only on established producers”. Barbera revealed he had “taken risks” with a mix of “established directors and many unknown young directors from
countries without cinematic traditions”. Music is also on the menu with Spike Lee’s hotly anticipated “Bad 25” documentary about pop icon, Michael Jackson and Jonathan Demme of The Silence of the Lambs fame with his homage to Neapolitan crooner Enzo Avitabile. The first edition of the festival was held in 1932 on the terrace of the glamorous Excelsior Hotel on the Venice Lido and featured movies of some of the best known directors of the time like Frank Capra and Howard Hawks. Among the newcomers is Haifaa AlMansour from Saudi Arabia – where cinemas are banned and women face sweeping daily discrimination – with her film, Wadjda, about a little girl desperate for a bicycle which she is not allowed. The festival kicks off with a showing of U.S.-based Indian director, Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist – a political thriller about a young Pakistani man torn between Wall Street ambitions and the call of his homeland. It winds up on September 8, when a jury headed by U.S. producer, Michael Mann with Hong Kong director, Peter Chan, British actress Samantha Norton and French model Laetitia Casta pick winners of the Golden Lion.
PSquare, Bez top Headies 2012 nominee list
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op stars PSquare and alternative singer, Bez have emerged the highest nominees for this year’s edition of The Headies, Nigeria’s leading awards for urban music and hip hop/pop culture. PSquare, who have had an interesting year musically, with groundbreaking collaborations, chart-topping videos and bestselling concerts, packed six big nominations, including nods for Album of the Year, Artiste of the Year and Song of
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the Year. Bez, a rapidly rising singer-musician, who is winning accolades from fans and critics, is this year’s other major contender, with six nominations. Bez is up for Revelation of the Year, Best Vocal Performance (male) and Best Collabo; as well as Best R&B/Pop Single and Best R&B/Pop Album. PSquare and Bez are closely followed by A-list artistes, Wizkid, Davido and Ice Prince who grabbed four nominations each. Praiz, who continues to grow
steadily as a singer to court, also got four nods from the awards committee. The popular ‘Next Rated’ category will have Davido, Eva Alordia and Praiz competing for the prize, which comes with a brand new car. This year’s Headies (also known as Hip-Hop World Awards) is rewarding deserving works released into the Nigerian market between March 2011 and February 2012. Some other nominees include Naeto C (three); Chuddy K (two);
D’Banj (three); Wande Coal (three); Tiwa Savage (two); Iyanya (two); Brymo (two); Terry G (one); Waje (one) and Cobhams (two). The full list of nominees covers a diverse range of talents, from pop to R&B, hip hop, soul and several emerging Nigerian sounds. The Headies 2012 is scheduled to hold at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotels and Suites, in Lagos on Sunday, October 20. Iconic hip-hop act, M.I and award-winning singer, Omawumi will host the highly anticipated event.
The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdufatah Ahmed has charged stakeholders in the tourism sector to use culture as a major pivot to promote peace and harmony in the country. Representing the governor, his deputy, Elder Peter Kishura, gave this charge last Friday at the 8th meeting of the National Council on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation in Kwara State held under the theme, “Leveraging Tourism, Culture and National Orientation for National Peace and Unity”. Ahmed enjoined the Council to leverage on the cultural identity to foster greater peace and unity in the country as part of a larger movement for true federation. Ijeoma Ezeike, Abuja
Ace DJ, Jimmy Jatt, signs with Spinlet Spinlet has announced the signing of iconic jockey and Africa’s leading DJ, Jimmy Jatt, on to its platform. The prolific DJ has produced multiple hit tracks for many music heavy weights, while providing music for some of the biggest events on the continent. “DJs like Jimmy Jatt are a very important bridge in promoting artistes music to their numerous fans and Spinlet has always been in the business of empowering and effectively promoting our artistes and in extension, the rich and vibrant music of Nigeria”, says Mark Redguard, Chief Marketing Officer, Spinlet. Other artistes signed on Spinlet include: JJC and Big Boyz Entertainment, Oritse Femi Ekele, Muma Gee, Fada Kane, M Trill, General Pype, Ebi Chris and Capital Hill Music, amongst others. Adebimpe Olatuja
Aregbesola tasks artistes on cultural value Nigerian artistes have been charged to use acting to promote cultural values, education and moral development. Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff Mr. Gbenga Adebusuyi said this at an event tagged Artiste Night in Osogbo the state capital. “Collectively and individually, you as artistes must not forget your place in the society, because, culturally, you are the conscience of the society and as celebrity and role model, a huge responsibility is place on your shoulders. Whatever you do must reflect the core value of our people as well as promote our cultural heritage and identity”, he noted. The event full of cultural activities was in celebration of the 21st anniversary of the creation of the state. Wale Folarin, Osogbo