Sunday 28 April 2019
Bliss with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo
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BDSUNDAY 29
Email: chiwuagwu@yahoo.com Phone number (SMS only) 08057511893
I’m not competing with anybody – Guchi
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udding singer, Guchi, has said no matter how fierce and stiff the music industry in Nigeria is; she is not in any form of competition with any other singer. Even as her newly released hit single, No be Jazz has taken over the airwaves in recent times, the young singer said she is all out to face any challenge that comes with the music industry. In a recent chat with Bliss, Guchi said, “I am not competing with anybody. I am just on my own lane. But I know that what I have is good. When you come out with good stuff, you stand on your own, you don’t have to compete with anybody for people to know you, it comes out on its own. I sound like me, I don’t sound like anybody.” Born Ugochi Onuoha 22 years ago, the afro-pop singer said she has been singing professionally since 2012 but decided to come out fully when she got really ready to be in the industry. “I started music in 2012 but I didn’t really come out. It is because I wanted to be fully prepared. For me to come out now, that means I am ready.” Guchi said music is her life and as much as she could remember, she has done music right from when she was a kid. “It was something I grew up knowing. I was in the choir. At seven, I could sing in public. I have passion for music. When I was growing up, my dad was always listening to Michael Jackson’s songs. I have always loved his music. I would say my dad is a music lover and I took that from him.” As much as her single has take the industry by storm, Guchi said she is not a ‘one hit’ singer as she still intends to ‘shock’ music lovers with her vibes. “I want to be bigger than I am al-
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ready. The only way I can stand out is for me to keep working hard and keep dishing out good music and I intend to do that. I have recorded so many songs that I would be dropping back to back. I will drop another single next month and subsequently, I will keep dropping singles. But before the end of the year, I would release full album.” Currently signed to a management company MVP, the young artiste said she has every intention of collaborating with bigger stars soon. “Actually, I was supposed to feature Falz in No be Jazz even though we didn’t contact him. But somebody in my team suggested that I come out alone first and then I do another song with a big artiste.” Formerly an undergraduate of Edo State University, Guchi said she had to leave her school in the
South South zone to come over to Lagos just because of her music. “The hub of entertainment is Lagos. I had to come back to Lagos. I am starting all over again in University of Lagos to study Theatre and Media Arts. The course relates to music. I didn’t register for full time. It is just for the love of music. My family believe I know what I am doing so they didn’t have a problem with my decision. At first, it was really hard leaving 300 Level to come back and start afresh but I know it is for good.” Guchi has an aspiration and that is to remain in the music industry for a long time. “I want to be stuck in the minds of people. I intend to create a brand for young people who would listen to my kind of music. I want people to know Guchi and I want the name to become a household name.”
Hymnodia: How Kenneth beat Olumide at the final battle
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t was a fierce battle last Thursday as Hymnodia finally came to an end after 14 weeks. Indeed, the duo of Olumide and Kenneth shook the auditorium with their powerful voices that it was just so difficult for the judges, and perhaps, the viewing public, to decide who would go home with the grand prize. But the grand finale wasn’t about the duo alone. It was really an evening of hymns, performances and more hymns that entertained and lifted the souls of so many people. Several choirs from different denomination performed at the event, which had guests raising their hands in worship and asking for more. The evicted contestants also thrilled with their individual performances and it was incredible and absolutely wonderful. However, when the main ‘war’ started, it was indeed a battle of voices. The top five finalists were
Gbenga Adeyinka, Akpororo, others join Maltina’s Happiness Trail
reduced to four and the last four had to sing out their hearts in order to clinch the grand prize. The lady with the sonorous voice, Mobolanle kicked off the battle with her rendition and she got a great applause. But when Olumide came on the stage, it was incredible! The hall erupted with shouts of praises and his great baritone voice could reach the heavens.
As so many people felt that nobody could beat Olumide, Kenneth came on the stage and poured ‘petrol’ to the already charged hall. The young man with his bass voice shook the hall. The judges, who included Onyeka Onwenu and Miss Ige, were confused as they didn’t know who would come out tops eventually. However, at the end of the show, expectedly, Abigail came fourth; Mobolanle came third while Olumide came second. And as Kenneth was declared the winner, the hall was set on fire as his family and fans and even other guests went wild with joy. And for being the winner, the young man went home with a brand new car, the Asaph, and N5m. The executive producer of Hymnodia, Mr. Kufere Ekanem, congratulated the contestants and the eventual winner and enjoined them to make good use of their talents.
his Easter period last weekend was jam-packed with fun activities and multinational brand, Maltina, made sure that most residents of Lagos and Ibadan partook in this fun. It was bliss galore. Indeed, two comedy festivals, AY Live and Laff Mattaz that the brand supported, would remain memorable in the lives of so many people who attended the event which witnessed the perfect blend of music and comedy held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos and the iconic Jogor Centre on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, respectively. For six years, Gbenga Adeyinka, the self-proclaimed Grand Comedian of the Federal Republic (GCFR) has been going around the South West, sharing happiness through his Laff Mattaz comedy show courtesy of premium malt drink, Maltina. AY Live on the other hand, has for over four years, been powered by the brand, in a bid to foster its stance on sharing happiness. Fulfilling the promise to make everyone in attendance
smile, laugh out loud and forget their worries for at least 24 hours were music and comedy superstars–DJ Jimmy Jatt, 2Baba, Ruggedy Baba, Chinko Ekun, Omobaba, Alariya, Terry G, the Small Doctor, Chi Young, Madiba of Comedy, Shete, Akpororo, Funny Bone, Helen Paul, Dr Smile and Peteru, who delivered great doses of music, humor and excitement to the people of Lagos and Ibadan. Laff Mattaz has been the biggest family event for the people of Ibadan over the last six years like AY Live in Lagos, with Maltina sharing happiness at the different shows. Speaking on this, the Portfolio Manager, Non-alcoholic drinks, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ngozi Nkwoji, said: “We’re always excited to be a part of shows like AY Live and Gbenga Adeyinka’s Laff Mattaz, as they align with the brand’s commitment to sharing unending happy moments with families and friends across Nigeria. We always look forward to being a part of these events as we have in recent years.”
Kids Funderland 2019 ends in Style in Lagos
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he biggest family-centric event during the Easter Celebration, Kids Funderland, recorded huge success as children and parents were treated to varying degrees of light-hearted pleasure in Lagos and a family will spend a weekend at the Federal Palace Hotel, VI, Lagos. The event which was organised by Bavent Street Live and supported by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) took place between Good Friday, 19th and Easter Sunday, 21st of April at the Lekki Special events Centre, Lekki 1, Lagos, Nigeria. At Kids Funderland, children were able to reenact their fantasies as they were treated to thrilling magic shows and amazing performances by celebrity dance group, Dream Catchers. Tech enthusiasts were not left out as they got first-hand beginner’s lectures on robotics,
coding and capped these with Virtual Reality games. FCMB lived up to their customer focus mantra by putting smiles on the faces of some families at Kids Funderland through discounted ticket sales and exciting giveaways. PS Luxury and Knicks and Knacks also played a part in delivering fun-filled experiences to families and kids within various age groups, by curating and ensuring logistical support. Commenting on the success of the event, Founder, Bavent Street Live, Hakeem Condotti said; “We realize that we are all busy and more often than not, life just gets in the way, however creating family moments such as this, particularly during the festive season, is paramount. The kids had so much fun and we can’t wait for the next edition as we promise much more.”