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Wande Cole becomes most ‘Wanted’ Nigerian artiste this week
Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 twitter: @rotifizzle twitter: @fridaytreat
fridaytreat Emmanuel Benjamin a.k.a Eben is a toprated gospel music artiste. Having produced songs that have become anthems of sorts within and outside Nigeria. He speaks with BLESSING OBUAKU about his talent, among other things.
TOP rated Nigerian act, Wande Coal a.k.a Black Diamond has released his second album which according to stakeholders, has taken a long time to attain fulfilment. The new album, ‘Wanted’ comes six years after his debut album ‘Mushin to Mohits’ album which has been hailed by many to be one of the most musically conceptual album to come out of contemporary Nigeria. Since the release of the album, Wande Coal had dominated the internet landscape. Friday Treat findings show that most people praised his dexterity on the album, with some positing that artistes like Wande were the hope that Nigerian music could be ranked among lyrically great albums in the world. A 23-track work, ‘Wanted’ features collaborations from top acts, both locally and internationally, like Seyi Law, AKA, Falz, Maleek berry, Jimmie, 2face Idibia, Burna Boy, Wizkid and King Spesh. However, missing on the album is D’banj, which has got tongues wagging. The pop star was partly responsible for breaking out Wande Coal, who was signed to the defunct Mo’Hits record label. In a recent interview with Toolz Oniru on Beat FM, Wande Coal said he and his ex-label boss did not work together on the new album. “I’m very cool with D’banj right now but he is not on my new album.” Wande Coal had said. Production of the album was also distributed across a posse of top rated producers in the entertainment industry. They include Sarz, Xela, Maleek Berry, LeriQ, Major Bangz, BeatFrekz, Legendury Beatz, JFem.
Biography Wande Coal (born 18 October 1985), born as Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe in Lagos Island, Lagos state, Nigeria, to Chief Ibukun Olufunto and Mrs Omolara Oluwayemisi Ojosipe. The first of two children, Wande had his primary school education at Staff Nursery and Ijaniki Primary School, and his secondary education in Federal Government College Ijanikin in Lagos State, and went on to University of Lagos (Unilag), Lagos State, where he studied Curriculum Studies. Wande, a.k.a. Captain Mushin, like most great musicians started singing in the teenage choir at his church. He got his break in the Nigerian entertainment industry as a dancer. He continued improving on his vocals skills and got signed to Don Jazzy’s Mo’hits records in 2006. He featured on D’banj’s Rundown/Funk you up album on singles such as ‘Loke’, ‘Tonosibe’ and ‘Why me’. Being signed to Mo’ Hits records he is also a member of the Mo’ Hits allstars and played a major role in the released CV (Curriculum Vitae) album. His first single of the CV album, ‘Ololufe’, has been described as one of the greatest love songs ever written by a Nigerian. Wande Coal later released his debut album ‘Mushin to Mo’Hits which was widely received across Nigeria, UK and the USA. Wande Coal has also recorded tracks with other Nigerian artists including ikechukwu, Naeto C, Dr SID, D’Prince, Wizkid and many more. In 2012 following a fallout between record label Executives Don Jazzy and D’banj, Wande Coal, Dr SID and D’Prince signed on to Don Jazzy’s new Record Label Mavin Records with the addition of Tiwa Savage from 323 entertainment acting as the first lady of mavin records. Wande Coal left Mavin Records in 2013 and established his own label, Black Label Entertainment. He has maintained his A-game, over the years, with the release of popular singles that have kept him in the limelight. His latest effort, according to critics, proves Wande Coal as a hard worker who has a glorious future.
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Friday, 30 October, 2015
Gospel music is my lifestyle — Eben USA. I also won an award in LMAA (Love world Best worship leader of the year 2014).
I
Background grew up in the city of Lagos, with three older sisters and two brothers. I am also an undergraduate of the University of Ibadan (Political Science).
Eben
When and how did you first become interested in music? Ever since I was a child, I loved listening to music whether on Radio or Television. In 1994, I got hold of a tape by Moris Chapman and the Maranatha singers and I have never stopped singing ever since. I discovered my talent in the church; I was asked to do a special number in one of our teenagers’ church meetings for the first time, which I did and the response from the audience was amazing and that became a pointer for me.
Artiste to watch
Mike Obot
Mike Obot is one of the fastest rising musicians in the city of Ibadan with a unique genre of music. In this interview with FESTUS IYORAH he speaks on his experiences, style of music and his upcoming album Growing up? I was born and bred in Kano.
How did you discover your talent? I discovered it when I was 12 years old. Then, I realised that I could do things others couldn't do at a tender age; I did amazing things with my voice when I was in choir.
Wande Coal
a studio background vocal artiste where I recorded an album as Double E. In November 2007, I released the album “On the Rock” as a solo artiste, Eben. How did you come up with the name Eben? It was given to me by my late elder brother. He loved what I was doing and came up with the name. Everyone loved it and since then, Eben has become my name.
What influenced your choice to do gospel music and not circular? My relationship with God changed my life. I fell in love with Jesus and this love walk has been my life and my motivation for everything.
How many albums do you have to your credit? I have four albums to my credit, ‘On the Rock’, ‘Justified’, ‘Phinominom’, and the latest one ‘Magnified’.
When did you decide to do gospel music professionally? I started out professionally as a rapper; I was in a group before I decided to break out and try out as a solo act in 2007. I had worked as
Which album was your debut? My first album, ‘On the Rock’, became my debut in 2007 with hit tracks like ‘Immarama’, ‘God dey’.
self and also to inspire and encourage people like me who think they need to be helped or get approval from anybody to start off. The song also passed a message to lazy people who give excuses as a ploy to be mediocre. I went into music not just because I love it, but also because no matter how hard I try to shelve my talent, I just couldn’t hide from it. It would always find me and I can only survive and be fulfilled through it. Music is my greatest natural tool and I find it convenient to express and share my messages through it. Moreover, my romance for music is borne out of the fact that I find fulfillment and I see it as a way to impact positively in the society.
Eben
Nina Simone once said it is an artiste’s duty to reflect the times we are. I've been called and saved to serve, to meet needs and solve problems. That's who I am. Future collaborations I'd like to do a song with Cobhams, John Legend, Don Jazzy, Timi Dakolo. Rate the Nigerian music industry We're doing well. But there is still room for improvement. Most of our music in Nigeria lack content. We are too focused on the fun part and money making but there’s more that we haven't tapped into. Noise has been christened music. Musicians churn out music to fulfill all righteousness, forgetting the creative ability they possess.
Background My background is a terrible wilderness experience and I thank God everyday for what I’ve gone through and When and why did you decide to venture into music pro- where he has brought me to. I lost my father when I was fessionally? 12, I had to live with my grandmother who didn't only I ventured into music in 2002. Prior to that time, I had been writing teach me to be strong but also handed me over to the Latest music project songs I heard in my spirit; I was always with a pen and a jotter then. first choir I ever sang in. She did a great job on me. I will drop my first album on Sunday, 1st NoIn 2003, I recorded a single titled ‘Only you can’ produced by Edvember 2015 at VOG, Premier Hotel, Ibadan. ward Sunday of Azusa Production . I wrote that song to inspire myWhat inspires the concept of your music? Mike Obot
How many awards have you won so far? I have won several awards locally and internationally; Best male artiste, PSO awards, GMA Ireland, Crystal awards, AGMA UK, (Best rock song/ rock artiste). I was also nominated at NEA awards in the
Your songs “You Alone” and “All the Way” won you the best worship leader of the year at the Love World award 2014. Were you anticipating to win the award and how did you feel afterwards? Not really. That year I put in my best as a worship leader in my church and on other platforms but my wife told me it would happen. Out of so many anointed singers in my church, I felt blessed and honoured to have emerged the winner. Do you think you deserve to win this year’s award? I trust in God’s grace. He will do it again and again. Prior to the release of your song “All the way”. Did you expect this buzz? Definitely an artiste would expect responses from his work, so I did expect the buzz, but I did not think it would be as much as it turned out to be. Every country I had visited all want me to perform the song. Are you signed to any label? No, I am signed under my own record label “Hammer House of Rock”. Since you dropped your recent album “Magnified”, have you been getting the desired result? So many testimonies poured in from the social media as to the impact of my music; praise and worship sessions in so many churches will not be complete without them singing one of my songs, all glory to God almighty.
project so far as a gospel artiste? I have had several big projects; my videos, songs and album lunch. I will say the live DVD recording\ album lunch is my recent big project for this year. Have you ever considered going secular as an option? I have never been tempted nor have I ever considered secular music as an option, because I am sold out to Jesus and nothing can separate me from His love. Gospel music is my lifestyle. Your inspirations and your role model? I am inspired by the Holy ghost, fellowship with Him is to stay inspired always because He is the best helper I know.
Don Daniel hosts Free to Worship Music Concert By Ronke Sanya THE ancient city of Ibadan will on Saturday, October 31st be filled with worship as Don Daniel, a fast-rising gospel act will host several anointing-filled gospel artistes to an evening of worship tagged ‘Free to Worship. The worship concert which is set to hold at Christ Embassy Church Auditorium at Olaniyan Fagbemi Avenue, Mobil will be spiced up with ministrations from various artistes including Obi Shine, Souldave, TY, Exodus, T.Worship, Pee Jay Paul, Nne, Emmy B., Paul ‘Marpe’ Atume, BigJosh, Sandrah, U.Go and the host of the concert, Don Daniel The event will also feature Comedy performance by Saint Michael, Dance by Buki Ballet and instrumental performance by Justin A.B. The music concert will be preceded with Blue Carpet by 3.00pm and word ministration will be by Pastor Gabriel Omorogieva.
Which will you consider to be your biggest
I have never been tempted nor have I ever considered secular music as an option, because I am sold out to Jesus and nothing can separate me from His love. Don Daniel