DJ GOSPORELLA HOSTS AGMA 2011 WINNERS

Winner of the “Best Gospel DJ/Presenter” award at the just concluded African Gospel Music Awards which took place in the UK, DJ Gosporella, hosted fellow Nigerian winners on his radio show on Beat 99.9 fm on Sunday the 24^th of July, 2011.

Present on the show were K’ore (Best Song), Tim Godfrey (Best Gospel Group),  the X2D crew (Best Gospel TV Programme) and Aaron T. Aaron.

Apart from hearing from the winners on what their awards meant to them, the show was spiced up when Gosporella asked for their opinions on why there are so many single ladies in church today.

Toyin Adebola Shoots "When Giants Fall"

Toyin Adebola is not a new name on the Nigerian music scene. Known for his quarterly worship event (Toyin & friends) which has been around for over two years now. His impact on the gospel entertainment scene is being felt with each passing day.

Only a few months after releasing his first video, "Kabio Osi", Toyin is adding more spice to his ever growing repertoire in the Nigerian Gospel Entertainment Industry with a release of a new video. The video for the song, “When Giants Fall”, was shot on Sunday 3rd July, and would soon be released for viewing. So, you do not want to go any where; stayed tuned to X2D for your first peek!

PASTOR PAUL ADEFARASIN RELEASES ALBUM

Senior Pastor of House on The Rock church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, is now a musician! You can drop your raised eyebrows now; he hasn’t left his pulpit ministry completely - the revered man of God simply collaborated with “Chosen Treasures” (his church choir) to wax a gospel album entitled ‘I Still Believe’.

The launch concert for the album took place on Sunday, the 26^th of June, 2011 at the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.

Some of the top artistes featured on the 16 track album are Sammie Okposo, Nikki Laoye, Timi Dakolo, Segun Obe and saxophonist Mike Aremu.

Skid Ikemefuna Returns

General Manager (Special Duties) Silverbird Groups, Skid Ikemefuna, is not done yet with his career in music.

The notable gospel music act bounced back recently after staying off the stage for many years when he mounted a scintillating performance during the album launch of fast rising act, Whiz Kid.  

The performance signaled his re-entry into the music world. 

Speaking after the show, Skid said that he is returning to the stage again.

Describing himself as “an impresario and entertainer”, Skid said he is putting finishing touches to his latest single which according to him, will be released by the end of July.

“The album will hit the market toward the end of October, this year. I’m a gospel artiste and I will always present that on stage and compel any audience to appreciate me because of the showmanship, music and the message which I convey through my music. This is just the beginning of another era. I’m back on the block,” he said. “The songs I performed at the show are new songs and I intend to release a single come September, this year

For Skid, gospel music is a means of spreading the gospel of salvation to humanity. “Gospel music is celestial and spiritual and most importantly it does not expire. Unlike sports you can play music no matter your age. In fact, it gets better with age.

“Competition from younger musicians is not a problem. I’m not in this to make money but it’s a fulfillment of my covenant with Jesus Christ,” he revealed.

ANNIE LAUNCHES ALBUM IN KANO

In spite of the recent unrest experienced in the Northern part of the country, Annie, one of Nigeria’s fast rising gospel artists, successfully launched her album in Kano.

The event, anchored by the duo of MC Abbey and Essence, proved to be a gathering of prominent people from both the showbiz and corporate world including a sizeable number of Lagosians who had travelled specifically to attend the glamorous event.

The first leg of the launch had taken place in Lagos on the 17^th of April, 2011. “I’m quite surprised at the turn out for the event and it goes a long way to show the popularity of my music in Northern Nigeria. The album is a must have for all music lovers”, a euphoria-filled Annie was quoted as saying.

The album featured the likes of Kefee, Sammie Okposo, Soul E and Mekoyo.

The Golden Voice of Ige

Dupe “Ige” Kachi (nee Akinola) is, no doubt, versatile in the art of singing. Born into a family of music lovers, Ige, who started singing at the age of 7, has always appreciated all forms of music from classical to jazz and R&B.

A graduate of University of Lagos’ Engineering faculty, Ige’s life has always been around premised on the arts. As the child of a clergyman, she grew with classical music all around her took part in the several singing groups and choirs of the various churches that she attended courtesy of her father’s line of work. She has performed with the Laz Ekwueme Chorale, Steve Rhodes Voices, Chosen Treasure Choir (HOTR), Covenant Christian Centre Choir and Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) choir. Some other platforms she has had include the Calabar Carnival 2005-2007, TOTAL 50th anniversary celebrations, “The Experience”, Celtel Brand Unveil, “The Platform”, African-American concert among others. She has also written and performed several jingles and has been part of a few stage plays.

Ige is a renowned vocal coach and she holds MUSON certificates in voice, piano and theory of music. She is on the

Faculty of MTN’s music talent TV series, Project Fame.

Evolution, her sophomore album, was released earlier in the year and it features the voices of Lara George, Provabs, Olufunmi and JC Qrew as Ige transits from soulful Rhythm and Blues through contemporary hip hop.  The album also comes with an assorted mix of classical music and jazz. Some of the artistes Ige has worked with include Sammie Okposo, Cobhams, Yinka Davies, Rhymzo and Sunny Neji.