Entertainment

Burna Boy’s “Twice As Tall” Ranks at No. 7 on NY Times ‘Best Album of 2020’

Published

5 months ago

December 2, 2020

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu keeps reaching new heights and milestones as the days pass by. The self proclaimed African Giant fifth studio-album – “Twice As Tall” was released on August 3rd amid the corona virus but that did not stop it from being massively played and enjoyed by fans of his music all around the world.

The current ranking of albums by American Journalism firm, NY Times is a proof of the above statement. NY Times ranks Burna Boy’s “Twice As Tall” album among their Top 10 albums of 2020, placing it 7th on the list.

The excerpt from NY Times reads: The Nigerian songwriter Burna Boy calls his music Afro-fusion, not the more specifically Nigerian term Afrobeats, and “Twice as Tall” lives up to that broader mandate with a profusion of sleek, diverse, constantly inventive grooves that traverse Africa and its diaspora. Through its 15 songs, Burna Boy is by turns exuberant, pensive, confessional and political. The bitter, furious single he released soon after nonviolent anti-corruption protesters were killed by soldiers, “20 10 20,” made a compelling postscript.

This can be added to the achievement shelf (as it may) for Burna Boy; last week (November 23-29) Burna Boy was nominated a second time in successive years for the Grammy Awards and recently his “Twice As Tall” album became the most streamed Nigerian album on Spotify for this year with over 60 million streams.

Entertainment

Olamide sings on laid-back track, “Rock”

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2021

Olumide Akinwale

Olamide season is upon us once again and to kick start his yearly music package, he puts out laid-back new single – Rock.

On Rock, Olamide is in his feelings as he professes his love for the girl in question, “Girl I just want make we rock / Girl I just want make we vibe / Girl I just, girl I just want make we chill like ice water” he sings on the chorus.

Rock is produced by Eskeez and will appear on Olamide’s forthcoming album, “UY Scuti”. Listen, stream and download it:

Rage as Fela Kuti is not among the inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2021 class

Published

3 days ago

May 12, 2021

Olumide Akinwale

Godfather of Afrobeat, Fela Anikulapo Kuti who received the posthumous honour to be among those vying to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2021 some few months back, sadly failed to secure a spot despite being top two on the voting polls.

Fela Kuti gets shunned from the inductees despite being top two.

Today, May 12, the committee announced the inductees by means of a 3-minute video through president and CEO, Gregg Harris. Fela was nominated in the Performers Category, amassing a total of 545,000+ votes, making him the second most voted act after Tina Turner (548,000+ votes) but to the surprise of the masses, Fela was not included in the list of inductees.

Just Announced: The #RockHall2021 Inductees pic.twitter.com/WeocRAvSDb
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) May 12, 2021

Shockingly included are performers like rap icon and mogul – JAY-Z and LL Cool J who failed to secure a top five spot on the poll, infact, they were the least voted acts when voting concluded.

Although, quite frankly there is a disclaimer on the website were the poll was conducted, stating that votes do not guarantee induction but for a Top 2 voted act in Fela Anikulapo Kuti, that should not even be the case and Nigerians have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment at the ‘rigging’, ‘clout chasing’ and inconsiderate conduct regarding how the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee unjustly treated the voting polls and Fela Kuti.

Fela Kuti was 2nd place based on fan votes. However, the ppl who didn’t come close to him were selected to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Despite this there was a clause that essentially meant the fan vote didn’t matter. They never planned on letting Fela win. pic.twitter.com/u3UGIQGnXv
— Raro Lae (@TheRaroLae) May 12, 2021

What was the point of including a fans ballot if you're just going completely ignore it??????????
Fela's votes mean nothing? pic.twitter.com/YKLe0sqB9U
— FOLA (@FemiFolaA) May 12, 2021

This is bullshit! With all the massive campaigns and votes for Fela, you still don’t count him worthy to make the list? You must think Nigerians are a joke to you! Don’t come to the Mainland! https://t.co/FZhVNG8yXy
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) May 12, 2021

Y’all muhfvckas used Fela to chase clout for your platform. Fvck u all! If the fans ballot wasn’t necessary when then create one & then extended date even.

Y’all messed up big time! Don’t ever include any African in your shit again. https://t.co/mpiYwScEAO
— DemoLa (@Demo__UK) May 12, 2021

On what might have transpired regarding the voting stage and selection of inductees, Fela’s first son, Femi Kuti had this to say:

Apparently there’s another vote only members can take part in, and that’s what counts. So they kind of wasted our precious time, the positive side #Fela was trending and many who never heard of him got to hear his music and his story . https://t.co/xhUqFTeZiO
— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) May 12, 2021

Entertainment

Ruger releases visuals for “Bounce”

Published

3 days ago

May 12, 2021

Olumide Akinwale

Ruger aka the eye-patch man (at least that is what I call him) scheduled release for new video Bounce finally gets to the big screen. The video is directed by Prior Gold.

Bounce, a certified fan favourite off of the “Pandemic” EP by Ruger is a fine mixture of Pop intertwined with Dancehall-type vocals and lyrics. The video has Ruger showing public display of affection (PDA) to his lover, appraising her for her big back side, using catchy melodies to call on her to come “wiggle that booty and whine” for him.

The simple but colourful aesthetic stands out in the video. My favourite scene has to be when a Rastafari looking fellow tried to steal the show from Ruger, by trying to woo Ruger’s chick but was bodied and put in a cooler while Ruger dances on it, controlling the crowd and the party continued like a murder did not just occur.

Watch the video yourself: