-Uduak Oduok

While Africa’s music industry and particularly Nigeria’s continues to grow in leaps and bounds, there is simply no denial of the over-saturation of the hip-hop genre in the music industry. There is a dire need for diversity in sounds and talents. There is also a need to portray African and Black love, in general, in a highly sophisticated and sensual tone than most of what is portrayed on many of the African music videos we see from African artists. Michael Word brings such diversity to the mix. A deviation from the norm, the singer, producer and songwriter is guaranteed to make the hardest of hearts melt with his beautiful vocals matched to soulful rhythm and blues ( R &B). His music videos also have a classy and sophisticated edge to them. Word understands music and from his lyrics to musical composition/arrangements, listeners are guaranteed to have a good time.

The British-Nigerian R & B crooner has a crossover appeal that we believe can and will be successful across Africa, UK and the USA. In 2012, we expect him to gain even more buzz and you should expect to see  more of him on Ladybrille. We also hope his record label (RMG) steps it up a bit more aggressively on marketing and promoting this very talented young man; including establishing a stronger online presence so we have more to share with you.

In the meantime, watch his latest music clip below and read his biography culled from Justjoentertainment.com.

“Michael Word (real name Michael Bolutife Ojo) was born on the 14th of March 1985 in Kainji New Bussau Niger State Nigeria to Christian parents. Originally from Kogi State, Michael’s father was a musician of sorts and even though he was an Engineer by profession he played a number of musical instruments and was the Choir Director at the local Church where the family worshiped. (Before clocking) seven (years old) Michael was already a soloist and lead vocalist for the youth choir and had begun taking piano lessons.

At a young age, Michael had to painstakingly study and practise music on a daily basis. Gradually, he developed skills that would be key to his development as a musician and producer later on in life. Through his High School years he picked up a few other interests like dance, drama and basketball and became quite proficient at them, but the innate love for music kept drawing him to the Choirs and music bands (and anywhere he could find music).

After gaining admission into the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) (in Nigeria) for a five year course (BTech Industrial Chemistry), he soon joined the Rhema Chapel mass choir which at the time was the best contemporary choir in LAUTECH and very soon he (earned a spot as) lead vocalist/soloist. (word) began to build a reputation as a singer/composer/songwriter and soon he was writing and composing music for choirs, groups and solo acts all over the country. At this point in his life he began to see that music was the one thing that he really was meant to do.

After a couple of years of ministering at gospel concerts and playing small shows just to get his music heard and trying to raise enough cash for a standard demo project, while still in University, in 2006 he auditioned for the maiden edition of a TV reality show called Creative Academii. (The audition took place in the city of) Calabar, (Cross River State in Eastern) Nigeria. After a few months of intense competition against fierce opposition on the show, for the price money of $120,000, he finished second in the music category with the winner taking all and no compensation for the runner up. During the show, he had caught the eye of the co-director of the show, Ayo Shonaiya, who would later sign him onto his management company RMG.

Since 2010 Michael has been working on his first album, recording songs produced by himself and by other producers such as Puffy T and Sarz. With Puffy T he has appeared on songs by Nigerian actor Jim Iyke and superstar 2face Idibia, and has travelled to South Africa, Ghana and the United Kingdom to perform opening for other Nigerian acts.

Michael has released 2 singles from his upcoming album Do It For Love and Pop Sugar and has shot 3 music videos to date. He is scheduled to release his first album titled Euphony later in 2011.”

Unconditional

Visit Michael Word’s Facebook fan page for more info. him.

Follow Michael Word on Twitter @iammichaelword

-Uduak Oduok

Instead, it only fueled his optimism and desire to achieve success.

“Being blind has played an integral role in forming who I am and I think to some extent is responsible for my optimism,” says Asuquo, an award-winning music producer, song-writer and musician.

“When you feel there’s nothing more to lose — if you want to work towards anything, you probably will want to work towards gaining and I think that’s what being blind has done for me.”

A versatile musical talent, Asuquo has been pushing the boundaries of Nigeria’s contemporary sound. His fresh mixture of different styles and beats has helped the west African country become one the continent’s modern music hotspots.

“I fuse a lot of stuff to create my music” he says. “It varies — it’s jazz, it’s classical, it’s Afro, it’s whatever, it depends on what best interprets the music.”

Possessed of natural talent, the self-taught musician started honing his skills from an early age while growing up in a barracks.

As a young boy, he used to organize concerts in his neighborhood, drumming on his mother’s barrels of water.

“All the kids from the neighboring block would come and we’d hang out and we’d make so much noise. I didn’t realize at the time that I was preparing myself for what would be my life, my career path, my destiny,” Asuquo remembers.

His musical journey, however, seemed to come to a halt a few years later when he entered university to pursue studies in law.

But Asuquo soon realized that he had to follow his musical passion, leaving university to embark on a path that, for a young blind musician in Nigeria, was far from easy to tread.

“(I had to) sleep on studio floors all across Lagos, worked at different studios, worked without pay, I’ve been out on the road, out on the streets, doing my thing,” Asuquo recalls. . .” – CNN African Voices

Artists: HHP, Cassper, KG & Omar E

PLAYLIST

Purp man – Yu bore

Sarkodie – U go kill me

Nsuo – Jantra

ReeZon/Kudjo- korkoorkor

Tiffany – last one

5Five – Bossu Kena

5Five -Move back

D BanJ -Oliver

Gasmilla – aboodantwoi

4×4 -yesi yesi

Bukbak – kolom

StayJay ft tiffany -shashee wowo rmx

D-Rock – MtN Girl Ft. Millet

E.L – Obuu Mo

5Five- Ummm Aaaah Redone

AGBEKO – Nyamaa

Dee Money – Kpokpo O Body (Let Loose)

bukbak – Alanta

Da Costa- go gaga

Ketche – sokode

edu wodzi ft stayjay – yenkokuaa

Akoo nana ft ziggy – mwuaii

YAW SIKI – wo pe dudu

Kemenya-midzo(let’s go)

cash unity ft castro- YAAKOR

FREE DOWNLOAD

“ASA:Nigerian singer, Asa, is the latest African musician to hit it big with audiences in her home continent and beyond. The 29-year-old artist has a growing following in Europe and North America and has opened shows for pop royalty such as Beyonce and Snoop Dogg.

K’Naan: Somalia born rapper K’naan received international acclaim for his 2006 album, The “Dusty Foot Philosopher.” He has since toured with Lenny Kravitz and collaborated with British guitar pop group, Keane.

Nneka: Nigerian singer songwriter, Nneka, says she only started singing in 2005. She has since made up for lost time; winning a MOBO award in 2009 and touring with the likes of Nas and Damien Marley.

2Face: Another of Nigeria’s most popular contemporary musicians. 2Face Idibia found global fame with his hit single, African Queen, in 2006. He has since been recognized with international music awards from MOBO and MTV.

Rocky Dawuni: Dubbed “Ghana’s Bob Marley,” Rocky Dawuni has performed to audiences across the world as well as working with musical legend, Stevie Wonder. . .” CNN International.”

Photocredit: Nicolas Espossito

Dj black anoma rmx
Reggie- nightlife in Accra
Reggie – Visa
Mary adjepong ft sonniballi- adidede
Sass Squad- obaa serwaa
Ex Doe- daavi
Reggie- sweetie sweetie
Daasebre ft lord Kenya- kokooko
Reggie – tsoo boee
Slim Buster ft Tictac- masan aba
Lord Kenya- Adwoa
Obrafuo ft cylover- yaanom
VIP – money lover
VIp – oye me lady
TicTac ft Obrafuo – Philomina
Kwadeè- me Yere
Kwadeè- asete
Reggie – Plan Ben
ExDoe-MaBa
Nana King ft Exdoe- Champion
T-Blaze- wosisi

FREE DOWNLOAD HERE.

With most reputable global DJs now including an Afrobeats set during their club nights, we are certain this mixtape will make its way into their mixes and the music collection of every Afrobeats lover as well as find its place in the mainstream arena with exclusive unreleased tracks, exclusive remixes including specials from some of the biggest names in Afrobeats music.

ABOUT DJ ABRANTEE

Entertaining, energetic, charismatic and witty are the words often used to describe Choice FM’s popular drive time presenter DJ Abrantee. In addition to hosting Choice FM’s Drive Time show 6 days a week, DJ Abrantee is the brainchild and voice behind the newAfrobeats Radio show every Saturday from midnight to 2am on Choice FM.

DJ Abrantee’s Afrobeats Show has proved immensely popular since its first air-date in April 2011 trending on twitter and he has subsequently taken the UK Clubs by storm in recent months with his sold-out Afrobeats UK & Ireland Tour. It was only a matter of time that his pioneering ideas, vision and music made it to a compilation format of a MIXTAPE full of the very best Afrobeats music ever heard on these shores!!

With the likes of MOBO founder Kanya King retweeting about his show, popular footballers Asamoah Gyan, Emmanuel Frimpong, Ade Adebayo to name a few as fans, and Hip-Hop superstars Rick Ross and Fabulous requesting DJ Abrantee to host their concerts on the some of the worlds biggest stages. DJ Abrantee’s popularity knows no end. It seems the world will certainly be his Afrobeats Oyster in 2012.

DOWNLOAD THE AFROBEAT MIXTAPE VOL. 1 >> http://www.abrantee.com/afrobeats”

“An exclusive live performance by the stunning singer Michelle Williams formerly of Destiny’s Child at The Gallery in Central London was witnessed by yours truly Factory78tv. Michelle Williams was performing a song she featured on titled “on the run” by Pop Dance Music duo “Electric Giant Beatz” at the intimate event. The singer got a chance to perform for a cross section of the press and a few selected fans in the building and Factory78tv was on hand to speak to her after the brilliant showpiece. With a union with “Electric Giant Beatz”, Michelle Williams is sure to join her sisters Beyonce and Kelly Rowland back in the limelight taking control of clubs and dance floors around the world. Watch highlights of her performance and interview right here on F78tv.”