Entertainment

I was at the Mountaintop, Now I’m Back – Rosie Crooner, Blackky

Published

5 years ago

January 26, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

He is arguably one of the best dancehall performers Nigeria has ever produced. He is Nya Edward Inyang, better known by his stage name Blackky. Blackky rocked the Nigerian nightclub scenes in the 90s, with songs like Rosie, Sugar Stick, and many more hit dancehall songs. In this brief chat, he reveals what he has been up to and what his fans should expect soonest. Excerpts:

It’s been a while. What’s been happening?

Yeah, I keep telling the fans that Blackky was at the mountaintop, but they laugh. They don’t take me seriously, but I’ve been at the mountaintop. The mountaintop is a state of mental withdrawal. I can see you but you can’t see me. However, I’ve been in Nigeria, still performing and appearing at concerts. We played a couple of concerts in 2018 though I haven’t released any albums since my last Reggae Icon album in 2006, which got me a Kora Awards nomination for the best Reggae Raga Act.

Should we assume that you have come down from the mountaintop?

I’ve descended from the mountaintop, yes

So, what are we expecting?

Now, in the hills and valleys and the cities, we are busy working on some new materials for an entirely new music. I’m working on some new songs and at the same time, we are still continuing our performances, reaching out on different platforms, and at both private and public shows.

While you were on the mountaintop, what were you meditating on?

Ah, this country of ours can keep you at the mountaintop for years without. You know, we have a very difficult country and so have to go to that mountaintop sometimes – which is a state of mind in which you withdraw yourself into solitary confinement, but you are still mingling. And this is where artistes like myself get inspiration from. When I write music, I don’t just write – I don’t write on things like women, drugs and things that I don’t believe in. I write about things that are conscious and can enlighten. So at such times, I usually have to retreat, so that I can get the right words, from inside.

Frankly speaking, are you dropping an album soon?

Well, I can’t give a date but it is in the works. I’m working on some new materials. That’s how much I can say.

Your song, Rosie, was a dancehall hit. So, can we expect a new song of that calibre?

Well, with music, you cannot compare the different works, as they come out. Rosie was different from all the other songs I put out and they were all hits. So, let’s say that every song that Blackky puts out is a product of deep thinking and lots of work. That’s all I can assure the fans; as for how far the songs will go, the fans are the determining factor.

Now, let’s talk about family. How’s the family?

We give thanks and praise for family and the support system we have, because without family, who are we?

How large is the family now?

Very large, but Blackky man is still waiting on Jah’s time for children.

It’s been lovely talking with you, Blackky.

Same here.

Entertainment

Simi Features As Special Guest on Glo-sponsored African Voices

Published

6 days ago

April 20, 2024

Eric

Star singer Simi is special guest on Glo-sponsored African Voices

This weekend’s edition of African Voices Changemakers, on CNN International, will feature Nigerian songster, songwriter and actress, Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, popularly known by her stage name, Simi.

According to a statement by sponsors of the show, Globacom, Simi will delight viewers with inspirational stories behind her adventure in the music world on the 30-minute magazine programme.

Simi was born on 19 April 1988 in Lagos as the last of four children. She started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2008, entitled “Ogaju”. She gained public recognition in 2014 after releasing “Tiff”, a song that was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015. Earlier in 2014, Simi signed a record deal with X3M Music, but left the label in May 2019 following the expiration of her contract.

She released her second studio album “Simisola” on September 8, 2017. Her third studio album “Omo Charlie Champagne”, Vol. 1 was released to coincide with her 31^st birthday on April 19, 2019, after which she launched her record label Studio Brat in June of the same year.

The graduate of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State was one of the top judges in Season 7 of the Nigerian idol TV show in 2022.

Simi who married a singer named Adekunle Gold in a private wedding ceremony on January 9, 2019 became a mother for the first time on the 30th of May 2020 when she gave birth to her daughter Adejare.

The 30-minute magazine programme will be aired on Saturday at 8.30 a.m. Repeats will be broadcast on Saturday at noon; Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. On Monday next week, another repeat will be shown at 4.00 a.m., Saturday at 8.30 a.m. and 12 noon and Sunday at 7.00 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.

Entertainment

‘We Finally Lost Him’, AGN Confirms Junior Pope’s Death

Published

2 weeks ago

April 11, 2024

Eric

The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has confirmed the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.

The actor and three of his colleagues were coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.

Rollas took to his instagram page on Thursday to disclose the sad development as he wrote, “It is so so sad that our joy was shortlived.

“My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail.

“God knows the best. We finally lost him,” he said.

Junior Pope joined the Nollywood industry in 2006, and started attending movie auditions and acting as a minor character in movies.

He usually played the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant, and servant in movies.

In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.

He acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include: “Secret Adventures”, “Mad sex”, “Bitter Generation”, “Vengeance of Bullet”, “The Cat”, “The Generals”, “Wrong Initiation” among others.

DailyPost

Entertainment

I’m No Longer Cut Out for Marriage, Having Kids – Iyabo Ojo

Published

2 weeks ago

April 11, 2024

Eric

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has said that she is no longer cut out for marriage or having kids, stressing that her now is only for enjoyment.

Iyabo Ojo, a divorcee, expressed her intention not to seek marriage with her current partner, music executive Paul Okoye, also known as Paulo, saying their realtionship is for companionship.

Taking to her Instagram page, the actress shared, “Marriage – done and dusted. Had kids – done and dusted. Raised my kids – done and dusted. Next stage: Enjoyment! Enjoyment! Enjoyment!”

She added that people should, however, do what makes them happy and works for them.

“This is me. Do you ….. do what makes you happy and what works for you,” she wrote.

Iyabo Ojo is a prominent Nigerian actress, filmmaker, and entrepreneur.

She has been active in the Nigerian film industry, often referred to as Nollywood, for many years.

Ojo has appeared in numerous movies and has gained recognition for her talent and versatility as an actress. Apart from her acting career, she has also ventured into film production.