Rapper DMX now born again!

Updated: Friday 29-05-2009

Switch dance group, winner of the
Abuja region of Malta Guinness
Dance Africa performing.The Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa train moved to the Federal Capital
Territory as friends and families of contending crews converged at the Mambilla Barracks, Asokoro venue to cheer and support their respective crews to victory.

After a keenly contested screening exercise which was held earlier at the cultural centre, Abuja which witnessed a massive turnout of participants where a total of 31 crews were accredited, ten crews got the final nod of the judges made up of Guinness Book of World record holder of the longest dance, Kaffayat Shafau, popularly called “Kaffy”, Frank Konwea of the Big Brother Nigeria Fame, a dance instructor and choreographer, and Wale Shodade, popularly called Wale ‘Rubber’, also a dance instructor and choreographer, to slug it out at the regional final for the one slot to represent the Abuja region in Lagos at the national final which will hold later in the year.

The 10crews which made it to the Abuja regional finals of the ‘Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa’ currently the most exciting dance show on Nigerian Television came with a lot of excitement, fashion and motions with mind blowing performances, after an intense challenge at the auditions, as they came all out to impress the judges.

The 10 crews, namely De–Elevators, Momentumz Soljaz, Immortal Technics, Switch, Muv Therapy, Shofar, Raiderz (An all Girls Crew), GTP Strangers, Da Saints and Intensity took turns to perform in that order during the first round of the Abuja regional final after which five of the most outstanding crews were selected for a second and final round. The five crews which made it through to the second round are Switch, Shofar, Momentumz Soljaz, Immortal Technics and Da – Saints after a rigorous and dexterity exhibiting moves. These dance crews exhibited highly organised choreographed dancing steps and finesse that tickled the fancy of the judges.

During the second and final round, Switch were the first to come on stage for a final showdown to pick the one slot to represent the Abuja region at the national final. Clad in different colourful costumes and wearing a mask of white powder on their faces, they seem to have impressed the judges that Frank, obviously the most fastidious of all the three judges screamed after their second round performance. “Malta Guinness is all about Goodness, vitality and energy, these three qualities I saw in your dance” He said, but queried their precision.

Wale on the other hand expressed his love for the engaging nature of their dance style. “You know what I love most about that performance? It was engaging and I did not for one second take my eyes off you guys”. He said, but concluded by cautioning them to work harder, especially when the ovation is loudest. Kaffy also gave kudos to the crew, where she highlighted the difference between dancing and performing. “There’s difference between dancing and performing and that was a performance. You guys are in the character, you stayed in the character, you brought in the character, you kept the character and you guys are taking the character to the top of the world” she exclaimed.

At the end of the mind blowing performances by all five crews under the watchful eyes of the judges, ‘Switch’ crew was declared winners, while Shofar and Momentumz Soljaz came second and third respectively. With this feat, they have qualified to represent the Abuja region at the national finals of the ‘Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa’ competition which will be held in Lagos later in the year, where they will do battle with crews from other regions and get a chance to represent Nigeria at the International finals in Kenya later in the year.

Stars storm US for Naija Entertainment Awards - Bigiano, Dare, MI, Eldee, Rooftop MCs, Tee A, etc

Guest Appearances by Bigiano, YQ, Funke Akindele, Dare Art Alade, Midnight Crew, MI, Roof Top MC’s, Eldee, J Martin, Nikki Laoye, Toba Gold, Modele, Saheed Balogun, Ramsey Noah, I go die, AY, Jedi, Klint Da Drunk, Tee A and many more will make this year’s edition of the annual Nigerian Entertainment Awards interesting.

Apparently tagged the Nigerian version of This is our Nigerian Grammy/BET/Emmy and MTV Awardsthis year’s edition, taking place in Washington DC promises to surpass the rating of the past three editions.

“This year’s event will be aimed at projecting the rich culture of African music, art and entertainment with the goal of creating international awareness and exposure of the African culture. The event is set to celebrate the achievement of Nigerians and Africans at large.

“We are putting together a show to honor this vision, along with innovation, entrepreneurship and brand development in the entertainment industry. With awards in multiple categories honouring achievements in music, film, television and sports, we are pleased to recognize the cutting-edge developments and forward thinkers shaping the future of African entertainment” siad the organisers in a press release posted on their website.