MNet launches “Let’s Dance” reality television

By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare, Lagos - updated: Friday 06-02-2009

From right, Joseph Hundah, Managing
Director MultiChoice Nigeria;
Erika Klopper, General Manager M-Net
and Biola Adekanbi,Head of Operations
M-Net, Sub-Sahara Africa at the
launch of “Let’s Dance”,
a new reality TV competition on DStv
in Victoria Island, Lagos recently.MNet, MultiChoice has launched a new reality television tagged “Let’s Dance,” as part of efforts to develop more local content for the DStv bouquet. The move, it was learnt is also intended to help discover and nurture more Nigerian talents with potential to do the country and the continent proud in the promotion of Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

Let’s Dance reality series has over 16 episodes and a total of US$80,000 up for grabs and will be screened on MNet West Channel 102 on DStv every Sunday at 8.00pm local time.

In her welcome address at the launch, which held at Jade Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos recently, Ms. Biola Adekanbi, MNet’s Director of Operations for Sub-Sahara Africa, said, “Let’s Dance will be very exciting,” adding that, “MNet is currently conducting auditions in 4 Nige
rian cities: Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Benin to select 48 extraordinary dance couples. The number will be pruned to 12 couples before being eliminated, one by one every week, by viewers’ votes. The best dancing couple will go home with a grand prize of US$50,000. First runner-up couple will go home with US$20,000 while the second runner-up couple will collect US$10,000.”

She added that competing couples will dance to various music genres ranging from salsa to rumba, to stomp and to a variety of Nigerian dances. She further added, “Every week throughout the duration of the show, a couple will be kept in the show or eliminated strictly by viewers’ votes. As the competition progresses and the number of competing couples reduce, challenges for the couples will increase, as they will be exposed to more rigorous dance routines to determine the very best among them.”

According to Segun Fayose, Public Relations Executive, MultiChoice Nigeria, “The dance reality series is designed to celebrate Nigeria ’s dance culture. Nigeria is a country where music and dance form part of communal living.” He urged DStv subscribers to enjoy the thrill and excitement of the fancy footwork that will be on display, vote for their favourites and watch out for the duo who will emerge as the Ultimate Dancing Couple.

Smirnoff Ice Party (SIP) in your hood ignites Lokoja - Makurdi next on the train

By David Ajiboye

The confluence town of Lokoja in Kogi state was literally ignited when the Smirnoff Ice Sip in Your Hood party berthed there recently. The Wood Bar of the prestigious Lokoja Club was filled to capacity with party buffs and aficionados who rocked well into the wee hours to the scintillating music from the DJ.

The party is geared towards giving Smirnoff Ice brand ambassadors and loyalists an opportunity to unwind and have fun with friends and colleagues, an opportunity they seized with both hands as they commend Smirnoff Ice for bringing the party to their ‘hood’.

Adejo Ogiri and Matthew Musa who described themselves as ‘up coming artists’ commended the brand for the initiative. ‘’Lokoja is a sleepy town with little or no opportunity to unwind, so we applaud Smirnoff Ice for this bold initiative which will go a long way in igniting the entertainment scene of the town.’’

According to Uche Onwudiwe, Brand Manager Smirnoff Ice, the ‘SIP In Your Hood’ party is the brands activation geared at delivering the best of nightlife to Nigerians and most especially its loyal consumers. It is an opportunity to give consumers a brand experience also to provide a unique platform for consumers to interact and connect with themselves freely.

Smirnoff Ice Party (SIP) In Your Hood is taking this entertaining event to major towns across the nation giving everyone a feel of the Smirnoff® Experience.

Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna and Abuja are amongst several cities in the country that will play host to the unending musical rendezvous which will climax in Lagos on March 14 at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech).

Smirnoff Ice, a refreshing pre-mix alcoholic drink that comes in an exciting 300ml bottle with 5.5% alcohol is a brand associated worldwide with the hosting of high ‘energy and exciting’ parties. Essentially, Smirnoff Ice is renowned worldwide for its invigorating and refreshing taste. It is also available in 300ml cans.

Largely because it is easy to drink and offers great variety, Smirnoff Ice is being sold in over 65 countries across four continents, and earned ‘Brand of the Year’ title in the United Kingdom where about two million bottles were consumed in the first three years of introduction.

The success story continued in the United States where Smirnoff Ice sells highest, with 960 million bottles consumed annually.

Prophetess Olayeni out with Hello Olodumare

By Adewale Oshodi

Prophetess Edna
Olayeni.
Inset is the CEO, Crystal
Music, Mighty Henry
DicksonProphetess Edna Olayeni’s debut album, Hello Olodumare, will soon hit the markets, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Crystal Music Studio, Ibadan, Mighty Henry Dickson, the outfit responsible for the recording of the album.

According to Mighty Dickson, who is also a lecturer at the Department of Music Technology at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, work on the album, which is a combination of praise songs and prayer, will likely be released in March.

He said when the album is finally released, it will make a great impact in the lives of the people, as people will be greatly blessed.

The Senior Lecturer in Music then charged all Nigerians to watch out for the release of the album.

While speaking, Princess Edna Olayeni thanked God for the success recorded during the production of the album.

She said music to her, is an in-born thing. “The fact that my mother is also a prophetess also added to it because I was also active in church activities, especially in the choir.

On the reason why she finally decided to release an album, the Kogi-born artisite said with her music, she can reach out to dejected souls around the world.

“Music can reach farther than where the singer can reach, so with my music, many people’s bondage will be broken.”

Though the recording of the album was a huge success, Prophetess Olayeni, however, said she faced huge challenges in the course of recording the album.

“I live in Ilorin and the journey down to Ibadan for recording was not an easy task.I, however, thank God that everything went well without any problem.

Core DJs worldwide holds 5th congress in Atlanta

By David Ajiboye

Olanrewaju OlatubosunTHE CORE DJs proudly announce the fifth year Anniversary and Celebration of the Core DJ Retreat holding between April 24th -27th, 2009 at the W Hotel – Downtown, 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA. The Core DJ Retreat X will unite many of today’s hit breaking DJs, ground breaking artist, music industry professionals, and innovators for a weekend of networking, performances, new music and celebrations honoring those who bring music to the masses.

The Core DJ Retreat is a semi-annual reunion for all DJs by inviting them to join together, no matter what crew/DJ affiliations they have, to network while attending listening sessions, panels and seminars detailing new industry trends. New artists performances presented by many of today’s leading labels including Tag Records, Atlantic Records, Def Jam, Warner Brothers, Konvit Muzic, Interscope, J Records, Jive Records, So So Def, Rap-A-Lot Records, Bad Boy Entertainment, Capitol Records, DTP, Grand Hustle, CTE, and others allow for DJ’s and industry professionals to hear and mingle with today’s hottest acts and icons from Hip Hop, Rap and R&B.

The Core Retreats are one of the highlights of the urban music industry since 2004. The retreat is for all DJ’s, artists, labels, music industry entrepreneurs, industry professionals and producers who want to network and break new records!

Now in its 5th year, The Core DJs, founded by National Mixshow DJ, Tony Neal, is a premier coalition and acts as a union for DJs. The Core DJs Worldwide has over 400 of the countries most influential DJs as well as The Core Models. The Core DJs Retreat is one of the special added components that reunite these members for a weekend of networking, festivities, and honoring some of the past, present, and future innovators of the music industry.