2face Idibia bares his mind on BON/IBAN artist ban

 

ROYALTY PAYMENT : NO HIDING PLACE FOR IBAN/BON

Efe Omorogbe , CEO of Now Muzik, is an arrowhead of the protection of intellectual property of artistes in Nigeria. He speaks on the threat by Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) and Broadcaster Organisation of Nigeria (BON) to shut down some artistes on the airwaves.

Can BON/IBAN really go through with the threat of shutdown?

If they can, I doubt it. Obviously, as far as am concerned, this is really a gamble, a war strategy. It’s something to put out there and hope that it will scare people enough to react and the reaction that they want is basically from the artiste; a section of the artiste saying we do not want to be a part of this, COSON speaks for itself, COSON does not represent us.

Obviously, that’s basically the idea. Unfortunately it has achieved the opposite result. Instead of having people withdraw their membership/allegiance to COSON, they have reaffirmed their conviction in COSON, and they are outraged and angry. It has exposed BON/IBAN as two organizations that have been so far insecure about this whole copyright dispute.

Artistes developing cold feet

People will definitely develop cold feet. Everybody has equal access to information and there are varying degrees of knowledge of the subject matter. More importantly, everybody has different levels of strength, moral rectitude and personal conviction. There are always going to be people like that.

Sometimes, people call me to say this person is saying this or sending an email to a radio station that they should delete a song. You don’t expect that in a situation like this there won’t be a section of the people that are rattled.

My thing is not to focus on that because the people who are rattled and in a hurry to sell their birthright are not as many as people that want to protect their property. So whatever dissenting voices you hear, it’s natural.

It’s like that everywhere from time immemorial. The slaves taken from Africa were not sold into slavery by Americans or Europeans but by Africans, their brothers and sisters. During the slave trade, there were black people, that’s where the phenomenon of house and field niggers came from, who were so subservient to the white people they the white people trusted them enough to bring them into their homes.

Among the house Negros there were people who treated fellow blacks worse than even the white slave owners. So there is always going to be a sell out and spineless traitors.

Jesus Christ had 12 disciples; there was a Judas among them. So, factor that in an industry of let’s say 1200 people. If among 12 there was one Judas so among 1200, there will be a 100 Judases. That’s the nature of man.

Other steps COSON is taking

We are putting our feet down. We were in a meeting with NBC and they made two important pronouncements. One, that it’s in d broadcast code, you cannot operate a radio station and broadcast music without getting a license.

There is no running away from it, you must pay royalty. So an artiste sending an email to a radio station to use his music for free is neither here nor there, it’s invalid. The guys are just ignorant and spineless. At the end of the day, for you to retain your license to broadcast, you must adhere to the rule that you have to pay royalty.

The second thing NBC stressed was that the only registered organization in Nigeria that can collect royalty, whether for members or non members or foreign repertoire or music from outer space, as far as you are operating in the territory of Nigeria, is COSON.

So if you must pay and you have only COSON to pay to, there is no argument, the issue is how much are you paying and how much is COSON setting that you should pay.

At this point there is nowhere to hide for IBAN or BON except they are not going to submit themselves to their regulator which is the NBC.

WATCH 'MY LOVE' VIDEO BY ROCKSTEADY

Here's the link to the video of blazing track 'My Love' by Rocksteady >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbAuwm2aY1U   Watch, enjoy and share. 

HYPERTEK DIGITAL RELEASES 'MY LOVE' VIDEO BY ROCKSTEADY

Hypertek Digital artiste, Rocksteady has released visuals to his most recent single 'My Love' .


The artiste who is an active part of the ongoing one month long Hypertek Shakedown which kicked off on the 4th of December is excited about the new release and is preparing for a nationwide promotion.

My Love video was directed by award winning Clarence Peters at Sultan beach, Lagos.

HYPERTEK SHAKEDOWN KICKS OFF ON DEC 4

Hypertek Shakedown, a month long line up of activities that will feature new Hypertek Digital releases,  media and club tours across cities in Nigeria, will kick off on Thursday, December 4.

Put together by Hypertek Digital (formerly Hypertek Entertainment), the shakedown will also involve exclusive content release for television and radio with loads of fun and interactive events and activities for friends and fans of  record label.

According to them, it starts off with a feature at Industry Nite on Thursday 4th of December 2013 at Get Arena.

SIR VICTOR UWAIFO JOINS 2FACE AT HYPERTEK DIGITAL

Now Muzik managed African legend, 2face, was all smiles as the rank of Hypertek Digital swells by the coming on board of one of Nigeria’s longest performing and multi-talented artiste Sir Victor Uwaifo.


With over 50 years musical experience and several awards to his name, Uwaifo has promised to dazzle Nigerians more as he joins the younger generation of Dammy Krane and Rocksteady at Hypertek.

It is the Battle of the Legends

COSON GIVES BRILLA FIVE DAYS TO RETRACT STATEMENT

Larry Izamoje

 The management of Brila Broadcasting Services has been given five days ultimatum by Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) to pull back part of the statement it published recently.

The statement in part notified members of the public that it has filed a N5.5 billion libel suit against COSON for alleging that Brila Services caused the death of iconic musicians like Celestine Ukwu, Sunny Okosuns, Christy Essien Igbokwe and Oliver De Coque, Osita Osadebe among others for refusing to pay royalties for use of music.

 In a letter to Brila Services, COSON demand that Brila also publish the apology in at least two national dailies, seven days a week or face legal action as they were not with the allegation that  COSON unilaterally fix and impose royalties on broadcasting stations.

Part of the letter signed by COSON’s lawyer, Mr. Justin Ige, read, “It is clear that you made this publication with a malicious intent to damage the hard earned reputation of our client in retaliation for the copyright infringement suit our Client filed against you and Brila Broadcasting Services Ltd.”

In view of recent developments, Mr. Omorogbe, CEO of Nowmuzik and a strong voice in COSON, said, “Those who are ready to work with COSON will find out that we are very reasonable and friendly. I however assure those who want a fight that they will badly regret the day they decided to engage COSON in a fight.”

2FACE WINS AGAIN WITH TIMELESS AFRICAN QUEEN

Barely a week after clinching an award for Best Afro Pop Video at the the 2013 NMVA, 2face Idibia has done it again with the timeless African Queen.

African Queen came top as the Song of the Decade at the Caribbean African American Nations, CAAN Music Award last Saturday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The star studded show was perfectly opened by Timi Dakolo who rendered the National Anthem to the admiration of guests. He also thrilled them with some of his songs.

The Silverbird Group – packaged even came to a close with performance by the legend, 2face.

NIGERIAN ARTISTE SETS WORLD RECORD

Nigerian artiste Kele Okereke and his band mate Bobbie Gordon are poised to become the world’s first artists to release an original music track on 3D printed vinyl, according to a report by Daily Mail.

 

The release of their forthcoming hit 'Down Boy' has been fixed to coincide with the opening of the world’s first 3D printing record store in London in December.

 

Okereke is the front man of Bloc Party while Bobbie Gordon is the vocalist. The duo came up with ‘Down Boy’ which draws heavy on Bloc Party's dance music and features classic garage beats and ambient vocals by Bobbie Gordon.

 

 “Each record will be sold in limited edition record sleeves with four different cover designs for fans to choose from,” the report said, adding: “The bespoke 3D printing has been developed by technologist Amanda Ghassaei who came up with a programme for converting digital audio files into 3D-printable records.”

 

Daily Mail quoted Ghassaei as saying: “This project was an experiment to write a piece of code that plays off this idea, by packing an enormous amount of complexity into a 3D model.”

 

The report said that all sales proceeds from the vinyl will go to charity Nordoff Robbins, the music charity dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable adults across the UK through music therapy and services.

Bobbie said, “I’m so glad that Kele has chosen to work with me; it’s increasingly difficult to break through in this industry and it’s great to have that opportunity.”

Kele Okereke, who broke through in the UK in 2005 with Bloc Party’s Mercury-nominated album ‘Silent Alarm’, was quoted as saying: “I’m really excited”

'IFE DINMA' VIDEO BY TONY ONEWEEK AND 2FACE DEBUTS ON TV

The video of the banging new track 'Ife Dinma' by Nigerian veterans Tony Oneweek and 2face Idibia debuted on Hip TV channel 324 on the 5th of Nov, 2013, thus making it the first video to be aired on channel.

The video was shot in Lagos by Clarence Peters.

2FACE IDIBIA TO PERFORM AT 'BATTLE OF THE LEGENDS WRESTLING MATCH'

In a press parley which held on the 1st of November to announce the wrestling match between Ultimate Commander and the renowned Bobby Lashley, It was revealed that Iheneme crooner, 2face Idibia would be one of the artistes performing.

Eight other wrestlers will also slog it out at the show which is billed to hold on the 6th of December at Oriental Hotel, V.I, Lagos.

2FACE ADVISES NIGERIAN YOUTHS AT 'TIME OUT WITH TEE-A LIVE CONCERT'

2face Idibia was one of those interviewed at ‘Time out with Tee-A concert’ and he used the opportunity to admonish youths to cut their coats according to their size and not be deceived by what they see on television. 

The peace ambassador gave this advice at the fun filled event which went down on the 3rd of November at Intercontinental Hotel, V.I, Lagos. 

He further encouraged them to work hard and invest in their future rather than accumulating material possessions at this time of their lives.

Guests at the event included DJ Zeez, Sound sultan, Teju Baby face, Princess, Dbanj and many more.

2face scores another point!

2face Idibia, whose 'Blood On The Dance Floor' has just been nominated for Best Afro Pop Video of the 2013 Nigeria Music Video Award (NMVA), has added another feather to his recognition cap.

The prestigious Law Students’ Society of Lagos State University conferred on him an Award of Excellence in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of music industry and for being an Ambassador of Peace.

The event took place recently at their 2013 Dinner and Award night.

HOW TO VOTE FOR 2FACE IDIBIA AND TIMI DAKOLO (NMVA 2013)

It's no longer  news that Now Muzik artistes, 2face Idibia and Timi Dakolo were nominated for 2013 NMVA.

To vote for them, visit www.livebeats.net  and click on the 'VOTE' tab , or go straight to http://www.livebeats.net/vote.html  , scroll down and search for Best Afro Pop Video to vote 2face Idibia's  'Blood On The Dance Floor' and Best Soft Rock/Alternative Video to vote Timi Dakolo's 'Great Nation'

The Awards would hold on the 15th of November at Muson center, Lagos.

TIMI DAKOLO GETS NOMINATED FOR 2013 NMVA AWARDS

The video of the patriotic song, Great Nation by Timi Dakolo, has been nominated in the Best Soft Rock/Alternative Video category for Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2013.

Voting procedure would be communicated shortly.

2FACE IDIBIA AND EFE OMOROGBE LISTED AMONG MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN NIGERIA'S ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

Leading Nigerian entertainment website, Net NG has published a special edition listing the most influential people in Nigerian entertainment and it is not surprising that Africa's biggest artiste, 2face Idibia made the list.

Also on the list is Efe Omorogbe, C.E.O of Nigeria's premiere talent management company, Now Muzik which is management home to 2face Idibia.

Below is an extract from Net NG about 2face Idibia and Efe Omorogbe




2FACE IDIBIA : From his artistry to passion for change,the pop king of Africa has continued to use his music as a muse to influence all. Through his foundation, '2face Idibia Reach-out Foundation', Idibia an icon by every definition, has dedicated a great amount of time, effort and resources towards reaching out to fellow humans in need.



EFE OMOROGBE : The co-founder and HNIC of Nigeria's leading talent management company, Now Muzik, Omorogbe continues to be a mojor force in the development of entertainment in Nigeria. He recently setup Now Muzik en.Core, a sister company which handles events and campaigns.

MEET THE WINNERS OF THE MAIDEN EDITION OF 2FACE PEACE AWARDS

 

Kyenpiya Jessica Makan-Nyabam set up CLAPAI (Child Love And Protection Advocacy Initiative) Orphanage, Jos in 2006 to cater for children orphaned, affected or infected by HIV/AIDS. They also care for children outside the orphanage. She set it up with her husband, Emmanuel, an ex-professional footballer, who uses sports to engage the older youth in the community to foster peace.



Another winner was the Aminu Garba Sidi led Christian Muslim Peace Movement based in Bauchi and Jos. Consisting of some young volunteers, the group engages in conflict mediation, peace sensitization and other activities in schools and communities and NYSC camps as well as being contact persons and mobilizers for other peace projects in Nigeria.

Zainab Sandah is involved in mobilizing and assisting the conflict prone Rigassa community in Kaduna in their efforts to access public sector education. She assisted in setting up a VSAT with computers for a community skills centre.

2FACE PEACE AWARDS WINNERS SMILE HOME WITH MILLIONS OF NAIRA

Not less than N3million was given out to winners of the 2Face Peace Awards put together by 2Face Reachout Foundation in commemoration of the World Peace Day at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja on Saturday, September 21, 2013.
The star-studded event was one of the activities put together by the Nigerian pop legend’s foundation to support young Nigerians working towards peace in the country.


According to Efe Omorogbe of Now Muzik, “the winners were selected from a cross section of young Nigerians who are running projects targeted at promoting peace in the country thus developing the nation.”

The winners; Kyenpiya Jessica Makan-Nyabam of the CLAPAI (Child Love And Protection Advocacy Initiative) Orphanage, Jos., Zainab Sandah in Kaduna and Christian Muslim Peace Movement, Bauchi and Jos received N1million each from 2Face.

In his remark, 2Face encouraged the winners not to relent in their efforts at promoting peace and helping the poor in the society while also calling on other young Nigerians to imbibe the culture of peaceful existence.


“As award winners, you are now peace ambassadors. People will be more interested in what you do. You have to continue to maintain the high standards you have set,” 2Face advised them.

NOW MUZIK IS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE BUZZING MVP , SAYS EFE

2face Foundation flagged off it’s a million voices for peace (MVP) project last Saturday and Now Muzik, the label managing the legend, was not left out in the successful history making event. Mr. Efe Omorogbe, CEO of Now Muzik, speaks further on it.

We are stepping up
We don’t have plans to repeat the launch; we’ve done the flag off. We would step up the campaign to have people register. The foundation is in the process of redesigning its programmes and they would unveil it very soon. We would execute going forward. There is going to be a lot activities but definitely not a re-launch.

It’s really buzzing
We have a lot of media partners. We also have a tech partner; Airtel offered their support in terms of reaching subscribers from its pool of customers. They are pushing messages. Our television and radio partners are also playing their parts. There is a lot of online buzz from our online partners also.

There are responses already, organizations and individuals have been calling to know how they can partner with 2face Foundation.

We are starting in Nigeria but it is a global thing
It’s a global community. Unfortunately, peace is something that is badly needed here in Nigeria. We are still trying to come to terms with the mayhem in Kenya over the last couple of days.

Technically, we are Nigerians, the foundation is here so also is 2face, we have a crisis situation on our hand so it is only logical that the campaign starts here but it is by no means intended to be limited to just Nigeria.

The outlook is global. For now the focus is peace building. Everywhere there is need for serious peace building effort, the foundation is very enthusiastic to partner with other oganisations and individuals working toward the same goal.

Just two days old but great impact
We flagged off two days ago and already we are in partnership with the National Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution. We supported and participated in the World Peace Day march and we also had the 2face Peace Awards ceremony on Saturday (September 21).

As we speak, we are already looking at areas where we can immediately work together to create maximum impact. Very well established organizations with track records like DFID and UNDP are also already in talks with the foundation for collaboration.
 

MVP: 2FACE ON PEACE TRIP TO JOS

2face and Archbishop Ben Kwashi

 As a build up to the upcoming 2face Foundation’s Million Voices for Peace (MVP) launch in Abuja, 2face embarked on a sensitization trip to Plateau State.

On arrival, the peace ambassador addressed the press at the Apurimac Centre, Jos where he briefed the press on the purpose of his visit which is primarily to promote peace and development. He also had dinner with the Archbishop Of Jos, Archbishop Ben Kwashi, later in the evening.

2face started the following day with a 6 a.m mass at the St Monica's Catholic Church, Rantya before proceeding to the Apurimac vocational/skills acquisition center where he interacted with the youths and the physically challenged people there.

2frace interacting with the physically challenged youths at the Apurimac vocational/skills acquisition cente

Although the governor, Jonah Jang, was out of the country, 2face was well received by the Deputy Governor, Ignatius Longjam and other top government officials.

After intimating the government of his mission through his Foundation, the deputy governor offered some advice for the advancement of peace.

The youths in the warring community of Angwan Rukuba also had the privilege of meeting with the living legend who gave them useful talk on shunning violence, drug abuse and all vices. He also advised them to avoid being used by politicians during elections as the local government election will hold in December 2013.

2face climaxed the day with a visit to the Muslim community in the Central Mosque area where he also give short peace talk.

On his return to the hotel, he had a short chat with the press and members of civil societies present.

 

2FACE TO “STAY” WITH SOUTH AFRICA’S ZAHARA

2Face has just recorded a new single entitled, Stay, with the beautiful South African musician, Zahara. The song is part of her sophomore album, Phendula (a Xhosa word for 'Turn Things Around') which will drop later this month.

Zahara is an AfroSoul South African musician who is famous for her song, Loliwe. Her debut album which was released in 2011 is also of the same name and went platinum in just 13 days after its release. She went on to win seven individual awards including Best Female Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year at the 2012 South African Music Awards.