SPOKEN WORD AND GRAFFITI DOMINATE LOVE JONES THEMED STR8 UP HIP-HOP

 Zhyno Spikes

It was all Spoken word, freestyle, emcee battle, graffiti and B-Boying at the just concluded February edition of the Now Muzik En.Core produced ‘Str8 Up, Hip-hop’ event. Hip-hop enthusiasts and pros were treated to a well organized event which was hosted by Veteran femcee, Blaise.

Blaise

The ‘Love Jones’ edition was the second edition of Str8 Up, Hip-hop to hold this year, the first been the ‘State of the Union Forum edition’. The event witnessed a massive turnout of not only hip-hop heads but also inquisitive individuals who desired to know more about the monthly niche urban networking event. 

The show opened with a remarkable live graffiti artwork by Zhyno Spikes who took the crowd into his mesmerizing world of graffiti art for about ten minutes. Then came Spoken word artises, Efe Paul Azino who was accompanied by his wife, their breath-taking duet performance was one of the high points of the show which held at Koga Studios, Oregun, Ikeja.

Mr. and Mrs. Efe Paul Azino

 It was a surprise to many in attendance to hear Blaise introduce Toni Payne as a spoken word artiste. Silence suddenly filled the hall and the only sound heard was the very clear voice coming from the stage as Toni easily dropped line after line of her love themed poem to the admiration of all.

 

Butafly (TBB)

Highly skilled freestylers were not left out as they were well represented by upcoming female rapper Butafly, Eternal and few others who dished out sizzling punch lines and metaphors. Battle emcees were also present; confident enough, they went head-to-head to battle for the best emcee of the Love Jones edition which was finally won by Emcee Blaze.

Next stop was B-Boying also known as break dancing which has become a prominent feature in Nigeria’s Hip-hop scene. There was no end to the amazing stunts by the contestants, everyone felt the energy and adrenaline rush, leaving the cool audience somewhat confused as to whom to give the crown. After many tightly contested rounds, B-Boy Eric came top.

Finally the part many were waiting for; performances by the veteran, Ill Bliss and the reigning rap sensation, Phyno. Everyone rapped along as the hip-hop gurus  performed their recent hit collabo ‘Anam Achi Kwanu’, after which Phyno rendered a ground-shaking performance of his breakthrough hit single; ‘Ghost Mode’. Rapper Romeo of Crystals band also thrilled the crowd with an excellent performance.

L-R : Mode 9. Efe Omorogbe, Ill Bliss, Phyno

Although the date of the next edition of Str8 Up, Hip-hop is yet to be announced, plans are already been made by the organizers; Now Muzik En.Core to ensure that hip-hop aficionados experience an even better show.

Phyno

Toni Payne

See more pictures from the event below                                

  

                                                                                 

                                 

THE NIGHT CRYSTALS GOT ‘ELEVATED’ AT INDUSTRY NITE

An amazing album launch party produced by Now Muzik for the 2012 Star Quest Winners Crystals which held on the 20^th of February at Industry Nite has no doubt convinced a good number of music lovers and critics that the band is gradually carving a niche for themselves  in the Nigerian Music Scene .

The event which was powered by Spinlet and The Beat 99.9 FM was well attended by people of all age groups and works of life and kicked off with performances by some upcoming artistes. Astounding performances by rappers; Efa and Butafly and a live performance by D’Beat (2011 Star Quest winners) further spiced up the occasion, While fast rising pop sensation, Seyi Shay thrilled the crowd with her latest  single, ‘No Lele’ .

The most interesting part of the night was when Crystals band was called to the stage, the loud ovation indicated that the audience already knew what to expect and Crystals did not fall short of expectation. Their live performance was mesmerizing and hitch-free as they sailed smoothly from song to song with second to none vocal dexterity and control. The crowd was thoroughly entertained and some were seen on their feet in an effort to get a glimpse of the young stars energetic performance. 

When asked what he thought about the show, an attendee readily said; “This is one of the best Industry Nite performances I have witnessed, it easily would have passed for a mini-concert, I had so much fun and my respect for Crystals just doubled”. 

Among those that partied with Crystals were some producers on the Elevated project; Spyke, Samklef, Nathaniel, OJB Jezreel and Phat E. Lynxx, Rocksteady and Praiz were also among the celebrities sighted having a good time.

According to Tjina Ajayi of Now Muzik Management, “The Elevated album launch was way beyond our expectation, the turnout was massive and encouraging. Fans, family and friends came in from different states to support Crystals. The work has only just begun as Crystals will be working tirelessly to promote the Elevated album and will also be touring with 2face on his campus connect tour which is scheduled to kick off in soon”.

                                

 

DJ HUMILTY, ILL BLISS, BLAISE, PHYNO TO REP STR8 UP, HIP-HOP ‘LOVE JONES’ EDITION

  The definitive purpose-built vehicle for the true blue Hip-hop head; Str8 Up, Hip-hop is back with the February edition tagged ‘Love Jones’.

Although the January re-launch ‘State Of the Union Forum’ edition was devoid of the regular features of a typical Str8 Up, Hip-hop event, this month’s ‘Love Jones’ edition will bring all the exciting features back and better.

The event is scheduled to hold at 5pm prompt on Saturday, 23rd Feb, 2012 at Koga Studios, Oregun Road, Ikeja and will feature the whole nine: magnificent graffiti art display, breath-taking Bboy and emcee battle sessions, moving spoken word performances by Efe Paul Azino and Toni Payne with superb DJs; Humility and OZ holding it down on the wheels of steel. There will also be special guest performances by the ruthless vet, Ill Bliss AKA Dat Ibo Boy and fast rising rapper, Phyno.

The "Love Jones Edition" which will be hosted by veteran femcee, Blaise, is a production of Now Muzik En.Core in partnership with Beat 99.9.

Str8 Up, Hip-hop! Celebrate the art form, live the culture!

TIMI DAKOLO, SEYI SHAY AND OTHERS TO GRACE CRYSTALS 'ELEVATED' ALBUM LAUNCH

It will indeed be a memorable Industry Nite event for good music lovers, artistes and industry heavy weights who will gather at Get Arena , Lekki, Lagos on the 20^th of February, 2013 to launch the much anticipated 10 track ‘Elevated’ album by Crystals band . 

Crystals band is an exciting Nigerian Boy/Girl band consisting of six members; rapper (Romeo), two female lead vocalists (Slimberry, Apholyzty), drummer (Emma Blow), keyboardist (Dammy Keys) and bass guitarist (G Base).

After winning the 2012 edition of the Nigerian Breweries Plc organized talent hunt competition, Star Quest, they got signed to Now Muzik recordings and subsequently released two singles off the Elevated album; 'Gbe Sun Mo Mi' and the melodious afro pop, 'Ringtone’.

Since signing up with Now Muzik, the band with a ‘crystal effect’ has performed at various shows to the admiration of good music lovers, thus gradually becoming a prominent figure in mainstream music and youth culture with an increasing number of fans. 

Celebrities to grace the occasion include Timi Dakolo and Seyi Shay among others. There will also be performances by Harrysong, Samklef, Efa, Presh (from the former group – KC Presh) and Butafly who was also featured on the album. 

Production credits on ‘Elevated’ goes to top notch producers; Samklef, Del B, Shizzy, Harrysong, George Nathaniel, J. Sleek, Spyke, Phat E and the renowned OJB Jezreel. 

The launch is supported by Star, el Canaral, Beat fm, Trace Urban, Spinlet, My streetz and NM En.core and will mark the band’s second live headline performance at the popular Industry Nite event.