D'BEAT

D'Beat to Release Debut Album July 5

Winner of 2011 Star Quest, D'Beat, will give fans what they’ve anxiously been awaiting since their burst onto the music scene last year. ‘D'Beat Goes On,’ the group’s debut release, will hit stores on July 5. The band will premiere the Patrick Ellis directed video for rising hit single "Oyoyo" at The place, GRA Ikeja.

The 10-track album, including their current single ‘Oyoyo,’ was co-produced by beatmaker Del B, along with hit veteran songwriter and producer Paul "Play" Dairo. The Phat E Produced "How you Make me feel" is said to be reminiscent of Jodie's Kushi Kushi.

Other songs in the album include "Se Lense", and "Fall in Love Again". The album, which will be released under Now Muzik, also touts contributions from T'Chux, Dekumzy, and more.

With roots in hip-hop but also drawing on pop, highlife, and RnB influences, D'Beat is on the verge of becoming one of Nigeria's most popular bands. Their positive lyrics combined with a socially conscious spirit have enabled the band to build strong ties both within the local scene and to the larger community as well.

For "D'Beat Goes On" the band members — Bassist Samuel "T'chux" Tochux (bandleader), drummer Efetobor "skilato" Oghenetega, keyboardist justice Adigho, and vocalists Beauty "B-dash" Aghedo, Adubi "Fragrance" Charity, and Eyube "e-wyne" Enid — wanted to create "an album that has something for everybody."

"Our goal was to create an album that pushes the envelope musically," says Now Muzik's  head honcho Efe Omorogbe. "We really wanted them to step outside of their box and showcase their growth, but at the same time remain true to the sound that their fans have come to know and love. We feel we did a good job of striking that balance on 'Oyoyo' and a host of other songs."

D'Beat are the winners of the seventh series of Star Quest musical talent hunt organised by brewing giants, Nigerian Breweries PLC. D'beat walked away with a recording contract supervised by Now Muzik, a brand-new minivan and N600, 000 cash for each member of the group.

D'Beat has come to stay, Efe Omorogbe

Under the umbrella of Nigeria Breweries Plc, Star introduced a talent hunt programme, Star Quest, in 2002. It has the basic objective of discovering and promoting young and budding Nigerian artistes in the various music idioms.

Ever since then, winners who emerge are given mouth-watering prizes to help them in their musical career.

It is quite unfortunate that some of them tend to fizzle out quickly without making the necessary impact even with the recording deal they get.

However, the story is about to change with the 2011 winner, D’Beat under the management of the reputable and one of the foremost entertainment managers in town, Now Muzik, who believe not only in discovering but also harnessing talents.

The six-man band, comprising Tochux (band leader), Beauty, Enid, Justice, Efetobor and Charity, under the management of Now Muzik is stretching their capacity beyond the likely and daring to stand as equals in the music industry.

Going by their deal with NBPlc, they are expected to record an album as well as deliver a video before the expiration of their one-year contract.

Expectedly, the band is all set to fulfil this part of the deal as they have finished work on their album and video which would be launched on July 5 at The Place, Ikeja.

The album, D’Beat Goes On, and video, ‘Oyoyo’ has the ingenious mix to create a balance to avoid it being overly minimal or overbearing.

According to Efe Omorogbe, Now Muzik boss, “….we intends to make a statement with this band….”

Against the backdrop of what can be described as the jinx of talent hunt winners, Now Muzik is committed to making D’Beat have a lasting impact in the music industry.

“This is beyond recording an album and delivering a video, it’s about making this band stand out as independent and competitive in the music industry,” explained Efe who also observed that wining a talent hunt is usually the significant thing about some people.

For Tochux, “We are open to all the possibilities and creativity needed to pull this through. With Now Muzik steering, we are sure of a safe landing”.

Speaking in the same vein, Efe said, “Satisfactory result would be when D’Beat is firmly established as a recording/performing band by their own right and not necessarily affiliated or bogged down by the weight of the competition.”