BENEFITS OF KNOWLEDGE AQUISITION EMPHASIZED AT KNOW-THE-LEDGE

Hip hop enthusiasts were exposed to the impact of knowledge and the power of mind over matter at the July edition of Str8 up Hip hop last Thursday held at The Place in Ikeja.

Themed Juice! Know-the-ledge, and hosted by Sly of Rhythm 93.7fm, the urban monthly event afforded guests to learn at the feet of a veteran like Edi Lawani, who was the special guest at the event. Although he was unavoidably absent, his message was aired to guests.

Drawing from experience, Edi Lawani encouraged and advised young artistes to be open to knowledge on their way to success in their chosen career.

The crowd was treated to almost all the Hip-hop elements which include mesmerizing B-boy stunts, captivating spoken word, energetic performances and superb DJ’ing by DJ OZ. Upcoming rappers were not left out, as they were privileged to showcase their talents.

A major feature of Str8 Up, Hip-hop, Emcee battle, was tightly contested. Thus the crowd settled for four best rappers who slugged it out but was eventually won by M2B who took home 20,000 naira cash prize.

Spoken word poet, Ndukwe thrilled the crowd with his famous poems like Puff puff pass and Boom, which earned a call for an encore from the crowd.

The crowd was also treated to scintillating performances from Mr. Raw, who used the event to premiere his new video, Ofe Dioku.

Terry Tha Rapman came on stage and delivered old and new hits, he performed Na beans?, Sample Remix (by popular demand) and his latest single testing 1,2.

In recognition of his contributions to the development of Hip-hop and Nigerian music, Edi Lawani was presented an award of honor while the first prize winner of the Str8 up Hip-hop Juice! Know-The-Ledge Quotes competition was presented his prize on stage by Mr.Raw.

The NM En.Core produced event which was proudly supported by Kally drink and Mowa water attracted many hip hop fans who interacted with Terry Tha Rapman, Illbliss, Mr. Raw, Splash, Teegee among others.

KNOW-THE-LEDGE AT JULY EDITION OF STR8UP HIP-HOP

Experience, it is said, is the best teacher. This will come to bear at the July edition of Str8up hip hop.  Edi Lawani would have a knowledge impacting session with hip hop lovers under the theme of Juice! Know-the-ledge, which is an exposition on the impact of knowledge and the power of mind over matter. This knowledgeable edition will feature the usual facets of hip hop, breathtaking B-boy and emcee battle sessions without leaving out poetry to be delivered by Ndukwe and graffiti from Maya. DJ OZ will hold his place on the wheels of steel even as enthusiasts will be treated to nice performances from Terry Tha Rapman at The Place, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja on Thursday July 25, 2013. Red carpet starts at 5pm The NM En.Core production would be hosted by Sly of Classic 97.3fm and it is proudly supported by Kally drink and Mowa water. Str8up Hip Hop! Celebrate the art form, live the culture!

FEMALE HIP-HOP ACTS CELEBRATED AT STR8 UP HIP-HOP AS 2FACE, DJ HUMILITY LEND SUPPORT

Efe Omorogbe and Weird MC

DJ Humility, Sasha P and Don T

The just concluded April edition of Str8 Up Hip-hop was not just a gathering of female Hip-hop acts and their fans but also a convergence of their male counterparts who came out to support the hardworking ladies.

The event which was hosted by the amazing Toni Payne was exciting from start to finish as the attendees were treated to a sumptuous and unadulterated hip-hop meal consisting of B-Girl showcase, graffiti, freestyle sessions and battle emcee sessions won by the defending champion, Yung Soss.

DJ Lambogini

Outstanding performances by Butafly, Splash, Thelma and Kiss, captivating spoken word by Dolapo, impressive DJing  by DJ Lambogini and DJ OZ all contributed to the unforgettable Ladies First experience. The large turnout no doubt indicated that females in the Hip-hop scene are truly appreciated and loved by the hip-hop community.

Jadesola (DJ Lokshai's daughter) and her guardian on stage with DJ Humility and Toni Payne

Str8 Up Hip-hop honored veteran rappers, Sasha P and Weird MC for their selfless contributions to the growth of hip-hop in Nigeria. It is safe to say that the veterans earned more respect by their unmatched performances at the event. Sasha P performed some of her classic songs including her timeless hit ‘Adara’ while Weird MC gave an electrifying performance of her smashing hit song remix ‘‘Ijo Ya’ amongst other classic tunes.

Dolapo Ogunwa

Splash

Butafly and Base One

In her appreciation speech, Weird MC said, “When I started out, we were very few female artists compared to what we have now.  The effort of upcoming female artistes in Nigeria is commendable and I encourage them to keep pressing forward in their pursuits even with more determination and resilience.”

Precious

Also, the first ever Nigerian female DJ, Late DJ Lokshai was honored in recognition of her status as a bonafide hip-hop pioneer and a financial donation was presented to her daughter, Jadesola. A very touching documentary which was put together by Buckwyld Media Production shed more light on the exploits of the late DJ and her unwavering determination to put female DJs in the limelight.

Eva Alordiah, Weird MC and a friend

Celebrities who were present to celebrate the Hip-hop ladies included 2face Idibia, Eva Alordiah, Cynthia Morgan, Mr Raw, M-Thrill, DJ Humility among others.

Ladies First was produced by Now Muzik En.Core and supported by Kally and Mowa water brands

Str8 Up Hip-hop edition for May is already being planned. Although the date is yet to be announced, the infectious atmosphere is ever present in the minds of hip-hop heads.

Mr Gbenga Alo (Head National sales, Dansa Foods), Weird MC and Mr. Shakiru Ogunyemi (Activation manager Dansa Foods)

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                                

  

                                                                                 

                                 

HIP-HOP TOOK A STAND AT ‘STATE OF THE UNION FORUM’ OF STR8 UP HIP-HOP

The Panelists

It was indeed an enlightening session for Hip-Hop lovers and enthusiasts who gathered on the 23^rd of January 2013, at the re-launch edition of Str8 Up Hip-hop, a monthly urban networking event for Hip-hop heads and intellectuals. The event which was themed ‘State of the union forum’, focused on a critical breakdown of matters arising from “There Was A Country” by renowned author, Chinua Achebe. 

The interactive session which was produced by Now Muzik En.Core in partnership with POP and Beat 99.9fm had as panelists; MI Abaga, Obi Asika, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Elajoe and Pamela Braide .

Andre Blaze 

Spoken word artist, Sage, opened the event with a special presentation of a mind blowing poem. Brilliant orator, Andre Blaze who was the host of the event, held the audience’s attention with well prepared, thought provoking questions thrown at the panelist for elaborate discussion. 

Among the pertinent issues deliberated on, were; challenges of distribution, scarcity and piracy of books, decline in reading culture, importance of ethnic identity to the Nigerian youth and the role of the Hip-hop community in nation building. Most importantly, excerpts from ‘There was a country’ were itemized and extensively discussed. 

There was no shortage of information as the panelists made superb use of personal experiences, real life examples and illustrations to drive home their points which no doubt will remain glued to the hearts of the attendees. The youths were encouraged to learn to read and improve on their reading culture because the foundation of everything is the ‘written word’. They were also advised to harness the availability of e-books, since knowledge acquisition will make them stronger and better humans in any society they belong to. 

  

'State of the union forum’ edition of Str8 UP Hip-hop was a successful event and a testimony to the claim by some experts that “Hip-hop is positively linked to intellectual growth”. The panelists and everyone present lauded Now Muzik En.Core for such a noble initiative.