Belinda (1984) by Grady Harrell { RV VIDEO FEATURE }.

This song by Grady Harrell takes me back to my childhood.'Belinda' is a song that makes you want to hit the dance floor. This song inspired many Nigerian contemporary musicians. Eddy Ashiedu Brown of The Remedies sampled parts of this great song on one of the group's tracks.

I don't know why Grady was not successful as his contemporaries like Janet Jackson, New Edition and Jody Watley. Grady is from Los Angeles, California, and he has been a professional singer since he was 9 years old. His first album 'Mwana' was produced by Fred Wesley in 1984. 'Belinda' is one of the great songs on the album. Many Africans loved 'Belinda' because of the African feel of the song coupled with the African dancers in the video of the song. RV has a detailed story on Grady Harrell coming up. Enjoy this great video. Cheers.

BOB MARLEY'S FAMILY SUCCUMBS TO US COPYRIGHT LAW IN BITTER COURT CASE.

The family of Reggae Music Icon, Robert Nesta Marley, have lost out in a bid to obtain the copyrights to some of his revered recordings. Rita Marley and her children had sued Universal Music Group ( UMG ) seeking millions of dollars for the company's alleged attempts to 'exploit' his recordings. They also accused UMG of not paying royalties to the Family's Fifty-Six Hope Road Music Company. However, in a comprehensive ruling in New York last Friday, Judge Denise Cote ruled that Bob Marley's recordings were 'works made for hire' as stated under US Copyright law. According to Cote- 'Each of the agreements provided that the sound recordings were the absolute property of Island Records. Whether Marley would have recorded his music even if he had not entered the recording agreements with Island is beside the point.' Island Records is a subsidiary of the Universal Music Group ( UMG ).

The albums at the centre of the dispute include 'Catch a Fire'(1973), 'Burnin' (1973), 'Natty Dread' (1974), 'Rastaman Vibration' (1976) and 'Exodus' (1977). The albums listed were recorded by Bob Marley and his band, The Wailers, and contain some of the Reggae Legend's greatest songs like 'I shot the sherrif', 'One love' and 'No Woman, No Cry'. Judge Cotes ruling has put an end to the bitter legal fight between UMG and the Marley Family. In another development, Rita Marley who lives in Ghana will be attending a memorial concert in honour of her husband. The concert which has been tagged 'A Bob Marley Celebration' will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on the 23rd of this month. RV has gathered that some of Bob Marley's children including Damian, Julian, Stephen and Cedella Marley will be performing at the event ahich will be held at the Benedum Centre for the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh. The money that is raised from the concert will be donated to the family's One Love Foundation. Bob Marley died of Cancer in 1981 at age 36. He has sold between 100-250 million albums all over the world.

Sources: cdinsight.com, modernghana.com, RV.
Where To Find Bob Marley Online: www.bobmarley.com

A MESSAGE FROM TOLU IHIDERO.

I want to thank you all for taking the time to read and follow this blog. I am really amazed at the growth of REDMAN'S VIBEWORLD. Your consistent patronage has given me the motivation to continue with this project. I have had some positive feedback from readers in different parts of the world. Due to the traffic that this blog is receiving, we have decided to work harder to make your visit to REDMAN'S VIBEWORLD an unforgettable experience. We will be adding some new features to the blog like CD Reviews, Promoting upcoming musicians, writing articles about legendary Nigerian, African and world artists and also taking in and featuring guest bloggers. So here we go.

Are you a music lover? Can you write? You don't have to be a professional writer to be featured on this blog. We are looking for guest bloggers that want to make a name for themselves. If you have something to say about Nigerian artists or others matters relating to music, we will publish your article. Just write it and attach a photograph with it [ We can source for photographs too ] and mail it to us. The article should be in Microsoft Word and should not be too long. Your name will be credited as the author of the story or article. If the story is good, you will get paid for it. If you're an artist or musician, you can send a short biography to us along with links to your music online [ YOUTUBE videos, Myspace Page, Your personal website etc ]. We will promote you on the blog for FREE. We are all about Music and all that is associated with it.

Contact Us: tolukandi@yahoo.com, tolu.ihidero@gmail.com

Keep it locked on REDMAN'S VIBEWORLD. Our best is yet to come. Thanks.

PATTI LABELLE PLAYS FELA'S MOTHER ON BROADWAY MUSICAL.

Funmilayo Anikulapo Kuti, the mother of Africa's legendary Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, will be resurrected once more on stage by Legendary American R&B singer, Patti Labelle. Labelle made up her mind about playing Funmilayo Kuti on FELA, a Broadway musical produced by rappers Will Smith and Jay-Z after attending the show. According to Labelle- 'I am both thrilled and honoured to be joining the cast of FELA on Broadway. Fela's mother, Funmilayo, was a strong, truly inspiring woman and I am so privileged to be able to pay tribute to her on the Broadway stage.'

Labelle, who is renowned for her passionate stage performances, wide vocal range and distinctive high octave belting will make her debut in the play tomorrow [ September 14, 2010 ] and she will stay with the production until it ends on January 2, 2011. Playing Funmilayo Kuti will not be difficult for Patti Labelle because she is an actress with a lot of experience. She featured in the NBC sitcom 'A Different World' as Adele Wayne {Mother of Dwayne} and also acted in her own sitcom 'Out All Night' as a former R&B star known as Chelsea Paige. So she is in familiar territory. FELA is directed and Choreographed by Bill T. Jones. The show stars Sahr Nguajah and Kevin Mambo who both play Fela Kuti alternatively, and also features Antibalas and other members of the New York City Afrobeat community under the directorial skills of Aaron Johnson.

FELA which opened on Broadway in November 2009 tells the story of Fela Kuti as the target of 1000 soldiers who are hell bent on stopping his performances at his famous night club, Kalakuta Republic. Patti Labelle is also an accomplished singer-songwriter who was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003 due to her song 'Lady Marmalade'. She has reportedly sold 50 Million copies of her albums worldwide and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. If you're in the USA, you need to see this Tony Award-winning show about Fela Kuti. Fela is a freedom fighter who continues to inspire many Nigerians to demand for better governance in the oil rich nation.

Sources: theatremania.com, allhiphopnews.com, RV.
Where To Find Patti Labelle Online: www.pattilabelle.com

ASA IS BACK WITH ' BEAUTIFUL IMPERFECTION ' .

There is something unique about Bukola Elemide A.K.A Asa. I became her fan in January 2008 after listening to her CD repeatedly for three days. I did some research about her on the internet and I was amazed by the number of websites that carried stories about this wonderful lady. Her first album, 'Asa' was a total package of living songs and the deft touches of Producer Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo can be felt on the album. 'Jailer' and 'Fire On The Mountain' were the two outstanding songs on the album. They share a common theme of social injustice and oppression, and I'm not surprised that Bukola has remained a social crusader with her second album, 'Beautiful Imperfection'.

Asa has reinvented herself and she looks at life in a new way. She is also looking very womanly presently ( You need to see her recent pictures ) and it is clear she is projecting her sensual part to the world. Her new personal and physical consciousness can be felt through her new songs. 'Be My Man' is the first single from her new album and the song should be on the airwaves any minute from now. Apart from telling us that she is ready for love, I feel the Paris born singer is also using 'Be My Man' to dispel rumours that she is having a lesbian affair with her Manager, Janet Nwose. Other tracks on the album include 'Questions' { Asa is back to her usual social criticism on this joint }, 'Bimpe' { A cool song about a character the singer has lived with in her head }, 'Ok', 'Broda Ole' et al. The full album will hit the music stores next month.

I don't want to bore you with information about Asa's background but it should be noted that she was born in France [ Her father was working at the Nigerian High Commission in Paris when she was born ] and returned to Nigeria at age 2. As a lonely child, Asa embraced music and was influenced by the music of greats like Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey. After she started to establish herself on the world music map, She jammed with the likes of Manu Dibango, Doctor L and Tony Allen. Bukola won the highly regarded Constantine Award in France in 2008 [ though she hardly speaks French as a language ] and has performed with John Legend, Snoop Dogg and Akon. She is still signed to Naive Music in France. Stay tuned to RV for more information when 'Beautiful Imperfection' finally comes out.

Sources: Hi Magazine, RV.
Where To Find Asa Online: www.myspace.com/asaofficial
Contact Us: tolukandi@yahoo.com

RIHANNA'S RED RAGE FOR SINGLE RELEASE!!!

If you're still trying to figure out why Robyn Rihanna Renty danced like a slut in the video of her hit song 'Rude Boy', then you've just been hit by another daring act of sultriness by the Umbrella crooner. Rihanna's picture on the sleeve of the CD of her forthcoming single 'Only Girl ( in the world )' is really hot with a tinge of red. In the picture, the R&B diva is kneeling down almost nude with a piece of red cloth covering her reproductive organs. She spots a necklace and a bracelet on her arm. Her hair has been dyed red and she looks defiant in the picture. The tattoo on her bum can also be seen in the photograph. This PR strategy to boost sales of the single which will be released iTunes on September 21 is really smart. The sexy artwork will influence music lovers to buy the song.

On her official fansite, Rihanna Daily, the singer took time to talk about her new album 'Loud' that will hit the stores in November. ' I'm done recording the whole album. I made sure not to let you down with my music. You guys are always defending me, so now you've got some great songs to justify it.' She told her fans in a web chat. RV has also gathered that 'Only Girl ( in the world )' premiered on Ryan Seacrest's Radio Show in the US. I heard the song some hours ago and I feel it is going to be a club hit. It is really danceable and you're bound to get up and dance to the song. The chorus of the song goes thus-

' Want you to make me feel,
like I'm the only girl in the world
like I'm the only one that you'll ever love
like I'm the only one who knows your heart.'

The song was produced by the Norwegian hit making duo, Stargate, who were responsible for Rihanna's other singles like ' Hate that I love you', 'Please Don't Stop The Music' and 'Rude Boy'. Rihaanna who was born in St Michael, Barbados, has sold 5,563,000 album units in the United States of America as at July 23, 2010. Her wax figure was unveiled in Madame Tussauds at Washington DC late last month. She won awards for World's Best Selling Pop Female Artist and Female Entertainer of the Year at the World Music Awards in 2007.

Sources: billboard.com, metro.co.uk, sussexexpress.co.uk, RV.
Where To Find Rihanna Online: www.rihannanow.com

WILL TINIE TEMPAH BE THE STAR OF THE NIGHT @ THE 2010 MOBO AWARDS?

Patrick Chukwuem Okogwu has never had it so good. Though his debut album 'Disc-Overy' will be released next month, he is already a force to be reckoned with on the UK Hip-Hop and Grime scene. All eyes will be on the South London rapper if he scoops home all the awards he has been nominated for towards the 15th MOBO Awards to be held at the Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool, United Kingdom on October 20, 2010. Okogwu, whose stage name is Tinie Tempah, has been nominated for 'Best Newcomer', 'Best UK Act', 'Best Song' and 'Best Video'. Tinie's breakout single 'Pass Out' ( The video of the song is on YOUTUBE ) debuted at #1 on the UK singles chart in March 2010. The song played a big part in securing Tinie Tempah his 4 nominations at the MOBO Awards. 'Pass Out' also reached Number 6 on the Irish Music Charts.

Tempah is also due to appear at the BT Digital Music Awards. He has been nominated in five award categories and he is tipped to win the awards on the night. He started getting some recognition when the video of his promotional single 'Wifey', produced by Flukes { Crazy Cousins } became an underground hit and subsequently secured the Channel U urban chart top spot for ten consecutive weeks in 2006. Tempah has performed with a lot of big time artists including Snoop Dogg at the 2010 Glastonbury Music Festival. He also supported Rihanna for four dates on her 10-date UK tour with Tinchy Stryder and Pixie Lott. The 21 year old rapper's album will be released by the Parlophone Music Label on October 4, 2010. The album will be in CD format and is available for digital download. RV wishes this cat with a Nigerian heritage the best in his music career. He has a bright future ahead of him.

Source: Yahoo Music, Wikipedia, RV.
Where To Find Tinie Tempah Online: www.tinietempah.com

PAUL I.K DAIRO'S EUROPEAN AMBITIONS.

I wrote a piece about Paul I.K Dairo for AFRICA, St Patrick's Missions Magazine, back in 2007. I remember giving a hint in the write up that Paul Play was aiming for recognition after winning over both youths and pensioners alike in Nigeria. I've been proved right with the style and quality of Dairo's recent songs and videos. His videos are now of international standard and his recent songs makes you feel you're listening to Usher or Chris Brown. I don't want you to come to the hasty conclusion that Paul Dairo has sold out. He remains himself. It is just that Isaiah Kehinde Dairo's son rightly thinks he has something to offer to Europe and the wider world.

Paul Play 2nd R&B album will be released in the UK. He has already secured a publishing deal in Britain and he's looking forward to an international release because he believes his new album will not sell in Nigeria. Dairo arrived at this conclusion because his R&B songs have been widely accepted in Europe and North America. Many Record Label executives in Britain were awed with his talent and production skills after listening to his tracks. Paul Play has worked with Star View Entertainment in Britain and has written songs for Jimmy Cozier on the singer's album. Sincerely, Paul I.K Dairo is one artist that can compete with any American and British R&B musician. He should have made his move to Europe years ago.

According to Paul- 'My biggest regret is that I didn't give R&B a shot early enough. Most of the record executives I met abroad were asking me where I had been all the while.' Paul Dairo, who miraculously recovered from a strange Kidney problem after undergoing surgery in South Africa last year, proved cynics wrong when his 2005 album 'Hitsville' became a huge success. Before then, there was this belief that a 100% R&B album would not do well in Nigeria. With hot and blazing tracks like 'Angel of My life', 'Playground Anthem', 'Crazy', 'You and Me' and 'Forever', 'Hittsville' became an album everyone wanted to lay their hands on. No one was really surprised when Paul Play was the hero of the night at the 2007 Hip Hop World Awards. 'Hitsville' won Best R&B Album, Artist of The Year, Album of The Year and Record of The Year for 'Forever'.

Paul I.K Dairo started out as a Producer/Songwriter and back-up vocalist before he started singing. He produced and featured in Ruggedman's song 'What If'. Other production credits include Slam ( Ebibu Chineke ), Tony Tetuila, Sunny Neji, Mike Okri and Dr Fresh ( Album ). The graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Yaba College of Technology is the most creative Nigerian artist in recent times. Paul Play oozes creativity in everything he does. His talent should not be confined to Nigeria. The world needs to drink from his cup of musical innovation. He has been in the industry for 10 ten years now and we all know what he can do. Do you know that a Myspace Page has been dedicated to Paul Dairo in Poland? This shows that music lovers in Europe are feeling him. We at RV believe it is time for Tricia's husband to take on the world. What do you think?

Sources: thenationonline.com, RV.
Where To Find Paul I.K Dairo online: www.myspace.com/paulfanclubpolska,
www.myspace.com/paulplay

Contact Us: tolukandi@yahoo.com

Paul Play : Forever { RV VIDEO FEATURE }

Paul Babatunde Dairo is the son of the late Nigerian music legend, I.K Dairo, who remains the only African musician to be honoured by Queen Elizabeth II of Britain in the 60's. Just like his father, Paul has become an accomplished musician. He has been able to present an hybrid of Highlife, Juju, Hip-Hop, R&B, soul and reggae music genres to his fans in Nigeria and Internationally. I have been following Paul IK Dairo for some time now. He started out with groups like Le Griffe ( His Bother, Banji, and cousin, Henry Dairo, both of whom have passed away were members of this R&B group ), De Klan, Oxygen ( Paul still has ties to this group. Tony Tonero [ Died early this year ] and Slam were in the video of his song 'Mosorire' ) and Pure Heart Impression.

Paul Play Dairo has released a number of albums including 'Hitsville', 'Dairo Music Foundation Project' and 'Project II, 2 Ways 2 Play'. He has sold about 8 million copies of his CD's to date. Paul is also an introvert and we at RV are happy that he has not been involved in any scandal since his career started. What else can we expect from a gifted young man who was raised by father with strong christian values? Enjoy the video above. We also have a feature story on Paul Play for you. Happy viewing and reading.

EGO OGBARO FINALLY STEPS OUT OF LAGBAJA'S SHADOW WITH BRAND NEW SONGS.

Ego Ogbaro's decision to pursue a solo career was met with some cynicism by fans of the masked one, Lagbaja. Over the years, Ego and her mentor had recorded songs that virtually became anthems of the Nigerian music audience. It got to a point that people started to read meaning into the close relationship between Bisade Ologunde [ Lagbaja ] and Ego Ogbaro [ Nee Iheanacho ]. If you've taken the time to look at the videos of Lagbaja's songs, you will discover that there is a real synergy between Bisade and Ego. Ego breathed life into Lagbaja's music with her strong vocals while Omo Baba Muko Muko ensured the instrumentation and other aspects of his music were taken care of. This synergy can be seen in these songs- 'Never Far Away', 'Anything For Me', 'Feyin E', and 'Konko Below'. I've realized that Ego's voice charmed and captivated us as Lagbaja's lead singer for the last decade and she's getting better daily.

Ego Ogbaro is from Imo State and she has an Ogun State- born mother and four siblings. She schooled in Aba and Lagos but could not finish her public administration course at the Lagos State University [ LASU ] because she had a flair for French. Ego proceeded to the Alliance Francaise and attended classes there to get her certificate in French Language. It is clear that music is her natural calling and she has done well in this regard. She started out by being a back up singer for her friends in the music industry. Along the way, she met Lagbaja and joined his band. At first, she did back up vocals as usual for the masked one alongside other female singers, but as time went on she became Lagbaja's prominent singer. Ego subsequently blew up and became more and more prominent as she amassed tons of fans across the continent.

After getting married on the 10th of October 2009 to her long time term love, Niyi Ogbaro, at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church in Lagos, Ego resumed work immediately in the studios as she continued recording towards the release of her debut album. The album which will be released before the year runs out was produced by Cobhams Asuquo [ Cobhams is the blind but highly creative guy behind Asa's self titled album 'Asa' ] and co-produced by Nathaniel Bassey. Let me let you in to a fact. Ego Ogabaro's new material is really good and she will be giving the likes of TY Bello, Lara George and Yinka Davies a run for their money [ That is if she has not already done so as Lagbaja's sidekick ]. Her first single off her album is 'Fall in Love'. The video of the song was shot in New York and it was directed by Kemi Adetiba of K'Alpha Innovations. Eldee Tha Don made a cameo appearance in the video. It is available for viewing on Google's YOUTUBE. Other songs on the new album include 'I believe', 'Bianulu', and 'Palava'. The album is a fusion of soul, jazz, afrobeat and R&B. I have this belief that Ego Ogabaro can become another pop legend like Onyeka Onwenu. She's got what it takes to be an icon like the Elegant Stallion. The title of one of Ego's new songs 'Bia Nulu' might be a testament to this.

Source: www.goodlife.com.ng, RV
Contact Us: tolukandi@yahoo.com

UPDATE ON ALHAJI SIKIRU AYINDE BARRISTER'S CONDITION.

Contrary to rumours that Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister is dead, RV has gathered that the ailing Fuji Musician who is popularly known as Alhaji Agba is alive. Barrister was flown to Germany late last month for a corrective surgery on his ribs due to a defect that occurred during an operation he had in India earlier on. Reports coming in state that due to the defect that was sustained in India, Barrister lost some weight and his condition worsened. He had to go to Germany to correct the crack in his ribs. According to Alhaji Lati Alagbada, the CEO of Lati Alagbada and Sons, [ The Label manages Alhaji Agba ], Barrister's operation in Germany was successful. Lati Alagbada also said the Fuji icon will be back in Nigeria in two weeks time. RV has been monitoring the progress of Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister's treatment following the series of illnesses that have kept him bedridden. We've also called on Nigerians and the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria [ FUMAN ] to raise awareness about Barrister's condition with a view to getting the Federal Government to come to his aid.

Source: PM News.

Contact Us: tolukandi@yahoo.com

AKON SET TO HEADLINE 7UP'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONCERT IN NIGERIA.

Music lovers in Nigeria are in for a swell time come October 16, 2010. This is because Seven Up Bottling Company PLC will be staging a big indoor concert about two weeks after Nigeria clocks 50 years as an Independent Commonwealth country, with Senegalese-American artist Akon as the headline act. At an interactive session with the media held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, Faysal El-Khalil, Chairman of the soft drinks company said- 'Seven Bottling Company is planning an anniversary event tagged ''7UP Future Is Green Bash'' on October 16 2010, that will feature Akon and big Nigerian stars.' Akon, whose real name is Aliaune Thiam was born in St Louis, grew up in Senegal and returned later on to the United States with his family when he was seven. He is a Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, Record Producer, Businessman and Philanthropist.

Founder of two Record Labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution, Akon won the Favourite Soul/R&B Male Artist Plaque at the American Music Awards in 2007. He has confirmed that that he is working on a reality show to be known as 'My Brother's Keeper'. The show will feature Akon's two nearly identical brothers going to different places in Atlanta, Georgia, posing as their famous sibling and fooling people that they are the music star. Akon has maintained that people have mistaken his brothers for him many times in Atlanta. This case of mistaken identity will serve as the theme of the reality show. The Seven Up Bottling Company PLC is the Independent manufacturer and distributor of the well known and widely consumed brand of soft drinks in Nigeria- Pepsi, 7UP, Mirinda, Mountain Dew and Teem. The company has nine manufacturing plants in Nigeria with headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon.

Sources: 234next.com, sevenup.org, RV.