KUSH: A GROUP SO PROMISING, A GROUP THAT NEEDS TO REUNITE.

RV is a blog with a difference. It is a blog that is totally dedicated to music and all things that pertains to music. That is why RV will be looking at a Nigerian Urban Gospel group known as KUSH [ Kinetically Ushering Salvation into Homes ]. The group was a quartet of three ladies and a guy- Toyin Sokefun Bello, Lara George, Emem Ema and Dapo Torimiro. Their debut album which was released by DKG Music in 2002 [ It sadly remains their only album ] was titled '' The Experience'' and it garnered critical reviews. Their style of music was a radical departure from what obtained on the Nigerian Gospel Music scene.

KUSH was a gospel group that was international in outlook, yet Nigerian enough not to be dismissed as an African-American initiative. The songs in '' The Experience '' which were well produced and arranged sounded heavenly. It was really an experience listening to the album. Tracks like '' Lets Live Together '' [ It is the song with the video above ] , '' Tic Tac Toe'', ''Angels'', '' Pretty Brown Eyes '', '' La La '' et al have become classics in the hearts of the group's fans. Then the group broke up for different reasons [ All the reasons given by the members will be examined in our articles in this series ] and have embarked on solo careers.

Fans of KUSH to a large extent are not happy about the break up. RV believes that the urban gospel group should have stuck together and would have made much impact over the years, than what they are achieving individually now. Some analysts believe KUSH has a high chance of winning a Grammy Award if they regroup for a sophomore album. That is why RV will be examining the effects of the group's break-up, the solo careers of the four members and if they are really living up to expectations individually. And can KUSH really win a Grammy Award in the Gospel Music category? It promises to be a solid series of music writing. Stay tuned.

RV is also striving to add more features to the blog daily. I keep looking for fresh page elements that will beautify the blog. RV and Blogspot are working hard to keep you entertained and informed musically. Cheers.

BTNH's FLESH-N-BONE ARRESTED ON ASSAULT CHARGES.

Just when we were expecting Bone Thugs and Harmony to hit the world with their brand of Hip-Hop after a successful reunion, one of them has been arrested for a past offence. Flesh-n-Bone, whose real name is Stanley Howse, was arrested by law men in Cleveland, Ohio. He was picked up on a 12-year-old charge that he hit his mother with a gun in 1998, leaving her with a gash on the head. According to RV's sources, officers nicked Flesh-n-Bone as he tried to slip out of BTNH's Reunion show in Cleveland [ The Free Flowing group hail from Cleveland, Ohio ] .

Flesh, who is the older brother of Layzie Bone, was the first member of the group to release a solo album titled T.H.U.G.S in 1996. He was locked up in Pleasant Valley State Prison for 11 years on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and violating probation. He was let out of jail last summer after serving ten years of his sentence. He became a Muslim while in jail. 36 year old Flesh-n-Bone will probably be reciting the lyrics of his touching song '' World So Cruel ''to himself at this moment. RV sincerely hopes that Flesh's current problems with the Police will not harm Bone Thugs and Harmony's renaissance. The group is set to release their newest album '' Uni5: The World's Enemy '' on April 27th.

Sources: rap basement.com, Associated Press, RV.

NNEKA EGBUNA STORMS LONDON!!!

London will be playing host to the Nigerian-German Hip-Hop Soul sensation, Nneka Egbuna on the 28th of April 2010. Nneka, who grew up in Nigeria and later moved to Hamburg, Germany, at age 18 to develop her musical talent has been making a lot of waves in the music world. The daughter of a Nigerian father and a German mother, Nneka performs in English and her father's traditional Nigerian language of Igbo. After tasting the bitter part of life during her musical development, [ She was bruised by unsavoury characters ] Nneka has found a good sidekick in DJ Farhot, a producer living in Germany. Her first album, '' Victim of Truth ''was released in countries across Europe including Germany, France, The Netherlands and England. The album earned her critical reviews and her profile started to rise. Her second album '' No Longer At Ease '', which was released in 2008 was also successful. Nneka has toured extensively in France, Italy and Portugal and in some American states. Her single '' Heartbeat '' reached BBC Radio One's A-List. She also won a MOBO Award for Best African Act in 2009. She's an artiste that's going places.

Nneka will be performing at The Scala, 275 Pentonville Rd, Kings Cross, London, N1 9NL. The show starts at 19:30 with tickets @ £12.50 + booking fee in advance from ticketmaster.co.uk. Telephone for Booking: +(44)02078332022.

To know more about Nneka, go to www.nnekaworld.com


Sources: hiphoppress.com, RV, Wikipedia.

SOLA ALLYSON OBANIYI RELEASES NEW ALBUM...

Sola Allyson Obaniyi is not done with us yet. She's just released a new album which is more contemporary with an international feel. The title of the album is '' Imo'ore '' [ Discovering Favour ] and it was launched at the Jogor Centre, opposite Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, recently. Shola's fans, friends, important personalities and music industry buffs attended the event. Her producer, Cobhams Asuquo [ Remember him? He's the blind genius who worked with Asa on her debut album ], Kunle Hamilton [ Entertainment Writer ] and Yinka Ayefele also graced the occasion.

On '' Imo'ore '', Sola is offering something different. Though the tracks are still performed in the Yoruba language, the instrumentation is international. It is an attempt by Sola and Cobhams Asuquo to engage and win over a new crop of fans in Nigeria and the western world. Sola Allyson Obaniyi's three other albums- Eji Owuro [ 2003 ], Gbeje Fori [ 2005 ], and Ire [ 2007 ] catered to people mostly in the South-Western parts of Nigeria. '' Ire '', her last album has some good songs like '' Aiye '', '' Imole Atan '', ''Ayanmo Ife '' and '' Eledumare ''. Sola's childhood and teenage years were tough for her because of issues she had with her family. She held on to her dreams because she knew she had a gift. Sola believes it is best to stay with ones calling regardless of whether it is popular or not. Today, her gift has made her a notable singer in Nigeria. Her albums have sold about 2 million copies. Her most popular song to date is '' Eji Owuro '' [ A love song about couples being faithful to each other ]. Sola Allyson Obaniyi rocks!!!

Source: www.tribune.com.ng, www.aderadio.com

RV NEWS DIGEST.

LADY GAGA SUED BY EX-BOYFRIEND.

Is it a crime to be a star? This could be the question Stefani Germanotta has been asking herself for some days now. Miss Germanotta is the gregarious lady Gaga who has taken the music world by storm with her utterly different way of entertaining us. Her ex-boyfriend, [ These divas change lovers like tissue paper, don't they? ] Rob Fusari has filed a $30.5 Million [ £20 Million ] lawsuit against her. Fusari claims he played a huge role in shaping her career after spotting her during a performance in New Jersey. He's also saying that he influenced Interscope Record's contract with Lady Gaga.

Stating that he'd been denied a 20% cut on song royalties and shares of merchandising sales, Fusari insisted he had an affair with Lady Gaga in 2006 and that they launched a joint venture, Team Love Child, which was terminated when their relationship crashed. However, Rob Fusari admits that he has collected about $611,000 from Lady Gaga but he believes he deserves his full share of the singer's earnings. Lady Gaga's albums '' The Fame '' and '' The Fame Monster '' have sold about 10 million copies worldwide. Gaga, who wrote her first piano ballad at age 14 has concerts lined up for her in Australia, Japan, Sweden, Belgium and France this year [ Check www.ladygaga.com for ticket information and concert schedules ].

Sources: guardian.co.uk, ladygaga.com

QUEEN LATIFAH: STORY OF A SOUL SISTER.

I'll be starting this piece with the words of Sister Latifah's fan. I came across this comment while doing some research about her on the web. It goes '' When Queen Latifah enters a scene on film, on stage, or in private, she takes centre stage. This woman has it all- talent, a good sense of humour, a warm laugh, a helping hand, a caring disposition, a good heart and a magic that radiates around her. I adore this woman and admire everything she does.''- Pavlos Kampanis.

Queen Latifah has fans all over the world. I started listening to her music in high school in western Nigeria during the early 90's. One of my friends, Lanre Okuwa, had a cassette full of American Hip-Hop music. Queen Latifah's song, '' Just Another Day'' was on the tape. I can remember that my friend mimed the song during one of our social nights in the boarding house then. Then I started watching MTV music videos and discovered more about the woman whose birth name is Dana Owens. The name ''Latifah'' [ It means '' Delicate '' and ''Sensitive '' in Arabic ] was given to her when she was 8 years old by a black cousin who was a Muslim. Her mother, Rita Owens, did two jobs as a single mother to take care of Latifah and her older brother, Lance Jnr.

After Latifah displayed a level of intelligence during her classes, her mother saved up and ensured she attended a specialist school, Saint Anne's Parochial, where her daughter played the role of Dorothy in the school's production of The Wiz. While in High School, she started rapping alongside two of her friends and they started a women's group called Ladies Fresh. Due to some encouragement from her mum, she started taking music seriously. In 1988, by getting executives at Tommy Boy Records excited with some tracks on her demo tape, she was able to release two singles ''Dance For Me '' and '' Wrath of My Madness ''. After touring Europe in 1989, her first album dropped. Titled '' All Hail The Queen '', the album went Platinum and the reign of the girl from Newark, New Jersey, started.

By the time she released her second album ''Nature of a Sister'' in 1991, Latifah had started acting on TV and in Movies. She featured in Spike Lee's '' Jungle Fever '' which was released in 1992. Contractual difficulties made her leave Tommy Boy Records and she soon set up shop with her own label, Flavour Unit Records. She mentored a number of rap and hip-hop groups including Naughty By Nature. She also appeared on the the Fresh Prince of Bell Air alongside Will Smith. Latifah elicited critical reviews when she played Cleo, a lesbian bank robber, in the film SET IT OFF. She was outstanding with her performance in the movie and made her character very believable. Dana Owens is a great achiever and she's a role model for many young women around the world. Material on her is exhaustive and her story is larger than this blog. In 1997, Queen Latifah was given the Aretha Franklin Award for Entertainer of The Year @ The Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.

Latifah's Discography:

All Hail The Queen Tommy Boy Records [ 1989 ]
Nature of a Sister Tommy Boy Records [ 1991 ]
Black Reign Motown Records [ 1993 ]
The Dana Owens Album , [ 2004 ]

Latifah has had her bad times too just like the rest of us. She told ESSENCE Magazine that she was sexually abused by a teenage babysitter. In 1996, she was charged with possession of Marijuana and a loaded gun. These incidents notwithstanding, Queen Latifah remains a Rap Legend and also a great actor. RV belives she'll keep thrilling the world in the years ahead.

Sources: billboard.com, www.sing365.com, www.allanswers.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, QUEEN LATIFAH!!!

RV felicitates with the Queen of Rap, Dana Elaine Owens, who is universally known by her moniker, Queen Latifah, as she clocks 40 today. Queen Latifah was born in Newark, New Jersey, USA, on the 18th of March 1970. Watch out for a creative piece on her later today. Enjoy the video above and see how deep Latifah can get with her words. Cheers.

AUDU MAIKORI'S PASSION FOR MUSIC.

The Nigerian Music Industry is getting stronger daily. Local Record Labels are mushrooming, with different artistes and music videos being presented to the listening public and music lovers by the hour. Things were not like this back in the 80's and early 90's. In those days, Nigerian music was dominated by a small group of musicians including Fela Anikulapo Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Onyeka Onwenu [ The Elegant Stallion ], Edward Inyang [ Blackky ], Daddy Showkey, et al. The trend changed starting from the late 90's when groups like The Remedies and Rough, Rugged and Raw appeared on the music scene. One man that continues to play a vital role in showcasing Nigerian Music to the world in a positive light is Audu Maikori.

Born on August 13 1975 in Kaduna, Northern Nigera, Maikori attended Kings College in Lagos. After studying law at the University of Jos, Audu became a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, The International Association of Entertainment lawyers and the Nigerian Bar Association [ NBA ]. In 2001, Audu started to make himself heard and seen on the Nigerian Arts scene. That year, he co-founded the Guild of Artists and Poets [G.A.P ] Nigeria. GAP is an NGO that promotes the Arts with branches in Abuja, Jos and Lagos. He also gave his plans for a Record Label some structure. Thus Chocolate City Entertainment Company was born. Under the dynamic tutelage of Maikori [He's the Company's CEO ], C.C.E has grown beyond all expectations. The Company helped to midwife the careers of successful artistes like Djinee, Asa, M.I, and Jeremiah Gyang.

Audu Maikori is not just into Showbiz for the money and fame alone. He's also helping to establish a regulatory framework for the Nigerian music industry. In 2007, Audu helped to organize the first Nigerian International Music Summit [ NIMS , which was aimed at establishing a legal regulatory framework for Nigerian music. Over 400 Music Industry stakeholders attended the event. Audu, who loves painting and writing poetry, is a partner in Law Allianz where he heads the Entertainment and Intellectual Property Department. He was recognized for his valiant efforts at repositioning Nigerian music in 2007, when he won the British Council's International Young Music Entrepreneur of The Year Award. Audu defeated 10 other finalists from various nations to clinch the award in a contest held in Britain. His star continues to shine. I wonder who will stop this young man from achieving his maximum potentials? In his mid 30's, he still has a lot to do for the world's music industry. RV wishes him the best as he moves on to international stardom.

RV NEWS DIGEST.

CHARLY BOY DABBLES INTO PUBLISHING....

Nigeria's Punk King and Producer of the classic Charly Boy Show, Charles Oputa, has started publishing a colourful Magazine which is aptly titled CHARLYBOY. The first edition of the 112 page glossy publication appeared on the newsstands in December 2009. According to campusdailyonline.com, the magazine's debut edition sold out like hot cakes. The first issue had Charly Boy and Denrele Edun [ The dynamic but weird guy on SOUNDCITY ] on the front cover of the sold out issue. The second edition of the Magazine is also said to be loaded with great features and interviews and the star list includes Tunde and Wunmi Obe, Chief Emeka Anyaoku [ Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth States ] and Prince Tony Momoh.

Source: www.campusdailyonline.com

FUGEES ''KILLING ME SOFTLY'' DIRECTOR GETS CHARGED FOR RAPE AND INCEST

The man behind The Fugees [ Lauryn Hill, Pras and Wyclef Jean ] hit song's video '' Killing Me Softly '' has been arrested for raping his daughters and fathering their kids. Aswad Ayinde, who is also known as Charles McGill, abused his daughters and got them to give birth to six children from the mid 80's to 2002. RV gathered that Mr Ayinde supervised the babies delivery with the mindset that he was creating a bloodline that will survive an impending apocalypse. One of his daughters has confirmed the story though she pleaded for anonymity. 51-year old Ayinde is facing 27 charges from sexual assault to child endangerment. He drew the attention of the American authorities in 2000 after the state temporarily took custody of his children, after the accused beat them with wooden boards and boots.

Source: AllHipHop.com Daily News.

TONY TONERO: HOW PAUL PLAY DAIRO'S EX-BANDMATE DIED.

RV has just found out this piece of news, though belatedly. Tony Tonero, the dude with the deep voice on Paul I.K Dairo's hit song '' Mo Sorire '' is dead. Tony, who was a member of the 90's funk-soul group, OXYGEN, alongside Paul, Slam [ Remember him? This handsome guy just returned to Nigeria from the UK after living in the Queen's country for several years ] and Swave was hit by a car in the Mangoro area of Lagos, Nigeria, on the 24th of last month. According to reports, the circumstances sorrounding the accident and the singer's death are not clear yet.

While Slam and Paul Play went on to become successful in their music careers, Swave and Tonero struggled without success to make it in the music world. Tony Tonero however continued to perform as a back-up singer for his close friend, Paul I.K Dairo. OXYGEN was trying to regroup for a reunion album before Tony's death. You can see Tony Tonero's performance on the '' Mo Sorire '' song above. The song was a hit in Nigeria and among the African diaspora. Paul Play has gone on to become a household name in Nigeria with hit albums and songs that can compete for attention on the billboard charts.

RV commiserates with the friends and family of Tony Tonero. Rest In Peace, soul brother.

CHERYL COLE'S DANCE WITH PAIN AND IMPENDING FORTUNE.

British Singer Set To Land £5 Million Fashion Contract......

Cheryl Cole's struggle to come to terms with her husband's infidelity and dishonourable behaviour has deepened, as she's pulled out of a good number of scheduled appearances. The singer who's from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK , was due to deliver a hot performance tonight with Jonathan Ross. However, a statement from her spokesman threw spanners into the outing. The statement disclosed that Cheryl is postponing promotional events this week because she has contracted bronchitis. The former Girls Aloud member and X Factor Judge announced last month that she was cutting ties with her husband and Chelsea FC star, Ashley Cole, after media reports that he was cheating on her.

In another development, Cheryl Cole is on track to sign a lucrative £5 Million Fashion Deal. RV gathered that the star is being wooed by numerous fashion houses with Italian Designer, Roberto Cavalli, offering her £1.3 Million to model his autumn winter selection. Two other fashion houses are reportedly offering her potential contracts worth £2 Million. Other Fashion deals could bring the total amount to £5 Million.

Fashion pundits believe Cheryl Cole has all it takes to succeed, including beauty and a great personality, which will be an asset to fashion brands. Cheryl was the first to be picked to join Girls Aloud and she mentored Joe McElderry to win Simon Cowell's X-Factor last year.

Sources: talktalk.co.uk, Well Contented Ltd, The Press Association, RV.

WHAT HAPPENED TO NONCHALANT?

I will always love female rappers for two reasons. One, they're trying to make a name for themselves in a field that is dominated by dudes. Secondly, they have a unique way of sharing what goes on in their lives, society and neighbourhood in a passionate manner. I started listening to the music of Nonchalant in 1996, when my cousin in the United States [ He's born and bred in Obama's territory ] sent me her debut release in cassette format. The album was titled '' Until The Day ''. I listened to tape for a whole week and discovered that she's a real talent. The album had a jazzy feel with Nonchalant spitting words that reached out to the world at large.

Before listening to this sister's debut album, Queen Latifah and MC Lyte were my favourite female rappers. I loved Queen Latifah because of her boldness, Ghetto Appeal, and dress sense. On the other hand, MC Lyte appealed to me because of her looks, more romatic tunes and party grooves. Nonchalant came into my life courtesy of Deola and I suddenly had a new hero. She seemed to me, a combination of Laifah and Lyte. Non can be said to be a social crusader more than a party artiste. Most of the songs on '' Until The Day'' had messages of hope, faith, non-violence and aspiration.

Her most popular song to date is the thrilling track '' 5'O Clock ''. The song has a well produced video and it tries to warn young people all over the world about the dangers of drug dealing, hanging out with undesirable fellows, and living in crime. Another good track is '' Crap Rappers '' which speaks against unpolished and substandard rappers and their lyrics. Other tracks like '' Have A Good Time '' , ''Thank You'' and '' Light And Sirens '' [ A song that criticises the American Police positively ] are nice to listen to and learn from anyday, anytime.

However, where is this lovely sister today? I have not heard about her in years. I've come across some collaborations she did with other rappers on YOUTUBE, but she has not released a sophomore album. This D.C based sister is a blessing to the music world. Nonchalant was on WPGC 95.5 Radio in the D.C Area years ago as an on air personality. She was different from the female rappers that came after her. Remember them? I'm talking about the bling and flesh-flaunting generation of female rappers like Eve, Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown etc. Non said in an interview that she left MCA Records because the label did not offer her the opportunity to do what she wanted- Being able to innovate and compete with other artistes that were coming out back in those days of great rap albums.

Nonchalant remains a part of my life. I can't wait to get my hands on her second album, whenever she decides to release it and come out of her creative hood.

Sources: Youtube, RV.

DMX GOES BACK TO JAIL FOR SNIFFING COCAINE.

American Rapper,DMX, has been arrested and is behind bars once more for breaking probation rules. DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, admitted to his parole officer that he had been using cocaine for about nine months until he was found out. The Probation rules spelt out that the rapper had to stay away from drugs during his drug treatment timetable. DMX is being kept at a Phoenix [ Arizona ]Jail away from other prisoners. He was arrested last year and got locked up on weapons, drugs and animal cruelty convictions. The irony of DMX's latest conviction is that he'd announced that he had changed his ways early last year. RV gathered he told FOX News that Jail had made him discover his true calling in life which was to become a Christian minister.

According to DMX, ''I came here to meet somebody. I don't know who it is, but I came to tell them that Jesus loves them. To tell them about the glory of God.'' DMX's best-selling album is his 1999 release '' And Then There Was X '', which had the hit single '' Party Up [Up In Here] '' . He's also an actor and has starred in Movies like Cradle To The Grave, Last Hour and Belly. If you want to listen to the best of DMX'S music, get the CD compilation titled 'THE BEST OF DMX. It was released by Def Jam early this year.

Sources: RV, Wikipedia, guardian.co.uk

RV NEWS: Asa In Alleged Paternity Scandal!!

The muckrakers are at it again. RV has gathered that gifted soul singer, Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Asa [ It means '' Hawk'' in the West African language called Yoruba ] is in the midst of another alleged scandal. This time it has to do with who her real father is. Now, the official photographs of Asa's parents have not been released to the public and music lovers, since she burst onto the music scene with her self titled album '' Asa ''. However, there has been unconfirmed reports that Bukola Elemide's father is Mr Wale Akinboboye, the man who runs the lagos leisure outfit, La campaigne Tropicana.

It is said that Mr Akinboboye has refused to identify with Asa, and makes efforts to stop enquiries about who the artist's true father is. RV gathered that Asa was tutored at a stage in her career by Yinka Davies, who was a member of the Atunda Troupe, a theatrical business owned by Mr Akinboboye. There is a rumour that Mr Akinboboye told Davies to train Asa musically. RV is not sure if this rumour holds water because it is widely known that Bukola trained in Peter King's Music School in Badagry, Lagos, for a year.

Asa's Paternity issue is coming to light after she was accused of being a lesbian by a Lagos based Magazine late last year. News of The People published a story titled '' Lesbianism trails Asa and Manager ''. The publishers of the Magazine claimed that Asa and her Manager, Janet Nwose, were in a lesbian relationship. The story angered the duo and they sued the Magazine for defamation and libel at the Lagos High Court. The pair asked for a 700 Million Naira compensation and were bitter that the story portrayed Asa negatively to her fans. Asa was born in Paris, France, in 1982. She returned to Nigeria at age two and grew up in Jos, Plateau State. She returned to Lagos when she was 18 years old. Her music career kicked off a few years later.

Sources: Google, Modern Ghana Web.

WELCOME TO REDMAN'S VIBEWORLD.

I've been writing since I was in Primary School. I just have this connection with the pen. My first attempt at creativity was through drawing. With the aid of the wax products of crayola, I would draw amateur comic strips and copy characters from DC comics and TV cartoons. The Nigerian Television Authority [ NTA ] and Lagos Weekend Television [ LWT ] tickled my imagination back in the 80's and early 90's. As soon as I enrolled in High School, I started losing my drawing skills and a new phenomenon started. My writing skills came to the fore and I've been strong in that area since then.

Today, I'm welcoming you to this blog. I want you to be friendly with this blog because I want to keep you informed 100% about what is happening in the music industry worldwide. I'll be blogging on all kinds of music with a strong emphasis on Soul, Jazz, Hip-Hop, British Grime, Hardcore Rap, Gospel Music, African music and House music. I will also keep you informed about the latest news in the Music world. This blog will be utilizing the resources of YOUTUBE, Google and other web portals to keep you informed, educated, inspired and entertained. You never know what will pop up on this blog and the artistes, producers and people you may get to meet through vibes-extra @ Blogspot.Com

I promise you solid information, videos and features anytime you visit my Vibeworld. If you're a music lover, artiste or you own a record label, you need to watch this space. The young man behind this blog is deeply talented and wants to make you have a memorable time as you read reviews, articles and listen to music. Lets make this blog a success together. Once more, I'm saying welcome. A dynamic blog is born!!