A first-hand look @ life in the entertainment industry...

It was an incredible opportunity, to spend a few days with Nigerian entertainers in the music industry. To get a first hand look at the things they do... how they do it... and how they live.... when they are on tour. The experience was really fascinating. Chocolate City: the chosen group is an entertainment company based in Nigeria with offices in Abuja and Lagos, it is also home to award winning artists like M.I, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince and has also worked closely with the likes of Djinee, Asa, and Jeremiah Gyang.

M.I Abaga an artiste signed to Chocolate City- is a producer, lyricist, songwriter and instrumentalist. He had a relaunch of his album called MI2 at the IndigO2 London. M.I aka Mr incredible got the crowd really going, by engaging them in his songs, playing the piano while Jesse Jags (another artiste signed to the group) took to the drums. Highlight of the day was a video (really graphic images) of the Jos crisis (he grew up in Jos, Nigeria) where he rapped about the issues going on in Jos and begged Nigerians and all Africans to unite as one in-spite of what we think our differences are. The other artistes signed to the group also performed- did an acapella and lastly a Nigerian female musician called Waje walked in, straight from the airport to do a duet with M.I which was fantastic-she's got a lovely voice. All in all the crowd was wowed and it was a great night.

The next day, while the other Aristes- Brymo, Jesse Jags, M.I left for Manchester for a show there, Ice Prince headed out to the studio for the final video shoot of his new single- 'Superstar' which comes after 'Oleku'- the No. 1 single of 2010 (which was featured in a past blog post).

I watched as they set the stage for the video shoot, the preparation was ongoing as they shot and re-shot scenes trying to get the best angles, the best dance moves and so on. There were different takes with different people and of different scenes. Overall it turned out nice. Hanging out with the whole crew was the best experience ever, as I watched the intricacies of making a video and how every part comes together to form the perfect blend of what I believe will be a great video. And its a wrap....

Jesse Jags @ the drums

Choc Boyz

M.I and Waje

M.I playing the piano

yours truly and choc bosses

Choc Bosses n Moet- love the colour blocking

Brymo

Jesse Jags

Audu-Choc Boss

M.I

Video shoot

Ice Prince

Paul and I

Katung- Director

Moet

Jah Bless and Audu

 

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My Vintage Look- Day 2

wore these to church...

Dress-Nigerian Mkt, Satchel-Portobello Rd Mkt, Shoes-Next

Alheri too...

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Yesterday at Salamander Cafe...

 ...was spectacular. I had fun last night as I listened to various artistes sing. Frank the Tenor belting out 'Time to Say Goodbye' -masterpiece of Italian singer Andrea Bocelli. Lindsey also, lovely voice. Age Beeka singing his old and new songs while we sang and danced along with him, and finally Deji Williams a Paris-based Nigerian singer sang many of his songs- even one in French "ooh la la" and we all joined him in singing Tracy Chapman's 'Talking about a revolution'  All in all it was a good night...

 Lydia (of TARUWA) Host

 Age Beeka performing

 Chocolate City

Audu

Paul

Katung

Deji Williams singing

Amina (Tea) of Tir Quain Connects

Yours Truly (Linda)

Tea and Linda

Sephiny Smart (Smart Sistas)

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The Fulani Of Nigeria

Fulani Dwelling (Domed House)

One of our inspirations is the Fulani people of Nigeria. I've mentioned this before but just want to emphasize it again in case it was missed somehow. I went to a Fulani settlement (Ruga- in Hausa) in Kwoi Nigeria to get inspiration and it was quite an experience. 


First of all I met one of the men herding and I asked him where he lived and he described it, so off I went with my cousin. I didn't think our car was going to make it, but somehow we managed to drive through the untarred road or what barely seemed like a road, and stopped somewhere, then walked to the settlement. 


Unfortunately for us all the men had gone out herding and it was just the women and children but I still got some good shots of the kids and women. Made some friends and just had a laugh taking their pictures and talking to the women.

Brief History: The Fulani are an ethnic group of people spread over many countries, predominantly in West Africa. The Fulani people of Nigeria are generally nomads. The traditional dress of the Fula consists of long colourful flowing robes, modestly embroidered or otherwise decorated.They decorate themselves with necklaces, earrings, nose rings and anklets.


Fulani's are primarily known to be pastoralists, but are also traders in some areas. Most Fula's in the countryside spend long times alone on foot, moving their herds; they were the only major migrating people of West Africa, though most Fula's now live in towns or villages.


The physical resemblance between the pure Fulani and representations of the Proto-Egyptians is remarkable. The Fulani, according to tradition, are heirs of the Egyptian pharaohs, evident in the artistic way of braiding their hair as well as the traditional costume that distinguishes them.


Some Notable Nigerian Fulanis are Usman Dan Fodio-founder of the Sokoto Caliphate, Umaru Yar'Adua former president of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa -Nigeria's First Prime minister, Aliko Dangote- Richest person of African Descent and many other prominent people.




Wise, Christopher, ed. 2001. The Desert Shore: Literatures Of The Sahel.


*Unfortunately this Ruga was razed down due to the recent political uprisings in Kaduna State Nigeria.

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