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
