- All The Blow-By-Blow Accounts Of The Event
City People magazine on Sunday, October 28, 2018, held its fans, followers and music lovers in Lagos spellbound with a blend of the old school with the most trending artistes all under one roof. It was indeed a gathering of the big names in the history of the evolution of the Nigerian music industry as many forgotten music legends shared the stage with the fast-rising, most promising and current champions of the music industry, it was at the 2018 City People Music Awards held in Lagos.
Many would have thought that a change in the weather on that Sunday from a bright and sunny afternoon to a rainy day would prevent the event from producing the maximum fun it had promised; however, the opposite was the case. Many people that attended attested to the fact that it was more than a hundred per cent fun and excitement from that afternoon till late in the night when the show ended. City People’s DAMILARE SALAMI-07033526688, in this report, brings you a full gist of what happened at the event.
BALMORAL EVENT CENTRE COMES ALIVE
The event was held at the Balmoral Event Center in Oregun situated in Ikeja axis of Lagos and it of a truth proved to be a perfect venue to host such a glamorous show as artistes and fans alike find it quite easy to locate. Apart from the easy location, the aesthetics produced by the decorators who played around black and gold colours with a touch of white completely transformed the venue into a haven for fun lovers. Except for time, the lighting effects in the auditorium didn’t give guests any idea that it was completely dark outside at nightfall.
RED CARPET WAS ABUZZ
The red carpet started coming alive as soon as the City People TV crew mounted the red carpet spot for start of business. However, the red carpet came to an abrupt end as a heavy downpour chased away all media crew and stars who were getting ready for the main event. But surprisingly, as soon as the rain stopped after about an hour of heavy downpour, the red carpet came back lit and on fire as many old stars like Rugged man, Ice K of Artquake, Azadus, Tony Tetuila, Tunde and Wunmi Obey (TWO) Eddie Remedy, Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetuila, Olu Maintain, etc represented their brands and new generation stars like Barry Jhay, Ola Dips, Ajura, Victor AD, Mr Real, Young 6ix, Enimoney, Baddest DJ Timmy, tv personalities like Seun Olagunju, Ambrose Somide, Kenny Keke Ogungbe, Bashiru Adisa aka Baba Gboin all stormed the red carpet with their beautiful outfits.
HONEY POT AND T-LAFF ANCHORED THE SHOW
Popular TV hostess and screen diva, Olayemi Ogunwale famously known as Honey Pot and one of Nigeria’s biggest comedians and MC, Taiwo Lawrence popularly known as T-Laff walked upstage like a new couple, introduced themselves and thrilled the fans with several jokes. Their introduction alone told the guests they were in for an exciting. By the time the show was over, many fans were looking for the anchors for their contacts and selfies. They both added glamour to the night and undoubtedly had fun themselves as the star-studded event left everyone wanting more.
BADDEST DJ TIMMY OPENS SHOW
Warri-born young and enterprising Baddest DJ Timmy is no doubt one of Nigeria’s topmost Disc Jockeys as he is not only vast at tape mixing and entertaining guests at events and top-notch clubs but has also featured in a few musical collaborations. He treated the guests to their greatest music pleasure with different tunes from his turntable. While the red carpet was on hold because of rain, DJ Timmy threw everyone into a party mood even before the official opening of the event such that guests who came into the auditorium wet immediately forgot about the situation outside and just clicked into the groove without restrains. After the anchors came on board, DJ Timmy was announced as the official DJ of the night and he immediately opened the show by leading the guests to sing the national anthem from his turntable.
SK SPECIALLY WELCOMES GUESTS
City People Magazine Publisher, Dr Seye Kehinde took out time to officially welcome guests after the national anthem. He reminded everyone seated the reason for gathering is to recognise and appreciate outstanding talents in the music industry, hence, the reason the platform will be given to some untapped talents who have the potential of taking the music industry to another level very soon provided they have the right environment. SK further reminded the guests that City People has come a long way in promoting the entertainment industry but also stressed that his company is committed to making the industry bigger and better and also making the awards better and bigger than it already is.
CITY PEOPLE TALENT HUNT WINNERS ROCK THE STAGE
A few weeks earlier, City People organised a talent hunt for upcoming musicians in other to expose their talent to the real world where they will be appreciated and 5 winners emerged from over one hundred people that participated. The 5 winners were billed to perform on the huge platform of the music award which they did excellently. The winners had the opportunity to sell themselves to the record label owners on seat like Efizzy, TJ Thunder, Bliz, Segxy Marley and the topmost winner, Lekan Eniola and his fortunes band.
LEKAN ENIOLA DAZZLED
Lekan Eniola is saxophonist, jazz musician and live band performer with his Fortunes Band. He is indeed a complete musician with an immense stage management skill. The way he thrilled the audience with tunes from his alto saxophone is second to none. It reminded listeners of the great American jazz player, Kenny Gareth aka Kenny G. His band members added colour to his performance and the guests practically demanded another slot for him but time would not permit.
COMEDIAN RUBBERTAINER PERFORMS
Fast-rising comedian Rubbertainmer gave the event some more fun with his rib cracking jokes. Although he is still a rising act, his poise, composure and delivery made him look like the veteran comedian he is aspiring to become. He undoubtedly added to his fan base on the night because his performance was out of this world.
NIKE NAFISAT BALOGUN PRESENTS 1ST SET OF AWARDS
Nike Nafisat Balogun popularly called the Ajoke Gbajumo flew in from her Abuja base and she had the honour of presenting the first set of awards to winners after being called to the podium by Honey Pot and T-Laff. She then proceeded to present plaques to the following people; Dede Mabiaku, a disciple of the legendary afrobeats maestro, Fela Akikulapo Kuti. also one of Nigeria’s finest gospel act, Shola Allyson, South-South born legendary singer, Muma Gee, the Oruka crooner, Sunny Nneji for their contributions to the development of the music industry in Nigeria. Popular TV personalities, Ambrose Somide, Yemi Sonde, Temple Management company, Tunde and Wunmi Obey were also recognised.
In the competitive category, Godwin of Naija Fm grabbed the OAP of the year plaque from Mrs Balogun, Warri rave of the moment; Erida got the indigenous act of the year while Victor AD was named the most promising act of the year. Moet of Sound City got the female OAP of the year plaque while the director of the year went to Didu. Baddest DJ Timmy was the last on the list of presentation for Mrs Nafisat Balogun, she handed him a plaque for the hype man of the year before retiring to her seat after a job well done.
HOW ARTISTES STORMED THE EVENT
Those who stormed City People Music Awards included the DMW President, Banko and Yomi Suave, Mr Real’s Manager. Also Skaku Skaku crooner, Mr Real stormed the event. Others include fast-rising act, Victor AD and DJ Enimoney of YBNL. They all stormed the event with Manager (Larry). Baddest DJ Timmy was there. He was the official DJ of the awards.
Popular rapper Yung Six stormed the event also. Fast-rising act, Areezy was at the awards with his Manager, fast-rising act. Portah and Oladips also stormed event with Manager (Freeman).
Fast-rising act, Barry Jhay also came. So also popular indigenous act, Erriga. Kira Ivuvo of DMW was there. Abiola, CEO of Kolatainment. Peruzzi’s manager was also there, not to forget Femi Ivuvo (Dremo’s manager).
TUNDE AND WUNMI OBEY STUN IN DAZZLING GOLD & BLACK OUTFIT
This charming couple is known for their perfect combination both in their music and fashion outlook. They came to the 2018 music awards in a display of glamour and beauty. Tunde Obey was dressed in well decorated black Agbada and red cap while Wunmi Obey’s well decorated black and gold gown was one of the side attractions of the night.
GREATNESS, DX THRILL AS OMO JESU CRACK RIBS
The City People music award night is not just about the presentation of plaques to winners but maximum entertainment and fun. This was what the guests enjoyed when hip hop acts, Greatness and DX thrilled them and kept them dancing to their various tunes.
Popular comedian Omo Jesu is a regular voice on 105.5 FM; aka the Arch Bishop of comedy; after hitting the red carpet, he stormed the stage in his usual style after anchors Honey Pot and T-Laugh invited him over and he didn’t leave until he left tears flowing from the face of his audience as a result of continuous laughter from his jokes.
AMBROSE SOMIDE & SEUN OLAGUNJU PRESENT NEXT SET OF AWARDS
Dr Ambrose Somide and Seun Olagunju were regular faces on AIT before Seun left for NTA and Ambrose rose to a managerial position at Daar Communications Ltd, owners of AIT, Rar Power and Faaji fm. Their presentation expertise are no doubt impeccable and they brought the same to the stage as they presented plaques to some winners. Beautiful Seun Olagunju appeared in a blinging gold and black outfit which accurately complemented her beauty and voice. Kenny Ogungbe received a lifetime award for his impacts on the growth of the music industry in Nigeria. Keke Ogungbe’s first major contribution to Nigeria’s music industry was the support granted the Remedies group which had Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetuila and Eddie Montana. The group went on to redefine the hip hop music and broke up later on. But they all buried their differences to unite with their former boss on stage as he received his award. Others are Dan Hausawa who received the award for Arewa best dancehall/ afro hip hop act of the year, Ice K of Artquake and Adex of Artquake who got a throwback hall of fame award, the best Dj of the year in the north which went to Magic Finger Naija.
MUMA GEE RAISES DOWN THE ROOF
Muma Gee came into limelight for her song Kade which is definitely not known by many of the young chaps in this generation. However, she proved that she belongs to this generation with her eccentric and electrifying performance on the night. That show looked like a huge comeback concert for Muma Gee as she garnered many more new generation fans to herself after raising the roof down with her afrobeats hip hop tunes.
The music interlude at this point would not be completely reported without the performances of fast-rising stars, Topsy Naughty and Nautical, they brought a blend of the new school hip hop to what was already tagged throwback by Muma Gee’s performance.
KEKE OGUNGBE PRESENTS AWARD
Baba Kenny Ogungbe is not a new face in the music industry. The history of the evolution of hip hop in Nigeria cannot be traced without his name not popping up. He is equally a media personality having started with AIT Jamz which later grew to become prime time Africa on several cable and terrestrial stations today. He was saddled with the responsibility of presenting plaques to Don Efizzy who was named Arewa best dancehall/reggae artist of the year, Nominees G who was named the best video director of the year, Invikta FM which won the radio station with best indigenous content, Bashiru Adisa aka Baba Gboin who got a lifetime award, best record label of the year (north) won by Black Horse, Arewa 24 took away the plaque for the best TV station for showbiz content in the north. Dan Hausawa’s good life grabbed the Arewa best music video of the year while Pennywealth Pennynah Safiya was named Arewa female artist of the year. Others were Azadus and Jo-el, who both got the hall of fame throwback awards.
ORISHEFEMI DAZZLES
Oritshefemi is a famous street dancehall Nigerian singer and very famous for his Mercies of the Lord, Double Wahala and Igbeyawo hits. He dazzled on stage with some of his songs and drew sweat from virtually every guest despite the cold weather and fully air-conditioned auditorium.
JO-EL KILLS IT WITH SUPERB DANCERS
Jo-el is among the top old generation musicians. He was Kenny’s music golden boy during that era and was popular for his song “the matter”. He revived the old passion and took the audience to the days of the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti with his dancers’ steps and mode of dressing. He ended up entertaining the guests and set the tone for the performers that came afterwards.
CITY PEOPLE GATHERS NAIJA MUSIC’S HISTORY IN ONE AUDITORIUM
The memories of the 2018 City People Music Awards will linger on for a long time to come as City People gathered the hit makers and history re-writers of the Nigerian music industry especially the hip-hop genre in the same auditorium not just for recognition but also for huge throwback performances. With DJ H Money taking over from the young DJ Baddest Timmy, Eedris Abdulkareem aka Mr Lecturer stormed the stage by performing his old tunes before inviting the former members of the defunct Remedies group, Tony Tetuila and Eddie Remedy to join him as they performed the popular Omode Meta Nsere and other tunes that reigned then from the stables of Kennis Music.
RUGGED MAN, OLU MAINTAIN, PULL STUNTS
Rugged man hit the Nigerian music industry with an acclaim of being a natural rapper and turned the game around with several bold steps, one of them was being the first artiste to own a record label, a move that “liberated and enriched” musicians afterwards. He returned with a bang at the 2018 music awards and left a huge impact on his fans with his rap skills. He further encouraged every guest to get his/her PVC and be ready to vote right in 2019 to further improve the standard of the country in every sector in the nearest future.
Olu Maintain was popular for introducing the Yahooze dance in 2006 after breaking out of the Maintain group in 2003. He equally stormed the 2018 City People Music awards and made his older audience members rewind far back to 2006 with his Yahooze song and dance steps. It was a night to remember for both the artiste and the guests as everyone was fully entertained; even those who were not born then learnt the dance steps and danced along to show that he was really accepted by all.
TUNDE AND WUNMI OBEY (TWO) PRESENT NEXT SET OF AWARDS
Celebrity couple, Tunde and Wunmi Obey (TWO) needed no further introduction as Honey Pot and T-Laugh called them upstage to present the next couple of plaques to winners. They wasted no time in going straight into the major business of the night by calling award winners forward for their plaques. The following received their plaques from the celebrity couple; Oritshefemi who got a special recognition award, Faaji Fm was named the radio station with best indigenous content, while throwback hall of fame awards went to Eedris Abdulkareem, African China, Eddie Remedy and Lord of Ajasa.
DON SYLVESTER NWEKE PRESENTS NEXT SET OF AWARDS
Don Sylvester Nweke is not a new face in the Nigerian music industry. He is popular for promoting different genres of music and artistes and he is the CEO of Don Sylvester Records. He was dressed in well fitted South-South attire with gorgeous and expensive pieces of jewellery. He was part of the dignitaries who had the honour of presenting plaques to some of the winners. Some of the stars who got their plaques from him are Ruggedman, Tony Tetuila. Mega 99 got the plaque for Juju artiste of the year while Woli Arole was named the comedy act of the year. Shuga Boy was named the pop artiste of the year; VJ Adams got the video jockey of the year award.
Others are Seun Bankole and his band, SB Live band won the live band of the year award while DMW record label beat others to the be named the record label of the year award.
BARRY JHAY WINS AWARD, PERFORMS AIYE O LE TRACK
Barry Jhay is the son of the popular Fuji king, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. He came into limelight when he dropped the single “Aiye O le” and the track has enjoyed so much airplay and has been everywhere. Barry Jhay won the prestigious best new act of the year at the 2018 City People Music Awards but that was not the gist. The biggest gist was the fact that the audience was already chanting his hit song as he was announced the winner of his category even before mounting the podium. He had to perform the track based on popular demand.
SHOCK ENERGY DRINK MANAGER, GARRY EBUBE PRESENTS NEXT SET OF AWARDS
Mr Garry Ebube is the Brand development manager of Shock Energy Drink, one of the major sponsors of the 2018 edition of City People Music Awards. He had the honour of presenting plaques to some of the stars of the night.
The following winners got their plaques from Mr Ebube; Perruzi who was named the rookie of the year, DJ Enimoney featuring Tiwa Savage got the collaboration of the year, Mayorkun was named the male artiste of the year while Coded won the rap album of the year. Goldmyne TV was named the online TV of the year
ROLL CALL
Don Sylvester Nweke, the CEO of Don Sylvester Records, Young 6IX, Yomi Suave, Mr Real, Victor AD, Erriga, Kira Nuvo, Banko, the President, DMW, Kolatainment, Perruzi’s manager, Femi Nuvo, Dremos manager, Rugged Man, Olu Maintain, Tunde and Wunmi Obey (TWO), Singer Jo-el, Orishefemi, Muma Gee, Otunba Sesan Rufai
Also present was Kenny Keke Ogungbe, DJ H Money, Don Efizzy, DJ Baddest Timmy, Eedris Abdulkareem, Azadus, Eddie Remedy, Tony Tetuila, Pennywealth Pennynah Safiya, Ice K of Artquake, Adex, Ambrose Somide, Seun Olagunju, Greatness, DX and Omo Jesu
Others are Yemi Sonde, Bashiru Adisa, Dan Hausawa, Mrs Nike Nafisat Balogun, etc.
Damilare Salami 07033526688/08155134152
