Entertainment
Bembe Aladisa Resurrected!
Adebayo Taiwo Oluseyi popularly known as “Bembe Aladisa” once ruled the music scene with his debut album “E wa fun mi ni visa” which rented and hijacked the social scene. The agile, creative, energetic musician is now back to the music scene after a long vacation with a bang.
He tells the story of how government forces, operating under different names intimidated him and his new album which would rock the entertainment scene very soon. Excerpts
Your journey into the music world?
Unlike other Artistes that started music from their mother’s womb. I started my music career in the church as a juvenile choir and while I was growing I use to listen to Fela Anikulapo and Bob Marley, I see these people as freedom fighter, then I never knew what they were singing, because I grew up in the Barracks, as a Barrack boy, the only language I understood then was pidgin english, but musically, they penetrates my soul, I responded to their lyrics, their musical instrumentation.
Through all these, I knew these people were saying no to something’s and they were saying the fact, since then, I have chosen to be an activist who doesn’t like oppression and that’s me naturally.
How did you get your inspiration for “E wa fun mini visa”?
Let me tell you one thing, the inspiration for “Ewa fun mi ni visa” is still there and if we are not careful, it would continue to be there, it is what we are seeing and experiencing every day.
We need not to deceive ourselves, in Nigeria today, how many families can afford three square meal in a day, how many families eat balanced diet, how many families can afford good qualitative education, the fact is that, what we are seeing is what inspired me, what is around us is what I sing, I can’t say we are okay while we are hungry.
The Bible says in Proverb29:2, “when the wicked are on throne the people will start mourning, when the righteous are in authority, the people will be happy”, the question is that, Are we happy or we are sad in Nigeria? If I am seeing happiness, I would sing in that line, but if I am experiencing sadness, I am going to sing what I am seeing, I cannot pretend.
Based on the speculations then, is it true that you were denied visa at the US and UK embassies?
Our people failed to understand that “Ewa fun mi ni visa” is a slogan (chorus), the main message was not in any way related to visa issue at all. Although, I later heard that I was denied visa, in fact, I had never applied for visa, some invitations I got was through the music.
Your role model?
I love Fela Anikulapo because, he is a blunt person, though some people criticize him because he smokes, but that should be regarded as a personal habit, love him with the message of his music, which is very powerful, he preaches freedom.
After the release of the aforementioned track, you seem to be reticent, more so disappear from the music scene, what has being wrong with you since all these while?
I believe, there is time for everything, I never ran away from the music scene. I am married and I have to put everything together to take good care of my family.
Though, there was a time the former president, General Olusegun Obasanjo was abusing Idris Abdulkareem and I based on the release of my track “Ewa fun mi ni visa” where he called me bastard. He was furious about the development, that how on earth would an Egba Indigene be singing against his government, I was very aggressive then, I responded, believing that one should be free to express his/her feelings, Baba Obasanjo was very mad at me.
I was harassed, intimidated and arrested on several occasions by the police and other law enforcement agents asking me about my main motive of accusing the government, so when it became unbearable, I have to find my way, but now I am really back to the music scene.
Were you fulfilled with the release of “E wa fun mi ni visa” in terms of fame and smiling to your bank account?
I was fulfilled in terms of fame but smiling to my bank account is nothing to write home about. After it was banned on airwaves, it was also pirated in Asia, United Kingdom, even everywhere, but I got the fame, I hope in not too distance future, money would soon follow.
How soon are we expecting another album from Bembe Aladisa?
Very soon. I just finished the audio of my new album preparing for the video.
How would you describe the present situation in Nigeria?
The compound is gradually taking new shapes, but we see rugged and worried faces living in the compound, it is a message. If Abuja continue to look beautiful, what about the people, are they well fed; do you see smiles on their faces?
What would that be to the people we are leading? The common man needs some basic amenities, Nigerians are suffering, poverty, hunger and unemployment are prominent in our Country, our leaders must be alive to their responsibilities.
Any message for Nigerians?
In my new album “Naija Youth Prayer”, I am appealing to our youths that we should keep on praying, after the prayer, if it entails work which could be peaceful, violent or revolution, I think we should encourage that. Nigeria is blessed with ample of natures’ gift, why are we suffering?, I strongly believe Nigeria would be great again, but the question now is, is it in my own time?
My message is that Nigerians should keep praying and watching!
Entertainment
Eight Stabbed, Hundreds Arrested at Notting Hill Carnival
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that eight people were stabbed and hundreds were arrested during last weekend’s Notting Hill Carnival, one of the world’s largest street festivals, held annually in west London.
In an update on their policing operation late Monday, the Met reported that five people were stabbed on the final day of the three-day celebration, which is internationally renowned for its vibrant display of British Afro-Caribbean culture.
This followed three other stabbings on Sunday. Three of the victims were left in life-threatening conditions.
Police made at least 230 arrests on Monday alone, including 49 for possession of an offensive weapon.
These arrests added to the scores of others made earlier in the weekend. In addition to the arrests, three firearms were seized, and 35 officers sustained injuries during the event, which attracts around a million attendees every August bank holiday weekend.
The number of arrests and incidents this year closely mirrors last year’s figures when there were 10 stabbings and approximately 300 arrests.
Despite the heavy police presence, with around 7,000 officers deployed, the carnival was once again marred by violence, particularly knife crime. Nevertheless, the vast majority of the hundreds of thousands of revellers enjoyed the event without incident, filling the streets of Notting Hill with colour, music, and dancing.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Ade Adelekan expressed his frustration over the recurring violence, noting that a woman attending the carnival with her child was among those stabbed.
“We only very narrowly avoided a fatality,” he said, urging attendees to report any crimes they witness.
The Notting Hill Carnival, a celebration of British Afro-Caribbean culture, has its roots in the 1950s, following the post-World War II influx of immigrants from former British colonies.
The annual event is known for its feathered dancers, steel bands, and earth-shaking sound systems, symbolizing the rich cultural heritage of the Afro-Caribbean community in the UK.
Entertainment
Portable Granted Bail After Night in Police Cell Over ₦14m Debt
The Lagos State Police Command has freed renowned street artist, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, following a night spent in police detention.
Portable was apprehended on Tuesday in Lagos’ Abule Egba vicinity for purportedly defaulting on the balance payment for a G-Wagon vehicle he had purchased from an auto dealer.
Reports suggest that although the ‘Zazoo Zeh’ maestro acquired the vehicle valued at ₦27 million, he only disbursed ₦13 million, leaving a ₦14 million outstanding balance.
In footage that went viral, Portable was observed scaling a gate as law enforcement officers approached him with an arrest warrant.
Subsequently, another video emerged depicting him being restrained, handcuffed, and conveyed by approximately four policemen into a waiting vehicle.
During the altercation, a female voice, purportedly that of the car dealer, was heard in the background, issuing profanities and recounting Portable’s alleged threats when confronted about settling the debt.
The Police spokesperson in the state, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that Portable was released on bail on Wednesday after spending Tuesday night in police custody.
He further disclosed that both Portable and the car dealer are expected to reconvene at a later date.
“He (Portable) has been released; he was granted bail on Wednesday to come back with the complainant later,” Hundeyin stated, stressing that “the outcome of that meeting will determine our next line of action.”
This incident marks not the first encounter between the singer and law enforcement.
In April 2023, Portable was detained by the police in Ogun State and arraigned on five charges related to alleged assault and theft at the Ifo Magistrate Court, in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Subsequently, he was held at the Ilaro Correctional Centre before being released upon meeting bail conditions.
Entertainment
Autopsy Results Fail to Determine Cause of Mohbad’s Death
In a recent inquiry into the untimely demise of Nigerian musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad, held at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Sunday Osiyemi, a Forensic Scientist and Pathologist, revealed that the results of the autopsy conducted on the deceased failed to unveil the cause of death.
Speaking before Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, who presided over the coroner’s inquiry, Prof. Osiyemi cited various factors contributing to the inconclusive findings, notably the significant decomposition of the body due to the extended delay of 21 days before the autopsy was performed.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu, representing Mohbad’s family, emphasised that according to the pathologist, the body should have been exhumed within 12 hours post-burial to prevent decomposition, a critical factor in determining the cause of death.
Shittu further elucidated that the pathologist referenced the administration of certain drugs to Mohbad before his demise, suggesting a potential correlation between the drugs and the difficulties encountered in pinpointing the cause of death.
“He also went further to say that it may be attributed to reactions to certain drugs administered on him before he died. Again he then qualified that to say he does not know whether it is those drugs that actually led to his death,” Shittu stated.
With the cause of death remaining elusive, the coroner adjourned the proceedings to June 11th for further examination and cross-examination of the pathologist’s findings, signaling a continuation in the quest for answers surrounding Mohbad’s untimely passing.
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