Entertainment
I’m set for world —Sean Dampte
Sean Dampte is a fast rising artiste who says he is taking over with his music. He spoke to ROTIMI IGE about his plans for world domination.
Background
I am Oluyole Oluwaseun, formerly known as Dampte, but now Sean Dampte. Most people still call me Dampte. My secondary education was in Lagos. As God would have it, I have a master’s degree in Business Administration from a university in the United Kingdom and my Bachelors of Science degree from an American university. Like most people, my growing up was not all rosy. I can say that my parents tried to make sure we children never lacked.
You were in the Nigerian music industry and now you are an entertainer in the UK. In what ways are both similar and different?
Yes, you can say that definitely. There are glaring similarities and differences, but at the end of the day we all trying to bring out the best of Afrobeats. Production wise, the sounds around here are quite different but still borrow most of the African bass drums and melodies to make the something unique. So, for me, the similarities and differences are inter-woven along the line.
You recorded some success in Nigeria. Which song put the spotlight on you and how did you get inspiration for the song?
Yes. A couple of tracks in some months (like Alignment featuring Rayce and No) have brought attention. The inspiration normally builds from my environment. For the track ‘Alignment’, for instance, I draw comparisons between an exotic car and a beautiful lady.
How do you come up with your lyrics and beats?
It depends, really. Sometimes the beats or sound drives the track and other times it is the lyrics first. You try to get a melody that works and from there, you begin to build.
In Nigeria and abroad, who are those you have had to collaborate with?
I have worked with the likes of Goldhands in the US, Delirious and some many others in the UK. In Nigeria, I have had sounds from DXL, Fliptyce, Jomane and Joey Benks amongst others.
Your new single, ‘Million’, just dropped. Tell us about it.
Well, I hope people love it. That is all I expect, to be honest.
What happens if it doesn’t go the way you hope?
(Laughs) It will go the way I hope because my expectations are already in motion.
How was life for you in Lagos?
Lagos is and will always remain home. My family lives there, the same thing with friends and a lot of people who appreciate me as a person and the music I do. I come to Lagos at every opportunity.
Why did you leave Nigeria for England?
It was a difficult choice I had to make, but it was something that I felt strongly I had to do then and I did. It was not my first time living outside the country and so when I felt it was time to move again, I had to do it.
What do you think is responsible for the positive response that Nigerian music, especially Afrobeat, is garnering worldwide?
I believe our music expresses the mindset of the people. Nigerians are generally happy people and so our kind of music is that which brings you that happy feeling. Like Plato said, society changes when music changes. So I am guessing happy music, happy audience. Afrobeat to the world!
Do you really think Wizkid and others are truly making Afrobeat productions?
(Laughs) I believe Wizkid and the others are doing a great job at promoting our brand of music and culture.
Which musician(s) do you anticipate working with in Nigeria and beyond? And why these people?
In all honesty, there is no one artiste on my mind. I keep working as hard as I can and if the opportunity comes for more collaboration, then my team and I would have to consider.
Do you have plans to release an album anytime soon?
Who knows? Right now, I love the attention and the short span. Producing an album is something the team and I may have to consider.
What can bring you to Nigeria at this stage of your career?
Generally, I believe my sound is differently unique in the way I deliver my tracks and also the genuineness of which I am is what I try to put out there for everyone to see. So “If I say that I love you, no be joke.”
Entertainment
Funke Akindele Breaks Records Again! ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ Hits N500M in Just 12 Days
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has once again redefined box office success with her latest movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa.
The film has made history as the fastest Nollywood production to gross N500 million, achieving the milestone in just 12 days.
The blockbuster had earlier set another record for the highest-grossing one-day performance of all time, raking in N87.8 million on its best day.
Announcing the milestone through her Instagram account, Akindele expressed heartfelt gratitude to her fans for their unwavering support.
Sharing a celebratory graphic highlighting the movie’s N511 million earnings, she wrote, “Thank you, Lord!! Thank you everyone!!! I couldn’t have done this without your love and support!!!! God bless you all!!”
Everybody Loves Jenifa is the latest installment in the popular Jenifa series, chronicling the comedic yet relatable escapades of the titular character, Jenifa, played by Akindele.
The movie features a star-studded cast, including Falz, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, and Layi, who bring depth and charm to the production.
Akindele’s achievements in the film industry continue to set new standards. Her 2023 movie, A Tribe Called Judah, still holds the title of the highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time.
Fans and critics alike have hailed Everybody Loves Jenifa for its humor, relatability, and stellar performances, making it a must-watch in Nigerian cinemas. With this latest feat, Funke Akindele reaffirms her position as a trailblazer in Nollywood.
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.
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.
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