Entertainment
TALENT is a Miserable Orphan | By Sayo Aluko
This morning, I was in the bathroom with my friend, Mr. iTunes Music player, and as usual, he was on shuffle.
Funny guy. He has mastered the art of sifting through my over 2000 songs like a McCoy, going from a zero to a hundred in a blink.
I mean, nigaa goes ????Ijoooba orun, lere oniiigbagbo o????in one minute, putting you in celestial mood, and the next thing you’ll hear is, ????talo ka pata iya Teacher lo n’Ibadan, kapaichumarimarichupako, zanku, leg work, zanku, gbe bodi e ????.
Most times I’ll just smile and be like, “guy, guy…guy!!! how far na! Nawa for you o!”, and then just vibe on.
Back to this morning, I think I was in the middle of that eternally attendant tedium of scrubbing the back when he blazed in with the ranking single – Say You Believe Me – from the 2008 #PlanB reunion album by the Platanshun Boiz trio.
???? Baby believe me when I say, na you dey matter for my mind….Girl anytime I look into your eyes it’s like sapphire and diamond inside….The reason why I trip for you is that you truly truly under-under-understand me so so…And there’s many other reasons that makes me dòbálè for yoooou more and more…????
You should have seen how my soap-rigged self burst out moves, turned the sponge to a mic and sang along, after I had initially hailed my guy [I’m sure I’m not the only one who hails the Music Player in those moments when it comes through with one correct song].
“Washeere my niggaaa!”, I twale-d.
But as I vibed to this gem of a jam, I got re-struck with the legend of Augustine “Blackface” Ahmedu.
Re-struck because I mean, any and every knower of true sound must have been once or many times stricken by this guy’s apparent talent.
Blackface was [is] easily the most talented of that trio. His voice was [is] the scarce type. He gave different. He wrote 80% of their songs. He sang, rapped, hooked. He had the swagger we loved to see. Oh! That his creamy voice.
Below is an excerpt from a 2016 article by Obinna Fred:
“all three members of the Plantashun Boiz, their managers, record label executives and even music industry insiders are still very much alive and can explain to you the numerous roles which Blackface played in not only naming the group, creating the “Face” personas and also writing a bulk of the music, [not just] anybody can do that…”
He was [is] the most talented, and this is neither an unpopular opinion nor is it an alternative fact [thank you Trump!]
But we all know the other story. At a point, Blackface was rumored to be somewhere on unhappy street, blowing last ashes off cigars of miserable, while staring at bottles of fermented anger. We all know this story.
He didn’t really make it. Especially when compared to Innocent ‘TuFace’ Idibia, the most successful act from that group.
[No, pause. This isn’t one of those look-at-your-mate, inspire-to-aspire-to-expire articles o!]
I put ‘Say You Believe Me’ on repeat, and as largely usual in most Plantashun Boiz’ songs, Blackface sang most part of it. Right there, I couldn’t just stop thinking about whatever it was that stymied the “blow” of Blackface’s talent.
After a while of thought, the only way my mind could explain this was via a sentence – TALENT IS AN ORPHAN – without the right people, talent is nothing.
One could argue this stance for ages, but is quite clear that something wasn’t right about the kind of people who surrounded Blackface. How the hell did someone this talented didn’t get to that zenith where we’d have seen even more of him?
I had to accept that among many other reasons blinded to me, this fact of a lack of right people was top for me.
I wanted to blame the beast of piracy for Blackface’s mishap, but I realized it was a common denominator to most, if not all Nigerian recording artistes. Boom! I was back to the arithmetic of people.
What if he had his own Efe Omoregbe like TuFace does till date? What if he had his own Mama Burna as Burna Boy does, lifesavingly at that? I kept asking myself.
From Blackface’s striking legacy, I couldn’t but help acknowledge that Talent needs its parents – the right people – around it to survive the long haul.
The right people who will:
• curate the right influence around the talent
• bear the weight of the dream bore by the talent
• help find paths to survival for the talent
• become team, a beam, and not burden for the talent
• become family and like-minded advisers for the talent
• become comrades who can say NO to the talent’s vices and make it live.
Talent is not TALENT without [the right] People.
Talent is an ORPHAN without [the right] People.
Talent will end up LONELY without [the right] People.
One is forced to ask – What kind of people are teaming and teeming around one’s purpose, vision, and/or talent?
I heard Blackface is back on his grind now though, and I had to go to his Twitter page to see those efforts – I wish him the best and can’t wait from whatever cooks from that kitchen.
To me, and as I said earlier, to a lot of people who legit sabi, Blackface will always be remembered as a pluripotent multi-genre artiste – who can rap, sing, create roots reggae music as well as dancehall, some sprinkle of Idoma tunes and sometimes gospel. I’ll remember him as a social activist who has always used conscious music as a weapon to speak for the vast majority of masses [we can’t forget the single with Alobai ‘Hard Life’ in a jiffy], and most importantly, a songwriter who penned arguably the greatest and biggest R&B song in Nigerian and African contemporary music history – African Queen.
PS: I have relieved my guy, ITunes Music Player, off its shuffle job today. It’s gonna be an all Blackface Naija weekend….
????…it’s a hard life wey dey live for Naija, ja ja ja…????
In a tragic turn of events, the iconic Nigerian comic actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has reportedly passed away.
A close source within the family confirmed the development, indicating that the beloved entertainer breathed his last on Saturday afternoon at Evercare Hospital, Lekki, where he had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Mr Ibu, celebrated for his exceptional comedic talent, had faced health challenges in the past year. In a noteworthy struggle, he underwent surgery to amputate one of his legs, a procedure necessitated by undisclosed health issues.
Throughout this period, the actor had openly sought support and prayers from his numerous fans and well-wishers.
The Nigerian entertainment industry mourns the loss of a true megastar, and fans worldwide express their condolences for the passing of a beloved figure who brought laughter and joy to countless lives through his memorable performances. The legacy of Mr Ibu, marked by his unique style and infectious humor, will undoubtedly endure in the hearts of fans and the annals of Nollywood history.
In a recent development surrounding the controversial death of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad, lawyers representing Mr. Joshua Aloba, the bereaved father, have taken a significant step. The legal team, led by Emmanuel Oroko, sent a letter dated Jan. 15th, 2024, to the Coroner overseeing the inquiry into the artist’s demise.
The letter urged the Coroner to summon Ayobami Fisayo (known as Spending), Boluwatife Adeyemo (Darosha), and Ibrahim Owodunni (Prime Boy) to provide testimonies and eyewitness accounts regarding the events leading to Mohbad’s death on Sept. 12, 2023.
The lawyers asserted that the insights from these three individuals would contribute essential factual evidence, shedding more light on the perceived unnatural and suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
“Our research for instance has shown that there were incidents on the 3rd Mainland Bridge at about 2.30 am (Sunday, September 10, 2023, that the appropriate witnesses did not mention and which no one has related at the Coroner Inquest and in our opinion would have given away the circumstantial event that led to the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba.
“In furtherance to the above, we believe that there were also events on 12 September 2023 at the deceased residential premises, which were not mentioned by the appropriate witnesses, and such information would have given a better insight into the real cause of the death of the deceased, as recent events have shown that some probable witnesses have been suborned.
“These key witnesses include the driver of the car that drove the deceased, his wife, his brother and the witnesses proposed to this honourable coroner Inquest court.
“Furthermore, we believe that the situation of the CCTV at the deceased residential premises not functional at the time the deceased and others came home may not be true”, the letter partly read.
The Afrobeats singer, based in Ikorodu, departed on Sept 12, 2023, at 27.
In a letter dated Sept 18th, 2023, addressed to Justice Mojisola Dada, Chief Coroner of the High Court of Lagos State, the legal firm Falana & Falana Chambers formally requested a coroner’s inquest into the artist’s passing.
Subsequent to the letter, preliminary inquiries into Mohbad’s demise commenced on Friday, Sept 29, 2023, at the Magistrate court in Ikorodu, Lagos.
Thus far, two police officers—ASP Oderinde-Gafar Ajibola and Muhammad Yusuf, both affiliated with the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba—have testified before the coroner, presenting the police’s findings on the matter.
Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, the Coroner, has also heard the testimony of Mohbad’s Disc Jockey (DJ), Ajisegiri Ayobami, who asserted his presence with the artist on the day of his passing.
Renowned international disc jockey, DJ Power, is poised to set the stage ablaze at Good Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos, on the 29th of December 2023, signaling the commencement of his highly anticipated African tour.
DJ Power disclosed this during a press briefing held at Amber Residence, Ikeja, Lagos last Friday.
Baroque Works Studio, a leading entertainment powerhouse, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DJ Power, taking on the role of chief promoter for the tour.
The Good Beach event is anticipated to be a standout moment, attracting music enthusiasts and fans from far and wide.
Showcasing his extraordinary talent, DJ Power’s African tour promises to be a musical journey traversing the continent. The event will pulsate with special energy and vibes, featuring DJ Power’s signature Afrobeat and Amapiano sounds, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience for attendees.
In an exclusive collaboration, CEOAFRICA has been named the official media partner for the event, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all its media channels. Fans can anticipate exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and live updates as the excitement builds.
The Good Beach event is expected to draw a diverse and lively crowd, bringing together music lovers of all ages to revel in the vibrant energy and creativity that DJ Power embodies.
Attendees can brace themselves for an electrifying live performance promising an experience that transcends musical boundaries.
As the countdown to the event begins, organisers are urging fans to secure their tickets early to avoid missing out on this unforgettable spectacle.
With the pledge of exceptional music, incredible performances, and an atmosphere to remember, DJ Power’s Good Beach performance is set to be a highlight of the year’s entertainment calendar.
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