Cecile – Third Finger
Chris Martin – Secret Love (Creep)
Jah Vinci – Infatuation
Zagga – Reggae Revolution
DOWNLOAD
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Infatuation Riddim – Full Charge Records
Cecile – Third Finger
Chris Martin – Secret Love (Creep)
Jah Vinci – Infatuation
Zagga – Reggae Revolution
DOWNLOAD
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Jamaican authorities could possibly drop Vybz Kartel's case
Adidja Palmer, Vybz Kartel’s government name, second murder trial is only two weeks away but Jamaican authorities could possibly drop the case before the high profile trial even get off the ground.
Sources close to the case told Urban Islandz that the witnesses are still not cooperating and maybe in hiding which makes it very difficult for the prosecution to prove their case.
“The second trial is suffering the same faith as the first, witnesses are just not coming forward despite efforts to get in touch with them,” the source told us, requested his identity being withheld.
The source also told us that authorities may have exhausted all their delay tactics and will be hard pressed to bring their case before the court.
“They have exhausted all their tactics to delay the trial and the police didn’t help the case when they made a statement claiming that they found contraband in his [Vybz Kartel] jail cell. So its now or never for the prosecution,” the reliable source added.
Vybz Kartel will go on trial starting November 18 for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
According to police reports, Vybz Kartel and his co-accused beat Williams to death at a home in Havendale, St. Catherine in the summer of 2011.
Vybz Kartel’s protege Shawn “Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones, André St John, Stylist Calvin “Moonie” Haye, and Shane Williams are all charged with Clive Williams murder. Investigators say Williams was murdered over a missing firearm. In the summer of 2011 Vybz Kartel allegedly ordered his goons to bring Clive Williams and another associate, who is believed to a witness, to a home in Havendale.
Police alleged that Williams was tied up and beaten because he lost a firearm belonging to Vybz Kartel. His associate escaped from the house and ran and has not been seen since. Speculations are that he is in witness protection. Police has not found Clive “Lizard” Williams’ body. In July of this year Vybz Kartel was acquitted for the murder of St. Catherine Businessman Barrington “Bossie” Burton.
Justice Bryan Sykes instructed the jury to return a not guilty verdict after the prosecution could not bring forward a credible witness or prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecutors say their witnesses were just not cooperating and that made their case very difficult.
Sources close to the case told Urban Islandz that the witnesses are still not cooperating and maybe in hiding which makes it very difficult for the prosecution to prove their case.
“The second trial is suffering the same faith as the first, witnesses are just not coming forward despite efforts to get in touch with them,” the source told us, requested his identity being withheld.
The source also told us that authorities may have exhausted all their delay tactics and will be hard pressed to bring their case before the court.
“They have exhausted all their tactics to delay the trial and the police didn’t help the case when they made a statement claiming that they found contraband in his [Vybz Kartel] jail cell. So its now or never for the prosecution,” the reliable source added.
Vybz Kartel will go on trial starting November 18 for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
According to police reports, Vybz Kartel and his co-accused beat Williams to death at a home in Havendale, St. Catherine in the summer of 2011.
Vybz Kartel’s protege Shawn “Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones, André St John, Stylist Calvin “Moonie” Haye, and Shane Williams are all charged with Clive Williams murder. Investigators say Williams was murdered over a missing firearm. In the summer of 2011 Vybz Kartel allegedly ordered his goons to bring Clive Williams and another associate, who is believed to a witness, to a home in Havendale.
Police alleged that Williams was tied up and beaten because he lost a firearm belonging to Vybz Kartel. His associate escaped from the house and ran and has not been seen since. Speculations are that he is in witness protection. Police has not found Clive “Lizard” Williams’ body. In July of this year Vybz Kartel was acquitted for the murder of St. Catherine Businessman Barrington “Bossie” Burton.
Justice Bryan Sykes instructed the jury to return a not guilty verdict after the prosecution could not bring forward a credible witness or prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecutors say their witnesses were just not cooperating and that made their case very difficult.
Friday, 25 October 2013
50 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA
1. Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world.
2. The world is divided into six floral kingdoms. All these kingdoms encompass several countries, and in some cases, several continents. South Africa, which has a floral kingdom wholly contained within the country, is the one exception. The Cape Floral Kingdom has 9,600 plant species, 70% of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
3. Table Mountain alone has over 1,500 species of plants, more than the entire United Kingdom.
4. South Africa is the second largest exporter of fruit in the world.
5. South Africa has the longest wine route in the world.
6. Kruger National Park supports the greatest variety of wildlife species on the African continent.
7. South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique are tearing down fences between the countries' game parks to create a 13,500 square mile game park, which will become the largest conservation area in the world. It will be bigger than Switzerland, Belgium or Taiwan.
8. South Africa has a penguin colony, which thrives thanks to the cold Antarctic currents on the west coast near the Cape.
9. South Africa is rated 3rd in the world in supplying safe, drinkable tap water.
10. The Palace of the Lost City resort hotel is the largest theme resort hotel in the world as well as the largest building project undertaken in the southern hemisphere.
11. Walt Disney serves South African wine exclusively at its 73-acre Animal Kingdom Lodge in the United States.
12. South Africa has the cheapest electricity in the world.
13. The deepest mine is a gold mine in South Africa. in 1977 the Western Deep Levels Mine reached a depth of 11,749 feet. Most mines descend to about 3,300 feet.
14. South Africa is the only country in the world to voluntarily abandon its nuclear weapons program.
15. South Africa has 19,004 miles of railway track - 80% of Africa's rail infrastructure.
16. South Africa generates two-thirds of Africa's electricity.
17. The Tugela Falls is the second highest waterfall in the world, where the water tumbles down 2,789 feet. First place goes to the Angel Falls in Venezuela at 3,212 feet.
18. Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world - and the largest green one. The Grand Canyon in the U.S. is the biggest, and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia the second, but both are very dry.
19. South Africa is home to the world's smallest succulent plants (less than 0.39 inches) and the largest (the baobab tree).
20. Kimberley may have the biggest man-made hole in the world, but did you know that the southern Free State town of Jagersfontein has the deepest vertical man-made hole?
21. The only street in the world to house two Nobel Peace prizewinners is in Soweto. Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both have houses on Vilakazi Street in Soweto.
22. South Africa is the world's largest producer of macadamia nuts.
23. South Africa has the third highest level of biodiversity in the world.
24. South Africa is the world's leader in mining and minerals. It has nearly 90% of the platinum metals on earth, 80% of the manganese, 73% of the chrome, 45% of the vanadium and 41% of the gold.
25. South Africa is the first country in Africa to host the prestigious FIFA World Cup (will take place in 2010).
26. South Africa has the oldest meteor scar in the world, just across the Vaal River near Parys, called the Vredefort Dome. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
27. South African grasslands have approximately 30 species per square kilometer, greater than the biodiversity of rainforests.
28. South Africa is the sole producer of the Mercedes Benz C Class, right-hand drive vehicles .
29. General Motors South Africa will be the only manufacturing site outside of the United States to build the Hummer H3 vehicle.
30. South Africa is one of the most generously endowed geographic solar hotspots in the world, soaking up just over half of the world's highest category of solar wattage per square yard of land.
31. South Africa has deserts, mountains, escarpments, plateaus, grasslands, bush, wetlands and subtropical forests.
32. Most of the world's proto-mammalian fossils are found in the Karoo region.
33. Dr. Christiaan Barnard, at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, performed the first human heart transplant in the world in 1967. He was also the first to do a "piggyback" transplant in 1971, and he was the first to do a heart-lung transplant.
34. The vast majority of South African coal exports are shipped through the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT). With the capacity to export 79.4 mmst annually, RBCT is the world's largest coal export facility.
35. The world's largest diamond was the Cullinan Diamond, found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats uncut. It was cut into the Great Star of Africa, weighing 530.2 carats, the Lesser Star of Africa, which weighs 317.40 carats, and 104 other diamonds of nearly flawless color and clarity. They now form part of the British crown jewels.
36. There are about 280,000 windmills on farms across South Africa, second in number only to Australia.
37. Three of the five fastest land animals live in South Africa - the cheetah (63 miles per hour), the wildebeest, and the lion.
38. The oldest remains of modern humans were found in Klasies River Cave in the Eastern Cape. They are well over 100,000 years old.
39. In eastern South Africa, scientists have found traces of blue-green algae dating back 3,500 million years. This is some of the earliest evidence of life on Earth.
40. There are more than 2,000 shipwrecks, dating back at least 500 years, off the South African coast. More than one of these, including the Waratah, simply vanished without a trace.
41. The Karoo region is home to some of the best fossils of early dinosaurs.
42. Although Pretoria is considered to be the capital of South Africa, the country actually has three capitals: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
43. In its eastern part, South Africa entirely surrounds another country - Lesotho, an independent constitutional monarchy.
44. Approximately 900 bird species are found in South Africa alone, which represents 10% of the worlds total bird species.
45. South Africa has the most luxurious train in the world, The Rovos Rail.
46. South Africa has the highest commercial bungi jump in the world (710 feet).
47. Mossel Bay is in the Guinness Book of records as having the second most moderate climate in the world.
48. Pietermaritzburg's city hall is the largest red brick building in the Southern Hemisphere.
49. Hippos are susceptible to sunburn, and spend most of their days with just their noses out of water. Their noses have special flaps that close when submerged, and they can stay under water for 25 minutes.
50. South Africa has the oldest wine industry outside of Europe and the Mediterranean, featuring Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cinsault, Riesling, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage varietals. SOURCE
2. The world is divided into six floral kingdoms. All these kingdoms encompass several countries, and in some cases, several continents. South Africa, which has a floral kingdom wholly contained within the country, is the one exception. The Cape Floral Kingdom has 9,600 plant species, 70% of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
3. Table Mountain alone has over 1,500 species of plants, more than the entire United Kingdom.
4. South Africa is the second largest exporter of fruit in the world.
5. South Africa has the longest wine route in the world.
6. Kruger National Park supports the greatest variety of wildlife species on the African continent.
7. South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique are tearing down fences between the countries' game parks to create a 13,500 square mile game park, which will become the largest conservation area in the world. It will be bigger than Switzerland, Belgium or Taiwan.
8. South Africa has a penguin colony, which thrives thanks to the cold Antarctic currents on the west coast near the Cape.
9. South Africa is rated 3rd in the world in supplying safe, drinkable tap water.
10. The Palace of the Lost City resort hotel is the largest theme resort hotel in the world as well as the largest building project undertaken in the southern hemisphere.
11. Walt Disney serves South African wine exclusively at its 73-acre Animal Kingdom Lodge in the United States.
12. South Africa has the cheapest electricity in the world.
13. The deepest mine is a gold mine in South Africa. in 1977 the Western Deep Levels Mine reached a depth of 11,749 feet. Most mines descend to about 3,300 feet.
14. South Africa is the only country in the world to voluntarily abandon its nuclear weapons program.
15. South Africa has 19,004 miles of railway track - 80% of Africa's rail infrastructure.
16. South Africa generates two-thirds of Africa's electricity.
17. The Tugela Falls is the second highest waterfall in the world, where the water tumbles down 2,789 feet. First place goes to the Angel Falls in Venezuela at 3,212 feet.
18. Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world - and the largest green one. The Grand Canyon in the U.S. is the biggest, and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia the second, but both are very dry.
19. South Africa is home to the world's smallest succulent plants (less than 0.39 inches) and the largest (the baobab tree).
20. Kimberley may have the biggest man-made hole in the world, but did you know that the southern Free State town of Jagersfontein has the deepest vertical man-made hole?
21. The only street in the world to house two Nobel Peace prizewinners is in Soweto. Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both have houses on Vilakazi Street in Soweto.
22. South Africa is the world's largest producer of macadamia nuts.
23. South Africa has the third highest level of biodiversity in the world.
24. South Africa is the world's leader in mining and minerals. It has nearly 90% of the platinum metals on earth, 80% of the manganese, 73% of the chrome, 45% of the vanadium and 41% of the gold.
25. South Africa is the first country in Africa to host the prestigious FIFA World Cup (will take place in 2010).
26. South Africa has the oldest meteor scar in the world, just across the Vaal River near Parys, called the Vredefort Dome. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
27. South African grasslands have approximately 30 species per square kilometer, greater than the biodiversity of rainforests.
28. South Africa is the sole producer of the Mercedes Benz C Class, right-hand drive vehicles .
29. General Motors South Africa will be the only manufacturing site outside of the United States to build the Hummer H3 vehicle.
30. South Africa is one of the most generously endowed geographic solar hotspots in the world, soaking up just over half of the world's highest category of solar wattage per square yard of land.
31. South Africa has deserts, mountains, escarpments, plateaus, grasslands, bush, wetlands and subtropical forests.
32. Most of the world's proto-mammalian fossils are found in the Karoo region.
33. Dr. Christiaan Barnard, at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, performed the first human heart transplant in the world in 1967. He was also the first to do a "piggyback" transplant in 1971, and he was the first to do a heart-lung transplant.
34. The vast majority of South African coal exports are shipped through the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT). With the capacity to export 79.4 mmst annually, RBCT is the world's largest coal export facility.
35. The world's largest diamond was the Cullinan Diamond, found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats uncut. It was cut into the Great Star of Africa, weighing 530.2 carats, the Lesser Star of Africa, which weighs 317.40 carats, and 104 other diamonds of nearly flawless color and clarity. They now form part of the British crown jewels.
36. There are about 280,000 windmills on farms across South Africa, second in number only to Australia.
37. Three of the five fastest land animals live in South Africa - the cheetah (63 miles per hour), the wildebeest, and the lion.
38. The oldest remains of modern humans were found in Klasies River Cave in the Eastern Cape. They are well over 100,000 years old.
39. In eastern South Africa, scientists have found traces of blue-green algae dating back 3,500 million years. This is some of the earliest evidence of life on Earth.
40. There are more than 2,000 shipwrecks, dating back at least 500 years, off the South African coast. More than one of these, including the Waratah, simply vanished without a trace.
41. The Karoo region is home to some of the best fossils of early dinosaurs.
42. Although Pretoria is considered to be the capital of South Africa, the country actually has three capitals: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
43. In its eastern part, South Africa entirely surrounds another country - Lesotho, an independent constitutional monarchy.
44. Approximately 900 bird species are found in South Africa alone, which represents 10% of the worlds total bird species.
45. South Africa has the most luxurious train in the world, The Rovos Rail.
46. South Africa has the highest commercial bungi jump in the world (710 feet).
47. Mossel Bay is in the Guinness Book of records as having the second most moderate climate in the world.
48. Pietermaritzburg's city hall is the largest red brick building in the Southern Hemisphere.
49. Hippos are susceptible to sunburn, and spend most of their days with just their noses out of water. Their noses have special flaps that close when submerged, and they can stay under water for 25 minutes.
50. South Africa has the oldest wine industry outside of Europe and the Mediterranean, featuring Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cinsault, Riesling, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage varietals. SOURCE
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Unveiling Top 10 Richest African Musicians
The list of musicians who rake in millions of dollars are usually reserved for international megastars like Beyonce or Kanye West and people who largely hail from the western world. However, there are artistes across Africa whose stars are rapidly rising and they are able to command larger paychecks around the world. Highly influential and each bringing their own unique sound, these artistes represent the richest African musicians, according to Answers Africa. ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM brings you the list.
10. Jose Chameleone
Jose (or Joe) Chameleone is a Ugandan artiste who found his niche blending traditional Ugandan folk music, a bit of rumba and a heavy reggae influence. He sings in English, Swahili and Luganda. His mansion outside of Kampala and four cars (including a Cadillac Escalade and a Benz) are evidence of his success, particularly with his hit, ValuValu. He's been credited with changing the face of music in Uganda, as well as making local music accessible to the rest of the world.
9. Banky W
Born Olubankole Wellington in the U.S, Banky W moved back to Nigeria and grew up in Lagos, where he began singing at an early age. Finding success early in singing competitions, most of his wealth has come from endorsement deals with companies such as Etisalat mobile and Samsung in Nigeria. He also started the Mr Capable Foundation, an education charity that provides tuition scholarships for disadvantaged children.
8. Hugh Masekela
Musical sensation Hugh Masekela is a South African artiste who plays variety of instruments including the trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet, along with singing and composing his own work. He has been highly praised for his work, with everything from a Grammy nomination to the Order of the Ikhamanga by President Jacob Zuma (for achievements in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sports in South Africa.) He has graced prestigious festivals across the world. He is perhaps best known for his acapella style singing and collaboration with Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the Graceland album and 1987 Graceland tour.
7. 2 Face Idibia
Nigerian singer and songwriter, 2Face Idibia, began his career as a member of the hip hop group, Plantashun Boyz, but went solo in 2004 after the group split. His most popular song, African Queen, took off after being featured in the movie Phat Girlz in 2006, but all of his five albums have been very well received around the world. His wealth comes from various real estate investments across Nigeria, as well as the $80,000 he commands per show.
6. Fally Ipupa
Fally Ipupa, a former member of Quartier Latin International (along with Koffi Olomidé, to be mentioned later), went solo in 2006 and has been incredibly successful, both in his home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as internationally. With MTV Africa Music and Kora awards under his belt, he's racked up clothing endorsement deals in Paris as well as high commissions for his shows across the world which are almost always sold out.
5. Salif Keita
Born and raised in Mali, singer and songwriter Salif Keita has been referred to as the "Golden Voice of Africa," with his original take on Afro pop music. Despite his royal heritage (he's directly descended from Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire), he chose a path of music, bucking the Malian caste system. But this means that he was loaded even before his music career took off, explaining his private island and properties across Europe.
4. Koffi Olomidé
Along with fellow Congolese star, Fally Ipupa, Koffi Olomidé formed Quartier Latin as lead singer and vocalist before launching his solo career. Dubbing his style of music as tchatcho, he considers it a blend of soukous music (dance music that originated from African rumba music). He's notorious for taking on controversial subjects in his lyrics, which has led him to be widely praised and criticised worldwide. Raking in over 100,000 Euros per show, Olomidé is extremely popular across Africa and the world. One of his albums is listed in Robert Dimery's book, "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die."
3. D'Banj
Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, D'Banj aka the Koko Master, has been killing it in his country, Nigeria and around the world since 2007, and was the first African artiste who signed with the music label GOODMusic, owned by Kanye West. The recipient of countless awards, D'Banj is known for his unique sound of dance music and afro beats. He is involved in a variety of investments including a nightclub in Nigeria, brands such as Koko water, and was given his own reality show, "Koko Mansion." He also rakes millions in shows and brand endorsements.
2. P-Square
P-Square is made up of identical twins, Peter and Paul Okoye, who began singing and dancing together back in their small Catholic high school in Jos, Nigeria. After forming the group in 2005, their music developed a devoted following, particularly in South Africa, and each album outsold the previous one. They were named Artistes of the Year at the 2010 Kora Awards and now bring in more than $150,000 per show. Best of all, their shared home is worth more than $3 million and has been dubbed "Squareville." Talk about product placement!
1. Youssou N'dour
Not surprisingly, YoussouN'dour brings it home in the No. 1 spot. This Senegalese singer is widely considered the most famous singer alive in Senegal and much of Africa. His style of music is known as mbalax, a mix of Senegalese traditional music in the Serer language and various styles from around the world including Cuban rumba, hip hop, jazz and soul. With millions around the world in his fan base, he is now the owner of the biggest media house in Senegal (complete with radio and TV stations) and was appointed tourism and culture minister in 2012. More importantly, before K'naan had "Waving Flag" in 2010, N'dour was responsible for the 1998 FIFA World Cup national anthem, "La Cour des Grands," along with Axelle Red.
10. Jose Chameleone
Jose (or Joe) Chameleone is a Ugandan artiste who found his niche blending traditional Ugandan folk music, a bit of rumba and a heavy reggae influence. He sings in English, Swahili and Luganda. His mansion outside of Kampala and four cars (including a Cadillac Escalade and a Benz) are evidence of his success, particularly with his hit, ValuValu. He's been credited with changing the face of music in Uganda, as well as making local music accessible to the rest of the world.
9. Banky W
Born Olubankole Wellington in the U.S, Banky W moved back to Nigeria and grew up in Lagos, where he began singing at an early age. Finding success early in singing competitions, most of his wealth has come from endorsement deals with companies such as Etisalat mobile and Samsung in Nigeria. He also started the Mr Capable Foundation, an education charity that provides tuition scholarships for disadvantaged children.
8. Hugh Masekela
Musical sensation Hugh Masekela is a South African artiste who plays variety of instruments including the trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet, along with singing and composing his own work. He has been highly praised for his work, with everything from a Grammy nomination to the Order of the Ikhamanga by President Jacob Zuma (for achievements in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sports in South Africa.) He has graced prestigious festivals across the world. He is perhaps best known for his acapella style singing and collaboration with Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the Graceland album and 1987 Graceland tour.
7. 2 Face Idibia
Nigerian singer and songwriter, 2Face Idibia, began his career as a member of the hip hop group, Plantashun Boyz, but went solo in 2004 after the group split. His most popular song, African Queen, took off after being featured in the movie Phat Girlz in 2006, but all of his five albums have been very well received around the world. His wealth comes from various real estate investments across Nigeria, as well as the $80,000 he commands per show.
6. Fally Ipupa
Fally Ipupa, a former member of Quartier Latin International (along with Koffi Olomidé, to be mentioned later), went solo in 2006 and has been incredibly successful, both in his home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as internationally. With MTV Africa Music and Kora awards under his belt, he's racked up clothing endorsement deals in Paris as well as high commissions for his shows across the world which are almost always sold out.
5. Salif Keita
Born and raised in Mali, singer and songwriter Salif Keita has been referred to as the "Golden Voice of Africa," with his original take on Afro pop music. Despite his royal heritage (he's directly descended from Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire), he chose a path of music, bucking the Malian caste system. But this means that he was loaded even before his music career took off, explaining his private island and properties across Europe.
4. Koffi Olomidé
Along with fellow Congolese star, Fally Ipupa, Koffi Olomidé formed Quartier Latin as lead singer and vocalist before launching his solo career. Dubbing his style of music as tchatcho, he considers it a blend of soukous music (dance music that originated from African rumba music). He's notorious for taking on controversial subjects in his lyrics, which has led him to be widely praised and criticised worldwide. Raking in over 100,000 Euros per show, Olomidé is extremely popular across Africa and the world. One of his albums is listed in Robert Dimery's book, "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die."
3. D'Banj
Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, D'Banj aka the Koko Master, has been killing it in his country, Nigeria and around the world since 2007, and was the first African artiste who signed with the music label GOODMusic, owned by Kanye West. The recipient of countless awards, D'Banj is known for his unique sound of dance music and afro beats. He is involved in a variety of investments including a nightclub in Nigeria, brands such as Koko water, and was given his own reality show, "Koko Mansion." He also rakes millions in shows and brand endorsements.
2. P-Square
P-Square is made up of identical twins, Peter and Paul Okoye, who began singing and dancing together back in their small Catholic high school in Jos, Nigeria. After forming the group in 2005, their music developed a devoted following, particularly in South Africa, and each album outsold the previous one. They were named Artistes of the Year at the 2010 Kora Awards and now bring in more than $150,000 per show. Best of all, their shared home is worth more than $3 million and has been dubbed "Squareville." Talk about product placement!
1. Youssou N'dour
Not surprisingly, YoussouN'dour brings it home in the No. 1 spot. This Senegalese singer is widely considered the most famous singer alive in Senegal and much of Africa. His style of music is known as mbalax, a mix of Senegalese traditional music in the Serer language and various styles from around the world including Cuban rumba, hip hop, jazz and soul. With millions around the world in his fan base, he is now the owner of the biggest media house in Senegal (complete with radio and TV stations) and was appointed tourism and culture minister in 2012. More importantly, before K'naan had "Waving Flag" in 2010, N'dour was responsible for the 1998 FIFA World Cup national anthem, "La Cour des Grands," along with Axelle Red.
Zimbabwe: D'Banj to Head for Harare
Lagos. — The "Oliver Twist" hitmaker will be the second artist from Nigeria after P Square who performed at the festival last year.
D'Bnaj will share the stage with Zimbabwean acts among them the reggae/dancehall star Winky D, King Shaddy and Guspy Warrior.
Uganda's best Bebe Cool will be representing East Africa in a concert that has been dubbed "Battle of Africa."
B'Banj was born in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria to a military officer who commanded an artillery regiment and a church dignitary mother who hailed from Shagamu in Ogun State. Due to his father's profession he moved several times within Nigeria and later moved to England.
D'Banj was expected to follow his father's military career and was enrolled to the Nigerian Military School at age eleven. However, he resisted the system and dis-enrolled from the school after three years. While at the Military school he was a member of the elite drum corp of the Nigerian Army. From the Nigerian Military School he proceeded to another military owned institution Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Ibara, Abeokuta where he completed his secondary school education.
D'banj was introduced to the harmonica by his late older brother, Femi Oyebanjo, who died in a plane crash at age seventeen. With his love for music being greater than his parents' military aspirations, he struggled for his parents' approval; this can be best heard through an album track, All Da Way from his debut album.
As a tribute to his mentor Fela, D'banj brings Afro-beat to life and into the 21st century with breathless enthusiasm as well as a good dose of humour. His songs are based on his life, often hilarious but with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young Nigerian trying to achieve his dreams. He performs in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English.
D'banj's debut album, "No Long Thing", was released in 2005, yielding several singles, with Tongolo as the lead single. This proved to be his breakthrough single and a hit. It also provided his "Koko Master" persona, with the term, koko, taking on a variety of meanings.
D'banj's debut success led to collaborations with other artists, this includes Dare Art-Alade's album track, "Escalade Part 2" and Ikechukwu's album. D'Banj's single koko was used by the PDP (ruling political party in Nigeria) as its campaign theme for the 2007 general elections.
D'banj's sophomore album "Rundown Funk U Up" which was released in 2006, yielded several singles including the club single, Tongolo (Remix) and the lead single, "Why Me?" This proved to be another hit. MTV Base.
D'banj is a founder of Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development. He is also Nigeria's first United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace. -- The Herald Entertainment.
D'Bnaj will share the stage with Zimbabwean acts among them the reggae/dancehall star Winky D, King Shaddy and Guspy Warrior.
Uganda's best Bebe Cool will be representing East Africa in a concert that has been dubbed "Battle of Africa."
B'Banj was born in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria to a military officer who commanded an artillery regiment and a church dignitary mother who hailed from Shagamu in Ogun State. Due to his father's profession he moved several times within Nigeria and later moved to England.
D'Banj was expected to follow his father's military career and was enrolled to the Nigerian Military School at age eleven. However, he resisted the system and dis-enrolled from the school after three years. While at the Military school he was a member of the elite drum corp of the Nigerian Army. From the Nigerian Military School he proceeded to another military owned institution Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Ibara, Abeokuta where he completed his secondary school education.
D'banj was introduced to the harmonica by his late older brother, Femi Oyebanjo, who died in a plane crash at age seventeen. With his love for music being greater than his parents' military aspirations, he struggled for his parents' approval; this can be best heard through an album track, All Da Way from his debut album.
As a tribute to his mentor Fela, D'banj brings Afro-beat to life and into the 21st century with breathless enthusiasm as well as a good dose of humour. His songs are based on his life, often hilarious but with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young Nigerian trying to achieve his dreams. He performs in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English.
D'banj's debut album, "No Long Thing", was released in 2005, yielding several singles, with Tongolo as the lead single. This proved to be his breakthrough single and a hit. It also provided his "Koko Master" persona, with the term, koko, taking on a variety of meanings.
D'banj's debut success led to collaborations with other artists, this includes Dare Art-Alade's album track, "Escalade Part 2" and Ikechukwu's album. D'Banj's single koko was used by the PDP (ruling political party in Nigeria) as its campaign theme for the 2007 general elections.
D'banj's sophomore album "Rundown Funk U Up" which was released in 2006, yielded several singles including the club single, Tongolo (Remix) and the lead single, "Why Me?" This proved to be another hit. MTV Base.
D'banj is a founder of Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development. He is also Nigeria's first United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace. -- The Herald Entertainment.
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