SAMMIE OKPOSO CAUTIONS BON! SAYS: COSON MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE

Glo Ambassador and Nigerian music star, Sammie Okposo, has bared his mind on the crisis rocking the music industry in Nigeria against the backdrop of the face-off between BON and COSON.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, the multiple award winning singer declared: “I believe in the growth and advancement of the Nigerian entertainment industry. I also believe that artistes should be paid royalties for their works. That’s what informed my becoming a member of COSON. All the media houses in Nigeria and COSON have to sit together and forge a way out of the storm by finding a lasting solution.

According to him: “We must understand the importance of COSON regarding the growth and welfare of the Nigerian artiste but at the same time, we cannot undermine the role of media houses in the propagation and promotion of the Nigerian brand of music and artistes.”

Calling on BON DG to obey time tested world standard best practices, he said radio and TV stations in Nigeria do not have a choice but to make payment of royalties for airplay to artistes because it is internationally accepted and practiced, and Nigeria will not be an exception.

However, he also called on COSON to be on top of its game.

Commenting on the ban slammed by BON on all COSON members, Okposo said it was not the best decision and called on media houses to continue to play his music and that of every other Nigerian artiste

“There can be no vacuum in life. The implication is that foreign music will once more rule our airwaves as was the case in the past and this has cultural implications. We must continue to promote Nigerian music; this is not negotiable. We must remember, Europe, America, Asia and the rest of the world will not promote our music for us so we must do it on our own,”” Okposo warned.

GHOST OF GRAMMY HAUNTS FEMI KUTI WITH FORTH NOMINATION

For the first time in barely over a decade, Femi Kuti has a chance to put Nigeria on the world music map consequent of his forth Grammy nomination. When the announcement was made last week, it indeed called for an occasion to pop champagne.

But will he bring back the award? That's the question on the lips of everyone as word hit town last week that the first son of late afro beat icon, Fela, had secured his forth Grammy nomination.

His 2013 album No Place For My Dream, was nominated for the 2014 Grammy Awards in the Best World Music Album category alongside Indian musician, Ravi Shankar, French group Gipsy Kings and South African group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

If I were in his shoes I'd probably be getting a feeling of de ja vouz by now having failed to clinch the award thrice. But it is also pertinent to note that awards are not the best parameters for judging creativity musically.

However is it not ironic that his late dad who ‘created’ the genre never got a Grammy nomination? Not even post humourse recognition despite the great inroads afro beat is making worldwide.

Femi, at Skoops, we are saying thanks for booking a ticket for Nigeria at the 2014 Grammy Awards. Even if you don't win, you have already won in our hearts; you’re the undisputed King of afro beat.

AZEEZAT DROPS REMAKE VIDEO FOR LOVE WITHOUT LANGUAGE

After a long wait, fans of Queen of Love, Azeezat, have something to smile about. The Queen of Love has dropped a sizzling video, a remake for her single Love Without Language.

Commenting on the release of the video which was directed Oludare, Azeezat told Superbassnaija that she was really excited: “This is a special moment for me,” Azeezat told Superbassnaija over the weekend, “this video is hot and is already trending on social media. Love Without Language is hot and banging!”

This is Azeezat's third video this year. She had earlier released My Valentine in January, Love Without Language (1st video) in February, and now the remake video For Love Without Language.

DOWNLOAD