By FEMI SALAWU
Pix: Sun News Publishing
Afro-Pop sensation, D’Banj, popularly called Koko Master and Don Jazzy were exceptional among other musicians at the just concluded Nigeria Entertainment Awards which held at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts, New York. D’Banj displaced top contender, Paul Play Dairo, by walking away with two awards including Best Afro-Pop Artiste of the Year and Hottest Single of the Year with his hit song: Why Me, while Don Jazzy won Music Producer of the year.
Suprisingly, Paul Play Dairo, who was nominated in four categories including Afro-Pop act of the year, Producer of the year, Hottest Single of the Year for the hit song, Angel Of My Life, and Album of the year for Hitsville did not win any award. However, organisers say the award was strictly determined through SMS and internet votes most of which came from Nigerians in Diaspora.
The well attended event, according to a release signed by Tope Esan, organiser of the awards, also featured musical performances by gospel artiste, Sammy Okposo and last year’s RnB winner, Banky, who picked-up the Best Gospel Artiste of the Year and Best International Single of the Year respectively. Other musicians who brightened the evening include: Gospel Jazz sensation, Mike Aremu, as well as America-based Nigerian musicians such as Madarocka, Balk Jesus, Iceberg Slim, Adama and Alache, among others.
Other artistes who made the winners’ list, include: African Queen crooner, TuFace Idibia for Best Album of the Year with Grass2Grace, P Square for Bizzy Body remix featuring Weird Mc, Lagbaja as Indigenous Musician of the Year, Tosin Martins as Best New Act of the Year and Femi Kuti, who emerged as NEO Afrobeat Artiste of the Year.
Nigerian musicans in Diaspora also had a good outing as Eldee’s Return of the King won Best International Album of the year, while MIC Tunes emerged Best International Producer of the Year. Others include: RCCG: Jesus Choir, DC (Best International Gospel Choir); DJ Zimo(Battle of US-Based DJs) and Big Moose (US-Based Entertainment Promoter of the Year).
In the movie category, the trio of Ramsey Nouah, Stella Damasus-Aboderin and Tade Ogidan won Nollywood Best Actor, Best Actress and Best director respectively for their roles in the movie Dangerous Twins.
Interestingly, Julius Agwu, who compered the show and thrilled the audience with rib-cracking jokes, emerged Funniest Comedian of the Year. In a keenly contested sports category, Obafemi Martins beat other nominees including World Heavyweight Boxing Contender, Samuel Peters to emerge as Athlete of the Year.
Former Miss World, Agbani Darego, made a surprise appearance at the event which attracted the cream of Nigerian show business industry personalities including Super model, Oluchi, Fashion Designer, Frank Oshodi, CNN’s Lola Ogunnaike, 2003 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Omotu Blessing, among others. Although the show did not receive enough coverage in the media, organisers, however, promised to have it aired on Nigerian and American TV channels at a later date, adding that the NEA will return next year with more glitz and glamour.
Source: Sun News Online
Pix: Sun News PublishingAfro-Pop sensation, D’Banj, popularly called Koko Master and Don Jazzy were exceptional among other musicians at the just concluded Nigeria Entertainment Awards which held at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts, New York. D’Banj displaced top contender, Paul Play Dairo, by walking away with two awards including Best Afro-Pop Artiste of the Year and Hottest Single of the Year with his hit song: Why Me, while Don Jazzy won Music Producer of the year.
Suprisingly, Paul Play Dairo, who was nominated in four categories including Afro-Pop act of the year, Producer of the year, Hottest Single of the Year for the hit song, Angel Of My Life, and Album of the year for Hitsville did not win any award. However, organisers say the award was strictly determined through SMS and internet votes most of which came from Nigerians in Diaspora.
The well attended event, according to a release signed by Tope Esan, organiser of the awards, also featured musical performances by gospel artiste, Sammy Okposo and last year’s RnB winner, Banky, who picked-up the Best Gospel Artiste of the Year and Best International Single of the Year respectively. Other musicians who brightened the evening include: Gospel Jazz sensation, Mike Aremu, as well as America-based Nigerian musicians such as Madarocka, Balk Jesus, Iceberg Slim, Adama and Alache, among others.
Other artistes who made the winners’ list, include: African Queen crooner, TuFace Idibia for Best Album of the Year with Grass2Grace, P Square for Bizzy Body remix featuring Weird Mc, Lagbaja as Indigenous Musician of the Year, Tosin Martins as Best New Act of the Year and Femi Kuti, who emerged as NEO Afrobeat Artiste of the Year.
Nigerian musicans in Diaspora also had a good outing as Eldee’s Return of the King won Best International Album of the year, while MIC Tunes emerged Best International Producer of the Year. Others include: RCCG: Jesus Choir, DC (Best International Gospel Choir); DJ Zimo(Battle of US-Based DJs) and Big Moose (US-Based Entertainment Promoter of the Year).
In the movie category, the trio of Ramsey Nouah, Stella Damasus-Aboderin and Tade Ogidan won Nollywood Best Actor, Best Actress and Best director respectively for their roles in the movie Dangerous Twins.
Interestingly, Julius Agwu, who compered the show and thrilled the audience with rib-cracking jokes, emerged Funniest Comedian of the Year. In a keenly contested sports category, Obafemi Martins beat other nominees including World Heavyweight Boxing Contender, Samuel Peters to emerge as Athlete of the Year.
Former Miss World, Agbani Darego, made a surprise appearance at the event which attracted the cream of Nigerian show business industry personalities including Super model, Oluchi, Fashion Designer, Frank Oshodi, CNN’s Lola Ogunnaike, 2003 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Omotu Blessing, among others. Although the show did not receive enough coverage in the media, organisers, however, promised to have it aired on Nigerian and American TV channels at a later date, adding that the NEA will return next year with more glitz and glamour.
Source: Sun News Online
