THE NIGERIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY IN THE YEAR 2010
(Courtesy of saentertainment.org, story written by SEUN APARA)

Just like a flash, the year 2010 has finally come to an end. The year brought lots of changes and threw up lots of surprises in the music industry. There were mourning and joyful moments. It started with the wicked rumour of Asa’s arrest at London’s Heathrow airport, 9ice and wife controversial break-up,  and many more followed as the year rolled by. The rhythm of the year was compelling and the tempo hypnotizing; there were crazy parties like we were all conscripted to encourage wild life. The manifold of events suggested that the awaited arrival of the music industry was nigh and now we are kissing the same year goodbye. Rhythms & Sounds chronicles all the happenstances and brings you The Good, The Bad and The Ugly with other interesting major events that characterized the year 2010 in our music industry.
THE UGLY
DAGRIN
Late rapper, Dagrin’s death was probably the greatest disaster that hit the music industry in 2010. The late rapper gave up the ghost at a Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after sustaining injuries from a fatal motor accident. It was indeed a deep blow on the industry
OD
Rapper, OD’s lost his mom to the cold hands of death on October 24 – five days before the scheduled release of his album.
IYANYA
This year, Iyanya Mbuk,  lost his only brother and 42-year old mother to the cold hands of death in the outgoing year. He is now left alone in this world having also lost his father before now.
ULTIMA STUDIOS
Ultima Studios, the state-of-the-art studios used for the live recording studios used for the recordings of Project Fame and Who Wants To Be A Amillionaire was gutted by fire. It was revealed that the building caught fire when an air-conditioner suddenly exploded, and the contestants’ efforts to put out the fire with extinguishers failed to contain the inferno. The resulting disaster reportedly destroyed production equipment worth over a billion naira
.TONY TONERO
Tony Tonero, the former Oxygen singer who appeared prominently on Paul IK Dairo’s late nineties’ hit ‘Mo Sorire’, also died in a motor accident. Unlike Slam and Paul, Tony Tonero did not have successful music carer – his failed solo project failed to kick off, despite many tries. He frequently worked with Paul Play as a back-up act.
TOLU MAINTAIN
Former Maintain star, Tolu Ogunniyi has lost his wife,  Funmilayo Aderonke Ogunniyi with whom he tied the knots in January 2008. She died on  March 25  at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. She left behind her two-year old son.
BARRISTER
Fuji music creator, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister passed on. After several months of battling with his health, he died at St. Mary’s Hospital in London.
THE BATTLES/THE FACE OFFS
IKECHUKWU/MO’HITS
The enviable relationship between Ikechukwu and the Mo’Hits crew came to an end as a result of alleged supremacy between some of them. The once upon a time good friends turned their back on each other. The Mo’Hits crew even shunned his album launch.
SKUKI/KISS EVENT
Rising group artiste, Skuki, signed on Daphella Entertainment severed ties with their management company, KISS Event Media. They both announced that their working relationship was over.
MTRILL/GRAFTON RECORDS
Rapper, Mtrill and former label, Tonye Ibiama led Grafton Records are still spoiling for a war. The last heard from the label is that Grafton Records had handed over the case to their lawyer claiming that Mtrill contract is yet to expire. But in a swift reaction, Mtrill exploded that he is now an independent artiste owing to the fact he and the label couldn’t reach a compromise.
RUGGEDMAN/9ICE
Theirs is the dirtiest and messiest face-off this year. The once-upon-a-time close buddies washed their dirty linen in public including recording beef songs. While 9ice titled his own as ‘Talk Am Listening, Rugged called his ‘A Word is Enough for 9ice’. The source of their quarrel is the alleged romance between Ruggedman and 9ice’s enstarnged wife, Toni Payne.
CHUDDY K/BETA TUNEZ
Beta Tunez Records didn’t find it funny earlier this year when another record label was offering his signed-on act, Chuddy K a recording contract. The label did all they could especially in the media to make sure the artiste remained on the label. Chuddy K will remain on the label till 2012.
KEL/CAPITAL HIll.
Theirs also made headlines. Rapper Kel claimed she is dissatisfied with the way the label is handling her career and threatened to leave but the label insisted that she can’t leave until her contract expires. After so many troubles, the rapper finally left the label. Kel and CEO of Capital Hills, Claraence Peters allrgrdly had on and off relationship before the final break up.
MI/GODWIN TOM
Rising artiste manager Godwin Tom and Nigeria’s hottest rapper MI stopped being business patners. Godwin was MI’s former manager.
HITV/NIGEZIE
The Nigezie bouquet of music programming left HiTV cable platform this year after irreconciliable differences. The cable station immediately replaced Nigezie with One Music channel.
KELLY HANSOME/NOISE MAKERS
The lists of the noise makers by Kelly Hansome included D’Banj, 2-Shotz, MI, Kennis Music, Terry G, Wande Coal and other Mo’Hits crew. According Kelly, they had their different offences and he fought all of them lyrically. He demands respect from all of them.
TERRY G/NANS
Terry G was arrested and detained after failing to honour a performance engagement in the University of Benin vis National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).He was contracted to perform at a January 29, 2010 gig organised by the University’s Student Union Government but failed to show up.
COSON/MCSN
The two copyright collection companies, COSON and MSCN spent the best part of this year arguing and challenging themselves in the papers, in court and physically as to who has the right to collect royalties. While COSON insisted they are the only approved body to collect royalties in Nigeria, MCSN believes royalty collection shouldn’t be the sole resposiblity of one company. Adding that artiste should have options to choose from.
THE GOOD
.2Face Idibia
Idibia reissued his Unstoppable album in May 2010, with a pricing that shocked many; it went up to N1000 from N150 retail price. CDs were presented in Jewel casings, with multi-page sleeves containing album notes, lyrics and credits.
FELA!
The hit Broadway musical FELA! which bagged 11 Tony awards nomination received three Tony plagues for the Best Choreography, Best Costume Design of a Musical and Best Sound Design of a Musical category at at Radio City Music Hall in New York City., FELA! Chronicles the true life story of Nigerian Afro beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
P-Square Moves into Their New House
The Okoye brother, Peter and Paul popularly known as P-Square finally moved into their new house in Omole Estate, Lagos after series of quarrels with their former landlord.
Plane Mishap
Designer, Clement Mudiaga Enajemo (MUDI) and five other stars like Fred Amata, Victor Osuagwu, Gentle Jack, Basorge Tariah Jnr. and Emeka Ossai traveling together from Nigeria to Kenya for  the launch of  the designer’s office in Kenya escaped a plane crash
AZADUS
Exactly one year after losing his son to the cold hands of death, God gave him and his wife another son in April, 2010. Their joy was restored.
ARA
Drummer-girl, Ara is one of the happiest this year.His son named Prince Maleeq, born in Miami, US on May 18 2008, shortly before the singer-drummer returned home was placed on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The boy survived it
THE BAD
DJINEE
Singer Djinee was robbed on his way home from Victoria Island in Lagos on Friday, March 5, 2010. He was lucky not to have part with more than his phone.
TERRY G
Terry G is lucky to be alive, after a nasty accident that left his car badly damaged.The singer-producer was on his way home, after hanging out with friends in Ikeja, Lagos, when he ran into the road demarcation around Chemiron, close to Sunday Market, in Ogba, Lagos.
DANNY YOUNG
The young artiste was also involved in an accident in Lagos but doctors certified him okay after carrying series of test on him.
Femi Loses At The Grammy
Afrobeat giant Femi Kuti lost his second opportunity to win the Grammy. The musician who had been tipped by many industry insiders as the man most likely to win the prize, lost the Grammy to Bela Fleck – a multiple Grammy winner with over 30 Grammy nominations.
.MARRIAGES
COBHAMS ASUQUO
Celebrated visually-impaired producer, Cobhams Asuquo wedded his long time fiancée this year on December 2, 2010 at ‘Jesus is Coming Soon’ Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of Gid, inside the Redemption camp along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
Sammie Okposo
Okposo’s marriage was one of the expected marriages of 2010. Having given the issue proper consideration, he tied the knot with Ozioma. The wedding made headlines
Muma Gee
Musician/fashion entrepreneur Gift Uwame aka Muma Gee got married to a prince who is also an actor.
Jeremiah Gyang
Gyang got married on Saturday Augiust 28, 2010 to his beautiful lover and friend of over a decade, Ladi in his home base, Jos.
Cynthia Okpala
The 24 year-old MTV Base got married to her partner Ozoemene Mbanefo. The wedding ceremony took place at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja
Kween Onakola
Kween Onokala and her partner Dotun Omotoye exchanged wedding vows at a Lagos registry on Tuesday December 21, 2010. Dotun is the father of her second son, Tyronne.
THE DISGRACE
IKECHUKWU
Rapper Ikechukwu threw caution to the winds when he fought with a bouncer at Rehab Club in Lagos. It was a messy fight and the artiste has been battling to redeem his image ever since then.
EEDRIS ABDULKAREEM
Kennis Music returnee, Eedris Abdukareem was his old self at Club 10 during the album launch of label mate, Goldie. Shouting at the top of his voice, Eedris almost brought down the roof of the during an ego trip.
ENDORSEMENTS
2Face joins Airtel
Multi-talented musician, 2Face Idibia was once again recognized for his immeasurable talents in his chosen profession. He was signed by Airtel as its new ambassador. Airtel is what Zain Nigeria metamorphosed into due to the investment of Bharti Airtel, an Indian firm who bought over the African operators of the Zain Group.
P-Square join other Glo Ambassadors
Award winning twin brothers, Peter and Paul Okoye popularly know as P-Square finally agreed to be part of the Globacom ambassadors. They signed four years contract with company to the tune of millions of naira.
THE BREAK-UPS
9ICE AND TONI PAYNE
Celebtrated couple, 9ice and Wife, Toni broke up in a controversial manner. Dirty tales continued to trail the break-up till then.
DOKTA FRABS AND OMAWUMI
Singer Omawumi and producer, Dokta Frabs who were suddenly becoming an item broke up. The loverbirds, who made their relationship public, last year, has gone their separate ways.
REALITY SHOWS
GLO NAIJA SINGS
After 8 weeks of stiff competition amongst 10 contestants, Casey was announced the winner of the second season of Glo Naija Sings. He went home with $100,000  (N15m) grand prize and a Toyota Rav 4. He also became an automatic Glo Ambassador.
BIG BROTHER ALL STARS
A Nigerian, Uti Nwachukwu won the Big Brother Africa reality show amidst stiff competition and high tension. He came back home with the prized money of $200,000 (N30m).
CENTAGE SUPER STAR
Adewale Lawson emerged winner of Kennis Music’s talent hunt – Centage Super Star. He went home with a brand new Toyota Prado jeep, 2 million naira cash and a 10 million naira record dea.
MTN PROJECT FAME
Chidinma was t pronounced the winner of Project Fame West Africa season 3. She was presented the cheque of N2.5m and keys to a brand new Toyota RAV4. She’s also entitled to a recording contract. She is the first lady to win the contest.
NIGERIAN IDOL
Lagos-based production company, OMG, secured the rights to stage the first-ever Nigerian Idol. The show is still on as the winner is yet to emerge
GULDER ULTIMATE SEARCH CELEBRITY SHOWDOWN
* Actor Emeka Ike won the first-ever Gulder Ultimate Search Celebrity Showdown making him the Ultimate man. He won a cash prize of N7.5M.
STAR QUEST
The winner of this year’s Nigerian Breweries sponsored reality show, Star Quest is Jukebox. They went home with 7.5 million recording contract and N600, 000 for each member of the band plus an SUV. The members of the band are Eghosa Frank  (leader of the band), Joshua Itietie (Guitarist), Agunpopo Josephine Olamide (vocalist), Wilson Emeka (vocalist), Gregory (keyboardist), Asindi Sam (bass guitarist).


BABIES
*Popular on-air personality Dan Foster an his wife Lovina celebrated the arrival of their second child, a baby boy on Thursday May 27 in a Lagos hospital.
*Rave producer, ID Cabasa also got baby two.
*Singer Ashionye and hubby Carl Raccah was blessed with a baby boy – less than a year after getting married
OTHER ISSUES
*At the Silverbird’s 30th Anniversary concert, which held at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos on Saturday November 6, 2010, President Gooluck Jonathan promised to donate the sum of $200,000 to the entertainment industry.
*Multiple award-winning rapper, Naeto C graduated with a Master’s of Science in Energy Economics from the University Of Dundee, Scotland, one of the leading energy schools in the world.
*Ekaette’ by Maye Hunta was banned on Nigerian radio stations and TV Channels in April 2010. A memo was sent from Nigeria’s National Broadcasting commission (NBC) to different media houses. The memo is titled ‘Caution for Broadcast of music with Vulgar lyrics - Ekaette by Maye Hunta
*Nigerian artistes for the first time got nominated in the BET Awards, but in the Best International category. P-Square and MI were nominated but lost to Dize Rascal
*Singer, songwriter and producer, J.Martins put pen to paper on a recording contract with Storm 360. The deal, which is a multi-level partnership deal between Don Family Records and Storm360, will see the two companies jointly promote the hi-life crooner’s career henceforth.
*R-Kelly performed again for the second time at the Star Mega Jamz. His fist outing in Nigeria was at Thisday Festival.
* D’Banj and Genevieve Nnaji continue d to make headlines with their relationship, stepping out together as lovers. Prominent among the events they attended together were MAMA and P-Square birthday party.
* Five years after kicking off her music career with the debut album ‘Gba’, Nollywood star Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde returned into music with a sophomore album.
*One of Nigeria’s leading dancers and choreographers Kafayat Shafau a.k.a. Kaffy launched her music career, after over a decade of her reign as the music industry’s number one dancer. She debuted with two singles, ‘Omo Lasgidi’ and ‘What U Got’.
*D’Banj Bags Chieftaincy Titles in 2010. He officially became the chief Oluoma 1 of Abayi Amaugwu, Osisioma Ngwa L.G.A autonomous community in Abia State. He was also decorated as the Are Makun of Shagamu
MAJOR MUSIC EVENTS OF 2010
Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)
Thisday Music Festival
Hip Hop World Awards (HHWA)
Soundcity Music Video Awards (SMVA)
MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA)
Star Mega Jamz
The Experience Concert
Kennis Music Easter Music Fiesta

ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2010
Timaya- De Rebirth
My Story- Iyanya
Turning Point- Dr. Sid
I Am Me- Chuddy K
Unstopable (International Edition) – 2Face Idibia
Jags of All Trade- Jesse Jagz
Franchise Celebrity- Mo’Chedda
Legacy- Duncan Mighty
Unfinished Business- Eedris Abdulkareem
Special Request- Mallam Spicey
Reconfigurated- Durella
African American- Sauce Kid
I Am William- 2-Shotz
Gold- Goldie
8th Mainland Bridge- House of Ginger
Da Vinci Mode- Modenine
I Am YQ- YQ
The Statement- Sammie Okposo
Beautiful Imperfection- Asa
MI2- MI
Fimile- Kas
Untouchable- Ruggedan
Is It Your Money (Mix Tape)- Eldee
Hustle Or Die- OD
Etcetera
Alliance Reconstructed- Ikechukwu
End of Discussion- Raw Nwanne
ARTISTES HYPED TO DROP ALBUM THIS YEAR BUT YET TO HIT THE STORES
SASHA-
NAETO C
9ICE
D’PRINCE
Waje
D’Banj-
Timi Dakolo
Terry ThaRapman
Femi