From diaspora with love/ 4th's Super 8 AVC

Dear Mr. President,

*Kilode? 

Sincerely,

A concerned Nigerian.

To begin with, since I can remember I have loved my country and believe it would take a lot more than terrorism, austerity and malaise to change this truth. 
You see, as a young child while waiting for RSTV to start the day's transmission in the early 90’s, I read story books which in a way preserved Nigerian people and culture and on occasion, my grandmother's retold stories of the great hunter, farmer and the industrious trader. 
Then there was the ultimate treat ‘tales by moonlight!’ the lessons from this television program was that ‘good conquers evil’.

From past history of the Bini’s, Calabar’s and heroines of the North to name a few, I have learned that no matter how difficult things become, Nigerians will find a way to survive.

I noticed early signs of things to come in my senior year of secondary school when I tried to register for Nigerian History and was told the subject had been scrapped.

Question:

How can you plan a future when you have no lessons with experience from the past?

In the developed economies we are trying so hard to emulate, before any decision is made, they do something called an impact assessment. 
It is not magic.
They explore the possible impacts both negative and positive of any policy they intend to enact and make plans for mitigation or resolution of the potential conflicts BEFORE decisions are carried out. 
They are a government of the people, for the people and by the people. 
If we copy their, culture, their cuisine and political hierarchy, why then have we refused to copy their strategy? Is it because it could be a good thing?

Looking at fuel scarcity, the restriction of cash withdrawals abroad, oh and let's not forget the epileptic supply of power in the country. Do these issues characterize a government that thinks before it acts?

Once upon a time, we had national parks, game reserves and family picnics. The Nigerian industries manufactured products that could compete with international standards.

Before get rich schemes like dirty politics, twerking and oil monopoly became popular, our economy survived on agriculture, industry and surprise - surprise; innovation!

Do you remember?

Oh my bad. You probably don’t because the sources of Nigerian history these days are badly written Nollywood scripts!

I decided to further my education in hopes of contributing towards the survival of the Nigerian economy but as a result of restricted access to my humble savings back in the fatherland thanks to the government of change which has not put measures in place to protect their "beloved citizens" in diaspora , I considered giving up and returning home to join the unemployed disgruntled masses. 
However last night while plotting what would be the concluding course of the journey I came across a song. 

It gave me hope and reminded me that Nigerian’s are fighters.

I am now back to believing!

I know my roots and I am proud of where I come from. 
Although we are faced with the problem of terrorism, austerity and malaise Nigerians are resilient, I would survive.

The songs below would either make you want to leave the one you are with and start a new relationship with erm, I don’t know or take you to a time when Nigerians were people that asked ‘what can I do for my country’ rather than ‘what can my country do for me’ listen, enjoy, share, celebrate!

8.    Super God – Gbemi Jorge

Beginning this countdown is the uplifting song ‘Super God’. The lyrics of the song are like a prayer from the heart straight to God’s ear. I can’t write exactly how liberating this song is. The best way to understand is to listen by hitting the download link Super God-Gbemi Jorge

7.     Ogene – Zoro ft. Flavor

Warning this song would cause you to move, dance… gyrate! I honestly don’t know what he is saying and do hope someone is kind enough to interpret but the way the words blend with the instrumentals is really something beautiful. Hit the link to listen Ogene-Zoro ft Flavor 

6.     Open and Close – Simi

Open and close could be described as the musical interpretation of the slang “Warri no dey carry last”.  Simi combines nostalgic phrases with relatable responses to real life situations to create a track that is fun, humorous and fast paced.

5.     Get it Together – Tiwa Savage, Paul PSquare

Done in collaboration with the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health   Initiative (NURHI). This track in essence extols the virtues of proper planning before action especially in the case of sexual activity and parenthood, a procedure I am afraid is lost on the decision makers in our country.

4.     Love Nwantiti – Da Roc

Closely following the advice of planned parenthood by Tiwa and Paul is this song by Da Roc singing out his heart for the sake of love. Love Nwantinti - Da Roc

3.     Love don’t care – Simi

There is something about this artist's voice that keeps me coming back for more. I thought it was a one time thing when I could not get enough of 'Jamb Question' I guess I was wrong. In ‘Love don’t care’ she basically reiterates the known fact that when it comes to matters of the heart, logic and reasoning have no place; “the heart wants what the heart wants”.  

2.     All I want is you – Banky W. & Chidinma 

This song is my ringtone, message alert, morning alarm and reminder notification. I enjoy it so much that I compiled an 8-track playlist and put the song in slot’s one through to eight. The audio features the unmistakable voices of Onyeka Owenu as well as Zack Orji with the video following the story of young love and happy endings. The song has Rhythm, Melody and Texture and really should have been my number one.

1.     Mama Oyoyo – Yemi Alade, Olamide, Tyrion Lannister Iyanya, Tekno, Selebobo.
      This track combines the talent of various artists and once more celebrates strength in diversity, although this song carries on for a bit and gets a bit tiring towards the end it is my number 1 in this countdown not because of the engaging instrumentals or the rich cultural flavor but simply because it is in honor of mother's and well, my mum rocks!

* Kilode is a Yoruba for  ‘what is it'/'what is the matter?’

4th’s Super 8 Audio/Video Countdown (Nigerian Mix)

So I went on a journey *cue in temple music* okay seriously, not the figurative self-awareness type journey.
I’m talking about a sit on your butt-and-hold-your-pee-till-you-get-to-a-decent-gas-station/eatery 8/9-hour commute.
Having spent the previous days cheating sleep, I planned to pay my dues to mother nature and sleep the whole X miles.
There I was trying to find the best position to snuggle in a cozy corner with my pillow under head and facemask in the ready position when I accidentally hit the play button of a playbook forgotten under another pillow.
The 1st song that filtered through was enough to wake me from my haze of tiredness and move me to a level of nostalgic bliss making that journey a memorable one.
Heck, it could pass for a self-awareness journey of sorts after all because it confirmed my appreciation for Nigerian talent.
So without much ado, here’s my who, what and why Super 8 Audio/Video Countdown for the 1st week of October.



08. Toh Bad: Niyola

image courtesy channelo.dstv.com

Toh bad is in one sentence a love song.
It details the artists struggle with the emotions in her relationship and her steadfast affection for her love interest.
The song starts slow and continues in a harmonic stirring pace.
What I like about the video is that it portrays incidents I can relate to.
From the oftentimes unwanted inputs of over zealous friends who have their own opinions of how your relationship should go, to the trials and triumphs of being in healthy relationship but I think she overreacted though.
I mean it is very hard to find a man new to fame willing to gamble his popularity by admitting to the world that he is neck deep in love with the woman of his dreams.
She should have waited for him to come home, confront him before going all mad black woman.

I like that for this song, Niyola isn’t bathed in heavy makeup. She looks like the girl next door only sexier, confident with a rocking body and a lovely voice to boot.

07. Irionor: Blixxy (D Rapking)

image courtesy notjustok.com

Irionor is about the artist’s initial struggle for recognition and his career journey so far. He pays homage to his roots (which is incidentally my root as well) by rendering most of his lyrics in Esan an Edo dialect.
Irionor is Esan for ‘na so e be’ which is pidgin for ‘that is the way it is’.
The guy apparently has a lot on his mind so you would probably have to listen to the song (with an Esan speaking fellow on hand) to appreciate the depth of his talent.
Sadly BDR is yet to release a music video for this track so here I am waiting in anticipation to see what he comes in.
Meanwhile, thumbs up bro!

06. My Darlin’: Tiwa Savage

image courtesy theucloud.com

I think I should have added Ms. to her name but it would be more out of respect for how far she has come in her career than her present marital status.
My Darlin’ is the artists rendition of her devotion for her lover. She recognizes him as a vital part of her life and a source of inspiration. It is an engaging love song.
The music video is again set in a typical Nigerian wedding theme but this time it focuses more on the pre wedding preparations.
I can relate to the old lady's ‘ginger’ to grab that poor boy's plate of jollof rice.
Seriously what is it with traditional wedding and starving guests really?
The screens in this music video swing between the on going wedding preparations and old mother Tiwa’s memories of her married life and come to end with a solo dance number by present day Tiwa.
I like her acting!
She played the part of old mother Tiwa, young girl crushing on hot dude, newly wed, new mother and grieving wife flawlessly.
Erm I don’t get why she is in white apparel for most of her screens in the video though.
Thoughts anyone?


05. Eleda mi: Olamide

image courtesy tooxclusive.com

I can’t speak Yoruba to save my life but from what I’ve gleaned from the little English he threw in around the track, the song is about (correct me if I’m wrong) reaping the rewards of hard work.
The first thing that got to me in this track was the instrumentals.
I am quite happy to listen to just about any song with rubbish lyrics (I fondly refer to such songs as noisic) provided it has remarkable instrumentals.
I often try to guess how many classes of music instruments are present in a particular mix.
Take me to an orchestra and I’d be your loyal sidekick for months to come.

The music video follows Olamide and friends hanging out and fooling around then later decide to throw a party.
He invites everyone but me *sad face*
The song reminds me of a time way back when children actually had childhoods.
A time when I could throw a party without breaking bank, have fun without fear of malaise and communication was done via physical contact or letter writing.
I don’t get this “take me now stance” I have noticed him adopt in a couple of music videos though.
What is that about?

04. Marry me: Falz featuring Yemi Alade and Poe

image courtesy tooxclusive.com

Marry Me addresses The Problem Of Societal Expectations And The Female Ticking Biological Clock. Three amazing singers came together to create this piece.
Yemi Alade took time off in her search for “Johnny” to represent the ladies and the pressure put on them by society that they in turn put on any man bearing a slight resemblance to their prospective better halves. Falz (the man I know as the funny one with comical short video’s pertaining to his search for a valentine, wife, etc.) and Poe (who I’m just getting to meet) spoke on behalf of the men who are just a little bit confused as to what their relationship goals are *dodges flying shoe*.
The video gives tiny glimpses of what a typical Yoruba wedding is like and the goings on in the background of said weddings (or should I say the corners *wink*) including the dynamics of getting served in relation to where you are seated, using eye contact to pass and receive messages from a prospective "new catch", the accusatory glances from partners in a long relationship that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere and loads more!
I like the white and red wedding colors abi asoebi and Falz’s accent.
He makes the H factor sound sexy (OMG, did I admit that out loud?).
Okay, on to the next one!




03. Irawo: Seyi Shay

image courtesy goldenicons.com

This is actually the song that set me off on my journey to #.
Ms. Seyi Shay put so much positive infectious energy into this song that it was impossible to sleep afterwards.
I kept replaying the track till I was sure one of my travelling companions would toss the music device out the window in frustration.

Irawo which means destiny in this sense became true to the word after the playbook which was buried under a pillow found a way to beat the odds and be in the right position at the right time to get turned on my me.

In honor of the message of the song I am picking this song as my party anthem for my birthday (October 4, 2015).

About the music video; I can’t give a definite take on my opinion because I am confused.
At first it seems like the music video begins with the end and recounts the adventure of a fair maiden chosen as an offering of sorts for a young dashing prince (the dude looks familiar, abeg the guy be?) she startles her captors and escapes by running into the ocean.
The difference in costume at the beginning and the end is what has led to my confusion.
Now would be a good time for uncle C. Peters to enlighten me on his idea behind the Video for Irawo.


02. Baby Mi Da (Baby Jo Wo) Remix: Dr Victor Olaiya featuring 2Face Idibia

image courtesy spinlet.com

This is a remix of an original highlife classic by Dr. Victor Olaiya.
Remember what I said about my feelings for instrumentals and rhythm?
Well, this song is rich in that and then more.

I was stuck between pledging allegiance to Dr. Olaiya and 2Face but past history with 2Face proved him as the winner.

Up until a few years ago, 2Face was going to be my fall back guy for when things did not work out as planned between the now late Michael Jackson and me.

2Face is one of the few musicians I know who can turn just about any piece of musical item into a classic by having his name on it. He is a standard and an icon, someone who has proved to have Nigeria’s best interest at heart.

Baby Jowo is a song dedicated to Dr. Olaiya’s love interest.
He apparently offended her, is afraid to loose her so he is trying to find a way back to her heart.

01.Gollibe: Flavour

image courtesy youtube.com

This is my number 1 song for this countdown and I believe it would remain on top of my list for a long time to come.

He is playing a piano for crying out loud!

The song is mostly in Igbo but he manages to pass the message across.

Gollibe is a love song but unlike other love songs, Flavor sings like the words are directed to me personally.

Between us, it was love at first sight.
He has been searching for me and he has finally found me.
I am his soulmate and he is mine.

The music video is in two plots.
The first is the story of the crown prince who has returned to the kingdom to take a bride in preparation for his ascent to the throne. He meets and falls in love with a common village girl whose charisma and virtue are the highest points of her beauty.
Like the epic beauty pageant held in the courts of the Persian King Ahasuerus to replace Queen Vashti in the biblical story of Esther, a pageant is held in King Edochie’s court to find a befitting wife for Flavour the crown Prince.
From all the fair maidens presented to him, he picks and presents Ebiere the village girl to be his bride and they live happily ever after!
The second plot is a reminder of where we came from.
A reminder and representation of a time Nigerian children were brought up to respect their elders, taught how to be responsible adults at an early age and to be proud of their heritage.
A time when social events consisted of coming together to listen to stories laden with admonitions, history lessons and proverbs, learning intricate dance moves and songs to be presented at the stipulated time and reveling in their identity.
A time when we were Nigerians without the foreign accents.

With that, I have come to the end of this countdown.
Phew! That was quite a ride.
Do you have an opinion? Share it!

Until next time, here is the link for Irawo by Seyi Shay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1vi8Dtat8


cheers mates!

Wet

Thanks to one man’s blunder on national television, a new word was added to the lingo of the people.

For a long time, there was that awkward silence followed by a rush of words and finger signing promoted by a need to explain appropriately the relationship status when a guy who’s more than a boyfriend and less than a husband introduced some of us to his friends as “his woman”(– I shall get back to that phrase later on) that moment has ceased to exist! Now, Nigerian ladies can retain their composure, smile confidently and say, “he is my Oga at the top” in response to the (un)asked question.

Some days back, I wondered at the bizarre occurrence of dead cockroaches in compromising positions all over my house. Today, I got prove that although these animals might have a fondness for the dramatic in death, they are not gay.

This morning, I happened across two of them wavering on the banks of death. From their abdomen, I could tell they were both male. Feeling a little mischievous and inspired to ensure they did not feel alone as they danced to the shaking of the sheets, I placed one on top the other and went about my business.

On my way out this evening, I saw the roaches (now dead).
With their remaining strength, they summed up the energy to pull away from uncomfortable position I placed them in and proceeded to lay to rest on opposite sides of the corridor. The air about their corpses seemed to carry faint notes of the chant #nohomo#.

Except goats now have the intelligence to climb up a flight of spiraling stairs, gingerly step over lines of rat poison and pesticides, come to stop in front of their target and finally proceed to use their hooves to open trashcans and place the lids neatly beside the bin, I have reason to believe my trashcan is haunted!
With the fire invoking deliverance ministry and louder than life mosque not so far off, I will not be surprised if it happens that the demons they cast out come to seek refuge in my bin.

Man Men of the moment:

Last year, I was drooling all over Lynxx (Fine lady ft Wizkid), Wizboy (Fotojenik remix ft. Ikechukwu) and Psquare (Alingo) and concluded music meets hunka-hunka-burning lurv-edible men could not get any better.

Until I tuned my transistor radio and heard the song Three Wise Men (Ikon, Blackmagic, Blink) – B*stard.
Now beloved, I am presently experiencing a clear case of "the rethinks"!
Gobe (Davido), Tonight (Burna boy) and Eziokwu (Lynxx Ft. Ikechukwu, IllBliss & Phyno) have got me hankering for a degree in video editing just so I can blur out everyone, Photoshop me into the mix and have my wicked way with these luscious living lads!

Finally, this is not the entry for the week.
This entry is basically me, being herself and prompting you to be you too!

Shortly after this is the episode of one woman who jumped over the embers of doubts and "what if’s", scaled the walls of “I’d proceed tomorrow”, grabbed the opportunity bull by the balls and created a niche for herself.



http://thesecretlifeof678.blogspot.com/2013/04/suit.html