TUSH-Magazine-issue-10.pdf

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ONE NITE LIVE& UNPLUGGEDCONTENT45PRAIZ24GODDESS OF SKILLZPEARL CANDY142906. Editorial Focus – The Nigerian Music Industry: A success story08. UnderG – Dynamyt10. Exclusive interview session with 960 Music’s Geoffrey & Password14. Dear Artiste – “Finding Art & Entertainment with Purpose”17. Interview with DJ Lo19. Celebrity Hub – Oye Akideinde21. Music Fizzers – Exclusive Interview with Suka Sounds23. TPL31. Inheritance is Accidental – written by Phidelia Imieghia35. LMK’s Diary – Music: The new occupation37. Jason Porshe – Fashion & Style39. Johnnie Walker Black Podium40. Christiano Ronaldo – Football’s most famous superstar42. Movie Review – Selma43. NYSC47. Spinlet Karaoke4 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Issue10XA note from the Editor...EDITORIALTEAMEditor-In-ChiefAnslem JonSub EditorLeonard OnwubuoyaEditorial ConsultantJoyce “LMK” ImieghaSenior EditorAlexander Thandi UbaniArt DirectorEdesiri Ukiri [@edesiriuk]Proof ReadElite Resources CS.CorrespondentsRufai AhutuAugustine OgbonnaJeffrey OnomoasorFeatured WritersPhidelia ImieghaWinifred OnonikpoAdditional GraphicsGraphixed NigeriaProduction/ResearchTush Kingdom MediaTush Magazine is a quarterly publication of TushKingdom Media, a media outfit into magazinepublishing, events organizing and eventcoverage. Tush Kingdom Media possesses rightsto all published articles, interviews and pictures.For comments, suggestions, criticisms or editorialsubmission, write us via:editor@tushmagazine.com.ng OReditorials@tushmagazine.com.ngVisit our website on: www.tushmagazine.com.ngInterestingly, words cannot perfectly express the height of joy I felt when Ipicked up my pen to write my intro for Tush Magazine’s 10 th issue. Lookingback through time at the many successes and improvements we have madestraight up from our maiden issue until now, I cannot but give thanks to theAlmighty God for the strength and grace he bestowed upon my team and I.Also, not forgetting the many wonderful personalities who have in one wayor the other believed and supported our movement in becoming one ofNigeria’s prime youth platforms.This issue – our first for the year 2015 – is a continuation of our mission ofcelebrating young Nigerians excelling in the entertainment industry. Dueto insights, requests and suggestions from our consultants, the selectionprocess for our cover page personalities would no longer be limited to thename or alphabet factor; We’d be giving opportunities for more people whoare worthy of it to grace our cover pages subsequently.Our double cover for this issue focuses on and features one of Nigeria’smost reputable vocalists and singer Praiz who has overtime developed hissinging capabilities and has further unleashed his talent in a super-packeddouble debut album likewise. Also stocked in this issue as well are excitingand beautiful pages filled with glamorous pictures from events, educatingarticles centered on relationships, sports, the entertainment industry andso many more.I am also pleased to announce another great improvement on our digitalplatform, YES! We have developed another means to aligning with the everfast growing digital world with the aim of serving you better by introducingthe inception of the very first Tush Magazine Mobile App which is presentlyavailable to iOS and Android platforms only. Download to enjoy the best ofwhat Tush Magazine offers. [See page 44 for details.]Before I put an end to my intro, I will like to introduce and welcome thelatest addition to the Tush Magazine family – Alexander Thandi Ubani, whowould be operating in the capacity of a Senior Editor. I’m guaranteed hisexperience and skills will furthermore bring favorable achievements to TushMagazine subsequently.As usual, I appeal you share this issue with a friend, colleague or familymember. ENJOY!Sincerely,Anslem Jon@TheAJCompany.5 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

THE NIGERIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY: A Success Storyby Alexander Thandi UbaniUnarguably, the Nigerian Music Industry is Africa’s largestdepot of talented, industrious, creative, budding and evolvingmusicians who have taken Nigerian music to the world stage.Such names as the renowned Fela, Tu Face Idibia, Don Jazzy,Davido, Olamide, Wizkid, Flavour, Dbanj, Psquare, Banky W,Tiwa Savage, Asa, M.I, Ice Prince, Wande coal, Naeto C et alare household names making waves in Africa and far beyond.The quality and style of music being dished out by upcomingand established acts can only be A-classed.COLLABOS...EXPOSURE& AWARDS...This new development is a thing of great joy. Everyone is livingup to the challenge to be counted as the competition hasresulted in better quality of audio, video and lyrics in demand.Even better, the music sphere is graced with internationalcollaborations, adding another milestone to the success storybeing recorded. Well known international acts like Rick Rossand T.I got featured by Psquare; Dbanj also saw music legendAkon feeling it in his “Feeling the N*” and a host of otherinternational collaborations with Nigerian musicians whichpoints to the growing popularity of the industry not just inAfrica but the world.Such banging hit songs as Olamide’s Eleda Mi; Davido’s Aye;Flavour’s Ada Ada; Kcee’s Limpopo; Patoranking’s Girlie O;Tiwa Savage’s Eminado; Psquare’s Collabo and a host of manyother banging hits showed the enormous growth the industryhas recorded over the years. Interestingly, the increase in thenumber of television channels showing Nigerian music is agreat plus to the industry. Stations such as MTVAfrica, ChannelO Africa, HipTV, Primetime Africa, SoundCity, TraceTv, AfroPopTV and many others play important roles in bringing manyof the numerous talented artistes to the global stage. Moreso, the introduction of awards for best performing artistesand the rewards for hard work has propelled many to workeven harder. Such ceremonies of distinction and recognitionnamely: Channel O Music Video Awards, Headies Awards,Afrimma Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) etc aremilestone novelty gestures fertilizing the rapid developmentof the Nigerian Music Industry. Added to it, are the mouthwateryprizes for winners. It is no wonder then, that theartistes have sworn an oath of high performance to churn outhigh quality and top-notch audio, video and lyrics for theirteeming fans. By this gesture, Nigerian artistes have indicateda high degree of seriousness in setting the pace for others inAfrica to follow.6 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

However, the success story is not starved of little hiccups;the profusion of the industry by fame-thirsty individuals hasresulted in congestion and somewhat increased numberof musicians singing for honors. We are not left out in thecontroversies, gossips and rancor as it adds spice and fun toit all. Some of the celebrities fight it out with abusive wordson social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram andFacebook. On twitter, these fights become more demeaningas tantrums fly here and there, which adds to the whole funafter all. The Nigerian Music Industry is a bubbling platformoffering many of our idle, yet very talented youths an escaperoute to stardom. It is pertinent that those who have benefitedfrom the industry should emulate the good gestures of theirinternational colleagues by providing enabling platformsto grow others who are of little means but well talented.This way, they would have given back to society and affectpositively the lives of others.Today’s reigning acts like Davido, Olamide, Flavour,Patoranking, Phyno, Seyi Shay, Praiz, KCee, Eva et al all havethe stage for grabs. It is interesting then to note that, thisindustry must be supported to grow all the more as it playsa pivotal role in Nigeria’s economy. The industry employs asizeable amount of our numerous idle youths who go on tobecome responsible members of the society. The issue ofroyalties, piracy and theft of intellectual properties (songs)must be considered with utmost seriousness as musiciansshould be given what is theirs and what they have workedfor. The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) must ensurethat piracy is rooted out of the system and measures taken topunish people found wanting.The Nigerian Music Industry is a wind that will blow withoutstop. The future of the industry is filled with promises. Manymore will come. Let us all join hands to make it a success!BUTS...GROWTH...NEXT...7 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

UnderG...set to blowDynamytPopularly known as Dynamyt, Damilare Olabimtan was born on the 16th ofOctober in 1989 to Mr. and Mrs. Olabimtan in Yaba, Lagos. Damilare attendedBright Star Nursery and Primary School and St. Gregory’s College, and later wentto Yaba College of Technology. He started his early musical career in the churchyouth choir when he was six years old and went on to be the lead singer of thechoir for over ten years.In 2007, he started a defunct gospel band, Divine O3, with a few of his childhood friends from the choir. Theyperformed around churches in Nigeria for three years before the group disbanded. In 2010, he began to diversify intodifferent genres of music like Pop, R&B, Hip-hop and Dance. He records mostly in Yoruba dialect his native tongue, aswell as English. He got his stage name “DYNAMYT”, from friend and frequent musical collaborator, Tesan.In early 2014, he released his first solo effort, “Hostel”, which was met with critical acclaims and had a hugeunderground following. The song earned him “The Most Promising Artist” in 2012 and 2013 in his alumnus, YabaCollege of Technology. Quite luckily for him, he gained the attention of new Island-based record label, WildlifeRecords, and two months later, he signed a recording contract with them.He released his first official single under Wildlife titled, “I Remember” on 22nd of October 2014 and an accompanyingpromotional single “Jekomo” was released on the 14th of November in 2014 also. He recently released his debutvideo for “I Remember” and he is concluding plans to release two follow up singles by the beginning of on the secondquarter of 2015.8 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

TUSH MAGAZINE INTERVIEW WITH GEOFFREY OJI By Alexander Thandi UbaniIt was electrifying seeing the duo of Geoffrey Oji (Winner of ProjectFame West Africa 7.0, 2014) and the award winning talented singer,songwriter and producer Patrick Mathias (a.k.a Password − Winnerof MTN Songstar Competition 2013). These handsome and talented menshared their touching life stories on how they passed through many odds tobe at where they are now. It’s a story that will inspire many who are aspiringto reach the top. The ever impressive Alexander Thandi Ubani was on hand tofollow them on this great journey. First stop is: Geoffrey Oji.For the records, what isyour full name?My name is Geoffrey Oji.Kindly tell your fans a littleabout yourself.My name is Geoffrey Ojiand I am the current winnerof Project Fame West Africa7.0. I hail from Benue Statein Nigeria and I’m Idoma bytribe; I grew up in KadunaState. Everything turnedsour for me when I lost mydad at an early age.At age 15, I started hustlingand looking for ways toreduce the load on mymother; we even bought ahouse which later turnedout to be a scam. Momhad to return back to thevillage because things werevery hard for us. I visitedmy uncle in Lagos only todiscover he wasn’t exactlydoing well financially,hence I slept outside inLagos for a whole year andhad nowhere to stay.What kept me alive and going wasmy dream and hopes of using mytalent someday; I kept pushing andwent to churches to hone my talent. Iauditioned for the MTN Project FameWest Africa seven (7) good timesbefore I got picked into the academy.It was not easy at all. That’s the kindof persistence and determination oneneeds in other to succeed.Since winning Project Fame WestAfrica 7.0 competition, you haveacquired a huge fan base not just inNigeria but all over Africa. What hasbeen your experience so far?They have really been welcoming andI know I I wouldn’t have been here ifnot for them. So far so good, I wouldsay, the glory returns to God because Ihave really experienced a lot in life as awhole and the kind of hard things I havegone through in life. Now, I have a carof my own and can go places. Povertyhas a way of tampering with your mindand you forget most rights you have. Myexperience has been good so far.Considering the fortune and fame thatcame with winning Project Fame WestAfrica Competition, how have you beenable to handle the popularity?I try my best possible to relate with myfans and be me. I’m still the simple andpersistent guy.What genre of music do you make?I make `Soul and afro−pop music.What songs have you released sincewinning Project fame West Africacompetition?I did ‘Bursting my brain’ I still have acouple of songs I’m working on like‘Every day is a chance’ and ‘Oh baby’.I have close to 12 songs that are therebut not out in the market. We are stillcoming out with more. My fans shouldexpect more.Do you have a selling point?(Laughter) I will say my eyes.What challenges have you faced fromfemale fans?(Laughter) Nothing out of the regularchallenges other male artistes face. Girlswant to be associated with me and someof them even go to the extent of trying toget my address to visit me.What is your most embarrassingmoment?10 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Ermm, I was singing somewhere in a showand I went off-key. It was so obvious andI was surprised. I put the blame on thekeyboardist but I was the one that got it allwrong. The second one was when I wentfor a show with my friends somewhereand I went to use the restroom, I cameout and forgot to wear my trouser. It wasso embarrassing, I had to run back to getmy trousers.(Laughs)What is the craziest thing a fan has everdone for you?For now I would say, was when someoneput in about 500,000 naira (over $2,000)to vote for me.What is the craziest thing you’ve everdone for someone?I went to visit someone in a hospital; shewas quite old and I learnt she loved itwhen people danced. I just had to dance.I was dancing every time just to make herhappy.Are you in a relationship?I’m not in a relationship now. This isbecause I just started my career and Idon’t want too many distractions.Who is your ideal woman?I love a woman who is God-fearing,respectful, hardworking and withprospects. I need someone who can takecare of the home.What do you find attractive in a woman?Good character. I’m someone whoobservers a lot. I love a woman with agood physique also.What features should your ideal womanpossess? Do you like it big in the back orfront?Everything o!Where do you see yourself in the nextfive years?I see myself as a successful global artiste.When are you releasing an album?Soon. I am working on two videos now.My album will be coming out soon.Which international artiste do youwish to collaborate with?I love Beyoncé. She’s very talented.Which Nigerian male and female artistewould you love to collaborate with?I will love to do collaborations with Tubaba,Iyanya and Chidinma. I’d love towork with Seyi Shay and Onyeka Onwenualso.What really inspires your kind of music?Nature inspires me. Also, my experiencein life and all the things I have gonethrough gives me inspiration.Who is your role model?That’s my pastor, Rev. Yinka Yusuf.Why did you go into music?Honestly, the fact is that I love music.Music found me. I thank God for givingme this gift and I will use it to affectpeople positively.What’s your official twitter andInstagram handle?Geoffrey_Pfame.If you have the power, what will youchange in the world?I will change a whole lot of things. I willtransform people’s character. I thinkthat’s one of the hardest things in life− to make people good.Define your fashion sense/style?I’m just a simple guy. Anything thatmakes me look/feel good is okay byme.Do you like clubbing and partying?I do that because of the responsibilityattached to my music career. Naturally,I’m not the type to go clubbing orpartying. I love to stay at home and domy thing.Can you tell us about youreducational background?Good! I started my education at St.Saviour Primary and Nursery school,Kaduna, I also attended St. PatricksSecondary School. Due to financialconstraints, I couldn’t further myeducation because of my Dad’s death.I later went to Yabatech for a DiplomaProgramme. I couldn’t finish thoughbefore going to Ghana for furtherstudies. I’m still on it now.You are a very gifted, talented andhardworking musician, what advisedo you have for those aspiring to belike you?I always tell people ‘Never fake itto make it, Be you’. Be true to whatyou are and just keep pushing. Don’tallow anybody give you a life thatyou don’t want, Don’t give up. If itdoesn’t happen today, it will happentomorrow. If it doesn’t happenthis year, it will next year. Just bedetermined and persistent in all youdo.What should your fans expect fromyou this year?All my fans should expect the best thisyear. I will be reeling out good videos,songs and collaborations.Thanks for honouring our invitation.Tush magazine wishes you the verybest in your music career.Photo Credits: Fegor for 960 Music11 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Exclusive Interviewsession with PatrickMathias a.k.aPasswordPassword is your stage name, what is your real name?My name is Patrick Mathias.You are a record producer, award winning singer and songwriter. Can you tell your fans more about your music careerso far?Well, for me it’s like a cliché because every artiste and singerwould say their music career started in the church; that’swhere we all honed our skills. Thank God for the churchand my background back in the days which had me playingdifferent types of instruments. Personally, I had a fundamentalbackground as far as music is concerned; I grew up in a musicloving family. It was all fun because I had the passion and flairfor it.What inspires your music?I don’t know if it is easy for everyone to digest but I am veryeclectic. Ultimately, I will say God is my inspiration. My moodand life experiences are also a source of inspiration.Can you talk about the collaboration between you andGeoffrey?Geoffrey is an amazingartiste, singer and songwriter.Working with Geoffrey hasbeen like a discovery channelfor us. I like him because he’shumble and always ready tolearn. He’s very talented tooand ready to be introduced bythose who have done it in theindustry so they can have thepassword at the same time.It was fun working with himand importantly we have achemistry that works.You won MTN SongstarCompetition 2013 and tookhome two prized assets, howwere you able to achievesuch feat?Brother, I don’t think I’mspectacular. Well, the x−factorin me in the first place is God;his favour speaks for me. Iwent there to do my thing,and bagged home 16 millionnaira while I was havingfun. One thing that kept megoing was faith. Opportunitymeets preparation. Alwaysbe diligent, determined andhardworking. Someday, yourpersistence will pay off.Which Nigerian artiste wouldyou want to collaboratewith?(Laughter) I would love towork with 2face any day, anytime. I love him.Have you had anycontroversy yet in yourmusic career?Yeah, there is a major oneeverybody knows I had withDavido. I’m sure you’ve heardabout it.(sings) See gobe. Omo see gobeCould you shed more lighton the Davido controversy?I’m sure many of your fanswould love to read directlyfrom you?First, I have to say thatDavido is my home boy; wedo business together oncein a while. Before then, hisproducer Shizzi already wasmy home boy back in the days.Gobe wasone of mydemos;Davido heardit and liked it.I guess the major problemwe have in this industryis allocation of credits.Songwriters should berecognized as it is doneinternationally.Photo Credits: Fegor for 960 Music12 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

So it wasn’t you who usedthe twitter handle to accuseDavido of intellectualproperty theft?No! No! It wasn’t me. Trustme man, I don’t have an ideawhere that was coming from.Did Davido pay for the song?Definitely, he paid. It wasbusiness. There was no theftissue in this matter. I don’tknow who the troublemakerswere.What’s your official twitterhandle?@iam_passwordWho are your role modelsand mentors?That’s a difficult one. Thereare two people I like to talkabout. Cobhams Asuquo. Isone of them; I love that man.He’s my friend and brother.One of the reasons why I sayso is because I am learningto see life through his eyes.Tuface inspires me as well.Are you in a relationship?Right now, I like to say I am ina relationship and it’s with…With who?With my music.. (Laughter)Can you talk more about youreducational background?Well, I like to say I ameducated. Music has takenthe center stage. I justacquired more skills.Can you talk about yourfamily?I come from a family of 6(six); three boys and threegirls and I am the last ofthem. I lost my Dad at agesix and my mom had tocarter for us. It was so hard.After my basic education,I took the bull by the hornto create my own story itwasn’t easy at all. I don clearbush, fry garri, hawk and doeverything normal guys gothrough in life.What inspired the stagename Password?It was one guy that I respectso much. He used to be mynumber one fan. I knowhe’s still very passionateabout the Password brandwherever he might be. Hecalled me one day and toldme that after meditating aname just popped up to himand it was Password. I keptquiet for a while because Ifelt like ‘this is it’. I felt thename came with a hugeresponsibility. I acceptedit ‘cos I want to be thepassword to open differentdoors for people.What is your greatestachievement?In 2013, I wonthe NMASoundtrackof the year2013 inthe movieHoodRush.You knowI writesoundtracksfor moviestoo. It’s reallyone of mystrengths.Have you ever beenembarrassed by anyonebefore?Sh** happens all the time. Ican’t really remember onenow.What problems do artistesface in the industry that youwill love to be changed?Nigerian artistes are hardworkers, but I think the aspectof royalties and creatingchannels for revenues for us tomake more from our creativeworks will surely improve theindustry.What do you make of theNigerian music industrytoday?The Nigerian music industryis getting better by the day.The more opportunities weget, the more artistes comeinto the industry and manytalented people are takenoff the streets. The industryis creating more jobs for theyouths.What do you think are thereasons for the rapid growth?I think it’s digital media, ICT ageand the recording equipmentfor better quality of musichas helped in improving theindustry.What’s your fashion style?I’m trying to be an “Iyanya”but I don’t know how to walkin chains. I love vintage. I goeasy on all that stuff. I like tokeep it simple.What do you have to tellyour fans?Well I like to tell my fans, Imean my friends out there,life is not a bed of roses. In life,you have to be very particularabout what you want. I don’tbelieve in luck ‘cos life is nofluke. Sometimes I cry lookingat my life story and where Iam today. God has been sofaithful. I believe in workinghard and putting God first inall I do. Just have faith andwork hard.Patrick Mathias960 MUSIC13 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

DearArtisteOn March 7th 2015, renowned OAP and inspirational mentor, Fola Folayan converged music industry personalities forher educating platform #DearArtiste. The platform over its period of inception has seen experienced industry personalitiesdole out advices for emerging artistes and managers alike teaching them about the importance of understanding thecraft they practice. This edition tagged: “Finding Art & Entertainment with Purpose” had speakers like ID Cabasa, AleroEghagha of Cool FM, Somto of Spinlet, Demilade and the convener herself, Fola. The interactive session was held atYusuf Grillo Hall in YabaTech and had partners like: Spinlet, CoolFM, 360Nobs, Tush Magazine and Pulse.ngFREE SPINLET SUBSCRIPTION >>14 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10Voucher code: DEARARTISTEValue: 1 month Spinlet Premium SubscriptionValidity of code/Expiry Date: June 30, 2015Please note the voucher code cannot be used on Etisalat network and it also onlyworks on Android and BB7 downwards.

Our New CrushGoddess of SkillzBeautiful Goddess of Skillz has proven to be a master in her selected choice of career; being a model, TVPresenter and Video vixen, she has immensely proven her worth and having her for your gig or appearing on yourvideo is a huge plus. Plying her presenting skills with an urban TV channel, Goddess of Skillz has created abrand image for herself. Tush Magazine’s representative hooked up with her and here are some of the answersshe offered in a quest to getting to know her better.Q. Goddess of Skillz is a catchy stagename, what is your real name?A. My real name is Oruwari Kaine DaalaQ. Can you tell your fans more aboutyourself?A. Well, I’m not sure what exactly theywould want to know but I’m from a familyof five, with one older sister and oneyounger brother, I’m a visual/fine artistas well as a graphic artist, makeup artist,basketball player, rapper, singer, dancer,television presenter, model and……. thelist goes on.Q. Can you talk about your educationalbackground?A. I attended Fountain Nursery and Primaryschool, Queens College for secondaryschool and the University of Lagos.Q. How do you combine modeling, TVpresenting and Red carpet hosting to stilldeliver such stunning performances?A. It’s really complicated but I do my bestto balance it out, and luckily for me it’s allintertwined. One thing I make sure I alwaysdo is avoid getting too swamped with it all.I usually just take each day as it comes.Q. How will you rate the NigerianEntertainment Industry today?A. Over 10? I would give it an 8. TheNigerian Entertainment industry hascome such a long way since as far back asI can remember it. If we were still stuckin that era, we wouldn’t be able to have15 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

as many international recognition andcollaborations as we do now.Look at the likes of D’banj who got signedto G.O.O.D music or Psquare who haveworked with the likes of TI and Rick Ross,and these are just a few examples. There’speople like Omotola Jalade Ekeinde gettingfeatured on Time Magazine’s list of 100most influential people in the world in2013 and Genevieve cinching internationalroles, it’s safe to say even in the movieindustry front we are doing great.Q. As a TV and Public figure/personality,what challenges have you faced?A. Challenges? I don’t face challenges; Ihave experiences, because that is whatthey are. A brick gets thrown at you, youpick it up, next time a brick comes flying,you will find that you are in a better placeto deal with it because you start gettingused to dealing with challenges.Q. If given the power, what will youchange in the industry?A. Looking at the ratio of successful male tofemale artistes in the industry, one thing Iwould change if I had the power is the factthat female artistes aren’t recognized andfind it very hard to get into the industry.Q. Do you have other talents?A. I’ve already given a list of them above,but to add to that I’m a great cookand I’m pretty good at anything I setmy mind to do (except mathematics.)Q. What were the early days of yourcareer like?A. It was pretty cool back then. I got to takefirst hand notes from people like DenreleEdun and VJ Adams and watch them whilethey worked so it is quite safe to say, I gota pretty good start, and so many of theartistes like Iceprince, MI, Jesse Jagz andothers were so cool and made the job notso difficult.Q. What is your selling point?A. Selling point? I would say my dexterityand versatility and ability to adapt toalmost any situation, but people say it’smy hair, or lack thereof, so yeah, my sellingpoint is my head.Q. Are you in a relationship?A. Nobody has sent me flowersor brought me flowers in a whileso I guess I’m not in any *laughs*Q. What are the qualities you want inyour ideal man?A. Excessively rich so I can retire beforeI’m 30, [Loool] just kidding (but I reallywouldn’t mind). My Ideal man would haveto be God fearing, Understanding, Athletic,Brilliant, Loyal, Sensitive and the usual.Q. Have you had any controversy in theindustry yet?A. Not really, I try to stay out of troubleas much as possible, but if I really haveto mention one, it would be the one withSeyi Shay which I don’t believe was asbig a deal as people made it out to be.Q. Define GODDESS OF SKILLZ in onesentence?A. It’s pretty expressive; Goddess of Skillz isa strong female with an inhuman amountto talents for one singular person.Q. Who are your role models?A. My mom for one, she’s the mosthardworking and smartest womanI know. Ryan Seacrest is anotherperson who I look to for inspiration.Q. Are you a fashionista? What goes foryou?A. Fashionista? Nah!! I wouldn’t say I am.I actually refer to my style as “Homelessfashion”. It’s kind of like how Johnny Deppdresses most times when he looks very notput together. I could wear my brother’sjeans, my dad’s shirt, mom’s jewelry, sister’sbelt and my shoes and still look super cool.Q. Name five Nigerian musicians youlove their music?A. OMG!! there are so many talentedartistes in Nigeria, but of the top of myhead, I would definitely pick Phyno (eventhough my Igbo is terrible and I haveentirely no idea what he is saying halfthe time), MI Abaga (because of his wordplay and lyrical skills), Olamide (becauseagain just like Phyno I have no idea whathe is saying because my yoruba is bad, buthis flow is insane), Yemi Alade becausewatching her fiery performances on stagegives me so much life and everyone else.Q. What is your greatest achievement sofar?A. My greatest achievements so far,would be getting to interview Jah Ruleand Ashanti, meeting Amber Rose, Akonand attending the 57th Annual Grammyawards in 2015.Q. Where do you see yourself in thecoming years?A. I see myself working in one of the biggestTelevision stations in the world and possiblybeing a cinematographer/ film maker.Q. What will you tell many women outtheir aspiring to be like you?A. Just be yourself, do what youdo because you love what you notbecause you are trying to make otherpeople happy, because happinesscomes from within. Continue beinga #StrongBlackAfricanWoman (or alight skinned one) and if you are a#baldblackbeauty like myself, then ROCKON!!!16 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

TUSH MAGAZINE INTERVIEW WITHFEMALE ^DJ SENSATION^, DJ LoBy Alexander Thandi UbaniTell us about Dj Lo.My name is Cleopatra Amartey, I am aDJ and I go by the stage name DJ Lo. Iam in my twenties, Ghanaian and grewup in Lagos.What was your childhood like?It was fun like every childhood.You are one of the very few femaleDisk Jockeys (DJ) in the industry?Sure. EDM is my specialty. But, I playa lot of AfroHouse/Afrobeat/Dance aswell.Can you talk about your educationalbackground?I attended Queens College, Yaba Lagosand later went to Lagos State School ofNursing and Midwifrey. I am a nurse byprofession.How did you become a DJ?Well, music has always been afundamental part of me. I used to thinkI was going to become a rapper till Irealized that path isn’t for everyone.Then this passion was discovered. Now,it is a more creative way to express themusic I love.What have you done to grow more inthe art so to say?I am always open to learning newthings. There is no such thing as toomuch knowledge. So I try to learn newtechniques through various onlineplatforms and from some mentors.As a DJ, have you played in any showyet?Yes. For the greater part of 2014,I played at Blak Lounge/Sand BarElegushi on a regular basis. I also playedat the last TPL. I also recently played atthe Afro POP Party.To be a DJ is serious business, howhave you coped in the industry?Learning everyday helped me and is stillhelping me cope. More so, being new tothe industry, it all about understandinghow the particular industry operates ina given country.What challenges do DJs face?We face different challenges such as latebookings to impromptu cancellation ofshows and many others.Why did you choose this particularcalling?I would say this calling chose me. It hasbeen a part of me. So it’s hard to thinkof it as me choosing this calling.What projects are you working on?Well, there are lots of projectspresently on ground. But for thepurpose of privacy, I cannot disclosetheir particular names. But, I can assureyou that they would be explosive piecescoming very soon.It must be a bit challenging to be afemale DJ in the industry?In the world we live in, it is challengingas a female to survive in a maledominated field. I’m working to makea difference. That’s why I focus onoriginality and sticking true to whatI believe in. For me, that is enough toboost my excellence.Who is your favorite Nigerian Artiste?My all time favorite, now and foreverwould be Fela Anikulapo Kuti.Who is your role model?My role models because they aredefinitely more than one. I haveMichael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, LouieZamperini.What is your twitter and Instagramhandle?@sensei_loWhat would you consider as yourgreatest achievement?My greatest achievement is to havegotten to this stage I am in as a femalewith lots of restriction around me. Tohave been able to successfully combinetwo opposing careers and master themboth, that to me is great.Define your fashion style?My fashion sense is basically me justbeing original and retro when possiblei.e. being an 80’s kid. Just real like that.17 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Do you like clubbing and partying?Lol. Clubbing and Partying? Cleo isquiet shy and reserved. But Lo ismore the open type. So I’d say alittle in between the two.DJ LoWhere do you see yourself in thenext five years?Ok. In five years, God willing,I see myself being the bestDJ to come out of Africa.18 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Celebrity HUBOye AkideindeOyebowale Babatunde Akideinde, popularly known as Oye A.K.D. was bornin the late 70s in Lagos to a lovely family of six [parents inclusive] as the lastchild and third son of the family.Although his parents are from Ogun State, Oye was born in Lagos and alsohad his childhood in Lagos – Surulere to be precise where he had his nurseryand primary education at Sunnyfield Schools, then later attended FederalGovernment College, Odogbolu for his secondary education. He studiedin Odogbolu for a year and then transferred to Lagos State Model Collegewhere he completed his secondary education.He got into the University of Lagos to studyComputer Science, and after graduation, he gotposted to Abia State for his youth service. FromAbia state, he redeployed back to Lagos state andgot posted to a newspaper company called CometNewspaper in Ijora, Lagos. At Comet was wherehe first got his taste of working with websites ashe was required to update and post content ontheir website daily. He then joined an InternetService Provider - Prodigy International as aWeb Developer where he nurtured his skills toperfection.After working for 2 years, Oye went to the UK for his Masters’ Degree andwhile in the UK, he tried his hands on music as a rapper seeing that heseverally got applauded on for his rapping skills back in secondary schoolbut he had to stop to focus on his primary assignment there. Done withhis studies, Oye moved back to Nigeria in 2004 and joined the queue ofgraduates seeking jobs. Luckily for him, at a point where he was alreadygetting frustrated by the situation, Oye got a job with UACN Plc as a Project& Web Manager making him the one of the youngest managers to achievesuch a feat albeit it being a new position in the group. He would hold severalother positions and one of his proud achievements during his stay at UACNPlc was the Corporate Rebranding project he project managed.After working for fouryears with UAC, Oyemoved to FCMB asthe Head of Debit &Prepaid cards where heworked for two yearsand also successfullyimplemented severalprojects such as Verve,MasterCard & VisaCredit card projectsamongst others.All along, Oye had alwaysbeen [and still is] a music bluffand when MI Abaga came intothe music industry with hisTalk About It album in 2009,Oye deemed it fit and wrotean album review on it whichreceived many applaudsfrom his friends and even gotpublished in the newspapers.19 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

While at FCMB, one of his friends –Noble Igwe reached out to him to helpadvise on developing a website whichwas meant to be an entertainmentplatform.On near completion ofthe website, Noble askedOye to come on boardas a music editor for thewebsite but during one oftheir many meets, Nobleinvited a mutual friend inthe person of AnthoniaSoares [presently theeditor of CompleteFashion Magazine] andduring the discussion,the idea of three of thembecoming directorssprung up and wasimmediately adopted.Celebrity HUBOye Akideindecontinued from Pg. 19Still working at the bank, Oye’s‘workaholic’ energy arose; he wasworking 9-9 for the bank and the restof the evening on the website.With their combined efforts, theymanaged the website so well that itstraffic began to increase on a monthlybasis. Five years on, the website –www.360nobs.com has grown tobecome one of most visited sites inNigeria with millions of views monthly.Oye left FCMB for a CIOrole at CCM Limitedand then eventually leftto focus on 360nobsfully for nine monthsto put in structures andprocesses. SPINLET thencame calling. Before Oyetook up the offer, he hadseveral discussions withthe founder who did lethim in on the vision of Spinlet. Sharing the samedigital vision, Oye joined Spinlet and is currentlythe Head, of Business Development globally; aposition that interestingly doesn’t clash with hiscommitments at 360nobs. One way he ensures that,is doubling the efforts into his duties at Spinlet.Oye’s 15 years+ big picture doesn’t end with all this as he has a few upcomingprojects which should affect quite a large number of individual’s lifestyle inNigeria.In his words “I tell people life is one step at a time, Keep up with yourcompetitors and always have a plan.”Happily married, Oye is the proud father of his beautiful Oluwadarasimi andshe is one of the main reasons that make him work harder.20 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Music FizzersTush Magazine ExclusiveInterview with Suka SoundsThe quality of music being released recently in Nigeria has increased greatly when comparedto the past. Asides the improvements in the production of beats, we now enjoy clearer,melodious and soothing music. Most of these improvements in the quality of music are beingmade possible by sound engineers who mix and master songs. In Nigeria, we have quite afew talented ones and amongst them is a young chap who has lately, successfully created aniche for himself in the world of mixing and mastering or better put - sound engineering.Out of a possible 10 released songs today, 7 of them are possibly mastered by Suka Sounds;largely because of the creativity he inputs into songs to make them perfect. Tush Magazinehooked up with the amazing Suka Sounds in his studio for an exclusive interview. Findbelow excerpts of the interview session.Q. Glad to meet you, Suka Sounds. Is thatyour real name?Actually, my name is Suka Andrews.Q. Tell us a little about yourself?Suka Andrew is from Jos, Plateau StateNigeria. I am a Sound Engineer and alover of music.I am from a family of five.Q. Can you talk more on your educationalbackground?I attended Amazing Grace Private Schoolfor Primary Education before going toScience Day Private Secondary School. Ialso went to a music Institute in Jos to addmore value to my trade. I had wanted tobe an architect but eventually fell in lovewith music. I later went to Studio Onefor 2 years as a sound Engineer. It wasn’tlong before I was called upon by anothermajor studio for another 2 and half yearsto manage and be the in-house producer. Ialso went to School of Audio Engineeringto enhance my career before being calledupon by E.M.E to be the in-house producerand sound Engineer. That’s where I amnow.Q. How long have you been in the NigerianMusic scene?Professionally, I have been in the industryfor 8 years.Q. What actually is your specialty?For me, it is music production. I am ageneral Music Producer but people knowme more as a Sound Engineer.Q. Can you mention some artistes you’veworked with in the music Industry.I have worked with the likes of Brymo,Shady, Banky W, D’banj and Davido.Basically, I’ve worked with almost all theartistes in the industry.21 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Q. Can you mention some notablesongs you’ve worked on?I did Brymo’s ‘Ara’; Davido’s‘Owonikoko’; Wizkid’s Album;Banky W’s Album and 6 tracks onDbanj’s recent album; DJ JimmyJatts’ ‘Eto be’ and so many others.Q. What challenges have you facedin the industry?Some challenges I faced then washaving clients complain about myability to mix and master sounds.It was really challenging but thosemoments of rejection made mebetter. The growing phase was alsovery challenging. Thank God I havepassed through that and now, I havebeen established.Another challenge we face in theindustry is recognition; SoundEngineers are not given much creditfor the work they do. We are notrecognized in the industry especiallyin the areas of awards. A categoryshould be created to recognize theimportant role Sound Engineers playin the industry. It is important.Q. Why did you choose this line ofduty?Well, the truth is that I lovecreativity; It is real fun for me ‘cosit’s like putting puzzles together. Ilove the technicalities, frequenciesto cut, some calculations to do toget it right. I’m just in love withengineering and music.Q. What projects are you workingon now?I’m working on a whole lot ofprojects. Many of the artistes areworking hard to drop quality songsand I am working to make theirdreams come true.Q. How will you rate the NigerianMusic Industry?Yeah. We are definitely growing.Just that we are having a littlecongestion. It’s more like weare forcing the world to hear usand they are listening. We haveknowledgeable professionals inthe industry; back then, everyonewanted to do things themselves, butwe have outgrown that now, We arereally growing.Q. Do you have an official website?www.sukasounds.comIt’s a site to let you know what I dogenerally. I also build studios. Youknow, I built Wizkid’s studio, thevery first Davido’s studio and manyother studios. The site will also showyou some of the works we’ve donefor people. You know I’m a generalsound Designer and Engineer, so Ido almost everything. There is aprovision for uploading of songs too.Q. Who are your mentors?I love Christy Jones, he’s one greatEngineer.Q. What inspires you?I’m inspired by good music.Q. What is your greatestachievement so far?I will say my brand Suka Sounds.That’s the mother achievement of allI have achieved now.Q. Could you elucidate theimportance of Sound Engineers tothe Nigerian Music industry?Sound Engineers enhance soundsfrom its raw state to a moreacceptable top quality. We are likethe interior designers of a house.Q. In 5 years, where do you seeyourself in the industry?I see myself owning a record labelcalled Suka Sounds if God wills it.Q. What more are we expectingfrom you?Expect more music, more goodmusic. You guys should watch outfor more Suka Sounds on yourradios and TVs.Q. What are your twitter andFacebook handles?Twitter: @SukaonpointInstagram: @SukaSoundsThank you for your time and theenlightenment!22 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

From what we have already, it is a possible outcome.What’s the idea behind this project?Interview withOluwafemi Adebuleof the TWITTERPREMIER LEAGUEBy Alexander Thandi Ubani.In this exclusive interview with Oluwafemi Adebule, ManagingDirector of Twitter Premier League, he explains more on thefascinating concept, aims and objectives behind the TwitterPremier League.The idea is to give people the opportunity to meet andexpress themselves, have fun and not just talk aboutsoccer but also participate and play football.Why is it called Twitter Premier League and what roledoes twitter play in this regard?We chose that because it started on twitter. I and Efe (myco-director) thought out the name because it also had anice acronym, so we took it up. Everybody has a twitterhandle; it’s the easiest way to get word out to the generalpublic.How and who can participate in this game show?Right now, we have 6 male teams and 2 female teams.We usually make a call out for new participants and getproposals as to what they can offer to TPL. The easiest wayto participate is to join a team; it’s open to everybody butthere is a selection process. You can check out the teamsand know if you can fit in. You can choose to own you ownteam and assemble your players or walk up to any of thecaptains to join their teams.What does TPL aim to achieve?The predominant aim of TPL at this point in time is tobe the number football tournament in Lagos for peoplebetween the ages of 20−40. We aim at making the TPLbigger, better and more expansive.What are the processes for participation?All participants must have twitter accounts and we don’taccept people that play football every day for a living. Wedon’t take professional footballers.Can you explain what TPL stands for?It’s the Twitter Premier League. We gave it the name sinceeverybody likes tweeting about the team they support especiallyin the English Premier League, so we created an avenue forpeople to come, meet and play football together.What do you do at Twitter Premier League?We organize football tournaments. We plan to develop leaguesfor private schools, under 12’s and we have a lot of charity workswe do. Every year, we give money to states to send children toschool. We also do the Christmas on the street – where we go andfeed people on Christmas day on the streets. So, the TPL is funand simple; there are also a serious set of people behind it. It’s abrand that speaks for itself.Does TPL involve growing football talents also?How did you fair in the last three editions?TPL 1 didn’t have so much publicity and we had 350people who turned up for the event in Lekki. InspirationFM gave us audience too and that went well. TPL 2 wasvery massive as we had about 700 people who turnedup for the event. Although the publicity was backbonedon twitter, the turnout was impressive and the totalexperience was exhilarating for everyone present. We tookTPL 3 to ELTV, radio and TV stations, about 1,200 peoplecame to watch at Lekki. So far, the planning and executionof the TPL has been challenging but very successful.What actually is the main attraction of the league/event?If I am to be honest, most of us on twitter are like a family.Many of us have been tweeting together for years andwith time, find ourselves become close. It’s often hard toorganize a meeting and meet up. So, TPL is one avenue23 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

[ ...Continued ]to meet everyone and have fun. It’s a lot of fun, football andfriends. All of that! I know some people dating that met atTPL1. It’s a plus for all of us.finding sponsors are no longer hard.By partnering with ELTV which was aired on DSTV, it givesTPL more credibility, how do you plan to make this moreinteresting for many Nigerians out there who will beinterested to participate?For the first time, we are introducing lots of entertainmentlike popular Nigerian artists performing, dance shows, plansfor kids and the likes. We have a whole lot of entertainmentand fun for people that will come.What plans do you have for the future?What challenges have you faced in setting up such a massiveevent?The major one is funds; we need more sponsors for this greatprogramme. We also have issues with organization as most ofthe directors are top bankers, IT gurus, Government workersetc. Well, it’s hard but all of us prioritize to make it happen.Thankfully, we have reached a stage where raising funds andWe want to ensure that the brand continues to grow, remainfresh and provide entertainment and fun for everybody outthere.MEDIA LINKS:Youtube: thetpltvTwitter: @thetplFacebook: www.facebook.com/thetplFaceofAmberThe memory of this event still lingersin the mind of guests that attendedthe well organized and star studdedevent. Held at the prestigious HotelConstantial in Benin City and hostedby Melvin Oduah of BBA, the event saw18 years old BOLARINDE DAMILOLAemerged as the new Face of Amber.Face of Amber is powered andorganized by CYNOSURE MAGAZINE.24 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

www.tushmagazine.com.ngPraiz

Tush MagazineInterview with PraizWhen MI dropped his sophomore album in 2011, he had a huge audience anticipating the release largely becauseof the tactics his team used in dropping the album. Amongst the songs included in the album was Epic, where hefeatured Praiz and we were all made to wonder who the talented singer was. Then in 2012, Bez got him featured onhis ‘Stupid Song’ and yet again, we all marveled at the serenity at which this talented individual sang.Moving on, Praiz released his first official single titled “Rich and Famous” - a song that importantly stamped hisspotlight glee. Interestingly, this once MTN Project Fame finalist had his story.Praise Ugbede Adejo was born in Lagos but had his upbringing in Kaduna. At age 2, his family moved to Kadunawhen his father got transferred there. An Igalla by tribe, Praiz is from Kogi State and is the second child of his parents’five children. He attended Kaduna State Polytechnic where he studied Computer Science. Here are excerpts from theinterview we had with him.26 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Photo credit: Dele LawalMake up: BlessingsTush Mag: You recently dropped yourdebut album, how would you rate it inyour own expectations?Praiz: Personally for me, the Rich& Famous album is one of the bestalbums out of the country and I’mproud of them both. Although it tookme a while to put them out, I’m proudto have released two albums as mydebut.Tush Mag: What is the idea behind thedouble albums?Praiz: The idea behind my doublealbums is to showcase my versality.The Rich album is the RnB album whilethe Famous album is the Afrobeatalbum. Both albums came on thenumber 1 spot on the iTunes chart andquite honestly for me that was hugeand I’m proud to have achieved that.Tush Mag: Putting togetherthe albums, you worked withother artistes, how would youexplain the experience?Praiz: It was awesome, Ihad a super packed albumworking with the likes ofWizkid, Sarkodie, Patoranking,Shaydee, Seyi Shay, Chidinma,Sammy, Sound Sultan and acouple of others and basicallyfor me, it was huge workingwith these talented acts.Tush Mag: Let’s talk a little onhow music started for youPraiz: For me, music started inthe church. I could rememberas a little kid, I played thedrums quite well in church andafter secondary school therewas this studio I visit where Ioccasionally play live drumsfor recording when they needit. Although I haven’t playedthe drums in a while, the skillsare still in the blood [Chuckles]Frequenting the studio duringthat period actually influencedmy abilities as an artiste; Ilearnt how to produce beats,engineer songs and recordthere, I also had my firstrecording there – just to hearhow I would sound basically.Tush Mag: How was thefeeling and what followednext for you?Praiz: It was actually fantastic. Afterrecording, I played it to a couple offriends and family members and theyall gave me positive feedback, so I keptrecording and recording to perfect myvocal strength. I went as far as puttingout two singles back then and it grew tobecoming number 1 and 3 respectivelyin a local radio station in Abuja. I wasin Kaduna State Polytechnic whilestill pushing, then a friend advised Iparticipate in some of the reality showsbeing organized which I did; Infact Iparticipated in virtually every realityshow back then but I couldn’t makeany headline till 2008 when I enteredfor MTN Project Fame West Africa.Tush Mag: From participating in MTNProject Fame till now, how would youdescribe your progress?Praiz: [smiles] From Project Fame tillnow has been one word – progress. Ihave moved from being underground27 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Photo courtesy: Maureen Adepitan for X3M Musicto participating in reality TV showsto getting featured by a great rapper,getting signed on a label and releasingmy own albums; there is no otherway to describe it apart from oneprogress to another one.Tush Mag: Between participating inProject Fame and getting featuredon MI’s Epic track, which would youchoose as the milestone that brokeyou out?Praiz: Like I earlier said, my musicalcareer has been one progress toanother. Participating in Project Famesort of shot me into the spotlightand then MI came through as well.It didn’t end there for me; I workedon Bez’s “Stupid Song” which endedup becoming the first Africa songto premiere on BET 106 &Park, after that I released myown single which was receivedpositively from everyone.Each move has always being amilestone for me. I try to alwaysmake my next move greaterthan the last and I’m grateful forhis mercies.Tush Mag: Trying not to come atyou but what is the reason foryou switching your style now?Praiz: I am usually surprisedwhen people ask me why Ichanged my style of singing.Nobody questions R.Kellywhen he does a party jam ora gospel song and then goesback to his normal RnB patternbut when it comes to a Nigerian,many speculations and criticismsfly around. For me, being an artistedoesn’t limit my capabilities; Yes!I’m RnB and I forever would be,but then again as an artiste, thereis a responsibility where you needto satisfy your fans and not all thetime are they in for RnB, so doinga different genre of music for themonly shows your versatility.Tush Mag: You are one of the brandambassadors for MTN, how is itbeing such?Praiz: Being a brand ambassadorto the biggest telco firm in Africaone of those factors that keeps meworking hard and I’m grateful forbeing one of their ambassadors.28 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

A graduate of Geography and Regional Planning from the prestigious Universityof Lagos, Pearl Hart or Pearl Candy as she is often called in not your averagepresenter. Her ever smiling and ever bubbling personality has a captivatingprowess with which she succeeds in holding her viewers spell bound.Born Pearl Hart in the 80’s, Pearl is a Rivers State indigene but hadher upbringing in Surulere – a place she visits every weekendsas a point of duty except for weekends when she is out ofthe country or engaged on official assignments; her familyhouse is in Surulere.Although the last child of her parents, Pearl hadlearnt to be contented and independent atan early stage in her life prompting her toengage in activities that could earn herextra cash. At age 15, Pearl featuredin a couple of Nigerian moviesusing her acting skills; shedecided to concentrateon modeling whenshe got into theuniversity.Screen Kings:PearlWhile in hersophomoreyear in the university,she attended an auditionorganized by SoundCity andwas amongst the few selected;she went on to becoming one of theirpresenters. Presenting became a new hobbyfor Pearl coupled with her dramatic nature andinteresting personality, she excelled quite well and hostedsome major events even as a newbie.Continues on the next page.29 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Combining presenting and studies became quite a huge responsibility on her shoulders so she optedfor the latter; she paused her TV career to complete her education and when she was done quitesurprisingly, SoundCity still opened the door to let her in – apparently because of her talents.Coming back to SoundCity further expanded her creative abilities as she has been able to successfullyhost a couple of TV talk shows amongst which are Top Ten Count Down, City Divas and Rap Attackwhich all shows her versality as each programme is totally different from one another.Pearl’s fashion sense is also imbedded into her TV shows which habitually have her dressingaccording to the context of the programme. While she is flexible in her dressings, she also likes to becomfortable and wont cross the fashion line to impress others without being comfortable herself.Screen Kings:Pearl30 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Inheritance is accidentalWritten by Imiegha Phidelia [@ThePhidelia_]“Ovbiemwen, Lahor, bring the children to see me, the end is near.”Those were the contents of the text message Ivie received a week ago from her mother that forced her totake her children to Ologbo, Edo state, to visit their estranged grandmother. Ivie had bluntly refused to stayat her mother’s place, she chose instead to lodge at a hotel a comfortable distance from the house. She hada premonition that staying at that familiar, old house would awaken the demons she had left behind. Thehotel had poor service, poor food, no hot water and rude attendants, but she didn’t care.Surprisingly, little had changed in the last 10 years since she left Ologbo. The red sand which was everywherestill had the same bright and fierce color she remembered, the families that lived in her street when shewas a child still lived there, and the street tap, although now rusted from lack of use or repair, still stoodat a strategic point in the middle of the street. Ivie’s mother’s 3 bedroom bungalow remained unpaintedand ungated, the same old furniture lying around the living room; a tattered couch and three arm chairsarranged in a semi-circle; even the tiny black and white TV which had gone bad a few months before she lefthome remained on a small stool at the front of the room, unrepaired. The pots and pans and plates in thedark, warm kitchen, had not been changed. The familiar smell that had enveloped the house all those yearsago still lingered, carrying a lot of memories with it. Ivie found herself wondering how ten years could go bywith so little changing.Ivie had spent 3 days in Edo State, taking the children every day to visit her mother but never actually talkingto her. She would sit in a corner, allowing her mother and the children talk and play until she decided it wastime to go. It annoyed Ivie that her mum still insisted on calling her ‘ovbiemwen’ meaning ‘my child’, a nameshe had always called her as a child.31 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Delia | Inheritance is AccidentalOn the evening of the 3rd day, Ivie visited her mother with her two children to say goodbye. Approaching thehouse, she heard a soft, familiar song playing loudly from one of the houses in the street; an old bini song bya local artiste whose name she tried to recall but failed. The song instantly made her feel nostalgic; it wasone of her late sister’s favourites back in the day. She felt a lump form in her throat as she held back a sob.As Ivie watched her mother tell her children ancient Edo tales and sing songs she had sung to her as achild, the memories of her childhood which she had tried so hard to forget for years came flooding back& she felt an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, again. She felt her eyes brimming with tears and quicklyexcused herself to the veranda. It was almost 6pm and dusk was already beginning to set in; the chickensthat moved out in groups at dawn to search for food in the streets and in dustbins had already returned toroost. Ivie hugged herself tightly, only just noticing that the cold breeze had caused goose bumps to formon her skin. The familiar sound of men laughing and talking loudly at a nearby beer parlour and of womenloudly conversing in their backyards while cooking dinner transported her decades back. She had lived inthis compound for twenty years; more than half of her life. This was where she had grown up and shared alife with her younger sister, and suddenly, the reality of her sister’s death hit her harder than it had in years.Unable to help it anymore, she burst into silent tears.Ivie was raised by her mother, along with her late sister, Amenze, in abject poverty in this house. Theirfather, now dead, was a prominent titled chief, who married dozens of wives, who in turn bore him scoresof children. When Ivie was barely 3 years old, shortly after Amenze was born, their mother left their father’scompound and brought them here to stay in the house she had inherited from her grandmother, so therewas very little she could remember of her life in her father’s house. She only saw her father on the local TVchannels, ITV and EBS when he either hosted or attended events. The only time she had seen him physicallywas when, against her mother’s warning, herself and Amenze attended his lavish birthday party in Benin.She struggled through the crowd to get close to his seat, expecting some kind of recognition, willing himto look at them and say, “Oh! There you are my daughters; I’ve been looking for you.” But Chief Imade hadlooked right through her, and when she and Amenze tried to go further, his huge bodyguards warded heroff. They both returned home in disappointment, the kind of disappointment that numbed the pain of hermother’s lashes as she flogged her later that night for disobeying her orders.Their mother was an abusive mother — she liked to call herself a disciplinarian but she was really just takingout her frustrations on her children. Whenever she had a bad day at the market where she sold second handclothes, she would verbally abuse them and curse their father. She never told them why she had left theirfather’s compound or why she hated him so much. She would call him all sorts of names and blame him foreverything that went wrong in their lives. When she didn’t have money to buy food or to pay bills, she wouldlament and curse the day she met him. Sometimes, she would tell Ivie and Amenze that giving birth to themwas the biggest mistake of her life.Amenze was the only solace Ivie had known. They would stay up at night for hours and talk about all thefaraway places they would travel to, to escape their mother’s bitterness. They had inside jokes and nicknames;they shared everything and did everything together. People often asked if they were twin sisters. They bothwent everywhere together, and when Ivie got admitted into the University of Benin, Amenze studied veryhard to ensure she also got in two years later. They both had plans of becoming successful women andproving to both their parents that they weren’t useless after all.32 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Delia | Inheritance is AccidentalWhen Ivie was in her final year at Uniben, Amenze fell sick. The doctor said her heart was packing up andshe needed a transplant. Ivie couldn’t understand how a heart could suddenly pack up. The surgery couldnot be done in Nigeria and when Ivie heard the amount needed to fly Amenze out for surgery, she almostwet her pants. She went on the internet and searched for heart foundations and NGOs for people needingheart transplants. It would take months for Amenze to get to the top of the waiting lists and according to thedoctors, she barely had weeks. After thinking very hard for a solution, Ivie finally came up with a seeminglybrilliant plan and happily went to share it with her mother who was at Amenze’s side at the hospital. She toldher mother that she would go to her father for help and her mother screamed that it would be over her deadbody. Shocked, Ivie asked why and her mother became silent. Ivie tried to get her mother on board with theplan but she blatantly refused and kept insisting that ‘God would provide’.A week later, with Amenze’s condition worsening, Ivie decided to go to her father on her own. She wasn’teven let into his compound; who would give a strange girl claiming to be the estranged daughter of a richchief any audience anyway. She returned to the hospital in dejection, lost as to how to save her only sister’slife. The hospital ejected Amenze 3 days later due to lack of funds. Apart from the small deposit made byher mother’s brother, they had not paid a dime. Ivie cried and begged her mother to reach out to her fatherfor help but she refused, and chose instead to borrow from her friends. After borrowing all she could, themoney wasn’t even enough for the flight ticket.The day Amenze passed away was a peculiar day, the sun was shining and rain was falling at the same time; itmade Ivie think of elephants in labour in faraway lands. The house was very silent, apart from Amenze’s loudbreaths and her (Ivie) own silent sobs. Ivie was massaging Amenze’s head with a wet cloth to bring down herfever when suddenly she had a seizure. Not knowing what to do, Ivie held Amenze, screaming, crying andpraying it would stop. It did eventually, but so did Amenze’s breathing.Ivie blamed her mother for Amenze’s death back then and she still blamed her. She hardly spoke to herafter her sister died; talking to her only when necessary, in mono syllables and when her mother, frustrated,finally screamed at her about her attitude, she screamed back at her and said a lot of hurtful things. About ayear later, to her utmost relief, she got posted to Lagos for her NYSC. She never returned until now.A nearby sound awakened Ivie from her reverie. She looked at the watch — 6:45pm — they had to get tothe hotel before it became too dark. She got up from the bench she had been sitting on and headed intothe dark living room.“Iye, ma kian kpa. We have to go, it’s getting late.” She said to her mother.Her mother, reluctant to part with the children replied,“Ovbiemwen! I don’t know why you won’t stay here, ehn. There’s a lot of room for the three of you.”When Ivie remained silent, she continued,“You will come tomorrow abi?”,She looked very hopeful and for once, Ivie felt sad for her. She truly was old and alone. Still Ivie replied curtly,33 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Delia | Inheritance is Accidental“Eho, no, we have to leave very early tomorrow. We won’t be stopping by.”As her mother averted her face quickly to hide the tears that had just now formed in her eyes, Ivie felt apang of guilt.Her mother walked her and the children to the front of the house where the taxi she had called was waiting.After she and the children had hugged and said their goodbyes, her mother tapped her as if to say something.She looked at her pleadingly and said,“Ovbiemwen, my child, I know you may still be angry at me over what happened to our dear Amenze. Butyou can’t desert me like this, you are all I have”Ivie winced a bit when she mentioned Amenze. They both had avoided the topic during her short and forcedphone conversations over the years; the ones where she informed her of her marriage and then the birth ofher children, more to fulfil obligations than from the need to share her life’s details with her mother.Now holding her palms together, as if she was begging, her mother continued,“Tohan mwen, please forgive me. I wronged you and I failed as a mother but I want to be a grandmother tothese children. They are my children. Ivie, ghė gui.”Ivie stared at her mother for a few seconds, wondering how a mother would rather watch her child die thanswallow her pride. Ivie muttered weakly,“I’ve heard you. The children are tired. Goodnight ma.”As Ivie made to open the car door, her mother made one last attempt to change her mind.“I did not kill Amenze, I didn’t kill my child.”, She said weakly.“You didn’t kill her, but you let her die”, Ivie replied accusingly.“Stop running away from your mother, Ivie”, she said, finally letting the tears fall.“You chased me away”, Ivie replied quietly after a brief pause. She then got into the car and it sped off intothe night leaving her weeping mother in a cloud of dust.7 months later, Ivie received the news of her mother’s death and it affected her in ways she didn’t expect.It opened up fresh wounds and she regretted not forgiving her mother when she still had the chance. Itdawned on her that she had become exactly like her mother – stubborn, cold and unforgiving.34 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

LMK’s DiaryMUSIC: The New Occupation.It sickens me when I hear people tag and blame thegovernment and lack of job opportunities on why theentertainment industry, especially music industry isoh-so crowded today.But come on, let’s be realistic; which job doesn’trequire you to leave the comfort of your home unlessyou got interviews, appearances, shoots or recordingsto attend to? I mean which job gives you the leverageto party all day and night with the finest and wildestgirls out there? How many jobs out there actuallyoffer you over N500,000.00 for a sitting? Which jobguarantees you an endorsement deal in the long runof your career? While your 9-5 mates are stuck intraffic after a long day at work, who entertains themon the stereo?These and many more are the reasons why over50% of our youths today want to try out a careerin music probably regardless of an actual talent inmaking music and yeah our artistes up there aren’texactly making it less worse. They putting out postson instagram, twitter, facebook and snapchat (wecan’t blame them) that psychologically frustrates andmotivates emerging artistes on a daily basis.While Davido is making these kids believe that moneyis the way forward (well, why not?), Wizkid kinda givesthem the optimistic impression that singing aboutgirls and the way they “whine and roll it” would gettheir songs on every body’s lips. Yemi Alade got thegirls believing that if they sing about men’s incessantwomanizing would get them far enough to be popular.M.I.. this amazing rapper made people “discover”their careers in rap music; I am a witness to thefact that majority of them are still stuck somewherebetween giving up or just trying one more time. Don’tget me wrong, I don’t blame the artistes; I blame thepsychological effect it’s having on us.The list is endless and our youths are hypnotized withthe notion that the life of a superstar is probably allthat there is to success. They believe that the life ofa professional party dog is the easy way out of reality.These and many are the reasons why we have endlessstrings of upcoming artistes who aren’t exactly“breaking” into the industry.We just have a bunch of okay singers and rapperswho do not exactly have budgets hence you see thembegging producers, graphic designers, promoters andfinally, begging their BBM and Whatsapp contactsto kindly listen and download their songs. How manytimes does the struggle actually surmount to aperformance slot at the Industry Nite, talk less of apaid event??The struggle out there isn’t easier I know, but it’s waybetter than the money I’ve seen some artistes wasteon production and promotion before falling out of sync.I imagine investing some of this money sometimes.In my 4-year experience as a media consultant anda publicity strategist, I have encountered people whowasted ill-gotten millions trying to be like Davido and35 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

his cohorts. Some of them also have it all figuredout that if you collaborate with A-lists on your songs,you’re likely to blow. I know a lot that didn’t. Why? theylacked promotional and marketing strategies. Someof them couldn’t even lace good songs after payinghundreds of thousands for collaborations and topnotchproductions.I have patted the backs of many who finally confidedin me about giving up and finding something muchmore feasible to try out. It is heart breaking. Weknow hundreds of artistes who showed up on ourfavorite blogs and we were totally digging them andasking them for Mixtapes, EPs or Albums and all of aninevitable sudden, they disappeared from the musicscene. Many of whom we know have settled for beingTwitter and Instagram celebrities today (Uhm hmm).Unless probably given an opportunity by a record labelwho is also trying out, accompanied with a trashycontract most times to try out your luck, you reallyshould save the money you have and invest it intosomething that may turn out to be very profiting orfind a job then maybe you can consider hitting thestudio. I’m a music lover, but I admire a youth who isan entrepreneur much more than my favorite rapperand singer. No lie.Until you, your record label or managers are able tocomfortably afford the demands of the industry, I’dadvise you to just remain a fan of the industry, no hardfeelings. The industry is spinning faster than it everhas, everybody’s demanding from you and very fewpeople are actually helping you. Radio and TV rotationsare no joke. Online publicity and social media brandpublicity is becoming more and more expensive on amonthly basis. The industry is a whirlpool of swindlers,bluffers, and ballers who would hardly even believe inyou.Okpolor eye, no be open eye. Be wise, and above all, Iwish you success in your musical careers!One.3000by Phidelia.and a slave.FlashFictionI’m lying on my bed hoping and praying that tonight my owner will fail to visit. He has never missed a night, butsomehow, I still manage to harbour this strong hope every single night, that he would fail to come. I listen to the silentticking of the clock above my head, counting the seconds, and then the minutes, still hoping. But at exactly 3a.m, aswith every night since I came to be his slave when I was 14, I hear my owner’s light footsteps approaching my room.I count his footsteps, it takes him 14 steps to get to my room and I count 14. I am precise, I count everything. It’sall I can do. Just as he begins to knock softly on my door, I make the decision I’ve been afraid to make for years, thedecision which will free me as much as it will destroy me. It ends tonight; I feel under my pillow to make sure the knifeis still there, it is, right where it has been for 3 years. And then he knocks, 3 sharp knocks, the sound I dread, ‘ko ko ko’.I swiftly get up from my bed and open the door to find the fat bastard grinning as he sees me naked. He immediatelyreaches for my breasts and squeezes them while he shoves me roughly to the bed. I lie on my back, while he mountsme and starts pounding with reckless abandon. His eyes are closed; he is lost in ecstasy so he doesn’t see me reachfor my knife. He doesn’t see me hesitate for just the slightest moment, before I aim the knife at his chest.He feels the cold steel of the knife touch his chest and his eyes immediately widen. He sees what is about to happen,he sees his imminent end and opens his mouth to scream but I am faster. I plunge the knife deep into his heart andsilence him forever. His body goes limp as blood sputters all over my body from his bloodied chest. I struggle to pushhis heavy body off of me and eventually succeed. There is blood everywhere; my hair, my clothes, my bed, the floor.But today it doesn’t irritate me; today it feels me with an overwhelming joy.I may escape, I may get arrested, I may get the death sentence, I may even be tortured first, but right now, I don’tcare. For 8 years, 2 months and 18 days, exactly 3000 days, I have been a slave, and every day I counted down to thismoment, in this moment, I am free.36 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Jason PorsheNigerian luxury bespoke fashion design label “Jason Porshe” is a brand which solely focuses on bespoketailoring, with Design aesthetic of redefining classic masculinity and feminity. Established in 2012, the JasonPorshe Brand is owned by 21 year old award winning menswear architect Jason Samuel.Jason Samuel has unveiled series of collections, But is known for hiscollection “Elusive Invasion” which made its Debut at the Native andvogue international week and “SkyFall” which Featured Celebritymodels and Nollywood actors Alex Ekubo, Ik Ogbonna, BryanOkwara & more.The Creative Director of the Jason Porshe Brand has been able to raise a celebrity clientele with the likes ofKorede Bello, Yemi Alade, Praiz, Eva Alordiah, Uti Nwachukwu, Gbenro Ajibade, Denrele Edun & a lot more.37 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Jason PorsheJason Samuel - Creative director38 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Abuja Takes a Step Up To TheBlack PodiumThe Johnnie Walker Black Podium brought bold, unforgettable performances to AbujaFrom top artists to double-jointed contortionists,the Johnnie Walker Black Podium set the newbenchmark for entertainment at XO in Abujawith a unique blend of performances, ushering inan entirely new entertainment experience for thecapital city.Along with reggae-dancehall maestro, Burna Boyand hit maker, Kiss Daniel, the bold and diverseline-up included DJs Nani and The Mouth DJ,contortionist act Dflex, saxophonist Doyin Sax anddancers. The evening was hosted by charismaticradio personality Sensei Uche.“The night was a blend of top-class performances,sometimes unreal and definitely unseen beforein Abuja! The event underscored the JohnnieWalker Black Podium’s reputation for bringingmasterful acts to the country’s stages and raisingthe caliber of Nigerian nightlife,” says LizAshdown, Head of marketing, spirits and RTD atDiageo Brands Nigeria.Among the numerous memorable moments ofthe night was the phenomenal performance byBurna Boy, who alongside a never seen beforecontortionist act, brought to life the kind ofperformance that sets the Black Podium apart fromany other event in Nigeria.Over the months to-date, guests to BlackPodium events have experienced everything frommind-bending contortionist acts to magicians,star-studded artists and top class DJs, as this eventseries continues to bring bold and unexpectedentertainment to Nigeria.For those who missed this magnificent installationof the Johnnie Walker Black Podium, moreevents are on the way, and more informationcan be found at https://www.facebook.com/johnniewalkernigeria.39 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

Cristiano Ronaldo: Football’s most famous Superstar.He is handsome, athletic, rich, famous, and classy. Cristiano Ronaldo is a famousfootball star whose name reverberates on the lips of every soccer fan and evenbeyond. A superstar brewing with talent and dazzling footwork, Ronaldo is adribbling ace and soccer genius shining more brilliantly amongst his mates. Hisphysique, charming face, stylish hairstyle, amazing celebration and enchantingsmile gives him away any time. A woman’s dream man, Cristiano Ronaldo is astory of fame, determination, hard work and trials.Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos is a Portuguese professional footballer plying histrade with Spanish giants Real Madrid. Ronaldo is the first Portuguese player towin three FIFA Ballons D’or awards in 2008, 2013 and 2014 respectively. He alsowon the 2013/14 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award and has scored over 400senior career goals for his club and country.He is one of the best soccer stars to grace planet earth; he’s built with amazingspeed, pace, strength and outstanding skills and immense talent. C. Ronaldo hasCR7been classified and described as a notorious goal-poacher, ace free-kick takerand a goal-scoring machine. He is Portugal’s best player of all time and has wonthree Premier league competitions, one FA Cup, two Football League Cups, oneFA Community Shield and Champions League trophy with Manchester United.He also has won one La Liga, two Copas del Rey, one Supercopas de España, oneUEFA Champions League Trophy, one UEFA Super Cup and two FIFA Club WorldCups trophies with Real Madrid. He is the only second Portuguese player to winthree European Golden Shoe awards. Ronaldo holds the record as the first playerin England to win all four main PFA and FWA awards. In 2008, he won 3 of the 4main PFA and FWA trophies and was named the FIFA World Player of the Year,FIFPro Player of the Year, World Soccer Player of the Year, and the Onze d’Or.He is the world’s most expensive player bought from Manchester United to RealMadrid in 2009 for a staggering sum of $132 million dollars. He is ranked as thebest player in the world for his numerous contributions to the world of sports.surgery was performed and the area of hisheart cauterized to stop the condition. Thesurgery was successful as he returned totraining just a few days later. If that was notdetected early, it would have put a dent tohis career.Today, Cristiano Ronaldo is a celebratedworld class star, model and an inspiration forthe many youths who want to be like him.He is a success story of sheer hard workand belief in determination. A class on hisown, he has broken records after recordsand set records for many to challenge. Heis football’s most prolific scorer of goals andthe first footballer to score against everyteam in a single season in La Liga.He is poles apart from many of hiscontemporaries and is classed as the oneof the best football player ever. Apart fromthe World Cup, Ronaldo has won every ofthe globally recognized football trophies onplanet earth. In December 2014, Ronaldobecame the fastest player to score 200 goalsin La Liga when, in his 178th La Liga game,he scored a hat-trick against Celta Vigo; his23rd hat-trick was also a La Liga record. Hehas amassed individual records and awardstoo numerous to mention.His rise to fame is soiled in many troubles as early life was not kind to him. CristianoRonaldo was born into a family of four; his father was a municipal gardener whilehis mother was a cook who lived in the neighborhood of Funchal Maderia. Thingswere not that very easy with his family because they were not rich, he had tocope with his brother and sisters in their little cubicle. The youngest of the lot, hewas a controversial figure during his early days in school that once resulted in hisexpulsion from school after he threw a chair at his teacher. Life was really difficultand knowing that education wasn’t his greatest strength, the young Ronaldo whogot his name from the former United states President - Ronald Reagan, pursueda career in soccer.He was good with his legs, very fast and had many footy tricks in his boot. At 14,Ronaldo decided to give football all the attention it needed. Football was his lifeand even at a tender age, he had begun winning laurels when in 1995, he wonthe title with Nacional. C. Ronaldo was diagnosed with a racing heart - a heartdisorder that causes it to beat faster than normal, forcing the heart to pumpless efficiently and provides less blood flow for the rest of the body, hence aThis amazing talented superstar footballmaestro who scaled all odds to climb thepinnacle of success through sheer hard workand telling brilliance deserves nothing butgreat recommendation. He is an enigma,dynamo, a paragon of raw ego, an achieverand a shining star. Ronaldo is a true assurancethat obstacles cannot hinder the successof those who have made it a case to besuccessful. Through odds and intimidatingchallenges of early hard times, he foughthis way to world fame by harnessing hispotentials fully. We give it up to this amazinghuman, son, brother, father, star and hero- Cristiano Ronaldo. He is football’s mostfamous Superstar.©Copyright 2015 Alexander Thandi Ubani40 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

MovieReviewSELMACASTDavid Oyelowo – Martin Luther King Jr.Carmen Ejogo – Coretta Scott KingOprah Winfrey – Annie Lee CooperTom Wilkinson – President Lydon B. JohnsonCommon – James BevelWendell Pierce – Rev. Hosea WilliamsGiovanni Ribisi – Lee WhiteDirector: Ava DuVernayDuration: 128 MinutesRelease Date: 06-02-2015Genre – DramaSelma is a small town in lower west Alabama,where the eyes of America turned nervously in thespring of 1965, sensing a revolution. It was hardlya hotbed of racial unrest. It wasn’t Harlem. It wasthe strategic site of a battle, a historic march forvoting rights, and a bitter but long-awaited victoryfor Martin Luther King in his ongoing fight fordemocratic parity.What he’s up against isn’t just the hard-dyinglegacy of racism in the South, but an administrationfobbing him off with “not now”. The issue athand is the black vote – legally guaranteed bythe Constitution, but practically stymied by allthe literacy tests and intentionally obstructiveregistration rules local government had managedto pile up in its path. In the early Sixties, more thanhalf of Selma’s citizens were black, but only 1%were registered to vote.Oprah Winfrey (Annie Lee Cooper) is turned awayat the film’s start for failing to name AlabamaCounty’s 67 judges. And because registration was arequirement to serve on juries, black people had no41 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

MovieReviewSELMA[ ...Continued ]say in their own trials, and brutality against themwent unavenged by the justice system time andagain.King explains all this in the OvalOffice to Lyndon B. Johnson (TomWilkinson), but it’s no good:the latter is busily embroiled inVietnam, and extends a welcomingarm across King’s back whichtells us exactly how he plans topatronize and humour him.Wilkinson’s Jowly Avuncularity can jar in someAmerican films, but this is the best use of himin years. By the end, after the flare-ups in Selmahave made it impossible to table the voting issueany longer, we get the irony of LBJ’s March 1965address, whose final three words come straightfrom King’s phrasebook: “We Shall Overcome”.When King comforts the grieving grandfather ofslain protestor Jimmie Lee Jackson, whom policechased into a café behind Selma’s church, andshot, unarmed, at point-blank range, it’s a scenethat’s desperately moving for all it’s holding in,and holding back. You see King as an almostintimidating inspiration – a leader commandingso much respect that grief has to compose itself.But you also see him as a man, especially in closequarters with his wife Coretta (a forceful CarmenEjogo), who elicits a subtle confession of his extramaritalaffairs.Ava DuVernay, previouslyresponsible for the little-seenfeatures I Will Follow (2011) andthe Oyelowo-starring Middle ofNowhere (2012), makes a thrillingsurge into the front ranks ofAmerican filmmakers here. She’slikely to be the first black womanever nominated for the BestDirector Oscar.Working again with consistently inspiredcinematographer Bradford Young (Ain’t ThemBodies Saints) and Editor Spencer Averick,she reconstructs Selma’s whole tug of war –bludgeoning outside the courthouse, the twomarches across Edmund Pettus Bridge, and theterrifying rampages of mounted police, glimpsedthrough a fog of tear gas – with a righteous visceralauthority. Young’s camera inscribes people’s fury,pain and bewilderment: when Winfrey is knockedto the ground, it goes down with her. DuVernay’sfilm goes down with the lot of them, drags itselfback up, and never lets that summit out of sight.Culled from, the Telegraph.42 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

N.Y.S.C. OR …?Written by Winifred [@TheWinifred]I cannot begin to recount the numerous tales I heard about the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) before it wasfinally my turn to serve. All overwhelming if I must say, But before I delve into the crux of this write up, a few “funfacts” about NYSC.The N.Y.S.C. was established on May 22, 1973 by Nigeria’s former Head of State, GeneralYakubu Gowon, after the Nigerian Civil War (July 6 1967- January 15 1970) with theprimary aim of integrating and uniting the whole of Nigeria. It comprises of 4 cardinalprogrammes; 3 weeks Orientation Camp, the Primary Assignment, the SecondaryAssignment also known as Community Development Service (CDS) and then Passing Out.When any Nigerian graduate is through with his/her tertiary education, he/sheis expected to serve Nigeria under the auspice of the NYSC. Unfortunately, thepurpose for which NYSC was established has been relegated to the background.Blame it on the moral decadence which is rampant among the youth who are thecore participants in this programme.First of all, integration is not achieved in the highest capacity because people“work” their posting to favorable places as against being randomly mobilized toplaces different from the individual’s state of origin or residence. Take the situationin 2014 Batch C for example – everyone wanted to serve in Lagos and the overpopulation of intending corpers in the state led to a split into two streams; this hasnever happened before. This indicates there are many lagosians and residents ofLagos State serving in Lagos.Secondly, based on popular opinion, the best part of NYSC is the Orientation coursesimply known as “camp”. Camp is supposed to be a time where intending corpmembers are drilled and lectured on what is expected of them during service year.This in no doubt, takes place in full capacity but the free time given to corpers tointeract is where the trouble comes in. Now, there is this mentality where peoplebelieve camp is the time to explore all their sexuality; basically, take advantageof “fresh fish” from other institutions they will be meeting for the first time andprobably never see again. Once, I wouldn’t succumb to this guy’s whims and hesaid “why are you behaving like this, is this not camp?” indicating I was supposedSomeonedescribedcamp as “threeweeks of grossindiscipline”.That isdecadenceagainst unitythrough service.43 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

to throw caution to the wind and act carelessly. Someone described camp as “three weeks of gross indiscipline”. Thatis decadence against unity through service.I made effort to ask a couple of corp members, both past and present what NYSC experience was like, especiallycamp; and I got practically the same response – high rate of depravity. There are cases of people engaging in intensemake out sessions, performing oral sex, actually having sex, married/engaged ladies taking off their rings and hidingthem just to take part in the fun. Once, there was a case of a married woman caught making out with a fellow corper.She was decamped and her husband was the one who came to pick her up. Imagine what would have transpiredbetween them in the car on their way home and what would have become of that marriage all because of NYSC. Inone of the camps in 2014, there was a rumor about an orgy involving a married woman. In another, used condomslittered about the parade ground every other morning. Well, if it is any consolation, at least they practiced safe sex.Haven heard these stories and with everyone saying “I’d caveand go with the crowd”, I made up my mind to prove themwrong. Not everyone who goes into camp has to mingle andpartake in the things that are not pretty. I’m not reprimandingor appraising anyone; I believe everyone has what drives themor keeps them going. But best believe, leaving camp with yourdignity intact comes with a really good feeling.It is also good to know there are upsides to camp. People have met their spouses there and are happily married, peoplehave established and maintained life long friendships with people they met in camp, there is the Skills Acquisition andEntrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme on the platform of NYSC where people have become successfulentrepreneurs and employers of labour, to say a few. Different interpretations have been given to the abbreviationNYSC – Now Your Success Comes, Now Your Suffering Continues, National Year for Sex and Cuddling etc. At the end ofthe day, it is really what works for you, what you want to be remembered for and how you’ll like to feel about yourselfafter spending one calendar year serving your beloved Nigeria.44 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

One Nite Unplugged with M.ILoudNProudLive celebratedits February Editions in stylewith a Loopy music ‘All Stars’showcase & ‘The Chairman’ MIwho headlined the popular ‘ONENITE: LIVE & UNPLUGGED withMI’ premium solo artist platform.On SATURDAY 28th FEBRUARY atQUILOX, NMO Management & PRLtd presented:LoudNProudLive Series: hostedLoopy Music ‘All Stars’ + OneNite: Live & Unplugged with MI’The Loopy Music ‘All Stars’were on fire on stage onLoudNProudlive stage as theyjoined their CEO Mi as headlinehost at ‘One Nite Live &Unplugged’First up new recruit ‘Milli’ set a high standard with a sterling set receiving rapturousapplause from a upbeat audience.Dj Lambo, host for the night did the honors of introducing another Loopy Music‘Family’ member RUBY. In sensational vocal form, she belted out a succession hitsincluding ladies anthem ‘Good Man’ followed by a super music segment of African‘genre themed’ medlies which showcased her awesomeness & the ‘One Sound’ band.‘Pastor’ LOOSE KAYNON’ brought a touch of humor to his set with a series of tracksincluding the hilarious hit song ‘Halellujah’. Loopy Music ‘All Stars’ & fierce skillz onthe decks by DJ Lambo correctly set the scene, for the Main act of the night.The Chairman’s full live band performance was highly anticipated- MI flowed like thelyrical wizard he is & African No1 Rapper crown he owns, just as the audience flowedback in full verse to ‘Safe’ like a church Choir in song. The atmosphere charged, venuefull & cameras jostling for space as MI ABAGA played keyboards with his band. Heeffortlessly displayed a diverse & versatile side to his music repertoire performing hits,including the smash ‘Bad Belle’..... Mr INCREDIBLE we Salute you!One Nite: live & Unplugged - every last Saturday of the month – a LoudNProudliveproductionLoudNProudLive.....Keeping REAL music ALIVE45 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

One Nite Unplugged with M.I46 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

SPINLET KARAOKEThe March edition of the monthly Spinlet Karaoke featured one of Nigeria’s talented music producer - LERIQ.Spinlet Karaoke is a monthly gig being held at Shaunz Bar in highbrow Victoria Island holding every last Wednesday of eachmonth and it is a musical platform in which a selected artiste/producer is made the headliner; guests also get to participate andthe best singer gets either a bottle of champagne or #20,000 cash.Since it inception in late 2014, Spinlet Karaoke has featured Falz, Blackmagic, Oritsefemi, DJ Jimmy Jatt and it is fast becomingone of Nigeria’s anticipated musical event.47 | TUSH MAGAZINE | #10

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