New bride, new album for Banky W

June 15, 2012 by Agency Reporter

Well, not exactly a bride in the actual sense. The rapidly balding R n B heartthrob, Bankole ‘Banky W’ Wellington, has not taken a wife. Rather, his Empire Mates Entertainment, EME, label, where best-selling debutant, Wizkid, also calls home, has announced the signing of its first female act, Niyola, and the completion of an EME album, ‘Empire State of Mind’. To be released exclusively on Nigeria’s premiere digital distribution platform, Spinlet, on Monday, the EME album features its flag-bearers; Banky W, Wizkid, Skales, Niyola, Shaydee, DJ Exclusive, and guest appearances from Ghana-based rapper, XO Senavoe and US-based singer cum actor, Rotimi. The album also contains three fun skits by comedian, Basketmouth.

In a statement by the label boss, he states, “We’re very proud of the EME Album. We took our time to put together a fantastic blend of our talents as a collective, while also showcasing what each artiste is able to do individually. It felt like the right time to drop this record; each artiste is bringing his/her A-game, and the production quality is out of this world. There is something for everybody, songs to dance to, songs to listen to, songs that make you think. We’re very excited about being able to share this with our fans worldwide, and we hope that we’ve been able to live up to and/or surpass their expectations of us. Our work is done. All that remains is for our fans to sit back, relax and press play.”

The label states that it took almost one year to produce the EME album, boasting production from Nigeria’s finest such as Masterkraft, Legendary Beats, Spellz, Sarz, Shizzy and Kid Konnect, together. In regards to its new signings, which also includes Shaydee, the label states, “Empire Mates has come a long way since Banky W and our first single. The entire continent and the rest of the world have accepted and supported us and that support has birthed so many great things. Today, we are happy to announce our expansion, as we take up new talents, new challenges and seek new ways to deliver beautiful African music to the world.”

How D’banj celebrated 32nd birthday

June 15, 2012 by Agency Reporter 

Last Saturday, D’banj turned 32. Unlike the ritual of champagne popping at ritzy hangouts, the pop star was in Benin, Edo State, entertaining fans and followers of his Koko doctrine. It was the third week of the annual multi-city concert, Star Trek, organised by the Nigeria Breweries Plc. On the bill were Sound Sultan, Tiwa Savage and Flavour. Model cum actor of the Tinsel fame, Gideon Okeke, who is gradually evolving as a substantive concert emcee, handled proceedings that Friday night in the open air venue, Sanfield, in Benin. In the tradition of the Star Trek, a number of local wannabes, ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, were given a shot at fame. While some performed poorly, some like BMG, T Wine, Great Doctor, Bolo Yeung and Breezy were a delight to watch.

Prior to D’Banj’s performance, which was the last of the night, Mavin Records First Lady, Tiwa Savage, had entertained the crowd with a short but memorable performance. The leggy songstress, who was performing on the Star Trek bill for the first time, kicked off her performance with O Ma Ga O, from the Solar Plexus MixTape, released under Mavin Records, dovetailing into her other hit songs like Kele Kele Love, Love Me X3 and Without My Heart. Midway into her performance, she paused to render an acapella, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, in memory of the souls that were lost in the Dana air crash of Sunday, June 3rd. It was greeted with a thunderous applause by the ecstatic crowd.

Thereafter came Sound Sultan, who typically performed with the full complement of his band, and Flavour Nabania, who seemed to be on familiar turf as he took the crowd on a journey through contemporary Nigerian highlife.

When it was D’banj’s turn, even those who had become weary and sleepy, stirred into full awareness. He was in his elements, oscillating between old and new songs. Soon, D’banj was joined on stage by his collaborator, rapper, Ikechukwu, who was originally not part of the Star Trek line-up. Apart from D’banj’s sheer infectious energy, the lyrical interplay between him and Ikechukwu was another highlight of the Benin leg of the Star Trek. The following day, the Star Trek train moved to Sapele, Delta State but without D’banj.

Perhaps because of the abundance of entertainment talents in that part of the country, Deltans are presumably hard to please by outsiders. But, the thousands that thronged the Sapele Township Stadium got more than enough value for their N200 gate fee. From home girls, Omawumi to Waje, Sound Sultan, Flavour and Chocolate City rappers, MI and Ice Prince, including even Star Quest 2012 winners, Crystals, it was fun all the way. So much that a young lady who was lucky to join Sound Sultan while performing refused to vacate the stage even after he had finished.

Andy Whitfield complete history the lead actor, Spartacus: Blood and Sand Spartacus

Andy Whitfield Whitfield at the San Diego Comic-Con International, July 2010 Born Amlwch, Wales Died 11 September 2011 Sydney, Australia Occupation Actor, model, engineer Years active 2004–2011 Andy Whitfield (died 11 September 2011) was a Welsh-Australian actor and model.[1] He was best known for his leading role in the Starz television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand during 2010.[2] Contents 1 Career 2 Illness and death 3 Filmography 4 References 5 External links Career Whitfield was born in Amlwch, Wales. He studied engineering at the University of Sheffield, England and worked in Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia as an engineer before settling in Sydney in 1999.[3][4] He appeared in several Australian television series, such as Opening Up, All Saints, The Strip, Packed to the Rafters, and McLeod's Daughters. Whitfield gained his first prominent role in the Australian supernatural film Gabriel.[5] He also starred in the 2010 television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which was filmed in New Zealand.[5] He portrays a version of the historical Spartacus, although in this retelling he is a conscripted soldier condemned to death who defeats all four of his executioners and is thereby recycled as a gladiator. The actual Spartacus, like this fictional version, was destined to lead a rebellion against the Romans (the Third Servile War).[6] Whitfield also appeared in the Australian thriller The Clinic starring opposite Tabrett Bethell (of Legend of the Seeker fame) which was shot in Deniliquin.[7] In August 2010, Whitfield teamed up with Freddie Wong and created a 2-minute YouTube video named "Time Crisis", based on the game Time Crisis.[citation needed] Whitfield made a brief, uncredited voice-only appearance in the prequel mini-series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, which premiered on 21 January 2011.[8] Illness and death In March 2010, Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and began undergoing treatment immediately in New Zealand.[9] This delayed production of season two of Spartacus: Vengeance.[9] While waiting for Whitfield's treatment and expected recovery, the network produced a six-part prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, with only a brief uncredited voiceover from the actor. Although declared cancer-free only two months later, he suffered a recurrence of the disease later in the year and was ultimately compelled to abandon the role.[10][11][12] Starz recast Australian actor Liam McIntyre as Whitfield's successor.[13] Whitfield died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Sydney, Australia, on 11 September 2011, 18 months after his initial cancer diagnosis, at the age of 39.[1][14] Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 2004 All Saints Matthew Parkes "Opening Up" (season 2, episode 7) 2008 The Strip Charlie Palmer (season 1, episode 2) (season 1, episode 7) Packed to the Rafters Nick Leigh "All in the Planning" (season 1, episode 10) McLeod's Daughters Brett Samuels "Nowhere to Hide" (season 8, episode 4) 2010 Spartacus: Blood and Sand Spartacus Lead role 2011 Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Spartacus (voice / uncredited) "The Bitter End" (season 1, episode 6) Film Year Title Role Notes 2007 Gabriel Gabriel Lead role 2010 The Clinic Cameron Marshall