Producers of the Broadway musical, ‘Fela!’, donated N407,000 to Yeni Kuti after the last show of ‘Fela! In Lagos’, which took place on April 26, 2011. A representative of the producers announced, after the cast of the musical came out to take a bow, that the donation to Yeni Kuti was made “to show appreciation for her support and motherly role all through their stay in Nigeria.” An obviously emotional YK Power, as Kuti is fondly called, was on stage to receive the donation but couldn’t go through with her acceptance speech as she broke down in tears. As she was led away from the stage, her half-brother, Seun Kuti, held her in a warm embrace, wiping tears off her cheeks.
The final show of ‘Fela! In Lagos’ was attended by the Ghanaian vice president, John Dramani Mahama. He revealed that he grew up listening to the afrobeat legend, Fela, and hopes the producers of the Broadway musical will take it to Accra, too.
Cowell wants Paula Abdul, Cheryl Cole for ‘X Factor’
Simon Cowell wants his former ‘American Idol’ sparring partner Paula Abdul and British singer Cheryl Cole join him on the U.S. version of his TV talent contest ‘The X Factor’. But, the music impresario told entertainment industry website Deadline Hollywood, no deals have yet been signed to complete the lineup for the show, which is due to start airing on Fox television in September.
So far only the acid-tongued Briton himself and record executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid have been confirmed as judges on ‘X Factor’, which is offering a $5 million prize to the winner and a recording contract.
“I’ve always wanted Paula,” Cowell told Deadline Hollywood in an interview released on Sunday.
“I’ve never found anyone better than her. I think there’s a good chance it will be her. We’ve agreed we would meet with as many people as possible, and now [that] we’re reaching the deadline we’ve got to make the decision soon. But I think she’s got a really good shot,” he said.
eLDee denies plans to start new music association
Ace music producer and performing artist eLDee has denied any intention of forming a new musical association to rival the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN). Speaking in an exclusive conversation with X2, the former Trybesmen member revealed that, contrary to speculations that younger musicians want to form a new union — since their visit to a PMAN meeting in Osogbo earlier this year was perceived as an intrusion — they will only act as a pressure group.
“We have no intention of forming a new musicians’ association,” the Trybes Records boss said. “We went to Osogbo asking to be involved in PMAN’s activities, but they said we were being used by Tony Okoroji to come and collect the money the federal government promised to pump into the entertainment industry. Can you see the type of mentality they have?” eLDee said disappointedly.
“Since they don’t want us involved, we will continue to act as a pressure group and continue to pursue our right to copyright protection and payment of royalties as a pressure group.” eLDee, who made 2009 hit song ‘Big Boy’, also denies the accusation that the trip to Oshogbo was sponsored by Tony Okoroji for personal gains. “Am I a kid that someone will be using?” eLDee asked dismissingly.
Earlier this year, mainstream acts including eLDee, Chocolate City rapper M.I, and Empire Mate Entertainment boss Banky W, visited the venue of a PMAN convention in Oshogbo and it was reported that the current executives of the association did not welcome their presence. Earlier this month, eLDee launched the ‘Top Talent’ initiative to help develop young music hopefuls.
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