Nigeria’s top musical forces take to stage at the London Olympic City, Stratford

As London gears up for the Olympics, Africa's most dynamic country, Nigeria is brought to life at Stratford. The East London borough of Newham will be treated to a feast of African music when top Nigerian artists take to the stage at the historical Stratford Theatre Royal from 21 to 25 July 2012 as part of the New World Nigeria Sports and Cultural Showcase. 

 

New World Nigeria is an initiative of the Bank of Industry. Created to market the diverse and vibrant Nigerian economy, it promotes investment and business opportunities for investor and business of all sizes.

The second week of the project brings celebrated Nigerian musical acts, including the man who put Juju on the map, King Sunny Ade, Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, Tuface, Tiwa Savage, Naeto C, Choc Boiz: M.I, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince & Brymo, Wiz Boyy, Waje and many more.

Bank of Industry, BOI General Manager of Strategic Planning, Waheed Olagunju said: “We are looking forward to promote inward missions of Nigerian businesses to the UK and UK businesses to Nigeria.”

The exchange at New World Nigeria will also include films, literature, theatre and poetry. Attendees can also enjoy an exhibition of Nigerian manufactured goods which will also be on display.

For tickets, visit https://stratfordeast.ticketsolve.com

-ENDS-

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Schedule

Saturday 21 July

8:10 PM	WizBoyy	8:30 PM
8:35 PM	Waje	9:05 PM
9:15 PM	TuFace	10:00 PM

Sunday 22 July

7:35 PM	Young Mo	7:45 PM
7:50 PM	Wande Coal	8:3 PM
8:55 PM	Choc Boiz	10:00 PM

Monday 23 July

7:35 PM	Tiwa	7:55 PM
8:00 PM	Naeto C	8:30 PM
8:30 PM	M.I	9:00 PM
9:15 PM	River of Music	10:00 PM

Tuesday 25 July

7:05 PM	Bez	7:25 PM
7:40 PM	Keziah Jones	9:00 PM
9:10 PM	King Sunny Ade	10:10 PM

Wednesday 25 July

7:00 PM	Nigerian Diasporama	8:30 PM
9:00 PM	Seun Kuti and Egypt 80	10:30 PM

King Sunny Ade

King Sunny Ade, more affectionately known as KSA, is a musical phenomenon respected around the world. Having been a part-time percussionist at school, KSA joined the famous comedian, Moses Adejumo’s musical band in 1963. KSA went onto establish his own group in 1967: Sunny Ade and his High Society Band. Success came quickly and most of his albums sold in excess of 500,000 copies. In 1983, KSA became the first Nigerian to be nominated for a Grammy Award. He has shared the stage with legendary artists including James Brown, Peter Tosh, The Police and Peter Gabriel.

Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 Band

Seun Kuti is a Nigerian musician, and the youngest son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Seun leads his father's former band Egypt 80. About three-fourths of the current Egypt 80 line-up consists of musicians who not only played with Fela Kuti, but were often arrested and harassed alongside the founder of the Afrobeat movement.

The Nigeria Diasparoma All Star Band featuring:

Asa

Asa’s debut album fuses pop, R&B, world, funk, soul and reggae, with vocals in both English and Yoruba and featuring impeccable percussion, a funky Hammond organ and reggae-infused bass. Asa has gained global recognition with her trademark husky voice, unafraid to tackle serious issues with intelligence and confidence.

Keziah Jones

Blufunk is a fact! Committed artist and philosopher Keziah Jones blends funk, soul, blues, pop, rock and acoustic, with a particular touch of African style and sound, bossa nova and afro beat, creating a modern, multi-faceted and totally original musical style.

Dele Sosimi

Dele's career began when he joined Egypt 80 with Fela Kuti, one of the founders of Afrobeat – a blend of complex but highly danceable funk grooves, Nigerian traditional music, African percussion, jazz horns and rhythmical singing. Today, Dele Sosimi stands out as one of the leading musicians currently on the Afrobeat scene worldwide, with a strong jazz influence and shades of deep funk and latin, all underpinned by the heavy grooves of Afrobeat's Yoruba rhythm.

Tony Allen

Tony Allen is arguably Africa's greatest kit drummer. As co-creator with Fela Kuti of the hugely popular and influential Afrobeat style, Allen has inspired generations of musicians worldwide and is a legendary figure amongst fans of funk, jazz, hip hop and African music.

Choc Boiz:

MI

Described by DIV as the future of African hip-hop, MI is a prolific songwriter, musician, lyricist and producer. He has worked with artists like Don Jazzy, Kel, Djinee, Shifi (Style Plus), Jesse Jags, Ice Prince, Ruby, Lindsey and Leony, while also running Rytchus Era Productions with his brother Jesse Jagz. MI has been likened to Kanye West for his flirtatious experimentation with different genres from R&B to roots reggae to pop – all built on a hip hop foundation.

Jesse Jagz

Jesse Jagz’ hit hip hop songs include Bend down low, Sugar Cane Baby, The Greatest and Wetin Dey, while the classic My Brother was included in the International Music Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 compilation. Award-nominated Jesse Jagz also represented Nigeria at the 2009 Sauti Za Busara Music Festival in Zanzibar, Tanzania. This annual international festival of East African music has established itself as one of Africa’s leading festivals.

Ice Prince

Ice Prince appeared on the scene in Nigeria in 2004 with his debut single Extraordinary. But it was his single Oleku that hit number 1 in 2010, cementing his places as a star in Africa. Citing his influences as Notorious B.I.G., Rakim, Jay-ZKanye West, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and Lauryn Hill, Ice Prince has collaborated with MI, Jesse Jagz, Dekunle Fuji, Rugged man, Kennis St Brown (KSB), Sauce Kid, da suspect, YQ, El Dee, Naeto C, Mo Cheddah and Whiz Kid d-black amongst others.

Brymo

Brymo recorded his debut album Brymstone in 2007, before going onto promote the hit single Shawdy with a video that reached number 2 on the MTV African top ten countdown, and number 1 on the Nigezee top 10. In 2010, he met rapping sensation M.I., who introduced him to Jesse Jagz and Ice Prince. Shortly after, he signed up to the Chocolate City music label. He has been described as the master of hooks because of his contribution to the Ice Prince monster hit Oleku.

Tiwa Savage - The word that best describes this Grammy nominated Nigerian singer/songwriter is 'gifted' because she embodies the virtues of a true artiste. In 2010, she released her first single 'Kele Kele Love' and has since mastered the art of fusing soulful R&B with Afrobeat and Pop melodies. Her electrifying stage presence matches her powerful voice.

Tuface (Idibia) – is a Nigerian pop singer/song writer/label executive. He was a member of the defunct R&B/hip hop group boy band, Plantashun Boiz, whose phenomenal success with their 1999 debut, Body & Soul changed the sound of Nigerian contemporary music for good.

His award-winning hit track African Queen was used as the sound track of the 2006 hit comedy, Phat Girlz. He has collaborated with several international artistes ranging from the likes of: Wyclef, Beenie Man, Chakademus and Pliers, R. Kelly, to Mary J. Blige, Mellissa Briggs, Teargas, Jozi, Sway, Kelly Rowland, Gyptian and Maxi Priest.

Keziah Jones, is known as the king of Blufunk, a modern and multi-faceted musical style.  As an electric guitar virtuoso, Keziah invented his musical style whilst at school in England. His hit single, "Rhythm is Love" was a triumph and his melodic, often edgy songs are spiritually reminiscent of his eternal idols, Jimi Hendrix and Fela Kuti, the founder of Afro beat.

His second album "African Space Craft" produced in New York by Ron St Germain, was released in 1995, followed by "Liquid Sunshine" in 1999. In 2003, he chalked up another huge success with "Black Orpheus." His fifth album, and last to date, is "Nigerian Wood."

Wande Coal

Like many great musicians, Wande started singing in the teenage choir at his church, before getting his break in the entertainment industry as a dancer.
He continued improving his vocal skills and was signed to Don Jazzy’s Mo’hits records in 2006. His first single of the cv album ‘ololufe’ has been described as the greatest love song ever written by a Nigerian.

Waje

Waje is an incredible singer whose vocal range covers three octaves. Originally discovered while singing in church, she has shared the stage with numerous international artists and performed with the phenomenal Wyclef Jean on stage in South Africa.

Waje was dubbed 'the Queen of R&B' after her hit single For a Minute topped every Nigerian music countdown.

Bez

Bez creates 'alternative soul', an understated and unusual hybrid of soul, rock, jazz and R&B that sets him apart from the mainstream Afro hip-pop movement. A natural performer with a charismatic and playful stage presence, His songs of love, life and loss are modern gems that fit right beside the music of singers like John Mayer, Amy Winehouse, and John Legend.
 

Naetochukwu Chikwe “Naeto C” - was born in Houston Texas but spent his early years growing up in England and Nigeria within a musical household.

Naeto C graduated in 2004 with a B Sc. in Biology but opted for a music career. Naeto C recorded over 40 to 50 songs as a solo artist and about 25 songs with the World Famous Akademy as a group.

Wizboyy - a pop/hip-hop artist who’s making Africa proud. Music is in his soul, and his ability to play a wide range of instruments including the guitar, keyboard, and wind instruments gives him an edge as a producer. Wizboyy is currently a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian music industry, and the release of his latest album Infinity confirms it. The titled track has had overwhelming success already and has made it to number 1 in over 30 radio chart shows in Nigeria.

For further information please contact:

Rickie Davies PR / M: (0)7535744092 / E: Rickie@rickiedaviespr.com