Nigerian Music Nigeria – Brewing Up A Storm

Source: Ireyimika Oyegbami, 234Next, Jan 24, 2010

Artists and executives of Storm 360 Entertainment Company unfolded their plans for the year at a press conference which held at Swe lounge, City Mall, Onikan, Lagos on Monday 18 January. The executives in attendance included the Chairman, Obi Asika, directors, Olisa Adibua, Nkiru Asika, and Tola Odunsi while the general manager, Tonye Faloughi completed up the team.

Artists signed on the Storm label also showed up.

Storm 360 which emerged 14 months ago from Storm Productions (the original name of the company from inception in 1991), now prides itself as the ‘leading entertainment company in West Africa’. With productions such as ‘Naija Sings’ and the achievements of its crop of talented musicians, it appears Storm 360 might be able to get away with its claim.

A strong music arm

The music arm of Storm Entertainment Company remains strong with artists that continue to record success with their music. Tonye Faloughi described the past year as “an interesting year of realisation and change” while echoing the management that “this is not an industry for failures. You don’t become successful by accident, you have to be focused and devote time and energy to the work at hand”.

It’s been suggested that the first batch of ‘Kini Big Deal’ rapper Naeto C’s latest album sold out in ten days; and a new album from the so-called‘First Lady’ of Nigerian hip hop, Sasha, is due in March; same for Tosin Martins who is popular for his hit love song, ‘Olo Mi’. Storm – which also has on its label GT the Guitarman, General Pype, YQ, DJ Neptunes and Sauce Kid – is clearly on a roll. They believe that making good music requires dedication and intend to maintain their grip on the music market.

An HIV awareness musical concert is in the wing as part of the Storm’s projects for the year. The concert, set to hold at Fela’s Shrine, will feature Storm artists and other musicians. Answering questions on the proposed gig, Obi Asika said he feels the campaign on HIV/AIDS is losing steam even as the youths still need the awareness of the disease and of the need to protect themselves. He, however, said there will be more of music with just a sprinkling of speeches at the musical concert.

The company apologised to some local TV stations who were not happy that Storm label music is played first on MTV and Channel O before local broadcasters get them. This was due to foreign stations reaching out to Storm ahead of release, explained the management, promising that such practices will cease in 2010. “All our music videos will come out at the same time,” said one executive.

And onto the screen

The company is also gearing up for its filmmaking debut this year. A drama, planned to coincide with the country’s golden jubilee, will look at Nigeria’s history over the last 100 years. Executives say they will not compromise on the quality of the upcoming film, which already has a working title and is expected to debut in the second half of 2010. “We will bring our considerable production experience and creative capacity to the world of film, both partnering with other productions and developing our own original projects,” said Obi Asika

Other Projects

While promising that the 2010 edition of ‘Naija Sings’ – the second in the MNET series – will be ‘bigger and better’ than last year’s, Obi Asika revealed plans for another project ‘100% Naija’ to be recorded in Lagos, London and New York for airing later this year. Shedding more light on the project, Tola Odunsi said there are over a thousand Nigerians engaged in diverse lines of business; fashion designers, shoemakers, actors and actresses, and hair-makers, “There are lots of ordinary Nigerians home and abroad, you may not even be aware that some are Nigerians, the program is designed to celebrate these ordinary Nigerians who make things happen.”

“Entertainment is our passion and our business” concluded radio and TV presenter Olisa Adibua, “The only force that rivals our passion for entertainment is our unflinching belief in the potency and potential of the African urban pop culture, especially in our home country Nigeria.

Nigerian Music Nigeria DJ Neptunes, General Pype, Guitarman, Naeto C, Sasha, Sauce Kid, Tosin Martins, YQ