Rapper Kanye West debuted three tracks from his upcoming Yeezus album at the Governors Ball Music Festival on Sunday in New York, with one track titled "I Am a God" and including the lyrics: "I just talked to Jesus, and he said, 'What up, Yeezus?'
The Chicago, Ill., recording artist whose "Jesus Walks" breakout single from 2004's The College Dropout album helped earn him a Grammy and was recognized by the Stellar Gospel Music Awards as a possible contender for Best Gospel Rap Album, might have ruffled the feathers of some Christian music fans with his latest work. While he is certainly not the first hip-hop artist to refer to himself as "god," West seems to have a track record when it comes to comparing himself to Jesus Christ, which may have started with the February 2006 cover of Rolling Stone magazine that features a blood-stained West wearing a crown of thorns. For his "I Am a God" performance on Sunday, West took the stage while fans cheered and a rap/rock/industrial type beat reverberated throughout Randall's Island Park, where the festival took place. West, who also goes by the nickname Yeezy, raps on the song: "I am a god / hurry up with my damn massage / hurry up with my damn menage / get the Porsche out the damn garage …. I am a god / even though I'm a man of God / my whole life in the hands of God / see y'all better quit playing with God …" At another point, West raps (courtesy of Rap Genius): "I just talked to Jesus / he said, 'What up, Yeezus?' I said, 'S**t, I'm chillin' / trying to stack these millions / I know he the Most High / but I am a close high / Mi casa (es) su casa / that's our cosa nostra … I am a god …" On Rap Genius, a Wikipedia-like community that allows users to transcribe music lyrics and speculate on their meaning, several so-called scholars made conjectureWest, who is expecting his first child with reality television star Kim Kardashian, attracted even more criticism when an image circulated in May purportedly said to be the cover art for the Yeezus album. The artwork depicted an image of West nailed to a Y-shaped wooden beam, an apparent reference to Jesus Christ's crucifixion. A final image seems to have emerged, however, of the album cover art, which West has kept very minimal. The latest image suggests the CD comes packaged on a plain disc, in a plain case and features only a piece of red tape or a red sticker. West reportedly performed 21 tracks, mostly songs from his previous albums, at the Governors Ball on Sunday. A video recording of West's performance of "I Am a God" can be viewed on YouTube Yeezus is West's sixth solo album and has been described as "dark," "aggressive" and "raw" by collaborators. The recording artist, who celebrated his 36th birthday on Saturday, is expected to release Yeezus on June 18 via Roc-A-Fella Records.
Beyonce Knowles reportedly sent Kim Kardashian a lavish baby shower gift in lieu of her absence on June 2. The Grammy award-winning singer, 31, reportedly politely declined the baby shower invitation because she is currently still on her Mrs. Carter world tour. Despite her absence, Beyonce reportedly sent Kardashian, 31, an $11,800 gift on behalf of herself and Jay-Z, as the couple is close to the reality TV star's boyfriend Kanye West. "Beyoncé and Jay-Z [gave Kim] a [$11,800] Swarovski crystal-studded high chair, designed by Carla Monchen," a source told The Sunday Mirror. "They had a similar one for their daughter Blue Ivy." West, who has been dating Kardashian for one year, reportedly introduced the reality TV star to the Hollywood couple as his girlfriend in 2012. While Beyonce is said to be polite whenever Kardashian is around, sources claim the singer does not yet trust the reality star. "Kim has wanted to be friends with Beyonce forever. From the moment she started dating Kanye, it was her goal to hang with Bey," a source previously told Life & Style magazine. Beyonce, who is always sure to keep her distance from Kardashian in public, reportedly dismissed the reality star as being "tacky" upon their first meeting. She reportedly agreed to allow the reality star into her friendship circle simply because West maintains a close bond with Jay-Z, however she reportedly set rules for Kardashian."[Kim's] not allowed to talk about Beyonce," the source revealed adding that the E! star would "be kicked out of the clique so quickly if she made any misstep. Kim has to earn everyone's trust. So she's respecting Beyonce's privacy -- and it fits in with the more private, post-divorce persona she wants anyway." Kardashian celebrated her first every baby shower with close friends and family along with West, who reportedly showed up towards the end. The couple is expecting a baby girl in July. "I'm so excited we're having a girl. Who doesn't want a girl? I think they are the best," Kardashian said on "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." "I know that's really what Kanye has always wanted — he wanted a little girl."
The 32-year-old reality star, was wore a garish floral gown over her baby bump, which she teamed with matching gloves and heels on the New York red carpet, yesterday. She was supported by her baby daddy, they look great together, but am not sure of Kim's outfit. Hit or miss?
The power couple wants to tie the knot in a lavish California ceremony, a source says, and they want the ceremony to be romantic under the night sky.
“Kim’s choice at the moment is a starlight ceremony in California’s Big Sur,” the insider tells the site, “where they can hear the waves and be married under the moon and stars.”
Even though Kim’s last wedding to NBA star Kris Humphries was televised in an elaborate special for E! — with photos sold to People for a reported seven figures — Kanye insists on a more private setting. He doesn’t want to donate the money from photo sales to charity, the insider says, and he wants simply a short film of the wedding instead of a TV special.
Now that Kim’s divorce from Kris is official, she doesn’t want to waste any time — and is planning on tying the knot ASAP.
“Now that Kim’s almost a free woman, she wants an immediate wedding — she wants to marry the father of her baby as soon as possible, but the birth must come first,” the insider says.
But with how concerned Kim is with the baby weight gain, we’re sure she will want at least a few months to take the extra pounds off.
Ray J has finally dropped the highly anticipated video for 'I Hit It First'...and not only did he use a Kim K look-alike, he also reenacted their infamous sex tape - without the sex tho. Watch And Enjoy...
Kim was criticized for her choice in maternity wear when she stepped out in a pink voluminous Lanvin mini dress that failed to flatter her pregnancy figure last month. Kim redeemed herself when she stepped out in a very similar style in New York on Wednesday. She wore an almost identical black knit frock, which this time had short capped sleeves. It slimmed down her physique and featured a higher bustline which made her seem less top heavy. The darker shade also appeared to make her large baby bump disappear, despite the material sitting tight across her waistline. Kim teamed her dress with a pair of cut-out ankle booties and a large black crocodile skin clutch.
Which of these looks did she rock better? The pink or black knit dress?
Kanye West has been spending a lot of time in Paris of late despite the fact that his girlfriend Kim Kardashian is pregnant with their first child. The reality star was delighted when she was finally reunited with her baby daddy in New York on Monday. But unfortunately for Kim the happy reunion was short-lived.The couple were seen smiling as they chatted inside a shop but Kanye appeared to be far more excited by running into Jay-Z as soon as they stepped outside.
He hugged Jay-Z with the pair both grinning from ear to ear. It came despite the fact that Kanye publicly slammed Jay-Z's song Suit & Tie back in February when he said: 'I got love for Hov, but I ain't f***ing with that Suit & Tie.'
Kris Humphries has decided to settle with Kim Kardashian in their divorce case after battling for a year and a half. Kris backed down after no evidence of fraud perpetrated by Kim emerged.
Congratulations to both of them. They can now remarry and have their kids.
Well MediaTakeOut.com had a PHOTOSHOP EXPERT look at it . . . and were told that the pics that Kim Instagrammed are CERTIFIED FAKES!!!!
Look closely at the FIRST PIC. There is a "WHITE SPACE" next to her bump - that CLEARLY does not match with the background. See the photos below
Look at the first picture, right under her boob, the background is totally white. What happened to the dressing room background? And it isn't her t-shirt either. It's the same right by the hand holding the camera. The background is all white. This is a bad photoshop job.
And the SECOND pic is also altered. If you look closely, there is a "BLACK TRIANGLE" next to Kim's leg, which is NOT in the first pic. And the triangle DOES NOT match with the background. Our expert adds: There is a protrusion coming out of the side of her pants closest to the mirror. It isn't in the first picture and she has barely changes positions. . . .This is easy to spot.So now tht we KNOW FOR A FACT that the pics were PHOTOSHOPPED. The next question is WHY. Is Kim trying to "PLAY UP" her bump . . . or is the WHOLE PREGNANCY FRAUDULENT!!!!
Ray J went and stirred the pot on Apr. 5, releasing a new song clearly directed at Kim Kardashian and Kanye. Now, Kanye isn’t too thrilled about the diss track.
Ray J might have thought he was being clever releasing a Kim Kardashian diss song called “I Hit It First,” but he’s gone and woken up the beast – Kanye West is not pleased at all with the new song, a source close to Yeezy said.
Kanye West’s Reaction: Ray J ‘Is Whack’
“Ray J is crazy” for releasing a song that overtly disses Kanye and Kim, a source close to the rapper says; Kanye is very upset over “I Hit It First,” which contains lyrics like, “Hit it from north/Brought her head down south/Now that I’m finished/She’s on to Mr. West.” He’s infuriated that Ray J would trudge up his and Kim’s sex tape from 2007 just to get a little attention. But the source said that Kanye sees the song for what it truly is — a publicity stunt. ”Kanye don’t condone broke, jealous guys who be trying to bite off he and Kim’s fame just to stay, wait, just to become relevant.”
Kanye West & Kim Kardashian Will Not Give Ray J Attention Even though Kanye’s fuming, the source states that Yeezy won’t be giving Ray J the attention he wants. So we should probably stop hoping for Kanye to release a diss track of his own (that battle wouldn’t even be fair). Instead, don’t expect much of a response from Kim and Kanye, as Ray J fades back into obscurity. “Tell him to call Ye when he gets to the $100-million mark,” our source concludes. “Cause guess what — Ye ‘hit that’ first.”
Kid Cudi has announced on Power 106, he is no longer on Kanye's record label, G.O.O.D Music.
“I’m no longer on G.O.O.D. Music. This is just from a business standpoint. There’s no beef. There’s no problems with anybody on the label. It’s all love. That don’t mean I’m not gonna be making music with them. It just means that lil’ baby with that dress on (the G.O.O.D Music logo) ain’t gonna be on my album.”
A new report claims that a different frontrunner for the Kimye baby has emerged — Khrist. As in, “Christ with a K,” according to Naughty But Nice Rob.“Kanye likes the name Khrist,” an insider says. The source is also smart to point out that Kanye has a new single coming out titled, “I Am a God,” so blasphemy isn’t really an obstacle for him: “I know it is shocking, but let’s remember that this is a guy that is naming his new CD, ‘I Am A God.’ So it makes perfect sense that the child of a god would be named Christ with a K.”
Let’s not forget that the Kardashian family has a tradition of starting their names with ‘K’. Let’s sit back and see what’s next.
The reality Tv star wore three different outfits today while promoting her new Tyler Perry film, Temptation. Kim looks pretty even with her 5months old pregnancy and she is not giving up on the killer heels. Hot mama to be :-). See the others when you continue. Your best look is .........
This is a very revealing interview of D’banj as conducted by TheNet’sAyeni Adekunle. Quite incisive, revealing and entertaining. You can’t afford to miss it.
‘There’s an important person in that building, right?’ the cab driver asked. ‘Important musician?’
I nodded, too tired to let any curious driver drag me into a conversation.
He got the message and left me alone the entire drive from CanaryWharfto the London Marriot Hotel, in Grosvenor Square.
Then, as I got down to get my suitcase from the trunk, he gave me a knowing look, smiled, and said ‘are you the musician?’
‘Of course not’, I said to him, smiling this time. ‘The musician is in Canary Wharf, his name is D’banj’.
Silence. Confused look.
‘D’banj?’
Yes, D’banj. He’s big in Africa. You know ‘Oliver Twist?’
Silence again, then as his final ‘no’ came, I said ‘Google him.’
It was 4am on Saturday, April 21. I arrived in London eight hours earlier, and had spent almost all of that time chatting with D’banj, in his first interview with a Nigerian newspaper in a long time, and his first interview on the Mo’Hits brouhaha.
London is D’banj’s town. He’s performed there over and over, his single ‘Oliver Twist’ is on the A-list at Choice FM, and enjoys heavy rotation on other stations. A day before I came, he spent hours doing interviews at the Universal offices in Kensington. Some might hail D’banj as the man championing the gospel of ‘Afrobeats’ across the world. But, just like the cab driver, Londondoes not yet know D’banj.
As we walk into the Choice FM building in the afternoon on Saturday, there are no heads turning or fans gazing. In fact, his lawyer, Elias, who wore a pair of loud snakeskin boots, attracted more attention than D’banj.
Who leaves a zone where they’re comfortable and celebrated; where they’re established and successful, for a place where no one seems to give the slightest care?
D’banj, that’s who.
The 31 year-old entertainer has spent nearly two years building structures he hopes will help take his music to new markets in Europe, and especially America. This move, he believes, cost him his friendship and business relationship with his long time partner Don Jazzy.
‘I’m a risk taker’, he says. ‘Life is all about risks. But you must never endanger yourself. I don’t endanger myself, which is why, even though I’m here, I’m still in Nigeriaall the time, performing’.
With incredible energy, and the kind of passion that endeared everyone to him when he first moved back to Nigeria in 2005, D’banj says his deal with Kanye West is a case of ‘preparation meets opportunity’.
‘I pulled up with my entourage at the Emirates first class lounge in Dubai. We were returning from Scott Tommey’s birthday. I came down with Bankuli, my P.A. Chuchu, and my business manager Chidi. My entourage was large and I was looking fly. One of the hostesses ran to me with a Kanye West placard. I said I’m not Kanye o – then I told my guys ‘Kanye is around so no dulling.’ Chuchu and Bankuli spotted Kanye walking in to check in. They went to him and he said we could come over’.
‘As they came, I had my iPad with me, and my headphones. First thing Kanye said was ‘I like your T-shirt’. I wore a Zara T-shirt and a D&G ring. He liked my appearance and said he’d give me 5 minutes. I told him ‘I played with you in Nigeria during NB PLC Star Megajam. I’ve done a song with Snoop and we’re going to shoot the video now. I’d like to play you my songs.’ I played Oliver, Scapegoat, and Fall in love. He was dancing. He removed the headphones and said ‘I don’t mean to sound rude, but if anyone has to bring you out in the states, it has to be me, not Snoop. He asked when I was going to be in the US, and I told him I was going there that day. Then he asked who my producer was, and I said Don Jazzy. He said ‘come with him.’
Three months later, D’banj, Don Jazzy and their crew were in New York, where, according to D’banj, it took almost forever before they could establish contact with Kanye. ‘It was only an email address he gave us at the airport. So when we got to NY, we sent several emails but got no response. Not a single one.’
‘Then we met someone that knew someone that knew another someone and we got another email address. We sent several messages again, no response. Then Bankuli sent a final one saying, ‘we have been in New Yorkfor some time and sent several emails. We have waited long enough and are now on our way to do the Snoop Dogg video’
And then the reply came. ‘Sorry to have overlooked your earlier emails. Mr. Kanye would like to meet with you tomorrow.’
‘We didn’t believe it. Don Jazzy, who had been reluctant all along, still did not believe it. Even when we got there (Wyclef’s studio) the next day, he stood outside. When Kanye came I went to call him ‘Oya come now, come play am the music now’. It was difficult to believe it was real and it was happening. Then when Kanye came in, with the GOOD music acts, I was like, ‘wow’.
From there everything happened fast. Next they were meeting Jay Z, making a presentation to LA Reid(At Electric studios), and discussing contracts. But while the label offered him a traditional recording contract, D’banj opted for a joint venture agreement structured to guarantee three things: retaining full control of his materials in Africa, signing Don Jazzy on board (on behalf on Mohits USA), and, he says, bringing the Universal/Def Jam imprint to Africa.
‘I’ve always thought of how I can be a useful vessel to the industry. A friend and colleague always says to me: ‘D’banj, you’re the Jesus Christ of the industry.’ So having ran Mohits for nine years, I already had plans of how we could blow Mohits up. I had plans of expanding, and most especially, bringing hope to that 11 year-old kid somewhere in Africa who may never have had the opportunity to get signed to major labels’.
‘So it was not really just about me. There’s a big market in Africa. I said to them, ‘I’ve sold millions of records in Africa, we’ve done millions of hits with CRBT, and I’ve run the most successful label on the continent. You take care of the US, but let me take you to Africa.‘ And I’m happy to tell you that we’re doing that. D’banj’s album will be the first under Universal/Def Jam Africa, and we’re already putting all the structures in place’.
‘I’m a businessman.’ I learnt from my mom, who’s a very successful businesswoman. So having run and funded Mohits for nine years, I knew we had to move to the next level. And everything we wanted was happening. Finally we could take African music to the world.’
Just like the lyrics of the song, D’banj was an Oliver Twist. Here’s a guy who had conquered a continent; was sitting on the top three list, and making more money than anyone else in his category. D’banj was a big player in Nigeria, where there are over 150 million people; a big player in Africa, with over 850 million people. But he wanted to play big globally, with 7 billion people to grab from.
And that’s where the problem started. ‘Don Jazzy was no longer comfortable. You know, we were like fishes out of water, in this new system, starting all over again, like when we returned home in 2004. I got him a place in the US, set up a studio there, just so he’d be comfortable and be able to work without going to hang around the studios. In one year Jazzy did not make a song. I said, maybe you want to go back to Lagos, you’ll get inspiration there?’I was all about the work, I wanted us to make this happen, so we can bridge that gap and create a path for Africa. But Jazzy wanted us to go back home. And I understand. He’s my friend, my brother’.
‘But I never expected him to do what he did.’ He said to me in July last year ‘Let’s scatter Mohits. He told me there are two captains – two captains cannot be in a ship. I was like ‘that’s not possible, this is a marriage’. He said ‘then this marriage is no longer working’. I said then let’s go for counseling; I asked, so what happens to our children?’
Don Jazzy wanted Mohits, D’banj says. And that happened on April 16, 2012 – after months of a bitter feud, characterized by accusations and counter accusations, widespread speculation, leaked emails and failed reconciliation attempts.
‘You can see he has signed already’, he said, showing the agreement with Don Jazzy’s signature. ‘I have full rights to my catalogue and full ownership of my Koko Holdings, while he has full ownership of Mo’Hits, including the artistes and liabilities.’
Already judged guilty in the court of public opinion, and publicly disowned by his own boys Wande Coal and Dr SID, D’banj says he’s sad, but not bitter. Does he feel kind of lonely, alone in the cold? ‘Asking me if I’m lonely because Wande or Jazzy has left me is like asking my first sister if she’s lonely now – she has two kids now, lives in Canada. Don Jazzy is still my brother – we just had to move on. We’ll still work together in future, same with my boys. In fact, just this week, he sent me the remix to Oliver Twist that we’re releasing in the UK on May 14. All the interviews I’ve had here, I kept hyping him. It’s already in my system – you know me, I’m a one-way soldier. Jazzy is a very quiet person. Loyalty is key. My loyalty still lies in the friendship I had with him. He was cheated by JJC, and I was present. I swore never to cheat him. But I’d like to think our visions became different.
‘It was clear when we met that Jazzy wanted to be the biggest producer, I wanted to be the biggest African entertainer, not the biggest singer. I had my mind on money. In order to say I’m the biggest, I had to be the richest. So for a very long time, he was on the back end. He respected my act, I respected his music judgment. Every meeting that brought us money I went for. I’d say I need to confirm from Don Jazzy because that was the agreement, even though I knew it was my decision. First Glo deal was $500,000. That Landcruiser jeep was because of my demands. It was because of the skill and exposure that I used to bargain. I’m a businessman’
‘People say I’m less talented, I was known as a jester in the JJC squad. I’d make everyone happy and play the mouth organ, but I knew what I wanted. I decided to give Don Jazzy power in 2007 when we realized that after four years, they did not recognize us as a record label. We had signed artistes and done all this work. So we restructured, and restrategized. So I told him to chill, so he can be more respected and be the don. I’m older than him by one year, yet I respected him like a don. I remember when he came out at Ali Baba show, I knelt down for him, so people would say he’s the baba. All the talking in my ears and all, it was an arrangement. All the Soundcity advert and all, he did not tell me anything. It was all an arrangement.’
With his UK publicist Vanessa Amadi taking notes nearby, his manager Bankulli interjecting every now and then, and several legal documents surrounding us, D’banj spoke passionately of his former partner in the same way a man might go on about a cherished and respected, but estranged, lover. He’s on his sixth cigarette, and thinks the room is stuffy, even though no one complains. So he opens the sliding glass for ventilation. ‘Jazzy did his part’, he says, sitting down again and looking me in the face. ‘He made the music for nine years. But nothing stops him from making for twenty more years. We could have changed the formula. Why didn’t he want to change the formula? It was time to expand the business, Mohits was Motown reloaded. We always knew we would expand, he always said I had more swagger than anyone else he knows, And I know he’s one of the best producers in the world; we wanted to make Mohits the biggest in Africa. Other labels were springing up. So if we could conquer America, London when no one had done it before. Most of our people stop in Germany, or Paris. But this is America, this is the big league; it makes us the strongest, the biggest. We had already made the money. And who best to introduce me to the rest of the world? Kanye did not want to change anything about my music, my style of dressing, or my brand. It is God’s favour. But Jazzy was and is very scared. Something had worked for eight years, so he wanted to maintain the status quo. People are afraid to try new things.’
‘But’, he tells me, still maintaining eye contact while lighting another cigarette, ‘I’m not afraid. I’m a vessel that God is trying to use to help the industry. I’m a bridge. Once in a few years, one artiste comes from the UK to run the world, none has come from Africa. Fela was the closest. It’s been my own dream; I made my name from Nigeria, unlike Seal, Wale, and Tinie Tempah. And I want to bring Universal, Def Jam and all to Nigeria. So if I can build that bridge, then we’re good, because it will give hope to the boys in Asaba, in Oshogbothat this thing is possible.’
The day after our CanaryWharfinterview, we meet up at Highbury Islington, where he’s shooting a documentary and the promo for the Oliver Twist competition for the UK. D’banj’s new crew: Semtex (a white A&R rep from the label), Bankuli and Vanessa, are on the ground, working with the production team. ‘This is why we’re here o. This is the work’, he says as he invites me into the dressing room.
‘And when people say why am I not talking, this is why. I’m focused on making this happen. It’s more important for me to make sure I don’t disappoint all those who have invested in me; all those who believe in me and are supporting the movement, than to be fighting over who’s right or wrong. Even now that I’m talking to you, I don’t even know if I should be doing this interview.’
It’s very unexpected that D’banj – the super aggresive D’banj – is speaking in this manner. He has fought many battles, cut off many former friend-associates, ignored the Nigerian media, and reportedly humiliated several Mo’hits members, including Ikechukwu and Dr SID. Temperamental, often impatient, and vocal, those who know him will tell you the D’banj they know, is not the one that’s speaking.
So I ask:
The perception is that you’ve become arrogant, unreachable, proud. You’re not the D’banj we used to know; not the D’banj I used to know – and most people in the media will say this is true
Obviously people will say stuff – but this is me. I can’t keep up with everyone, no matter how much I try. But I understand where I’m coming from. I cant forget my roots – all the interviews I had yesterday, I was ‘bigging up’ DJ Abass, he gave me my first show in London. You saw me giving Jazzy props in my interview earlier. That’s me. If I was arrogant I wouldn’t have been the one even chasing Jazzy around since he told me last July that he wanted to scatter Mohits. Last time I saw him was on February 19 at Irving Plaza. He didn’t support the show, and he only came on stage when SID and Wande were performing. I wanted peace.
And even my mom, who had supported us from beginning, who gave us the house we stayed in (in Michael Otedola estate, Lagos), the Previa bus we used and paid for Tongolovideo, spoke to his parents last December; ‘this is what your son said o’. I remember my mom saying to me, ‘if you guys have been together all these years, and no wahala, then if you need to part, I hope there’ll be no wahala.’ She was very particular about that. I had enough proof to have come out and speak; this thing has been on for a long time, and we’re in April now. But I don’t want to cause any wahala. I don’t want to spoil anything. I don’t want trouble. Right now, I just want to be able to move on and do my business.’
That’s surprising, because when the leaked emails emerged, revealing private email conversations between the estranged partners, all fingers pointed at D’banj. Don Jazzy, a likeable celeb and social media addict, didn’t have anything to prove. D’banj was the one who looked bad, and, understandably, would want to make a move that could earn him public sympathy.
‘The signing (away of my shares in Mohits) was already being discussed before April 16. If I kept quiet from January till now, what would it benefit me to leak anything? Remember all the stuff about my password and all? We know where that was from, I really wouldn’t want to think it was from him, my brother, but it could be from anywhere, but I don’t want to call anyone’s name’
But were the emails forged?
Everything in those emails were facts. And I don’t even think the mails favoured me in any way. It’s not the exact mails that were sent and signed, but there were elements of truth in the mails that were published.’
Why did you tell Ebony you own Mohits?
My mom advised me not to speak. And the interviewer took it out of context. I co-owned Mohits. We registered the business in 2004, and we owned it 50:50. So I spoke about that, but the interviewer took it wrong and the fans put pressure on them and they corrected it.
How about Sahara Reporters?
I never wanted to have any interview. It was on the eve of my US show. I was told I should do the interview, because they’re very troublesome. I had to do the interview for the sake of my show the next day. I was guaranteed that there’d be no politics questions. I had not been in the country. And I had been under pressure. Sadly, when that happened and I was being attacked in the media, none of my guys came out to support me.
Looking at all this, what are your regrets?
The truth is that if nothing went wrong, you’d have still heard all this good news and Mohits would take the glory, I didn’t come out in eight years to say anything. Everyone made their contributions. There were no issues, as long as it worked. My mistake was thinking that we were one. People don’t question their brothers and sisters.
How do you feel about Wande Coal and Dr. SID taking sides with Jazzy?
I won’t be too quick to judge Wande Coal. I hear it was Jazzy that tweeted those Wande tweets. I don’t know how true that is, but I know he had our social media accounts. As at a month ago, I couldn’t access any of my accounts. My password was changed on Twitter and Facebook. Then Universal intervened. I’m about to be verified on Twitter now. I’m not really a social media person, so it was Don Jazzy and some of our other guys that were running it. Wande himself knows the truth. He cannot talk to me like that. The whole Mohits knew who ran the label businesswise. They knew who to come to when they needed to get money out, after we recorded the album. Who knows the factory where Dansa was made? But you will know the marketing manager. The car he’s driving, I bought him a brand new Prado from Phyllis and Moss after he crashed the car he won from Hiphop World awards. I bought six Range Rovers last year. I bought D’Prince an LR 3 last year, he crashed it, then I bought him a Range, and it’s true that I bought two Bentleys. Because of Jazzy. But after July last year, after the issue with Jazzy, I bought myself the Aston Martin.
You bought that? I thought that was a gift?
I bought it.
How were you able to fund all that?
In the last nine years, there are a few people and corporate bodies that God has helped me build relationships with, either individuals or banks, or even corporates that are involved in the growth of the industry. I’ve enjoyed their support, and even now that we’re going global, we’re pooling the funds together from all these places.
Could you possibly be Nigeria’s richest pop star? A billionaire?
Vanity upon vanity. Money is material. In terms of what we’re doing, you’ll call me a Trillionaire, because this vision is too big for only me. With the help of the industry, the government, people like you Ayeni, we will not only be billionaires, but trillionaires, and not just me, but every little kid that has same talent like Beyonce, or Nicki Minaj. And with the standard of the UMG worldwide, we can pass people out from our own Universal Music Group Africa, Universal Def Jam Africa, and everyone should jump on this ship with us. It’s not the Titanic.
There’s been a lot of confusion – what label exactly are you signed on?
My album comes out under my label/GOOD Music/Island Def Jam. I’m funding the D’banj album, in America, through GOOD Music/Island Def Jam. GOOD Music is Kanye West who is co-executive producing with me. The deal comprises of Island Def Jam, in US. But in UK, it is under Mercury. My first single will be released in Europe on May 14. My work will be released in Africa through Universal/Def Jam. We don’t have these structures in Africa, and they’ve seen how much money they’ve lost. They’ve seen what I’ve done with Mohits. I made my pitch to them; I’ve made them realize how much they were losing in the African region. Over 150m Nigerians, over 800m Africans. 2% of that is 8.5m. They were not making anything except from S.A, which has been the US of Africa. So we will be launching this label in Ghana, in partnership with Vodafone, launching in Nigeriain partnership with MTN. Def Jam Africa will be up soon; Kenya, SA, and North Africawill follow.
Why are you risking all this? What if you burn your fingers and lose everything you’ve worked for?
Lose out? Well, I am happy I even have something to risk. To whom much is given, much is expected. Look at Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Jay Z, Kanye West, these people take it to the max, take it to where they believe that they can push it to. In the first instance, coming back to Nigeria with Jazzy was because I was a risk taker. And I wouldn’t say I’m throwing everything away. I would say I’m putting everything back in, in order to rip into the future. I get a broadcast from Tonye Cole everyday. He says when you tell people this your vision, know that it’s not for you alone – it’s for everyone. It’s like what Fela did. If what I’m doing doesn’t work, but sows that seed that will germinate in three, five years, it means my name will be written in gold.
Some people have tried this before you, unsuccessfully. Do you have doubts and fears sometimes?
My last album was in July 2008 – no album in four years and I know what I still command in those four years. The momentum for me to be able to do this is because I see how much it took me, I saw the benefit, it’s God, and the favour of the relationships we’ve built. Plus, I don’t take no for an answer, I don’t take negativity. It will work in Jesus’ name. If not, I wouldn’t have landed in the UKand hear Oliver Twist on the radio. Nor would I be in the mainstream media with them saying I’m pioneering afrobeats. I said to them ‘Oh hell no, that’s Fela’s music. Fela is the legend.’ So I pray to God – I beg my fans, it‘ll be good to do half a million downloads. It’s possible, it’s a different market. Platinum in UKis 300,000. I believe with the support of my people in Redding, Coventry, Dusting, Hackney, Thamesmead, Abbeywood, we can do it.’
And so, as I say my goodbyes and flag down the cab that’ll take me to HeathrowAirport, I can’t help thinking out loud: should one man sacrifice the wishes of the collective on the altar of ambition and material wealth? But then, what should be expected of the man whose dreams and ambition grow beyond those of other – possibly myopic- members of the collective: should an individual sacrifice his personal desires; derail his destiny, so to speak, in the interest of the collective?
In all of this, faithfulness and loyalty have been brutally murdered. And the jury is still out on who pulled the trigger.
Nigerian star singer, D’banj was few hours ago shot dead in the United States of Americaby unknown gunmen. Connoisseur.com learnt that he was returning from visiting his G.O.O.D Music label boss, Kanye West at his Atlanta house in Georgia.
A report emanating from top 24hour new channel, CNN has it that the unidentified gunmen who were numbered about 3 rounded up D’banj who was driving in a red BMW 2011 edition and shot sporadically in to the car.
D’banj was rushed to Saint Joseph'sHospital of Atlanta, Georgiawhere he died some minutes later as a result of complications from wounds of the gunshots.
The US police have launched investigation in to the death of the ‘Mr. Endowed’ crooner and Connoisseur.com learnt that his former friend and Mo’Hits co-owner Don Jazzy who was in South Africa as at the time the dastardly act was perpetrated has been invited for interrogation. Kanye West has also been quizzed by the metropolitan police.
It could be recalled that D’banj was with Kanye West for the Paris Fashion Week last month. Some days later, Don Jazzy confirmed via twitter that he and D’banj have parted ways after a series of unnamed misunderstandings.
Connoisseur.com promises to feed you with more details on the story as it unfolds but thanks for being one of my fools on April 1. Happy April Fool!! Hahahahahaha!!!!
