[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] Dammy Krane opens up on relationship with Yvonne Nelson

Only 19, hip-hop act Dammy Krane has made his presence felt in the music industry. In this interview, he tells how he ran away from school to concentrate on music

When did you discover your talent in music?

I started singing when I was six, joined the toddlers' choir in church when I was only eight.  I was doing back up songs and dancing for other artistes at the age of 11. Professionally, I started music when I got signed on to Tuface's label, Hypertek.

How supportive were your parents?

They were not supportive; besides, I had not seen my mum for 10 years. She lives in the United States of America where she is an event manager and manager to some Fuji artistes. I am from a polygamous family, the only child of my mum but  I was brought up by my grandmother.

Did you lobby Tuface to sign you on his label?

No, I did not. About two years ago, there was a party at a hotel in Victoria Island where a number of artistes were invited. One of my friends Iyad, a white guy was also invited so he took me along.  Iyad later invited me over to a corner where he sat with Tuface.  Tuface mentioned that  he had listened to some of the collabos I did with other artistes and also watched one of my performances. He then asked if I was signed on to any label. Of course I was not and Tuface signed me unto Hypertek.

You were doing your own thing before Hypertek…

Of course I was. When  I was in Redeemers University, I was a local champion there. I used to do a lot of free styling and collabos. I had a song 'Uni Girls' that was popular in a lot of universities. It was a Fuji pop song. The buzz created by the music got me a job as the face of Dynamix magazine.

With the kind of music you do, are you not scared of incurring the wrath of the authorities of your university?

They don't support entertainment and that was why I left. I had to leave so that I won't be rusticated. Everybody in school loved me and I was in my first year studying microbiology. I even ran away from home, though I am back. I was living and working in different studios and was what you would classify as a studio rat. Leaving school was a risk I had to take and I hope to go back someday to study business management this time around.

You must have been influenced by bad friends…

I was 17 then and now I am 19. I don't think I have ever had bad friends and that is why I don't have tattoos or piercings. I don't even think I will be getting any in the future because of the kind of discipline I had growing up. If you remember the kind of home you are from, you won't want to engage in certain things. I don't drink or smoke either. I am naturally hyperactive .

Your genre of music is quite different…

I call it 21st century music and it's a fusion of Fuji, hip hop and R&B. Some people call it concoction music but I don't mind.

Being a Hypertek artiste must have given you some kind of leverage…

Yes,  it has changed things because Tuface is a legend and that is how people see him. For him to have chosen me shows that there is something I have that others don't. Some people think that I am riding on his back to fame but it is not so and that is why you don't see me and Tuface together. He leaves me to do my own thing. He even tells me that without Hypertek, I would still have made it. That statement makes me want to do things more on my own. He once told me that he signed me on because he saw himself in me. That is very encouraging.

How did you come about the name Dammy Krane?

My real name is Oyindamola Johnson-Hunga. My mum is from Lagos State while my dad is from Ado-Odo Ota in Ogun state. I was with my brother one day and he asked me what I wanted to achieve as an artiste and I said I want to uplift the industry. He just started calling me Dammy the Caterpillar and later he changed it to Dammy Krane.

There is so much competition. How are you coping?

I don't believe in competition so I don't even think about it. I believe that once you are in the industry, your focus should be how to make yourself relevant. My success in a short while can only be attributed to God, my family and my fans.

Which  song shot you into the limelight?

That must be my first song, 'My dear.' That song was inspired by the fact that I had been doing a lot of collabos and people were asking for a single.

Should we be expecting an album from you soon?

An album is dependent on the demand I get. Right now, I am trying to create a buzz for my music so hopefully, I am looking at towards the end of the year or sometimes thereafter.

Who are those you look up to apart from Tuface?

I look up to the likes of Dbanj, Psquare and KWAM1.

What don't you like about being in the limelight?

Being in the limelight is a challenge in itself and as an artiste have to be careful about how you handle thing you because there are so many uncertainties. Personally, I have resolved that when life throws me a lemon, I catch it and make lemonade out of it.

Don't you consider your age a challenge?

I don't think I am that young. Judging by what obtains in western countries, I am even too old. In this industry, the younger you are, the better. You also need to be intelligent to make it in this industry.

How do you handle female fans?

I grew up with women; my managers are women, so, I am always with women.

You have a unique way of dressing. Is that a marketing strategy?

That is just me. I don't think it's a deliberate act. I dress to look good and make my fans happy.

If you were not doing music, what do you think you would have been doing?

Maybe I would have been an actor. I really can't tell because I have never given life outside music a thought.

Does that explain your relationship with Yvonne Nelson?

That was just a rumour from mischief makers. Yes, she is my friend but we have never been lovers. We met on the set of a movie and we took a picture together. People saw the picture and decided to draw their conclusions from that. I was surprised but not happy. I was on tour when the story broke and I was slightly distracted.

Your single 'Condom Sir' generated some controversy…

A lot of people think the song is lewd but it is a safe sex campaign. I am only preaching safe sex .

Most Embarrassing Thing Would Be When A Fan Said To Me–Actress Black Queen Reveals

Black Queen is one of the few actresses who are successfully working for both the Yoruba and English sides of Nollywood. She is an ex-model and well endowed, no wonder men can't just leave her alone.

Speaking on her many encounter with guys, the actress said:
"Apart from being a celebrity, men always want to have a test of my body. But I know and believe they want me because of my success, name and beauty and that has made me stick to one man who I love and respect with all my heart.
I just tell my male admirers and fans that I am not available. While some understand and let me be, others don't. Because I don't want to be rude, I calmly tell them to let me be. 
When they become too stressful, I stop taking their calls or block them from my facebook and Whatsapp. For me, it is not a problem to handle my male admires. They have a right to ask me out after all I am still a single woman, and I also have a right to say no. 
The most embarrassing thing would be when a fan said to me at an event, "Black Queen, I like your boobs, can I feel it?"

My Affair With Mercy Johnson –Actor Kenneth Okonkwo Reveals

          
Nollywood actor, Kennith Okonkwo, has opened up his alleged affair with actress Mercy Johnson and he also reveals his sexual escapades with women. Read what he told Entertainment Express below:
"I am strong sexually for 24 hours. My wife knows that. Each time I have an affair with any lady, she goes out to tell her friends, and her friend will end up developing interest in me. So when I married my wife, I told her if she know what's best for her she should not tell any of her female friends what we do behind closed doors or else she will lose me. 
"When I was growing up, women older than me were coming for me, right in front of my mother. These women taught me a lot of things. I started kissing at a very tender age because it was part of the things they were doing to me, and I loved it. Maybe that is why my lips are red. They taught me how to be with women. They would give me their body to play with.
"So I grew up knowing a lot about what women want. Till today, when I am sleeping with a lady she has to cum before me. I enjoy sex more when the women have enjoyed themselves"
On his alleged affair with Mercy Johnson is claims their kissing are purely profession and nothing more:
"That is funny, and do you know why? Before Mercy was born, or should I say when she was still in kindergarten, I had already started kissing ladies in movies. So she met me still doing it. Why would her own be different? When you match her good acting skill and my exceptional skill, it comes out natural and people would end up saying is there something going on?
"Mercy is like a younger sister to me. I am close to her and her husband so it makes me laugh when anybody talks about Mercy and myself in anyway. There can never be a fling between a brother and a sister. We are only professional colleagues."
But what did people see before they started saying he and Mercy Johnson had something?

Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu Is Dead

Former governor of Ondo State Dr. Olusegun Agagu is dead. The former governor reportedly died at his Ibadan residence in Oyo State around 6PM Nigerian time.

Source - Sahara Reporters

New Yoruba Rappers Are No Threat To Me –9ice

Popular Yoruba lyricist, 9ice, who is currently on a playing tour of the United States, says he is not giving up on his music career, in this interview with
JAYNE AUGOYE
Many fans of the popular singer, Abolore Akande, aka 9ice, have wondered why he has not been visible on the music scene lately. But the lanky singer, who serenaded his fans with hit songs that include ‘Gongo Aso’, ‘Photocopy’, ‘Attitude’ and ‘Energy’, has been ‘missing in action’ says he has been away on a playing tour of different parts of the world.
The tour is part of the current drive by his new managers to prepare him for a more result-oriented future.
He says, “I’ve been silent because there’s a difference in approach to my promotions, shows, tours and song releases. I always release an album every year. But after I dropped ‘Bashorun Gaa’ and ‘Versus’, I decided to release a double album every two years. My last double album was released on December 7, 2011, to be precise. Another album is due to be released in December.”
On his latest single, ‘Ike Kan’, the artiste engaged the services of top music producer, Don Jazzy. The track did not gain as much attention as his past works. It remains unnoticed in certain quarters.
But 9ice, who hopes to drop a follow-up single,’Life Drama’, later this month, has a contrary perception.
“So far, it has been so good. Three weeks of Internet promotions and the attendant public reception has been massive. I haven’t printed a copy of the single album for promotions yet, but the song is known everywhere. What more can I say? The magic touch does the job,” he says.
Although the singer, who began writing songs at age 14, may have been temporarily off the scene, he insists that he has not lost his sparkle.
“In terms of record sales, recognition and acceptance, I have achieved more after the ‘Gongo Aso’ album was released. If they want to judge me in terms of appearances in public, then I can agree a bit because lately I’ve tried to limit my movement to professional engagement venues. More so, I’ve performed in a lot of shows outside the shores of the country and I have also tried to stay away from controversies,” he adds.
The singer, who is currently on a playing tour of the US and having recently covered Dublin, Ireland, and Glasgow, Scotland, speaks glowingly about the experience.
“The reception for me is the same everywhere. I am accepted in Nigeria and abroad. So I can’t say which is better. The feeling I get both ways is superb. Austria is the next stop. I will also touch Aberdeen, China, Dubai, Moscow and also Amsterdam by the end of November this year,” he gushes.
Owing to the lull being experienced in the music industry, most artistes fall back on endorsement deals. But 9ice, who is yet to bag any deal, is only optimistic for now.
“It will definitely come one way or the other. With or without it, I have sustained and maintained my standards. My focus is to make good music, inspire people and change my environment positively. Every other blessing is an addition. Endorsement is a good idea for celebrities to upgrade and reap the sweat of their labour while promoting and adding value to the brands,” he says.
Eight years down the line, the singer, who was once a member of the group known as Mysterious Boys, says he is contented.
“I believe I have achieved many of my goals. I can say I am on 50 per cent achievement right now and I am looking forward to another 50 per cent to wrap up my score sheet. So far, I have won a MOBO award. So, all I am working towards is getting a Grammy. My record sales are on point, my acceptance is never shaking, credibility is evergreen and inspiring songs are always coming,” he says.
9ice adds that the new school of artistes does not pose a threat. As far as he is concerned, it is a level playing field. “The sky is more than big for every bird to fly. Before Da’grin died, there were so many artistes that could rap, sing and chant in Yoruba language. Now the number has increased. I can’t be threatened because many more are still coming. I don’t follow trends. Mind you trend always changes, what would be my legacy if I just follow every trend? Trend always fades out. What is trending today may become annoying tomorrow,” he says.
With his highly anticipated G.R.A. album scheduled for release in December, the singer now looks beyond music. He says, “I am studying public safety and Common Law at the Capella University in the US. Law has always been part of me from my days in secondary school. I feel a lot of people in my community still don’t understand the essence of law and so many are ignorant. I love being my brother’s keeper and fighting for the less privileged.”
Fame like wealth, sometimes comes unexpectedly. For the unprepared artiste, it is a huge task managing both. But, 9ice says he has been lucky in this regard.
“I was able to cope based on the fact that I was opportune to learn the basics from the likes of Lord of Ajasa. Now the new generation can do as they wish, one man’s food is another man’s poison, but generally speaking investing in ones future is the way forward.
Looking into the future, 9ice is optimistic, yet he silently nurses a fear. “Failure. I don’t want to fail in whatever I do. I want to excel, break grounds, discover new ways of making music, and retain the identity of an icon or legend,”he reveals.

Colleges of Education Begin Strike

College of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, Agbor Chapter, has commenced a one-week warning strike in line with the directive from the national leadership of the union.

This came as the three labour unions in the Delta State Colleges of Education in Agbor, Mosogar and Warri, have served notice of strike action to the state government.

In a statement by Dr. Anthony Ossai and Patrick Kwaja, the union’s Chairman and Secretary, respectively, said that the decision to embark on the industrial action was taken at an emergency congress held on Monday at the college premises.

The statement noted that the National Executive Council, NEC, of COEASU, at a meeting held on September 4, in Abuja, frowned at the failure of Federal Government to respect the past agreement it reached with the Union.

It said the agreement bothered on a number of issues plaguing the teachers’ education in Nigeria.
Another source of dispute, according to the statement, was the decision of government to remove the staff of demonstration schools from government pay-roll.

Leave Me Out Of Your Fight With Obasanjo, Ribadu Tells Waziri

 Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has asked the immediate past chairman of the commission, Mrs Farida Waziri, to leave him out of her fight with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Ribadu in a press statement, issued to the media on Thursday, also told Mrs. Waziri that EFCC was not about him so rubbishing its work is like insulting all the thousands of the commission’s operatives across the country who put their lives on the line to make Nigeria a better country.
The former police officer who pointed out that he never worked under Mrs. Waziri as she claimed, stated that it is sad that after all the damage she inflicted on the operations and credibility of the EFCC, she turns back to abuse the young men and women who had put in all their energy to cleaning up the country.
“It is not correct that I worked under Mrs Waziri, as she always claims. This is a naked lie that she keeps flaunting to seek undue relevance and validate her own appointment. At no time in my career did I work under the same section or unit with her.
“In fact, contrary to Waziri’s claim that she “trained” me, it was I who actually lectured her and other, on fraud investigations and prosecution when she was newly posted as Head of Special Fraud Unit, even though she was my senior in rank. I was then the Head of Prosecution at the Tribunals under the leadership of Mr Sunday Ehindaro, then CP Legal.