NMVA 2010: How it Went Down

CALLY IKPE

Against all odds the fourth edition of the Nigerian Music Video Awards held at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, December 28, 2010. It was, as usual, a gathering of the stakeholders of the entertainment industry in Nigeria who trooped out in their numbers to come and witness this year’s version of the oldest music video awards in the land hosted by the longest running music TV programme in the land, LIVEBEATS, which is owned by Cally Ikpe’s CALLYVISION NETWORK.

In the buildup to the event he had complained about the lack of a major sponsor for the event. This fact, even though, it didn’t stop the event from holding definitely reflected on the quality of the show put up. The economic crunch has definitely affected the entertainment industry in Nigeria and while the $200 million dollars promised by Mr. President is a welcome development for it, the early and necessary access to it by brands such as the NMVA and other laudable entertainment projects annually put up in this country would go a long way in improving their quality and sustainment.

While there were no clearcut sweeping winners in the 24-category award like in last year's event where Darey, held sway, 2face, Clarence Peters and Dipp still managed two awards each while the rest of the winners got one each. Yet Clarence Peters could be said to have won the most awards as coupled with his individual two, his videos also won the Video of The Year, Best Use of Costume, Best Contemporary Afro and Best Video By a New Artist. Here is the winners' list:

1. VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
 2face – “Only Me”
2. BEST AFRO HIP HOP VIDEO:
Mr. Raw Nwanne – “O Chukwu”
3. BEST USE OF ANIMATION:
T.W.O – “I Need Someone”
4. BEST FUJI MUSIC VIDEO:
Dekunle Fuji – “Funmilayo”
5. BEST CONTEMPORARY AFRO:
Sound Sultan – “2010”
6. BEST MAINSTREAM HIP HOP:
Bouqui – “Take You Away”
7. BEST AFROBEAT MUSIC VIDEO:
Fela – “Viva Africa”
8. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (Director):
TOSIN IGHO – “Don’t Leave Me”
9. BEST AFRO POP:
2face – “Only Me”
10. BEST USE OF CHOREOGRAPHY:
Dipp – “Pop Off Selecta”
11. BEST HIGHLIFE:
J. Martins – “Eva”
12. BEST REGGAE DANCEHALL:
General Pype – “Champion”
13. BEST SOFT ROCK VIDEO:
Djinee – “Overkillin’”
14. BEST USE OF EFFECTS:
Dipp – “Pop Off Selecta”
15. BEST INDIGENOUS CONCEPT:
 Kefee – “Thank You”
16. BEST USE OF COSTUME:
Goldie – “You Know It”
17. BEST R ‘n’ B:
Banky W – “Strong Ting”
18. BEST GOSPEL:
KSB – “Turn Around”
19. BEST VIDEO BY A NEW ARTIST:
Solidstar – “One In A Million”
20. MOST POPULAR NIGERIAN MUSIC VIDEO IN EUROPE:
JJC – “We Are Africans”
21. BEST DIRECTOR:
Clarence Peters
22. BEST EDITOR:
 Clarence Peters
23. BEST PRODUCER:
KENNIS MUSIC
24. BEST NEW DIRECTOR:
Frizzle – “Taka Sufe”

KEL FINALLY LEAVES CAPITAL

KEL

Young femcee Kelechi Ohia (Kel) may have finally brought an end to her bottlenecked contract with Capital Hill Music owned by Clarence Peters. A statement from her management outfit, M.et.al Entertainment states that they have finally reached an agreement to dissolve her contract which was originally meant to run till March 2011. She would now leave Capital Hill Music with but without the rights of her debut album, The Investment, which was released last year under Capital. She would only get the rights to it when she has fully paid up the amount stipulated in the new compromise contract which they just agreed on.

The money, according to Kel’s representatives, is not a debt which they incurred but a compensation package for not seeing through the contract. “The money is nowhere near the 11 million naira that was being spread around before; it is not even up to half of it. But we are moving on and we are still friends with everyone at Capital. What has just come to an end is the business part of the relationship, the personal friendships still remain,” they said.

Capital, on their part, revealed that a compromise was only arrived at after very long sessions of deliberation. “Capital spent so much on her and would never allow her to just leave without recouping anything from their investment. But they still recognized that both parties gained nothing from the situation so they are letting her go with an arrangement to pay Capital an amount not up to five million naira. The rights to her album would remain with the label until she pays up.”

Kel’s career had practically stalled since she fell out with Capital and they withdrew all their support for her. Her songs and videos which were doing well at that time were pulled off air as they struggled to come to some sort of arrangement but she somehow managed to remain visible despite these and even got an endorsement deal with hair care producers, Soulmate. It was even mooted in some quarters that her success then may have been part of what caused the rift as she wasn’t remitting the label’s percentages of her earnings and endorsements as agreed in her contract, hence the impasse. But Kel disagrees. “She obeyed the terms of the contract but all that is in the past now, we are moving on.”

While a breakdown in any relationship is not something to be celebrated, this one is welcome as it allows both parties to move on their different paths. Various labels are being touted as Kel’s next destination. It was even reported on some websites few weeks backs that she has signed on to Audu Maikori’s Chocolate City, but that turned out to be untrue at that time. Yet, the label’s promotion of rap music might be very suitable to Kel’s career as M.I, Jesse Jagz and Ice Prince, who are all rappers, have prospered. Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (Eme) is another possible option as there are strong friendship bonds between them and young rappers, Skales and Whizkid are both receiving proper grooming and exposure there. But all that would be sorted out in due course as Kel maintains that she is going to be on her own for the time being.