Panshak Zamani aka Iceprince is undoubtably the most anticipated artiste of 2011. After dropping the hot single
Oleku which was arguably to hottest single of last year, many expect this choc boy to have a very successful debut album when he finally drops it. Formally a member of a music group called Ecomog Squad and Loopy, it wasnt long before he was discovered by Chocolate City. He has been in the music industry for a while though localized in Jos. His debut single
Extraordinary, released in 2004 was a hit in Jos and made him known. But his performances at the Hennessy Artistry in 2009 was the stepping stone he needed as he was declared winner amongst other contestants like MoCheddah, Bez, Blaise and Jimmy Flames. Till date, he has already been featured by a number of artistes like Djinee, BankyW, Dekunle Fuji, M.I, Jesse Jagz, WizKid, YQ, eLDee and a host of others and is in high demand. 2011 would finally see Iceprince's album which is gonna shake Alaba most def. Its the birth of another choc great.
At just 19, it seems he has been around for quite a while. On a scale of 1-Skales.. He is a promising talent. He has already dropped a few singles like Heading for a Grammy, Be Mine and Ori Mi and has been featured in a number of songs. The kid is good. EME Representer, yes he's got the style, swag and hype. Signed to BankyW's label, Empire Mates Records.. The best is yet to come from him.
Naija's own Justin Bieber, Wizkid Ayo Balogun is like a twin to Skales but with a bit more hype. Yes the gurls love him and his songs.. Singles like Holla at your boi, Tease Me and Gidi Girl have rocketed his fan base on both Facebook and Twitter to thousands. He did a great video too.. Holla at your boi with a nice concept. He is also in high demand after doing nice verses on Jesse Jagz's Intoxicated and M.I's Fast Money, Fast Car. He is also an EME Representer and 2011 promises to be a nice year for the Musik Men (Empire Mates)
The younger brother to a legend in the industry, Don Jazzy. D'Prince also known as Omoba dropped a few singles last year that have been rocking the airwaves like
Ooze,
Omoba,
It's Jonzing World, done with Iceprince and Wizkid and
Give It to Me which featured his crew, The Mohits in its video. Being signed under Mohits counts for sure in Alaba and I am sure his much anticipated album would be a success just like his fellow Mohit members, Wande Coal and DrSID, judging by the quality and acceptance of his singles.
Evaaa Alordiah.. Young, full of energy, relentless and still unsigned. This young female rapper is a strong one and some fans have already tagged her as the best female rapper in Naija. She doesnt stop.. Releasing songs after songs.. and also doing videos here and there. She has also got a considerable commercial appeal. She caught alot of attention after appearing in Cartair's Owo ati Swagger Remix video. She is a rapper to watch out for this year with her Garbage In, Garbage Out EP in the works, she is one diva in the making. A combination of beauty and talent!
Multi-platinum selling and award-winning King of Soul, Darey Art Alade has already dropped a number of hot singles. After dropping a few singles like The Way You Are, Sisi eko, Ba ni Kidi and Don't Let Me Know, it is still unclear if we expect his album out this year although there are reports that he plans to re-release his previous music in conjuction with a major international record label..2face style. His videos.... I need not tell you about the quality.. Undoubtably the best there is when it comes to music videos in Naija.
Little was known of this Nigerian female vocalist until she released the hit single
Kele Kele Love and backed it up with a nice video. Signed to American label SONY USA, she has been based outside Nigeria . After being a background singer for artists like Mary J Blige, STING, Kelly Clarkson and the Spice Girls and working with A-list international acts like 50cent, Fantasia, AKON, Snopp Dogg, Beyonce and Black Eyed Peas, she has acquired a great deal of experience and is currently working on her debut album which she plans to use in propelling Nigerian Music on to the international stage in her own way.
2010 was spoiled with alot of diss and he's lyrical battle with Ruggedman ranked amongst the top. We await the release of his album this year Tradition II. Tradition [2009] to some was success but to others was a failure when compared to his previously released album, Gongo Aso. There has also been speculations that he is about to release two albums or should I say EPs titled Versus and Bashorun Gaa which most say would be directed at Ruggedman. Honestly, What happened to the 9ice of Street Credibility? Songs like Talk I'm Listening , a recently released single, are a far cry from his hit debut single, Gongo Aso-That was 9ice at his best. I feel this diss is taking its toll on him and my advise to dissing artistes has always been that they should concentrate on their music and fans.. 9ice has a fan base of over 28,000 on Facebook and is one of the most popular Naija Celebrities, we hope for the best from this traditional Yoruba performer.
With over 50 recorded songs under his belt, Naeto C is set to step up the gear in his second album, Super C Season. Yeah, the hype is there.. and Naeto C does not disappoint. He has already dropped few singles off the album including award winning single, Ako Mi Ti Poju, Ten Over Ten and Share My Blessings done with Soul singer, Asa. His first album, U Know My "P" was an instant success, released in 2007, it brought Naeto C to the limelight. Since then, this 10 over 10 MC has managed to bag his Masters degree at the University of Dundee, something he and his fans are all proud of! Swag, Talent and Brains all wrapped in one. Yess Boss.. The Season is about to change..
