Saturday 28 December 2013

AFRObeats Radio AFRO Australia DJ IZ Afro Anthems 2013

Thanks to all that voted RAW AFRICAN POETRY as radioAFRO Song of the Year 2013. We finished at number 18 on the international Afro Anthems chart. Incase you missed the show, listen to the afrocast below.

Saturday 21 December 2013

Vote FECKO to WIN radioAFRO Song of the Year 2013

Wow! Its already the end of 2013 and what better way to finish off the year than with Radio AFRO’s inaugural Song of the Year awards nomination…

FECKO have been nominated for the song REAL AFRICAN POETRY 2.0.

This is a listener’s choice award – listeners can vote for me and my song via the following link: http://tiny.cc/AFROvote

Please keep the votes coming. Bless!!

Diary of a College Kid: SIWES

As an undergraduate in Nigeria, participating in the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is really necessary. Therefore, shortly after my second semester exam, I was placed at Kamjay Farms situated in Ibeju-Lekki, where I resumed work last month. Still wondering why I chose a farm? Well for the recs, I am an Agric Tech student. 

Apart from enjoying the sea-side breeze and the Eleko hospitality, I have been neck-deep in a lot of agricultural activities such as working at the feed mill and engaging in poultry and catfish production. Thus far, I have learnt a lot about feed formulation, vaccinating and debeaking poultry birds, carrying out post-mortems and identifying various diseases that affect chickens (layers and growers). I am also familiar with the management practices involved in poultry and catfish production.

I and 18 other course mates in my department were placed in the same organization. So inevitably, I have been living in the same house with people of different characters and background. In the process, I have learnt about understanding one another and being conscious of the human psychology before taking any action. The whole scenario reminds me of Big Brother Africa if I may add. These days I tend to be more inquisitive; considering the fact that the manager at the farm where I was placed asks questions before signing my log book every week, and he expects I and my colleagues to reciprocate the gesture. SIWES has been fun. There have been ups and downs, but all the same I thank God for his grace. 
 
On a lighter note, the environment motivates me to explore the journalist lurking around in my sub conscious. By the way, before I complete my SIWES program in March, I plan on writing a story or article which will be centered on the lifestyle of most fishermen dwelling in this area. There is something about them, especially the Ghanaians, which fascinates me. In the course of me working here, several times, I have been privileged to meet the former Permanent Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, who happens to own the farm. I also enjoy interacting with the doctor that visits the farm as a consultant. He has taught me quite a lot about animal health and I hope to learn more from him.

It’s your boy Feck, reporting live from Ibeju-lekki. Catch y’all later!

I Remember Getting Dissed On Nairaland

So my first line in the song I did with Pope da Hitman, Slay and Rukus became a trending topic on Nairaland. Interesting! If nobody talks about you then you are nobody. Check out the thread here.

"We believe that hip hop in Africa is so underrated" - StarVation


What does Starvation stand for?

The name StarVation was made by the A&R of Itz Alive Entertainment "Brelly G" to show the hunger that we have for music, and to leave our fans wanting more! 

What is the group come up story and major highlights thus far?

it’s weird, but each member from StarVation has some sort of history. Jaxx, A-boogie and Gino all knew each other from being in college together. Gino and Slim DeVito were childhood friends. Who knew everyone would be working together musically. One day Jaxx invited the fellas to the studio where he previously recorded with his producer Ojizz. The song came out so crazy that Slim DeVito mentioned to Ojizz about making a compilation mix tape. The name of the mix tape was the cheat code which had an amazing impact on listeners yearning for authentic hip hop with tracks such as "What Happened to Hip-hop" and "Built Like Dat.” The tape grabbed the ear of who is now our manager "KobiĆ© Kiambu." Since August 2012, we have been in numerous magazines such as South Africa's own "HYPE MAGAZINE" and XXL.COM. We believe that one of the greatest highlights was opening for hip hop’s leading guy "KENDRICK LAMAR" in front of 5,000 people! This is when we know we were made for this!



StarVation opens for Kendrick Lamar at the University of Delaware! from StarVation TV on Vimeo.

Notice y'all are trying to create a strong presence over here in motherland, what is really the plan on invading Africa?

First we want to say we LOVE and APPRECIATE all the support you all give us in the motherland! Our main focus was to attack places that appreciate real authentic music! You guys show so much love when you hear music that comes from the heart. 

Which African artists have the band worked with and who else would you like to work with?

We've worked with "Xtatic" on a track called "Who Run It" and "Reason" on a track called "Reasons to Starve.” We are looking to work with Nigerian artist "MI" next! 

As an American Hip-hop group what is your impression about hip-hop in Africa? Are we copycats or trying to carve a niche for ourselves?

We believe that hip hop in Africa is so underrated. The soul, rhythm, and passion that you guys have is unmatched. Many try to master the mic but can't capture the raw essence of music from the motherland. So we wouldn't dare say you are copycats! If you think about it, you helped pave the way for hip-hop to thrive the way it does! But great music knows no boundaries, nor race! 

Tell us more about the recording business. And what do you think is the way forward for independent artists across the globe?

Indie is the way of the future. Based on if you have a strong team or not! You don't necessarily need a major label to sell records! Yes is good for promotion and distribution, but why relinquish control when you have a team that can make up for everything else. It's like the song "Anything you can do, I can do better". Record executives respect movements that aren't looking for handouts. 

What can be done to bridge the gap between the United States and the United States of Africa? 

STARVATION IS THE WAY! We are bringing a dope sound and mixing it up with some of the hottest artist from Africa to show the world that real talent is never local, it's very global!

Tribute to Madiba!

South African social activist, politician and philanthropist, Nelson Mandela, aged 95, died on the 5th of December, 2013. It is a day that was engraved in History's heart. Although Madiba is no more alive but I believe that his legacy lives on. He will always be remembered for his Anti-Apartheid Movement and auto-biography 'Long Walk to Freedom'. He cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. He is the only African leader I know that never stopped frowning at impunity. 

I have realised that Mandela was characterized by tenaciousness. He was enthusiastic about furthering his education even while he was imprisoned. He also exhibited patience. Mandela would have died at the age of 55; the South African Bureau of State Security hoped to shoot him during escape assuming he did not abandon the escape plan developed for him by Gordon Bruce. Perhaps Madiba had the gift of foresight.

Nelson Mandela did not only resolve conflicts in South Africa. He was greatly concerned with issues on the continent; he took a soft diplomatic approach to removing Sani Abacha's military junta in Nigeria but later became a leading figure in calling for sanctions when Abacha's regime increased human rights violations. I am glad he also made an impact in my country. 

Nelson Mandela has inspired so many literary works and hiphop lyrics; including this track 'Afro-rhymesayer' taken off my Raplogic EP (Produced by Teck-Zilla). I also feel humbled being acknowledged in HYPE magazine's Freedom Day issue in which Madiba graced the cover and inspired the publication. I aspire to be great like Nelson Mandela. God rest his soul!