The Man With the Plan

So there’s always been a plan. Several steps to a successful end. How logical or brilliant this plan is...discussion for another day. But this plan definitely exists.

This blog is one of those steps. In the plan. Getting a job at Hip Hop World is another.

Very integral step i must add

Why so?

Because of their consistency. Because of what the brand represents. Quality stuff. Whether it’s their magazine, TV show or awards, HHW is the most respected because they are the most credible. 

Because they are the best. Every sane person wants to work with the best.

And at the helm of affairs, Mr. Ayo Animashaun (CEO). Innovative, well-respected, role model. It would be an honour to work for the man. Directly or indirectly.

So....my plan. It’s time to move to the next step. Get job at Hip Hop World. And as ‘crazy’ as this might sound, I had no qualms about how I was going to go about it; or any uncertainties about whether or not I would get it.

I had worked out the whole thing in my head see. Swagger into the building. Meet very pretty receptionist at the front desk. Legs crossed, short red dress.

I smile at her, she smiles back. I tell her my name and offer my hand. Of course she takes it, still with that coy smile on her face. Osayiwu, Osas Osayiwu. She’s very pleased to meet me. I’m very sure that she is.

Then I ask her if Mr. Animashaun is in. I say Animashaun like the man was my bunkmate in boarding school. She has to ring the intercom to make sure. Yes, he’ll see me now.

Needless to say, our meeting ends with me blowing Mr. Ayo away with how smartly dressed, well-spoken and intelligent I am (in that order). You must have graduated from Covenant University; I did graduate from Covenant University as a matter of fact....

And I start work there, on very favourable terms, in a week. In my head

Surprise Surprise...it didn’t quite work out that way

How G.O.O.D is D’banj’s deal with Kanye West??

So the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album dropped last week amidst high anticipation. It is afterall in many ways, another Kanye West album. Add that to the fact that, another of the rappers in the G.O.O.D. music family is right now, one of the hottest rappers in the game (and charges a 100, 000 dollars a verse to prove it). Plus appearances from certified MCs like Pusha-T and Common, the talented Kid Cudi and ‘swervy’ Big Sean; the only thing Cruel Summer promised was quality music.

Now this is all well and good, but we on this side of the Atlantic were excited for another reason.  A five letter reason by the name of D’banj. In June of 2011, he and Don Jazzy were signed (the latter as a producer) by Kanye to the imprint, and it was the only thing people could talk about for days. Understandable. It had been a very long time since anything similar had happened. Not since Sunny Ade signed with Island Records in the 80s.

All Smiles; Don Jazzy, D'banj & Kanye

 So it was with bated breath that we awaited Cruel Summer.  Surely D’banj is going to be on the album. That long awaited collaboration is finally here. Maybe he’ll be on the same track with Kanye West and 2 Chainz. The thought alone made me giddy and I’m sure numerous Nigerian music lovers shared my sentiments. 

I wasn’t giddy when I finally got to hear the song though. The track is about 4½minutes long and D’banj moans for about 20seconds of it. Literally. Like a man in pain. To be honest, I was too shocked to be disappointed. Where’s all the ‘osheeeey’ and ‘mogbeeee’. At one point I was sure I had downloaded the wrong song.

Now, there are at least a couple of very sound (though contestable) reasons why D’banj doesn’t say anything on the record. He’s not a rapper. Getting in with the flow of the song might be a thing of difficulty. Then, maybe Kanye needs him to ‘make his bones’ first. In a musical sense, he might have felt he wasn’t ready. None of these reasons came to my head at that moment though.

My initial reaction was D’banj had downgraded. This kind of thing couldn’t have happened to him here, back home. Most of our artistes would still count it a privilege for him to grace their songs. Infact D’banj’s name on any track is certain to garner much attention. Regardless of the quality of it. That’s how big the Kokomaster is. Baba should have just chilled here and maintained his local champion. Because apart from label mates making a cameo appearance in ONE (1) music video, it looks like not much is happening for him.

Or does it? Only an uninformed or completely biased person would say D’banj hasn’t made great strides since linking up with Kanye & Co. First, his boss sets up a contract for him with Mercury Records (strictly a marketing and distribution deal, since he’s still on the G.O.O.D. Music roster) and then Bam! Oliver Twist debuts at No. 9 on the iTunes UK Hot 100. This is an impressive achievement for any artiste. For a Nigerian one, it’s simply astounding.

Oliver Twist @ No. 9

 

It doesn’t stop there though. The same song is played on a scene in Eastenders. For those who don’t know, Eastenders is one of the longest running TV soaps on UK television. The first episode aired in ’85 and they’re still on! With an average viewership of roughly 7million. That’s how big a following they have. That’s the size of the audience that heard Oliver Twist on what might be their favorite show.

Then there’s the Complex magazine feature and unquantifiable exposure he gets from being seen with his new buddies. Album Covers, Photo shoots, exclusive parties…and we hear a feature film is in the works. There’s no way D’banj Google searches haven’t quadrupled in the past few months.

Still……someone who is arguably Africa’s biggest star gets just 20 seconds on an album that runs for over 54minutes (and all he does is he moan throughout). Does Kanye hold his talent in such low regard? This might not be clear. What is clear though, is the Kokomaster’s objective. He’s looking for new territories to conquer. He knows he needs a bigger platform to achieve this. It’s even one of the reasons why he parted ways with his friend of over seven years. That’s how bad he wants it.

Patience is key here though. Few people know that Big Sean was actually signed five years before he opened his mouth on any record. Even to say ‘swerve’.

D’banj has opened his mouth 6months after getting a record deal. The next time he opens it, I’m almost certain that he’ll have more to say.

Album Art for Cruel Summer

Desiderata (The Poem)

I love this poem so much. Never fails to keep me grounded or aware of the importance of important things. Hope you enjoy reading


DESIDERATA - Words for Life (by Max Ehrmann)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

My Desiderata

We always talk about finding our paths, destiny, purpose....Some people will tell you that its the key to true happiness. You cant be "successful" if you aren't doing what you were born to do....blah, blah, blah

But really, what does one know about the journey he or she is on. How do you know that this path you tread on now is yours to walk in, yours to leave your footprints in......

What is that certainty in your heart that its this way and no other, that certainty that makes you willing or ready to risk it all....

Guess no one really knows

Or maybe you do. Been sure of very few things all my life, but of this i am certain; that this is my desiderata


PS No need to walk x number of miles in my shoes, just read the damn blog!