Afro-entertainment Industry UK 2013 – Vol1

Dec 31, 2013 Hali Gist, Gist UK, News, Uncategorized 0

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AFRO-ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY UK 2013 – SYNOPSIS VOL#1

Looking back in time, it feels like it was just yesterday that we rejoiced and jubilated with ourselves screaming, “HAPPY 2013”.  Now 2014 is here!!

Can you imagine passing through the year without no music concerts, no comedy shows, no club events, no fashion shows, and no award shows?  I’m sure we can all agree that without all these we are most likely going to Label 2013 as a ‘BORING’ year.

Putting all these to consideration, I believe it is only fair to give credit to all those who has put in all their time and effort to make sure we have a phenomenon time here in the UK. These people has made it their everyday work to keep us entertained and making sure we have nothing to miss out when it comes to Afrobeats or culture from our motherland. Without further ado, credit goes to SMADE for his success in the most recent massive ‘DAVIDO UK TOUR’ held in London, Manchester, Coventry, Liverpool and Birmingham with all tickets selling out. Having a success in an event like this only proves nothing but hard work and dedication just for our sake here in the UK.

Click here to view clips of ‘Davido UK Tour’ 2013

SMADE has also been engaged in bringing artist like WizKid, Ice-Prince and many more in the UK.  Putting that entirely aside he continues to make sure there is never a dulling moment in London with his club events hosted every weekend.

Massive recognition also goes COKOBAR, this is another outstanding Event host whom for years and years has done nothing else but improve but the better. I personally congratulate COKOBAR for their success in the ‘Love Afrobeats Festival’ every year which always involves performances from artists like P-Square, WizKid, Ice-Prince Zamani, Wande Coal and not to mention the presence of Nigerian comedians like SeyiLaw, Elenu, AY the Comedian and many more.

 

Another thumbs up to COKOBAR for their un-dying effort in making sure Londoners are always entertained and buzzed up with two of the most recognized Nigerian comedy concerts – ‘African Kings of Comedy’ and ‘AY Live UK Comedy show’ – with all tickets selling out at the indigo2 this year; absolutely Well done!

Watch highlights of ‘AY Live UK Comedy show’ posted by Cokobar HERE!!

Also locking it down with the best Afrobeats music and making sure that people in the UK are very current with most latest Nigerian tracks and hits are the TV stations, Radio stations and my favorite; the DJs. I salute all the TV stations like HiTV, VOXAFRICA, OHTV, BEN TV, NOLLYWOOD TV, FACTORY 78 and many more for their continuous effort in making sure that we never miss out on anything to do with African entertainment and culture. I must say that my salutation to these TV stations is not just for their effort in making sure we are entertained but also their success in giving African entertainment a solid root here in the UK; because the way I see it, Africans all now see each other as one due to the fact that our different cultures are all showcased on same channels, we all appreciate each others foods, beliefs, countries, music and movies than ever before.

Our children born and bred in the UK are even starting to learn more about their culture and taking holidays to different countries in Africa just to see for themselves all what they already see on TV. Additionally, these TV stations are also very involved in different African events and concerts by sponsoring and broadcasting on their stations. On the behalf of every African Artist, Actor, Actress, Poet, Chef, cook, Companies, Event promoters, Mothers, Fathers and Children; I say THANK YOU for giving every single person a Platform to show case themselves, learn from and most especially a chance to make Africa proud as a whole.

Shout out to all the DJs out there e.g. DJ Abrantee, Tim Westwood, DJ Abass, DJ Bayo (Cokobar), DJ SholaBee, DJ Douglas, DJ Babylynn and many more. These people have fought through thick and thin of Afrobeats movement in the UK, making sure our clubs; pubs, parties and events are as alive as expected. Very swiftly, I must give a special recognition to DJ Abrantee and Tim Westwood for moving Afrobeats into the metropolitan radio stations like CAPITAL XTRA and many more. Afrobeats in the UK only started to get massive recognition by people from other continents after D’Banj dropped ‘OLIVER TWIST’ but before then DJ’s like Tim Westwood has already been giving artist from Nigeria a chance to showcase themselves through live interviews and freestyling. However, I hope that in the nearest future these DJs will give a hand out to reach some very talented upcoming artists both here in the UK and other parts of the world so as to give them a chance to get heard and also give Afrobeats the opportunity to expand even more. 

With all credits given where due, I must not forget all the press & photographers, online radios and blog site that has also put in so much effort through out the year to make sure that we are updated with all the latest gists and given all artists and movies the chance to get recognized. I will never forget dedicated photographers like Ismile Photos, Sync Photos and Michaeltubes Creations; these guys have made it their mission to be present at every Afro-Entertainment event just to give our people a sneak peak of these events. Shout out to NotJustOK, MusicNest Radio, Nigerian Watch, Vubian, Bella Naija, Afrobeats In Da City, 360Nobs, Soundcloud, Hulkshare and many more for their outstanding effort and contribution into Afro-Entertainment UK 2013. However, I shall keep my fingers crossed that as 2014 rolls in Afro-Entertainment in the UK will be able to penetrate easily into more metropolitan media platforms.

This is the first part of my brief analysis for Afro-Entertainment UK Industry 2013; please stay updated, as the Volume2 of this article gets even more interesting and critical. I can assure you that it won’t be as Juicy and Flattering as this one….

 

Halilat Yusuf

Twitter: @Halisexy09

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• 2013, afro, entertainment, industry, uk