XBLAZE WAS DEFINATELY "BORN TO SPIT" COS HE'S GOT SO MUCH "LUV FOR THE HIPHOP GAME"

A long time ago, in the galaxy of Nigeria, a child was born to bring back... the true sound of HipHop and he was called XBLAZE (oh well, after his parents officially named him Adebosoye Laoye, that is).
Yeah, he's the younger brother of none other than the exceptional singer/performer, Nikki Laoye.
Having a sister like Nikki gives you a deeper insight to the musical genius you are reading about at this very moment.
Born on October 6th, 1986, Xblaze was a unique child while growing up, always creating anything out of everything and simply loved to play with words.
He grew up listening to hiphop heads like PeteRock, Gangstar, Trybe called Quest e.t.c in the early 90's and always spent a lot of time with his siblings, Nikki and brothers Bola & Femi (aka Rap2Sai - featured artiste in Nikki Laoye's "Taka Sufe), as they made music, listened to music and created music all day long.
In 2004, he veered into music production out of curiousity as he'd developed such a great ear for notes and sounds and with the use of a friend's studio, he taught himself  the basics of beat making with fruity loops (now known as FLO Studio).
Now with constant online research, endless development of his skills and a passion beyond measure, here emerges one of the most unique music producers to come from these parts.
Soon enough, Xblaze decided to set up his own recording studio at home, out of which, the 2nd hit single from his sister's debut album "Taka Sufe" was created. The song was nominated severally and has gone ahead to win Frizzle (the video director) of the video, the award for "Best New Video Director" in the 2010 Nigeria Music Video Awards . 

Labeled "the best hiphop producer of A.G.O town", where he grew up in Isolo,Lagos, Xblaze presently runs his production outfit called Rocsteady86 Productions and has worked with Naija's top HipHop Lyricist, ModeNine, producing one of the tracks from his most recent album- DaVinci Mode.
Xblaze daily exhibits his skills in beat production and music mastering for his clients which also include HipHop artistes like Verb, M.Simile and more from USA who heard some of his productions on the internet and hooked up with him.
Xblaze was showcased alongside his sister, on the rockumentary, MTVBase Advance Warning in 2008, of which Nikki was one of the selected artistes for the show.
He is also a member of the Wahala Media family alongside Nikki Laoye and SugarBoy A1,

Xblaze vrs Ryu (in Street Fighter)

A man of many gifts,Xblaze delved into Graphics Design (self-taught again!!) and creates some of the most amazing graphical pieces yet seen. He is also a performing HipHop Artiste, backing up his sister at many shows including The Experience 2009, and has now recorded demo singles of his own,singing his own hooks while dropping them 16 bars real hard on tracks like "Born to Spit" and "Luv for the Game".

Xblaze, Nikki Laoye & Rap2Sai backstage @ The Experience 2009

Xblaze, Nikki Laoye and Rap2Sai @ Tetmosol Girl Power Concert Tour, Lagos

His Production Credits include
1. Nikki Laoye ("Taka Sufe", "Healing Waters", Eyin Loba", "Whatever it Takes" from her album- Angel 4 Life

2. ModeNine ("Muzik Lives" in his latest album- DaVinci Mode);

3. Blaise (Singles from her upcoming album)
4. Base One (Singles from his upcoming album)
5. Azon Blaze (HipHop Artiste from North Carolina,USA)
6. Verb (HipHop Artiste from Arizona, USA)
7. M.Simile (HipHop Artiste from Florida, USA

Listen to Xblaze 's "Born to Spit" and "Luv for the Game" from the waHOLAAA! Music Player or download them here:

"Born to Spit": http://bit.ly/h9e8n2
"Luv for the Game": http://www.4shared.com/audio/J_C30Pnw/Luv_for_the_Game_2__Produced_b.html

PS: The young man won't stop, he's going into film making as well. LOL!!! For laughs, Watch this production of Xblaze's version of the popular video game, Resident Evil.... Acted, Directed and Edited by Xblaze himself from his Low Budget Media Production stables with his friends...using a camera phone.
Xblaze is the actor!! Watch out especially for the fight scene at 5:18sec, far better than any home video Nigeria has ever seen. haha!!

Enjoy!!!

Resident Evil A.G.O- Directed and Edited by Xblaze



Listen to "Muzik Lives" by ModeNine (Produced by Xblaze)

WHAT DO ASA AND NIKKI LAOYE HAVE IN COMMON? THE ACE GUITARIST/SINGER- "GBOLAHAN"

The Nigerian music industry is experiencing a major renaissance as a whole new generation of Afro hip hop, soul, r&b and pop acts rise to establish a new age in our music culture with major international appeal.
From among these emerge, GBOLAHAN, an inspiring yet versatile singer and songwriter with a flair for rock and R&B juiced with a strong rhythm from ‘dante’, his acoustic guitar which he plays with thoroughbred skill.
Underground for a while, with the previous release of  his demo album a couple of years back which included the very popular ‘Agbanilagbatan’ (ultimate deliverer), He's also been a part of the history and musical development of some top nigerian artistes.
Namely, Asa, one of Nigeria's finest, whom he tutored on her guitar-playing skills and was widely recognised as the very expressive guitarist in Nikki Laoye's "Never Felt This Way Before" musical video, after which, he also has accompanied her at many events including The Experience IV 2009 before a 500,000 audience



ASA - the Playing Songbird



SnapShot from Nikki Laoye's Video ( Right is Gbolahan)

 Gbolahan (pronounced ‘gbor-la-hun’, which means, show off my wealth!) is a native of the Yoruba tribe in South Western Nigeria and was born in Lagos to a chartered accountant father and an entrepreneurial mother. Along with his 5 sisters (of which he is the 5th), they were a close knit and highly musical family as he learnt to play the piano at the age of 7. He recalls, “I learnt to sing 3-part harmony during family devotions as everyone could sing beautifully, so I knew what soprano, alto, tenor sounded like long before I even knew what they were called.” He eventually became the choirmaster at Command Secondary School Jos. He adds, “I wrote my first song when I was 14 and sang it at the school chapel, all my friends couldn’t believe I wrote it yet kept asking me for the lyrics. This trend has followed me ever since.”
As a freshman economics undergraduate at the University of Lagos in 1996, he was encouraged to learn to play the guitar by a neighbour during a 6-month Academic Staff Union strike (that plagued all Nigerian Universities!). With the aid of the book given to him, he began his journey to becoming a versatile guitarist, pianist, singer, songwriter and guitar tutor to over 200 clients including the world acclaimed guitar playing songbird, ASA.
 He has graced the stage on Spirit of David’s Celebrity Takes 2 and with artistes such as KUSH, Cobhams, Rooftop Mc’s, Nikki Laoye, Lara George, Yinka Davies and recorded along with names like TY Bello and Sound Sultan.


Gbolahan has released singles with critical acclaim  such as ‘Agbanilagbatan’ (ultimate deliverer), ‘Seni ma dupe’(I’ll always give thanks) and ‘Valentine’; all produced by the highly acclaimed producer, Cobhams Asuquo. These tracks reflect his spiritual, soulful and romantic sides. He confesses, “I see myself as a Contemporary Christian artiste, who is just an ordinary guy with a gift for writing heartfelt songs on my guitar that the regular guy on the streets can relate to: and the positive response from people is proof of this connection.”
He recently teamed up with Wole Oni, another highly acclaimed producer to record his new single ‘Lojojumo’ (Everyday), an upbeat Rock classic which is receiving good reviews and airplay from radio stations. The video was just released recently and Gbolahan is edging closer towards the release of his 12-track album titled, ‘Seni ma dupe’ in 2011. He assures his growing fans to expect great music, deep lyrics, heartwarming vocals and lots of quality guitar work.
Gbolahan is married to Ademilola, and they live in Lagos. He is a self employed guitar and voice tutor and continues to share his love for music with his many clientele most especially, the children.


    "Lojojumo"- Video Directed by Imoh Umoren




Video of  "Agbanilagbatan" (Produced by Cobhams Asuquo)

A TRIBUTE TO NATE DOGG (August 19,1969 - March 15,2011)

The 41 year old, Nathaniel Dwayne Hale aka Nate Dogg, passed away in Long Beach, California, in the early hours of Tuesday morning,15th of March, 2011, according to his family, of congestive heart failure along with complications related to his previous strokes. The Hip-Hop star spent the last few years struggling to recover from a series of strokes, which paralyzed him down the left side of his body

Tributes poured in from collaborators and friends,who had a chance to work with the late melodic west coast singer, such as Ludacris, The Game, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Erykah Badu, Eminem via their Twitter and/or website.

Snoop Dogg who is Nate's Cousin, wrote on his Twitter, "We lost a true legend in hip-hop and R&B. One of my best friends a brother to me... I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever and a day... U put the 1 213...  "I miss u... I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up wit u and I will c u again heaven cuz u know slogan... all doggs go to heaven... Rip Nate Dogg."

50 Cent, who collaborated with the late star on hits including 21 Questions, heard the news as he stepped off a flight from Los Angeles to New York and wrote, "I just landed, Nate Dog (sic) is dead damn. God bless him R.I.P. He meant a lot to West Coast hip-hop... Rip Nate Dogg, the rap world just lost a great legend... I wrote the chorus to 21 Questions I needed Nate to sing it for me. He had a way of making everything feel hard."

Ludacris, who worked with Nate Dogg on 2001 single Area Codes, adds, "There is a certain void in hip-hop's heart that can never be filled. Glad we got to make history together."

While The Game writes, "R.I.P. Nate Dogg. Why does it take Death to remind us about the importance of life? Cherish every moment cuz tomorrow he mite call your ... I lost a friend. Been here before. Tears. Memories. One day someone will lose 'US' as well. Living until that day comes is our only option."

Rapper Xzibit writes, "We love you Nate Dogg, it's never going to be the same," and singer Erykah Badu adds, "Nate Dogg... Rest in beats".

HIS BIOGRAPHY
Nate Dogg was born in Long Beach, California. He began singing as a child in the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach, and at Life Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where his father (Daniel Lee Hale) was a pastor. At the age of 16 he dropped out of high school in Long Beach, California and left home to join the United States Marine Corps, serving for three years.
He was the friend and partner in the rap game with rappers Snoop Dogg, Warren G, RBX, Daz Dillinger and was the cousin of Butch Cassidy and Lil' ½ Dead. He began singing as a child in the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach and Life Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi where his father (Daniel Lee Hale) was pastor. At the age of 16 he dropped out of high school in Long Beach, California and left home to join the United States Marine Corps, serving for three years.

In 1991 Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, and their friend Warren G, formed a rap trio called 213.
213 recorded their first demo in the back of the famed V.I.P record store in Long Beach, the demo was later heard by Dr. Dre at a house party and he was instantly hooked on the soulful voice of Nate.
Nate Dogg made his debut on The Chronic. Singing in what later become his trademark style, he was well-received by fans and critics alike, and would go on to sign with Death Row Records in 1993.
Nate Dogg was also featured on Mista Grimm's "Indosmoke" with Warren G. Then in 1994 he produced his first hit single "Regulate" with Warren G. Nate Dogg was also featured in many Tupac releases, including his collaboration record Thug Life: Volume I. Then in 1998 after a tumultuous time at Death Row Records he released another album. The double album was titled G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2 and was followed up in late 2001 with Music & Me on Elektra Records. Music & Me peaked at number three on the Billboard hip-hop charts in 2001.

Promo Single of Nate's hit song
"Nobody does it better"

Nate's shot from Warren G's video
"Regulate" 

In 2002, Nate Dogg appeared on a celebrity episode of the Weakest Link, making it to the last three players before being eliminated by Xzibit and Young MC.
Nate Dogg was arrested in Arizona in April 2002 and was charged with firearms and drug offenses. He pleaded guilty in May 2002 and was subsequently sentenced to probation and community service. He  was also ordered to attend drug counseling sessions.
Nate has found his greatest success, not in solo projects, but in collaborations with other hip-hop artists.
As of 2004, Nate Dogg has featured in and contributed to over 40 chart singles.
On December 19, 2007, he suffered a stroke, according to a coordinator for his recently formed gospel choir, Innate Praise. 
Initial media reports suggested he had been admitted to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in Pomona, California after suffering a heart attack. However Erica Beckwith told MTV News that Nate Dogg had been released on December 26 after being treated for a stroke and had been admitted to a medical-rehab facility to assist him in his recovery. In January 2008, it was officially reported that the stroke had rendered the left side of his body paralyzed. Doctors believed there would be a full recovery, and his voice was not affected. In September 2008, Nate suffered a second stroke. Warren G later confirmed that since the second stroke, Dogg was undergoing physical therapy in an attempt to return to some normality, but it was unclear whether Dogg would be able to resume his singing career.
Despite all this health issues, after a number of delays and an original release date of April 2004, his self-titled album Nate Dogg was released on Affiliated Entertainment Group on June 3, 2008.


Nate Dogg died on March 15, 2011 in Long Beach, California.

Discography

• G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 (1998)
• Music and Me (2001)
• Nate Dogg (2003)

Filmography

• The Transporter song "I Got Love" (2002)
• Doggy Fizzle Televizzle as singer of the theme song for the sketch "The Braided Bunch" (2002–2003)
• Head of State as himself (also singer/composer of theme song) (2003)
• Need For Speed: Underground song "Keep it Comin"
• The Boondocks (2008)

Awards/nominations

Nate Dogg was nominated for four Grammy Awards.

Category	Genre	Song	Year	Result
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Eminem)	Rap	"Shake That"	2007	Nominated
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Ludacris)	Rap	"Area Codes"	2002	Nominated
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (uncredited with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg)	Rap	"The Next Episode"	2001	Nominated
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (with Warren G)	Rap	"Regulate"	1995	Nominated

Video - Nate Dogg feat Warren G- "Nobody Does It Better"



Video- Warren G feat Nate Dogg- "Regulate"

PHIL COLLINS RETIRES!!

British singer and drummer Phil Collins has confirmed reports he is to retire from the music business.
"I am stopping so I can be a full time father to my two young sons on a daily basis," he wrote on his website.
His decision, he said, was not down to "dodgy reviews", "bad treatment in the press" or "because I don't feel loved".
Collins' announcement was in response to a series of "distorted" articles that had erroneously painted him as "a tormented weirdo", he added.
"There's no need for the straitjacket!" joked the 60-year-old, whose hits include In the Air Tonight and Another Day in Paradise.
A former member of rock band Genesis, Collins went on to achieve huge success as a solo performer, including hit albums as No Jacket Required and ...But Seriously.
The winner of seven Grammy awards was also the recipient of an Academy award for his soundtrack for the Disney animated film Tarzan.
Last year he topped the UK album chart with Going Back, a collection of Motown and soul covers.
The singer has two sons, Nicholas and Matthew, with his third wife Orianne Cevey, whom he divorced in 2008.

HIS BIOGRAPHY

Philip David Charles Collins was born on January 30, 1951 in the borough of Chiswick, London, England. His mother, a talent agent, enrolled young Phil in a stage school, where he studied acting and singing. He was one of the screaming fans in The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night (1964), and played the Artful Dodger in the London stage production of Oliver!. Music soon replaced acting as he took up the drums, inspired as much by British beat bands of the era as legendary jazz drummers Jo Jones and Buddy Rich.

Collins first came to prominence as the drummer for Genesis after joining the band in 1970. He stepped out from behind his kit to sing lead after the departure of original vocalist Peter Gabriel in 1975. Collins launched his solo career in 1981 with the release of Face Value, which included his classic "In The Air Tonight." He was one of the most popular artists of the 1980s, topping the charts with such smashes as "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)" (1984), "Sussudio" (1985) and "Another Day In Paradise" (1989).

Phil Collins Quote
" I'm not a singer who plays a bit of drums. I'm a drummer that sings a bit."

Phil Collins was one of the world's most popular and successful performers of the '80s and early '90s, both as a member of Genesis and a solo star. He's had at least six chart-topping singles under his own name on the Billboard pop charts, and chalked up an additional pair of number ones as a member of Genesis and in a duet with Marilyn Martin. His solo albums, at at 2002, have sold over 150 million copies worldwide.
"No Jacket Required", his best-selling record, spent more than a full year lodged in the U.S. top 20.

Collins has collected seven Grammys to date, including Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)" (1984), Producer and Album of the Year for No Jacket Required (1985), Record of the Year for "Another Day In Paradise" (1989) and Best Soundtrack Album for Tarzan (1999). In 1990, he received two American Music Awards, including Best Pop/Rock Male Artist, as well as three Billboard Music Awards, including one for Top Worldwide Album. Collins has also picked up a pair of Golden Globes, including one for "You'll Be In My Heart" from Tarzan, which also won him an Oscar for Best Original Song.
Collins played drums on the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid in 1984, and was the only person to appear at both Live Aid benefit concerts in London and Philadelphia on the same July day in 1985. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2003.