W4
He came into the industry with the track Temperature and ever since has been making inroad into the entertainment industry. He released a few tracks last year, No wan Go and That Girl, which enjoyed airplays. As if they were not enough, W4 impressed with his latest work, Omoge wa gba Control, which has been dubbed his best work ever, according to pundits.
Wande Coal
He is regarded as the best singer on the popular record label, Mohits Records, going by his vocal strength and versatility. Wande launched himself as a major force few years back when he released the album, M2M (Mushin to Mohits) with hit tracks like You Bad, Ileke, and others. He is in the news again with three new singles, Private Trips, Go Low and Been Long You Saw Me. He is also a brand ambassador for one of the mobile phone companies.
Omotola
A-list Nigerian Nollywood actress and songstress, Omotola is obviously one of the people to look out for this year, as she is one of the busiest celebs around. The Amnesty International Ambassador, who recently did a photo shoot with A-list Hollywood acts, Keira Knightley, Patrick Stewart, Patricia Clarkson and Jeremy Irons, for the human rights body on humanitarian grounds, has been reported to be planning her own reality show starting soon on OHTV (via Sky TV) in London.
Mercy Johnson
Probably the worst hit with controversies and unconfirmed rumours in 2011, ranging from her alleged blindness and death rumours, MJ, as she is fondly called, is definitely one of the faces to look out for in 2012. She got married last year to Prince Odinosen and towards the end of the year she was adjudged the most ‘googled’ celebrity by international search engine, Google.
Genevieve
Aside starring in the box office hit Tango With Me in 2011, Genevieve Nnaji didn’t do much in the movie industry, Nollywood. She made a couple of appearances on several red carpets in the entertainment sphere in the last few months, but she is one of the faces to watch this year as she has a lot of things up her sleeves.
Ini Edo
She is perhaps Nollywood’s actress with the most corporate endorsements, which include the likes of Globacom, Chivita and recently, Noble Hair. With all her endorsements grossing close to N100 million, Ini is not resting on her oars as she is also an ambassador of the United Nations on environment. Things are definitely on the rise for this Uyo-born actress, who is also a Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Calabar. She impressed many industry pundits with her movie I’ll Take My Chances, which she co-produced with Emem Isong. Reports also have it that she is starting her NGO soon.
Emem Isong
A brilliant screen writer and producer, Emem is one of the best hands in the industry. She co-produced I’ll Take My Chances with Ini Edo and is the brain behind most hits in the movie industry. She is definitely not tired of churning out more hits this year. Since 1994, she has written and produced over 17 movies, some of which have won awards nationally and internationally.
Nse Ikpe Etim
Fair skinned Nollywood actress, Nse is one of the talented hands in the movie industry. She has indeed carved a niche for herself in the industry as one of the fastest rising actresses with her role in the popular movie, Mr. & Mrs., which she starred alongside Joseph Benjamin of Tango With Me fame. She won the best actress award at the Best of Nollywood Awards last year. She also starred in Phone Swap, a movie by prolific actor and filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, due for release in March this year. Only recently, Africa’s communications giant, Airtel, made her one of their brand ambassadors.
Kunle Afolayan
Fresh off the commercial success of his last works, The Figurine and Irapada, the prolific actor and filmmaker is out with another mind-blowing movie, Phone Swap. Kunle is one of the very few in the movie industry that can beat their chest as having done quality movies with quality cinematic expression. A former banker and son of the late king of stage drama, Ade Love Afolayan, Kunle is indeed one of the major forces to reckon with in Nollywood. His Phone Swap is due for premiere and cinema release this year and it’s a movie to beat. Industry faithful are already looking forward to its release.
Obi Emelonye
Obi Emelonye, Nollywood filmmaker and actor, has established himself as a powerful force in making quality movies. The Theatre of Arts graduate of the University of Nsukka rose to prominence in Nollywood when he produced the much talked about movie, Mirror Boy, which grossed over N20 million box office, and premiered in London, The Gambia and Nigeria. He has a new film in entitled Last Flight To Abuja.
Funke Akindele
Unarguably one of the most sought after celebrities in terms of corporate endorsements, Funke Akindele is a versatile actress who made her screen debut many years ago in the popular sitcom, I Need To Know. She is the highest paid actress in the Yoruba movie genre. Her movie, Return of Jenifa grossed over N30 million at the cinemas despite not showing nationwide. She is a Globacom ambassador as well as brand ambassador for LIRS (Lagos Internal Revenue Service). Only recently, Eko Supreme, makers of popular detergent, So Klin, also made her their promo ambassador.
Shuga Band
Shuga Band is no doubt a high class band with style, finesse and, of course, panache. They are the kind of band well-to-do individuals and corporate organizations want to see perform at their social functions. The band led by founder, Akinloye Tofowomo, has performed at high flying events within Nigeria and outside our shores, and they have taken their show to exotic places like Sri Lanka, Dubai, among others. The band boasts of very sophisticated sound equipment (sound pro) that gives near perfect sound delivery. They are a band that believes in giving hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless. This they do through their NGO called the Shuga Limb Foundation, which is funded by a certain percentage of the band’s earning. They look forward to helping more people this year by donating limbs to those who need them.
Chocolate City
One major group to watch out for in 2012 is Audu Makori’s Chocolate City, which has MI, Jesse Jagz, Byrmo and Ice Prince on its record label. Chocolate City boys are not resting on their oars as they are taking the music industry by storm this year. Also, the label is ready to sign on a female act.
MI
With the soon to be released album by the frontline rapper entitled Illegal Music, which would drop anytime soon in the course of the year, MI is set to change the face of the industry with his vocal proficiency and rap style.
Jesse Jagz
Multi-talented producer and rapper, Jesse Jagz, is another artiste to watch in 2012, as he would be releasing a new album and also producing songs for his label mates as well as many other artistes.
Ice Prince
With the success of his latest album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince (ELI), Ice Prince has solidified his stay in the music industry and now commands a six-digit figure to perform at events. He also has a new single featuring Jamaican-Egyptian. This is one guy to watch out for in 2012.
Brymo
Brymo has proven his worth with the release of many singles, which have been gaining massive airplay all over the country. Brymo is also set to release his album this year.
Timaya
The artiste headlining shows all over the country now is Timaya. He is one artiste to watch out for in 2012 as he would be headlining more shows around the country and also release new singles. Timaya is also set to launch a book in this year.
Omoni Oboli
A-list actress, Omoni Oboli, has featured in many blockbuster movies in previous years, including Figurine, Bent Arrows, and Anchor Baby in which she played lead roles and also went ahead to earn some awards for her role in Anchor Baby. This actress isn’t resting on her oars as she is already on location for new movies to be released this year.
EME Boys
President of the record label, Banky W is one artiste that has carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry, as he continues to churn out nice tunes for his fans. With two of his new singles gaining regular airplay around the country, Banky W is set to release his album this year.
Skales
Fellow EME artiste, Skales, is a young talent to watch in 2012, as his new single Mukulu in his forthcoming album has been gaining airplays on radio stations around the country, with an attractive video to accompany it.
Wizkid
EME star Ayodeji Balogun a.k.a. Wizkid is unarguably the most patronized artiste at the moment. He has featured in all major concerts and has won many awards since the release of his debut album, Superstar. The young talent, who also commands a six-figure pay cheque to feature in any event, is set to release new singles featuring top international acts.
Koga
Fastest rising entertainment giant, Koga Entertainment, the brain behind popular dance reality show, Dance234, and Koga Top 10 MICS is one of the entertainment companies to watch in 2012. The out plans to return with a new season of Dance234 reality show and another Top 10 Mics concert this year. With the purchase of the most expensive camera in the world, Alexa digital camera, Koga Entertainment is set to change the face of video recording in the industry with the production of high end videos, soap operas, etc.
Ladunlaidi Blog
One entertainment blog to watch in 2012 is the Ladunlaidi blog, which since conception has been a big threat to major blogs, as the blogsite has began to generate a large fan base and cult-like followership with it’s up-to-date entertainment post by the minute.
Saint Paul
Upcoming music act, Osayande Paul Ero a.k.a. Saint Paul, is one artiste ready to take the music industry by storm, especially as his first single, No Dulling, is making waves on radio stations across the country.
Jenifa Olise
The name, Jenifa Olise, might not ring a bell, but the Music Meets Runaway event will not be forgotten so soon by many. This beautiful damsel is the brain behind the event, which paraded A-list stars and top class fashion designers during a wonderful music and fashion show. Jenifa Olise also has in her coffers a Valentine gig later in the year that would feature international acts.
Rita Dominic
Apart from Omotola, there is perhaps no busier actress on big budget movies than Rita Dominic. She represented Nollywood well in Kenya, where she starred in a big budget movie, Shattered. She was also the lead act in Izu Ojukwu’s movie. Rita also sharpened her production skills by executively producing her own movie, The Meeting, alongside her longtime producer, Mildred Okwo, and also winning the AFRIFF Best Actress of the Year. For Rita, it wasn’t all about movies, as telecoms giant, Globacom, re-appointed her Ambassador last year.
Blue Pictures
In 2011, Blue Pictures led by Joy Ilibeno distributed some of the biggest and highest selling movies. from Mirror Boy to The Return of Jenifa, Blue Pictures did it all. In the cinema industry one coy, people pay more than cursory attention to is Blue Pictures. Blue Pictures distribute more Hollywood movies than most distributors around. Will it fly or craw in 2012? The next 12 months will tell.
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