| 2Face Idibia: Nigeria's African King From the country that gave the world pop star Seal, jazz and R&B singer Sade comes a man who is arguably one of the most important artists of all with his hit song, "African Queen. Born Innocent Ujah Idibia in Jos, Nigeria just outside of the capital city of Abuja, he is on a one man crusade to change the image of Afro Hip Hop and to elevate it to the stature of Reggaeton. |
Zdon Paporella:Up and coming Nigerian musician, Zdon Paporella whose smooth voice is similiar of America's Usher Raymond, has been nominated for the 2006 Nigerian Music Awards. Zdon, who's mega hit "NO SHAKING" is believed to be an easy crossover hit, is one of many of the exciting tracks from the CD. Hear Zdon's hit song, Old Africa now. |
| Learn about the Black Press Africa Project What is the Black Press Africa Project? How does it effect you? Why is it important? How can you help? The Black Press Africa Project is a new initiative by the Historical Black Press Foundation to be bring awareness to the needs of Africa's musicians, dignitaries and media outlets. The project also seeks to assist in their survival by creating national media campaigns that allow the public to understand their importance. |
Join our efforts In order to ensure the success of this project, we need as much help as possible. What do we need? Annual reports from associations, photographs of association leaders, access to conventions and special events. You name. We need it. Because this project is done by the work of volunteers, we also need supplies including ink cartridges, money for printing our findings and an office for our volunteers to work. Contribute supplies, office space professional services to us and you'll help us reach our goal of helping 12 Black associations a year. |
EXCLUSIVE REPORT by DC Livers for Black Press Magazine
Paul "Play" Dairo, Nigeria's version of Babyface, has accepted an interview request with Black Press Africa.com. The international interview will be conducted with Paul Play in Lagos, Nigeria and Black Press Magazine's DC Livers in Washington, DC in the United States.
Paul Babatunde Dairo, who records under the name Paul Play, is wowing audiences across the world with his smooth voice. He is the son of famous Nigerian juju musician, I. K. Dairo, who died at age 65 on February 7, 1996. I.K. Dairo was the only musician to be honored by Queen Elizabeth II in Africa in the sixties.
"I've always wanted to make R&B evergreen songs as an artiste," said Paul Play. "But my father left so much behind in terms of his music and fans, so I thought it well to keep his fans happy and his style of music alive," he said.
His father, was thought to be the first truly international star of African music, Mr. Dairo specialized in juju music, a lively mixture of traditional Yoruba social dance drumming, songs, and praise poetry, Latin American rhythms, and Christian church hymns, performed on guitar, percussion, and talking drums. In a career spanning more than fifty years, Dairo made hundreds of records, and toured Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, paving the way for younger musicians such as King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Sina Peters and many others.
Paul Play is an R&B artist who has enjoyed a lot of success since his debut album in 1999. His hits include a remake of his father "Mo Sorire," "Angel of My Life," "Bus Stop," "Happy Day" and "Don't You Play That Game," my personal favorite. His lyrics are complex and thoughtful and the tonality of his voice is remincent of Carl Thomas and Dave Hollister.
Paul Play's cocktail of genres from western world R&B and Rap To traditional Highlife music and Juju music is responsible for his unmatchable uniqueness. Paul started as a producer, songwriter and back up vocalist before hitting the limelight. He joined "le griffe" an R&B group with his brother and cousin, Banji and Henry Dairo (both late now) in the late eighties, Paul Play vowed to keep the dream alive. He moved on to join other groups which include "De Klan", "Oxygen" and Pure Heart Impression.
He went solo after fears of continuity with his last group to record his first album titled "Dairo Music Foundation Project" in 1999 featuring hit singles like; Mosorire Happy Day and Yes O! . The Album remains a timeless classic, popular amongst Nigerians and Africans in Diaspora. The album has sold over two million copies and is still selling till date. To keep the marriage between his irreplaceable passion for music and the legacy left behind by his father intact, Paul Play's debut album was a unique blend of remaking his fathers old hits and his first love; R&B.
Listen Now: Hear Paul Play's track, "Forever" and the exclusive international podcast interview with Paul "Play" Dairo visit BlackPressradio.com and serach keyword: "Paul Play" or "Nigeria"
