Totally Kicking... Totally Hip...Totally Fly

By Olujimi Ojikutu

Did you miss me? I’m sure you did. I’ve been around the World and back, home to the country I love so much. Naija for life. We hope our leaders would make the much needed change to create a better future for the youth to make their numerous ideas flourish.

I’ll be giving u a list of fresh kicking kicks from all over the world. Fashion has gone crazy, and it only gets better with each moment. There’s more freedom in the mixture of clours fabrics, and style, but hey we only doing kicks today. So, kick of your shoes and get ready for a very fly ride.



Adidas Originals
From the 80s to the 90s to the 20 somethings. The Originals have kept there groove. If you want to get into the funky mood, or stay fly in three stripes, then go for some fresh addidas originals

From N10,000

Android Homme

Though this sneakers might not be that common, you might want to go out there and fish it out. Its a premium sneaker that stands out and has this out of the world look. Space... Android... Space ship...get the gist?

Perk: Space. Off the hook.

From N30,000

Nike Air Yeezys

Cool Kanye West inspired Nike sneakers are one word. Cute. If you don’t like Kanye West, and I understand why even though he’s great rapper, you will like these sneakers. Space like, funky, playful, the Air Yeezys make a lot of sense.

Note: 1) You don’t have to like Kanye West. 2) Nikes are nice, they didn’t pay me for promo ooo.

Perk: You can get the Glow in the Dark Yeezy’s, though a lot more expensive than the normal Yeezys, you might just want to pull some stunt.

From N20,000

Nike Air Jordans/ Retro Hare

A Hip-Hop favourite today. The Air Jordans Retro have stood the test of time, and we are sure they are definitely here to stay. Nice, fresh, cool, with lovely colour combos the Air Jordans have always been a fan favourite. They are also friendly to the pocket.

Note: We are talking about the Retros here, not the bulky basket ball trainers except you going for a Basket ball session, or wearing massive Yankee style Baggy Jeans.

From N12,000

Gucci Urban Boots

Do you want to really stand out from the crowd? Do you want people to start calculating how much you are wearing? On the high fly side and on the high side, gucci brands are will always stand out anywhere. Turn heads, make a very loud statement in the Gucci Urban kicks and tell evrybody you’ve arrived. Though the price is on the high side, you should count yourself lucky, the Women’s Boots are twice, sometimes three times as expensive.

Perk: They look awesome. Totally Style ‘Icon-ish’

From N80,000 ... if u are lucky.

Schmack

Might not have heard of these, but these shoes rock. If you want to wear something different and nice, then you could get yourself one of these colourful kicks.
Note: it is not the same spelling as smack- a slap on the face, a slap, a spank.

From N10,000

GT tells ‘The Truth’

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He came, he saw and he swayed the nation with his debut single, ‘dreamer’ which turned out to be a hit. With his beautiful voice, powerful instrumental skill and a desire to let out his frustrations, he swept the crowd off their feet- even radio stations couldn’t stop playing it. And just as everyone was warming up to his music, he disappears. But now he’s back and he’s come to tell us ‘The Truth’. Ada Igboanugo writes...
Tell us a bit about yourself, who is GT?
My names are Gbemiro Olaolu Akigbogun. GT is the artistic side of Gbemiro.GT is the one who writes the songs while Gbemiro is in school. Basically, I have like a multiple personality. I grew up with my mother so I had only her to convince about my music career. That aspect wasn't too difficult for me. My dad left when I was about 11. I have an elder sister and a younger brother. I grew up in the crazy FESTAC town and the experience didn't pass me by but I'm clean now compared to how I was before. I am from Ogun State. I was born in the U.K and bred in Lagos. I’m in LASU- 400 level.
Was it music initially or did you just dabble into it?
I wrote my first song at the age of nine so I'd say it was music initially. I remember when my dad would say, 'Olaolu you should be an Aeronautic Engineer' but I'm studying Economics which is not even related and right now my first love is music. I sang a few notes at leisure times and people who heard me said 'wow! You're good' and so I thought why not, let me try it.
When did you decide that it was music?
I don't really know when I decided to but I'm pretty sure it was one of those times when I was attempting Jamb. Though I had done a little bit of singing before- I was in my church choir- When I really decided was after my third attempt in Jamb. I just thought to concentrate on my music instead. But then overtime, I thought to myself. Both my siblings are in school and I'm not. What will I tell my kids? How would I encourage them to take their education seriously? With that I used all my hard-earned money to get myself in there.
Why Economics, why not something related to music?
Good question. I would have done that really. Economics is not something I'm enjoying. I wish I could drop out and do something else but it would be a terrible waste. But I think someday it would be useful.
Does music run in the family?
No. my father was probably the only one who was interested in music and he was just the regular music listener to songs like the likes of King Sunny Ade.
The song 'Dreamer', were you just testing the waters?
I wouldn't say I was testing the waters. What happened was that since I was born in the U.K I assumed I was a citizen. After I got fed up of attempting Jamb I decided to take a detour to greener pastures in the country where I was born and boasted so much about. I was shocked when I got to the embassy and I was denied visa simply because I was born in '84 instead of '83. I couldn’t believe it. All my dreams and aspirations had been built around that. That was the night I wrote dreamer. Out of the frustration of life the song came about.
Storm Records?
It was Valentine’s Day and I was posting bills for a show that was to take place and wishing at the same time that I could perform at the show. Fortunately for me the organiser of the show was a friend's uncle. I got the opportunity to talk to him; he heard me sing, liked it and automatically put me on the show. Just like that I turned from a hustler to a performer in the show. I did well at the show and so Omoba took my number and invited me for Night of a thousand laughs. I later met Dare Art-Alade through a friend. Dare heard me sing and he liked me instantly, he took me to Obi Asika who was hesitant at first but after been persuaded by Dare to hear me out, he did and liked me then welcomed me to Storm Records.
Your ability to play the guitar, did you learn it in a musical school or was it self-thought?
It was self thought. I was inspired by a guy I saw on the street playing the guitar.
Tell us about your album
It’s my debut album and I’m happy and proud to be finally presenting it to you guys. It’s a 14-track album with great songs. It has to be anyway, been producing it for four years. {Laughter}
Why ‘the truth’ for your debut album?
I chose to call it the truth because the album is like a voice. A voice for my people on the street, hustlers, etc issues in general. Something when listened to by someone would say, ‘this guy is talking to me’
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
It depends because it could come from anything. It could be while I’m driving, in the shower, etc anywhere.
How do you feel now that your album is out?
The day a friend called me and said she saw my album on the street, I got up, went outside and I ran. I didn’t know where I was running to but I kept running anyway. After four years, it is finally out. The feeling is unfathomable.

2010 ; NEW WINE

by Kanyinsola Dorherty

This year is done in about a couple of days and it is interesting to know that the music industry has improved greatly with artists using different genres and languages to entertain us. The videos now have better plots and more efforts are now being put into them. So great is d music industry that most songs played in clubs are Nigerian songs and our deejays are nau investing in mixtapes…with the growth comes new and young artists that are set to take over in the year 2010…

Let me be the first to predict the new artist that are going to dominate the new year;

1.Wiz kid; This kid has the 3 most important qualities required for any new act in the industry; talent, discipline and the drive to be the best. We have hurd him on songs with Kel, M.I and Banky W. In the year 2010, we will be hearing his own singles to be realeased on the ‘EME’ label which is also Banky w;s label .Don’t be fooled by this dude’s small body frame, there’s alota of energy in dere…



2. Beazy; He is a new act signed to an equally new label, MADE music. He has got over 400songs recorded and has got a distinct style of rap. He will be introducing us to a new rap style in 2010. He has 2mixtapes called ; get money stay fly and the affidavit which can be heard online.



3. Skales; EME will be the label to look out for next year with their new acts .wiz kid and skales….. Skales is the young rapper from kaduna who we saw rather often on stage in 2009 and heard some very promising tunes from him…He also has very good lyrics and he recently featured on Banky W’s ‘can’t stop me(o o to be)’on the’ W Experience’. His singles are set to drop in the first quarter of 2010.We might just be looking at the next M.I


4. Twizzle; is another teenager who we should look out for in 2010. His single ‘Sugar Cane Man’ featured on many radio charts for weeks in 2009. He is also on the much awaited Knighthouse Street Scriptures.


5. Mo’cheddah; this femcee is fast becoming a force on her own,featured in the knighthouse street scriptures mixtape and has since been unstoppable. She has worked with M.I, Mode Nine , Sauce kid to mention a few and she also participated in the Hennesy Artistry show, though she didn’t win. Interestingly,this female can sing and rap, this is a plus for this artist..


These acts have gradually worked their way to the top by working with the best artistes in the industry and now they are ready to step out on their own and I trust them not to disappoint. Yes I said so….

GLITZ BOBO:THINGS YOU NEED TO GET THIS 2010

Christmas is over and some of you might be wondering what to get in this new year. Everyone’s trying to tap into the 2010 buzz, the shops are offering discount sales on their products, peeps are saving up to get the best gear, events are popping up every other weekend, the buzz is just endless. Well, trust your number one source of looking fly and right, Glitz bobo, we always bring it to you as it should be.

I’ll recommending a few these and those, from kicks, hats, to books, I mean 2010 is not just about looking good, but also feeling right, and feeling right starts with the mind. So it’s a whole body, mind and soul thing in the Glitz bobo block this New Year… Hi ho People, good tidings to all men, and of course women.

FRED PERRY KICKS

Well, if you want something away from the norm, then you could go for a Fred Perry sneaker. Nike’s cool, adidas rocks, but fred perry has that smoothness you might just want to try out. Yezzir, try it out and look mature and smashing this new year.



Get Fred perry Sneakers from N12,000


Ben Sherman Wrist Watch

If you want a watch that’s cool and also not so expensive, then you can go for a Ben Sherman… I know its not your luxury statement high profile swiss watch, but it is fashionable, trendy and well within budget. Go for it – Ben Sherman.




Ben Sherman Wrist Watch from N15,000



A Wrist Phone Watch

Call this tacky, I call it a gadget sensation. You can now have your phone, wrist watch, mp3 player, video player and lots more in this out-of-space-like gadget. If you want something different to show off this Christmas and have your friends wondering what it is you have around your wrist, then, hey, rule your world and get your self one of these wonders of swag.



Wrist Phone watch from N25,000.



PLAYSTATION 3

If you are looking for endless homw entertainment in your home, then you could go gamer with this cool gaem engine. Since the first playstion by sony, the subsequent version shave always gotten better- better graphics, better game play, and always a better machine. Hey, don’t miss out, better get yourself one of these. Coined from the words of Nelly- ‘ 50 grand will get you one of these’, depends on where you get it though.



Play Station 3: from N50,000.







Amazon Kindle

This sleek new gadget packs your reading power into one device. Call it the ipod of e-books, you can save thousands of e-books and read on the go. So if you want the power to read your books, anywhere, anytime, anyhow you want it. Then you might just want to get the kindle.





Amazon Kindle from N55,000


Pages on the Sidewalk

We all need a little bit of poetry to brighten our day. Pages on the sidewalk is a poetry collection I compiled a years ago. From the mundane to the sublime, to the down right whimsical, there’s something in there for evryone. You can dowload ‘Pages on sidewalk’ for free on www.lulu.com.




Olujimi Ojikutu’s Pages on the sidewalk: Free lulu.com










RAF SIMMONS SUN GLASSES

Cool, smooth and sleek. I would recommend a Raf Simmons sun glasses this season. With lots of Beach Raves and Red carpet shows on the way. You might just want to pump up that swag a lil. Sun shades are always on point.



Raf Simmons from N15,000


RALPH LAUREN EXPLORER

My perfume pick for this holiday would definitely be the ralph lauren explorer. It has that masculine feel to it that screams –‘ freedom in the outdoors’. The name itself explains the feeling it gives you – explore the outdoors. It takes you from your room to the beach, that boat ride, go carting with friends, party popping... hey! Just check it out.



Ralph Lauren Explorer from N12,000


Steady Power Supply

You deserve it, I deserve it, we all deserve it. Imagine a darkness free holiday. We all look forward to the day when we would enjoy uninteruppted power suplly from PHCN. NEPA!Give us Light!! Lets all scream it and maybe they’ll listen. How much fun can the holiday be when you have to spend so much money fueling your generator. Mehn!! We need light jo!




Let there be light!!!