'I WISH IT WAS A BAD DREAM' - CELEBS COMMENT WHITNEY'S DEATH

The news last night, of the passing of one of the brightest singing stars of the century, Whitney Houston, was met with great shock among members of the entertainment industry specifically.

Our reporters gathered reactions from some Nigerian and foreign celebrities, most of whom expressed their shock through popular social networking site, twitter.

I wish this was some bad dream RIP WHITNEYHOUSTON – Stephanie Okereke

RIP Whitney, life is short. Lord help us make the most of it while we are here.- Banky W

She was and still is great all. We have to do is press play!!!- Sound Sultan

Am still in shock! Absolute shock!! Whitney Houston dead?! God we look to you. Rest in peace Legend. You will be surely missed.- Segun Arinze

My heart is broken … Rip Whitney Houston- Eva Longoria

Rest in peace Whitney Houston. You will always be remembered for your incredible talent.- Rita Dominic

Whitney is dead? No, father please no! – Waje

Jesus Christ!!! So Whitney is gone? Just like that??? - Damilola Purple

May God be with us all.- Don Jazzy

I just can’t talk about it now… It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen.- Aretha Franklin

Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms Whitney Houston. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.- Mariah Carey

(On stage in Southaven, Missouri) First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage. – Bobby Brown

Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song [I Will Always Love You], and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, ‘Whitney, I will always love you’. You will be missed – Dolly Parton

She was just a gift in voice. She was just so innocent in the business, and that voice was so pure and her life was so pure. That’s what I’m holding on to. I think what we’re going to do in the long run of her life story is focus on the voice. Not the tragedy, but the voice.- Lionel Ritchie

I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Whitney’s passing… I always regretted not having had the opportunity to work with her. She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly.- Quincy Jones

She was a legend. These people don’t come around often. No one could sell a song like Whitney… And to hear this news, it’s really, really upset me.- Simon Cowell

We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney’s family. She will be missed.- Christina Aguilera

Whitney was always so sweet to me! Was rooting for her through her struggles! Such a shame…I’m truly saddened by this news!- Gloria Estefan

I’ve known Whitney since she was a little girl and I loved her. She was like family to me. I will miss her.- Smokey Robinson

This is a sad day today, all I want to talk about is her music. She was the most beautiful woman I think I ever saw…. Thank you for giving us your talent, and one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard. – Elton John

She had everything, beauty, a magnificent voice. How sad her gifts could not bring her the same happiness they brought us.- Barbra Streisand

As a spokesperson for the Academy, the industry, I guess I would sum it up by saying, there’s only one Whitney Houston. There will probably never ever be another. -Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy

I truly, truly adored Whitney Houston. Her album ‘I’m Your Baby Tonight’ was the very first album I ever bought.- Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child

Without a doubt, her voice, for me, and for the world, was the gold standard. She had it all, she broke all barriers.- Tommy Mottola, former chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment

The morning of the Grammys, the world should pause and pray for the memory of a gifted songbird.” – Rev. Al Sharpton, who called for a national prayer to honour Houston and support her family

Whitney was the reason many of us do what we do. – Pink

At the apex of her career, Whitney had no peer, with a voice that shaped a generation. She has left behind a musical and film legacy that will endure…. she will be sorely missed by us all. – Bishop T.D. Jakes

Top 7 queens of the Nigerian music industry

Top 7 queens of the Nigerian music industry

THEY are women with substance, with something to offer their generation in terms of music. Closing the gulf that existed between the male and female artistes in the industry, they proved pundits wrong that what their male folks could do, they could equally do, if not even better.

Here are these females who have survived the gap between time and space, passed the test of time behind the microphone, who have worked against all odds and have written their names in gold…

WAJE

OUTWARDLY, she is a determined woman. Inside her is equally a bigger spirit of survival. Added to her quality is that strong sonorus voice which makes her irresistable.

Born on September 1st 1981, in Akure, she was brought into limelight on the platform of MTN/Zain’s Advance Warning Competition where she ranked top 3.

Then she featured as the amazing voice behind P-Square’s video Do Me. After that, she made a follow up with her single Kolo and lastly So Inspired where she featured sexy Muna.

She’s won the Hip Hop World award and is still striving to become a stronger force to be reckoned with in the industry.

KEL

She also ranks among one of the best when it comes to rap music. Kel began her music as far back as 2002 after engaging in it as a passtime. Her singles Wa Wa Alright, was a song where she appeared so strong and confident, speaking her mind to music lovers. The song broke into the hearts of music enthusiats, making her as strong as wild wind.

Later, she was signed on to Clarence Peter’s Capital Hill records but she’s since parted ways with the label.

The Satelite born and bread rapper is currently working on her new album. The album is said to feature collaborations with Artistes and Producers including Tha Suspect , Dr.Frabs, TY Mix, Bigfoot, Knighthouse and J. Martins

OMAWUMI

She’s known for the excellent fussion of English and pidgin in her songs. This has clearly stood her out among contemporaries in addition to her strong vocals.

For her, her music career started when se enlisted as a contestant in the 2007 West African Idol. She came out as the semi finalsit and followed soon with an outstanding single, In The Music.

Other top list singles of hers include Love Nwantinti, Today Na Today, Niger Delta, Thank God and of recently, If You Ask Me.

Aside singing, she’s been seen picking up roles on movies including Funke Akindele’s Return of Jennifer.

She’s also involved in humanitarian activities in support of female like Project Alert, Pink Pearl Foundation and Notes2Notes .

TIWA SAVAGE

She came from the blues, all the way from the U.S and blewour minds away. Kele Kele Love is one song both old and young can’t forget in a rush.

Tiwa is also signed on as a Songwriter with Sony/ATV, and has worked with big names such as Mary J. Blige, Fantasia Barrino and Babyface.

She contested on the UK’s X-factor, and was among the 24 finalists. She’s also released another singles Love Me Love Me which is presently rocking the airwaves.

MO’CHEDDAH

Nicknamed the hip hop princess because of her versatility in both rap and singing, Mocheddah ranks among one of Nigeria’s best female acts.

Born Modupre Oreoluwa Oyeyemi, she’s a graduate of Creative Arts from the University of Lagos.

Her debut album, Franchise Celebrity which swallows songs like Ko Ma Roll, If You Want Me and thirteen other tracks was the bump. Other singles are See Me, 24/7 etc.


She was also the 2nd place winner on the Hennessy Artistry 2009 competition, where she competed alongside the likes of Bez and Cobhams Asuquo, Ice Prince and Jesse Jagz, Jimmy Flames and Dr Frabz.

She was also one of the headline Artistes on the Girl Power 2009 Tour, alongside Ashionye, Nikki Laoye and Sasha, amongst others.

She is passionate about Nigeria and is involved in causes that promote Youth Empowerment and the abolishment of Child Labour.

GOLDIE

She ranks among those artistes with the best costumes and creativity when it comes to her videos.

Born Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey, she made her debut in 2007 with Ko Mole. Then she followed soothe with Spin Me.

She’s a graduate of Business Management of the University of Sunderland. According to her, her advenrure into music was an accident. However, she’s had no regret for getting involved in music.

SASHA

She began with the Trybesmen, back in her days as an Undergraduate of the University of Lagos. Since then, she ranks as one of Nigeria’s foremost female rappers. Her debut, First Lady received a huge welcome, pushing her into the list of rappers to be reckoned with.

She was the first Nigerian female artiste to win an MTV MAMA Award for Best Female in 2010. she Sasha also received a KORA Award Nomination as the Most Promising Female Act in Africa.

won the “Best female artist ” award at the women in entertainment awards held in England (February 09) for her first single titled “Adara” ,and was nominated in two categories ( Best female video and Best cinematography) by the prestigious Nigerian Soundcity Video Music Awards for her second single “Only One” which was held on the first of August 2009.

Waje undergoes surgery

Sonorous voiced singer, Waje was on Saturday, October 1, 2011, operated upon to remove her inflamed and infected appendix. Confirming she really had an appendix that was almost rupturing, she said she was initially treating malaria not knowing she had a more complicated ailment.

I was not feeling too well. So, I had to see my doctor. After receiving treatment, I went home only to find out I could not walk properly. It was really painful. After undergoing full scan, It was discovered I had appendicitis (an illness in which the appendix is infected and painful and usually needs to be removed by surgery).

That was how I was booked for surgery I never planned. I thank God for saving my precious life Waje narrated.

Already discharged from a Lagos private hospital, Aitauaja Iroube, as her parents named her at birth, would be working from home until she fully recovers.

I’m working slowly so as not to jeopardize my health. Although, I am convalescing at home, I am trying to stay strong before resuming work. I hope to be strong to perform at the October 22 Hip Hop World Awards and other shows I have been booked she explained