Kulikuli entertainment boss calls for promotion of Afrobeat music

By Priscilla Osaje

Mr Francis John, Executive Director, Kulikuli Entertainment Records Label, USA, has called for the promotion of Afrobeat music to set new global standards in the music industry.

John made this call at the news conference and  introduction of ‘NYcee’, KuliKuli Entertainment USA’s first afrobeat artist to the world in Abuja.

He said  afrobeat singers infused contemporary capacity that make songs to be  electrified and  such would take afrobeat  to  new heights.

John  said that introducing an exceptionally talented NYcee, the first artist to be officially signed under the music label, was an exciting moment.

According to him, NYcee was not only being celebrated because of her potential,  but also the endless possibilities that afrobeat holds on the global stage.

“At KuliKuli Entertainment, we believe in talent that transcends borders,  NYcee is the very definition of that.

“Her voice carries the heartbeat of afrobeat, infused with a contemporary flair that makes her music both electrifying and soothing.

“She is bold, creative and committed to making a lasting impact. This is why we have taken the leap to invest in her journey.

“We believe that with the right backing, she will not only shine in Nigeria but around the world,” he said.

He  further  said that  their openness was  not limited to just rising stars like NYcee, but they also  welcome collaborations with successful musicians, promoters, producers, and financiers across Nigeria, Africa and America.

”Whether you are an established artist looking  for collaboration, a promoter ready to showcase talent, or a financier interested in backing groundbreaking projects, we are  ready to work with you.

“Together, we can create something truly remarkable that elevates afrobeat and sets new global standards.

“I sincerely thank you all for being here, for your support and believing in the vision. Together, we will take afrobeat to new heights, and NYcee will become a name the world will know and love,” he added.

Also speaking, Dr Halima Mahaja, Chief Executive Officer, Global Diverse Consortium LLC Atlanta Georgia, said the introduction focused on believing in the possibilities of human potential.

She described NYcee as a young woman with incredible talent, but more importantly,  a symbol of resilience, dedication and the power of dreams.

Mahaja,  an associate partner of Kulikuli, said that NYcee represented the hope of countless young artists, who were waiting for their moment to shine and the  moment began for her from today.

“KuliKuli Entertainment, under the visionary leadership of  John, has seen what others may have overlooked.

“They have taken a risk, investing not only in an artist, but in the future of afrobeat and global music culture.

”In a world where the next big thing can emerge from any corner of the globe, NYcee’s journey reflected the dreams of many who wished to make their mark.

”We are not just here to celebrate one artist, rather to extend our hands to collaborators, promoters, producers, and financiers in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond,” she said.

”Together, we can create music that resonates across continents and touches lives in ways we cannot even imagine.With KuliKuli Entertainment at the helm, we are poised for extraordinary success.

“This is not just about financial return, this is about cultural impact, brand recognition, and being part of a movement that elevates  afrobeat to new heights,” she added.

She urged stakeholders  to continue  to work together, by  ensuring that the dreams  nurtured here  would take root and blossom into a future filled with music, collaboration and success.

Mr  Harrison Emmanuel, Danteslen from the UK, said the bold vision of  Kulikuli Entertainment, as well as the  exciting future of afrobeat would continue to captivate hearts around the world.

Emmanuel, who specialised in photography, cinematography, and filmmaking, said Afrobeat born from the soul of Africa, has emerged as a global movement that speaks to the hearts of millions across continents.

“Today, we add a new voice to that movement, a voice that is powerful, fresh, and poised to make waves on the international stage ‘NYcee’.

“NYcee is more than a musician. She is a symbol of perseverance, talent, and authenticity.

“Her journey from the streets of Nigeria to this global stage has been one marked by dedication, resilience, and an unwavering belief in her talent.

“As we all know, the road to success is rarely smooth. There are challenges and setbacks, but the key is to rise stronger and more determined,” he said.

The convener, Nancy Bernard popularly known as NYcee, said she feels so excited and blessed, for people above someone to actually believe in a person  that was not up to their standard.

Bernard said that professionally, she had been in the music industry since 2012  through  other management.

According to her, being an afrobeat singer would help her to stay glued to her roots, as well as enabling her to influence her society.

”I have known Kulikuli  Entertainment for over 10 years now , it is the right network that can work with my personality and bring out the best in me.

”A lot of people do music for different reasons, but as a  human activist, I do not just do it for money but to pass messages  across to the society,” she added.

Bernard appealed to her fans and well-wishers to always support her in her music career,  in order to attain her goals in the industry.(NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Jeffrey Daniel of the legendary American R&B vocal group ‘Shalamar’

Afrobeat: Shalamar legend, Jeffrey Daniel applauds Nigerian music talents

By Joshua Olomu

Jeffrey Daniel of the legendary American R&B vocal group ‘Shalamar,’ has applauded the ingenuity of Nigerian musicians and array of talents in the country.

He gave the commendation when he featured on NAN Forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

According to the multi-talented music legend, the Nigerian music industry has produced most of the best artistes from the continent that have showcased the African music genre on the global stage.

“When I got here in 2010, and I looked around, I said, my God, wait till the world see what is going to come out of Nigeria, as I was calling it the Nigerian renaissance.

“ I was right; now look at what is coming, Burnay Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Tems and lot of others, I knew this was going to happen.

“The funny thing back then in 2010, if you went out, 90 percent of the music that you hear in the clubs was American music, and that 10 percent was Nigerian music.

“Now, it is the other way around; it is 90 percent Nigerian music and 10 percent foreign music, and I am very proud of the Nigerian music industry, how it has grown up.

“They have their own thing and I would love to see their own thing blossom and develop because that is what will make the rest of the world intrigued by them.

“A lot of them are already telling their stories within their music and it is coming out loud,” he said.

Daniel, who was a judge on the first three seasons of the popular talent hunt show ‘Nigerian Idol’, however urged Nigerian music artistes to keep their originality in telling their stories.

He advised that the quest for foreign validations in form of awards and contracts should not make Nigerian artistes discard their uniqueness and style.

According to him, African music already has strong appeal and acceptance on the global stage.

“I understand that they want to be like the Chris Browns and the Jay -Zs and all that, but you still represent something better when you tell your own story.

“I see that a lot of Nigerian artistes are now going over there, signing contracts, publishing deals overseas, and when you go over there, you are dealing with their culture, with their paradigm.

“They want to be a part of that, and they want to get that big money, but when will Africa start standing for our own?

“I would love to partner with some Nigerian artistes, help develop some artistes,but at the same time, I do not want to compromise their thing.

“Still there are things that they can incorporate in their works so that they do not fall in some of the trap like some of their Americans counterpart’s did,” he said.

Speaking on the trendy ‘Japa Sydrome’, especially among the youths, Daniel who is married to a Nigerian and now based in the country, said it was time Nigerians look inward and develop their own.

He however added that the resourceful and creative Nigerian youths only needed more support from within for them to stop the rush for greener pasture and validation abroad.

“Now people say, why am I here when Nigerians are trying to go over there? but what are they going there for? I was born and raised over there so I know what is there.

“There is no doubt that Africa is the most resource-rich continent on the planet.

“I am not talking about just resources in the ground, I am talking about human resourcesm because right now, Nigerians are the number one university students in America.

“Nigerians are some of the number one doctors, engineers, pediatricians, designers, or whatever in America, in the UK, and Canada.

“You have resilience and the tenacity of the Nigerian people, African people and all we have to do is fix what we have here, then we will have this amazing experience,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

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