Nigerian Newspapers
Why I have refused to sing—Music producer Tee-Y Mix
Famed music producer and judge at MTN project fame West Africa Tee-Y Mix is a man who looks like a boring fellow on the surface. But, a little scratch will send you straight into an exciting, compassionate and intriguing world uniquely created by the hit maker. In this interview with MERCY MICHEL Tee-Y talks about his new found love for blind students, love for Yoruba movies and the moments that helped him appreciate the physically challenge.
HAPPY New Year, Happy Valentine everything put together. How has the year been for your studio and for your person?
Yeah, the year as just started but we are hopeful. There are little signs here and there that it’s going to be a very good year.
We will like to share in the signs you are seeing here and there?
One of the signs is the fact that we are alive. Once there is live there is hope and the fact that you are here to share this moment with me. Basically, as we all know, its Valentine season and in the spirit of Valentine, sharing love and reaching out to people I decided to invite some kids that I’ve been working with for a while now. I decided to invite them to the studio for us to have fun together, sing songs, be happy, eat, and have fun.
They are kids from the Pacelli School of the Blind in Surulere. I’ve been working with them for a while trying to revamp their music department. We got them a music teacher who has been teaching them and a guitar trainer who has been taken them on guitar lessons. And one of the things we also did was to help them…the school has been existing for 50 years and they don’t have a school anthem so what we did was to help them put together a school anthem which you are going to be hearing later today. We are going actually going to be recording it here today. Those are some of the things we are doing now in this season of Valentine, in this season of reaching out.
The way you sound, it seem like it’s a one man effort and we know that in this industry, one of the finest music producers we have is visually impaired . Have you tried reaching him to be part of this project?
Of course, I think he was also a student of that school at some point so am told and I’ve spoken to him about it. In his own way he always reaches out to them. He has other project his handling as well. So he said. It’s just a personal thing to me.
Was he a motivating factor in anyway?
No! Actually I heard about their story. Pacelli School of the blind used to be known for their effective involvement in music. In fact that was what they were known for. They were very active when it came to music, singing, playing of musical instrument. But after awhile it died down.
So when I heard the story, I said to myself if this is what the kids can do. If it’s what gives them excitement, what gives them joy; I can come in as well. We share the same passion. Music gives joy. Music gives me fulfillment. So if these kids also find fulfillment in playing music, playing one instrument or the other then we can always put efforts together. That was what actually caught my attention to be honest. It didn’t have to do with Cobhams or anybody else. I felt that they are kids they should be given the same opportunity as every other child.
Have you spotted any bright star amongst them yet?
To be honest those guys are one of the most brilliant set of kids have seen in my life because they been able to make up for the visual say in quote defect that they have. They are very smart. They are happy people. And they’ve been able to adapt to this world that we all live in and trust me, they can do almost everything that someone who is not visually impaired can do. For all of them that I’ve met they are brilliant people. They know what is happening in the system. They know all the songs that are raining. They know who sang what. They know everything. And sometimes I just wonder.
Every now and then when I go to spend time with them I just wonder how…in fact there was one particular day when we were there and one of them was dancing Kukere for me. I actually recorded it on my phone. I probably will give you to see later. One other one was dancing and I was like I do you know about this. They know everything. They know the songs that I’ve produced. They know the artistes that I’ve worked with. It’s just amazing. They are lovely kids.
Any plans in adopting one or two if not now probably in future?
I don’t have the capacity right now to go into adoption. I’m not really sure. But it will be my joy to see something good come out of this. It’s a man effort but at the end of the day, it’s just our own little way of giving back to society. It’s doesn’t really cost much to do these things for those who might be interested. It just the dedication and time that is most important as far as am concern.
You’ve shared their world; Could you share one of the intriguing experiences with us?
The one was the first time I actually got to meet them one-on-on. I was amazed at how they’ve been able to adapt to their environment. I remember the Headmistress called one of them; I think it’s the Head Boy or something. We were on the field so she calls him and says go to my office and get me the key to the music room. I was shocked at how the guy ran, a blind guy, he ran and was dodging all the poles; he was dodging all of them and ran straight to the Headmistress office and ran back. I was shocked. I was just looking at him. I now called him and was like how did you know you way. I can’t even remember his response. I think he was laughing. You know, they play football.
They play hide and seek. They run around in their classroom. As in they do everything like normal kids. I think that was really, really…in my mind I just thought about it that there is really no excuse for failure in life. And for some of them they were not born blind. Some of them it happened along the line. I think there was one that one medication was wrongly administered. I think one other fall and something happened to the eye. So some of them were not actually born blind but in the midst of all of these they are set of happy children and it’s amazing.
It’s common trend now for producers to double as artiste but not you. Why?
Well, they are just for personal reasons one of which is I find fulfillment in what I do. And then again, you know your strength and you know your weaknesses. I don’t think I have the capacity to be a performing artiste. I could probably be a recording artiste where I just come to the studio and sing because I sing as well and because I’m a producer I know some of this tricks that could make you sound good. So I know what to do to sound good if I have to but I don’t think I’m a performing artiste. Most of all, I think I like it where I am.
Are you sure you are not just scared of trying something new?
I’m not scared. In terms of trying something new even as a producer am trying different things. One of the things I started out recently and I just got certified on his sound design for movies. I actually trained for that so now I can design sound for movies from the dialogue to sound effect to ambiance whatever it is. I can design sound for a movie from top to bottom. So if it’s a question of me being scared I wouldn’t even try that.
What kind of production equipment or software do you use in treating your sound?
The same software that we use for music productions have the capacity to actually do like proper sound designs for movies. But the point is that most people don’t know how to do it. I just found it interesting because I got tired and sick of having distorted sound in our movies I just thought about it and I became interested in learning how to do this thing properly especially now that you have a lot of brilliant movie producers who are going beyond DVD marketing to actually do films for cinemas. And if you’re doing films for cinema, everything has to fall into place from picture quality to sound quality. So basically that’s one of the reasons why I decided to go and learn sound design for movies.
You sound like a lover of Nollywood movies. When was the last time you saw a Nollywood movie?
To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of Nollywood movies but I’m huge fan of Yoruba films. One of the reasons is most of the Yoruba I speak right now I learnt from Yoruba films. Then for me, I think the stories make a lot of sense. I think the acting is real. It’s genuine. If you see an Iya Rainbow trying to express anger, it’s not every time she screams sometimes the looks she gives you alone; you will know that this woman is angry, that kind of thing. I think I’m just able to connect more with them.
I want to know, do you play any instrument?
Yes I do. I play the piano very well. Play the drums very well. I started out with the drums actually.
At the last Headies you won award for producing one of those tracks, I can’t remember right now. Over the years you’ve not won any award so how did that make you feel. And why now if I may ask?
Well I felt good to be nominated and to win because I’ve had several nominations but I’ve not won anyone. So I felt good that came through. I was happy. And to answer your answer I just think it takes someone who is relevant to be nominated so winning is another level which I’m grateful to people who have voted, people who believe in me, people who believe in what I do. It’s a continuous process so we are working towards the next level, towards a higher calling.
Are you in a relationship?
Yes I am.
When are you tying the knot?
I don’t know but if I’m ready for that I should tell the girl first now not you (laughs). When I tell the girl and she has accepted then you will know (laughs).
What’s your idea woman like?
Someone we can understand each other. When I say A, you know it means A, you are not thinking it is B or C. Someone we can grow together. Someone who is smart and intelligent and like they always say God fearing.
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Posted in Nigerian Newspapers. A DisNaija.Com network.
Source: The Nation Newspaper
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•Deploy more personnel as army chief vows to wipe out terror group
•Security beefed up at N’Assembly
Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, is under a massive security cordon following threats of attacks by insurgents and the increasing wave of banditry in the contiguous states of Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.
There has been a wave of kidnappings in the outskirts of the federal capital, notably Pegi, Tuganmaje and Kuje among others, which the police have battled in recent times.
The security situation in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was heightened by the pronouncement of the Niger State Governor, Mr. Sani Bello, that Boko Haram fighters who he said sacked 50 villages in the state and hoisted the terror group’s flag, were about two hours drive away from the FCT.
Security has also been beefed up at the National Assembly as operatives, yesterday, thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The deteriorating security situation nationwide prompted the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, to warn that the 2023 general election may not hold, demanding the declaration of a state of emergency as well as the convocation of a national conference.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday restated the Nigerian Army’s determination to annihilate Boko Haram.
But the Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Bello Masari, cautioned against declaring a state of emergency, saying doing so isn’t the solution to combat the security challenges facing the country.
The security of the nation’s airports was also in focus yesterday as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said there was no threat to them.
THISDAY’s investigations showed increased presence of troops, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and intelligence operatives at the three strategic entrances to the city notably, Keffi, Zuba and Gwagwalada.
More checkpoints were also mounted around Gwagwalada and Keffi.
THISDAY also observed increased intelligence deployment at the entrance and the borders of FCT with contiguous states.
Beyond the borders, there were more deployments and police patrols inside the city and increased intelligence deployments as well.
Security sources told THISDAY: “There are deployments here and there but they are routine. Alertness is key to a secure environment.”
It was also learnt that security agencies were involved in frenzied meetings throughout yesterday.
The meetings, coordinated by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff under the new joint operational strategy of the armed forces, were aimed at coordinating a joint response to possible threats of attack to the FCT.
“I understand the security teams have been meeting for some days now and if you look around you, you will notice that there are increasing patrols and numbers of security personnel. The threats are not been taken lightly,” a source said.
National Assembly workers, lawmakers and visitors also had a harrowing experience accessing the legislative complex due to heightened security in the area.
Security operatives thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja, impeding both human and vehicular traffic.
The Sergeant-at-arm of the National Assembly and other security agencies supervised the operations, leading to huge traffic build-up inside the complex.
Legislative staff, visitors and lawmakers were seen patiently waiting for their cars to be searched so that they could go ahead with the business of the day.
Some staff and visitors at some point got tired of waiting and were seen alighting from their cars to trek from the gate to the complex.
Meanwhile, the ONSA has said there is no threat to the nation’s airports.
A statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Zachari Usman, said the reports of threats to the airports were an internal correspondence of security threat assessment misconstrued as security threat to the airports.
PDP Demands State of Emergency
In a related development, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday demanded the declaration of a state of emergency, warning that the 2023 general election might not hold if the federal government failed to tackle insecurity.
He called on the federal government to summon a national conference to address the spike in insecurity.
Secondus added that the national caucus of the party will meet today to discuss the state of the nation.
Addressing members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, Secondus said: “We are worried Abuja is not even safe. It is no longer politics. We got alert of plots to bomb and burn down our airports.
“We urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency in security. There is the need to call a national conference to discuss the insecurity in the country.
“There may not be any election in 2023 in Nigeria due to insecurity. This government must listen to the people. The Buhari government should call a national confab to discuss security and state of the nation. It is no longer politics. This time we are not playing politics. Let’s keep politics aside and move the nation forward.”
He said the country had been grounded, regretting that there had been no matching response from the federal government.
Secondus said in the past, terrorism in the North was confined to the North-east, but with the report of Boko Haram occupying villages in Niger State, terrorism had spread to the North-central
“Herdsmen are also menacing in the West; gunmen causing havoc in the East; and the militants in the South; all killing, looting, raping, maiming and burning down homes. The situation is bad; Nigerians all over are living in fear,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the problem of Nigeria was outside of the PDP headquarters, while pledging the support of the Senate to the declaration of state of emergency in security.
Abaribe said he deliberately decided not to speak on the floor of the Senate but to allow the APC senators to speak so as to avoid being accused of giving a partisan colouration to the issue of insecurity.
He stated that only electoral reforms would give victory to the opposition party in the 2023 general election and ensure a democratic defeat of the APC-led federal government.
Also, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, commended the NEC and the PDP leadership for their collective efforts at resolving the House leadership crisis.
The NEC meeting adopted the position of Secondus, calling on the federal government to convoke a national conference to discuss the state of insecurity in the country, according to a communiqué read by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.
Army Chief Vows to Wipe Out Boko Haram
The army yesterday reiterated its commitment to wipe out Boko Haram.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, told reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State that Boko Haram had been defeated in many encounters and would continue to be defeated until it’s annihilated from Nigeria.
“We will take on Boko Haram decisively, and we are committed to the focus of the operations, which is the total annihilation of Boko Haram from Nigeria,” he said.
The COAS, who was visiting the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri for the fifth time since his appointment four months ago, said the visit was to boost the morale of the troops, reassure them and listen to any issues affecting them.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Farouq Yahaya, lauded the visit, which he said had continued to boost the morale of the troops.
“We are honoured, we are grateful, we are encouraged by those visits. You provided us guidance, logistics and other things we required. We are most grateful for those visits,” Yahaya said.
State of Emergency Won’t Solve Security Challenges, Says Masari
Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, has, however, said declaration of a state of emergency won’t solve the security challenges facing the nation.
Masari, who spoke yesterday with journalists after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the State House, Abuja stated that he was against the recent call by the House of Representatives for the declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector as it would not solve the problem.
According to him, declaring a state of emergency will not achieve the desired effect as the security structure and personnel to be used to execute the emergency are already overstretched in a bid to safeguard lives and property.
Sourced From: THISDAYLIVE
Tribune Online
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 165,110. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Friday. “55 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-21, Yobe-19, Ogun-6, Akwa Ibom-3, Kaduna-2, Plateau-2, FCT-1, Rivers-1.” YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE COVID-19: Nigeria Recorded […]
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Tribune Online
Sourced From: Tribune Online
The government said that no worker should stay back beyond 6:00 p.m. within premises of buildings undergoing construction.
The post Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
Sourced From: Premium Times Nigeria
Kamaru Usman has raked in a mammoth £1.1million, about N584.2 million after his impressive knockout victory over Jorge Masvidal on Saturday night, Sportivation.com.ng reports.
The Nigerian Nightmare has been handsomely rewarded for his stunning performance and he was the best-paid fighter on the card which was witnessed by 15, 000 fans in Florida.
According to Daily Mail, Usman earned £538,000 to show up, £459,000 pay-per-view bonus, a £43,000 sponsorship bonus and a well deserved £35,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Jorge Masvidal also earned £358,000 to show, £186,000 in pay-per-view money and a £28,000 sponsorship bonus.
This is the biggest payday of Usman’s career so far and the Welterweight champion also benefited from the fact that Masvidal is also a top draw for the fans.
Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler.
Sourced From: Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics
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Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Military, Police Ring Abuja to Forestall Boko Haram Attack
UFC: Usman gets N584m after beating Masvidal
Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings
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