French music video television network TRACE Urban has officially launched services in Nigeria in a bid to reach viewers in the Anglophone region of Africa.

The television network which is devoted to showcasing urban contemporary music videos, unique content, digital platforms and events started initial operations back in April 2003. TRACE was started in Africa with a global outlook and will be expressing a ‘multi cultural, global platform owned and operated by people of African origin’.

‘We are inspired by the vibrant music scene, the electrifying artists, great music videos and the passionate creative spirit. Nigerian artists are the hub of the continent’s growing music entertainment industry and our expansion into Anglophone West Africa grew from our desire to be a part of the excitement and to promote African music globally. Nigeria is the place to be!’, Olivier Laouchez, co-founder of TRACE Urban says.

TRACE has already partnered with a few entertainment bodies and will be airing the Project Fame West Africa Season 4 and Hennessy Artistry 2011 clips.

‘With this move, we build on the origins and mission of TRACE and we are set to increase the playlist with home-grown music videos and offer more opportunities for artists, advertisers and viewers, but that’s just the beginning. As a Nigerian, I’m proud that we recognize the huge strides our music and entertainment industry has made and the incredible cross over potential of our artists and TRACE Urban is a major supporter of our talent’, Sam Onyemelukwe, Head of TRACE Urban Anglophone West Africa and former Business Development Manager for MTV Base explains.

The TRACE Urban channel will be accessible on DSTV cable network as well as terrestrial networks such as Galaxy TV and NTA.

TRACE Urban was founded by the French businessmen Olivier Laouchez andClaude Grunitzky in 2003          

 With two singles only, she has risen well above in the music scene. Tiwa Savage, the name pops up in conversations and you’ll find her performing at almost every show.

Tiwa Savage is gradually attaining ‘diva status’, she often throws caution to the wind with her use of sexual content and love-themed songs. Don’t blame her, show me one man who doesn’t like her and I’ll show you a liar! And even the ladies like her too, her sultry look might seems to be a source of inspiration.

‘Love me, love me love me‘ however doesn’t bring the vibrant song to life. One would be hoping to see Tiwa rock to the beat like she did in ‘Kele Kele‘, but most part of the video is spent concentrating on her body features. Not a bad look for the guys. Video director Sesan also leaves the story line which started at the intro hanging. It’s still a pass mark for Tiwa though.

 Despite the heavy rain that messed up the beautifully designed red carpet at the premiere of Funke Akindele’s  ‘The Return of Jenifa’  which held at the Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos, on Friday, October 7, 2011, the hall was still fully packed with lots of celebrities and notable guests who defied the rain to honor the star actress.

Eminent personalities including the first lady of Lagos State Abimbola Fashola and former Ogun state governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba and his wife joined movie stars, music artistes, producers, directors, marketers, publishers, captains of industries and other distinguished guests who added colour to the event.

After about two hours of cocktails, comedian AY, who was the MC led guests to the hall for the business of the night. Co-compeers included Alibaba, Gbenga Adeyinka, Julius Agwu and Tee-A.

Directed by DJ Tee, the movie stars a celebrity line up which includesAntar Laniyan, Eldee the Don, Banky W, Denrele, Iyabo Ojo, Ireti Osayemi, Helen Paul, Late Comedian CD John, Omawunmi, Yinka Quadri and others.

 Everybody loves Ice Prince? Well Ice Prince ‘lovers’ must be uber shy as the turn out for the rapper’s debut album launch was far from impressive.

However, hundreds of fans still trickled into the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotels and Suites on Sunday, October 9, 2011 to witness the much talked about ‘Everybody Loves Ice Prince‘ or #ELI album launch. The show actually started four hours late, but the delay did not in anyway dampen the expectation of the night as eager fans waited and waited and waited.

The crowd in the regular stand must have been pleased to hear co-host IK Osakioduwa tell them the VVIP section was accessible to those who wanted to occupy the free seats. Apparently, there was a huge void that needed to be occupied. That however just created more anticipation for the show to kick off.

Ice Prince, the man of the night seemed to keep his ‘cool’ all through the show as he blended pretty well with the live band which consisted of his Chocolate City label mates M.I, on the keyboards and Jesse Jagz on the drums. His costumes were very trendy and urban, each gear he rocked stood out.

Other performers, 2face, D’banj, Wizkid, Naeto C, D’prince, Ara, Bez, Tiwa Savage, Samklef, BrymO, w4, oLamide, Davido added the extra spice to liven up the show. South African rapper HHP and Ghanaian tongue-twister Sarkodie were also well cheered by the crowd which barely filled the hall.

DJ of the night was Beat FM and Choc City in-house jockey DJ Caise while the hosts were IK Osakioduwa and actress Funke Akindele who didn’t fail to give the guests a taste of ‘Jenifa’.

 Hair care manufacturing company Soulmate Industries Limited is set to give back to the society through its ‘corporate social responsibility programs’.

Brand ambassadors pop singer Mo’Cheddah and rapper Kel will be lending their help to schools and less privileged citizens to mark a remarkable end of the year.

‘The hair care manufacturing company has established strong brand presence in its eighteen years and has participated in various forms of corporate social responsibility in the past. This is another time to give back to the society that helped build the brand and added value to the hair care giant’, says Dele Okusanya ofBrand Connect media, Soulmate’s perception company.

Mo’Cheddah is currently working on her second album while Kel is also gearing for the follow up album to her debut work ‘Investment’.

 The fourth season of the popular MTN Project Fame West Africa reality show is about to kick off and organizers have announced that US artistes Brandy, The Gamewill be performing at the talent show! Also, Nigerian acts D’banj and ex-project fame stars Iyana, Mike Ayansodo, Chidinma and Praiz will also light up the stage as they perform their songs. Veteran disc jockey DJ Jimmy JATT will be on the wheels of steel.

Brandy confirmed her forthcoming performance via a voice drop over the weekend.

‘Hey everybody this is Brandy. I’ll be performing at the opening gala at MTN Project Fame West Africa season four at the Eko Expo Center on Sunday, October 2nd. It’s gonna be fire and my first time in Nigeria, so I’ll see everybody there. Bye’ Brandy delightfully said.

The opening show is set to take place at the Expo Center, Eko Hotel and Suites on Sunday, October 2, 2011.