Music And Moments With Yababuluku Boyz

Issue 9.0

Jun. 2024

Interview conducted by: Olulana Mofiyinfoluwa (@finnnixx)

Photos credit: @yababulukuboyz

Design: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu (@agozieee_)

BACKGROUND

Can you tell us about your individual backgrounds and how you came together as the Yaba Buluku Boyz?

 

Ans. - We are individual artists who saw the opportunity of working together to push our culture beyond borders. DJ Tarico is a hitmaker, sound engineer and a DJ. Nelson Tivane is a singer-songwriter and performer. Preck writes his songs, sings, raps and dance so we all synced our skills to form a trio after a successful global hit track “Yaba Buluku” remixed with Burna Boy.

 

What inspired your journey into music?

Ans. -  Music is a form of expression for us, our journey into music is inspired by the desires for a great successful life where we do what we love and what we love takes care of us, our family, our lifestyle and people around us. Everyday life struggles inspires us to push our journey into music on a global scale.

 

What have been some of the highlights of your musical journey?

Ans. -  Some highlights from our music journey is being mentioned by international press as Mozambican artists putting our country on the map, getting recognitions by music awards, sharing stages with the biggest stars we could imagine like Burna Boy, legendary P-Square and many more. Our music platforms amassing millions of streams making us the most streamed artists in our country and participating in the space where African artists are actively doing well. We have achieved a great milestone by having a popular name that is recognised everywhere we go, thanks to Burna Boy and Geobek Standard.

 

Can you share any challenges you've faced and how you've overcome them?

Ans. -  The challenges are the fact that we just came in to the music business scene, so everyday we learn new things and challenge ourselves to make a mark in this fast growing industry.

 

Could you walk us through your creative process when making music? Where do you draw inspiration from for your songs?

Ans. - Our music creation process starts from ideas from anyone of us, it can be DJ Tarico composing a beat and ideas are contributed by Nelson Tivane and Preck or it could be a song idea from Nelson Tivane or Preck or both of them and this idea requires a beat which DJ Tarico then creates, record, mix and master.

 

Our inspirations comes from daily lives reality from our culture, what we experience going out or what we experience at home that we know people would relate to or what we aspire to be in life, a wishful lifestyle.

 

How do you maintain creativity and originality in your work?

We draw inspirations from reality and fiction so it’s true to us in the way we deliver it with our energy and local language with the dance energy from DJ Tarico production our originality is formed.

 

FIRST MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT:

What was the milestone that made you feel like you had "made it" in the music industry? 

Ans. - Our first milestone was experienced from our song going viral on TikTok and Spotify top 50 viral songs topping as number 1. The second was to be on the same record with Grammy Award Winning, Burna Boy, this gave us a feeling that we have made it in the music industry. Also when we see the reactions of thousands of people singing to our song in big venues all over the world, this gives us the confidence that we have a great future ahead of us.

 

How did you celebrate that achievement?

We celebrated this achievements on social media, TV and on parties, so follow us on social media as we post updates daily in celebration of our milestones.

 

• RISE TO FAME: 

 Can you talk about the moment you realized you were gaining widespread recognition? 

Ans. - This was the day we saw the Yaba Buluku track trend on TikTok and topped number one on Spotify top viral songs and seeing top Artists reacting to the song on instagram, artists like Davido really brought attention to the song.

IMPACT  OF "YABA BULUKU" FT BURNA BOY:

How has the song "Yaba Buluku" influenced your career trajectory? 

It has given us an identity, a name we can build our career to international level, it has also opened doors for us to work with a lot of top artistes from Africa and globally.

 

What was it like collaborating with Burna Boy on this track? 

Ans. - It was an amazing experience working with Burna Boy, he was very intentional on how he wants to sound on the track and we have learned from this collaboration. He took the song to the next level, giving it more life and a wider reach.

 

How do you feel the song has contributed to the global recognition of Mozambique?

Ans. - This song has given Mozambique an identity globally, whenever Burna Boy performs it, Mozambique feels proud about this and celebrates on social media and entertainment news. When you hear Yaba Buluku you hear Mozambique.

 

• PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC: 

  What is your philosophy when it comes to creating music? 

Our philosophy when it comes to creating music is to create music that is relatable to the fans and leave a message with the listeners while keeping it timeless.

 

IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC AND AFRICAN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY: 

 How do you see the African entertainment industry shaping global culture?

The African culture is present globally through diaspora communities who connects to Africa through music, so the African entertainment industry is shaping the global culture with the influence of the our dance, music and fashion that we bring to the culture. The new genre “Amapiano” that gave us a spotlight is now one of the growing music genre shaping global culture and the world is loving it.

 

EXPECTATIONS OF UPCOMING PROJECTS: 

 Can you give us any hints or insights into what fans can expect from your next project? 

We are currently exploring our album tour and shooting new videos and campaigns to bring the tracks to life through visuals. We are working on touring the US, Canada, Europe, UK, Australia and Africa this year and release more collaboration songs.

 

WORDS OF ADVICE/ENCOURAGEMENT: 

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are striving for success in the music industry?

Be intentional on what you want to achieve and set realistic milestones. Very important to be original and be up to date on what the fans are reacting to.

Smade Group - home to SMADE Entertainment and SMADE Lounge welcomes The Africa Centre as its key charitable partner, as part of the three year strategic partnership.

SMADE remarked, “The Africa Centre and its communities have played a part in my 20-year journey as a cultural leader and entrepreneur in the UK. It has a special role in shaping the UK’s understanding and advancing the narrative of the global African. I am excited for this partnership between The Africa Centre and SMADE Group, as we continue to amplify Africa and unite Africans in the Diaspora.”

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the celebration of The Africa Centre’s 60th anniversary and SMADE Group’s pursuit of growth and innovation in Africa’s music, sports, and culture.The partnership between SMADE Group and The Africa Centre aims to reposition The Africa Centre as the custodian of African music heritage in the UK. For the past 60 years, the Centre has been a sanctuary for African artists, providing a platform for talents such as Remmy Ongala, Kanda Bongo Man, The Bhundu Boys, Jazzie B & Soul II Soul, Angelique Kidjo, Sonah Jobarteh, and Baaba Maal. This collaboration will also see SMADE Group, renowned for curating Afrobeats concerts and co-founding Afro Nation events, working with The Africa Centre to enhance awareness of its historical significance and current relevance. Additionally, the partnership underscores shared values in culture, intellectual development, community, education, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The Africa Centre, established in 1964, is a UK-based organization dedicated to promoting and celebrating African culture, heritage, and intellectual development. It has long served as a hub for artistic and cultural expression, providing a platform for African artists and intellectuals.

SMADE Group, the world’s leading events company specializing in contemporary African music, is renowned for its cultural impact through events like Afrobeats concerts and Afro Nation festivals. With a portfolio that includes SMADE Entertainment and SMADE Lounge, the group continues to shape the landscape of African music and culture.

Through this arrangement, The Africa Centre will become SMADE Group’s key charitable partner, delivering a strong social responsibility agenda. Together, they will host events and activities that honor The Africa Centre’s rich 60-year history while envisioning its future for the next six decades.

Upcoming Highlights:

• Mandela Day Commemoration in July

• 90th Birthday Celebration of Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, in July

• 100th Anniversary of Amilcar Cabral

• Special Archival and Art Exhibition

showcasing 60 years of The Africa Centre

• Royal Albert Hall Variety Performance in December

Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die (C-)

So here's the thing... a good handful of moments made me laugh. However, movies are about plot and story, that's where this film fell off a cliff. The movie wanted to be what Bad Boys 2 was but consistently fell short. 

It felt like someone gave a second-year indie director 100M and he pulled out all the toys in the tool shed. The tone couldn't quite find its footing. The character development could have been better executed, especially the antagonist. Martin (Marcus) was a shell of his Bad Boys 2 version his comedic timing felt off. Mike had no clear direction, he had panic attacks because everyone he loved ended up dead...who?? The Bruha? Cap? Ok maybe.

READ ALSO: MOVIE REVIEW: Dune 2 (A-)

But his character really had no direction. Cap's daughter had magical powers in knowing where they were every time even when no one else knew I really think without her character you have the exact same movie. And not that I didn't like the scene but Reggie is out here being John Wick now. Overall, the movie had a few fun scenes, but campy dialogue and overuse of extreme camera work. Martin and Will do have a chemistry that can drag the film to the finish line. 

Mostly generic action and predictable storylines. But even with that. This was much better than Bad Boys 3 and I'd definitely watch it again while folding laundry on a Sunday. But it wasn't better than 2 lol.  Check it out in theaters.

As the radiant Nollywood actress Calabar Chic celebrates her 33rd birthday, she brings more than just a slice of cake to the table. Hailing from the Yala local government area of Cross River State and born in the bustling city of Kano, Calabar Chic has woven a tapestry of cultural richness that shines through her performances on screen.

This year, as part of her birthday festivities, Calabar Chic is set to host an extraordinary event that captures the essence of her generous spirit. On June 29th, 2024, prepare to be part of something truly special – the Shop 4 Free initiative, brought to you by The Calabar Chic & Friends.

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Imagine walking into a space filled with laughter, joy, and the opportunity to shop for unisex clothing, shoes, books, household items, and more – all for free! Yes, you read that right. Some of your favorite celebrities and designers have come together to make this dream a reality.

The event promises to be a memorable one, with doors opening at 1pm at 11/11 Millennium Park in Calabar. Remember, punctuality is key to enjoying this unique shopping experience!

But that’s not all. The Shop 4 Free initiative is also a call to action for those who wish to give back to the community. If you’re looking to volunteer and be part of this incredible journey, please reach out via email at calabarchicandfriends@gmail.com or contact the details provided on the flyer.

Join us as we celebrate Calabar Chic’s birthday in style and substance – because giving back never goes out of fashion.

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For more information on how you can be involved or support The Calabar Chic & Friends initiative, please get in touch through the email provided above.