WHEN MUSIC & FOOTBALL FUSED…
Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha were part of an exclusive audience that witnessed the novelty of blending the entertaining aspects of football into a stream of musical entertainment called The Fusion
Nigerians are known to have three passions, sports-particularly, soccer; entertainment, mainly, music and religion. Because the latter often drives them to giddy heights and insensitive considerations, music and soccer, ironically offers the bond that holds the people as one. Recently, a novelty was introduced into the entertainment scene.
The conceptualizers executed an ingenious project by capitalizing on the advertised craving of Nigerians-soccer and music. To be sure, it was not the first attempt by a brand to benefit from the proclivity of Nigerians towards entertainment and lifestyle products. However, with the ever changing trend in pop cultures, the stakes get higher. Thus, the strive to reinvent the wheel and maintain market dominance remains a constant race. This seemed to be the clear motivation for Star Lager beer, the flagship beer brand from Nigerian Breweries Plc. Over the years, Star has not kept consumers entertained with such sparkling television commercials like ‘Be star bright for life’, its recent ‘shine shine bobo’ jingle caught the mood on the street. Arguably, the Star beer brand has done more for music than any other Nigerian brand, sustaining a couple of musical entertainment products for more than a decade. Its recent history in this respect includes the launch of Nigeria’s pioneer mobile music platform, Star Music. Nigerian Breweries’ Marketing Director, Mr Walter Drenth, described it as an avenue of positive engagement for music consumers in Nigeria.
Star is credited with the creation of one the most credible music talent hunt shows called, Star Quest, which was rested after running for 12 years. The show which birthed in 2002 provided the much needed platform for KC Presh, Asa, Psquare, Timaya and Mr. Raw who have since become superstars. It produced winners like KC Presh (2002), D’Accord (2006), D’Jewels (2007), Diamonds (2008), The Pulse (2009), JukeBox (2010), D’Beat (2011), and Crystals (2012).
As entertaining and engaging as Star Quest was, it was replaced with, Star The Winner Is, which combined musical talent with the spontaneity and unpredictability of a game show. It was not the first time, Star would wrench a tasty musical offering from the mouth of hungry Nigerians. Star Mega Jams, an annual world class concert featuring international musicians from around the world, performing side-by-side with Nigerian superstars was cancelled after 10 years. The Star Mega Jam concerts had presented performances by international renown musicians like Awilo Logomba, Shaggy, Usher Raymond, Koffi Olumide, Ja Rule, Kevin Little, LL Cool J, Aeon, Kanye West, T-Pain, Nas, Nelly, Busta Rhymes, Ludacris and R.Kelly. Many watchers of the Nigerian entertainment scene argue that the Star Mega Jam platform provided Nigerian musicians the confidence the needed to go global, particularly striking working relationships that resulted in musical collaborations. Last week, its pan Nigerian concert, Star Music Trek, which brought entertainment to rural cities across the country, availing local and upcoming artistes an opportunity to be on the spotlight with superstars artistes, has been swept into history.
On the football scene, Star has consistently sponsored broadcast of international soccer matches over the years. It delighted football fans with Star Super Fans Show and took it a notch higher by partnering with notable European football clubs, particularly the ones with huge fan base in Nigeria.
Having identified with these two vocations that pool crowd as well as entertain, its latest trump card is a fusion of both fields in a splendid combination that will possibly signpost its dominance of these fields of entertainment and leisure.
The script seemed interesting and innovative. Named ‘Star Music the Fusion’, the concept revolves round a series of music and football concerts that combines the fun and excitement of Star Music Trek and Star Super Fans show on one platform.
Six teams comprising of a football legend or On-Air Personality, two top
music artistes and a DJ will compete in three music concerts across Nigeria which the fans will decide an eventual winner through a voting process. The six teams will be named after the brand’s partnered football clubs: Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus and Barcelona.
For its first outing, the organisers put up panoply of music, football and fashion last weekend. The Balmoral Marquee of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos where the event held to a captive audience of football and music fans, was transformed into a befitting setting embellished with designs that depict football and music.
The spectacle began right outside the Marquee. A green rug similar to a football field with a five-a-aside post tempted guests to try their soccer skills on the pitch. Those with stiff joints were attracted to the human-like sculptures of footballers donning the jersey of
different EUFA clubs. Not a few of the guests stopped by to take selfies with the sculpted football idols. The hallway had a life of its own. This is where guests were welcome to a world painted in blue; blue being the colour of the brand, Star: The blue carpet, blue posters of the different teams on the wall with the blue illumination combined beautifully to create a sobering blue effect. If a guest did not go any further, he would still have a good hint what the event was about. A DJ was dishing out hot music and there were a few round leathers on the floor. Even those who would not normally kick a ball could not do otherwise when the round object of play rolled on their path. At least, they tapped on it to get it out of the way. Everyone carried the air of a celebrity, what with the strong urge to pose for photographs.
As one is wont to do before going into the arena for a football match or a concert, there were smartly dressed vendors in a shimmering blue outfit inviting guests to purchase dockets for drinks and fingers foods.
Inside the main hall, it was a struggle to get a seat. Most of the white seats were taken. Thanks to the early birds who thronged the venue on time despite the over two-hour delay. The stage was dimly lit with the live band and back-up singers silhouetted. The attention was supposed to be on them, as it were. The stage screens would later be used for aesthetics and videos as well as displaying actions on the stage.
Expectedly, ace comedian and compere Gbenga Adeyinka, was the host of the night. After his opening remarks, he introduced the String Quartet who entertained the audience with two performances. Then the first team of the night, Team Victor Ikpeba, took centre stage. In this team were Humblesmith, the Osinachi crooner, Mavins star, Korede Bello, and DJ Big N. They represented Manchester United. For some reason, Ikpeba seemed lost in the first few minutes of his introduction. It appeared as if his teammates were not following the script. After much back and forth on stage, he left the stage and a troupe of dancers stormed in.
They tried to re-enact each football scene on the screen which showed mainly the tackle on the field as well as the cheers that accompany a goal. After their performance, it was time for the other members of the team to perform. Humblesmith and Koredo Bello dished out their favourite songs with the live band. Ikpeba set the pattern for what was to happen the rest of the night. Each team leader would come on stage to the accompaniment of the team’s anthem, playing on the screen. It was Manchester United’s ‘Glory glory Man U’ that walked Ikpeba on stage.
The following teams performed in similar transitions with each team vying to give an outstanding presentation through their themes, costumes and performances.
Team Kanu Nwankwo representing Arsenal FC played with royalty. The football legend waltzed on to the stage in a shimmering robe. After his royal entrance, his dancers interpreted a cheerleaders theme. Playing on his heart foundation, a heartbeat sound echoed in the hall before his team mate the Mushin-born musician, Wande Coal came on stage to perform his popular song ‘The Kick’. His performance segued into Yemi Alade’s who, by the way, glowed in her ensemble.
The next team on the block was Team Colin Udoh. Collin is a sports journalist and television presenter. His team stood for Barcelona FC. The team boasted of music artistes FalztheBahdGuy, Reekado Banks and DJ Lambo. Their presentation relied mostly on Falz’s performance.
Anne Chijiene, former goalkeeper for the Nigerian female football team was the only team led by a woman. She was loudly applauded. Her team represented Juventus FC. Her dancers dressed in a cameo uniform performed the defunct Destiny Child’s song ‘Survivor’. Her team mates, musicians, Adekunle Gold and Ycee did enough to dazzle the crowd with their captivating performances which brought the crowd to their feet while DJ Neptune scratched the wheels of steel.
It seemed the writers of the script deliberately favoured Team Jay Jay Okocha which represented the French team, PSG. Jay Jay was allowed the privilege of talking more than any other team leader. From him, the audience got the hint that the night will hit a climactic, dramatic end. What followed was a combination of a mini fashion show with models on stage, a magic stunt from Que Peller and the electrifying performances from iconic artiste 2Baba and Kiss Daniel, including a surprise remix of Kiss Daniel’s ‘Woju’ by 2Baba, and a show of football juggling skills by the team leader. Notwithstanding, it was Jay Jay’s speech about borrowing his name to iconic American rapper Jay Z that got people laughing.
However, Team Charles Anazodo comprising ‘JAMB Question’ singer, Simi, Chairman of Chocolate City, MI, and DJ Sose who represented Real Madrid FC that gave the outstanding performance of the night. The script required them to simulate goings-on at a bar when enjoying a game of football. The setting was not only intimate but creative, as well.
Their presentation kicked off with the host Adeyinka engaging Charles Anazodo in a chat about the uniqueness of his club Real Madrid. While Charles reeled out his answers, two ballet dancers danced, salsa style, to the club anthem playing on the screen. They were immediately followed by another group of dancers who danced to DJ Sose’s mix of Chris Brown ft Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes ‘Look at me Now’. A small interlude saw Simi looking all seductive in her shimmering outfit being asked by Gbenga what she knows about her club. Her answer was to launch into one of her popular hit ‘Jamb Question’ which she unfortunately didn’t deliver well. She appeared to be the weak link in the team. Nevertheless, M.I. was able to increase the tempo with his energetic performance. Dishing out a medley of his popular songs like ‘Africa Rapper No 1’, ‘Anoti’, he set the roof on fire as the crowd went crazy, jumping, screaming, singing his lyrics back to him as if they wrote the song. The whole hall went into a frenzy with his performance.
Not a few waited for the overall winning team to be announced, but that was not to be the case. It seemed a faulty voting metric robbed..