The Relentless Builder: August 2012

31 August 2012

THIS Friday's Free Downloads | Featured Artiste: Gameman - Riverside EP (Part I)

Labels: Crossword, EP, Free Downloads, Gameman, Music, O'Joe

Gameman, a gospel rap artiste who has succeeded in carving a niche for himself in the industry, finally released his EP titled Riverside in July 2012. Gameman who is not only an artiste, but also a music producer, has collaborated with many other gospel heavyweights such as Midnight Crew (Song: E Gimme Money) and FLO (Song: Yahweh).

Apparently, Gameman must be pretty generous because he made the entire Riverside EP available for FREE! That's right, you can download the entire 6-track EP for free. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You, Gameman!

Gameman / ReverbNation

29 August 2012

12 comments

Who or What is the Relentless Builder?

Labels: Blog Updates

Grinning Fulani girl

I updated my "About" section. If you have ever wondered what or who 'The Relentless Builder' is, then you should definitely check it out.

26 August 2012

31 comments

5 Post-Concert Nigerian Foods Artistes Never Celebrate With | Featuring: Effizee

Labels: Effizee, Lists, Mekoyo, Music, Nigerian Foods, Reviews, Simple Sam, Song Reviews

If you are a Nigerian or have been around Nigerians, you know that no celebration is ever complete without food. From all the food metaphors I am constantly using, you should be able to tell by now that I love food! After making that confession, I need to add that last week I was thinking about Nigerian foods used in celebrations and today's blog post title was born. But, there's a twist.

After artistes perform on stage (or in front of their bathroom mirrors), they will more than likely want to re-fuel, right? Singing and dancing take up a lot of energy, I tell you! Assuming an artiste has successfully performed at a concert, for instance, don't you ever wonder what he or she eats afterwards to celebrate? I do.

In the same vein, I think there are certain foods (including fruits) we typically do NOT associate with celebrations. I came up with five of them, and here they are (in no particular order):

24 August 2012

2 comments

THIS Friday's Free Downloads | Featured Artiste: Obiora Obiwon

Labels: Free Downloads, Music, Obiora Obiwon

Thank God It's Friday! I just had to say that. Now that it's off my chest, I shall proceed with today's business: free downloads. While making rounds on ReverbNation on Sunday, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Obiora Obiwon had made some of the songs off his 2009 album, The Rebirth, available as free downloads on ReverbNation. The Rebirth is Obiwon's second album, but it is his first gospel album. And of course, I thought of you guys, and anyway, to cut the long story short, here are three tracks available for download, courtesy of Obiwon:

The first one is F.A.T.H.E.R (Part 2). Just in case you were wondering F.A.T.H.E.R is an acronym for something. To find out what that "something" is, download the song, and listen to it! The original song (F.A.T.H.E.R) was on the Rebirth album, but this second part was released as part of an EP titled F.A.T.H.E.R (Part 2) - EP.

Obiora Obiwon / ReverbNation

20 August 2012

12 comments

Love Songs in Nigerian Gospel Music | Featured Artiste(s): Mista Seth, B.O.U.Q.U.I

Labels: Bouqui, Mista Seth, Music, Relationships

I hope the title does not surprise you. If it does, well, sit tight, a good explanation is forthcoming.

If you're like me, a 'budding' romantic, then you've thought about LOVE, a lot. Yes, budding not incurable because it has not reached the point of being a disease. I did not think of myself as a romantic until recently. No, I will not be gisting you about it. It's not even what you think gan-an!

[Image Source]

17 August 2012

2 comments

THIS Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: ThreadStone

Labels: Band, Free Downloads, Music, ThreadStone

For today's free downloads, there are three wonderful tracks from ThreadStone, a Christian rock band that started out in Jos, Plateau State in 2007. The songs are: New Day (newest single), I am Nigeria (Original Version), and Miracle for a Lost City. For more of their music, check out their ReverbNation Page.

ThreadStone | ReverbNation

The three-man band has the following members:

14 August 2012

6 comments

The Storyteller's Rhythm

Labels: Books, Encouragement, Writing

[Image Source]

I'll make this quick and snappy.

I was reading one of the short stories in the Naija Stories Anthology last week. The specific story I was reading was Tears by Yejide Kilanko and I noticed something: there was a peculiar rhythm that the author maintained while telling this story. And it was not Yejide's story that alerted me to this for the first time. It was something I had picked up on while reading other books from various non-African authors too.

10 August 2012

No comment

THIS Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: Mr. Blizz, Onos (feat. IBK, Gaise, GA2R, Wordsmith), Axios Choir

Labels: Axios Choir, Free Downloads, GA2R, Gaise, IBK Spaceship Boy, Mr. Blizz, Music, Onos Ariyo, Wordsmith

The three songs featured here today are songs I have been "gbadun-ing" all week long! The first song, Love, by Mr. Blizz is an acoustic-rich song that describes love based on 1 Corinthians 13, borrowing lyrics from Hausa, Yoruba, English, and possibly another language I am clearly unaware of.

The second song, In Control Remix, is a remix of the original single by Onos, which had Rooftop MCs collaborating with her on that track. This time around, Onos brings the same level of energy that has become her trademark on this beat-heavy remix, and she is supported by several artistes on this track. It has a pop-feel to it that's bound to get you dancing (at least, in your head, if not on your feet).

Finally, the third song, is a re-make of a classic Igbo worship song. It is called I bu ngalaba (The Pillar) and it is performed by the talented members of Axios, the Babcock University choir. The harmonies, song arrangement, and in short, just about every aspect of this song, will make you feel proud to be a Nigerian. There's a nostalgic feel to this song that is unmistakable, and although it is a re-make of a classic, I daresay that this 'remix' is itself a classic. The acapella version of I bu ngalaba is included as a bonus download. You're welcome :-)

As usual, just click Download on each widget, and enjoy them over the weekend (and beyond).

1. Mr. Blizz

Mr. Blizz | Facebook

07 August 2012

8 comments

ANNOUNCING: Winners of July Giveaway [Atilola Moronfolu's "Antonyms of a Mirage"]

Labels: Announcements, Atilola Moronfolu, Giveaways

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the July Giveaway of three free copies of Atilola Moronfolu's Antonyms of a Mirage. Special thanks to Atilola for helping to spread the word!

[Image Source]

And now, in no particular order, the winners are:

05 August 2012

7 comments

WRITING OPPORTUNITY: AFRIPRO Houston 2012 Scholarship and Essay Contest

Labels: AFRIPRO Houston, Writing Competitions

Although I do not live in Houston, I am signed onto the listserv for the African Professionals Network - Houston (AFRIPRO Houston), which is a "professional and community organization that consists of young professionals and entrepreneurs who have come together to network and exchange ideas for professional development." [Source] So, I got quite excited when I discovered that they were organizing a scholarship and essay contest this year. And of course, I had to share this information with you guys.

[Image Source: AFRIPRO Houston]

As with every contest, there are RULES. To participate, applicants must:

03 August 2012

4 comments

THIS Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: Soltune

Labels: Free Downloads, Music, Soltune

How has your week been? Mine has been fine. No complaints from me at all. To round off the week, here are today's free downloads, courtesy of Soltune. Enjoy!

Soltune

[Image Credit]

01 August 2012

22 comments

Sister, Cross your legs; Brother, Do not attempt

Labels: Etiquette, Nollywood

First of all, I want to thank God for creating human beings with just two legs. And for opposable thumbs. Can you imagine crossing your legs if you were dealing with four limbs rather than two? How would that even work? If dogs could talk, maybe they would enlighten us. But since they don't we can [ask cows instead] let our imaginations run wild. Or just refuse to think about it. The real question is: how do spiders cross their legs? Yes, all 8 hairy legs. All of them. Do they sip pina coladas while carrying out this exercise? If you can answer this question, oh boy, you're a truly deep thinker. In fact, I troway salute in advance. Okay, I'll stop now. Maybe Not.

[Image Source: Kemi Filani]

Now, the inspiration for today's post title (the 1st part only) was a Ghanaian movie with the same name: Sister cross your legs. I have not watched this movie, but the title has been stuck in my mind since the day I saw it.