The Relentless Builder: March 2013

SONG REVIEW: Folake Awesome - Ewawo

Labels: Female Artistes, Female Producers, Folake Awesome, Music, Reviews, Song Reviews

Folake Awesome is an artiste I will never forget for one reason: she is the first female Nigerian music producer that I have ever heard of. I am sure there are several people who fit that description out there, but Folake was the first one I heard of.

Folake Awesome // ReverbNation

Now that you know at least one of the skills she has, it's time to learn briefly about her musical background courtesy of ReverbNation:

29 March 2013

This Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: G-Blaze Ashafa, Okey Sokay, Samsong, Midnight Crew

Labels: Free Downloads, G-Blaze Ashafa, Midnight Crew, Music, Okey Sokay, Samsong

How was your week? Believe it or not, this is the last week in March. Next week, we will welcome April. No April Fool's jokes, please. Why did I mention it now?

For today's downloads, we are back in Nigeria. Our artistes are based in Nigeria, and we start our journey in the North, i.e. Kaduna.

G-Blaze Ashafa - Muna Roko

G-Blaze Ashafa // ReverbNation

28 March 2013

NEW VIDEO: Ezeugo - Able God feat. Emmanuel Felix

Labels: Emmanuel Felix, Ezeugo, Music, Music Video

After listening to this song, I almost changed the name of the song to "Oluwa is Involved," but it doesn't get enough mention to warrant the title of "song title." But that is just by the way.

Ezeugo

27 March 2013

SONG REVIEW: E. J. - We Ko Bi Ruo (Thank You)

Labels: E. J., Music, Reviews, Song Reviews

Remember E. J. from last week's Free Downloads? Well, she finally released her album titled Unveiled last week Saturday. You can check out the links below to find out where to buy her music.

EJ // ReverbNation

26 March 2013

ANNOUNCING: The Gentleman Series - Tuesdays in April

Labels: Announcements, The Gentleman Series

I have been thinking about this for a while now, and finally decided to do it. So, starting next week, I will be starting a new series on this blog titled The Gentleman Series.

25 March 2013

Unswerving

Labels: Encouragement

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

This is probably one of the few posts where I actually use just one word in the title. I think it is worth celebrating.

24 March 2013

OFFICIAL VIDEO: Gaise - The Movie Song (+ Chorus Lyrics)

Labels: Gaise, Lyrics, Music, Music Video

GAISE is an Afrofusion artiste from Ekiti State in Nigeria. His debut album, Gaise Baba was released in 2011. Two of the most popular songs from that album are Follow Follow and The Movie Song. The music video for the latter was released sometime last year.

Gaise // RevebNation

23 March 2013

NEW MUSIC: Take Five - Kileoleshe

Labels: Free Downloads, Music, New Music, Take Five

If you've been following this blog for a while, then you may have seen an earlier feature of a group called Take Five. If not, this is a good way to introduce you to this group.

Last year, they released Imela, and now they are back with another single, Kileoleshe, a Yoruba phrase which when loosely translated means "What can you not do?"

22 March 2013

This Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: E.J., Folake Awesome, PCE Crew

Labels: E. J., Folake Awesome, Free Downloads, Music, PCE Crew

How was your week? It seems like March is just zipping past at full speed. By March 31st, it will be the end of the first quarter. I certainly hope you've been staying on track.

Before I proceed, I wanted to let you know that if come across any gospel artiste or free music that you would like to be featured here, kindly send that information to music@therelentlessbuilder.com. Thanks in advance.

Today's free downloads come from Nigerian artistes living in the diaspora. In fact, I believe this is the first time Nigerian gospel artistes based in the diaspora are being featured here. In other words, this is a special post.

Let's get started, shall we?

E.J. - We Ko Bi Ruo (Thank You)

E.J. // SoundCloud

21 March 2013

18 comments

Liebster Award Courtesy of Jemima (Joy of my World)

Labels: Blog Awards

So, last week Friday, someone left this comment on my blog: "Madam you have an award on my blog o." That person was Jemima, who blogs at Joy of My World. I was overjoyed and am still grinning even as I type this. Thanks a lot, Jemima. You're too kind :D

As it turned out, it was another Liebster Award, the second one in a week. How does it feel? In fact ehn, over-happiness still dey do me.

But as always, there are rules.

20 March 2013

22 comments

Very Inspiring Blogger Award Courtesy of Myne Whitman

Labels: Blog Awards

Now, this is truly a first. Myne Whitman nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. She blogs at Romance Meets Life, and I doubt that she actually sleeps. She's so hardworking, y'all, and you should definitely visit her blog. Thanks a lot, Myne!!! What can I say? It feels good to be nominated.

But errr ... as always, there's a catch.

19 March 2013

12 comments

Liebster Award Courtesy of One + The One

Labels: Blog Awards

So, I got another Liebster Award from the wonderful One Plus The One. *curtsies* Thank you very much, ma'am. I really appreciate it :-)

This is my 2nd Liebster Award. The first one was from AdeOla of JostWrite. However, it is my very first award this year. In short sha, dis award dey make belle dey sweet me, body dey move me (that's from Samsong's "Blame it on tha Most High"). I know ... shameless advertising. What will you do? Bite me? Lol!

18 March 2013

Hope, Faith and a Jack-in-the-Box

Labels: Encouragement

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

when we pray for you, because we have heard of

your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for

all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope

stored up for you in heaven and about which you have

already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you.

Colossians 1: 3-6 (NI V )

I think clowns are creepy. You can imagine what I think of jacks-in-the-box. Creepy raised to the power 100. But, what does this have to do with hope and faith. Well, let's find out, shall we?

17 March 2013

OFFICIAL VIDEO: 'Motola - Nobody featuring Poet Black

Labels: Motola, Music, Music Video

Remember 'Motola? She sang that song "Reach for the stars" with Segun Obe, and I featured them back in this post on post-secondary school "beef." In that post, I mentioned that her song, Nobody was my introduction to her music. Well, did you know that "Nobody" had a music video? A really colorful one at that? Okay, enough with the questions. Check out the video below.

'Motola

16 March 2013

6 comments

OFFICIAL VIDEO: I Bu Ngalaba - Axios Choir

Labels: Axios Choir, Music, Music Video

Axios is the gospel choir of Babcock University in Nigeria. Their song, I bu Ngalaba (The Pillar) had been featured as one of "This Friday's Free Downloads."

15 March 2013

This Friday's Free Downloads | Featured Artiste: IBK Spaceship Boi

Labels: Free Downloads, IBK Spaceship Boy, Music

For today's free downloads, IBK Spaceship Boi is the featured artiste, and three of his tracks are now available for download.

IBK Spaceship Boi //Facebook

14 March 2013

3 comments

Selective Amnesia: The International Student's Nightmare

Labels: Diaspora, Education, International Students

It happened more than once. In fact, it happened so often that I knew I was not the one imagining things. I would sit down and have a conversation with an American student for any range of time. Sometimes, it was hours, sometimes it was just a few minutes. Either way, I expected the person to recognize me and respond to my greeting or say hello the next day. Boy, was I wrong!

13 March 2013

9 comments

5 Hilarious Answers by African Students to Ignorant Questions from Americans

Labels: Diaspora, Education, Humor, International Students, Lists

If you have lived outside of Nigeria long enough, you must have gotten questions like the ones below. Not only are they ridiculous, but some of them are downright offensive. Anyway, back in college, I used to gist with some of the African students about these types of "encounters" and some of their responses are reproduced below.

12 March 2013

6 comments

Why We Need African or Nigerian Students' Associations

Labels: Diaspora, Education, International Students, Student Organizations

A few answers come to mind:

Parties

Fashion Shows (occasionally) to show off your latest treasures from the tailor

Vigorous Dances

More Parties ...

But of course I am being sarcastic.

11 March 2013

Wise Mind = Wise Man

Labels: Encouragement

From a wise mind comes wise speech;

the words of the wise are persuasive.

Proverbs 16: 23 (NLT)

Have you ever met any person whose ambition in life was to increase in foolishness? Okay, let me re-phrase my question: have you met anyone who admitted that he/she wanted to become more and more foolish? I doubt it. But then, life is full of surprises. So what's my point? As we grow older, most of us aspire to grow wiser. So, increasing in wisdom is an acknowledged goal.

10 March 2013

Coming of Age in Nigeria: Secondary School or University Affair

Labels: Child Development, Secondary School, Universities

Coming of age basically means the process of growing from childhood to adulthood. During the period students spend in schools pursuing formal education, many things change simultaneously. These changes take place all the way from nursery school to university. The most obvious change, perhaps, is the fact that their bodies undergo changes from childhood to adolescence and eventually, adulthood. But what about their mental development? At what point do they discover who they really are?

09 March 2013

Video Series: "The Diary of a Frustrated Interview" by Jide and Bayo Rotilu

Labels: Bayo Rotilu, Employment, Jide Rotilu, Video Series, YouTube

Earlier this week, I got an e-mail from Africa Mars (now renamed 9Flix), a website I am subscribed to. They wanted me to check out a video series titled "The Diary of a Frustrated Interview." So I watched the videos. They were simply hilarious, and that's mostly because of the satirical angle employed.

Left to Right: Bayo Rotilu and Jide Rotilu

08 March 2013

This Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: Son of Wonder (S.O.W), Jimmy Idoko, Afresh, Vessels of Gold

Labels: Afresh, Free Downloads, Jimmy Idoko, Music, Son of Wonder (S.O.W), Vessels of Gold

So, how did the first full week of March go? Hopefully, it went very well.

Well, I am back this week with three songs which will make the transition to the weekend a lot more fun. I present to you today's featured artistes:

S.O.W (Son of Wonder) - Adam's Song [Everytime] featuring Jimmy Idoko

Source: Praiseworld Radio

07 March 2013

OFFICIAL VIDEO: Nosa - Always Pray For You

Labels: Music Video, Nosa

Many of us first heard (and fell in love with) this song several years ago. The song in question is Nosa's "Always Pray For You." It's a blend of soul, jazz and all-round-goodness rendered in pidgin English. In fact, Nosa makes pidgin English very classy in this song.

Nosa // Google +

06 March 2013

3 comments

SONG REVIEW: Oluwole - I Hear the Heavens

Labels: Michael Anthony Oluwole, Music, Reviews, Song Reviews

Every once in a while you come across a song that you cannot really put in any category. That description is apt for this song, I hear the heavens. This single is from an artiste simply known as Oluwole.

Oluwole

05 March 2013

6 comments

Favorite Superbowl Commercial: Moose the Doritos-eating goat is (not) for sale

Labels: Animals, Commercials, Humor

His name is Moose. He is a goat. And he loves eating Doritos.

From the very first day I watched this commercial, I loved it. And I am glad it won.

Moose the Goat // Facebook

04 March 2013

When Fear Spoke

Labels: Encouragement

“I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them.

“We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror.

Joshua 2: 9 (NLT)

If I had to ask you what you were afraid of, you would probably name things like animals, disaster, people, etc. And maybe you have valid reasons for being afraid of these things. But, let's flip this over for one second. What if the things (and people) you fear are actually afraid of you? That would change things now, wouldn't it?

03 March 2013

8 comments

Reform or Overhaul: What Nigeria's Education System Needs

Labels: Education, Education Plan, Primary School, Secondary School, Universities

Nostalgia. Sadness. Hope.

Those three words describe the range of emotions I experienced when I saw this picture. Here's the story.

Auditorium at Distance Learning Institute (DLI), University of Lagos // Flickr

02 March 2013

OFFICIAL VIDEO: P.I.T.A - Imela

Labels: Music, Music Video, PITA

Finally, P.I.T.A (singer, songwriter, producer) released the official video for his song, Imela. Imela was first released as a single, and I discovered it in my pre-blogging days (2009/2010). This song happens to be one of my favorite tracks on his debut album, As I Am. Admittedly though, Mma Mma Ekele ranks higher on my list (It's on the same album).

Imela was also one of the very first songs I featured on the very first post on this blog. Are you keeping track of how many times I used the word "very" in one paragraph? *smh* So, of course when I saw the new video, I just had to share it here!

PITA // ReverbNation

Just in case you were wondering, P.I.T.A is an acronym for Praise In This Age. Pretty cool, huh?

01 March 2013