The first part of D’Banj’s interview with Olisa Adibua was released a few days ago and now the second part of the interview is out!

In the second part, available exclusively on Olisa.tv, D’Banj opens up about much more personal details including his debt rumours, working with Don Jazzy again, endorsing GEJ in 2011 and so much more.

The video is over 40 minutes but here are some of the topics covered in the chat.

• D’Banj said that Don Jazzy told him that whenever he hears his (D’Banj’s) voice on the radio he always changes the station, that statement, D’banj said, was very hurtful. It hurt him so bad that he left his house and sought refuge in a hotel and then moved on to South Africa
• He never expected Oliver Twist to be such a huge hit and was in South Africa when it blew up in London and he had to rush over there. He believes the song’s sudden success was God’s way of taking him away from all the drama back home in Nigeria
• The deal with Kanye West was not completed at this stage however Kanye was so impressed with the song that he agreed to make an appearance in the video. As Kanye is an ‘action man’ as D’Banj calls him, they shot the video straight away while still in London
• D’Banj knows that everyone wants him and Don Jazzy to work together again and thinks there is a possible of that happening, if the price is right. He bumped into Don Jazzy in America and they discussed the possibility of a reunion, a business reunion. Don Jazzy told him that it would have to be for the right money for that to ever happen.
• ‘A friend in need is a burglar in the future’ was D’banj response to Olisa’s question on if the duo would get back to being friends!
• In response to questions about his public support of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, D’Banj vehemently refuted suggestions that he had been paid for the interview. He stated that he had himself requested the interview and that he felt that it was the right thing for him to do as a man and citizen of Nigeria
• He admitted that he got paid, but for his work as a musician
• He felt that the backlash he got at that time was unfortunate as he was put through ‘heat, fire and hell’.
• He wouldn’t be tied down to answering whether he would do the same again this time round as he is ‘unavailable’ right now and travels a lot.
• The conversation between D’Banj and Olisa became very heated when Olisa started questioning D’Banj on the state of his career since Oliver Twist
• He strongly denied allegations that he did not write Top of the World and said it was a big hit which he really loves and questioned Olisa on who determines what makes a big hit anyway and if his show is The Lie not The Truth
• D’Banj insisted that he had had great success since leaving Mo’Hits. He won awards, traveled the world, had the highest downloaded song in 2013 and reached the point where he wanted to expand and do something new. He made clear that that just because he hasn’t been spending all his time in Nigeria doesn’t mean that he has not been successful
• Denied that his new song ‘Feeling the Nigga’ was written for Akon and that he made a cameo appearance in it. Said that Akon is in the remix and that they are both his songs. D’Banj became very irate at Olisa’s insinuations and threatened to walk out of the interview if he didn’t admit that the song was his
• Olisa asked what happened with D’Banj’s Koko mobile phone and why it hasn’t been seen in the market but he refused to go into this topic in any depth. He said that the phone sold out and hinted at a deal with Apple which he cannot talk much about due to contractual limitations
• He also has a deal with Beat’s by Dre and the headphones will be released soon (hopefully by Easter) in Africa
• Olisa asked D’Banj about the various rumours, allegations and court actions against him claiming that he has unpaid debts amongst other things. D’Banj said that he has been advised by lawyers to not speak about this in detail but made it very clear that he doesn’t owe anybody any money
• Financially, the past two years have been some of his best years, despite Olisa trying to allege that he has not been successful during this time
• He dismissed the people that have left him and no longer want to work with him and said that the people that left were not meant to be there in the first place
• He revealed that he had recently had a friend/business associate arrested because he found out that one of his investments was mismanaged to the cost of around $2m. The person had gone behind his back and committed fraud but said the police is now dealing with the matter. He advised young people who are going into business to be very careful with documents and make sure that all papers are always properly signed
• He refused to answer any questions about women or his personal relationships as it has gotten him in too much trouble in the past and also refused to give a clear-cut answer as to whether he had a relationship with Genevieve
• January 31 there will be a release party in Lagos for his 10 year anniversary and other celebrations will take place across the world. The celebrations will take the form of parties in clubs and concerts. Following the party in Lagos there will be a celebration in February in Dubai, then South Africa, Malaysia and London and it will finish in December with a Koko concert
• Olisa got him to apologise for the debacle that was his KOKO Concert, which held at Eco Atlantic in 2012.

You can check out the video here.

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And  that is the fact that Odunlade Adekola is the most sought-after actor in the industry. No cast seems to be complete without the Abeokuta bred actor. The tall and good looking entertainer who recently added a bundle of joy to his fast growing family is surely an actor with depth and thoroughness and that seems to have been the cutting edge for him so far. Read the full interview with the actor below:

When Odunlade Adekola first hit the industry few years ago, experts thought he was just a flash in the pan. But one thing becameobvious in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood, the young chap is now out to make a statement that he is no more a naïve kid.



Q: At what point in your life did you realize that acting would be your career?

R: Acting for me started from my childhood days. It started from my church, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Lafenwa, Abeokuta here. Then, whenever they wanted to do society anniversary at the church and they needed side attraction for the anniversary, we used to disturb them, a friend called Tunde and I, would tell them that we could perform as jesters at the anniversary, and they would say no problem. And I would just pick up my pen and would start writing scene 1, scene 2, and scene 3. And funnily enough, I didn’t know what scene means then, I was just doing my thing. And whenever they called upon us to perform, we would perform and everyone would laugh. As at then, I was seeing the likes of Ogogo and co, I’m talking about ’92,’93,’94, I was seeing them as if I could do better than what they were doing then. When I now came into the industry, and they thought me how to move, turn, do this and that, I said: emi o mope ole to yio! (I never knew it’s this difficult). By and large, I can say acting for me started from my childhood days, especially from church.



Q: In the course of your growing up in the industry, what are some of the challenges that came your way?

R: There were a lot of challenges, but the greatest of them all has been the challenge of being at my best at all times. I mean the challenge of going through a script and fashioning a way to interpret the role I’m expected to play in the best possible way. I always think about how best I can deliver any role that is given to me. Let me give you an instance in this regard. Ishola Durojaye, (Alasari) in the production of one of his films then, ‘Asiri Gomina Wa’, there a lot of criticisms filters that Odun cannot act the role that was given to him properly as the governor in the movie, but he (Alasari) called me aside and said no matter what they say, Odun, you are going to do it. This is your script, go through it and master it. And I was thrown into confusion and a challenge as to how I would not disappoint someone that has placed such enormous confidence in me. But I thank God today, though I have been acting before Asiri Gomina Wa, it was Asiri Gomina Wa that brought me to the spotlight. And there are a lot of other productions that have also added to my relevance in the industry such as Ara Lamo which was produced by Yinka Quadri and my own productions too. I see every production as a new challenge because that might be the production some people would be seeing me in for the first time and that is what would give them the idea of the kind of actor that I am.



Q: How many productions of your own do you have in the market now?

R: I have five or six. I have Farapamo, Emi Ni Ire Kan, Baba Super, Ila Owo, Eje Fun Eje anf Fayebora.



Q: And how did you become the hottest actor in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood today?

R: I can’t really answer that. You know I only get invitations to come and act in movies and I would go there and do my job. I don’t run after anybody and I want to believe nobody is running after me. Although, a lot people would call me and say if we don’t see your face in a movie, we won’t buy it and all that. And I would thank them and would also thank God for making me appealing to them. Another thing I always tell them is that; please continue to pray for me because there have been a number of actors before me that are nowhere to be found today and they are still alive. They are just no more marketable. So, I don’t know anything about being the hottest actor. What I know is that my God is always there for me.



Q: But there must have been something special about your acting that almost every producer wants you in their productions…
R: Like I told you, I see every movie that I’m partaking in as a challenge. And that is the only thing I know. And two, if you are invited as an actor to any production, you shouldn’t see your audience as fools. Deliver your role as if everything is real. You have to convince them as if what they are watching is happening in real life. As if it is reality. And they would be watching and enthralled with your acting. They shouldn’t see lapses and that is the secret. If I’m to play a good boy in a movie, I’ll play that good boy to the core. And if it’s to be a bad boy, I’ll do it to the best of my ability. That is all.



Q: So, what are the things acting has done for Odunlade Adekola?

R: I have rest of mind. I am personally okay. I can eat three square meal conveniently. I am comfort. Those are the things acting has done for me.



Q: How do you relate with you female colleagues in the industry?



R: Just as you have seen, Sikiratu Sindodo just came in to greet me by hugging me. And I told her I’m busy, I’ll see you later. And that is all.



Q: Are you saying you don’t have a personal relationship with any of them?

R: No, no, no. We are all friends. My relationship with them is purely professional.



Q: How about your female fans outside, I mean the overzealous ones that would insist on a date?

R: I love all my female fans. Do you know why? They are the ones that really watch films and make their boyfriends, their husbands, their fathers brothers and other people around them to watch our films by telling the about us. They there is one good actor now called so, so, so, you have to see his new movie. And there and then, they help build our fan base. So, I always appreciate my female fans when they call me to say Odunlade, we are enjoying your movies. And I would also make myself available to those that have business deal for me or want to join acting. There is nothing beyond that.



Q: Are you saying you have never dated a female fan?

R: No. Never!



Q: If you were not an actor, what would you have been?

R: I would have been a business administrator or a lawyer. That is if my educational background had been very solid. But, to now start pursuing all that now, I think it’s too late for me. I have to be realistic because it would take much of my time. At least, as I am now, I can take care of myself and my family.



Q: Can you let us into our background?
R: I attended Saint John RCM primary school in Abeokuta here. Then, to Saint Peter’s College, Olomore, Abeokuta. And I am still schooling in one of the University that I don’t want to talk about.



Q: Which movie should your fans be expecting from your stable soon?

R: I just finished with is Fayebora and another one is in the pipe.

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Kris Humphries, seen here with Kim Kardashian just after they got engaged.

KRIS Humphries broke his silence overnight, speaking out for the first time about his much-publicised wedding and split with Kim Kardashian after only 72 days of marriage.


"I'm just focused on family and preparing for basketball," he said during an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America.

Asked what he is doing now, Humphries, 26, remarked, "Just moving forward."

As for Kardashian filing for divorce, Humphries dodged the question on how he reacted to that decision. "For me, it's just -- certain things happen in life, and you have to move forward," he said.

On whether Humphries still loves Kim, Humphries laughed and remarked, "I'm focused on just what I can control, which is being ready to play ball and supporting my mom and her cookie-baking."

Humphries, a free-agent center who spent part of the last two seasons with the Nets, said that having his wedding and marriage play out on TV was not the reason for the split.

"I can't say for sure. It's the only time I've been married," he said. "I've been in front of cameras on the NBA since I was 19. It's a different level, but for me, it's about moving forward and give back to my foundation, focusing on childhood obesity. Life is more about how you can help other people and making the most out of your platform."

Humphries also said he does not watch Kourtney & Kim Take New York on TV these days.

"The thing for me, the only things I watch of myself is playing basketball, games films, stuff like that. I've never been someone who really watched the show on TV," he said.

Humphries repeated several times that he is "focused on basketball" and did not go into detail about his request for an annulment.

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Happy Birthday to:

Actress Anna Faris (1976)

Welsh TV star Imogen Thomas (1982)

Actor Lucas Black (1982)

Jackass Ehren McGhehey (1976)

Actor Brian Baumgartner (1972)

Baywatch babe Gena Lee Nolin (1971)

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera (1969)

Saturday Night Live alum Ellen Cleghorne (1965)

Actor Tom Sizemore (1964)

Hotel Rwanda star Don Cheadle (1964)

Brat packer Andrew McCarthy (1963)

Actress Kim Delaney (1961)

Actress Cathy Moriarty (1960)

Canadian comedian Howie Mandel (1955)

Director Joel Coen (1954)

Comedian/actor Garry Shandling (1949)

American trumpeter Chuck Mangione (1940)

British bluesman John Mayall (1933)

Actress Diane Ladd (1932)

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Dare Art Alade

Considered as the king of R&B in Nigeria, Darey Art Alade has successfully earned the title with his numerous achievements after just three albums in the bag. Darey, in a chat with Factory 78’s Adesope Olajide lets us in on his rise to fame, plans for a U.K album and why he proudly supports Charity events.

How are you doing sir?

I’m good.

We’re very happy to see you at events. You just went to Charity Bowl Bar, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. How was that event?
Ah, it was great. Just hanging around, supporting the charity which is really important. You know the charity is all about immunizing children in Africa and in India. And as a Nigerian just doing my PR tour, I thought ‘let me just support this charity because it makes sense’. It sounds genuine. And the event was really interesting; it was fun meeting people, seeing some old faces I haven’t seen in a while, and enjoying the performances from different artists. Big surprises, like Boy George, I have never seen perform live. It was great seeing him perform live. It was interesting.

You’re talking about performances, having your own tour. I was very lucky to be at performances by yourself, at KC’s bar. First of all the performances, how do you think you were received here in London?

It was great. Yeah, Steam Bar, gave a performance, just a few songs. Just trying to get people to see what we’re doing. Obviously they know some of the songs. From ‘Somebody’ to ‘The way you are’ which is the one we’re trying to promote.

I saw your performance, absolutely smashing. It was well-received especially by the ladies. Even though you kept them in mind when you were making that song; ‘Bani ki di’, ‘Style na style’, let’s talk about this album that you’re promoting. But before we get there, I just want us to give a little introduction. Yes, you’ve come from a blood line of greats; your father was a legend in the game, and we still talk about him this day. And you’ve come up in that family, just following your father’s footsteps. Let’s talk about your upbringing and how music kind of became the norm for you.

Probably for me music started from as young as eight, singing here and there, joining a school choir in secondary school at C.M.S Grammar School. I ended up joining the choir; from there I started doing performances outside school. I joined different groups, started singing with different bands. Then I started radio. I did radio for five years. I did some years on T.V at the same, getting a degree in the University at the same time, performing at shows. So there was a lot of music and entertainment going on at a stretch at the time, including school. And then 2004 came, the reality show in South Africa; Project Fame. It was a great launching pad, just to get me in the consciousness of Nigerians and Africans in general. After that, I released my first album in 2006, ‘From Me 2 U’; quite a mix of songs, a mix of genres in the album. But quite a few songs, like two or three songs made it big. That was a good start, it was exciting. It was actually a critical success in the sense of the word because people tore it down, they ripped it apart, and people loved it too. It got people talking, and it was a great beginning. And the second album, ‘Un-DAREY-Tated’ dropped in 2009, and some hits like; ‘Not The Girl’, ‘No Stars’, ‘Carry Dey Go’ with 2Face, ‘Style Na Style’ with 9ice, I did the original with just him and myself, and quite a few other songs. Did ‘More’, ‘let You Know’; so many songs!

So it was even a bigger hit than the first one, we were on the roll. It took another two years to finish the third album which is the double album, ‘Double Dare’, this is all for Naija by the way. And of course, ‘Double Dare’ has great songs like ‘The Way You Are’, ‘Bani ki di’, ‘Style Na Style’ remix with like Jesse Jags and 9ice. I have people like Timaya on the album, Psquare on the album, Mo’Cheddah and Chamillionaire all the way from the U.S. On the success of that, and from all the hype over the years, people have been like ‘you know what? let’s share this music with the rest of the world. Let’s go international’. And we’ve wanted to; we’ve been working underground for this, for the longest time. And it’s about time we start rolling out the plan little by little. Do some PR, Come out here to do a week-long PR campaign, attending events, performing, mixing and mingling, doing press interviews and all that stuff. So now after obviously I’ve dropped an album in Nigeria, I have to do a U.K album, some of the songs in the third album in naija will make it to the UK album. Recording fresh stuff that will work with our oyinbo friends and our western friends just so that they won’t feel left out. We’ve got a mix of African-Euro pop kind of sound.

Sorry to cut you short there. I didn’t want you to leave that Euro pop thing going. Speaking of the different type of sounds you’ve brought into the game this time. The first I saw of it was like a viral video. I just kept on playing it. I was like is this funky house, what exactly was it and how did that come about?

I can’t exactly tell you really what it is. I mean it’s experimental; you just do what you’re feeling. But if you want to dissect it, the lyrics are in Hausa, the beat is like House. So you can call it ‘Housa’. (Laughs). You know it’s fun, it’s high tempo, it’s high energy. The synth is very grimy, you hear that at high volume and all you want to do is dance, you don’t really care what they’re talking about. I think that’s the dissection of that.

You went from ‘The Way You Are’ which is a brilliant video. Everybody has seen it. You’ve been crowned the king of RnB in Nigeria, people appreciate your voice. People are trying to put you with some of the greats we’ve listened to. We appreciate good music in Nigeria. We’ve listened to the Joes, the R. Kelly’s and you’ve had a chance to perform with some of these guys on stage. How does that feel for you?

I remember opening for R. Kelly in Cape Town a few years ago, for the This Day Music Festival. That was fun. Meeting him afterwards, just chatting, and taking pictures and all that stuff. And I was the only person that opened for that stuff and it was lovely. Performing for South African audience that really didn’t know the music, and they were so supportive, and they had a great time. So that was definitely great. There’s been other openings and sharing stages with so many other big names and that really is very humbling and something worth being happy about.

There’s one part I’ve always wanted to talk to you about, and that’s your video making; the video that you guys come up with. I don’t know who you work with, who directs those videos but you have completely taken African music videos to a whole new level.  You’ve been recognized for those videos in the past. You’ve dropped ‘Bani Ki di’ and ‘The Way You Are’. You have to expect big nominations even if you’ve only given it to the fans. People should recognize the hard work you’ve put into it. Tell us more about who people you’ve worked with in those videos, and those beautiful pictures came about.

I don’t know if we’re going to get nominations and all that but we do these things as promotional tools, and really for people to enjoy. When nominations come, it is by the way. It is exciting, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like we don’t feel good about it but the real reason why it’s done is for people to enjoy, and when you do get nominations that mean people are really enjoying it. Making the videos is very interesting, my team at Soul Muzik, and the normal directors that we work with. So ourselves and Mark Hofmeyr, our video director, he’s South African. Sometimes we shoot in South Africa. ‘The Way You Are’ for example was shot in the U.K. I was just trying to look for many exotic places. We’ve shot at home many a time. It’s all about variety at the end of the day so we came out here, we shot the video. The trick to it is really taking our time. And it will take about one, two or three months to just vibe with ideas back and forth. The music is ready, so you keep listening, you keep developing on the idea, you write some scripts down. Do some illustrations, and eventually you pick a date to shoot, and you try to make sure everything is there. And when you’re editing every little aspect is very important, from the costuming to the shots, the quality of the camera, the lights, and the location. It takes a long time. Some people try to do it over night, and you can see from the end result.

When are we going to be expecting a tour by Darey in the U.K?

A tour is in the works, obviously if the album is released, there’s definitely going to be a tour after that. Building up to that, I’m going to be back in a month or so, the carnival is around the corner. We’re going to come back heavy on that one and do some performances. And we’re going to take it to a few other Nigerian clubs. Make some appearances in Calabar, different places. Possible just do Jazz Café one day and invite a lot of people, from there we could try the Indigo, the O2 Arena, and just trying to fill more spaces. For now, we need the fans, we need you guys to join the train, and we need all the support we can get.

Before you go, where can people follow you; Twitter, Facebook?

Check out my website. Brand new tear rubber, you know that kain’ thing. www.darey.com. From there you can link me up on Facebook, Twitter. Everything is there. So just check my website. Videos, everything is on there.

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