Tag Archives: Music of Africa

AWARD WINNING NIGERIAN MUSIC DUO BRACKET HONORED BY THE CITY AND STATE OF PHILADELPHIA

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Award winning and top selling contemporary Nigerian-style African-pop duo Bracket, after receiving citation from the city and State of Philadelphia at the African American Museum on Friday August 3rd, 2012, highlighted the exciting stage line up at the 5th Annual ACANA African Festival on Sunday, August 5th, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The festival took place at the River Stage on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, a part of PECO Multicultural series.

Stage performances represented the African countries of Nigeria, Liberia, Congo, Sierra Leone, and many others. They performed along with the musical sensation Bracket will be the sensational LIB Queen from Monrovia, Liberia, Rafiya, a Congolese artist, and Jay Q from Sierra Leone.

Other performers throughout the day included: Black Diamond, Peter Cole, Chillton Jah James, Rotimi & De Afrophonik Crew, and Sista Rose. Dance is also an important highlight of the ACANA African Festival. Also, taking the stage was the world famous Universal Dance & Drum Ensemble.

In previous years, ACANA Cultural Festival had brought on stage such big name artists like Maxi Priest of Jamaica, Trinidad’s queen of soca music Joan Tigress Rowley, as well as Liberia’s Gebah Swaray of the Safari Band. This year’s event featured Bracket who were set to repeat the success of the previous festivals, until they got rained in during their performance. See the below preview of concert.

Along with presenting sponsor, PECO, the festival is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts through the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, AfriQtalk, Brown Family Shop Rite, Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health, Children Crisis Treatment Center, , Arik Airlines, Western Union, Cozen O’Connor, Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on African & Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, The Welcoming Center, Chester Ave. Business Association, Funtimes Magazine, Liberian United Women In Progress, PNC Bank, and IT Solutions.

Bracket is one of the top selling contemporary Nigerian-style African-pop musicians. Bracket’s music is a composition of traditional Nigerian rhythms with contemporary pop and hip-hop influences.

For Immediate Release: Geobek Entertainment Presents -The Dairy of WACONZY

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Who is Waconzy? Take a listen

As you know, the history of the Nigerian Music industry would not be complete without mentioning the name Waconzy who maintains the fastest fan growing base in Nigeria, Africa and internationally. With his knowledge as a project manager, Waconzy has built a strong social media fan base with hit songs that cut across various ages, genders and geographical boundaries currently making him one of the most popular and sought after Artists in Africa and beyond. As one of Nigeria’s A-List Artist internationally managed by Geobek Entertainment (South Africa) and published by Youngane Productions (South Africa), Waconzy is ready for international entertainment business, endorsements, collaborations, live performances, tours and more award nominations.

You know him very well as Waconzy but he is also Obinna Kelvin Anyanwu, born on the 10th of August in Port Harcourt city of Nigeria. Waconzy is a blend of two English words, “Wacko” and “Zany” which describes his style of music as Afro-centric by combining Western and African rhythms in creating a marvelous blend of music for all Living Standards Measure (LSM).

In 1998, Waconzy recorded his first song while he was still in high school. Waconzy released his first commercial single in 2008 titled IKEBE SUPA, which gained huge nationwide response from fans who enjoy rich African music. This inspired Waconzy to be a commercial and original Artist of his own kind of music which built a fan base of young and old Afro-pop music lovers in Nigeria. Over the years, Waconzy has grown from an upcoming Artist to a pace setter in his industry by creating a niche of his own music. Waconzy is in a league of his own with little room for competition as he says “the sky is big enough for all birds to fly”.

With Waconzy’s creative style of delivering remarkable lyrics that cut across all ages, some fans now call him “Supa Dupa Nigg#”, while others call him “Awah”. Also, sometimes his fans refer to him as “Mr. Tumble the stage”. Waconzy has been able to carve a niche for himself in the international music scene, with his success, money and fame one would expect him to be arrogant with ‘diva tendencies’ but yet the handsome young man prefers to be seen as your best friend as he remains grounded and humble.

Waconzy is a multiple Glitz and Odudu award winner and among his accolades include, Song of The Year for “Ikebe Super” in 2009 and the same award in 2010 for “I Celebrate” at the Glitz awards. He also collected the Best collaboration award at the 2010 Odudu awards among others. With such accolades, it’s no wonder he has an ever increasing fan base.

Waconzy is popularly known for his song I CELEBRATE, a song fused with rich African rhythm, Naija Pidgin English and English language, generally accepted by all African music lovers. Since the release of the “I Celebrate” album (listen here: http://www.reverbnation.com/waconzyworld), Waconzy has gained huge recognition in Nigeria as one of Nigeria’s A-List Artists, having performed in several major concerts Nationwide and international.

For further information, booking, publishing and interview requests in the North America email: afriQtalk@yahoo.com or call +1-404-432-4008. To find out more about the Europe tour email: george@geobek.co.za.

Press Release – BRACKET To Receive Honorary Award from the City of Philadelphia

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The group Bracket is fast becoming a house hold name in North America, thanks to their fans and supporters. The Enugu born duo is poised to receive a Honorary award from the city of Philadelphia at the African American Museum of Philadelphia in a Banquet event, August 3, 2012. They will join the likes of Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey who received a similar recognition in Boston.

Nominated for Best Indigenous Artist/Group at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in New York, September 2, 2012. The group has won many awards, including NMVA 2009 Best Hi-Life Video Wedding planner song of the year award 2009 Museke Africa Song of the Year award 2010, Soundcity Nominee for Discovery of the year 2009 and becoming the most sought after artistes by show promoters in the African Disaporas and around the globe .

They aren’t slowing down and are taking North America by storm with their new album release, girl featuring award winning Wizkid BET best international act, even though Yori Yori still remains indisputably the most popular. Also, they will be performing at the 5th Annual African Music Festival, September 5, 2012. A three days event kicking off a one month tour in the U.S. Click the following link for more info http://t.co/XzWuuefW

Bracket is brought to you by ACANA and AfriQtalk in collaboration with the African American Museum of Philadelphia, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, and Peco Energy. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on African & Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, Department of Behavioral Health & Intellectual Disabilities, Children Crisis Treatment Center, Browns Family Shoprite, Cozen O’Connor, The Welcoming Center, Chester Avenue Business Association, Funtimes Magazine, and Liberian United Women in Progress.

Who is ACANA? African Cultural Alliance of North America Inc., ACANA was founded in Southwest Philadelphia in 1999 in order to bridge the gap between African immigrants and the existing African American communities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an area of the city where most of the agency’s targeted clients, (African refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrant populations) have been resettled. ACANA was originally started by Voffee Jabateh, MSW, as a cultural organization to support African artists/ musicians in their efforts to establish themselves within the United States.

The goal is to help African immigrant artists ensure continuity within their new location, as well as to assist in cultural preservation within this new environment. However, due to overwhelming requests for additional help by the ever-expanding population of African refugee, asylee and immigrant community members in dealing with the stressors associated with adjusting to their new community; ACANA was incorporated in 1999 as a non-profit social service agency. For information about BRACKET-MANIA TOUR click here http://t.co/XzWuuefW. To purchase your tickets for 3 days ACANA African Music Festival, click the following link http://acanafestweekend.eventbrite.com/. A family event that you don’t want to miss.