Flashback Fridays: Basi And Company - Classic Naija Sitcom

Chronicled by Afronuts @ Friday, September 12, 2014

Who ever remembers 'Basi and Company'? Oh...okay, let me rephrase that - how many of you were born when the 'Basi and Company' series ran way back on NTA between1985 -1990.

Well, this is my Flashback Friday reminisce...

Basi and Comapny was a comedy series that stood out way back then for many reasons.

• It was one of the first if not the first Naija comedy sitcom that had a laughing background audience.
• It gravitated from being a TV show to being published as a comedy fiction book series.
• It also had album series for listening pleasure.
• Its comic references and material was unique and so different from that of other funny sitcoms in those days.
• It received syndication to stations across Africa. 
• It 'derived inspiration from African folklore, and lampooned widespread corruption in oil-rich Nigeria while highlighting its consequences'.
• So far, 'to date, it remains one of Africa's most watched comedy programmes, with an estimated thirty million viewers during its peak'.
• It was written and produced by the late great Ken Saro-Wiwa a writer, television producer, environmental activist, and winner of the Right Livelihood Award and the Goldman Environmental Prize.who was criminally executed by a specially convened tribunal in 1995.

Late Ken Saro-Wiwa

The series was also reputable for its use of impeccable spoken English which was deliberate. Saro-Wiwa once stated in an interview in 1987: "We should go for proper English so we can relate to the rest of the world...one reason Basi is so popular is that young people are using it to learn English".

Another memorable aspect of 'Basi and Company' was its well defined character who all had well defined mannerisms. Each character had their own peculiar catchphrases.

Basi (aka Mr B) - To be a millionaire, think like a millionaire!; Holy Moses!

Madam (aka Madam de madam): Come in if you're handsome and rich; It's a matter of cash!

Alali: I'm hungry, Mr. B!

Dandy: Hell, I should have known that!; Can I have a piece of the action?

Segi: Ciao!

Has any Naija comedy sitcom of today been able to match up to the peculiarity of 'Basi & Comapny' today? I don't know of any at all.

Or does anyone know of any?

I someday hope the series could be rebooted...or rather another sitcom that applies the same peculiarities.

I rest my case. Have an awesome week y'all!

The 8 'Wow' momments of Waje's 'Onye' Video

Chronicled by Afronuts @ Thursday, September 11, 2014

Watching the video for Waje's 'Onye' which featured Tiwa Savage along with Bryan Okwara and Omawumi, offered me a bunch of 'wow' moments.

If the song managed to garner enough appreciation, the video definitely will reinforce it the more, and that's definitely because of the 'wow' moments presented before my viewing.

The video showcases the hilarious battle between two rivals, Tiwa and Waje for the love of one man who happens to Mr Nigeria - Bryan Okwara. Bryan is presented as a player cum gold-digger who two-times between the two women. The ladies try their best to impress him by buying him stuff until the eventual face off where they end up fighting each other while the playboy Bryan sneaks off with a third woman who turns out to be Omawumi.

Okay, let's check out the 'Wow' moments:

Wow moment 1: Waje's look.

Waje is probably one of the most simple artistes on the Naija music scene today, she's not one to flash her looks all over the place with indescretion. In fact I've seen her in some shows and interviews where she looks so simple but in the 'Onye' video, Waje suddenly looks classy, beautiful and sexy. Though its not the first time she's looked this good in a video (she also looked good in her 'I wish' and 'For a minute' videos) but the way she's made to look elegant and sexy without being indecent.

Wow moment 2: Tiwa's Yam Pounding

Tiwa Savage pounding yam? Hahahaha! Okay, maybe I've been exaggerating with the laughter but this moment would have had more intensity to its 'Wowness' if Tiwa had been pounding that yam seriously and not turning it into a naughty sexy caressing display and romancing of the pestle with the wide-apart legs.Well, she's become uninhibited these days and bares it all sha. Oh...yes, and she coquettishly cleans off the sweat in her body and shakes it into the yam she's pounding...nna...that one na 'Ewo!'.

Wow moment 3: Waje is a good actress

Before I saw this video, I had actually seen Waje in a funny skit on the Video Hits Show on youtube which is hosted by Yomi Black. Her acting there was hilarious and natural; I just had to conclude that it was about time some good nollywood flick snatched her up for a production. So I was not surprised neither was I disappointed when I saw Waje display those antics in the ‘Onye’ video. Truth be told, Waje can really act; she even outshines Tiwa Savage. My favourite part of Waje’s acting is the part where she discovers her gift car to Bryan parked in Tiwa’s garage and the basket she’s carrying drops, then she does this hilarious pissed waka up to where the car is parked.

Wow moment 4: Bryan Okwara is getting Stereotyped  

There’s always that danger for an artiste or actor to become stereotyped after playing a certain role so well. Sometimes I wonder whether it’s a recognition of the flair and talent or it’s just a curse. Just on the same Video Hits Show channel, we have two videos that featured Bryan and guess what? In both videos he plays the role of the playboy. In one, he even plays a very similar role of the playboy that secretly runs away from his chick simply because he’s afraid of commitment. Bryan plays just the same role in the ‘Onye’ video. Is it that his looks are cursed to play such role forever? I think maybe…

Wow moment 5: Omawumi playing an older woman

The first time I saw the video, I never knew the woman Bryan eventually absconds with was Omawumi. She behaved so much like an older woman – a sugar mummy to put it succinctly. She incorporated a waka and attitude that was void of youthfulness and it worked.

Wow moment 6: Tiwa Savage’s Priceless Expressions

While Waje seemed to outshine Tiwa Savage in acting (which is not to say Tiwa did not put up a good performance, she actually did), Tiwa Savage made some serious moments of impact with a couple of priceless face expressions. These may seem like unimportant parts of the video but I tell you, if you took those parts out, the video would lose some of its beauty and humour. Tiwa’s act of dropping her jaw when Bryan makes a heavy purchase on her debit card and when she and Waje see Bryan pecking Omawumi before driving off together were just hilarious to watch; maybe it has to do with Tiwa’s facial look, I have never seen Tiwa wear such a dumbfounded mouth-ajar look in any video and it definitely added sweet spice to this one.

Wow moment 7: Omawumi’s plate number

At first I didn’t notice the hilarious finality of the last scene which shows the plate number on Omawumi’s car in the first few times I watched the video. But on watching it again I noticed it: when Omawumi’s SUV arrives, we see on the front plate number - ‘My Baby Ko’ - and when it departs we see on the back plate number – ‘My Baby Ni’ – which is a popular way of responding with sarcasm and rubbishing to someone else’s interest or remarks. This was just a brilliant way to end the video; by making a statement that ridicules the two women brawling over one man who’s no good to them. It all wraps up the video with an unspoken lesson, that ‘no be fineness be husband material’.

Wow moment 8: Kemi Adetiba - the Director    

Kemi is one prolific director who you don’t see everywhere, because she doesn’t just direct music videos anyhow. Watching the ‘Onye’ video, you get to see directorial detailing and creativity (though there were some aspects I question – like Waje and Tiwa having the same sitting background while awaiting their ‘fine boy’ gold digger). Adetiba’s treatment of the video is elegant and classy; I must say this places her in the unique category of music video directors. I was expecting this to have probably been a Sesan or Clarence Peters montage but was ‘wowed’ when I discovered it was this lady director that did it.   

Okay…that’s about it; this post is getting too long, about time I stop it here. Sebi na ‘8 Wows’ I talk?

Signs of the Times 12 [Photos]

Chronicled by Afronuts @ Monday, September 08, 2014

We are in a period when Nigeria is going through dark moments with the Ebola palava, Naija Political gymnastics and Boko Haram spreading its onslaught like an aboki epidemic amongst other matters arising in the news. And so many of the newspapers are carrying more bad news than good. It can be depressing checking out headlines every morning so lets give ourselves some comic relief by checking out another instalment of signs of the times...hahaha! Man...I had to go through all that info just to achieve an intro...lol.

So let's check out our set of photos for today...

Some Nigerians are daring people sha...they must have
thought whoever put up this sign was all mouth and no action

This one is even worse...even the curse on the signboard
could not deter the craze people wey dump the trash

Naija and copy copy...Don jazzy's legacy don enter optician's portfolio

....And some cliche programme on an NTA channel.

Is this an attempt to funkify a word or somebody just no sabi spell?

Really? So Jollof rice don become like indomie noodles?

See how this Aba boys are disgracing us...

Lord...which kain Garri be this? And whenever did a satchet of
garri need drinking instructions?
Oh wait...it says it's 'sweetable'....?

See how 'H' factor dey disgrace person

The owner of this car has gained both a plus and a minus.
Plus - he gets a free condom, minus - he gets a new name -'asshole'

I don't think this shirt can beat the market of poorly produced shirts
that say shit like 'My money grows like grass'

Somebody had too much time and money on their hands.

This is not a Naija picture but I just couldn't resist putting it here...
So some people no get brain, amazing...

Smart way to pass an advertising message round;
also a smart way to get arrested for defacing the naira.

Hmm...so this barbering saloon is so dedicated to Jesus that
'jaguda' hairstyles are not 'allow'....what the heck is a jaguda hairstyle?

Wow...Illiterates are now operating school businesses...

....And opening franchises of home teaching?

So what does a rude notice sound like?

Just reading the signboard alone should cure you instantly

See discrimination oh...Na only Igbo woman sabi cook?

Okay....I'm done for today. Sorry i couldn't get so much but i try nah shey?

Flashback Fridays: Naija Michael Jackson Copycats

Chronicled by Afronuts @ Friday, September 05, 2014

Okay, I gotta apologize for letting this slip...this post was actually meant to go up on Michael Jackson's birthday last week friday but I don't know how I managed to just forget. I knew I was cracking my head up to try and remember what special entry I was planning on doing in memory of MJ but i couldn't so I just did the vague one I did last week...afterall, I had to say something nah.

Anyway, in today's Flashback Friday...I suddenly remembered what I wanted to do and it was on Michael Jackson copycats in Naija, way back in the early 80s. Back then Michael was such a hit that Nigerian artistes, both established and upcoming (and even the unknown) started imitating his style. The trend became a social epidemic on the music scene; all manners of wannabes flooded the scene. Some even went as far as outrightly copying MJ in looks or in name.

My people, no be today Naija dey do copy copy oh. Check out the photos of old school 80s albums way back then.  

Chris Mba was popular to a measure back then but man what's with these MJ album cover rip offs? The first photo is a copycat of MJ's 'Off The Wall' album (see MJ photos above) And what's with the orange sef?. The second is also a rip off of MJ...notice how he deliberately displays his white (abi na brown?) socks - a Michael Jackson dress trend.

I don't know who the two dudes above are but the first album (Emma Dorgu) has the dude outrightly striking the 'Off the Wall' pose completely, no creativity just plain copycat. I don't know if he thought he could differentiate with the cap on his head. It just resonated as another 'okoro feeling funky'. As for the artiste below (Rap Dazz - which kain name be dat sef?) he still manges to strike his own pose while trying to copy the MJ look (Hair and funky Jacket) from the 'Beat it' song.  

Jeffery Bon also does a partial copycat by having the 'Off the Wall' look and then striking a pose which is a partial copycat of the MJ Thriller album. As for Kiki Gyan, he wears the 'Off the wall' look and completely copies the 'Thriller' album pose. Maybe it wasn't easy to acquire a white suit or maybe there was fear of getting it dirty in the photo studio used back then.

 

I left this last dude for the last because his own case was far different...not only did he rip off MJ's last name, he also adopted an identical facial look! He wasn't even so bothered about his costume looking exactly like MJs (Or could it be that he couldn't afford a black or white suit?) he just banked on his name and face doing the work; with all the jerri curls, penciled eyes and glossed lips. Now that was a good one, I wonder how many Nigerians where entranced by his Naija version of MJ. I never heard his music back then, so I wonder what it must have sounded like...I doubt if it could have been good because we had a few rubbish songs just as we had good ones. 

Is there anybody out there who knew this guy? Abeg holla back, I need to know what he sounded like.

Have an awesome weekend y'all!

Special thanks to Comb & Razor for the images.

The Surprise of Banky W's 'Jaiye Ori Mi'

Chronicled by Afronuts @ Wednesday, September 03, 2014

On my way driving to work one morning, I overheard some OAPs on radio giving kudos to Banky W's recently released single titled 'Jaiye Ori Mi'.

There were many reasons for the kudos one of the prominent being that it was not another 'jollof' music. Over the years, the Naija music scene has been dominated by a lot of music that just seemed like bunches of juveniles making noise about their fake wealth, sexual exploits and in many cases nothing substantial in particular. I remember raising a concern about such and one dim-witted gave me the excuse that they were just 'club bangers'.

Club Bangers? Like that's an excuse for mediocrity. It’s no wonder most Naija mainstream music never stand the test of time.

In a time when 70% percent of what you hear on radio airwaves is a mixture of meaningless repetitions, pointless slang creations, weakly fabricated dance steps and forced effort to create rhythm and melody with filthy language, Banky W's new single was a refreshing thing to hear on the airwaves. This is not to say Banky is not guilty of the atrocity of producing 'jollof' music. In fact when he released songs of such nature, I was wondering if he had flung he vocal virtuoso into the gutter and joined the bandwagon. But then he would reinforce the fact that he had not abandoned the true art by releasing sweet ballads that serenaded every sound system.

The height of it all is 'Jaiye Ori Mi'.

Now while the idea behind the song is similar to what many artistes have done before (which is to present a song that talks about their achievements irrespective of enemies or 'bad belles' and also attribute it to God), Banky presents his own appreciative song in a humbling, inspiring and almost tear-jerking way. The difference between this song and that done by other artistes is that while the others boast with effrontery and show-off of success, Banky simply presents with undeterred humility, his imperfectness, flaws, challenges and vivid truth and facts that are inspiring and thought provoking.

In his rap sequence, Banky spit touching words that will conjure empathy for what he has gone through in his lifetime as an artiste who has been ridiculed, criticized and made a success of his struggles. In fact this is a song that shouldn't just be enjoyed for its rhythm but also for its strong message. Listening to Banky’s rap you can’t help but feel his pains and what he’s gone through. And boy he sure does do rap very well, even better than some so called Naija rap MCs…

I know say people just love to dey hate me

I see the comments on Linda Ikeji

I know say people love to dey underate me

There's no mistaking, I'm elevating

If they could kill Jesus and He was perfect

Say what they want about me 'cause I am worthless

So when they put you to the test, just do your best

And let God do the rest, and enemies stress

I'm a living witness, I'm the proof

Nothing is impossible and that's the truth

You can achieve if you plan to

If I can make it man, you can too

They say my skin no fresh, it gots to be bleached

They say I really no fine, omo na film trick

I don dey puff up, I'm getting too much kick

And I got a big head, I'm blessed with too much brain...

In the song’s bridge before the chorus which also appears at the beginning, Banky’s says thought-provoking things that touch the heart:

‘Cause if I die today, nobody go die with me

Oloun ma je oh (God forbid)

If I go broke today, I won’t ever hear my phone ring

Oloun ma je oh (God forbid)

I no send nobody, Imma keep doing my thing

And if you’re feeling me now, let me hear you sing

Ma jaiye Ori mi x3 (I will enjoy my life)

Mi o dehin ola Oh (I won’t miss out on wealth)

O dola ki ile to mo (It will all dawn tomorrow)

While the song itself showcases these strong elements, the video further empowers it with interesting visuals and humour.

The setting is religious in nature; the main scenario being a church auditorium. Banky takes the position of the minister/preacher and it works well in visually interpreting the song.

The congregation is made up of a cross section of celebrities who do a good job of hilariously playing the different kind of vain characters you find in church.

The popular act of dozing in church in well represented hilariously.

You have the pervert who’s only in church to check out a babe's and exposed legs until an usher covers them and moves him to another seating position.

Then there are the self-absorbed chicks taking ‘selfies’ in church, distracting others who are taught a lesson by another member who seizes the phone. 

We also have the show-off dude who’s bent off showing off his blings but can’t drop anything in the offering basket and is eventually forced to hesitantly drop his blings.

Even the testimony giver who feels she must tell a long epistle or sing a ‘special number’ is also featured.

The video was a splendid Clarence Peters montage with beautiful aerial shots of the dancing choristers and a passionate Banky in performance.           

 

Jaiye Ori Mi is a good song with a good video, no doubt about it. Perhaps one of the things that make it outstanding is the fact that it actually has lyrics (unlike ‘jollof’ music) – and sensible one at that.

It’s definitely a tune that will play for a long time on my stereo. Thumbs up for Banky W, he’s done it again and shown us what being exceptional really means.