TRAE days

In recent times Nigeria has seen all sorts of international music stars (from DMX, Guru, Naughty by Nature, Wyclef Jean, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Ashanti, Eve, Ginuwine, Usher, to Africa’s own Awilo and the late Brenda Fassie) grace the stage at different shows in the country. And Thursday December 1st was no exception as 50 cent (the beef bringer himself. Check out his line from “You Want Beef With Me?”: You want beef with me Take a number and get in line) performed at the Eagle’s Square in Abuja. He was in the country as the Star Mega Jam’s headliner.

In the company of his G-Unit soldiers: Lloyd banks and Young Buck (seems he’s cleared up his police issue with the Dr Dre attempted stabbing shit. Dre day for life niggaz. Now you know where I got “TRAE days” from…smiles), DJ Whookid and a whole lot of other crew members 50 tore up the stage.

And Praises be to God because I witnessed the show live. Though I entered via the apian way…Ah Oga security sorry oh, my bad my bad, one Nigeria! Through out the show 50 sure was in philanthropic mood (you know Hip hop now: money, power, respect!) as he was giving out stuff like his baseball caps, snickers, towel, singlet, jewelry and 500 and 200 Naira notes. I almost copped some goodies myself. But man the stampede and rush was too much. And that wasn’t good cos handsets went missing and a lot of people, girls especially, lost their footwear. The crowd was just too rowdy and not well behaved. Peeps were throwing shoes up in the air and some even aimed at the stage. I guess they were thugging it out in their own way. And the mic wasn’t too good, but the fact that most peeps knew 50’s songs word for word they followed and it was aight. Over all the crowd felt him and the show was great. I could have told ya more but I missed part of the show when I was getting h**d in the toilets…smiles.

You can also read a review of the Abuja show and the one in Lagos (where he performed some/a day later) at http://www.hiphopworldmagazine.com/features.php?detail=46 . He should have also been in Port Harcourt but he had some silly brawl with Eedris Abdulkareem. You can read on the brawl at http://www.hiphopworldmagazine.com/features.php?detail=46, or checkout Eedris’ site to hear his view on the issue. The brawl sure is making the news right now in Naija. Even soccer forumites are digressing and gisting about it.

50 sure is good at live performances but if you ask me I still prefer DMX. The January show he had in Abuja was off the hook. Unlike 50, “X” was a one-man act, with only his DJ supporting him, but man he carried the crowd. Ain’t nobody stoning or booing him, the crowd wasn’t that rowdy (except for some police over-zealousness as they tried to keep the crowd too far away from the stage), they loved him. Performing verse and chorus after verse and chorus from his numerous hits he had the crowd in a frenzy. You know how it is with DMX’ songs. Being the dogg he is his songs are very energetic and inspiring. They tend to push your adrenalin up. I’ll always respect X for that.

Last word: Why can’t the NTA (Nigerian Television Authority) get the right presenters to interview hip-hop acts. What’s with Augusta Maduegbuna of NTA Saturday night live asking for demonstration from 50 Cent instead of a freestyle. She wanted him to stand up, drop his go shorty hook and dance to it. I’m sure 50 must have been like what the fuck? The same shit happened in DMX’s case. Two elderly Northern presenters at NTA plus; who I’m sure don’t know a thing about hip hop were asking him shit, instead of the right questions fans would want to hear. Young presenters with hip hop knowledge should interview hip hop artist. The old folks better chill and look for their fame in other TV programs

Shit I don’t write (raps that is) much these days. But u can read som’en I put down on 50 from back in the day at http://www.africanhiphop.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1869&highlight=50+loss+uncanny .

50 Cent with Ayo Animashaun (Publisher of Hiphopworldmagazine, “The Source” of Nigeria)