Happy Mothers Day from De Afro Drum Beat

If your mother didn’t or hasn’t done anything for you, at least she gave birth to you and that is reason enough to thank her. De Afro Drum Beat wants to wish our readers a happy and BIG mothers day to all mothers in the world. May you keep giving us the love and support. God Bless You MUM! Enjoy with the following African made songs dedicated to African mothers.

"Most mothers, despite what their kids may say did do a good job! And mine is no exception. For all the many times you scolded me, punished me, taught me important life lessons, I want to say a big thank you! I am so proud of you. I wouldn’t have been half the woman I am today without your love and support.

Your sacrifices, your worries, your care, your love is fondly remembered on this special day.

You made me laugh, even when you had tears in your eyes. You taught me to be strong, taught me how to pray, how to believe, how to hope and have faith.

It’s funny how sometimes now I feel the need to protect you, to shield you from life’s problems, to care for you just like you cared for me.

I know I could never match up, could never repay you, but I want to tell you that I love you.

As we celebrate mother’s today, let’s bring back some fond memories."

Isabella Ayuk wins the 2012 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Title in Benin

Congrats to 25 Year Old Beauty Queen Isabella Ayuk who represented Cross River state as she was crowned as the 2012 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria just a few minutes ago.

The 25th anniversary of the MBGN pageant took place at the Best Western Hotel in Benin, Edo State. The event was hosted by Toke Makinwa and Chris Okenwa.

Despite stiff competition from crowd favorites, Miss Abuja – Ifeoma Umeokeke and Miss Rivers – Damiete Charles-Granville; Isabella emerged as the winner as she was chosen to represent Nigeria in the 2012 Miss World competition in Mongolia while Ifeoma Umeokeke will represent Nigeria at the Miss Tourism International Pageant and Damiete Charles-Granville will represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant.

As with 2011 winner Sylvia Nduka, Isabella Ayuk is an experienced beauty pageant contender as she had previously contested for the 2004 Miss Nigeria crowd.

The 2012 MBGN receives a cash prize, a brand new Toyota Corolla from the Edo State Government and a N1,000,000 Cartier watch from Polo Limited.

2012 MBGN Prizes

Best Traditional Outfit – Miss Cross River – Isabella Ayuk

Miss Photogenic – Miss Edo – Mary Omoye Omobhude

Miss Amity – Miss Taraba – Grace Onuoha

Miss La Casera – Miss Gombe – Antonette Igebu

Face of Select Pro – Miss Kwara – Tomilayo Salami

Miss Teen Ghana to Contest In 2012 Miss Teen International – USA

Miss Beatrice Addy, winner of last year’s Miss Teen Ghana, is set to contest at the Miss Teen International 2012 in the United States. The 17-year-old Miss Addy, a student of Mfantsiman High School, will participate in the Miss Teen International 2012 competition on 26 and 28 July, 2012 at the North Shore Centre for the Performing Arts in Chicago, Illinois.

According to Adelaide France-Darko, Director at Linkword, organizers of the pageant, Miss Beatrice Addy’s reign will end in August after holding the coveted title for nearly a year. She noted that :

“The Miss Teen International Pageant system has been developed to promote today’s teens, ages 13 – 18, and their accomplishments.

“Around the world women are finding an opportunity to work with others to become positive role models. This being the premiere pageant for young women has given Miss Teen International a chance to open doors for all teenage women around the world”.

The event, she added, would give each contestant the opportunity to learn about customs and family life in other countries, along with the chance to share beliefs and make plenty of new friends. Miss Teen International, according to the Director of Linkword, was developed to have higher standards than other pageants.

Touching on the focus of Miss Teen International, Mrs. France-Darko revealed that the show would showcase teens who were between 13 and 18 years old and were residents of the state or a citizens of the countries they represented.

“Each contestant will be competing in interview competition, evening gown valued, fitness wear and fun fashion wear; the beauty pageant will give each of the contestants the opportunity to select a platform of her choice which she will be promoting the year round”.

Last year’s pageant, the maiden edition of Miss Teen Ghana, was held in August at the Airport West Hotel in Accra. Miss Addy, who emerged winner, is hopeful to bring the international crown to Ghana. This year’s Miss Teen Ghana will be held in September at the National Theatre.

Davido,Camp mulla,Aemo E'Face To Open 2012 BigBrother

Fast rising music sensation Davido has been listed as one of the performers of BigBrother africa opening ceremony.

Other artists listed to perform are kenyan hip-hop group camp mulla and Malawian born South African raised artist Aemo E'Face.

The three artists will join the show headliner Rapper J.cole .The seventh season of Big Brother africa tagged star game will commence May 6,2012. This is the first time entrants are pairing up to compete and brand new cash prize will be USD 300 000.

Obama’s 2012 campaign slogan: ‘Forward’ (Video)

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has a new campaign slogan: “Forward.” Obama’s re-election team unveiled its new motto in a video released Monday morning. The seven-minute video begins by recalling the grim state of the nation’s economy when Obama took office, then ticks through what the campaign says are the president’s accomplishments, both on the economy and other issues.

The campaign also uses the video to target congressional Republicans, saying Obama had to overcome GOP obstruction on Capitol Hill in order to pass legislation. The video tries to make the case for Obama’s re-election by saying there is still more work to do going forward. The campaign says the video will be played for supporters attending the president’s first re-election rallies Saturday in Ohio and Virginia.

Watch Forward video :

Watch STAR QUEST 2012 Winners CRYSTALS Video for ‘Love Me Tender’

Star Quest 2012 wrapped up on April and Crystals, a six person band made up of Civian Aluebho Obehi (Vocalist), Romeo Ukwudike (Rapper), Daniel Onibudo (Keyboard), Emmanuel Oghenakogie (Drums), Tinuke Afolayan (Vocalist) and the band leader Godwin Edim Inyang (Bass) took home the grand prize of N7.5 million recording contract; a brand new Toyota SUV, one year accommodation in Lagos and other benefits.

Watch the video of their originally composed single which was recorded LIVE called Love Me Tender. As you will see and hear when you watch the video, they are young, passionate, energetic and have that raw talent. once they start to develop as signed artists under a music label their talent will definitely become even more refined.

ABOUT STAR QUEST

In 2002, STAR introduced a talent hunt program – STAR Quest. The basic objective of STAR Quest then was to discover and promote young and budding Nigerian artistes in the various music idioms.

. Group based but with some element of individuality, unfolding first as individual skills and later metamorphoses into ..group efforts.

. It is a highly modified reality TV concept that is extensively driven by world class production values.

. Entries are solicited from individuals who have had no prior published musical works.

. Participants must possess demonstrable proficiency in at least one vital area of music – vocals, instruments or composition etc.

. Live auditions are done in selected cities across the nation. Interested participants simply walk into any of the audition venues to showcase their talent during the selection process.

The initial selection process is based on auditioning of short listed applicants in six zones thus:

1. LAGOS 2. OWERRI 3 . ENUGU 4 . ABUJA 5 . BENIN 6 . JOS

. Key cities are grouped under each of the six zones.

. 36 finalists in all, made up of instrumentalists and vocalists, will then be invited to the STAR Fameland for the National STAR Quest contest that is shown on national TV in 21 episodes.

. The 36 finalists will voluntarily create 6 bands of 6 members each without any interference from the organizers

. Each band will adopt a name for easy identification before performing on national stage.

. The six bands will go through extensive rehearsals and tasks during the camping period. The national finals will be …at two levels.

. At the first level the six bands will be reduced to three through public voting via SMS.

. The three successful bands will then proceed to the second level that is the grand finale.

. Final voting will be 100% public voting.

The winning band will be the lead Nigerian band at the next STAR Trek and STAR Mega Jam.

Home Editorials Music Videos Events Fashion Movies Relationships Social Issues Inspire ← Previous PostNext Post → Meet The Contestants For Most Beauti

The 2012 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) Pageant will take place May 5 ,2012 at the Best Western Homeville Hotel, Benin City, Edo State.

Meet the 2012 Contestants …

Miss Abia – Onuoha Glory

Miss Abuja – Ifeoma Umeokeke

Miss Adamawa – Ofoma Chisokwue

Miss Akwa Ibom – Esther Ephraim

Miss Anambra – Elsie Anuli Dike

Miss Bauchi – Okolo Obianuju

Miss Bayelsa – Isaiah Inara

Miss Benue – Aghedo Oses

Miss Borno – Kelly Ochuko

Miss Crossriver – Isabelle Ayuk

Miss Delta – Tiffany Anabelle Davies

Miss Ebonyi – Abana Onyeka

Miss Edo – Omobhude Omoye Mary

Miss Ekiti – Egbe Rejoice Okekeni

Miss Enugu – Adaugo Ndu

Miss Gombe – Igebu Antonette

Miss Imo – Nsofor Gail Anulika

Miss Kaduna – Joyce Ngozi Chidebe

Miss Kebbi – Uju Chimezie

Miss Kogi – Charity Chinenye Obiora

Miss Kwara

Miss Lagos – Chinaka Olorunsola Nkechi

Miss Nasarawa – Hadassah Benson

Miss Niger – Vivian Ifeoma

Miss Ogun – Majoro Winifred

Miss Ondo – Barbara Okereke

Miss Osun – Okafor Christabel Nkechinyere

Miss Oyo – Ezenwa Augusta Chioma

Miss Plateau – Elshammah Enadelo Igbanoi

Miss Rivers – Charles Granville Damiete

Miss Taraba – Onuoha Grace

Miss Yobe – Oyenmwosa Allwell Omoregie

Sarkodie & Okyeame Kwame Top Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2012 Nominees List, D'banj,Naeto C,Duncan Mighty,MI,Wizkid,Ice Prince Nominated also.

The nominations for the 2012 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards was announced today. The nominees announcement was for the first time in the 13 year history of the Awards Scheme televised live on GH-One Entertainment Television. It was attended by a cross section of the entertainment media. Nigerian Music stars ,D'banj, Iceprince, wizkid,Duncan Mighty ,MI, Naeto C and Angolan cabo snoop will battle for the African artiste of the year category.

Strong contenders for the highest awards include Ghana’s fastest rapper Sarkodie, the Rap Doctor, Okyeame Kwame and sensational songstress Efya.

The names mentioned above have been nominated several times in the list and are likely to walk away with quite a number of the awards.

Sarkodie has been tipped by many to win the ‘Artiste of the Year’, a position being keenly contested by Becca, Okyeame Kwame, Efya, R2Bees, 4X4 and Kwaw Kesse.

Artiste of The Year would walk away with GHC 10,000 and every other winner in any other category gets GHC 2,000.

This year’s festival is under the theme “Recharged for the love of music” and the main event has been scheduled for April 14, 2012.

The Award sponsored by telecom giant vodafone will be held in April. The short code for public voting 1767 has been officially activated to record voting for the Public Categories.

Below is the full list of the nominees:

PUBLIC VOTING AWARDS CATEGORIES

1. Artiste(s) of the Year

* Becca

* Okyeame Kwame

* Sarkodie

* Efya

* R2Bees

* 4×4

* Kwaw Kesse

2. Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste(s) of the Year

* Stay Jay

* Okyeame Kwame

* 4×4

* Sarkodie

* D-Cryme

* Kwaw Kese

* R2Bees

3. Highlife Artiste(s) of the Year

* Daddy Lumber

* K. K Fosu

* Kwabena Kwabena

* Kwesi Pee

* George Darko

*Lucky Mensah

4. Gospel Artiste(s) of the Year

* DSP Kofi Sarpong

* Gifty Osei

* Philipa Baafi

* Lady Prempeh

* Bernice Ansah

* Selina Boateng

5. New Artiste of the Year

Atumpan

Racquel

Stay Jay

D-Cryme

EL

Zigi

6. Best Collaboration of the year

* Trigmatic ft Raquel - Aageii

* Fuse ODG ft Tiffany - Azonto

* Raquel ft Sarkodie – Sweetio

*Eduwordzi ft Stay Jay – Yenko Nkoa

* Okyeame Kwame ft Bertha – Faithful

* Sarkodie ft Efya – I’m In Love With You

* Sarkodie ft EL – You go kill me shy

7. African Artiste(s) of the Year

Naeto C

Duncan Mighty

Ice Prince

D’banj

Cabo Snoop

Wizkid

8. Hiplife Song of the Year

Stay Jay – Shashee Wowo

Keche - Sorkode

4X4 – Yesi Yesii

Sarkodie – you go kill me

Okyeame Kwame – Faithful

Buk Bak – Kolom

D-Cryme – Kill Me Shy

9. Highlife song of the Year

George Darko – Lucky Star

Lucky Mensah – Nkratuor

Kwabena Maphia – I Go pay

Daddy Lumba – Ko Hye Po

Kwabena Kwabena – Be Gye Me

K. K Fosu – Akoma

10. Most Popular Song of the Year

4 x 4 – Yesi Yesii

Stay Jay – Shashee Wowo

Selina Boateng – Me Nku Me Ho

D Cryme – Kill Me Shy

Sarkodie – U go Kill Me

Zigi – You Say Wetin

Atumpan – The Thing

Okyeame Kwame – Faithful

11. Afro-Pop Song of the Year

Ruff N Smooth – Beautiful

Becca – African Woman

Fuse – ODG Azonto

Zigi – U Say Wey Tin

Atumpan – The Thing

Raquel – Sweetieo

Chase – Tell Me Your Name

12. Hip Hop Song of the Year

Bra Kevin – Three Headed Beast

D-Black – My Kind Of Girl

Sarkodie – I’m In Love With You

Edem – Too Much

Guru – Mmaakuo

Kwaw Kese – Poppin

13. Gospel Song of the year

Lady Prempeh – Nsantaban

Gifty Osei – Fefeefe

Philipa Baafi – Dea Eba Wosem Afe Yi

Selina Boateng – Me Nku Me Ho

Jake Alolome – Tomorrow By This Time

DSP Kofi Sarpong – African Borborbo

Bernice Ansah – Final say

14. Reggae Song of the Year

Blakk Rasta – Miss Right

SonniBalli – All They See

Edem – Ghetto Arise

Kesse Oh Yes

Stonebwoy/Samini – Climax

Jupiter/Trigmatic – Uptown Downtown

15. Best Group of the Year

R2Bees

Buk Bak

Keche

Ruff ‘n’ Smooth

4X4

INDUSTRY VOTING AWARDS CATEGORIES

16. Album of the Year

* Sarkodie – Rapperholic

* Kwaw Kese – Untold Stories

* 4X4 – Waist and Power

* Stay Jay – Repetition

* Trigmatic – Solution

* Selina Boateng – Menko Meho

17. Best Male Vocal Artiste

* Kesse – Oh Yes

* Fritz – Me Dowu

* KK Fosu – Akoma

* Kwasey Pee – Shwe Ahenie

* Chemphe – Number One

* Kwame Adinkra - Abena Dansoa

18. Best Female Vocal Artist

* Efya – I’m In Love With You

* Raquel – Odo

* Bertha – Faithful

* Becca – African Woman

* Irene Logan – Light and Darkness

* Diana Antwi Hamilton – Eye Wo Ara

19. Best Music Video of the Year

* Becca – African Woman

* 4×4 – Yesi Yesii

* D Black – My Kind of Girl

* Mensah – No One Knows

* Bra Kevin – 3 Headed Beast

* Sheriffa Gunu – Mrantie

* Okyeame Kwame – Faithful

20. Best Rapper of the Year

* Manifest – Ghana Must Go

* Sarkodie – U go Kill Me

* Okyeame Kwame – Faithful

* Edem – Legacy

* Trigmatic – Light and Darkness

* EL – Obuumo

21. Songwriter of the Year

* Okyeame Kwame - Faithful

* D-Cryme - Kill Me Shy

* Mensah - Fante Love Song

* Manifest ft Efya - Asa

* Sarkodie ft Efya - I’m In Love With You

* Becca - African Woman

* Trigmatic ft Irene - Light and Darkness

22. Record of the Year

* Okyeame Kwame ft Bertha – Faithful

* Jayso ft Adina – Music

* Mensah – Fante Love Song

* Trigmatic ft Irene – Light and Darkness

* Sarkodie ft Efya – I’m In Love With You

* Kwame Adinkra ft Kwabena Kwabena – Akua Dansoa

* Yaa Pono ft Efya – Good Morning

23. Gospel Album of the Year

* Philipa Baafi – Dea Eba Wosem Afe Yi

*Selina Boateng – Me Nku Me Ho

* Bernice Ansah – Gbenze Gbenze

* Lady Prempeh – Ne Ntaban

* Diana Antwi – Hamilton Blessings

* Gifty Osei – Fefeefe

Adele wows with post-throat surgery song

(Reuters) - Adele wowed fans on Friday in her first public singing outing since throat surgery in November, putting to rest fears that her distinctive husky voice may have been damaged.

The soulful British singer, 23, is due to make her official performance comeback at the Grammy Awards on Sunday where she is expected to take home an armful of trophies following the worldwide success of her album "21".

But on Friday, American TV viewers heard her sing three verses, a cappella, of her hit song "Rolling In The Deep" in an excerpt of an upcoming "60 Minutes" interview on CBS.

"Thank the music gods that she sounds just as perfect as she did before that hemorrhaged vocal chord," wrote Jarett Wieselman at celebrity website TheInsider,

HollywoodLife.com said Adele "sounds amazing," while E! Online's Alexis L. Loinaz wrote, "The gal kills it! If there are any lingering doubts that Adele might not be ready to unleash those pipes yet, this footage puts them to rest."

Adele was forced to cancel part of her U.S. tour last year because of persistent vocal problems. In November, she underwent laser surgery to remove a hemorrhaged polyp on her vocal cords and was ordered to take two months of vocal rest.

Organizers confirmed only 10 days ago that she would be performing at the Grammy Awards show in Los Angeles on Sunday, where she has six nominations, including the coveted record, album and song of the year.

The full "60 Minutes" profile will be shown immediately before the Grammy telecast. Adele told interviewer Anderson Cooper that she first realized there was something wrong with her voice when she was singing live on a French radio station and, "It felt like something popped in my throat."

She said the surgery was a wake-up call to help her realize her vocal limits.