Winners, Photos and Fashion from 2009 Nigerian Music Video Awards

The Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) were held in Lagos over the weekend. The event took place at the Eko Hotels & Suites. It was a big night for many of the top performers in Nigerian music today. Stars including MI and Wande Coal performed while stars from other spheres of entertainment such as actress Monalisa Chinda presented awards.
Check out the list of winners, photos and fashion from the 2009 NMVA’s below.

On Stage
















The Winners
BEST AFRO HIP HOP VIDEO
Mo’Hits Crew – Ten Ten

BEST GOSPEL VIDEO
Kefee – Kokoroko

BEST USE OF ANIMATION IN A MUSIC VIDEO
Holy Mallam – Somebody Say

BEST PRODUCER OF A MUSIC VIDEO
Soul Muzik

BEST MAINSTREAM HIP HOP VIDEO
M.I – Safe

BEST R n B VIDEO
Darey – Not The Girl

BEST DIRECTOR
Mex ( Safe – M.I)

BEST USE OF SPECIAL EFFECTS IN A MUSIC VIDEO
M.I – Safe

BEST AFRO POP VIDEO
D’banj – Mo Gbono Feli Feli

BEST HIGHLIFE MUSIC VIDEO
MC Loph – Osondi Owendi

BEST USE OF COSTUME
Darey – More

MOST PROMISING DIRECTOR
Gbenga Salu

BEST REGGAE DANCEHALL VIDEO
Frank D Nero – Cure My Craze

BEST CONTEMPORARY AFRO MUSIC VIDEO
Bracket – Yori Yori

BEST USE OF CHOREOGRAPHY
Freewindz – Tolotolo

BEST INDIGENOUS CONCEPT
Benita – We Ose

BEST AFROBEAT MUSIC VIDEO
Seun Kuti – Many Many Things

BEST NEW VIDEO
Jaywon – Filebe

MOST POPULAR NIGERIAN MUSIC VIDEO IN EUROPE
May7even – Take Off My Clothes/Bo Aso La Ra Mi

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Mo Gbono Feli Feli – D’banj ( Sesan)

BEST FUJI
Ayuba

SANDRA Bullock puts her family before film roles.

The Hollywood superstar — who’s married to adrenaline junkie and Monster Garage host Jesse James – says she enjoys being a wife and step-mom more than being an actress.

“I realize it when I’m staring at a stack of scripts and I can’t bear to open them,” she said.


“I don’t want to step in that world right now, I want to enjoy where I am. I want to enjoy the ride instead of blasting forward and trying to fill a void that doesn’t exist.”

Sandra, 45, recently revealed that the nudity in her summer movie The Proposal helped the flick succeed.

“We had all the right people, the right elements in the right place,” she said of the movie’s success. “But if I’m honest I think nudity had a great deal to do with it. People liked it.”

Will Smith: Divorce from first wife painful

American actor Will Smith has revealed that the 'most painful loss' he ever endured in his life was his divorce from first wife. Smith, 41, had married girlfriend Sheree Zampino in 1992, and they both became proud parents of son, Trey, before they decided to end their relationship in 1995.




The actor now insists that he has learned the ups and downs of married life since tying the knot with actress Jada Pinkett Smith, and admits that he could have saved his first marriage had he tried harder.


"That (first marriage) is probably the most painful loss of my life. I quit. I could have fixed it. It really was not that bad," the Daily Express quoted him as saying. "With Jada, I stood up in front of God and my family and friends and said, 'Till death do us part.' So there are two possible outcomes: we are going to be together till death or I am dead."



"Jada and I have problems; everybody has problems. People ask, 'What happens if you made a mistake?' Well, you should be a little more careful before you stand up in front of God and your family and friends and say, 'Till death do us part'," he added.

R&B singer Usher's divorce from his wife is final

ATLANTA - R&B singer Usher's divorce from his wife is final, according to court documents.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Bensonetta Tipton Lane issued a final decree in the divorce case Wednesday.

Usher, 31, whose real name is Usher Raymond IV, filed for divorce from Tameka Raymond on June 12. He said the couple had been separated since July 2008 and claimed there was "no reasonable hope of reconciliation" and the marriage was "irretrievably broken."

Tameka Raymond disputed Usher's claim that the couple had been separated since July 2008. She said in court documents filed June 29 that she "had every reason to believe her marriage was intact" and that the two were "intimately together as husband and wife as recently as June 6."

Usher's lawyer, Ivory Brown, said Friday she couldn't comment on the case. BJ Bernstein, a lawyer for Tameka Raymond, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

The couple have two young sons, Usher Raymond V, who will turn 2 on Nov. 26, and Naviyd Ely Raymond, who will be 1 on Dec. 11. When he filed for divorce, Usher was seeking joint custody of the boys. No custody arrangement was detailed in the divorce decree.

The couple married in August 2007 in a lavish ceremony. About 200 people attended their wedding at resort built in the style of a 16th-century-style French chateau on 3,500 hilly acres outside Atlanta.

Before the two married, Usher had a string of romances, most notably his three-year relationship with Chilli from the R&B group TLC.


The Grammy-winning artist's hits include "Confessions," ''Burn," ''You Make Me Wanna" and "Yeah!"
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

This Is It makes $20m in one day

The Michael Jackson concert documentary This Is It earned $20.1m (£12.1m) at worldwide box offices in its first day, the studio that made the film has said.

The movie, which is based on rehearsal footage for the star's ill-fated comeback shows, was premiered around the world on Tuesday.

Steve Elzer from Sony Pictures said the movie is a "reaffirmation of the global appeal of Michael Jackson".

The film made $7.4m (£4,4m) in the US and $2m (£1.2m) in the UK.


Oscar nomination

"The studio believes that the worldwide launch, with very strong performance across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia, represents an amazing beginning for the film," Mr Elzer said in a statement.

He has also revealed that the studio will submit the movie to the Academy Awards for consideration this year in the best picture category.

To be a contender for Oscar shortlisting, the film must complete a seven-day run in Los Angeles County and film-makers would need to "submit the proper paperwork," Academy spokeswoman Leslie Unger said.

Director Kenny Ortega said the late star "deserves" to win an Oscar.
Jermaine Jackson attended the LA premiere




Jackson's brothers attended the film's screening in LA on Tuesday and simultaneous premieres were held in 18 other cities around the world.

The movie was then released to cinemas on Wednesday for a two-week run only.

However, Sony has said the movie will be extended beyond its planned stint if ticket demand is high.

The movie, which runs to nearly two hours, features Jackson singing and dancing to his biggest hits, including Beat It, Black or White and Man in the Mirror.

Jackson, who died on 25 June aged 50, had spent the previous four months rehearsing in LA for the record 50 concerts which were to be held in London.

More than 800,000 tickets had been sold for the concerts, with organisers promising one of the "most expensive and technically advanced" live shows ever.

He was just two weeks away from the opening night at the time of his death.

By the weekend, it will be shown in 110 countries.

Madonna to launch construction of Malawi girls school

BLANTYRE — Pop queen Madonna will lead a groundbreaking ceremony next week for a girls academy she is building in Malawi, where she has adopted two children, officials from her charity said Friday.

Madonna is expected to arrive in Malawi on Sunday and the ceremony for the construction of the school, which will be named Raising Malawi Academy for Girls, will take place on Monday, they said.

"The academy seeks to provide a model of relevant and effective education in Malawi while advancing gender equality and women's empowerment," said an official who requested anonymity.

The school on the outskirts of the administrative capital Lilongwe will prepare girls from poor backgrounds for careers in medicine, education or law, the official said.

The school is modelled on a similar academy built by US television talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

Madonna's trip was confirmed by Anjimile Mtila Oponyo, a local academic who has been hired by the American star to head the academy.

"Madonna believes that given opportunities, these girls will become scientists, lawyers and doctors. She believes in them. Having someone believe in you is important to a girl," Oponyo said.

In 2006, the chart-topping musician adopted a baby boy, David Banda, who is now three-years-old. She returned to Malawi this year to adopt a girl, Mercy James.

Madonna is also funding several charities in the small southern African country, including homes for children with AIDS.

Kanye West gets 50 hours community service for scuffle with paparazzi

Kanye West and his road manager were ordered to complete 50 hours of community service for a scuffle with photographers last year, a judge has ruled.
Criminal charges against the two men were dropped yesterday after the judge said they were too harsh and it was revealed that he musician voluntarily received anger management counselling after the incident last year.

The 32-year-old rapper and his manager, Don Crawley, had a scuffle with two photographers at Los Angeles International Airport on 11 September 2008.
The struggle was recorded and broadcast by celebrity website TMZ.
During the court hearing, it was revealed that t, and had completed 12 one-hour sessions.
Ms Berk said that a civil settlement had been reached with the photographers last month, who wrote letters to the court saying they were satisfied with payment they received.

West pleaded not guilty on May 18 to misdemeanor vandalism, battery and grand theft.
His road manager, Don Crawley, 33, who was charged with two counts of the same crimes, also had pleaded not guilty.


Although the rapper was not in court yesterday, Ms Berk successfully convinced the judge that criminal charges were too harsh.
She said the case was 'wildly overcharged' and that it should be dismissed in the interests of justice, fairness and common sense.
She indicated that the musician would instead perform volunteer hours with the American Red Cross.

The pair were arrested while attempting to catch a flight to Honolulu. Video of the incident showed both men wrestling a camera away from a photographer and smashing parts of it into the ground.

Crawley also allegedly smashed a second photographer's camera.

One of the photographers was allegedly hurt in the incident.


Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Mark Zuckman ordered both men to perform 50 hours of community service.
He said he was taking into account the steps West and Crawley had already taken, their agreement with the photographers, and that there were no lasting injuries to the men. He also noted that neither man had a criminal history.
The altercation was another example of West's notoriously testy temper, but also the first time his actions had turned physical rather than verbal.


He verbally assailed President George W. Bush over the government's response to Hurricane Katrina, and lashed out at awards shows when he didn't win.
Since the airport scuffle, West has been publicly derided for seizing the stage from Taylor Swift during this year's MTV Video Music Awards after she became the first country star to win for best female music video.
He has repeatedly apologized for the incident and told talk show host Jay Leno that he was taking time off from music to reflect on his behavior.

Rapper 50 Cent runs up bar tab of £75,000 at London club

Even with the fabled excesses of the movie business, it's unheard of for a co-star of a film to spend any money at its after-party.

After all, such a bash is the last chance for the cast and crew to milk the film's budget for free food and booze.
But not every actor has the disposable income of American hip hop star 50 Cent, who took bar tabs to a whole new level last night after dropping £75,000 over the bar at the after-party of Dead Man Running at Alto club in London's Soho.

The 33-year-old rapper hired the entire VIP area for his entourage, friends and film colleagues.
And he's not even the star - being officially billed behind Tamer Hassan, Danny Dyer... and Brenda Blethyn.
A guest at the party said: 'When he arrived at the club it was mayhem. The area was cleared for him and security ushered him straight through. On his table were bottles of champagne but he wanted a magnum bottle of Ace Of Spades champagne.
'You could tell that he was loving all the attention as people were trying to take pictures on their phones and were shouting his name.'

50 Cent - real name Curtis Jackson but also known as 'Fiddy' - plays a gangster and loan shark called Mr Thigo in the film, a character not a long way away from his real-life past.
Earlier that evening, 50 had been wearing a smarter grey suit as he posed alongside singer Jamelia at the Leicester Square screening as part of the London Film Festival.

Moments after he arrived, security was left in a state of panic when a horde of girls tried to break into the VIP area in a desperate bid to meet the American star.
Out of the hundreds that were pushing against the ropes, 15 girls managed to get past security and he allowed them to sit at his table for the remainder of the night.

The guest added: '50 has never been one to turn a lady away, so when he saw that a few ladies had made it into his VIP area he allowed them to sit with him.
'They were drinking his champagne from the bottle and they were obviously in their element. 50 was chatting away to them and the girls were giggling and dancing around his table.'
He left the club alone just after 3am.

Since arriving in the capital earlier this week, the rapper has been travelling around town in a white Rolls Royce.

He made sure he was noticed on red carpet last night when he was driven up the entrance of the Odeon West End in the lavish vehicle.

Footballer Rio Ferdinand, who part-financed the film, said 50 Cent had done him a huge favour by agreeing to star in the movie.
Rio said: 'He's done us a great favour, he's done stuff for my online magazine Number 5 as well. So there's a work in progress there and if ever needs me for anything, which I'm not sure he does yet, I'm there.'

Helen Prest Ajayi hosts a grand soiree as she celebrates her 50th birthday

By Bella

On Saturday 17th October 2009, Former Miss Nigeria – Helen Prest-Ajayi celebrated her 50th birthday by hosting a grand party at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos. Wife, mother, lawyer, author, entrepreneur and beauty queen – those are some of the titles associated with Helen so it was no surprise that the event was graced by a diverse range of guests. From corporate titans like Aliko Dangote to fellow beauty queen Nike Osinowo-Soleye to Nollywood star Rita Dominic. It was a festive and glam night! We have to say you look fab at 50! Helen was surrounded by lots of friends on her special day but we all know that family comes first. Her husband, Dr Ajayi as well as her children, mother and siblings were there to celebrate her big day. Photos below.

Nicole Richie

Nigeria’s TV darling is BACK! Funmi Iyanda screens ‘Talk With Funmi’

Funmi Iyanda is back!
The much loved Nigerian talk show host held a screening of her new show ‘Talk With Funmi‘ at the Silverbird Cinema in Victoria Island Lagos on Friday 16th of October 2009.
TWF is a multi-segment variety show set in multiple locations across Nigeria. It brings truly inspiring real life stories, fresh perspectives of our diverse cultures, tangible information and inspirational experiences of real people from various parts of the country into the homes of Nigerians in a fun filled engaging and entertaining manner.
Anchoring this unique program is the talented and outstanding broadcaster, Funmi Iyanda, who is well known with ‘New Dawn with Funmi’, a programme which ran on national TV for eight years. She is also a multi-award winning journalist, blogger and writer as well as a fellow of both the Desmond Tutu African Leadership Institute and the Aspen Institute’s African Leadership Initiative.
TWF takes Funmi and her crew round the entire 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, to bring the Nigerian story alive. Four states have been visited so far and the first 13 episodes of the show have been shot and fully edited. The show will be premiered on DSTV’s Africa Magic & Magic World(Primetime), NTA/AIT and other selected stations around Nigeria, with an international cut scheduled for a major UK network.
See photos from the screening below. We’ll have more photos from the screening as well as the full scoop on TWF on Bella Naija soon…