Last week, X2 reported the arrival on the scene of Finesse Entertainment. The new music house has already signed on five new acts. Today, we introduce you to all the acts currently signed to the label owned by Habeeb Funsho. Jubril Olawale Buraimoh 28-year-old Jubril started singing aged 12; his mother owned a recording studio in Lagos.
Now playing under the moniker Blaqshyne, the finalyear student of Nuhu Bamali
Polytechnic, Zaria in Kaduna State says his influences include the erstwhile band, Plantashun Boiz. His credits include working with mainstream music notables like Kelly Hansome, and Mekoyo who was the producer for another all-male and widely admired group, Styl-Plus. Buba Barnabas Luka Fitto Born and raised in Bauchi, Buba started singing at the age of 16. In 2007, at 20, he released his debut single, ‘New Day’. According to Buba, the track was inspired by his “love and passion for art.”
Now going by the name Classiq, he says his mission is to raise the bar on Nigerian hip hop. “My intention is to bring to hip hop the standard it deserves and most importantly convince anyone who listens that the brand of good music they have yearned for is now here.” A 2008 graduate of computer science from Bayero University, Kano, he names his musical influences as Asa, Naeto C, Banky-W, Freestyle, Common, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Ludacris, Wyclef, Dido, B.O.B and South African rapper, HHP. Ananu Ene Adobunu The only female act on the label, Ananu hails from Benue State. The 26-year-old has been singing for about 11 years.
She was a contestant on the 2010 edition of the musical talent hunt show, Star Quest, as part of Sapphire Blue band. Now going by the stage name Ene’gma she has a single, titled ‘Again’, to her name. Her musical influences include Mary J. Blige, Kanye West and Asa. She comes from a family of eight. Abdulrazaq Olorunfemi Asani Better known as Femi Knight, Abdulrazaq was raised in a polygamous family. Born in 1984, he started singing early in the 90s. His introduction to music came from his older brothers who all loved music and partying. His musical career kicked off in the UK, where he had gone to study. He got admitted into Anglia Polytechnic University in Cambridge, United Kingdom, to study Business Marketing and Management right after receiving musical lessons and vocal coaching at the London Music School.
While in the UK, he released a mixtape that sampled Brain McKnight. He has also worked as a resident disc jockey at a club. His influences include Tuface, Asa, Naeto C, Michael Jackson, Maxwell and R. Kelly. Onyewadume Anthony Chukwuemeka At age six, Onyewadume, better known today as T-Rex, already wrote three songs. Although he now describes the lyrics of the songs as “weak and somewhat embarrassing”, he still feels proud about them. Born in 1982, his first shot at professional music was with Trybes Records in 2000 as an undergraduate at the University of Lagos. Currently a practising electrical engineer, he remains adamant about doing music as he was raised in a musical family; his father performed as Austine Power along with a band that had his mother as backup singer.
His passion also has room for painting and drawing; he hopes to someday combine art with music-making. His influences includes Fela, Majek Fashek, Austine Power, Ras Kimono and Junior Pretty. He also draws inspiration from American heavyweight hip hop legends like Big Daddy Kane, Kool G, Big Pun, Biggie, Run DMC, Rakim, Nas, Eminem, Will Smith, Slick Rick, Das EFX, Krayzie Bone, Busta Rhymes, Cannibus andDMX.
