Encomium
+What became of the group
P-Square’s break-up tale is not the first in the history of Nigerian entertainment industry. Many music groups, who were one time the talk of the town had also followed the ignoble path, and we all know what became of them in the long run. For instance, the trio of Remedies, Plantainshun Boiz and of recent, Mo’hits and others shocked the industry when their break-up became obvious.
ENCOMIUM Weekly’s RASHEED ABUBAKAR brings you their success and failure stories, so that others treading the same path can have a rethink…
REMEDIES
Remember Remedies? The musical group that started what is now known as Naija Hip Hop. Formed in 1997 by the trio of Eedris AbdulKareem (rapper), Tony Tetuila (singer) and Eddy Remedys. Their hit singles, Shakamo and Omoge won the heart of many music lovers across Nigeria and beyond. They rocked the industry for three years, before they parted ways in 1999. However, only Tetuila benefited more from the break-up, even though Eedris AbdulKareem tried to remain relevant for a while. Eddy Montana also struggled to be relevant, but all his efforts proved abortive. Where are the Remedies today?
PLANTASHUN BOYZ
Plantashun Boyz made us remember one of their hottest singles at that time, entitled, You and I. The group comprised 2Face, Faze and BlackFace made many music pundits love RnB, as their style of rap was unique. In year 2000, they released Body and Soul, which was sold out, before they broke-up in another controversial way in 2004.
But of all the members of the defunct Plantainshun Boiz, only 2Face survived the tide, and fortunately for him, he still remains a force to reckon with in music! What happened to Faze who also made effort to rejuvenate? What about the rapper among them, BlackFace? What became of them?
MAINTAIN
I know many of their fans would remember them very well! The trio of Olu, Tolu and Big Bamo and the impact they made as a group back then, with hits songs such as I catch cold and Nibo la wa gbe lo. Yeah, they released six successful albums between 1998 and 2004 before they went their separate ways! Fortunately for Olu Maintain, his Yahooze/Maintain Reloaded made him to rule the music radar for a long time, even though he has been planning to stage a comeback. What became of Big Bamo and Tolu?
X-PROJECT
X-Project was another musical group that won the hearts of many. The group, made up of a Nigerian, Mojeed Akinwoye and two Sierra-Loneans, Salieu Zindi and Aziz Kamaraof, rocked the industry with their hit songs, particularly Lorile. Although, the leader of the defunct X-Project, Majeed is said to be in the US, not more has been heard about the group, which was hitherto, the darling trio of music lovers.
TRYBESMEN
The defunct Trybesmen earlier had five members including Eldee, Kaboom and Freestyle before they were joined by OlaDele and TKO. Their first singles Trybal Marks and Shake Bodi made waves in the music scene, but the group did not enjoy stardom before they split. However, only eLDee has been able to remain relevant till date. Although Freestyle made an attempt, he did not succeed.
MO’HITS
Arguably one of the best musical companies ever. Till date, their break-up still surprised many, going by the relationship that existed among them, especially the groups arrow-heads, Don-Jazzy and Dbanj. Other members of the group included Wande Coal, Dr. Sid and D’Prince, before they parted ways in 2012. Financially, it’s difficult to conclude who is benefiting more from the break-up, but musically, D’Banj is really missing out. He has not dropped a hit single that would stand the test of time since he went solo, except for his Oliver Twist which was recorded when he was with Mo’hits. We learnt he’s even considering working with Don Jazzy.
KC PRESH
KC Presh impressed many to win the maiden edition of Star Quest, a talent hunt show sponsored by Nigerian Beweries Plc, in 2002. The duo of KC and Presh released five albums during their period of being together before they parted ways in 2011 on account of reasons best known to them. Fortunately for KC, he made his way back to the musical scene with his Limpopo single, and he’s one of the hottest artistes right now, getting endorsement and smiling to the bank, and cruising around in exotic automobiles. However, his partner, Presh, who has been lagging behind, is planning to storm the industry in a big way.
