After a long hiatus, Ballad legend and groovies music exponent is set return to his first love return with a bang. The Cock Crow at Dawn crooner is set to dazzle fans with a bold new three-album project entitled, The Way It Is. The album, which comprises jazz, blues, country and a contemporary album featuring two of his daughters and two other British artistes is currently going through the final stages of imminent release on Bongos Ikwue Entertainment (BIK) based in Otukpo, Makurdi and United Kingdom. “I have really picked up from where I left off.” He told newsmen recently
The return of the legend Ikwue has indeed received a big boost with the release of a new music video entitled Wulu Wulu featuring his daughter, Omei Bongos.
Wulu Wulu comes ahead of the release of the much-awaited three in one album which according to Keke
Bongos, the boss of BIK Entertainment is at the stage of mass production.
In 2010, the respected balladeer made a heroic return in Inalele, a musical pro- duced by his daughter, Keke and directed by Jeta Amata.
Keke reassured that the forthcoming album would bring back the memories of old days when Ikwue held the country awestruck with his restful ballad and beautifully crafted renditions under EMI Music, his then record label.
Speaking recently, the legendary singer said: “For a while now, I have been busy writing and making music in my multimillion naira studios in Otukpo with my young, vibrant, and talented band, ‘Double X’. I have performed exclusively for the presidency, and also at some selected festivals and other important occasions in and around Nigeria. I am a man on the move, ready to give my all to music and the entertainment business, which no doubt has brought me fame and fortune. My resolute belief in the Nigerian project is contagious as expressed in my forthcoming album.”
Keke in inalele
On his long absenteeism from the music industry, the septuagenarian who in his active days on stage, was a toast of music buffs as far back as the late ‘70s and ‘80s affirmed thus: “Over the years, I have been quietly building what can be described as ‘Hollywood in Nigeria’, an entertainment empire that will in another few years take Nigeria by storm and move show business to the next level.
The empire is based in Makurdi, Benue State and it consists of an ultra-modern and state-of-the-art equipment to rival any entertainment industry in the world. There is the film studio, a multipurpose complex built to cater for film and TV production, animation and futuristic graphics.
The recording/musical studio can be compared to the very best where a whole live musical orchestra can conveniently record. International artistes of repute can also record in the studio. There is the rental arm of the business for indoor and outdoor equipment for concerts of any magnitude with lights. And following in the footsteps of music establishments like Motown, Stark Records and CBS, my in-house band can back up any Nigerian and international artiste on tour or at any studio in the world.”
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