Happy New year friends and i am glad you are reading this. Its great privileges to write personally without blogging gossip about any celebrity,. i just want to take time to speak from my heart about the journey so far and our vision we want to share with you all, especially the creative, the singers, dancers, authors and all who have not given up the search for greater success. please read and share with your friends.
THE JIMETA I SAW
For many years I was amazed at the kind of friends i was surrounded by, Mostly singers, music producers and designers. However I was rather dismayed by the treatment garnered upon them simply because they were not loaded cash-wise or were on keke napep or achaba from one destination to the next.
I said enough was enough; someone had to change the status quo. Someone had to tell people how talented these fellas were and they should be given their due recognition. The north east of Nigeria is mostly dominated by politicians, fat bellied old men who don’t have an iota of creativity but lend their rusty voices to corruption, greed and all sorts of malicious acts all in d name of embezzlement.
REALITY OF ADAMAWA STATE
I must confess Adamawa state is regarded statistically as the poorest state in the country, (even Yobe has more hope than we do), but the reality is that we are blessed with infinite human talent, Lagos is not just known for its high rise buildings and beaches but because it is the cradle for most talent in the country, from Tuface to M.i all have residence within Lagos.
BACK TO THE MATTER
After my degree I studied for diploma in Mass Communication and was taught the Agenda setting theory that says the media dictates the tone of the day’s discussion, and it clicked to me that Tuface became popular because the TV, magazines and other media spoke about him , whether it was his new single hit songs or pregnancy scandal, he was on the headlines, when new media came in , wizkid and p-square were on the front burner.
THE SOLUTION
It suddenly dawned on me that someone was busy telling their story, Kenny & D1 started prime time jams like a joke, I was a kid watching that in Lagos and said what a bunch of funny fellow but today, they have met every celebrity the world has to offer not because they could sing or dance but they were busy telling the stories of the upcoming singers, they created interview scenarios for them, they gave them a platform to speak, and today the end result is that ICE PRINCE walked up to the BET Awards stage and called all African artists that were nominated to come and have a photograph with him,why?, because someone told their story and it was noticed.
LIGHTS CAMERA & ACTION
In 2013 I met a friend and determined that all our local creatives had been down trodden, from the ones who are never paid at concerts to the ones who are given poor treatment and performance grounds, we decided to do the one thing we could, we decided to put the Agenda setting theory to use. We decided to tell their story, every creative, every singer, dancer, author, CEO, as long as they were not laying down fallow, we would tell their story. Fast-forward 8 months later, HOOKUP TV became the most widely read blog within Adamawa state, with over 33, 000 readers we knew we were on the right track, and although the blog was hacked, we did not lose hope, I went on to create North 45 east. The blog has received the same massive appeal as the former and even better.
Today I smile at all that is going on,, since our establishment, there have been more singles songs released by artistes within the state, more concerts and shows, more music videos, more awards, and even better, singers now get paid duly for their performances, but to me, I say that’s not enough, we still need endorsements deals, royalties and promotional materials, I look forward to seeing kids wear a t-shirt with Gwills on it, I want to see Bone breakers create a dance school with full facilities, I want to see designers drive the cars they only used as blackberry dp’s, so I will say here, in 2014 keep your head high you creative, sign new songs, do more poetry, dance to new routines, create new art, I promise to tell your story and make sure the world sees it. You will see greater things than ever before, you will receive more phone calls than ever before, just stay focused and Hold on to the Almighty God, create a clean heart and don’t pray for the downfall of your brother but celebrate with him and you will also be celebrated. Adamawa is waiting for you to stand and re-brand it, the politicians will not do it for us, we have to Make this happen,.
GRAMMY SPEECH
Ok, firstly Thnkas and praise to the almighty God for the grace to have written over 450 stories dedicated to the North East, He alone could have done this through me.
To all Media houses who used my stories on their Tv & Radio platforms (even without giving me the credit for it, lolz), to all bloggers within the North Eats and World wide, to all singers, on air personalties who gave me the information to write about, event organisers, To all singers who emailed their songs to me, to all Dj's all InstitutionS, my advertisers, my friends, my amazing girl friend and to my super supportive family who knew nothing of what i Was doing heheheeeee.... and you the reader, you made this happen, Lets do it again in 2014. Singers please take new photographs this year because i am tired of using those old ones lolz.
Thanks for making 2013 a wonderful one for HOOKUP TV AND NORTH 45 EATS. I love you from the bottom of my heart and I would pray for you and our family. Stay positive, the best is coming this year.
Happy New Year .God Bless you.
Randy Radeno Haniel
Co Founder, Hookup TV/ Creator North 45 East.
