IBADAN – Politicians, entertainment writers and notable Nollywood stars on Friday evening in Ibadan thronged the Oyo NUJ Press Centre to unveil a new hip hop star, Tomiwa Olanrewaju, popularly called TM.
TM, a UK- based hip hop star and the second in a family of four, hailed from Iseyin in Oyo State.
He started as a song writer at tender age and had recorded his first studio song entitled “Debe Debe’’, featuring Jaywon, a Nigerian hip hop star.
He had also released a new album entitled “Ike’’, where he featured Flavour Nabania
Speaking at the event, Alhaji Saheed Yusuf, the Caretaker Chairman, Iseyin Local Government and his Ibadan North counterpart, Mr Idris Lapade, described Olanrewaju as a pride to the nation.
Yusuf said Oyo State and Nigeria must be proud to have found another talent in Olanrewaju, who had chosen to promote the nation through his music.
Lapade described the hip hop star as a boy embedded with natural potential in music, which stood him out among his peers.
He said “as I am looking at Tomiwa today, I believe that very soon he will be among the first top 10 hip hop stars in Nigeria, and maybe Africa and the world at large.’’
A Nollywood star, Mrs Rose Odika, also described Olanrewaju as a courageous young man, adding that it was not easy to come into limelight.
Odika, who is the Oyo State Chairperson, Theatre and Motion Picture Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), prayed that God used Olanrewaju to change the world positively with his music.
“I am urging him to embrace God so that he will surpass his peers in the highly competitive entertainment world,’’ she said.
Similarly, Mr Gbenga Opadotun, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Oyo State Council, commended Olanrewaju for adopting music as part of his education.
He said “parents are advised to encourage their wards to embrace other vocational skills and should join hands in the promotion of identified potential in the society.’’
Also, Mr Bolaji Adeoye, the Chairman, Music Promoters Association of Nigeria (MUPAN), Oyo State Chapter, urged Nigerians to emulate Olanrewaju’s courage and called on people to support him.
Speaking to NAN at the event, the hip hop star pledged to use his music to change the world positively.
He also pledged to project the good image of Nigeria.
NAN reports that the hip hop star was unveiled with his new album and adopted as the official musician of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo Council.
Among those in attendance were Alhaji Tajudeen Olanrewaju and Alhaja Rashidat Olanrewaju, the parents of TM, Alhaji Bolaji Kareem, the Coordinator, International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Ibadan.(NAN)
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