9ice came to Maryland to perform on Friday night. I’m not clear on who the promoters of the event were, but I feel as though they owe me some change. The ad/flyer said the thing would start at 9pm @ this nice banquet hall (where Busola got married last year) called Potter’s Place. I went with Funmi, and Potter’s Place is not close to either one of us, especially me. I picked Funmi up, and we got there at about 9:30 thinking we wouldn’t find parking. Potter’s Place is a really nice hall, but the parking can make a person homicidal. But to our shock, the parking lot was almost empty. We got a terrific parking spot! Sure, I loved the parking I got, but why was it so easy? I was starting to think they had pulled a P-Square on us (abi was it Styl-Plus?). There was a time that either P-Square or Styl-Plus was supposed to perform but didn’t show due to the lack of a visa or some story like that.
So in we went (or attempted to go). There were security guards @ the door that told us the rules of the game. No chewing gum (In your mouth or in your purse, so Funmi had to spit her gum out, which I didn’t mind anyway cos she’s always chewing gum. Soooo annoying!!). No cigarette lighters (Okay, I didn’t mind. I’m not a smoker; I didn’t have a lighter on me anyway). No cameras (Say what??!! No cameras ke? After paying my $35 ticket to see 9ice performing, you’re telling me no cameras?????? U gotta be kiddin me!). So the female security guard, very nice lady apologized and said she didn’t make the rules; she was only adhering to what she was told. Right in front of us, she asked the people inside, and yes, they really did not want any cameras inside. Very well then. So Funmi and I walked back to the car, took some shots of ourselves, left the camera in the trunk and came back. Our bags were searched, our bodies were legally fondled in the name of being patted down, and then we entered. There were like what…. 20 people in there???
Funmi asked the ticket lady why we couldn’t bring in our cameras. She said it was “because of the way Nigerians act.” Whatever the heck that meant. They shoulda thought about that b4 organizing an event for Nigerians….yes? But she told us not to worry because there was a photographer inside who was taking pictures. Well, whoop-tee-doo! She said it as if the photographer was going to be @ my beck & call. Nonsense. Was he going to be taking pix of me & my friend? I think not! The DJ was doing something. He called it spinning tunes. I called it driving-Vera-up-the-wall. He played the good songs for like a minute, and the nonsense songs were there 4ever!! He wasn’t totally bad though. At some point he was good – right before he went back to being bad. Little by little, people began to trickle into the hall.
Ramsey Noah was there again (NOTE to Naapali: Ramsey Noah is one of Naija’s biggest Nollywood actors. Go thru the album of this event & you’ll see his picture there). He was in the “VIP” section. I saw some gal taking pictures with him. That was when I decided to go outside and sneak my camera in. Alas, I somehow went past security without being searched…and voila, camera came in! And about that “VIP” section, it was a JOKE! Do you know what separated us from VIP? Tables. That’s right. Long tables were used as barricades from wall to wall….as if we couldn’t go beneath or above the tables. *hisses* By the way, it cost $130 to get into VIP. lol. I laugh in Russian. They kid me. Unlike us (the regular, coach class folks), the “VIP” section had tables and wine. Anyway, Ramsey waited, sotey the boy’s yellow face began to turn pink. Okay, I lie. It was dark in there; I couldn’t tell if his face was pink, but I suspect it was. He later left. The star just couldn’t wait for the other star (9ice). By the way, people that knew people in the VIP section just kept getting into the VIP. Before we knew what was going on, the VIP section became as crowded as Ajegunle market.
Do you know what time they finally started? 12:45 AM!!! Yes, almost four hours later, they started. Some groups performed before 9ice. Can’t remember the first group’s name. The second group was Apexx, and then there was some guy Gucci Wally Wa (hope I have not mispelt this name). Apparently, he only wears gucci. Walahi, that’s what he said. Anyways…the ladies seemed to love him. I just wanted 2 see 9ice. Gucci or Prada Wally Wally wasn’t on my agenda. My anger wasn’t that they were performing. My anger was that I had been there since 9:30 PM. As if the designers artist wasn’t bad enough, a man with a talking drum began to play, and we were supposed to interprete what he was saying. What kinda nonsense is that?! Some gal – God bless her ignorant heart – took the mic and actually said, “Common people, I know you all understand Yoruba.” If looks could kill…. or @ least make people lose a few teeth and maybe swallow their tongue…. well, you know where I’m going with this. Some people there were not even Nigerians. Someone needz 2 tell home girl that Yoruba is not a universal African language.
9ice finally came out. My people, I dunno how it happened, but somehow the VIP section ceased to exist. We (the coach class folks) took over! We raided the place. One minute, I was behind the barricade; the next minute, I was in front, almost on stage. lol. Everyone raced to the front. Camera flashes were going off everywhere…so much for not having cameras in there. 9ice’s performance was nothing less than I expected. He was very lively. In fact, he exceeded my expectations, and I went in having very high expectations. Girls were pushing each other left, right, and center to be on stage with 9ice. I wasn’t on stage with 9ice. I just wanted to go close enough to take a good pic. But what surprised me was that guys sef were fighting to be on stage. Nawa ooo! lol. Wetin we go call this one now? Could this be love? lol.
I went to the other side of the stage to take a picture with fellow blogger Toni Payne (who also happens to be 9ice’s beaurriful wifey). Ramsey Noah came back when 9ice started performing and I took a pic with him again ….although I really wished it was Barack Obama (or at least Chidi Mokeme) standing in his place. The event was over @ about 3:30 AM, I think. I wish I could blog about how I sold my dignity for Funmi’s sake, but I realize this blog has more readers than the comments may reflect. So I refuse to implicate myself!!
Whew! That was a long post sha. Sorry. I guess I shoulda given you a long-post alert @ the beginning. I really don’t like giving you long posts, so please bear with me. I’ll compensate by showing you some pictures from the event. Click HERE to view them. I also put descriptions on all the pics to help you understand what was going on. By the way, please read my new write-up The First Impression. Thanx!!!
1sttttt
Gongo ti so -)
i was just gonna reclaim my spot as Vera’s numba 1 but Alas!……
arrggghhhhh Ig u suck.
Number 3 – Ha!
Ok 4th. Not bad. I didn’t realise it was a long post prolly cos I was laughing all the way through…Ms Prada wally wally. It was a typical naija event then…all rules out of the window.
You had fun though.
I am 4th! Yeeepee.
Vera Vera hope you had enough fun for the both of us?
Pls tell me how you sold your dignity. I promise not to tell anyone.
Next time you see Ramsey tell him to come home. The rumor rags here are selling all kinds of stories about his escapades in Yankee.
Hahahaha! That was funny. That negro didnt call himself gucci wally wally! for real- Priceless! I am still laughing. Funmi looked lovely as usual! Ummm I am soooo jealous! I have never actually met any celebrities, either Nigerian or American.
@Funmie – I loved your shirt and the matching shoes. Its so cute. Ummm what size is the shoes?
Ok so I am 5th. Naijalines beat me. ouch. Those crazy artistes. Does Gucci Wally Wally use a Gucci hanky too?
VERAAAA! you know what happened, it was the stupid time change thingy. I am so angry right now! I totally forgot about that.
awwwww well done for representing.. Tony PA will be proud..
Ask Funmi if I can have the top and the shoes. Absolutely el fabuloso!
Vera Gongo ti so! I love 9ice. Did you shack Squadi and did your eyes go doti?
at least 9ice came out at 12.45am, I remember when Dbanj came, I drove all the way to go see him (me that i was just a learner then) , the dude didnt come out till almost 3 am, and then he performed for less than 1 houur, no cameras! it was a disaster!
I wanted to go for the 9ice concert, but it didnt happen sha. maybe next time
verastic!!!! im hailing you… lol
no worries, it wasnt too long!
glad 9ice rocked even if the others didnt
“i like your ring tone, ringy ringy ring tone”
vera can i have ur ring tone? lol
by the way these naija organizers no dey learn. if dem wan discriminate between VIP and gbogbo ero. make dem at least get venue wey go fit support their plan.
Temite my dear, thanx for d compliment ooo…heck, i am only allowed to look dat good for
9ice …. my shoe is a size 10 but noooooooooooo, u can’t have it…lol sowwie.
lusciousrion (did i spell da right????) awwww thanx for d complimento babes but sorry o, u can’t have my shoes… i am in love with them.
u know what? i think am gonna update my blog to yarn my own part of the 9ice concert torry.
LG: Yea babe…gongo ti so!!
Funmie: LOL. Eyaa sorry nne. You were tryna leave a long comment abi? That's what you get.
Temite: You go girl… with your number three spot!! lol
Naijalines: Yea, definitely a typical Naija event. I could not believe my eyes. Funmi and I were amazed. 9ice's performace calmed me several notches. He was awesome!
Lusciousron: For real? What are they saying about Ramsey's escapades in Naija? lol. Hahaha. I wish I could tell you what I did BUT ah, that na costly thing ooo. I fittn't put myself in that kin position. lol. You know if it were up to me, I would sooooo tell. lol. And of course, I had enough fun for both of us.
Temite: You haven't met any celebs? Awww, sorry babes. lol. Me, I wanna meet Obama next oh. LOL. The man is too fine!! Funmi's shoes are size 10. What size do you wear? Since lusciousron wants the shoes too, I will send you one foot and send her the other foot, so which foot do you want? Left or right?
Luscious Ron: My dear, I dunno if he uses a gucci hanky too oh. LOL. I'm assuming he does because he said he only wears gucci. I wonder if that includes his underwears too. Hmmm.
Temite: LOL. Awww, sorry darling. I will contact the government and complain on your behalf. Hehehe.
Life of a Stranger: Toni Payne is mad cool too. She seems to be very humble & down to earth. Really cool chic.
Lusciousron: Mennnnnnn…I did o! I enjoyed myself well well. I no go lie sef. I'll tell Funmi to come read your comment and tell you what she thinks about giving her shoes away. If she says no, I'll steal them for you and send them over. Anything for you.
Bumight: No cameras? Lai lai. Dem no fit get me wit that kin nonsense ooo. I musto take pictures. *hiss* By the way, where are you? Obviously, you're around here (MD/DC). For some reason, I've always thought you're always far away.
Wordsmith: Babe, I dey hail you too oo! How your side?/
Speechgirl: Yeah, babe. I had mad fun. 9ice's performance did not leave me wishing he did better. He definitely delivered. He's da bomb!
Chief: My dear, they really do need to learn, but they probably never will. Shebi na our Naija people. And me I don't know what you're talking about with this ring tone thingy ooo….wait, am I having a Palin moment here?
It’s a good thing you actually enjoyed it o! I bet it was the same organizers that did Dbanj last year, same venue as well…same silly VIP area…infact same first acts- Gucci Wally Wa (something like that)…oh yeah, same instructions getting in…as much as i would have loved to see 9ice, i was not going to go put myself through that same nonsense…we were left outside for about 3hrs…
bottom line……gongo sooed..
9ice made up for the organisers iniquities……….lol
Na wa o! I must be living in a cave. 9nice came to MD and I didn’t know? kai! see my life. And he’s married too? who gave him permission to marry ehn (I kid, I kid) Ok off to stalk T.payne’s page. She berra be as cool as you say.
I’d love to say something like ‘good to know you had fun’, but I’m seriously beefing you right now.
So 9ice came to Chicago after he left Maryland. But only found out hours before so could not go.
It sounds like he delivered.
Oh cool, nice write up. I wish I was a fan of nice, I would have gone cos lord knows my black behind has absolutely nuffin to do on friday night. —> going to check out those pics.
Austyn: Yeah, I had a blast oh. Naija people must take their skills (of disorganization) everywhere. That event was something else. I’m sure that even 9ice sef was shocked.
S. Chic: Oh yeah, that’s true. It was Gucci Wally Wa not Wally Wally…lol. Oops. I’ll go edit the post. I didn’t go see D’Banj, and I’m glad I didn’t coz everyone has been full of complaints. 9ice on the other hand, he rocked the building.
Ibiluv: Yeah, he surely made up. Thank God he did, or there woula been a fight!
Nefertiti: LOL. You surely must live in a cave oo! You didn’t know he’s in town and you didn’t know he’s married. Ha! lol. Do you have internet in that your vicinity? lol. Yeah, go check Toni Payne out. Cool babe.
Naapali: Yeah, he definitely delivered. Awww, poor you. You didn’t find out on time. Maybe I should be announcing these things on my blog next time, yes? It woulda definitely helped ya.
Abbie: You’re not a fan of 9ice? Awww. You break my heart. lol. But hey, Julius Agwu is also gonna be in town this Friday, so maybe you could go enjoy that.
only if it was styl-plus that performed 🙁 so Toni p came..isn’t she about to put to bed. she must be a very strong woman o. flying or driving around town like that.
Wow – seems like you had a pretty decent time!
kai, naija! d way we organise events eh. does it have 2 b like dis? eh! even in oyibo land, we don import our ways go dia. see me dat is making mouth! i nefa go show b4 o. na 4 Tv i dey watch am. it’s much cheaper
LMAO @ Vera making an ass out of herself at the concert.
if the people there knew u’d run mouth about the concert on ur blog dem for rush u…lol
VERAA!!!!
I actually heard Barack Obama speak live twice when I was still in MN. He was so good but I didnt get to meet him personally. Does that count?
Anonymous: Awww, poor styl-plus fan. Where dem dey sef? Dem still dey sing? I like them sha. Funmi loves their Olufunmi track from now to kingdom come. She swears they sang it 4 her. Yes, Toni Payne is preggers, but she looks absolutely gorgeous. homegirl was even rocking a mini skirt sef. I never knew mini could look so good. She's definitely a strong babe. More grease 2 her elbows.
Darius: Yes, I certainly had a lotta fun, but don't worry, I had enough for both of us *wink, wink*
FFF: Yes, much cheaper on TV but much, much, much more fun live & direct. The organization of that event was just funny 2 say the least.
Afronuts: LOL. I know, right? Dem for really rush me oh. But oh well. I have gone. I have seen. I have written. I have there4 conquered. I don win be that. lol. I'll be looking over my shoulders from now on.
Temite: For real???? Oh my goodness!!! That's my boo. Did he ask of me? Oh my God. I'm sure he has been wondering what happened 2 me. LOL. Tell him I'm okay. I miss him too. And yes, that counts 4 something. lol
Men, I wanted to come myself but after i remembered what happened to me when Dbanj came…i thought twice. As bumight stated he did not come out till like 3am and the DJ’s were whack..Mics did not work and Dbanj performed for like 45 mins with a bad mic..though he still rocked. glad you had fun. That potters place is ridiculous..i wonder why they have events there men. Its just a waste.
Look at the VIP nonsense with the table cloth…??? it looked like a shayo joint somewhere in ibadan.
I feel you on the yoruba thing…Yoruba people love their language boku and they feel the need to impact it on others like the british people with English. The thing is you don’t realize untill you are on the other side of the fence. i remember when i went for a wedding in MD and they spoke only Igbo.
Nice one Vera… no camera’s at the venue? Pls, dem neva jam sometime.
Another celeb is cmg your way in MD this wknd, an ace comedian, Julius “D genius” Agwu. If you dont know him, you can search for him on “You tube”.
I hear Nice is going to be in Houston this wkend… might just drive out there to see him perform.I love his song-Gonga Aso.
Ye!!!! My dear Vera, how did you come up with Chidi Mokeme!!!!
That was funny, I’m supposed to go to the 9ce show in my zones next week o. Now, I’m not so sure.. at least I know to land 4 hrs after its supposed to start. lol
Femi: LOL. Very annoying abi??? It’s like seriously men…there are other people here **hiss** Ah, you for come sha. We for take pikshure together. lol. Anyhoo..it’s all good. By the way, I heard that D’Banj was busy picking kokolettes for his thing. lol. Funny stuff.
Anonymous: Yea I know of Julius. I might be there…dunno yet. I haven’t made up my mind. I have another event to attend on Saturday, so I really don’t wanna go out twice in two days. I’ll see…
Sleek n Catty: It might be different in your area though. Maybe it’s only here in MD that they messed up like that. Besides, maybe different promoters are handling it sef…I dunno. Chidi Mokeme is my boo….after Obama, of course.