by Wilfred Okiche

Some of these folks have been around forever but 2011 was the year they really blew up. From sultry actresses to thighs that just won’t quit, we present our list of the ten entertainment/lifestyle revelations of the year. In no particular order

Tiwa Savage

Ms Savage was all over the place this year and we mean all over, her publicity team must be working overtime. From gracing numerous red carpets to countless magazine covers, it has been the year of Tiwa. Her hit ‘Kele kele’’ carried over from last year and she cut a sexy video for ‘Love me’’. Only weeks back, she dropped a new single, ‘’Without my heart’’ featuring Don Jazzy. She’s also scored a gig hosting Nigerian Idols and is set to conquer the stage as well, joining the cast of the Nigerian adaptation of  the play,  ‘For Colored Girls…’. And to think that her debut album isn’t even out yet.

Joseph Benjamin

He was the little known host of MTN’S Project Fame reality tv show till he landed a career defining role opposite Genevieve Nnaji on Mahmood Ali-Balogun’s blockbuster ‘Tango with me.’ Nollywood had found it’s newest leading man. He enjoyed further success with big-budget movies ‘Kiss & Tell’ and ‘Mr and Mrs’ and even Project Fame got a boost from his new found celebrity. Suddenly the ladies were watching.

Flavor N’abania

The Kporokoto master has amassed a cult following in his native Enugu and much of the South-East but it wasn’t until his blistering appearance in rapper M.I’s sophomore album in 2010 that the rest of the country took notice. He leveraged on that success and has not looked back since. 2011 saw him cutting videos for two of his wildly popular ditties: ‘Ashewo remix’ and ‘Adanma’ and playing at major concerts within and outside the country.

Nse Ikpe-Etim

Since her star-making turn in Emem Isong’s ‘Guilty Pleasures’, this sultry scene stealer has never looked back. With the film industry undergoing massive restructuring, it has been quite difficult predicting where the next crop of talents would come from. With appearances in ‘Kiss & Tell’, ‘Mr and Mrs’ and ‘Impostor’, she is the current darling of the new wave of producers and is proof that stars can emerge from quality and not just quantity.

Wizkid

He broke out last year as a teen heart throb but this year became an established star in his own right. His album launch was the social event of the year and the said album easily shifted millions of copies. He capped an outstanding year by winning a brand new car at the Headies for ‘Revelation of the year’ and closes every major musical concert these days. Can a twenty-one year old kid ask for anything more?

Waje

Her album is yet to drop but this gifted vocalist has been giving us a taste of what to expect all year. Her single ‘So inspired’ was one of the year’s most played and the video was relentless. She was the only female artiste that won a heady at the Hip Hop World Awards and performed at major events like the MBGN paegeant and the Kenny G jazz concert. She can be currently seen in the Ovation Red Carole extravaganza.

Chika Emmanuel

Won the Elite model search and has been a permanent fixture on run ways and editorial shoots. Her fierce physique, high cheekbones and sexy bald head has made her one of the most recognisable and photographed models working today.

 

Samklef

Had a fabulous year, what with producing beats for some of the industry’s hottest acts and scoring a hit with one of the year’s biggest songs. ‘Noni’ has become a street lingo and he even helped start up the career of a certain SplashJosh. Guessing he’ll be nonilizing into the new year.

Karen Igho

She may have declined into ‘whatever-happened-to’ status but time was when Karen Igho dominated our every thought and conversation. She was the undoubted star of Dstv’s Big Brother Amplified  season and was so influential, she even brought Dele Momodu to tears (he’ll never live this one down). We hated her, then we loved her just as passionately and by the time she took home Big Brother’s millions, not a soul watching was indifferent. These days though, we just don’t care.

Y!

Yes we did! And Y! not? Even we can’t believe it! What other magazine targeting Generation Y! has been in the forefront of engaging thought, provoking action and inspiring growth? None, of course. This year has been a massive one for us here at Y! Magazine. From kicking off with a new decade issue sporting soul diva Asa on the cover to a generation defining issue focusing on the 2011 elections, with an exclusive interview and photo shoot with President Goodluck Jonathan. We were not done yet as we went all out for a Nigerian dream edition covered by Genevieve Nnaji and an end of year celebration issue with the iconic 2face Idibia. Whew! And we are barely a year old. That is just the beginning.