Monday, 9 May 2016
Mayor Kun Singer talks controversy on alleged bought video views, beef with B-Red and more with ‘Moni Talks’
The HKN singer addresses the nagging questions fans are eager to get an answer to.
Singer talks controversy about video views, beef with B-Red and more with ‘Moni Talks’
New HKN and Davido Music Worldwide signee and singer Mayor Kun got talking recently with BadgirlMo of Moni Talks.
He explained the inspiration behind the song Eleko while addresses the issues about his purported buying of views for his video, saying the views were not bought and that whoever was saying it was knows that it wasn’t.
Singer talks controversy about video views, beef with B-Red and more with ‘Moni Talks’
New HKN and Davido Music Worldwide signee and singer Mayor Kun got talking recently with BadgirlMo of Moni Talks.
He explained the inspiration behind the song Eleko while addresses the issues about his purported buying of views for his video, saying the views were not bought and that whoever was saying it was knows that it wasn’t.
Mayor also was asked his opinion about other non-music related stuff such as the Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz drama amongst other things.
The HKN singer ends the show with a freestyle song.
Marital Woes: 10 times Tiwa Savage and Teebillz deceived us
After Nigerian sexy Tiwa Savage, and estranged hubby, Tunji Balogun Teebillz, set the internet on fire by opening each other’s can of worms, quite a lot of people felt deceived.
ome fans of the beautiful singer and mother of one felt really disappointed as the couple made them to believe everything was well in their marriage. Their showcase of love on social media even made many to add their lifestyle as one their marriage goals. Well, everything went down the drain in April 28 when Teebillz took to Instagram to share some mind-blowing unbelievable revelations about his struggles as a husband to Tiwa Savage, how Tiwa’s mother treats him and so much more.
And after some hours, the singer addressed the claims of her estranged husband in an emotional interview. In the 45-minutes video, the singer broke down, opening a can of worms on how her estranged husband has not been the best man she had always portrayed him to be on social media. She talked about how she caught Teebillz while taking cocaine, how EFCC is on the verge of picking him up over a financial mess he got himself into, how he steals from her, sleeps around, spends outrageously above his means and more. Here are 10 times the couple deceived us into believing they had a good romance and synergy going on in their marriage:
1. When she shared the photo of them together at a wedding and she expressed her anticipation about their wedding with the words: ‘Baby we are next’.
2. When this adorable picture was used in announcing they are expecting baby Jamil…
3. When she expressed how much she appreciates him in her life…
4. When she randomly flaunted him as her boyfriend…
5. When they both stepped out in matching fez caps…
6. When she rocked ‘Mrs Billz’ t-shirt…
7. When she captioned this photo they took at Dr Sid’s wedding “Love mine”.
8. When they paraded themselves as Mr and Mrs Billz…
9. When she calls him ‘Baba Jamil’…
10. When she thanked him for taking care of baby Jamil in her absence…
Herdsmen attack communities in Taraba state
– Fulani herdsmen have attacked some communities in Taraba state following a standing land dispute over farm land – Sequel to the attacks on the communities, natives have fled in fear of further attacks from the rampaging herdsmen – There is tension in the Fulani herdsmen settlements over fear of reprisal attack by the Tivs who live in both Benue and Taraba states Fulani herdsmen have launched a deadly attack on three communities in Taraba state killing 12 people including seven men, two women and children, and seriously wounded about 18 others seriously.
Vanguard reports that the herdsmen attacked the communities on Friday night, May 6, following a long standing land dispute over farm lands.
The attack reportedly happened in when the natives where coming back to farm on their lands. Following the attacks on Coromo, Dan- Anacha and Mutum Biyu communities in Gassol local government area of the state, natives have fled the communities in fear of further attacks from the rampaging herdsmen. This is just as there was tension in the Fulani herdsmen settlements over fear of reprisal attack by the Tivs who live in both Benue and Taraba states. As at the time of writing this report, armed soldiers and riot policemen have taken over Coromo, Dan- Anacha and Mutum Biyu communities in Gassol local government area in the state. Sources told Vanguard that soldiers and policemen were patrolling the affected communities to ensure orderliness.
Meanwhile, human right lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has lambasted the inspector general of police, Solomon Arase, the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai over the reoccurring killings by Fulani herdsmen across Nigeria
Speaking on Channels television on May 9, the lawyer also questioned the role of Nwodibo Ekechukwu, the ex-commissioner of police in Enugu state over the recent Fulani herdsmen attack in Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state were scores of local residents were killed.
Niger Delta Liberation Force challenges President Buhari
– NDLF has told President Muhammadu Buhari that they are not of him in the creeks – The militant group says that the bombing of pipelines are not over yet – The group says they wont condemn the recent bombings in the Niger Delta – They urge other militants to not hide their identities if they are indeed fighting a course for the Niger Delta people The Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari “is not God”, whom the “boys in the creek” would be afraid of.
The group recalled that as at the time they surrendered their weapons during the reign of President Goodluck Jonathan, they made it clear to the world that bombing of pipelines was not over. NDLF asked the president to sack Paul Boroh, coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme, if he wanted to be in control of the “current oil war”. “We do not condemn the current bombing because when we surrendered, we told the world that bombing of pipelines was not over yet,” Mark Anthony, spokesman of the group, said in a statement on Sunday. “Those bombing pipelines in Delta State should not behave like cowards if they are truly fighting the interest of Niger Delta.
“They should be bold enough to come out. When we were bombing, our leader General John Togo did not hide his face. We dealt with the Nigerian army, and we were not hiding. “They should not hide their identity. Buhari is not God and they should not be scared of him. JTF should not attack and arrest innocent people in Ijaw communities, they should go for the real sabotuers. “We had told former President Goodluck Jonathan that Nigerian army cannot protect pipelines in the creek. “The current amnesty chairman Paul Boroh does not know the boys in Niger Delta. He is not in touch with Niger Delta major ex-agitators. Buhari should sack him immediately and appoint another chairman like Kingsley Kuku, who knows the boys in the creek. This will help the current oil war.” Vanguard reports that the Niger Delta militants have continued their attacks on oil systems blowing up the Chevron Valve Platform in Abiteye, Warri North council area of Delta state.
The recent attack happened at about 10:40pm on May 5. An official of the Department of Security Services (DSS), who asked not to be named, confirmed the development continuing that the platform was totally destroyed with the use of dynamites. According to the source, the platform is a main connecting point where all other installations link up and serves as a pivot to chevron BOP and the Chevron Tank farm thereby halting all operations of the company in the region. The Niger Delta Avengers claimed the responsibility for the incident in a statement noted that onslaught on the facility is in line with its pledge to the Nigerian government to cripple the economy. Meanwhile, Chief Ayimi Emami, a Niger Delta activist, has called on the federal government not to bow to “cheap blackmail” antics of a former militant leader who is allegedly behind the recent attacks on oil facilities and pipelines in Warri area of Delta state. “Those who have issues bothering on criminal activities and illegalities should go to the court to answer did their deeds and clear their names rather than resorting to cheap blackmail to arm-twist the federal government and the EFCC to drop the charges against them. “One man cannot hold the FG to ransome; he cannot hold the nation by forming a parallel government within the Nigerian state,” he stressed. The Nigerian army has issued serious warming to persons taking laws into their hands to desist or face the wrath of the army. This warning hints that the message is directed at a militancy group, Niger Delta Avengers that has claimed responsibility for series of bombing of pipelines in the region. Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar who is the acting director defence information in a statement issued on Sunday, May 8 said groups looking for relevance must do it through the proper channel and not through violence. In the same vein, the IYC spokesperson, Mr Eric Omar has said: “The Ijaw Youth Council does not see the justification in the Niger Delta Avengers embarking on destruction of oil facilities because Tompolo denounced the group. I think Tompolo did the proper thing by coming out to inform the entire world that he was not part of the Niger Delta Avengers when there were insinuations to the effect that he was behind them.” “As with other cases of attack on oil facilities, the Niger Delta environment and people are the ultimate victim and would suffer from these latest attacks. The IYC believe that irrespective of the grievances, there are better ways of expressing them rather than contributing to the further destruction of the already massively degraded Niger Delta environment. On the fresh directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to security agencies to crush the militants, he asserted” While the IYC do not support the attacks on oil facilities, we hasten to add that it should not be used as a justification to attack innocent Niger Delta communities”. He added: “The security agencies should go after the real culprits and not innocent communities and people in the Niger Delta region. From our experience, the security personnel in a bid to impress their superiors and justify the huge amount of money budgeted for the purpose always attack innocent communities and people.” “This must not be allowed to happen this time around. We would also advise the federal government to be prompt in directing security agencies to deal with insurgent groups all over the country, including the Fulani herdsmen, who have been killing innocent Nigerians just like they have just directed in respect of the Niger Delta Avengers,” Omare added.
Saturday, 16 April 2016
Young Chinese girl hugs President Buhari affectionately
During his visit to Yang Xiong, the Mayor of Shanghai, China on Thursday, April 14, President Muhammadu Buhari was welcomed by some Chinese. Apart from the Mayor himself, there were other members of the city that came out to welcome the Nigerian leader and usher him into the city; one of them was a young girl who hugged him affectionately.
President Buhari who is on a four-day state visit to China to strengthen diplomatic ties with the Asian giants, also visited some Nigerians living in the country, as he issued a serious threat to pipeline vandals, warning them that he would crush them like he did Boko Haram terrorists. He is expected back to the country this weekend as Nigerians will be hoping that he finally puts pen to paper on the controversial 2016 budget.
Analysing the Wizkid and Linda Ikeji drama in eight points
The entertainment industry in Nigeria has seen a number of beefs and social media dramas over time. However, not in a long while have we seen such a long-lasting face-off as the one between Linda Ikeji and an A-list singer. We run through the way things have played out between her and the Nigerian pop super star Ayo ‘Wizkid’ Balogun in eight points. Social media drama and the entertainment industry The Nigerian entertainment industry has kind of adjusted to the long-standing social media feud between blogger Linda Ikeji and Afro pop star Wizkid. The situation has generated deep controversy to say the least, but hey, what is the entertainment industry without issues of this sort? It clearly comes with the terrain. Social media possesses strong potential in that it can make or break an individual or a corporate body. Therefore any keen observer will tell you that a brand can either leverage social media for its greater good or be buried in the dirt. Observers will also tell you that, given the bottomless nature of the internet, it is best never to ‘spread your dirty fabric’ on social media because whatever gets out there stays there for life.
Linda Ikeji and Wizkid – who stands to lose more? Over time, Linda and Wizkid have put up such ‘wonderful shows’ on the internet that there has been speculation as to the exact nature of their relationship. Some circles even say it is not just an artiste-blogger rift anymore. Their beefs, like the recent episodes between the Okoye brothers, are steeped in intrigue, garnished with real life happenings and though entertaining drive their images into a mud of shame and backlashes. Who stands to lose more in situations like this and who stands to win the long term battle? The answers are slightly confusing but let’s try to analyse further. Looking at both of them, one party has a lot more at stake. One person has more interest in a preserving a public image, and so he who has more to protect is he who is disadvantaged in a situation involving a public face off. This is the first point we must establish here today. The artiste, the celebrity, the entertainer, the brand ambassador, the one who relies on the positive feedback from the media, the patronage of the audience and the corporate clients is he who has more to lose in any public show of shame. And if you study the entertainment industry keenly, you will see that corporate funding is gigantic and a core of every successful entertainer’s business, so no one messes with brands and public image and perceptions. This is obvious given the huge sums spent on crisis management and branding the image of public figures and celebrities around the world. So anyhow you look at it today, the man who has more to gain from earnings which tie directly or indirectly into corporate funds is the loser in any form of commotion. So technically they are both public figures in the Nigerian entertainment industry and have one thing or another to do with corporate clients, even though Wizkid is the bigger figure. Given this, we look at the situation and how it’s likely going to end.
Analysing their drama in eight points Against the backdrop of the aforementioned, we summarize our discourse here in eight points viz; 1. The pen will always be mightier than the sword – So naturally he who has the platform with which to speak or write will always be the winner any day. This clearly edges Wizkid out. 2. Linda Ikeji has a platform that isn’t time specific – Music and the stardom in its wake is never forever; there will always be a shelf life. Even the biggest and brightest stars have come and gone but we can’t exactly say the same for media platforms. 3. Both figures will suffer image crisis in the long run as more dirt gets unearthed but the one who needs a ‘cleaner’ public image will suffer the more. And this is not just the celebrity here; Linda has a lot to lose as well as she is a woman and this is Africa. 4. With the way things are currently set up between both parties it appears there might be no end in sight to whatever ‘issues’ they both have.
5. Wizkid and Linda Ikeji have drama in their DNAs and it’s only a matter of time before they make a Nollywood appearance. 6. The people are looking forward to their social media feuds but will soon be bored and want something fresh, so enough with the dramas. Linda Ikeji and Wizkid need to get with the system, they both need to wake up and smell the coffee. The blogger should get back to blogging while the entertainer gets back to the thing he is best known for. 7. Wizkid is being a kid and Linda Ikeji talks too much – they both need to zip it up.
8. We have also learnt that the inner workings of social media dramas among celebs and public figures are good for the business. In other words, a little beef and uproar here and there is just fine and helps ‘spice up the stew’ nicely. In this light, think of beef as bacteria that even though harmful also helps.
Linda Ikeji is a ‘witch’ as far as blogging is concerned in Nigeria and West Africa. Her influence is pervasive, her magic exists on several planes and her acclaim is untouchable. Wizkid is a super star in every sense of the word. You think of him today and the closest thing that comes to mind is that lad who is poised to bring greatness to his people in many more ways previously unimagined. It is just sad that this has been the situation between him and Linda when he should be involved in more pressing matters like trying to make more music with strong content and bettering his Ojuelegba record among other things.
Analysing the Wizkid and Linda Ikeji drama in eight points
The entertainment industry in Nigeria has seen a number of beefs and social media dramas over time. However, not in a long while have we seen such a long-lasting face-off as the one between Linda Ikeji and an A-list singer. We run through the way things have played out between her and the Nigerian pop super star Ayo ‘Wizkid’ Balogun in eight points. Social media drama and the entertainment industry The Nigerian entertainment industry has kind of adjusted to the long-standing social media feud between blogger Linda Ikeji and Afro pop star Wizkid. The situation has generated deep controversy to say the least, but hey, what is the entertainment industry without issues of this sort? It clearly comes with the terrain. Social media possesses strong potential in that it can make or break an individual or a corporate body. Therefore any keen observer will tell you that a brand can either leverage social media for its greater good or be buried in the dirt. Observers will also tell you that, given the bottomless nature of the internet, it is best never to ‘spread your dirty fabric’ on social media because whatever gets out there stays there for life.
Thursday, 7 April 2016
Even 'Olopa' hitch rides too
Boko Haram 800 terrorists surrender to Nigerian Army
Colonel Sani Usman, also disclosed that the Nigerian Army has rescued 11, 595 civilians from Boko Haram captivity in the past six weeks.
The Nigerian Army has revealed that 800 Boko Haram fighters have surrendered to troops wging war in the North-East, in the last 21 days.
Confirming the reports, the acting director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar said “I can confirm that about 800 of the Boko Haram members have surrendered to the military.”
According to reports, the Federal Government has also established a camp for repentant terrorists to rehabilitate them.
Also, the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, also disclosed that the Nigerian Army has rescued 11, 595 civilians from Boko Haram captivity in the past six weeks.
Meanwhile, President Buhari revealed that Boko Haram is being funded by the International terror group, ISIS also known as Islamic state or ISIL.
Boko Haram also released a new video in which it denies abandoning the insurgency.
Nicki Minaj "I am not engaged to Meek Mill"
In a new interview with Ellen DeGeneres, the 'Anaconda' rapper says she has decided not to talk whether or not she is in a relationship because "when people hear that they go to a mean place."
Has Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill broken up? This is so not true but the rapper claims 'the boy that likes her' is yet to give her an engagement ring and she's yet to publically call him her "boyfriend". Yikes!
In a new interview with Ellen DeGeneres, the 'Anaconda' rapper says she has decided not to talk whether or not she is in a relationship because "when people hear that they go to a mean place."
The rapper also claims that she used to say she was single even while having a 12-year-realtionship with ex-boyfriend, Safaree Samuels. "So I feel like just going back to that same place and say I am single," she told Ellen.
When asked why she was wearing her alleged engagement ring, Nicki explained that, "I have two rings from my boy… from this boy that likes me. That's not my engagement ring though but he said if he gave me a third ring, that would be my engagement ring."
When asked if she wanted the third ring or is ready to get engaged, the controversial rapper replied, "I don't know. We are still figuring each other out and in fact, I don’t really want to say I am in a relationship anymore."
After trashing rumors about her "lonely and giftless Valentine's Day", she said, "No matter how great your life is, you can't even impress people. You just have to do you and make yourself happy and forget about getting people's approval. It's better to just keep those things scared . So now, I don’t really care to say I am in a relationship or engaged or whatever… I just sat there's a guy who really likes me."
She continued: "Honestly, he[Meek Mill] and I are just two souls passing through the universe and we don't know what's gonna happen. I have just learned over the years to just let things be and we would see what happens…"
French parliament bans paying for sex
The French members of the parliament have passed a law that now makes it illegal to pay for sex.
The French members of the parliament have passed a law that now makes it illegal to pay for sex.
According to BBC, the bill which, took two years to pass has imposed a fine of up to €3, on anyone caught buying sexual acts.
During the final debate, about 60 sex workers demonstrated outside the parliament in Paris. Placards read, “Don’t liberate me, I’ll take care of myself.”
Though those in support of the law says it is to minimalize trafficking, the members of the Strass sex workers Union say it will affect the livelihood of prostitutes.
The law also stated that foreign prostitutes will be given a temporary residence permit in France if they agree to find jobs outside of prostitution.
Speaking to the Associated Press Agency, Maud Oliver, Socialist MP stated that because 85% of prostitutes in France were as a result of human trafficking the law is willing to help prostitutes who are willing to change.
“The most important aspect of this law is to accompany prostitutes, give them identity papers because we know that 85% of prostitutes here are victims of trafficking,” Oliver said.
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Breaking: Finally! Senate passes 2016 budget
– The Nigerian Senate has passed the 2016 budget – It was passed despite the lapses and controversy trailing the budget – The Senate reduced the total budget sum from N6.07trn to N6.06trn
The Senate on Wednesday, March 23, finally passed the long awaited 2016 budget submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari. The 2016 Budget of N6,060,677,358,277 was reduced by N17,002,641,773. While presenting a report, Danjuma Goje, the chairman senate committee on appropriation said the budget was filled with controversy. He added that there were many lapses in the budget and in the bid for the Senate to clear up the issues will add more problems. He said if the Senate insisted on clearing up the lapses, the committee would not have been able to meet up with the deadline of submission.
“This budget is full of controversy and we did not want to have more controversy or else it won’t have been presented today and the National Assembly would be blamed. “The people would not understand it because people are even saying that we are playing politics,” he said. However, Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy Senate president while making contributions commended the committee and also urged for the lapses to be addressed. On Tuesday, December 22, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari laid before a joint sitting of the National Assembly the 2016 appropriation bill. The bill contained the estimates of revenue and expenditure of the federation for the 2016 fiscal year in the aggregate sum of six trillion. The Senate debated the bill on January 20, 21, 26 and 27 respectively. The bill was read a second time on January 27, and consequently referred to the committee on appropriations for further legislative actions.
In preparing details of the bill, the committee adopted a benchmark price of 38 dollars per barrel on crude oil based on the Medium Term Expenditure framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP). The executive proposals of crude oil production of 2.2 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of 197 naira to one dollar was adopted. After which the highlight of the bill as recommended by the committee was an aggregate expenditure of 6.06 trillion naira.
Wizkid, Jidenna set to collaborate?
– Wizkid hangs with Nigerian-American rapper Jidenna in Los Angeles – The picture of them together in a studio suggests they might be working on a music collaboration – The collaboration is highly likely following Jidenna’s statements in a previous interview wherein he expressed admiration for the Afro pop star’s music
Afro pop star Wizkid was recently spotted with Nigerian-American hip hop artiste Jidenna in a studio in Los Angeles and from all indications a new collaboration might be in the offing.
The Ojuelegba star, according to several reports, has taken a break from performing at his world tour but from all indications he is not staying far away from the craft. The new photo suggests both stars are cooking something fresh for the fans. This seems very believable considering that in a 2015 Billboard interview, the Classic Man rapper stated that he has always fancied Wizkid’s artistry.
Jidenna said to Billboard in the interview: “I love his voice, I love his production team. I was just hanging out with them recently. “I’m looking forward to what’s to come, and I love his catalog already.” Recall that in June 2015, both artistes performed at the African Festival and the reception was massive.
Wizkid will be back to performing at his world tour in a few days as he thrills fans in Zambia, Freetown and Malaysia among other countries. The former EME singer has managed to fly high in spite of being ruffled by a number of controversial issues such as baby mama dramas and allegations of song theft among other things.
EFCC arraigns Tompolo in absentia
– EFCC charges Patrick Akpobolokemi, others with conspiracy to commit fraud – Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, grants bail to all accused persons – Tompolo to be charged separately after he is arrested Following his failure to appear in court to answer charges leveled against him, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, March 22 arraigned former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) in absentia over alleged N35 billion fraud.
According to Vanguard, Tompolo was arraigned alongside former boss of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Ltd, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd, Gregory Mbonu, and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.
The accused persons were charges with conspiring to commit fraud between 2012 and 2015. They all pleaded not guilty and their lawyers requested the court to grant them bail. Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, granted bail to all the accused persons but Enisuoh’s bail condition differed from the rest as he was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one reliable surety in like sum. Justice Buba adjourned till May 23, 24, 25 and 26 for trial. Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, counsel to the EFCC, Festus Keyamo said Tompolo would be charged separately after he is arrested. “It is the duty of the security agencies and they are still making efforts to get him. He is on the run and he cannot continue to be on the run for ever. We will get him,” he said. READ ALSO: EFCC releases Amosu and others on bail and seizes passports Earlier arraignment of the accused persons had been stalled due to the inability of the EFCC to arrest Tompolo. Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court had ordered the arrest of the former militant leader for his failure to appear before him to answer 40 counts on an alleged N45.9bn fraud but all efforts by the nation’s security agencies to produce the former militant leader has been unsuccessful.
Monday, 21 March 2016
'Empire' star Jussie Smollet confirms he's gay
In UK Muslims spill blood in a London mosque
The men are seen hitting themselves with chains.
A group of extremely groomed Muslims have taken to a barbaric practise which involved hitting themselves with knife knitted chains.
Blood circulated the vicinity as the men engaged in the strange activities in the presence of curious onlookers.
To show how extreme it is, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, banned it in the country.
Gruesome images show some of these men with their backs soaked in blood, as they wielded blade infested chains.
This practice is far from universal among Shias and has been the subject of heated debate throughout the Muslim world.
Similar ceremonies is performed in a handful of other Shia mosques around Britain.
Lil Kesh “Y.A.G.I” is a victory for the streets
Life on the street is filled with tales of hustle, love, wanton celebration and fights. Lil Kesh brings it all together on this album.
Album – “Y.A.G.I” (Young And Getting Up)
Artiste – Lil Kesh
Producers – Pheelz, Young Jonn, Shizzi
Record Label – YBNL (2016)
Duration - 65 minutes
Nigerian Hip-hop is divided along a lot of lines, with each fragment competing within and without, to impose itself on the limited attention span of pop culture consumers. When they compete within each other, they take the form of intra-subgenre needless comparisons such as ‘Olamide is better than Reminisce’ or ‘M.I has more influence than Modenine’. When that competition happens against various cultures of rap, it becomes ‘M.I has more flows than Olamide’, or ‘Lil Kesh works harder than Yung6ix’.
Two cultures and styles that have emerged and on the outside, are seen to be completely against each other are the Indigenous and Westernized rap groups. M.I is the leader of one, and Olamide sits on the throne. At the moment, the latter is regarded as overall king, due to the massive acceptance of his rap. Lil Kesh, is just next in line, learning from King Baddo at YBNL Nation, and his guidance is proving instrumental in the creation of the next street king.
In many ways, this grooming is a good thing. From his signing in 2012 to his first hit song, Lil Kesh has been growing organically, on the merit of his songs. This is no artiste pumped with financial steroids and packaged as a construct for gullible Nigerians. This is the real deal, rapping his way through barriers and challenges. Before our eyes, he has become successful, with the instruments of that success benefitting each of us in our parties, clubs, celebrations, and victory lap dances. That’s why this is different. That’s why Lil Kesh is winning. He is “Y.A.G.I (Young And Getting It)”.
19 tracks and brimming with the ubiquitous Yoruba language, Lil Kesh’s “Y.A.G.I” album is a victory for the street. Life on the street is filled with tales of hustle, love, wanton celebration and fights. Lil Kesh starts off with the former. In fact, the entire work is hinged on tales of his hustle, and the success that come his way.
Fuck shit up’ is a fitting opener, an arrogant reminder of why he is the best on his level. He beats his chest and reminds everyone of his hustle, and why he is at this level. He also deals with the controversial Headies 2015 loss and how popular opinion resides in his corner, “Every single was a hit, fuck the award I don’t care, Kesh is all about his cheese…They say Kesh is our next rated, f*** that, I think I am the best rated’. That same braggadocio wraps up this work in ‘Lyrically’, his first ever hit song. ‘Ishe’ appreciates his ‘Baby’, an affectionate term for his mother. ‘Semilore’ tells his come-up story with underlining talking drums and rattles. Here Kesh combines Fuji and rap to impressive effect. There are shades of these also in the introspective ‘Igba Iponju’, and the dance fiesta ‘Jabo’.
Street fight and displays of machismo comes in as Lil Kesh brings on Ycee and Wale on two versions of ‘Cause Trouble’. Fierce words are exchanged and bottles are smashed in the background of both songs. You get riled up, all of a sudden it seems cool to be violent. This is the way of the street. Trouble is second nature. Ycee and Wale truly have no business on this track. Lil Kesh’s dynamism was sufficient. Wale struggles needlessly, and Ycee comes across as a cameo. You can still get this pugnacious vibe on ‘Abija Wara’, as Phyno and Chinko Ekun join the razz-matazz.
On thematic young and ghetto love, you get the hit song ‘Is it because I love you’, and the highly disappointing ‘For you’. At this point, you get the feeling that low-tempo is not for Lil Kesh. He is most vulnerable to mediocrity when he lacks the verve that comes with increase in Beats Per Minute. He also flounders spectacularly on a failed country song ‘Life of a star’. Even Adekunle Gold looks ordinary on that track.
Dance tracks are Lil Kesh’s bread and butter, and that’s why his singles all come with it as a bonus. ‘Efejoku’ still makes a strong case. But Olamide barely comes alive on ‘Problem child’, a direct sample of Drake’s ‘Energy’.
Lil Kesh stuck to the concept of being young and successful. Every song, becomes a piece of that big puzzle, each complementing the other and bringing out the bigger picture. In many ways, this is a journey through the life of a man who rose from the hood to riding through the hood.
Lil Kesh’s first effort is a win for him, and for the street life. Here is one of ghetto’s most loved exports, making it big with all the lessons learned from the hood. “Y.A.G.I” stands tall as one of the most relatable works from rappers. Unlike Olamide’s already-earned king status, Lil Kesh is on the rise, embodying the spirit and effort of many of his fans who are still hoping for a better tomorrow. He hustles, he fights, he loves, and he celebrates. In a nutshell, that’s what we are all about. We all hope to be young, old and still getting it.
Sunday, 20 March 2016
WWE Hulk Hogan wins $115M in sex-tape suit
After deliberating six hours, the jury awarded Hogan $60 million for emotional distress and $55 million for economic damages
A Florida jury on Friday awarded Hulk Hogan $115 million with the possibility of more after finding the Gawker website violated his privacy by publishing a sex tape of the celebrity wrestler.
After deliberating six hours, the jury awarded Hogan $60 million for emotional distress and $55 million for economic damages.
"This is a victory for everyone who has had their privacy violated," Hogan's attorney, David Houston, said.
As the award was announced, the 62-year-old mustachioed wrestling icon cried and hugged Houston.
The case has drawn attention as a digital-age test of a celebrity's privacy rights and freedom of the press under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Gawker publisher Nick Denton said the website would appeal the verdict. A Gawker attorney previously said a loss could put the website out of business.
"We all knew the appeals court will need to resolve the case," Denton said in a statement. "We feel very positive about the appeal that we have already begun preparing, as we expect to win this case ultimately."
The jury is to remain sequestered until Monday when it will consider punitive damages and other matters in the case.
Hogan, whose legal name is Terry Bollea, had sought $100 million in damages over the edited video that Gawker, a New York-based outlet known for gossip and media reporting, posted online in 2012.
The jury of two men and four women agreed with Hogan that his privacy had been violated, that the violation had caused him harm and that Hogan had a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Clay Calvert, a professor of law and mass communications at the University of Florida and a First Amendment expert, said such a large verdict was almost certain to be pared back on appeal, if not reversed.
"Juries generally do not like the media," he said after the verdict. "The appellate court is a little more neutral."
Gawker's one-minute, 41-second video depicted Hogan engaged in sex with the wife of his then-best friend, radio 'shock jock' personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.
Hogan, a longtime star of World Wrestling Entertainment, said he did not know the consensual encounter had been recorded when it occurred nearly a decade ago in Bubba's home.
Gawker's video included excerpts from a 30-minute sex tape the company obtained without knowing its origin.
Hogan testified that he still suffers from the humiliation of a video that went viral. The video was viewed 2.5 million times on the Gawker site.
Hogan wore a signature black bandana during the two-week trial in St. Petersburg, Florida, near his home. Testimony touched on media ethics, website analytics and Hogan's statements about his sex life, including descriptions of his genitalia.
Gawker said the posting was in keeping with its mission to cover true and interesting subjects, stressing that Hogan had made his sex life a public matter.
Denton and the editor responsible for the post, A.J. Daulerio, were called as defense witnesses. Both were named in the lawsuit and they stood by the post, which Denton said "stands up to the test of time.
Goodluck Jonathan PDP chieftain says EFCC should go after ex-President
In Russia FlyDubai plane crashes, 62 people on board killed
The Boeing jet was flying from Dubai to southern Russia. Flydubai CEO says "too early" to determine cause. The crash happened as plane tried to land in strong wind. Most aboard were Russian
All 62 people aboard a passenger jet flying from Dubai to southern Russia were killed when their plane crashed on its second attempt to land at Rostov-on-Don airport on Saturday, March 19, 2016, Russian officials said.
Russia's emergencies ministry said the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Dubai-based budget carrier Flydubai, crashed at 0340 (0040 GMT). Most of those on board were Russian.
"The aircraft hit the ground and broke into pieces," the Investigative Committee of Russia said in a statement on its website. There were 55 passengers aboard and seven crew members. They all died."
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