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Thursday, December 31, 2009

On the streets!

This post of ‘On the Streets’ is not fashion, but about cute and beautiful animals taking their place on the streets. Animals are not just meant for trees climbing or playing in jungles, they also find fun walking and relaxing on the streets just like humans.

A cheeky pair of monkeys taken along the Gulu road in northern Uganda

Two older lions on a road in Zambia


They appear to be skydiving, but they are just sunning and tanning themselves in south Africa


Two wildebeest fighting

Pics from BBC Africa

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Mode9 ft 2face – We Dey Vex

ModeNine, who’s been in the game for over a decade, has managed to stay true to hardcore rap, it’s hard to imagine him falling off. He’s still regarded by many as Nigeria’s No. 1 rapper, and it’s easy to see (or hear) why.
Here’s Modey’s brand new single featuring 2face Idibia; boys are “vexing” on this one. We’re told an album “The Davinci Mode” is billed to drop February 2010. Stay tuned… more exclusives are on the way.



Sunday, December 27, 2009

Real pictures of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab


The word "Terrorist" and "Nigerian" in the same sentence almost sounds like an Oxymoron. Nigeria is a country with a not so good reputation worldwide. How do I know? Try traveling with a Nigerian passport versus traveling with the almighty BLUE passport. Many Nigerians are subjected to far more rigorous searches and ridicule at several airports because the country has been brandished globally as breeding mainly con artists, fraudsters, & "419'ers".



Nigerians love’love love’ to live life to the fullest which explains why it was once tagged the happiest country in the world back in 200,, not sure. In Nigeria, middle class is pretty much nonexistent. The Rich keeps getting mega rich and could barely figure out what to do with all the wealth they possess. Does that explain why a rich kid would want to blow up a plane? He has gotten everything he wants, got the best education, traveled round the world, and now, he wanted to bomb a plane. The people to whom we entrust to rule the country do nothing but swindle billions of dollars from the country and hoard them in banks all around the globe.

On December 25th, 2009, It was no longer the usual Nigerian scam artist story. The Breaking News revolved around a "Nigerian terrorist," “Nigerian bomber,” “Son of former bank CEO tried to bomb a plane.” Damn! It came as no surprise to me the level of shock exhibited by most Nigerians when this news broke. I mean what Sane Nigerian attempts suicide?? Let alone on U.S. soil?



I see it as a young man (whom I can't pronounce his name to save my life) who had been brainwashed into a dangerous ideology. All I saw was a young man who should be thoroughly evaluated on his mental state of mind. The real deal here is RELIGION. This is really just another situation where another innocent mind has been brainwashed by extremists into the ideology that the United States is somehow in a war against Islam.

Religion is a subject so touchy, so dangerous, and so deadly. So many wars and so many lives have been lost by something (religion) that is supposed to bring about world peace and unity. OH THE IRONY! I am no atheist/agnostic. I choose to believe in God for personal reasons but things like what occurred yesterday remind me of why I harbor no grudges whatsoever towards people who choose to be atheists.

The main stream media is either ridiculously ignorant or just plain evil. The way news is being portrayed sometimes leaves me wondering what exactly their agenda is. For example, "BREAKING NEWS .NIGERIAN MAN COMMITS TERROR." Why the emphasis on his Nationality? Why not "BREAKING NEWS, AN INSANE MAN PLANNED TO COMMIT AN ACT OF TERROR"?

People wonder why there is so much hate for the U.S internationally. It is because of images and messages as such that defame a whole nation that is constantly being portrayed in the U.S media.

By Judith Afonta, also edited for publishing.
pictures from BBC 

Fashion on the streets!


I love good photography especially when it is all about fashion or lifestyle. The pictures below were taken on the streets. Most of the pictures are from The Sartorialist’s blog. Enjoy the pictures and feel free to comment.



Mr. Cortina, Paris 


An Accountant, Sydney

 

A Burlesque Dancer, Sydney


The Horticulturists, Sydney


The walkers, Langkawe 


An American in London

 

A Very Serious Young Man...., Sydney


Everyday Couture, Sydney


The Young Stockbroker, Sydney


The Stillness, Melbourne


No business men, Kuala Lumpur



The Sartorialist, Paris


The Islanders, Malaysia


Miss Islander

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Top 5 Naija Rap Videos 2009

1. Safe - M.I ft Djinee
This is my best video and best rap song of 2009. This single from M.I has left jaws dropped. M.I creatively use the hooks of Nigerian hit tunes to rap and he did justice to this single. Check this out “They call me M.I(higher) just because am getting thing higher, I’m spitting fire this written fire is no bullshiting. I’m sitting on top Naija rap lids higher”. He does flow tighter and there has been heavy discussions about him on African hip hop forums meaning this single has set tongues wagging.

 


2. Dagrin - pon pon pon
What makes Dagrin's CEO special is the hands on, take the bull by the horn and aggressive approach which is quite refreshing. Even-though the album title might suggest that it might be meant for some people, there are enough on his album to satisfy everyone's needs. whenever Dagrin opens his mouth, he shows his hunger and you are bound to feel his pain. this is a rap single that will bring out the Oliver twist in you. 
 

3. MC Loph ft Flavour Osondi Owendi
It’s basically a re-make of the classic by Chief Osita Osadebe. Cool feel good track. Heres the video for arguably the hottest song in Eastern Nigeria for 2009. IGBO KWENU!!! Kporo kpotom chei! I love it! he makes the 3rd spot for my best rap song of 2009.


4. Knighthouse ft Sauce Kid, Mo Cheddah, Teeto - The Finest
It's another hit single off the Knighthouse Street Scriptures Vol. 1....if u don't know, Street Scriptures Vol. 1 is the finest compilation album made in these parts. It features Nigeria's finest artistes such as Terry Tha Rapman, Mode 9, Blaise, Kel, YQ, Mo'Cheddah, M.I, Wizkid, Nyore, Iceprince, Jesse Jags, Str8 Buttah, IllBliss, Tha Suspect etc; and a few surprises from Bigtym (Rhythm 93.7fm) Tosyn Bucknor etc
 


5. iLLbliss ft terry G - Aiye Po Gan


Friday, December 25, 2009

10 Tips for Approaching Single Women


What do you do when you see a woman you are attracted to? Do you run and hide? Do you use some canned line that you read on the Internet? Do you stand there in fear trying to think of the right thing to say? What is the right thing to do?

When approaching a woman, most guys make the mistake of thinking too much about what to say. They believe there's one magic line that will work in all situations. They rehearse this magic line, and when they deliver it, they hope the woman will become instantly attracted to them.

Unfortunately, rarely does this approach work -- because most of what you say is irrelevant. To catch a woman's attention, it is all about the confidence you display when approaching her.

Here are 10 surefire ways to intrigue her every time:
1. Observe something. Make a comment about something you observe in the environment. This is especially effective at the grocery store. For example, if she is ordering a turkey sandwich, ask her if the turkey is good here. Make your comment immediate to the situation and it will seem perfectly natural. No matter where you are, there is always something interesting to comment on.

2. Smile. This shows her that you are friendly and confident. A genuine smile not only feels good to you, but will put her at ease while creating openness in the interaction -- a requirement for building rapport.
 
3. Do not hesitate. If you hesitate in your approach, this tells her that you are not feeling confident -- an immediate turn-off. When you see her, walk over to her within a short period of time (the three-second rule). Show her you are a man who knows what he wants and goes after it.
4. Positive body language. If you approach hunched over with your head down, you are sending negative information about yourself, which makes you dead in the water before you begin. Stand up straight, with shoulders back and chest out, and use a firm yet relaxed walk.

5. Not too fast. If you walk over too fast, you could likely trigger her internal alarm. A calm, casual approach is usually the best way to make her feel at ease with you.

6. Keep eye contact. Never be the first to break eye contact when you approach. If you do, this sends the message that you are not feeling good about approaching. When you use strong eye contact, she will feel more drawn to you. With practice, you can master this.

7. Listen up. Make sure you pay careful attention to what she says. Do not have your response pre-thought out. Women love a man who pays attention to the details of what she says. If you start throwing out random words, she will lose interest fast.

8. Do not fidget. Fidgeting after you approach is distracting and shows you are uncomfortable. If you communicate that you are uncomfortable, she will feel uncomfortable, too, and will close up. Practice being aware of your movements. Pay attention to those movements, or lack of movements, that communicate comfort and confidence.

9. Lighten your tone of voice. The tone of your voice is a very powerful tool. Approaching her in a light and playful tone is one of the best ways to start. You could also begin in a serious tone, accusing her of something like "I hope you saved some turkey for me," followed by a quick smile to let her know you are joking. Practice playing with your vocal tone with your friends -- notice the different reactions you get when you say the exact same thing using varied tones and fluctuations.

10. Lean away from her. A man who leans in too far when he talks often makes a woman feel crowded. A better approach is to lean away from her slightly. This lets her know that you respect her space, boundaries, and are comfortable with yourself.
 
The key to making these tips work for you is putting them into practice! Practice these tips and see the reaction you get. When you put them all together, you will be surprised at their power.
Dating coach, blogger and author David Wygant has been featured on more than 2,000 radio and television shows including Dateline, CBS Good Morning, and MTV. Get more sex and dating tips on David's interactive blog at davidwygant.com. IF - Beyond the Challenge

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

My Best song of 2009!


The Pulse Is The Newest Group From Kenny's Music Talent Show
The Pulse titled "Sote". The video was directed by Clerance Peters.
“The Pulse, the music band made up of six talented youngsters: Dubem Ochokwu (band leader), Obianuju Udeh, Babatunde Omommeji, Moses Philips, Charles Nkamiang and Asuquo Okon, became the 2009 winners of Star Quest, the music talent hunt programme sponsored by Star lager.” allafrica.com

The Pulse is now signed to Kennis music.


There is also an offcial remix of this song by Busta Rhymes. He meshed his lyrics well into this inspirational track. The video for the remix is ready and should be out in a few weeks.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

My gift to everyone this Christmas is a wish


In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season;
It wasn't called Season Greetings.

The Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; 
The Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; 
The atheists went to parties. 
People passing each other on the street would say...
'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!'


My gift to everyone this Christmas is a wish,
from a friend who cares for you,

a wish for all things good in life,
and success in all that you do.

My wish, like Santa, can't be seen,
but believe, dare to dream!


 

Coming soon!
Top Naija rap video of 2009
It has been a beautiful and great year.

Pictures and some texts from 2000greetings

Duncan Daniels ft M.I - Like This (Official Video)

 

Finally the long awaited Music Video for SMASH HIT song "LIKE THIS" by Duncan Daniels ft M.I is here..Hope you all enjoy it.
For more information about Duncan Daniels

visit http://www.reverbnation.com/dunkishrock 
also http://www.myspace.com/dunkishrock

Lionel Messi wins Fifa World Player of the Year award


Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been named Fifa World Footballer of the Year to complete a stunning 2009 for the Argentine forward.

The 22-year-old, who helped Barca win the Club World Cup on Saturday - their sixth trophy of the year - also won the Ballon d'Or award this year.
"A magnificent year for me and Barca has ended in the best way," said Messi.

He beat off competition from last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Kaka and Andres Iniesta.

In a vote by captains and head coaches of the men's and women's national teams, Messi won 1,073 votes, Ronaldo 352, Xavi 196, Kaka 190 and Iniesta 134.

Messi becomes the first Argentine to win the award, which was inaugurated in 1991, and it completes a stunning year for the brilliant winger.

Yahoo news

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Nigeria, the entertainment hub of Africa

By Kennedy Ihewuokwu



According to Tuface Idibia, “You are the one that is responsible for your own image. America is not going to start saying good things about Nigeria! Nigeria has to say good things about Nigeria!No doubt, Nigerians are beginning to realize that they are responsible for their own image and they are beginning to reshape entertainment the way they want it to be. From the foundation when Nollywood was born in the 90s, the movie ‘Living in bondage’ gave birth to the Nigerian film industry. The positive response towards the movie made Nigerians realize that a new resource had just been discovered. Today, Nollywood movies are stocked and littered all over the African continent, the Caribbean, Europe 
and spreading on a fast pace to other parts of the world. Three years ago, Nollywood was crowned the third biggest film industry, at a time that wasn’t anticipated. They are telling and showing stories other movie industries tagged as ‘unmarketable.’ Stories and lifestyles of the African people, the cultures and traditions of Africans that are irresistible, they have stand out to tell their stories. 



The great Fela Kuti once said, ‘music is a weapon!’ Not just a weapon in fighting the corrupt and unstable politically crisis affecting most African nations, but also a weapon in creating employment, happiness and hope. No doubt, Nigeria is the entertainment hub of Africa. The year 2009 has ended with optimistic signs of a promising future of entertainment in Africa. The 2nd edition of MTV Africa award held in Kenya was another successful celebration of African music. The Nigerian music industry was one of the elements that gave birth to the unique award and many other successful music awards present in the continent. Nigerian Tu-Face Idibia made music history by becoming the first artist to win the Best African Act award at the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards in Lisbon. Nigerian music is almost certainly the chief selling across Africa, with the likes of Kennis Music, Tuface Idibia, Storm Records, Naeto C, M.I, Cobhams, Nneka, Banky W, Darey, Asa, D’Banj,  MO’Hits family, P-Square, Olu Maintain and many others. The Legends of Nigerian music which some of them are still in the scene doing what they know best would always be remembered even by the upcoming African musicians. The legendry founders which includes, Fela and Femi Kuti, Lagbaja, Sade, Dr. Alban, Onyeka Onwenu, King Sunny Ade, and a few others are still a selling point today. The show ‘FELA!’ plays on Broadway in New York City and is being sponsored by Shawn 'JAY-Z' and Will & Jada Smith.
Article continues below




Have you ever wondered why almost every American musician, American products, China products, Britain, Russia, and other markets want to create Nigeria as a selling point? The answer is obvious that it is an upcoming international market. In the past years, the international media had misrepresented the Nigerian image globally. The music and movies are here to reshape and reconstruct the Nigerian image. Invest in Nigeria! The time has come.



Watch the video below.


New Naija Music Videos

Grab am - Material and Ubee (Exclusive!!!)

Ok, when i first heard Material on 'Don't try me' i thought it was a fluke. This guy will definitely be around for a long time. When it comes to tracks you can allude to, he kills it hands down, this time with another talented artist called Ubee. 'Grab am'



Nikki Laoye feat. RooftopMcs & Rap2Sai - TAKA SUFE(RMX)
Another hit track from Nikki Laoye's quiver of artistic song creations-"ANGEL 4 LIFE".

A beautiful, crazy collabo featuring the Rooftop Mcs and her older brother, Rap2Sai.
Song Produced by Xblaze (Nikki's younger brother)
Video Directed by Frizzle and Bizzle
Video shot in Lagos, Nigeria




Dj vinnie feat pype - Some Love



coming soon!
Naija Rap video of the Year 2009!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Tiger Woods dropped by Tag Heuer

Tiger Woods suffered a fresh setback on Friday night when Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer, one of his major sponsors, said it would no longer feature him in its US advertising campaigns. 



Tag Heuer will continue to support Woods' charitable foundation but will use other brand ambassadors for advertisements, including Leonardo Di Caprio, the actor.

"We recognise Tiger Woods as a great sportsman but we have to take account of the sensitivity of some consumers in relation to recent events," Jean-Christophe Babin, the CEO of Tag Heuer, told the Swiss newspaper Le Matin. He said the company was reacting to "recent events" surrounding the golfer. He has been linked to at least a dozen women and his wife Elin Nordegren is said to be set on divorce.

Tag Heuer joins other sponsors in backing away from Woods as his clean-cut image has taken a battering in recent weeks. read more

Man Stoned To Death For Adultery in Somalia

A 48-year-old man, Mohamed Abukar Ibrahim, was executed for having an extramarital sexual relationship with a young woman. The middle-aged man was brutally pelted with mini boulder-esque stones for his crimes.



Islamic extremists and al-Qaeda wannabe group Hizbul Islam carried out what many deem as simple justice rooted deeply in the bylaws and practices of Islam.

For her part, the woman that Ibrahim slept with received 100 lashes, only escaping death herself due to the fact that she was single at the time of the affair.


Stoned to death
This is bad!

some texts and pictures from lindaikeji

Pictures of the weekend

Lets take a look at some Nigerian public primary schools

 
 
 
 
 

What can the kids learn?

Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka listed among world’s 50 ‘most inspiring‘ authors

Fearless, inventive, persistent, beautiful, or just plain — Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and Uwem Akpan are listed among some of the living authors who shake us awake, challenge our ideas of who we are, embolden our actions, and, above all, inspire us to live life more fully and creatively.


 Chinua Achebe
The best-selling Nigerian novelist sets universal tales of personal and moral struggle in the context of the tragic drama of colonization. I see him as a king author.
The Education of a British-Protected Child: Essays

Wole Soyinka
The first black writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, he's written in nearly ever genre while relentlessly pursuing freedom in his homeland of Nigeria.He is my favorite writer and my hero.
You Must Set Forth at Dawn: A Memoir





Uwem Akpan
His is the perfect story line: Jesuit priest from Nigeria becomes a best-selling, Oprah-chosen author. "I was inspired to write by the people who sit around my village church to share palm wine after Sunday Mass, by the Bible, and by the humor and endurance of the poor," he writes on his Web site.I am yet to read any of his book, but will do soon.
Say You're One of Them (Oprah's Book Club)
for complete list