Never give up! and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Hi peeps,
How now? Hope all is well? The temperature was in the '70s today, and it made me sooo happy. Winter is gone **in singsong voice** Halleluyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Alright, enough silliness. I know its been a while since I have written a decent article on this blog, but its because there is too much stuff I am supposed to be thinking about with this my small head. However, I am cooking something up that I think will prove to be controversial. Some will like it, some will hate it, others will not care. So stay tuned. LOL!!


What are we talking about today? First of all, I swam 26 laps of the pool today. Why is that significant? Because I never, ever, ever thought I would be able to swim. The first time I tried, I could not stay afloat, and I went backwards instead of forwards when I tried to kick. I have come a long way from those humiliating days let me tell you. I am not the best swimmer technique wise, but I don't care baby. I am swimming laps now. If you refuse to give up, there is no telling what you can do - you hear me? That thing that you are thinking that you cannot do - you, yes you!! Oya, pick it up and try again. If I can swim laps (yes ke, I am proud of myself!), then you can do that thing. So keep working on it. Kapishe?


Speaking of not giving up, I saw an interview that Dr Ellen Johnson Sirleaf- president of Liberia - gave to Jon Stewart of the Daily Show. I dunno how I feel about current presidents talking to comedians, but even Oga Barack was on Leno, so perhaps I should not be complaining too much. But anyways, whether I approve or not, she was there to promote her new book. The interview was kind of inspirational - she came across as Mendelaesque (alright, I made that one up!) in character. I don't really know how she is doing in Liberia though. Hope she is representing for the girls!

See interview below:


Jon Stewart's intro - dude is funny!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Intro - Heads of State Theme Week
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

The interview:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

So if she could become Africa's first woman president, and I can swim 26 laps (woohooo!) then you can do anything!!

Enjoy.

Gospel Music Spotlight : Muyiwa and Riversongz

Remember how we used love Don Moen and Ron Kenoly? If you don't know who they are, you are really young!! We loved them because of the worship environments that they created with live audiences. Even if you were not there, the music was authentic, real, and you felt transported into the LORD's presence! Well, there is a new generation of worship leaders doing the same thing now, and are they amazing or what? Muyiwa Olanrewaju is a Nigerian born, now London based worship leader whose current album "Declaring HIS love" is enjoying a lot of play from me. Anytime I want to enter into worship, I often play "Oh Lord our GOD" one of the songs off the album and I am immediately transported. Its a rich worship experience, and I look forward to being able to attend one of his concerts live one day. I was introduced to his music by one of my Londoner friends. Actually, its not fair, all the fun things happen in London! If anybody knows him, abeg tell him to leave Europe and come sing in America o!!

Alrighty - this is presenting one of the best worship leaders you have never heard of: MUYIWA!!

GOD of Miracles


See Africans jumping on the stage, CHEI!!


Let there be light



Declaring His love - overview of the live worship dvd.




You can listen to more of his music on his myspace page here, find out more about him and his music on his website, or make a purchase from amazon here


ENJOY!!

Music spotlight: Dare Art Alade

I usually ignore most contemporary musicians - because I find that many have no talent. They are superstars because of good marketing, not because they can carry a tune. This is the case in the West, and its just as bad all over Africa. Afro hip hop is all the rage, and all the tuneless beats sound the same. Its all very disappointing. However once in a while, somebody shines out of the crowd - with real talent, with creativity, with ooomph! that makes you stop and say - there is still hope for the music industry after all. As far as I am concerned, Dare's first album was a complete waste of time (almost). I hated it, and I thought he was just another noise maker in the crowd. But it looks like dude got some kind of creative makeover, because when I heard his second album, I was totally, completely blown away. Believe me, its good. And the videos are even better. I am one of the biggest critics of this video vixen business - usually some scantily clad gal boosting somebody's ego in the club, or in the pool (or both). However, even though some of Dare's girls are sometimes less than fully dressed, his videos are tasteful and classy. And boy, can he sing!! Chei!! CAN HE SING!

But the say the proof of the pudding is in the eating abi? I present Dare Art Alade, or Darey as he is called on this album:

Not the girl



More




Carry dey go




And my very favorite: With this woman




If he resists the attempt to make pedestrian music with cheap hooks, the sky is his limit. I looooooove his music - I think this album is brilliant in all ramifications. Goooooo Darey!

Info about Dare: he has a very informative website here and his music is on Amazon here. His first album is there too - under the name Dare Art Alade, while the second album is under the name Darey (Don't ask me why, me I no sabi).

Enjoy!!

Dambisa Moyo, author of Dead Aid.

I was watching the Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert, and I was surprised to see this lady being interviewed on the show because the show just does not strike me as one where African issues can be discussed with any seriousness.Even though the interview was pretty short, I was intrigued, so I did some investigation about her: Her name is Dambisa Moyo, she is from Zambia and has just written a book that she has been promoting. Her book is entitled Dead Aid, and it states that foreign Aid of the sort that Bono advocates is harmful to Africans. She wants foreign Direct investment instead of foreign aid. She was also interviewed by the SaharaReporters team (also posted below).That interview eventually became very fiesty, so if you have time on your hands, watch it. I have not read the book, but I found the interviews interesting. And whether you agree with her or not, you cannot deny that she is one smart sista!!

Her Wikibiography can be found here; and this is her website here.

Enjoy!


Colbert's interview:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Dambisa Moyo
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest

SaharaReporter's Interview




Sooo, AID or Investment? Or both?

Comedy spotlight: Naija boyz

Once in a while, you come across across talent so undeniable you just want to shout it from the rooftops. These boys are internet celebrities with a gift for parody that is worldclass. They are witty, funny and their videos boast millions of views on youtube. I am a huge fan of theirs, and I wish Nollywood would snap them up and put them in movies ASAP. What you will find below are the original songs(posted for comparison purposes though they are not really my thing) and their clever remixes. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you NAIJA BOYZ!


1. Lollipop (original song)




Lollipop : REMIX






2. Kiss kiss (original)

Chris Brown feat. T-Pain Kiss Kiss
Uploaded by Robinho68

kiss kiss REMIX





3.Crank that Soulja boy (original)

Soulja Boy - Crank That
Uploaded by jdi08

Crank that Soulja boy REMIX




4. Single Ladies-Put a ring on it (original)

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) vs. Get Me Bodied
Uploaded by yardie4lifever2

Single Ladies-Put a ring on it REMIX


I just can't wait for their take on thriller. I bet it will be hilarious!! For more info about them, you can find their website here

Enjoy.