#God&039;s vision for you

[penguinreadcom]

You Are in Harmony.

Grace bible study You are in harmony. This is what I believe and choose to believe with my hopeful blessing spirit in you. “What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?” “Sinful thoughts.” When you believe that you are in harmony, it will be harmony gradually even when you are in trouble. At the point of time, you won’t be able to see it is coming. Only your hope, positive blessing…

[igate777]

LIVING BY DIVINE DESIGN. 12 EVIDENCE OF A VISION FROM YOUR PRESENT JOB OCCUPATION. PART 5.

LIVING BY DIVINE DESIGN. 12 EVIDENCE OF A VISION FROM YOUR PRESENT JOB OCCUPATION. PART 5.

LIVING BY DIVINE INTENT IN 2023 HEBREWS 3:4-5 And every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later.… It is clear that our position of understanding and interpretation of our called assignment needs an update and upgrade to the current apostolic demand of the Third-Day…

[leonaatkinson]

John's Vision

John’s Vision

“The Great White Throne Judgement” image from You Tube https://youtu.be/IXNJfPC3fnU

I see A Great White Throne And One who sits on it Heaven and Earth flee from His face Judgment

Cinquain

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.  Revelation 20:11

For more information on the Great White Throne…

[aion-rsa]

Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles' Blood Communion Trailer Drops

https://ift.tt/2DzOIQb

Anne Rice's vampire Lestat receives his Blood Communion. New trailer promises he bows to no one.

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Trailers

Books

Tony Sokol

The Vampire Chronicles

Sep 27, 2018

Anne Rice

Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis

Interview with the Vampire

"This is my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. Take this, all of you and drink it," an old superstar once said. The rabbi Jesus of Nazareth also offered up at least a quarter pound of flesh but current Eucharistic recipient Lestat is no cannibal. The breakout star of Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles novel series will receive a sanguine transubstantiation when her upcoming book Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat spills out on October 2.

Lestat didn't bow to the devil, god or the Children of Satan or the dwellers of Atlantis, the trailer reminds us. He is not about to start bowing now, except maybe in conquest. He writes for all blood drinkers even as he takes his throne as the Brat Prince of bloodsuckers.

You can watch the trailer here:

Video of EXCLUSIVE Trailer: Anne Rice's New Vampire Chronicles Book, BLOOD COMMUNION

The eleventh book in the series will tell how Lestat came to rule the vampire world. He didn't do it by hosting Goth nights. He went toe-to-toe and fang-to-fang with all usurpers. The book will also get into how the Blood Communion was created so already doubly departed Vampire Chronicles characters can be resurrected for long-time readers.

Further reading: Anne Rice Drops Snippet of Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis

It just might be the dawn of a new vampire era for the Rice dynasty, Anne and her son Christopher have also been dropping teasers for the Interview with a Vampire-inspired series coming to Hulu.

"I frequently post about the forthcoming Vampire Chronicles TV series, but Lestat's adventures continue this October in print with the release of BLOOD COMMUNION." Christopher Rice tweeted on August 14. "Barnes & Noble is releasing a special SIGNED edition. You can pre-order it here."

The publisher offered up the following synopsis:

The Vampire Chronicles continue with a riveting, rich saga--part adventure, part fairy-tale--of Prince Lestat and the story of the Blood Communion as he tells the tale of his coming to rule the vampire world and the eternal struggle to find belonging, a place in the universe for the undead, and how, against his will, he must battle the menacing, seemingly unstoppable force determined to thwart his vision and destroy the entire vampire netherworld.

In this spellbinding novel, Lestat, rebel outlaw, addresses the tribe of vampires, directly, intimately, passionately, and tells the mesmerizing story of the formation of the Blood Communion and how he became Prince of the vampire world, the true ruler of this vast realm, and how his vision for all the Children of the Universe to thrive as one, came to be.

Further reading: Interview With The Vampire and the Origin of Remorseful Bloodsuckers

The tale spills from Lestat’s heart, as he speaks first of his new existence as reigning monarch–and then of his fierce battle of wits and words with the mysterious  Rhoshamandes, proud Child of the Millennia, reviled outcast for his senseless slaughter of the legendary ancient vampire Maharet, avowed enemy of Queen Akasha; Rhoshamandes, a demon spirit who refuses to live in harmony at the Court of Prince Lestat and threatens all that Lestat has dreamt of.

Further reading: The Vampire Chronicles TV Series Set to Arrive on Hulu

As the tale unfolds, Lestat takes us from the towers and battlements of his ancestral castle in the snow-covered mountains of France to the verdant wilds of lush Louisiana with its lingering fragrances of magnolias and night jasmine; from the far reaches of the Pacific’s untouched islands to the 18th-century city of St. Petersburg and the court of the Empress Catherine.

Lestat was supposed to have finally been put down in the final installment of Rice's Mayfair Witches book series. But long time fans didn't have to hold their breaths very long. Certainly not as long as Lestat did when he visited the mythical nautical kingdom of Atlantis in the previous book, Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis.

Further reading: Underworld’s Vampire/Werewolf War Is Not a Universal Battle

Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat will be available for purchase on October 2.

Culture Editor Tony Sokol cut his teeth on the wire services and also wrote and produced New York City's Vampyr Theatre and the rock opera AssassiNation: We Killed JFK. Read more of his work here or find him on Twitter @tsokol.

from Books https://ift.tt/2xHyEXe

[newssplashy]

Former Arizona Senator John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday. In it McCain slammed President Donald Trump's policies without mentioning him.

Senator John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday.

The statement slammed President Donald Trump's policies without mentioning his name.

Meanwhile, Trump led a confused White House response to a self-inflicted controversy caused by the White House not keeping flags at half mast for the customary period of time.

Trump eventually re-lowered flags and made a statement saying he respected McCain.

McCain let his final feelings towards Trump be known by not inviting him to his funeral.

Sen. John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday. In it he slammed President Donald Trump's policies as the president became mired in controversy over his apparent disrespect for the former Arizona senator.

McCain, the GOP's 2008 presidential candidate and longtime party leadership figure, and Trump — a political neophyte whose now wide grip on the party dates back less than two years— had long been rivals.

McCain, who survived North Vietnamese forces shooting down his plane, a failed ejection that shattered three of his limbs, a savage beating by the waiting enemy, and a stint as a prisoner of war wherein he refused early release to favor other US captives, has repeatedly had his status as a war hero questioned by Trump.

The two frequently sparred on issues of decorum. McCain also dealt a death blow to Trump's American Health Care Act, severely setting back the president's legislative agenda.

But in dying, McCain made clear his true feelings for Trump by asking him not to attend his funeral and rebuking him in his final words to the country.

From McCain's farewell:

"We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been."

Trump's controversial response to McCain's death

Since McCain's death, Trump has come under fire for a confused and possibly disrespectful response to the passing of an American who served his country for sixty years.

Initially, Trump made no statement on McCain himself, only wishing his family well in wake of his death. Later, Trump's White House bucked the long-established trend of flying flags at half mast from the time of a Senator's death to his burial.

The White House and Pentagon, buildings under control of the executive branch, raised their flags shortly after McCain's death, while Congress continued to keep theirs low.

"I doubt you could find a comparable situation where the president doesn't order the flag flown at half-mast until the funeral," said John Lawrence, history professor at the University of California's Washington Center to Reuters.

"The disparity between the Congress and White House policy is obviously noticeable and somewhat shocking."

On Monday, the flags returned to half staff along with a statement from Trump that struck a more conciliatory note after hours of pressure from veteran's groups.

"Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain's service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment," the statement said.

In his death, McCain left a hole in Congress and the fabric of American public life, as well as a vision of how the country can recover from political divisiveness.

From McCain:

"We are three hundred and twenty five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do."

Read McCain's full farewell below:

"My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans.

"Thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I have tried to serve our country honorably. I have made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them.

"I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else’s.

"I owe that satisfaction to the love of my family. No man ever had a more loving wife or children he was prouder of than I am of mine. And I owe it to America. To be connected to America’s causes – liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people – brings happiness more sublime than life’s fleeting pleasures. Our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.

"'Fellow Americans' – that association has meant more to me than any other. I lived and died a proud American. We are citizens of the world’s greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. We are blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold and advance those ideals at home and in the world. We have helped liberate more people from tyranny and poverty than ever before in history. We have acquired great wealth and power in the process.

"We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.

"We are three hundred and twenty five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do.

"Ten years ago, I had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. I want to end my farewell to you with the heartfelt faith in Americans that I felt so powerfully that evening.

"I feel it powerfully still.

"Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

"Farewell, fellow Americans. God bless you, and God bless America."

via Nigerian News ➨☆LATEST NIGERIAN NEWS ☆➨GHANA NEWS➨☆ENTERTAINMENT ☆➨Hot Posts ➨☆World News ▷NEWS

[newssplashy]

Politics: McCain wins the final round of his rivalry with Trump in his farewell to the American people

Former Arizona Senator John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday. In it McCain slammed President Donald Trump's policies without mentioning him.

Senator John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday.

The statement slammed President Donald Trump's policies without mentioning his name.

Meanwhile, Trump led a confused White House response to a self-inflicted controversy caused by the White House not keeping flags at half mast for the customary period of time.

Trump eventually re-lowered flags and made a statement saying he respected McCain.

McCain let his final feelings towards Trump be known by not inviting him to his funeral.

Sen. John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday. In it he slammed President Donald Trump's policies as the president became mired in controversy over his apparent disrespect for the former Arizona senator.

McCain, the GOP's 2008 presidential candidate and longtime party leadership figure, and Trump — a political neophyte whose now wide grip on the party dates back less than two years— had long been rivals.

McCain, who survived North Vietnamese forces shooting down his plane, a failed ejection that shattered three of his limbs, a savage beating by the waiting enemy, and a stint as a prisoner of war wherein he refused early release to favor other US captives, has repeatedly had his status as a war hero questioned by Trump.

The two frequently sparred on issues of decorum. McCain also dealt a death blow to Trump's American Health Care Act, severely setting back the president's legislative agenda.

But in dying, McCain made clear his true feelings for Trump by asking him not to attend his funeral and rebuking him in his final words to the country.

From McCain's farewell:

"We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been."

Trump's controversial response to McCain's death

Since McCain's death, Trump has come under fire for a confused and possibly disrespectful response to the passing of an American who served his country for sixty years.

Initially, Trump made no statement on McCain himself, only wishing his family well in wake of his death. Later, Trump's White House bucked the long-established trend of flying flags at half mast from the time of a Senator's death to his burial.

The White House and Pentagon, buildings under control of the executive branch, raised their flags shortly after McCain's death, while Congress continued to keep theirs low.

"I doubt you could find a comparable situation where the president doesn't order the flag flown at half-mast until the funeral," said John Lawrence, history professor at the University of California's Washington Center to Reuters.

"The disparity between the Congress and White House policy is obviously noticeable and somewhat shocking."

On Monday, the flags returned to half staff along with a statement from Trump that struck a more conciliatory note after hours of pressure from veteran's groups.

"Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain's service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment," the statement said.

In his death, McCain left a hole in Congress and the fabric of American public life, as well as a vision of how the country can recover from political divisiveness.

From McCain:

"We are three hundred and twenty five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do."

Read McCain's full farewell below:

"My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans.

"Thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I have tried to serve our country honorably. I have made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them.

"I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else’s.

"I owe that satisfaction to the love of my family. No man ever had a more loving wife or children he was prouder of than I am of mine. And I owe it to America. To be connected to America’s causes – liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people – brings happiness more sublime than life’s fleeting pleasures. Our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.

"'Fellow Americans' – that association has meant more to me than any other. I lived and died a proud American. We are citizens of the world’s greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. We are blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold and advance those ideals at home and in the world. We have helped liberate more people from tyranny and poverty than ever before in history. We have acquired great wealth and power in the process.

"We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.

"We are three hundred and twenty five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do.

"Ten years ago, I had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. I want to end my farewell to you with the heartfelt faith in Americans that I felt so powerfully that evening.

"I feel it powerfully still.

"Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

"Farewell, fellow Americans. God bless you, and God bless America."

source http://www.newssplashy.com/2018/08/politics-mccain-wins-final-round-of-his_28.html

[newssplashy]

Former Arizona Senator John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday. In it McCain slammed President Donald Trump's policies without mentioning him.

Senator John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday.

The statement slammed President Donald Trump's policies without mentioning his name.

Meanwhile, Trump led a confused White House response to a self-inflicted controversy caused by the White House not keeping flags at half mast for the customary period of time.

Trump eventually re-lowered flags and made a statement saying he respected McCain.

McCain let his final feelings towards Trump be known by not inviting him to his funeral.

Sen. John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday. In it he slammed President Donald Trump's policies as the president became mired in controversy over his apparent disrespect for the former Arizona senator.

McCain, the GOP's 2008 presidential candidate and longtime party leadership figure, and Trump — a political neophyte whose now wide grip on the party dates back less than two years— had long been rivals.

McCain, who survived North Vietnamese forces shooting down his plane, a failed ejection that shattered three of his limbs, a savage beating by the waiting enemy, and a stint as a prisoner of war wherein he refused early release to favor other US captives, has repeatedly had his status as a war hero questioned by Trump.

The two frequently sparred on issues of decorum. McCain also dealt a death blow to Trump's American Health Care Act, severely setting back the president's legislative agenda.

But in dying, McCain made clear his true feelings for Trump by asking him not to attend his funeral and rebuking him in his final words to the country.

From McCain's farewell:

"We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been."

Trump's controversial response to McCain's death

Since McCain's death, Trump has come under fire for a confused and possibly disrespectful response to the passing of an American who served his country for sixty years.

Initially, Trump made no statement on McCain himself, only wishing his family well in wake of his death. Later, Trump's White House bucked the long-established trend of flying flags at half mast from the time of a Senator's death to his burial.

The White House and Pentagon, buildings under control of the executive branch, raised their flags shortly after McCain's death, while Congress continued to keep theirs low.

"I doubt you could find a comparable situation where the president doesn't order the flag flown at half-mast until the funeral," said John Lawrence, history professor at the University of California's Washington Center to Reuters.

"The disparity between the Congress and White House policy is obviously noticeable and somewhat shocking."

On Monday, the flags returned to half staff along with a statement from Trump that struck a more conciliatory note after hours of pressure from veteran's groups.

"Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain's service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment," the statement said.

In his death, McCain left a hole in Congress and the fabric of American public life, as well as a vision of how the country can recover from political divisiveness.

From McCain:

"We are three hundred and twenty five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do."

Read McCain's full farewell below:

"My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans.

"Thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I have tried to serve our country honorably. I have made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them.

"I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else’s.

"I owe that satisfaction to the love of my family. No man ever had a more loving wife or children he was prouder of than I am of mine. And I owe it to America. To be connected to America’s causes – liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people – brings happiness more sublime than life’s fleeting pleasures. Our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.

"'Fellow Americans' – that association has meant more to me than any other. I lived and died a proud American. We are citizens of the world’s greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. We are blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold and advance those ideals at home and in the world. We have helped liberate more people from tyranny and poverty than ever before in history. We have acquired great wealth and power in the process.

"We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.

"We are three hundred and twenty five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do.

"Ten years ago, I had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. I want to end my farewell to you with the heartfelt faith in Americans that I felt so powerfully that evening.

"I feel it powerfully still.

"Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

"Farewell, fellow Americans. God bless you, and God bless America."

via Nigerian News ➨☆LATEST NIGERIAN NEWS ☆➨GHANA NEWS➨☆ENTERTAINMENT ☆➨Hot Posts ➨☆World News ▷NEWS

[newssplashy]

Politics: McCain wins the final round of his rivalry with Trump in his farewell to the American people

Former Arizona Senator John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday. In it McCain slammed President Donald Trump's policies without mentioning him.

Senator John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday.

The statement slammed President Donald Trump's policies without mentioning his name.

Meanwhile, Trump led a confused White House response to a self-inflicted controversy caused by the White House not keeping flags at half mast for the customary period of time.

Trump eventually re-lowered flags and made a statement saying he respected McCain.

McCain let his final feelings towards Trump be known by not inviting him to his funeral.

Sen. John McCain's office issued his farewell statement to the American people after his death on Saturday. In it he slammed President Donald Trump's policies as the president became mired in controversy over his apparent disrespect for the former Arizona senator.

McCain, the GOP's 2008 presidential candidate and longtime party leadership figure, and Trump — a political neophyte whose now wide grip on the party dates back less than two years— had long been rivals.

McCain, who survived North Vietnamese forces shooting down his plane, a failed ejection that shattered three of his limbs, a savage beating by the waiting enemy, and a stint as a prisoner of war wherein he refused early release to favor other US captives, has repeatedly had his status as a war hero questioned by Trump.

The two frequently sparred on issues of decorum. McCain also dealt a death blow to Trump's American Health Care Act, severely setting back the president's legislative agenda.

But in dying, McCain made clear his true feelings for Trump by asking him not to attend his funeral and rebuking him in his final words to the country.

From McCain's farewell:

"We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been."

Trump's controversial response to McCain's death

Since McCain's death, Trump has come under fire for a confused and possibly disrespectful response to the passing of an American who served his country for sixty years.

Initially, Trump made no statement on McCain himself, only wishing his family well in wake of his death. Later, Trump's White House bucked the long-established trend of flying flags at half mast from the time of a Senator's death to his burial.

The White House and Pentagon, buildings under control of the executive branch, raised their flags shortly after McCain's death, while Congress continued to keep theirs low.

"I doubt you could find a comparable situation where the president doesn't order the flag flown at half-mast until the funeral," said John Lawrence, history professor at the University of California's Washington Center to Reuters.

"The disparity between the Congress and White House policy is obviously noticeable and somewhat shocking."

On Monday, the flags returned to half staff along with a statement from Trump that struck a more conciliatory note after hours of pressure from veteran's groups.

"Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain's service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment," the statement said.

In his death, McCain left a hole in Congress and the fabric of American public life, as well as a vision of how the country can recover from political divisiveness.

From McCain:

"We are three hundred and twenty five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do."

Read McCain's full farewell below:

"My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans.

"Thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I have tried to serve our country honorably. I have made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them.

"I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else’s.

"I owe that satisfaction to the love of my family. No man ever had a more loving wife or children he was prouder of than I am of mine. And I owe it to America. To be connected to America’s causes – liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people – brings happiness more sublime than life’s fleeting pleasures. Our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.

"'Fellow Americans' – that association has meant more to me than any other. I lived and died a proud American. We are citizens of the world’s greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. We are blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold and advance those ideals at home and in the world. We have helped liberate more people from tyranny and poverty than ever before in history. We have acquired great wealth and power in the process.

"We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.

"We are three hundred and twenty five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do.

"Ten years ago, I had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. I want to end my farewell to you with the heartfelt faith in Americans that I felt so powerfully that evening.

"I feel it powerfully still.

"Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

"Farewell, fellow Americans. God bless you, and God bless America."

source http://www.newssplashy.com/2018/08/politics-mccain-wins-final-round-of-his.html

[newssplashy]

Wizkid: What is the impact of Sounds From The Other Side, a year after?

An in-depth look at how Wizkid's bold attempt to crack the huge American market with 'Sounds From The Other Side'.

Today, July 14, 2018, marks the one-year anniversary of Wizkid's ambitious third solo body of work 'Sounds From The Other Side'.

In his fast-paced, chaotic career, SFTOS would be his most high stake solo project, an audacious attempt to announce himself properly on the American stage. 

The album or EP as it was touted at the time would be his most ambitious work ever, aiming to crack the usually receptively cold American market.

Background

As fate would have it, the frigid American music market had started flirting with sounds from the motherland. His bromance with international pop star/bad boy Chris Brown starting from 2012 would gradually ease Wizkid into the American market.

 We can't also forget about the rapper Wale. The two acts would collaborate often resulting in 'Drop', a lusty urgent track put out in July 2013 and 'Murder' that featured in Wizkid's second solo effort.

With his profile steadily rising in North America, Wizkid told DJ Abrantee he recorded a new song with Chris Brown 'African Bad Girl' on Capital Xtra in late 2014. Wizzy revealed the song would be the first single off his next project. This would be the first announcement of a new album after his sophomore LP 'Ayo (Joy)' which earned mixed reviews.

 In July 2015, his globe-trotting efforts would pay off big time. UK Grime star Skepta who is of Nigerian origin linked the biggest rapper in the world Drake to Wizkid's sensational single 'Ojuelegba'. Drake who had heard of Wizkid jumped on the remix. The song would be released on his Apple Music station OVO Sounds.

 This singular move would take Wizkid's name from conservations between taste makers to the artificial thick lips of the Jenners/Kardashians in California, Los Angeles.

 With his international wave on the rise, Wizkid rearranged his rollout plans, a move not familiar to his longtime fans. By September 2015, Wizkid characteristically announced that he had scrapped his third album after being inspired by 2face Idibia's legendary catalogue. To appease his fans he would put out a 10 track EP by October 2015.

That EP would not come out in October. From late 2015 to July 2017, Wizkid would continually tease his fans with high stake project. The recording of SFTOS started from 2014-2017. The principal architects would be Sarz (his frequent collaborator), Major Lazer, Picard Brothers, Dre Skull, Del B, Spellz, DJ Mustard, Twice as Nice and DJ Maphorisa.

To further concentrate on his album, Wizkid rented out an L.A mansion in March 2016. He and his cohorts, Legendury Beatz, Sarz and Efya would spend hours in the studio working on his big North American debut.

 This was also the period he debuted his new nickname Pablo, most likely named after Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. The HBO series 'Narcos' would introduce the narco-terrorist to millennials.

 By March 2016, Wizkid would collaborate with Drake on a number of songs for his icy testimonial ode for the cold city of his childhood and upbringing Views. One of the lead singles for Views would be 'One Dance', a blend of Drake's R&B/pop vibe, British pop and Caribbean influenced background vocals delivered by Wizkid.

"I think I put up something on my Instagram and Drake heard it and was like 'yo dawg that sh*t sounds crazy. We need to do something for my album real quick" he told Ebro during his Beats 1 on Apple Music interview.

The collaboration would further push Wizkid into the music scene in North America. The song earned Wizkid a Grammy nod and an ASCAP recognition.

One of the other recordings from Wizkid and Drake's collaborations was a rough sketch song called 'Come Closer'.

The track would leak in February 2017 and it was initially called 'Hush Up The Silence'. Despite speculations that Drake wanted the song as a collaboration with him and his Jamaican buddy Popcaan, Wizkid would officially release the track as his featuring Drake on March 31, 2017.

Earlier on March 1, 2017, Billboard broke the news that Wizkid had signed "a multi-album worldwide deal with RCA Records/Sony Music International." The stars were aligning for Wizkid's official North America roll out.

"Just from having conversations with them. I really just wanted to go with people that understand my dreams and my vision. From the first meeting with RCA, they just understood it.

 "It wasn’t really about money or about numbers, it was just about getting the vision to where it should be. That’s why I did that with them and they’ve been amazing people out there. I couldn’t ask for nothing better" he told XXL Magazine in July 2017.

'Sweet Love' an oft-teased track that almost made it mystical was released by Wizkid on March 1, 2017.

On April 6, 2017, Wizkid would release the 'Come Closer' video sans the presence of 6 God. The mysterious no-show of Drake wasn't strong enough to deter the video to become a hit and a testament to the rising acceptance of African excellence and appreciation of melanin beauty. As of today, it has racked up an impressive 60 million views on YouTube.

"I took like 4 days to make that video," he told MTV Base in May of 2017. "I just want to DAPS and I was like 'yo I've got a crazy idea and this is how I want it.' I literally called the girls in the video."

 The video and track itself were way better received than 'Daddy Yo' which had come out in December 2016 as a teaser of what was to come. Wizkid's use of reggaeton was questioned by some of his fans.

 On June 29, 2017, Wizkid would unveil the artwork for his all or nothing project. The album cover wasn't well received and even Wizkid would poke fun at it. Still, this couldn't stop the momentum of SFTOS.

 D-Day

On July 14, 2017, Wizkid dropped the body of work that took him 3 years to record. Sounds From The Other Side was finally here.

The initial critical reactions of the project were good. Here are some of the reviews of SFTOS by international media;

Pitchfork - "WizKid is primed to carry Afrobeats to great heights" 7.4/10

Rolling Stone - "Wizkid’s Major Label Debut Is a Border-Blurring Dance Party" 3 out 5 stars

Okay Africa - "a true afro-fusion album, well-balanced between world-conquering ambitions and the culture whence it came."

Pulse Music Review described the body of work as "well-crafted, one-dimensional pop dance project that is all about vibes than actual substance."

Commercially in the United States, SFTOS sold 6,286 units in its first week. That’s broken down into 2,672 pure album purchase, 6,079 song downloads, 4,510,897 song streams. All of these made up the first week sales for Wizkid.

It also debuted at number 107 on the Billboard 200 chart. There is no information available on the latest number of copies SFTOS has moved.

A Year After

365 days after the release of Sounds From The Other Side, what is the body of work's impact? Did Wizkid achieve his desire to crack the North American market?

Numbers-wise Sounds From The Other Side did not make a commercial dent in America's massive music recording industry. Conservatively speaking the project should have done at least 50,000 units with a single going at least Gold. Yes, Come Closer has been certified Gold in Canada (40,000 Units) and Silver in UK (200,000 units) but the aim was to crack the US. 'Come Closer' has yet to move 500,000 units in America even with Drake on it.

 "SFTOS was a DUD. It had zero impact in both Africa and the world in general and that makes no sense seeing as the guy is the 'hottest' with a huge following to back him up.

"Also, when you consider the fact that this album had all the creative and structural support that a Major label offers, it's more glaring that SFTOS FLOPPED!  Drake, Major Lazer, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla Sign, Efya, Bucie, Trey Songz, Sarz, Del B, Spellz, Dre Skull, DJ Mustard, Major Lazer, and the Picard Brothers and yet...

"It's not a project that we're going to remember or celebrate. That's saying a lot" says Obinna Agwu, Talent Manager and A&R exec who was worked with M.I Abaga and Timi Dakolo.

Back home in Nigeria, Sounds From The Other Side was not activated. There was a free listening session for SFTOS in London sponsored by Beats by Dre. There was also an album release party in New York. Also, there were billboards in America promoting Wizkid's latest body of work. Lagos, Nigeria got little from the promo run.

With Wizkid also predominantly choosing a more Caribbean flavoured sound, many of his Nigerian fans felt that SFTOS wasn't for them. "I like Wizzy but that album was too much of Jamaican vibes. He should have done more Naija stuff for us his real fans" says, Yinka 20, who has been an ardent Wizkid fan since his first album.

"Its just a collaboration between my producers, and international producers and international artists. I am just blending my sound with theirs. That is sounds from my side and their sides and merging it to make good music" said Wizkid in an interview with MTV Base in 2017.

 For him, the project was a mix of both worlds but for longtime fans, it wasn't.

Another SFTOS flaw is that there was no clear communication on what Sounds From The Other Side was, an album, EP or mixtape. Wizkid would use the last two terms interchangeably confusing fans and music lovers.

Also, the post-release marketing of SFTOS has been non-existent. While the album has a lot of strong singles in it, no single has been released since. The project has been laid dormant.

'Africa Bad Girl' that was christened as the first single by Wizkid never got released. Maybe we can blame this on Wizkid who has been a no-show in the United States for some time now, another puzzling factor on why Wizkid's North America agenda seems to have stalled.

However, we should not be in a hurry to give Wizkid's adventurous sojourn an F9 just yet. Sounds From The Other Side was an avenue to show the world what Africa could offer to the global sound.

Let's go back to June 2011, a sweltering summer not only for North America but Nigerian music as well. That month, music entertainer D'banj would do the unthinkable by signing to G.O.O.D Music owned by Hip-Hop's ego god Kanye West. This move would shake the foundation of Nigerian music.

 Out of the array of new-gen superstars, D'banj had made the boldest move into North America. Out of his peers, he dared to seek a new frontier, the expansive and dominative American market.

Expectations were high for the Koko Master. With Don Jazzy having production credentials on the iconic Watch The Throne collabo album between JAY-Z and Ye, it seemed the time had come for Nigerian pop music to be on the world stage.

 A year later D'banj would have a scene-stealing moment in the G.O.O.D Music posse cut 'Lamborghini Mercy'. Sadly, by the time the compilation album dropped, D'banj would have a paltry 23-second vocal contribution on the entire album.

 D'banj's own compilation album D'Kings Men was more an effort of the entertainer trying to create his own imprint after the break up of Mo' Hits, than a G.O.O.D Music project. Apart from some forgettable contributions from Big Sean and Kanye West, D'Kings Men wasn't the project that would shatter the North American barrier for D'banj.

In 2016 both parties would part ways without an official solo body of work to show for it. A knee-jerk reaction would be to dismiss D'banj's efforts as a failure.

However, with a bird's eye view, you can see that D'banj clearly laid the way for younger Nigerian pop artists to make further inroads into North America. Wizkid said it himself that he grew up around D'banj especially during the Mo' Hits era.

 Partly, we must avoid the temptation to slam Wizkid's SFTOS as a flop commercially without looking at the cultural aspect.

Bankulli, who has credited vocals on Watch The Throne and Kanye's experimental cult classic 'Yeezus' says Wizkid's last body of work is just beyond numbers.

"The album was a passport for African music," he tells Pulse. "As of now, Wizkid is the ambassador of African music" he further says.

"His album was a platform to show the world what African music could in terms of merging with the global sound. D'banj tried to do this earlier" explains Bankulli.

"Wizkid basically took the Fela sound and mixed it with Caribbean sounds. By doing that he showcased what Africa could offer" he says. Bankulli, however, admits that "the album was marketed in America but there was no activation in Nigeria and because of this Nigerians didn't really embrace it."

It's been 365 days since the release of the daring Sounds From The Other Side. Since then Wizkid has walked the runway of Dolce & Gabbana, sold out the Hammersmith Apollo and 02. Yes, these are UK stints but let's not forget he was also billed to perform at Coachella this year which he surprisingly didn't show up for. He also worked and gone on tour with trap god Future.

 He might not be doing crazy numbers in the US but he has a steady profile. Also how many black acts outside of the United States has made a huge mark on sales in America's music industry? Maybe Sean Paul?

Like Wizkid told Channel 4 in 2017 "The U.S is catching up right now" and it might take a long time to embrace the sounds of Nigerian pop music.

Cracking the American market will never be easy for a non-white artist not born in North America. Yes, while Sounds From The Other Side wasn't a masterpiece or perfect with regards to marketing we should be aware that it has pushed the narrative of African music in North America forward.

 "It’s a great thing happening with music. I’m excited to be a part of this generation of artists making music to impact the world...And for the artists and the producers and really everyone from the entertainment industry in Africa, this is the right time to leverage off of that. It’s a great thing" he told XXL Magazine.

SFTOS might have been a small step for Wizkid but it's a leap for African pop music. We now have to watch out for the next act who will take it further.

source https://www.newssplashy.com/2018/07/wizkid-what-is-impact-of-sounds-from.html

[newssplashy]

An in-depth look at how Wizkid's bold attempt to crack the huge American market with 'Sounds From The Other Side'.

Today, July 14, 2018, marks the one-year anniversary of Wizkid's ambitious third solo body of work 'Sounds From The Other Side'.

In his fast-paced, chaotic career, SFTOS would be his most high stake solo project, an audacious attempt to announce himself properly on the American stage. 

The album or EP as it was touted at the time would be his most ambitious work ever, aiming to crack the usually receptively cold American market.

Background

As fate would have it, the frigid American music market had started flirting with sounds from the motherland. His bromance with international pop star/bad boy Chris Brown starting from 2012 would gradually ease Wizkid into the American market.

 We can't also forget about the rapper Wale. The two acts would collaborate often resulting in 'Drop', a lusty urgent track put out in July 2013 and 'Murder' that featured in Wizkid's second solo effort.

With his profile steadily rising in North America, Wizkid told DJ Abrantee he recorded a new song with Chris Brown 'African Bad Girl' on Capital Xtra in late 2014. Wizzy revealed the song would be the first single off his next project. This would be the first announcement of a new album after his sophomore LP 'Ayo (Joy)' which earned mixed reviews.

 In July 2015, his globe-trotting efforts would pay off big time. UK Grime star Skepta who is of Nigerian origin linked the biggest rapper in the world Drake to Wizkid's sensational single 'Ojuelegba'. Drake who had heard of Wizkid jumped on the remix. The song would be released on his Apple Music station OVO Sounds.

 This singular move would take Wizkid's name from conservations between taste makers to the artificial thick lips of the Jenners/Kardashians in California, Los Angeles.

 With his international wave on the rise, Wizkid rearranged his rollout plans, a move not familiar to his longtime fans. By September 2015, Wizkid characteristically announced that he had scrapped his third album after being inspired by 2face Idibia's legendary catalogue. To appease his fans he would put out a 10 track EP by October 2015.

That EP would not come out in October. From late 2015 to July 2017, Wizkid would continually tease his fans with high stake project. The recording of SFTOS started from 2014-2017. The principal architects would be Sarz (his frequent collaborator), Major Lazer, Picard Brothers, Dre Skull, Del B, Spellz, DJ Mustard, Twice as Nice and DJ Maphorisa.

To further concentrate on his album, Wizkid rented out an L.A mansion in March 2016. He and his cohorts, Legendury Beatz, Sarz and Efya would spend hours in the studio working on his big North American debut.

 This was also the period he debuted his new nickname Pablo, most likely named after Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. The HBO series 'Narcos' would introduce the narco-terrorist to millennials.

 By March 2016, Wizkid would collaborate with Drake on a number of songs for his icy testimonial ode for the cold city of his childhood and upbringing Views. One of the lead singles for Views would be 'One Dance', a blend of Drake's R&B/pop vibe, British pop and Caribbean influenced background vocals delivered by Wizkid.

"I think I put up something on my Instagram and Drake heard it and was like 'yo dawg that sh*t sounds crazy. We need to do something for my album real quick" he told Ebro during his Beats 1 on Apple Music interview.

The collaboration would further push Wizkid into the music scene in North America. The song earned Wizkid a Grammy nod and an ASCAP recognition.

One of the other recordings from Wizkid and Drake's collaborations was a rough sketch song called 'Come Closer'.

The track would leak in February 2017 and it was initially called 'Hush Up The Silence'. Despite speculations that Drake wanted the song as a collaboration with him and his Jamaican buddy Popcaan, Wizkid would officially release the track as his featuring Drake on March 31, 2017.

Earlier on March 1, 2017, Billboard broke the news that Wizkid had signed "a multi-album worldwide deal with RCA Records/Sony Music International." The stars were aligning for Wizkid's official North America roll out.

"Just from having conversations with them. I really just wanted to go with people that understand my dreams and my vision. From the first meeting with RCA, they just understood it.

 "It wasn’t really about money or about numbers, it was just about getting the vision to where it should be. That’s why I did that with them and they’ve been amazing people out there. I couldn’t ask for nothing better" he told XXL Magazine in July 2017.

'Sweet Love' an oft-teased track that almost made it mystical was released by Wizkid on March 1, 2017.

On April 6, 2017, Wizkid would release the 'Come Closer' video sans the presence of 6 God. The mysterious no-show of Drake wasn't strong enough to deter the video to become a hit and a testament to the rising acceptance of African excellence and appreciation of melanin beauty. As of today, it has racked up an impressive 60 million views on YouTube.

"I took like 4 days to make that video," he told MTV Base in May of 2017. "I just want to DAPS and I was like 'yo I've got a crazy idea and this is how I want it.' I literally called the girls in the video."

 The video and track itself were way better received than 'Daddy Yo' which had come out in December 2016 as a teaser of what was to come. Wizkid's use of reggaeton was questioned by some of his fans.

 On June 29, 2017, Wizkid would unveil the artwork for his all or nothing project. The album cover wasn't well received and even Wizkid would poke fun at it. Still, this couldn't stop the momentum of SFTOS.

 D-Day

On July 14, 2017, Wizkid dropped the body of work that took him 3 years to record. Sounds From The Other Side was finally here.

The initial critical reactions of the project were good. Here are some of the reviews of SFTOS by international media;

Pitchfork - "WizKid is primed to carry Afrobeats to great heights" 7.4/10

Rolling Stone - "Wizkid’s Major Label Debut Is a Border-Blurring Dance Party" 3 out 5 stars

Okay Africa - "a true afro-fusion album, well-balanced between world-conquering ambitions and the culture whence it came."

Pulse Music Review described the body of work as "well-crafted, one-dimensional pop dance project that is all about vibes than actual substance."

Commercially in the United States, SFTOS sold 6,286 units in its first week. That’s broken down into 2,672 pure album purchase, 6,079 song downloads, 4,510,897 song streams. All of these made up the first week sales for Wizkid.

It also debuted at number 107 on the Billboard 200 chart. There is no information available on the latest number of copies SFTOS has moved.

A Year After

365 days after the release of Sounds From The Other Side, what is the body of work's impact? Did Wizkid achieve his desire to crack the North American market?

Numbers-wise Sounds From The Other Side did not make a commercial dent in America's massive music recording industry. Conservatively speaking the project should have done at least 50,000 units with a single going at least Gold. Yes, Come Closer has been certified Gold in Canada (40,000 Units) and Silver in UK (200,000 units) but the aim was to crack the US. 'Come Closer' has yet to move 500,000 units in America even with Drake on it.

 "SFTOS was a DUD. It had zero impact in both Africa and the world in general and that makes no sense seeing as the guy is the 'hottest' with a huge following to back him up.

"Also, when you consider the fact that this album had all the creative and structural support that a Major label offers, it's more glaring that SFTOS FLOPPED!  Drake, Major Lazer, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla Sign, Efya, Bucie, Trey Songz, Sarz, Del B, Spellz, Dre Skull, DJ Mustard, Major Lazer, and the Picard Brothers and yet...

"It's not a project that we're going to remember or celebrate. That's saying a lot" says Obinna Agwu, Talent Manager and A&R exec who was worked with M.I Abaga and Timi Dakolo.

Back home in Nigeria, Sounds From The Other Side was not activated. There was a free listening session for SFTOS in London sponsored by Beats by Dre. There was also an album release party in New York. Also, there were billboards in America promoting Wizkid's latest body of work. Lagos, Nigeria got little from the promo run.

With Wizkid also predominantly choosing a more Caribbean flavoured sound, many of his Nigerian fans felt that SFTOS wasn't for them. "I like Wizzy but that album was too much of Jamaican vibes. He should have done more Naija stuff for us his real fans" says, Yinka 20, who has been an ardent Wizkid fan since his first album.

"Its just a collaboration between my producers, and international producers and international artists. I am just blending my sound with theirs. That is sounds from my side and their sides and merging it to make good music" said Wizkid in an interview with MTV Base in 2017.

 For him, the project was a mix of both worlds but for longtime fans, it wasn't.

Another SFTOS flaw is that there was no clear communication on what Sounds From The Other Side was, an album, EP or mixtape. Wizkid would use the last two terms interchangeably confusing fans and music lovers.

Also, the post-release marketing of SFTOS has been non-existent. While the album has a lot of strong singles in it, no single has been released since. The project has been laid dormant.

'Africa Bad Girl' that was christened as the first single by Wizkid never got released. Maybe we can blame this on Wizkid who has been a no-show in the United States for some time now, another puzzling factor on why Wizkid's North America agenda seems to have stalled.

However, we should not be in a hurry to give Wizkid's adventurous sojourn an F9 just yet. Sounds From The Other Side was an avenue to show the world what Africa could offer to the global sound.

Let's go back to June 2011, a sweltering summer not only for North America but Nigerian music as well. That month, music entertainer D'banj would do the unthinkable by signing to G.O.O.D Music owned by Hip-Hop's ego god Kanye West. This move would shake the foundation of Nigerian music.

 Out of the array of new-gen superstars, D'banj had made the boldest move into North America. Out of his peers, he dared to seek a new frontier, the expansive and dominative American market.

Expectations were high for the Koko Master. With Don Jazzy having production credentials on the iconic Watch The Throne collabo album between JAY-Z and Ye, it seemed the time had come for Nigerian pop music to be on the world stage.

 A year later D'banj would have a scene-stealing moment in the G.O.O.D Music posse cut 'Lamborghini Mercy'. Sadly, by the time the compilation album dropped, D'banj would have a paltry 23-second vocal contribution on the entire album.

 D'banj's own compilation album D'Kings Men was more an effort of the entertainer trying to create his own imprint after the break up of Mo' Hits, than a G.O.O.D Music project. Apart from some forgettable contributions from Big Sean and Kanye West, D'Kings Men wasn't the project that would shatter the North American barrier for D'banj.

In 2016 both parties would part ways without an official solo body of work to show for it. A knee-jerk reaction would be to dismiss D'banj's efforts as a failure.

However, with a bird's eye view, you can see that D'banj clearly laid the way for younger Nigerian pop artists to make further inroads into North America. Wizkid said it himself that he grew up around D'banj especially during the Mo' Hits era.

 Partly, we must avoid the temptation to slam Wizkid's SFTOS as a flop commercially without looking at the cultural aspect.

Bankulli, who has credited vocals on Watch The Throne and Kanye's experimental cult classic 'Yeezus' says Wizkid's last body of work is just beyond numbers.

"The album was a passport for African music," he tells Pulse. "As of now, Wizkid is the ambassador of African music" he further says.

"His album was a platform to show the world what African music could in terms of merging with the global sound. D'banj tried to do this earlier" explains Bankulli.

"Wizkid basically took the Fela sound and mixed it with Caribbean sounds. By doing that he showcased what Africa could offer" he says. Bankulli, however, admits that "the album was marketed in America but there was no activation in Nigeria and because of this Nigerians didn't really embrace it."

It's been 365 days since the release of the daring Sounds From The Other Side. Since then Wizkid has walked the runway of Dolce & Gabbana, sold out the Hammersmith Apollo and 02. Yes, these are UK stints but let's not forget he was also billed to perform at Coachella this year which he surprisingly didn't show up for. He also worked and gone on tour with trap god Future.

 He might not be doing crazy numbers in the US but he has a steady profile. Also how many black acts outside of the United States has made a huge mark on sales in America's music industry? Maybe Sean Paul?

Like Wizkid told Channel 4 in 2017 "The U.S is catching up right now" and it might take a long time to embrace the sounds of Nigerian pop music.

Cracking the American market will never be easy for a non-white artist not born in North America. Yes, while Sounds From The Other Side wasn't a masterpiece or perfect with regards to marketing we should be aware that it has pushed the narrative of African music in North America forward.

 "It’s a great thing happening with music. I’m excited to be a part of this generation of artists making music to impact the world...And for the artists and the producers and really everyone from the entertainment industry in Africa, this is the right time to leverage off of that. It’s a great thing" he told XXL Magazine.

SFTOS might have been a small step for Wizkid but it's a leap for African pop music. We now have to watch out for the next act who will take it further.

via World News In A Splash

[newssplashy]

Pulse List: How your favourite celebrities reacted to Nigeria's performance at the World Cup

After Nigeria's exit from the World Cup our celebrities have been reacting to the Super Eagles performance at the tournament.

Sadly, Nigeria is out of the 2018 World Cup holding in Russia following the defeat by Argentina and our celebrities have been reacting to the early exit.

This came with mixed feelings as some celebrities were of the opinion that the players performed very well and couldn't hold on to the game until the end, while others took the opportunity to reflect on the recent killings in the country.

Here are some reactions from celebrities across the country over the early exit of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

1. Don Jazzy

 For Don Jazzy, he showered accolades on the Super Eagles for their performance at the tournament on his Instagram page but was quick to advise Nigerians to move on to more bothering issues in the country and get their PVCs to vote in good leaders in the forthcoming elections.

 "Father lord once again you have shown us not to trust the predictions of pigs, cats, and even octopuses. Our players played really well and I am proud of them still. Our country has been through a lot in recent times   . But we must persevere and look to the future. We are the future and it’s in our hands. My people let’s go get our PVC’s to secure the future we all deserve.         ," he wrote

2. Davido

 Unlike Don Jazzy who went all out to address other issues while appreciating the Super Eagles, Davido didn't say so much even though he was one of the celebrities who supported the Eagles all through the tournament. He took to his Twitter page where he tweeted about his impression about the Super Eagles outing after their sad defeat to Argentina.

 "We played well...Nigeria for life!" he tweeted.

3. Paul Okoye

 Paul Okoye, however, posted a very interesting message on his Instagram page just before the match where he appealed to Nigerians not let the World Cup distract us rather citizens should be able to face the leaders of Nigeria and let them know that they have failed us.

 "I know we can’t wait for the game ..... but pls Nigerians, let us use this opportunity to tell our leaders that they have failed us    ... they don’t value human beings anymore   and pls don’t be distracted, if by the grace of God Nigeria wins .... pls congratulate the players and pour out your mind and speak out at the same time .... it’s about time we let the whole world know that, as we celebrate we are also mourning    God help us all," he wrote.

4. Peter Okoye

ALSO READ: Celebrities present in Russia for the World Cup

Unlike his twin brother Paul who dwelled more about the incessant killings in the Northern part of the country, Peter just had a few words say to the Super Eagles on his Instagram page.

 "Weldon guys!!! We are proud of Y'all..... #Proudly              #SuperEagles," he wrote.

5. Williams Uchemba

 Our favourite childhood movie star, Williams Uchemba also had nice words to say to the Super Eagles after the game. The movie star who posted a photo of himself wearing the now famous jersey praised the players for their efforts.

 "Proudly Nigerian...keep your heads up guys we had a good fight...Naija till death Up @ng_supereagles.             ," he captioned the photo.

6. Akpororo

 The very energetic comedian wasn't really smiling or cracking jokes this time around as he released a video on his Instagram page where he talked about how we should not concentrate on more bothering issues in Nigeria since the country has exited the World Cup.

 "Na the truth be that they don win us na the truth be that. Our boys them try make nobody attack our boys they don play wetin dem fit play this message for leaders if una do una work right them nor go do us wetin dem do us for world cup. Na football be comot our mind before now they don win us now our mind don come back to the country. Youths make una wake up dey pursue yahoo yahoo dey hold laptop dey say na that one una wan follow go get your PVC make you choose the person wen go lead us wen get vision," he said.

7. Timi Dakolo

 Timi Dakolo is one of the celebrities who was pretty excited to be in Russia to support the Super Eagles as he didn't even high his feelings. Sadly, Nigeria exited the World Cup at the group stage and just like every patriotic Nigerian, it didn't go down well with the singer.

 Timi Dakolo took to his Instagram page where he posted a video of himself singing he revealed that singing is what he does when he is sad.

8. AY Comedian

 AY was more vocal about his disappointment with the coach of the Super Eagles for his tactical flaws at the game between Nigeria and Argentina. The comedian took to his Instagram immediately after the game where he called out the coach.

 "Mumu coach...6 minutes to go your defenders were obviously tired. Bring in Ebuhi and John Ogu or Joel Obi to block the midfield with fresh strength. I have never been this pained in my life. Defend your freaking goal mumu," he wrote.

9. Banky W

 Banky W was probably the first celebrity who hinted that he would be present at the World Cup in Russia. He made do his promise even though he might be living in a sad note after our early exit. However, Banky W in his gentleman style had some really nice words to say about the team after the match. He took to his Instagram page where he posted a video to express his satisfaction over the team's performance.

 "Super Eagles forever!!! We played with heart today and that is always something to be proud of. #NGAARG #Lightuptheworldcup #finalthoughts," he captioned the video.

10. Omoni Oboli

 Who says we don't have female celebrities who are die-hard Super Eagles fans like Omoni Oboli who tweeted all through the match. At the end of the game, she had some had some nice words for the team while reminding Nigerians about the killings being experienced in the country.

 "At the end of the day, our boys played well! Time to focus on this country Nigeria! Which way? Are we gonna sit and watch this government while our brothers and sisters are being slaughtered? Again I ask, is it rocket science to stop these terrorists?     ," she tweeted.

source https://www.newssplashy.com/2018/06/pulse-list-how-your-favourite.html

[newssplashy]

After Nigeria's exit from the World Cup our celebrities have been reacting to the Super Eagles performance at the tournament.

Sadly, Nigeria is out of the 2018 World Cup holding in Russia following the defeat by Argentina and our celebrities have been reacting to the early exit.

This came with mixed feelings as some celebrities were of the opinion that the players performed very well and couldn't hold on to the game until the end, while others took the opportunity to reflect on the recent killings in the country.

Here are some reactions from celebrities across the country over the early exit of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

1. Don Jazzy

 For Don Jazzy, he showered accolades on the Super Eagles for their performance at the tournament on his Instagram page but was quick to advise Nigerians to move on to more bothering issues in the country and get their PVCs to vote in good leaders in the forthcoming elections.

 "Father lord once again you have shown us not to trust the predictions of pigs, cats, and even octopuses. Our players played really well and I am proud of them still. Our country has been through a lot in recent times   . But we must persevere and look to the future. We are the future and it’s in our hands. My people let’s go get our PVC’s to secure the future we all deserve.         ," he wrote

2. Davido

 Unlike Don Jazzy who went all out to address other issues while appreciating the Super Eagles, Davido didn't say so much even though he was one of the celebrities who supported the Eagles all through the tournament. He took to his Twitter page where he tweeted about his impression about the Super Eagles outing after their sad defeat to Argentina.

 "We played well...Nigeria for life!" he tweeted.

3. Paul Okoye

 Paul Okoye, however, posted a very interesting message on his Instagram page just before the match where he appealed to Nigerians not let the World Cup distract us rather citizens should be able to face the leaders of Nigeria and let them know that they have failed us.

 "I know we can’t wait for the game ..... but pls Nigerians, let us use this opportunity to tell our leaders that they have failed us    ... they don’t value human beings anymore   and pls don’t be distracted, if by the grace of God Nigeria wins .... pls congratulate the players and pour out your mind and speak out at the same time .... it’s about time we let the whole world know that, as we celebrate we are also mourning    God help us all," he wrote.

4. Peter Okoye

ALSO READ: Celebrities present in Russia for the World Cup

Unlike his twin brother Paul who dwelled more about the incessant killings in the Northern part of the country, Peter just had a few words say to the Super Eagles on his Instagram page.

 "Weldon guys!!! We are proud of Y'all..... #Proudly              #SuperEagles," he wrote.

5. Williams Uchemba

 Our favourite childhood movie star, Williams Uchemba also had nice words to say to the Super Eagles after the game. The movie star who posted a photo of himself wearing the now famous jersey praised the players for their efforts.

 "Proudly Nigerian...keep your heads up guys we had a good fight...Naija till death Up @ng_supereagles.             ," he captioned the photo.

6. Akpororo

 The very energetic comedian wasn't really smiling or cracking jokes this time around as he released a video on his Instagram page where he talked about how we should not concentrate on more bothering issues in Nigeria since the country has exited the World Cup.

 "Na the truth be that they don win us na the truth be that. Our boys them try make nobody attack our boys they don play wetin dem fit play this message for leaders if una do una work right them nor go do us wetin dem do us for world cup. Na football be comot our mind before now they don win us now our mind don come back to the country. Youths make una wake up dey pursue yahoo yahoo dey hold laptop dey say na that one una wan follow go get your PVC make you choose the person wen go lead us wen get vision," he said.

7. Timi Dakolo

 Timi Dakolo is one of the celebrities who was pretty excited to be in Russia to support the Super Eagles as he didn't even high his feelings. Sadly, Nigeria exited the World Cup at the group stage and just like every patriotic Nigerian, it didn't go down well with the singer.

 Timi Dakolo took to his Instagram page where he posted a video of himself singing he revealed that singing is what he does when he is sad.

8. AY Comedian

 AY was more vocal about his disappointment with the coach of the Super Eagles for his tactical flaws at the game between Nigeria and Argentina. The comedian took to his Instagram immediately after the game where he called out the coach.

 "Mumu coach...6 minutes to go your defenders were obviously tired. Bring in Ebuhi and John Ogu or Joel Obi to block the midfield with fresh strength. I have never been this pained in my life. Defend your freaking goal mumu," he wrote.

9. Banky W

 Banky W was probably the first celebrity who hinted that he would be present at the World Cup in Russia. He made do his promise even though he might be living in a sad note after our early exit. However, Banky W in his gentleman style had some really nice words to say about the team after the match. He took to his Instagram page where he posted a video to express his satisfaction over the team's performance.

 "Super Eagles forever!!! We played with heart today and that is always something to be proud of. #NGAARG #Lightuptheworldcup #finalthoughts," he captioned the video.

10. Omoni Oboli

 Who says we don't have female celebrities who are die-hard Super Eagles fans like Omoni Oboli who tweeted all through the match. At the end of the game, she had some had some nice words for the team while reminding Nigerians about the killings being experienced in the country.

 "At the end of the day, our boys played well! Time to focus on this country Nigeria! Which way? Are we gonna sit and watch this government while our brothers and sisters are being slaughtered? Again I ask, is it rocket science to stop these terrorists?     ," she tweeted.

via NewsSplashy - Latest Nigerian News Online,World Newspaper