₦airaland Forum

Nollywood actor Jidekene Achufusi, popularly known as SwankyJKA is the cover personality on our 27th issue!
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The actor, who starred as Nnamdi in Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, also known as Living in Bondage 2, speaks about his role in the film, his journey so far, and plans to establish his feet in the Nigeria movie industry.
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Featured in this issue is Nigeria’s newest musician sensation – Omah Lay, photoshop wiz – Ayo the Creator, creative makeup artist – Enngee, music business executive – Rebecca Junaid of Justjojo entertainment and other interesting personalities.
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There are also exciting and educating articles focused on Travel, sports, health, fashion, and lifestyle specially curated for your reading pleasure.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/living-in-bondage-star-jidekene-achufusi-covers-Behind-magazine-issue-27/

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lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

If you stayed up all night to watch the 2020 BET Awards yesterday, then you are probably as excited as we are.

It was a series of amazing performances by the best of the best, and even though it wasn’t a brick and mortar event, it didn’t take from the awesomeness of the overall performances.

So we put together a list of our most memorable performances from last night’s 2020 BET Awards event just for you.

Yeah, that’s right we kept score.

Here they are:

JOHN LEGEND
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The music maestro’s performance titled, ‘Never Break’ took place in a dusty warehouse where he enters, dusts a piano cover briefly, sits and launches into the song. The song itself is a delight to listen to, as it straddles the line between love and activism; an emotionally-tainted delivery that shifts between declaring the unbreakability of love and the resolve of commitment.

DABABY
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Dababy on his part engineered a Black Lives Matter themed performance with his track ‘Rockstar’, with a creative reconstruction of the classic George Floyd ‘death pose.’

The song was a fast-paced mapping of the events of the last few weeks and the talented music artiste delivers it with all its gory details, alongside the BET Awards winner of the album of the year, Roddy Rich.

Long after DaBaby’s fiery performance, you will be caught starting into space as the song settles with the voice of the viral social media clip that features a little girl talking and crying about the unfairness of racism.

JENNIFER HUDSON
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Jennifer Hudson is always a delight to watch.

The amazing vocalist delivered a stellar performance as she channeled the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin’s “Young, Gifted and Black.”

She kick-started the performance with an unexpected grand piano play that later culminated into a good old vocal gospel ‘face-off’ between her and some off her back up vocalists.

With an iconic performance like that, it’s no surprise that she is starring as the legend, Aretha Franklin in the upcoming film, ‘Respect’, out later this year.

THE SHEARDS
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Although Alicia Keys was pitch perfect in her soulful rendition of, ‘Perfect way to Die’ and Jonathan McReynolds & Kane Brown together co-created a beautiful, soul stirring vibe, it was the amazing Mother and Daughter duo of the Sheards that took our breath away.

As a tradition, the BET Awards always close out with a gospel rendition and this year did not disappoint.

It was a powerful emotional collaboration of ‘Something has to Break,’ between Karen Clark and Kierra Sheard that closed out the event in grand style.

That’s it.

Our most memorable moments at the 2020 BET Awards catalogued for your pleasure.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/4-memorable-moments-from-the-bet-2020-awards/

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lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

Someone once said that there are as many music artiste hopefuls in Nigeria as there are young people.

And although that’s an overly exaggerated statement, the fact remains that we have a teeming number of young people who are drawn to the entertainment ecosystem.

Roughly three in every four young person is an entertainer of some kind, and with the growing number of music creatives online, there is a need to standout from the crowd, if you hope to ever get noticed.

The emphasis is ‘online.’ There’s no point prancing around your street, acquiring local bragging rights, when you could be gathering influence with a more diverse and global audience.

The vast majority of newly signed music artistes in the last few years have been discovered by record labels online, so gone are the days when your only hope of ever being seen by a record label A&R personnel was at the local rap battle across the street.

So we have compiled 3 must-have tips to help you get noticed in the midst of all the noise online.

1. Be Aggressively Social

As an artiste, it’s not enough to just own a visually-unappealing Instagram page and regard the rest of the platforms as irrelevant. That’s a no, no.

Reekado Banks was discovered by Don Jazzy on Twitter, so why on earth are you averse to trying out other platforms.

The trick is to sign up on any and every new social platform that you come across. You might not be active on them right away but there’s a good chance that when you get googled, your name show ups more because you are available more.

2. Be Content Crazy

As a 21st century artiste you are not just an artiste, you are a performer.

The earlier you realize that people don’t just want to hear from you when you have a new single to drop, the better for you.

Ever wondered why superstar music artistes with million dollar careers and successful enterprises still find time everyday to post content on their social media platforms regardless of how big they have become?

Engagement.

It’s the new currency of fan loyalty.

So if music artistes like Cardi B and Lizzo make out time everyday to honour their fans by posting something on their social media pages, then you should too.

A picture, a quote, a video will do. Also, try to resist the urge to only create posts that show you as a ‘god.’ Create more human-based experiences.

We know you have bars for days and would like to let us know how versatile you can be but that’s not all that your content plan should be based on.

3. Be Aware

As a modern artiste, you are plugged into a global timeline stacked with amazing resources available to you.

So your part is to be aware of what’s happening around the world and simply key in.

Whether it’s a global protest, a hashtag-driven campaign or an online trend, you need to make an effort to plug in.

And you need to do it in a timely manner so as to benefit from the social currency that it provides.

So when hashtags are being scoured by millions of search engine bots online, your own personalized content activity will not be left out of the loop.

The above list is by no means comprehensive. There are several other things you can do to get ahead in your search for music relevance, but if you religiously follow the aforementioned tips, you will be well on your way to glory.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/3-essential-tips-to-help-emerging-music-artistes-get-recognized/

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lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

They say pop presence and proximity to culture breaks walls into acceptance by fans, music listeners and industry heads in the Nigerian music industry. But chasing one’s dreams should not be determined by these factors as long as musicians stay close as much as they can.

Usually, the past music business models covet gaining traction by fans of other established musicians, releasing music and performing them to a wide crowd at shows and concerts. The digital break now allows musicians from all over the world to dish out singles and albums from wherever they may be situated. The average Nigerian musicians outside Nigeria with hopes of growing their fan base back home are doing it effortlessly with resources at their disposal in the Diaspora.

Nonso Amadi
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Nonso’s music breeds romance, break ups, make ups and rhythmic balance in vocals. “Tonight”, off the “ALONE EP” pushed his credibility at home. Although occasional shuffles between Lagos, Toronto and the UK has stalled his career, the man will push the limit between r’n’b and the alternative genres.

Tome
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Just within weeks, the Afro-Canadian Afro fusion singer scored more than 1.8 million streams across all platforms with her groundbreaking project ‘BT4W (Bigger than four walls)’. The album featured Runtown, Zlatan and King Promise. Tome also performed on One Africa Music fest’s Hope for Africa’ virtual concert a few weeks ago. Tome has deep roots in music which will make her music stand the test of time.

Toye
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The Nigerian-American singer muscles his way into the hearts of Nigerians in Atlanta, Georgia. He has also opened for Burna Boy and Mr Eazi during their American tours in 2019. Toye is also closely-associated with Davido and it shows in his charisma as an upcoming ‘Faaji’ singer (a blend of Fuji and juju genres which he carved for himself). In the past few months, Toye performed for Colors and released a Wizkid and DJ Tunez inspired cover to ‘Gbese’.

Dolapo The Vibe
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The Nigerian who moves between Lagos and the US is growing under the wings of Bankulli, the Nigerian music executive, producer and singer. Although, not yet in the mainstream, her vocals serenades in the music she makes. The US Army officer is also destined to release a project in the nearest future after the highly-accepted “Owo’’ which featured Peruzzi.

Kida Kudz
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Kida Kudz evolved as a boy from Ibadan who was winning rap battles sponsored by soda companies to a man who experimented with sounds influenced by the grime scenes in the UK. Kida Kudz has worked with almost all the big names and he is still a fan favourite to the mid-age Nigerian who witnessed his rise in music.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/top-5-nigerian-musicians-in-the-diasporas/

If your first introduction to video games was on an Xbox or PS console, then you are probably too young to have experienced the legend of the rainmaker – Majek Fashek.

This was long before Instagram and Twitter gave us an in-road into the minds and lifestyles of celebrities.

Reggae maestro, Majek Fashek was dubbed the rainmaker not necessary because his magnetic performances drew hundreds of drooling fans to his world but because, as myths go, whenever he performed his hit song, ‘Send Down The Rain’, the heavens responded likewise and actually sent down rain.

Now before you get all riled up and start disputing the factuality of rainmakers based on current metrological standards, hear me out.

Maybe my personal experience with the rainmaker would help clear the gathering clouds in your mind.

Long before concerts were mime-fests, tobacco brands were actively involved in organizing concerts and Benson & Hedges, the leading tobacco brand, put together a concert in Lagos, headlined by the rainmaker himself, Majek Fashek.

That was before the reggae icon’s unfortunate experimental alchemy of music and narcotics.

Majek Fashek was sprightly back then, with a quirky dance that was like watching a jester on a threadmill. He was confident too, belting his music without reserve, eyes closed and clutching the microphone like an impatient lover.

Those concerts were usually free or at worse, they would request for a paltry sum of money that was not commensurate to the level of premium entertainment being served. It was obvious that the tobacco company wanted more than our money. Why else would they offer us the biggest voice in Africa, Majek Fashek, virtually free?


We were handed cigarette packs as we walked into the concert ground and we soon found a space and settled to wait.

Majek Fashek wasn’t the only artiste billed to perform, there were other low-level performances scheduled, and we soon got into the groove of the night as artiste after artiste hit the stage and made an attempt to win our loyalty.

As the night progressed, the crowd soon became restless, because it was obvious that a good percentage of the audience came to see the rainmaker.

After several false starts, (MCs back then had a way of keeping you excited while delaying the headline act) Majek Fashek was finally called up.

The crowd went into frenzy as the band played the rainmaker in. I had heard many stories about his amazing ability to provoke rain when he delivered the track, ‘send down the rain’ but soft-sell magazines back then were notorious for doctoring facts and so I wasn’t too sure.

He started the gig with a light banter with the crowd as reggae artistes are prone to do and then an introductory song (I can’t remember which one now) and we all gyrated as best as we could amidst writhing bodies and smelling armpits.

But deep within us, we knew what we wanted.

The rain song.

After only two songs, a chant rose up from the crowd.

Send.. down..the..rainnnnn…

A general consensus had been reached, we wanted the rain song.

I will never forget Majek’s strange grin, as if to say, ‘is that what you really want?’

He shrugged, signaled the band and they hit the tune.

The crowd went wild.

“The sky looks misty and cloudy…” he wailed, pivoting his dreadlocked head towards the ink black sky.

We sang along but from time to time looked up expectantly. Was the legend of the rainmaker true? Will we be drenched in this open ground concert by the magic of a song?

As Majek rambled on, distorting his lean frame in time to the tune of the music, something strange began to happen. Quiet flashes of lightning started fizzling through the darkness.

Was it really about to rain?

We roared at the first sign of a rumble of thunder and everyone went crazy. Bodies stumbled into other bodies, as we let go of our inhibitions and danced. We had become an extension of the rainmaker, a part of his mysterious ensemble.

As you might have guessed, the rains came. Not in torrents but in a light drizzle that washed over us and intensified our screams.

Majek didn’t seem as surprised as we were and never even mentioned the presence of the downpour. He just carried on with his dance and song, a musical tribute to the benevolent forces that has kept his myth alive.

Reggae icon, Majek Fashek died on the 1st of June, 2020 in New York.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/the-legend-of-the-rainmaker-majek-fashek/

Music lovers, festival goers and concert junkies had plans for the summer; to see their favorite musicians perform live, to sail on seas and attend some of the most exorbitant parties on yachts until the corona virus came into the picture thereby changing fans’ minds and cancelling their plans for Summer 2020. For the worst part, these fans are stuck at home without jobs and broke still, they cannot make money to cover up the expenses they have made with the tickets bought online or physically. The only thing on their mind will be how they can get back their hard-earned money and use it to stock up with their basic needs.

It should not be surprising that consumers spent an estimated cost of $3.5 billion on tickets in the U.S. for concerts and festivals this summer. (Source: Billboard), and there will not be concerts or festivals until June (or more till next year).

Ariiya tickets

Tickets purchased here are refunded by the organizers when the buyer’s information on the database of Ariya tickets are sent. But the hassle in calling for refunds on tickets plus fees for all canceled shows’ tickets takes time. Refunds are paid automatically to the original buyer’s preferred method of payment used at time of purchase.

Ticketmaster

Ticketmaster offers a refund on tickets plus fees for all canceled shows’ tickets sold on the platform. Refunds are paid automatically to the original buyer’s preferred method of payment used at time of purchase. Live music fans should then expect to receive a refund no more than 30 days after an event is cancelled.

For postponed shows promoted by Live Nation and AEG Presents, fans have been receiving emails from Ticketmaster for most rescheduled shows between March and June. Both the rescheduled date and information about refunds have been communicated.

Eventbrite

All music fans need to do is to visit the website of the venue hosting the show or the festival they had planned to attend.

If an event is canceled by the organizer, the entire purchase ticket and any Eventbrite fees will be refunded. If the event was postponed by the organizer, Eventbrite will connect with the organizer directly to address questions about rescheduled dates, possible refunds or event details. Event organizers respond within one week (two business days if fans paid through PayPal).

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/how-to-get-refunds-for-shows-and-concert-tickets/

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lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

Back when vinyl LPs were still in vogue; when musicians spent so much time thinking about track lists on albums. Remember when Capitol Records released the legendary band – Beatles albums in America and John Lennon was shocked at how the record label overhauled their arrangement as against their plan. Nowadays, in the advent of digital downloads and streaming services, the taste and method of listening to music has changed dramatically, and many artists have taken it upon themselves through the guidance of competent A&R personnel to pick and organize their track list for albums. There are some important things to consider when putting album tracks together for maximum impact in the digital age.

[b]The Need To Start Strong
[/b]It is more important than ever to start an album off on strong feet. This helps most music industry tastemakers and influencers to listen to the album from a musician and make a decision within the first 10 to 30 seconds on whether the body of work is important to playlists. In a nutshell, the chances are that albums get judged based on the quality of that intro or track 1.

[b]Story-telling
[/b]Music listeners will never forget the influence that Falz and Dave had on their albums ‘27’ and ‘PSYCHODRAMA’ respectively. Both men were able to gain the attention of listeners. While Falz drew a line between the Nigerian politics and societal norms, Dave mobilized different themes in his life to hit bull’s eye. No matter what, musicians will control the narrative in songs and it will help sequence the album.

[b]Shuffling Is Not Snubbing
[/b]People prefer listening to tracks in an orderly manner and most fail to listen to the whole album every time. Instead, most people start the album from the beginning, enjoy a few songs, and then get distracted later. They may even stop listening before it gets to the final track. Rather, it is important for the album to flow well from beginning to end. Hence the opinion that the good songs should come between tracks 7 and 8.

[b]Add skits
[/b]Skits are the spoken word performances and humorous statements made between tracks. This lasts between 30 seconds to 1 minute. They help to calm the listener and portray another side of the musician to listeners. When the skits are complete, the next track must be energetic as the listener is already refreshed.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/the-best-ways-to-sequence-a-musical-album-in-the-digital-era/

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lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

It doesn’t matter how the coronavirus pandemic has put the world at a standstill and shutting down all the entertainment and sporting events – what actually matters is how the world moved on to an alternative lifestyle online especially on video applications like Instagram, EA TV and Vimeo, to mention a few. Superstars and celebrities adjusted almost immediately to the heartbreaking situation and the good news is that everything has almost been free except that fans and social media users have to subscribe to mobile data to keep in touch with their favorite stars. Many instagram live videos and streams have passed but we were drawn to the attention of some that made our days and nights.

Sarz VS Shizzi

The ace music producers reminded us that they were actually good in their primes and made hits for superstars like Wizkid, Davido, Ice Prince among others. Most of Sarz catalogue were Wizkid records while the latter credited most of his bangers to Davido especially in mid and last years of the last decade. Both were jovial throughout the Instagram live session as they shared an unexpected bromance in contrast to the war that has loomed among Nigerian music lovers in regards to their most patronized musicians.

Father DMW and Eva

The Northern refugee and former biker to Davido, Father DMW and Ugandan fashion model, vixen and social media influencer, Eva drew thousands to Instagram and nights were made especially with Father DMW’s comic acts during the live video. The two formed a bond for weeks and it was speculated that that bond would lead into a romantic relationship. The two broke the live video views when viewership climaxed about twice.

Tory Lanez: Quarantine radio

Tory Lanez live show on Instagram was huge and his followers doubled during the first few days of the ‘Quarantine radio’. The show was popular among the male population as the Canadian singer and rapper exposed ladies who were taking advantage of their partners. Eventually, Tory dropped his project and that helped increase his sales.

FIFA 20: EPL Invitational

Even though the league is considering voiding the season, players of English Premier League teams in collaboration with EA Sports came out in an all-tea invitational tournament and the highlight of that tournament was when Everton trashed Chelsea 8 goals to nil. Everton was represented by Andre Gomes while Chelsea was represented by Reece James.

Global citizen and WHO: “Together at home” world concert

The community of changemakers and people who are pushing for a better world and World Health Organization (WHO) set up a concert which featured the biggest musicians around the world for a free live music session and it was a blast! You can still catch the replay on YouTube.

Source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/the-best-virtual-and-live-shows-and-concerts-during-the-lockdown/

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Lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

The year 2000 started on a different revolution and the music industry was not left out when Marillion decided to make a new album without a contract from his usual phonograph producer who he claimed cheated him of sales royalties. In order to fund the next album, Marillion asked the fans for help. At this time the band had 6000 email addresses on their database who they sent mails to asking to be ready to purchase the album in advance – 5800 agreed and only 200 were not interested! (The 200 can go hug a lion anyways). This was the turning point for the industry and other creatives. Many platforms allow creatives to beg for money and finances to bring their idea and talent to life. More than usual, they end up generating more than enough capital to fulfill their dreams.

Kickstarter

Though the company operates from Brooklyn, New York, it spreads its benefits to the rest of the world. As New York is the home of creativity in the world, it is no surprise that they decided to sit among all creatives. Kickstarter admits all creative start-ups and businesses. Most artists on the platform beg for around $5000 on Kickstarter in order to record an album and often get the sum if they are popular. In 2012, American singer Amanda Palmer requested for $100,000 from her fans through Kickstarter to make her new album. 24,883 fans donated a staggering $1.2 million. She used the money to market the album and tour.

IndieGogo

Unlike their competitor, Kickstarter, this platform has its headquarter situated in California, a hive which accommodates almost all creators of music, films, designs and technology. Their model allows entrepreneurs to ask for money in bringing their dreams to life. During this pandemic, they have helped independent musicians record EPs and albums that have drawn attention on TikTok and triller and other social media spaces generally.

GoFundMe

The platform has boasted of donating more than $5bn from its loyal donors. It also allows people to request for funding for all courses unlike the first two that are solely for creative individuals but musicians have fairly received the goodwill of donors from GoFundMe in recent times.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/3-crowdfunding-platforms-for-musicians/

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lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

May 4th seems to be the new October 1st.

It’s not like October 1st ever had that much of a cheery disposition in the first place but Nigerians are positively ecstatic at the idea of the lockdown lift, scheduled for Monday the 4th of May.

Coupled with the sudden explosion of facemasks of all types, colours and format, the general consensus seems to be that we are ready to hit the streets.

But are we really?

Considering the increase in the number of infected people in the last few days and our unrivalled precedence to bungle things up, is it really a good idea to open up the gates and send the sheep out to pasture?

Okay, wrong analogy; we are not in any way like sheep, are we?

A sheep is more docile and accepting, Nigerians are for the most part unarguably offensive and overly confrontational.

So, why are we not getting more condemnation for the proposed lockdown lift?

Granted, people are frustrated and the isolation is not doing much good to everyday Nigerians who make their meagre earnings from working daily. The Government on the other hand, as much as they are putting in place ‘palliatives’ to help ease the looming hunger, are at best short-handed.

And because we have what the white man notoriously calls ‘cabin fever’, we are a little riled up and are probably not thinking this through.

As is expected, memes have flooded social media on how there will be an explosion of ‘coro parties’ and other imaginative, post apocalyptically-dark scenerios.

Maybe, we should just take a step backwards and analyze the possible outcome of this lift. The present number we are grappling with is 2,170 with daily skyrocketing odds.

The last statistics being 238 new cases in one day, morbidly distributed across the nation.

Although the idea of going back to some semblance of normality leaves a lot of people giddy with excitement, a few other people are against the proposed lockdown lift.

Are there measures in place to activate an extensive contact tracing protocol, if and when the numbers spike, due to the cancellation of the lockdown?

Can we really trust Nigerians not to throw caution to the wind and break all social distancing protocol? Is this a good idea at all?

The idea of a whistle blower channel is a genius addition by all standards. It’s a perfect way to keep overzealous Nigerians in check. The fact that someone might probably report your well organized, banging ‘coro party’ might be enough incentive to help slow your roll.

My advice is twofold; as regards the lockdown lift, everyone should tread carefully, no point protecting yourself all this while only to now, as a result of exuberance, end up being a part of the dreaded statistics tomorrow.

The second advice is, if you find anyone flaunting the no gathering directive, go ahead and use the whistleblower channels available to you.

It’s your right to safety.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/the-lockdown-lift-a-hit-or-a-miss/

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lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

Weeks after the novel covid-19 spread its deadly tentacles through Wuhan China, taking its toll on people and businesses alike, it suddenly without warning, ended.

No more cases, no more deaths.

So if you have somehow entertained the thought that this lockdown might probably be our constant reality, you are most likely wrong on all counts.

One day in the nearest future, the coronavirus will breathe its last breathe; stutter and die or more likely the rate of people affected will be so small that the lockdown will be lifted.

What next?

We will all be herded back to work. What would be your post covid-19 plan? Are you prepared for that eventuality?

Here are four things you should be thinking of now, to help you cope when that time comes.

UPDATE YOUR WARDROBE

And we are not talking about just clothes. In fact your most nagging post covid concern should be how you will style that gorgeous electric blue pant suit with a bland medical mask.

Yeah, masks.

I’m sure it never crossed your mind that when the lockdown is lifted, we would still need to put in place safety measures in case covid-19 decides to make an unannounced return.

So in a high-profile office environment with deadlines and overstretched expectations, wearing a mask daily would be the new normal.

So a bland medical mask won’t do the trick. Good thing is that there are hordes of creatively-crafted, stylish masks out there that you can pick from.

So make room on your dressing table as you begin to stock up on masks, because the truth is, you will need quite a number of them to survive your daily encounter, more like one for every day.

BECOME SOME SORT OF HEALTH EXPERT

So flu season is nearly here and what that means is that an unhealthy wave of flu-like symptoms will assail us, as soon as the rains show up.

Your bit is to be able to differentiate all the other innocuous flu-like symptoms from that of the novel coronavirus.

So go ahead and read up on all there is to know about covid-19 and other seasonal flus, from the incredibly dumb to the brilliantly explained because you probably will need it to tell if that persistent cough from your colleague is viral or not.

CARPOOL OR DIE

It’s post covid-19 season and like 70% of the populace, you are expected to jump into a commercial bus and hope to God that your fellow commuters are not infected.

That’s living dangerously.

A viable alternative would be to find a way to carpool to work daily with people you are familiar with.

Did I hear you ask how?

Network

All of Lagos right now is practically land locked and what that means is that you get a chance to catch a glimpse of the people that you never get to see on a good day.

Go ahead and strike up a conversation and get to know them. My bet is that they are mobile and they follow the same route that you do to work.

Problem solved.

GO DIGITAL

If the last few weeks taught us anything, it’s that everyone should have a digital strategy in place.

Not that we are expecting another end-of-the-world scenario, but who knows when another incurable virus might decide to hop on the scene.

So if your business is layered on a brick and mortar strategy, then you need to begin to rethink your entire business plan.

Go digital

Besides the threat of another lockdown, everyone who is anyone is online, and if there’s any hope of your brand making it through the 21st century, you probably need a set up that is digital-dependent.

So that’s it, four vital tips to help you soar post-covid but as this is yet hypothetical, you need to focus squarely on the critical task at the hand – staying alive.

Good luck with that.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/post-covid-19-important-things-to-do-now/

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lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact around the world with hundreds of thousands of deaths, economic collapses and business closures. This has affected the earning power of citizens who have been struggling to keep afloat.

This article attempts to explain how you can manage your finances during this difficult period.

Audit Yourself (Focus on your Necessities)

Despite the fact that this pandemic has resulted in the reduction of economic activities which requires us to buy and sell goods or services from people, there has never been a better time to take a thorough look at the state of your finances.

Whether you are single, married or living with your parents, now that you are home and have sufficient time on your hands you should list out the necessities in your life that enable your survival because every other thing is indispensable.

Your necessities may be personal to you but general examples include;

*Water

*Food

*Medicine

*Shelter

*Cut down on luxury spending

Things that would not hurt you if you do not purchase or engage in them. Examples include expensive cable TV, excessive drinking and junk eating, Internet for unproductive use amongst others.

A little bit of entertainment is needed in these tough times to maintain our sanity; however the point is to ensure that we keep unnecessary spending to the barest minimum.

Maintain Cash Reserves

Though it is not easy not to panic due to the circumstances in the economy and how bad things may seem, it is important for you to keep your emotions in check and not rush to liquidate all your savings or investments because of the pandemic.

Following up from the lesson above on spending on necessities, maintaining your cash reserves will come in handy for you if this pandemic gets worse than we imagine because now you can count on such funds to bail you out of the hard times. If things get better too you have the funds to start a business, invest more or learn new skills to boost your future earning power.

Become Self reliant

We expect a new world order after this pandemic is over and the way human lives will become different, however we have learnt albeit the hard way that certain skills are necessary to save money.

Some businesses may not be as relevant anymore; therefore it is pertinent to practice self-reliance in certain aspects of your life. E.g.

*Learning how to cook a nutritious meal and healthy meal is a lifesaving skill that not only replenishes the body but provides the much needed energy to go about your life activities energized.

*Gardening and growing peppers, tomatoes, fruits etc (if you have a viable land) can help save money.

*Livestock preservation

*House repairs.

A lot of skills can be learnt for free by just googling or going on YouTube.

More importantly, understand that it’s okay to feel anxious about your finances and where your future is heading because we have never experienced something of this nature in our lifetime, however you should take it easy on yourself and realize that this time will pass because situations like this have also happened in history and people and businesses have survived by taking the pains and lessons of this period and using to their advantage to create more value in their lives.

Source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/how-to-manage-your-finances-during-covid-19-pandemic/

The Covid-19 moment is bliss, torturous and resurrecting – all positive and negative times to many people. While a large population of the world has fallen ill and died due to the horrible lash of the Covid-19 virus, others are making use of this challenging moment to find peace, solace and purpose while stuck in their homes. Well, for some, it is a time to make terrible decisions which will be instrumental in how they spend the coming months once the pandemic comes to a halt (I hope we all make it out alive). We should all agree that we do not need to be found doing some things during this period.

Talking to Exes

Most people are bored and have never learnt nor mastered the art of loneliness before now. They would rather be with people who are carefree towards them. Some people have been stuck at home for weeks and are left with their phones, tablets and laptops – in this situation; they make bad decisions by keeping in touch with exes who hurt them in the past. By this, they are creating opportunities for the toxic people to come back into their lives.

Over-eating

Okay, let’s say you have not run out of supplies and you have not been shopping. In fact, you have all the types of food, snacks and drink in your refrigerator and you think eating is the only solution to boredom then you are setting up yourself for disaster by being obese and overweight after the pandemic. People should put their health and wellbeing in their hands except you are ready to shop for new clothes after the pandemic.

Excessive screen time

Phone, laptop, television and video games – all these are sources of distraction but are still far from what people need right now: Soul meditation and healing. It is very okay to watch movies and play games but this moment is for reflection and people should not toy with it. I’ll recommend more time for meditation than time for social media through addictive screen time.

Excessive intimacy

Not everybody can relate but couples stuck together at home should abstain from sex except they are ready to be parents. Not to be exaggerating, couples will tend to be more intimate in this period and things may go wrong if care is not taken especially when condoms and pills get exhausted.

Source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/covid-19-what-not-to-do-during-the-lockdown/

Nigerian musicians are creative and have themed their songs around the circumstances they found themselves in; the statement is still valid as the younger generation still find themselves. The only thing separating them and their situation is a record deal.

The common man is always striving and working hard to meet ends. If one day of hustle provides a three-course meal for the next day for his family, he is more than content. And he repeats that cycle until his life changes for good. This is the most-told story of a typical Nigerian.

These Nigerian songs have been themed around lack and extreme poverty. Check them out.

Aye o – Crayon

Over diverse instrumentals, Crayon broke down the elements of a hustler who lacks money, food and a comfortable abode. He also dropped wisdom nuggets which entails patience and belief in handiwork. Crayon’s storytelling on the record proved to be one of the emotional pieces arranged in the song from his 2019 EP “CRAY CRAY”.

Wetin man go do – Burna Boy

A hungry man has no rest, and a hungry man is always up and doing. Burna Boy might have told his story in the song of being an outcast because he wasn’t pocketful. The second verse transcended in the tale of a man unable to provide for his kids and wife. He also stressed the physical effect that comes with hardwork as he sang in high pitch; ‘Body don dey tire, body no be firewood/ Wetin man go do.’

Suffer suffer – Lady Donli

Lady Donli’s unique vibe preaches suffering which will eventually lead her to prosperity through her craft. The vocalist pushed herself on the record with the hook as she tweaked in ‘I didn’t come here to suffer, me I came to enjoy/ I wanna enjoy………….’

Billion dollar – Idahams

Contrary to popular opinion of Southern Nigeria being the home of wealth, Idahams exposed the flaws of a failed system in that region. Even with the strongest label in the world at his back, Idahams still feels he is broke. The song also spoke for the countless millions in poverty. ‘Oluwa give me give me billion dollars’ he sang, as he laid two more verses with his usual delivery in pidgin English.

Suffer – Oberz and Zlatan

Cos my mama too suffer, my papa too suffer – these were the lines that accompanied the bridge of Oberz as Zlatan spitted some revealing lines on the verses. The song delivered in Yoruba, brought to light the tenacity and the prayer of poor people, which is to live like their opposite class in comfort.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/5-most-touching-songs-about-poverty/

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lalasticlala, mynd44

Are you one of those who have been unable to save because of how tight your earnings and expenses are? Or do you plan to save but find that there’s no money left at the end of every month? Many young people save year-round to cover periodic bills like healthcare, rent, tuition, or travels. We also save to have some emergency cash stashed somewhere for whatever need arises.

It is hard to save when money is tight either because your income is low, or your expenses are overwhelming. Many young people are either sending money back home to family or starting a family of their own and so are burdened with expenses that make saving seem impossible. When you are barely getting by, it seems impossible to find additional ways to save money. However, it is times like this when you need to work even harder to give yourself the extra savings you need as a cushion to cover unexpected expenses.

This guide is for people who are looking for ways to start saving or save more money from an already tight budget.

Pay Your Debts
If you’re trying to save money through budgeting but still carrying a large debt burden, you need to prioritize paying off the debts. The income going towards servicing debts and paying interest can easily go into your savings when you become debt free. If it is a short-term loan or credit, focus on paying it off as fast as possible so that you have more disposable income to put into savings.

Budget, Automate and Keep Away from Reach
An important hack to spending and saving wisely is drawing up monthly budgets for yourself. Every month, you must have your budget written out and allocate different amounts to different categories as needed including your savings. Yes, you have to budget your savings by also designating a specific amount or percentage of your income periodically for savings – this could be daily, weekly or monthly depending on how you earn. This way, you are not saving what is left over after spending, but actively including savings in your budget. There is no right amount, or right percentage to save, it’s not one size fits all. Find what works for you based on your income, needs and expenses. Once you have settled on that amount, automate the process to eliminate room for failure. Either set a standing order with your bank or use a savings app that periodically deducts from your account; this helps in ensuring discipline.

Finally, keep your savings away from easy reach. I advise that while you may keep some of your savings in an account where you can easily retrieve the funds for emergencies, you should keep 60% somewhere you can’t easily get it. This will reduce temptation and stop you from spending your savings unnecessarily. Think a savings account with no debit card, a fixed deposit account, a mutual funds account, or a digital savings platform with a lock feature.

Invest and Earn Profit
Speaking of fixed deposits and mutual funds, these are one of the ways to ensure that your savings increase gradually instead of depleting. Putting your savings in bank accounts may lead to unnecessary charges by the bank which will eventually add up to a sizable amount. Instead, put your savings in an account that will yield profit, no matter how small. This may be fixed deposits, mutual funds, savings accounts that have a profit yield or other forms of verified and low risk investments.

Prepare Meals Instead of Eating Out
This is a tried and tested method of saving money. Depending on how well you utilize ingredients and the portion sizes you cook, it can be way cheaper to cook a week’s meals including work lunches, than to buy food multiple times a day. I’ve found that cooking stews, soups and sauces in large quantities and storing them makes it easier to take home cooked lunches (and sometimes dinner) with me to work. Also, home cooked meals don’t come with taxes and/or delivery fees. You may reward yourself with a certain number of times you are allowed to eat out a month, setting a budget for this. And before you say you can’t cook; this is the internet age. Google those recipes right now!

Use Public Transport or Carpool
Transport is another budget head that takes a huge chunk off many people’s income. If you live in Nigeria, you know that the public transport system in many states, including the mega city Lagos, is inconvenient and even dangerous. Because of this, many young people turn to ride hailing apps which are typically much more costly.

To reduce transportation costs in order to save more, consider carpooling with a colleague who owns a car to cover some of or your entire route. You can also pair up with other people who don’t own cars to share your Ubers or bolt rides. This way, you split the costs two or three ways, and save some money. You can also use public transport if none of the above works, and you absolutely need to cut down costs. For safety, consider entering taxis instead of buses, and tricycles instead of bikes.

Take Advantage of Sales and Thrift Shops
When you’re trying to survive and save on a tight income, basic things like buying clothes or electronics become a luxury. One way to work around this is to buy clothing from vintage and/or thrift sellers. You no longer even have to go to the markets to ‘bend down and select’, although that may be a cheaper option. You can also buy selected thrifted items on the internet from the hundreds of sellers on social media platforms. Keep track and take advantage of e-commerce sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Holiday Sales (Christmas, Easter, Valentines, Independence Day etc). Many online shops and vendors typically hold sales around these periods, and you can buy the items you need at cheaper prices.

Ignore the FOMO and Keep Your Eyes on The Prize
With the amount of time we spend on social media, we are very likely to feel FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). You see your friends or colleagues posting up at the restaurant or bar where they are, and you feel tempted to join them even if it means spending out of your savings. Without discipline, you can find yourself saying yes to everything and spending more money than you have—all due to the fear of missing out.

Budget for a couple outings in a month and space them out so you do not feel the FOMO. Staying focused and true to your saving goals can only happen with discipline and determination. It may be easy and exciting in the beginning, but trust me, saving gets boring and difficult after some time. Write down the reasons you are saving and check in with yourself from time to time to keep on track. You’ve got this!

Source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/how-to-save-on-a-tight-budget/

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lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

The connection between football players and their fans does not end in the stadium after games. Players have taken it upon themselves to extend that tie to their fans by posting regularly on social media. Players have also channeled their comedic character into social by uploading premium stories and jokes that show their humor when they are not scoring goals, saving penalties, and committing fouls on the pitch. Most of the players have also gone on to savage referees who ruin games by granting favor to the opposition by posting banters hilariously. Some players have even used the platform by apologizing to fans when they lose important matches. These players are active on social media and you can be sure to help yourself with humor when catching the bus to work on a busy morning.

Benjamin Mendy

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The Manchester City and France International is a huge lover of the gram and we can confirm that his presence on the picture and video platform has been important to the citizens even when he was on the treatment table for a recurring ankle injury. The player has gone on to receive two premier league medals and won the world cup even when he was inactive on the pitch during the tournaments. The left back enjoys a healthy and comic friendship with City teammate Bernado Silva and Paul Pogba, his fellow compatriot during international duty. His instagram stories are always funny and he always posts his pictures in stylish fits and sneakers.

Paul Pogba

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One of the most expensive players ever spends his time on Instagram even when he is injured. The tall midfielder enjoys his time in exotic locations and Dubai. You can see him spending time among the musicians and other royalties. Paul Pogba also posts videos of himself in intense workout sessions. Other times he is dancing at parties, clubs and weddings. Infact, Paul is a very good dancer!

Cristiano Ronaldo

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Football lovers have seen his career progress from a 17-year old that cried when his nation lost the Euro 2004 to a man who has won it all and started a big family and is about to retire. Ronaldo owns a fleet of cars, houses and two jets and that is where his flamboyance on social media starts. It continues from the page where he is a daredevil fitness geek who pushes his limits and maybe that has been the reason for his longevity as a football player.

Neymar

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If Neymar isn’t checking out diamond chains and Rolexes at Icebox in Atlanta, he is in Brazil throwing parties for family and friends. He never misses a chance to do the samba steps. Neymar has gotten into the bad books of the press and his managers for sneaking his phone to the bench during games.

Mario Balotelli

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Mario is obsessed with snapchat and Instagram and missed training at Man City because he was at one club or the other prior to the mornings of training. Mario has even gone live when celebrating a goal at Nice.

Alexander Iwobi

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The former Arsenal man enjoys quality time on snapchat with his teammates even when he is on international duty with the Super eagles.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/most-active-football-players-on-social-media/

So right now you are probably thinking “I’m a Lagosian and I don’t think I’m insane”. However, don’t you ever feel like having to wake up in Lagos already feels like you are waking up on the wrong side of the bed? From the moment you leave your home, face the traffic, face work demands and stress from bosses and colleagues, while desperately waiting to leave and get back home only to get stuck in another endless traffic, there are definitely moments during the day where you begin to question the sanity of those around you as they might likely be questioning yours as well. But hey! It’s 2020 and in this New Year we are striving towards more money in our pockets, food in our bellies and love in our hearts whilst saying goodbye to sadness, stress and overall mental anxiety.

Consequently, in this article, I would share with you a few tips to try out this year that will assuredly help you achieve great mental health even in the midst of all the craziness going on in this beautiful city.

CHANGE YOUR JOB

As brutal as this sounds, if your job is causing you frequent meltdowns, it might be time to look for something a bit more suitable. If you are in a position where you constantly feel like ‘killing’ your boss or the people you work with, then it would be wise to really reconsider your job options. Statistics show that over 70% of employees are very unsatisfied with their jobs. If it is causing you depression and unbearable stress, it is time to look for something else.

Also, working in a place that is 3-4 hours drive away from home is simply irrational. You find out you have to leave home at an unreasonably early hour and get back in really late without having time for yourself, family or other more productive activities. Therefore this year, work towards getting a job within close proximity to your home or better still move your home closer to your job. Whichever way, there would be a whole world of difference physically, emotionally, mentally and even financially when you stop spending half the day stuck in traffic.

DRIVE LESS

Except your primary earnings comes from driving, make resolutions to drive less this year. There are way too many cars on the streets of Lagos and this is the major cause of endless traffic, accidents and car breakdowns. So at least once or twice a week, it would be wise to consider hitching a ride with someone going your way, journey with public transportation or order an uber with a friend or two and split the fare. Not only does it take away the stress of you driving, it also reduces the risk of your car breaking down or getting smashed in all the traffic madness.

CHANGE YOUR EATING HABITS

In all the rush to beat traffic and get to work on time, most Lagosians end up skipping breakfast or just eating lifesavers (Gala and Lacasera) on the way. Dieticians and nutritionists have proven breakfast to be the most important meal of the day. Having a healthy but light breakfast can increase mental productivity by a large percentage. Therefore, make it a call of duty to have a light but healthy breakfast every morning before setting out for the day’s work.

GET A SIDE HUSTLE

One major cause of worry and panic is money. Living in a city that has a high standard of living requires having a high income to balance the equation. Most times, our monthly earnings can barely meet our expenses before the account runs dry again. This year, invest in a side hustle – a business or venture that should not need much of your presence to flourish. This would be a way of ensuring more passive income that would efficiently take care of your living expenses.

HAVE A SUPPORT SYSTEM

As humans, no matter how good or bad we are at the things we do, we need little encouragement here and there to boost our self esteem and self worth. It would do wonders for your mental health if you have a group of friends and family constantly encouraging and cheering you on. Embrace your support system. Accept constructive criticisms from them and appreciate commendations. Also remember to be a support system to your friends and loved ones around you. A simple nice statement can go a long way in a person’s life journey.

RELAX

The importance of relaxing cannot be overemphasized. There are a thousand people waiting to take over your job if you have a mental breakdown. The body and mind needs relaxation to meet their maximum potential. Therefore, make out specific times to relax. Whether it’s having a weekend getaway with your significant other, watching a movie at the cinema, spending the day at the beach or just being home the whole weekend, sleeping and watching Netflix, find time to do whatever activity helps your body, soul, mind and spirit sync with one another.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/a-lagosians-guide-to-achieving-great-mental-health/

Popularly known as ST, Seyi Tinubu is a cool headed gentleman with a topnotch sense of humour that draws people effortlessly to himself. He spoke with our correspondent Ifesinachi Nwadike on his journey so far, both as a businessman and as a family man.

“My name is Oluwaseyi Tinubu, I was born and bred in Lagos State. I am the CEO and one of the co-founders of Loatsad Media; I’m a husband, a father and a friend to few.

I had my secondary education in Nigeria before moving to England at the age of 9 at which point I went to a boarding school in the UK till I was 18 before moving to the States to obtain a degree in Business Admin. and Political Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I moved back to the UK for my LLB at Buckingham University and returned to Nigeria to attend Law School and was called to Bar in 2013. Then I moved back to the UK again to get my Masters in Law (LLM) before coming back to Nigeria to work.” He informed us.

Asked if he was overprotected as a child, especially during the days of his father’s reign, Seyi Tinubu noted that his parents weren’t too strong handed in overprotecting him and his siblings but were at the same time not pampered because of their father’s status. He recalled how his parents made sure they did their dishes. According to him, their parents did this to make sure they did not lose sight of who they truly were and where they were coming from.

Taking questions on how his father’s life and successes influenced his decision to be financially independent and successful, Seyi Tinubu agreed that his father’s lifestyle was a model for him, noting that his father led an exemplary life that encouraged him to aspire to be great too. According to him, the biggest investment or inheritance any father should leave for his children is a good name, which he believes would smoothen the children’s path when they begin to undertake their own journey, adding that such was his case even as he took the good home training he had with him to wherever he went, a background that has seen to his own success.

Source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/you-have-achieved-once-you-are-able-to-start-a-business-seyi-tinubu/

The last decade was probably the most active in the game of football; asides the trillions of Euros that flowed among clubs and Nations, it was also the decade that emanated shockers within 90 minutes of brawls, intensity, techniques and gruesome attacking prowess. For others, it was just 90 minutes of ‘packing the bus’ and capitalizing on the pace of flank men and strength of forwards on the counter attacks. Some teams won games in emphatic and emotional manners. The games were picked across leagues and World cup.

URUGUAY 1-1 GHANA (WORLD CUP 2010)

One of the worst and most dramatic events in World Cup history denied Ghana a place in the semi-finals and the history remains that no African Nation has reached the last four at the World Cup, all thanks to the flying hand of Luis Suarez when Dominic Adiyiah’s header was stopped in the final minute of extra time in South Africa that night. Suarez was sent off and the Ghanaians were given the opportunity to kill the game.

Asamoah Gyan was the man to take the spot-kick, but his effort bounded against the crossbar – to the delight of Suarez on the touchline. Ghana eventually lost to Uruguay in the penalty shoot-out.

BAYERN MUNICH 1-1 CHELSEA (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL 2011/12)

Chelsea’s memorable European campaign ended in a galactic fashion, as Roberto Di Matteo overcame Bayern Munich in their own territory. The Bundesliga giants were favorites to lift the trophy at the Allianz Arena over Chelsea who went all through with luck beating Barcelona in the semi-final.

Bayern dominated possession from the onset but they had to wait until the 83rd minute for the first goal scored by Thomas Muller. Didier Drogba forced a brilliant header past Manuel Neuer to make it 1-1 in the closing stages of normal time.

Drogba converted his kick in the shoot-out to give London its first ever European champions.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-6 MANCHESTER CITY (PREMIER LEAGUE 2011/12)

Manchester City had won 7 of their first 8 games before a trip to neighboring Old Trafford to play Manchester United in October of 2011.

The first half was a tough affair, with Mario Balotelli’s goal being the difference between United and the visitors at the interval. Jonny Evans was sent off almost immediately after the restart and Balotelli doubled his tally after 60 minutes. Sergio Aguero put the game beyond doubt in the 69th minute with a perfect finish.

Darren Fletcher scored for United in the 81st minute, but City ran riot in the closing stages of the game, inflicting the Red Devils’ worst home defeat since 1955. The football game of course birthed the pop culture slang “WHY ALWAYS ME?” as inscribed on the inner vest of Mario Balotelli.

BRAZIL 1-7 GERMANY (WORLD CUP 2014)

This was the most shocking result in the tournament’s history; a savage, seismic and embarrassing feat that will never be forgotten by those who witnessed history uncovering before their eyes. The German team came into the game with their tactics and was easily intimidated by the Brazilian fans that came in more numbers and support. The Germans dilapidated the Brazilian sides comfortably in either halves as they fell apart on their home soil.

LIVERPOOL 4-0 BARCELONA (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2018/2019)

After falling apart in the first leg by 3 goals to nil, an enforced Liverpool team was inspired to finish the season in a grand manner by thrashing their Spanish opponent 4 goals to nil as Origi got two unbelievably and that result will always be remembered by football fans around the world.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/the-5-best-football-games-of-the-last-decade/

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lalasticlala, mynd44

Born Larry Ndianefo from Southeast Nigeria, Larry Gaaga has been an old name in the Nigerian music industry, dating as far back 2011 when he officially started his career in the entertainment sector as the label manager of YSG Records, managing acts like Vector in the process. It was during this period of being underground that Gaaga set in motion, the fast wheel of fame that is rolling to greater heights every new day. He shares some moments with our correspondent in this warm and revealing interview.

“My name is Larry Gaaga, songwriter, recording artist, music producer and record label executive of Gaaga Muzik. I am currently signed to Universal Music Group and have been active in the industry from 2011 till present,” he revealed.

When asked about how he feels becoming famous after being underground in the industry for many years. He responds with a grin, recalling that he had been there for a long time, only that he was only known amongst entertainers. He agrees that prior to 2017 when he released Gaaga Shuffle with 2Baba, not many people knew what he looked like, however, and he noted that whatever fame he is getting now are crucibles of the cultivation he has been making since then.

For many Nigerians who do not understand how music works, Larry Gaaga to them is that popular musician who claims ownership of a song but never gets to sing in it, to this end, the mildly boisterous artist remarks that:

When asked about what pushed him to sing in “Iworiwo” with 2Baba, he revealed that he had just finished seeing Kemi Adetiba’s Wedding Party and was home in his studio when the song was birthed;

“when 2Baba came and heard it, he encouraged me to leave it there and added his verse. Mr Eazi heard it as well and thought it was cool, so I left it there. And watch out, this 2020, you’re going to be hearing a lot of songs that I did alone all through. I hope that would calm the nerves of the worriers.” He said.

On his relationship with 2Baba, Larry Gaaga affirms that the legend was instrumental in his success and that they have been friends for years and even beyond the walls of the music industry:

“2Baba is my idol, my role model; he opened the door for me and has been instrumental in my career today. I owe him a lot. We have been friends for many years now and I had the privilege of being the bestman at his wedding and later when I had my own wedding, he was among my Groomsmen. I am really blessed knowing that man.” He mentioned.

Source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/i-started-music-in-2011-by-managing-vector-larry-gaaga/

Larry Ndianefo, popularly known as Larry Gaaga emerges as the cover face of TushMagazine’s 26th issue. Clad in the fashion style of an Executive producer and photographed by Dele Majid, Larry Gaaga tells the story of his advent into the music industry bordering around the struggles, opportunities, wins, fame and endorsements.

This issue of TushMagazine also features cover stories and interviews on individuals such as advertising guru – Seyi Tinubu, award winning OAP – Simi Drey, as well as emerging music producer – London Beats.
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Other personalities featured in the magazine also include Universal Music (Nigeria) latest signee Alpha P, Bisola Michal, Sadiq Adams, amongst other educating articles surrounding lifestyle, health, academics, travel and sports; as well as exciting reviews.
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Source: [url]TushMagazinehttps://tushmagazine.com.ng/larry-gaaga-covers-26th-issue-of-Behind-magazine/[/url]

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lalasticlala

Lawal Raheem aka Lyta was born on 4th July 1998 in Kwara State but was raised in Ajegunle where he lives with his father, blind mother and siblings. He has been on the music scene since 2018 when he dropped “self made” under the YBNL imprint and was thought to be signed under the label. However, he was to exit the label, amid rumours of misunderstanding with Olamide his boss.

During his self-hosted Valentine gig “Love Express with Lyta” on February 14 at Wérè House, Lekki Phase One, our correspondence was on ground to have a little talk with him, where he hinted on some issues surrounding his journey so far.

Taking questions on his relationship with Olamide after the unceremonious exit from YBNL, Lyta did confirm that “there was no written document between me and Olamide but Baba was taking me to shows and I was getting benefit. It happened that I’ve been on the label for quite some time without dropping any song and the fans weren’t helping at all with their constant dragging. So when once my father let me know someone was willing to sign me to push me further, I approached Baba on the issue and he gave his blessings and I moved on, nothing more.” He said, noting that why it looked as if there’s a bitter battle was because the media would always like to sensationalize a news to make it gain traction, according to him “there is no love lost and Olamide is a father to me till the world ends because without him and God, no one for know who Lyta be. God bless Baddo for me!”

On how he was able to get across Davido for remix of “Monalisa”, Lyta admitted that Davido made the approach after hearing the song and with the full knowledge of his story, decided to help his career by featuring on the song and sponsoring the video shoot to promote the song further. He was full of thanks and smiles as he recounted the incident.

When asked if his relationship with Doro Music (his current label) was like the same unwritten contract like Olamide’s YBNL, he laughed, saying “no no no, this is a full record deal. We signed a proper contract with both parties knowing what is at stake and the role to play to make the deal work.“

In a voice laden with passion and love he informed that his mother is his inspiration and that the desire to make her as comfortable as possible drives him to do more: “as you know, my mom is visually impaired and needs to be taking care of, reason why I’m always on the move, making music to fend for her and also entertaining my fans, suffice it to say that beyond my mom, I also make music for my fans, my loyal fans,” he noted.

Before he was hurried off by his management team, we tried pulling his legs by asking him when he’d get married and he let out a loud scream: “hey, no naaa, I still be small pikin,” he said, amid laughter.

Source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/i-do-music-for-my-blind-mom-and-my-loyal-fans-lyta/

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lalasticlala

There are times when youngsters dream of playing in faraway Europe or alongside their childhood or youth heroes. In a proof to show their worth, they are usually enticed by deals and transfers that could make or mar their development. These transfers are in loans, swaps or tournament-clauses. African players fall in this category as they come from a continent where they are under-appreciated and they see overseas as their best destination for their development and livelihood.

Victor Osimhen
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The 21-year-old Nigerian forward is enjoying a breakout season at Lille after being signed as the replacement for Nicolas Pepe who left for English Premier League side Arsenal.

He adapted quickly to life in Ligue 1. Osimhen has netted 12 goals in 23 league outings so far and he is joint-fifth top scorer in the league.

He has since been linked with a host of heavyweights like Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona vying for his signature.

Dayot Upamecano
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One of the outstanding defenders in the world right now is Upamecano who excels every weekend. The centre-back has been influential as title hopefuls Leipzig keep frustrating the dreams of Bayern Munich.

Upamecano is eligible to line up for Guinea-Bissau, but we expect him to represent France at senior level who has already featured for the U-21s.

Arsenal are understood to be keen on the centre-back who is valued at around €60 million.

Boubakary Soumare
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The France youth international, Soumare, is eligible to represent Senegal at international and club level, and is destined for the European game.

Reported moves to Chelsea or Manchester United in the January window did not materialize for the ‘new Pogba’ but surely he will feature for a team bigger than LOSC Lille in the near future.

Soumare controls the ball at his feet, beats opponents with ease, and has already shown his quality in the UEFA Champions League.

Newcastle United failed with a £35 million bid during the winter window, and Arsenal, Liverpool or United, could return for the midfielder’s services during the summer.

Samuel Chukwueze
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There are reports in the British press that three Premier League heavyweights are keeping very close tabs on Villarreal winger, Chukwueze.

Just like Osimhen, he’s among the new Nigerian generation of exciting talent, and he’s already proved his class in the Spanish top flight where he has become the fear of opposition full-backs.

It would be fascinating to see how he’d progress under either Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp at Manchester City or Liverpool respectively. Maybe, Frank Lampard’s young Chelsea side will be the best side for him.

Valued at £60 million, by Villarreal, he could be a bargain.

Source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/4-african-talented-players-who-could-seek-transfer-this-season/

No genre will ever be as controversial as Hip-hop/Rap – not even Rock ‘n’ Roll and that is for sure as the genre boasts of open-mindedness and freedom (not until authorities decide to arrest rappers for using their voices to defend subjects against brutality, government policies, tyrants and blood-shedding cops). When this happens, people are pushed to act in their power and take judgment into their hands. These actions end well while some end up on the front pages of national dailies wherever the songs originate from.

F*ck the police – N.W.A


Since its release in 1988, the song has been one of the revolting rap songs ever in the sub-urban area of Compton and even California. The song made parents of white kids call the cops on the group which comprised of Ice Cube, Mc Ren, DJ Yella, Eazy-E and Dr. Dre. In the year of its release, the song made legislators in the upper chamber of America to pass a bill against the song. There were efforts to take it off radio charts, spin-offs and even vinyl plates. .

Jaga jaga – Eedris Abdulkareem


Eedris singlehandedly took the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo in Nigeria. Eedris was even remanded in Lagos and Abuja jails when the song was popular. An unconfirmed news source even reported that OBJ flew in with a helicopter while Eedris was performing the song at a show, just to warn him against throwing dirt on his name and his government. Eedris would be thankful it was in the democratic era that he released the song.

All eyez on me – 2pac


2pac had guns flying all around New York. 2pac created nuisance with his song and police were looking for him while he was out in Tennessee for a show. 2pac literally named the song “All eyez on me” like he knew they would look for him in the aftermath of his song which also was the name of his album.

Alright – Kendrick Lamar


Kendrick was the face of musician activists and he pushed the boundary with this rap song. He spoke out for black people around the United States. He even gave a mind-blowing performance of the song at 2015 BET Awards. He did in that year when police brutality was at its peak in America.

Glory (soundtrack from motion picture “Selma”) – Common featuring John Legend


Martin Luther King had a movie dedicated in his name and the song here preached one of the best protests in United states history as “Selma” became a force in black history.

source - https://tushmagazine.com.ng/5-most-powerful-rap-songs-ever/

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lalasticlala, mynd44, dominique

Davido, one of Nigeria’s icons and torchbearers of Afrobeats has flourished on other genres and has done exceedingly great on records that were neither Afropop nor Afrobeats. You will wonder if Davido will kill a song not arranged by Fresh VDM, Speroachbeatz, Kiddominant or Shizzi. You will also wonder if usual songwriter, Peruzzi or Yonda will come to his rescue. Surprisingly, he has featured on songs that are not of his genre. Let us take you across his catalogue.

Bahd Baddo Baddest – Falz featuring DAVIDO and Olamide

On a heavy and clashing hip hop production, the trio exchange lines worthy of admiration as Davido subtly digs into his affluence and lifestyle. Consequently, it turned out to be the song that aroused reaction from Dele Momodu, the Uncle to his baby Mama. Pop culture will always remember the lines: ‘Mr. Dele na my boy, Dele na my boy.’

Coolest kid in Africa – Davido featuring Nasty C


As part of the South African rapper’s artist development project, the duo combined agonizingly on the rap song as Nasty C flourished effortlessly in detriment of Davido. David hated every song Sony Music made him do. After that, it has been hit after hit in favor of the DMW front man.

Fans mi – featuring Meek Mill


Bloggers said Davido had a saucer of cocaine in his video and that the white powder was not yam flour but drugs. Davido should not have done the song but then, going international is one hell of an industry move labels place on their artists. Meek Mill laid his raw verse on the impressive production and David utilized his croaky vocals to win hearts of his growing American fan base as the song did more number than the rest of his international collaborations.

Source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/3-times-davido-ditched-afropop-and-afrobeats/

On several occasions, I have written essays that dissect burning but hidden issues in the Nigerian entertainment sector and judging from my addictive fixation on the goings on there, someone may accuse me of being a bad belle, but such accusation can only hold water if the reader is yet to chance on my other essays that shed light on the wins of our music ambassadors.

So, one of such issues I wish to address now is that of artist signings. Meanwhile, I must admit that I have been listening too much to Rudeboy’s “Audio Money” and that song reminds me of eLDee The Don’s “Wash” both of which expose our habits of living fake lives and making fake promises. These songs are the foundation muses that led me into this very line of thought.

I do not want to start going deep into this table-shaking, so I’d just relax on the periphery and unleash few tips of the iceberg while hoping that readers would fix other victims of my worry in perspective and begin to talk about them too.

What am I even saying? Ehen, I am talking about audio signings in Nigerian music industry, where a label executive would announce the signing of an artist and they take pictures of the signing with their fine clothes and blings and post on Instagram, that’s all; the artist vanishes into thin air. Sometimes if these label executives are kind enough, you’d hear one single or two and that would be all. This is common among label executives who are also musicians. I don’t know if it is the fear of being overrun by their protégés or the fear of investing wrongly that is making most of them do this, but at risk of guessing too much, let’s just say that most of them do this for clout chasing.

I am talking about Timaya, Mr P, Wizkid, etc. I am focusing on these three because the acts they flashed before us as their artists came with remarkable promises that would have made an impact in the catalogue of Afro beats discography. So I ask: where is King Perryy that was signed to Timaya’s Dem Mama Records? Where is Singah that was signed to Mr P’s record label? And where is Terri that was signed to Wizkid’s label? These acts came with singles that made sense but alas, promotion was a big deal for their handlers and so they never bloom to their fullest potentials.

I am not saying that all hope is lost for these guys, they still have time on their sides but judging from the time their labels announced them as acts under their companies, they have wasted too much time in coming out. I know that sometimes the artist in question may not be hardworking enough to impress his or her managers into further investments but I am also certain that if a label has invested a certain amount of money on an artist, such artist whether lazy or not would have to work to make the money that was invested.

On the other hand, if these guys weren’t actually signed but were brought under such labels to hustle their way out, then their handlers should desist from saying they were signed. There is nothing wrong if you tell us that you brought someone close to you to hustle but if signing someone would leave that person “suffering behind” like Vector would say, then why sign them and keep them in positions where their peers with same or even lesser talents go on to blow.

Since these three labels announced the signing of the aforementioned guys, we have heralded the coming of Rema, Fireboy, Joe Boy, Blackbonez, Lyta and many others, yet the others are nowhere to be found. “The money wey we no see na audio,” says Rudeboy in “Audio Money,” suffice it to say that they artist wey we no hear na audio signing hollam.

source: https://tushmagazine.com.ng/audio-signings-a-look-at-king-perryy-terri-and-singah/

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lalasticlala

There is an unhealthy trend in the Nigerian entertainment industry that I feel we are not discussing. Everyone is acting all cool like it is not happening, but it is happening and can be addressed whether or not the address would make any difference, but let it be on record that someone said something.

So I begin my exposition with a little story.

In 2004 my elder brother returned from Lagos to our humble home in Owerri with a music cassette on which the picture of young 2face graced the cover. It was titled Face2Face and had eleven tracks. He informed us that that is the reigning artist in Lagos and he would like us to be the first family to play his first album in Owerri. We played it, we vibed to it. We fell in love with all the songs, especially Nfana Ibaga. From that moment, 2face became my number one musician. I stopped listening to Ja Rule, 50 Cent, Nelly and DMX with passion as I used to. And that became a turning point for me, in what would be a cultic followership of Nigerian music with 2face as the most beloved. Before then, I only knew The Remedies, Mode 9, Ruggedman etc, but their music did not resonate with me like the foreign guys till I heard 2face.

I became a conscious follower and changed my stage name then from Naijac (please don’t ask me the meaning) to 2kool, because then I was coming up as a rapper, raping 2pac and Ja Rule. I made it a tradition to buy any album released by 2face and also bought the album of any artist that featured him, whether or not I like the artist. I wanted to keep pace with the discography of my idol, I didn’t want to miss any word that fell off from his mouth and I achieved it. Such was my love, a love that made me popular in my street that my second nickname became 2face and my mother’s provision shop became known as Mama 2face Shop. In my room then, pictures and posters of 2face were plastered all over the walls and I bought any magazine or newspaper that had his name or face on its cover. I remember not eating for days the day I learnt he was shot. In fact, I infected my family with my love for 2face and he became our family’s most loved musician.

So, when on 20th March, 2019, I learnt that the Department of Music, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife would be conferring 2face with an Honourary Degree and a Fellowship Award, I made efforts to be there, even though I was living in Lagos. So why did I make efforts to be there? You might ask.

I have always sought for ways to pay homage to 2face, to thank him for all the good music and honour him for the thankless job of image building he helped Nigeria do; for being the modern musical voice that put Africa on the map and for being the pathfinder of the dimension Nigerian music has taken since last two decades. So while studying for my Masters Degree in English Literature at the University of Ibadan in 2017, I submitted a research topic on 2face, against the advice of many who are of the opinion that the Department of English won’t accept a topic on music for a Masters Dissertation. I submitted one topic, against the tradition of submitting three and allowing the Departmental Thesis Committee to choose one for me. On the day of proposal defense, I spoke with intense passion, arguing strongly on the merits of the topic and why it should be allowed to fly. Surprisingly, they agreed and the problem became finding me a supervisor. I was thrown up and down, from one supervisor to the other, until I landed in the hands of an old hand, a legendary academic whose research interests were broad enough to accept contemporary Nigerian pop music as a field worthy of research.

So I wrote my work, on 2face and 24 selected tracks from his musical oeuvre and came out from UI with a Distinction. So, both my supervisor at UI and his colleague and former student, who happened to be the Dean of the faculty of Arts at OAU were eager to help me meet 2face, show him the work, get his endorsement, interview him and prepare myself to further the research to doctoral level. They helped me get a pass into the famous and jam-packed Oduduwa Hall. I was given a seat behind 2face, at the front row, even when many other dignitaries stood with the eager students. I nearly fainted, being near him and seeing him for the first time at close range. I couldn’t count how many times I lost my breath and boom; the chance came when attention shifted from him, and I bent over, greeted him and showed him my project. When he saw his name on the thesis topic, he went gaga. “Come, na you write this thing?” he asked. I replied in the affirmative, seeing that he liked it, I informed him about my intention to take it to a doctoral level and as such would love to conduct an interview with him; an interview that would give me a proper insight into his mind, music and artistic visions. “Efe,” he called out to his manager, “abeg arrange meeting with me and this guy for Lagos, I go like see am,” he instructed and directed me to meet Efe Omoregbe with whom I exchanged contacts. I was happy, that this was finally happening, that all my years of distant admiration would pay off and that the troubles I encountered on the road from Lagos to Ife weren’t in vain.

Back in Lagos, I gave them two days of rest and began to call Efe. Mind you, when, in 2017, I submitted my proposal and was finally given a go ahead with the topic, I had started calling Efe to allow me interview 2face. He posted and posted and posted me till I finished the thesis in 2018 and couldn’t see him. I angrily deleted Efe’s number, for it was of no use afterwards. So, once again, I began calling him and the postings continued. He would pick and tell me to call back on so so so day, I’d call, he won’t pick. I’d text him and call back again days later, he would pick and give you another date to see or call him. I bore this unnerving rigmarole for three months when he finally agreed to meet me after I sent him an emotionally-laden SMS. He met me on the Island, commented on the work and even commended me and even hinted on how I preempted him with the writing and finalized by giving me a date to meet with 2face. I was consoled. I went home and began to prepare to meet my idol of 15 years.

A day before the D-Day, I called him to get confirmation of our meeting the next day, he didn’t pick. I was alarmed, yet I kept my cool, waiting for the next day. The night seemed longer than usual because I couldn’t sleep and when it was dawn, I called to know where and when I was coming to, Efe did not pick till date. Because of that, I couldn’t submit my proposal on time and missed 2019/2020 deadline for doctorate degree application in my preferred institution.

To be continued.

source: http://tushmagazine.com.ng/how-2babas-manager-made-me-miss-my-doctorate-degree-application-part-1/

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lalasticlala

Saturdays and Sundays are match days as usual, except for the latest introduction of Friday matches which is important because European nights extend from Tuesday to Thursday every other week. On this particular one, we saw more events than our eyes could fathom and fans all over England and the rest of the world will agree with us that it was bizarre, especially Saturday’s matches. Here is an in-depth analysis of what happened last weekend in English Premier League:

[b]The Premier League Is Unpredictable
[/b]Draw upon draw except for Wolves and Newcastle who managed to accumulate maximum points on Saturday. The table is taking shape and smaller teams are in the mood to crash parties and celebrations of the big guns. No fan would have thought some matches will end in stalemates especially when Crystal Palace secured a point against Manchester City crashing Pep Guardiola’s 49th birthday train.

[b]Chelsea Is Still Not A Reliable Team
[/b]After Hudson-Odoi, Willian and Abraham squandered a handful of chances in both halves of the match; they were made to pay in the 95th minute as Newcastle had their first corner of the encounter and Hayden’s header beat Kepa unconvincingly to win 1-0. Frank Lampard’s team has been complacent all season and fans are left wondering if the man is the right man for the job or it’s just the young team showing inexperience. Only time will tell.

[b]Liverpool Is The Best Team In The World
[/b]Liverpool showed class and consistency as they comfortably beat United to extend their lead after slip ups by teams pursuing them. We should not forget that they still have a game in hand after the FIFA Club World Cup clashed with their normal season schedule. There is a 16-point gap between them and second-place Manchester City.

source - http://tushmagazine.com.ng/what-we-learnt-in-matchday-23-of-the-premier-league/

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lalasticlala