Music
Drake hits out at Grammy Awards for The Weekend snub
Drake has hit out at the Grammy Awards, claiming what used to be “the highest form of recognition” may “no longer matter” to artists nowadays, after The Weeknd was overlooked in the nominations.
The 34-year-old rapper assumed the “Binding Lights” hitmaker was a shoo-in to be up for Album of the Year or Song of the Year at the Grammys, but after he was snubbed in the nods Drake has claimed what used to be “the highest form of recognition” may “no longer matter” to artists nowadays.
He said: “I think we should stop allowing ourselves to be shocked every year by the disconnect between impactful music and these awards and just accept that what once was the highest form of recognition may no longer matter to the artists that exist now and the ones that come after.
“It’s like a relative you keep expecting to fix up but they just can’t change their ways. The other day I said @theweekend was a lock for either album or song of the year along with countless other reasonable assumptions and it just never goes that way.”
Drake has also called for someone to “start something new” which can become more established over time.
He wrote on his Instagram Stories: “This is a great time for somebody to start something new that we can build up over time and pass on to the generations to come.”
The Weeknd slammed the Grammys as “corrupt” this week after he was snubbed for a nomination, and he has now revealed he was planning a performance at the ceremony before being overlooked.
In a series of tweets, he wrote: “The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans, and the industry transparency…
“Collaboratively planning a performance for weeks to not being invited? In my opinion zero nominations = you’re not invited! (sic)”
Following The Weeknd’s initial comments, the Grammys insisted they are “surprised” he wasn’t up for a gong, and blamed the lack of nods on there being “fewer” to hand out “than the number of deserving artists”.
Recording Academy Chair Harvey Mason Jr. said: “We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated. I was surprised and can empathise with what he’s feeling.
“His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and broader world are worthy of everyone’s admiration. Unfortunately, every year, there are fewer nominations than the number of deserving artists.
“All Grammy nominees are recognized by the voting body for their excellence, and we congratulate them all.”
Beyoncé is among the most nominated artists, with nine nods to her name.
-IOL
In other news – Emotional scenes during Kwaito star Mshoza’s memorial service – Photos
“I am at a loss of words. I wasn’t ready to lose you, mommy.” Those were the words of late Queen of Kwaito Mshoza’s 12-year-old daughter, Pride that got many people in tears at her mother’s memorial service.
Her 11-year-old daughter Junior could not hold back and when she tried to speak, she just wept. All she could say as they were about to step off the podium was: “I love you mommy.” Learn More
Nigerian artist Tiwa Savage joins The Zane Lowe Show for the broadcast premiere of her new single, “Tales By Moonlight (feat. Amaarae),” from upcoming EP Water & Gari. Tiwa talks about how the track came about, and how this EP is a new exploration for her. She shares about her collaborations with Nas, Pharrell, and Brandy, and how she felt inspired to go back into the studio after the release of Celia. Key quotes below. Feel free to use with credit to Zane Lowe and Apple Music 1.
Tiwa Savage Tells Apple Music about the song being named after a Nigerian program
So when I heard the instrumental, exactly how you said, just the way the beat felt just soft and light, but it still felt like this old school vibe. You just want to two-step to it. So I wanted a record that felt good. The lyrics, even my delivery on it, my tone, I was very soft on it. But it’s a love song.
Tales By Moonlight, it was a popular program when I was growing up in Nigeria and it was this lady or this man that used to tell stories. So it’s me saying I just want that fairy tale type of love. I don’t want to lose hope in just finding real love. I still believe in that. No matter how many times I’ve been heartbroken, I still am a sucker for love. I still believe there’s still that fairytale Cinderella ending.
Tiwa Savage Tells Apple Music about collaborating with Nas
There’s a song on there, very first song called Work Fada. It’s featuring Rich King and Nas. I’ve never created music like this. You just have to listen to it. You have to hear it. It’s not one of those things that you just listen to, you experience it.
Tiwa Savage Tells Apple Music about playing the record for Pharrell
Everybody that was involved from Rodney Jerkins to Brandy, to Ty Dolla Sign, to Nas, it’s just, it’s incredible. When I played the record for Pharrell, he was blown away. He was just quiet for a few seconds, like, “Wow.”
Tiwa Savage Tells Apple Music about Brandy being her biggest influence
Brandy is literally the reason why I started singing, literally. As a kid, just listening to I Want To Be Down, every interview I’ve ever had, she’s my favorite, my all time, my mentor, everything. And I’ve been trying to work with her for years. It was a dream of mine. And when it happened this time, it’s not even just music, we connected like sisters. She’s someone that I speak to literally every other day. It’s beyond my expectation.
Tiwa Savage Tells Apple Music about continuing to create music through the pandemic
Some people are like, “Are you sure you want to release another project? We’re not sure about touring yet.” And for me, it’s not really about that. It’s about putting music out and just making sure that people’s souls are still fed. That’s the only way I contribute to what’s going on around the world.
In More News – BBNaija 2021: Nini and I have been doing things under the duvet
BBNaija 2021: Nini and I have been doing things under the duvet. Big Brother Naija ‘Shine Ya Eye’ housemate Saga has revealed how far he has gone with his love interest, Nini in the house. SEE MORE
Popstar and songwriter Ariana Grande is the latest musician to perform a series of concerts inside the hit video game Fortnite.
Millions of gamers are expected to watch the virtual gigs, which see Ariana Grande soar through the sky with huge angel wings while surrounded by players inside bubbles.
Gaming reporter Marc Cieslak spoke to Fortnite’s Phil Rampulla about the project and his ambitions to create a “metaverse” – where people can gather for shared experiences online.
In Other News – Apple criticised for the system that detects child abuse
Apple is facing criticism over a new system that finds child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on US users’ devices.
The technology will search for matches of known CSAM before the image is stored onto iCloud Photos.
But there are concerns that the technology could be expanded and used by authoritarian governments to spy on their own citizens. learn more
Source – BBC
If you’ve been on social media in the last week or so, you have probably seen an image or video of a new artist named Gee Six Five.
She has become so popular, in fact, that she is practically a meme at this point, often used when people want to indicate that they have no idea who someone is.
Jacob Zuma: We are friends
Sikhakhane: This should be common course
Zondo: pic.twitter.com/m7HYRZenWu
— Oliver Dickson (@Oliver_Speaking) November 21, 2020
This is due to the fact that she is the artist behind a hit single titled Obani Labababantu (who are these people?)
Gee Six Five released it last week after months of working on it.
❤️❤️❤️😂 pic.twitter.com/65GdDxbhp4
— Láoshī👨🏽🏫 (@TeacherJamani) November 22, 2020
Olpha Selepe (65) is a grandmother and retired teacher who decided to take another shot at her music career in July after she left the teaching profession at the beginning of lockdown.
Selepe is a master’s graduate and currently working towards a doctorate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
#GeeSixFive said she wants to be a one hit wonder to show others that it is never too late to start something new. I think the PhD candidate has proven her point. The 65-year-old has the most downloaded song in SA right now. pic.twitter.com/1Efn29gWMg
— Siphumelele Zondi (@SZondi) November 24, 2020
So Gee Six Five is my aunt (she who got her masters at 60 yrs+ & is pursuing a doctorate).
My family is very divided about her recording this single. She says she wants to show that you can go after your dreams no matter the age.
A festive jam? 😊 #G65 https://t.co/C60Pb5H0hd
— Sbu Mpungose (@SbuMpungose) November 19, 2020
Despite many makking fun of the song, it seems to have grown on them.
😂😂😂
— Láoshī👨🏽🏫 (@TeacherJamani) November 22, 2020
I love this 😂. Honestly, she sounds the same even in the album and on the live. Granzo serving us authenticity
— Asa (@asajolo07) November 22, 2020
😹😹😹I know I’m not the only one pic.twitter.com/x6TLoLaY31
— Percy_Comedy (@Realkashkay_2) November 22, 2020
Where’s Gee Six Five performing this weekend. I have to see this for myself!!!
— #SatanOWele (@ReasonHD) November 21, 2020
Gee Six Five appreciation post ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/QFKgHJ5VsO
— 2021 AFRICA (@2021AFRICA) November 22, 2020
Selepe has grown on people after clips from a recent Instagram Live were shared on Twitter.
In the interview, Selepe hails her talent which she said should not be confused for bragging.
Our #G65 🤗🤗🤗❤️. I love her focus. pic.twitter.com/bVIL5PTVNh
— Mazaleni (@SpitchNzawumbi) November 22, 2020
According to a relative of Selepe’s, Sbu Mpungose, this is the first and last time we’ll be hearing from Selepe.
She said she’d like to be a one-hit wonder. 😅
— Sbu Mpungose (@SbuMpungose) November 19, 2020
Girl, they want to protect her from negative comments and publicity.
— Sbu Mpungose (@SbuMpungose) November 19, 2020
-The Citizen
In other news – Emotional scenes during Kwaito star Mshoza’s memorial service – Photos
“I am at a loss of words. I wasn’t ready to lose you, mommy.” Those were the words of late Queen of Kwaito Mshoza’s 12-year-old daughter, Pride that got many people in tears at her mother’s memorial service.
Her 11-year-old daughter Junior could not hold back and when she tried to speak, she just wept. All she could say as they were about to step off the podium was: “I love you mommy.” Learn More