Power couple, Queen Bey and her business mogul/ rapper husband Jay Z looked stunning at the 2017 Grammy Award ceremony. Beyoncé changed into this red number after her performance at the show.
She also posed with her sister Solange who won an award for her song, Cranes in the Sky, and Chance The Rapper. More photos after the cut..
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Recording artist Chance The Rapper accepts the award for Best Rap Album onstage during The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP
Chance the Rapper on Sunday won three Grammys including Best New Artist, validating the rapid rise of the hip-hop star who has released his music only through streaming.
The rapper, who has been open about his Christianity, told the televised gala: “I claim the victory in the name of the Lord.”
“I know people think that independence means you do it by yourself, but independence means freedom,” Chance said as he pointed to members of his team.
The 23-year-old rapper from Chicago, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, won Best New Artist in a field that included electronica crowd-pleasers The Chainsmokers and experimental hip-hop artist Anderson .Paak.
He also won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album, going up against A-listers including his mentor Kanye West and chart-topper Drake.
“Coloring Book,” Chance’s mixtape released last year, incorporated gospel choir music and lyrically touched on his faith.
Chance the Rapper benefited from a change in Grammy rules this year to consider streaming-only releases. He did not sell “Coloring Book” as a CD or as downloads, saying he considered himself a touring artist.
“Coloring Book” nonetheless entered the top 10 on the US albums chart, the first for a streaming exclusive, as Chance promoted the work through an active social media campaign.
The mixtape featured appearances by top stars including West, a fellow Chicago rapper who was his early inspiration, and Justin Bieber.
Chance the Rapper has also used his rising platform to be an activist.
He has pleaded for an end to Chicago’s gun violence epidemic, waging a campaign similar to an album promotion that was credited with helping make May 23 a day without deadly shootings in the Midwestern metropolis.
He took up the anti-violence cause in collaboration with his father Ken Williams-Bennett, who has served as an aide to former president Barack Obama and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
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PHOTO CREDIT: http://ift.tt/2l5Wnes
*Every patient given treatment during trial saw their hypertension drop to healthy levels
Combining four blood pressure drugs into a single pill could be twice as effective as existing treatments, researchers have found.
In a breakthrough trial, every patient given the four-in-one ‘quadpill’ saw their blood pressure drop to healthy levels within a month.
And because each drug is included in much lower doses than in conventional tablets, experts believe the combined medication will minimise side-effects.
The results of the small pilot trial, published in the Lancet medical journal last night, could offer a new approach for the hundreds of thousands in the United Kingdom (U.K.) who take daily tablets for their blood pressure.
High blood pressure – or hypertension – affects more than 17million Britons, or one adult in three.
The condition vastly increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and vascular dementia but, because it has no symptoms often until it is too late, only half of people even know they are at risk.
Of those who have been diagnosed, hundreds of thousands take daily pills to control their blood pressure. But they normally take just one drug – and only about half of patients see their blood pressure fall to a healthy level.
The new study saw a 100 per cent success rate. However, the researchers from the George Institute at Sydney University stressed that only 18 patients took part in the trial. Further research is needed to see if the results can be repeated, they said, but these initial findings are very exciting.
Study author Professor Clara Chow told DailyMailUK: “Most people receive one medicine at a normal dose but that only controls blood pressure about half the time. In this small trial blood pressure control was achieved for everyone. Trials will now test whether this can be repeated and maintained long-term.”
The study involved giving patients a single capsule containing a quarter-dose of each of four common blood pressure drugs – irbesartan, amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide and atenolol.
Researchers believe reducing the dose of each drug minimises the risk of side-effects, which can include swollen ankles and kidney abnormalities.
Even though the dose of each drug was lower, combining them increased their impact.
Chow said: “Minimising side-effects is important for long-term treatments – we didn’t see any issues in this trial, as you would hope with very low-dose therapy, but this is the area where more long-term research is most needed.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2l5UBKv
Recording artist Chance The Rapper accepts the award for Best Rap Album onstage during The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP
Chance the Rapper on Sunday won three Grammys including Best New Artist, validating the rapid rise of the hip-hop star who has released his music only through streaming.
The rapper, who has been open about his Christianity, told the televised gala: “I claim the victory in the name of the Lord.”
“I know people think that independence means you do it by yourself, but independence means freedom,” Chance said as he pointed to members of his team.
The 23-year-old rapper from Chicago, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, won Best New Artist in a field that included electronica crowd-pleasers The Chainsmokers and experimental hip-hop artist Anderson .Paak.
He also won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album, going up against A-listers including his mentor Kanye West and chart-topper Drake.
“Coloring Book,” Chance’s mixtape released last year, incorporated gospel choir music and lyrically touched on his faith.
Chance the Rapper benefited from a change in Grammy rules this year to consider streaming-only releases. He did not sell “Coloring Book” as a CD or as downloads, saying he considered himself a touring artist.
“Coloring Book” nonetheless entered the top 10 on the US albums chart, the first for a streaming exclusive, as Chance promoted the work through an active social media campaign.
The mixtape featured appearances by top stars including West, a fellow Chicago rapper who was his early inspiration, and Justin Bieber.
Chance the Rapper has also used his rising platform to be an activist.
He has pleaded for an end to Chicago’s gun violence epidemic, waging a campaign similar to an album promotion that was credited with helping make May 23 a day without deadly shootings in the Midwestern metropolis.
He took up the anti-violence cause in collaboration with his father Ken Williams-Bennett, who has served as an aide to former president Barack Obama and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lGRiqE
Jon Ogah (born August 23, 1991) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and reality TV show star.
Jon Ogah is one the housemates in the 2017 reality television shows “BIG BROTHER NAIJA”.
Jon Ogah’s got a penchant for mischief and he hasn’t wasted time in singling out Bally for his mischievous moves. Interesting times ahead as Jon knows he isn’t playing for any votes or the prize money, but put into the House to stir up some dust. There was a mixed bag of emotions and reactions from the other Housemates as they welcomed him into the House.
JON OGAH walked away from the first season of Glo Naija Sings $100,000 richer in 2009 over close contenders, Tarila and Thompson. After the drop of his debut video featuring Sasha –Gbedu, it seemed like he dropped off the radar, but he’s back on the Big Brother Naija show as one of the new but fake housemates.
Jon Ogah is the true definition of what a music star really represents. He came into limelight in 2009 when he won the first ever edition of MNET’s Glo Naija Sings competition. He has a very large fan base across Africa despite having to take breaks from his music career over the past few years for his education.
One great quality of achievers is the ability to stage a huge comeback and that’s exactly what Jon Ogah has done by releasing a very impressive debut album, Uncle Suru just days back.
In this exclusive interview with Augustine Ogwo of Austinaija, he talks about his new album, embarrassing moment with a fan, the Twitter drama between WizKid and Skales AN- In 2009, you won a whopping $100,000 as the winner of the debut season of Glo Naija sings competition.
Aside the monetary reward, what did that competition do for your career?
“Simply put, it got me out there into the public eye.”
AN- You came into limelight in 2009, how come it took you six more years to drop your debut album?
“I was very young, I didn’t know what I wanted. I needed time to grow and discover myself and back then everyone seemed to be making decisions for me. But now I know what I want and I can weigh if it will be good for me or not.”
AN- You took a little break from music to focus on your education. Can you tell us about your educational background?
“Well I have a baccalaureate in Business Administration and currently undergoing a Masters programme in International Business”
AN- Who are the producers you worked with on the Uncle Suru
album?
“Niyi P and Attah Lenell both of whom are super talented and have a good ear for music. They are both great pianist as well and multi-instrumentalist. People who could peer into and understand in depth the attributes and layers of music.”
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Singer Adele, winner of Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for '25' and Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for 'Hello,' poses in the press room during The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images/AFP
Adele on Sunday triumphed once again at the Grammys with five awards for her latest blockbuster album of ballads, but she paid glowing tribute to her rival Beyonce, calling her an idol.
The English balladeer swept up the top prizes of the night at the music industry’s biggest night — Album, Record and Song of the Year. Beyonce walked away with two trophies.
And in a sentimental homage to late rock icon David Bowie, his final album “Blackstar” earned five awards, including four posthumous prizes for the singer.
Adele, who has stood by her winning style of heart-wrenching ballads, became the first act ever to sweep the three key categories in two different years.
She won Record of the Year, which recognises overall song, and Song of the Year, which looks at songwriting, for her ubiquitous hit “Hello” and Album of the Year for “25.”
Adele made a similar sweep in 2012 with her last album “21” — which remains the only album to have outsold “25” in the past decade.
Fighting back tears, Adele took the podium and paid tribute to Beyonce, who had led the night’s nominations with nine for her politically edgy “Lemonade.”
“My idol is Queen Bey and I adore you. You move my soul every day,” Adele said as she looked at Beyonce, who was making her first public appearance since announcing she was pregnant with twins.
It was a happy ending to a night that included a major embarrassment as Adele — using an expletive that was cut from the television broadcast — insisted on starting over her tribute to late pop icon George Michael.
It was the second straight year of hiccups for Adele after a microphone fell on the piano during her Grammy performance a year ago.
Shortly afterwards, on Sunday, Metallica frontman James Hetfield discovered that his microphone was off as the band played with Lady Gaga — who transformed into a metalhead, dancing ferociously before stage-diving.
Beyonce’s call for inclusive world
Beyonce won only for Best Urban Contemporary Album for “Lemonade” and Best Music Video for “Formation.”
The video marked the most political statement of Beyonce’s career as she rallied behind the Black Lives Matter movement with imagery of police officers surrendering as if under arrest.
Reflecting her increasingly experimental side, Beyonce’s Grammy performance was a New Age-inspired celebration of motherhood.
She showed her exposed belly underneath a bra on a projection on stage — before the real-life 35-year-old singer took the stage with a golden crown and cape.
With hints of India and ancient Egypt, Beyonce sang two new songs as dozens of female dancers surrounded her with flowers and a spoken word incantation lauded the power of women.
Accepting one of her awards, Beyonce said “Lemonade” and the accompanying film were meant “to create a body of work that will give a voice to our pain, our struggles, our darkness and our history — to confront issues that make us uncomfortable.”
“It’s important to me to show images to my children that reflect their beauty so they can grow up in a world where they look in the mirror — first through their own families, as well as the news, the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the White House and the Grammys — and see themselves,” Beyonce said, in one of the night’s more subtle political comments.
The evening saw its most forceful statement as rapper Busta Rhymes took the stage with hip-hop pioneers A Tribe Called Quest and emerging artist Anderson .Paak.
Denouncing US President Donald Trump for his efforts to curtail immigration, Busta Rhymes mocked “President Agent Orange” and shouted, “We come together! We the people!” as performers knocked through a wall.
Paris Jackson, the 18-year-old daughter of King of Pop Michael Jackson, voiced hope when she saw the enthusiastic crowd in the Staples Center in Los Angeles — the scene eight years earlier of her father’s memorial service.
“We can really use this kind of excitement at a pipeline protest, guys,” she said to cheers.
Posthumous honours for Bowie
“Blackstar” — the final album of Bowie, who always enjoyed more recognition in his native Britain — won in all five categories for which it was nominated, including Best Rock Song and Best Alternative Music Album.
Bowie had won only one Grammy in his lifetime before Sunday.
And “Blackstar,” which he released two days before his death last year from an undisclosed battle with cancer, was controversially passed over for Album of the Year honours.
Bowie showed himself innovative to the end by collaborating with the avant-garde jazz saxophonist Donny McCaslin.
While not predicting how Bowie would have felt, McCaslin told reporters: “When the press was hearing the album before it came out, I could see it meant a lot to him.”
Chance the Rapper, 23, picked up three prizes including the closely watched Best New Artist award for his gospel-infused hip-hop. The Chicago artist benefited from updated rules that now consider streaming exclusives.
Bruno Mars electrified the crowd with a tribute to Prince, uncannily channelling the late pop icon by donning a purple jacket and playing a guitar solo to “Let’s Go Crazy.”
The performance marked a new commercial effort by the estate of Prince — who famously rejected music industry conventions — with his classic albums on Sunday returning to major streaming sites.
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The Managing Director of OGFZA, Mr Umana Okon Umana, who gave the commendation while speaking with journalists in his office in Onne, Rivers State, said his expectation was that when the amendments are passed they would remove imperfections in the two laws, thereby putting both OGFZA and NEPZA on the path to fulfilling their mandates for the good of the economy and benefit of all Nigerians.
According to Umana, efforts to amend the laws have come at the right time when the Federal Government is focused on the drive to diversify the economy. He explained that while the amendments would deepen specialisation and efficiency in the oil and gas sector, they are at the same time expected to strongly encourage investment in the non-oil sector.
He said that OGFZA recently unveiled a three-year strategic roadmap which is aimed at growing investment in the oil and gas free zones by 50 per cent in the next three years. He stated that the roadmap reflected the vision of the oil and gas free zone agency to be the premier agency of government for the promotion of investment in the nation’s oil and gas free zones.
Umana said one of the means to more investments in the free zones is by way of more access to OGFZA through its repackaged and robust website and the publication of a biweekly newsletter to enhance interaction with existing and prospective investors. He added that the drive for new investments would be facilitated by a corporate culture of integrity, respect for investors and due process, transparency and accountability, as well as passion for and customer-centric engagement with investors.
He said the oil and gas free zones have had a track record of success in attracting investments, having brought in more than $20 billion worth of investments since inception and created more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. On the revenue side, the OGFZA MD said between January 2010 and December 2015, the Nigeria Customs Service generated revenue of N143.2 billion from the oil and gas free zones alone, while the Nigerian Ports Authority generated $2.1 billion and N19.3 billion also from the oil and gas free zones.
Nigeria is credited as the very first country in the world to dedicate a free trade zone to the oil and gas sector. Economic experts around the world have continued to applaud the Federal Government for this initiative. Hence, Onne OGFZ has been globally acknowledged as the most successful in Africa by the Times magazine of London.
Because of Nigeria’s initiative, India is setting up an exclusive petroleum economic zone for service providers in the oil and gas industry to contribute not only to domestic exploration and production, but would help become a global sourcing hub in their regional market and beyond.
Myanmar also signed an agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation on May 26, 2014 in Naypyitaw for the development of Kyauk Phiju Special Economic Zone with a distinct management authority.
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The National Assembly has been commended for beginning the amendment of the principal Acts of both the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA).
The Managing Director of OGFZA, Mr Umana Okon Umana, who gave the commendation while speaking with journalists in his office in Onne, Rivers State, said his expectation was that when the amendments are passed they would remove imperfections in the two laws, thereby putting both OGFZA and NEPZA on the path to fulfilling their mandates for the good of the economy and benefit of all Nigerians.
According to Umana, efforts to amend the laws have come at the right time when the Federal Government is focused on the drive to diversify the economy. He explained that while the amendments would deepen specialisation and efficiency in the oil and gas sector, they are at the same time expected to strongly encourage investment in the non-oil sector.
He said that OGFZA recently unveiled a three-year strategic roadmap which is aimed at growing investment in the oil and gas free zones by 50 per cent in the next three years. He stated that the roadmap reflected the vision of the oil and gas free zone agency to be the premier agency of government for the promotion of investment in the nation’s oil and gas free zones.
Umana said one of the means to more investments in the free zones is by way of more access to OGFZA through its repackaged and robust website and the publication of a biweekly newsletter to enhance interaction with existing and prospective investors. He added that the drive for new investments would be facilitated by a corporate culture of integrity, respect for investors and due process, transparency and accountability, as well as passion for and customer-centric engagement with investors.
He said the oil and gas free zones have had a track record of success in attracting investments, having brought in more than $20 billion worth of investments since inception and created more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. On the revenue side, the OGFZA MD said between January 2010 and December 2015, the Nigeria Customs Service generated revenue of N143.2 billion from the oil and gas free zones alone, while the Nigerian Ports Authority generated $2.1 billion and N19.3 billion also from the oil and gas free zones.
Nigeria is credited as the very first country in the world to dedicate a free trade zone to the oil and gas sector. Economic experts around the world have continued to applaud the Federal Government for this initiative. Hence, Onne OGFZ has been globally acknowledged as the most successful in Africa by the Times magazine of London.
Because of Nigeria’s initiative, India is setting up an exclusive petroleum economic zone for service providers in the oil and gas industry to contribute not only to domestic exploration and production, but would help become a global sourcing hub in their regional market and beyond.
Myanmar also signed an agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation on May 26, 2014 in Naypyitaw for the development of Kyauk Phiju Special Economic Zone with a distinct management authority.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kmOPQ2
Host Communities of Nigeria Oil and Gas Producing areas (HOSTCOM) have demanded 50 per cent of oil blocs awarded in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking through the Urhobo ethnic nationality chapter of HOSTCOM, chairman, Festus Pemu also asked multinational oil companies to relocate to their operating communities as demanded by the local content law.
Pemu said: “At present no oil bloc is owned by an indigene of oil producing communities. This is unfair and needs to be corrected.”
He also called for the immediate approval of pipeline surveillance jobs to the host communities, as they are most suited to do it effectively.
To consolidate on the existing peace, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the United Kingdom and other countries, which have stakes in the region to invest in employment generating ventures.
Speaking when the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba, Okowa said: “Anything that will create more job opportunities for the youths should be encouraged.”
The governor said cases of pipeline vandalism were limited to the creeks of the state.
Arkwright in his speech said he was in the state to explore areas of economic benefits for the U.K., declaring that Delta was one of the key states in the country
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organization group, Kovenium/mmalah Foundation (KIF) in Delta State has chided government over its failure to stop gas flaring in oil communities.
Executive Director of the NGO, Faith Nwandishi, told journalists in Asaba, yesterday that gas flaring had wreaked havoc in Ndokwa East, West, Ughelli, Ogwashi-Uku and Ozoro, with no fewer than 132 persons feared killed in 2015 and 2016.
The Udefi Oba Oloye of Warri Kingdom in Delta State, Chief Clement Maleghemi has urged Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to fulfill all the promises he made during his meeting with youths.
Maleghemi made the appeal while speaking on the significance of Udefi Day celebration at Ugbolokppso, Uvwie Local Government Council at the weekend.
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PHOTO: bebeimame.ba
*Scientists claim good dose of carbs could speed up birth, recovery
Women should eat during labor to make the birth quicker and shorten their recovery time, scientists claim.
Expectant mothers are often told they can have nothing other than ice chips after they enter the first stage of labour.
Until now, doctors have feared mid-push food could cause the woman to choke, or would affect the anesthetic if they needed an emergency C-section.
But a new analysis shows they can have much more than some frozen droplets, and it won’t cause them any problems.
In fact, keeping hydrated and having carbohydrates helps muscles to work better – especially the uterus – giving an energy boost, and allowing for a shorter stint in hospital.
Researchers from the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, United States (U.S.), analyzed 10 trials that included 3,982 women in labor.
All participants were only delivering one child – not twins or triplets – and were not at risk of a cesarean section.
Those who were allowed to eat and drink more than ice chips and water had labors that were shorter by 16 minutes on average.
And they were not at an increased risk of choking or vomiting under general anesthetic – a concern raised in a study from the 1940s, according to the study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kAVuY1
• Okowa tasks U.K over unemployment in region
• NGO chides govt over failure to stop gas flaring
Host Communities of Nigeria Oil and Gas Producing areas (HOSTCOM) have demanded 50 per cent of oil blocs awarded in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking through the Urhobo ethnic nationality chapter of HOSTCOM, chairman, Festus Pemu also asked multinational oil companies to relocate to their operating communities as demanded by the local content law.
Pemu said: “At present no oil bloc is owned by an indigene of oil producing communities. This is unfair and needs to be corrected.”
He also called for the immediate approval of pipeline surveillance jobs to the host communities, as they are most suited to do it effectively.
To consolidate on the existing peace, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the United Kingdom and other countries, which have stakes in the region to invest in employment generating ventures.
Speaking when the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba, Okowa said: “Anything that will create more job opportunities for the youths should be encouraged.”
The governor said cases of pipeline vandalism were limited to the creeks of the state.
Arkwright in his speech said he was in the state to explore areas of economic benefits for the U.K., declaring that Delta was one of the key states in the country
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organization group, Kovenium/mmalah Foundation (KIF) in Delta State has chided government over its failure to stop gas flaring in oil communities.
Executive Director of the NGO, Faith Nwandishi, told journalists in Asaba, yesterday that gas flaring had wreaked havoc in Ndokwa East, West, Ughelli, Ogwashi-Uku and Ozoro, with no fewer than 132 persons feared killed in 2015 and 2016.
The Udefi Oba Oloye of Warri Kingdom in Delta State, Chief Clement Maleghemi has urged Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to fulfill all the promises he made during his meeting with youths.
Maleghemi made the appeal while speaking on the significance of Udefi Day celebration at Ugbolokppso, Uvwie Local Government Council at the weekend.
Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kATJKt
