USA Travel.State.Gov DV-2011 Lottery

The online entry registration period for the DV-2011 Diversity Visa lottery is between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Friday, October 2, 2009, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Monday, November 30, 2009. Entrants apply on Form DS-5501, Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form available only during the DV open registration period. Review the DV-2011 Instructions below for more information. Also, review the Fraud Warning.

• The English version of the DV-2011 Lottery Instructions is available in PDF format for your convenience.

The Diversity Immigrant Visa program is a United States congressionally mandated lottery program for receiving a United States Permanent Resident Card.

In the mid 1990s; Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) was amended to provide for a new class of immigrants known as “diversity immigrants” (DV immigrants). The Act makes available 50,000 permanent resident visas annually to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The reduction of the limit of available visas to 50,000 began with DV-2000. It used to be 55,000.

Here is the link to the US gov. official Press release

I personally know many people who have entered the USA as a Permanent Resident through this exact lottery.

Some things to NOTE:

• Additional Languages

• The English language version of the DV-2011 Lottery Instructions is the only official version.
• Some unofficial translations in additional languages will be published and will be added to the US State Department Travel/Visa page as they become available.

Since many countries have high rates of immigration to the USA; each year, nationals from a round of countries are excluded from participating in the lottery.

This is the list for 2011 (meaning applying in 2009) for natives of the following countries. They are ineligible to apply because the countries sent a total of more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years:

BRAZIL, CANADA, CHINA (mainland-born), COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HAITI, INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO, PAKISTAN, PERU, PHILIPPINES, POLAND, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and VIETNAM. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.

**No African nations are on this exception list. So apply immediately!

• You can only apply on the Internet.

• The application process is absolutely FREE! Do not pay anyone to do this for you unless it’s a close relative and you are incapable of doing this yourself!

• Instructions for photo submission and format are here. DV Lottery photos

Which African nations won the greatest number of visas for Permanent residence in the previous years?

TOP FIVE:

DV-2010 - Ghana (8,752); Nigeria (6,006); Ethiopia (5,200); Kenya (4,619); Egypt (4,201); Sierra Leone (3,898) • See complete world list here! 2010

DV-2009 – Ghana (7,322); Nigeria (6,041); Ethiopia (5,200); Kenya (4,307); Egypt (4,831); Cameroon (3,659) • See complete world list here! 2009

DV-2008 – Nigeria (8,773); Ghana (5,914); Ethiopia (5,241); Morocco (5,017); Kenya (4,547); • See complete world list here! 2008

DV-2007 – Nigeria (9,849); Egypt (7,229); Ethiopia (6,871); Morocco (4,922); Ghana (3,088) • See complete world list here! 2007

Now, one must note that these were the chosen winners. This does not guarantee permanent resident status in the USA. Many are disqualified upon their interview because they do NOT meet the strict requirements for residence listed in the instructions above. In order to allow for those who do not pursue immigrant visas, more ‘winners’ are selected in the lottery than there are visas available (50,000).

Exemptions

The term 50,000 “immigrants” is partial and refers only to people who immigrated via the family-sponsored, employment, or immediate relatives of U.S. citizen categories, and does not include other categories such as refugees, asylum seekers, NACARA beneficiaries, or previous diversity immigrants. It is for this reason that Cuba, Ukraine, Russia, Iran, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Bangladesh are not on the ineligible list despite sending over 50,000 immigrants in the previous five years.

Spread the word to relatives and close friends; even if they are not from an African nation. If you know someone who applied last year around this time; then contact them to see if they won. The winners should have been contacted in May and June of this year. Those selected will need to act on their immigrant visa applications quickly. Applicants should follow the instructions in their notification letter and must fully complete the information requested. Address is important! So re-visit those post office boxes! Selected applicants who do not receive visas by September 30, 2010 will derive no further benefit from their DV-2011 registration.

* Currently, there is no means by which an applicant can check the status of an application online. Only those selected in the lottery are notified, by mail (post). This is a considerable drawback in the procedures in countries where surface mail may be censored by authorities.

However, starting with DV 2010, the applicant receives a confirmation number after a successful application is submitted which can be used to check the application status online between July 2010 and June 2011. This was a long awaited feature since many postal services in developing or politically unstable countries are either not effective or not trustworthy. (Boy.. do we know about this in Africa)!

Bonne chance! Good Luck!

I was privileged to get my hands on an advance copy of R-N-B Soultress N’Dambi’s new CD called “Pink Elephant”. I also had the opportunity to witness N’Dambi’s captivating vocal skill at a special music listening session hosted by Randy Thomas who is an ADR at Universal Music Distribution a few weeks back. Her voice accompanied by an acoustic guitar player was enough to pull me into her world.

N'Dambi signed advanced copy of "Pink Elephant" for Rab

The first time I heard of N’Dambi was through a lounge banger track called “Call Me”. At the time in mid-2003, I was a djay who specialized in contemporary music from the African continent. Since there was no bio available, I assumed she was one of these artists from Africa. This was an assumption from her Bakongo name meaning ‘most beautiful’.

‘“Call Me” was introduced to the club scene through a New York City music collective of spoken word; vocalist; instrumentalists and and Djays called GIANT STEP.

Rab Bakari & N'Dambi @ Universal Music Group

N’Dambi has now signed with the revived label STAX. If you remember, STAX was a powerhouse hit churner in the late 1960s and early 70s. It rivaled Motown for the R-N-B/Soul music crown. Today it is owned by Fantasy Records and distributed by the Concord Music Group. Interestingly, Concord has a joint venture distribution with the largest music distribution company in the world. That company is called Universal Music Group Distribution.  It is through these distribution connections that I believe that N’Dambi’s sound and aura will be unveiled to the unsuspecting masses.

N’Dambi is not new to the music performance scene. She is an Oak Cliff, Dallas Texas USA gurrl! [LOL]. She is often linked to that other famous resident … Erykah Badu.

They are not alike. No comparison! They both command their own ‘career space’ comfortably. ‘Pink Elephant’ is her fourth studio album largely produced by Leon Sylvers III, whose credits include work for The Sylvers, Shalamar, Blackstreet, Gladys Knight, The Whispers, Lakeside and many more. This is not a personal experience album. She feels better telling “someone else’s story.”

Let’s delve into what I hear and feel when I listen to tracks from “Pink Elephant”.

“What It Takes” has that Stevie Wonder – Michael Jackson feely, feely buttered soul lyrical, topping that make you go “Ahhhhh!”

I love my slow jams! “Ooo Baby” is the ‘Hit it from the back’, ‘caress your shoulder’ type of sound that makes you drift into wonderfulness! ;`) “Back in your arms is where I wanna be” … What a pleasant way to beg for good times again!

Get ready for a contemporary party shakedown with “Mind Blowing”.

Whoa! She and her producer took it back with a very familiar STAX breakbeat rhythm on “The One”. Diggers! Check the interpolated sound of Isaac Hayes interpolation of “Walk On By”.  As we used to say in the 1980s … “Dope! Definitely!”

Actually, many of her penned tracks have captivating stories interwoven throughout the verses, bridges and choruses. No track reflects this more than the metaphoric song called “L.I.E.”. This is an acronym for the Long Island Expressway [I-495 in New York state] or a metaphor for an opposite of truth. This song is a mini-series in it’s own right.

“Take It Out” has a feel that I’m in love with. It’s that love for a tone that Jill Scott is usually credited for setting. N’Dambi does it her way.

“Daisy Chain” is another love-heartache ditty that actually possesses a STAX groove also. I wonder if her other label mates such as Angie Stone, Leon Ware and Lalah Hathaway are dabbling in the old soul of STAX also?

“Can’t Hardly Wait” is the made-for HOT, POWER, KISS, BUZZ FM radio stations across North America & Europe. Of course! Oh! minus the verbally confident “f**kin’ with you” expletive. She couldn’t have sung this independent woman anthem without it! LOL! Brilliant!

“Free Falling” is a tight, upright bassy mix coupled with a religious organ and that rich vocal tone of N’Dambi that will give Shingai of the NOISEttes or Amy Winehouse a double take on their style.

Let’s face it! It’s time for artist like N’Dambi to be recognized, patronized, appreciated and adored. What is good music? It’s that sound experience [yes! No video!] that frames your experience at a moment in time. I would advise new fans to try a few of her “Pink Elephant” tracks to set your experience mood. You will not be disappointed! N’Dambi is full of metaphors. If you are not familiar with the statement, “pink elephant” in the room; then N’Dambi will explain it to you.

“I want to write about the elephant in the room,” she explains of her third U.S. release. “They see her but refuse to acknowledge or talk about her, let alone confront her. That’s why I’m here.”

This is a thinly, veiled jab at the music industry and entertainment as we know it.

“Pink Elephant” is available in physical retail outlets on 06 October 2009. It can also be digitally downloaded from Concord Music.

N'Dambi performs at Universal Music Group in New York

It’s a good buy for twelve tracks! Cheers!

Legendary New Yorker .. GrandMaster Roc Raida

X-Ecutioners member and legendary turntablist Grand Master Roc Raida died on September 19th, representatives of the DJ confirmed with AllHipHop.com.

“The legendary Grand Master Roc Raida has passed away this morning,” a representative for the DJ told AllHipHop.com. “Family and friends will miss him dearly. Please give the family their privacy.”

The source refused to give details of his illness or injury, or even the cause of Roc Raida’s death, but did state that previous reports of an injury during karate class or a car accident were inaccurate.

The rep confirmed that Roc Raida was hospitalized last week, but would only state that the DJ’s death was totally “unexpected.”

Grand Master Roc Raida started DJ’ing at the age of 10, after being inspired by his father, who was a member of Sugar Hill Records group, Mean Machine.

Roc Raida was an original member of the X-Men turntable crew, who later became The X-Ecutioners, a DJ collective that helped innovate the art form of turntablism.

He became internationally known, after taking home the DMC World DJ Championship in 1995.

Grand Master Roc Raida released 12 albums total as a solo artist and as member of The X-Ecutioners.

Roc Raida, born Anthony Williams, also produced tracks, crafting song or worked with artists like Smif-N-Wessun, Fat Joe, Ghostface, Black Thought, Pink, Linkin Park and others.

His scratching can also be heard on O.C.’s timeless Hip-Hop track “Time’s Up.” Additionally, Grand Master Roc Raida served as Busta Rhymes’ official tour DJ.

Rhymes expressed his condolences today, via his Twitter page, after Roc Raida’s death became a trending topic on the popular micro-blogging site.

“I just wanna thank everyone 4 ur love and support and ur prayers,” Busta Rhymes Tweeted. “We will never let ur name die Roc…We love u and will 4ever miss u…RIP…I was told 2day, We r loosing [sic] all of these great people this year as a result of God calling his army because something is about 2 go down!”

Grand Master Roc Raida was also the creator of the popular Gong DJ Battle. Recently; I used to frequent these contests hosted by him along with Lord Sear and Lord Finesse at the famous S.O.B.s venue in New York.

What happens to websites when a person like this dies? We hope it will be kept alive for generations to know the story of my contemporary. He will be missed!

Dj Battle TV Episode 16 from djbattle.net on Vimeo.

** UPDATE ** Cardiac Arrest was the cause of death.

Source: All Hip Hop.com

The family of the late Grand Master Roc Raida (Anthony Williams) has confirmed the influential deejay passed away from complications of cardiac arrest.

Raida was participating in rigorous training under Krav Maga, a self-defense martial arts system that originated in Israel and is utilized by both military and civilians.

The focus of the system is on using combat in “real-life” situations such as clubs and street corners, and emphasizes quick, vicious attacks to specific body parts.

Raida had been studying this unique style for the past two years, and his 15 year old daughter had recently begun participating.

A freak training injury occurred, causing Raida to go into cardiac arrest and pass away tragically at the age of 37.

Roc Raida’s funeral will be held Thursday (September 24) from 10AM-12PM at the Mount Neboh Baptist Church, located on 1883 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd in New York City.

About GrandMaster Roc Raida

Roc Raida began his DJ career in the early eighties at the age of ten. Surrounded by such inspirations as his father, a member of the Sugar Hill Records act Mean Machine and hip hop impresario Grandmaster Flash, Raida cultivated his interest into an absolute passion. Now, Roc Raida is considered among the best of the contemporary DJ’s and has brought the art of Turntablism and Party rocking to a fresh new level.

In the late eighties Raida gained prominence as a member of the New York-based crew the X-Men who, for obvious of copyright reasons, later became known as the X-Ecutioners. Champions of furthering the turntablist movement, the X-Ecutioners made their reputation by utilizing the techniques of beat-juggling; the manual alteration between individual kick and snare sounds to create original drum patterns in real time. This practice has been an inspiration and a force in Roc Raida’s style.

In the beginning defeat was commonplace, as battles were mainly popularity contests. The more contests he entered the more the competition began to appreciate his style and determination. Pushing his limits and raising the standard with which DMC’s are judged, Raida began to get noticed. His impressive finishes in some of the premier DJ battles; first place in the 1991 “As One”; second place in the “Superman Battle”; and second place in the 1992 DMC US Finals were just the beginning. In 1995 Raida, was crowned the DMC World Champion in front of a massive London audience.

The past several years have seen Raida traveling around the globe in such exotic locations as Singapore, Turkey, Japan and Australia to China, Hawaii, Moscow, and the South of France. Two years ago on a panel at the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Raida was appointed “Grandmaster”, by some of Hip-Hop’s founding fathers. Rules for this dubious honor state that one may only be bestowed with the approval of another Grandmaster; Raida was not only approved, but also welcomed by Kool Herc, Grand Wizard Theodore and scratch evolutionist DST. To round out a phenomenal decade, Raida was also inducted into the DMC Hall of Fame at the 1999 DMC World Finals in New York City.

Roc Raida has been featured on an episode of “Saturday Night Live”; the first DJ to ever share the stage with the fabled SNL band. Proving, once again, that Raida is the perfect example of a master perfecting his art.

Raida has taken his DJ style to souring heights and has also moved into production in the last 8 years. He has produced record for artists, such as, Big L, Smif ‘N’ Wessun, Fat Joe, Bad Boy recording artist Aasim, Ghostface, Black Thought of The Roots and Linkin Park to name a few. He has also lent his hand’s scratching on records for artist’s like O.C.’s classic “Time’s Up” to pop sensation Pink’s new album “I’m Not Dead.” Recently Raida was the star of the National Pepsi commercial entitled Speakerboxx. From Raida’s experience’s and touring attributes he has released 3 DVD’s documenting The Adventures of Roc Raida and now created The Gong Battle (New York & London), which has brought a new light on the turntabilism world of battles.

With many more projects to come in the near future and now a part of the Heavy Hitters crew you will be hearing and seeing a lot of Raida for many years to come through his music, his visuals, his style and the radio where he is the newest edition to Washington D.C.’s 1 radio station WPGC 95.5. Stay tuned because The Adventures of Roc Raida are always going and going and going…

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee (OC) has congratulated Ghana on their win and qualifying.

“I am overjoyed that one of the continent’s greatest teams will be playing in Africa’s first FIFA World Cup. A long standing symbol of hope on the continent, Ghana is sure to win many fans in South Africa.

“We hope that they will go far in the tournament and do Africa proud,” said OC Chief Executive Officer Dr Danny Jordaan.

He said that it was fitting that the first country to gain independence on the African continent was also the first country from Africa to qualify for the first World Cup on African soil. South Africa, as host, qualified automatically.

According to the OC, Ghana has always provided South Africa’s bid to host the World Cup with invaluable support in the form of football legend and event ambassador Abedi Pele.

Pele joined other great African stars such as George Weah, Roger Milla, Kalusha Bwalya and Philemon Masinga as 2010 bid ambassadors.

During the bid Pele was quoted as saying that a World Cup in South Africa would bring the “greatest benefit to African football”.

The Black Stars are Africa’s second most successful team of all time and have won the African Cup of Nations four times in 1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982.

This is the second time the Ghanaians have qualified for a FIFA World Cup, the first being in 2006 where they made it through to the second round.

Sign for Corner of 205th Street & Hollis Avenue mabze [Flickr

The corner of 205th Street and Hollis Avenue in Queens is now officially “Run-DMC JMJ Way,” by way of homage to the rap group and its murdered DJ, Jam Master Jay.

The sign was hoisted on Sunday, August 30th 2009 (after being announced back in July), and Run spoke at the ceremony, telling the crowd “I lived right down that block,” according to the the Daily News. DMC added: “”We are who we are because of you people.” Rap Radar brought cameras to the dedication: above is the unveiling of the sign. This was largely the work of Democratic Queens councilman Leroy G. Comrie.

MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS 2009 NOMINATIONS UNVEILED

South Africa and Nigeria lead the nominations list in the second MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) taking place in Kenya on Oct. 10.

South Africa and Nigerian artists received 15 nominations, with Nigerian R&B artist 2Face notching up four MAMA nominations – best male, artist of the year, best video and best R&B.

2Face will be looking to add to his MTV award collection: he was named best African act at the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards.

He’ll also be eyeing a bigger haul than fellow Nigerian D’Banj who was the leading winner at the inaugural MAMAs, taking home best male and artist of the year gongs at the November 2008 event in Abuja, Nigeria.

This year the Afro-beat influenced D’Banj weighs in with three nods for best male, best performer and artist of the year.

South African hip-hop artist HHP is up for best male, artist of the year and best video, while Kenyan hip-hop artist Nameless is in the running for best male, best performer and artist of the year. South African Afro-soul singer Lira, who is scheduled to perform at the awards, topped the list of female nominees, earning two nods for best female and artist of the year.

Other countries whose artists made an impact were Uganda with three nominations and Tanzania with two. Ghana (Samini), Namibia and Mozambique earned one artist nomination apiece

Five U.S. artists and one British band are also in the running: Kanye West and Jay-Z are up for best hip-hop while Akon and Beyonce received best R&B nominations. Green Day and Coldplay received a nod in the best alternative category which is rounded off by a trio of South African rock bands – aKing, Cassette and Zebra & Giraffe.

The second MTV Africa Music Awards take place at the Indoor Arena, Moi International

Sports Complex, Nairobi, Kenya on Oct. 10. The host for the event is Wyclef Jean. Nominees are chosen by a voting academy of 170 music professionals and opinion-makers in 30 sub-Saharan Africa countries and winners are selected through public voting, which is accessible via online or mobile.

For the second year running, the MAMAs are sponsored by Zain, a leading telecommunications operator in the Middle East and Africa.

—Diane Coetzer, Johannesburg

Comment: Seems heavily biased toward Anglophone African countries. Amazingly; it’s the French-speaking countries whose music cross all cultural and national frontiers. No nominations? Whazzup with that?

‘Lost and Found’ was Ledisi’s debut album for Verve Forecast, which was listenable from first track to last track. Released 28 August 2008. The standout tracks were: ‘Alright’; ‘In The Morning’ (WOW! Could she outdo this!); ‘Joy’ & ‘Get To Know You’. The woman with the Yoruba name; New Orleans grit and jazz vocal, which call on African-American vocalists before her; shine with her fifth solo studio album called: ‘Turn Me Loose’.

This is an appropriate title. Turn Me Loose is the mantra that she needs to stand out above the various male and female singers who claim they are soul or Rhythm and Blues singers. Her move to the Bay area of California shaped her soul sound even more in the 1990s until now she is able to cross paths with Raphael Saddiq on production of two tracks on this latest effort. They create a ‘vibey freedom’ feel far removed from the ‘programmy’ sounds of the early 21^st century. I would say that Saddiq ‘butters’ her vocals. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis also blessed Ledisi with their skill and experience on the plucky inspirational ‘Higher Than This’. Surprisingly; this tried and true songwriter-production team is very, very contemporary with this ditty.  Rex Rideout (a major contributor to the soulful sound of  ‘Lost and Found’) shares the spot light with other producers (Chucky Thompson – ‘Everything Changes’, Chief Xcel – ‘Runnin’, Ivan & Carvin & Fyre Dept). She admitted that she was influenced by Soul-Rocker, Buddy Miles. Specifically, ‘Them Changes’ lit a spark in her between the time of the success of ‘Lost and Found’ and the preparation for this new album.  She even covered this song on this album. Rock, blues, classic soul, funk and hip-hop are all fused together throughout ‘Turn Me Loose’. Ledisi often merges the old with the new.

She rocks out on ‘Knockin’. ["I hear you knockin', but cha can't come in!"] Fierce!  I love this kind of Rock. This is that New Orleans, southern Rock sound that BreakBeat guys like me dig deep for. Good music! This album also has a distinctive sonic punch that will win over Hip Hop enthusiasts.

Ledisi - Gorgeously in Love ... with music!

There is no comparison as Ledisi sets her own bar but if you enjoy the sounds of Marsha Ambrosious; Jill Scott; Amel Larrieaux; Chaka Khan or even the one –of-a kind, Ella Fitzgerald on recorded music; then go ahead a purchase this CD.

Ledisi is a superstar on stage with her versatile band members. I would personally like to mention that she is strikingly beautiful. Her appearance matches her voice. People compare her folksy, ‘talk with the crowd’ stage approach to Shirly Ceasar (at least that what I thought) and Patti Labelle. See the video clip below supplied to us by One Nation Under The Soul Shack. Recorded 19 August 2009 – Le Poisson Rouge – New York City

Let’s face it! Ledisi is good! It amazes me how the pop stats of this generation create so much hype with so little substance. Ledisi is a pop music writer herself. Why can’t we recognize excellence and god-given talent such as Ledisi? Unfortunately, most of what they call music is just rap drivel over a monotonous beat in place where the instruments should breathe. Catchy (basically, sexual hooks) are not needed by Ledisi to stir the soul. She does well with that soul stirring! She will get nominated again for two (or more Grammys). Can’t you feel it?

If you still don’t know who she is or what is the direction of ‘turn Me Lose’. Then watch this video. Ledisi EPK

Find Ledisi on:

FaceBook

MYSpace

Twitter

Verve Forecast

Europa - Moon of Jupiter

According to this NewsWeek article by Andrew Romano; they probably do exist but  we won’t find no time soon! There is hard science behind this statement. Take this sliver of info in light of more alien Hollywood films like ‘District 9′.

Can we get an invasion film that does NOT have people of European descent involved. We need another perspective. The Hollywood way os getting dull!

READ HERE