234entertainment

MEET ONE OF THE SMARTEST TEEN IN THE WORLD

2015-03-04T10:55:00.001-08:00

Only very few at her age achieve remarkable feat. Saheela Ibraheem has brought herself global scene. She engraved her name on the rock of history when on Thursday, February 26, was honoured with an official reception in the White House by the US President, Barack Obama and the First Lady, Michelle.

She has been recognized as one of the World’s 50 smartest teenagers in 2015. Ibraheem speaks 4 languages and is currently studying Neurobiology in Harvard University. She was also accepted for admission by 13 other top colleges in the United States, including the MIT, Princeton, Columbia, and six Ivy League institutions, choosing Harvard, she became one of the youngest students, at the age of 15, to ever attend the university. She will be graduating in May this year.

After an introductory message by Ibraheem in the White House, President Obama stated that “there are a lot of teenagers in the world. Saheela is like one of the 50 smartest ones. That’s pretty smart. And she’s a wonderful young lady. She’s like the State Department and the National Institute of Health all rolled into one. And we are so proud of your accomplishments and all that lies ahead of you. And you reflect our history. Young people like you inspire our future.”

Saheela Ibraheem said passion was her major drive. “If you are passionate about what you do, and I am passionate about most of these things, especially with math and science, it will work out well,” she said.

Ibraheem’s recognition and reception was part of the “Black History Month” celebration in the US, which comes up in February.

Here’s a bit of what The Best Schools website had to say about the teenager,

At just 15 years old, Saheela Ibraheem was accepted into Harvard University, which makes her among the youngest students ever to attend that school. But that’s not the most impressive part, Saheela was accepted at 12 other colleges, including MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Brown, Princeton, Columbia, and the University of Chicago.

Saheela’s Nigerian parents, totally supportive of the young scholar, sometimes taught her subjects the schools didn’t offer.

Saheela believes the key to success is knowing what you love to learn as early as possible, a knowledge she says she came to at age five. “If you are passionate about what you do, and I am passionate about many things, especially math and science, it will work out well.” The teen is also interested in languages, and knows Yoruba, Arabic, Spanish, and Latin, in addition to English.

As for her own brain, Saheela claims she is nothing special. “I try my best in everything I do,” Saheela said. “Anyone who’s motivated can work wonders.”

The ranking was done by TheBestSchools.org

ANOTHER NIGERIAN WIN GRAMMY AWARDS

2015-02-11T09:20:00.002-08:00

Meet Kelvin Olusola, on Sunday night at the music industry’s biggest night the Grammys he picked up an award alongside his group Pentatonix – 5 person acapella group. They took home the award in the Arrangement, Instrumental Or A Cappella category for their medley ”Daft Punk, a remake of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky

Kelvin Olusola who is a beatboxer, was born in the United States to Nigeria born Oluwole Olusola, a psychiatrist, and his Grenadian-born wife Curline Paul, a nurse.

Kelvin is not just a musician, he’s smart too! The 26 year old is a graduate of prestigious Ivy League college, Yale University from where he graduated in 2011 with a degree in East Asian Studies. By the way he was also accepted to other Ivy League unis: was also accepted at Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Brown University.

And that’s not all! He also plays the cello, piano and saxophone. In addition to all these he speaks fluent Chinese & Spanish.

CHINESE MAN BUILDS LUXURY APARTMENT FOR HIS POOR VILLAGE

2014-12-09T04:32:00.000-08:00

A millionaire Chinese businessman has bulldozed the wooden huts and muddy roads where he grew up - and built luxury homes for the people who lived there.

Xiong Shuihua was born in Xiongkeng village in the city of Xinyu, southern China and said that his family had always been well looked after and supported by residents in his childhood.

So when the 54-year-old ended up making millions in the steel industry he decided to repay the favour - for free.

The 54-year-old even promised three meals a day to the older residents and people on a low income to make sure they could get by

The business tycoon decided to return to the village and give everybody a place of their own to live.

Five years ago, the area was run down and many lived in basic homes.

But the area has been transformed in recent years and now 72 families are enjoying life in luxury new flats.

Meanwhile, 18 families, who were particularly kind to the businessman, were given villas of their own in a project costing close to £4million.

After moving in, he even promised three meals a day to the older residents and people on a low income to make sure they could get by.

The multimillionaire made his money first of all in the construction industry and later by getting involved in the steel trade.

He said: 'I earned more money than I knew what to do with, and I didn't want to forget my roots.

'I always pay my debts, and wanted to make sure the people who helped me when I was younger and my family were paid back.'

Elderly local Qiong Chu, 75, said: 'I remember his parents. They were kind-hearted people who cared very much for others, and it's great that their son has inherited that kindness.'

“I remember his parents, they were very good people which took care for the others. I’m glad his son inherited their kindness.”, says Xong Chu, resident of the village.

REFEREE WHO SET WORLD RECORD

2014-11-12T06:28:00.001-08:00

A referee has set a record by whipping out a staggering 36 red cards in a single game.
Argentinian official Damian Rubino sent off all 22 players - as well as the substitutes, team coaches and technical staff in the chaotic game last Tuesday.

The tense game between rival teams Claypole and Victoriano Arenas in the Argentine fifth division started messily with players pushing and shoving.
By the start of the second half, two players had already been dismissed, including one for bad behaviour during the interval.

With Claypole winning 2-0, tempers flared and players began lunging in to tackles and squaring up to each other.

A mass brawl erupted that saw managers and coaches race on to the pitch with their fists flying.
Before long, spectators had even joined in with one jumping over barriers in the stand and elbowing an unsuspecting player in the face.
The shaken boss of one of the teams told how he begged police to lock raging opposition players in their dressing room.

Victoriano Arenas manager Domingo Sganga said: 'They wanted to kill me'.
Opposition coach Sergio Micielli accused the referee of over-reacting to the brawl in Buenos Aires
'Most players were trying to separate people. The ref was confused,' he said.
Referee Rubino filled out his match report in which he stated that 36 people had all been served with red cards for their part in the chaos.
But the local Football Association is reportedly discussing overruling Rubino's red cards, claiming that 'it sets a dangerous precedent moving forward'.
The previous world record for the number of red cards was held by a 1993 game in Paraguay in which 20 players were dismissed.

BLIND MAN BREAKS RECORD

2014-09-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

Mike Newman, a motor racer has broken the land speed record for a blind individual by racing to incredible speeds of 200.9-mph.

The blind motor racer was driving in an attempt to raise awareness for a charity he runs for the visually impaired called Speed of Sight.
200mph may not sound incredibly fast but Newman officially broke the world record for land speed completed by a blind person.
The 52-year-old Englishman began his attempt on an airplane runway, the car he used to break the record was a 1200 hp Nissan GT-R that was modified for the event by tuning house Litchfield Motors.
Now you must be wondering if Newman actually had any help in the car but he was alone in his attempt, he did have a car follow him which his father was in the passenger seat, Ian Litchfield was radioing him instructions during the course.
The car driven by Newman actually maxed out at around 204 mph, the speed to break the record was averaged out over two runs in opposite direction across a 200 meter stretch.
Breaking a speed record isn’t as easy as simply flooring it in a straight line, Litchfield explained to Foxnews.com that there was little margin for error throughout the attempt.
Newman would have to ease up to 150 mph along the 1.9 mile track, he would have to line himself correctly, obviously with the help of his father and then accelerate to speeds of 200 mph to break the record.
Newman was actually the original owner of the record, previously stood at 186 mph.
Every attempt from the blind motor racer is another opportunity for him to raise awareness for the charity cause he races for, it is run for the visually impaired who are helped by Speed of Sight.

DO YOU KNOW SOME WITCHES PAY TAX

2014-07-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

ROMANIAN witches who have long thirsted for government recognition are getting the type of deal they never imagined â€' they are to pay tax from this month. The law says so.
Anger has greeted the law and witches are threatening to bring misfortune on government and its officials. They carried out rituals at certain rivers to make government change its mind. Alternatively, enough misfortune will visit those in government that they will patronise the witches more.
The Romanian government is dragging more people into its tax net as it grapples with the economy. Witches are in great demand in the country of 21.5 million people with a rich culture of consulting witches and fortune tellers on all matters.
Professionals like witches, astrologers and fortune tellers were not in the country's labour code. They did not pay income tax. Under a new law, they will pay 16 per cent income tax and contribute to health and pension programmes, as self-employed people.
Witches who argue against the tax say they earn too little to pay tax. The average consultation fee, reports say, is $10 (about N1, 500).
Their battle for official status succeeded in April 2006 when 31-year-old Gabriela Ciucur became the country's first legal witch, after she registered a company dealing with 'astrology and contacts with the spiritual world'.
However, in February 2007, Elena Simionescu was relieved of her position as president of the court in Vatra Dornei, a small town in eastern Romania after being accused of casting spells on court staff, judges and prosecutors.
President Traian Basescu and his aides reportedly wear purple on certain days to ward off evil. Mircea Geoana, who lost the presidential race to Basescu in 2009, performed poorly during a crucial debate, and his camp blamed attacks of negative energy by Basescu's aides. Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, had their own personal witch.
'We do harm to those who harm us,' Bratara Buzea, 63, a witch, said. 'They want to take the country out of this crisis using us? They should get us out of the crisis because they brought us into it.'
'This law is foolish. What is there to tax, when we hardly earn anything?' a witch named Alisia said. 'The lawmakers don't look at themselves, at how much they make, their tricks; they steal and they come to us asking us to put spells on their enemies.'
Our concern in all these is the great extents serious governments go in sourcing revenue to service their economies. Tax is too important in those countries to exclude anyone who earns an income.
In Nigeria , a large part of the population does not pay income tax. Governments are too busy scrambling over crude oil money to consider the place of taxes in the economy.
Can government tax everyone, including witches? When government taxes witches, fear of their attacks may ensure accountability in using the money and save us some of the complaints about abuses of public resources.

MALALA @ 17

2014-07-17T11:45:00.003-07:00

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager who the Taliban tried to kill over her advocacy for girls’ education, celebrated her 17th birthday in Nigeria, renewing calls to bring back the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in April.

Malala met President Goodluck Jonathan, who assured her he would rescue the 219 girls still held by Boko Haram. Many have fiercely criticized Jonathan for repeatedly stating his commitment to rescuing the girls — but then failing to actually act.

Malala also met with some of the families of the kidnapped schoolgirls and the organizers of the now viral #BringBackOurGirls campaign in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The activist used her birthday to release a video to support her latest campaign, #StrongThan. “What are you stronger than?” the video asks. “Show it to the world on this #MalalaDay.”

On Twitter, Malala reiterated her support for all school children everywhere deprived of their right to education.

Malala Fund @MalalaFund

"10.5 million children in Nigeria do not have access to education. Around 400 girls are abducted by Boko Haram." -Malala

7:57 AM - 14 Jul 14

Malala Fund @MalalaFund

"7 million children in Pakistan are deprived of education. And about 900,000 people are homeless due to miliatry operations"

7:58 AM - 14 Jul 14

Malala Fund @MalalaFund

"Girls from Syria who were once in schools and learning, now live in a camp, and struggle to understand life in a new country as a refugee."

7:59 AM - 14 Jul 14

Malala Fund @MalalaFund

"Bc of conflict btwn Gaza and Israel people are badly suffering on both sides and recently many children died in air strikes on Palestine"

8:01 AM - 14 Jul 14

Aslew of leading politicians, NGOs, and celebrities shared their birthday wishes with Malala on Twitter and expressed their support using her favorite hashtags.

WHO IS MALALA

Malala Yousafzai , born 12 July 1997) is a Pakistani school pupil and education activist. She is known for her activism for rights to education and for women , especially in the Swat Valley, where the Taliban had at times banned girls from going to school. In early 2009, at the age of 11–12, Yousafzai wrote a blog under a pseudonym for the BBC detailing her life under Taliban rule, their attempts to take control of the valley, and her views on promoting education for 22 girls. The following summer, a New York Times documentary by journalist Adam B. Ellick was filmed about her life as the Pakistani military intervened in the region. Yousafzai rose in prominence, giving interviews in print and on television, and she was nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize by South African activist Desmond Tutu.
In the afternoon of Tuesday, 9 October 2012, Malala boarded her school bus in the northwest Pakistani district of Swat. A gunman asked for Malala by name, then pointed a Colt 45 at her and fired three shots. One bullet hit the left side of Malala's forehead, traveled under her skin the length of her face and then into her shoulder
In the days immediately following the attack, she remained unconscious and in critical condition, but later her condition improved enough for her to be sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England, for intensive rehabilitation. On 12 October, a group of 50 Islamic clerics in Pakistan issued a fatwa against those who tried to kill her, but the Taliban reiterated its intent to kill Yousafzai and her father.
The assassination attempt sparked a national and international outpouring of support for Yousafzai.United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown launched a UN petition in Yousafzai's name, using the slogan "I am Malala" and demanding that all children worldwide be in school by the end of 2015 – a petition which helped lead to the ratification of Pakistan's first Right to Education Bill. In 29 April 2013 issue of Time magazine, Yousafzai was featured on the magazine's front cover and as one of " The 100 Most Influential People in the World". She was the winner of Pakistan's first National Youth Peace Prize .On 12 July 2013, Yousafzai spoke at the UN to call for worldwide access to education, and in September 2013 she officially opened the Library of Birmingham Yousafzai is the recipient of the Sakharov Prize for 2013. On 16 October 2013 the Government of Canada announced its intention that the Parliament of Canada confer Honorary Canadian citizenship upon Yousafzai. In February 2014, she was nominated for the World Children's prize in Sweden. In April 2014 it was announced that Yousafzai will be granted an honorary degree by the University of Kings College in Halifax on May 15, 2014.

She is probably the most famous teenager in the world.

MEET THE MULTI-MILLIONAIRE WHO REFEREES FOR FUN

2014-07-04T09:30:00.005-07:00

Jonas Eriksson (born March 28, 1974) is a Swedish football referee. Eriksson currently resides in Sigtuna. He is reputedly a multi-millionaire. He has been a full international referee for FIFA since 2002. He became a professional referee in 1994 and has been an Allsvenskan referee since 2000. Eriksson has refereed 263 matches in Allsvenskan, 47 matches in Superettan and 112 international matches as of 2014.
In August 2013, Eriksson was chosen to referee 2013 UEFA Super Cup between Chelsea and Bayern Munich. He is called by FIFA to officiate in Brazil's 2014 FIFA World Cup. His first match in the World Cup was between the United States and Ghana.

Like most football referees, Jonas Eriksson is employed on a full-time basis. But unlike his colleagues, he has the luxury that he could do it all for nothing because he's a multi-millionaire.
40-year-old Eriksson was the man in charge of Brazil's 4-1win over Cameroon this morning and during the World Cup stands to make around $US40,000 to $US50,000 ($42,435 - $53,031) - for a month's work.
But luckily for Eriksson, he referees completely for the fun of it.

Multi-millionaire Eriksson refereed the game between Brazil and Cameroon.

Eriksson was appointed to his first international major tournament in 2012 and is respected for the way he officiates games.

Seven years ago, Eriksson sold his 15 per cent stake in a Swedish sports media rights business for a reported £6 million ($10.837 million)
It's a large enough sum of money to get by for the rest of your life, but the former journalist pursued refereeing as a hobby, something he took great enjoyment out of.

He's had a whistle in his back pocket since 1994, but during that time he pursued a business career as one of three partners who owned the company IEC in Sports.
For referees, their progression to the highest echelon of decision making takes remarkable time and effort. For most though, it's an inherent love of the round ball that drives them to success. Some types would even go as far as saying it's the best job in the world; being able to watch football from the best seat in the house.
For Eriksson, that's exactly how he describes his job, which takes him all over the world.
"I've had a fantastic life as a businessman...but since 2011, I've dedicated myself to being a professional referee and I'm having the time of my life," Eriksson told UEFA last year.
"All the money hasn't changed anything, the best thing I do in my life is still refereeing football."
However, Eriksson's refereeing career hasn't been spared of controversy over the years. He angered Scotland manager Gordon Strachan in 2009 when he didn't give a crucial penalty in a Rangers' Champions League match against Sevilla, with Strachan saying the multi-millionaire "shouldn't get another game in the Champions League...he is not good enough".
Or the time he waved away Barcelona's cries for a string of penalties in the box in a goalless draw with AC Milan. The stage - a Champions League quarter-final in 2011-12.
Most referees do well to escape the criticism and constant public scrutiny in their line of work. Like professional athletes, referees only deal in one currency - strong performances on the field.
One can't help but think that Eriksson's financial security combined with an indubitable passion for the game will be pave the way for long-term success on the world's biggest stage.

LIST OF WINNERS AT THEMAMA 2014

2014-06-09T12:37:00.002-07:00

Nigeria turned out to be the biggest winners at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards , bagging the most and biggest award at the show. Tiwa Savage, Davido, Flavour and Clarence Peters were the four Nigerian artistes that won in Durban, South Africa at the 2014 MAMAs.

Check below for list of winners:

Best Male: Davido (Nigeria)

Best Female: Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

Best Group: Mafikizolo (South Africa)

Best New Act: Stanley Enow (Cameroon)

Best Live Act: Flavour (Nigeria)

Best Collaboration: “Y-tjukutja” – Uhuru Ft. Oskido, DJ Bucks, Professor and Yuri Da Cunha (South Africa/Angola)

Best Hip Hop: Sarkodie (Ghana)

Best Alternative: Gangs of Ballet (South Africa)

Best Francophone: Toofan (Togo)

Best Lusophone: Anselmo Ralph (Angola)

Artist of the Year: Davido (Nigeria)

Song of the Year: “Khona” – Mafikizolo ft Uhuru (South Africa)

Best Video: Clarence Peters (Nigeria)

Best Pop: Goldfish (South Africa)

Best International: Pharrell

Personality of the Year: Lupita Nyong’o (Kenya)

MTV Base Leadership Award: Ashish J. Thakkar (Tanzania)

Transform Today Award by Absolut: Clarence Peters (Nigeria)

APPLE TO ACQUIRE BEAT BY DRE

2014-05-20T06:13:00.001-07:00

In what would be one of Apple’s largest acquisitions ever, the company is considering buying the music streaming and hardware company Beats By Dre for $3.2 billion, according to a report.

The deal could be announced as soon as next week, though the talks could fall apart as is the case with many acquisitions, the FT said. Beats most recently launched a cross-platform music streaming service and has benefitted from a strong public push by Dr. Dre. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly met with Beats executives in February last year to discuss a potential partnership involving the new streaming service released by Beats.
What Apple would get is essentially a hardware and streaming company centered around music that has established a prominent brand — which, for Apple, makes enough sense given that it is also at its core a hardware company that keeps music close to its heart. Parts of Beats seem like a natural product fit for Apple, which has tried to build its own music streaming service with iTunes Radio. Apple also sells its own headphones with the iPhones it sells, the EarPods, and has been reportedly experimenting with other wearable technology.
At the very least, it would give Apple another way into the increasingly popular streaming music market beyond iTunes Radio. According to IFPI,more than 28million consumers paid for a music subscription in 2013, up from 8 million in 2011. What’s more, the $1.1 billion in revenue that IFPI attributed to subscriptions for streaming music in 2013 represents a year-over-year increase in excess of 51%. Many industry watchers are viewing streaming music as a way to return to growth as downloads — iTunes’ bread and butter — have begun to flatline.

Apple’s planned deal to buy Beats Electronics for $3.2 billion may not be finalized until next week, according to people familiar with the transaction. That’s a longer timetable than some people expected as recently as a few days ago.

Once the deal is completed, Beats co-founders Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine are expected to take on senior roles at Apple, with Iovine potentially becoming Apple's new music chief. In addition, Iovine and Dre's first official appearance as Apple employees is expected to take place at June's Worldwide Developer Conference.

Dr Dre's Apple deal will make him the richest man in hip-hop

NOLLYWOOD TO GET NOMINATIONS FOR OSCARS

2014-05-20T05:57:00.001-07:00

In recent times Nollywood has not been participating in the biggest movie award, but this time there is a plan on stepping out from the dark. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), has approved a twelve-man committee of Nollywood stakeholders, named the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC), to pave the way for Nigerian film entries to be considered , ahead of the 2015 Oscars.

The twelve-man committee is to submit one Nollywood movie each year from 2015 for the Oscars. Members of the committee include- Chineze Anyaene, Ngozi Okafor, Olumide Amure, Ramsey Nouah, Kene Mkparu, Emeka Mba, Chioma Ude, Akin Salami, Mildred Okwo, Biola Alabi, Charles Novia and Shaibu Husseini. Chineze Anyaene, is the NOSC chairperson!

According to rules by the Academy, members will consider submissions on 7 criteria which are – story, direction, acting, cinematography, sound, music and universal theme.

Every Nollywood movie selected each year will compete with movie from 85 other countries for the coveted Best Foreign Language Film Award. The Academy will then pick a shortlist of 5 foreign language movies ahead of the ceremony.

HEART ATTACK CAUSE OF ULTIMATE WARRIOR'S DEATH

2014-04-16T12:26:00.001-07:00

An autopsy report has confirmed American pro wrestling icon The Ultimate Warrior died of a massive heart attack.
The medical examiner who conducted the autopsy concluded there was no foul play in the death of Ultimate Warrior, born James Brian Hellwig, who died on April 8.
No drugs or alcohol were in the star’s system at the time.
The medical examiner officially classified the death as “atherosclerotic/arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” otherwise known as heart disease.
He was reportedly clutching his chest outside an Arizona hotel at the time of his death.

Known for his face paint, which appeared to pay homage to warrior cultures like the Maori, Warrior was an icon to pro wrestling fans.
“WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior,” WWE said in a statement after his death.
“Warrior began his WWE career in 1987 and quickly went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Warrior became WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI, defeating Hulk Hogan in an epic encounter.
“We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans. WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans.”
Warrior was 54 and is survived by his wife, Dana, and his two daughters.

The Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan.

PAUL WALKER LIVES ON

2014-04-05T11:32:00.003-07:00

Paul Walker’s scenes in Fast and Furious 7 will be completed using CGI, it has been claimed.
Walker, who had begun filming on the seventh installment in the franchise, was killed in a car crash in November last year.
Studio bosses decided to press ahead with shooting, and will complete Walker’s scenes using body doubles and voice effects.
A source revealed to the New York Daily News: ‘They have hired four actors with bodies very similar to Paul’s physique and they will be used for movement and as a base.
‘Paul’s face and voice will be used on top using CGI.’
Final scenes for the film have been shot in America in Atlanta, Georgia.

Walker played Brian O’Conner in the Fast series opposite Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto. The plot of Fast 7 will apparently see Conner retire as director James Wan was keen to keep Walker’s scenes in the film.
Diesel recently revealed how the loss of the actor contributed to his performance in the seventh film.
On his Facebook page the Riddick star wrote: ‘The transition into that Dom state of mind has always been an interesting one. Only this time there is added purpose, a collective goal to make this one in
the series.’

FACEBOOK BUYS WHATSAPP

2014-02-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

Facebook announced it is to pay $4bn in cash with a further $12bn coming in stock. An additional $3bn in restricted stock will be granted to WhatsApp’s founders and employees over four years.
The acquisition of WhatsApp was, according to Facebook, to speed up the company’s “ability to bring connectivity and utility to the world”.
As part of the deal Jan Koum, the WhatsApp founder and chief executive, is to join the Facebook board.
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO, said in a statement: "WhatsApp is on a path to connect 1 billion people. The services that reach that milestone are all incredibly valuable.
"I've known Jan for a long time and I'm excited to partner with him and his team to make the world more open and connected."
Part of WhatsApp’s appeal to Facebook is its huge volume of messages with more than 450 million people using it each month – 70 per cent of them active on any given day – and the number of new registered users rising by a million a day.
Mr Koum said: “WhatsApp's extremely high user engagement and rapid growth are driven by the simple, powerful and instantaneous messaging capabilities we provide. We're excited and honoured to partner with Mark and Facebook as we continue to bring our product to more people around the world.”
The statement issued by Facebook said the two businesses were on a “shared mission” to “bring more connectivity and utility to the world by delivering core internet services efficiently and affordably”. The takeover by Facebook is intended to accelerate growth.
WhatsApp’s branding is to be maintained in much the same way that Instagram’s identity has been retained since being purchased by Facebook in 2012.
The statement added: “WhatsApp’s core messaging product and Facebook’s existing Messenger app will continue to operate as standalone applications.”
Facebook deal: WhatsApp in numbers
Facebook stunned investors on Wednesday evening after it announced plans to acquire the mobile messaging service for $19 billion- its largest acquisition ever.
These are the numbers you need to know:

Total value of the deal: $19bn; including $4 billion in cash, $12 million in Facebook shares
Deal includes $3bn in restricted stock for WhatsApp founders and employees
Over 400 million people use WhatsApp each month
70 per cent of those are active daily users
WhatsApp says it is adding more than 1,000,000 new users a day
WhatsApp deal marks Facebook's largest acquisition ever; surpassing £1bn Instagram acquisition in 2012

RICK ROSS BUYS EVANDER HOLYFIELD'S MANSION

2014-02-17T11:24:00.002-08:00

Rick Ross is paying a lot of cash to get what Evander Holyfield apparently could no longer afford.

The music mogul has dropped $5.8 million to buy the foreclosed Georgia mansion of the former boxing champ.

The 38-year-old rapper purchased the home which Evander had to sell to a bank at a public auction as part of a foreclosure for $7.5 million in 2012.

The enormous 54,000 square-foot mansion sits on 235 acres and is the largest single family home in the state of Georgia.

Located outside of Atlanta, the compound features 109 rooms, including 12 bedrooms and an astonishing 21 bathrooms.

Other amenities include a bowling alley, home theater and a 350,000 gallon pool which makes it one of the largest private pools in America..

If that wasn't lavish enough, there's also a seven-stall barn, baseball field with lights and a scoreboard, an indoor pool, separate boxing gym, recording studio, and guest house.

Holyfield once claimed the home cost more than $1 million annually to maintain with an electric bill reportedly costing $17,000 a month.

The mansion has been among the sources of the boxer’s financial problems, which also include constant court battles over child support payments.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the 51-year-old heavyweight champ has 12 children by six women and has battled child support cases in Georgia, Texas and California.

It is said that the home was sold at public auction and that part of the proceeds would go toward settling back federal taxes.

The entertainment site said Holyfield owed more than $14 million on the house.

In an interview with Revolt, Ross opened up about buying the lavish home and how he hopes it will give inspiration to young children.

'I just felt like me acquiring that property is me really speaking to some kids and giving them that same passion and they’re looking in my eyes and me telling them, ‘Yo, this is real.'
'I feel like somebody needs to see that. Somebody needs that inspiration. So, we’re going to open the doors to the kids of New Orleans, from Atlanta, from Miami and open their minds a little bit.'

TWITTER NOT DOING GOOD

2014-02-17T11:08:00.001-08:00

$10bn is the price tag now hanging around the neck of Twitter, the loss-making five-year-old microblogging site that is being heralded as either a superstar of a new era of communication or the frothiest example yet of a new dotcom bubble.
Google and Facebook are both reportedly courting Twitter. Although talks are at a very early stage the price tag of between $8bn and $10bn seems firm.
Just two months ago Twitter was valued at $3.7bn after raising $200m in new financing. But in the interim the investment world has gone crazy for all things new media. Companies spouting the buzzwords social media, platforms, community and content are attracting offers not seen since the dotcom boom at the turn of the millennium.
Facebook, the daddy of them all, is said to be looking at an initial public offering that would value the firm at $50bn – more valuable than Rupert Murdoch's News Corp empire and nearly as much as Boeing.
Just like the last dotcom boom, there's certainly a lot of froth out there. Cheezburger, a collection of humour sites that's big on pictures of cats doing silly things, recently raised $30m from venture capital funds.
Skullcandy, makers of iPod accessories and headphones that come with big colourful skulls printed on them, is planning to raise $150m from an initial public offering.
And why not? Far less glamorous firms are rolling in it. Snap Interactive, which makes dating applications for social media sites (such as Facebook) is now valued at $114m. It reported income of $1.7m for the last three months. CrowdGather, which is a "network of community forums," is worth $70m, even though it made a loss of $711,272 in the most recent three months.
Richard Holway, the chairman of TechMarketView, said this time things are different. "In the last dotcom boom, all ships were rising," he said. This time it's just the social media firms that are attracting valuations from 'crazyland'.
"Back in 2000 everything was overvalued; that's not true now. Facebook has a fantastic business model, a lot of the advertising dollars spent on Google will eventually move over to them, I think. Linkedln has a business model too."
But with Twitter, he admits, "It's hard to see what their business model is."
Twitter now has more than 175 million users. Its revenues last year are said to have been $45m, although they are expected to more than double this year. But that's a tiny sum for a $10bn company – especially one that is losing money.
And for all the buzz around Twitter, it is still a minority interest. Just 12% of internet users in the US use Twitter, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Centre. Facebook is used by 62%.
But hype is a subject that both Facebook and Google know more than a little about. Google saw off all-comers to become the dominant web firm of the second wave of internet companies. Likewise Facebook has beaten its competition into submission and now claims 600 million active users – almost twice the population of the US. The two firms smell gold in them there tweets.
Josh Bernoff, analyst at Forrester, said it was clear people were getting carried away by their enthusiasm for social media. "But I'd stop short of calling it a bubble," he added.
"You can't just sprinkle social goodness on the top of a company and expect it to be worth 10 times as much." But he believes the impact of social media firms is real and will be long-lasting.
"What people forget about the first dotcom boom was that under all the froth there were a lot of very successful companies. Amazon,eBay – real companies. Facebook has made a permanent change in the way people interact. There is real value there."
He said the same was true for Twitter, because the company has changed how people communicate and will continue to do so. But Bernoff has two reservations: can they keep up their phenomenal growth, and can they make any money? He was sure that Twitter would continue to grow, but the jury is still out on how much money it can make.
And that is the $10bn question.

Social media success stories

Facebook
The social network phenomenon founded by Mark Zuckerberg has more than 600 million active users, almost twice the population of the United States. The company's last round of investment suggests Facebook would be valued at $50bn. Its success has created a whole new ecosystem of businesses using social media.
LinkedIn
The business network is likely to be the first of the social media companies to go public. Analysts value it at over $2.5bn. LinkedIn claims 90 million users and says it adds one every second.
Groupon
In December Google made a $6bn offer for the online discount company. Now the Chicago-based business is pushing ahead with plans for a stock market float that could value it at $15bn. Groupon is by some calculations the fastest growing company in history. It has more than 50 million users around the world and its revenue has reached more than $1bn a year.
Zynga
More than 300 million people like to tend the virtual farms and cities set up by Zynga, a social gaming company. Analysts value it at $5.8bn.

234SPORT- FANS VOTING TO DECIDE MAYWEATHER NEXT OPPONENT

2014-02-05T11:20:00.000-08:00

Boxing's pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. will let boxing fans decide who will be his next opponent on May 3 at MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nev.
Mayweather, who won world championships in five different weight division and is universally recognized as the best boxer on the planet, posted on his Twitter the photos of Great Britain's Amir Khan and Argentina's Marcos Maidana as his top contenders for his Cinco de Mayo event.

Khan and Maidana already fought each other once in their careers with the Briton grinding out a unanimous decision victory over the Argentine brawler in 2010. Despite the loss, Maidana made a furious rally towards the end of the match and even put Khan on the brink of absorbing another knockout loss. Since then, Khan suffered defeats at the hands of Lamont Peterson and Jr. Welterweight kingpin Danny Garcia. Last June, Khan barely outpointed Mexican veteran slugger Julio Diaz in a non-title bout in Sheffield.
On the other hand, Maidana has been on a roll since his loss to Khan as he won six of his last seven fights, including victories against Mexican legend Erik Morales, welterweight contender Jesús Soto Karass, and recently pound-for-pound rising star Adrien Broner.
Several months ago, Khan emerged as the clear-cut favorite to take on Mayweather Jr., but the sensational win of Maidana over the previously undefeated Broner in their WBA Welterweight fight last December catapulted him as an intriguing opponent for Money May.

Khan signed a contract in December that put him in line for a possible showdown with Mayweather this year, but the Briton is still waiting to find out if he will face the unbeaten world light-middleweight champion.
A bout in May in Las Vegas has been mooted as a possibility, but Khan is not the only contender for Mayweather, with Argentine Maidana also an option for the 36-year-old American.
Now pound-for-pound world No 1, Mayweather has sought the opinion of fans as to which of the two he should face, writing on his Twitter account: “I’m going to let the fans vote. Tell me who I should fight next. Khan or Maidana?”
Khan, a former world champion and 2004 Olympic silver medallist, has been holding out for a lucrative fight with Mayweather since suffering a scare in his last fight – a dramatic points victory over Julio Diaz – in Sheffield last April.
He has a 28-3 record as a professional, while Mayweather has won all 45 of his bouts, including victory over the previously undefeated Ricky Hatton in 2008.

CRISTIANO RONALDO WINS 2013 FIFA BALLON D' OR

2014-01-14T10:28:00.001-08:00

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or at an awards ceremony in Zurich, ending Lionel Messi's four-year reign as holder of the crown.

Real Madrid forward Ronaldo clinched the prize for the world's best player for the second time in his career after finishing ahead of Barcelona playmaker Messi and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery in the voting.
Ronaldo had finished runner-up three times in the past four years to Messi since winning both the Ballon D'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008, before the two trophies became one.
In tears as he received the award, he said: "First of all I have to say a great thanks to all of my team-mates with the club and the national team. Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award.
"Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level I have to thank. My wife, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment. All I can say is thank you to everybody that has been involved."
Portugal captain Ronaldo has been in phenomenal goalscoring form and in 2013 he netted 62 goals in 52 games for club and country.
That was not enough to help Madrid pick up any silverware or lead Portugal to an automatic qualifying berth to this summer's World Cup finals, but he did produce a number of memorable individual performances.
In being crowned the world's best player in Zurich tonight, Ronaldo - a previous winner in 2008 and runner-up in 2009, 2011 and 2012, each time to Messi - becomes only the 10th multiple winner of the game's most prestigious individual award of that of its precursor, the European Footballer of the Year.

Fifa award winners

2013 Ballon d'Or: 1 Cristiano Ronaldo; 2 Lionel Messi; 3 Franck Ribery.
Women's world player of the year: 1 Nadine Angerer; 2 Abby Wambach; 3 Marta.
World coach of the year (men's football): 1 Jupp Heynckes; 2 Jurgen Klopp; 3 Sir Alex Ferguson.
World coach of the year (women's football): 1 Silvia Neid; 2 Ralf Kellermann; 3 Pia Sundhage.
Puskas Award: 1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic; 2 Nemanja Matic; 3 Neymar.
FIFPro World XI: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich and Germany); Dani Alves (Barcelona and Brazil), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich and Germany), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid and Spain), Thiago Silva (Paris St Germain and Brazil); Andres Iniesta (Barcelona and Spain), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich and France), Xavi (Barcelona and Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid and Portugal), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St Germain and Sweden), Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina).
Ballon d'Or Prix d'Honneur: Pele.
Fair Play Award: Afghanistan Football Federation.
Presidential Award: Jacques Rogge.

SEASON'S GREETING

2013-12-27T09:10:00.002-08:00

Here's wishing all our fans and viewers a Merry Christmas and a great new year.

PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.
STAY ALIVE

Peaceeeee.

THE HEADIES 2013

2013-12-27T09:03:00.004-08:00

Nigeria’s most premium awards show, The Headies 2013 can truly be described as the biggest awards of 2013!
The event, which held last night, Thursday, December 26, 2013 at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos had A-list artistes go head to head to win bragging rights for the next one year in their different music categories.
Hosted by the suave hip-hop artiste, Dr Sid and delectable songstress, Tiwa Savage, this year’s nomination had the tightest competition with a selection of some of the hottest names in the Nigerian music scene.
Olamide emerged the biggest winner of the night with three awards. Fast rising Afro pop artiste, Sean Tizzle also won the Next rated awards and a Hyundai Tucson SUV. Davido also bagged the Hip Hop World Revelation of the year award and Best R&B/Pop Album.
The Hall of Fame award went to legendary Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal who later closed the show with a five-star performance.
Other winners include 2Face, Banky W, Iyanya, Phyno, Olamide, Waje, Nikki Laoye, Praiz, Mode 9, Dr Sid, Black Magic, KCee among other acts.
Award presenters for the night include Mai Atafo, Stephanie Coker, Yvonne Ekwere, Koch Okoye, Darey Art Alade, Kemi Adetiba, Chin Okeke, Seyi Law, Lynxxx, Osas Ighodalo, Mercy Omo London, Toolz, Kelechi Amadi Obi, Funmi Iyanda, IllBliss, Jumoke Awolade-James, Freeze, Tewa Onasanya, Chris Ihidero among others.
The awards also featured stellar performances from Iyanya, Waje, Olamide, Phyno, Praiz, Seyi Shay, Niyola, Zaina, Yemi Alade.
Full list of winners
Best R&B Single
Good Good Loving – Banky W
Best Rap Single
Man of the Year – Phyno
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Durosoke – Olamide
Best Recording Of The Year
This Year – Jaywon
Best Collabo
Ghost Mode – Phyno FT Olamide
Best Rap Album
YBNL – Olamide
Hip Hop World Revelation
Omo Baba Olowo – Davido
Lyricist On The Roll
Let It Go – Mode 9
Producer Of The Year
Sho Lee – Dee Tunes
Best Alternative Song
Repete – BlackMagic
Best Pop Single
Ihe Ne Me – 2Face
Best Vocal Performance Female
Only You – Nikki Laoye
Best Vocal Performance Male
Rich And Famous – Praiz
Next Rated
Sean Tizzle
Best Reggae/DanceHall Single
I Wish – Waje
Song Of The Year
Limpopo – KCee
Album Of The Year
YBNL – Olamide
Artiste Of The Year
Iyanya
Best Music Video
Alingo – Jude Okoye & Clarence Peters
Best R&B/Pop Album
O.B.O – Davido
Hall Of Fame
Wasiu Ayinde The 1st
Most Downloaded Callertune
Mandela – Harrysong

FEMI KUTI BAGS 4TH GRAMMY NOMINATION

2013-12-07T07:32:00.001-08:00

For the fourth time in the space of 10 years Femi Kuti has been nominated for the Grammy Awards.

The Nigerian Afrobeat singer and saxophonist has been nominated in the ‘World Music‘ category for his 2013 ‘No Place For My Dream‘ album released under Knitting Factory Records.

Others in the category include French group Gipsy Kings, SA male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Indian musician Ravi Shankar.

In 2003, Kuti picked up his first Grammy Award nomination but lost out to Panamanian salsa singer Rubén Blades. He lost in 2010 when he was nominated in the same category. US banjo player Bela Fleck walked away with the award.

In 2011, Kuti once again lost the award to Malian band Tinariwen for the album Tassili.

Femi Kuti has been swarmed with congratulatory messages on Twitter where he supposedly received the news. ’Really haven’t heard. Thanks‘, he wrote while replying a congratulatory tweet.

Kuti has however grown less optimistic about getting a Grammy Award. In 2011, Femi Kuti delibrately skipped out on attending the award show, stating that he ‘didn’t want to raise his hopes high’.

Meanwhile, rapper Jay Z leads the list with nine nominations including best rap album, Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore n Ryan Lewis, Justin Timberlake, and Pharrell Williams follow closely with seven nods. Drake is up for five awards.

Check out the full list here

GENERAL
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
‘The Blessed Unrest’ — Sara Bareilles
‘Random Access Memories’ — Daft Punk
‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’ — Kendrick Lamar
‘The Heist’ — Macklemore n Ryan Lewis
‘Red’ — Taylor Swift

RECORD OF THE YEAR
‘Get Lucky’ — Daft Punk n Pharrell Williams
‘Radioactive’ — Imagine Dragons
‘Royals’ — Lorde
‘Locked Out Of Heaven’ — Bruno Mars
‘Blurred Lines’ — Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. n Pharrell Williams

SONG OF THE YEAR
‘Just Give Me A Reason’ — Jeff Bhasker, Pink n Nate Ruess, songwriters (Pink Featuring Nate Ruess)
‘Locked Out Of Heaven’ — Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine n Bruno Mars, songwriters (Bruno Mars)
‘Roar’ — Lukasz Gottwald, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Katy Perry n Henry Walter, songwriters (Katy Perry)
‘Royals’ — Joel Little n Ella Yelich O’Connor, songwriters (Lorde)
‘Same Love’ — Ben Haggerty, Mary Lambert n Ryan Lewis, songwriters (Macklemore n Ryan Lewis Featuring Mary Lambert)

BEST NEW ARTIST
James Blake
Kendrick Lamar
Macklemore n Ryan Lewis
Kacey Musgraves
Ed Sheeran

POP
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
‘Brave’ — Sara Bareilles
‘Royals’ — Lorde
‘When I Was Your Man’ — Bruno Mars
‘Roar’ — Katy Perry
‘Mirrors’ — Justin Timberlake

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
‘Get Lucky’ — Daft Punk n Pharrell Williams
‘Just Give Me A Reason’ — Pink Featuring Nate Ruess
‘Stay’ — Rihanna Featuring Mikky Ekko
‘Blurred Lines’ — Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. n Pharrell Williams
‘Suit n Tie’ — Justin Timberlake n Jay Z

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
‘Paradise’ — Lana Del Rey
‘Pure Heroine’ — Lorde
‘Unorthodox Jukebox’ — Bruno Mars
‘Blurred Lines’ — Robin Thicke
‘The 20/20 Experience – The Complete Experience’ — Justin Timberlake

BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
‘Steppin’ Out’ — Herb Alpert
‘The Beat’ — Boney James
‘Handpicked’ — Earl Klugh
‘Summer Horns’ — Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair n Richard Elliot
‘Hacienda’ — Jeff Lorber Fusion

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
‘Viva Duets’ — Tony Bennett n Various Artists
‘To Be Loved’ — Michael Bublé
‘The Standards’ — Gloria Estefan
‘Cee Lo’s Magic Moment’ — Cee Lo Green
‘Now’ — Dionne Warwick

DANCE
BEST DANCE/ELECTRONICA ALBUM
Random Access Memories — Daft Punk
Settle — Disclosure
18 Months — Calvin Harris
Atmosphere — Kaskade
A Color Map Of The Sun — Pretty Lights

BEST DANCE RECORDING
‘Need U (100%)’ — Duke Dumont Featuring A*M*E n MNEK
‘Sweet Nothing’ — Calvin Harris Featuring Florence Welch
‘Atmosphere’ — Kaskade
‘This Is What It Feels Like’ — Armin Van Buuren Featuring Trevor Guthrie
‘Clarity’ — Zedd Featuring Foxes

ROCK
BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
‘Always Alright’ — Alabama Shakes
‘The Stars (Are Out Tonight)’ — David Bowie
‘Radioactive’ — Imagine Dragons
‘Kashmir’ (Live) — Led Zeppelin
‘My God Is The Sun’ — Queens Of The Stone Age
‘I’m Shakin’’ — Jack White

BEST ROCK ALBUM
‘13’ — Black Sabbath
‘The Next Day’ — David Bowie
‘Mechanical Bull’ — Kings Of Leon
‘Celebration Day’ — Led Zeppelin
‘…Like Clockwork’ — Queens Of The Stone Age
‘Psychedelic Pill’ — Neil Young With Crazy Horse

BEST METAL PERFORMANCE
‘T.N.T.’ — Anthrax
‘God Is Dead?’ — Black Sabbath
‘The Enemy Inside’ — Dream Theater
‘In Due Time’ — Killswitch Engage
‘Room 24’ — Volbeat Featuring King Diamond

BEST ROCK SONG
‘Ain’t Messin ‘Round’ — Gary Clark Jr., songwriter (Gary Clark Jr.)
‘Cut Me Some Slack’ — Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Krist Novoselic n Pat Smear, songwriters (Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear)
‘Doom And Gloom’ — Mick Jagger n Keith Richards, songwriters (The Rolling Stones)
‘God Is Dead?’ — Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi n Ozzy Osbourne, songwriters (Black Sabbath)
‘Panic Station’ — Matthew Bellamy, songwriter (Muse)

ALTERNATIVE
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
‘The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You’ — Neko Case
‘Trouble Will Find Me’ — The National
‘Hesitation Marks’ — Nine Inch Nails
‘Lonerism’ — Tame Impala
‘Modern Vampires Of The City’ — Vampire Weekend

RnB
BEST RnB PERFORMANCE
‘Love And War’ — Tamar Braxton
‘Best Of Me’ — Anthony Hamilton
‘Nakamarra’ — Hiatus Kaiyote Featuring Q-Tip
‘How Many Drinks?’ — Miguel Featuring Kendrick Lamar
‘Something’ — Snarky Puppy With Lalah Hathaway

BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
‘Love And War’ — Tamar Braxton
‘Side Effects Of You’ — Fantasia
‘One: In The Chamber’ — Salaam Remi
‘Unapologetic’ — Rihanna
‘New York: A Love Story’ — Mack Wilds

BEST RnB ALBUM
RnB Divas — Faith Evans
Girl On Fire — Alicia Keys
Love In The Future — John Legend
Better — Chrisette MicheleThree Kings — TGT

BEST TRADITIONAL RnB PERFORMANCE
‘Please Come Home — Gary Clark Jr.
‘Get It Right’ — Fantasia
‘Quiet Fire’ — Maysa
‘Hey Laura’ — Gregory Porter
‘Yesterday’ — Ryan Shaw

BEST RnB SONG (A SONGWRITERS AWARD)
‘Best Of Me’ — Anthony Hamilton n Jairus Mozee, songwriters (Anthony Hamilton)
‘Love And War’ — Tamar Braxton, Darhyl Camper, Jr., LaShawn Daniels n Makeba Riddick, songwriters (Tamar Braxton)
‘Only One’ — PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton Featuring Stevie Wonder)
‘Pusher Love Girl’ — James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley n Justin Timberlake, songwriters (Justin Timberlake)
‘Without Me’ — Fantasia Barrino, Missy Elliott, Al Sherrod Lambert, Harmony Samuels n Kyle Stewart, songwriters (Fantasia Featuring Kelly Rowland n Missy Elliot)

RAP
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
‘Started From The Bottom’ — Drake
‘Berzerk’ — Eminem
‘Tom Ford’ — Jay Z
‘Swimming Pools (Drank)’ — Kendrick Lamar
‘Thrift Shop’ — Macklemore n Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION
‘Power Trip’ — J.Cole Featuring Miguel
‘Part II (On The Run)’ — Jay Z Featuring Beyoncé
‘Holy Grail’ — Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake
‘Now Or Never’ — Kendrick Lamar Featuring Mary J. Blige
‘Remember You’ — Wiz Khalifa Featuring The Weeknd

BEST RAP ALBUM
Nothing Was The Same — Drake
Magna Carta…Holy Grail — Jay Z
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City — Kendrick Lamar
The Heist — Macklemore n Ryan Lewis
Yeezus — Kanye West

BEST RAP SONG
‘F***in’ Problems’ — Tauheed Epps, Aubrey Graham, Kendrick Lamar, Rakim Mayers n Noah Shebib, songwriters (ASAP Rocky Featuring Drake, 2 Chainz n Kendrick Lamar)
‘Holy Grail’ — Shawn Carter, Terius Nash, J. Harmon, Timothy Mosley, Justin Timberlake n Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl n Krist Novoselic, songwriters) (Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake)
‘New Slaves’ — Christopher Breaux, Ben Bronfman, Mike Dean, Louis Johnson, Malik Jones, Elon Rutberg, Sakiya Sandifer, Che Smith, Kanye West n Cydell Young, songwriters (Anna Adamis n Gabor Presser, songwriters) (Kanye West)
‘Started From The Bottom’ — W. Coleman, Aubrey Graham n Noah Shebib, songwriters (Bruno Sanfilippo, songwriter) (Drake)
‘Thrift Shop’ — Ben Haggerty n Ryan Lewis, songwriters (Macklemore n Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz)

COUNTRY MUSIC
BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
‘I Drive Your Truck’ — Lee Brice
‘I Want Crazy’ — Hunter Hayes
‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ — Miranda Lambert
‘Wagon Wheel’ — Darius Rucker
‘Mine Would Be You’ — Blake Shelton

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Night Train — Jason Aldean
Two Lanes Of Freedom — Tim McGraw
Same Trailer Different Park — Kacey Musgraves
Based On A True Story — Blake Shelton
Red — Taylor Swift

BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
‘From This Valley’ — The Civil Wars
‘Don’t Rush’ — Kelly Clarkson Featuring Vince Gill
‘Your Side Of The Bed’ — Little Big Town
‘Highway Don’t Care’ — Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift n Keith Urban
‘You Can’t Make Old Friends’ — Kenny Rogers With Dolly Parton

BEST COUNTRY SONG (A SONGWRITERS AWARD)
‘Begin Again’ — Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
‘I Drive Your Truck’ — Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington n Jimmy Yeary, songwriters (Lee Brice)
‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ — Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally n Kacey Musgraves, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
‘Merry Go ‘Round’ — Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves n Josh Osborne, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves)
‘Mine Would Be You’ — Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington n Deric Ruttan, songwriters (Blake Shelton)

NEW AGE
BEST NEW AGE ALBUM
‘Lux’ — Brian Eno
‘Illumination’ — Peter Kater
‘Final Call’ — Kitaro
‘Awakening The Fire’ — R. Carlos Nakai n Will Clipman
‘Love’s River’ — Laura Sullivan

JAZZ
BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Guided Tour — The New Gary Burton Quartet
Money Jungle: Provocative In Blue — Terri Lyne Carrington
Life Forum — Gerald Clayton
Pushing The World Away — Kenny Garrett
Out Here — Christian McBride Trio

BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO
‘Don’t Run’ — Terence Blanchard, soloist
‘Song For Maura’ — Paquito D’Rivera, soloist
‘Song Without Words #4: Duet’ — Fred Hersch, soloist
‘Stadium Jazz’ — Donny McCaslin, soloist
‘Orbits’ — Wayne Shorter, soloist

BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM
‘The World According To Andy Bey’ — Andy Bey
‘Attachments’ — Lorraine Feather
‘Liquid Spirit’ — Gregory Porter
‘WomanChild’ — Cécile McLorin Salvant
‘After Blue’ — Tierney Sutton

BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM
‘Brooklyn Babylon’ — Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
‘Night In Calisia’ — Randy Brecker, Włodek Pawlik Trio n Kalisz Philharmonic
‘Wild Beauty’ — Brussels Jazz Orchestra Featuring Joe Lovano
‘March Sublime’ — Alan Ferber
‘Intrada’ — Dave Slonaker Big Band

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
‘La Noche Más Larga’ — Buika
‘Song For Maura’ — Paquito D’Rivera And Trio Corrente
‘Yo’ — Roberto Fonseca
‘Eggūn’ — Omar Sosa
‘Latin Jazz-Jazz Latin’ — Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet

GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC
BEST GOSPEL ALBUM
Grace (Live) — Tasha Cobbs
Best For Last: 20 Year Celebration Vol. 1 — Donald Lawrence
Best Days Yet — Bishop Paul S. Morton
God Chaser (Live) — William Murphy
Greater Than (Live) — Tye Tribbett

BEST GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE
‘Break Every Chain [Live]’ –Tasha Cobbs
‘Hurricane’ — Natalie Grant
‘Lord, I Need You’ — Matt Maher
‘Overcomer’ — Mandisa
‘If He Did It Before… Same God [Live]’ — Tye Tribbett

BEST GOSPEL SONG
‘Have Your Way’ — Calvin Frazier n Deitrick Haddon, songwriters (Deitrick Haddon)
‘If He Did It Before… Same God [Live]’ — Tye Tribbett, songwriter (Tye Tribbett)
‘If I Believe’ — Wirlie Morris, Michael Paran, Charlie Wilson n Mahin Wilson, songwriters (Charlie Wilson)
‘A Little More Jesus’ — Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell n Warryn Campbell, songwriters (Erica Campbell)
‘Still’ — Percy Bady, songwriter (Percy Bady Featuring Lowell Pye)

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC SONG
‘Hurricane’ — Matt Bronleewe, Natalie Grant n Cindy Morgan, songwriters (Natalie Grant)
‘Love Take Me Over’ — Steven Curtis Chapman, songwriter (Steven Curtis Chapman)
‘Overcomer’ — David Garcia, Ben Glover n Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Mandisa)
‘Speak Life’ — Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore n Ryan Stevenson, songwriters (Tobymac)
‘Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies)’ — Ed Cash, Scott Cash n Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM
‘We Won’t Be Shaken’ — Building 429
‘All The People Said Amen [Live]’ — Matt Maher
‘Overcomer’ — Mandisa
‘Your Grace Finds Me (Live)’ — Matt Redman
‘Burning Lights’ Chris Tomlin

LATIN
BEST LATIN POP ALBUM
‘Faith, Hope Y Amor’ — Frankie J
‘Viajero Frecuente’ — Ricardo Montaner
‘Vida’ — Draco Rosa
‘Syntek’ — Aleks Syntek
‘12 Historias’ — Tommy Torres

BEST LATIN ROCK, URBAN OR ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
‘El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco’ — Café Tacvba
‘Ojo Por Ojo’ — El Tri
‘Chances’ — Illya Kuryaki And The Valderramas
‘Treinta Días’ — La Santa Cecilia
‘Repeat After Me’ — Los Amigos Invisibles

BEST REGIONAL MEXICAN MUSIC ALBUM (INCLUDING TEJANO)
‘El Free’ — Banda Los Recoditos
‘En Peligro De Extinción’ — Intocable
‘A Mi Manera’ — Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
‘Romeo Y Su Nieta’ — Paquita La Del Barrio
‘13 Celebrando El 13’ — Joan Sebastian

BEST TROPICAL LATIN ALBUM
3.0 — Marc Anthony
Como Te Voy A Olvidar — Los Angeles Azules
Pacific Mambo Orchestra — Pacific Mambo Orchestra
Sergio George Presents Salsa Giants — Various Artists
Corazón Profundo — Carlos Vives

AMERICAN ROOTS
BEST AMERICANA ALBUM
Old Yellow Moon — Emmylou Harris n Rodney Crowell’
Love Has Come For You — Steve Martin n Edie Brickell
Buddy And Jim — Buddy Miller And Jim Lauderdale
One True Vine — Mavis Staples
Songbook — Allen Toussaint

BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM
‘It’s Just A Road’ — The Boxcars
‘Brothers Of The Highway’ — Dailey n Vincent
‘This World Oft Can Be’ — Della Mae
‘Three Chords And The Truth’ — James King
‘The Streets Of Baltimore’ — Del McCoury Band

BEST BLUES ALBUM
‘Remembering Little Walter’ — Billy Boy Arnold, Charlie Musselwhite, Mark Hummel, Sugar Ray Norcia n James Harman
‘Cotton Mouth Man’ — James Cotton
‘Get Up!’ — Ben Harper With Charlie Musselwhite
‘Seesaw’ — Beth Hart n Joe Bonamassa
‘Down In Louisiana’ — Bobby Rush

BEST FOLK ALBUM
‘My Favorite Picture Of You’ — Guy Clark
‘Sweetheart Of The Sun’ — The Greencards
‘Build Me Up From Bones’ — Sarah Jarosz
‘The Ash n Clay’ — The Milk Carton Kids
‘They All Played For Us: Arhoolie Records 50th Anniversary Celebration’ — (Various Artists) Chris Strachwitz, producer

BEST REGIONAL ROOTS MUSIC ALBUM
‘The Life n Times Of…The Hot 8 Brass Band’ — Hot 8 Brass Band
‘Hula Ku’i’ — Kahulanui
‘Le Fou’ — Zachary Richard
‘Dockside Sessions’ — Terrance Simien n The Zydeco Experience
‘Apache Blessing n Crown Dance Songs’ — Joe Tohonnie Jr.

REGGAE
BEST REGGAE ALBUM
‘One Love, One Life’ — Beres Hammond
‘Ziggy Marley In Concert’ — Ziggy Marley
‘The Messiah’ — Sizzla
‘Reggae Connection’ — Sly n Robbie And The Jam Masters
‘Reincarnated’ — Snoop Lion

WORLD MUSIC
BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM
‘Savor Flamenco’ — Gipsy Kings
‘No Place For My Dream’ — Femi Kuti
‘Live: Singing For Peace Around The World’ — Ladysmith Black Mambazo
‘The Living Room Sessions Part 2’ — Ravi Shankar

CHILDREN’S
BEST CHILDREN’S ALBUM
‘Blue Clouds’ Elizabeth Mitchell n You Are My Flower
‘The Mighty Sky’ — Beth Nielsen Chapman
‘Recess’ — Justin Roberts
‘Singing Our Way Through: Songs For The World’s Bravest Kids’ — Alastair Moock n Friends
‘Throw A Penny In The Wishing Well’ — Jennifer Gasoi

SPOKEN WORD
BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM
‘America Again: Re-becoming The Greatness We Never Weren’t’ — Stephen Colbert
‘Carrie And Me’ — Carol Burnett
‘Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls’ — David Sedaris
‘Still Foolin’ ‘Em’ — Billy Crystal
‘The Storm King’ — Pete Seeger

COMEDY
BEST COMEDY ALBUM
‘Calm Down Gurrl’ — Kathy Griffin
‘I’m Here To Help’ — Craig Ferguson
‘A Little Unprofessional’ — Ron White
‘Live’ — Tig Notaro
‘That’s What I’m Talkin’ About’ — Bob Saget

MUSICAL THEATER
BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM
‘Kinky Boots’
‘Matilda: The Musical’
‘Motown The Musical’

MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA
BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA
Django Unchained
The Great Gatsby (Deluxe Edition)
Les Misérables (Deluxe Edition)
Muscle Shoals
Sound City: Real To Reel

BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA
Argo — Alexandre Desplat, composer
The Great Gatsby — Craig Armstrong, composer
Life Of Pi — Mychael Danna, composer
Lincoln — John Williams, composer
Skyfall — Thomas Newman, composer
Zero Dark Thirty — Alexandre Desplat, composer

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA
‘Atlas’ from ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ — Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion n Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)
‘Silver Lining’ from ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ — Diane Warren, songwriter (Jessie J)
‘Skyfall’ from ‘Skyfall’– Adele Adkins n Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)
‘We Both Know’ from ‘Safe Haven’ — Colbie Caillat n Gavin DeGraw, songwriters (Colbie Caillat Featuring Gavin DeGraw)
‘Young And Beautiful’ from ‘The Great Gatsby’ –Lana Del Rey n Rick Nowels, songwriters (Lana Del Rey)
‘You’ve Got Time’ from Orange Is The New Black — Regina Spektor, songwriter (Regina Spektor)

COMPOSING/ARRANGING
Best Instrumental Composition
Bound Away — Chuck Owen, composer (Chuck Owen n The Jazz Surge)
California Pictures For String Quartet — Gordon Goodwin, composer (Quartet San Francisco)
Koko On The Boulevard — Scott Healy, composer (Scott Healy Ensemble)
Pensamientos For Solo Alto Saxophone And Chamber Orchestra — Clare Fischer, composer (The Clare Fischer Orchestra)
String Quartet No. 1: Funky Diversion In Three Parts — Vince Mendoza, composer (Quartet San Francisco)

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT
Invitation — Kim Richmond, arranger (The Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra)
On Green Dolphin Street– Gordon Goodwin, arranger (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
Side Hikes – A Ridge Away — Chuck Owen, arranger (Chuck Owen n The Jazz Surge)
Skylark — Nan Schwartz, arranger (Amy Dickson)
Wild Beauty — Gil Goldstein, arranger (Brussels Jazz Orchestra Featuring Joe Lovano)

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT ACCOMPANYING VOCALIST(S)
La Vida Nos Espera — Nan Schwartz, arranger (Gian Marco)
Let’s Fall In Love
The Moon’s A Harsh Mistress — John Hollenbeck, arranger (John Hollenbeck)
Swing Low — Gil Goldstein, arranger (Bobby McFerrin n Esperanza Spalding)
What A Wonderful World — Shelly Berg, arranger (Gloria Estefan)

PACKAGE
BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
Automatic Music Can Be Fun — Mike Brown, Zac Decamp, Brian Grunert n Annie Stoll, art directors (Geneseo)
Long Night Moon — Sarah Dodds n Shauna Dodds, art directors (Reckless Kelly)
Magna Carta…Holy Grail — Brian Roettinger, art director (Jay Z)
Metallica Through The Never — Bruce Duckworth, Sarah Moffat n David Turner, art directors (Metallica)
The Next Day — Jonathan Barnbrook, art director (David Bowie)

BEST BOXED OR SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE
The Brussels Affair — Charles Dooher n Scott Sandler, art directors (The Rolling Stones)
How Do You Do (Limited Edition Box Set) — Mayer Hawthorne, art director (Mayer Hawthorne)
The Road To Red Rocks (Special Edition) — Ross Stirling, art director (Mumford n Sons)
The Smith Tapes — Masaki Koike, art director (Various Artists)
Wings Over America (Deluxe Edition) — Simon Earith n James Musgrave, art directors (Paul McCartney And Wings)

NOTES
BEST ALBUM NOTES
Afro Blue Impressions (Remastered n Expanded) — Neil Tesser, album notes writer (John Coltrane)
Call It Art 1964-1965 — Ben Young, album notes writer (New York Art Quartet)
Electric Music For The Mind n Body — Alec Palao, album notes writer (Country Joe n The Fish)
Stravinsky: Le Sacre Du Printemps — Jonathan Cott, album notes writer (Leonard Bernstein n New York Philharmonic)
360 Sound: The Columbia Records Story — Sean Wilentz, album notes writer (Various Artists)
Work Hard, Play Hard, Pray Hard: Hard Time, Good Time n End Time Music, 1923-1936 — Nathan Salsburg, album notes writer (Various Artists)

HISTORICAL
BEST HISTORICAL ALBUM
Call It Art 1964-1965
Charlie Is My Darling – Ireland 1965
The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums
Pictures Of Sound: One Thousand Years Of Educed Audio: 980–1980
Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen (Deluxe Edition)

PRODUCTION, NON-CLASSICAL
BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, NON-CLASSICAL
Annie Up — Chuck Ainlay, engineer; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Pistol Annies)
The Blue Room — Helik Hadar n Leslie Ann Jones, engineers; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer (Madeleine Peyroux)
The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here — Paul Figueroa n Randy Staub, engineers; Ted Jensen, mastering engineer (Alice In Chains)
…Like Clockwork — Joe Barresi n Mark Rankin, engineers; Gavin Lurssen, mastering engineer (Queens Of The Stone Age)
The Moorings — Trina Shoemaker, engineer; Eric Conn, mastering engineer (Andrew Duhon)
Random Access Memories — Peter Franco, Mick Guzauski, Florian Lagatta n Daniel Lerner, engineers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Daft Punk)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL
Rob Cavallo
Dr. Luke
Ariel Rechtshaid
Jeff Tweedy
Pharrell Williams

BEST REMIXED RECORDING, NON-CLASSICAL
Days Turn Into Nights (Andy Caldwell Remix) — Andy Caldwell, remixer (Delerium Featuring Michael Logen)
If I Lose Myself (Alesso Vs. OneRepublic) — Alesso, remixer (OneRepublic)
Locked Out Of Heaven (Sultan + Ned Shepard Remix) — Ned Shepard n Sultan, remixers (Bruno Mars)
One Love/People Get Ready (Photek Remix) — Rupert Parkes, remixer (Bob Marley And The Wailers)
Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix) — Cedric Gervais, remixer (Lana Del Rey)

SURROUND SOUND
BEST SURROUND SOUND ALBUM
Live Kisses — Al Schmitt, surround mix engineer; Tommy LiPuma, surround producer (Paul McCartney)
Sailing The Seas Of Cheese (Deluxe Edition) — Les Claypool n Jason Mills, surround mix engineers; Stephen Marcussen, surround mastering engineer; Les Claypool n Jeff Fura, surround producers (Primus)
Signature Sound Opus One — Leslie Ann Jones, surround mix engineer; Michael Romanowski, surround mastering engineer; Herbert Waltl, surround producer (Various Artists)
Sixteen Sunsets — Jim Anderson, surround mix engineer; Darcy Proper, surround mastering engineer; Jim Anderson n Jane Ira Bloom, surround producers (Jane Ira Bloom)
Sprung Rhythm — Daniel Shores, surround mix engineer; Daniel Shores, surround mastering engineer; Dan Merceruio, surround producer (Richard Scerbo n Inscape)

FIELD: PRODUCTION, CLASSICAL
BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, CLASSICAL
Hymn To The Virgin — Morten Lindberg, engineer (Tone Bianca Sparre Dahl n Schola Cantorum)
La Voie Triomphale — Morten Lindberg, engineer (Ole Kristian Ruud n Staff Band Of The Norwegian Armed Forces)
Roomful Of Teeth — Mark Donahue n Jesse Lewis, engineers (Brad Wells n Roomful Of Teeth)
Vinci: Artaserse — Hans-Martin Renz, Wolfgang Rixius n Ulrich Ruscher, engineers (Diego Fasolis, Philippe Jaroussky, Max Emanuel Cencic, Daniel Behle, Franco Fagioli, Valer Barna-Sabadus, Yuriy Mynenko n Concerto Köln)
Winter Morning Walks — David Frost, Brian Losch n Tim Martyn, engineers; Tim Martyn, mastering engineer (Dawn Upshaw, Maria Schneider, Australian Chamber Orchestra n St. Paul Chamber Orchestra)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, CLASSICAL
Manfred Eicher
David Frost
Marina A. Ledin, Victor Ledin
James Mallinson
Jay David Saks

CLASSICAL
BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE
Atterberg: Orchestral Works Vol. 1 — Neeme Järvi, conductor (Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra)
Lutosławski: Symphony No. 1 — Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)
Schumann: Symphony No. 2; Overtures Manfred n Genoveva — Claudio Abbado, conductor (Orchestra Mozart)
Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1 n 4 — Osmo Vänskä, conductor (Minnesota Orchestra)
Stravinsky: Le Sacre Du Printemps — Simon Rattle, conductor (Berliner Philharmoniker)

BEST OPERA RECORDING
Adès: The Tempest
Britten: The Rape Of Lucretia
Kleiberg: David n Bathsheba
Vinci: Artaserse
Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen

BEST CHORAL PERFORMANCE
Berlioz: Grande Messe Des Morts — Colin Davis, conductor (Barry Banks; London Symphony Orchestra; London Philharmonic Choir n London Symphony Chorus)
Palestrina: Volume 3 — Harry Christophers, conductor (The Sixteen)
Parry: Works For Chorus n Orchestra — Neeme Järvi, conductor; Adrian Partington, chorus master (Amanda Roocroft; BBC National Orchestra Of Wales; BBC National Chorus Of Wales)
Pärt: Adam’s Lament — Tõnu Kaljuste, conductor (Tui Hirv n Rainer Vilu; Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir; Sinfonietta Riga n Tallinn Chamber Orchestra; Latvian Radio Choir n Vox Clamantis)
Whitbourn: Annelies — James Jordan, conductor (Ariana Zukerman; The Lincoln Trio; Westminster Williamson Voices)

BEST CHAMBER MUSIC/SMALL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
Beethoven: Violin Sonatas — Leonidas Kavakos n Enrico Pace
Cage: The 10,000 Things — Vicki Ray, William Winant, Aron Kallay n Tom Peters
Duo — Hélène Grimaud n Sol Gabetta
Roomful Of Teeth — Brad Wells n Roomful Of Teeth
Times Go By Turns — New York Polyphony

BEST CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL SOLO
Bartók, Eötvös n Ligeti — Patricia Kopatchinskaja; Peter Eötvös, conductor (Ensemble Modern n Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra)
Corigliano: Conjurer – Concerto For Percussionist n String Orchestra — Evelyn Glennie; David Alan Miller, conductor (Albany Symphony)
The Edge Of Light — Gloria Cheng (Calder Quartet)
Lindberg: Piano Concerto No. 2 — Yefim Bronfman; Alan Gilbert, conductor (New York Philharmonic)
Salonen: Violin Concerto; Nyx — Leila Josefowicz; Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor (Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra)
Schubert: Piano Sonatas D. 845 n D. 960 — Maria João Pires

BEST CLASSICAL VOCAL SOLO
Drama Queens — Joyce DiDonato (Alan Curtis; Il Complesso Barocco)
Mission — Cecilia Bartoli (Diego Fasolis; Philippe Jaroussky; I Barocchisti)
Schubert: Winterreise — Christoph Prégardien (Michael Gees)
Wagner — Jonas Kaufmann (Donald Runnicles; Markus Brück; Chor Der Deutschen Oper Berlin; Orchester Der Deutschen Oper Berlin)
Winter Morning Walks — Dawn Upshaw (Maria Schneider; Jay Anderson, Frank Kimbrough n Scott Robinson; Australian Chamber Orchestra n St. Paul Chamber Orchestra)

BEST CLASSICAL COMPENDIUM
Hindemith: Violinkonzert; Symphonic Metamorphosis; Konzertmusik — Christoph Eschenbach, conductor
Holmboe: Concertos — Dima Slobodeniouk, conductor; Preben Iwan, producer
Tabakova: String Paths — Maxim Rysanov; Manfred Eicher, producer
BEST CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL COMPOSITION
Lindberg, Magnus: Piano Concerto No. 2 — Magnus Lindberg, composer
Pärt, Arvo: Adam’s Lament — Arvo Pärt, composer
Salonen, Esa-Pekka: Violin Concerto — Esa-Pekka Salonen, composer
Schneider, Maria: Winter Morning Walks — Maria Schneider, composer
Shaw, Caroline: Partita For 8 Voices — Caroline Shaw, composer (Brad Wells n Roomful Of Teeth)

MUSIC VIDEO/FILM
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Safe And Sound — Capital Cities (Grady Hall, video director; Buddy Enright, video producer)
Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film — Jay Z (Mark Romanek, video director; Shawn Carter n Aristides McGarry, video producers)
Can’t Hold Us — Macklemore n Ryan Lewis Featuring Ray Dalton (Jon Jon Augustavo, Jason Koenig n Ryan Lewis, video directors; Tricia Davis, Honna Kimmerer n Jenny Koenig, video producers)
Suit n Tie — Justin Timberlake Featuring Jay Z (David Fincher, video director; Timory King, video producer)
I’m Shakin’ — Jack White (Dori Oskowitz, video director; Raquel Costello, video producer)

BEST MUSIC FILM
Live 2012 — Coldplay (Paul Dugdale, video director; Jim Parsons, video producer)
¡Cuatro! — Green Day (Tim Wheeler, video director; Tim Lynch, video producer)
I’m In I’m Out And I’m Gone: The Making Of Get Up! — Ben Harper With Charlie Musselwhite (Danny Clinch, video director; Ben Harper, video producer)
Live Kisses — Paul McCartney (Jonas Akerlund, video director; Violaine Etienne, Aron Levine n Scott Rodger, video producers)
The Road To Red Rocks — Mumford n Sons (Nicolas Jack Davies n Frederick Scott, video directors; Dan Bowen, video producer)

THE PASSING OF A GLOBAL ICON; NELSON MANDELA.

2013-12-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

Nelson Mandela, who guided South Africa from the shackles of apartheid to multi-racial democracy and became an international icon of peace and reconciliation, died Thursday at age 95.
Mandela will be laid to rest at his ancestral village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Dec. 15, President Jacob Zuma said on Friday.
A week of national mourning would include an open-air memorial service at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium - the site of the 2010 World Cup final - on Dec. 10, Zuma said.

Desmond Tutu said Friday that Mandela's legacy would carry on.
"The sun will rise tomorrow, and the next day and the next. ... It may not appear as bright as yesterday, but life will carry on," the retired Anglican bishop said in a statement.
"To suggest that South Africa might go up in flames -- as some have predicted -- is to discredit South Africans and Madiba's legacy," Tutu said, using Mandela's clan name, a term of affection and respect.
Imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against white minority rule, Mandela emerged determined to use his prestige and charisma to bring down apartheid while avoiding a civil war.
"The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come," Mandela said in his acceptance speech on becoming South Africa's first black president in 1994.
"We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation."
President Barack Obama hailed Mandela as a leader who left his country with a legacy of freedom and peace with the world.
"He achieved more than could be expected of any man," Obama said at the White House shortly after the announcement of Mandela's death.
"Today he's gone home, and we've lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth," Obama said.

Nelson Mandela guided South Africa from the shackles of apartheid to multi-racial democracy, as an icon of peace and reconciliation who came to embody the struggle for justice around the world.
Imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against white minority rule, Mandela emerged determined to use his prestige and charisma to bring down apartheid while avoiding a civil war.
"The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come," Mandela said in his acceptance speech on becoming South Africa's first black president in 1994.
"We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation."
In 1993, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor he shared with F.W. de Klerk, the white Afrikaner leader who freed him from prison three years earlier and negotiated the end of apartheid.
Mandela went on to play a prominent role on the world stage as an advocate of human dignity in the face of challenges ranging from political repression to AIDS.
He formally left public life in June 2004 before his 86th birthday, telling his adoring countrymen: "Don't call me. I'll call you". But he remained one of the world's most revered public figures, combining celebrity sparkle with an unwavering message of freedom, respect and human rights.

Many of those gathered outside the former leader's home were reduced to tears at the news

In London mourners placed flowers outside the African High Commission - among them the daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Lungi Morrison

The UN Security Council in New York stood for a minute of silence

HYPERTEK DIGITAL SIGNS SIR VICTOR UWAIFO

2013-12-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

One of Nigeria’s longest performing and multi-talented artiste ‘Sir Victor Uwaifo’ has been signed to Hypertek Digital; home to 2face idibia, Dammy Krane and Rocksteady .The good news was made public at a press briefing held at Club Rumours on Friday 29th Sir Victor Uwaifo whose singing career has spanned over fifty years has greatly influenced the Nigerian and African music scene. The musical impressario has over five hundred songs to his name and was the first African to win a Golden Record. Some of his hits include Joromi, Guitar Boy and Siwo-Siwo among many others.

The Hypertek Digital team also introduced Hypertek Shakedown and assured those present of qualitative entertainment and activities.

Hypertek Shakedown is a month long line up of activities that will feature new Hypertek Digital releases, media and club tours across cities in Nigeria, exclusive content release for television and radio with loads of fun and interactive events and activities for friends and fans of Hypertek Digital .

It will kick off with a feature in Industry Nite on Thursday 4th of December 2013 at Get Arena. Hypertek Digital (formerly Hypertek Entertainment) is a record label under the 960 Music group umbrella. 960 Music Group is the premier African music leader with strong market positions in recorded music, live music, distribution, music publishing and more.

HYPERTEK DIGITAL PC – 2face Idibia

HYPERTEK DIGITAL PC – 2face welcomes Sir Victor Uwaifo to the Hypertek Digital family

Sir Victor Uwaifo addresses the audience

Chief Tony Okoroji, Fidelis Duke, Dammy Krane, 2face Idibia, Sir Victor Uwaifo and Rocksteady

HYPERTEK DIGITAL – Priye Isokari ( Vice President, 960 Music Group) , Ayeni Adekunle (CEO, Black House Media) and Cally Ikpe

DAMMY KRANE

20-MONTH-OLD BABY BECOMES WORLD'S YOUNGEST PRO FOOTBALLER

2013-12-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

Bryce Brites is only 20 months old and can’t even properly utter the words “ball” or “goal” but he just became the youngest professional football player on the planet.
This past week, Bryce signed with Belgian club FC Racing Boxberg, based near his home city of Genk, after impressing coaches with his “highly unusual” talent and “incredible” ball control. The precocious toddler was invited to train with the club’s Under-5 team and was signed and issued his very own Belgian FA membership card the very same day.
Amazingly, Bryce misses out on the all-time record for youngest-ever professional by two months. That record apparently belongs to Dutch footballer Baerke van der Meij, who signed a 10-year deal with VVV-Venlo when he was 18 months old.
Racing Boxberg club secretary Dany Vodnik raved about the young prodigy, who is still in diapers, to Dutch newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws:

“Bryce kicks a ball in a way you do not even see when playing drills with four or five-year-olds. His ball control is incredible for his age. The way he dribbles with the ball at his feet between the cones, he can give a pass to the left or right.
“You ask him to kick a ball three or five meters and he does so, but he may not play with the five and six-year-old boys yet. We must remain cautious.“

Given Belgium’s embarrassment of riches in footballing talent recently, Bryce might just live up to the hype in about 15 years or so. But for the meantime, he will likely enjoy instant celebrity status on his neighborhood playgrounds.
The club’s coach commented on the bizarre deal after it was completed, saying it was the obvious choice due to Bryce’s talent.
‘The way Bryce kicks the ball: you do not see that very often,’ he explained.
‘His ball control is incredible for somebody of his age.’
Belgium has become a hotbed of talent in recent years, with stars such as Vincent Kompany, Eden Hazard, Christian Benteke, Romelu Lukaku and Thomas Vermaelen all emerging in recent years.

234SPORTS: TEAMS HEADING TO THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2014

2013-11-26T08:12:00.000-08:00

The following are the 32 teams that qualified for FIFA 2014 world cup in Brazil:

EUROPE

Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, England, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, France

ASIA

Japan, Australia, Iran, South Korea

SOUTH AMERICA

Brazil (hosts), Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay and Ecuador

CONCACAF

United States, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico

AFRICA

Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Ghana, Algeria

OCEANIA

No qualifiers