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☆ Tunde Onakoya: Nigerian chess champion breaks world record for longest chess marathon
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Ifeanyi Abraham | For Cnn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate Tunde Onakoya has broken the record for the longest chess marathon after playing for an extraordinary 60 hours nonstop under the bright lights of New York City’s Times Square. The Guinness World Record organization has not yet confirmed Onakoya’s attempt, which can sometimes take weeks, but for many Nigerians, the 29-year-old is already considered something of a national hero. Onakoya played against Shawn Martinez, a US chess champion, in accordance with the Guinness World Record guidelines that any attempt to break the record must be made by two players who play continuously for the duration. Onakoya founded Chess in Slums Africa, which seeks to empower children in underprivileged communities by using chess to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills, in Lagos. People celebrate as Tunde Onakoya marks 46 hours for consecutively playing a chess game in Times Square, Friday, April 19, 2024, in New York.

Persons: Tunde, Onakoya, Hallvard Haug Flatebø, Let’s, Shawn Martinez, Martinez, Davido, Adekunle, Bola Tinubu, Ajuri Ngelale, “, Tinubu, Yuki Iwamura, Solomon Passy, Russell Makofsky Organizations: CNN, New York City’s, Guinness, Nigeria’s, Champion, People, Times Locations: Nigerian, New York, Africa, Norway, Manhattan, Nigeria, Lagos, Berlin, Bulgarian, US

☆ Nigerian Fashion Moves Beyond the Catwalk
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Tariro Mzezewa | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

LAGOS, Nigeria — For the past decade, Nigeria’s best-known ambassadors have, arguably, been its musicians: Burna Boy, WizKid, Davido, Tiwa Savage Asake and Tems, who have popularized Afrobeats beyond West Africa. At a moment when music, literature, visual art and food from across the African continent continue to gain global popularity, fashion designers, particularly those from Nigeria, are ready for their industry to take center stage. There’s more variety, and people feel proud to be wearing things made by Africans.” In 2023, Alara opened a pop-up shop as part of the Brooklyn Museum’s “Africa Fashion” exhibition. “Currently the global fashion community is looking to the African continent for more than inspiration,” said Ernestine White-Mifetu, the Sills Foundation curator of African art at the Brooklyn Museum. “The fashion world at large is finally ready to pay attention.”

Persons: Nigeria’s, Burna, Tiwa Savage, Reni Folawiyo, Alara, ”, Ernestine White Organizations: Designers, “, Brooklyn, Sills Foundation, Brooklyn Museum Locations: LAGOS, Nigeria, West Africa, Lagos, ”, Africa

☆ Stonebwoy draws inspiration from Bob Marley at Tuff Gong Studios to unite the Black diaspora
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Lauren Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The session was the Ghanaian’s first visit to Bob Marley’s iconic Tuff Gong Studio. I feel like I’m surrounded by the spirits of those who built here.”“Once upon a time, Bob Marley was probably sitting in the same spot that I am sitting in,” he added. Bob Marley performs onstage during a concert in Stockholm, Sweden, in the late 1970s. Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Global CitizenUniting the Black diaspora through musicFrom Afrobeats to reggae, Stonebwoy has worked with musicians including Rick Ross, Beanie Man, Shaggy, Keri Hilson, Russ, Davido, and Angelique Kidjo, shining brightest when mentoring emerging artists. Until then, he has his eyes set on making sure the sounds of the Black diaspora continue to dominate worldwide.

Persons: CNN —, Stonebwoy, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Bob Marley, Yohan Marley, Bob Marley’s, ”, riffing, Livingstone Etse Satekla, Ghana's Stonebwoy, ” Stonebwoy, “, Stonebwoy’s, Jemal Countess, Rick Ross, Beanie, Keri Hilson, Russ, Davido, Angelique Kidjo, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Odumodublvck Organizations: CNN, Island Music Conference, Gong, Tuff Gong, Tuff Gong Studios, Global Citizen Festival, Getty, Global Citizen, BHIM, Burniton Music Locations: Ghanaian, Jamaica, Kingston, ”, Ghana, Africa, Caribbean, West African, Stockholm, Sweden, Hulton, Accra

At the center of that growth are newer genres of Afrobeats — the renowned blend of distinct West African music styles — and amapiano, which fuses South African kwaito with African jazz, house music and soulful vocals. The 2022 track became the first led by an African artist to hit 1 billion Spotify streams and has the record for the most weeks — 64 — spent on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart. And some tracks meld the genres under the African music umbrella. That reach is particularly interesting considering that African music is produced for its people, embodying all aspects of their lives from their culture and experiences to their struggles, LeriQ says. The continent leads mobile device web traffic in the world, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration, translating to more market opportunities for artists.

Persons: ”, Burna Boy’s, Rema’s, Selena Gomez, —, Joey Akan, ‘, Burna, ’, Musa Keys, Boy, Istanbul's, Rema, Davido, Tina Davis, Olamide's, Angélique Kidjo, LeriQ, Nay, Mitego, Chika Anene, gatekeepers, Eric Wainaina, G’bemi Ereku, Nigeria —, Jhello, ” ___ Mureithi, Maria Sherman Organizations: FIFA, International Federation of, Phonographic Industry's, Spotify, Afrobeats Intelligence, UEFA Champions League, Pew Research, U.S . International Trade Administration, United, Afro Nation, AP Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Nigerian, Saharan Africa, African, South Africa, Africa, Tanzania, Abuja, Kenyan, Lagos, United States, Statista, Nairobi, Kenya, Johannesburg, Los Angeles

“I was not encouraged to focus on my love for Black music,” Carey remarked Thursday night at the academy's Black Music Collective event in Los Angeles, where she and Lenny Kravitz were given the Global Impact Award. In doing so, I discovered a new sense of freedom and fulfillment.”Stevie Wonder presented Carey with the award. I'm here because I do love you.”Along with Wonder, several others paid tribute to Carey by singing renditions of her songs. I want to be like Lenny Kravitz,’" she said as the audience applauded. I love this music because it feeds our hearts and strengthens our resolve to keep our hope.

Persons: Mariah Carey, ” Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Wonder, Carey, serenaded, ” Wonder, Debbie Allen, “, Tori Kelly, ” Yolanda Adams, Busta, Babyface, Aretha Franklin, Kravitz, ”, ‘, ’, “ Lenny, Duke Ellington, Jackson, Miles Davis, Grandmaster Flash, Marvin Gaye, Rick James, Prince, John Coltrane, George Clinton, Quavo, Verdine White, Peppers, Chad Smith, Andra Day, Gabby Samone, Erica Campbell, Mary Mary, Davido Organizations: ANGELES, Academy, Global, “, rockstar Locations: Los Angeles, Nigerian

☆ Grammys 2024: There’s a new category for African musicians at the awards. Meet the nominees
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Lamide Akintobi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Lagos, Nigeria CNN —For the first time, African music will have its own category at the Grammys. The Recording Academy will showcase three new categories for this year’s awards, including “Best African Music Performance” — featuring some of Afrobeats’ global superstars. The Nigerian singer best known as Davido is also nominated for Best Global Album and Best Global Music Performance. Burna BoyVideo Ad Feedback The night Burna Boy became a Hollywood star 03:19 - Source: CNNBurna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, is up for a total of four Grammys this year for Best Global Music Album, Best Melodic Rap performance, Best Global Music Performance and Best African Music Performance — and will perform at the awards. No stranger to the awards circuit, he won the Best Global Music Album Grammy in 2021 for his album “Twice as Tall.” Burna Boy ended a historic 2023 at No.

Persons: ”, Harvey Mason Jr, Arya Starr, Sarah Aderibigbe, Ayra Starr, “, Barack, Kelly Rowland, Stormzy, Tiwa Savage, ” Asake, Ahmed Ololade, Amapiano, Olamide, Tyla Tyla, John Lamparski, Musa Keys, David Adeleke’s, Davido, “ I’m Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, Recording Academy, Recording, Spotify, YouTube, Mavin Records, CNN, Vibe, Art, Olamide, Getty Images, South, Hollywood, Best Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Los Angeles, Square , New York City, AFP, South African, Nigerian, Africa

☆ Chaos at OpenAI ensues
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

In today's big story, we're looking at the continued fallout from the shocking Sam Altman ouster at OpenAI. Altman is alive and well, but his run as CEO of OpenAI ended abruptly on Friday. But in the days since his firing, he's escaped a messy weekend looking like the ultimate hero, Business Insider's Katie Notopoulos writes. To be fair, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and OpenAI CEO Emmett Shear don't seem to know why either. Meanwhile, Salesforce's Marc Benioff is already actively recruiting OpenAI employees on X.

Persons: —, Sam Altman, Altman, OpenAI, he's, Katie Notopoulos, Altman isn't, Ilya Sutskever —, Sutskever, Kali Hays, Satya Nadella, Emmett Shear, Satya Nadella Stephen Brashear, Julie Bort, Microsoft's Nadella, Nadella, that's, Madeline Renbarger, That's, It's, Kali, Ashley Stewart, Salesforce's Marc Benioff, Scott Olson, Bridgewater's, Greg Jensen, Jim Chanos, Elon, New York Jefferson Siegel, Nvidia's, Jensen Huang, execs, Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Arantza Pena Popo, Camila Téllez, Melkorka, Téllez, Carly Rae Jepsen, Björk, Colleen Ballinger, Clinton, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, Microsoft, Getty, BlackRock, Reuters, Nvidia, Elon, HP, Nordstrom, Clinton Lee Locations: OpenAI, Silicon Valley, Bridgewater, New York, Texas, Millennials, New York City, San Diego, London

☆ MTV VMAs 2023: See the full list of winners
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards were presented on Tuesday. Beyoncé, Doja, Karol G, Minaj and Shakira joined Swift as artist of the year nominees, marking the first time since the category was introduced in 2017 that all artist of the year nominees are women. Shakira received the Video Vanguard Award. The night also welcomed brand new category Best Afrobeats. Demi Lovato, Shakira, Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B with Megan Thee Stallion, Diddy, Lil Wayne, Doja Cat and Fall Out Boy, among others, all performed during the ceremony.

Persons: Taylor Swift, ”, Doja, Karol G, Minaj, Shakira, Swift, Demi Lovato, Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi, Megan Thee, Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus –, Nicki Minaj –, Olivia Rodrigo –, Sam Smith, Kim Petras, Bill ” Taylor Swift, Karol, Nicki Minaj Shakira Taylor, Cyrus –, Rema, Selena Gomez, Steve Lacy –, PinkPantheress Reneé Rapp, Saucy Santana –, Booty, Stephen Sanchez – “, Flo Milli, Conceited, Reneé Rapp – “, Sam Ryder –, Armani, GOATED, Fletcher –, Diana ”, FLO –, Lauren Spencer Smith, David Guetta, Bebe Rexha, Post Malone, Bryson Tiller, Yung Miami, Shakira –, Savage, Diddy, Lovato, ” Ed Sheeran, ” Taylor Swift, DJ Khaled, Lil Baby –, Swizz Beatz, ” Nicki Minaj –, Alicia Keys, Chris Brown –, Toosii –, ” Yung Bleu, Nicki Minaj, Metallica, “, –, Ella Baila Sola, Despechá, Starr – “, Musa Keys, ” Rema, Ayra Starr – Organizations: CNN, Metro Boomin, NK – Locations: Reneé Rapp – “ Colorado, Lipa

☆ Naomi Campbell showcases fast fashion collection with PrettyLittleThing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

On Tuesday night in New York City, Campbell debuted a collection designed with the fast-fashion brand PrettyLittleThing — days before the official beginning of New York Fashion Week’s Spring-Summer 2024 show calendar. Naomi Campbell closes the runway show for her new collection with PrettyLittleThing. Campbell poses for promotional photos wearing looks from her PrettyLittleThing x Naomi Campbell collection. A model walks the runway during PrettyLittleThing x Naomi Campbell at Cipriani 25 Broadway on September 05, 2023 in New York City. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesTwo of the collection’s ensembles were created by emerging designers Campbell brought into the fold: Victor Anate and Edvin Thompson.

Persons: Naomi Campbell, Campbell, Evan Agostini, “, Chris Parnell, Davido, Campbell’s, “ I’m, ” Campbell, Women’s, ‘ Let’s, ’, WWD, Cipriani, Dimitrios Kambouris, Victor Anate, Edvin Thompson, haven’t, — Campbell, Winnie Harlow, Alton Mason, Emily Ratajkowski, Halima, Tommy Dorfman, Teyana Taylor, Kola, Julia Fox Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York, Nigerian -, Broadway, “ Locations: New York, New York City, ”, Nigerian - American, chainmail, Halima Aden

☆ Chibuike Ifedilichukwu: Nigerian upcycling artist creates portraits from waste
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Aneta Felix | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But where others see trash, 37-year-old Nigerian artist Chibuike Ifedilichukwu sees opportunity. He creates portraits of celebrities from discarded aluminum cans, making a bold statement about waste management in the country. One day in 2021, while accompanying his wife to an antenatal clinic, Ifedilichukwu says he stumbled upon a pile of dumped plastic strips. I found that nobody does this pattern of art,” Ifedilichukwu told CNN. Although he wears gloves when he works, he says he’s been cut many times by sharp-edged cans, craft knives, scissors, needles and steel wire.

Persons: Chibuike Ifedilichukwu, Ifedilichukwu, “, ” Ifedilichukwu, Chibuike, ”, Cardi, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Don Jazzy, Greta Thunberg, Leonardo di Caprio, Davido, Ifedilichukwu Ifedilichukwu, he’s, “ It’s Organizations: CNN —, CNN, Ifedilichukwu Locations: Nigeria, Anambra, Awka

☆ 5 cold-email templates for landing your dream clients and brand partnerships, from business owners who've used them
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Ella Hopkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Schlabs also reached out to clients she wanted to work with on social media. I am reaching out to see if you are in need of product photography and/or social media content creation. I know how overwhelming it can be to constantly need new content for social media and ads. He said he starts by compiling a list of 50 dream clients and gets their contact details from social media or their website. He suggested freelancers build their profiles on social media and Google before cold-emailing and prepare a "brief, simple, and straightforward" positioning statement to describe what they do.

Persons: they've, they're, Deirdre Schlabs Deidre Schlabs, Schlabs, She'd, Christian Di Bratto, Di Bratto, YouTuber Justin Escalona, Tommy Schoenith, Gal Akbari, Read, who's, Spaudo, Jenny Rose Spaudo Jenny Rose Spaudo, Hunter, Jenny Rose, she'd, Boye, Matthew Boye Matthew Boye, Kamaru Usman, hadn't, he's, I've, you've, Glantz, Jen Glantz Jen Glantz Organizations: Boston, influencers, Google, Hire Locations: Instagram, Toronto, Nigerian

☆ I built a 6-figure company designing sets for photoshoots and events. Here's how I turned my college hobby into a business.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Skylar Mitchell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Dotun Abeshinbioke is a set designer and the owner of Ábiké Studio in New York. She got into set design as a student and started making sets for friends, leading to paying clients. I initially started doing design work for T-shirts and flyers, then I started designing sets to showcase my photography. Ábiké Studio was inspired by my traditional Yoruba name, which means "born to treasure." As a creative studio, we do branding, web design, and experiential design for clients across creative fields.

☆ Singer Davido's 3-year-old son dies in apparent drowning at his home in Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Singer Davido's 3-year-old son died in an apparent drowning at his home in Nigeria, police said. Authorities questioned eight members of Davido's team who were at the Lagos home and released six. "Death leaves a heartache no words can heal and today, I express my deepest condolences to David and Chioma, over the death of their son," he wrote. You will grow to be greater than Me, Happy birthday, son #BIG3," the singer wrote in an Oct. 20 post. The Atlanta-born singer with more than 25 million Instagram followers is one of Africa's most prominent artists.

CNN —Police are questioning a nanny employed by Nigerian music star Davido following the death of his three-year-old son on Halloween. The unnamed childminder was taken in for questioning along with seven other members of the performer’s domestic staff, six of whom have since been released, police have told CNN. Hundeyin said: “It appears to be drowning but we need to conduct our investigation to ascertain that.”Officers have not yet reviewed CCTV footage from the scene, Hundeyin told CNN. You will grow to be greater than Me , Happy birthday, son @davidifeanyiadeleke !!! Adegboyega Oyetola, governor of the state of Osun where Davido is from, tweeted: “Sad to learn of the unfortunate passing of Ifeanyi, son of music star, David Adeleke popularly known as @davido.

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