|
African Hip-Hop Group Uses Music to Combat al-Qaeda-Affiliate |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Robert aka 'RB'
|
|
Thursday, 29 December 2011 22:07 |
|
Take some anti-jihadist courage and mix it with musical talent and what do you get? An Islamist-fighting hip hop group, apparently.
Enter Waayaha Cusub (which means “New Era” or “New Dawn”), an 11-member music group intent on battling the al-Shabaab terror group and its violent ideology.
The hip-hop collaboration, comprised of Somalis, Kenyans, an Ethiopian and a Ugandan, was founded by 29-year-old Shine Ali in 2004. Just three years ago, Ali was shot by members of the terrorist group after they broke into his home. According to the Waayaha Cusub founder, it was his anti-radical message that incited the attack.
While this would have been enough to stop most people from proceeding, Ali and his group members are intent on continuing their mission to encourage young people to sheer clear of involving themselves in jihad. ”When they shot me, I knew that if I stopped the music, they would win but if I continued, my power would win,” says Ali.
The group has produced several albums and caught some major attention for its 2010 song, “No to al-Shabaab.” Waayaha Cusub’s songs are recorded in Nairobi and they are disseminated on CDs, though the radio and on the Internet. Aside from their peaceful calls against the terror group, the Guardian reports that the musicians tackle other issues like AIDS and clan rivalry.
Here’s the music video for “No to al-Shabaab”.
But the price members pay for their brave stance is a hefty one. One singer — a female — who was slashed across the face a few years ago remains in hiding. As Ali has learned, the positive and uplifting message the band is trying to spread could cost the singers their lives.
Source: TheBlaze.com |
|
Spinlet Signs Award Winning Artists to the Largest Digital Platform in Africa |
|
|
|
|
Written by Robert aka 'RB'
|
|
Thursday, 29 December 2011 21:18 |
|
The Premier Digital Distribution Service Signs Top Acts within Africa and Allows Independent Artists to Upload Music to Create Largest and Most Diverse Digital Music Platform in Africa.
Spinlet, Africa’s premier digital distribution service, has signed on a significant roster of new artists to the service, making it the largest platform for music discovery throughout Africa. Spinlet has signed nonexclusive agreements with artists being encouraged to sell their music in as many places as possible so the result is creating wealth for the artist and the people who work so hard to bring African music to life.
“Spinlet’s goal is to solve the distribution and piracy issues within Africa. Exclusive agreements can offer a unique user experience, it is not strongly encouraged with our content acquisition team,” says Spinlet COO Sami Leino, “We feel Spinlet’s user platform speaks for itself. We are the only service dedicated to fighting the long fight against piracy with structured deals in the artists’ favor, bringing in marketing support to create revenue, and sharing of artists’ music internationally.”
This has made Spinlet the first stop in signing agreements for distributing their music digitally in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. Spinlet is pleased to announce the following label agreements, bringing an array of multi-national, award winning artists who have joined the Spinlet family.
Alapomeji Records (9ice), Chocolate City (Brymo, M.I, Jesse Jags, Ice Prince), Hypertek (2Face Idibia), Game Time (Lineo), Funky Money Ent (Konga), Syndik8 Records (Lynxx, E Jay, Ikon), Flytime (Tiwa Savage, P Square – Invasion Album), Too Much Music (Femi Juba), Starville (Shank), DJ Jimmy Jatt, Show Dem Camp (Ghost,Tec, Lucci and Poe), Storm Records (Naeto C Sasha, Tosin Martins, YQ, and Yung6ix), Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions (Bez), Timaya, Play Records (Rilwan, Mimi), Effya, Ghetto Ruff (Jozi, Nancy G), Sunset Distribution and many, many more.
One of the many exciting and unique ways Spinlet has made adding music to the distribution service is through the self-guided artist upload tool. Any Independent artist and music rights holder can upload their music for sale on the Spinlet platform.
Windows: http://www.spinlet.com/AMLI/tools/SpinletMusicExtractionUtility.msi
OSX: http://www.spinlet.com/AMLI/tools/SpinletMusicExtractionUtility.dmg
Spinlet supports its artists through social aspects provided on the service and through unique marketing partnerships. “Spinlet is pleased to work with such a talented group of musicians, it makes our service appealing to so many brands and music lovers worldwide, the response we have gotten is overwhelming in the best way possible,” says Eric Idiahi, Spinlet CEO.
|
|
|
Jay-Z and Kanye West earn almost £4 million for playing 16 year old's birthday bash |
|
|
|
|
Written by Staff
|
|
Thursday, 29 December 2011 21:42 |
|
Kanye West and Jay-Z were paid just under £4 million to play live at the 16th birthday party of the daughter of an Arab billionaire.
The rappers, who released their much anticipated collaboration album 'Watch The Throne' earlier this year, were reportedly paid a fee of £1.9 million ($2.9 million) each to perform the gig, which took place in Dubai around two weeks before Christmas.
According to The Sun, the rappers performed several sets at the party, which was given to celebrate the 16th birthday of the girl, who is also the niece of Sheikh Mansour, the multi billionaire owner of Manchester City Football Club.
Jay-Z has previously hinted that the second release from his and West's 'Watch The Throne' project will be released next year.
He said of he and West's future plans: "We – I say 'we' because I'm in Throne mode – we're in a great place creatively. You might see a Jay, then Kanye and a Throne album next year… We've really found our zone."
Jay-Z and Kanye West completed a lengthy North American arena tour just before the Christmas period.
Source: http://www.nme.com/news/jay-z/61152 |
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 December 2011 21:46 |
|
CPCC Interim Private Copying Tariff 2012-2013 Announced |
|
|
|
|
Written by Robert 'RB'
|
|
Thursday, 29 December 2011 18:35 |
|
 The Copyright Board of Canada has issued an interim Private Copying Tariff for 2012-2013. The interim tariff allows the Canadian Private Copying Collective, (CPCC) to continue to collect private copying levies on recordable CDs at the current rate of 29 cents until the Copyright Board certifies a final tariff. The CPCC has not requested an increase in the levy rate for 2012-2013.
"The private copying levy is an important source of revenue for music rights holders and the interim tariff ensures that they continue to receive this compensation until the Copyright Board certifies the final tariff for 2012-2013," said Lyette Bouchard, Chair of the CPCC. The Copyright Board will hear arguments for the Private Copying Tariff, 2012-2013 beginning on October 9, 2012.
The CPCC has also filed an application with the Copyright Board for a private copying levy to be applied to microSD memory cards in 2012 and 2013. Research shows that as with the previous shift from cassette tapes to CD-Rs, technology is changing and Canadians are now using microSD memory cards to copy music.
Once the Copyright Board has certified a tariff on microSD memory cards, it will be effective from January 1, 2012 for all microSD memory cards sold in Canada by manufacturers and importers.
The interim tariff and proposed tariff for 2012-2013 can be found on the Copyright Board's website: http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca.
Established in 1999, the CPCC is an umbrella organization whose member collectives represent songwriters, composers, music publishers, recording artists, musicians and record companies. The CPCC is the non-profit organization responsible for collecting and distributing private copying levies.
|
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 December 2011 19:42 |
|
