INTERVIEWS
Nigeria, UN partner on food availability, safety
To check the growing inequality in food systems in Nigeria and to meet certain components of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Federal Government is partnering with the UN to hold a food systems dialogue. The Nigeria National Food Systems Dialogue (NNFSD) 2021is preparatory to the Food Systems Summit scheduled to hold in September, the National Coordinator of the Dialogue and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mrs Olusola Idowu said on Thursday. Speaking at a webinar to draw the attention of stakeholders to issues relating to food systems, Idowu said that convening the Food Systems Summit was part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. “The Summit is aimed at launching a bold new action to deliver p...
200 Fractures Later, This DJ With Brittle Bone Disease is Beating the Odds
Electronic dance music is in DJ Huguito‘s bones. And while those bones are fragile, at the risk of fracture by contact with anything larger than a curious ladybug landing on his skin, his passion for dance music keeps them strong. Like the bone marrow that generates his blood cells, music serves as a catalyst. DJ Huguito is a Miami-based dance music producer born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or Brittle Bone Disease, a malady characterized by extremely fragile bones that break easily. While the condition can be mild, a person with a severe case could experience hundreds of debilitating bone breaks that happen out of the blue and for no apparent reason. Approximately 20,000 to 50,000 people in the United States live with the rare disorder. “I entered this world li...
Brent Faiyaz’s Hell of a Year
“Everything I do is organic,” Brent Faiyaz says when asked about his songwriting process. “I don’t even really calculate this shit like that,” he continues. “I’m actually surprised that I do put out music in a timely fashion.” The 25-year-old R&B vocalist has, in fact, put out plenty of music since his 2013 EP Black Child. The Maryland-based artist has since released five EPs, one of which was with his side project Sonder, and a studio album, 2017’s Sonder Son. In the meantime, he has a single, “Gravity,” with Tyler, the Creator, and an upcoming song titled “Show You Off,” slated for International Women’s Day in March. Even aside from his music, he’s spent time modeling for Calvin Klein as part of a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free’s new company, pgLang. “It’s cool...
NOFX’s Fat Mike on His Sobriety, Sexuality: ‘I Think I Came Out of the Closet Even More’
Fat Mike of NOFX has never been shy about voicing his opinions and speaking the truth about his reality, but he’s taken his honesty to a new level with “Fuck Euphemism,” the brand new single off of the upcoming Single Album. The song itself (and accompanying animated music video) is full of the thoughtful wordplay that’s made them one of the dominating forces in punk for over 30 years now, but the subject matter is a full-frontal look at Mike’s struggle of where he fits in with the current gender identity standards echoing throughout society. Of course, that makes sense for the second single off of their latest work, as Single Album (which was apparently supposed to be a double album before getting cut down) is likely the darkest and most personal material the band has ever put out. SPIN s...
Armin van Buuren, Ruben de Ronde, and Ferry Corsten Reflect on Landmark A State of Trance 1000 Episode [Interview]
It has been revered as a pinnacle of success for burgeoning trance artists – a coveted spot on this radio show has been known to catapult relative unknowns into superstardom. For fans of the genre, the show has become a weekly congregation, a sacred place to escape the turmoils of reality and succumb to the melodic, euphoric productions. As for the creators who have been broadcasting to their audience for twenty years, A State of Trance has emerged as not just a radio show, but a global phenomenon – the quintessential symbol of all things trance. Spearheaded by trance legend Armin van Buuren in 2001, ASOT consists of not just its namesake radio show but also encompasses a record label, music festivals, and annual compilation mixes. The brand dominates the dance music landscape wi...
Steven Wilson on Channeling Evil Spirits, Defying Expectations With New LP
Google Image search “Steven Wilson sadness meme,” and you’ll find plenty of hilarious results. His music rarely sounds depressing — despite the groans of the modern prog-rock community, he’s just as likely these days to channel Abba as Gentle Giant. But he does tend to explore the dark corners of the human psyche, from the ultra bleak conceptual framework of Porcupine Tree’s 2002 LP, In Absentia, to the tragic real-life story that inspired his 2015 solo LP, Hand. Cannot. Erase. If anyone could expertly channel the despair and division of the pandemic/Trump era, it’s this guy. And the songwriter’s perfectly titled new LP, The Future Bites, does traffic in the paranoia and general anxiety of our current dystopia. But Wilson finished writing the project in 2018 — it just happens to feel like ...
Amanda Shires Addresses ‘Our Problem’ on New Pro-Choice Song
Amanda Shires has never been afraid to showcase her personal life, which has made both her and her husband Jason Isbell entertaining follows on social media. And she’s also outspoken about their politics and personal opinions. In the past few months, Shires has been especially vocal about women’s reproductive rights, particularly abortion rights. She’s never been shy to share her personal experiences with the issue — and she’s willing to write about it, even if it alienates some of her fans. “I’m privileged enough that what little of a career I have, I can’t really fuck it up,” Shires tells SPIN over the phone from her Tennessee home. “What was gonna happen? Less people are gonna come? Good. I didn’t want y’all there anyway.” Last November, Shires teamed with Isbel...
Juan Ingaramo Wants to Bring His ‘Pop Nacional’ to the World
In the landscape of music coming from Latin America, Juan Ingaramo made his mark in Argentina with his pop nacional (his pop spin on genres like R&B, Latin trap, and reggaetón) sound and is now taking it global. Last month, Ingaramo returned with the tropical love song “No Necesito.” It’s perfect for the Southern Hemisphere and Argentina recently entering summertime while keeping the rest of his listeners on this side of the world warm during winter. Before the pandemic hit, the 34-year-old singer-songwriter was emerging thanks to his Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. His video for “No Necesito” reflects the surreal new normal of wearing masks and social distancing in a scene where he rocks an astronaut-like helmet. “It’s like a trip going through the feelings of this ...
Anambra 2021: Nigeria’s First Female Ambassador To South Africa Ajulu Okeke Breaks Silence
Anambra 2021: Nigeria’s First Female Ambassador To South Africa Ajulu Okeke Breaks Silence *Anambra 2021: We need a humane, accessible and transparent leader – Nigeria’s first female ambassador Consul General Nne Mmonwu Ambassador Ajulu Okeke*. Ambassador Mrs. Uche Ajulu-Okeke was a consummate professional, veteran diplomat and Development Studies expert in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Born in Amichi to the ruling Ume-Ezeoke royal family, she holds four graduate degrees from both Nigerian and foreign universities. Ambassador Ajulu – Okeke retired in 2017 as Nigeria’s first female ambassador Consul General to South Africa. Here, she talks about her struggle for good governance and more. Excerpts: *You are a very strong voice in the support for good governance in Igbo land. What drives y...
Coronavirus: Concern grows over potential superspreader event during US Capitol riot
Concerns are mounting about the health of lawmakers and other people in the Capitol last week, after the first member to test positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Wednesday’s chaos, said she believed she was exposed in a crowded hiding place with hundreds of other legislators. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., tested positive on Monday while experiencing mild symptoms, and said in a statement that she believes she caught the virus from her fellow lawmakers while hunkering down as Capitol Police struggled for hours to contain a Trump-inspired mob attack on the Capitol. Lawmakers were trapped in a room near the Capitol with hundreds of others, in some cases for hours, where at least one person who later tested positive for the coronavirus was present. The Office of the Attending P...
Abuja residents: Why we buy ‘second hand’ clothes
Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Bwari Area Council say they patronise the clothes not only because of its affordability but also for the upgraded standard. The buyers spoke in separate interviews with newsmen at the Dutse-Alhaji market on Sunday in Abuja. The buyers were seen patronising the items from their dealers in the market, which was known for the cheap sale of second hand clothing in the district. Ada Micheal, one of the buyers, told newsmen that when it came to especially shoes, school or women bags, she preferred the second hand ones because they were almost new and last longer. ” Not all of these items you see here are fairly used; most of them are new or almost new. ” Some even come with tags from probably the stores they were initially hung for sale or...
![Crucast’s Tsuki Reflects on New Album “Redemption” and Future Touring Plans [Q&A]](https://www.wazupnaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/crucasts-tsuki-reflects-on-new-album-redemption-and-future-touring-plans-qa-1050x600.png)
![Crucast’s Tsuki Reflects on New Album “Redemption” and Future Touring Plans [Q&A]](https://www.wazupnaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/crucasts-tsuki-reflects-on-new-album-redemption-and-future-touring-plans-qa-80x80.png)
Crucast’s Tsuki Reflects on New Album “Redemption” and Future Touring Plans [Q&A]
One of the Crucast collective’s foremost rising talents, Tsuki has made quite a name for himself over the past five years. Releases on Bass Legion and Bulletproof Records eventually landed the young producer with the collective, where he debuted his album, Redemption. With an album tour planned for whenever live music events are allowed to return, Tsuki has his sights set on 2021 with his fresh take on drum & bass, house, and more. He took some time to chat with EDM.com about Redemption and the road ahead. EDM.com: How has the response to Redemption been? Tsuki: It’s been insane, so many people showing love especially to some of the tracks that are quite different to what I usually make! E: What’s your favorite track ...
