INTERVIEWS
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...
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![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 ...
![Crucast Collective Set to Ignite with Rising Talent and Live Events After Pandemic [Q&A]](https://www.wazupnaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/crucast-collective-set-to-ignite-with-rising-talent-and-live-events-after-pandemic-qa-1050x600.jpg)
![Crucast Collective Set to Ignite with Rising Talent and Live Events After Pandemic [Q&A]](https://www.wazupnaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/crucast-collective-set-to-ignite-with-rising-talent-and-live-events-after-pandemic-qa-80x80.jpg)
Crucast Collective Set to Ignite with Rising Talent and Live Events After Pandemic [Q&A]
Like many of its counterparts, Crucast, one of drum & bass and bass music’s most prominent brands, had quite the unexpected year in 2020. A UK-based record label and artist collective, Crucast has been fostering the growth of some of bass music’s most talented rising acts. However, amid the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the game plan for live events and music releases had to shift. While still striving to elevate bass music’s rising talent, Crucast has set some major plans for 2021. Crucast founder Joe Lazcru kindly took some time to chat with EDM.com about how it’s been adapting to societal changes and what’s next once the world returns to some semblance of normalcy. EDM.com: Crucast has been steadily building quite an impressive roster...
The Four Weirdest Bands From the 1970s
Doug Brod has always wanted to write a book about music. It makes sense. He is a former SPIN editor in chief and has worked at Atlantic Records. But Brod wanted to find an angle that “has never been covered before and would actually surprise people and shed new light on something.” He does that splendidly in They Just Seem a Little Weird: How Kiss, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, and Starz Remade Rock and Roll. Brod has always been a fan of ‘70s hard rock bands and these four are his favorite ones. “I’ve seen Cheap Trick probably 52 times. I’ve seen KISS a number of times, and Aerosmith and Starz, I’ve seen them a lot.” After doing some research, he found the connection between these four groups. “All of them are represented in a 1978 Gene Simmons solo album. In ’78, when KISS did four solo albums...
The Dirty Nil Want You to Smash Your Phone and Crank Their New LP, Fuck Art
Luke Bentham was taking painting lessons in a community center when inspiration struck for the new Dirty Nil LP, Fuck Art. “There’s this old man sitting at the back of the class, and he’s such a whiny asshole,” the singer-guitarist tells SPIN. “He keeps putting his hand up, and he’s like, ‘Um, my bushes don’t look like your bushes.’ And the teacher’s like, ‘OK, well, don’t worry, Mr. Gallagher. Take your time; you’re just learning.’” After several rounds of bellyaching, an exasperated Mr. Gallagher threw his paintbrush on the table and muttered, “Fuck art.” The story had Bentham’s bandmates — drummer Kyle Fisher and bassist Ross Miller — in stitches. But once the laughter subsided, they knew they’d found the title of their third studio album, which follows 2016’s Higher Power and 201...
![Martin Garrix on Pushing Himself Creatively and Producing the “Craziest Music Ever” in 2020 [Interview]](https://www.wazupnaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/martin-garrix-on-pushing-himself-creatively-and-producing-the-craziest-music-ever-in-2020-interview-1050x600.jpg)
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Martin Garrix on Pushing Himself Creatively and Producing the “Craziest Music Ever” in 2020 [Interview]
Despite a stressful year by all accounts, Martin Garrix found a way to share new music, launch innovative projects, and identify ingenious ways to connect with his fans. Ahead of his ballyhooed performance at the first-ever Tomorrowland New Year’s Eve celebration, the chart-topping producer chatted with EDM.com to recap his year and offer fans a preview of what to expect next. Amid a dire and uncertain climate, the dance music superstar seemingly never lost his unrelenting creative stride. He released music at a steady pace under several unique alias, as Martin Garrix, GRX, and his Ytram moniker. Starting new aliases relieves the pressure of conforming to expectations, allowing his creativity to flow freely, Garrix told EDM.com. “Producing music as an a...
Cobra Kai Workout Mix: Cast Shares Their Go-To Pump-Up Jams
Cobra Kai and music go together like Daniel and Miyagi. Just think back to all the needle drops: Johnny Lawrence brooding to Foreigner in his Firebird. He and LaRusso singing REO Speedwagon together. The Alan Parsons Project closing out the pilot. These moments are all over The Karate Kid spinoff series, and they always get us pumped up. But, what about the actual cast? What songs get them pumped up? In anticipation of Season 3, which premieres on Friday, January 1st, Consequence of Sound sat down with your favorite heroes of Cobra Kai to hear what they take to the dojo with them. From AC/DC to Meek Mill, their responses extended well beyond the show’s ’80s roots. Peyton List, aka Tory Nichols: “I’m sometimes embarrassed by my music tastes. I feel like it’s a lot of Doja Cat or something b...
Christine and the Queens on Finding a Stage in Quarantine: “It’s Almost Like Circling Back to the Beginning”
As our Annual Report continues, we’re taking a look at several ways live music changed in a year where most of the world was in lockdown. Today, we share our conversation with Christine and the Queens, an artist with a unique approach to quarantine performances. As Héloïse Letissier presumes, there probably are some “really insular musicians” who found the lack of touring this year somewhat calming. Under her moniker of Christine and the Queens, the French pop star is not one of those artists. “I’m always saying I come from theater, but it kind of formed a relationship I have with the stage that is very much essential,” she tells Consequence of Sound over Zoom from her Paris home. Performance is in fact entirely indispensable when it comes to the concept of Christine and the Queens. Just t...
Save Our Stages Fest Raised $2 Million for Independent Venues: “This Moment Brought Millions of People Hope”
As our Annual Report continues, we’ll be taking several looks at how live music changed in a year where most of the world was in lockdown. Today, we share our conversation with Save Our Stages Fest’s Stephen Sternschein on what’s being done to preserve live music and venues during this pandemic. The American experience of the COVID-19 pandemic is dominated by unimaginable numbers made real: 300,000 dead, 16 million infected, an estimated $3-$5 trillion hit to the country’s GDP over the next two years. Tucked inside that last figure is another statistic, revealed over the summer, that made the year even darker for music fans: According to a nationwide survey of club owners and promoters conducted by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) this past June, 90% of independent music v...
