American pop singer Jason Derulo has been about more than just music; he is also a pop culture icon. Since embarking on his solo recording career in 2009, Derulo has sold over 30 million singles, achieving 11 Platinum singles, including Wiggle, Talk Dirty, In My Head, and Whatcha Say. His tracks have also gone on to add rhythm to common slang phrases and words making him a favourite of the youthful populace.
This made him an easy choice for this year’s Coke Studio — Global Fusion Edition guest artist spot. His current hit, Swalla, has more than 450 million views on Youtube and can be heard on most radio stations and clubs in Nairobi.
Jason was partnered with 11 different artists from across Africa for the project. They included Dela (Kenya), Rayvanny (Tanzania) and Bebe Cool (Uganda).
Derulo, who was born in Miramar, Florida, to Haitian parents, talked about his first Kenyan experience and the Coke Studio project that brings together artists of different cultures to create music together.
On how his experience had been in comparison to what he expected he would gain from Coke Studio, he said: “I didn’t come with any expectations or preconceived notions. I came with an open mind and heart, and it’s been amazing. I didn’t know what it was going to be like when I got here, but it’s been a life-altering experience; meeting all these African artists who are super talented and getting a taste of their culture and their individual vibes and creativity. Everything has made this a superb experience.”
What did he think of the process of composing, recording and putting up the performances? “The process is so tough. It is definitely not easy when you have your heart in it. I think it would have been an easier process if I wasn’t so emotionally involved. I really want to have the best product possible as an outcome, this is not just a money thing to me.
“This is about a clash of worlds and I hope the people will hear from the material that we made, that we really put our hearts into it. That is bigger than any cheque that you can cut,” said Derulo.
On meeting up with the different African artists, the pop star had this to say: “The mash of cultures is already happening in music anyways, but this was incredible and I think Coke is doing a great job with bringing it to the forefront as well. If the world just took notes about how music is going in mashing different cultures and different genres and used it to promote the same in people, I think the world would be a much more beautiful place.”
How did he find the experience of Nairobi? “I thought they were one people here in Africa, and that’s the same thing with most other people in the US. We assume you see one part of Africa and you’ve seen it all. It’s wonderful being with different people representing their different nations. Kenya (Nairobi) is also an amazing place and I appreciate the love and support I’ve experienced here from everyone.
“We went on a safari one morning and we had a walk there, it was incredible. I’ve had tonnes of food here and they are incredible too. A bunch of amazing food I had like the greens, fish and lots of proteins. I usually have full, protein-heavy diet anyway, so this was perfect for me. The meals reminded me a lot of Haiti; the spices and the sauces are very similar.”
The artist also managed to pick a few of the dances from Africa.
“I learned a couple of moves, but I just can’t remember the names. I can do them for you, though. Everybody in the collaboration has been teaching me their native moves, so I might whip some of those in my upcoming videos or performances.”
The Global Fusion Edition will be part of the Coke Studio Africa show that will start broadcasting later this year.
First published by Daily Nation
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Ladun Liadi
IS saving money your winning strategy to building wealth?
If it is, then you had better seek for another strategy with better chances
of success. This is because no one has been able to
build wealth just by saving money.
Managing savings is a good discipline which can result in having a comfortable
quality of life, but not a wealthy quality of life. Following are some reasons why saving money alone
won’t make you rich.
The rich don’t ascribe success to savings
From the study of multi-millionaires and billionaires in the last couple of
years, not one hinged their success in amassing wealth to saving.
A good number of them mentioned taking advantage
of opportunities, meeting needs, solving problems and surmounting obstacles as the
key that propelled them to achieving substantial wealth and fortune.
Currencies lose value
Every currency whether it is the euro, pound sterling, dollar or naira continues to depreciate
in value on a regular basis. The value of the naira and what it could buy, for example, in 1976 cannot
be compared to what it is now in 2016.
By 2056, it will have drastically decreased in value and there is no sign that this trend will abate.
Putting money into savings for the long term yields funds whose values will have seriously depreciated from what it is today.
This is the major reason why you cannot build wealth just
by saving money because the money’s value is constantly being eroded.
The prices of goods and services constantly increase while the value
of money used to purchase them goes in the opposite direction.
Low returns on savings
The returns that one receives from keeping money in savings
are so minute and inconsequential. These days, savings accounts attract little interest per annum for depositors, which is hardly a motivator to
make one want to save.
Savings must go with investment
Money earmarked for purposes of building wealth may be saved first and invested afterward.
Investment is simply the process of channelling your resources into ventures that will cause them to multiply and
increase, thereby putting the money to work for you.
The rich know this very well and are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to put
their money to work, so it can multiply and continue producing wealth for them.
Putting money into savings alone will not get money
to work for you.
Banks can fail: A number of banks collapsed several years ago thus causing
depositors to lose their funds. Thousands lost whatever they had kept as
savings in the affected banks, with some being paid a pittance compared to what they had saved by the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC).
Many are still trying to recover their lost funds.
Even though steps have been taken to ensure that there isn’t a repeat of this occurrence in the Nigerian financial
system, the fact that it has occurred before is a pointer that there
is a possibility it could happen again.
Unexpected expenses deplete savings
No matter how disciplined one is, necessary expenses
may arise that one may have to offset from savings.
For instance, if a family member becomes ill requiring expensive treatment or if you lose your source of livelihood, then there is
no option but to draw substantially from your savings to stem the tide.
Liquidation of assets
The only way one can effectively plan for this is by having an emergency fund kept aside with at least six months of expenses for such contingencies.
But what if it is inadequate? Then one begins to use up other savings and even begins to
liquidate assets.
Detracts from opportunities to grow wealth
Those who are obsessively driven to save money become
cautious when opportunities to grow their savings come their way.
Now there is nothing wrong in exercising caution and weighing all the pros and cons before investing hard earned resources, but in wealth-building, there
is always an element of risk involved. Being cautious can cause one to
prefer to keep secure the little resources that one has rather than seeking for ways to multiply it.
Even though savings will not make you rich, by
all means don’t stop saving. Saving is usually one of the first
steps anyone who desires wealth needs to take for it is proof that your money is under your control and not
vice versa. The key is adding other essential actions such as investing to your savings effort and it eventually begins to yield wealth and fortune.
Beula
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Campus Radio
please get in touch info@campusradio.co.ke