Pride
Senate president urges Nigerians to pray for leaders to overcome nation’s challenges
Senate President Ahmad Lawan has called for prayers for the leaders in government as they tackle the various challenges facing the nation. According to his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi, Lawan made the appeal on Saturday at the launching of Pataskum Emirate Central Mosque Appeal Fund at Potiskum, Yobe State. The Senate President who announced a donation of N20 million to support the project said “every time leaders need prayers, particularly from the followership. “Our leaders, particularly our President, Muhammadu Buhari, may God grant him good health, God has given him the leadership of this country through you. “He is trying his possible best for you and we too that are part of his leadership, we are trying our best to ensure that things are okay for Nigeria. “I will therefore t...
First Out: New Music From Rina Sawayama, Elton John, Troye Sivan & More
Rina Sawayama with Elton John, “Chosen Family” When she originally released “Chosen Family” back in 2020, Rina Sawayama unveiled a brand-new anthem of queer acceptance. So what could possibly make the song any more poignant? Getting Sir Elton John to join her is a good start. The new version of “Chosen Family” feels more tender and more personal, even though all that’s changed is the addition of a simple piano line and John’s vocals through out. Sawayama’s new collaboration with Sir Elton feels like it lives up to the song’s title, illustrating what having a chosen family in the LGBTQ community can actually mean. “This song, I thought, ‘God, this is exactly what we need to be saying right now.’ It’s a song ...
Rina Sawayama Picks Elton John as Her ‘Chosen Family,’ Talks Song’s Crucial Timing
The British artists connected again on John’s Apple Music 1 radio show Rocket Hour to discuss what “Chosen Family” means to them personally and how it’s found universal appeal for the LGBTQ+ community and world at large during volatile times. “It was just really my genuine feelings towards my friends. Some of my friends have been kicked out at 17 for being gay because their parents are very religious and they’ve literally had to fend for themselves. And since then, I have friends who haven’t come out to their parents yet and they’re nearly 30,” the “XS” singer said about her original song. “The concept of ‘Chosen Family’ is such a pure one, such an important one. And I think especially this year, it’s...
Phoebe Bridgers’ Busted ‘SNL’ Guitar Sells For Over $100,000 at GLAAD Auction
“Phoebe Bridgers’ unforgettable SNL guitar smash has now gone from a much-buzzed-about performance and morphed into an important moment of giving back to the LGBTQ community,” Anthony Ramos, GLAAD’s head of talent tells Billboard in an email statement. “Phoebe is such a visible, out powerhouse in the music industry and we knew that the item was special, but we were so pleasantly surprised to see such a large amount of money raised that will go directly into our work to support and uplift LGBTQ people. Thank you, Phoebe!” The indie rock star went viral for smashing her Danelectro Dano ’56 guitar on SNL, especially when David Crosby chimed in, calling her stunt on the show “pathetic” and “stupid.” Bridgers responded in kind by retweet...
First Out: New Music From Brockhampton, Years & Years, Kat Cunning & More
Brockhampton, Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine Brockhampton have made a career off of their energy. Through robust raps and an often fever-pitch sense of musical adrenaline, the hip-hop collective has often managed to bust doors down through sheer force of will. So when fans first listen to the group’s latest album, Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine, they will be immediately struck by a difference in tone. The frenetic energy of their previous work is still present on tracks like the chaotic “Buzzcut,” with veteran Danny Brown (one among a cavalcade of excellent featured artists throughout) stepping in for a rage-fueled verse. But with tracks like “The Light,” “Dear Lord” and “What’s the Occasion?,” the band deal...
Sheikh Khalid: Politicians, religious leaders behind Nigeria’s insecurity
Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Nuru Khalid, on Thursday, alleged that some influential people, including religious leaders and politicians, were the real sponsors of insecurity in some parts of the country. He stated this in Abuja during the public presentation of a book titled, ‘The Infinite Light, The Pride of Humanity,’ authored by Sheikh Fathullah Gulen a spiritual leader of Hizmet. Khalid claimed that bandits, who were predominantly youths of northern extraction, had been terrorising innocent citizens because they were getting engaged by some prominent politicians and religious leaders working towards the Balkanisation of the nation. So, he urged the government to address the issues of education and unemployment as a solution to the security challenge. The Muslim scholar sa...
Life Of Agony Heals Wounds in ‘The Sound of Scars’ Documentary
Helmed by British director Leigh Brooks, The Sound of Scars captures the most intimate story of the Brooklyn-bred act, spanning its 30-plus-year career. Told through the individual and collective stories of Caputo; her cousin, guitarist Joey Z; and bassist Alan Robert, along with family and friends, in its most visceral scenes, the documentary opens wounds Life of Agony long needed to expose and ultimately heal. “This was an opportunity to actually have these conversations after all these years, and it’s a new plateau for us as a family to actually address some of these issues,” says Robert of the film and his own long-term battle with depression. “I was so bottled up during those years that the only way to express myself was through these songs. Even now, I have a happy life with my famil...
Serpentwithfeet Talks Empowering Rendition of ‘You Don’t Own Me’ for Orbitz New Pride Campaign
The one-minute, Cass Bird-directed clip finds LGBTQ+ travelers (including serpent himself) living life to the fullest in sunny Miami, Florida. “A lot of people in the world right now are reimagining how we engage with others, and I think every campaign, every article, every book, every tweet that we see helps to reshape our world and reshape the way that we engage with our neighbors,” serpent explained of the ad’s importance. “I think that this campaign is definitely doing its part which is wonderful.” While traveling has been put on pause due to the ongoing pandemic, serpent knows exactly where he’s headed once life goes back to normal. “I would really love to go to Brazil,” he told Billboard. “I’ve never been and I’ve wanted...
Janelle Monae, Laverne Cox, Selena Gomez & More Sign Letter in Support of Transgender Women, Girls: ‘We All Must Fight’
“These bigoted efforts are also aided by a contingent of self-identified feminists, who have been promoting damaging and violent ideas about trans people for years in the United States and internationally. Their vitriol is, in fact, not feminist at all. True feminists do not wish to limit any woman’s identity or freedom to fully be herself. Allowing transphobic rhetoric to go unchecked also strengthens the legislative efforts of anti-trans politicians — who now cloak their bigotry in language about protecting or supporting women.” Among the signatories are Gloria Steinem, Regina King, Halle Berry, Selena Gomez, Chelsea Clinton, Gabrielle Union, Wanda Sykes, Kathryn Hahn, Bella Hadid, Janelle Monáe, Patricia Arquette, Laverne Cox, Julianne Moore, Brie Larson, Cynthia Erivo, Judi...
Lil Nas X Is Giving Away the 666th Pair of His ‘Satan Shoes’
Even while embroiled in a series of controversies, Lil Nas X is ready to give back to his fans. On Monday (March 29), the “Montero” rapper tweeted about his line of “Satan Shoes,” telling his fans that if they wanted to receive a special pair, all they had to do was let him know on Twitter. “If u want the 666th pair of the satan shoes quote this tweet and use #satanshoes to be entered and I’ll pick someone by thursday,” he wrote. The tweet came hours after Nike announced a lawsuit against MSCHF Product Studio — the company behind the controversial new kicks — for trademark infringement, claiming the company materially altered Nike’s popular Air Max 97 design without permission. “There is already evidence of significant c...
Lucas Moura: Tottenham squad united behind Jose Mourinho
Lucas Moura has insisted that the whole Tottenham squad are united behind under-fire boss Jose Mourinho amid the club’s turbulent 2020-21 campaign. Mourinho’s position in the Spurs dugout has been called into question in the wake of a nightmare week which saw the team follow up a north London derby defeat to Arsenal by exiting the Europa League in shocking fashion at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb. Spurs were thrashed 3-0 in the second leg of that last-16 tie in Croatia, but responded by beating Aston Villa 2-0 in the Premier League on Sunday, with Moura issuing a rallying cry in his post-match interview. “It’s been a very bad week for us, the feeling was very bad,” the Spurs winger told the Evening Standard : “Last night, we showed our nature, we showed attitude. “The good thing about footbal...
First Out: New Music From Mykki Blanco, Sam Smith, Starrah & More
Sam Smith, Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios Sometimes, it’s good to take a look back on all of your hard work and smile — which is exactly what Sam Smith is doing with their new album Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios. The project includes Smith’s most recent work as well as their back catalog, including new live versions of hits like “Stay With Me,” “Lay Me Down” and “Too Good at Goodbyes,” while also offering the occasional cover, like Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” Regardless of what’s being sung, Love Goes: Live at Abbey Road Studios shows off Smith’s phenomenal vocal talent yet again. Mykki Blanco, “Free Ride” Listening to the genre-bending sounds of Mykk...
