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Seeing your ex getting into a new relationship is often devastating

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man-and-woman-in-love-enjoying-in-nature

When it comes to dealing with the ex moving on, we tend to feel depressed and hurt because we don’t expect them to do it so soon.

SO you’re casually checking out what’s up on Instagram’s “Explore” section and suddenly a photo of your ex with a new flame shows up.

Yes, your relationship ended but it is still awkward and somewhat devastating to see your former partner moving on, especially if the breakup is still fresh. Then, you start seeing them all over the place, laughing, having fun, and posting photos on social media profiles.

Like adding salt to the wound, people start texting to inform you about your ex’s new relationship. This leads to self-doubt, low self-esteem and in worst scenario – depression. Is there any way to overcome this? yes of course.

Why is it hard to accept ex’s new relationship?

How many times have you promised yourself you’ll move on and stop thinking about your ex and his/her new relationship? We do it quite often. Sometimes we can’t help it and jealousy kicks in. Getting over your ex and the idea of them finding someone else already can be easier said than done.

According to one study, 88 percent of 18- to 35-year-olds have stalked their ex’s social media profiles and 80 percent of them also stalked their ex’s new partners.

The more stalking occurred, the more distress we experience , scientists say. We always feel this urge to check their profiles, but it only causes more pain. It is not uncommon to develop symptoms of depression 1 including social isolation, feelings of helpless and worthlessness, guilt, difficulty concentrating, and others.

Why is it so difficult to just stop and move on?

No, you are not the problem here. Scientists explain that we are always in competition with our own sex. Since the ancient men and women natural instinct was to breed and fight for the alpha dog status, the devastation caused by ex’s new relationship is instinctive too. Subconsciously you think “that’s mine” despite being aware you’re not even together.

At one point or another, you start thinking maybe he/she will dump the new flame and you’ll be together. Deep down you know this outlook is detrimental to your emotional health and overall being at the same time. If you don’t move on and continue to dwell over your ex finding a new love, you’ll deprive yourself of the opportunity to find a new boy/girlfriend as well.

For instance, you may stress out over the fact your ex has a new flame but you don’t. But, just because you’re single it doesn’t mean you are emotionally available. Other people pick up on that and know you wouldn’t be able to commit. You owe it to yourself to move on and find the love, happiness, and a relationship that you deserve. But how to do it; you probably wonder. These tips can help.

Always remember…

Newer doesn’t always equal better

One of the most common reasons why we can’t let go of the fact our ex has a new love is that we automatically assume this new person is better than you in every way. In order to overcome this problem, you should ditch those thoughts that say your ex got an upgrade. This new person in their life isn’t necessarily more attractive, smarter, or prettier than you are.

Bear in mind that the relationship ended because things didn’t work out, it’s life and those things happen to everyone. Banishing negative thoughts isn’t always easy, but with regular practice, you can do it successfully. Every time you start thinking the other person is better and you’re worthless, think of a reason to debunk those thoughts.

New relationship doesn’t erase the old one

It’s easy to think that the new relationship, especially if the breakup is fresh, erases everything you two had. But, that is impossible! No, this new person is not your replacement. In fact, he/she doesn’t want to be a mere replacement as well. The new relationship doesn’t come with some magical option that deletes a person’s past. Both of you will still share the same memories, it’s entirely natural. Accepting this fact is a part of growing up and acknowledging it is time to move on.

No, he/she didn’t win

Okay, you’ve probably thought about this already; your ex won because he/she found a new guy or girl before you did. This isn’t about winning, how quickly you get into the new relationship depends on your needs and preferences. Your ex’s new relationship doesn’t make you a loser. And who cares whether someone else would consider the other person a winner. Two people were in a relationship, so someone else’s opinion shouldn’t knock you down.

Look for a role model

Humans learn not only from their own experiences but from other people too. We can strengthen our willpower just by learning from people we consider good role models. A practical way to deal with your ex’s new relationship is to look for a role model from your own life or pop culture i.e. any person who’s been in the same situation and overcame it successfully. It won’t take long, we’ve all been there. Now, in the moments of weakness and despair, think of your role model and how he/she tackled this situation and came out of it as a bigger, better person.

Get a hobby to have some fun

When we have too much time on our hands, we tend to think all kinds of things and they’re usually negative. You get caught up with one thought and it grows inside, makes you feel worse. You just need to preoccupy yourself, find a hobby, do something you’re passionate about. In turn, you’ll boost your confidence, reduce stress, feel emotionally better and the best thing of all – you won’t spend too much time focusing on your ex and his/her new partner.

Watch out for the white bear

Psychologists define a white bear as an occurrence when we try not to think about something or someone and we end up thinking even more . Don’t be alarmed if your ex and his girl pop up in your mind from time to time. Let’s face it, sometimes you think of people from your high school too. Is that a sign of concern? No! Forcing yourself to stop thinking about them could induce the counterproductive effect. You just need a good strategy to deal with those thoughts such as finding a positive characteristic about yourself each time you think the other person is better (1st point).

Be patient and take your time to recover

When it comes to dealing with the ex moving on, we tend to feel depressed and hurt because we don’t expect them to do it so soon. This happens regardless of how long it’s been since breakup or who induced it. Sometimes you are the one who broke up, but you still feel upset when the ex moved on. Don’t take his/her actions as a measure of your own worth and avoid considering them as some sort of a payback. Remember, people, heal at different times and at different rates. The best thing to do is to focus on yourself, your emotional and physical wellbeing, and get back into the game to find a new, healthy relationship when you feel the time is right.

Getting over an ex is not the easiest thing in the world, particularly if the other person moved on and found someone else. This is a major blow to our self-esteem and mental health, but only because we tend to compare ourselves with other people. The key is to develop a positive mindset and have a healthy lifestyle . You’ll move on at your own pace and stay open to a new relationship. By Katleen Brown

www.lifehack.org


Toni Braxton opens up about her romance with Birdman

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Toni Braxton is dating Birdman

Toni Braxton is dating Birdman

IT came as a shock last year when news reports revealed that Toni Braxton and Birdman were an item and it seems like the relationship is still a bit of a shock and pleasant surprise to Braxton because she recently revealed that she’s surprised at how happy she is with the Cash Money mogul.

In the latest episode of “Braxton Family Values,” Braxton sat down with her sister Towanda Braxton, and opened up about her year-plus long relationship with Birdman and how he still gives her butterflies with their romance.

“B [Birdman] called me the other day, yesterday actually, and he was just like, ‘T, I want you to hang out with me, whatever it is, let’s just do something’. I have anxiety and bubbles in my tummy and stuff. I don’t know what’s going on with me,” Braxton explained to her sister.

Things between Braxton and Birdman, who has even been on “Braxton Family Values” and met Braxton’s father, are clearly going well. However, Braxton did share with her sister that part of her is reluctant to settle into the idea that Birdman really could be the man of her dreams.

 Even Toni Braxton is surprised by her romance with Bryan Williams, also known as Birdman and Baby and she is now failing in love with him


Even Toni Braxton is surprised by her romance with Bryan Williams, also known as Birdman and Baby and she is now failing in love with him.

“You ever been scared to be happy? I haven’t been happy in a long time outside of work. Work brings me extreme happiness. When I’m on stage and I’m performing, that’s the only time that I get those butterflies and I feel totally happy with my life. A romantic relationship? I haven’t had time for that — I should say, I chose not to make time for it but it’s right here in front of my face: happiness,” Braxton explained.

She continued, “It’s the weirdest thing. Ten years ago, I never would’ve imagined me and B would be here. Who knows, this could be a great love affair.”

We’re happy that Birdman is making Braxton so happy. What do you think of their relationship? Let us know in the comments. –rollingout.com

A nasty divorce could harm your kids’ health for decades: study

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When children live through a contentious divorce or separation by their parents, the fallout can affect their health for decades, according to a new study.  Image: iStock

When children live through a contentious divorce or separation by their parents, the fallout can affect their health for decades, according to a new study.
Image: iStock

WHEN children live through a contentious divorce or separation by their parents, the fallout appears to harm their health for decades, even into adulthood, researchers have discovered.

The study involved 201 healthy adults who agreed to be quarantined, exposed to a virus that causes the common cold, and monitored for five days.

Those whose parents had separated and had not spoken to each other for years were three times as likely to get sick, compared to those whose parents had separated but had stayed in touch as the children grew.

Previous research has shown that adults whose parents separated during childhood have an increased risk for poorer health.

The latest study showed that this higher risk of illness is due, at least in part, to heightened inflammation in response to a viral infection, the report said.

“Early life stressful experiences do something to our physiology and inflammatory processes that increase risk for poorer health and chronic illness,” said Michael Murphy, a psychology postdoctoral research associate at Carnegie Mellon University.

“This work is a step forward in our understanding of how family stress during childhood may influence a child’s susceptibility to disease 20-40 years later.”

The study also showed that the adult children of parents who had separated but stayed in touch were no more likely to get sick than the adult children of intact families.

“Our results target the immune system as an important carrier of the long-term negative impact of early family conflict,” said Sheldon Cohen, a co-author and professor of psychology.

“They also suggest that all divorces are not equal, with continued communication between parents buffering deleterious effects of separation on the health trajectories of the children.”

The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed US journal. – www.timeslive.co.za

Yes, The Beatles were insanely popular. That doesn’t make them great musicians

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No band has influenced pop culture the way the Beatles have. They were one of the best things to happen in the twentieth century, let alone the Sixties.

No band has influenced pop culture the way the Beatles have. They were one of the best things to happen in the twentieth century, let alone the Sixties.

THE Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ 50 years on sounds like a collection of nursery rhymes for hashish connoisseurs, writes Yolisa Mkele

Somewhere around a decade or two ago, The Backstreet Boys were arguably the most popular quintet in the world. Sporting colour- co-ordinated outfits and hair that would induce many a modern hairstylist to commit seppuku, they were chased around the globe by fans wanting nothing more than to pelt them with undergarments. The Backstreet Boys went on to sell a ridiculous number of records and, for better or worse, left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Despite all of this, no one is silly enough to consider them anything more than a passing fad. So, with 50 years of vision-correcting hindsight between us and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, why do we not see The Beatles in the same way?

From a popularity perspective their legacy is unassailable. They have sold more records than the grains of sand in one’s orifices after a day at the beach, and wrecked the vocal cords of a generation of fans. They helped pioneer new recording techniques and pissed off Richard Nixon. The thing is though; their music wasn’t really THAT good.

If one were to attempt the near impossible task of listening to their music without Nostalgia Inc’s rose-tinted earphones it becomes apparent that their music has aged about as well as Ronnie Wood. Take Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – seen as one of the best albums the band ever produced – as an example. It is not difficult to see how the biggest band in the world could put something like that out to widespread acclaim. Fast forward half a century, however, and it sounds more like a collection of nursery rhymes for hashish connoisseurs.

Perhaps that’s because the album was a product of the ’60s, when young people participated in orgies and took drugs because it annoyed their parents, which was the height of cool. But by the time that soundtrack to free love filters down to the grandchildren of those hippies, it just sounds like a jingle for a psychedelic children’s cartoon. Their previous album, Revolver, was significantly better, though it is difficult to forgive Yellow Submarine.

Perhaps their status as one of the greatest bands ever is because they were icons of the counterculture, though it seems a touch insincere to be fighting a system that is paying you enough money to buy a swimming pool full of weed and still be rich.

Jimi Hendrix was counterculture. The Beatles were marketing.

There is something to be said for their originality in the sense that they were the first to do what they did and be palatable. Much like Elvis Presley, who repeatedly admitted as much, The Beatles owed large aspects of their sound to African American acts. Did they steal black music? Probably not, but its fingerprints are all over their DNA.

Could we reasonably rank Ringo Starr as one of the top five drummers of all time? George Harrison as one of the five best guitarists ever? Could John Lennon ever out-write Leonard Cohen or Bob Dylan? Could the band as a whole ever outperform Michael Jackson? I think not.

For their time period, The Beatles were great, fantastic even. They were everything the zeitgeist needed them to be and as a result became the most successful band in history. But placing them among the greatest musicians ever is a bit like saying, “The Backstreet Boys are to pop what Mozart is to classical music”. Ambitious. – www.timeslive.co.za

Inside Lira’s weirdest fan request

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Songstress Lira speaks about weird fan requests.

Songstress Lira speaks about weird fan requests.

AFTER more than a decade in the industry Lira has seen the good, the bad and the ugly that comes with being in the spotlight.

During an interview on Trending SA, Lira remembered how she once had to play ‘marriage counsellor’  between a fan and his wife.

“People ask us for the most [craziest] things. Every now and then I play shrink as well,” she said.

The songstress explained that one of her male fans once asked her to intervene in his relationship after he messed up. The guy and his wife were both fans of her music and Lira bravely made the phone call to his wife for him.

“There was a guy that asked me to call and apologise to his wife because he had messed up so much. So there I was, in the middle of the day calling… I could hear that she was broken and she was hurt, but we had a woman to woman talk and she really appreciated it,” she said.

The platinum-selling singer and coach for The Voice SA is busy with the second season of M-Net’s reality competition. 

Her reality series, Lira: Dream Chaser‘s second season, which documents the making of her sixth studio album, Born Free, will also be on the small screen soon.

She said that the show would allow her fans to get to know her in different settings and that it’ll shows her search for the meaning of freedom.- www.timeslive.co.za

Judge declares a mistrial in Bill Cosby sex assault case

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Prosecutors have vowed to retry Cosby on three charges of aggravated indecent assault

Prosecutors have vowed to retry Cosby on three charges of aggravated indecent assault.

A JUDGE has declared a mistrial in the Bill Cosby sex assault case because the jury says it is hopelessly deadlocked.

At a hearing, the jury said it could not reach a unanimous verdict on any of the counts being faced by the TV entertainer.

Cosby had been accused of sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia mansion in 2004.

The jury had been deliberating for more than 50 hours on whether to convict the fallen TV star, but could not agree whether he had drugged and molested the 44-year-old.

Cosby’s wife Camille has condemned those who pursued the case – describing the district attorney as “heinously and exploitively ambitious”, and the judge as “overtly arrogant”.

Andrea Constand said she felt 'humiliated' and 'confused' by the alleged attack
Andrea Constand said she felt ‘humiliated’ and ‘confused’ by the alleged attack

Prosecutors have vowed to retry the 79-year-old, who is known for his long-running sitcom The Cosby Show.

Cosby had faced spending the rest of his life in prison if he was convicted on three counts of aggravated indecent assault.

Dozens of women have come forward with allegations, some dating back decades, but statutes of limitations mean those allegations are too old to reach court.

This had been the first criminal prosecution to be brought against Cosby, who will celebrate his 80th birthday next month with his legacy and reputation in shreds.

After the mistrial was declared, Cosby’s lawyer Angela Agrusa said: “This is what happens, juries are stuck when a prosecutor seeks to put someone in prison for things that are simply not presented in the courtroom.”

The Cosby Show
Cosby earned fame and fortune as ‘America’s dad’ through his sitcom The Cosby Show

Dr Barbara Ziv, a forensic psychiatrist who has worked with victims of sexual assault, told Sky News: “When there are only two people involved there is always a ‘he said, she said’ element – so who are you going to believe?

“It’s hard to make judgements about credibility so there is a heavy reliance on physical evidence.”

Cosby does still face the possibility of civil trial on California over a claim dating back to the 1970s. Judy Huth says she was molested at the Playboy Mansion when she was 15 years old.

As with all of the allegations against him, Cosby has issued denials through his lawyers and remained largely silent himself.

Gloria Allred, a lawyer who represents many of his accusers, vowed: “We can never underestimate the blinding power of celebrity, but justice will come.”

Bill Cosby's star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame was defaced in December 2014
Bill Cosby’s star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame was defaced in December 2014

Journalists who have investigated the star say it is not surprising that it took many years for allegations to surface.

Mark Ebner said: “They have been empowered because time in many ways takes care of time.

“Back then their livelihoods, their reputations, everything was on the line because they were helpless to do anything about it because they were smack up against this power.”

When the scandal erupted, he was embarking on a career comeback expected to cement his legacy.

Instead TV appearances were shelved, his star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame was defaced and his live stand-up tour was dogged by controversy. – news.sky.com

Beyonce ‘gives birth to twins’

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Beyonce announced she was pregnant with twins in February

Beyonce announced she was pregnant with twins in February

BEYONCE has given birth to twins in Los Angeles, according to several celebrity news websites in the US.

The 35-year-old singer and her rapper husband Jay Z already have a five-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy.

Multiple sources confirmed to Us Weekly that the couple welcomed twins earlier this week.

An unidentified source told People magazine: “Bey and Jay are thrilled and have started sharing the news with their family and closest friends.”

The singer announced late last year she was pregnant with twins
Beyonce and Jay Z are said to be ‘thrilled’

The Lemonade singer announced the pregnancy on her Instagram account in February along with an image of her stroking a noticeable baby bump.

The announcement got more than eight million “likes” in the first 24 hours to become the “most-liked” Instagram ever.

The R&B singer performed live at the Grammy awards in Los Angeles two weeks later, proudly displaying her swelling belly in a motherhood-themed show.

She has since posted numerous pictures of her bare baby bump on her social media accounts. – news.sky.com

Benefits of teamwork in the workplace

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The benefits of teamwork include increased efficiency, the ability to focus different minds on the same problem and mutual support.

The benefits of teamwork include increased efficiency, the ability to focus different minds on the same problem and mutual support.

“TWO heads are better than one.” We’ve all heard the old adage encouraging teamwork, but what does working together really do for you? Salesmen thrive off healthy competition, but sometimes the use of teamwork in the workplace is a better answer for winning sales. Here are six ways that teamwork benefits you in the workplace.

1. Fosters Creativity and Learning

Creativity thrives when people work together on a team. Brainstorming ideas as a group prevents stale viewpoints that often come out of working solo. Combining unique perspectives from each team member creates more effective selling solutions.

What you have learned from your individual experiences is entirely different from your coworkers. Thus, teamwork also maximizes shared knowledge in the workplace and helps you learn new skills you can use for the rest of your career.

Collaborating on a project creates an enthusiasm for learning that solitary work usually lacks. Being able to share discoveries with the rest of your team excites employees and fosters both individual and team knowledge.

2. Blends Complementary Strengths

Working together lets employees build on the talents of their teammates. While your strength may be creative thinking, a coworker might shine in organization and planning. Do not hesitate to share your abilities with the team.

Often, a team works well together because team members rely on each other to bring individual talents to the table. By observing the process behind these skills, you can learn how to combine your gifts and become a stronger team.

Every time you see your coworkers utilize a different approach in sales, you have a chance to adjust or improve your methods.

3. Builds Trust

Relying on other people builds trust, and teamwork establishes strong relationships with coworkers. Despite occasional disagreements, an effective team enjoys working together and shares a strong bond. When you put your trust in a coworker, you are establishing the foundation of a relationship that can endure minor conflicts.

Trusting your teammates also provides a feeling of safety that allows ideas to emerge. It helps employees open up and encourage each other. Open communication is key when working on a team and produces effective solutions in difficult group projects.

Without trust, a team crumbles and cannot succeed on assigned projects. Great teams build each other up and strengthen individual members to create a cohesive group. By working together, employees learn that wins and losses affect everyone on the team. Teamwork necessitates confidence in each other’s distinct abilities.

4. Teaches Conflict Resolution Skills

Conflicts inevitably happen when you put together a group of unique people. Employees come from varied backgrounds and have different work styles and habits. While these unique viewpoints create the most successful work, they can also generate resentment that quickly turns into conflict.

When conflict arises in teamwork situations, employees are forced to resolve the conflicts themselves instead of turning to management. Learning conflict resolution firsthand is a skill that employees can use to become efficient managers down the road.

5. Promotes a Wider Sense of Ownership

Team projects encourage employees to feel proud of their contributions. Tackling obstacles and creating notable work together makes team members feel fulfilled. Working toward achieving company goals allows employees to feel connected to the company. This builds loyalty, leading to a higher level of job satisfaction among employees.

Teamwork is not just helpful for employees. It benefits the employer in the long run as well. Employees that connect directly with their workplace are more likely to stay with the company. While employees leaving their jobs often cite a lacking salary, another common complaint is that their contributions do not seem to matter. Teamwork allows people to engage with the company and add to the bigger picture.

6. Encourages Healthy Risk-Taking

Unity is strength - teamwork conceptAn employee working on a project alone will probably not want to stick their neck out for an off-the-wall idea. If the project fails when working solo, that employee takes the full brunt of the blame. While you may not get full credit for a successful team project, working with other people spreads out the responsibility for a failed assignment.

Working as a team allows team members to take more risks, as they have the support of the entire group to fall back on in case of failure. Conversely, sharing success as a team is a bonding experience. Once a team succeeds together, their brainstorming sessions will produce revolutionary ideas without hesitation. In many cases, the riskiest idea turns out to be the best idea. Teamwork allows employees the freedom to think outside the box.

There may be no “I” in team, but teamwork can still benefit employees on a personal level. Do not allow competitive natures to get in the way of personal growth in the workplace. Instead, understand how to resolve conflicts and trust teammates to contribute their best ideas. Learn from your team members and build on each other’s skills to create more impressive results in the workplace. – www.sandler.com


How to create multiple streams of income

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Those who have managed to create multiple streams of income have less to worry about it.

Those who have managed to create multiple streams of income have less to worry about it.

THE original version of Barbara Winter’s book, Making a Living Without a Job, came out in 1993, and in it, she recommended creating multiple profit centers, as opposed to building a single income stream. Over ten years later,  Robert Allen, the real estate entrepreneur, also wrote a couple books promoting the idea of multiple streams of income. Back then, building more than one source of income was difficult, time-consuming, and expensive.

However, today, the Internet has solved that problem. It’s now easier, faster, and more affordable to generate multiple income streams.

Creating more than one income stream sounds overwhelming, after all, you already have one source of work, now you need to create more? But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and the benefits of having of several sources make it worth the effort.

Benefits of Multiple Income Streams

  1. It’s easier to create several small income producing streams over one large one. For example, it’s easier to create three streams that earn $1,000 than one stream that earns $3,000.
  2. It reduces the risk of being left without any income. If you’re laid off or one source of income drops, you have other sources to help you get by. Especially in home business, which has an ebb and flow, you can offset the dry spells by having another source of income.
  3. It helps you avoid boredom in work by having different things to do every day.
  1. You can create income streams based on your interests, talents, and passions.

Of course, there are a few challenges with multiple income streams.

Disadvantage of Multiple Income Streams

  1. It’s difficult to keep on top of all tasks that need to be done for every income stream.
  2. It’s a balancing act to give enough attention to each income stream to keep them growing and profitable. Barbara Winter likens it to plate spinning.
  1. The start-up time for each income stream is time and energy consuming.

How to Create Multiple Income Streams

Even with the challenges, the benefits outweigh the potential problems, especially if you build additional income related your existing home businessHere are tips to adding more income streams to your home business.

1.Take out a piece of paper and write your main business product or service in the middle to start a mindmap. If you’re a virtual assistant, you’d write VA in the middle of the paper.

2. Create four spokes titled “Products,” “Services,” “Advertising/Affiliate,” and “Other” off of your main product or service. These are categories of types of income you can potentially generate off of your existing business.

3. Create spokes off of each of these categories with ideas on how you can make money at them. Earning sources include books, courses, merchandise, coaching, freelancing, speaking, training, selling advertising, and affiliate marketing. For example, a virtual assistant can create tangible or digital products, such as books, courses, and videos that teach others how to be a virtual assistant in the “products” spoke. For services, she can offer additional services, coaching or speaking (i.e. How a Virtual Assistant Can Save Businesses Time and Money).

Under other, she can expand her business by bringing on contract virtual assistants and become a manager of a VA company. Not all businesses will be able to come up with ideas for each spoke, but every business should be able to develop extra income streams from their home business idea.

4. Focus first on passive income streams that you create once but they continue to generate income. For example, writing a book is a passive income stream. You write it once and sell it over and over. The word passive is a little deceptive because you need to market the book. Nevertheless, compared to non-passive sources of income, which you need to do over and over to make money, such as providing a service, passive income streams require less time once they’re created. Other forms of passive income include other written works (i.e. courses), audio or video creations, affiliate marketing, licensing your idea, franchising, or continuity programs (i.e. memberships).

Warren-Buffet

5. Next, focus on income streams that can expand your business. For example, public speaking or teaching can create additional income, as well as generate new clients.

6. Choose and set-up one income stream at a time. The planning and launch of a new stream is the most time consuming and requires focus. Avoid the temptation to jump into several ideas at one time, as putting your focus into many areas at once will dilute your efforts and slow you down.  

7. Wait until one income stream is up and running before starting the next. If you have several additional income ideas, wait until you’ve got one up and running, before starting the next one. Work to have systems, schedules and tools in place to help you manage existing income streams, so you don’t become overwhelmed.

8. Drop an income stream if it isn’t working. You want to give your additional income streams the time and effort needed to get them running, but if they don’t start generating income or if you hate it, drop it. 

Although adding income streams takes time, creating them within your current business is faster and easier than starting completely new income streams from scratch. This method of generating extra sources of income works well for any size business in any industry. For example, Amazon.com started by selling books. Today it sells thousands of other products including its own product, the Kindle, and is a print and digital publisher, and now produced television shows. Many service-based business owners add coaching and books to their income streams. Bloggers who start with affiliate marketing, often add books and coursed they create to their income stream. You create additional sources of income for your business, as well.- www.thebalance.com

Brooklyn Beckham is ‘a photographer, not a model’

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The 18-year-old Beckham is set to release his debut photography book, containing 300 snapshots of his own life.

The 18-year-old Beckham is set to release his debut photography book, containing 300 snapshots of his own life.

BROOKLYN Beckham is launching his career as a photographer with a new book, insisting he is “really not a model”.

The oldest of the four Beckham children has published a photography collection titled What I See, in which he shares 300 snapshots of his own life.

The 18-year-old son of footballer David and fashion designer Victoria said he loves to photograph his famous parents and hopes his experience in front of the camera contributes to his success behind it.

“I really am not a model,” he said.

“I have been lucky enough to have been asked to do some amazing shoots in front of the camera – and while I much prefer to be behind it, I have learned a huge amount from the photographers I have worked with. I hope to take those experiences with me as I continue to learn.”

What I See by Brooklyn Beckham is published on 29 June by Penguin
What I See by Brooklyn Beckham is published on 29 June by Penguin

The teenager, who has amassed millions of fans across social media, stepped into photographer mode earlier this year when he shot a Burberry Brit fragrance campaign.

“I carry a camera around with me absolutely everywhere so I don’t miss a potential photographic moment. Having said that, I don’t love being photographed myself. I accept it because I have grown up with it,” he said.

“I love photographing my parents because they both have such great personalities which are fun to capture. It’s easy to photograph them as we are so close.

“There’s an image of my mum fishing in Iceland in the book which I love as it’s really a captured moment.”

The book is an intimate collection of photographs both by and of Brooklyn, accompanied by text written by him.

What I See by Brooklyn Beckham is published on 29 June. – news.sky.com

Johnny Depp jokes onstage about assassinating President Trump

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The Public Enemies star made the quip while answering fan questions at a screening of his movie The Libertine.

The Public Enemies star made the quip while answering fan questions at a screening of his movie The Libertine.

JOHNNY Depp has joked about assassinating President Donald Trump while appearing on stage at the Glastonbury Festival.

The Hollywood star received a rapturous reception during the event at Cineramageddon – a drive-in cinema on the site in Somerset.

He introduced his 2004 film The Libertine alongside director Julien Temple, but then began talking about religion and President Trump after questions from the 1,500-strong audience.

He said: “I think he needs help and there are a lot of wonderful dark, dark places he could go.

“It is just a question – I’m not insinuating anything.

“When was the last time an actor assassinated a president? I want to qualify, I am not an actor. I lie for a living.

“However, it has been a while and maybe it is time.”

Depp was greeted by crowds of fans holding phones after arriving in a blue vintage Cadillac.

He posed for pictures and jumped on the car bonnet, before introducing the film and adding: “I made the film because I wanted to try to bring to England a great poet that they missed.”

Fans, many sat in vintage cars and trucks, then watched a screening of the movie. –news.sky.com

Michelle Obama’s style after the white house

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James Devaney/GC Images

Michelle Obama has always captured our attention when it came to her choices in fashion with good reason, and after leaving the White House her style continues to shine. Former President Barack Obama has stated that she is the embodiment of grace, grit and style and we couldn’t agree more! Scroll through to see our former FLOTUS’ stylish ensembles after leaving the White House.  

Burgundy Kissed

Burgundy Kissed

Barack Obama snuck in a last kiss at the White House before leaving the office at the end of his presidency on January 20, 2017. For her final first lady look, Michelle wore a burgundy short-sleeved, a-line silhouette dress by Jason Wu with black heels.

Credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty

Cool Lady

Cool Lady

The former first lady was seen leaving Upland restaurant in NYC after having lunch with Barack and U2’s Bono on March 10, 2017. Michelle rocked a cool gray trench coat, a white and black blouse and skinny-leg black pants. 

Credit: James Devaney/GC Images

Color Blocked

Color Blocked

Michelle donned a Lafayette 158 color block sundress and strappy heels during an American Institute of Architects conference in Orlando, Florida on April 27, 2017.

Credit: Gerardo Mora/Getty

Business Classy

Business Classy

Michelle wore a bell-sleeve black dress with white dot accents during a discussion about the future Obama Presidential Center on May 3, 2017 in Chicago. 

Credit: Scott Olson/Getty

Princeton Proud

Princeton Proud

The former first lady wore a gray Princeton T-shirt, her alma mater, with gray jeans and a long gray cardigan at the MTV’s 2017 College Signing Day on May 5, 2017 in NYC. 

Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty

Straight Edge

Straight Edge

Michelle modeled a high-low striped blouse with a wide statement belt at the Healthier America summit in D.C. on May 12, 2017. 

Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty

Bella in Pink

Bella in Pink

Former FLOTUS looked lovely in a pink one-shoulder Teija top, white distressed jeans and a Jimmy Choo cross-body bag while sightseeing in Montalcino, Italy on May 20, 2017. 

Credit: ToscanaPhotos / BACKGRID

Easy Breezy

Easy Breezy

Michelle looked sunning in a white Club Monaco off-the-shoulder blouse and high-waisted olive colored pants while out in Sienna, Italy on May 22, 2017. 

Credit: ToscanaPhotos / BACKGRID

By

– usmagazine.com

R Kelly reacts to Durban man’s rendition of his song

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R Kelly

R n’ B superstar R Kelly

JOHANNESBURG – Have you ever been out in public and all of a sudden you just get the urge to burst out in song? Well, the next time you do, go ahead and sing your heart out! You could catch the eye of an international star. 

That’s what happened to one Durban resident when he was filmed singing an R Kelly song. The man is clearly having a great time as he belts out R Kelly’s Bad Man at a taxi rank, and guess who noticed! 

R Kelly himself posted the video writing: “This weeks #FANFEATUREMONDAY travels all the way to Durban, South Africa and this fans rendition of #BadMan – I love how universal music is.–  www.channel24.co.za

Rihanna will come for world leaders on Twitter, for an excellent cause

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Robyn Rihanna Fenty is making waves for another reason: education.

Robyn Rihanna Fenty is making waves for another reason: education.

CAN Rihanna just run for president already? Fenty 2020 has a nice ring to it. Considering the flexibility on the current administration’s conduct and policies, surely we can bend that whole natural-born citizen clause just once?

What other figure in pop culture slides into the DMs of young fans to give worldly wisdom and promotes humanitarianism at such a high level? Hell, she’s even nabbed an award for it.

Now, Robyn Rihanna Fenty is making waves for another reason: education. The “Love On The Brain” singer sent out a series of tweets to world leaders on Friday night.
Her message to several leaders about education reform — including Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and French President, Emmanuel Macron — was loud and clear, “What’s your plan?” she asked.
Though the best part? Two leaders actually responded. Because when Badgalriri tweets you about your commitment to education, world leader or not, it’s in your best interest to respond.
While a tweet, to some, may seem like a minor effort, for a woman with 74 million Twitter followers it’s a way to shed light on a major global issue. It’s not every day we see superstars of this caliber take on charity work and humanitarian efforts so fervently and publicly. “My grandmother always used to say, ‘If you’ve got a dollar, there’s plenty to share,” she said in a speech at Harvard earlier this year.
“At 17 I started my career here in America, and by the age of 18, I started my first charity organization,” she continued. “I went on to team up with other organizations in the following years and met, helped, and even lost some of the most beautiful souls.”
Now at 29-years-old and after more than a decade, it’s clear Riri’s passion proves she’s in it for the long haul. – www.refinery29.com

BET Awards 2017, highlights and winners

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New Edition won the Lifetime achievement award

New Edition won the Lifetime achievement award

WHILE new artists like Chance the Rapper and SZA made a splash at the 2017 BET Awards, the night belonged to the elders — industry legends like Mary J. Blige, Tamar, Braxton, Maxwell, Xscape, and New Edition, whose standout performances during Sunday night’s show in Los Angeles were proof that some things really do get better with age.

The lengthy, performance-packed show was helmed by comic Leslie Jones, whose opening monologue riffing on being “old school” was a more than fitting introduction to a night that largely celebrated the legacy and influence of ’90s R&B. In addition to the industry vets, artists like Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Big Sean, Migos, Gucci Mane, and DJ Khaled helped contribute to the 20-plus performances of the night, while everyone from Lil’ Kim to Solange Knowles was on deck to help present the night’s numerous honors and awards. Clocking in at a whopping four hours, this awards show is one night that won’t soon be forgotten. See the good, the bad, and the very, very dramatic in our rundown below.

The Best:

Mary J. Blige: The Queen of Hip Hop Soul held court as only she could with a glorious and confident performance that confirmed that she’s not wringing her hands over her recent divorce. Sporting a glittering ensemble that showed off what Jamie Foxx would later declare to the audience as her “breakup body,” Blige performed “Set Me Free”and “Love Yourself,” the latter of which got an assist from A$AP Rocky.

Xscape: The original girl gang reunited on the BET stage for a showing that brought joy to every person who grew up on ’90s R&B. Perhaps even more heartwarming was seeing Tiny Harris and Kandi Burruss being recognized outside of the reality TV franchises that they’re known for now.

Social Activism: The cast of the upcoming film Detroit took time during the show to say the names of those lost to police brutality and violence: “Philando Castile. Eric Garner. Sandra Bland. Alton Sterling. Freddie Gray. Michael Brown. And Trayvon Martin. We gotta influence change.” During her acceptance speech for Young Stars, Yara Shahidi paid tribute to Tamir Rice on what would have been his 15th birthday. Later, Solange Knowles called for a moment of silence for black lives taken before honoring Woman’s March leader Tamika Mallory for her advocacy work. Along with Best New Artist, Chance the Rapper was honored by the likes of Michelle Obama, Jesse Williams, and Common for the Humanitarian Award. Upon receiving it, he reiterated his desire to work toward justice, especially when it came to the racial politics of mass incarceration and the educational system.

Kendrick Lamar: The DAMN. rapper took home the top prize as Best Male Hip Hop Artist, but really stole the show when he appeared as a guest rapper for Future’s performance of the already-viral “Mask Off.” It’s hard to upstage a performer as charismatic as Future Hendrix and yet Lamar did it with the same devastating ease that he employs with his verbose flows.

In Memoriam Tributes: Chuck Berry got a rousing tribute thanks to Roman GianArthur’s lively rendition of “Johnny B. Goode” while George Michael was honored with a dazzling and sultry performance of “Careless Whisper” by El DeBarge and Kamasi Washington. Prodigy of Mobb Deep, who passed away earlier in the week at the age of 42, was also honored by Lil’ Kim and the other half of Mobb Deep, Havoc. “For over 20 years, he and I went through it all, and seen it all,” Havoc said. “I’m going to miss my dude. This loss is painful. But the lyrical legacy he left us will impact the culture forever. Rest in peace, Prodigy. My brother.” Upon receiving his award for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Kendrick also paid tribute to Prodigy.

New Edition: Nostalgia was at an all-time high with the tributes for New Edition who was honoured on Sunday Night with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The OG boy band was recently the subject of a BET biopic and the biopic’s cast took to the stage to honor the group with a retrospective of their hits over the course of their shared and solo careers with songs like “Candy Girl,” “Poison,” and “My Prerogative.” Later, the singers themselves performed together once again much to the delight of the audience; their songs included “Mr. Telephone Man,” “Can You Stand the Rain,” and “If It Isn’t Love.” Despite the nearly four decades since their start, the boys-turned-men of New Edition proved that they were still the best in the game when it comes to harmonizing and dancing in sync.

Nostalgia was at an all-time high with the tributes for New Edition who was honoured on Sunday Night

Nostalgia was at an all-time high with the tributes for New Edition who was honoured on Sunday night

Remy Ma: The Bronx’s self-declared “Queen of NY” secured another jewel for her crown when she took home Best Female Hip Hop Artist — breaking the 7-year winning streak held by rival Nicki Minaj. Lest anyone think that Remy’s win wasn’t the latest development in their longtime beef, Remy spit bars from her diss track about Minaj, “Shether,” before accepting her award. Remy also used her time to talk about her time in jail, telling her fans that “it’s hard, but you can do it; you can make mistakes and come back.”

Asahd Khaled: Of course the hardest working baby made an appearance at the BET Awards. Besides joining his father DJ Khaled for a performance of “I’m the One” with Lil Wayne, Chance the Rapper, and Quavo, Asahd also blessed us all by wearing matching turquoise Gucci suits with rapper Gucci Mane. A true icon at the ripe age of eight months.

The Worst:

Technical difficulties: SZA’s lush, seductive set towards the end of the show was one of the night’s best vocal performances, but sadly it won’t be her rendition of “The Weekend” that stays with viewers who are much more likely to remember the glaring technical difficulties that forced the singer to stop and restart her performance. She wasn’t the only one who suffered at the hands of production — Insecure‘s Issa Rae who introduced SZA was incorrectly announced as Yara Shahidi. Additionally, there were notable gaps and lags throughout the program — perhaps most awkwardly when there was no transition between when New Edition accepted their award and their costume change for their performance.

Stage Set and Camera Work: The show’s stage had a moving walkway that strongly resembled a conveyer belt, which made it difficult for the talent and presenters to walk and left most viewers in mortal fear that their fave would be the victim to falling flat on their face. Additionally, the camera angles veered erratically between perspectives, making the viewing experience disorienting to say the least.

Length: Too much of a good thing can be horrible — or at the very least, very taxing. The BET Awards are always a wealth of talent, but while some performances were phenomenal, there were too many that were subpar or simply not that memorable (here’s looking at you, Trey Songz.) While the show’s focus on performances as opposed to the actual presentation of the awards is more entertaining in theory, a four hour awards show does little to maintain flagging interests.

Chris Brown: How and why does Chris Brown continue to get invited to perform at these functions? Between his current restraining order from Karrueche Tran and his mixtape Burn My Name with Ray J, it’s questionable whether or not Brown’s obvious talent is justification enough for co-signing him as a problematic fave. – time.com

LIST OF THE WINNERS

Video of the year: Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”; Beyonce, “Sorry”
Best male R&B/pop artist: Bruno Mars
Best female R&B/pop Artist: Beyonce
Best male hip hop artist: Kendrick Lamar
Best female hip hop artist: Remy Ma
Best new artist: Chance the Rapper
Album of the year: Beyonce, “Lemonade”
Best group: Migos
Best gospel/inspirational award: Lecrae
Best collaboration: Chance the Rapper featuring Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz, “No Problem”; Migos featuring Lil Uzi Vert, “Bad and Boujee”
YoungStars award: Yara Shahidi
Viewers’ choice award: Beyonce, “Sorry”
Centric award: Solange, “Cranes In the Sky”
Video director of the year: Beyonce and Kahlil Joseph, “Sorry”
Best actor: Mahershala Ali
Best actress: Taraji P. Henson
Best movie: “Hidden Figures”
Sportswoman of the year: Serena WilliamsSportsman of the year: Stephen Curry
Humanitarian award: Chance the Rapper
Lifetime achievement award: New Edition
Best international act, Europe: Stormzy, England
Best international act, Africa: Wizkid, Nigeria


Ras Bledz heading for the top

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The flamboyant artiste has a combination of brains, talent and stlye.

The flamboyant artiste has a combination of brains, talent and style.

SOUTH Africa based Zimbabwean artiste Ras Bledz (real name Blessing Makiwa ) has dropped a sizzling new Extended Play ( EP ) titled Chezider.The EP carries four tracks and they are inspired by real societal issues. The title track Chezider talks about a dysfunctional romantic relationship where the woman ditches her lover and flies out to a foreign country. It touches in heartbreaks.

Ras Bledz also dropped another hit titled Harare in which he reveals his nostalgic feeling and how he misses his hometown. In an interview the reggae artiste said he drew inspiration from his mother who he described as “a great singer both at church and at home”.

The flamboyant artiste grew up in the ghetto of Mufakose and Glen Norah before relocating to South Africa.

Asked to trace his musical journey, Ras Bledz said he cut his teeth in the industry back in 2005.

“I started music back in 2005 as a dee jay. I started recording in 2014 with a collabo with Nox Guni and Snagga Bounty. I also did collaboration with Trinta, Kulcha B, Luttan King, Slagga B and many more,” he said.

His perseverance has seen him sharing the stage with stars like Dr Oliver Mtukudzi, Jah Prayzah and Nox Guni.

He is bound to share the stage with Winky D on his forthcoming gig in South Africa. Ras Bledz owns his own record stable called Madiro Empire. However, to add versatility on his new EP he roped in Tyfa Guni from Ice and Roses studio to put his Midas touch. Lately, his videos have been receiving generous airplay on national television. At this rate, the youthful musician is destined for dizzy heights if fame does not distract him.

Ras Bledz is also a graduate in Machines hop engineering and working in South Africa on the engineering sector.

Blessing Makiwa a.k.a Ras Bledz

Blessing Makiwa a.k.a Ras Bledz

All set for Apostle Chipoyera’s night of deliverance

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Apostle Chipoyera will on Friday host a night of deliverance and healing.

Apostle Chipoyera will on Friday host a night of deliverance and healing.

THE wait is over, preparations for the much awaited night of deliverance and permanent solutions have reached fever pitch.

Tomorrow (Friday June 30) Kingdom Prosperity Ministries hosts the much awaited all- night prayer in Harare.  Friday for an all-night prayer . As has become the ministry’s tradition, congregants should expect a genuine experience with God. Founder Apostle Rodney Chipoyera and wife Pastor Farai will lead the all night prayer where they are expected to permanently deliver permanent solutions to problems.
The all-night prayer’s main focus will be supernatural healing and deliverance. Apostle Chipoyera said the all-night prayer was an opportunity for all Christians to access a genuine move of God.
“Everyone is welcome to join us in prayer on June 30, 2017 from 9pm until Saturday morning. This is a night where things will not remain the same. All those who want God to turn their situation around are free to attend our service on Friday at number 99 Parklane, near NSSA Building. This is an opportunity for people to experience a real and genuine move of the Holy Spirit,” he said.
Drawing from Obadiah 1:17, which says, “But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance,” Apostle Chipoyera said even long-term afflictions, sicknesses and diseases will be delivered and healed instantly.
Lately, Apostle Chipoyera has hosted spiritual clinics which run from Tuesday to Friday every morning. In these sessions,Apostle Chipoyera preaches the word of God and prays for the sick and demon-possessed individuals.Several individuals have given testimonies live on video.
With a special anointing on prosperity, Apostle Chipoyera has also been anointing many to permanently turn around financial positions to those who believe, sow seeds and sacrifices in line with God’s Word.This Friday’s all night prayer is expected to fill up the church’s auditorium as precedence has been set in previous gatherings. Apostle Chipoyera’s demonstration of power is buttressed by biblical verses.The charismatic man of God qouted Isaiah 53:5, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth,” He explained that Jesus didn’t speak because He wanted to die on the cross to fulfil Scriptures.
“But you must speak out, cry out that’s the only way your problem is addressed and ends in your favour,” he said.
Breakthrough Morning Prayer meetings: Tuesday-Friday, 6:30am-8:30am
Contact: +263779701251, +263772908917, pastorrodneykwm @gmail.com,albert@kpm.co.zw, info@kpm.co.zw and visit www. kingdomprosperityministries. org. Our address is 99 Parklane Ave, near NSSA, Harare, Zimbabwe

Tupac Shakur biopic hit with copyright-infringement lawsuit

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Tupac, pictured here a few weeks before his death, is one of rap's most influential figures

Tupac, pictured here a few weeks before his death in September 1996, is one of rap’s most influential figures.

TUPAC Shakur’s brief career and lifetime were riddled with controversy, so it seems only fitting that some of that controversy would spill over onto the biopic of the hip-hop artist from Marin City.

Kevin Powell, the writer and activist who wrote a series of articles on Shakur for Vibe magazine in the mid-1990s, has filed a copyright-infringement lawsuit against the makers of “All Eyez on Me.” Powell claims the script was based on his articles, but says he did not grant producers permission to use his work, according to TMZ.

Much of the movie is told through flashbacks related during a prison interview of Shakur (portrayed by Demetrius Shipp Jr.) by a journalist. Powell based his Vibe articles from a visit with Shakur while the rapper served time in 1995 for a sexual assault conviction at a New York state correctional facility.

The lawsuit claims that some of the movie’s characters were based on real people found only in Powell’s articles, including the pivotal “Nigel” character.

Powell has asked a judge that the film be pulled from theaters, and is asking for a percentage of the movie’s box office receipts. The writer, who is also known as one of the original cast members of MTV’s “Real World” reality show, is believed to be working on a Shakur biography, according to TMZ.

Last week Jada Pinkett Smith, a childhood friend of Shakur’s, blasted the movie with a Twitter rant claiming the scenes between Shipp Jr. and Kat Graham (who plays Pinkett Smith) were dreamed up.

“Forgive me… my relationship to Pac is too precious to me for the scenes in All Eyez On Me to stand as truth,” read one tweet.

Shakur was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in April, becoming the first solo rapper to receive the honor. He was born in New York City to parents who were members of the Black Panthers movement. He also lived in Baltimore before moving in 1988 to the Bay Area, where his music career began.

Shakur is hailed as one of the most influential rappers of all time, with much of his lyrics depicting the struggles of urban life in realistic yet poetic terms. He sold more than 75 million records, and also enjoyed success as an actor in such movies as “Juice” and “Poetic Justice.”

Shakur was at the forefront of the East Coast-West Coast rivalry that divided the hip-hop community in the 1990s. He was 25 when he was fatally injured during a drive-by shooting on the streets of Las Vegas in September 1996.

The Notorious B.I.G., Shakur’s one-time friend turned East Coast rival, met a similar fate in Los Angeles six months later. Neither case has been solved. – mercurynews.com

 

Pop stars hit back after Halsey comments

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Battle of the pop stars? We won't see these three together on stage anytime soon.

Battle of the pop stars? We won’t see these three together on stage anytime soon.

POP stars Iggy Azalea and Demi Lovato have both hit back at singer Halsey after she accused them of racial and sexual bias.

In an interview with The Guardian, Halsey said she would never use Azalea in one of her records, accusing her of having a “complete disregard for black culture” and of being a “f****** moron”.

“I watched her career dissolve and it fascinated me,” she added.

Days before, in an interview to Paper magazine, the openly bisexual pop star targeted Demi Lovato, accusing her of turning bisexuality into a taboo.

“That narrative is so f****** damaging to bisexuality and its place in society,” she said, naming the lyrics of Lovato’s song Cool For The Summer.

On Friday, Lovato tweeted an apparent response, writing: “You know a song is a hit when people are still talking about the lyrics two years later. #shhhhdonttellyourmother.”

As for Azalea, her response was sharper, telling Australian radio show Smallzy’s Surgery she found it “a bit weird to bring someone up in an interview that you weren’t asked about”.

“To me, because I’m a famous person and I know a lot of the time people have opinions and they’re not always accurate, I really try very hard not to give my personal opinions about people that I don’t know,” Azalea continued.

Halsey is the first female artist to reach number one in US charts this year
Halsey is the first female artist to reach number one in US charts this year

“And I don’t know her, I’ve never met her.”

“I thought it was a bit of a strange thing to throw that out there, but she’s young and I hope she learns maybe to be a bit less judgemental when she’s kind of in the same shoes,” she added.

“I’m sure she’s getting judged all the time as well by people who don’t really know her. So I think maybe it’d be good for her to try to be a little more empathetic to other people that are in the same situation.”

Halsey has just released her second studio album, has been compared to Lana Del Rey and Lady Gaga and is the first female artist to go to number one in the US charts this year.

“Everyone thought I would be excited,” she told NME.

“And I was, but I think there are so many women who’ve put out better albums than me that deserve that. So all we can do is keep shining a light on the female artists that we love and give them the exposure they deserve.” – news.sky.com

‘Kill Jay Z’? The king is back, but different

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What can we expect from the return of the world's most successful rapper?

What can we expect from the return of the world’s most successful rapper?

WITH just a few days left until the release of the rapper’s highly anticipated new album, JAY-Z has reinvented himself.

Forget about the old Jay Z, breathing easy, getting dirt off his shoulder, no hyphen before Z, no cap-sized letters, spelled like every other name.

The $610m rapper is releasing 4:44 this Friday, and has shared a teaser clip titled “Kill Jay Z” – an allusion to his recent name change.

The clip shows a young black man running in slow motion, police sirens in the background.

He is also wearing a shirt which reads “Stay Black”. He is running for his life.

JAY-Z wants to reinvent himself and, by reinstating the hyphen, he also wants to take a step back and remind everyone where he is coming from.

This will be the rapper’s first album in four years, his fifth since his 2003 supposed retirement, and fans are as excited as suspicious, unsure of what they are getting.

And there is a good reason for it, since his last album, 2013’s Magna Carta…Holy Grail was received with mixed reviews.

It was not the Jay Z critics were expecting. Too many collaborations, Timbalands and Timberlakes, not enough “street”, too much privilege and financial success, too many jokes and name swaps and mediocre lyrics.

And now he is father to newborn twins, the most successful rapper in the world, the first to make it to the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

He chose Father’s Day to announce the album’s first trailer.

The track is called Adnis, the name of his dead father – Adnis Reeves – with whom he had a complicated relationship growing up.

The two mended their Wilsonian fences a few years ago, and the 47-year-old rapper appears to be reaching a stage in his life where his music is looking inward.

To reflect the present, JAY-Z has to look back to the past.

Jay Z's last album was Magna Carta Holy Grail in 2013
Jay Z’s last album was Magna Carta Holy Grail in 2013

At 13, the then named Shawn Carter was selling drugs in the streets of Brooklyn. His father had just left him and his mother.

“Anger. At the whole situation,” Jay told Oprah Winfrey.

“Because when you’re growing up, your dad is your superhero. Once you’ve let yourself fall that in love with someone, once you put him on such a high pedestal and he lets you down, you never want to experience that pain again.”

Then he changed his name, found hip hop and years later founded Tidal, the first artist-owned streaming service in the world.

Now he is changing his name again, reinventing himself and showing a more intimate stage of his life.

4:44, the album’s title, is as reflective of this as his teaser videos, with both JAY and his wife Beyonce being born at the fourth day of their month, and having married on 4 April.

Father, daughters, husband and wife. JAY-Z is a different man now, and we cannot wait to meet him. – news.sky.com

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