Pull-Out
23 | THE VOICE JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2012
HE’S K C A B
Dave Chappelle announces tour
BACKLAS
H
Serena Williams forced to apologise
DJ NEPTIZZLE Vietnamese style
Afrobeats:
24 ! THE VOICE JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2013
DADDY DAY CARE
Following the birth of baby ‘Kimye’ - the daughter of reality star Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West - we look at other celebrity fathers
KANYE WEST W h o ? US rapper Partner: Reality star Kim Kardashian New addition: The couple’s baby girl was born on June 15
MARVIN HUMES W h o ? Member of UK boy band JLS Partner: The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes New addition: Daughter Alaia-Mai was born on May 22
MICHAEL UNDERWOOD Who? British presenter Partner: Fellow presenter Angelica Bell New addition: The couple’s second child is expected this summer
FAZER Who? Former N-Dubz rapper Partner: Model Ashley Emma New addition: Ava Rose was born in February this year
FABRICE MUAMBA W h o ? Former footballer Partner: Wife Shauna Muamba New addition: The couple’s second child is due later this year
CHANNING TATUM W h o ? Hollywood actor Partner: Fellow actress Jenna Dewan-Tatum New addition: Daughter Everly born on May 31
JAY-Z W h o ? Music mogul Partner: Singer Beyonce Knowles New addition: The pair welcomed daughter Blue Ivy in January 2012
WIZ KHALIFA W h o ? US rapper Partner: Model Amber Rose New addition: Sebastian Taylor Thomaz was born on February 21
SWIZZ BEATZ Who? US producer Partner: Singer Alicia Keys New addition: The couple’s first child Egypt Dean was born in 2010
SHANNON BROWN W h o ? Basketball star for the Phoenix Suns Partner: Singer Monica New addition: The couple are expecting their first child together later this year
NICK CANNON W h o ? Comedian and media entrepreneur Partner: US singer Mariah Carey New addition: Twins Monroe and Moroccan were born in April 2011
AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE Who? NBA star for the New York Nicks Partner: Wife Alexis Welch New addition: The pair welcomed son Alijah in March of this year
VINCENT HERBERT W h o ? US record executive Partner: Singer Tamar Braxton New addition: Logan Vincent was born on June 6
JR MARTINEZ Who? Former US soldier turned actor Partner: Girlfriend Diana Gonzalez-Jones New addition: Lauryn Annabelle was born on May 2
THE DREAM Who?: US producer Partner: Ex girlfriend, US singer Christina Milian New addition: Violet was born in 2010
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CHRIS BOSH Who? Miami Heat basketball star Partner: Adrienne Williams Bosh New addition: The couple are expecting their second child this year
REGGIE BUSH Who? Detroit Lions running back Partner: Dancer Lilit Avagyan New addition: Briseis was born on May 6 this year
EACH YEAR final year students from Coventry University’s School of Art and Design exhibit their work at the University Degree Show. Creatives from visual arts, design, music, fashion, dance, drama, media production and photography get the chance to showcase their talents to the public at different locations across campus and at selected venues in London. Illustration and graphic design student Sam Frimpong was one of the people exhibiting this year. The 23-year-old founded clothing brand NeRD Central in 2008 and his been balancing the expanding line while juggling university work. “Now that I've finished, I want to work on
building the brand up and hopefully get it into stores. I design illustrations on most of the items in the clothing line, but mainly on jumpers, T-shirts and jackets,� he said. Although he admits that he didn’t always have a passion for design, he was encouraged by his teachers at school to study art. “I initially studied fashion at university, but didn’t really like it as I felt my creative expression was being restricted and I felt too confined, so I changed to illustration and graphics where I could be myself.� He added: “Nothing in life is easy and, yes, there’s a recession, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue your dreams. Anything is possible once you put your mind to it.�
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JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2013, 2013 THE VOICE ! 25
Vietnamese Afrobeats DJ Neptizzle talks to YV’s Juliana Lucas about the rise of the genre, rubbishing racial stereotypes and why he gave up playing dancehall music
I
T IS a universally acknowledged truth, in my world anyway, that Afrobeats, a musical fusion of highlife, fuji, dancehall, R&B, hip-hop and reggae, is the reigning sound in most UK clubs. The genre, popularised by the likes of African artists D’Banj, Don Jazzy, P-Square and Wiz Kid, has never been more popular than it is now. Case in point, D’Banj’s 2012 hit Oliver Twist, produced and written by Don Jazzy in 30 minutes, was played on famous prime-time BBC soap Eastenders and then made its way to the top 10 in the UK chart, firmly securing D’Banj’s place as a world artist. Through Afrobeats, African stars have now captured the ears of heavyweight US producers. And instead of only
dancing to popular Jamaican routines such as the tick tock, butterfly and dutty wine on a night out, popular Ghanaian dance craze Azonto, has stolen the spotlight. It would be a sin - yes, I said it - if a DJ failed to play hits Pakuromo, Oliver Twist, Azonto or Chop My Money at any top event. The commercialisation of Afrobeats in the mainstream club scene is, in part, testament to the hard work of DJ Michael Nguyen who has done what the legendary DJ David Rodigan did for dancehall. The 24-year-old music maestro, famously known as DJ Neptizzle, started playing Afrobeats after he was introduced to the catchy genre at his friend’s sister’s party in 2007. The north Londoner, who was
an avid dancehall DJ prior to falling in love with the syncopated sounds of Afrobeats, decided then and there to change set. “Afrobeats brought the girls to the dance floor. I noticed that people loved it when I played it”, says the DJ who often travels as far as Manchester to play to fans of the genre. He recalls: “Once I went to play at a university and only a few people turned up. I would play as though I was playing for thousands even if I had two people in the crowd. As long as those two are feeling the music.” Famous for being the only man to eat jollof rice (a popular African rice dish) with chopsticks, you would think the DJ, who is
of Vietnamese heritage, would be as loud and ferocious as the spicy food. But Neptizzle, who tirelessly promoted Afrobeats way before it got the global recognition it has today, is a quiet and reserved guy who is only in his element when spinning on his decks. He laughs: “When I am playing music I sort of get into the zone. If you are lucky, you might catch me dancing.” I caught one of Neptizzle’s sets in a London club recently. In a crowd of many hundreds dancing and partying away, Neptizzle had found solace in a quiet corner. It was not just the fact that here was this petite Vietnamese guy amongst a party made up of mostly Nigerians, or the fact that he was neatly tucked away in a small crevice, you just couldn’t help but notice him. And many other fans will agree, there is something special about the Hackney-born star. Having studied music at college, Neptizzle always had ambitions of becoming a top DJ. Accumulating a group of famous friends along the way, including Ice Prince, one of the genre’s leading men, happened organically. He recalls: “At first I did not like Oleku, [a popular song by friend Ice Prince]. I heard it and I was like, ‘It’s okay.’ It went on
to become a big hit, but I don’t mind saying I got it wrong.” Noting the rise of Afrobeats, and agreeing (in jest) that Lagos, my hometown, is the natural home of Afrobeats music, he said: “When I went to Lagos, it was so busy. It was a place where if you stand still (in a club) you’d go missing.” He added: “I remember when you would only hear Afrobeats for five to 10 minutes in a club even though there was like 40 per cent of Africans in the room. Now we can play 30 minutes to 45 minutes.” Asked whether he thought the music had improved with time, he replied: “Yes, the music has definitely improved with time. The artists have got the formula right. Also, people have begun to take pride in their
KIM KARDASHIAN:
The reality star gave birth to her first child with Kanye West on June 15
African roots. “I thought it was a proud moment as I had been playing Afrobeats music for years and people didn’t believe in it back then. I felt proud because I was a part of it. I believed it.” With Afrobeat DJ Abrantee playing the genre on national radio station Choice FM, DJ Edu on the BBC and Neptizzle taking on the club scene, Afrobeats has found its way into the homes and lives of people who would never have been exposed to the African sound. Bring on the next chapter. Catch The Ultimate Afrobeats Show every Wednesday from 9pm - 11pm on Reprezent Radio 107.3FM. For more information, visit www.djneptizzle.com where you ca download Neptizzle’s latest mix CD The Ultimate Afrobeats 2013
DAVE CHAPPELLE:
The US comic announced a 13-date tour. It follows his eight-year hiatus from comedy
OR BUSTED? F F U B
Dear Kat, I need your help. My best friend in the whole wide world has told me that he likes me. I don’t feel for him like that and was honest with him and now he won’t talk to me. I feel so bad, but I didn’t want to lead him on. I’ve tried to call him loads of times and have gone to his house, but his mum always says he’s not at home even though I know he is. He won’t answer his phone either. What can I do to get my friend back?
DRAKE:
The US rapper reignited his feud with Chris Brown during an interview with GQ magazine
Anon
Hi Anon, I answered a similar problem a few weeks back – albeit reversed. Although you have found yourself in an unfortunate situation, you did what most people fail to do – be honest. I commend your honesty and courage. It must’ve been hard to break that to your friend. He may not appreciate it now, but in the long run he’ll thank you for being real. It may even make your friendship stronger. Give him his space. Respect his space. And ultimately, enjoy your space. He’ll come around in his own time.
SERENA WILLIAMS:
The tennis ace faced an angry backlash after she said a teenage rape victim was “lucky ” nothing worse happened
BUFF
TWEET OF THE WEEK
BUFF
British actor - and former YV cover star - Arnold Oceng recently wrapped filming of upcoming Hollywood blockbuster The Good Lie. And what did he do with some of his earnings? Bought his mum a new car, of course! Awww.
RIHANNA: BEYONCE:
Holographic dream. LOVE !
All right in wh ite
Arnold Oceng
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JAMELIA
26 ! THE VOICE JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2013
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RIHANNA an
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