World News
Travis Scott Releases Official Music Video for “I KNOW ?” Co-starring Emily Ratajkowski and Anok Yai
Continuing to ignite what is set to be yet another record-breaking year, Travis Scott releases the official music video for UTOPIA highlight “I KNOW ?” today. Watch it HERE.
The “I KNOW ?” video was co-directed by Travis Scott and celebrated director Dave Meyers, who has collaborated with the hip hop icon on previous acclaimed videos, such as “SICKO MODE” and “STOP TRYING TO BE GOD.” It co-stars Emily Ratajkowski in her first music video appearance in a decade, alongside Anok Yai and Travis himself. The fan-favorite track and UTOPIA highlight made major noise at the end of 2023 when it hit #1 on the Billboard Rhythmic Radio Airplay, where Travis Scott replaced himself at the summit when it took over from the chart’s previous number one – his own “MELTDOWN” ft. Drake. To date, “I KNOW ?” has been streamed more than 440 million times.
This past weekend, Travis Scott was announced as a performer at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards®. Airing live on Sunday, February 4 on CBS (and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+), the performance is set to be an unforgettable emersion into the world of UTOPIA, taking fans and viewers into Travis’ universe in a way that only he can. At the ceremony, Travis is up for “Best Rap Album” for UTOPIA, his 10th career GRAMMY nomination.
It comes as no surprise that Travis Scott’s UTOPIA has made such an impact. Released in July of last year, his fourth studio album elevated the megastar in every way. The album finds him at the height of his powers as a performer, songwriter, producer, and collaborator proving once again that nobody sounds like Travis. It continues to enshrine him as the culture’s foremost sonic innovator. The album held strong at No.1 on the Billboard Top 200 for four consecutive weeks, spent seven weeks in the top 5 and more than ten weeks in the top 10. It has garnered over 3.7 billion streams globally to date. Most impressively, it was the highest-selling hip hop album of the year.
Travis Scott’s sold-out UTOPIA: Circus Maximus Tour continues to trek through North America this winter. The tour has been record-setting in every way: in addition to becoming the first Hip Hop act to headline and sell-out Los Angeles’ landmark Sofi Stadium, Travis broke the record for most merchandise sold in one night for multiple cities, including the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Denver’s Ball Arena, Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium and Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. He even performed fan-favorite UTOPIA highlight “FE!N” a record 15 times at Madison Square Garden in New York City. With over 500,000 tickets sold and more than $80 million grossed to date, the tour has been one of the most buzzed-about of the past year.
To commemorate the banner return of Travis Scott, GQ named him a 2023 Man of the Year, where the Scott opens up about his ‘reemergence’ and the year that has reaffirmed him as a global superstar. He collaborated with Audemars Piguet on a one-of-a-kind Royal Oak “Cactus Jack” edition watch and exclusive merch drop. Then, capping off 2023, Travis chatted about his marquee year with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – watch HERE. Most recently, he shared the video for “TOPIA TWINS” ft. Rob49 and 21 Savage – watch HERE.
UTOPIA is available now at shop.travisscott.com, alongside five unique album covers as a part of vinyl, CD and merchandise box sets.
UTOPIA – CIRCUS MAXIMUS TOUR 2024 DATES
Wed Jan 24 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
Sun Jan 28 – Miami, FL– Kaseya Center
Wed Jan 31 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
Mon Feb 5 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
UTOPIA TRACKLIST
HYAENA
THANK GOD
MODERN JAM
MY EYES
GOD’S COUNTRY
SIRENS
MELTDOWN
FE!N
DELRESTO (ECHOES)
I KNOW ?
TOPIA TWINS
CIRCUS MAXIMUS
PARASAIL
SKITZO
LOST FOREVER
LOOOVE
K-POP
TELEKINESIS
World News
Iraqi TikTok star Om Fahad shot dead outside Baghdad home
Iraqi social media influencer Om Fahad has been shot dead outside her home in Baghdad, according to local media reports. (more…)
World News
Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi sentenced to death for protesting
Iranian Dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi has been given a death sentence for his involvement in the widespread protests that swept Iran in 2022, according to his lawyer. (more…)
Radio & TV
2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) to air LIVE on DStv
MTV has announced the 2024 “VMAs” will make its return to New York on Tuesday, September 10th at the UBS Arena. Airing LIVE on MTV, DStv Channel 130 on Wednesday, 11 September at 1:00am WAT and 2:00am CAT around the world in more than 150 countries. This year’s global fan-filled phenomenon will celebrate the best music videos of the past year with supersized performances, epic tributes, and unforgettable appearances from the world’s biggest celebrities.
“We’re excited to bring this year’s VMAs to UBS Arena, one of the country’s newest and most cutting edge venues,” said Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount+. “Celebrating one of music’s biggest nights with the incredible, robust New York area fans is something we’ve been looking forward to since the moment last year’s show ended.”
“It’s an honor to host MTV and the VMAs at UBS Arena,” said Mark Shulman, Senior Vice President of Programming, UBS Arena. “This is the culmination of bringing a world class event to a venue that offers state of the art capabilities and the best in fan amenities. We look forward to welcoming this year’s top artists, fans, and viewers worldwide to experience our arena and campus at Belmont Park.”
“We are excited to welcome back the MTV Video Music Awards to New York State,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “From its origins at Radio City Music Hall in 1984 to this September’s event at the UBS Arena, the VMAs continue to captivate millions, showcasing the very best in music video artistry. As we prepare to host this 40th anniversary event, let’s embrace the spirit of creativity and innovation that defines our state’s cultural landscape.”
The “VMAs” will air across MTV’s global footprint of linear and digital platforms in more than 150 countries and territories, reaching over 319 million households.
Additional details will be announced closer to the show. Follow @MTV and @VMAs on social to keep up with all-things #VMAs.
World News
Major step in malaria prevention as three West African countries roll out vaccine
In a significant step forward for malaria prevention in Africa, three countries—Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone—today launched a large-scale rollout of the life-saving malaria vaccine targeting millions of children across the three West African nations. The vaccine rollout, announced on World Malaria Day, seeks to further scale up vaccine deployment in the African region.
Today’s launch brings to eight the number of countries on the continent to offer the malaria vaccine as part of the childhood immunization programmes, extending access to more comprehensive malaria prevention. Several of the more than 30 countries in the African region that have expressed interest in the vaccine are scheduled to roll it out in the next year through support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as efforts continue to widen its deployment in the region in coordination with other prevention measures such as long-lasting insecticidal nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention.
Benin, which received 215 900 doses, has added the malaria vaccine to its Expanded Programme on Immunization. The malaria vaccine should be provided in a schedule of 4 doses in children from around 5 months of age.
“The introduction of the malaria vaccine in the Expanded Programme on Immunization for our children is a major step forward in the fight against this scourge. I would like to reassure that the malaria vaccines are safe and effective and contribute to the protection of our children against this serious and fatal diseases,” said Prof Benjamin Hounkpatin, Minister of Health of Benin.
In Liberia, the vaccine was launched in the southern Rivercess County and will be rolled out afterwards in five other counties which have high malaria burden. At least 45 000 children are expected to benefit from the 112 000 doses of the available vaccine.
“For far too long, malaria has stolen the laughter and dreams of our children. But today, with this vaccine and the unwavering commitment of our communities, healthcare workers and our partners, including Gavi, UNICEF and WHO, we break the chain. We have a powerful tool that will protect them from this devastating illness and related deaths, ensuring their right to health and a brighter future. Let’s end malaria in Liberia and pave the way for a healthier, more just society,” said Dr Louise Kpoto, Liberia’s Minister of Health.
Two safe and effective vaccines — RTS,S and R21 — recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), are a breakthrough for child health and malaria control. A pilot malaria vaccine programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reached over 2 million children from 2019 to 2023, showing a significant reduction in malaria illness and a 13% drop in overall child mortality and substantial reductions in hospitalizations.
In Sierra Leone, the first doses were administered to children at a health centre in Western Area Rural where the authorities kicked off the rollout of 550 000 vaccine doses. The vaccine will then be delivered in health facilities nationwide.
“With the new, safe and efficacious malaria vaccine, we now have an additional tool to fight this disease. In combination with insecticide-treated nets, effective diagnosis and treatment, and indoor spraying, no child should die from malaria infection,” said Dr Austin Demby, Minister of Health of Sierra Leone.
Malaria remains a huge health challenge in the African region, which is home to 11 countries that carry approximately 70% of the global burden of malaria. The region accounted for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of all malaria deaths in 2022, according to the World Malaria Report.
“The African region is taking positive steps in scaling up the rollout of the malaria vaccine – a game-changer in our fight against this deadly disease,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Working with our partners, we’re committed to supporting the ongoing efforts to protect, save the lives of young children and lower the malaria burden in the region.”
Aurelia Nguyen, Chief Programme Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, noted: “Today we celebrate more children gaining access to a new lifesaving tool to fight one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. This introduction of malaria vaccines into routine programmes in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone alongside other proven interventions will help save lives and offer relief to families, communities and hard-pressed health systems.”
Progress against malaria has stalled in these high-burden African countries since 2017 due to factors including climate change, humanitarian crises, low access to and insufficient quality of health services, gender-related barriers, biological threats such as insecticide and drug resistance and global economic crises. Fragile health systems and critical gaps in data and surveillance have compounded the challenge.
To put malaria progress back on track, WHO recommends robust commitment to malaria responses at all levels, particularly in high-burden countries; greater domestic and international funding; science and data-driven malaria responses; urgent action on the health impacts of climate change; harnessing research and innovation; as well as strong partnerships for coordinated responses. WHO is also calling attention to addressing delays in malaria programme implementation.
World News
Kid Cudi cancels tour after breaking foot at Coachella
Kid Cudi has been forced to cancel his tour after breaking his foot at Coachella over the weekend. During the fest’s Weekend Two on Sunday night, the rapper went to the hospital with a broken foot after jumping off the stage at the Sahara Tent. (more…)
World News
The Un Certain Regard Jury of the 77th Festival de Cannes
The Canadian actor, director, screenwriter and producer Xavier Dolan will be the President of the Un Certain Regard Jury of the 77th Festival de Cannes. He will be joined by French-Senegalese screenwriter and director Maïmouna Doucouré, Moroccan director, screenwriter and producer Asmae El Moudir, German-Luxembourg actress Vicky Krieps, and American film critic, director, and writer Todd McCarthy. They will be in charge of awarding prizes for the Un Certain Regard section, which showcases art and discovery films by young auteurs.
This year, 18 films have been selected, including 8 first films. The 2023 Un Certain Regard top prize went to director Molly Manning Walker’s debut feature How to Have Sex.
When the light breaks by Rúnar Rúnarsson will open the Un Certain Regard section on Wednesday May 15, 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
- Buzz3 days ago
I underestimated the extent of my influence – Serwaa Amihere apologizes
- Buzz1 week ago
Afronita’s mum was against me managing Endurance Grand alongside her daughter – Quables
- People & Lifestyle7 days ago
REPORT: Dulcie Boateng’s Porials Pitch leads to arrests over ‘unregistered products’
- Gossip1 week ago
WATCH: Irene Logan sings ‘At Last’ as she dances with her husband at their wedding reception
- Buzz5 days ago
Kofi Kinaata Credits Samini’s High Grade Family for Musical Breakthrough
- Buzz4 days ago
Why single mothers struggle to find partners – Joselyn Dumas
- World News4 days ago
Kanye West reportedly planning to launch porn studio
- Gossip6 days ago
Gospel singer KODA passes on, after reportedly battling a kidney disease
- People & Lifestyle4 days ago
Why Ghanaians question the authenticity of King Promise’s alleged wedding
- Buzz6 days ago
Sarkodie’s Nigeria performance sparks social media buzz
- Buzz6 days ago
One half of the Mitch Brothers was arrested at Dulcie Boateng’s Porials Pitch event
- Buzz2 days ago
Some Wealthy Ghanaians Lack Philanthropic Spirit – Michael Blackson asserts