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How media CEO Mo Abudu is bridging London and Lagos

How media CEO Mo Abudu is bridging London and Lagos

CNN07-05-2025

While EbonyLife Group CEO Mo Abudu was born in London, she calls Lagos, Nigeria, her home. Now she's merging her two worlds with a new cultural hub in London to celebrate Nigerian and African creatives.

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ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus Writing New Musical with AI: 'Such a Great Tool'
ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus Writing New Musical with AI: 'Such a Great Tool'

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus Writing New Musical with AI: 'Such a Great Tool'

The post ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus Writing New Musical with AI: 'Such a Great Tool' appeared first on Consequence. ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus continues to embrace groundbreaking technology. According to Variety, the Swedish hitmaker revealed he is writing a new musical with the assistance of AI during a talk held at SXSW London on Wednesday, June 4th. 'Right now, I'm writing a musical, assisted by AI,' Ulvaeus said during the chat, adding that he was 'three-quarters' of the way through the creative process. The currently untitled project serves as the follow-up to the group's innovative hologram-based 'ABBA Voyage' concert series. Get ABBA Voyage Tickets Here Ulvaeus continued by elaborating on how AI can bolster the songwriting process: 'It is such a great tool. It is like having another songwriter in the room with a huge reference frame. It is really an extension of your mind. You have access to things that you didn't think of before.' However, Ulvaeus also acknowledged the current limitations of AI, stating that it is 'lousy at [writing a whole song]' and 'very bad at lyrics.' As such, he believes the technology primarily shines in assisting artists to break through writer's block. 'You can prompt a lyric you have written about something, and you're stuck maybe, and you want this song to be in a certain style,' he explained. 'You can ask it, how would you extend? Where would you go from here? It usually comes out with garbage, but sometimes there is something in it that gives you another idea.' This embrace of AI comes with caution, as Ulvaeus is president of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), which published a study in December 2024 suggesting that music creators could lose nearly a quarter of their income to AI by 2028. 'AI has the power to unlock new and exciting opportunities — but we have to accept that, if badly regulated, generative AI also has the power to cause great damage to human creators, to their careers and livelihoods,' he said at the time of the study's release. 'This will be determined in large part by the choices made by policy makers… It's critical that we get these regulations right, protect creators' rights and help develop an AI environment that safeguards human creativity and culture.' Elsewhere during the SXSW talk, Ulvaeus noted that he and fellow ABBA member Benny Andersson were 'always on the lookout' for 'the latest thing' to aid their creative process, from their first Mini Moog synthesizer to being early adopters of digital recording machines. The AI-assisted musical is the latest project from Ulvaeus' partnership with Pophouse Entertainment, the company behind 'ABBA Voyage.' The virtual residency kicked off at London's custom-built ABBA Arena in 2022 and is scheduled to run through January 2026. Get tickets here. Popular Posts King of the Hill Revival Gets Hulu Release Date, New Opening Sequence Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence Are Now In-Laws Dave Mustaine: Metallica Stole "Enter Sandman" Riff from Another Band Sabrina Carpenter Announces New Single "Manchild" Jonathan Joss, Voice of John Redcorn on King of the Hill, Shot and Killed by Neighbor T-Pain Announces 20th Anniversary US Tour Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.

The ‘Doctor Who' Regeneration Controversy, Explained
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timean hour ago

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The ‘Doctor Who' Regeneration Controversy, Explained

Billie Piper as the 16th Doctor in 'Doctor Who' 'The Reality War,' the finale of the 15th season of Doctor Who, saw Ncuti Gatwa exit the role of the Doctor, regenerating into Billie Piper, who previously appeared in the series as the Doctor's companion. Fans of the show were shocked at the reveal, as recasting a former companion as the Doctor was a first for the long-running sci-fi series. The Doctor has been played by a total of 16 different actors across the show's 60-year history, with each new actor introduced via 'regeneration.' Doctor Who is an interesting example of a sci-fi story offering viewers an in-universe explanation for the inevitable recasting that occurs during a multi-decade series. The Doctor is a member of an ancient alien race known as the Time Lords, who have the ability to regenerate into a fresh body when fatally wounded, imbuing them with a new personality and appearance. Canonically, Time Lords are limited to 12 regenerations, but of course, the Doctor was granted an exception, so that the series could continue. The ability to regenerate can result in a Time Lord changing race and sex, and the Doctor's recent regenerations have introduced more diversity to the series, but the show's latest regeneration proved controversial with fans. The backlash wasn't some tedious culture war bickering, but a debate over canon, nostalgia and the future of the show. 'The Reality War' sees Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor regenerate into Billie Piper, who first appeared in the series as Rose Tyler. Rose was the Doctor's companion between 2005 and 2013, during the eras of Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant, who both played the Time Lord. Many fans viewed the recasting of a previous companion as a desperate move motivated by nostalgia. One commentator even explained the casting through the lens of Spider-Man, so outsiders could understand the controversy. The discourse sparked a discussion about what kind of audience is still watching Doctor Who today, with some asserting that children are no longer the main audience of the series. Other commentators were disappointed to see Gatwa's time as the Doctor end so abruptly. Gatwa's Doctor was unusually short-lived, lasting a mere 18 months, and the actor never got to see his Doctor face off against the series' most iconic villains. Some viewed the modern Doctor Who regenerations as too frequent, with actors leaving the show before they could truly leave their mark on the role. Many comparisons were made to the MCU recasting Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, a movie which was widely viewed as a gimmick among Marvel fans. Some fans even suspected that there was more to the story, and that Piper's casting was a red herring, noting that Piper was not officially introduced as the Doctor in the show's credits. 'Just how and why she is back remains to be seen,' the BBC said in a suspiciously vague statement after the finale aired. 'It's an honour and a hoot to welcome her back to the TARDIS, but quite how and why and who is a story yet to be told,' showrunner Russell T. Davies said. Despite the controversy, Piper sounded optimistic about her new role, saying that the opportunity to "step back on that TARDIS one more time was just something I couldn't refuse.'

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time2 hours ago

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How to Create (and Sell) the Perfect Coffee Table Book

Coffee table books occupy the intersection of art and publishing, serving as a piece for reading and a piece for display simultaneously. A well-made coffee table book invites curiosity, sparks conversation, and elevates any surface it rests on. And for creatives, brands, or storytellers, they offer a unique way to present visual content with lasting impact. Here's how to create a coffee table book people will be proud to show off and happy to buy. Start With a Strong Concept Every great coffee table book begins with a clear idea. You'll need a central theme or angle that ties everything together and gives readers a reason to engage. Ask yourself: What is this book about, beyond just the visuals? Who is it for? What will people feel when they flip through it? Whatever the concept, make sure it's focused, cohesive, and aligned with your audience's interests. Choose the Right Format and Printer Coffee table books are judged by their physical presence, so format and print quality matter a lot. You'll want to choose a size, layout, and finish that support your concept and enhance the reader's experience. Choose the right printing partner. A good coffee table book printer can make your life easier – and help ensure you end up with the highest quality finished product. Do your due diligence and select a partner most likely to help you succeed. Size and orientation. Standard sizes for coffee table books range from 8.5×11 to 12×12 inches or larger. Think about how the book will be used and stored; bigger books offer more visual impact but are heavier and more expensive to produce. Binding and paper. Perfect binding (like a traditional hardcover book) is the norm for coffee table books. If your book includes high-resolution images or detailed artwork, opt for heavier, coated paper stock with a matte or satin finish. This helps colors pop and keeps the pages durable over time. Design with the Reader in Mind A coffee table book isn't meant to be read cover to cover; it's meant to be browsed. That means each spread should stand on its own while still fitting into the overall narrative. Map out your content before diving into layout and strive to group similar themes or tones together. You can also use intro pages or quotes to break up sections and provide a rhythm to the experience. Tell a Story, Even Without Words Even if your book is mostly visual, think about the emotional arc . Where does it start? Where does it end? What's the journey in between? A loose narrative can add depth and make the book more satisfying to explore. Set a Realistic Budget Printing a coffee table book can be expensive — especially if you're aiming for a high-end product. Plan for printing and production costs, ISBN and barcode expenses if you're selling retail, packing and shipping costs, and expenses for marketing and promotion. Start with a small run if needed; you can always reorder once you know there's demand (and once you have some revenue flowing). Plan How You'll Sell It Creating the book is only half the work. To actually sell it, you'll need a strategy. Target your specific audience. This coffee table book was written for a particular target niche. Figure out who that niche is, how they think, and how (and where) you might appeal to them. The better you understand your audience, the more effective your marketing messages are going to be. Sell directly. Create a dedicated landing page on your website. Offer preorders or limited editions to build early interest. Leverage your audience. If you have a following on social media, email, or through your creative work, now's the time to engage them. When the book launches, offer early-bird pricing or bonuses to encourage quick sales. And if you don't have a following yet, start building one organically through community interactions . Distribute through retail or events. You can also approach local shops, bookstores, galleries, or coffee houses about carrying your book. Bring a sample copy to show the quality, and be prepared with a short pitch to convince others why your book is worth selling. Use print on demand for broader reach. It's also possible (and common) to tap into print on demand services, but be prepared to make some sacrifices and compromises if you do. A Coffee Table Book Worth Picking Up (and Keeping) Coffee table books can have an impressive influence and help you generate a meaningful profit. When created well, they reflect your style, your voice, and your creative vision. And when they land in the right hands, they can become permanent fixtures in a person's space — and something they flip through again and again. DOCTOR WHO: 5 Jaw-Dropping Moments From the Season 2 Finale RELATED: TV Review: Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 4, 'Lucky Day'

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