Latest news with #Bongos
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Cardi B Pays Homage To Jay-Z With New Single ‘Imaginary Playerz'
Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B is setting the stage for her long-awaited sophomore album. Am I the Drama?, slated for release next month, arrives next month and marks the Bronx-bred MC's first full-length since 2018. After a string of hit singles like 'WAP' and 'Up' in the first half of the decade and more recently with 'Enough (Miami)' and 'Bongos,' Cardi gave her first taste of Am I the Drama? last month with 'Outside.' Cardi's follow-up single, 'Imaginary Playerz,' shows that she's not just ready to have a good time; she's prepared to show she deserves her spot among rap's greats. The track pays tribute to Jay-Z's 'Imaginary Player,' coincidentally from his own sophomore album. And like Jay-Z on the original, Cardi takes time on the track to toot her own horn. 'Now I spit that other s**t, pretty motherf**ker s**t / Cardi B, every song platinum, I'm not the other b***h / Whatever you was gon' pay hеr, you gotta double it / Gloryhole, b***hes don't know who thеy f**kin' with,' she raps. "My flop and your flop is not the same / If you did my numbers, y'all would pop champagne / If I did your numbers, I would hop out a plane." Earlier this year, Cardi teased that the forthcoming album would deliver something new in the music scene today. "I feel like it's unexpected and I feel like it's something that's not really out right now," she told Billboard. "It's gonna be things that people do expect me and a lot of things people don't expect from me." The past year of has been a whirlwind for Cardi personally, from filing for divorce a second time last July and having her third child last September to her current relationship with New England Patriots player Stefon Diggs. Naturally, that bled over into the recording process. "It's a lot of lover girl things, too, on my album. I've been heartbroken and then I'm loving again, and then I'm exploring again," she said. Am I the Drama? is out Sept. 19.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Offset Shocked When Celebrity Crush Sabrina Carpenter Is Revealed by Magic Trick: 'Artistically She Got It All Together'
Offset was visibly shocked when a magician accurately revealed his celebrity crush In a video for Complex,Offset's celebrity crush has been magically revealed. Magician Anna Guzman met with the rapper for Complex, where she tried to guess Offset's crush without him revealing it. "Well, think about your love life. Do you have a celebrity crush right now? Someone we would all know," Guzman said in the video shared to Instagram on Tuesday, June 24, warning him not to say the name "out loud." Guzman then asked if the person knew he had a crush on her, to which he said "no." She then pressed him to see if his crush was an "artist" and asked him what his "favorite song" of her's was, but teased him when he couldn't name one. "I feel like artistically, she's got it all together," said Offset, 33. Guzman then handed the "Bad and Boujee" musician a piece of paper with a name that she had written earlier, which said "Sabrina Carpenter." "How you get this right?" That's crazy. That's crazy," said the "Open It Up" performer, who was visibly shocked. He continued: "This is cap! No way. I ain't never said this before." Guzman then expressed she was surprised that Carpenter, 26, was his "type." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Offset is currently estranged from Cardi B, who filed for divorce from him for a second time in July 2024. The former couple, who have had an on-again, off-again relationship since 2017, share three children. Cardi initially filed for divorce in September 2020 amid infidelity rumors, but called it off two months later. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The "Bongos" singer said that she was single and that she and Offset broke up in December 2023. However, the pair were seen holding hands months later at a Met Gala afterparty. A rep for Cardi confirmed that she filed for divorce from Offset a second time in July 2024. The following day, she then announced on Instagram that she was expecting her third child with the rapper, whom they welcomed last September. Read the original article on People
Daily Maverick
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
As Gabon looks to the future, its task of renewal is not merely one of governance, but of nation-building
Gabonese voters have given President Brice Oligui Nguema a strong mandate to break with the country's past and steer economic and political renewal. Nineteen months after the military-led coup that ousted Ali Bongo and ended the 56-year Bongo dynasty, the country has turned a page with a landmark presidential election. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who led the 2023 coup, was the favourite to win the April 2025 election, gaining an overwhelming 90.35% of the vote. Although opposition candidates criticised the process, international observers generally found the polls credible. The election marked the end of Gabon's post-coup transitional period and presents a unique opportunity for the new administration to engineer sociopolitical and economic renewal. The 2025 turnout of 70.11% was much higher than past polls. The three previous elections were marred by disputes, while the last was less contested. This suggests renewed trust in the electoral process and reflects the population's desire for change observed in the wake of the coup. It also shows high expectations for the future. While the coup led to the Bongo family's ousting, Gabon's political and socioeconomic environment still reflects the past. The continued role of several state actors – including Nguema, who hails from the same fiefdom as the Bongos and played a role in the former regime – raises concerns about the depth of political transformation. Also, the new cabinet includes many government figures from the transition period. A thorough renewal necessitates an audacious, innovative approach grounded in inclusivity, transparency, accountability and open political competition. Nguema must demonstrate a shift from the past. A clear, impactful message of a fresh start is needed, along with legal, structural and governance reforms. The political enthusiasm that followed the coup must give way to democratic consolidation. For the first time in decades, Gabonese are hopeful about their future. Nurturing this spirit requires building representative and responsive institutions. Nguema campaigned on the themes of governance, economic diversification, reducing youth unemployment and improving access to basic services. These themes are generally in line with Gabon's major challenges. However, a thorough renewal necessitates an audacious, innovative approach grounded in inclusivity, transparency, accountability and open political competition. The November 2024 constitution adopted by referendum limits presidential terms to two consecutive cycles and maintains a direct universal suffrage election system. This can protect against constitutional interference by incumbents, which has become common practice in Africa. Change from a strong presidential system to a semi-presidential system – with a rebalancing of powers between the executive, parliament and judiciary – also guards against hyper-presidentialism. However, the ability and will of the executive to preserve this constitution are crucial to Gabon's renewed democratic project. With legislative elections scheduled for August, the composition of the upcoming national assembly and senate will also be a key factor. The worry is that Nguema's electoral landslide could see opposition voices in the national assembly and senate marginalised by the overwhelming support for him and his political movement. Restoring civilians' trust hinges largely on reducing corruption, especially in government. Throughout the transition and electoral canvassing, Nguema garnered public support through high-profile anti-corruption campaigns and arrests of former Bongo allies. These practices must be anchored in transparent, fair and rigorous judicial processes. Strengthening existing bodies that hold prosecutorial powers and maintaining judicial independence is also essential. Economic reform is equally important to help Nguema move Gabon and its people away from the past. The country is a leading central African economy and one of the five largest economies among Africa's eight upper-middle-income countries. However, it relies heavily on its extractive sector, specifically oil, making it vulnerable to external shocks. To diversify the economy and create jobs, significant infrastructure investments are needed to boost sectors such as agriculture, forestry, transport, tourism and digital technology. A recent €350-million agreement between Innovo and Gabon's government aims to build a stormwater network, wastewater treatment facility in Port-Gentil and roadway lighting for the highway to Omboué. Another key infrastructure project is the 600-megawatt Booué hydroelectric dam worth $2.5-billion, which aims to meet the country's growing energy demands and promote sustainable growth. These projects align with Gabon's plan to modernise transportation, water management and energy, laying the groundwork for economic transformation. Since the 2023 coup, Gabon has undertaken nationalisation efforts in the transport, timber and oil sectors. The oil sector accounted for 25.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023. Timber, although representing only 3.2% of GDP that year, is important for job creation and economic diversification. Considering the contribution of these sectors to Gabon's economy, nationalisation – if controlled and supervised to prevent corruption and mismanagement – should enable the state to reap additional revenues. Expanding public-private partnerships and attracting foreign investment are also crucial. Electoral promises must be honoured by breaking away from the Bongo legacy through merit-based appointments, transparent public resource management, strong regulatory systems and institutional independence and oversight. Reducing high youth unemployment – 35.99% in 2024 – must be part of this economic momentum. High rates of joblessness fuel political disenchantment among young people, driving a sense of exclusion from social and political progress. Poverty alleviation is also urgent. As of 2023, 31.3% of Gabonese lived below the poverty line. According to forecasting by the Institute for Security Studies' African Futures team, an integrated push to create jobs across key sectors would not only reduce unemployment but 'bring Gabon close to achieving the [Sustainable Development Goal] on poverty' by 2043. Of course, this depends on the government's capacity to improve governance, boost the economy and roll out inclusive socioeconomic programmes. Two steps are vital to delivering a 'new' Gabon that puts its people first. First, electoral promises must be honoured by breaking away from the Bongo legacy through merit-based appointments, transparent public resource management, strong regulatory systems, and institutional independence and oversight. Second, the government must diversify the economy to achieve reductions in poverty and unemployment. This requires bold investment in infrastructure development without increasing public debt and dependency on foreign aid. The new administration's task of renewal is not merely one of governance, but of nation building. That will test whether Gabon emerges from the long shadow of its political past to build a more just, inclusive and resilient future. DM
Russia Today
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Military ruler wins presidential election in African state
Gabon's interim leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has been elected president with 90.35% of the vote, according to the provisional results announced by Interior Minister Hermann Immongault on Sunday. Saturday's election is the first since Nguema led a military coup in August 2023 to overthrow his cousin, former President Ali Bongo, shortly after he was declared the winner of a disputed presidential election. Bongo, who was accused of corruption and irresponsible governance, had been in power for 14 years after succeeding his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled for more than four decades before his death in 2009. 'Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is elected by absolute majority... with 575,222 votes,' Hermann Immongault reported. Nguema resigned from the army to pursue his presidential bid. His main opponent, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, received around 3% of the vote. None of the other six candidates gained more than 1%. READ MORE: What was behind the death of the first African Nobel Peace Prize winner? Turnout was reported at 70.4%, higher than the 56.65% in the disputed August 2023 election. Around 920,000 voters, including over 28,000 abroad, were registered for the election. The Interior Ministry said the results will be announced by April 16. During his campaign, Nguema pledged to reduce the country's dependence on oil by diversifying the economy and boosting sectors such as agriculture, industry, and tourism. The election was conducted under a new constitution approved in November 2024, which introduced a limit of two seven-year presidential terms. It abolished the position of prime minister and bans family members from succeeding a president. Gabon has been ruled by the Bongos for over 50 years. The previous constitution allowed for unlimited five-year terms. The transitional period is expected to end in August 2025 following presidential, parliamentary, and local elections. READ MORE: Gabon's military ruler declares bid for presidency The former French colony has one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Its economy relies heavily on oil, which makes up around 40% of GDP, according to IMF data.
Al Jazeera
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Gabon votes in first presidential election since the 2023 coup
Voters in Gabon are casting their ballots in a presidential election, as military leader Brice Oligui Nguema looks to cement his grip on power in the first election since he led the 2023 coup. Polls opened in the country at 7am (06:00 GMT) on Saturday, with reports of thousands of people queueing outside polling stations across Libreville, the seaside capital. Voting will be held in the country's nine provinces until 6pm local time (17:00 GMT). Results are expected to be announced within two weeks of the vote. Nearly one million people, including some 28,000 overseas, are registered to vote in this oil-rich but poor African nation of 2.3 million people. Al Jazeera's Ali Hashem, reporting from Libreville, said that voters are looking forward to casting their ballots, but are 'stuck between hope and fear'. Nguema, who had been instrumental in ending 55 years of iron-fisted dynastic rule of the Bongo family led by former leader Ali Bongo, has been leading in opinion polls. Bongo family members were accused of looting Gabon's wealth. Aurele Ossantanga Mouila, 30, voted for the first time ever after finishing his shift as a croupier in a casino. 'I did not have confidence in the earlier regime,' he said. Nguema took the role of transitional president while overseeing the formation of a government that includes civilians, tasked with drawing up a new constitution after the 2023 coup. The country is heading to the polls at a time of high unemployment, regular power and water shortages, a lack of infrastructure and heavy government debt. Nguema ditched his military uniform as he campaigned for a seven-year term against seven rivals, including Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, who served as prime minister under Ali Bongo before the coup. He has predicted a 'historic victory' in the election. 'The builder is here, the special candidate, the one you called,' Nguema said on Thursday among the music and dancing at his closing rally in the capital, Libreville. But critics accuse Nguema, who had promised to hand power back to civilians, of failing to move on from the years of plunder of the country's vast mineral wealth under the Bongos, under whom he served for years. Bilie By Nze, Nguema's main opponent, has cast himself as the candidate for a 'complete rupture'. 'In reality, it's an election of total change. It's a challenge and we are at a crossroads,' he told Al Jazeera. He has accused Nguema, who led the Republican Guard in the Bongo years, of representing a continuity of the old system. Nguema served as former aide-de-camp to Omar Bongo before becoming chief of the presidential guard under his son Ali Bongo. Whoever wins will have to meet the high hopes of a country where one in three people lives below the poverty line despite its vast resource wealth, according to the World Bank. Gabon's debt rose to 73.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) last year and is projected to reach 80 percent this year.
