Latest news with #Lira
IOL News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Lauryn Hill set for Mzansi comeback - late or not, her greatness still reigns
Lauryn Hill is heading to South Africa, and fans are celebrating the return of a music legend. Image: Lauryn Hill Instagram It's official: Lauryn Hill is coming to South Africa - and fans are in full celebration mode. On Thursday, July 17, the organisers of the DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festival announced that the iconic Ms Hill will headline the festival's Sunday main stage on September 21 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg. And in true Hill fashion, the news nearly broke the internet. The headliner line-up for the day is a dazzling mix of global and local talent. Alongside Hill will be none other than Wyclef Jean, YG Marley, Zion Marley and some of Mzansi's finest musical gems - Lira, Mandisi Dyantyis, Zoë Modiga, Oskido and Joyous Celebration Rewind, among others. But it's Hill's name that sent shockwaves of excitement across timelines. Social media quickly erupted with praise and disbelief. @cnehshuga couldn't contain her joy: 'Lauryn Hill is coming to Delicious Fest omgggggggggg.' Noluthando Tshabalala echoed the hype: 'Okay, now we're getting somewhere 🔥🔥🔥.' Leigh Pearson-Adams wrote simply and reverently: 'Wow! Legend in her own lifetime.' And Rofhiwa Silas said what everyone was thinking: 'Now you are talking.' Of course, the jokes followed - as they always do when it comes to Hill's famously unpredictable timing. @Sandra_Phoma posted, 'I hope there's a time-sensitivity clause on that contract.' @Lebohang___N joked, 'DStv Delicious booking Lauryn Hill is hella interesting considering she is always LATE.' And @neoentle_T added: 'I need to be at the DStv Delicious because what if Lauryn Hill does show up and is on time? OMG 😭.' Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading DSTV delicious booking Lauryn Hill is hella interesting considering she is always L A T E... Lauryn's recent LATE performance was at the Essence Festival on July 4th. — Made Woman 👠 (@Lebohang___N) July 17, 2025 But delay or not, Mzansi knows that when Hill steps on stage, magic happens. Hill's journey into the spotlight started early. At just 13, she stepped onto the legendary stage of the Apollo Theater in Harlem - a venue known for building stars and breaking dreams. Even then, though she was nervous, she exuded the kind of strength and authenticity that would define her career for decades to come. Now, at 50, Hill remains as relevant and revered as ever. Her staying power isn't built on gimmicks or PR spin, but on raw talent, fearless artistry and a deep connection to her audience. Hill is that rare kind of artist who can rap like a battle-tested MC and sing like a soul goddess - sometimes in the same verse. Her voice holds emotional weight, her delivery is magnetic and her lyrics? Unmatched. And then came 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' - the album that changed everything. Released in 1998, Hill's debut solo album wasn't just critically acclaimed; it became a cultural landmark. A masterclass in vulnerability, musical fusion and lyrical excellence, the album blended hip hop, soul, R&B, reggae and neo-soul into a sound uniquely her own. With themes of love, self-worth, motherhood and identity, Hill reached across borders and generations. It went on to win five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, making Hill the first woman to take home that many trophies in one night at the time. It was a record-setting moment - and one that solidified her place in music history. What sets Lauryn Hill apart is not just the quality of her music, but what she represents. In a male-dominated genre, she stood out - not by conforming, but by being herself. Stylish, conscious, unapologetic and deeply introspective, she redefined the role of women in hip hop and R&B. Artists across genres - from Beyoncé to Adele, Kendrick Lamar to J. Cole, and Rihanna have cited her as a major influence. Fans attending DStv Delicious this year can expect to be taken on a sonic journey through some of Hill's most beloved tracks, including: "Doo Wop (That Thing)" - a timeless anthem about self-respect, relationships and empowerment. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains her biggest solo hit. "To Zion" (featuring Carlos Santana) - a powerful, personal ballad dedicated to her son, reflecting on the choice to become a mother amid industry pressure. "Lost Ones" - a sharp, no-holds-barred track often seen as a response to her fallout with Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean. Its lyrical fire still burns bright. "Turn Your Lights Down Low" (with Bob Marley) - a tender, reggae-infused duet that blends her soulful voice with Marley's timeless essence. Whether you're a die-hard fan who grew up on 'Miseducation' or a Gen Z discovering her genius through samples and social media tributes, one thing is certain: the festival is a moment in history, and Mzansi is ready to bow to the queen. So yes, even if she's late, fans will be waiting.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Lauryn Hill and sons to headline 12th edition of Delicious Festival
Lauryn Hill's first time in SA was in 2012, performing at the Cape Town Jazz Festival. Her last time in SA was in 2019. Fresh off her run of celebrating the 25th anniversary of her renowned album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the US Grammy award-winning singer has been announced as the headline act for this year's Delicious Festival. Her set at the 12th edition of the festival will include her son, YG Marley and Zion Marley, her former lover and bandmate Wyclef Jean. On Thursday afternoon, the festival announced that it would feature the multiple Grammy Award-winning artists alongside South African singer-songwriters Zoë Modiga and Mandisi Dyantyis, and gospel ensemble Joyous Celebration, in its lineup for the music festival. Oskido and Lira were previously added to the lineup. This will not be Hill's first time performing in Mzansi. In 2019, as part of her Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 20th Anniversary Tour, she performed at the Dome in Johannesburg. In 2012, she performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. ALSO READ: SA satisfied with Delicious Festival's all-female headliners Last year's cancellations In 2024, Janet Jackson was forced to pull out of the Delicious Festival just days before the event because of the passing of one of her brothers, Tito Jackson. The festival then announced Jason Derulo and rapper Busta Rhymes as replacements. Some people would've anticipated Janet to be on stage this year. The two-day festival takes place at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on 20 and 21 September. NOW READ: Refilwe Modiselle gently tackles misconceptions and myths about albinism with her children's book
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bitcoin Bulls Increase Exposure as Trump's Pressure on Fed Pushes $15B Into BTC ETFs, Analyst Says
The U.S.-listed spot bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have attracted billions in investor capital in three months, amid increasing political pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) to cut rates. The relentless flows are now forcing "under-positioned" traders to chase upside through derivatives, reviving the bullish momentum in the cryptocurrency, according to Markus Thielen, founder of 10x Research. "The sharp surge in bitcoin ETF inflows since late April 2025 has been primarily driven by political pressure on the Federal Reserve, with Donald Trump openly demanding that Chair Jerome Powell cut rates to 1% and resign. What began as a partisan push has since broadened, with Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte and Senator Cynthia Lummis also calling for Powell to step down, criticizing his perceived hawkish stance," Thielen said in a note to clients Thursday. Trump's repeated attacks on the Federal Reserve have revived memories of Turkish President Erdogan's similar actions between 2019 and 2021, which led to a broad-based shift away from Turkish assets and a crash in the Lira. Back then, Erdogan issued multiple decrees dismissing central bank officials for not cutting rates. Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly called for Powell's resignation, saying his reluctance to cut rates is costing America billions of dollars. The minutes of the Fed meeting held on July 17-18 showed a growing divide over how policy should proceed from here. According to CNBC, Opinions ranged from a "couple" of officials who said the next cut could come as soon as this month to "some" who thought no reductions this year would be appropriate. The relentless ETF flows, combined with growing pressure on the Fed to cut rates, are finally forcing traders, who have been hesitant to commit to bullish trades, to re-enter the market fully. "Since mid-April, Bitcoin ETFs have accumulated $15 billion worth of Bitcoin, and notably, this buying has continued uninterrupted, even as Bitcoin has consolidated since mid-May. This steady demand now appears to be forcing underpositioned traders back into the market, as suggested by positioning data from the derivatives space," Thielen said. Traders have been chasing call options at strikes $130,000, as CoinDesk noted early this week. A call option represents a bullish bet on the market, with the demand for the $ 130,000 call reflecting expectations for a price surge above that level. These bullish flows are consistent with the positive seasonality typically observed in July. Data tracked by Coinglass shows BTC has put in a positive performance in July in eight out of the past 12 years, with an average gain of over 7%. "Combined with historically strong seasonality in July and potential bullish catalysts from upcoming macro data and policy developments, the backdrop remains supportive for further upside," Thielen noted. Bitcoin hit a record high of nearly $112,000 on some exchanges late Wednesday, according to data source CoinDesk. Sign in to access your portfolio
Axios
07-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
America's newborns to get $1,000 investment accounts
America's babies are becoming investors, each to receive $1,000 seed accounts via the reconciliation bill signed last week by President Trump. Why it matters: This could expand financial flexibility and literacy for future generations, given the power of compound interest, albeit on the dime of current taxpayers. Catch up quick: Axios first reported on this idea 18 months ago, as the brainchild of venture capitalist Brad Gerstner (with inspiration from past concepts, like Cory Booker's "baby bonds"). It sounded more aspirational than attainable, but had a legislative opening due to sunset provisions in the 2017 tax bill. "There can be value in taking comically big swings on things that matter instead of aiming for safer, incremental changes," says Matt Lira, a veteran Republican operative who Gerstner hired to lead a nonpartisan lobbying effort. How it works: The bill creates a new class of investment account in the tax code. Every American born between 2025 and 2028 automatically receives an account with $1,000 from the U.S. Treasury, which will be invested in a low-cost index fund. It would be the property of the child, held in a custodial trust, and money cannot be touched until the child turns 18. At that point it automatically becomes a traditional IRA, although money can be pulled out for uses like education, starting a business, or buying a first home. Americans under 18 but born before 2025 also are eligible for the accounts, although not the $1,000. Every account can take up to $5,000 in additional contributions per year, including up to $2,500 on a tax-free basis by a parent's employer. "My dream scenario is people use a decent percentage of it to get a head start in life, and the remainder for long-term planning," Lira says. Zoom in: There also is a chance that these accounts will unlock new forms of philanthropy. Michael Dell, who helped champion the Invest America Accounts (since renamed Trump Accounts, natch), tells Axios that he could envision wealthy individuals choosing to make major gifts to entire ZIP codes or other geographies, via a mechanism that the Treasury Department has been charged with developing. He declined to get specific, but it didn't sound like he was just spitballing. Look ahead: It's one thing to write the rules and quite another to implement them. The Treasury Department needs to launch RFPs, build apps, etc. And maybe create educational lesson plans or cirriculum. Lira says that he appreciates healthy skepticism of gov-built tech, but has confidence that the private sector will be able to provide easy-to-use apps and that Treasury will be able to build the API gateway (much as it did for TurboTax and the like). He notes that Robinhood built a viable test app for these accounts in just 36 hours.
The Star
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Brazilian set to bring huge value as leading striker for Red Giants
I'm in it to win it: Willian Lira all smiles in his first training session with Selangor. - Photo by Selangor FC PETALING JAYA: Brazilian striker Willian Lira may have arrived later than most of his teammates, but he is already looking right at home in Selangor. Officially unveiled by the Red Giants on Thursday, the 31-year-old forward brings with him an impressive goal-scoring record in a bid to give his club the edge in the Super League this season. He scored eight goals in 14 league matches for Kedah in 2023. With experience in Malaysia already under his belt, Lira believes he's ready to hit the ground running. 'I chose Selangor because it's a strong and respected club,' said the striker from Fortaleza. 'Having played here before, I am familiar with the league's intensity, its rules, and many of the players. That makes my transition a lot smoother. 'But more than that, I came to help Selangor win. I want to contribute not just with goals, but with leadership and commitment on and off the pitch.' Lira, who lifted the Emperor's Cup with Japan's Ventforet Kofu club in 2022, is expected to form a dynamic attacking formation upfront alongside compatriot Chrigor Moraes and winger Alvin Fortes of Cape Verde. Lira is set to continue the legacy of former great Red Giants strikers like Rufino Segovia in 2018, Ifedayo Olesegun, who claimed back-to-back Golden Boots in 2020 and 2021, and Ayron Del Valle in 2023. Last season, Chilean Ronnie Fernandez led the line but managed just 10 league goals, the same tally as winger Fortes. 'I've scored goals in different leagues, and I'm here to do the same for Selangor. This is a club with big ambitions, and I'm proud to be part of it,' added Lira.
