Latest news with #TheRaiders
IOL News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Natalie Rungan: A jazz maestro using music to heal and inspire
A musical sensation Natalie Rungan Image: Supplied Jazz singing maestro Natalie Rungan believes that her God-given talent should be used to heal and serve others. The songbird is also a respected songwriter, educator, and collaborator who has dedicated her life to creating and sharing music that connects with people's hearts. The Durbanite said she's driven by the desire to leave something lasting; whether that's in the form of a song that moves someone, a young person who finds their voice (not just the musical one), or a project that impacts the community. She's someone who values integrity, relationships, and using music as a tool for building communities, beyond the stage, and is passionate about mentoring young musicians and creating opportunities for them to grow. Rungan is a Doctor of Philosophy, specialising in Music, and is currently the director of music at Durban High School (DHS). Her love for music began at home, inheriting some of it from her father, a drummer and founding member of the popular dance group 'The Raiders', from the 70s and 80s. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'I grew up surrounded by music from church to family gatherings. Music was a part of everyday life. Singing was as natural as breathing for me. I always knew music would be a central part of my journey, even before I could put it into words,' she said. As a woman in the music industry, she was blessed to have worked with many male musicians who have treated her with genuine respect and recognised her as an artist. 'In those spaces, my voice, ideas, and creativity are valued equally, and collaboration flows naturally.' She acknowledged that it isn't always the case for women in the industry, and some have to 'prove' why they belong there. 'For me, I've never felt I had to prove my worth as a female, but rather always as a musician, and that's something every artist, male or female, experiences. 'Over time, I've learned that respect in this industry isn't handed out freely; you earn it by consistently showing up prepared, delivering excellence, and holding your ground in your artistic choices. "For me, it's been about staying true to who I am musically, knowing my worth, and not letting anyone else define the limits of my craft.' On her career highlights, Rungan said she has been blessed with many outstanding moments, especially the times she performed on international stages in Europe, Asia, and Africa. She regarded her performances in Africa as incredibly rewarding, not just for the music, but for the cultural connections as well. 'Collaborating with exceptional musicians, such as my recent work with Ghanaian pianist and composer Victor Dey Jr, has also been a highlight. 'In 2024, I had the honour of leading and conducting the National Schools Jazz Band for the National Youth Jazz Festival, an experience that both challenged and inspired me. "That same year, I also led an ensemble that opened for the Carnegie Hall Youth Orchestra, where US trumpeter Sean Jones featured on my composition Change.' She said those experiences not only deepened her love for collaboration but also confirmed her strength and identity as a composer and arranger. 'It was amazing to see my work brought to life by talented musicians from across the world.' Rungan said the journey to the top was not a smooth one. 'There were challenges along the way.' She said the most difficult thing to maintain in the industry was longevity, and that the mistake most female artists make when they enter the industry is failing to balance personal life and family expectations with navigating bias and limited opportunities. Presently she is working on new music that blended her jazz roots with African influences, a sound she is thrilled to share with audiences soon. 'In September, I'll be releasing my latest music album, a collaboration with Ghanaian pianist and composer Victor Dey Jr.' On the education front, I'm coordinating two major provincial school events: 'Shine' at the end of September, which showcases high school music programmes across KZN, and in October, the KZN Schools Drumline Competition, now in partnership with the annual Durban Drum Day. 'I'm developing initiatives to grow and expand the KZN Schools Jazz Festival.' DAILY NEWS
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
The Raiders have signed 6th round WR Tommy Mellott to a four-year contract
The Raiders have signed 6th round WR Tommy Mellott to a four-year contract The Raiders have now gotten all the players in the final two rounds of the 2025 draft under contract. Sixth round QB/WR Tommy Mellot becomes the latest. Mellott was selected at 213 overall early in the sixth round out of Montana State. Tommy Mellott Raiders contract Mellott signs a fully guaranteed four-year, $4.374 million deal with a $174.3K signing bonus. He will make $883,572 this season which falls below the top 51 and thus will not count against the 2025 salary cap The 5-11, 200-pounder played four seasons at quarterback (2021-24) at Montana State and finished his career with 33 wins, the second most in program history. Mellot totaled 43 rushing touchdowns (second in school history), 3,523 rushing yards (second in school history), 5,810 passing yards (fifth in school history) and 53 passing touchdowns (fifth in school history). As a senior in 2024, Mellott won the Walter Payton FCS Player of the Year award, Walter Camp FCS Player of the Year award, FCS ADA Offensive Player of the Year award and was a unanimous First Team All-American. He played in 12 games and completed 165-of-241 (68 percent) passing attempts for 2,138 yards, 22 touchdowns and only one interception, while rushing 91 times for 698 yards (7.7 avg.) and 10 touchdowns Raiders WR depth chart Starters: Jakobi Meyers, Jack Bech, Tre TuckerReserves: Dont'e Thornton, Tommy Mellott, Tyreik McAllister, Kristian Wilkerson, Jeff Foreman, Collin Johnson, Shedrick Jackson, Alex Bachman
NBC Sports
04-04-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
Mark Davis: This is my favorite time of year because we're undefeated
The Raiders haven't won a playoff game since 2002, which was their last Super Bowl appearance. The only two seasons they have had a winning record since then — in 2016 and in 2021 — were the only two seasons they have made the postseason the past 22 seasons. It's no wonder owner Mark Davis said, 'I say it every year, this is my favorite time: We are undefeated.' The Raiders have their third head coach and General Manager pairing in three years. It's a big reason they are 18-33 in that time. 'I just didn't get it right,' Davis said this week at the owners meetings, via Vic Tafur of 'That's all there is to it.' This time, he has Tom Brady as a minority owner and confidant, Brady's long-time friend and former teammate, John Spytek, as General Manager and Super Bowl-winning coach Pete Carroll. The Raiders need a rebuild after a 4-13 season in 2024, a season in which the other three teams in the AFC West made the postseason. The Raiders have upgraded at quarterback, trading for Geno Smith, Carroll's former quarterback in Seattle. But Davis knows the rebuild could take more than one offseason. 'You always want to compete, but you have to be honest,' Davis said. 'Are we going to win the Super Bowl this year? I don't know. It's possible.'
