Lady Lee, Author at 1Africa

Dr Dre Explains New Album

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August 14, 2015

Dr Dre explains surprise new album: ‘I decided to make it one night on the way home from film set’.

Dr Dre has explained the inspiration behind his new album, ‘Compton’, the companion soundtrack to new NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton.

‘Compton’ is the Dre’s first album in 16 years, following on from 1999’s ‘2001’. It features guest spots from Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and more.

It was released last Friday (August 7) and is on course to top the UK Albums Chart this week.

Speaking during a live YouTube chat about the film on Tuesday (August 11), Dre explained that the album’s creation was an impromptu decision.

“You know what, I was on the set [of Straight Outta Compton], I was leaving the set every day and I just felt so inspired. I decided one night on the way home I was going to roll up my sleeves and start working on this album.”

He continued: “I got to maybe a third song and I said, ‘You know what? This is starting to sound great. I should go on and complete this.’ And it snowballed from there. And it came out exactly the way I wanted.”

Dr Dre has also stated that he got “goosebumps” while watching Straight Outta Compton for the first time.

“It [caused] goosebumps – a little bit surreal,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “Some guys that came from nothing that created something that’s just amazing.”

Dr Dre recently announced that he will donate royalties earned from ‘Compton’ to the funding of a new performing arts and entertainment facility in the city of Compton.

“I feel it’s the right thing to do and I hope everybody appreciates the work I put into this album,” Dre told Zane Lowe, revealing that he’ll be working with Compton Mayor Aja Brown on the project.

Speaking on his Beats 1 show The Pharmacy on Saturday (August 1), Dre clarified that the album is not strictly a soundtrack, but is inspired by the upcoming NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton. He also revealed that he will not release the long-awaited album ‘Detox’ because “it wasn’t good.” Explaining why the record was scrapped after 16 years in the making, Dre added: “I didn’t like it.”

The ‘Compton: A Soundtrack’ tracklisting is:

‘Intro’
‘Talk About It’ [feat. King Mez and Justus]
‘Genocide’ [feat. Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius and Candice Pillay]
‘It’s All on Me’ [feat. Justus and BJ The Chicago Kid]
‘All in a Day’s Work’ [feat. Anderson Paak and Marsha Ambrosius]
‘Darkside/Gone’ [feat. King Mez, Marsha Ambrosius and Kendrick Lamar]
‘Loose Cannons’ [feat. Xzibit and COLD 187um]
‘Issues’ [feat. Ice Cube and Anderson Paak]
‘Deep Water’ [feat. Kendrick Lamar and Justus]
‘One Shot One Kill’ [feat. Snoop Dogg]
‘Just Another Day’ [feat. Asia Bryant]
‘For the Love of Money’ [feat. Jill Scott and Jon Connor]
‘Satisfaction’ [feat. Snoop Dogg, Marsha Ambrosius and King Mez]
‘Animals’ [feat. Anderson Paak]
‘Medicine Mane’ [feat. Eminem, Candice Pillay and Anderson Paak]
‘Talking to My Diary’

Straight Outta Compton will receive its UK release on August 28. It stars O’Shea Jackson Jr, Corey Hawkins and Jason Mitchell as Ice Cube, Dr Dre and Eazy-E, and is directed by F Gary Gray.

Content by www.nme.com

Are You Jealous?

Lady Lee

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August 14, 2015

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When we use the word “jealous,” we use it in a sense of being envious of someone who has something we do not have. This kind of jealousy is a sin and is not characteristic of a Christian; rather, it shows that we are still being controlled by our own desires. The Bible says, “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

The Bible tells us that we are to have the perfect kind of love that God has for us. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs”. The more we focus on ourselves and our own desires, the less we are able to focus on God. When we harden our hearts to the truth, we cannot turn to Jesus and allow Him to heal us. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to control us, He will produce in us the fruit of our salvation, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Being jealous indicates that we are not satisfied or content with what God has given us. In order to combat jealousy, we need to become more like Jesus and less like ourselves. We can get to know Him through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with mature believers. As we learn how to serve others instead of ourselves, our hearts will begin to change.

Do you perhaps no longer want to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind? Do you want to test and approve what God’s will is; His good, pleasing and perfect will? Click on the banner below.

The 8 Avocado Hacks

Lady Lee

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August 13, 2015

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Avocado is a glorious food. Those folks who know it show it with complete adoration. From finding ways to incorporate avocado into every meal to showing one’s love with avocado swag, fans of this green fruit are fierce.

For all you avocado devotees out there, we put together a list of the eight most essential avocado hacks because you deserve it. And because it’ll help you eat even more avocado.

1. You can quickly ripen a too-hard avocado by putting it in a bag at room temperature. If all goes well, it can mature to perfect guacamole-making texture in a matter of days. This may not be lightning fast, but it speeds up the natural process significantly.

2. If you need an avocado to mature faster than that, add an apple, banana or pear. The fruits emit ethylene gas, a compound that promotes ripening.

3. OR, if you really can’t wait, bake it in the oven. Slice the avocado, top with lemon juice, and cook at 300° for 10 minutes.

4. To preserve a perfectly ripe avocado you’re not quite ready to eat, pop it in the fridge. This will slow down the ripening process.

5. However, if you’ve already cut into that avocado, be sure to cover it before refrigerating — lemon juice, apple cider vinegar or good ol’ fashion Saran Wrap will help keep it from turning brown.

6. If you’re out of breakfast dishes or baking pans or both, just use an avocado — this is also known as the eggocado. Just drop an egg into the whole of an avocado, bake until set and eat. Best breakfast around.

7. Get the most out of an avocado by cutting it into quarters and peeling the skin away. It’s the most efficient way to eat this fruit.

8. If you’re unsure whether an avocado is ready to eat, look underneath the stem. If the skin under the stem is brown, it’s too ripe. If it’s green, it’s good to go. And if the stem doesn’t come off easily, the avocado isn’t ripe yet.

Now you can go on and eat lots of avocados. And we’ve got the recipes to help you do just that.

Healing From Abuse

Lady Lee

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August 13, 2015

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Healing from abuse may sound like a far fetched thought. But actually healing is possible.
There are people who have longed for healing from abuse, so they begin dealing with childhood memories of molestation and gradually find peace, contentment, wholeness, and healing.

There are stories I’ve read and heard, where people talk about their experiences as the victims of abuse. Some thought there was no hope at all that they will find the kind of healing they were looking for. I can assure you that there is hope and healing for those who have been abused. God can take your broken heart and heal it completely.

I’ve asked people who have been abused on how God can help someone with the process of healing from abuse, and most say:

“Looking back on my healing, I struggled with hopelessness. Due to the abuse I experienced, I could not see the end of the dark tunnel. I experienced extreme ups and downs—deep depression and elated joy. Through this time, God had His hand on me. I remember days when I was unable to function, I would cry, ‘God, help me! I want to die and get out from under this oppressive pain!’ God heard my cries and gave me hope. He reminded me that my children needed me—just as I needed God. God brought me through those desperate days and gave me hope when I needed it the most—at the crossroads of living and dying”.

God serves as your comforter, your rock when you aimlessly trying to find your way out of the pain. He alone understands you completely because He’s been through abuse Himself.

My prayer is that you will find God in your sorrows and let Him be your healer. There is hope and healing available to you.

Are you hurting from abuse? Do you want peace, contentment, healing, and redemption. He is offering you the same. Will you accept His offer? Click on the banner below.

Things To Know Before Buying A Car

Lifestyle

Lady Lee

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August 12, 2015

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Shopping for a car online can be daunting but with the right preparation you could be well on your way to finding a new set of wheels.

No matter what you are looking for, chances are you will find it online. Classified sites have thousands of used cars, 4x4s, bikes and spare parts on offer and you can easily browse for the specifications you’re seeking for from the comfort of your own home.

Great bargains are available on classified sites but be aware of scams.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Do your homework and scout the internet for similar models and prices to make an informed decision. Take someone who is knowledgeable about cars with when inspecting the car as it always helps to get a trusted second opinion.

Here are ten pointers if you’re using online classified sites for the first time to buy a used car:

1. Know your budget

Do you require a car that is fuel efficient as you’re often travelling for work? Do you need a car that is spacious enough for a large family? Consider the car you have in mind and whether it will suit your needs.

Other factors to consider are the features you need as well as the cost of replacement parts including tyres, service plan, insurance and registration of the vehicle.

2. Ask lots of questions

When making contact with the owner or dealership for the first time, ask lots of questions to enable you to make an informed decision. Questions should include why they are selling the car, what they used it for, average kilometres travelled in a month. Other important details you should find out is whether the vehicle was involved in a crash, has it been repaired and when were the tyres replaced.

3. View the car in a safe place

Never meet at your house but rather choose a public spot such a fuel station, shopping centre parking area or at your place of work. Ask the seller to present their ID so that you can identify them. Make sure to take someone with you.

4. Check the service history

A service history will give you an indication of the repairs and maintenance and will provide you with a good idea of the vehicle’s condition. Make sure that the car’s service history is up to date and if it isn’t, query this with the owner/dealer.

5. Check the kilometres

It’s important to check the kilometres on the odometer, as this determines the car’s true age.

6. Inspect the bodywork and interior

Inspect the bodywork for dents and rust as this can indicate whether the car has been looked after or not.

With age a car’s body will deteriorate but make sure all the panels line-up properly and that the doors and windows operate properly. If the car has an on-board computer, make sure that the aircon, power windows and other electronics are fully functional.

7. Inspect the engine

The engine is a critical component of the car. Check that there are no leaks or corrosion and that the gaskets, brake fluid, reservoir and belts don’t look deteriorated, as this could mean possible replacement in the future.

8. Test drive

Compile a shortlist of cars you want to experience. Take the vehicle for a test drive to test the brakes, the clutch and the smoothness of the gearbox. You will get a good indication of what state the shocks are in and whether the suspension is operational.

9. Independent inspection

Have the car independently inspected to help you identify flaws and make an informed decision when buying a second-hand car. A Roadworthy Test must be conducted every time a vehicle changes ownership. The test is a legal requirement and ensures that the vehicle meets the safety standards defined by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). DEKRA test centres in association with the AA conduct roadworthy tests. Additional tests that will give you extra peace of mind include a Multi-Point check visual inspection, a Technical Inspection and a Safety Check.

10. Be a neutral buyer

Show interest in the car, but don’t be too enthusiastic. Negotiate on the price if you notice some faults that are acceptable and that won’t compromise the car’s performance. Don’t make hasty, irrational decisions. Be patient and be prepared to walk away if the seller is unwilling to negotiate on the price or if the car shows signs of having been in an accident.

If you’re buying a car, make sure that the service manual is up to date, that the most recent service did happen and that the seller has disclosed all the defects as required by the Consumer Protection Act.

Ensure that you have all the information you need to make the right decision and always get a second opinion from a trusted friend.

These tips were brought to you by Auto Mart.

Jesus Is Coming, Are You Ready?

Lady Lee

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August 11, 2015

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I’ve read lots of articles and watched videos of prophets claiming they know the time and day Jesus will come back. The Bible says, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father…Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” These scriptures would seem to provide a clear answer to the question. No, no one can know when Jesus is coming back. However, those verses do not say that no one will ever be able to know when Jesus will return.

The most important question anyone can ask him/herself is this: “Jesus is coming – am I ready?” To know whether you are ready there must be an interaction of faith with God’s Word.

The word “ready” in terms of Jesus’ return is shown to be a watchful state in Luke 21:36, as follows: “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man”. To be ready, of course, requires initial salvation.

Salvation is an ongoing process, as well. He describes the testing of one’s faith as a process that is “of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire.” If the testing of faith is to be compared to the refining of gold, then faith’s refining by trials occurs so that “your faith. . .may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

What does “ready” mean in terms of God’s message to believers? What is required to make someone ready for Jesus coming? And, how does one know that he/she is ready for His coming for it to be a personally glorious event? Do I know Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour? Are you still on the journey and want to accept Him as your personal Saviour? Click the banner below.

Spice Girls To Reunite

Lady Lee

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August 10, 2015

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The Spice Girls are reportedly set to reunite to mark their 20th anniversary with a world tour – without Victoria Beckham.

The girl group released their debut single in 1996 and will celebrate two decades in the spotlight by hitting the road together next year.

However, Victoria – known as Posh Spice in her pop star hey-day – will sit the trek out, deciding to focus on her ever-expanding global fashion brand instead.

A source tells The Sun: ‘There is a huge demand for the Spice Girls to get back together, especially with the nostalgia around the two-decade anniversary of their first release next summer.

‘Mel B flew into London last month to secretly agree the plan with the other three girls. They should each make more than ten million pounds from this.’

Victoria – who took part in the group’s 2007-2008 reunion tour and their appearance at the London Olympics closing ceremony three years ago – still has the option to take part but insists she is too busy.

The source added: ‘Victoria wishes the girls the best of luck. She is far too busy running her fashion brand and looking after her family to get back on a stage.

1994 – The group are formed after responding to an advertisement in The Stage.

1996 – Their debut single Wannabe is released, going on to become a No.1 hit in 31 countries.

1997 – Geri famously performed in the Union Jack dress at the Brit Awards, where they go on to win two accolades.

Later that year, starred as themselves in the critically-panned Spice World movie.

1998 – In May, Geri announces she is to quit the band, but the remaining girls are determined to carry on a four-piece.

1999 – Took an eight month break, reuniting in August for record their third and final studio album.

2000 – Following disappointing album sales of Forever compared to their first two discs, the four-piece go on hiatus to focus on their solo careers.

2007 – All five original members of the group announce their plans to reunite with a worldwide tour starting in December that year.

2008 – Cancelled several tour dates due to ‘personal and family commitments’.

2012 – Reunited to perform at the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony.

True Love: Ex-Model Turia Pitt

Lady Lee

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August 10, 2015

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This Ex-Model Australian Turia Pitt suffered 65 percent burn injury, but her boyfriend did something amazing!

The Australian ex-model Turia Pitt suffered burns to 65 per cent of her body, lost her fingers and thumb on her right hand and spent five months in hospital after she was trapped by a grass-fire in a 100 kilometer ultra-marathon in the Kimberley.

Her boyfriend decided to quit his job to care for her recovery. Days ago, in an interview for CNN they asked him: “Did you at any moment think about leaving her and hiring someone to take her of her and moving on with your life?”

His reply touched the world: “I married her soul, her character, and she’s the only woman that will continue to fulfill my dreams.”

This really touched me and got reminded about the scripture that says,“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” —I Corinthians 13:4-8

This verse describes the characteristics of true love. These qualities can certainly be found in the person of Jesus Christ, and they can be found in all truly loving relationships. The problem with trying to “find” love in our dating lives, is that too often we don’t look for these characteristics. Rather we look at physical appearance, popularity, or wealth. These are not the qualities that God looks at and neither should we.

We can only identify true love and know when we have found it, based on the Word of God. When we match our relationships up to what the Bible says that love is—and we are honestly prepared to make a life-long commitment to that person—then we can say that we are truly “in love.” The three keys to that statement are:

We have to…

…look at the Word of God.
…be completely honest with ourselves.
…understand the level of commitment that comes with true love.

I believe this takes time, effort, prayer, counseling and education, but when you find it there is nothing greater on this earth than finding true love and doing so in the way God intended for you to do it.

Are you struggling to find the kind of true love God intended for you? Do you have low self esteem because of your physical appearance and feel no one will ever love and accept the way you are? If you want to chat with someone about your insecurities, why don’t you click on the banner below.

10 African Designers You Should Know

Lady Lee

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August 7, 2015

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African designs are on the rise and in high demand. Yet it is not all about traditional handicrafts; the designs of today are contemporary, high-end and accessible to all, adding a local touch from the designer’s respective African country to modern designs. Not only is there a growing presence of homegrown designs in the African continent itself, but also in overseas markets. We explore the 10 best African designers you should know about.

Babacar M’Bodj Niang

Senegalese furniture maker Babacar M’Bodj Niang started his design practice, Nulangee in Dakar 12 years ago. Passionate about object-making since his early childhood, he pursued a design career despite his family’s disapproval. He incorporates local materials such as leather, wood and brass to produce delicate sculptural pieces. His specialty is designing stunning chairs and benches which are crafted to resemble sculptures.

Dennis Chuene

South African designer Dennis Chuene makes contemporary backpacks which are fashionable and easy to wear on a daily basis. These plastic weave zip-up colorful bags attract fashionistas as much as budget travelers. What distinguishes Vernac Bags from other bags is that the materials used in making them are often the same materials that homeless people and refugees use. By re-imagining disposable stables into stunning travel accessories while adding quality with leather latches, the talented designer aims to make a statement; having a place to call home is something we should value more and consider precious.

Joëlle le Bussy

Joëlle le Bussy is an extremely talented furniture designer of French Senegalese descent. In 1996, she started Galerie Arte Dakar designing her personal furniture made from sustainably sourced local woods. With a beautiful finishing, simple line and handmade details, her pieces are all contemporary with an inherently African touch. Her goal is to create practical objects which are entirely Senegalese and have them seen as luxury products.

Cheick Diallo

The Malian architect and designer Cheick Diallo has his own studio located up in the hills right above his birthplace of Bamako. Diallo experiments much with weaving metal to create sculptural loungers and chairs. As a creative confidence has started spreading across the continent, European designers, such as the Italian brand Moroso, have looked to Diallo for inspiration. Mixing ancient wisdom with a modern sensibility, Diallo’s fascinating objects made out of every detritus and material are an inspiration to many.

Tana

Tana offers colorful laptop bags with rag woven cloths from Madagascar. Because each laptop bag is hand crafted using recycled cotton t-shirts, they are all unique and cannot be imitated. The soft leather finishing is provided from South African tanneries with respect to the environment and local communities. Tana’s goal is to use design to lower the amount of cast-off clothes adding to Madagascar’s landfills, and transform damaged items into luxury products, all while providing income and empowerment to the country’s poorest.

Hamed Ouattara

Working in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, Hamed Ouattara is a talented furniture designer and painter. Wishing to reflect local realities through his designs, Ouattara makes metal furniture pieces. He aims to show that local designs can be beautiful in a country which is suffering from excessive imports, poor imitations and products which do not reflect local culture. His striking furniture pieces have been showcased all around the world and Ouattara now sells both across Europe and Africa.

Josephine and Kweku Forson

Interpreting classic Fanti and Ashanti cultural artistry in a contemporary way, the Ghanaian brand Tekura – an award winning handcrafted décor and furniture producer in Africa – is famous for its practical and innovative wooden pieces, all of which are created by master artisans under the meticulous supervision of a couple, Josephine and Kweku Forson. The designers’ sensitivity to their cultural heritage and the environment is reflected in their work, which respects the environment as all designs are produced using wood that was found already lying on the ground of the reforested woodlands.

Adèle Dejak

Adele Dejak is a Nigerian-born designer who has launched a collection of sculptural fashion accessories in bone, ostrich, gold, shell and local traditional cloth based in Kenya. Her powerful and bold designs show the designer’s sense of a strong contemporary African woman. She has since designed projects together with the Italian brand Ferragamo. At the moment, she is in the process of launching AD Interiors, a line of lights and functional objects for the home.

Marjorie Wallace

Marjorie Wallace is a talented ceramic artist who graduated from Cape Town’s Michaelis School of Art. She makes fine porcelain objects which are inspired by the traditional basket making she has been accustomed to since her early years. She adds linear designs to her decorative objects, bowls and cups. As there is a constant issue on the side of supply and resources in Zimbabwe, she leaves her pottery open to fellow ceramicists and trains young artisans.

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi from Ghana launched A A K S with the aim of showing the world her favorite weaving techniques practiced by Ghanaian women, while creating sustainable job opportunities at the same time. All A A K S bags are handcrafted in Bolgatanga in a style which maintains the essence and durability of ancestral counterparts by using bright colors. The brand focuses on authenticity, craftsmanship and ethical values in the production chain, and offers a strong identity combined with high quality.

Content by www.theculturetrip.com

Need Some Help?

Lady Lee

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August 7, 2015

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Do you need help?

Behold, God is my helper and ally; the Lord is my upholder and is with them who uphold my life. Psalm 54:4

There are many people who have received Jesus as their Saviour and Lord who will live their Christian lives and go to heaven without ever drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit available to them, never experiencing the true success God intends for them. People can be on their way to heaven, yet not enjoying the trip.

We often look at people who have wealth, position, power, fame, and consider them to be totally successful. But many people who are viewed as successful still lack good relationships, peace, joy, contentment, and other true blessings that are available only in the context of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Self-sufficient people often think it is a sign of weakness to depend on God. But by drawing on the ability of the Holy Spirit, they could accomplish more in their lives than they could by working in their own strength.

There are countless things we struggle with when we could be receiving help from the Holy Spirit. Many people never find the right answers to their problems because they seek out the wrong sources for advice and counsel instead of asking the Divine Counsellor who lives within them for guidance.

I encourage you to lean on God for everything, and that means little things as well as big things.

The only way to experience the success God intends for you is to become totally dependent on the Holy Spirit. Who do you depend upon? Do you wish to seek God at all times and include Him in your day to day life and don’t know where or how to do that? Click on the banner below.

Lady Lee

Babacar M’Bodj Niang

Dennis Chuene

Joëlle le Bussy

Cheick Diallo

Tana

Hamed Ouattara

Josephine and Kweku Forson

Adèle Dejak

Marjorie Wallace

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi

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