REVIEWS: Nasty C – Strings and Bling

Nasty C Strings and Bling Album review

“A BLEND OF EMOTIONS, GANGSTA FEVER AND BRAGGING, STRINGS AND BLING IS A COLLECTION OF PURE MASTERY”

Since the release of his mix “price city”, in 2015 that introduced home to music, Nasty C has solidified his stay in the rap industry, worldwide.
His debut album, “Bad Hair” was released in 2016 with its award winning single ‘Hell Naw’. The popularity of the album, led Nasty C to release an extended version “Bad Hair Extensions”.
Nasty C has risen to be one of the best rappers to come out of South Africa till today  alongside the likes of AKA and CASSPER NYOVEST.

The anticipated album, “Strings and Bling” has finally dropped after a little delay.
This is his first project since his deal with Universal Music Group. He has features from A$AP FERG, Kaien Cruz as well as Rowlene.

Here’s my take on “Strings and Bling” filled with my utmost attention. This is not a 1 listen review but a general one on the songs and the album.
May the forces be with us.

The 17 track album, starts of with BLISTERS. Now the gist expression on me the moment this song came on was ‘woah’. The song is pretty catchy on the ears and it has the rapper counting his blessings.

STRINGS AND BLINGS comes in as number 2. It starts off with a Spanish themed violin playing at the background. It’s a mixture of classic and urban production. Behind the salient chants and kumbaya is a kid who feels pain. His emotions are in plain sight while he’s singing.

JUNGLE is up next. The soft piano keys had me wondering what was on till the beats dropped and I knew I was in for the time of my life. This song is about a man who claims his crown and throne without any contest. The production is tight, his flows are crazy. NASTY C is really on fire. An easy 10/10 right here.

NO RESPECT AND LEGENDARY send out the same vibes. No Respect being 1 minute is him bragging over what can be heard to be xylophones or maybe drums? This would pass as a perfect interlude.
With Legendary, it’s a slow paced rap song. His lines in this are infectious. Slow tempo Nasty C is not what we are used to but this has a nice tune to it. He’s bragging a lot an I love it! Beat comes off as basic but great production. A “let’s chill” vibe.

U PLAYED YOURSELF! Nasty C bodied this one without even trying so hard. “I’m about to say all facts” he says as he starts off this track. He’s dishing out proper relationship advice. There’s a truck load of messages right here. An upbeat fashioned song, I live for this. It great how Nasty C diversifies on this song. “A song for those who are blinded by reality”, was the man whose voice echos on the outro.

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Rowlene is featured by Nasty C on this track and her angelic voice begins this soulful music “Send Me Away”. The mix between Nasty C and Rowlene is magic. They create magic together! There’s Rowlene on the chorus and Nasty C on the first verse. It reminds me of ‘love the way you lie’ – with Rihanna and Eminem.
The second verse finds the couple exchanging words up until they broke up. A 10 for me, I shed tears while I listened to this. Beautiful love tears.

KING has the keys up in the intro. The intro is crazy, lines are wild. He’s talking fake niggas, his supremacy amongst a those who think they could match with him.
A$AP FERG on this does exceptionally well on this track. A feature that might not have been needed but complimentary. There’s no space to breather while he’s delivering. Bars are back to back. Nasty’s verse is fire, A King! I Stan.

Nasty C comes in clean and bare with ANOTHERONE DOWN.This song starts off with an introspective fun with the perfect piano keys to with it.
He speaks about his weakness, his flaws. He talks life with lines that are deep and hit home notwithstanding.
A slow tempo, more than a slow tempo. Hugs.

Nasty C shows his love boy side in “CASSANOVA”, “MRS ME”, “MY BABY” and“EVERYTHING”where he features Kaien Cruz.
He sings about love, to whom his heart belongs to. There’s something I the production of all 4 songs. His rap lines are slow, he’s calm and relaxed.
It’s a good things because while being calm, his lines are still professing love. No one wants a rushed love song and Nasty C delivers just what his fans what.
Production is crazy. Who writes Nasty C’s song? Who’s his producer? Lastly, is there someone he’s in love with? For a badass rapper, this album has a ton of love songs.

JIGGY JAGGA comes I as the outro to the album and it is worth it. He tells everyone he’s not a celebrity while bragging about his feats. He boasts of his achievements since he got into the music industry in 2016 as he sings “I’m street smart, I’m gifted, the list goes on, it’s endless.
His mastery of his lines and explicit words give it more eargasm. I could play this more than a 100 times, no jokes.
He is calm, he makes me excited because he’s doing this effortlessly.

Nasty C’s Strings and Bling is a 17 tracked album with 52 minutes of fun, catchy lyrics filled with bop beats for the most.
There’s really a song for every mood in this album as Nasty C has shown that Hip Hop and Rap is worldwide and not limited to any continent.

Although there are no bad songs, Gravy, Givenchy and Do You Digg lack substance, they are exhaustive and tiring. Those songs should have been excluded off the album if I were to rate it a 10 over 10; yet still, no bad song.

His choice in featured artists are well thought out as none felt misplaced and delivered perfectly on each respective tracks.

If Bad Hair was impressive, Strings and Bling is a masterpiece. Great production, top notch bars and the perfect charisma to create the perfect album. In general , an 8.

Thoughts?

Drake Scorpion Album Review

Drake Scorpion Album Review

He’s nothing like the last one, gangster love and everything that has to do with pride, Drake serves us hot cocoa on a rainy day in form of Rap music.

The first ever hip hop double album was released in 1998 by Dj Jazzy and The Fresh Prince. It’s safe to say that they opened up the eyes of hip up artists to an endless world of possibilities when it comes to music.

For Drake, a man who cherishes his legacy, it’s not far fetched that he has decided to make an A & B side on a double album.

The 12 track on the A side are filled with bodying rap tracks. I’m upset and everyone’s sweetheart, God’s plan are listed in as part of the track list for the A side, so it’s confirmed.

The most amazing thing is Jay Z being the only feature on this side and somehow does magic while at it.

Everyone just like me is waiting for a response to Pusha T’s diss to him and we hope he destroys him and open up about having a son.

From me to you, here’s my take on everything Scorpion has to offer on Side A.

DRAKE –  SCORPION SIDE A

1. SURVIVAL

This song starts off with a slow build up. Slow laced beats but he’s armed with his rap tone. Okay! He starts falling in line with the rap. Drake sounds corny. His rhymes are systematic. He’s not making a fuss about this song cause he’s so calm. He says it himself, ‘This is just the intro’.

I am 100% sure that this intro was written right after his beef with Pusha T. For a song that’s so peaceful and mellow, Drake does not let that control how his flows come out.

2. NONSTOP

Yay Keith made some crazy ass magic on this one. Nah! This trap beat is going in so deep. This is delicious, I’m so happy! This is the kinda song you listen to with a speaker. It would catch a body. There’s so much bars on this one. Summer time is going to have a field day. Okay he pushed out Pusha with that “Light-skin/ dark nigga” line. I love it.

Does flow is so smooth and sharp. Him talking in between bars makes it more perfect.

This new is monstrous, I’m in awe. The A- side to this album is gold, I’m ready.

3. ELEVATE

This one starts off, slow build up. It sounds like he’s celebrating something or so he says. His pitch switch up is perfect. Okay his second verse is going create. Whose name did he mention? Who’s Miss Crayton?

This is the track, he’s so smooth. I’m happy, I won’t smoothie track even if I’m paid to. Th production for this album has been amazing so far. Short songs though but everything my ears needed.

Drake sounds deep within thought. There’s a whole lot of weird names he’s mentioning but let us rise.

4. EMOTIONLESS

This song has me buzzing. Well there’s a whole log of dropped expo on this one. A whole lot longer than the others. 5 minutes of pure truth cause Drake has all the time today. He starts off with what I think is a Mariah sample.

The drums drop and Drake is with t. Feels like he’s directly talking to someone. Pusha? He did us tutu by the name of this song. He definitely had a whole lot of emotions in this one.

This is the Drake we love, so definitive with his beats and his lyrics.

He talks about his kid. He claims he’s not hiding the kid but oh well. Everyone wants a piece of the juicy gossip but Drake isn’t letting us have it all at once.

5. GOD’S PLAN

This is everyone’s honey in form of music. It has grown on all of us majorly because it has been out for a while now. His lines on this one are effortless; you already knew that.

Trap at its best. Drake brahs ok and off on this. His “loving his bed and his momma” only grips everyone now. I mean, this man has a whole ass son and he only loves his bed and his momma?

Asides the drama attached to the lyrics of this song, it’ll be played repeatedly and all we can do is love it. I mean, that’s God’s plan.

6. I’M UPSET

I don’t hate this song. I really wonder why people do not rate. I mean, I m a it’s Drake why do they pick on him so much.

The song has an infectious dull undertone to it but you’d still jam to it.

He’s give us ‘I’m upset’ to mention everyday lol. Drake has had better records than this but anyways I still stan.

7. 8 OUT OF 10

This beat starts off pretty hard. Oh it’s greater than good.

Drake comes off with his Cory ass lines, he’s such a player. He has to be the baddest? Non bad boy ever. “Kiss my son on the forehead and kiss your ass goodbye”. Why the subliminals?

Drake loves rap, I wonder what the RnB part B holds for us cause I prefer this side to Drake.

“Your big mad, I’m happy. Leave me alone”

Rude, proud Drake.

8. MOB TIES

BEST! All capital letters. He starts off with piano keys. I did not know what to expect but my wig got snatched the moment the best came in. The trap in this is crazy and I live for it cause damn.

The Ad-libs are crazy, feels like its Quavo on that one. His flow and mastery of this song is extraordinary.

His lyrics though, sort of disturbing since XXX was just killed but then it’s Drake, pay no mind to him.

This song has me excited to be honest. I cannot hide the fact that the production is tight. Kudos to anyone who made this magic.

9. CAN’T TAKE A JOKE

Trap! Trap!! Trap!!! Did Drake plan to body us? Yes or Yes? Gangster music here, you can hear the gun clicking. Hard Hard, Rock Hard beats. This is the classic Drake. I mean who is so corny to make a song with this kind of title, DRAKE!.

This song slaps so hard, I feel I’m invincible.

This is flames cause I know he be mocking someone. This is tight production right here. Aubrey does not disappoint.

10. SANDRA’S ROSE

A choir kind of intro.m, soulful ad calm. There’s a switch up which isn’t out there but there. The drums make it better and I completely love his song. Not ever rapper can rap over a soulful beat but here Drake is bodying it.

It’s no news that all Drake has been giving us are Instagram caption gems and Sandra’s rose has a ton of those.

Drake gave us everything we desired on a plate of gold. This song is cold, there’s bodies everywhere. I mean for a song that sounds so peaceful, Drake did turn down the heat; freezer level cold.

11. TALK UP FT JAY Z

Knocks on the door. Not far fetched. A hard beat , I can already picture HOV’s beat on this one.

This is the 11th song in this album and Drake has not had one bad rap line. Bars are popping and it’s so intense.

Here’s HOV, doing the most with his magic. His flows and the lyrics attached has be crazy. He’s not forcing it, My Lord, Jay Z’s flows are Smokey.

Yo, “Y’all killed XXX and let Zimmerman live” . I’m out of here, Jay is outta pocket. Damn!

12. IS THERE MORE

Is this a question? Is he asking us if we need more of his amazing rap music? Oh yes?! This kinda sounds like a song off a sample, not sure but we move. There’s not just one, not two but different catchy lines on this one.

A-side of this album actually bangs like damn. His second verse is clean, he delivers greatness right before our eyes.

This is an amazing way to end this part of the album. Amazing production, great lyrics and of course, Drake the greatest.

Perfect is the word to describe the A- side of this double album. Although I have not listened fully to B, I don’t think it’s necessary.

Everything we need to hear from Drizzy is right here, in side A.

In this 12 song part, Drake brought out the side of him that we know but had not seen since 2 albums before now.

He put out subliminals on Pusha that you could miss if you didn’t pay attention. That’s being mature but does Drake still have something up his sleeves? He’s not one to give up.

Drake sounds poised, focused and relentless on this side of the album and I’m so glad the haters can keep quiet now.

Great production on this track list and as we all know, it’s Drake, he’s be on our lips for a very long time.

“Emotions and a whole new level of what can be described as feelings, Drake sings for women on this side”

The first ever hip hop double album was released in 1998 by Dj Jazzy and The Fresh Prince. It’s safe to say that they opened up the eyes of hip up artists to an endless world of possibilities when it comes to music.
For Drake, a man who cherishes his legacy, it’s not far fetched that he has decided to make an A & B side on a double album.

This 13 tracks on the album’s B-Side are RNB according to rumours. Drake has hinted in the past to wanting to create an RNB album and finally he’s doing it.
Since Views which had a mix of RNB and pop, here we are again. He features Ty Dolla $ign, Hendrix, the late Static Major and the legend, Michael Jackson. Yes MICHAEL JACKSON.

Everyone’s eyes went bloodshot the moment Michael was  rumored to be on the list. There’s so much we’re expecting. This might actually break the internet. The pressures on!

From me to you, here’s my take on everything Scorpion has to offer on Side B. LETS GOOO

1. PEAK

Song starts off with a low tempo to it. If you listen to A and drift to the B almost immediately, you might feel as lost as I did. It feels like a whole new album entirely. Is a nice turn away.
He’s talking so lovely. Yes A side was bumping but her reminds me of party next door on this one. There are weirdly places electronic chords but glory.
There was no need for the conversations with the woman. They were all overdoing it. Drake’s transition but it’ll just be number one, let’s see!

2. SUMMER GAMES
Oh the ladies are going to love this one. This song sounds like paradise, cheers to the beginning of the B side to the album.
The build up to this is so silky, go Drake! He’s throwing a whole lot of shade on summer side as it has me wondering if Side A is about his son and Side B for his baby momma.
I love the drums I’m hearing. Drake is going full on R&B on this one. This is better than peak. His vocals have never been strong but his melody has always been tight. Dope track, thanks 40!

3. JADED

Another slow tempo song. I can hear Ty Dolla $ign at the background. It’s easier to know the rapper he’s talking about when he’s sending subliminals but for women, I can never tell.
This should have been a Ty Dolla $ign and a PND combo, yet it still bangs.
“You’re old enough, but you still a baby” – old Drake, typical Drake lines, super corny.
This song sounds better when the mood sets in.

4. NICE FOR WHAT
I still can’t get enough of this song. Months after since its release, it’s still on my lips, I don’t know about you. First of! Drake did a great job with the Lauryn Hill sample. This song is simplicity at its rarest form and yet it’s still on fire.
This is a summer all girls anthem. I think this should have been the music track or the ‘girls trip movie’ if it had come out this year.
The best on this song is everything and it’s even better that he did not have any features on this one.
This is a favorite, an honest favorite.

5. FINESSE

The production is super tight. Drake has all the right beats for the right kinds of song. Who’s he trying to actually finesse? ‘Can’t be in a room with you and stand on different sides’. That’s mad cute. Bet men would use that line in y’all ladies soon, keep watch sis!
The drums have drilled as the hook that pops up next is everything.
I’m beginning to love the RnB side to this album. Drake sure knows how to serve things really hot. This right here is the reason why I love him and his music.

6. RATCHET HAPPY BIRTHDAY
I like the hip o hoop vibe of this song. A breezy summer and maybe a birthday anthem. The name, racy hey happy birthday does not come close to what this song feels like in my ears
Expected a bouncy sing with 2 chains and YG on it but on the A side but oh well.
I like the drums. I still wonder the women Drake has been singing about since he started this B side of the album.
Soulful finish but I might not listen to this twice.

7. THAT’S HOW YOU FEEL
Okay Drake? Easy tiger. This is a record. I’m quietly bumping my head to this song right now . This the kind of RnB I’ve been waiting for all this in the entire scorpion album.
I’m here for the mix in his rapping and singing b side the production itself is tight.
The Nicki sample gives it the needed spark and boom flames.
He’s talking bout that woman again. Wow Drake must really have a long list of women he’s been involved with.
He sounds mad tho, I mean, that’s how he feels!

8. BLUE TINT
Okay did u hear future? Did I? Did you? For a moment there a future and Take collaboration would be the best thing fright now. I can hear drums m. The RnB and trap mix goes well together. This ‘I had her on ice Then I watched the ice get thin’ okay
“Double my price, top of the charts, back in their hearts again’ bragging and more bragging.
FUTURE! His pitch has me screaming
This mix is everything. Oh shit. I like Futures hook but I wish it wasn’t so short to be honest. I like this song, it’s on me already.

9. IN MY FEELINGS
Title screams “Aubrey Graham” cause I mean Drake is for the women. I love the fact that this has a rap side to it. Oh not bad, it’s great.
Who’s Kiki? If Drake wants her, I want her too. He wants someone else also okayyy.
Is this RnB or Hip Hop? My Day God, Drake what are you doing this to us? To me?
This song is going in really hard. Who’s these babes he’s mentioning. Drake is good at every kind of music to be honest.
Lil Wayne’s sample on this is icing to the cake. This is Love right here. The sample is perfect.
Drake using the CHAMPAGNE PAPI EPISODE OF ATLANTA gives this record 12/10.

10. DON’T MATTER TO ME FT MICHAEL JACKSON
How. Did. Michael. Get. On. This? I’m scared honestly. Did they get up a  mash up of him saying some words.
I like the slow build up, very soft drums. I like Drake singing about emotions, that’s cute. Their mix is one I wish happened when MJ was alive but oh well.
I just don’t understand how MJ is on this song. If he samples his song it’s gonna be different.
I can to concentrate, his voice keeps echoing. Skip please.

11. AFTER DARK – STATIC MAJOR & TY DOLLA $IGN
This is the kind of track you should on your “bae and chill” list. It’s super smooth and Ty Dolla $ign cements everything down.
There’s more life on this beat and the vocals are wild. Static Major, Ty and Drake makes the perfect combo on this one. Pity party it’s coming later but it’s still a fav.
Ty comes in as steals your song like he would steal your girl. It’s amazing how he does it effortlessly. His strong vocals always steal the show.
Great song, great production.

12. FINAL FANTASY
Is Drake a gamer? Hearing final fantasy has me thinking and. I like Drake raking over RnB beats. It’s wild.
This song is a vibe and it’s more captivating than I expected.
Drake is a better rapper than a  song writer but either ways he’s got talent for all of us to enjoy.
There’s silence, but why? A pause, this sounds strange.
A skit about a baby, I like his. Drake’s got us hooked, let us say grace!

13. MARCH 14
He’s finally confessed to having a child. Well not a confession, let’s say more of admitting.
Pusha went to destroy the moment Drake had tried to keep for himself. I’m upset really.
He’s spitting all the truth out on this record. He says he only met the girl twice “single at her I hate when I hear it”.
Is this him being remorseful?
Okay!. He reveals this baby indeed is born October just like him. Ah well a true son then. What are the odds?
I love how deep and thoughtful this track really is. “Changing from a boy to a man”. It ends with a piano.
Reminiscing just got better.

Though the A side of Scorpion slaps really hard, this shit knocks. I mean, it’s RnB, it’s gotta be a bit slow tempo filled. His transition in each song makes it even better.

The message in the album is definitive and straight. He’s talking about the women in his life and his relationship with them.
Maybe it’s just one woman, maybe there’s more but the theme of this song is straightforward.

Nobody knows g the album was written by him but I sure as hell know that the B Side was; its glaring.

Drake has given a response without actually giving one and that’s the beauty on the B side. He makes this music for the hearts. Let’s live it!

Go summer, Go!

Quilox boss wins primaries for house of representatives in Oyo state

Shina Peller might be taking a break from being the C.E.O. of one of the biggest nightclubs in the country to focus on politics in 2019.

Shina Peller has won the primaries for the house of representatives seat under the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The popular nightclub owner will be representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola, and Iwajowa federal constituency of Oyo state during the 2019 general elections. He announced his victory on his Instagram page on Friday, October 5, 2018.

"My profound gratitude to all members of our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) for making me the candidate for the 2019 House of Representatives election seat of Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency. My special thanks goes to His Excellency, Governor Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, the party leaders and stakeholders of the four local governments in our constituency, particularly the delegates whose informed decisions yesterday led to my emergence as the candidate.

I am humbled by the trust you have reposed in me, and I promise that I will not betray it, as I accept your nomination wholeheartedly. To my co-contestants, we have all done well, nobody is a loser, we are all winners as I have only emerged to represent our party in the forthcoming general election, and subsequently, by God's grace at the House of Representatives in 2019. So, now is the time for us all to remain together as one big family that we are, move forward and strategize together for the greater challenge ahead of us, which is winning the main election, not for me, but for our great party and the people.

Buhari is party's presidential candidate for 2019, taunts PDP

Buhari becomes APC candidate for 2019, taunts PDPplay
President Muhammadu Buhari's party has seen a wave of defections in protest at his leadership style and a surge in opposition PDP contenders that could give it momentum (AFP/File)

President Muhammadu Buhari promptly launched his campaign for a second term in office early on Sunday morning after being overwhelmingly endorsed as candidate by 14,842,072 members of the All Progressives Congress across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).
Taunting the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which had governed Nigeria for 16 years, up till May 2015, President Buhari asked the party, also holding its convention simultaneously in Port Harcourt, what it did with all the money earned under its watch.

“Fellow Nigerians, think how much PDP Governments earned between 1999 to 2015. Think what they did with it.
Infrastructure down! Security down! 18 local governments of Nigeria under control of a hostile army of insurgents. Reserves depleted! Bankruptcy around the corner.

“​What did they do with your money?”, Buhari asked in a tone indicative of fireworks to be expected in the weeks ahead for the electioneering campaign.

President Buhari thanked all eligible members of the party who stepped down their ambition to allow him emerge as the party’s sole aspirant and now its candidate.

“I thank you all for your encouragement and support, and I will not disappoint the people of Nigeria,”he said.

The president paid special tribute to the party’s national leadership and its founding fathers and the National Presidential Convention Committee for organising what he called a perfect convention.

He maintained that the Federal Government was tackling corruption head-on, and it is also rebuilding the economy and developing infrastructure, saying that the APC was proud of its achievements.

He also said that his recent interactions with the international community have been very encouraging, adding that the international community was giving the Nigerian government the necessary support.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 14.8 million votes that Buhari received from APC members in a direct primary was announced early Sunday morning by the Ekiti State Governor elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi who was the chairman APC Presidential Primary Election Committee. Fayemi had also chaired the APC Convention in Lagos in 2014 that elected Buhari as the party’s candidate.

The result was later affirmed by no fewer than 7,000 delegates from across the federation and the FCT through a yes vote.

The delegates were made up of three from each Local Government Area elected at the party’s recent state Congresses aside the statutory delegates.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo who is the Chairman APC National Presidential Convention Committee, described Buhari as the antidote for all political locusts”.

“He is the insecticide for all political termites and the saviour of the oppressed and downtrodden, and the best president for the people.

“We are impressed by his exemplary honesty, sincerity and commitment to a greater Nigeria,”he said, adding that President Buhari has positively impacted on the lives of Nigerians in the last three and half years.

He called on Nigerians to vote for him again in 2019 to enable him consolidate on his achievements and take the country to greater heights.

Ajimobi said the convention had opened a new chapter in Nigeria’s political history and called on APC members not to succumb or be distracted by the negative propaganda of the opposition.


“We have a job to do, let us all join hands with President Buhari and roll up our sleeves for the task ahead,”he said.

Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Chairman formally presented President Buhari to the convention as the party’s 2019 presidential candidate, amidst cheers from delegates and other party members.

“I hereby formally present President Muhammadu Buhari as the candidate of our party for the 2019 presidential election to everyone here and to Nigerians, and by the grace of God, victory shall be ours,”he said.

Present at the convention, were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC Governors, National Assembly members and party delegates from the 36 states and FCT.

House of Reps members hold meeting with INEC over 2019 election

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters is currently in a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission. The focus of the meeting is the budget of the 2019 general election.

INEC ‘s Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, is also at the meeting.

The committee is chaired by Mrs Aisha Dukku.

Chelsea signs Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic on loan from Real Madrid (Photos)

Chelsea has completed the signing of Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid on a season-long loan.

The 24-year-old moves to London as part of the deal that saw goal stopper Thibaut Courtois move in the opposite direction for £35million.

The Croatian international who signed for Los Blancos in 2015, failed to establish himself as a regular starter following his move from Inter Milan.

Kovacic told the club's official website: 'I am really happy and excited to be here at Chelsea. It is an amazing feeling.

'I will try to do my best for this club. It is a new league for me, the beginning is always tough but I am sure the coach and my new team-mates will help me and I am looking forward to a great season.'

Carl Ikeme reveals his wife's reaction when he informed her he has cancer

Former Super Eagles keeper, Carl Ikeme, who was diagnosed with acute Leukemia a year ago and had to miss the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia, has told of his wife's reaction after he informed her of his diagnosis.

Ikeme, who is now in remission, said his wife, Saba, was nine months pregnant at the time he was diagnosed with blood cancer and he had to inform her of the sad news even in her fragile state.

    "She was the first person I told. I was obviously upset, as you would be after that sort of news," Ikeme said.

    "I was in shock. I got back home and thought: ‘I need to tell Saba.’ I called her and I couldn’t get it out on the phone, but she knew something was up. I got back and Saba came in and I told her the news. She was nine months pregnant at the time, due next week. I’ve never seen her cry the way she cried. It was tough."

Kenya's former 400m hurdles world champion, Nicholas Bett dies at 28 in a car crash

Kenya's former 400m hurdles world champion Nicholas Bett has died at the age of 28, following a car crash on Wednesday. 

Bett had just returned from the Africa Championships in Nigeria when he died in Nandi, north-west Kenya. 

In 2015, he made history in China by becoming the first Kenyan to win a world gold at a distance shorter than 800m. He was a two-time African bronze medallist and his twin brother Haron Koech is also a hurdler. 

Athletics Kenya confirmed Bett's death on Twitter, while Kenyan sports minister Rashid Echesa tweeted his condolences to the Bett family.

Governor Ambode approves N2 million bonus to all Nigerian players at the just concluded table tennis tournament

Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the disbursement of N2 million as a bonus payment to all Nigerian players who reached the Round of 16 and upwards at the just concluded 2018 ITTF Seamaster Nigeria Open table tennis tournament, irrespective of their States of Origin.

Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Kweku Adedayo Tandoh, who disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the tournament held at the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Lagos, commended the magnanimity of Governor Ambode, adding that the gesture is part of efforts by the State government to boost the morale of players and encourage them to reach for greater heights.

He said the Governor’s presence at the finals to cheer Quadri to victory, in spite of his tight schedule, was a demonstration of the passion and commitment to uplifting sporting activities in the State, adding that Lagos State will always reward Nigerian Athletes for their efforts and performances.

Topmost among the recipients of the Ambode’s gesture is Aruna Quadri, the first Nigerian winner of the tournament who defeated Frenchman Antione Hachard in a thrilling 4-2 encounter in the men’s singles. He received Governor Ambode’s N1 million bonus plus the sum of $5,000 prize money.

Other recipients include doubles quarterfinalists, the duo of Hassan Nurudeen and Jamiu Azeez Olugbenga; the pair of Omotayo Olajide and Segun Toriola, as well as Ojomu Ajoke and Oribamishe Esther. Funke Oshonaike and Akpan Cecilia who reached the round of 16 in the women’s singles also benefited from the largesse.

In the U-21 Junior category, beneficiaries in the Boy’s event who got to the round of 16 included Augustine Emmanuel, Hassan Nurudeen, Oladiran Joshua, Ayanwale Jamiu, Solanke Azeez, Akanbi Rilwan, Omeh Amadi and Tobi Falana.

U-21 Female recipients of the bonus prize were Aregbesola Nimota, Onoja Agnes and Oribamishe Esther.

Unlawful wedding spending is causing divorce in our society - Sultan of Sokoto

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, says unlawful wedding spending is a major cause of the high rate of divorce in our society. The Sultan said this when he spoke at a meeting of Islamic scholars organised by the Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Commission, in Sokoto yesterday.

    “Our scholars need to generously inform the people on the effect of the unlawful wedding and another ceremonial spending. This act generates nothing but confusion and unnecessary divorce which has become the disturbing point of discussion in the society.”