Blog Standard

Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, known as Cuppy, was born in 1992 and spent her early years in Lagos. At 13, she moved to London to attend boarding school, where she developed an interest in DJing through observation. A pivotal moment came when she was 16 and visiting Lagos during school holidays. At a club, the resident DJ was stuck in traffic, and the owner, in a bind, asked if anyone could fill in. Cuppy volunteered, and with the owner’s consent, she took the decks and got the party started. This impromptu performance marked the beginning of her journey as a DJ. Since discovering her passion for DJing at 16, Cuppy has pursued her calling with dedication and creativity. She has established herself as a multifaceted artist, exceling as a DJ, music businesswoman, producer, and vocalist. By 17, she had already gained recognition in London’s top nightclubs and events, including Fashion Week fixtures. Her international gigs have taken her to Paris, New York, and Dubai, showcasing her talent to global audiences. Cuppy’s sound is a unique blend of House music and Afro-beats, which she terms Neo-Afrobeats. This genre-bending style has resonated with diverse crowds, from global diplomats at the Financial Times Luxury Summit 2014 in Mexico City to art enthusiasts at the Tatler UK Magazine x Christie Inc Art Ball. In 2014, Cuppy’s reputation as a leading African DJ earned her a residency at the MTV Africa Music Awards in Durban, South Africa. This achievement came on the heels of her graduation from King’s College London with a degree in business and economics. With her talent and entrepreneurial spirit, Cuppy continues to inspire her fans, affectionately known as Cupcakes, around the world. Following her rise to fame, Cuppy released her debut compilation, ‘The House of Cuppy’, featuring EDM-infused remixes of Afropop hits. The project’s success led to a sequel, ‘The House of Cuppy II’, which embraced a more afro-house sound. To further establish her pan-African brand, Cuppy embarked on the ‘Cuppy Takes Africa Tour’, documenting her journey in a Fox Life documentary series. While touring, Cuppy pursued higher education, earning a Music Business master’s degree from New York University in 2015. She also interned at Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, balancing academics and her music career with ease. That same year, she became the resident DJ on MTV2’s ‘Uncommon Sense with Charlamagne tha God’. In 2017, Cuppy launched ‘Cactus on the Roof’, a tropical rooftop party series inspired by Ibiza’s vibrant nightlife. Initially hosted in London, the party has since expanded globally, with events in Lagos, Dubai, Cape Town, and Accra, further solidifying Cuppy’s mission to take Afrobeats worldwide. In 2020, Cuppy made history by launching Apple Music’s first Afrobeats-focused radio show, “African Now”, which highlights the continent’s diverse sounds every Sunday. Later that year, she released her debut album, “Original Cuppy”, a title chosen by her fans, the Cupcakes. The album marks a new chapter in Cuppy’s career, as she takes center stage as a vocalist, exploring themes of independence, love, and African pride. “Original Cuppy” is a fusion of trap and Afrobeats, which Cuppy calls “neo-afrobeats”. The album was produced in collaboration with renowned producers Killertunes and Bond, and features an impressive lineup of artists, including Grammy winner Wyclef Jean, Julian Marley, Rema, Teni, and Stonebwoy. This star-studded project showcases Cuppy’s growth as an artist and her commitment to pushing the boundaries of Afrobeats. Cuppy’s trajectory soared in same  2020 when she was inducted into Forbes Magazine’s esteemed 30 under 30 class, acknowledging her trailblazing work in entertainment. In 2021, Cuppy continued to push boundaries. She enrolled in Oxford University’s prestigious African Studies program, earning her master’s degree. Her entrepreneurial spirit also led her to launch Cuppy Cuts, a luxury jewelry line. Furthermore, Cuppy offered a glimpse into her personal life by starring in Channel 4’s reality TV show ‘Highlife’, featuring her loved ones. The year culminated with her headlining the Global Citizen’s annual conference in Dubai as a panel speaker and DJ, cementing her status as a multifaceted influencer in entertainment and lifestyle. As a multifaceted personality – businesswoman, academic, philanthropist, and style icon – Cuppy embodies the spirit of empowerment. With her vibrant pink hair and infectious enthusiasm, she encourages young people to break free from the constraints of their comfort zones and chase their most audacious aspirations. Through her own accomplishments and passion for life, Cuppy inspires others to embrace their individuality and pursue their wildest dreams with confidence and determination.

Kamala Harris (born October 20, 1964, Oakland, California, U.S.) is the 49th vice president of the United States (2021–25) in the Democratic administration of Pres. Joe Biden. She was the first woman, the first Black American, and the first Asian American to hold the post. She had previously served in the U.S. Senate (2017–21) and as attorney general of California (2011–17).Harris’s father, who was Jamaican, taught at Stanford University, and her mother, the daughter of an Indian diplomat, was a cancer researcher. While growing up, Harris maintained close contact with her Indian family and frequently traveled with her mother and sister to Chennai, the capital of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Her younger sister, Maya, eventually became a public policy advocate. After studying political science and economics (B.A., 1986) at Howard University, Harris earned a law degree (1989) from Hastings College. In 2012 Harris delivered a memorable address at the Democratic National Convention, raising her national profile. Two years later she married attorney Douglas Emhoff. Widely considered a rising star within the party, she was recruited to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Barbara Boxer, who was retiring. In early 2015 Harris declared her candidacy, and on the campaign trail she called for immigration and criminal-justice reform, an increase in the minimum wage, and protection of women’s reproductive rights. She easily won the 2016 election. When she took office in January 2017, Harris became the first Indian American and only the second Black American woman in the Senate. She began serving on both the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Judiciary Committee, among other assignments. She became known for her prosecutorial style of addressing witnesses during hearings, which provoked criticism—and occasional interruptions—from Republican senators. In June she drew particular attention for her questioning of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was testifying before the intelligence committee on alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election; As racial injustice became a major issue in the United States, many Democrats called on Biden, the party’s presumptive nominee, to select an African American woman—a demographic that was seen as pivotal to his election chances—as his vice presidential running mate. In August Biden chose Harris, and she thus became the first Black woman to appear on a major party’s national ticket. In November she became the first Black woman to be elected vice president of the United States. As Biden’s vice president, Harris was tasked with addressing the root causes of increased migration from Latin America to the U.S. southern border, promoting national legislation to protect voting rights, and preserving women’s access to abortion, which was significantly limited in many states following the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (see U.S. abortion rights by state). Harris became a vocal and effective advocate for the right to complete reproductive health care, including abortion. She continued that theme as part of Biden’s 2024 campaign, in which she frequently warned that reelecting Trump would further limit access to abortion care Harris met her husband, a former entertainment lawyer in 2013. A year later, she and Douglas Emhoff were married. It was her first marriage; his second.Harris became stepmom to Emhoff’s two children, Cole and Ella, from his first marriage to Kerstin Emhoff.

Teni was born on December 23, 1992, in Lagos, Nigeria, and hails from Ekiti State. She is the ninth of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Apata. Her father, a retired Brigadier General, was tragically slain in 1995 when Teni was just two years old.Growing up, Teni attended Apata Memorial High School before pursuing higher education in the United States, where she earned a degree in Business Administration from the American InterContinental University. Teni’s musical journey began early; she played the drums in her school band and often sang loudly in the hallway with her siblings, as they were not allowed to leave the house. Teni is also the younger sister of fellow musician Niniola, reflecting a family deeply connected to music and the arts. Teni initially joined Shizzi’s Magic Fingers Records and released her debut single, “Amen.” In 2017, she moved on to sign with Dr. Dolor Entertainment after leaving her previous record company. Her rise to fame began with the release of the single “Fargin” in September 2017.Teni’s breakthrough came with the release of hit singles such as “Askamaya,” “Case,” and “Uyo Meyo.” “Askamaya” was particularly successful, securing the 15th spot on MTV Base’s Top 20 Hottest Naija Tracks of 2018 list. On February 20, 2019, Teni was featured as YouTube Music’s Trending Artist on the Rise. She continued to release new music, including the “Sugar Mummy” video on May 3, 2019, and “Power Rangers” on June 14, 2019.On October 11, 2019, Teni released her self-titled debut EP, “Billionaire,” which featured six tracks without any guest appearances. The EP was produced by Pheelz and Jaysynths Beatz.In April 2020, Teni collaborated with Nigerian DJ Neptune to produce an EP titled “Quarantine Playlist.” This EP reflects various stages of quarantine life and explores the challenges of lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic. The four-track EP features primarily mid-tempo production by Tempoe, P. Prime, and Dra. On February 2, 2021, Teni disclosed the title and anticipated release date for her upcoming debut album, “Wonder Woman.” She has released two studio projects and numerous singles throughout her career. Teni’s talent and hard work have earned her several accolades. In 2018, she received the Most Promising Act to Watch at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and was named Rookie of the Year at the Headies Awards. She also won Best New Artist at the 2018 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival. NotJustOk ranked Teni eighth on its list of the 10 Hottest Artists in Nigeria, and Premium Times recognized her as one of the six Nigerian breakthrough stars and internet sensations of 2018.Drawing inspiration from everything around her, Teni creates a diverse array of music. Her admiration for Wasiu Ayinde’s work shines through in her own songs. She views music as a spiritual force, believing it has the power to transform people’s perceptions.