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Comedian Bill Cosby – who was recently sentenced to three to ten years in prison – is allegedly having a difficult time adjusting to life behind bars, according to RadarOnline.

The former Cosby Show actor was, allegedly, allowed to make a short phone call on speakerphone  to his wife of 54 years Camille – who was absent for his final court verdict – shortly after his incarceration

During Cosby’s first phone call from prison, he complained to his wife about how tough it was for him to settle into the SCI Phoenix facility and that officials were keeping a close eye on him.

“They took my cane, tie and shoelaces because they think I will harm myself,” said Cosby speaking to Camille.

According to a Montgomery County courthouse source the 81-year-old also told his wife that, “He had a stale hot dog bun thrown at him and he fell down a few steps because he wasn't being guided.”

Cosby also begged Camille to do whatever it took to break him out of prison further explaining that she should “grab the cheque book and hire anyone and everyone”, who could help him escape incarceration.

According to People, Camille believes her husband was sent to prison on ‘falsified’ evidence.
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A judge in Pennsylvania has jailed US comedian Bill Cosby for three to 10 years for sexual assault.


Cosby, 81, was also categorised as a sexually violent predator, meaning he must undergo counselling for life and be listed on the sex offender registry.

The actor declined to make a statement when offered the opportunity.

At a retrial in April, Cosby was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in 2004.

Cosby's request for bail pending appeal was denied. He was also fined $25,000 (£19,000) plus the prosecution costs.

After the sentencing, he was led away in handcuffs from the courtroom. He was then driven to Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

Cosby's attorney had asked for his sentence to be restricted to house arrest, saying he was too frail for prison.

The actor had been under house arrest since April.

The comedian became a household name in 1980s America when he starred in the Cosby Show TV sitcom, playing the father in a well-to-do African-American family living in Brooklyn, New York.

Such was his popularity that he was dubbed "America's Dad".

"This was a serious crime," Judge Steven O'Neill was quoted as saying by CNN after pronouncing the sentence in the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown.

"Mr Cosby, this has all circled back to you. The day has come, the time has come."

What was Ms Constand's testimony?
In June 2017, the former Temple University basketball administrator described how Cosby, whom she had viewed as a "mentor", had given her pills that left her "frozen" and unable to stop his assault.

In her impact statement, as carried by the National Post, she said: "To truly understand the impact that the sexual assault has had on my life, you have to understand the person that I was before it happened."

"I was at the top of my game, certain that the groundwork provided by my education and athletic training would stand me in good stead whatever challenges lay ahead..." she said.

"After the assault, I wasn't sure what had actually happened but the pain spoke volumes. The shame was overwhelming. Self-doubt and confusion kept me from turning to my family or friends as I normally did. I felt completely alone, unable to trust anyone, including myself."

She wrote that she had stopped eating, sleeping and socialising. Tormented by nightmares, she finally told her mother the truth about what had happened.

"Bill Cosby took my beautiful, healthy young spirit and crushed it," she said. "He robbed me of my health and vitality, my open nature, and my trust in myself and others."

"Instead of looking back, I am looking forward to looking forward," she added. "I want to get to the place where the person I was meant to be gets a second chance."

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele paid tribute to Ms Constand, saying: "We are all better off because she is in our lives. You've heard about how this assault changed her life... To put herself out like this, for years, in front of a worldwide audience is extremely difficult for anyone.

"She could've lived a quiet life but she knew it was important to see that justice was served."

Bill Cosby showed little emotion and no remorse during his sentencing. At this defining moment in his life, there were no family members or former cast mates with him for moral support.

The court was filled, though, with several of his accusers who sat in the rows behind Andrea Constand.

Model Janice Dickenson clapped her hands in anticipation and joy, others quietly held hands. Their relief was evident when his sentence was finally read out. This was a moment they never thought possible. And they had front seats to witness it.

What will happen to her abuser?
The three counts on which Cosby was convicted were merged into one after an agreement between the defence and prosecutors, AFP News agency reports.

Cosby can apply for parole after three years - such a request would be reviewed by a special committee.

However, he could end up serving the maximum 10-year-sentence.

Psychologist Kristen Dudley testified that Cosby showed signs of a mental disorder and was likely to reoffend.

Ahead of the sentence, the judge designated him a sexually violent predator, despite the defence's argument that Cosby's age and blindness meant he was not a threat.

Tuesday's classification means he will need to register with state police and notify any community he lives in of his sex offender status, as well as undergo mandatory counselling for life.

Neighbours, childcare centres and schools will have to be notified of his whereabouts.

Cosby's wife, Camille, did not attend the sentencing.

Cosby's spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, dismissed the trial as "the most racist and sexist" in the history of the US, and said the convicted man was a victim of a "sex war".

District Attorney Steele summed up Cosby's fall from fame to ignominy: "For decades the defendant has been able to hide his true self and hide his crimes using his fame and fortune.

"He's hidden behind a character... but it was fiction... He used his acting skills, that endearing TV persona, to win over his victims and keep them silent...

"Someone who has a lot of money, someone who is famous, someone who can get a lot of attention all over the world just by showing up some place to eat shouldn't get a free pass for his crimes or be allowed to walk free."

Are there other accusers?
Some 60 other women have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct but charges have not been brought because of the statute of limitations.

However, Cosby does face defamation lawsuits for branding his accusers liars.

"I'm overwhelmed by the number of women who were willing to go through this process with us… telling their stories of being drugged, assaulted or raped by Bill Cosby," said District Attorney Steele.

Lili Bernard and former model Janice Dickinson - both Cosby accusers present at the hearing - tweeted on Tuesday: "May justice be served! #MeToo".

The comedian was arrested in 2015 and a deadlocked jury resulted in a mistrial in June 2017.

This year's retrial occurred amid the #MeToo movement that has seen people worldwide come forward to share stories of sexual harassment and assault.

-BBC
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Talk radio station Power FM has fired one of its most popular hosts, JJ Onkgopotse Tabane, after he used his show to apologise to acting government communications head Phumla Williams.


The move comes after the host got involved in a Twitter spat with political commentator Chris Vick about Williams’ testimony at the state capture inquiry.

Vick questioned Tabane’s reaction to Williams’ testimony.

Williams had claimed she faced ill-treatment by her former boss Muthambi, and Tabane tweeted: “Faith Muthambi … this is a horror story.”

Vick then responded by saying: “but you used to work for #faithmuthambi when she was communications minister, bro. Didn’t you set up that huge advisory panel for her (the one I resigned from) and write those ridiculous opinion pieces in her name? Weren’t you advising her? #StateCaptureInquiry @Powerfm987.”

Tabane was suspended two weeks ago, after he was afforded an “opportunity to appraise [sic] the station about the veracity of the allegations which were raised within the context of the ongoing debate around State Capture, linking him to alleged improper conduct emanating from his association with former minister Faith Muthambi”.

The station said at the time that Tabane had dedicated the introduction of his show to his personal matters, which included extending an apology to Williams for his conduct.

The station has since confirmed that Tabane has been fired as from September 18, 2018.

“While much of the commentary in the public arena has been reduced to Tabane’s on-air apology to Ms Phumla Williams, emanating from the state capture inquiry, the main issue is that Tabane committed serious material breaches of the provisions of our independent contractor agreement, rendering it impossible to continue a contractual relationship with him. We have notified Tabane that his agreement with POWER 98.7 is terminated with immediate effect,” said station manager Bob Mabena.

Listeners took to social media to react to Tabane’s sacking.
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The minister played along on social media this week and even went as far as inviting Musa (who is also a qualified doctor) to lunch where they could “talk, uTatakho”. In case you’ve never watched the show, uTatakho (which directly translates to “your father”) is a show that attempts to reunite children with their estranged fathers.

It all began with innocent praise from Dr Musa, who spoke very highly of the service he received at the Soweto Home Affairs branch.

He then piled the praise on the man at the top, even going as far as tagging Malusi Gigaba for improving the workflow.

Dr Musa wrote: “Can we just acknowledge the Department of Home Affairs. I went to apply for a new passport at a Soweto branch on Monday (whole process took 45 min) and a few days later it’s ready for collection 🙏🏾 well done to the staff. Well done @mgigaba”

At this point the best we were expecting was a polite response from the minister, but what we got was far more entertaining
Twitter folks went on to claim that the reason why Dr Musa had received such favourable service is because he looks a lot like the Malusi Gigaba.


To his credit, Malusi Gigaba was a great sport when he responded to the tweets
As soon as he spotted the notifications in his Twitter profile he immediately tweeted Dr Musa:

And the doctor went on to DM his potential father:

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The funeral arrangements of Enhle Gambushe, the 22-year-old Imbewu: The Seed actress who died in a car accident at the weekend, are under way. The family, who have since asked for privacy, are believed to be preparing to announce the full details of her burial soon.

The rising star had just clinched her first breakaway role on the drama series which is co-produced by veteran actress Leleti Khumalo.

Production company Grapevine Productions and e.tv expressed condolences to the family of the Durban-born actress.

"It was with profound shock and sadness that e.tv and Grapevine Productions learnt of the tragic passing of Enhle Gambushe over the weekend. Enhle was involved in a car accident in the early hours of Saturday morning," a joint statement released by the two parties read.

Her production company described her as a young actress who had a bright future ahead of her. "Enhle was a talented young actress with a promising future.  She had forged strong bonds with her colleagues and will be sorely missed by the production’s cast and crew," the statement  read.

News of Gambushe's passing left the acting industry shocked on Sunday as the driver of the vehicle was reportedly arrested following the accident. A luxury BMW they were travelling in reportedly hit a wall injuring its occupants and killing Enhle and another woman who has not been identified. 

Veteran stage producer and composer Lebo M said: “Gone too soon indeed. RIP.” Media mogul Felicia Mabuza-Suttle said: “Condolences. Gone too soon #EnhleGambushe and friend. May your soul rest in peace.”
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Legendary bubble-gum music artist Vusi Shange has sung his last verse after losing the battle to sugar diabetes.

Shange, 64, died while bathing at his Vosloorus home in Ekurhuleni on Friday night. He had battled the disease for more than 25 years. News of his death was confirmed by his daughter Sibongile Shange yesterday morning.

Sibongile said her father, who serenaded kings and queens with his hit song Mofe in the '90s, collapsed while performing his ablutions in a bath tub at about 6pm.

"I arrived home from work and called out his name to greet him when I entered the house. When he didn't respond I investigated and found him slumped against the bath tub in his bathroom. I tried to wake him up but he was gone already," she said.

Sibongile said she suspected her father might have succumbed to diabetes.

"He has been fighting this illness for over 25 years, but we didn't think he would leave us this soon because he looked healthy. He always looked after himself."

She further said the muso's untimely death has not only robbed her of a father, but the music industry's opportunity to see him on stage again.

"He was working on a new album which was due to be released soon. Music was his passion, that is why he has been fighting to return to the music industry at [the age of] 64," she said.

The distraught Sibongile said the family would release a statement later in the week to communicate dates for his memorial and funeral services.

Musician and African Musicians Against HIV-Aids (Amaha) chairman Doc Shebeleza said he was saddened by the death of Shange.

"He has been a member of our organisation for a long time. Together with other artists, Shange was dishing out music lessons to upcoming artists and record label owners," said Shebeleza.

"This is not only a huge loss for the Shange family, but for us as Amaha and the nation as a whole."
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Multiplatinum-selling and Metro FM Music Awards-winning gospel artist Dr Tumi, has embarked on a quest that will see him making history as the first gospel artist to successfully fill up the Dome in concert.

The vocal powerhouse and prolific songwriter has raked in armloads of music awards and legions of fans since bursting on to the music scene recently. And to cap this amazing run he is determined to make his own record by filling the 20 000-capacity venue in northern Johannesburg when he records his live DVD on August 20.

“God has been too kind to me since I started this journey of music. In a short space of time I’ve seen his mercy and greatness in my life.

“I invite all worshipers to come witness the power of God in action. It will be a night of great devotion, ministering, praise and worship,” added Dr Tumi.

Although faced with a great challenge, the artist is determined to make history and place his name next to hip hop great recording artist Cassper Nyovest.

Dr Tumi’s two albums Love & Grace and Heart Of A King have turned him into a household name. He is a trained medical doctor turned gospel singer.
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Ray Phiri has lost his fight with cancer.

Phiri, 70, suffering from lung cancer, had been admitted to a Nelspruit hospital and was under the care of an oncologist.

He enjoyed a music career that spanned four decades and had some of his music banned by the apartheid regime in the 1980s.

“Let me suffer pain, on my own with dignity,” he was quoted as saying by The Sowetan this week after reports emerged that his cost of treatment was leading to a public plea for funding.

He rose to fame as a singer in the jazz group Stimela.

Phiri was born near Nelspruit in 1947. In 1985, Paul Simon asked Ray along with Ladysmith Black Mambazo to join his Graceland project, which helped the South African musicians to make names for themselves abroad.

Ray collaborated with Paul Simon again on Simon’s Rhythm of the Saints album, which saw him perform on stages such as Central Park and Madison Square Garden as well as appearing on top TV shows in the US. In 2012 Paul Simon organised a Graceland anniversary tour that Ray participated in.

Phiri was badly injured in 1987 in a crash that claimed the lives of his band manager and six others. In 2003, his wife was killed in a car accident, with Ray escaping serious injury.

Listen to one of Stimela’s biggest hits below:
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The viewing public has chosen 23-year old Craig Lucas from Elsies River as the winner of The Voice South Africa season 2.

The announcement was made at the end of this week’s showstopper grand finale which was broadcast live from the Mosaiek Teatro in Fairland, Johannesburg.

With Craig’s victory, Parlotones frontman Kahn Morbee also clinched the title of winning coach for the second year in a row.

More than 1.6 million votes – an all-time record for The Voice SA – were cast in the final week of voting during which seven singers competed for the show’s grand prize. In the end, Craig beat versatile vocalist and runner-up Josh Ansley as well as Samantha Leonard, Caroline Grace Brussow, PJ Pretorius, Fatman and Luke Lovemore.

Also See: 

PHOTOS: Inside Bonang's R 500k pink-themed birthday party

Craig, who was one of the audience favourites right from the start, made his first foray into singing on stage with his soulful The Voice SA Blind Audition of House of The Rising Sun.

During each round of the competition Craig wowed the audience with his unique interpretations of popular songs, demonstrating why coach Kahn called him “the love child of John Legend and Freddy Mercury”.

On top of nabbing a coveted record deal from Universal Music South Africa, Craig walked off with R250 000 in cash; a Gear S3 smart watch, a Galaxy S8 smart phone, a Gear VR, a 360 camera, a Gear iconiX set and a 65 inch KS9500 SUHD TV; A Subaru Impreza 2.0 Premium CVT; R100 000 of fashion from Truworths.
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Zodwa Wabantu attended the Durban July on Saturday and wore a simple black number that has been the talk of the Twitter streets.

Zodwa Wabantu is the leading dance lady of Eyadini Lounge, found in uMlazi, KwaZulu-Natal.

She is that one person who takes to the dance floor and impresses everyone with her dancing skills, in heels.

On Saturday, however, it was not her dance moves that set tongues wagging, but her dress.

The dress had a slit that went up to her hips, leaving nothing to the imagination as she walked, showing  that wearing underwear was not the order of the day.

In one one of the pictures shared on social media, Babes Wabantu can be seen walking with her behind exposed.

Check out the pics shared on social media:

Zodwa Wabantu seems to have taken over from Skolopad, who unexpectedly covered up at the same event.
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Hlatshwayo was a DJ at Jozi FM for five years and presented a weekend slot. The former Generations and Yizo Yizo actor was shot and killed on Sunday night at a Pub in Pimville, Soweto.  The CEO of Jozi FM, Mpho Mhlongo, took to Twitter to confirm his death, who was also a DJ on the local radio station.

Police said four men had been taken into custody for questioning in relation to the murder.

Hlatshwayo, 40, and his friend Oupa, ‘Chom Chom’ Duma were gunned down on Sunday evening when they tried to stop two women from being robbed of their cellphones. The robbers turned on them and shot both of them. They were declared dead on the scene.









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Jozi FM CEO Mpho Mhlongo said he was called to Meli Lounge at 10pm, where he found Mandla Hlatshwayo’s body. The boss noticed the armed robbers who shot the actor had stolen his shoes, and got upset.

“When I arrived, I found his motionless body lying outside the venue. There was another body inside [the lounge]. Apparently, there was an attempted robbery of some ladies who were leaving the pub,” said Mhlongo.

Hlatshwayo played the role of Siphiwe Phosa on Generations from 1999 to 2006. He has been a DJ on JoziFM, presenting a weekend radio slot for the past five years under the name, DJ Mandla.

Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa tweeted he was shocked by Hlatswayo’s passing.

 Also Read: 

Mandla Hlatshwayo was killed in the same fashion as his father


“It is with utter shock & dismay that we have learnt the news of the tragic passing of celebrated Actor Mandla Hlatshwayo,” he said.

 Listen to the audio below
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American singer, songwriter, model and actress Solange Piaget Knowles will be performing live in South Africa in December 2017 at the Afropunk Bash. 

The event is taking place on the 30 to 31 December in Joburg at the Constitution Hill.

The AFROPUNK Festival is a musical institution, defining culture in the music world for over 14 years, a triumph of multiculturalism and diversity for people of all races, genders, colours, creeds and tastes. NEW YORK, ATLANTA, LONDON and PARIS are all home to global AFROPUNK events, and now you can add  JOHANNESBURG to that list of global capitals. 

More artists will be announced for the AFROPUNK Joburg lineup in the build-up to the December event. In the meantime, people are encouraged to buy tickets https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1471599026.
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Robert Marawa and Fikile Mbalula have made peace and its all thanks to Oskido.

Mzansi's favorite DJ, DJ Oskido has managed to get Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula and Metro FM Radio host Robert Marawa to bury the hatchet and end their feud.  

Oskido is a personal friend to both of of them and apparently had a sit down with both of them. He even took to Isntagram to express how he feels.

Their very strange war of words began after sports editor Mninawa Ntlok tweeted that Durban’s bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games was losing steam.

To which Robert replied: “this we knew when they were busy acting like Tarzan!!”.

Fikile, who had held a briefing that day stating that the city might pull out of the bid due to cost problems, did not take kindly to “vindictive” Robert’s Tarzan comments. “Study the facts get the report and don’t be vindictive bfo you blow your usual hot air on the matter,” he tweeted.

Robert replied by saying he can’t change his opinion, adding that Fikile was the one who was usually full of hot air.

Things took a strange twist when Robert accused the minister of trying to get him fired.

“I have no "gripe" FYI. I have a different opinion. Different to u trying to get me fired from MetroFM, that's a gripe,” he tweeted.

Fikile seemed confused by the allegation: “Y will I want you get fired.? Smh. You should have long BEEN fired I defended U. DON'T DIGRESS.”

"Conflicts and fights are a results of a failure to sit down and talk. This often leads to undesirable drama. It's good to see two people I hold highly, @robert_marawa and Minister of Police @fikile@balula, hug and make up after talking. To quote Gandhi - "And eye for an eye will make the whole world blind". Peace Ma'Gents #fikilembalula #nazooooo #robertmarawa #Amagrootmaan #peace #ibelieve" he captioned the photo.

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Sunday World is reporting that the Northern Gauteng High Court has granted FNB an order to attach Vilakazi's Norkem Park house in Kempton Park, East Rand, after he failed to keep up with monthly instalments.

 Vilakazi, who bought the house jointly with Constance Lebogang Vilakazi, feigned surprise when we asked him about the matter.

 "What are you talking about? Who is Constance? I don't know who that is. The amount I was owing which was about R15 000 was settled in June last year," he said.

 The retired player, who also played for AmaZulu, Ajax Cape Town and Free State Stars, said he did not know why the bank applied for an attachment order in November last year.
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Former Black Leopards and University of Pretoria player Christopher Netshidzivhe has traded his soccer boots for pick and shovel.

Netshidzivhe, 37, a talented midfielder who used to leave a lot of opponents on the floor with his skill, said he is happy with his new career path as it puts food on the table for his family.

Sunday World recently visited Netshidzivhe on site at Marotola Primary School in Stinkwater, north of Pretoria, where his civil engineering employer, Athivhonali Trading and Projects, is constructing storm water drainage.

The former footie said he has been working for the company for two years, having started on a project in Polokwane, Limpopo and later on another job in Pretoria.
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The tombstone was designed to be a marble replica of a living room complete with a TV, dining table, chairs and a book.

TV veteran Joe Mafela’s tombstone was temporarily removed a few days after his funeral because the soil needed to settle first.

The erection of the six-ton tombstone set tongues wagging, as it was estimated to cost between R100 000 and R300 000.

“Yes, the tombstone was put back yesterday, and the Mafela family are happy to have it re-erected,” said Lebohang Khitsane, who designed and created the tombstone.

“It’s a heavy stone – 6 tons. The worst thing that could happen is that the stone sinks into the concrete. So we have it removed so it can all settle,” Khitsane told TimesLIVE about the removal of the tombstone.

Mafela’s family had specifically requested that Mafela’s final resting place be an accurate depiction of who he was – a man who had spent decades entertaining millions of people through the silver screen.

“The family was extremely happy with the design, and our team worked hard to make it in just three days,” Khitsane said.
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A traditional send-off was in order as both Venda women and men paid their respects to the late actor.

They were dressed in traditional clothing and surrounded the casket while dancing and singing Venda hymns. Spectators were in awe of the culture and called it beautiful.

The impact Mafela had on people’s lives was properly addressed today. South Africans who were not fully aware of his power and accomplishments were surprised when people from neighbouring countries also came to honour the actor’s legacy.

Mafela’s influence was not only substantial but also extensive. The Queen Mother of Swaziland could not attend the funeral but shared a message through her representative. She sent her condolences since Mafela was regarded as part of her family and praised him for his humanitarian efforts in her country.
Mafela tombstone is the image of couch, coffee table with bible and remote control on it and a #TV on a stand 

The Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa also shared a few words at the funeral. He recalled how Mafela embarked upon on artistic journey as an actor which paved the way for fellow black actors during apartheid. He went on to describe Mafela’s personality saying “Joe Mafela was generous to the core.”

The procession was expected to proceed to the cemetery just after 12pm but experienced delays of up to an hour. The delay was caused by struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada’s funeral taking place at the same venue, Westpark Cemetery.
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As tributes continue to pour in for gospel singer Matlakala Ramathoka, her record label has described how the veteran musician was excited about promoting her latest album which was released just days before her death.

"She was over the moon about her album release and her fans were excited," said Universal's Marketing and Promotions manager Ngcebo Mdima.

The Sello Sa Lesea singer died earlier this week after complaining of chest pains and being rushed to the hospital.

She had just released her latest album, Emmanuel, and Universal, her music label confirmed that it had 15 tracks.

"She was due to start promoting the album as it has just been released," said Universal's Mdima.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed.
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The petite rapper, who has since established her own record company called Mo'Cooper Records, is making a few great strides as an independent artist.

 Not only has she successfully released a new single titled Power of Gold  but the award-winning rapper is heading to Nigeria to perform at the Naija Music Show Down set to take place on Friday, 31 March at the Eko Hotel in Lagos
According to her team, whilst in Nigeria, Fifi will be collaborating with some of the countries musicians and record some music as well.
"This is major, this is my step into the lucrative and highly competitive Nigerian music scene. I'm thrilled beyond words that I will be on stage and also meeting influential musicians who continue to set the bar across the continent. My dream has been to break into other markets and this is the beginning." 

 Fifi will also be sharing the stage with Nigeria's finest artists such as the likes of Tiwa Savage, Davido and Tekno plus international R&B groups such as Jagged Edge, BlackStreet, Next and Sisqo. 

 - Zalebs
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