Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Pride.
Love at Awkward Sight
We’ve all been there. The moment you sit down across from someone new, your palms a little sweaty, your smile a little too wide, and your thoughts racing at a million miles an hour. You’re trying to be your best self — charming, clever, interesting — while secretly praying your fork doesn’t slip and launch salad into your lap.
By Habibullah khan 8 months ago in Pride
I Quit Social Media for a Week: Here’s How It Saved My Mental Health
I Quit Social Media for a Week: Here’s How It Saved My Mental Health In 2025, social media is inescapable. TikTok trends, X debates, and Instagram reels flood our screens, demanding attention. But what happens when you step away? I quit social media for seven days, and the results shocked me. Here’s my story, plus tips to protect your mental health in the digital age.
By Doctor Strange8 months ago in Pride
Hidden Layers. Honorable Mention in Pride Under Pressure Challenge. Content Warning.
"I'm completely straight," I told myself while sitting in the school classroom trying to keep my eyes on my work to avoid staring at the beautiful girl sitting on the table opposite me.
By Carol Ann Townend8 months ago in Pride
"King Promise: From Nungua to the World – The Rise of Ghana’s Global Music Star"
🎤 Early Years and Musical BeginningsGregory Promise Bortey Newman, commonly known as King Promise, was born on August 16, 1995, in Accra, Ghana. He grew up in Nungua, a neighborhood within Accra, in a family that loved a variety of music styles. His father, who enjoyed both traditional highlife and Western pop and R&B, exposed him to different musical inspirations such as Osibisa, Daddy Lumba, Boyz II Men, and R. Kelly. This rich musical atmosphere played a vital role in developing King Promise’s unique sound and his ambition to pursue a career in music. After finishing his studies at De Kings Academy, King Promise went on to attend Central University in Ghana. While his education was important, his love for music was his main focus. He began to display his skills at school events and started recording demo songs, which set the stage for his entry into the music scene.---🎶 Career Launch and Rise to FameKing Promise’s music journey took off when he caught the eye of Killbeatz, a well-known producer in Ghana. Killbeatz recognized his talent and helped him refine his abilities. In 2016, King Promise officially entered the music world with his debut single "Thank God," featuring Fuse ODG. This track gained significant attention and kickstarted his thrilling career in music. His major breakthrough occurred in 2017 with the release of "Oh Yeah," a captivating Afrobeat song that quickly became popular both in Ghana and around the world. The infectious rhythm and King Promise's smooth singing contributed to its success, earning him widespread recognition. Following the triumph of "Oh Yeah," he released "Selfish" in 2018, which also became a hit, further establishing his reputation in the Ghanaian music industry.---🌍 Global Acclaim and CollaborationsIn 2019, King Promise released his first album, As Promised. The album showcased a mix of Afrobeat, highlife, and R&B, demonstrating his versatility as an artist. It included popular songs like "Commando," "CCTV" in collaboration with Mugeez and Sarkodie, and "Bra" featuring Kojo Antwi. The album was both a commercial success and critically acclaimed, earning him multiple award nominations and solidifying his status as an influential figure in Ghana’s music scene. One of the standout tracks from As Promised was "CCTV," which became a popular anthem in Ghana and beyond. The song's uplifting message and King Promise’s smooth delivery resonated with audiences, making it one of his most acclaimed pieces. King Promise has collaborated with many artists from Africa and across the globe, including Wizkid, Omar Sterling, Sarkodie, Simi, and Raye. His partnership with Wizkid on the song "Blessed" from the Made in Lagos album expanded his reach and introduced him to a wider international fanbase.🎼 5 Star and Global RecognitionAfter taking three years after his debut album, As Promised, King Promise released his second album, 5 Star, on July 22, 2022. This project features 15 songs and reached the top of the Apple Music charts in Ghana within just one day of its release. The album includes features from artists like Bisa Kdei, Nigerian stars Omah Lay and Patoranking, American rappers VIC MENSA and Chance the Rapper, British group WSTRN, and artist Frenna, who is based in Germany but originally from Ghana. 5 Star strengthened King Promise's reputation in the worldwide music scene, showcasing his ability to blend different musical genres and collaborate with musicians from various parts of the world. 🎤 Authenticity and Artist DevelopmentIn June 2024, King Promise released his third studio album, True to Self, through 5K Records Limited and Sony Music UK. This album contains 12 tracks and features collaborations with Shallipopi, Fave, Gabzy, Fridayy, Lasmid, Ladipoe, Sarkodie, and OliveTheBoy. By incorporating Highlife and Afrobeats in its songs, the album reflects King Promise's unique sound and artistic style. The lead single, "Terminator," won the Song of the Year award at the 2024 3Music Awards and received recognition for Most Popular Song and Best Afropop Song at the 2024 Ghana Music Awards. Furthermore, King Promise was honored as Best Afrobeat/Afropop Artist at the 2024 Ghana Music Awards. To commemorate the album launch, he began the True to Self world tour, covering 12 cities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. 🎧 Streaming Success and Worldwide InfluenceIn September 2024, King Promise became the first male artist from Ghana to surpass 400 million streams on Spotify across all his credits. His total streaming numbers exceeded 401 million, including 262 million as a main artist and over 123 million from his solo tracks. This achievement underscores his growing international appeal and reinforces his status as a key player in the African music scene. Averaging more than 450,000 streams daily, he has established himself as one of the most popular artists in Africa. His collection of 99 songs includes a wide variety of heartfelt ballads.
By Rifat Khan8 months ago in Pride
Velma Was Always LGBT, Stop Pretending She's Not
When I called out a wave of cancellations of shows that featured massive amounts of representation of marginalized communities, one of the many things I said at that time was that there were two shows that I was the most fearful for: Chucky and Velma. I wish I could be wrong about something for a change. Sure enough, both shows had been cancelled since I wrote that piece. While the Chucky cancellation angered me more, I want to focus on Velma, because I've been sitting on this for many months.
By Clyde E. Dawkins9 months ago in Pride
