Cola

Country of origin	United States
Introduced	1886
Colour	Caramel
Flavour	Kola nut

Cola is a carbonated beverage that was originally flavoured and caffeinated by the kola nut, as well as by vanilla and other ingredients. However, most colas now use other flavouring (and caffeinating) ingredients with a similar taste. It became popular worldwide after druggist John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in 1886.^[1] His non-alcoholic recipe was inspired by the Coca wine of pharmacist Angelo Mariani, created in 1863; it still contained cocaine.^[1] Coca-Cola is a major international brand, and is associated with the United States. It usually contains caramel colour, caffeine and sweeteners such as sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

Flavourings[link]

Despite the name, the primary modern flavouring ingredients in a cola drink are sugar, citrus oils (from oranges, limes, or lemon fruit peel), cinnamon, vanilla, and an acidic flavourant.^[2][3] Manufacturers of cola drinks add trace ingredients to create distinctively different tastes for each brand. Trace flavourings may include nutmeg and a wide variety of ingredients, but the base flavourings that most people identify with a cola taste remain vanilla and cinnamon. Acidity is often provided by phosphoric acid, sometimes accompanied by citric or other isolated acids. Many cola drink recipes are maintained as corporate trade secrets, notably including Coca-Cola's recipe.

A variety of different sweeteners may be added to cola, often partly dependent on local agricultural policy. High-fructose corn syrup is predominantly used in the United States and Canada due to the lower cost of government-subsidized corn. In Europe, however, HFCS is subject to production quotas designed to encourage the production of sugar; sugar is thus typically used to sweeten sodas.^[4] In addition, stevia or an artificial sweetener may be used; "sugar-free" or "diet" colas typically contain artificial sweeteners only.

Some consumers prefer the taste of soda manufactured with sugar. As a result of this, there is demand in the United States for imported Mexican Coca-Cola.^[5][6] Kosher for Passover Coca-Cola sold in the U.S. around the Jewish holiday also uses sucrose rather than HFCS and is also highly sought after by people who prefer the original taste.^[7] In addition, PepsiCo has recently been marketing versions of its Pepsi and Mountain Dew sodas that are sweetened with sugar instead of HFCS. These are marketed under the name Throwback and became "permanent" products on the lineup.^[8]

Health[link]

A 2007 study found that consumption of colas, both those with natural sweetening and those with artificial sweetening, was associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease. The phosphoric acid used in colas was thought to be a possible cause.^[9]

Brands[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

The cola brands with the greatest global volumes are Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

Asia[link]

• Amrat Cola, popular in Pakistan.
• Campa Cola was India's most popular brand prior to the introduction of Pepsi and Coca-Cola to the Indian market in 1991.
• Future Cola, a local brand in China.
• KIK cola, popular in Sri Lanka.
• Mecca Cola, sold in the Middle East, parts of Europe and North Africa.
• Pakola, popular in Pakistan.
• Parsi Cola, popular in Iran.
• Red Bull Cola, popular in Thailand.
• RC Cola was popular in the Philippines. Also was available in Bangladesh and Israel.
• Thums Up, popular in India.
• Topsia Cola, popular in Iran.
• Cola Turka is a local brand in Turkey.
• Zam Zam Cola, popular in Iran and parts of the Arab world.

Europe[link]

• Afri-Cola, a German brand, had a higher caffeine content (about 250 mg/L) until the product was relaunched with a new formulation in 1999. It was relaunched a second time in April 2006 with the original formulation with the higher caffeine content.
• Barr Cola made by A.G. Barr (the makers of the popular Irn Bru drink) in the United Kingdom.
• Breizh Cola is a local brand from Brittany (France). It offers different and unique flavours like a cloves aroma^{[citation needed]}, bottled in an original cider bottle.^{[citation needed]}
• Cola Cola — Albania^{[citation needed]}
• Cockta is a local brand from former Yugoslavia, originally produced by Slovenijavino company from Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia). A couple of years ago it was bought by Droga Kolinska, a Croatian company. It is still popular in former Yugoslav republics, especially in Slovenia and Croatia. It does not contain any caffeine.
• Cuba Cola is the native cola of Sweden.
• Irish Cola is a local brand in Ireland.
• In Denmark, the native Jolly Cola was more popular than Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola during the 1960s and 70s.
• Fritz-kola is a cola soft drink from Hamburg, Germany. It uses the highest possible concentration of caffeine for beverages allowed by German law (25 mg / 100ml) and is available in most of Germany, as well as parts of western and central Europe.
• Kofola is the third best selling soft-drink in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, behind Coca-Cola and Pepsi.
• Polo-Cockta, a Polish brand.
• Red Bull Cola has been available throughout Europe since 2008.
• Ubuntu Cola is a fairtrade cola from the United Kingdom available in parts of Western Europe.
• Virgin Cola was popular in South Africa and Western Europe in the 1990s but has waned in availability.
• Vita-Cola is a German cola brand with a distinct citrus flavour; nowadays it is mostly sold in eastern Germany.
• Kletta Gos Cola — Iceland
• Corsica Cola is a regional cola distributed by the Corsican brewery Pietra.
• RC Cola — now sold in the United Kingdom and in Sweden.

A can of generic brand Cola

North America[link]

• Royal Crown (RC Cola) is widely available in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• Big Cola (Big Cola) made by Peruvian transnational Ajegroup and is sold in the northern parts of Mexico.
• Inca Kola: not a cola. (In Peru and much of Spanish-speaking South America, "Kola" with a "K" is the generic term used for any flavour of carbonated soft drink, not only colas). The Peruvian soft drink brand is marketed in many countries by the Coca-Cola group. It is the number one selling soft drink in Peru outselling Coca-Cola nationwide. This bright yellow bubblegum-flavoured carbonated beverage is especially popular in Peru, once the heartland of the Inca Empire, but Inca Kola also sells well in surrounding countries. In 2000, Coca-Cola bought 49 percent of Corporación José R. Lindley S.A., the creator and producer of Inca Kola, securing the worldwide distribution rights to Inca Kola as part of the agreement.^[10]
• Cott produces many house brand beverages as well as its own line of products, most notably its Black Cherry cola.
• TuKola and Tropicola are brands from Cuba (also sold widely in Italy).
• Fentimans Curiosity Cola, originating from the United Kingdom in 1905, is now sold across Europe and North America.
• Jones Soda also makes a cola, using cane sugar.
• Jolt Cola is sold by Wet Planet Beverages, of Rochester, New York. Originally, the slogan was "All the sugar and twice the caffeine." It dropped the slogan when it switched from cane sugar to high fructose corn syrup.
• Johnnie Ryan is a regional cola bottled in Niagara Falls, New York. Established in 1935, it makes it with 100% cane sugar and also sells 22 other flavours.
• Polar Beverages of Worcester, Ma produces its own brand of cola under the Polar name.
• Red Bull Cola has been available in the United States since 2008.
• Faygo Cola is a soft drink distributed in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Central Southern regions of the United States. Faygo can be found throughout Canada, Cola being one of more than fifty flavours.
• Jarritos Cola is a type of cola from Mexico, while popular and native to Mexico, it is widely distributed mainly to Latino citizens of the United States.

Africa[link]

• Pepsi Cola
• Coca-Cola

South America[link]

• Big Cola: a cola produced by Peruvian company Ajegroup which operates in 14 countries including South America.^[11]
• Coca-Cola: produced in Peru by Corporación José R. Lindley S.A. and distributed in the same channels as Inca Kola.^[12]
• Pepsi Cola is produced by AmBev (a Brazilian company owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev), the largest bottler of Pepsi Cola outside the United States.^[13] In Peru, Pepsi is bottled and distributed by Pepsico Inc Sucursal Del Peru.^[14]
• Perú Cola: created by Peruvian bottler Embotelladora Don Jorge S.A.C. to compete with Coca-Cola and Kola. Real.^[15]
• RC Cola: produced and marketed by Colombian bottler Embotelladora Latinoamericana S.A. (ELSA)^[16]
• Schin Cola is a local variety of cola produced in Brazil by Primo Schincariol.
• Ship: produced and marketed by Colombian bottler Embotelladora Latinoamericana S.A. (ELSA)^[16]

Oceania[link]

• Kiwi Cola is a cola produced under the WAI-KAWA brand in New Zealand, and contains a Kawakawa leaf infusion.
• Bickford's Old Style Original Kola is produced by Bickford's Australia in Adelaide, South Australia. It is not readily available outside South Australia.
• LA Ice Cola is an Australian cola owned by P&N beverages. It is similar to Coca Cola and Pepsi, which are its rivals.

Etymology[link]

The word cola may have been introduced into mainstream culture by the major producer Coca-Cola,^{[citation needed]} as it saw its trademark slipping into common use, like other genericized trademarks. It has tried to maintain the exclusive right to sell products using the "Coca-Cola" name and its diminutive form "Coke", by suggesting the alternative of "cola drink" as a generic name for similar types of carbonated soft drinks.^{[citation needed]} The word cola as part of the Coca-Cola trademark may have originated from the kola nuts that were originally used as the source of caffeine.

Anti-Diet Cola[link]

In recent years, "anti-diet colas" have been created as alternatives to the "flavourless" diet colas.

Examples[link]

• Pepsi Max
• Coke Zero
• Pepsi One

See also[link]

Drink portal

• Brands of Cola (shown below)
• Cola wars

References[link]

External links[link]

Look up cola in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Cola and Mentos mints trick
• OpenCola recipe (originally published by Cory Doctorow)
• Straight Dope article about caffeine levels on soft drinks

Lana Del Rey
Del Rey at a promotional event in Seattle
Background information
Birth name	Elizabeth Woolridge Grant
Also known as	Lizzy Grant Lana Rey Del Mar May Jailer
Born	(1986-06-21) June 21, 1986 (age 26)[1] New York City, New York, United States
Origin	Lake Placid, New York, United States
Genres	Indie pop,[2] adult alternative,[2] chamber pop,[3] sadcore[4]
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, fashion model
Instruments	Vocals, guitar[5]
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Interscope, Polydor, Stranger
Website	lanadelrey.com

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant^[6] (born June 21, 1986), better known by her stage name Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. Raised in upstate New York, Del Rey moved to New York City at age eighteen, where she attended college and began writing music and performing in clubs.

In 2008, Del Rey contracted with an independent label and recorded a self-titled debut album which was briefly available on iTunes in 2010; Del Rey ultimately bought back the rights to the album and it was withdrawn soon after.

In June 2011, she released the song "Video Games" on the Internet, accompanied by a self-made music video that went viral in the following months. The song was later released as a single in October, leading up to Del Rey's major-label debut album, Born to Die, which was released on January 31, 2012 through Interscope Records. Born to Die debuted at number one in seven countries, including the United Kingdom^[7] and Australia. The album has spawned two worldwide top 10 hits: "Video Games" and "Born to Die".

Del Rey's music has been noted for its cinematic sound and its references to various aspects of pop culture, particularly that of 1950s and '60s Americana.^[8] Del Rey has been described as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra",^[9] and cites Britney Spears,^[10][11][12] Eminem,^[13][10] and Antony and the Johnsons amongst her musical influences.^[10]

Biography[link]

Early years[link]

Del Rey was born Elizabeth Grant in New York City and grew up in Lake Placid, New York.^[14][15] When she was 14, she attended Kent School, a boarding school in Connecticut.^[16][17] She has Scottish ancestry, and is the daughter of domain investor Rob Grant, who supported her in her early career as a singer.^{[18][19][20][21]} Del Rey attended Fordham University in New York City, studying philosophy.^[22]

At age 18, her uncle taught her how to play guitar, beginning with basic chords: "It was G, C, A, D minor, A minor and some diminished chord as well. Some trick, some shortcut," Del Rey recalled. "I realized I could probably write a million songs with those six chords, so I moved to New York and I took a couple of years to just write whatever I wanted."^[5] She began performing in clubs while living in the city.

Her stage name was discussed in a Vogue interview, in which she said, "I wanted a name I could shape the music towards [...] I was going to Miami quite a lot at the time, speaking a lot of Spanish with my friends from Cuba – Lana Del Rey reminded us of the glamour of the seaside. It sounded gorgeous coming off the tip of the tongue."^[23] The name is reportedly an amalgam of the actress Lana Turner, and the 1980's automobile Ford Del Rey. ^[24]

"I wanted to be part of a high-class scene of musicians. It was half-inspired because I didn't have many friends, and I was hoping that I would meet people and fall in love and start a community around me, the way they used to do in the '60s."^[25]

Del Rey first released a three-track EP titled Kill Kill in October 2008 under the name Lizzy Grant, featuring the tracks "Kill Kill", "Yayo" and "Gramma (Blue Ribbon Sparkler Trailer Heaven)".^[26]

[edit] 2010: Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant

Del Rey later released her first full-length studio album titled Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant [sic] in January 2010.^[27] It was the singer's first professionally produced album, released under Lizzy Grant on an independent label with producer David Kahne.^[28] Del Rey stated that "David asked to work with me only a day after he got my demo. He is known as a producer with a lot of integrity and who had an interest in making music that wasn't just pop."^[29] Her father, Robert Grant, helped with the marketing of the album,^[30] which was available for purchase on iTunes for a brief period before being withdrawn. According to David Kahne, who produced Grant, Grant bought the rights back from her label, 5 Points, as she wanted it out of circulation to "…stifle future opportunities to distribute it – an echo of rumors that the action was part of a calculated strategy."^[31]

[edit] 2011–present: Born to Die

Lana Del Rey performing at Paradiso, Amsterdam.

Later in June 2011, Del Rey was signed with Stranger Records,^[32] to release her debut single "Video Games";^[32] in October 2011, she signed a joint deal with Interscope Records and Polydor.^{[5][33][34][35]} In October 2011, she won the Q award for "Next Big Thing". Del Rey's song "Video Games" was featured for the first time on The CW's TV-Series Ringer on September 27, 2011.^[36] Del Rey also promoted the album in a number of live appearances, including a show at the Bowery Ballroom, where, according to Eliot Glazer of New York, "the polarizing indie hipstress brought her 'gangsta Nancy Sinatra' swagu."^[37] Rolling Stone commented that, despite Del Rey being nervous and anxious while performing her songs live, she "sang with considerable confidence", although they noted that "her transitions ...could be rather jarring."^[38] Del Rey also performed "Video Games" on Dutch television program De Wereld Draait Door,^[39] on British music television show Later... with Jools Holland,^[40] and on an intimate show at Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, California.^[41]

Born to Die was released on January 27, 2012 in Ireland,^[42] January 30, 2012, in the UK, and on January 31, 2012 worldwide.^[43]

Del Rey performed two songs on Saturday Night Live on January 14, 2012 to a warm reception from the audience, but mixed reviews from critics and the general public. NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams called Del Rey's performance "one of the worst outings in SNL history". Del Rey's performance was defended by the evening's program guest host, actor Daniel Radcliffe, despite not having seen her performance.^[44] He said in part: "It was unfortunate that people seemed to turn on her so quickly [...] I don't think [the performance] warranted anywhere near that reaction." Del Rey had earlier defended her spot on the program, saying: "I'm a good musician [...] I have been singing for a long time, and I think that [SNL creator] Lorne Michaels knows that [...] it's not a fluke decision."^[45] On February 4, 2012, Kristen Wiig appeared on the Weekend Update segment on Saturday Night Live parodying Del Rey and poking fun at the backlash.

The second single and title track "Born to Die" was released on December 3, 2011.^[46] The music video for it leaked on December 14, 2011,^[47] and was based on a concept created by the singer, while being directed by Yoann Lemoine.^[48]

In January 2012, Del Rey revealed that she recently bought back the rights to her 2010 album Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant and will re-release it in the summer of 2012 under Interscope Records and Polydor.^[49] Contrary to Grant's press statement, her previous label (5 Point Records), and producer David Kahne have both stated that she bought the rights to the album when she and the label parted company, due to the offer of a new deal, in April 2010.^[50][51] On January 4, 2012, it was reported she had signed a deal with NEXT Model Management agency.^[52] In May 2012, Del Rey confirmed the song "National Anthem" as the fourth single from her album Born to Die. ^{[53] [54]} On May 30th, 2012, Del Rey's supposed debut album "Sirens" was leaked online under the name "May Jailer". The 15 track album includes the previously leaked song "A Star for Nick."

Artistry[link]

Music

She has been described as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra",^[9] Del Rey is known to write and produce most of her own material and covers genres from Hip-Hop and Indie. Having first been discovered from posting viral videos of herself singing on the internet she quickly grew a significant fan base. She has been noted for using her allure to the celebrity lifestyle as an inspiration in itself, whilst at the same time maintaining an aura of mystique, this has reflected in the melodies and vocals she produces. Her sound as well as her videography has been described as eccentric, over the top and at times wild. However Noah Levy, senior news editor at In Touch Weekly magazine noted that her dedication and talent is undeniable, quoted as saying "I think she cares about the art that she is creating. I don't think that is fake at all."^[55]

Voice

Del Rey possesses a wide^[56] contralto vocal range,^{[57][58][59][60]} which has been described as unique, captivating and highly emotive,^[60] being able to transcend from sounding high and girlish in her timbre, down to a low and jazzy sound with great ease, although both these areas of the voice can be conflicting in their sound and polarise opinion.^[57]

When recording in the studio Del Rey is known for vocal multi layering, double tracking and overlays which has it has been noted is difficult for her to replicate within a live setting, especially with the lack of backing singers to fill out the original vocal style.^[59].

Influences

Del Rey cites Britney Spears,^[11][12] Elvis Presley, Antony and the Johnsons, Frank Sinatra ^[13] and Eminem amongst her musical influences. "[I really] just like the masters of every genre", she told BBC journalist Jo Whiley.^[61]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant (2010)
• Born To Die (2012)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lana Del Rey

• Official website
• Lana Del Rey at the Internet Movie Database
• Lana Del Rey talks influences with BEAT

Lou Bega
Background information
Birth name	David Lubega
Also known as	Lou Bega
Born	(1975-04-13) 13 April 1975 (age 37) Munich, Bavaria, West Germany
Origin	Germany
Genres	Pop, Latino, Mambo
Occupations	Singer, songwriter
Instruments	Singing
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Lautstark, BMG, RCA Records, Condon Musical Enterprise, Unicade Music, DA Music, Big Records
Website	http://www.lou-bega.com

David Lubega (born 13 April 1975), also known as Lou Bega, is a German musician of Italian and Ugandan descent, and is famous for his song "Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of...)". This song is a remake of the Perez Prado instrumental from 1949. Bega added his own words to the song and sampled the original version extensively.

Biography[link]

Bega's mother is from Calabria in (Southern Italy) and his father is Ugandan. His father went to Germany in 1972 to study biology at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.^[1] Until age six, Bega spent the most time with his mother in Italy. Then they lived permanently in Munich, where Bega attended German primary school. At age 15 he lived in Miami for one-and-a-half years. Bega also lived in Uganda for half a year.^[2] Currently he lives in Berlin, Germany.

Bega started his musical career as a rapper. At age of 13, he founded a hip hop group with two other boys. It would be two years before Bega and his friends' first CD would be released in 1990.^[1] When Bega lived in Miami he discovered Latin music. After returning to Munich he met his former manager, Goar Biesenkamp, as well as the music producers, "Frank Lio" (Achim Kleist) and "D.Fact" (Wolfgang von Webenau) (Syndicate Musicproduction) with whom he developed the concept for the song "Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of...)". Bega signed a recording contract to the label Lautstark.^[3] Lou Bega’s musical signature consists of combining musical elements of the 40’s and 50’s with modern beats and grooves.

Lou Bega (1999)

His first single "Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of...)" became an instant worldwide hit charting at No. 1 in most European countries including Germany,^[4] UK^[5] and France^[6] and at No. 3 in the United States. In France "Mambo No. 5" spent twenty weeks at #1,^[7] which is an unbroken record to date.^{[citation needed]} It was also used by the British television broadcaster, Channel 4 for their coverage of Test Match cricket between 1999 and 2005. ^[8]

On 19 July 1999 he released the album A Little Bit of Mambo. It peaked at No. 3 in the USA. In Germany, Bega's native country, it also peaked at #3. In the UK the album peaked only at #50. A Little Bit of Mambo peaked at No. 1 in the album charts of Austria, Canada, Finland, Hungary, the Middle East, Portugal, and Switzerland.^[9] The second single, "I Got a Girl", charted well entering the Top 10 in some European countries including France, Finland and Belgium.^[10] The third single, "Tricky, Tricky" achieved number 18 on the Canadian charts and number 74 on the American Billboard Charts. "Mambo Mambo" reached number 11 on the French charts.

Bega's second studio album Ladies and Gentlemen was released on 28 May 2001. "Baby Keep Smiling" is on this album, a duet with Compay Segundo from Buena Vista Social Club^[11] A Little Bit of Mambo includes a version without him. Bega also covered the standard "Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody" on Ladies and Gentlemen.

He sang the theme song for the Disney Channel animated series, Brandy and Mr. Whiskers.

In the computer game Tropico, Lou Bega is one of the characters someone can choose as their dictatorial persona. He was included as part of a licensing deal that also saw Bega's song "Club Elitaire" integrated into the German release of Tropico.^[12] Also, in the Ubi Soft/Disney Interactive video game Walt Disney's The Jungle Book Rhythm n' Groove, Lou Bega participates in a challenge with his namesake. The player dances as King Louie, attempting to dance to Lou Bega's rendition of "I Wanna Be Like You". Doing so will unlock a video of him with children dancing to the aforementioned song.^[13] Bega also wrote the theme song for the French cartoon series Marsupilami.^[1]

Bega was awarded the German Echo Prize in two categories as well as being nominated five times. Other accolades include a Grammy Award nomination, a World Music Entertainment Award in Cannes, the Blockbuster Entertainment Award in Los Angeles, the Festival Bar of Verona, the Amadeus Award of Vienna, and the Bunte New Faces Award in Berlin. Lou tours around the world with his band. A 22-city tour of the USA with Cher, live show appearances throughout South America with concerts in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and São Paulo, and a tour through India with stops in Bombay, New Delhi, Madras, Bangalore and Calcutta have been some of the highlights along the way. Over 200 concerts in Europe have attracted over 3 million fans and viewers.

His live shows in Las Vegas, Tokyo, Moscow, Hong Kong and the Emirates were hugely successful.^{[citation needed]} He is a popular guest in both the corporate and public sector, appearing on stage for Royals as well as international corporations. Lou Bega was invited to talk and TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Ally McBeal, Motown Live, Jenny Jones, Queen Latifah, Access Hollywood, and others. Bega was the only artist, ever, to be asked to sing a song twice on Germany's headlining show Wetten, dass..? On New Year's Eve 2007 he performed in front of 170,000 fans in Poland. Bega often gets a crack at playing the host. He was the MC at the American Music Awards, at the Grammy Awards, the Billboard Radio Awards, and at the Love Parade in Berlin.

In early 2010, Bega released a new album called Free Again.^[14] In summer 2011, Bega performed his first concert from the album at one of the Tampa Bay Rays Summer Concert Series.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Singles[link]

Compilations[link]

• 2002: King of Mambo
• 2004: Mambo Mambo - The Best of Lou Bega

Download releases[link]

Other songs[link]