The Show Goes On.

Tags

Awilo, Black Coffee, Blitz, Congo DR, D banj, fally, Freshly Ground, Iyadede, Just A Band, Kenya, Malaika, P Square, Rwanda Spoek Mathambo, Somalia, South Africa

The infamous D banj concert that Enyinne had bought tickets for way back in December finally took place last Sunday (February 19) and it was a fun night. (Even though we skipped for the after party to work so we could work on launching H1960 which is live now). After the D banj show, I reminisced on all the other fun concerts i’ve been to in the past years and I’ve decided to share pics/videos and hopefully introduce you to some artists you may have never heard of.

 WEST AFRICAN FLOW

NAIJA BOYS : D Banj + P Square

*Pic is via Mike Vj One.

D Banj

Mr Kokomaster himself needs no introduction. Well maybe to US audiences who seem to be finally paying attention to him, as evidenced by the fact that last week’s concert was featured on the New York Times. Or maybe it’s the fact that he may be Africa’s biggest pop star. (According to Africa is A Country site). His show really was entertaining (*cue ‘The Entertainer’)and his dancers were wow! I may need some Kokolette lessons. Speaking of ‘Kokolettes’, the ladies of the audience came out dressed to impress. Afripop mag captured the street style. We spy Enyinne there somewhere in a JBL waistcoat. Marie took a pic with him as shown above. More pics are available via Vicki Remoe’s sweet salone site. The video below is also from her site.

P Square

P Square have managed to sell out huge venues wherever they perform, as they did in 2009 summer when I saw them live in Queens, NY. I sang along to every single song, they had the audience dancing and girls literally passing out. They have been on the Wendy Williams show(where she asked really dumb questions) and have a brand new video with Akon called ‘Chop My Money’ that dropped in the wee hours.

Ghana in the House.

Blitz the Ambassador

Blitz is another favorite of mine. He reps for Ghana and him and his band are awesome. I’ve seen him perform about two or three times. I love the fact that he’s into film as well, having produced a documentary called ‘Native Sun’. He stated”We have to create other things that will make our music noticed. It’s very difficult to get anyone to buy music today, so it’s more about creating worlds, so if you create a world that other people are willing to exist in, and they’re willing to support it, and willing to spread the word about it, so we are making a short film that’s gonna add another element to the album, and I’m really excited about it.” Well said!!

My favorite song of his is ‘Dear Africa’ with ‘Les Nubians’

EAST AFRICAN FLAVOR: Iyadede (Rwanda) +  K’NAAN (Somalia)  Just A Band (Kenya)

Iyadede

*Photo Credit: Lafotographeuse aka. Amanda Adams – Louis

Last summer, Society Hae, Caribbean Cultural Center Diasporan Institute and    Lincoln Center Out of Doors  organized a concert  called ‘This is Africa’ featuring my girl Iyadede who looks and sounds amazing everytime i see her. My favorite song from her set was ‘The Love’. I got to see a sneak peak of the video and I love it. While we’re waiting for it to officially drop, check out this video with Theolophilus London below which we released first on Radio Afro. (cuz we love our exclusives) and check Miss Dede out on MTV Iggy. She makes some awesome jewelry too. And has a blog and site. 

K’ NAAN

I have to tell this story. A few months before the world cup in South Africa (summer 2010), I had been telling my friends Tina, Tobi and Ice to get familiar with K’naan. I played TIA (This is Africa) for them in the fall of 2009 and they were like “turn it off, we dont like it). Fastforward to ‘Waving Flag’ and then they were like “he’s cool”. Duh, I had BEEN SAYING THAT. Anyway, I saw him live in October 2010 at Webster hall and he was AMAZING as I knew he would be (he’s one of my hubbies). The pics are by my sis KK( who also does those amazing nails I blogged about). He also has a new video out with Nas which is below.

Just A Band.

Describing Kenya’s ‘Just A Band‘ in one word is hard. So I’ll let the video speak for itself. I saw them live in NYC at Drom in the summer of 2011 and felt like the performance was too short. I hope to see them again this year a I know they have some dates lined up. I need an interview too for Radio Afro. Let’s see what I can do.

SOUTHERN AFRICAN SWAG : Spoek Mathambo (South Africa) + Freshly Ground (South Africa) + Fally Ipupa (Congo DR) + Black Coffee (South Africa)+ Awilo (Congo DR)  + Malaika (South Africa)

PS: I’m Southern African so hence the overload

Spoek Mathambo

Spoek Mathambo who reps for South Africa also performed and I got to meet him briefly that day via Sarah Williams. I died and went to heaven when he followed me on twitter. Spoek has been featured in the fader, Arise, just scored the cover of a dope mag as shown in the pic above, has a new video trailer out for his album as seen below(which drops March 12 or 13) is in the running for  Best Video at MK Awards for ‘Control’ which you can vote for here, did a mixtape for Okay Africa and gave a Ted Talk which popped up on youtube recently. Plus,he has a slew of shows in the US from March/April. He’s been described as being part of a new wave of sonic explorers from Africa as well. That’s what you call a working man!

Freshly Ground

“Doo bee doo, be doo, be doo…. “*sings

I grew up watching Channel O when I lived in Lusaka, Zambia and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and every time Freshly Ground’s “Doo be doo” song came on, i would sing along and wonder what the hell it meant. Freshly Ground have continued to produce eye catching videos (remember ‘Chicken Change’ which was banned in Zimbabwe as it depicted Mugabe not in the best light?). Anyway, they were in NYC for the annual summer stage in central park and it was FREE!! I went with my friends Mwaka and Kachana and danced the whole show. #funtimes Oh and they replied to my tweet that day

Fally Ipupa

First off, who are this men’s parents and how did they create such a specimen of a man? Cuz he is …. *clutches pearls. Lets just say he can gyrate his waist off and is putting lots of men to shame.lol. I saw Fally at the 2011 Museke Afrotainment Awards in NY and ask Marie, i almost jumped onto the stage when he got on that stage. All i ask is for a man that can dance like that to be sent into my life.(Video is from Afrotainment utube page)  *Amen

Black Coffee

I got a chance to meet and interview Black Coffee last summer for Africa Style Daily. He was really nice! I saw him perform a few days later at ‘Le Poission Rouge’ in NYC. He will be back in the states on March 16 for a concert at the Sullivan room, so check that out. I can listen to him dj for dayzz.

Awilo

Everyone must know Awilo Longomba or you must hide under a rock NOW! lol. He has us still playing “Comment Tu T’appele’ in 2012 and that song’s been out since like 1996. That’s how powerful he is. I saw him live in Queens at a Nigerian independence after party in October 2010. That was the same day i saw K’naan actually.

Malaika

Malaika are another group I grew up watching on Channel O years ago. I saw them during my bday weekend of 2010 at SOBS and had an amazing time. It was my bday weekend and I got to meet them after the event so that made my day Tjo the guy can dance! Southern African swag man!!

There you have it! What african acts have you seen over the years? Who were your faves? Who are you looking forward to seeing this year? If you don’t manage to catch any acts soon, you can listen to them via the ‘8 Sites to Discover African Music’( written by moi). Speaking of seeing acts live, I’m using this article via Okay Africa as my guide to the best African music festivals. One day soon, I’ll attend all those concerts. Who wants to come with? Which country in Africa has the best music festivals? As you can see, The North isn’t repped, so clue me in to whats hot there.

PS: Lady Smith Black Mambazo is performing in Albany, NY in mid march. Who wants to buy me tickets?

Drop a comment and let me know!

Chikondi

Tags

Cameroon, Heritage 1960, Kenya, Leila Lopes, Marcus Samuelson, Nigeria, Radio Afro, Shuga, Zambia

*Pic is from Bandeka.com site.

This post was meant to come out a day before valentines day, but I figured  that February is still the  month of love so it’s not too late. So this is an African inspired vday post.

The title “Chikondi’ actually means “love” in Nyanja which is a language mostly spoken in the capital of Zambia (Lusaka). Speaking of languages, I stumbled on a post by Africa.com on how to say ‘I love You’ in 54 different African languages. They also did a post on different ways to show your love in different african countries. Here are my faves. (African men, pay attention!!!)

Cameroon: Make a ceramic heart-shaped dish, with the clay found in the highlands in Cameroon

Kenya: Try purple tea sourced from Kenya, a country considered by connoisseurs to be among the best tea producers in the world.

Mali: Plan a romantic dinner with a desert view in Timbuktu.

Zambia: Wrap your gift in a tonga basket, which are woven by Tonga women, renowned for their weaving abilities.

CHOCOLATE AND FOOD

*Pic is via Marcus Samuelson site.

Every one knows valentines day and chocolate go together, but how many people know that Ivory Coast is one of the biggest exporters of chocolate? Find out how Ivorians celebrate valentines day.  

Ethiopian chef Marcus Samuelson shared his vegan chocolate truffles recipe.

MUSIC

The best part about interning for Heritage 1960 and being a co-host for Radio Afro Australia? Bringing them together for a smashing mixtape via DJ Iz. Check it out here. It features some of my favorites like “Ringtone” by Naeto C and more.Speaking of Heritage, we have a giveaway where you can win great prizes here.

Since I am from Zambia, I have to rep by sharing this mix of Zambian love songs via Zed beats. My favorite Zambian love song is below by Tio.

Afripop mag hit up Ghanaian MC and producer M3nsa “(also one half of FOKN Bois) to put a list of 10 of his favorite love songs. Check out what he came up with via the site.

AFRICAN RELATIONSHIPS

Bandeka is an online dating site that has been receiving press everywhere from Arise mag to How we made it in Africa, Forbes Africa and one of my favorite sites Diasporan Darlings. Check out their article on the ‘elite african dating site’ here.

Other interested articles on love in an african context are below.

Valentines Day and the African stereotype. (Are African Men Romantic?) via Diasporan Darlings.

Why don’t we like our own men? My friend Paula wrote that article for Clutch Magazine and boy, did it get some people heated. Personally, I can relate to the story, but read and let me know what you think.

What African Men wish their women knew (but don’t tell them) via Face 2 Face Africa.

Love Tips for Dating the African Man. (also via F2F Africa)

AFRICAN CELEB LOVE NEWS

2012 seems to be the year African artists are finding love. From Naeto C getting ready to wife up his boo Nicole, to rumors of Stephanie Okere (Nollywood actress) getting married to Tu Face proposing to his baby mama (one of the how many? ) on vday. I will say congrats to Naeto. Not with the whole Tu face thing though. I mean the man just knocked up another baby mama recently? wth?

In other news, want to date the gorgeous Leila Lopes (Miss Universe) ? My friend Makho sat down with her to talk about how to impress her.

TELEVISION

Love, Sex and Money

Last but not least, my favorite Kenyan tv show in collaboration with MTV Base Africa, SHUGA is back with a bang! It tells the story of the loves and lives of a group of friends. I watched the first season last year and put my sisters on to it, then some friends and i cant wait to watch the new season. Wizkid and Banky W did the theme song and made appearances. Must get an interview with some of the cast. #staytuned. Just for you, The new episode is below.

Museum Mania

Tags

African Art, African Burial Ground, Afrokletic, Brooklyn Museum, Chris Offoli, Harlem Studio, I Art SA, Kehinde, Kenya, Livingstone, Lusaka, Nigeria, Victoria Falls, Wangechi Mutu, Zambia

I don’t know about you, but other than Barnes and Noble, my favorite places are museums. I make it a point to regularly attend African inspired exhibits in NYC, and when I was home (Zambia) in 2010, I visited three museums ;The Lusaka Museum , The Choma Museum in Southern province and the Livingstone Museum which is a short drive from the famous Victoria Falls. Speaking of the Victoria falls, it was featured on CNN Inside Africa. And yeah, we have the better view. I mean we own 3/4 so don’t let any Zimbabwean tell you different. lol.

Anyway, I thought I’d share some pictures of Museums i visited in Zambia and in New York in an attempt to convert you to museum goers. When we went to the Lusaka museum, my mum said she had actually never been to the museum ever. That shocked me because I had the impression that its one of those things to see in Lusaka. She said some people just don’t have the cash or the priority to go to museums. Then I stumbled on this article by CNN titled “Does Africa Care About the Arts” and it reinforced what my mom said.

NYC MUSEUMS/ EXHIBITS

The MET

The Metropolitan Museum had an exhibit on African masks last summer as part of the ‘Africa Re-defined Exhibit’.

Studio Museum (Harlem)

I went to the Studio Museum two weeks ago to see the “Who,What ,Wear ” exhibit. I spotted familiar work by Malik Sidibe ,Seydou Keita and Kehinde Wiley. You can find out more about the exhibit here.

One of the works which caught my eye and wasn’t part of the “Who, What, Wear” was by Nigerian artist Njideka Akunyili’ based on the image below. I then happened to spot more of her work on my friend Gillean’s blog Afrokletic which you should check out. She also did a post on me here

 

 

I picked up a copy of the Studio Museum’s literary magazine and its awesome! The best part is that its available online so you can peruse previous issues.  We went to Red Rooster for dinner after which is owned by Ethiopian chef Marcus Samuelson.

Jack Shaiman Gallery

I went on this whole three days of #afrosocialiting with my friend Mike last summer and we made a stop at the Jack Shaiman galley to view some of Malik Sidibe’s work.I watched this really interesting documentary on Malik which you can find here.

African Burial Ground.

ABG is another place I visited for this summer. The first time I visited was part of a trip I organized for the club Africa Alive at my previous college and we were late so we only got to do a walking tour outside. This time, we got to go inside and learn more about New Yorks role in slavery.

PS: One of the pics below shows skeleton’s found of slaves at the site, which is what led to ABG being a national monument.

MOCADA

I went to an Artist talk with Mike at MOCADA which was an Artist talk by Shantrelle P Lewis on Dandies. It featured some dapper dudes.

Brooklyn Museum

I’ve never been to Brooklyn Museum first saturdays, so Enyinne of H1960 thought it would be a great team outing last weekend. I had no idea how huge the BK museum is , or that soo many people would be there. Will definitely be checking out more First Saturdays. Also spotted myself on Nneka’s blog necks 2 u with my friend Iyadede (who was recently crowned MTV Iggy artist of the week) , Enyinne and Marie. The pics below (*except Kehinde Wiley are from her blog)

Marie

LUSAKA MUSEUM, ZAMBIA

L

Livingstone and Choma Museums

EXTRA LINKS

For a list of places to check out art this month from around the world, check out this article from Another Africa.  If you’re in NYC, check out the Skoto Gallery as it has lots of African art.

Is there a future for African arts? Check out this piece. What is the importance of African art?  Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu was on CNN last year. Here’s the interview with her. Also check out Senagelese artist Delphine Diallo in conversation with Larry of Young Global Hustle. Her art will be on display at the ‘Meet the Afropolitans‘ event for Social Media Week NYC next week that i’ll be attending and live tweeting from via @afrosocialite. And did you know that one of the artists commissioned to design posters for the 2012 Olympics is Nigerian. His name is Chris Offoli. More on him here.

WHERE TO SEE ART IN AFRICA

In Dakar, Senegal check out Dak’ Art, in Morocco check out Marrakeh Biennal. For more info, check this article on where to see art in 2012.

In Kenya, check out the National Museum, Karen Blixen Museum, the Snake Park  and  Nairobi Gallery. 

In Capetown, South Africa check out these spots including Iziko South African Gallery, Goodman Gallery, Whatiftheworld and Stevenson Gallery. Also visit I Art SA which is a really cool project.More info is in the video below.

Are there any other places to check out art that we should know about? Let me know in the comments below.

I No Be Gentleman

Tags

Adrian Sauvage, Alex Folzi, Casey Hayford, Edward Armah, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kayobi Clothing, Laurence Airline, Nigeria, Orange Culture, Ozwald Boateng, Shem Paronelli, Sheria Ngowi, Tanzania

A few days after I started this blog, some male friends of mine complained that I was excluding them by not posting about male fashion and african labels that cater to the modern Afropolitan man, or the Afro homme as I like to say. So in their honor, I’m spotlighting a few of my favorite African and African inspired menswear brands. And yes,the title is inspired by Fela, who had a dapper sense of style back in the day.

SUITED UP

Ozwald Boateng

Mr Boateng who is Ghanaian-British is one of the most influential menswear designers and celebrated being in the London fashion industry with a fashion show featuring lots and lots of eye candy. Boateng has a documentary which will be out soon called “A Man’s World” which was shot over a ten year period and gives us an insight to him on a more personal level. You can check the trailer below. I really want to see it and hope it comes to New York.Or maybe,i’ll preorder it.

*Pictures via the Ozwald Boateng facebook page.

Sheria Ngowi

This Tanzanian designer aptly titled his Spring/Summer 2011 collection “The Year of the Gentleman” and he is a staple in the East African fashion scene through participating in various fashion shows. Can’t wait to see what he comes up with this year!

*Photos courtesy of Sheria Ngowi facebook page.

Adrian Sauvage

This Ghanaian designer was recently featured in New African Fashion by Helen Jennings (which we will be selling on heritage1960.com soon), as well as on CNN. I love his use of Kente to create non traditional suits.

*Pics via google

CHILLING

Casey Hayford

It’s all about keeping it in the family for the Casey Hayford duo who are a father and son team. Helen Jennings wrote a piece on H1960 on “10 Trailblazers in Fashion and Design” and featured the brand. She stated “ From Central Saint Martins to Gieves & Hawkes, from stage clothes for U2 to Dover Street Market, and from Ghana to the UK, Joe Casely-Hayford has been there and done that since he started out in the early 1980’s. Now joined by his son Charlie, their new menswear brand Casely-Hayford brings tradition and innovation head to head, delivering enduring and understated clothing for the modern man.”

*Pics via google

Orange Culture

I’m in love with this Summers Quirk Orange Culture collection by Bayo Lawal (who I may or may not have a long standing crush on *blushes.) On a serious note, I think its fun and quirky and cool and something I think Fela would wear if he was alive(*hence the blog title). Don’t you agree? Sidenote: That male model is hot too.Yum. Check out more of the lookbook via One Nigerian Boy.

LAURENCE AIRLINE

*Pics are via the Laurence Airline site.

I’m loving the lookbook by Ivorian brand Laurence Airline. According to the site, “The concept behind LAURENCE AIRLINE is based on how fashion and ethnic cultures can successfully collaborate to create possibilities for the future.”They also released a cool fashion video to accompany the lookbook.

TEES

Kayobi Clothing

One of my favorite African T shirt brands is Kayobi Clothing which is owned by Kwabena Boateng. I’ve written posts and conducted interviews with him in the past. Plus, I do have my own  ”Make Fufu Not War” tee that’s perfect for the summer. You can check out tons more African T shirt brands in this article by Afripop magazine.

ACCESORIES

Alex Folzi

*Pics via google.

Nigerian Canada based twin brothers Fela and Fola Fagbure have the dopest briefcases. I can imagine a dapper dude rocking one of their briefcases on campus. Maybe not my college campus cuz guys don’t really dress dapper in my opinion. But I’m allowed to dream right?Or maybe I should get myself one.Or maybe you should as my bday is coming up on March 8 *wink wink.

EDWARD ARMAH

Attending a high society event? ie one of those dinners at posh hotels where art is auctioned for hundreds of thousands of dollars/pounds/euro/kwacha/ Shillings etc? Rock a bowtie by Edward Armah and you will be sure to leave an impression. Everyone else will be wearing a tie. Trust me.

Shem Paronelli

I found out about these “Made in Africa” shoes via One Nigerian Boy and think every man should have a pair in their closet.

*Pic via One Nigerian Boy site.

*Recommended Reading: The list of the Top 5O fashionable men in the UK is out. It includes Naija boy Tinie Tempah.

Lord knows if I had a man, he would be rocking all these brands I’ve spotlighted. What do you think? Men, would you rock these brands? And ladies, valentines day is coming up so why not spoil the men in your lives with one or two, or all of these items? I don’t have a brother either so…  Anyway, let me know your thoughts.