ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT - The African Mirror

Nov

2020

The Kenyan film director taking on the world — with positive stories of black life

IN a 2017 TED Talk, the Kenyan film director Wanuri Kahiu shared her mission to make what she called “Afrobubblegum” art. The aim is to contribute to a world where African audiences see themselves reflected in ways that capture a full range of human experiences. To go beyond agenda-driven single stories of war, famine and HIV that have characterised much storytelling about Africa. LYN JOHNSTONE, Research fellow, Royal Holloway Put simply, to tell stories where Africans are “loving and thriving and living … beautiful, vibrant lives” with the aim of creating among audiences a feeling that African lives are “worthy…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Musicians from every country form Earth Orchestra to record unique song

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MINDY BURROWS FOR the first time in music history, 197 musicians – one from each country – have formed an orchestra, hoping to exemplify how people can transcend physical and cultural borders to come together. The Earth Orchestra's song "Together is Beautiful" - recorded in different locations then mixed together - and a documentary telling the stories of some of the musicians were released on Friday. Earth Orchestra member Olgha Nk, from Cameroon, said she saw the project, which was three years in the making, as "the whole world holding hands". Other musicians were also struck by the unifying element…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

The perils of mixing music and politics in Nigeria

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MUSICIANS play a prominent role in Nigeria’s dynamic political landscape, especially since the country became a democracy. Politics and music have always enjoyed a symbiotic relationship, even during austere military regimes. For example, in 1995, the late dictator, General Sani Abacha (1993-1998) commissioned highlife maestro, King Oliver de Coque to record an album titled Democracy. The project was designed to launder his image, and position him as an aspiring democratic president. GARHE OSIEBE, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Rhodes University Popular musicians endorsing politicians and their parties are common in Nigeria during elections. One particular episode stands for its post-electoral significance. Local…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Nigerian rapper Falz Falana honoured

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO NIGERIAN hip-hop artist Falz (real name Folarin Folana) has been honoured by the state of Lagos, with a street named after him. The Lagos-born rapper and actor posted a picture of himself posing under a street sign with the name “Falz Falana Lane” written boldly. Under the picture he wrote, “Wahala for who no get street name o! (sic)” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Falz TheBahdGuy (@falzthebahdguy) Falana was honoured for his impact in the community, specifically with his activism in using his voice and social media presence to speak on the violence during…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Celebrated French DJ tells fans ahead of Louvre gig: ‘get the vaccine’

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

FRENCH DJ David Guetta said he hoped everybody would get vaccinated against COVID-19, shortly before recording a charity concert outside the Louvre Museum in Paris that will be streamed on New Year's Eve. Guetta, known for his collaborations over nearly two decades with artists such as Akon, J Balvin, Nicki Minaj and Kelly Rowland, is raising money for UNICEF and French charity Les Restos du Coeur, which provides food and meals to people in need. "I'm going to do the vaccine, and I hope people are going to do it too because I don't see any other way to go…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Naomi Campbell and Elsa Majimbo link up in Kenya

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO NAOMI Campbell travelled to Africa for a special conversation with the continent’s viral star, Elsa Majimbo, as part of her online ‘No Filter With Naomi’ YouTube series. The thirty-three minute video released on Tuesday featured the two black women sharing laughs in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, over Majimbo’s signature sunglasses and packet of crisps (which the latter uses as props) and her instant rise to fame. “I would share this packet with you, but these chips were very expensive”, Majimbo joked as she showed Campbell her current favourite flavour featured in her short videos. The comedian explained…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

How grassroots video is building a film industry in Zimbabwe

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THERE is a general perception that there is no film industry to talk about in Zimbabwe. This argument is mostly based on comparisons with other well-resourced film economies, such as Hollywood, or even South Africa’s. OSWELLED UREKE, Midlands State University Based on my study of the Zimbabwean film industry I disagree with this view. Zimbabwe does have a film industry, but perhaps, not one that meets everyone’s expectations and certainly not one that can be comparable to Hollywood’s formal value chain. Zimbabwe, like many other developing countries, faces political and economic challenges and the film industry’s problems are compounded by…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Barack Obama adds South African song ‘Uwrongo’ to year-end playlist

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO FORMER American president Barack Obama released his popular, year end music playlist - a compilation of his favourite songs from 2020 - and one of the songs included is a South African track called ‘Uwrongo’. It is the first time that the former president has added any South African song to his annual anticipated playlist. Obama’s ‘Favourite Music of 2020’ playlist is part of his year-end recommendations that the former president compiles in various categories including books, movies & TV (a new feature due to covid-19 lockdown regulations), and music. The playlist features features from hip-hop star Megan…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Race, music, strong women at heart of movie ‘Ma Rainey’

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

JILL SERJEANT FILM drama "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" may be set in the racially divided United States of the 1920s and was written almost 40 years ago, but it arrives with much to say about today. Starring Viola Davis as Black blues singer Ma Rainey and the late Chadwick Boseman as a hot-headed trumpet player, the movie comes to Netflix on Friday as Hollywood and the United States grapple with systemic racism. "The reason why (the film) resonates today is because racism hasn't been destroyed. It has just evolved," said Davis. "You can't go through 400 years of systemic racism…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Tom Cruise rants at ‘Mission: Impossible’ crew in London over COVID safety

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

TOM Cruise let rip over an apparent breach of COVID-19 safety protocols on the London set of the new "Mission: Impossible" movie, telling crew members they would be fired if they don't obey the rules, according to Britain's Sun newspaper. In expletive-filled remarks captured on audio tape obtained by The Sun, the star and producer of the action film yelled at the crew about lapses of social distancing and other rules that allow movies to be made during the coronavirus pandemic. A source close to the production said the tape was authentic. Cruise's representative declined to comment. "I'm on the…