ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT - The African Mirror

Mar

12

2021

A Minute With: the ‘Bulletproof’ cops on filming in South Africa and bigger stunts

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ALICIA POWELL "BULLETPROOF" police pals Pike and Bishop swap London for Cape Town in the third series of the British television show, where a holiday abroad soon turns into a kidnapping case. Actors Noel Clarke and Ashley Walters reunite as the popular characters for the three-part "Bulletproof: South Africa", which hits U.S. screens next week. FILE PHOTO: Actor Ashley Walters poses as he arrives for a special screening of "The Gentlemen" in London, Britain December 3, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls The duo spoke to Reuters about the show, doing bigger stunts and filming in a new location. Below are interview excerpts…

Mar

12

2021

By The African Mirror

Key nominations for the 2021 Grammy Awards

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE Grammy Awards, the highest honors in the music industry, will be handed out at a ceremony on Sunday, broadcast on CBS television and hosted by Trevor Noah. Following is a list of nominations in key categories. ALBUM OF THE YEAR "Chilombo" — Jhené Aiko "Black Pumas" (Deluxe Edition) — Black Pumas "Everyday Life" — Coldplay "Djesse Vol. 3" — Jacob Collier "Women In Music Pt. III" — Haim "Future Nostalgia" — Dua Lipa "Hollywood's Bleeding" — Post Malone "Folklore" — Taylor Swift RECORD OF THE YEAR "Black Parade" — Beyoncé "Colors" — Black Pumas "Rockstar" — DaBaby featuring Roddy…

Mar

10

2021

By The African Mirror

Cardi B first female rapper to be certified diamond

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER BRONX rapper Cardi B continues to ride through 2021 on a high - her popular single Bodak Yellow has received the highest RIAA certification of diamond. The rapper learned of her song’s new certification while rehearsing for her performance at the Grammy Awards, tweeting her excitement in a video over the news with the caption: “You guys are going to be so happy. I’m soo happy!!!”. https://twitter.com/iamcardib/status/1369169861696364545?s=20 Cardi B’s ‘Bodak Yellow’ was released in 2017 and was not only the single that pushed Cardi B into the mainstream spotlight, but it was one of her singles to…

Mar

09

2021

By The African Mirror

Erica Nlewedim: from Big Brother to big glam

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER ERICA Ngozi Nlewedim has quickly risen to the top of Nigeria’s elite celebrity culture after her appearance in Big Brother Nigeria (BB Naija) - becoming Nigeria’s favourite socialite. The Abia state native entered the Big Brother competition in 2019 with the expectation to win, but Nlewedim ended up being disqualified from the competition. However, her dramatic exit did not stop her growing fanbase and popularity - the former contestant grew to become a popular influencer across West Africa, and fans began to love her more not just for her authentic personality but also for her sophisticated sense…

Mar

05

2021

By The African Mirror

K-pop stars BTS named IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

K-POP sensation BTS, whose catchy, upbeat songs have won legions of fans around the world, have scooped the 2020 Global Recording Artist of the Year Award from IFPI, the recorded music industry representative body said yesterday. The seven-member group had a hugely successful 2020, becoming the first Korean pop act to reach no.1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, with English-language single "Dynamite", and securing its first major Grammy nomination. The band, who debuted in 2013 and have fronted the K-Pop drive in the United States in recent years, were also named entertainer of the year by Time…

Mar

23

2021

By The African Mirror

Siya and Rachel Kolisi recreate their wedding photo

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African rugby captain Siya Kolisi had fans swooning and cheering with his and Rachel Kolisi’s message of love. Kolisi posted an image on Instagram of the couple posing in front of a warehouse and recreating their kiss from their wedding ceremony four years ago. The couple married in Cape Town when Kolisi was still playing for the Stormers. He captioned the romantic image: “I do Again and Again! You may kiss the bride @thatcapetownkid @fombrand." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Siya Kolisi (@siya_kolisi_the_bear) His fans quickly took to the comment to share…

Mar

24

2021

By The African Mirror

Why Grammy win marks ‘big moment’ for African music

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ALEXIS AKWAGYIRAM and ANGELA UKOMADU MODERN African music is altering perceptions of the continent as part of a global cultural shift that marks a "big moment", Nigerian music artist Burna Boy told Reuters after hailing his first Grammy award. Burna Boy was awarded a Grammy for the Best Global Music Album this month for 'Twice As Tall' which was released last year. He is part of a generation of Nigerian music artists, which include Wizkid and Davido, that has enjoyed global success in recent years as proponents of the Afrobeats sound. The African genre is now almost as likely to…

Mar

31

2021

By The African Mirror

Usher’s moves to amapiano drives fans crazy

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER USHER has lit up social media with his crazy dance moves to amapiano. The 'Yeah' singer went viral on Twitter and Instagram when South African fans noticed that the singer’s post on Instagram featured a popular amapiano song called ‘Sponono’ by DJs Kabza De Small and Maphorisa. The video showed Usher dressed in a vibrant Versace outfit while dancing to ‘Sponono’ for a magazine shoot for European fashion magazine L’Officiel Hommes Italia. Amapiano is a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterized by high-pitched piano melodies, percussions, Kwaito bassline and low tempo 90s South African…

Mar

26

2021

By The African Mirror

Artist tackles politics, pandemic with paint

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

NELLIE PEYTON and NGOUDA DIONE WHEN Senegal erupted in violent protests this month over perceived injustice and inequality, artist Omar Ba was tackling the issues in his own way, with paint on canvas. "What the youth are doing in the streets is the same thing I'm doing in my studio," said Ba, stepping in black paint and making footprints on a new canvas in his airy workspace outside the capital, Dakar. Ba, one of Senegal's best-known contemporary artists, has often used his art to make political statements. A current exhibit at the Galerie Templon in Brussels, 'Anomalies', critiques power-hungry leaders…

Jul

18

2020

By The African Mirror

Linton Kwesi Johnson gave poetry back to the people

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

PERCY ZVOMUYA The dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, this year’s recipient of the PEN Pinter Prize, is the third consecutive black winner of the gong instituted in memory of Nobel-winning playwright Harold Pinter. Johnson, popularly known as LKJ, follows in the wake of British poet Lemn Sissay (2019) and Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2018). It’s no exaggeration that LKJ, who went to Britain from Jamaica at the age of 11 to follow his mother, part of the Windrush generation, did more than most to make black “cool” in Britain and beyond. In his music and poetry, he not only…