ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT - The African Mirror

Mar

16

2021

Oscar nominations met with surprise, gratitude, disbelief

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

NOMINATIONS were announced on Monday for the Academy Awards, the highest film honors. The awards will be presented on April 25. Following are reactions from key nominees, in statements or posted on social media: GARY OLDMAN, NOMINEE FOR BEST ACTOR FOR 'MANK' "After such a stressed pandemic year, there is a kind of comfort and reassurance in knowing that we soldier on in many ways with important traditions. In our industry there is nothing more traditional than the Academy Awards, which hopefully sends a sign of hope that we will get out of this. ... Not to trivialize the current…

Mar

15

2021

By The African Mirror

Kenyan gospel and Nigerian Hausa songs win streaming service Mdundo new users

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

EDWIN WAITA WHEN Danish national Martin Nielsen moved to Kenya to work with a venture capital firm, he quickly switched gears after spotting an opportunity in streaming music and selling downloads. Fast forward eight years and the Kenya-based company he co-founded and now leads, Mdundo, is listed on the Danish stock market and is posting rapid growth in users in the African markets it serves. Africa has been attracting international audio streaming firms like Sweden's Spotify and Apple Music, keen on capitalising on growing internet users and rising demand for legal content. "The market is getting bigger," Nielsen told Reuters.…

Mar

14

2021

By The African Mirror

Album Review | Emeka Ogboh’s sounds of Lagos

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

LLOYD GEDYE THE artist has released a debut album after more than a decade of sound installations, incorporating his recordings from the streets of the Nigerian city into his new work. At the end of last year, 200 missing posters were dotted around the German city of Dresden. However, they weren’t for a missing person but for the Benin Bronzes. The city’s Museum für Völkerkunde holds five pieces from the former royal palace of Benin, which British soldiers looted in 1897, and the missing posters were the work of Nigerian sound and visual artist Emeka Ogboh. In an interview with the ArtNet…

Mar

13

2021

By The African Mirror

Why Indian films are popular in Ghana — and have been for decades

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

OVER the past ten years, Indian television series have become a feature in many households across Ghana as they’ve become available on cable and satellite channels. KATIE YOUNG, Post Doctoral Researcher, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick Indian television series, including romantic dramas (such as Til the End of Time) and historical dramas (such as Razia Sultan), have gained popularity. One show loosely based on Jane Austen’s classic novel Sense and Sensibility called Kumkum Bhagya has even been dubbed in Twi, an Akan language spoken in southern and central Ghana. Based on the success of the show, the stars of…

Mar

12

2021

By The African Mirror

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…