ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT - The African Mirror

Nov

13

2020

Beyoncè on 2020 her year of joy: “This is the most relaxed I’ve felt in my career”

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO R&B sensation Beyoncé made headlines as the cover model for Vogue UK’s December edition, creating three different covers for next month’s edition of the magazine. Shot by British Vogue’s youngest photographer Kennedi Carter, and interviewed by the magazine’s editor, Edward Enninful, Beyoncé details her life post-her Homecoming performance and post-Black Is King, the visual film that was a tribute to her Lion King: The Gift album. Enninful described the singer as a perfectionist to the core, a Virgo in the true sense, adding that the singer wanted her Vogue moment to be, “filled with positivity as this trickiest…

Nov

13

2020

By The African Mirror

Cardi B apologises for disrespecting Hindu Goddess Durga

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO NEW York rapper Cardi B has apologised for offending millions of Hindus across the world by making use of the image of a Goddess Durga in a recent photoshoot. In the offensive image, Cardi B is depicted as the Hindi Goddess Durga, posing with some footwear from her new ‘Club C’ collection with Reebok, set to be released on November 13. The cover by Footwear News. Picture: Instagram/footwearnews The ‘Bodak Yellow’ singer took part in the shoot for her cover spread for Footwear News, where she spoke about her latest collaboration, her life under lockdown and her music. …

Nov

11

2020

By The African Mirror

Lupita Nyong’o produced ‘Americanah’ adaptation scrapped by HBO Max

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO AFTER news of a series adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah coming to television screens hit social media in 2019, HBO Max has announced that they have scrapped the project. The news comes after the announcement by Variety that one of the show’s producers, Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o was forced to leave the project due to conflicting schedules and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Americanah novel by Ngozi Adichie tells the tale of a young Nigerian woman named Ifemelu, who immigrated to the United States to attend university before her subsequent return to the Nigerian capital of Lagos…

Nov

10

2020

By The African Mirror

Kenya’s social star Elsa Majimbo wins at E! People’s Choice Awards

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO VIRAL sensation Elsa Majimbo has bagged her first international award as a comedian - and it’s all thanks to her many fans across the globe. Majimbo was awarded the ‘African Social Star of 2020 at E!’s People’s Choice Awards, which were held virtually in the United States. She beat out Nigerian vlogger Dimma Umeh and Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa, who were placed in second and third place respectively. Fans and social media users worldwide were encouraged in the month of October to vote for their favourite stars in over 40 categories across pop culture, music,…

Nov

09

2020

By The African Mirror

#Jerusalema hitmaker wins Best African Act at the 2020 MTV EMAs

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African history and trendsetting musician MasterKG - whose hit Jerusalema attracted over 150-million views - has notched another prestigious award. MasterKG and his fans are celebrating after he won the coveted Best African Act at the 2020 MTV EMAs. The hitmaker is over the moon after his latest achievement. In a recorded speech, an excited MasterKG thanked his fans and supporters who helped propel Jerusalema to dizzy heights. “I would love to thank my sister Nomcebo, my team Open Mic Productions and everyone who supported MasterKG. Thank you so much. To all my fans all over…

Oct

17

2020

By The African Mirror

New African-made films challenge Hollywood stereotypes

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

NAZANINE MOSHIRI and ANGELA UKOMADU PRODUCERS of two African-made films premiering on Netflix this month believe their work will show there's subscriber appetite for movies that go deeper than the Hollywood stereotypes that often make African viewers groan. Subscribers to the world's largest streaming service can now watch Poacher, a Kenyan drama about elephant poaching and Òlòtūré, a Nigerian thriller about a journalist whose world falls apart after she goes undercover as a sex worker. The films avoid the simplistic portrayals that viewers in Africa often resent, the producers say. Netflix has begun screening more content produced in Africa, and…

Oct

21

2020

By The African Mirror

Netflix turns to telecoms tie-ups in challenging African markets

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

DUNCAN MIRIRI NETFLIX Inc is showing more African-made content and working with telecoms operators to make it easier for potential subscribers to make payments, a senior executive told Reuters ahead of its third-quarter results on Tuesday. The online content streaming giant, which has 193 million subscribers globally, is keen to expand in Africa and is seeking ways to overcome challenges including slow and expensive internet and the lack of proper payments infrastructure in the 55-nation continent. "Given the low credit card penetration across the continent ... we have partnered with local telcos ... for their customers to be able to…

Nov

25

2020

By The African Mirror

Trevor Noah announced as host for 63rd Grammy Awards

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO SOUTH African comedian and Daily Show host Trevor Noah has been announced as the host for the upcoming 63rd Grammy Awards in 2021. The Recording Academy made the announcement on Tuesday ahead of the 63rd Grammy nomination announcements for the upcoming award show. Noah is the first South African to host the Grammy Awards, and will work with The Late Late Show's Ben Winston, who was announced as the producer. “Despite the fact that I am extremely disappointed that the GRAMMYs have refused to have me sing or be nominated for Best Pop Album, I am thrilled to…

Nov

24

2020

By The African Mirror

Video vixens and cash: how Nigerian hip hop music objectifies women

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MUSIC is a reflection of the society within which it is produced. As a music genre, hip hop has not only gone global, it has taken up the shape of every society where it has found a home. Rap music has many positives, but elements of the culture glorify crime, materialism, violence, drugs and misogyny. Prejudice against women and objectification of them is common in many hip hop songs. PAUL ONANUGA, Lecturer, Federal University, Oye Ekiti According to academic thought, too, hip hop is rife with sexist and misogynistic attitudes towards women. It is also believed that these are patriarchal…

Nov

23

2020

By The African Mirror

Yemi Alade’s new album ‘Empress’ displays her growing prowess in Afro-pop

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO NIGERIA’S Yemi Alade has made a name for herself since her successful single ‘Johnny’ went worldwide after its release in 2013. Since then, the singer has amassed quite the musical resume, including collaborations with other African stars like Mr Eazi, Angelique Kidjo, Sauti Sol, P-Square, and international stars like US’ rapper Rick Ross and Beyoncé. Her latest offering, ‘Empress’ is a record that speaks to the energy of empowerment that has been flowing through the African and diaspora communities across the world. Yemi Alade’s new offering ‘Empress’. Picture: Instagram/YemiAlade The fifth album contains a mix of features that…