ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT - The African Mirror

Feb

04

2021

Hip hop and Pan Africanism: from Blitz the Ambassador to Beyoncé

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

HIP hop is many things. Most recently is has become more of commodity, a commercial venture, but it has always been and remains a global culture that represents local realities. It speaks about where one is from – through rap lyrics, DJing, graffiti or breakdancing – by incorporating local slang, references, neighbourhood tales, sounds and styles. MSIA KIBONA CLARK, Associate professor, Howard University Hip hop emerged in the 1970s in the South Bronx, in New York City in the US, among young, working class African Americans as well as Caribbean and Latino immigrants. Hip hop culture’s connection to African musical…

Sep

02

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigerian-born Tunji Balogun named Def Jam CEO & chairman

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER MUSIC Executive Tunji Balogun has a new title under his name. Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced that the media executive will be moving to the top role at Def Jam Recordings, the massively successful US recording label known for being the home to Jay-Z, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and many more. "I grew up on Def Jam's music – collecting, listening to and studying their albums and singles – those early moments as a young fan have had a lasting influence on who I am today," Balogun said. Balogun is currently the Executive Vice President of A&R…

Feb

03

2021

By The African Mirror

Disney takes Black Panther to TV

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO MARVEL’S Black Panther is coming to your TV. Entertainment company Walt Disney Co. has announced that director Ryan Coogler is developing a TV series based on Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’, set in the technologically-advanced nation of Wakanda, to be shown on the company’s streaming site Disney+. The series by Disney forms part of a five-year television deal that was struck between Disney and Coogler’s production company Proximity Media. Coogler said their work with Disney will go way beyond the Wakanda series. “We’re already in the mic on some projects that we can’t wait to share,” he said. “Ryan Coogler…

Sep

01

2021

By The African Mirror

15 million African viewers to stream movies online

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SETH ONYANGO, BIRD THE number of streaming subscribers in Africa is expected to jump nearly 200 per cent to 15 million by 2026, according to new estimates, as the pandemic forces Africans to look for entertainment at home. Movie streaming services are projected to rack up millions of subscribers in Africa as the raging COVID-19 pandemic changes the entertainment habits of most Africans. New estimates show subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) on the continent will jump 194.72 per cent to 15.06 million in 2026, up from 5.11 million expected in 2021. According to Digital TV Research, the threefold increase indicates the nascent market…

Feb

06

2021

By The African Mirror

Cardi B dazzles with visuals for new single ‘Up’

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO CARDI B is back with a new single titled ‘Up’ and the recently premiered music video visuals are to die for. The New York rapper teased fans with the cover art for her new single during the week, her most recent since the release of her chart-topping 2020 single ‘WAP’ which featured rapper Megan Thee Stallion, and was certified Gold by RIAA seven days after its release. The video for Cardi’s new single ‘Up’ shows that budget was not an issue with her singer delivering her catchy bars in gorgeous attires like her black crystal-adorned corset fitted with…

Feb

05

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s Pearl Thusi to star in Netflix’s ‘Wu Assassins’

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER TOP South African actress, radio presenter and model Pearl Thusi is to star in Netflix’s martial arts series ‘Wu Assassins’. ‘Wu Assassins’ is an American supernatural series about a young Chinatown chef named Kai Jin (played by Iko Uwais) in present-day San Francisco, who learns that he comes from a line of ancient assassins, and uses his enhanced martial arts skills to stop modern day criminals from reeking havoc around the world. Picture: Twitter The action series features emerging and known faces in the cast including Tommy Flanagan (from Sons of Anarchy), Byron Mann, legendary actor Tzi…

Feb

12

2021

By The African Mirror

GQ celebrates “Modern Love”

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO GQ Magazine is celebrating a new age of love. The American magazine’s March edition spotlights the relationships of singer Ciara and NFL footballer Russell Wilson, Tennis champion Naomi Osaka and rapper Cordae, and sports power couple FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe and WNBA champion Sue Bird. Titled “Modern Love”, the March issue is “an exploration of the many forms and facets of love today.” “For the three print covers of this special project, we turned to three couples who are setting exciting examples for what love can look like in 2021 (and beyond).” Each feature tells…

Feb

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigerian artist creates rotting exhibit as coronavirus warning

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SEUN SANNI NIGERIAN artist Olufela Omokeko carefully arranges fresh peppers on wooden boards hanging in a bare room. Instead of providing spice in a meal, he wants them to encourage people to obey measures that will stop the spread of the coronavirus. His pieces, comprising of red, yellow and green peppers mounted on boards and tomatoes hanging from nets, will rot during the lifespan of the exhibition in Lagos. The decay reflects the food wasted during lockdowns last year, said the 30-year-old artist. "I created this art space as a reflection of the scarcity... and numerous challenges that we experienced…

Feb

11

2021

By The African Mirror

First look: actress Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana for new biopic

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO PRINCESS DIANA - celebrated worlwide as the real queen of hearts - is heading for our screens. Her life is a major feature in a new biographical film on the British Royal family. American actress Kristen Stewart has been cast to play the late Welsh Princess Diana in a film titled Spencer. Images released to the public show Stewart with an uncanny resemblance portraying the late Princess in a red blazer and a black hat with a veil, with the Princess’ classic blonde feathered bob. https://twitter.com/neonrated/status/1354428951842721793?s=20 The story of Spencer, written by Steven Knight and directed by Pablo…

Aug

03

2021

By The African Mirror

Afrobeat and a growing sense of unity

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SETH ONYANGO, BIRD NEWSROOM WITH the rise of Afrobeat and Amapiano, African pop stars are penetrating the global music scene and changing how the continent’s music is perceived and consumed. Significantly, they are also bringing a sense of unity to the continent. Africa’s rich terrain of musical styles is laden with fascinating genres such as Taarab, Genge, Ndombolo, Rhumba, Bongo, Benga, Kwaito, Amapiano, and Afrobeat. Over the past decade or so, the continent’s music landscape has changed dramatically, with new fusions blended into existing genres to create a magical and unique cocktail. As the music changes so do dance routines,…