ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT - The African Mirror

Feb

27

2021

The importance of remembering Kenyan artist Rosemary Karuga

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ANNE MWITI, Lecturer, Kenyatta University A vast chapter of the still mostly untold story of women’s art in Kenya starts with Rosemary Namuli Karuga. Karuga passed away on 9 February 2021 at the age of 93. She was one of the pioneers who made major contributions to contemporary art on the continent and is recognised as one of the finest East African artists of her generation. Karuga is known for her collage works depicting pastoral and domestic African scenes, commonly villagers and farmers and animals. They would go on to be shown internationally, but she only began to produce commercial…

Feb

26

2021

By The African Mirror

Vanessa Bryant slams Meek Mill over Kobe lyric

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER WIDOW of NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant has lashed out at American rapper Meek Mill for the use of Kobe’s name in his song, calling the rapper’s actions “extremely insensitive and disrespectful”. Meek Mill released his new single titled ‘Don’t Worry (RIP Kobe)’ where the rapper mentioned the way in which Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash. In the song, the rapper from Philadelphia said: “Yeah, and if I ever lack, I’m goin’ out with my chopper, it be another Kobe.” Vanessa Bryant voiced her anger on an Instagram story, writing: “Dear @meekmill, I find…

Feb

25

2021

By The African Mirror

Cardi B opens up to Mariah Carey

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER CARDI B has as many layers as an onion. She does not come off as someone who struggles with self-confidence judging by her large personality, daring fashion looks or her risqué covers, but she told Mariah Carey that it was a big factor in her going under the knife. The New York rapper sat down with the R&B queen of confidence Carey for her cover story in Interview magazine, speaking about her journey to superstardom, the insecurities that she faced growing up in the Bronx and “I’m Trini and I’m Dominican, and there’s a lot of Dominicans…

Jul

22

2021

By The African Mirror

Megan Thee Stallion brings hot girl summer to Sports Illustrated

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO MEGAN Thee Stallion has brought her famous ‘Hot Girl Summer’ energy as the cover star for Sports Illustrated (SI). The Texan rapper was unveiled as one of the cover stars for the annual SI Swimsuit issue, along with transgender model Leyna Bloom and Tennis champion Naomi Osaka. All three women appearing on the cover is a historic feat, with Osaka as the first female black athlete; Haitian and Japanese woman; Bloom being the first transgender model of colour, and Megan Thee Stallion being the first rapper. Previous cover stars of the swimsuit issue include Beyonce, model Tyra Banks,…

Feb

23

2021

By The African Mirror

Not one more time: Dance music duo Daft Punk split

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

FRENCH electronic music band Daft Punk have announced they are splitting up, industry title Variety quoted their publicist as saying on Monday, ending a 28-year collaboration that spawned dance hits including "Around the World" and "One More Time." The group, known for performing while dressed as robots in metallic helmets, posted a video on YouTube entitled "Epilogue," with an image that flashed on screen bearing the dates 1993-2021. Variety quoted their publicist, Kathryn Frazier, as saying they had split, but without providing details. Frazier's firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Daft Punk were a duo of…

Feb

23

2021

By The African Mirror

The Elsa Majimbo, Valentino collaboration

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOCIAL Star Elsa Majimbo has secured another “bag”, this time with top Italian brand Valentino. Valentino announced on Twitter that they were to collaborate on a ‘special project’ with Majimbo and that the details on the collection would be released soon. “Valentino is proud to announce a special project with writer, actor and comedian Elsa Majimbo (@ElsaAngel19), culminating into a soon-to-be-released collaboration,” the fashion house announced on its social pages. The 19 year-old comedian took to her own social pages to announce the news. “I am SO proud and excited to announce my entry into high fashion…

Feb

22

2021

By The African Mirror

The South African play that’s tackling the scourge of the street drug whoonga

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE drug whoonga has plagued South African communities for at least a decade, yet only gained significant public attention when it appeared more visibly in the inner-city and surrounding suburbs of Durban, the major city in the country’s KwaZulu-Natal province. DYLAN MCGARRY, Senior Researcher in Educational Sociology at the Environmental Learning Research Centre, Rhodes University Also known as nyaope, whoonga is a street concoction of B-grade heroin, rat-poison (strychnine) and various other chemical components. It’s most commonly sprinkled into a hand-rolled cigarette and is easily accessible and sold more cheaply than other street drugs. Withdrawal, known as “arosta”, is reported…

Jul

17

2021

By The African Mirror

Celebrating African Comedians

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

IRENE WANJIRU THEY say 'laughter is the best medicine but if you laugh for no reason, then you need medicine!' Comedians in Africa have tickled millions with their jokes, building a niche for themselves, with some becoming overnight celebrity millionaires. Among them are a growing number of rib-cracking women... The face of comedy is changing in Africa. Populations in a majority of African countries are proud of their national comedians, whether they are on TV, radio or online. ore and more people are earning a living from it. Satirical puppet and cartoon shows have broken new ground and significantly, more…

Jul

15

2021

By The African Mirror

Who’s hot: Santrinos Raphaël, “gem of Togolese RnB”

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AMET BAO THE darling of Togolese youth audiences may not be well known internationally but this artist is young enough that he can happily wait for that fame to come. Certainly, regional recognition has already come the way of the 21 years young West African. His name? Santrinos Raphaël. For Santrinos Raphaël, it all started with the 2018 hit, “Engagement” which allowed him to make a remarkable entry into the world of Togolese showbiz. With more than 905,000 views on YouTube, the song has been instrumental in the career of the young crooner. It won him a number of trophies…

Jul

10

2021

By The African Mirror

Set in Chad, Cannes film ‘Lingui’ explores abortion struggles

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE director behind "Lingui", a Cannes Film Festival entry about a teenager's battle in Chad to get an abortion, said he hoped the story would resonate well beyond the African country, including in places like the United States where there are vocal anti-abortion movements. Mahamet-Saleh Haroun said he was inspired to explore the issue after reading stories about babies abandoned or killed by their young mothers in Chad, where abortion is only allowed in specific cases where a woman's life is in danger. "Speaking to women, it turns out that these are struggles they have been going through for so…