LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Mar

10

2021

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

10

2021

By The African Mirror

Blackpink’s Jisoo is Dior’s new global ambassador

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO SOUTH Korean pop star Kim Ji-soo, better known to Blackpink fans mononymously as Jisoo, has been announced as the first-ever Asian ambassador for Italian luxury brand Dior. Jisoo was announced as the new face of beauty and fashion for Dior in March, marking another big step in popular fashion brands collaborating with Asian stars as global or campaign ambassadors. The announcement was made on the fashion house’s Instagram page, alongside photos of the K-pop style star wearing a number of Dior looks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dior Official (@dior) Dior stated that Jisoo…

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

09

2021

By The African Mirror

Dolce & Gabbana file lawsuit for defamation

BEAUTY AND FASHION

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER IT looks as though Dolce & Gabbana’s controversial 2018 #DGLovesChina campaign has not closed its chapter, four years on. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana filed a lawsuit of defamation in 2019 against industry watchdog Diet Prada in a civil court in Italy, accusing the account of hampering their revenue and other opportunities related to the campaign and fashion show through their reporting. The defamation suit demands damages to the tune of 3 million for the Dolce & Gabbana brand and another 1 million for Stefano Gabbana himself. The reporting on the account was done by Tony Liu…

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

05

2021

By The African Mirror

Learning from the story of pioneering South African writer Sindiwe Magona

LITERATURE

PULENG SEGALO, Professor of Psychology, University of South Africa THE African proverb, “Until the lion can tell its own story, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter,” speaks to the importance of telling one’s own stories. For a long time, African stories and realities were told by colonisers in ways that painted a picture of Africa as backward and uncivilised. It is for this reason that many literary scholars tell the story of colonialism and apartheid through personal autobiographies. One such scholar is Sindiwe Magona. Magona has published over a dozen books for adults, from critically acclaimed…

Mar

25

2021

By The African Mirror

Thebe Magugu featured at NYC’s MET Museum

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO THEBE Magugu’s success continues to shine in the global fashion spotlight. The South African fashion designer announced on his Instagram that one of his pieces, ‘Girl Seeks Girl‘ from his Autumn/Winter ‘18 HOME ECONOMICS collection, had been selected to be displayed in New York City. Magugu made history with one of his fashion pieces being acquired by the prestigious Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (Commonly known as The MET). The award-winning designer explained in his post that ‘Girl Seeks Girl’ was a collaborative piece created by him and artist Phathu Nembwili, who…

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

Lukhanyo Mdingi semi-finalist for LVMH 2021

BEAUTY AND FASHION

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER LVMH have shortlisted another South African designer for their 2021 award for a third straight year. Lukhanyo Mdingi has been named as a semi-finalist for the prestigious 2021 fashion prize that has assisted many successful fashion designers to create longevity brands that are worn across the world, including Jaquemus; Virgil Abloh, Grace Wales Bonner and Kozaburo Akasaka. Previous winners of the LVMH prize from South Africa include 2019 winner Thebe Magugu, and 2020 winner Sindiso Khumalo, who shared the award with seven other designers from across the world. Previous winners Thebe Magugu (left) and Sindiso Khumalo (right).…