LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Mar

14

2021

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

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…