LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Oct

21

2020

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

25

2020

By The African Mirror

Rapper Drake and Nike to release new festive apparel

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO DRAKE and Nike are set to release a new athleisure collection ahead of the festive season. The ‘Toosie Slide’ rapper teased the upcoming collection on Instagram but kept mum on what will be in the collection, as well as any designs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) According to sources familiar with the upcoming release, due on December 18, the capsule collection is only apparel - there will be no sneakers for this collection. The collection includes puffer jackets, hoodies, fleece pants, a track jacket, track pants, shirts, a hat and socks -…

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…

Nov

21

2020

By The African Mirror

Billboard names Cardi B as ‘Woman of the Year’

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Mpho Rantao MUSIC charts brand Billboard has named Cardi B as their Woman Of The Year for 2020. Billboard made the announcement on the 20th November, leading up to their 15th Annual Women in Music Event, where the Grammy-award winning rapper will receive her award alongside Icon Award-recipient Jennifer Lopez, singer Dua Lipa, R&B duo Chloe x Halle, and country star, Dolly Parton. Several music fans, and Cardi B herself, responded with mixed reactions to the news made by the famous brand, as some chirped on the rapper was not deserving of the award, but Cardi responded to those criticisms…

Nov

19

2020

By The African Mirror

Tributes for South Africa’s Queen of Kwaito music, Mshoza: 1983-2020

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER FANS of South African musicians Mshoza - real name Nomasonto Maswanganyi - have paid warm tributes to the musician who has passed away in a hospital in Gauteng. Mshoza (37) passed away at the Far East Rand Hospital after a short illness. Her fans took to social media where they posted tributes to the musician popularly known as Queen of Kwaito. The South African Musicians’ Rights Organisation said: Yet another loss to the music industry. It is with sadness that we acknowledge passing act of Kwaito star Nomasonto Maswanganyi, affectionately known as Mshoza.” Her manager Thanduxolo Jindela…

Nov

18

2020

By The African Mirror

The African Fashion International 2020 edition goes digital

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO THE 2020 edition of The African Fashion International’s (AFI) showcase has hit the digital sphere, with the showcases by African designers exploring their relationship with sustainable fashion in their collections. Under the theme, “Reset, Reimagine, Reinvent!”, the AFI’s selections were displayed via virtual shows due to the Covid-19 pandemic, giving viewers a front-row experience of some of Africa’s well-known, as well as up and coming designers with their latest collections inspired by the events of 2020 and the multi-faceted identities of South Africa. Instead of using catwalks or fashion studios, the collective’s brands made use of South Africa’s…

Nov

17

2020

By The African Mirror

Burberry launches ‘voices of tomorrow’ campaign with Marcus Rashford

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO BRITISH fashion giants Burberry, have decided to mix sports and fashion together for a good cause with the launch of their new campaign, in partnership with successful England and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford MBE. The fashion label the campaign was inspired by the youth in Britain and around the world and it is used to promote the ideas of dreaming big and being fearless in society. The inspiration by the youth for the brand is largely linked to the efforts of the 23 year-old football star, who has successfully petitioned the British government to supply poor children…

Oct

31

2020

By The African Mirror

Former James Bond actor Sean Connery dies aged 90 – British media

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SCOTTISH movie legend Sean Connery, who shot to international stardom as the suave, sexy and sophisticated British agent James Bond and went on to grace the silver screen for four decades, has died aged 90, the BBC and Sky News reported on Saturday. Connery was raised in near poverty in the slums of Edinburgh and worked as a coffin polisher, milkman and lifeguard before his bodybuilding hobby helped launch an acting career that made him one of the world's biggest stars. "The world's greatest Scot, the last of the real Hollywood stars, the definitive Bond," said Alex Salmond, Scotland's former…