LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Jan

22

2021

Black coffee scores 100 million streams on yet-to-be-released album

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO SOUTH African house DJ Black Coffee has achieved another milestone in his career, another 100 million streams worldwide for his album ‘Subconsciously’. The surprising detail with this announcement is that the album will only be released on February 5th. The ‘Subconsciously’ album has nine out of twelve tracks currently available to the public on streaming sites such as Apple Music and Spotify, which features artists Msaki, Sabrina Claudio, RY X, Usher, Sun El Musician, Elderbrook, Pharrell Williams and Maxine Ashley. Black Coffee took to Twitter to share his excitement over the news and thank his fans for continuing…

Jan

22

2021

By The African Mirror

Supermodel Halima Aden exits the fashion world

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO FASHION model Halima Aden has quit modelling and the fashion industry after realising that she felt “zero excitement” overseeing her face on magazine covers and felt as if she was losing her identity as a Muslim woman. Aden left the fashion world at the end of 2020 because she found it difficult to “see herself” on the covers of fashion magazines and felt that fashion was never for her. "I had zero excitement because I couldn't see myself. Do you know how mentally damaging that can be to be to somebody? When I'm supposed to feel happy and…

Sep

06

2021

By The African Mirror

Nina Stamper empowers with the languages of love

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO LOVE comes in many forms and it often desires one to share how they want to be loved and how they want to love their beloved - that’s where Nina Stamper comes in. A new-age singer and songwriter from Gugulethu, the home of some of the most world’s recognised jazz musicians (like Winston Mankunku Ngozi), in Cape Town, South Africa, Stamper sends the message of what women have gone through all in the name of love whether it be self-love or romance. A feel good song, Language of love, is as inspirational as it is soulful for those…

Jan

21

2021

By The African Mirror

Poet Amanda Gorman, 22, captures ‘bruised, but whole’ U.S. at Biden, Harris inauguration

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ANDREA SHALAL AMANDA Gorman, the youngest poet in U.S. history to mark the transition of presidential power, offered a hopeful vision for a deeply divided country on Wednesday with her poem "The Hill We Climb". Gorman, 22, a Los Angeles resident, joined the ranks of previous inaugural poets Robert Frost, Maya Angelou and Elizabeth Alexander, with a powerful performance at the swearing-in of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. "Being American is more than a pride we inherit. It's the past we step into and how we repair it," Gorman said, in a short poem that was greeted…

Jan

20

2021

By The African Mirror

Cyberbullying of Miss SA condemned

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO THE Miss South Africa organisation has condemned the personal attacks and bullying against the current holder Shudufhadzo Musida, who had been insulted and accused of “wasting time” on her photoshoots by social media users instead of focusing on more important things like her duties as Miss South Africa. The reigning pageant queen had posted an image of herself in a bikini swimsuit and bucket hat by the poolside. While there was an outpour of compliments for Musida, there were some Twitter users who saw her photoset as the Limpopo-native lacking on her duties as Miss SA. Miss SA…

Jan

20

2021

By The African Mirror

South African editors condemn Somizi

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has called for television personality and choreographer Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung to answer for his actions after doxxing two journalists this week. The entertainer was approached by a City Press journalist, who was requesting to communicate with him on the allegations that he was filing for divorce from his husband, Mohale Motaung. Somizi responded via text to the request saying, “Please make my year and write the story as I will sue the living hell out of you and your publication for this crap you are asking me….get your facts right or…

Sep

02

2021

By The African Mirror

Book predicts ANC’s last decade of political dominance in South Africa

LITERATURE

THE declining political dominance of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has increasingly attracted scholarly attention since 2009. Political analyst Ralph Mathekga’s new book, The ANC’s Last Decade: how the decline of the party will transform South Africa, is a welcome addition. CHRISTOPHER ISIKE, Professor of African Politics and International Relations , University of Pretoria The ANC’s electoral fortunes have steadily declined in the last three national elections; 2009 (65%), 2014 (62%) and 2019 (57.50%). But, since the 2016 local government elections saw the party lose some of its former strongholds, including four major metropolitan municipalities, the question has…

Feb

04

2021

By The African Mirror

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

Beyoncé preps fans for #IcyPark

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO MONTHS after dropping the second collection with Adidas for Ivy Park, R&B singer Beyoncé is back with more, thrilling fans with shots of her upcoming third drop with Adidas. Beyoncé’s athleisure brand teased their third drop, titled #IcyPark, by taking fans to the snow slopes with a collection inspired by winter wear, featuring the faces of model Hailey Bieber, rapper Gucci Mane, and fellow R&B singer Kaash Paige. The brand posted a teaser video on Instagram showing a collection of sneakers, logo-adorned faux-fur coats, and reflective jackets all against a gorgeous backdrop of snow-capped, wintry mountaintops that resembled…