LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Jun

29

2021

Lil Nas X’s onstage kiss earns massive praise

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO US rapper Lil Nas X made fans’ jaws drop with his onstage performance where he kissed a male dancer. In a Michael Jackson ‘Remember The Time’-inspired performance for his homoerotic hit “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” at the 2021 edition of the Black Entertainment Awards (BET), ending it by passionately kissing one of his male backup dancers. https://twitter.com/BET/status/1409337682392752132?s=20 Instead of the expected mass scorn on social media, Nas’ performance was met with major praise, with big names in the hip-hop industry like Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs expressing said support on Twitter. Combs tweeted: “Lil Nas X did that!!…

Jun

28

2021

By The African Mirror

Cardi B reveals pregnancy no.2

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER RAPPERS Cardi B and Offset are expecting again. Cardi B made the announcement during her featured performance with her husband and his group Migos’ on stage at the Black Entertainment Awards (BET). The rapper wore a black jeweled jumpsuit with the crystals designed to surround her swollen belly as the rapper performed. Cardi B at the 2020 BET Awards. Picture: Twitter The announcement during a live show makes it the second time that Cardi has announced her pregnancy to the world. While expecting the couple’s first child, Kulture, Cardi made the announcement while performing on US comedy…

Apr

16

2021

By The African Mirror

Dua Lipa, the new face of Puma present the Mayze sneaker

BEAUTY AND FASHION

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER POP singer Dua Lipa is rocking a new pair of Pumas. Puma released their first campaign for their Mayze sneaker, featuring Dua Lipa as the bold, trendy face of the sneaker. Wearing black and white track jacket over a multi-coloured bralette and fishnets, Dua Lipa is photographed by Mario Sorrenti in the newly-released sneakers - a pair designed in the classic silhouette of Pumas’ casual sneaker range. The Mayze is designed with a stacked sole (higher than normal) with a leather upper that highlights Puma's instantly recognisable design. Picture by: Supplied/Mario Sorrenti. “The Mayze is the perfect…

Apr

22

2021

By The African Mirror

Ethiopia’s Liya Kebede collaborates with H&M

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO LIYA Kebede’s label Lemlem is releasing a capsule collection with H&M. The Swedish retail giant announced that the collection between them and Lemlem would feature a range of easy to wear shorts, tops, caftans, sundresses, trousers, cover-ups and colourful swimwear in Lemlem’s signature pastel hues. The collection will also feature handmade jewellery that will be the first ever hand-crafted jewellery to be sold in H&M. Only select stores will stock the collection across Europe, Africa, North America and Oceania. In an interview, Kebede tells Harper's Bazaar: “What’s exciting about partnering with H&M is the way that they reach…

Jun

24

2021

By The African Mirror

The woman redefining African dance

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

TATENDA KANENGONI CLASSICAL ballet instructor Soukaina Marie-Laure Edom is determined to give women space at the heart of African dance. Since 2014 she has run the only institute offering professional dance training in Zimbabwe, and her work is beginning to have a profound effect on dance right across the continent. AfriKera Dance Theatre Hub is situated in the very heart of Harare, a throbbing nexus of sound and energy. From soft classical ballet melodies to rhythmic African drums, sound pours out in a steady stream and there is seldom a moment when dance students are not utilising the space to…

May

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Book Review | Cuddling men and tailoring scissors

LITERATURE

MEGAN ROSS THE Madhouse is a work of dazzling complexity, a pan-African tribute to art and artists alike that explores the strange lives of a family of four. Setting the novel against the political uncertainty of Nigeria in the 1980s and 1990s, author TJ Benson takes his readers on a hallucinatory journey spanning decades and time zones with the titular character – an old asylum-cum-family home – as a portal into the secrets, dreams and yearnings of brothers André and Macmillan, and their parents Sweet Mother and Sharriff. The Madhouse calls to mind the energy of Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things and…

May

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Lady Gaga, Glenn Close join Prince Harry and Oprah for mental health TV series

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

BRITAIN's Prince Harry and U.S. chat show queen Oprah Winfrey will premiere their television documentary series on mental health issues later this month, with singer Lady Gaga and actress Glenn Close among those contributing. "The Me You Can't See" series, co-created and produced by Harry and Winfrey, will feature stories from high-profile guests and others across the world about mental health and emotional well-being issues, Apple TV+, the streaming service which will air the programmes from May 21, said on Monday. Winfrey said the series aimed to spark a global conversation, and replace the shame surrounding mental health with wisdom…

Jun

23

2021

By The African Mirror

Senegal’s famed jazz festival returns after pandemic delay

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

COOPER INVEEN ON a small island where the Senegal River meets the sea, hundreds of mask-wearing jazz enthusiasts listened to French-Senegalese vocalist Awa Ly sing the blues for uncertain times. "Once you touched the sky and you went down," she crooned. "Use your inner senses and you'll figure it out, like a dream you can't remember." Last year COVID-19 halted Saint Louis' jazz festival for the first time in its 29-year history. This year it was back, bringing much needed life to the Island of Saint Louis, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its colonial architecture and pastel-coloured houses.…

Jun

23

2021

By The African Mirror

Usain Bolt and Kasi Bennett welcome twin boys

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO OLYMPIC runner Usain Bolt and partner Kasi Bennett have welcomed two new members to the family, elevating their eldest daughter, Olympia Bolt’s, role to big sister. Bolt celebrated Father’s Day with a post on Instagram where he shared the news with a photo of his family from a photo shoot, including their one-year-old daughter, and first glimpses of their newborn twins named Saint Leo and Thunder. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Usain St.Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) His partner, Bennett, posted her own tribute to the Olympic sprinter, sharing more footage from their family photoshoot, calling…

Jun

23

2021

By The African Mirror

Telfar official designer for Liberia Olympic team

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO LIBERIA’S Emmanuel Matadi stands tall atop a hill as he waves a customised Liberian flag with the Telfar logo in blue, donning the official kit for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Telfar founder and designer Telfar Clemens announced that Telfar had collaborated as the official designer for the Olympic team heading to Tokyo in July, designing all the kits for the athletes in their various codes. The New York Times reported that the design on the unisex kits would feature a blue and white colourway, a star across the side of the chest and the Olympics logo on the…