The director and producer of the award winning Viva Riva, Djo Tunda Wa Munga and Steve Markovitz, are looking to produce six films based on modern African literature from different parts of the continent. Kenyan film-maker Wanuri Kahiu (above), of Pumzi fame will be directing the East African portion of the project. We’re very excited to see what the result will be. Via @Shadow and Act
Drake in Africa! Platinum selling rapper Drake tweeted on Wednesday that he was on his way to the motherland. “Leaving for Africa. Love.” No word of his final destination(s) but speculators say he is most likely headed to South Africa to join Lil Wayne’s world tour. Be on the lookout y’all for a Drake sighting in your country. It’ll probably become a line in his next album.
Ugandan-born Michael Kiwanuka made the cut of BBC’s annual Sound of 2012 long-list earlier this week. The annual poll is voted for by over 160 music journalists, commentators and taste-makers, and was won last year by Jessie J. It has been won in previous years by Ellie Goulding, Little Boots and Adele. The winning act and a top five will be announced early in January.
Last week, the Senegalese great, Youssou N’Dour announced he would be putting his music career on hold to enter the Senegalese political arena. Specifics on how much and in what form he will be involved have not been revealed but the Senegalese election takes place February 2012. Via the Guardian
Time to get your shop on! This week Morocco debuted the Morocco Mall, the biggest in Africa and the fifth largest in the world. The Moroccans marked the lavish occasion with a performance by J.LO who was also the shopping center’s first customer. The sprawling “megamall”, which sits on 250 acres, aims to attract 14 million visitors a year and become one of Africa’s top tourist destinations. Via AFP
