Our London massive is already up on this online mag dedicated to black arts and culture started by Alice Gbelia, a sister originally from Cote d’Ivoire. She calls it the “black Time Out.” “We pick the events we list, and favour “conscious” events that give a positive image of Africa, the Caribbean and the diaspora. We are not “urban” (I hate that word). We also have features and film, music [...]
Masauko from Blk Sonshine put us on to this new South African emcee. Introducing Kgotso Semela aka Ben Sharpa. [youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RWQ8_L97MbQ] Afripop! definitely cosigns on the talents of Ben Sharpa. Stay tuned for an interview…
Tumi and the Volume do London In their near-decade long existence Tumi and the Volume have maintained their reputation in South Africa as the most travelled band of their generation with just two albums to their credit – 2004′s Live at the Bassline and their 2006 self-titled set. Much has been said about the condescending attitudes that daunt the world music circuit, but its followers remain faithful and its purveyors [...]
BETTER MAN Brian Temba takes on the R&B world with his secret weapon – South African soul The MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) launch this year at the Velodorome in Abuja, Nigeria on November 22nd. Sitting somewhat awkwardly amongst the more straight-forward categories like best male or best female or best Hip-hop even, is the one for Best R&B. P-Square, Akon, Loyiso, Rihanna and Alicia Keys are the contenders. Akon [...]
Zina Saro-Wiwa is a Nigerian-born, London-based filmmaker, writer and TV and radio presenter; “a typical African polymath,” she says. Zina, 32, describes her latest film This Is My Africa as a “50-minute crash course in African culture.” The film asks 20 people, black and white including actors Chiewetel Ejiofor and Colin Firth (who spent part of his childhood in Nigeria), what they love about the continent. This is my Africa [...]
Moikgantsi Kgama is the founder and director of Imagenation, a not-for-profit that presents pan-African cinema and live music to foster media equity, solidarity and cross-cultural exchange among people of color. She and husband Gregory Gates are currently developing an independent cinema in Harlem dedicated to filmmakers of color. Where are you from? I am a Diaspora child. My father is from Johannesburg, South Africa and my mother is African-American. I [...]
Brooklyn-based photographer Stanley Lumax, Jr was born in New Jersey to Ghanain parents. Photography had long been a childhood passion, but the idea of it as a career option only came after classes at his alma mater, Temple University. In 2007 Stanley visited Ghana where he shot his “Back to my Roots” series. “Ghana is my biggest inspiration,” he says. “I want my images to educate as well as open [...]
Kenyan filmmaker Sagwa Chabeda, 35, studied film and photography at Temple University in Philadelphia before returning back home to Kenya in 2002. Since his return he has produced films and music videos for artists in East Africa. In 2006, he produced a Formula X, a film about what would happen if the AIDS virus…well, lets not spoil the plot, check it out for yourself. Look out for Formula X in [...]
Ezra Mabengeza, 34, is a NYC-based photographer, actor and cultural activist. Born and raised in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, Ezra says he first picked up a camera “to create concise and everlasting histories of the real black experience.” We thought you ought to know a little more about this brother. Oh, and look out for Ez’ in Spike Lee’s newest flick, Miracle at Santa Anna. Where are [...]
Blending hip hop with a little African soul, South African-born, Tanzania-based singer Khethukubonga “Khethi” Ntshangase “afrosouljazz” sound brings to mind the soul stylings of Jill Scott, were she from the continent. Bringing her social activist toolbox along for the ride, Khethi sings songs of upliftment and awareness. We thought you oughta know… Age: 28 Where are you from? Originally from a “Sleepy Hollow” town called Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu Natal, South [...]
