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K'Naan to U.S. Presidential Candidate, Mitt Romney: 'Don't Play My Song'

Its usually a musicians dream to have their song played during a major event like a presidential campaign. The logic: more exposure means, well, more exposure. But Somali rapper K’Naan isn’t too pleased U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney has taken to playing his “Wavin’ Flag” at campaign stops. So unimpressed was K’Naan that he issued a statement, making clear who he’s supporting this campaign season: “I have not been asked [...]

 

 

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Can Thandie Newton Play an Igbo Woman?

No sooner had the announcement been made that the film adaptation of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s award-winning novel Half Of A Yellow Sun was to star Thandie Newton, than a petition rang out. By now many people, mostly of Igbo or other Nigerian origin, have complained that the casting of Thandie Newton as the book’s Igbo female protagonist Olanna, is a slight they are not willing to suffer. The [...]

 

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Joelle Kayembe Is The New Face of Trace

Joelle Kayembe has posed for GQ, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, FHM and Sports Illustrated amongst other renowned publications. You might also recognise her from Ludacris’ Pimpin All Over The World video. The Congolese-born, South African beauty will now be known as the face of Trace, the international media brand available in 160 countries. Joelle will appear in jingles on all TRACE channels worldwide (TRACE Urban, TRACE Sports, TRACE Africa and TRACE Tropical) [...]

 

 

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Banky W, Wizkid, L-Tido, Bonie To Record Title Track for 'Shuga: Sex, Love, Money'

Nigerian artists Banky W and WizKid, South African rapper L-Tido and Bonie from P-Unit (Kenya) have been commissioned to write and perform the title track for Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - the second series of the sex and relationships drama set in Kenya. Star Nigerian music video director Clarence Peters will fly into Kenya in early February with Banky W, WizKid and L Tido to record the music video for the track.  Banky W and WizKid are also making cameo appearances in the TV drama [...]

 

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AfriPOP! Socialite: Solome Lemma of Innovate Africa

When it comes to African growth discussions and promotion of  the diaspora’s role on the continent, there are few voices in these internet streets as vocal and on message as Solome Lemma. Better known as @innovateafrica, she has been leaving giant footprints in the non-profit and human rights world, and is looking to do the same with social media. As our next AfriPOP! Socialite, we caught up with Lemma before [...]

 

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Does Trevor Noah Care About African-Americans? (+ Video)

Trevor Noah, the young South African comedian who has built his stock in trade on telling uncomfortable jokes about race, was great on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last week. If I want to tell someone I admire them, but then slap them afterwards, like he did, this would be my time to do it. He made us laugh, and he made us proud. He almost didn’t embarrass us. [...]

 

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Get to Know: South African Comedian and TV Personality Loyiso Gola

Critics lamented the lack of satire on South African television, while nostalgics continued to hope for the return of the short-lived cult comedy series, the Pure Monate Show. And then along came Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola. A veteran before the age of thirty, Gola’s satirical bulletin had South Africans laughing at the antics of local and international politicians. In between the laughs there were also aha moments as [...]

 

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A Blog We Love: Afro-Synth

Lucky was pulling off Afrikaans alter-egos years before James Phillips and decades before Die Antwoord. You’d know that if you were up on this amazing 80s and 90s retro blog dedicated to the care-free genre of the time bubble gum pop. We love it!