Afroziky

#Music | K-pop is Conquering the World, Except Africa. For Now.

2020-06-28T17:18:00.000+01:00

The Korean girl group BlackPink has reached an incredible milestone since the release of their latest video “How You Like That” on June 26. They scored the most viewed premiere in YouTube history with over a hundred million views in less than 48 hours and are still going strong.

From these numbers, it is obvious that BlackPink’s video is rapidly taking over the entire world just as Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” and Psy’s “Gangnam Style” did a few years back. However, unlike Fonsi and Psy, BlackPink seems to have not conquered the African continent as of yet.

In fact, there have been no major fandom noise about the Korean quartet, and not much about K-pop altogether, coming from the motherland. Although the old continent is rarely the target audience when it comes to the music industry seemingly due to its low purchasing power, Africans have shown to be involved in most popular crazes, while even influencing some of them.

Last time Africans got almost excited about K-pop music was when BTS included the Gwara Gwara dance move in their video “Idol". In addition to Gwara Gwara, BTS was heavily influenced by African music and dance in this song.

But you won’t hear that type of music boasting out of speakers in clubs, cars or bars in popular African streets. Even though the king of pop himself Michael Jackson left an indelible imprint in Africa, K-pop is just not attracting the slight curiosity over here. Except for traces of interest in north Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia) and a fandom in South Africa, statistics mostly show that black Africans are not warming up to the sound of pop music with Korean lyrics.

But let’s not forget that the sensation of its time “Gangnam Style”, which was a fresh pop song performed by the Korean Psy, was able to win over African hearts. This lets us believe that K-pop may very soon become a preferred music style in Africa as well.

In fact, k-pop is now a multi-billion-dollar industry. Bands like BTS and Blackpink are selling out in the US, UK and international stadiums within minutes. Let’s also mention that K-pop fans have been extremely supportive to the Black Lives Matter movement showing how influential they actually are:

They have hijacked white supremacist twitter hashtags like #whitelivesmatter and #whiteoutwednesday with millions of K-pop videos, making the hashtag useless for fueling racism and hate.

They shut down the Dallas Police Department’s iWatchDallas app, which was designed to denounce “civil unrest” by uploading video proof. This App would have most likely caused the arrest of many young black people protesting against police brutality.

A couple of weeks ago, after BTS donated $1 million to Black Lives Matter, their fans organized a fundraising campaign, using the hashtags #matchamillion and #matchthemillion, and raised an added $1 million in less than one day.

Although 99.9% of K-pop fans appear to not be Africans, there are glimpses of a change. South African blinks (the blinks are the Blackpink’s fandom) have also been very active online. One of the administrators of the twitter handle @BlackPink_ZA with over 19 thousand followers said “we have always wanted to get our girls the recognition in [South Africa] and it looks like we are well on our way to doing that! Another handle @Blackpinkafrica is trying to grow interest among french speaking Africans. Also, “How You Like That” trended at #7 on YouTube in South Africa! Many people on twitter are asking Blackpink to perform in Africa as well. And according to a Harvard Business School case study, South Africa is the 8th highest ranked country consuming K-pop outside of South Korea (in terms of time spent).

Blackpink are you girls ever going to tour in Africa??
If yes WHEN
If no WHY
We love you girls very much. #Ask_BLACKPINK pic.twitter.com/JQEcCoApSH
— BAHHTEKK (@mahmudbah001) June 24, 2020

So, it may just be a matter of time before Blackpink, along with the whole K-pop culture, takes over the African continent.

#Music | Hiro Excels on Deluxe Version of 'Erratum' Album

2020-06-28T11:36:00.000+01:00

Congolese artist Hiro reissued his 2019 studio album “Erratum” on a deluxe version including 7 newly recorded tracks. These new songs beautifully complement the whole album with tints of Afro-pop, Latin vibes, zouk music and of course-RnB.

From the top, “Motema” is a smart blend of “rhumbatic” guitar riffs, hip hop/afro-pop throbs and a delicious rhythm and blues coat. The album’s fresh and romantic feel gives the RDC balladeer the opportunity to push some of the best sultry zouk vibes melting on RnB as in “Everyday”,“Tombé” and “Hallucinant” which leans a bit more toward Bachata. But the most powerful Zouk Love anthem of the album is probably “Ne Pars Pas” (don’t go), a touching supplication melodically sampling the classic reggae anthem "Bam Bam" from Jamaican dancehall legend Sister Nancy. The references of the 2003 Latin pop track by Lorna “Papi Chulo” and the Nigerian crew Mavins’ “Dorobucci” in order to paint a performant Hiro was just perfect for the song about sensual fantasies and adultery “La Copine de Madame”. For “Mi Amor”, the Bana C4 alum tries something different with Dj Gabriel do Borel on an infectious beat playing as a collision between Reggaeton and pop with Spanish content.

#Music | All the references about Africa on 'Black Parade'

2020-06-24T00:39:00.001+01:00

Right on schedule for Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in America, Beyoncé released the song “Black Parade” which celebrates being Black through it all, following the recent uprisings against racism in the U.S and around the world.
Sampling African chants on a hip hop base, Beyoncé dropped loads of lines about black history and black pride. Here are the references about Africa on 'Black Parade':

I'm goin' back to the South / I'm goin' back, back, back, back / Where my roots ain't watered down / Growin', growin' like a Baobab tree

Beyoncé is from Houston, Texas, which is located in the south. Texas is also the birthplace of the Juneteenth celebrations. The continent of Africa is also known as being part of “the south” along with other 3rd world countries of the globe that are for the most part geographically located under developed continents like Europe and North America, known as the north.

Although Beyoncé could be talking about going back to Texas, she may also be talking about going back to Africa altogether (hence the emphasis on “back” with the repetition) because that is where black roots are the purest and the 'Baobab tree' grows despite the warm and dry conditions of the continent

Ankh charm on gold chains, with my Oshun energy, oh / Drip all on me, woo, Ankh or the Dashiki print

Beyoncé also celebrates her African origins by referencing the 'Ankh' which is a symbol from Ancient Egypt, 'Oshun' is the Nigerian Yoruba goddess of femininity, love, sensuality and fertility (who Beyoncé has previously paid tribute to in her performance at the 2017 Grammys) and the 'Dashiki print' is a colorful piece of clothing with intricate prints popular in Africa.

Baby sister reppin' Yemaya

Yemoja, (also referred to as Yemaya in Santeria and Mami Wata in other traditions), is a Yoruba water goddess and patron saint for expecting mothers. Beyonce sister Solange channeled the goddess through her outfit at a 2016 SNL performance.

Melanin, melanin, my drip is skin deep, like Ooh, motherland, motherland, motherland, motherland drip on me

Here she further celebrates being from Africa, “the motherland”, and having “melanin” which is the pigment that gives skin, eyes and hair their color.

Whenever mama say so, mama say

“Mama say” mimics part of the popular song “Soul Makossa” by Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango. Versions of “Soul Makossa” where also performed by Michael Jackson and Rihanna.
Dibango died in March 2020 from COVID-19 complications;

Waist beads from Yoruba (Woo)

The Yoruba people are an ethnic group mostly present in Nigeria. Waist beads are an accessory worn by African women. the beads can represent sexual attraction and sexuality, symbols of love, protection and femininity.

from o-xum.com/

Four hunnid billi', Mansa Musa (Woo)

Mansa Musa was the tenth emperor of the Mali Empire and the richest person to ever live with a net worth estimated to be $400 billion (hunnid billi) in modern currency. Mansa Musa is used as an example of Black wealth in early times.

Judgin', runnin' through the house to my art, all black / Ancestors on the wall, let the ghosts chit-chat

41 seconds into Bey’s formation video, is shown hanging on the wall a painting, which appears to be a photo-shopped version of a picture included in French photographer Daniel Laine’s book entitled “African Kings: Portraits of a Disappearing Era”. Published in 2000, the book is a collection of 70 African kings portraits. The one featured in the "Formation" video is of King Joseph Langanfin of Benin, who is considered as the official representative of the kings of Abomey. Abomey was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey (c. 1600-1904), which would later become a French colony, then the Republic of Dahomey (1960–1975), and today known as the Republic of Benin.

Voodoo is a religion heavily practiced in Benin, it emphasizes ancestor worship and holds that the spirits of the dead live side by side with the world of the living.

We got rhythm, we got pride / We birth kings, we birth tribes / Holy river (Holy r, holy tongue (Holy tongue)

Africa is known for rhythmic music and chants for multiple occasions. Africa still values tribes and kingdoms. In African traditions water symbolizes life, as an instrument of purification and the river is still a popular place for many activities such as swimming, playing, taking baths, baptizing, carrying water and washing. Water also plays a special role in the voodoo ceremonies. Africa is also a place of a diversity of dialects or tongues.

#Music | Don't Miss Black Eyed Peas 'Translation' of Afro-beat

2020-06-23T20:24:00.000+01:00

Since the departure of Fergie, many would argue that Black Eyed Peas has never been the same. Although Will.I.Am pursued a relevant solo path these past 10 years, many fans still miss the edginess of the old day’s Black Eyed Peas.

However, the group, minus Fergie, is still committed to show everybody that they are still to reckon with in this music game. Last week, they released their latest album “Translation”, which is a Latin-flavored tray of exquisite collaborations including some heavy hitters such as Maluma, J Balvin and French Montana.But one song especially caught our attention, a savvy collaboration with Shakira entitled "Girl Like Me".What makes this song particular is the fact that it is unusually Afro-beat, unlike the rest of the album which is a unique blend of reggaeton, trap, and pop.

On how this collaboration came to life, Will.I.Am said they met in the studio with Shakira in 2007 to work on a few songs. And it took him 13 years to finish the song. Will felt that the Afro-beat rhythm and the Latin sounds was perfect. He finally presented the finished piece to Shakira. They wrote new verses, kept the same progression and the chorus.

Will.I.Am admitted that this song is probably the one he’s worked on the longest. "Girl Like Me" is essentially Afro-beat and almost matches A-Star’s Kupe’s tempo. Being very intentional on this “Translation” album, Black Eyed Peas wanted to elevate Afro-beat and Latin music on their own terms, "Girl Like Me" represents how Afro-beat translates to them. We suggest you don’t miss it while checking out their album.

#Music | Burna Boy Spices Up Master KG's 'Jerusalema' On New Remix

2020-06-19T20:37:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Master KG's savviness and Nomcebo's raspiness, the South African banger "Jerusalema" quickly became a pan-african hit. The track is the subject of a viral dance routine, and numerous social media stunts.

And it has just now received a fresh coat of awesomeness as the remix just dropped, featuring Grammy-nominee Burna Boy.

For Master KG told Sowetan Live,

This is a dream come true, and it will take my music to another level because this is someone who is respected(...)He brings the Nigerian flavour, gimmicks, pidgin English, and a different approach to music. He has the Nigerian groove that we mix with South African style while we keep the originality of the song intact.

#Culture | Being An African Drag Queen Within a Conservative Culture

2020-06-15T02:39:00.000+01:00

A drag queen is most likely a male who dresses as a female, but in a very exaggerated manner mainly for entertainment purposes. It is important to note that being a drag queen has nothing to do with someone’s sexuality. However, most drag queens are not likely be heterosexual men, neither would they be transwomen. In general, a drag queen is a man who simply performs as his female alter ego and at this moment, drag culture has become bigger and more popular than it's ever been.

Although the drag culture is almost perceived as a caricaturization of women’s appearances and mannerism, within many cultures, man have always been as extravagant as women. Within the Mbororo culture for example, men wear elaborate make-up and lots of embellishments, to impress marriageable women in a tradition called Yaake. From the Zulu’s animal skin to Egyptian’s eyeliners, across the entire African continent, most folkloric celebrations were performed by men in extravagant garments, jewelry and makeup. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the first drag queen noted in history is actually a former slave in America, and the most famous one to date is also black.
But what does it say about African behavioral cultural background? Is drag naturally part of our human puzzle and how does it link to our sexuality? In virtually all African cultures there has not been open acceptance of alternative genders or sexualities. Recently, the world has witnessed a strong movement for black equality and with this, arose the issue of inclusion for all sorts of black lives, even those who sometimes fall in the hands of other black people. Do transgender black lives or albino black lives matter as well? And if that’s the case, is Africa ready to progress in its inclusivity?

In America, back in 1969, the LGBTQ+ rights movement started and to celebrate that pivotal moment in history, June is now Pride Month and features parades across the country, rainbow flags and of course drag queens.

And in order to size up the popularity of the drag culture in the world, let’s just take the example of the drag queen superstar since the 90s, RuPaul. Back in 2009, his TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race, searched for “America’s Next Drag Superstar”. Ten years later, the show has grown tremendously, helping to make drag a mainstream art form. In the US, there have been 15 seasons of the show including All Stars series, which feature the return of ex-contestants. Today, Rupaul has won a total of 13 Emmy awards with a show that reaches out now far beyond LGBTQ+ viewers, but all ages and sexualities. RuPaul is also making the franchise international with two series of Drag Race in Thailand, and the launch of Drag Race UK; Drag Race Canada and Australia.

But in Africa, there is hardly such drag excitement and the Africans who still perform are either doing so hiding behind conservative African norms or expressing themselves freely in other parts of the world.

Bebe Zahara Bennet, a Cameroonian-born living in the US, is probably the first drag queen to famously flaunt her “African-ness” in drag. As the winner of the very first season of RuPaul Drag Race, Bebe did not shy away from her origins.
Early this year, she put an emphasis about where she’s coming from on her EP entitled “Broken English”, “I wanted to create a body of work that represented the two homes that I have, which is my birth home, … as well as my chosen home, which is America.” The EP is a descent bridge between drag and African cultures through music. Bebe has also been vocal about the recent Black Lives Matter movement and has taken a stand particularly for black trans people.

Bebe Zahara Benet | Instagram

While talking to OkayAfrica about being a drag queen from a conservative country like Cameroon, Bebe said,

I feel like my culture has a huge part to play with who I am as an artist, and I want people to be able to see it, and celebrate it, and love it, and be aware of it, be aware of where we come from, the richness of where we come from. But I think that when it comes to the culture itself, because it's so conservative, there are a lot of artists like us that are scared of even being who we are and being the kind of artists we want to be.

Cameroonian drag queen Shakiro who performs her art through viral commentary on social media is probably more aware of the oppressive climate against drag in her country. However, she seems determined to keep slaying. For Shakiro, her drag performance is about tackling controversial topics such as sex, prostitution, skin bleaching and more on social media while releasing scandalous catchphrases.

Shakiro | Instagram

Shakiro has become a local celebrity, whose followership mainly includes teenage girls who seem entertained by her shenanigans. She has also appeared to represent some brands locally. But Shakiro has sometimes been insulted and beaten for being who she chose to be. She even laid low for a while before resurfacing online on March 2020. As per her new image, the young drag queen is hoping to become a huge influencer in the Cameroonian online community. Seventy-six countries in the world criminalize homosexuality, but Cameroon is one of the few to actually enforce these laws, according to a March report by Human Rights Watch.

In Nigeria, LGBTQ+ rights are not recognized either and being openly gay is also punishable by jail time. That is what prompted Son of a Tutu to become a Nigerian drag queen in most of her impersonations. Born in the UK from a Yoruba family, Son of a Tutu went back to Nigeria where he overcame beatings and family expectations.

READ: #CULTURE | 7 AFRICANS LIVING AS TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

After completing national service in Nigeria, he moved to the US and provided for his family by working in the financial sector in New York on a six-figure salary, but was unhappy. A turning point in his life happened when he was meant to be in the twin towers during the September 11 attack in New York,but chose to stay home that day. He then quit his job and decided to become a drag queen after 30 years of unhappiness. Son of a Tutu’s dream is to perform at a gay pride parade in Nigeria.

In South Africa, some men dare to sometimes parade in drag. In townships of Cape Town, drag queens are attempting to reconcile their African identity with their drag persona. #BlackDragMagic is the name of a photo project that showed drag as an art form in Africa but different from the glitz and glam of RuPaul’s and other popular stages in the West.

South African drag queens from townships deliberately chose to celebrate their roots while challenging dress codes for men and women through their traditional apparel. "We cannot separate our queerness from our Xhosaness," says Ka-Fassie, a drag queen and activist. During the photo shoots, in a group, proudly and unapologetically, the models strutted the streets of the township of Khayelitsha, which means "new home" in Xhosa. "I carry my African-ness and my queerness on my sleeve because it is who I am," says Mandisi Dolle Phika, one of the photo subjects.

picture by Lee-Ann Olwage

However, the reality is that drag in South Africa is still an unrevealed subculture. Drag queens must often suppress their queer identity in their communities for their safety — traveling into the city for pageants and parties, then de-dragging before they go home.

Hiding while in drag is also a common thing in Kenya. According to BBC, gay Kenyan men who like to crossdress hold secret drag parties to express themselves. Although crossdressing is not illegal in Kenya, homosexual acts are and people remain intolerant of such alternative lifestyles. Drag queens in Kenya are often seen as prostitutes, beaten and blackmailed. They just see drag as a way of expressing themselves and maintain that their sexuality or the way they dress should not define who they are.

Still, being different seems to have no place in African cultures. There are not even words to describe the LGBTQ+ community or the culture of drag in African indigenous languages except the derogative ones. The identity limbo faced by African queers and drag queens does not give them a place in society. Ultimately is this lack of recognition strengthening or weakening our humanity. How could African culture benefit from new forms of gender and sexual representations in its conservative climate?

Source:
NPR
BBC
BBC
OkayAfrica
Instagram

#SoCool | Celebrate More Than Albinism, Here is your next IG follow

2020-06-13T17:05:00.000+01:00

In celebration of International Albinism Awareness Day on June 13, let's acknowledge that people with albinism are just as crazy, nice, calm, excited, music lovers, party people and a lot of other things as everybody else. This personality quiz is daring you to enjoy following on Instagram a person with Albinism not because of their lack of Melanin, but just because you have a lot in common or you just love their instastuff. Take the test, find your match, and have fun.

The full list of the people to follow on IG include

#SoCool | Africans Are Slaying the #VogueChallenge

2020-06-11T15:11:00.000+01:00

The Vogue challenge, which originated on TikTok, shows people's pictures as on a cover of Vogue. The challenge is also spreading to other social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. In order to nail your Vogue challenge, just need to take a photo of yourself and edit the Vogue logo into your photo. Don't forget to use your creativity. Just to help you a little bit, find down below 5 original Vogue logos to set you apart.

This challenge was created as a response to Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour's internal memo where she expressed her regret that Vogue has been “hurtful and intolerant,” and didn’t do enough to support its black staff and designers. She added,

“I want to start by acknowledging your feelings and expressing my empathy towards what so many of you are going through: sadness, hurt, and anger too. I want to say this especially to the Black members of our team — I can only imagine what these days have been like. But I also know that the hurt, and violence, and injustice we’re seeing and talking about have been around for a long time. Recognizing it and doing something about it is overdue,”

In Addition to that statement, Vogue UK dedicated the July 2020 issue to celebrate "the millions of people in the UK who, at the height of the pandemic, and in the face of danger, put on their uniforms and went to work." They surprisingly put regular people on the cover of the magazine.

Although the internet found Wintour's excuse to be not enough, having regular people on the cover of Vogue UK became a bigger inspiration. With Black Lives Matter movements spreading around the globe, the Vogue challenge is showing the diversity of beauty and hopefully, Vogue will take note and be more inclusive.

In the meantime Africans are slaying the challenge under #VogueChallenge_afrique

i wanted to try the vogue challenge but i don’t take photos. luckily my sister is a model so i just used her photos. pic.twitter.com/YN2YFwvTcE
— blm forever and always (@adaitmou) June 11, 2020

Is digital art allowed on this?
I guess now it is.
#VogueChallenge pic.twitter.com/LYDXzaPD8D
— Oluchi (@afro_makoh) June 11, 2020

It's never too late. 🇰🇪#VogueChallenge #voguechallange pic.twitter.com/p3mcWKP6VU
— Photoman254 (@photoman254) June 11, 2020

Dear #VogueChallenge ,
I hope this Finds you well.
With Love, Kenya. pic.twitter.com/Kab2Oawql7
— Mlango Kubwa (@muthamakey) June 11, 2020

Check out these Vogue Logos

Peek & Download

#Music | Sauti Sol, Taking You to an Expressive Ride on the “The Midnight Train”

2020-06-10T13:40:00.001+01:00

Kenya’s afro pop crew Sauti Sol opened an invitation to an expressive ride on their 2020 album, released on June 5 under Universal Music. The album’s title accurately refers to the group’s mindset after reaching multiple milestones, and still going strong towards an ultimate goal in the music industry, as a train moving steadily to its destination.

Love is definitely in the air on this album, through tracks like “Feel My Love”, a gloomy afro pop & rock reach, not a distinctive imprint, but it carries well the Swahili cries performed by Savara, as he deplores broken communication in love. The deep Kizomba accent on “My Everything” revives sweet passion as per the undeniable talent of Congolese producer Kaysha, who has been behind some of the best songs of the same genre for 2 decades. But the sweetest surprise here is the soulful voice of India Ari, who completes this black love anthem.

“Sober” is the acoustic introspection we all need at some point in order to be better, “I will put my life in order/No longer be a victim of the devil on my shoulder/Lord knows I've been lost for way too long/I'm getting older”. We can’t help but appreciate the relevance of the song when it comes to the injustices the world is facing today. It seems as if we all need to sober up and be kinder to one another before it is too late.

On 2 singles, they explore the current generational issues in 2 opposite fashions. While the Sauti boys lament over the groovy cadence of “Suzanna” about the extravagance of the prominent sugar baby sub-culture, on “Insecure” they acknowledge the feeling of helplessness and not being enough. Because of societal pressure, on young African girls in this instance, some buy into misleading microwave lifestyles while others feel sidelined for not being part of the trends. However, both struggle with identifying who they really are amidst the exigencies of our society.
“Nenda Lote” seems to be an ode to the old days with makossa-like undertones. As for “Wake Up” featuring Mortimer, it is a smooth breeze of orchestral afro beat. When it comes to the face of the entire album “Midnight Train”, it is a perfect hybrid of latin vibes, a choir touch, flawless woodwind breaks along with the intensity of the bridge.

The best treat on the “Midnight Train” menu is probably “Rhumba Panjani”, a Rumba-gone-hip hop dish in celebration of what’s best known as Congolese Rhumba, with unexpected Horn sections performed by the Nairobi Horns Project. The song brought together the members of their label Sol Generation Records.

On the last stop of Sauti Sol’s “Midnight Train” is “Disco Matanga” a collaboration with Sho Madjozi and Black Motion. With “Yambakhana” as an alternative title, the song sees Bien-Aimé sing in Luhya while Sho Madjozi is the one who lends some Swahili bars. “Disco Matanga” is one of the soundtracks of the first original African Netflix series, Queen Sono.

New album "Midnight Train"
Stream/Download Album now: https://SautiSol.lnk.to/MidnightTrain

#News | Dadju Responds To Backlash Over His Silence During #BlackLivesMatter

2020-06-07T21:00:00.000+01:00

When French Congolese singer Dadju subliminally announced that he will be dropping a rumba version of his hit song “Jaloux” with Fally Ipupa, fans wondered why he’d rather promote his music than getting involved in the Black Lives Matter movement.
On June 1, the crooner tweeted “Jaloux Rumba Remix” with a check mark emoji. Some people were excited about the news while others questioned his timing. One tweet responded by saying that right now, we are talking about Black Lives Matter. Another one said we don’t care, and the next tweet asked about what would happen if Dadju posted about racism instead.

The Black Lives Matter movement was heightened on May 2020, when a black man was killed by the police in Minneapolis as the white officer put pressure on the Black man’s neck with his knee. Following the tragedy, black people organized many protests against police brutality while demanding justice for its black victims.

Inspired by the movement, black collectives in France decided to lead their own protest against racism while demanding justice for Adama Traore, who also died after being arrested by the French police.

Over the backlash, Dadju responded by saying in a series of tweets

I’m not asking anybody to do what I do a whole year for women, people in need or black people. Why ask a tweet from me because you did? Each one does what he has to do, when he wants, however he wants into the shadows or the limelight. I think there is no useless help as long as it is sincere. It takes more energy to find out who is tweeting or not tweeting than trying to find real solutions. To defend a cause is serious and it is all the time, not a trend. I don't remember seeing this energy when I asked to share my association. It’s the moment more than ever to be united, stay as positive as possible. But please stop always seeing the negative in everything every time. It doesn't do nothing to me, contrary to what some people think, I often play my messages in music because that’s where I have the most strength. When it comes I hope to have the same energy from you. May God help us.

So in addition to the rumba remix of his track “Jaloux”, Dadju also promises to drop something about the current black movement. We are here for it all. In the meantime, we’ll keep enjoying this track.

#Music | Discovering A New African Music Genre, The 'Rhumtrap'

2020-06-07T00:18:00.001+01:00

Congolese Rumba (or Rhumba) is first and foremost the guitar, which is usually played fingerstyle. Originating in the Congo basin during the 40s, Congolese Rumba has become a staple music style around the entire African continent. It has been able to consistently maintain its relevance through decades thanks to several artists' original compositions.

Today there is a new style of Congolese Rumba that is being experimented by numerous artists. We feel compelled to call this novel style “Rhumtrap” as it successfully merges rumba with trap music.
Trap is a subgenre of hip hop music that originated in the Southern United States in the late 90s. Trap music uses synthesized drums and the pioneers of this style of hip hop include Lil Jon, Mannie Fresh and Outkast.

While on a quest for modern sounds, African artists have been able to release Rhumtrap tracks that have been enjoyed by fans. The first artist to do so is Fally Ipupa with his 2012 Single “Sweet Life”. In 2015, Laurette La Perle served up her own Rhumtrap song entitled "Twist". In 2018, Fally did it again with “Nidja” feat R. Kelly. In 2020, Cameroonian singer Blanche Bailly dropped her Rhumtrap song “Mes respects” in March. And just days ago, Kenyan group Sauti Sol offered their own Rhumtrap record entitled “Rhumba Japani” with Kaskazini, Bensoul, Xenia, Nviiri the Storyteller, Okello Max and Nairobi Horn Project.

Though this distinct style has not gained major popularity yet, we foresee a new chapter in African music with the new generation of hybrid genres like this one.

You may stream below the Rhumtrap tracks mentioned above and enrich your playlist for a new week.

#Music | Sauti Sol's Fans Want “Rhumba Japani Remix” featuring Fally Ipupa

2020-06-06T21:46:00.000+01:00

Sauti Sol dropped on June 5, a 13-track-heavy new album dubbed “Midnight Train” and fans are going crazy over the Kenyan foursome’s polished work. The album features some great collaborations like “My Everything” with American soul singer India Ari and “Brighter Days” featuring Soweto Gospel Choir. According to YouTube views, besides the tracks that already have videos including “Suzanna”, “Brighter Days” and “Insecure”, the most popular songs from the album are “Midnight Train” which is also the album title and “Rhumba Japani” ft Kaskazini, Bensoul, Nviiri, Xenia, Okello Max & Nairobi Horns.

About “Rhumba Japani”, is it an intelligent mix of Congolese rumba and hip-hop, and sounds like the ultimate club banger. Modern rumba and trap hip hop fusion is not a new trend and the first artist to have mastered such experiment is no other than Congolese crooner Fally Ipupa on “La Vie est Belle” in 2012. In 2018, he successfully did it again with R Kelly on “Nidja”, out of his international album “Tookoos”.

Upon listening to “Rhumba Japani” fans were not only quick to draw the comparison between Sauti Sol and Fally, but they went onto demanding a remix with M. Ipupa himself. One comment reads on Youtube, "We demand a collabo with Fally Ipupa for Rhumba Japani". Another fan wrote "Fally ipupa would jump on this remix and bring the house down".

Fans have not forgotten the explosive banger Ipupa made out of one of Sauti Sol’s songs at the 2016 season of Coke Studio Africa, the Music show that brings together high profile artists from around the continent for a powerful musical exchange. On that show, Ipupa reworked the Kenyan group’s saucy song “Nishike” by adding his own swag, and made it one of the best Coke Studio covers of all time.

So as we are enjoying Sauti Sol’s new album, hopefully we’ll get the “Rhumba Japani Remix” featuring Fally Ipupa. Fingers crossed.

#Culture | Don't Call Me Albino!

2020-06-05T20:25:00.001+01:00

As we reflect deeper on our social mishaps, we ought to acknowledge the ills that happen within black communities. Her is an example of such problems.

At the World Economic Forum, South African model Thando Hopa recounted the antagonism she encountered from others because of her lack of pigmentation,

“I grew to find out that there was a whole institution created about my existence from derogatory names in almost all indigenous sub-saharan African languages.”

An important point Thando made about the English term Albino is that the Oxford dictionary defines it as the lack of pigment in the skin and hair of humans and animals alike.

“Now apart from me having other issues with that definition as a black person, I have in my racial history a sore spot that is reignited whenever my existence is described in the same wavelength as you would an animal, albinism is no different. So for charity my preferred terminology is person with albinism not Albee.”

Watch her entire speaking engagement

#OP | Here Is How You Can support #BlackLivesMatter Causes

2020-06-03T21:18:00.001+01:00

For centuries black communities around the world have been victims of not only police brutality but many other types of unfair and violent acts such as rape, high incarceration, dictatorship, slavery and many more. The long history of the black race struggle has taken a significant turn these past few days with the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA. The picture of a police officer’s knee pressuring Floyd’s neck subsequently causing his death triggered a more intense Black Lives Matter movement as it has forced many to face the bitter black reality and history. All over the world, including Africa, there is a renewed passion and heightened sensitivity palpable via social media ane protests in favor of the black cause.

Such revolutionary moment cannot go unnoticed and this has become a crucial moment for black people as a whole. This is the right time to expose everything that has been going on against the black race and we must do our very best for the causes that affect us and ours.

So how can we support the Black Lives Matter causes wherever we are:

1- Stay informed and start locally.

It is great to show support to the causes that are having more media coverage, but let’s not forget those who are close to us that deserve the same energy. For example, start illustrating fairness within your surroundings, at home, at work or at school. It would be very hypocritical for anybody to ignore a neighbor who needs help then support further causes. It doesn’t make any sense.

There are different black causes right now that may be interested in within the Black Lives Matter movement. Find below a list of hashtags that are relevant on Social Media right now.

NIGERIA
#WeAreTired created by Singer Tiwa Savage against the marginalization of young Nigerian boys and Girls
#JusticeForTina Tina is a 16-year-old girl who was brutally shot by Nigerian Police

FRANCE
#JusticePourAdama Adama died after being arrested by the French police

CAMEROUN
#JustifeForWazizi Camerounian Journalist Samuel Wazizi was arrested and detained incommunicado for 10months before he died while still in custody.

KENYA
#JusticeforSamuelMaina Allegedly caught after the curfew, Samuel Maina was brutally beaten & robbed of his phone & other belongings by 2 policemen in Kenya.

WORLDWIDE
#JournalismIsNotACrime against the silencing of free press across the world
#BlackLivesMatter for black causes in America and around the world
#WhiteLivesMatter which is in solidarity to the Black Lives Matter movement by drowning racist posts with Kpop tweets.

2- Show your support on Social Media

Since the creation of social media platforms, there have been a lot of great outcomes that simply started with hashtags. Do not shy away from supporting causes online. If that’s all you do, it is something.

3- Sign Petitions

Signing petitions can make a difference. It demonstrates which issues matter most to you and participate in the process of change.

4- Participate in Peaceful Protests

Throughout history, public protests have created more exposure to many causes. However, mass public gatherings are not allowed in many countries. In case you attend a protests make sure you equip yourself not only against the Coronavirus, prepare yourself for possible police retaliation and other disruptive invasions.

5- Donate

Financial assistance is also extremely important because it helps in many ways, from supporting the victims to covering other important expenses for the cause.

6- Support Black/local/worthy Businesses

You should not just support any business, even black or local. In fact, some of them actively participate in keeping the injustice going. Not all black businesses are good businesses. Once again, you must start by supporting your local black businesses, look up the ones that support your community. It may be the ones that provide jobs, shelter for the homeless, grants and so forth.

7- Educate others

We need as many people as possible to come together for the right causes, even white people. Therefore, do not hesitate in talking about these causes to your circle and encourage them in joining in.

8- Pray for everybody

Pray for yourself and for others. Pray for the victims and their families. Pray for your loved ones and those you do not know. Pray for your government even though you do not agree with their ways. Pray for your oppressors. Ask God to heal them from the anger that they may have which triggers them to hurt you and yours. Ask God to forgive their sins. Ask God to fulfill his will upon his children. Form local prayer groups, meditate, keep faith.

9- Live by the Ubuntu principles

“Ubuntu” is an African philosophy which embodies humanity towards others. It loosely means “I am because we are” and calls on us to mirror our humanity for each other. “Ubuntu” does not pressure nor does it expect anything in return. “Ubuntu” is empathic and compassionate toward other humans.

In a 2010 article on thedailybeast.com, Liberian peace activist, Leymah Roberta Gbowee while addressing Mass Rape that African women are victims of said :
"Most women only take action when their own communities are threatened. This must stop if we are to tackle the ills that are plaguing our African society. We must ignite the spirit of “Ubuntu”—“I am what I am because of who we all are.” Read more about Ubuntu here.

In the spirit of togetherness, you should not be blamed for not joining in. However, we are all in this together and should all do our part if there will be any real change for the black race.

#Music | Revisiting SA Township Protest Song 'Jikijela' Amidst #BlackLivesMatter Recent Events

2020-06-03T15:16:00.000+01:00

The long history of the black race struggle has taken a significant turn these past few days and it calls for our attention as Africans. In these times of unrest, we are compelled to not forget those who fought the injustice way before us. As the world acknowledges that Black Lives do Matter, Soweto born and raised Letta Mbuli’s “Jikijela” remains a tangible picture of black protest against police brutality and white supremacy. The 80s repetitive chant sets on lamentation undertones and a mid-tempo bluesy vibe. Letta relies on the guitar to follow her voice as she pushes her refrain with passion and grief.

Seeking to capture excessive and oppressive behavior that has become status quo in South Africa, this song marks a particular event in the country’s history when young people of townships retaliated with stones against armed Apartheid police forces. “Throw in the stones/We will stone them” sings Mbuli in Xhosa imposing the obvious irony that a stone compared to a gun is a lost battle. Still the image is powerful, just as black Americans protests are faced with the overpowering police forces. The message is being therefore clearly relayed; the black people have been resilient for centuries and still are for more to come. That is the spirit of hope that will nourish you as you listen to this inspirational song. Hopefully you will feel inspired to take action as much as you can for the Black causes that affect you and yours.

In 2016, a jazzy version of the song was released by rebel South African singer Thandiswa Mazwai on her album Bedele. The refreshed “Jikijela” version successfully featured spoken words that are significant to the theme. At the background you can hear a male voice say, “Police brutality that you can see must come to an end”, then a young lady added, “our future and the future of our children and our children's children is at stake” and we couldn’t agree more.

“Jikijela” serves as a reminder that our destination is to come and we need to soldier on until our race is finally glorified without question. Let’s shape our destiny forward together.

#OP | Today more than ever we are called to reignited the “Ubuntu” in us

2020-05-31T22:19:00.000+01:00

I first heard about the significance of the Ubuntu philosophy when I watched a youtube video about 10 years ago. Singer Zolani Mahola from freshlyground was explaining exactly what Ubuntu meant and it sounded so beautiful and hopeful. But when the video ended, I did not take a smidge of what I had learned in that video to incorporate in my life.

It is always fair when other people give an appreciation of who you really are, however I do not see myself as extremely selfish and insensitive of other’s pain. Could I be more caring, definitely! But it is also comforting to have people come to me and thank me for things I have done for them even though I did not realize the magnitude of my actions. For that, I would say I have my kind moments but I could do more.

In 2017, after reading the history of the word “Kumbaya”, I thought about “Ubuntu” again to see how much of an impact it made to the world. I wrote a piece about it. Actually I wrote about the impact of three words, “Kumbaya”, “Ubuntu” and “Hakuna Matata” with a feeling of pride that words that are actually deep-rooted in African culture are acquiring great meaning in modern societies. You can read the piece here.

I started my piece by referencing the bible and the fact that we all spoke one language at first and with that, we were always looking to further our knowledge and abilities. And God noticed that as one people with one language, nothing that we, humans, sought after would be out of reach. And that’s how God confounded our speeches, to scatter us over the face of the earth and avoid the building of the “Babel Tour”.

As a Christian, I believe everything God does is good. Sometimes I fail to understand and I catch myself questioning him but I am just human. I believe that the moment people started speaking different languages, they also started having different thoughts which grew into cultures and built the diverse world we live in. I think it is a blessing.

However, although God decided to break our language, he still left us with our human essence to always try to be together and that’s why we are using tools to improve our ways of communication, from building roads to connect cities, to making music to connect souls. And the bible did not stop teaching us about humanity, loving each other and coming together.

That human essence is basically what “Ubuntu” inspires. “Ubuntu” is said to be an African philosophy which embodies humanity towards others. It loosely means “I am because we are” and calls on us to mirror our humanity for each other.

For thousands of years now, the world has been challenged by so many vices that reached new heights in 2020 with the deadly and most devastating pandemic COVID-19. COVID-19 is not the deadliest disease; it is not even incurable – although there is not a known cure yet, people still recover from the disease – but it is the only disease that was able to change the course of life on a global scale in a short period of time, and successfully challenged our human need and/or ability to be one. COVID-19 forced us to place a physical barrier between people in addition to emotional turmoil (fear, uncertainty, depression…).

The most basic example of humanity, holding someone’s hand, hugging one another, eating together, playing together, being together physically, is vanishing. But today more than ever we are called to reignite the “Ubuntu” in us.

The latest news regarding police brutality in the United States and the recent resulting deaths of 2 male and 1 female victims brought an additional uproar that is condemning the oppression, the abuse and suppression of certain communities. Although this is something that has been going on for centuries, the recent events seem to have awaken the sensitivity of many more humans to, at the very least, openly expressing their feelings. But why now?

Is it because the ravages of COVID-19 are forcing us to acknowledge and feel the pain of others? Many are still confined, economies are drastically crumbling, cases of infections and related deaths are still rising every day, hardship is felt in a less discriminatory pattern. It seems the layers of greed, and self-centeredness are shredding from our souls and we are becoming more sensitive to our pain, to the pain of loved ones and the pain of others we don’t even know. We are maybe just now, perhaps in a very shy and unpurposeful manner, opening ourselves to becoming more human the “Ubuntu” way.

However, the latest reports have also clearly revealed that many of us are actually just taking advantage of the situation and adding to the harm that already exists. It is believed that the many American rioters are not there for the right causes, and bring more violence and disorder than anything. There have been human rights and exploitation concerns for the COVID-19 vaccine to be tested on Africans when they are less affected. Numerous vices joined forces with the COVID-19 pandemic, showing no sign of salvation ahead for humans. But it is in these times that we need “Ubuntu” more than ever.

For Ubuntu to be called an African philosophy sounds a bit sketchy at first because it assumes that all Africans know what it means and abide by its principles, which is not the case. And making Ubuntu an African concept is discrediting the diversity of the African continent and the humanistic qualities of non-African cultures. Upon my research on the topic, “Ubuntu” is advertised as the way all Africans live, but as much as I want that to be true, it is just not. I have travelled to many African countries and you see a balanced amount of all sorts of things. Africa has always been portrayed as a hospitable place but that is not the whole story.

In fact, every human being is born with the ability of being essentially good. Africans cannot be better than everybody else. Whether we like it or not, Witchcraft and slavery is also part of Africa’s heritage. But I do believe there was a better, kinder Africa before European intrusion.

I recently came across the address of Lord Macaulay to the British parliament about India which is believed to apply to Africa as well. Lord Macaulay wrote:

“Unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage and therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.”

Africa was stripped away from its “Ubuntu” way of living the moment it allowed foreigners to impose their way of living. And the pressure to play a part on the global scene is furthering Africa’s dehumanization. The dualistic world in which we are leaving is also allowing the good to come with the bad. If we can’t have one without its opposite, does it mean there will never be harmony without disruption? If that’s the case we could never be one, as it takes one unwilling participant to break a whole cycle. And if some are always looking into taking advantage of others, how much should one take before revolting?

I can relate with being good to people who end up taking advantage of my kindness. I have to say those experiences changed me. They made me angrier and meaner. In Africa there are what I want to call the “Abusers of the spirit of Ubuntu”. It is widely believed that the African hospitality is particularly genuine. While explaining the “Ubuntu” Philosophy, Nelson Mandela said:

“In the old days when we were young, a traveler through our country would stop at a village and he didn’t have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops the people give him food. That’s one aspect of Ubuntu.”

Hospitality is a major aspect of African culture however something that is supposed to be a kind gesture is becoming an obligation and that is what I call abusing Ubuntu. In fact, an Ubuntu abuser would come expecting you to give him food and be upset at you when you don’t. And that’s the mentality of some less fortunate people they want you to exercise Ubuntu towards them but they feel that they don’t have to in return. They do not care to know how you feel or if you have any problem, all they want is for you to assist them because you seem to be more privileged.

I remember asking a work associate of mine why he never offered me anything. Why was I always the one buying him drinks? He told he does not do it because I have more money than him that’s why I should offer him drinks. I was so intrigued by his way of thinking because gifting should never be a matter of whether you have more or less than the next person. Gifting is just about performing a kind gesture to someone you esteem. The goal of gifting is being kind and not showing the value of the gifter.

On another instance, I went to the bakery to buy bread. We were 3 in line to pay for our food, a black man, a white man than me last. When the lady at the cashier served the black man she was okay, but when it was white man’s turn, she was extremely nice. Then when it was my turn she came back to being less warm. I remember the black man fussing about that telling the lady that it makes no sense for her to treat the oppressor better than her own brother and this is the kind of behavior that is killing our nations.

But this is how a lot of Africans behave in a lot of places; they treat foreigners better than their own people. Foreigners would say they are very nice, when in reality they act that way because they hope to have a tip or are infatuated by French or American people. Africans still have an inferiority complex which prompts them to act different when they are in front of a particular group of people in order to gain acknowledgement from them. I even saw such behavior from reputable African personalities who just folded in front of people of other races who are not even half as successful.
But “Ubuntu” is not selective kindness. It doesn’t suggest to be more kind to certain people because of favor or because they are your family. In a 2010 article on thedailybeast.com, Liberian peace activist, Leymah Roberta Gbowee while addressing Mass Rape that African women are victims of said :

"Most women only take action when their own communities are threatened. This must stop if we are to tackle the ills that are plaguing our African society. We must ignite the spirit of “Ubuntu”—“I am what I am because of who we all are.”

Ubuntu does not pressure nor does it expect anything in return. “Ubuntu” is empathic and compassionate toward other humans. While talking about Ubuntu, African entrepreneur, Getrude Matshe said,

“If every single person on this planet heard that there is an earthquake in Haiti and we each gave $1.00 to Haiti, that would be a country restored in one day”.

It means that for the Ubuntu system to work, we should all be involved. If the world was about helping each other we wouldn’t be playing the blame game on who brought the COVID-19 pandemic. We wouldn’t be politicizing every circumstance. We wouldn’t be questioning the integrity of people’s actions. If the world was one, we would be exercising a lot more empathy and compassion. I do not know if we will ever get there. However, it has never been clearer to me that it is the “Ubuntu” way of living that will save us.

When promoting change, we always talk about the fact that it takes one person to make a difference. Perhaps it is true but in order to fully exemplify the “Ubuntu” philosophy, it will take us all to be the “one” that will make a difference. I am challenging myself today to be a little kinder every day. And you?

#Music | Crystal Asige’s 'Safer' is the comfort you need in today’s turbulence

2020-05-30T03:56:00.000+01:00

Nobody expected the year 2020 to become the painful picture of agonizing hopeless humans ravaged by the inability to enjoy some of the most basic emotional, physical and spiritual needs. In a day when simple decisions such as stepping out to the grocery store or giving a hug to a loved one become a choice between safety and death, the news keep depicting a hemorrhaging world of viruses, brutality, abuse and countless more misactions.

Within such fear and helplessness, the resiliently fragile voice of Crystal Asige softly blows comforting words, promising a better outcome for those who lean on Jesus. The songstress, who lost her sight in her twenties, is an advocate for people with disability in her native Kenya.

Parting from Sauti Sol’s Sol Generation Records less than a year in, Asige delivers the inspiring piano led ‘Safer’ as the comfort we need during the turbulent times we are living. The hopeful song urges us to stop relying on our supposed abilities and to let Jesus lead us to salvation. Sounding rather personal, ‘Safer’ offers a glimpse at Asige's state of mind since she allowed the loss of her eyesight to become a defining moment in her life, ‘ever since I closed my eyes and walked by faith, I see clearer, better/ I feel safer than ever.’

But these faith-charged words speak so accurately to the actual state of nations. ‘Safer’ comes as a promise for you to let go and let God.

#SoHip | This 'Rain on Me' Makeup Look Is Perfect for Dark Skin

2020-05-30T00:52:00.001+01:00

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande recently dropped their duet "Rain on Me", and in addition to the its futuristic feel and gestural choreography, fans can’t get enough of the beauty looks created by makeup artists Sarah Tanno and Michael Anthony, the main attraction being by far the outlined white eyeliner on Ariana. This perfectly executed white graphic shape around the eyes would definitely complement dark skin, not only because it projects a subtle version of African tribal face makeup, but white makeup always looks more majestic on dark skin.

Historically, white makeup is part of African culture. African women and man alike used white clay to draw meaningful shapes on their faces. This style of makeup has been re-invented in order to adapt to the modern world and to allow African women to keep some of their ancestral heritage into the diversity of cities. Last year, a similar white eyeliner makeup idea was experimented by New york based makeup artist Touch by Tomi. On one look she drew the white outline and darkened the eyelids for a better contrast. On a second look, she only traced a white line over golden eyelids. The whole concept was executed for Hand crafted jewelry brand Diallo Dynasty owned by Malian entrepreneur Fatima Diallo. There is no doubt that black women would slay the streets of Johannesburg, Dakar or Dar es Salaam post-confinement with flattering and chic white eye makeup.

Source: Diallo Dynasty

To achieve the hollow cat-eyes specifically requested by Ariana for the video ‘Rain on Me’, Michael Anthony used the Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner from Stila Cosmetics. He explained that they wanted this look to be "universally flattering and chic."

#SoCool | Which Blood and Water Character Are You? Take This Quiz!

2020-05-29T22:28:00.000+01:00

Blood & Water is surely becoming one of Netflix’s most popular shows. Set in Cape Town, the teen mystery/melodrama explores the scandalous lives of the rich teens of Parkhurst College. Check out our review here.

If you are a fan, there is probably a character you relate to the most. Play this quiz for fun!

#Cinema | The Series Blood and Water Exposes African Glamour and Vices

2020-05-29T01:58:00.000+01:00

The African teen mystery/melodrama, Blood and Water, went on a Netflix’s budget to produce something people aren’t used to seeing about Africa. Against a South African landscape, the international chart topping show dug into the lives of a group of mostly privileged teens, living in Cape Town, while dealing with circumstances that could be a shocker for the western audiences, even for some Africans. Truth been told, although Africa represents way more than war and hunger, teen’s critical dynamics are for the most part not as over the top as the show suggests, even for privileged kids. In fact, the different topics, rather well-exposed, still rose eyebrows in skepticism. Is this how south Africans live? Or is the exaggeration an intent for the drama. Even for this day of social media, microwavable interests and globalization on steroids, the question lingers. Is this really how South African rich kids live it up?

As viewers get pulled into this 6-episode-long effort, they get the central theme rather easily, although the title is not explicit enough. The story is about child abduction and human trafficking. Puleng’s Mother gave birth to her big sister 17 years ago, however, the baby disappears days after the birth, and the grief of that loss looms over the whole family. Puleng is then set to crack the mystery of the disappearance as soon as she encounters Fikile "Fiks" Bhele, a popular rich girl who was born the same day as Puleng’s sister. Although at the end of the 1st season the truth about Fikile’s origins is not revealed, we are rather slapped with a cliffhanger that begs for a second season.

While numerous key details about Fikile unfold, not only the girls wear super mini skirts as school uniforms, but the audience is also confronted to many vices that plague some societies worldwide, but are somehow almost romanticized for season one of Blood and Water. For example, it is common for kids to love partying and partaking in activities they are not supposed to. But to have Puleng’s love interest, KB, smoke marijuana in front of the nonchalance of his father, though imposing in stature, left an annoying aftertaste. Which African parent would let his kid do drugs, even when it’s just marijuana? Not that many, even the rich ones.

The sexual experiences of the characters account for another cringing moment in the storylines. For a show about teens, some scenes were just a bit too revealing. The sex shots unnecessarily exposed parts of nude bodies and the plot made teen sex okay. Puleng, 16, loses her virginity to KB in a bubbly and innocent atmosphere.

The series also captured an alternative sexual orientation referred to as pansexuality. According to Wikipedia, pansexuality is “sexual, romantic or emotional attraction towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity.” Fikile’s friend Chris is not just pansexual but he normalizes having multiple relationships with different people at the same. During season one, he juggles between Zama, Puleng’s girlfriend and a guy named Mark. Chris shows a distinct honesty about his feelings for both Zama and Mark with an obvious attempt to not only grab the sympathy of his friends, but that of viewers as well.

In the heart of the plot, teen sex is intertwined in student-teacher romance. Fikile is having a relationship with her very married swimming instructor with a baby on the way. For revenge, Puleng blows the whistle and the instructor is eventually fired from the school. This particular set-up also peeks at how adultery affects people, especially a very pregnant loving wife. The topic of abuse is also picked up since Fikile is underage, however it fails to get to a teachable moment.

As a whole, Blood and Water is a winner. It succeeds in dragging the audience through emotional ups and downs. Although the transitions within the plot are sometimes too stiff, the show imposed its presence moving to Netflix’s Top 10 chart across many countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and France. As a second season was undoubtedly hinted, we are curious to see how the follow-up will break down the quest to finding Puleng’s sister through the different interactions between the characters.

#News | South Africans Are Not Having Doja Cats' Back Amidst #DojaCatIsOverParty

2020-05-27T22:39:00.000+01:00

Starting last Friday, fans took to Twitter in order to cancel rapper Doja Cat under the hashtag #DojaCatIsOverParty because of supposed racist behavior. Cat’s real name is Amalaratna Zandile Dlamini, and she is being accused of taking part in racist video chats, writing a song with a racist title and insulting black hair.

Let’s pause a bit on the last accusation. Afro-textured hair has been for ages a weapon for undermining black beauty through the use of qualifiers such as “Unkempt”, “Hard to manage” and so forth. African Americans may have had it the harder way because they felt a strong pressure to assimilate into the white culture of hair. Although Africans had more freedom when it comes to styling their hair, they too bought into the smooth feel of euro-typed hair. And even though young African girls did not have to, some mother were perming and hot combing their hair. African mothers would also use pejorative terms while struggling to comb their daughter’s hair. For a black girl to say she hates her hair, should be very common. It is therefore surprising that people would use someone’s self-appreciation as a weapon against a cultural imperfection that has been encouraged by many for decades. Black women still wear wigs, weaves and braids with fake hair right? But that’s not bashing black hair?

Since then, Doja Cat issued an apology and attempted to straighten some facts then added “I’m a black woman. Half of my family is black from South Africa and I’m very proud of where I come from.” And for that comment, and that comment only, many Africans felt that Doja Cat was insincere on how she felt about the black side of her family. Although Doja Cat is not loud about her African origins, she did not try to hide them either. Her father is South African actor Dumisani Dlamini, best known for his role in 1992’s Sarafina! starring alongside Whoopi Goldberg. And when she first met Whoopi, Doja told her about her father and was open to the conversation. Still some people wondered on twitter why she did not claim her African side earlier. Others said that “her being South African doesn't excuse her behavior”, and begged her to “leave South Africa out of her mess”. Other eyebrow-raising tweets accused mixed people like Doja to be extremely racist in South Africa. Needless to say South Africans did not have Doja’s back on twitter.

Doja Cat deserves to be cancelled. As a South African I am not surprised, a lot of biracial/coloured people have a similar attitude here in South Africa. They are only black when it suits them. https://t.co/O5tnhqXn3t
— Lev Mlindrish Lindokov (@Shelomohkeita) May 25, 2020

I saw that video but I feel like she didn't need to put SA on her apology at all. Anyone who follows doja cat knows her father is from South Africa and her being South African doesn't excuse her behaviour.
— Mathonn Honest (@MathonnHonest) May 25, 2020

Doja cat isn’t South African. We don’t recognise her 😳
— greyy• (@BuntuMkhonto) May 25, 2020

Doja Cat claiming to be South Africa after the backlash? Sis never said a word about her South African roots unless she is mentioning her deadbeat dad. What black family is she now talking about?
— Ayandamatsonyane Sotshisa (@Acesotshisa) May 25, 2020

Doja Cat “I’m a South African woman”
Naah sis, you belong to the states
— quarantino 🇲🇿 (@brownliquorbaby) May 25, 2020

So the one time when Doja cat is facing backlash for being a racist she wants to finally claim being South African💀💀
— Sii (@__Siiwe) May 25, 2020

I knew that #DojaCat would use how she is half south African to try and wiggle her way outta this mess pic.twitter.com/6sEE22RPfY
— 😍KARABO 😍 (@Kay_bunnie23) May 25, 2020

If y’all confused about Doja cat being potentially racist, just remember she is half South African...them Mfs more racist than the white Americans here in the U.S.
— Chioma ✨🇳🇬 (@finegalnopimple) May 22, 2020

Doja Cat aka Zandile Dlamini seeks Oppressor validation. U would think with a South African father she would want 2know her roots due to APARTHEID history but she wants none of that hence her interaction with racists & making fun of Black Americans while profiting off da culture.
— Kareem & Ali spoke on SOCIAL JUSTICE unlike Jordan (@DariusAintMad) May 23, 2020

#Perks | Show off your Cool and Hip Personality with These Lock Screens

2020-05-26T23:10:00.002+01:00

Your phone's lock screen could be just a simple flower or family photo you enjoy looking at every time you reach for your phone. However there is nothing wrong in adding something new and different once in a while.The good news is that we have created some cool wallpaper for your screen that you may test out this as early as right now. The images are a mix of African popular prints by Vlisco and the Adidas flower logo. Merging these two elements brought a surprising combination that will show off your cool and hip personality through your phone. Enjoy these perks they are free!

Just in case you want your own Ankara/Adidas lockscreen personalized with your name like it was requested by Andréa and Amina (see below), drop your info in the comment section and we will send yours by email in the next 24 hours throughout the month of June.

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This project is FREE and for entertainment purpose only. We do not claim ownership of some of the elements comprised in the visuals.

#SoHip | TOP 30 African Dark Skinned Beauties

2020-05-25T13:33:00.003+01:00

Even Though skin bleaching is still widely the trend among African women, it is refreshing to see dark women owning their beauty and skin color. Here we have compiled a list of 30 women who do just that everyday in the African entertainment scene and the diaspora. Check them out right here, and let us know who should be in our next Top 30 African Dark Skinned Beauties list.

#SoHip | 7 Lupita Nyong'o White Looks

2020-05-05T17:55:00.000+01:00

Some say dressing in White represents holiness and purity. And for the Black Panther and Us star Lupita Nyongo, this is an effortless look. Dabbling in white may be risky for some, but Lupita is showing us how dapper and angelic it really is. Today we will be sharing 7 Lupita nyongo white looks that will leave you captivated.

Number 1

While attending the WSJ Magazine 2018 Innovator Awards in November 2018, Lupita wore a stunning white suit ensemble, with pants that completely covered her feet. Her radiance left more than one person in awe with her beauty.

Number 2

Lupita Nyong’o was one of the star attractions at the 2018 Governors Awards held in Hollywood. She sashayed down the red carpet in a white Tom Ford Spring 2019 dress, that was mesmerizing with its volume and movement.

Number 3

The actress wowed in a white feathered Oscar de la Renta gown at the ‘Vanity Fair’ Oscars after-party on February 2019. She worked that dress on the after-party red carpet, twirling around to showcase the entire gown.

Number 4

Lupita made another excellent impression in white as she dazzled at “Sorry Angel” Premiere at 71st Cannes Film Festival on October 2018

Number 5

The actress had all eyes on her – and her epic, spike-covered jacket – at the “US” premiere, in New York. She wore a plain white mini shirt dress with a transparent jacket covered in studded spikes over the top.

Number 6

Lupita Nyong'o went ultra-modern in a white cutout pantsuit by Honayda at the SXSW premiere of 'Us.' on March 08, 2019 in Austin, Texas. The double-breasted jacket also featured cut-away panels at the waistline, and was teamed with straight-cut, wide trousers.

Number 7

In 2015, Nyong'o wowed on the red carpet at the Oscars. her striking Calvin Klein Collection gown featured pearl detailing with a halter neck and dramatic scooped back. According to reports from the red carpet, there were 6,000 pearls on the dress.

#Hairspiration | Taraji P Henson Shows Off Quarantine Braids

2020-05-03T23:40:00.004+01:00

Most people are stuck in their homes during quarantine and some of them found ways to use their time on creative projects. That’s the case for actress Taraji P Henson who showed off her hair braiding skills on IG.

Indeed, the star of empire, posted on April 21 a hair full of braids and she bragged about the fact that she did it all by herself posting, “This #quarantine look is brought to you by MEEEEEEEE!!! I did everything!”.

Taraji showed beautiful red and orange long twist braids. She first modeled the style in a ponytail and received props from other celebrities like halle berry who sent fire emojis. Erikah Badu commented Daz Cute. And Gabrielle Union said “Obessed”.

Weeks later on May 2nd Taraji posted her braids with new twists. She added hair jewelry and made a couple of bantu knots on the side from her braids. She captioned the post #newdoo #WhoDat Hair by meeeeee. She added @tphbytaraji which is her hair care collection and promised to post the tutorial.

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👀 #newdoo #WhoDat Hair by meeeeee @tphbytaraji #hairchameleon #passiontwists #textures #HowToVideo coming soon 🗣 SWIPE LEFT 😩😂🙏🏾💋💋💋

A post shared by taraji p henson (@tarajiphenson) on May 2, 2020 at 7:46pm PDT