The MIMI Magazine Blog

Restless City: A Film by Andrew Dosunmu

2012-04-16T07:00:00.001-07:00

Written By: MIM!—Coming to a theatre near you this month is Restless City: A Film by Andrew Dosunmu about an Africa immigrant—Djibril—surviving on the fringes of New York where music is his passion, life is a hustle, and falling in love is his greatest risk. Djibril has endured many travails by the time he arrives in New York, where has has lofty dreams to become a musician, a pop star and one day return to Africa where his mother and father toil for a meager living. By day Djibril sells merchandise on Canal Street for a small income that keeps him going as he continuously seeks to find a way to succeed as a singer. He has made many friends on Canal Street and one of them is Bekay, a complex man whom Djibril finds difficult to trust. Bekay is a shady character who sells bootlegged CDs to Djibril and also runs a secret brothel. It is at Bekay's brothel that things take a turn when Djibril sees beautiful Trini for the first time and he becomes involved in Bekay's dealings. For premier dates and to view the movie's trailer, visit restlesscityfilm.com.

(Photo Credits: © Jenny Baptiste)

Watch Shuga: Love, Sex, Money Episode 6—The Finale

2012-04-13T04:00:00.001-07:00

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 6 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

Book Review: Being Lara: A Novel by Lola Jaye

2012-04-11T07:25:00.005-07:00

Written By: MIM!—Author Lola Jaye's novel, Being Lara, will keep you turning the pages from beginning to end. The story centers around Lara, a protagonist who always knew she was different. As a little girl living in England, she realized she looked different from everyone in her family with her dark complexion and curly hair. Lara has a hard time finding out the reality of her situation, but on her thirtieth birthday, Lara, always in control, gets the surprise of her lifetime when a stranger—a woman in a blue-and-black head tie—claims to be her mother. Unexpected, dangerously unfamiliar emotions are turning Lara's life upside down, pulling her between Nigeria and London, forcing her to confront the truth about her past. But if she's brave enough to embrace the lives of her two mothers, she may discover once and for all what it truly means to be Lara.

(Photo Credits: Book Cover Art)

The G.O.O.D. Wait Is Over, D'Banj Debuts The Music Video For Oliver Twist

2012-03-22T07:22:00.005-07:00

Written By: MIM!—When news broke last year that Nigerian hit singer/songwriter D'banj was signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music record label, the blogosphere was abuzz about what artistic direction D'banj's music would take. The wait is over; this week, D'Banj debuted the video for his single Oliver Twist, from his upcoming album, Mr. Endowed. Watch below.

D' Banj-Oliver twist [Official Video] from celebregion on Vimeo.

Watch It Now ... Shuga: Love, Sex, Money: Episode 5

2012-03-15T07:50:00.001-07:00

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 5 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

Our Ten Favorite Red Carpet Looks From Johannesburg Fashion Week 2012

2012-03-12T06:00:00.001-07:00

Watch Shuga: Love, Sex, Money Episodes 3 And 4 Now

2012-03-11T13:45:00.001-07:00

Written By: MIM!—The second season of the Kenyan MTV Staying Alive series, Shuga, keeps getting better and this time Nigeria is in on the action with singer and rising actor Ifeco Ikubese (9con).

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 3 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 4 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

From The Current Issue Of MIMI ... Lucia Lolita: Style Blogger Cut From A Different Cloth

2012-03-06T06:00:00.006-08:00

Written By: MIM!—Fashion is a means of expression for Lucia Lolita, who describes her style as “fitted and versatile.” She says, “I truly believe that fashion is art. It is not about how much you spend on clothes, but how you wear your clothes. Money can’t buy you style.” Find out more about how Lucia expresses herself through fashion by visiting lolitasfashionideas.blogspot.com.

Read the rest of this article—Style Bloggers Cut From A Different Cloth—in the new issue of MIMI, With Love.

(Photo Credits: © lolitasfashionideas.blogspot.com)

From The Current Issue Of MIMI ... Nifesimi Oluwole: Style Blogger Cut From A Different Cloth

2012-03-05T06:00:00.003-08:00

Written By: MIM!—Nifesimi Oluwole’s eclectic style reflects her Nigerian roots, fearless spirit, and undeniable hipster swagger. She says about style: “Being stylish is more than following current trends and buying name brands. It simply means having an individual style or way of dressing.” Get inspired by Nifesimi’s style blog at www.skinnyhipster.com.

Read the rest of this article—Style Bloggers Cut From A Different Cloth—in the new issue of MIMI, With Love.

(Photo Credits: www.PAOSIN.com & NIFESIMI for www.skinnyhipster.com)

From The Current Issue Of MIMI ... Shirley Eniang: Style Blogger Cut From A Different Cloth

2012-03-02T07:26:00.007-08:00

Written By: MIM!—Shirley Eniang proves that the day-to-day style of a university student majoring in mathematics can be personal, versatile, and oh so very chic. Get her beauty and style tips by visiting www.meek-n-mild.com.

Read the rest of this article—Style Bloggers Cut From A Different Cloth—in the new issue of MIMI, With Love.

(Photo Credits: © www.meek-n-mild.com)

From The Current Issue Of MIMI ... Patience Gore: Style Blogger Cut From A Different Cloth

2012-03-01T06:45:00.003-08:00

Written By: MIM!—Patience Gore is the classicist who infuses prints, bright colors, and texture to her carefully structured looks. Refecting her thoroughly modern style, Patience counts Rihanna, Miranda Kerr, Grace Kelly, and Jennifer Aniston among her style icons. Keep up with Patience’s refreshingly haute take on fashion by visiting www.JustPatience.com.

Read the rest of this article—Style Bloggers Cut From A Different Cloth—in the new issue of MIMI, With Love.

(Photo Credits: © www.JustPatience.com)

From The Current Issue Of MIMI ... Samata Angel: Manifest Destiny

2012-03-01T06:30:00.002-08:00

Written By: MIM!—Since we last interviewed Samata Angel in 2009 until now, it has been as she puts it, “quite the adventure!” In a snapshot: “In February 2010 I became an ambassador for the exclusive Transatlantic Network 2020, and was named in the Black Women in Europe: Power List 2010 which were great honours for me. Most of 2010, I spent working on my third book [a fashion designer’s how-to guide for aspiring designers] and working with the London College of Fashion, lecturing and mentoring students there. 2011 was an incredible year! It started off with me winning Suzy Amis Cameron’s Red Carpet Green Dress Contest [a global sustainable dress contest] and then being ... named as the Campaign Director for the campaign ... I was also named as one Red Magazine’s “One to Watch: Top 20 Women Under The Age of 30” and was invited to address the Prime Minister David Cameron ... and an audience of MP’s, entrepreneurs and media at the launch of StartUp Britain.” And that’s just the beginning, 2012 promises to be a big year for Samata —she plans to return to designing with the launch of her own womenswear brand. MIM! caught up with Samata, to learn more about the entrepreneur, dreamer, achiever.

Read the rest of this article—Samata Angel: Manifest Destiny—in the current issue of MIMI, With Love.

Estelle's All Of Me Is Out Today In The US

2012-02-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

Written By: MIM!—We've been eagerly waiting for four years, and today, All Of Me, Estelle's follow up to her 2008 album, Shine, is released in the US. All Of Me features features a number of collaborations, including the already-released singles Break My Heart (with Rick Ross) and Thank You (with Akon). Stateside fans can catch Estelle on tour, which is already underway; for details, visit www.estellemusic.com. In the UK, All Of Me will be released on March, 12th.

(Photo Credits: CD Cover Art)

Watch Shuga: Love, Sex, Money Episode 2 Now!

2012-02-24T05:00:00.001-08:00

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 2 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

With Love From MIMI ...

2012-02-22T06:00:00.004-08:00

Written By: MIM!—We took a break since publishing the last issue of MIMI, Reb(ELLE)s, but next week, we'll be back with a new issue of MIMI, aptly themed With Love, featuring Samata Angel on the cover.

Samata is the first woman to grace MIMI's cover alone twice; while only three other women—Nkhensani Nkosi, Teiko Dornor and Noella Coursaris—have graced MIMI's cover twice in our now six year year history, their second covers have always featured strong leading men (Nkhensani Nkosi: 2009 and 2006; Teiko Dornor: 2008 and 2006; and Noella Coursaris: 2007 and 2006). As always, we have a number of informative and inspiring articles slated for publication, including a touching tribute to environmental pioneer Wangari Maathai and a pointed commentary about the Abia State University (ABSU) Rape, which made headlines across the world last year. Although we have collected all articles for the next article, find out how you can can get published in MIMI, here.

Find out exactly when the next issue of MIMI, With Love, is released online by following us on Facebook, where we will first make the upcoming announcement next week.

(Photo Credits: © BDM; Makeup By: Gosia Byliniak)

Music Video: Hula Hoop By Stella Mwangi Featuring Mohombi

2012-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Written By: MIM!—Below, watch the video for Stella Mwangi's single, Hula Hoop, featuring Mohombi from her latest album Kinanda, released in the summer of last year.

Stella Mwangi feat Mohombi - "Hula Hoop" (Official video) from Big City on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © CD Cover Art)

MTV Staying Alive's Shuga: Episode 2

2012-02-21T11:00:00.002-08:00

Written By: MIM!—If you're like us, then after watching Episode 1 of the second season of Shuga, you can't get enough of Shuga: Love, Sex, Money. Episode 2 will air on MTV Base, today. Here's what's in store:

This week on Shuga - Episode 2 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

Watch the full episode as soon as it is published online at shuga.tv.

MTV Staying Alive's Shuga Is Back! Watch The First Episode Of Season 2 "Love, Sex, Money" Now

2012-02-21T06:00:00.003-08:00

Written By: MIM!—It is only fitting that as of February 2, Season 2 of MTV's hit series, Shuga, is back. Like Season 1 of the award winning series, Season 2 of Shuga "Love, Sex, Money" is set in Nairobi, Kenya. Watch the first episode below:

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 1 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

To join the conversation visit any of the following links: shuga.tv; facebook.com/mtvshuga; twitter.com/mtvshuga, and if you missed Season 1 of this exciting series, take a look at this blog post.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw Returns To Television On The New FOX Series, TOUCH

2012-02-20T09:00:00.002-08:00

Written By: MIM!—Following her role on the sexy spy drama Undercovers, Gugu Mbatha-Raw returns to television this season as Clea Hopkins on the FOX series, TOUCH, which FOX describes as "a preternatural drama in which science and spirituality intersect with the hopeful premise that we are all interconnected, tied in invisible ways to those whose lives we are destined to alter and impact." Get details about Gugu's lead role below.

Goapele's Back With Her Soon To Be Released Album "Break Of Dawn"

2011-10-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

Written By: MIM!—Singer Goapele is poised to release her anticipated full length album, Break of Dawn, on October 24th. Watch the sexy black and white video for the newly released single, Play, below.

Goapele "Play" from Detail Shoppe on Vimeo.

Dris' Private Garden

2011-10-03T04:00:00.000-07:00

Written By: Nani Hapa—Proving he's not just eye candy ... he's also ear candy, our favorite actor Idris Elba is making a run for the music industry under the stage name Dris. Check out his video for Private Garden below.

Private Garden from Crystle Clear Roberson on Vimeo.

New Music Video: Nneka "My Home"

2011-10-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Nneka "My Home" (Official Video) from Sony Exploitation on Vimeo.

Africa Online: Iman, Estelle, Femi Kuti ... And More

2011-08-19T04:00:00.000-07:00

Written By: MIM!—Here are five stories from other websites that we loved reading this week:

Miriam Chemmoss Debuts A New Cropped Hairstyle

2011-08-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

Written By: MIM!—Singer and model Miriam Chemmoss has always been a trendsetter with her hair—first, with her signature red locks, and now with her short cropped black hairdo, and she always looks gorgeous. The short do is part of what Miriam is calling a "magical beginning" with the upcoming release of a new album. We can't wait! What do you think MIMI-isats, do you like Miriam's new short hairdo?

MIMI Related Articles: Gallery: A Shortcut To Beauty; Rudi: Miriam Chemmoss Is Back

(Photo Credits: Left © Shem Lwanga. Right © Photography And Make-Up By Alexei Afonin. Stylist: Kathy Berry. Design: Tucia)

Save The Date: Mali Fashion Week

2011-08-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

Written By: Society Harriet's Alter Ego—On July 28th Society HAE attended the press conference and luncheon held at United Nations Plaza where African boutique BebeNOIR announced the launch of Mali’s first ever Fashion Week which is scheduled to take place December 12th through the 18th of this year in Mali, West Africa.

For more details about the first ever Mali Fashion Week, check out Society HAE's press conference recap and video and visit Mali Fashion Week's official website.

MIMI Related Articles: World Party; Africa Fashion Week: Fashioning The Continent