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AFRICAN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS |
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D,Banj singing a new tune for African music |
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In Africa being a musician has for the longest time been synonymous with poverty or was seen largely as a career option for those who did not have access to higher education. However how then does one explain the current generation of young African artists who view music as a business and most of whom have a degree?
This generation is sharp, fashion savvy, talented (well to some extent) and most importantly they are about the bottom line. Truth be told D’Banj is not the world’s greatest vocalist and he may not be Africa’s answer to Usher, but one would be remise to dismiss him as a fly by night artist. With a following right across sub-Saharan Africa and an international million dollar recording deal with Kanye West D’Banj has done what no other African recording artist has managed to do since the times of Fela and Miriam that is putting Africa on the international stage like never before. The difference here is unlike Fela and Miriam, Dbanj’s music is not about fighting any oppressive regime back home, he is neither a social activity or a liberation fighter…he is simply an entertainer which is refreshing particularly coming from a history where most of our internationally successful musicians used music as a means of fighting some oppressive regime. D’Banj, whether conscious of it or not, support what we have been always saying at AfricaBe.Com, that being that the story of Africa is not one, it has many layers, some complex, some frivolous, some fun and some just D’Banj!
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Linda Mabhena
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REVIEWS |
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A fresh, funny outlook on homosexuality!
The Kids Are All Right is an American movie, however given the taboo regarding homosexuality in Africa, it was refreshing to watch a movie about a lesbian couple that does not focus on homosexuality being a morbidly painful existence. So often our so...
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Far from Home - Na’ima B Robert
Na'ima B. Robert is a Zimbabwean author with a difference. Born Thando Nomhle McLaren, she defines herself as ‘Muslim, Black, mixed-race, Southern African, Western, revert and woman all in one’. Descended from Scottish Highlanders on her father...
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Loving Lulu
Loving Lulu is a complex depiction of the question of love and sexuality in the context of African relationships (relationships in the changing African environment). This play personified emotions of love that may be acted upon by some and ignored b...
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Tango with Me Movie Review
Tango with me is probably the best African film I have seen this year for one reason alone….the script is daring and unlike the typical Nollywood romance stories the road to "happily ever after" is not so clear cut.
The film begins with a simple...
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Exciting new Zimbabwean novel by Na'ima B Robert
FAR FROM HOME
Na'ima B Robert
Publication: August 2011
R119.00 Paperback 9781847800060
www.far-from-home.com
Exploring the untold history of Zimbabwe’s land reforms, Far from Home tells the story of Katie and Tariro, two girls linke...
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Paradise Stop
From the makers of the popular and critically acclaimed South African movie, White Wedding, comes a new film that is set to become just as popular, Paradise Stop. Set in the small fictional rural town of Naboomspruit, in the province of Limpopo, Para...
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Films Recently Made in Africa
When thinking of films recently made in Africa, we had a hard time narrowing it down to just a few that had made a great impression. Legendary African film makers such as Ousmane Sembene and Djibril Diop Mambety easily come to mid when thinking of th...
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Book Review:Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted…
A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted…
Review of Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s I Do Not Come To You By Chance
Exile is a fitting metaphor for alienation. It is akin to the biblical purgatory. Nothing is quite
right; one feels neither here nor the...
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Songs of Migration
The reasons for moving from one’s home or place of birth to a different, foreign place are vast. An underlying feeling for people who undergo this migration is a sense of nostalgia for home, a longing for familiarity, fear of the unknown. For many...
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The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – izigwili Ezidlakazelayo - performed by the Isango Portobello Theatre Company premiered on Thursday, 21 October 2010 at The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town.
Situated in the old District Six and housed in the new...
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MUSIC |
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All That Jazz
My earliest memory of anything even remotely related to Jazz was watching my parents dance to See Line Woman by Nina Simone when I was just five years old. I remember being intrigued by the melody, the beautiful and intricate simplicity of this woman...
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Lake of Stars
Every year, on the edge of the great lake of Malawi, music enthusiasts, travellers, fun seekers, hippies and festival goers alike converge for a three day music, arts and culture festival which aims to bring together Malawian artist and international...
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Simphiwe Dan-Interview
Growth, Challenges and Self Fulfillment, an Interview with Simphiwe Dana – Refilwe Nkomo
Upon the release of her new album, Kulture Noir and having received four MetroFM nominations, the only female to have so many nominations this year, AfricaB...
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Amani
Kenyan musician Amani
By:Wangechi Wahome
“My goal is to be as big as Brenda Fassie in Africa,” these are the first words Kenyan musician, Cecilia Wairimu better known as Amani utters when we meet for the interview.
Like everywhere else in t...
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Africabe.com Anonymous Interview
Hip Hop is the beat by which our hearts pump blood through our system and give us life; Hip Hop is the truth, the voice with which we will be heard. Hip Hop is Life, the very reason we exist. These are intense statements and although it may be true t...
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AfricaBe.com Sankofa Interview
Deep in the valleys of the lush South Coast of South Africa, I heard a drum beat to the sounds of life, embracing the melody of the wind and the chants of the trees, the soil's lullaby, the Earth's song. Here, deep in" darkest" Africa is where a beat...
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That Ol' BLK Magic
Neo Muyanga and Masauko Chipembere are two of Southern Africa's greatest living musical artists in a humble yet significant way. The duo is an unassuming pair who has been known to use their voices and stringed instruments to stir it up. Kojo Baffoe,...
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