MUSIC MONDAY: BEYONCE

Does anyone else think Beyoncé reps Africa more than some Africans do? Earlier in the year she performed her hit "Grown Woman" at the Chime for Change Concert, and featured African inspired dance moves. On her latest album, her song "Flawless" features the work of Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

GRAMMY NOMINATIONS

Oh how I love this time of year. Not only is it holiday season, but it's also the beginning of awards season. This past weekend, Grammy nominations were revealed which made me happy and upset at the same time. So happy for my fellow Africans and everyone else that was nominated, but I think that some people were definitely snubbed. 

MUSIC MONDAY:ELVIS

As you may know by now, I love a lot of things and everything is my favorite, so believe me when I say I love country music and it's my favorite. Growing up, my dad would play Garth Brooks and The Judds around the house, just as much as Koffi and Papa Wemba. Thankfully, it seems that I was not the only African girl running around listening to country music.

MUSIC MONDAY: RICARDO LEMVO

Not only is it my parent's anniversary, it's also Angola Independence Day. To mark the special occasion, I've decided to share a fave song from Ricardo Lemvo. Before moving to the states, he grew up in the DRC until age 13, is of Angolan descent, and is somewhat a family friend. I met him when I was really young and barely remember, but it still counts. Right? 

MUSIC MONDAY: GOOD NEWS

So many African artists are doing such big things right now. As a fan, and fellow African, I am so proud and excited for them all. Here are a few that I am the most excited about.

1. Petite Noir is featured on, Saint Heron, the first album released from Solange Knowles' new label. 

TUMBLR TUESDAY: BEST CONGO PHOTOS

Check out some of our fave Congo photos on Tumblr. HAPPY TUESDAY! 

Hairstyles, Congo 1972

Photo C/O: Manufactoriel 

La Sape, by Zemba Luzamba

PHOTOS C/O: Dynamic Africa 

Congo Social Scene

PHOTOS C/O: CAFE CONGO 

Goma Airport, December 2012 

PHOTOS C/O: 5cents A Pound

Girl with bicycle along a flowery road. Katanga, DR Congo

Boy, DR Congo, 2012

PHOTOS C/O: Africa Stories 

MUSIC MONDAY: GRANDPA'S TOP 5

TDB with Grpa

It's a very special day here over at TDB. Our grandfather, aka Grpa, decided to contribute to the Congo Week Edition Music Monday post! When I approached him about contributing to the blog he was super excited and even took the time to hand write his top five songs with a brief introduction about himself.

MUSIC MONDAY: LET'S CATCH UP

I'm back! I haven't posted in two weeks and it seriously feels like a lifetime. Because I know you are just dying to hear what I've been up to (more so I'm dying to tell you), I've decided to share how I spent my time away from TDB.

First things first, I got the heck out of town. I was finally able to make my way down to San Diego and see friends I haven't seen in years. It was so fun and relaxing. I'll definitely be heading back soon. 

DOSHA DOES: ANKARA FESTIVAL 2013

This past weekend we attended Ankara Festival 2013 at the Avalon in Hollywood. We thoroughly enjoyed all of the great fashion and musical performances. TDB fave, Sumahrie Collections, had such an amazing collection. Korto Momolu, of Project Runway fame, was the headliner and killed. Loved everything that came down the runway. I also loved Chidera Chimera's designs for Dewan Apparel. Such amazing men's fashion.   

MUSIC MONDAY: #PRAY4KENYA

MUSIC MONDAY: ASHA'S OBSESSIONS

Theophilus London is still my obsession

It's been brought to my attention that I simply don't just like things, but I become completely obsessed. I've also been known to call everything my favorite, but that's another story. For now, enjoy some of my latest obsessions. Enjoy!

DOSHA DOES: LIFE AND TIMES FIESTA

POSING WITH DESIGNER MAHRIAMA SUMA OF SUMAHRIE COLLECTIONS 

This past weekend, the TDB girls  attended the 3rd Annual Life and Times Fiesta. It was such a fun night filled with great music, food, comedy, and fashion. A TDB fave, comedienne Yvonne Orji, was the MC and kept us laughing all night. 

MUSIC MONDAY: JAM OF THE WEEK

So I have to say Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" was definitely my summer jam, but it has officially been replaced. Kenna's "Revelation (An Ode to You and Me") is my jam. The artist even refers to this song as "#Reversedblurredlines." Trust me, this is gonna be your new jam. Enjoy! 

DOSHA DOES: ECHO PARK RISING

This past weekend, Farida and I had the pleasure of attending the 3rd Annual Echo Park Rising Music Festival. 

The two-day extravaganza is full of great bands, music, food, art, and is completely free to attend. Once we arrived and saw the massive crowds of people, we knew we were in for a fun night. 

There were various venues all over the Sunset streets, but Farida and I decided to hang out at Taix French Restaurant. The parking lot next to the restaurant held the main outdoor stage, where great bands like Olin and the Moon and Big Black Delta graced the stage. In the Champagne room, in the restaurant, was where we spent the majority of our night. It was such a fun and intimate setting, you could tell that all of the people in the room simply wanted to have a good time and enjoy great music. Hardly anyone had their cellphones out during the sets, which is so rare nowadays.

The Reflections 

We made some new buddies and discovered great acts like Spirit Vine and The Reflections. Spirit Vine has an amazing female lead singer and an awesome female drummer; I just love girls in rock bands. The Reflections are kinda the coolest band ever. We not only watched them perform in the room, but went outside to see them rock out in a food truck. Who does that? 

Of all the great bands and musicians we saw on Saturday, no one was able to top Moses Sumney. In fact, he was the reason we went to the festival in the first place, and I am so glad he did not disappoint. 

Moses Sumney 

Moses Sumney is life! I heard thirty seconds of the Ghanaian rapper on Tumblr, crazy right, and within the hour Farida and I were in the car going to see him perform live. Boy does he know how to put on a show. It was just him alone on the stage, and he commanded the attention of everyone in the room. I was enjoying his performance, but when he performed "Alchemy" I was completely locked in. The song is beyond beautiful and his vocals are kind of insane. I'm actually listening to it while I write this. It's just so good.

After his set, Farida and I were able to speak with him briefly. He was extremely nice, charismatic, and claimed to love Instagram more than his parents. Sumney was also kind enough to give Farida a clapping lesson. During one of his songs, he asked the audience to clap along, and well, Farida could not keep up. 

Make sure to check him out live if you can. You definitely will not regret it. Check out this video of him performing another one of his amazing songs, "Replaceable." 

Moses & Me

See more pictures from the festival on our Instagram. 

-ASHA 

MUSIC MONDAY: LAUGH OUT LOUD

I don't know if you have noticed, but over here at TDB, we love to have a good laugh. You could say we kind of LIVE for LOL moments. Because I am in the business of sharing, I figured I would share a few things that make me literally laugh out loud. Happy Monday! 

MUSIC MONDAY: INDEPENDENCE DAY

In honor of Burkina Faso's 53rd Independence Day, I thought I'd share this amazing video. Watch this great story of two young artists, Patrick and Ezekiel, hoping to become international jazz musicians. I really love and enjoy seeing people pursue their dreams. So inspirational. Enjoy! 

MUSIC MONDAY: HAPPY MONDAY

This picture perfectly describes how I am feeling right now. Even though I am sick as a dog, I can't help but have a smile on my face. So many fun things are coming up for team TDB and I am beyond excited. No worries, all will be shared soon enough. For now, I'll sit here smiling and share a fun song that hopefully puts a smile on your face.

MUSIC MONDAY: ENVY

Have you ever listened to a song and realized the lyrics hit a little too close to home? Envy's song "Am I Wrong" did that to me. I was having one of those deep life conversations with myself and essentially questioning everything. You know, the usual philosophical questions people tend to ask. Should I being doing this? Am I where I should be in life?

MUSIC MONDAY: SABRINA IYADEDE

I've convinced myself that Iyadede and I are the same person. Besides the obvious African connection, we both rock the natural hair look (she wears braids sometimes, I used to), she lives in Brooklyn (I would live there), and if I could carry a tune, I'm almost positive people would say our voices sound alike. Same person right?! Alright, so maybe we're not exactly the same person, but a girl can dream can't she? 

MUSIC MONDAY: EBONY OSHUNRINDE

I am thoroughly enjoying the fact that Africans are slowly making their way into mainstream American entertainment. Idris Elba is taking over the big screen, Duro Olowu is conquering the fashion world, and musicians like Nneka, Wale, and Tinie Tempah are taking over the charts. Clearly, Kanye West and Jay Z are aware of this, because they both have introduced and shared African artists and music to the masses. Kanye West was instrumental in D'Banj making it big in America, while Jay Z produced Fela, and used a beat from soon to be well known producer, Wondagurl, on his latest album.