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.

FASHION FRIDAY: LUPITA NYONG'O

2013 has been a great year for TDB fave Lupita Nyong'o. Not only is she killing it with her performance in the critically acclaimed film 12 Years A Slave, but she is also killing it on the red carpet. I cannot wait to see what she wears this award season. Here are my TOP TEN favorite looks of hers. 

2013 BAFTA LA Jaguar Britannia  Awards

LANVIN

 Bungalow 8 and Worldview Party 

ANOTNIO BERADI 

FARIDA'S COOKING CORNER : MOMBASA PUMPKIN DESSERT

Why, hello there my fine foodie friends! In honor of  Halloween, which is tomorrow for those of you who still haven't gotten a costume, present company included, I decided to bring you a deliciously tasty treat from the lovely people of Kenya. Get your taste buds ready ladies and gent, for I give you  Mombasa Pumpkin Dessert.

GET FAMILIAR: LUPITA NYONG'O

  With only a few credits to her name, actress Lupita Nyong'o is already creating a name for herself in the film world. And with a role in Steve McQueen's highly anticipated "12 Years A Slave", which Nyong'o is expected to take home the New Hollywood Award at the 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards, it seems as though this is just the beginning for the Kenyan actress. Bottom line: It's about time we all get familiar with Lupita Nyong'o.

MUSIC MONDAY: #PRAY4KENYA

MUSIC MONDAY: SUMMER EDITION

Next to basketball, summer is my favorite season! I enjoy the amazing weather, BBQs, and great music. Music is always so good in the summer.  Here are some the songs that get me in the mood for all the summer shenanigans. 

FASHION FRIDAY: VICTORIA'S SECRET ANGELS

As well as being an actress, one of my life-long dreams was to be a Victoria's Secret Angel. Blame it on the angel wings. While I wait for the call that I'll be walking down the runway in this year's show, I thought I'd share with you guys some of the fab, fellow African chicas who've shimmied down the glittery runway:


Ajuma Nasenyana-KENYA

Alek Wek- SUDAN

Aminata Niaria-SENEGAL

Anais Mali-CHAD

FASHION FRIDAY: THE MAASAI PROJECT

The Maasai Project was founded from the partnership between Spanish footwear company Pikolinos and the non profit ADCAM. The project helps the women of the Maasai tribe, of Kenya, design sandals and bags, which are then finished in Spain. 

SPOTLIGHT: THE LEGEND OF NGONG HILLS

Never in my life did I think an animated film could leave such an impression on me, but that's exactly what the short film, The Legend of Ngong Hills did.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: BARBRA STREISAND

I have a confession to make. I'm slightly obsessed with Barbra Streisand. You can imagine how excited I was when I found pics of her in full African attire from her movie Up the Sandbox. In the movie she plays a bored housewife that has outrageous fantasies: her mother breaking into her place, helping people plant explosives, and taking part in an explorer's demonstration of tribal fertility music in Kenya. How amazing does she look?

MUSIC MONDAY: KENYAN BOYS CHOIR

You may remember the Kenyan Boys Choir from President Obama's inauguration ceremony. The choir formed in 1998 to help underprivileged Kenyan boys, from various tribes and backgrounds, raise money to attend school. On their way home from the inauguration, the choir was offered a recording deal with Decca Records. Under Decca Records, the Kenyan choir released the album, Spirit of Africa, which featured covers of songs such as Paul Simon's "Homeless", and one of my favorite Christmas songs, "O Holy Night."

THROWBACK THURSDAY: THE AIR UP THERE

The Air Up There is a 1994 film starring Kevin Bacon and Kenyan Charles Gitonga Maina.

The movie is about a college basketball assistant coach (Bacon) who travels to Africa to recruit a star player, Saleh, (Maina) for his team. Of course getting him to the states isn't that easy: not only does he have to convince Saleh, but he also has to convince Saleh's father, who is the chief of the tribe; as well as help Saleh and his tribe deal with a rival tribe. All this, while trying to adapt to the culture and his new surroundings.

At the surface, this movie is your typical sports film with a fish-out-of-water element, but at the core, it explores the themes of  family, honor, obligation and pride, which are universal themes that we can all relate to.

The best part is that the film is actual filmed in Africa, in Kenya and South Africa.

FASHION FRIDAY: STEEVE AUKINGSO

After working as a model, Steeve Aukingso can now be found on the other side of the lens. He's taken his  love  of the fashion world,  and parlayed it into a career in fashion photography.

I love that his photography isn't just exclusive to just fashion. Yes, he does shoot beauty and lingerie campaigns, but he also explores with more artistic imagery, where the subjects are manipulated and distorted; the images are in vain of something you'd see in a graphic novel.

I think that Steeve has a very interesting point of view, and  I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.

-DIVA

LONDON CALLING: FILM AFRICA 2012

The 2nd Annual African Film Festival, Film Africa, is in full effect. This ten-day festival offers 70 African films, Q&As with the filmmakers, professional workshops, and nine nights of African music.

MUSIC MONDAY: JUST A BAND

Kenyan quartet Just A Band  is, well, more than just a band. Daniel, "Blinky Bill", Jim and Mbithi are four artistic visionaries that combine electronica, jazz, hip-hop, and disco, to form their own eclectic sound. In an effortless fashion, Just A Band is able to sing sweet slow-tempo songs, such as "If I Could"  , and transition to the more electro-dance sounding songs, "BoogieDeeBweet", without missing a beat. 

FASHION FRIDAY: FASHION FOR A CAUSE

FEED 12 Classics, a collaboration between TOMS and FEED

Of course we're all familiar with the great contributions fashion labels TOMS and FEED have made to help those in need, especially in Africa. However, they aren't the only ones doing their part. There are some other notable brands who are using their label as a platform to help others:

Ethiopian Model/Actress Liya Kebede founded Lemlem, which not only preserves traditional Ethipoian weaving but also gives job stability to the local weavers whose livelihood was threatened when there was no longer demand for their goods. LemLem creates beautiful hand-made scarves, clothing and home goods.

GUESS...WHO'S AFRICAN?

Storm

When you think of the word “Africa“ do you think of superheroes? The answer is most likely no, but you have heard of at least one African superhero, Ororo Munroe, but you probably know her better as "Storm". Making her first appearance in “Giant-Size X-Men “#1 in 1975, Storm was born in New York City to a Kenyan tribal princess and an American photographer. After the tragic death of her parents, an orphaned Storm wandered around the streets of Cairo until a chance meeting with Professor Charles Xavier led to her joining the X-men.