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

THROWBACK THURSDAY: BEYONCÉ

Queen B was so impressed with the dance skills of Tofo Tofo, that she used their choreography in her "Run the World (Girls)" video. She personally flew them out, from Mozambique, for the shoot. Check out their original choreography here, and watch her video below. Enjoy!   

SPOTLIGHT: DAVID OYELOWO

Having taken his first acting class because a girl he had a crush on asked him to, actor David Oyelowo has become one of the most promising actors to date.

  Born in Oxford, England to Nigerian parents, David spent the early days of his career in theatre. After completing a year at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, David soon found himself touring with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he was the first-ever black actor to play an English King in a Shakespeare production; this role later garnered him an Ian Charleson Award in 2001.

GET FAMILIAR: LETI GAMES

The video game industry is a  billion dollar juggernaut  and a global phenomenon  except for in Africa. There are major companies like EA who have a division in South Africa, but the amount of companies that are actually founded by Africans are slim to none. Fortunately, Leti Games is trying to change that. 

MUSIC MONDAY: AFRIK MOTO

Afrik Moto

This past weekend, my sisters and I attended the Afrik Moto concert, which was also the launch for their debut album, The Master's Voice.  From start to finish Afrik Moto had the  audience, adults and children, up and dancing. I had no idea a gospel concert could be so entertaining. 

Asha, Diva, and Farida, The Dosha Brand 

One of the reasons why I enjoy this group so much is because they're able to make gospel music that you can dance to. While listening to songs like "Lola Esengo" and "Generic", you can't help but dance. Check out the video for the crowd's, and my favorite song, "Master's Voice." Enjoy!  

- ASHA

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!

TDB is doing our first-ever giveaway, just in time for the Holiday season!

To be entered:

1. Like us on Facebook
2. Answer some fun trivia questions on our Facebook
3. Comment on the blog posts during the contest 

The contest starts 11/28/12 and ends 12/19/12

Remember, the more you check out our Blog and Facebook, the better your chances are to win!

Good Luck!

-TDB

SILLY SATURDAY: THE DOSHA BRAND

Lakers or Clippers? Cake or Pie? Harry Potter or Twilight? Check out our picks in our This or That Tag video. Enjoy!

FASHION FRIDAY: THIS ISH CRAZE

Blazers are a staple in my wardrobe and though I have different styles and colors, I'm constantly looking for something new and amazing to add to my collection. That's why I was so excited when I came across Jo Black Craze.

JBC Campaign Shoot

THROWBACK THURSDAY: MICHAEL JACKSON

The King of Pop loved Africa!

GET FAMILIAR: BROADWAY SERVES

I've always been a believer that one person can truly make a difference, but a group of people together? Well, that's a movement. I recently got to witness a movement that has the ability to make great things happen.

GUESS...WHO'S AFRICAN?

Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls is African...yes, I'm just as surprised as you are. I was under the assumption that there was a one-African-per-NBA-team rule. Noah owes his African roots to his grandfather, Zacharie Noah, a Cameroonian football (soccer) player, who won the Coupe de France. 

Besides the fact that he's African, and that he plays in the NBA, another reason I thoroughly enjoy Joakim Noah is because he is pure comedy. Don't believe me? Check out this snippet of the Chicago Bulls' starting center after a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers:

-DJ

MUSIC MONDAY: BLAISON MAVEN

Last week, I had the pleasure of watching Blaison Maven perform at The Joint in Los Angeles. When the Ghanaian-bred, Los Angeles-based rapper first appeared on stage wearing all black, everything, and gold chains, (three...not two), I assumed he was another "gangster" hip-hop artist rapping about women and money. Minutes into his set, I realized that my assumptions were  inaccurate. Though he raps about women and money on tracks like "Gold Chain", Blaison is able to do it with a maturity and freshness that is uncommon in today's newer artists.

FASHION FRIDAY: CAIRO FASHION WEEK

There are a few things we expect to see at fashion week: a catwalk, models, fancy clothes, designers, fashion editors, bloggers, and amazing after-parties. So, it was a breath of fresh air when I heard about Cairo Fashion Week. The goal of CFW, which kicks off today, is to be the bridge between different brands and labels in the industry; it is a week long event aimed to bring local designers, retailers, buyers, fashion houses and the general public together.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: LL COOL J

Back in November 1988, LL Cool J traveled to Grand-Bassam in Ivory Coast, and was named Chief Kwasi Achi-Bru by the local people. When he returned to the States, he recorded the song "Def Jam in the Motherland"  for his third album, Walking With a Panther. Listen to the song and full album below. Enjoy! 

GET FAMILIAR: KUNLE AFOLAYAN

Hailed as the "Scorsese of Lagos",  Nigerian actor-turned-director Kunle Afolayan is at the top of his game. Having recently debuted his comedy, "Phone Swap", at the Film Africa 2012 Festival in London, Afolayan has set his sights on bringing Nollywood to Hollywood.

AFRICAN MYTHOLOGY: SHANGO UNCHAINED

Shango, the African God of Thunder and Lightning, is worshiped by the Yoruba in West Africa. He was created from the union of two men: the physical manifestation of the god of reason Obtala, and Aganju, the god of fire. His godly lineage gives him great physical strength and the ability to conjure a lightning bolt at will.

MUSIC MONDAY: ZAHO

I have no idea how I found Zaho, but I am so glad I did. After hearing the Algerian born singer's latest single, "Boloss," I am officially obsessed. The song kind of reminds me of one of my favorite TLC songs, "No Scrubs."  

INDEPENDENCE DAY: ANGOLA

HAPPY 37th INDEPENDENCE DAY ANGOLA!!!

FASHION FRIDAY: YSL. Y THE L NOT?!

Yves Saint Laurent

You know how people ask, "If you could have a dinner party with anyone dead or alive, who would your guests be?" Well, I know, without a doubt, that the legendary French designer Yves Saint Laurent would definitely make the cut.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: DJ & ASHA

Happy Birthday to the Dosha Brand twins DJ and Asha!  

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.

GET FAMILIAR: TCHICAYA MISSAMOU

     

Tchicaya Missamou is a former child soldier from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was recruited into the army at age 14 and served with them for 2 years, where he committed brutal acts of violence. Tchicaya was sent to his father in order to escape the life of a child soldier and,with the encouragement of his father, he joined the military. However, after his unit turned on him and burned down his home, he soon fled with his mother to America. While in America, he found work at a martial arts studio and was recruited into the US Marine Corps; he even served 6 months in Iraq. 

MUSIC MONDAY: MANYANG REATH

Manyang Reath is the founder of the Humanity Helping Sudan Project. A refugee at the age of three, Manyang spent over a decade living in camps along the Sudanese and Ethiopian border, where he suffered from various hardships. Thankfully, after years of living in terrible conditions, he was able to move to America and attend college. 

BLACKUP. YOU'RE TOO CLOSE!

BlackUp is a French cosmetics line that was created by a makeup artist of African ancestry in 1999. The goal was to have a high-end cosmetics line that caters to women of color; however, they have so many different shades that women of all ethnicities can wear it.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: BABAR

Babar was one of my favorite cartoons growing up. OK. Truth time. It is STILL one of my favorites, and from time-to-time I'll wake up on a Saturday morning and catch an episode.