MUSIC MONDAY: BEST OF 2012

The year has come to an end, so I thought I would share my favorite videos, songs, and albums of the year. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Enjoy!

Best Video Filmed in Africa

When I heard that Solange traveled to South Africa to shoot her latest music video, I was so excited. What I love most about the "Losing You" video is that  she showcased the Le Sape Society and their amazing fashion sense.  

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."

FASHION FRIDAY: ALEK WEK

Alek Wek has one of the most recognizable faces in the world of fashion. The Sudanese born model's career began 16 years ago, when she was discovered by a modeling scout in London. Soon after, she was cast in Tina Turner's Golden Eye video, and later signed by Ford Modeling Agency; her career quickly took off and she's since worked with the likes of Chanel, Issey Miyake, Donna Karan, Victoria's Secret and Calvin Klein.

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.

ODE TO JOY: KINSHASA SYMPHONY

Kinshasa Symphony, a film by Claus Wischmann and Martin Baer, is a gripping documentary following the Kimbanguiste Symphony as they prepare for their first public show.

GUESS...WHO'S AFRICAN?

Steve Nash of the Los Angeles Lakers is from Johannesburg, South Africa. Yeah...let that sit with you for a moment. Nash is a two-time MVP, an eight-time All-Star, and a 90% free throw shooter.
I always liked Steve Nash as a player, but with him being on my team and being African, I might be rooting a little bit harder...OK a lot harder.

-DJ

MUSIC MONDAY: DENCIA

If you don't know Cameroonian/Nigerian singer Dencia, then you need to get familiar! Here are some need-to-know facts about the fabulous, Afro-pop songstress.

 Name: Reprudencia Sonkey

Hometown: Cameroon

Claim to Fame: Started off as a video vixen in videos like Jermih's "Down on Me", before releasing her hit single "Beri Beri" in 2010.

Girl's Anthem: Super Girl

Noteworthy Collaboration: "Me & U" feat. Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie

Diva Factor: She has a dog named Diva and it even has it's own Twitter account (@divathepinkdog).

Fun Fact: Dencia was the first African artist featured on MTV's website.  

Check out her video for Super Girl. Enjoy!

 -ASHA

FASHION FRIDAY: CHRISTINA LOWANGA

Designer Christina Lowanga with her models

Have you ever had a full-circle moment? I had one last week. See, one year for my birthday, I think I was maybe 12, my little cousin made me a dress as a gift. When I say made, I use the term loosely seeing as how she literally stapled fabric together; granted she was only 5 at the time. Fast forward to last Friday night, and I am sitting in the audience of the Gold Thimble Fashion Show, in Los Angeles, watching her garments come down the runway. I was truly impressed and proud to see how much she's truly grown, and honed her craft.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: SHAKA ZULU

Let's play a little word association:  Roots is to Americans as ______________ is to Africans. If you guessed Shaka Zulu , you'd be right!


This 1986 television series tells the  story of  Shaka from birth,  to his reign as the warrior king, and *spoiler alert* his death...I mean he was born in 1787 and the movie is from 1986, so you kind of saw that coming, right?

I highly recommend everyone see this movie, whether you're African or not. You should know that there is a creepy witch doctor in the film, who still gives me nightmares. You've been warned.

Here's a clip of Shaka training for battle.

SPOTLIGHT: LITTLE ETHIOPIA

Little Ethiopia, a charming restaurant in Los Angeles, just gained a new customer: ME! Everything from the food to the ambiance, there was live music playing; to the decor, there was beautiful artwork on the walls; to the patrons themselves, gives Little Ethiopia a feel of familiarity, like you're coming home to Mom's cooking.

AFRICOMIC: AYA

AYA is a graphic novel series created by Marguerite Abouet, an Ivory Coast native. The comic takes place in the Ivory Coast in 1978 and centers around 19 year-old, Aya, and her interactions with people. The subject material varies in tone,from chasing boys, to making life altering decisions, but the book always maintains a positive outlook on life.

MUSIC MONDAY: GRAMMY NOMINATIONS

I am so excited to see that African artists have been nominated for Grammy Awards. Can't wait to see who brings home an award in February. Check out the nominees and their songs, below! 

FASHION FRIDAY: SUMAHRIE COLLECTION

I have a confession to make: I've only worn traditional African clothing a few times in my life.  In my defense, I just find the traditional clothes too,well, traditional. Fortunately, talented designers such as Mahriama M. Suma, are giving traditional clothing a chic and modern twist.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND

Check out one our favorite videos from South African singer, Dave Matthews and his band. Enjoy!

SPOTLIGHT: DJIBRIL N'DOYE

Djibril N'Doye

 I had the honor of interviewing Award Winning Senegal artist Djibril N'Doye about his life, inspiration, and his latest collection. Here's an excerpt from our interview.

COMEDY CORNER: BENJAMIN SASO

Actor.DJ. Comedian. Personal trainer. Entrepreneur. Benjamin Saso is a Ghanaian man of many talents.  I feel a sense of kinship with him; he's African, a DJ and hilarious.  I'm also African, my name is DJ and I'm quite hilarious. 

MUSIC MONDAY: PHONY PPL

10 Reasons Why I Love Phony Ppl:

1. The band's name is amazing!

2. Nigerian saxophonist? Yes please! 

3. "Told You So" and "Does He Really".

4. They might just be the most stylish group on the planet. Urban Outfitters clearly thought so, and featured them in their first ever Men's Catalog. You can see some of the pictures on their tumblr. 

5. Handlebar mustache logo.

WORLD AIDS DAY 2012

Nearly 67% of those living with HIV/AIDS are in Africa, so World Aids Day is a cause that we feel very passionately about. The name of this year's theme, "Getting to Zero",  describes the vision and goals that UNAIDS' members would like to see implemented by 2015. To read more on their specific vision, goals, and strategies, go here. Watch the video below to learn how you can easily help the cause. 

TOGETHER, WE CAN GET TO ZERO!

For other ideas on how you can help, go here. 

- TEAM TDB