FASHION FRIDAY: DJ TAKES OVER

STYLING IS SERIOUS BUSINESS

Change is something that is often met with hesitation, because it is something different, but different could be a  good thing.

FARIDA'S COOKING CORNER

Hello, my fine, fellow foodies! Today I bring you a wonderful dish from Burkina Faso: Riz Gras au Poulet, aka Fat Rice with Chicken. 

THEY DAHOMEY

THE DAHOMEY AMAZONS

Girl Power. This phrase is pretty synonymous with one of my all-time favorite girl groups, the Spice Girls. However, in this instance girl power isn't just a  mantra; it's more so about actual power and  physical strength. No other group of women, in my opinion, have embodied power and physical strength like the Dahomey Amazons.

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: BEST OF THE WEEK

Here are my top 3  fashion picks from the past week! 

Liya Kebede

THROWBACK THURSDAY: KOFFI OLOMIDE & PAPA WEMBA

Kanye West and Jay Z's Watch the Throne has nothing on Koffi Olomide and Papa Wemba's Wake Up. My parents played this album out, and it's definitely one of my faves. Enjoy!

COMEDY CORNER: TREANDICE

Isaak Adoyi and Tresor Vunda are the masterminds behind Tre and Ice Productions. This comedic duo are Africans living in America that want to share their "experience of their culture to entertain people." Let it be know, I am thoroughly entertained. Honestly, all of the memes and videos they post hit so close to home it's ridiculous.

TOP 5 FICTIONAL AFRICAN LOCATIONS

I like to think that Africa has been well represented in the real world but unfortunately this has not been the case; luckily, in the realm of fiction, African has been a constant source of great stories and locales. Here are my "Top 5 Fictional African Locations".

MUSIC MONDAY: BILLBOARD AWARDS

So I watched the Billboard Music Awards last night and was slightly disappointed. Where were the Africans? I was not expecting Fally or Michael Kiwanuka to be nominated, but seriously, no Wale? Estelle? Emeli Sandé? It was super surprising to me. In my head they're all huge, mainstream artists, but I guess I was wrong. There's always next year right? I'm sure next time around Wale will be nominated for something because "Bad" is legit and I know his album, The Gifted, will be on point. Can June 25th get here already?! 

FASHION FRIDAY: JACKIE BURGER

The 2006 hit movie, The Devil Wears Prada, put a spotlight on the fashion world, especially Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Since the success of that film, and the emergence of fashion bloggers, i.e. The Fab Glam Diva, fashion editors are just as popular, and sought after as the models and actresses that grace the covers of their glossy magazines.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: DIKEMBE MUTOMBO

Dikembe Mutomobo is one of the most well known African basketball players to have ever played the game. We're just proud that he represented for the Congo! He was such a dominant player, and his signature finger wag after a blocked shot is priceless. How great was his GEICO commercial? "NOT IN MY HOUSE!" Ha. 

SPOTLIGHT : THE GAME CHANGERS

One of my favorite Bible verses states, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under heaven...", and for these three Hollywood actors, it seems as though their season is now. Meet (or get re-acquainted) with three actors who are making waves in 2013.

AFRICAN ROBOTICS NETWORK

I was always interested in robots when I was growing up, partly due to Mega Man and Iron Man....ok totally due to Mega Man and Iron Man. I kust find robots to be super coo, so much so that I recently became a member of AFRON. 

MUSIC MONDAY: MNEK

Remember this name: Uzoechi Osisioma Emenike. Alright, at least remember his stage name, MNEK. This eighteen year-old phenom does it all, he sings, writes, and produces. I love everything about him! His lyrics are amazing, his voice is great, and his fashion...well, there are no words.

FASHION FRIDAY: HOW BAZAAAAR

Last week, ASHA and I attended the launch of BAZAAAAR, a pop-up shop at Space 15 Twenty, in Hollywood. The month-long pop-up, May 27th will be its last day, is designed to make you feel like you're shopping in an ancient marketplace. Just like in a marketplace, this shop includes fashion, jewelry and art for sale. All the designs use sustainable goods, as well as infuse traditional prints and fabrics. The designers and artists hail from all over the world, from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. 

This event is the brain child of Urban Outfitters and Dossier Journal.Their goal is to promote global fashion; 10% of the proceeds will go to Studio One Eighty Nine and Fashion Rising to help end the global violence against women.

SPORTS: NBA PLAYOFFS 2013 ROUND 1

First round of the playoffs are officially over. A few of our fave Africans are out (see full list here), but we still have some left so we're happy! Unfortunately, there are no longer any Los Angeles teams, so DJ & I are pretty upset and are in mourning. Take a look. 






-ASHA

THROWBACK THURSDAY: REMEMBER THE TIME

Oh, MJ, you've given us so many great pop culture moments. This one comes courtesy of his 1992 hit song "Remember the Time", off of his Dangerous  album. Honestly, this music video rivals the "Thriller" video, to me, as far as concept and execution are concerned. This music video is set in ancient Egypt and boasts a slew of stars, including Eddie Murphy, Magic Johnson and the beautiful Iman. 

I remember being a kid and watching the premiere of the music video on MTV, with my entire family. That was the power of MJ, he was able to bring everyone, from all generations, cultures and backgrounds, together. What a legend.

FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELA!

For as long as I can remember, I've always been a performer. I would put on  plays or choreograph dances, and force my parents (and stuffed animals) to watch. And the more I got into the arts, the more I was able to appreciate different type of artistic expression: dance, music, writing, etc. But despite all of the different art exhibits or plays I've attended (which were all great in their own right), nothing really inspired me...and then, came Fela!

AFRICOMICS: VIXEN

If you guys can't tell by now, I really love comic books and finding ones that have characters from Africa are always especially enjoyable. DC comics has a

MUSIC MONDAY: JAMS OF THE WEEK

Here's what I'm loving this week. 

Faarrow
"Rule the World" 

SATURDAY WRAP-UP: LIVE BELOW THE LINE

Challenge: Live Below the Line (1.50/day) 

Groceries: 

Oatmeal (1.00)

 Cheese Dippers (1.00)

Noodles(3/.99)

Fiber One Bars (1.50)

Apples (5/1.15)

Mac n Cheese (2/1.00)

Bread Roll (.25)

Total: 6.64

BEAUTY SECRETS OF CLEOPATRA

I am really, really excited to be sharing these beauty secrets with you guys. Cleopatra was a true pioneer in the world of beauty. Some of her beloved ingredients she used in her routine can be found in products we use today. The best part is, all the things she used are natural, and  a lot of the treatments and ingredients she used are still available today.  Below are just a few of her favorite beauty treatments. No other woman in history,in my opinion, has influenced the world of beauty more than Cleopatra.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: KANYE WEST

Whether you love him or hate him, there's no denying that Kanye West is a musical genius; uh hello the guy made "Jesus Walks" happen. 

DANCE, DANCE: WORLD MUSIC & DANCE FESTIVAL 2013

Each year, Cal Arts University holds a World Music & Dance Festival, where they celebrate the music and traditions of various cultures all around the world. This past weekend, they kicked off their concert series with the West African Music and Dance inspired by Ghana.