MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

THE DOSHA BRAND WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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.

FLASHBACK FASHION FRIDAY: YSL's Four "African" Dresses S/S 1967

Personally, there was nothing that Yves Saint Laurent couldn't do. He was a true pioneer, visionary and trendsetter. Nothing embodies his innovative spirit more than his 1967 Four "African" Dresses collection.

SPOTLIGHT: AFRICAN HOLLYWOOD WRAP-UP

This year has seen a remarkable increase of African actors in  Hollywood films. From Chiwetel Ejiofor's painstakingly beautiful and poignant role in Steve McQueen's "12 years A Slave" to David Oyelowo's powerful performance in Lee Daniels "The Butler", it seems as though African actors and films alike are finally getting the attention and respect of Hollywood.

Both Idris Elba and Chiwetel Ejiofor,  two TDB faves and my absolute obsessions, recently sat down with the Queen of daytime TV, Oprah Winfrey, to discuss their respective  films. Idris Elba, who is currently starring in  the Nelson Mandela bio pic " Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" discussed Mandela's legacy  and what it meant for him to portray such an honored and beloved man. 

Here's a clip of Idris recounting his first night in Nelson Mandela's prison cell.

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. 

IN REMEMBRANCE: NELSON MANDELA

Normally, Friday is dedicated to fashion, beauty or fitness. However, I wanted to take this time honor a TDB hero, Nelson Mandela. Not only has he done so much for South Africa, but he's done so much for humanity.

He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Mandiba!

-DIVA

SPOTLIGHT: CHRISTMAS IN GHANA

It's December so you know what that means, it's time for everyone to be nice
to each other for a whole month.I mean it's Christmas time! Ok so Christmas isn't for another 22 days but that doesn't mean we can start the celebration early right? In Ghana, Christmas doesn't start on the 25th but rather on the 20th and it goes all the way until the first week of January. It really isn't all that different from how we celebrate Christmas here in America; kids often put on nativity plays in Ghana like they do here, just with different clothing on to reflect the difference in culture. Christmas day is when people usually go to church, often in traditional clothing, and after church is when they usually open their presents.

Children wearing clothes for a Christmas play

December seems to be the month of giving for Ghana; not only do they give each other presents, they also give the world a gift in the form of chocolate. Ghana is the world's second largest producer of cocoa and December marks the start of the cocoa harvest. Santa Claus must love going over to Ghana, drop off some gifts and get some chocolate in return, that's a pretty sweet deal.

-DJ ( who is trying not to steal Christmas again)

MUSIC MONDAY: TABU LEY ROCHEREAU

Over the weekend, Congolese singer Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu, better known as Tabu Ley Rochereau, passed away. He composed nearly 3,000 songs and produced 250 albums. At one point during his career, he was known as the "African Elvis", which means he was kind of a big deal.