Weekend Buzz
Tyler Perry unveiled his new Motion Picture and Television Studio and Gelila Bekele (his girlfriend) was on hand to help him celebrate it. Yes, another African-meets-American love story! Boris Kodjoe, who has been in several of Tyler’s films, was also there with his wife Nicole Ari Parker.
Sway a.k.a. Derek Andrew Safo celebrated the release of Blak Twang’s (Tony Olabode) new album, SfX in London. In the meantime, Akon was rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous (the Buffets, to be specific), at a Peter Buffet performance. Estelle and Gym Class Heroes met with Grammy-U members in Baltimore, Maryland to discuss the business of music. The Gym Class Heroes were also spotted at the 2008 VH1 Hip Hop Honors as was Estelle.
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So you think you can dance?
If there is one thing the African entertainment industry has proven, is that it is in tune with what’s going on. It continuously steps up its game and strives even harder to entertain.
Weekend Buzz
Breast Cancer brought many Africans out to support research and information. Akon was spotted supporting research to cure breast cancer and Maimah Karmo was on Oprah to talk about her passion to educate women on breast cancer and her foundation, Tigerlily. You can watch her on September 30, 2008 at 4 p.m. Eastern, to hear what she had to say.
Save Africa’s Children had their first annual music festival which was well attended by some big-name celebrities. Suzanne Engo is still running for Africa and doing very well. Bill Clinton (somewhat of a celebrity) lent his support to Kids Gorilla Act Pact.
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Nigerians Take Over Manhattan
It was the 48th celebration of the Nigerian Independence and the Naija society knew just how to celebrate it in true African style. Manhattan was painted in green and white ( the national colors of Nigeria) with music busting out for all the movers to shake their assets, vendors everywhere hoping to make a profit, and the inviting aroma of traditional Nigerian dishes. Flags waved high up by joyful and excited Naija generations from the old to the young, the married to the single hopefuls.
The big shots of Nigerian society and celebrities were there as well to join in the lively parade that led to the Nigerian consulate which is now known as the “Nigerian House”. The Nigerian African community is one of the largest here in the USA so it was no suprise that the parade became such a great success. It sure did feel like ” The United States Of Nigeria”. The parade was celebrated in true African style as only the Nigerians can do.
Songstress Tamia calls South Africa home
A year hasn’t even passed since her last concert in South Africa and already the songstress was back performing at the Jazz Dome on Mary Fitzgerald Square alongside “Mnzansi” own KB on September 26 and 27, 2008, for the Arts Alive Festival. When asked about her love for South Africa, Tamia responded by saying that South Africa is like home to her; it is one of those places where she knows she has overflowing love waiting for her.
With her new dvd “Live in DC” in progress, Tamia told her South African fans that she has a surprise for them included in her new dvd and her album, just as her gratitude for the love and the continuous support. Still trying to figure out who is more excited about the perfomances–Tamia or her fans. I don’t know but she is a songstress who knows how to deliver beyond our expectations.
Project Fame West Africa opened
Well, the long wait is over! After several rounds of auditions across four Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia, 15 young and talented contestants have been selected into the Project Fame Academy in Lagos, where they will undergo grooming and training for a long lasting career in music.
Project Fame West Africa was officially opened on Sunday September 28 and it already promises to be an exciting competition, although the opening ceremony was fraught with several challenges. It was a night of failed microphones galore; the microphone for the judges wasn’t working half of the time and there was poor coordination between the presenters and the judges. The stage at the Project Fame Academy Theatre in Lagos, looked like a corporate dinner setting and the female presenter, dance prodigy and radio host, Funlola Raimi was too stiff. Dare Art- Alade was quite on point though! Anyway, it is a singing competition and so it should be the singing that counts and not all that I am complaining about.
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Yousson N’Dour Knocks Out Poverty
Yousson N’Dour uses his voice for a great course yet again. Back in 1985, N’Dour used his voice to unite people to fight against the unfairness of the apartheid era and the liberation of Nelson Mandela. Two nights ago, Yousson N’Dour joined forces with BET’s Jeff Johnson and Tichina Arnold from “Everybody Hates Chris“, for the ” All For Africa – Knock Out Poverty” celebration. The night was a celebration to raising money, and more awareness, for one of the biggest problems that Africa faces today–poverty.
As we all know this is a serious issue that unfortunately affects thousands of souls daily. All for Africa did an outstanding job giving hope where it is needed the most. The main event featured Nigeria’s Eromosele “Bad Boy” Albert, and Ghana’s Ossie Duran duking it out for the IBF All African Light Middleweight Championship. The other boxers were Kingsley Ikeke (Nigeria) and Ramadan Sulidan (Sudan) for the WBC North American Light Middleweight Championship; and Jaffa “The African Assassin” Ballogou (Togo) and Manu Ntoh (Cameroon) were the light heavyweight boxers.
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Weekend Buzz
The Batonga Foundation had a fundraiser to raise money for children in Africa. Angelique Kidjo, one of the members of the Board of Directors, was on hand to entertain for a good cause. Ziggy Marley, Holly Robinson Peete, Melissa George, and Lisa Ling came to lend their support.
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Diaspora Africans Eat to Raise Funds for Obama
The African Diaspora for Obama (ADO) launched it’s weekly happy hours at Bohemian Caverns in Washington DC, and received a great response the first night. Several movers and shakers of African descent were on hand to solidly show their support for the man who they believe can make a big change, both nationally and abroad. ADO is comprised of partner organizations and representatives from the entire African Diaspora who are in the United States and represents the concerns of the entire first generation African voice in America, from the immigrants and recent arrivals, to those Africans who were born of immigrant parents and/or raised in America
Suzanne Engo – Activist, Philanthropist, Producer
Suzanne Engo is dedicated to making a difference, one that she has been making since the age of 5 when she shared her Christmas gifts with local handicapped children in her native Cameroon. She was the Junior Ambassador for Cameroon during the General Assembly on World Children’s Day World, at the age of 6, a role she continued until the age of 11. If that wasn’t a sign that she was destined for philanthropy, I don’t know what is!
Named one of the op 40 youth AIDS activists in the world by MTV and Kaiser Foundation, she founded the New York AIDS Film Festival (it is currently transitioning into a media museum [the New York AIDS Museum]on AIDS-related media), the first film festival on HIV/AIDS in the world, as proclaimed by the United Nations with support from Kofi Annan and Mrs. Nane Annan as well as a host of celebrities and media (the Magic Johnson Foundation/ Abbott, MTV Networks, HBO, BET, New York University, GMHC, The City of New York and, most prominently the United Nations [UNAIDS]).
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Weekend Buzz
The Mercedes Benz Fashion Week had many celebrities come out to see what is new in fashion. Stacey Dash was spotted in the crowd.
The Toronto International Film Festival drew a large crowd including Idris Elba, Thandie Newton, Youssou N’dour (who performed to a jubilant crowd), Sophie Okonedo, and David Oyelowo.
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