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Aphroden Spotlight: Nneoma Anosike

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Nneoma-Anosike

Nneoma Edith Anosike is an 18 year old student of Philosophy at the University of Lagos. The Imo State indigene came into spotlight after winning the Elite Model Look African Regional Model search in 2013.. Nneoma who comes from a family of seven – including her parents loves yam and eggs. Nneoma has been on different magazines and newspapers and is not new to the runway as she modeled at the last Lagos Fashion and Design Week to name but a few.   Nneoma, who had always wanted to be a model from her early days (specifically like Agbani Darego) took the opportunity during the casting. and was in low spirits after she saw the sheer number of people that turned up for casting. However, it didn't kill her dream. She made it to top 60 and then, the 14 finalists. Nneoma is a lover of shoes and bangles, doesn't like earrings and neckpieces because they tend to bother her. Favorite shows are Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and Telemundo amongst others.   Anyway, let the pictures do the talking. Here's what the style team thinks of Nneoma's fashion sense. Firstly, it should be noted that most models/supermodels aren't the greatest people to look up to in terms of fashion. Only a handful qualify as fashionistas. The majority are more simple when it comes to putting on outfits off the runway. From Tyra Banks, to Alek Wek et al, models and supermodels do not always dress it up when out and about. Nneoma isn't very different from this group of laid-back models when it comes to fashion. IMG_78901 Her outfit at the Elite Model Look finale in lagos was chic, not overly sexy, age appropriate, and event appropriate. You can't go wrong with a good LBD. Its no wonder she came out the winner. In keeping with her style of simplicity, off the runway, Nneoma opted for this white loose mini which she accesorised with white pupms, and a grey purse for a day out. While5be we love simplicity, this dress does her no justice. As we all know, the fitting of a dress can make or mar it. This dress is ill-fitting in lots of places. Besides, those puffy sleeves need to go too. All black everything. Great pose, and great outfit for a shoot (depending on the theme). been Hair, makeup, and dress, all fab! This is what a model should look like. Not too flashy, but still looking good nevertheless. Because of how hard models train to keep their body and figure in shape, they tend to flaunt it every now and again. Though the top part of the dress is sheer, it wasn't done in a ditasteful way. Its classy while still model-esque col In keeping with the colourful  theme of the shoot, Nneoma posed in a colourful detailed dress. Her hair added something extra to it all. tiffany Shooting and ad and having it not be about you, and more about the product being advertised can be a task for models but Nneoma did this flawlessly. She stuck to a white top, and not so heavy makeup while posing for a bottle water ad. Not distracting at all. Good! 9r From the white top, to the black skirt, to the clutch, to the gold statement neckpiece, to the gold shoes, everything about this outfit screams simple yet chic. A sleeker bun would have been a much better hairdo here, but the fabness of this outfit can excuse that. A ten!   Written By: Franklin Ugo

The post Aphroden Spotlight: Nneoma Anosike appeared first on Aphroden.


Simple Steps to Superstardom: How to Package your Demo.

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No matter how many years you've spent perfecting your musical craft, you are unlikely to be able to exploit the full potential of your music without the help of others. For many musicians, financial help is what they need; recording and publishing companies have been providing such help for years and there are a number of government and charitable grant-giving bodies. There are also several other places which provide help to the aspiring professional musician: performance venues, advertising agencies, radio stations and television production companies are only the tip of the iceberg.   However, though assistance in your campaign for megastardom can come from many sources, they will all need convincing that they too have something to gain — the recording companies will need to be convinced that they can make some money from distributing your music, the radio stations will need to be persuaded that your music is palatable to their listeners and advertisers, and the venues will need to be reassured that your sound will bring in the punters and sell drinks. This is where demos can come in really handy, providing your prospective collaborators with a small taster of what you do. There is still a fair amount of confusion, though, as to what makes an effective demo, and as to how you ought best to present it to those concerned. Recording and production companies receive large numbers of unsolicited demos every week (sometimes a hundred or more!), so it's vital that you proceed in an informed manner if you're even going to get anyone to pick your demo up off the pile, let alone listen to it. Where to send your demo One of the most common complaints from people at record companies is that the senders of unsolicited demos often make little attempt to ensure that the style and format of their recordings match what the record company deals with. Sending out demos can be a time-consuming business, especially if you mean to do it in a disciplined way, so don't waste everyone's time by sending out obviously unsuitable material. tapes There are a number of ways in which you can find out where you should be sending your demo. Firstly, look at the credits provided on the packaging of any productions which are similar to yours in style. A great deal of this information could be useful — not only the name of the recording or production company, but also the names of artists' management, the producers, the arrangers and the songwriters. Any of these people could provide the break that you're after, so make a note of them (preferably a written note, because you will be collecting a lot of information as your quest continues). Similarly, if you're looking to apply for a grant from some charitable or government institution, then save everyone's time and energy by doing a little bit of research about what the awards committee are after. Not only should you read carefully any information they provide, but you should also find out something about previous people and projects which have been sponsored — in addition, you might find a way in which you can make your application more likely to succeed. Getting your demo to the right person Unfortunately, the most famous and influential people in the music business receive too many unsolicited demos for them to assess all of them directly, so anyone who's anyone has some sort of middleman. The big-name artists and producers have management companies through which all such correspondence must be channelled, the besuited decision-makers within record companies have A&R people to deal with the demo-sending public, and the owners of large venues have office staff who deal with vetting potential acts. It is to these people that you must initially pitch your demo recording. So, for starters, forget about addressing your demo directly to the CEO  unless you or someone you know can play it to them personally. By all means say to yourself, 'I think that Dr.Dre ought to hear my demo,' but realise that you'll have to get it past a number of other people first. SS Once you have a list of producers/artists/performers that you would like to hear your music, your next task will be to find out the middleman (or middlewoman) who represents the front line of their defences. If you're trying to reach an artist, producer or remixer, then this will almost certainly be someone at their management company. Often the name of the management company will be given in the credits of one of their CDs or videos, though all is not lost if it isn't because there are a number of incredibly useful resources which can help you on the internet. What you should do before sending your demo Even when you have found out to whom you ought to send your demo, it doesn't mean that all you have to do then is just sling a tape to them in the post. If you are propositioning a commercial institution, such as a record company, there are at least two good reasons why it is worth mailing a preliminary letter to the relevant person before sending them your demo. Note that a package from an unknown individual containing a tape or CD is immediately recognisable as a demo and will therefore usually be added to the large pile of similar packages without even being opened — whether it will ever be rescued from this pile is anyone's guess. A letter, however, will usually at least be opened before being consigned to such a pile, and this can steal you the chance to make a good impression — which leads me on to the second reason for sending a preparatory letter. In the most basic sense, sending anything to someone who hasn't asked you for it isn't really very considerate, so why should they feel inclined to want to work with you? The fact that it is now very much seen as the norm doesn't mean it's the right way to go about things. However, it does mean that you have a great way to stick out from the crowd! Sending a short, polite letter, indicating why you feel your music ought to interest the person concerned and asking if they would like a demo sent, will be such a breath of fresh air that you may well be afforded special attention. Just be sure to include a stamped, addressed response card — you don't seriously expect busy A&R people to get back to you unless you make it pathetically easy for them to do so, do you? I'm sure that the same effect might also be achievable over email — this is the Internet age, after all! However, bear in mind how easy it is to send an email, compared to writing a letter. Not only is your mail likely to be in amongst more other enquiries and junk than a letter would be, but the effort involved in writing and sending a letter may well also be more flattering to the recipient. How high-quality does a demo recording need to be? This all depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you're trying to sell your writing ability, then a simple arrangement with just a proficient vocal and a piano or guitar will usually do fine. However, if you're wanting to show someone what a good singer you are, then you'd better make sure that the vocal performance and sound are as good as you can get, even at the expense of the accompaniment. Whatever it is about the demo that you're trying to show off, make sure that you concentrate on getting that as good as possible, while getting everything else well out of the way. This is not to say that a well-presented demo of release quality won't be impressive, it will. However, the production values of your music are often not what is most likely to excite someone's interest — there are a lot of people in the music business who can turn out a decent-sounding demo. The one thing that will make someone interested in your music is if it has something good about it that cannot be got from anywhere else. As a result, it's usually worth spending as much time as you can refining your musical raw material, rather than agonising about your reverb sound. An exception to this is where you feel that you need no help in recording and producing your music, where you feel that all you need is some kind of distribution and promotion network through which to present your work. In this case, the 'demo' should indeed be release-quality, preferably not only in your opinion, but also in the opinions of others. How you should start your demo The important thing to remember when considering what to include on your demo tape is that many people who regularly receive demos will have very little time to listen to them. What's more, they will know that for every 100 demos, only 10 will even be acceptable, and only one will be likely to be exceptional enough to warrant any following up. weed As a result of this, your demo is unlikely to be listened to for more than about 30 seconds, during which your musical talent must become obvious. So, most importantly of all, put something breath-taking within the first 10 seconds! If you are doing pop music then you'd be best advised to get the vocalist doing something pretty stunning right from the outset. Remember what you're likely to be up against: it's Friday afternoon in the A&R office, and the staff are too tired, distracted and bored to do anything but trawl through demos using the boombox on the other side of the office. You've got to convince them that your music is not only better than the 100 demos which preceded it, but also better than most of whatever else they've had that boombox playing during the day. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by leaving your best song until the end of the demo or by having a 96-bar intro before the first verse. How to decide what and how much material to include For a start, it's worth helping the person seeking out your musical highlights by doing some of the work for them — be brutal with yourself and select no more than about 10 minutes of music for demo purposes. Being concise is one of the best ways to get someone genuinely interested in your material, at which point they can ask to hear more. If you bundle everything you've ever recorded onto a C120, then the listener is unlikely to think well of you! If you feel that three or four whole tracks cannot adequately represent the consistent quality of your music, then there is also the option to use the same space to provide a medley, built from the best sections of numerous tracks. This can work very well in some cases, but there is always the danger that it could make for a confusing listen, so tread very carefully, should you try this. If you've done your research, you ought already to know the styles of music to which your listener is most partial, so bear that in mind when you're deciding what to include. Also, because many listeners will be wanting to find musicians with strong, marketable identities, it's often worth keeping the styles of your tracks as close to each other as possible. Finally, remember that many styles of music favour fast tempos over slow ones, and that you'll therefore have to be sure that any slower track is doubly impressive to make up for this.  What medium to harness in sending your demo: Cassette, CD, DAT, Minidisc, DCC...? CD is pretty much the firm favourite, unless the intended recipient requests otherwise, and not only for its sound-quality. There is a CD player in almost every hi-fi and desktop computer nowadays, so it ought be a no-brainer to play — the difficulty of playing back DCC and DAT, and even cassette and Minidisc in some cases, could mean that a demo submitted in these formats never gets a listen. The only objection to this is that many people listen to demos when they're in the car, which gives cassette an advantage, seeing as CD players are still in the minority here. CD also scores over the other formats in that it is a write-once medium which therefore cannot be recorded over, unintentionally or otherwise.  Does sending out demos compromise your copyright? It is very rare that demo material is used unscrupulously, though that's not to say that it doesn't happen. Meanwhile, the next vital ingredient in any demo package is information about you and your music. If nothing else, make sure that absolutely everything in that envelope has your name and contact details on it. However, also aim to provide concise biographical information, a picture and some description of your music — the person holding your demo recording needs to know not only that you are offering them something in which they might be interested, but also that you have been savvy enough to do some research. And, of course, don't forget to tell them exactly what it is you might want from them!   Written by: Azeez Sanusi

The post Simple Steps to Superstardom: How to Package your Demo. appeared first on Aphroden.

MEN’S FASHION BASICS – THE SUIT

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Navy Suit

“Clothes and manners do not make the man; but when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.” – Arthur Ashe

A good suit is an investment that would most certainly last a lifetime. Every man, irrespective of his vocation, SHOULD own a suit. There’s power in wearing a suit, as it tends to boost your confidence and presents you in a sophisticated light, a quality that almost never fails. All these can be yours only if … you are wearing the right suit.

What’s the right suit?

There is no universally acceptable ‘right suit’, because as our body measurements vary, same goes for our ‘right suit’. For some it could be a single button, others two or three, not four (avoid any number above three at all costs). It could be double breasted suit or the traditional three-piece suit?

Irrespective of the variations in a suit, a key component that is always present in finding that perfect suit for you is known as Comfort. If you feel uncomfortable, you will look uncomfortable, and this defeats the whole purpose of a good suit. And when comfort meets the proper fit, then you have … the right suit.

Here are 4 things you need to consider to possess your right suit:

Blue Suit

1.      THE SHOULDERS: These are the most important parts of a suit to get right as they can’t really be altered. Make sure they are as wide as your shoulders and not wider, i.e. the suit should be hugging them, not tight in any way. Also, the pads should not be sticking out further than your own shoulders.

2.      LENGTH: Jacket length is next in importance as alterations are very tricky. They could either be short or long. The classic suit jacket is long, as the short jackets, which look good, don’t flatter the majority of body builds. Stick to the classic length, which you can measure with your arms straight down by your sides you should be able to cup your fingers inside your suit jacket, if you can’t it’s too short, if you can but have lots of material in your hand then it’s too long. The suit’s sleeve should end exactly at your wrist bone and the waist narrowed a bit to highlight the shape of your torso. Remember, the top button of a two-button suit — or the middle button of a three-button suit — should not fall below your navel (belly button).

3.      CHEST: Once you are able to button the suit with ease, put your hand on your chest and make a fist, it fits in between your shirt and suit jacket, then you are ok, if not … it’s the wrong size.

4.      TROUSERS: These are the easiest to get right; they should be comfortable for you because you’ll be wearing them regularly and make sure the trouser leg is just long enough to cover your socks when standing still and not longer. Your trousers should reach your shoes and have a slight break.

Black Suit

Another thing to consider in owing that perfect suit is the lapel. With a lapel you have two options, notch or peaked. Notch is standard for most business suits and is the kind of lapel that comes to mind when most people think a traditional suit. The peak lapel is usually equated with elegance, as it has often been associated with making bold statements. Whichever one you go by, remember – if the lapel is thin, wear a slim tie and shirt collar to match.

Remember, if you’re wearing a two or three buttoned jacket, leave the last button unbuttoned; and cut off those tags of your sleeve.

If you are looking to buy your first suit, why not start with a blue, black or grey one.

Confidence plays an important role in the making of the ‘right suit’, thus to look good in a suit you need to feel good about wearing it. Be the man wearing the suit and not the suit wearing the man.

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Expose on African Dance

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Dances teach social patterns and values and help people work, mature, praise or criticize members of the community while celebrating festivals and funerals, competing, reciting history, proverbs and poetry; and to encounter gods. African dances are largely participatory, with spectators being part of the performance. With the exception of some spiritual, religious or initiation dances, there are traditionally no barriers between dancers and onlookers. Even ritual dances often have a time when spectators participate. African dance refers mainly to the dance of Sub-Saharan Africa, and more appropriately African dances because of the many cultural differences in musical and movement styles. These dances must be viewed in close connection with Sub-Saharan African music traditions and Bantu cultivation of rhythm. African dance utilizes the concept of polyrhythm as well as total body articulation yet many African languages have no word to define music. africani Characteristics There are singular definitions of African dance: Africa, a continent three times the size of the United States, is ethnically and culturally the most diverse on the planet. Though similar themes may be found throughout dances across the many countries and landscapes, each has its own history, language, song, background, and purpose and cannot be translated to another dance of the same culture much less another dance from somewhere else on the continent. Society African dance at Dakawa, Morogoro, Tanzania. Traditional dance in Africa occurs collectively, expressing the life of the community more than that of individuals or couples. Early commentators consistently commented on the absence of close couple dancing: such dancing was thought immoral in many traditional African societies. In all sub Saharan African dance there seems to be no evidence for sustained, one-to-one male-female partnering anywhere before the late colonial era when it was apparently considered in distinctly poor taste. For the Yoruba, to give a specific example, touching while dancing is not common except in special circumstances. The only partner dance associated with African dances would be the Bottle Dance of the Mankon People in the Northwest Region of Cameroon or the Assiko from the Douala people that involves interaction of Man and Woman and the way that they charm each other. DN Emphasizing individual talent, Yoruba dancers and drummers, for example, express communal desires, values, and collective creativity. Dances are often segregated by gender, reinforcing gender roles in children and other community structures such as kinship, age and status are also often reinforced. Many dances are performed by only males or females, indicating strong beliefs about what being male or female means and some strict taboos about interaction. Dances celebrate the passage from childhood to adulthood or spiritual worship. Young girls of the Lunda of Zambia spend months practicing in seclusion for their coming of age ritual. Boys show off their stamina in highly energetic dances, providing a means of judging physical health. Master dancers and drummers are particular about the learning of the dance exactly as taught. Children must learn the dance exactly as taught without variation. Improvisation or a new variation comes only after mastering the dance, performing, and receiving the appreciation of spectators and the sanction of village elders. "Musical training" in African societies begins at birth with cradle songs, and continues on the backs of relatives both at work and at festivals and other social events. Throughout western and central Africa child's play includes games that develop a feeling for multiple rhythms. Bodwich, an early (circa 1800) European observer, noted that the musicians maintained strict time (i.e. concern for the basic pulse or beat), "and the children will move their heads and limbs, whilst on their mother's backs, in exact unison with the tune which is playing."The sounding of three beats against two is experienced in everyday life and helps develop "a two-dimensional attitude to rhythm". Rhythm The most widely used musical instrument in Africa is the human voice. Nomadic groups such as the Maasai do not traditionally use drums yet in villages throughout the continent the sound and rhythm of the drum expresses the mood of the people. In an African community, coming together in response to the beating of the drum is an opportunity to give one another a sense of belonging and of solidarity, a time to connect with each other and be part of a collective rhythm of the life in which young and old, rich and poor, men and women are all invited to contribute to the society. den Shoulders, chest, pelvis, arms, legs etc., may move with different rhythms in the music. Dancers in Nigeria commonly combine at least two rhythms in their movement, and the blending of three rhythms can be seen among highly skilled dancers. Articulation of as many as four distinct rhythms is rare. They may also add rhythmic components independent of those in the music. Very complex movements are possible even though the body does not move through space. Dancers are able to switch back and forth between rhythms without missing movements. The drumming represents an underlying linguistic text that guides the dancing performance but most meaning comes from nonverbal cues and metalanguage of the performers. The spontaneity of performance creates an impression of extemporaneity, yet it is not to emphasize the individual and bolster her or his ego but to preserve the community and mediate the audience and the performer interaction. Cultural functions The character of dancing observed by travelers to West Africa in the 19th century depended on context, the people, and the gender of the dancers. In general men used large body movements, including jumping and leaping. Women danced smaller movements with much use of "shuffle steps", the body in a bent position with "crooked knees". The circle dance predominated everywhere, sometimes solo dancers or musicians in the middle, sometimes couples. The ecstatic seizure was an essential element of ceremonial dancing, both religious and secular. It is extremely important that the dancers maintain clarity. One does not dance to go into a trance but to come out of a trance, to join a diversified assembly with a separate contribution, for dancing is a reminder that one is only part of the whole. Traditional dances often do not appear in isolation but are parts of broader cultural activities: Warrior Dances. One example of a warrior dance is Agbekor. Franci Elkins, a world renowned African dancer, has been quoted as saying that this is her favorite dance. Agbekor comes from the Foh and Ewe people. It is an ancient dance once known as Atamga. Agbekor is often performed at cultural events and at funerals. Dance movements mimic battlefield tactics such stabbing with the end of the horsetail. This dance consists of phrases of movements. A phrase consists of a "turn" which occurs in every phrase and then a different ending movement. These phrases are added back to back with slight variations within them, and make up the dance. Warrior Dances Dances of Love are performed on special accessions, such as weddings and anniversaries. One example is the Nmane dance performed in Ghana. It is done solely by women during weddings in honor of the bride. Rites of Passage and Coming of Age Dances are performed to mark the coming of age of young men and women. They give confidence to the dancers who have to perform in front of everyone. It is then formally acknowledged they are adults. This builds pride, as well as a stronger sense of community. Dances of Welcome are a show of respect and pleasure to visitors, as well as a show of how talented & attractive the host villagers are. Yabara is a West African Dance of Welcome marked by ''The Beaded Net Covered Gourd Rattle'' (sekere). It is thrown into the air to different heights by the female dancers to mark tempo and rhythm changes. This is an impressive spectacle, as all the dancers will throw & catch them at the same time. Dances of Possession and Summoning: These are common themes, and very important in many Traditional African Religions. They all share one common link: a call to a Spirit. These spirits can be the spirits of Plants or Forests, Ancestors, or Deities. The Orishas are the Deities found in many forms of African religion, such as Candomblé, Santería, Yoruba mythology, Voodoo, and others. Each orisha has their favourite colours, days, times, foods, drinks, music, and dances. The dances will be used on special occasions to honor the orisha, or to seek help and guidance. The orisha may be angry and need appeasing. Kakilambe is a great spirit of the forest who is summoned using dance. He comes in the form of a giant statue carried from the forest out to the waiting village. There is much dancing and singing. During this time the statue is raised up, growing to a height of around 15". Then the priest communes and asks Kakilambe if they will have good luck over the coming years, and if there are any major events to be aware of, such as drought, war, or other things. Townships created during the colonial period removed people, and their dance, from the traditional environment. Beer halls became community centers of sorts with drinking socializing, and dancing. Men still played the ngomas and the mukwas, but the dance took on sexual emphasis becoming something akin to bumping and grinding, almost violent in its urgency. Traditional dance clubs were created to protect the "purity" of the traditional dance and to regulate the dancers and musicians who performed on special occasions.   Written by: Azeez Sanusi

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MIKEL OBI AND GENEVIEVE NNAJI SIGNED AS AMSTEL MALTA AMBASSADORS

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Genevieve receiving an award

The lid has now been blown off the leaked photos of Mikel Obi and Genevieve and their upcoming movie project titled, The Journey. Genevieve drinking Amstel Malta Following the premiere at the AMVCAs last saturday, of a new Amstel Malta TVC featuring both Nigerian superstars, Genevieve has now confirmed she's been made an ambassador for the low sugar malt drink. Sources say the deal was sealed earlier this year, with the initial campaign themed around inspirational journey to success stories. The TVC, which was aired during the star-studded AMVCAs, highlights the individual career journeys of both stars, ending at a point of triumph. Genevieve on the red carpet 2.fw No word yet on how much they were paid or how long the deal will last for. Mikel was not present at the awards but Genevieve, who presented an award with OC Ukeje, spoke with Amstel Malta red carpet host Vixen on her own journey to success and how she hopes this project will help young Nigerians make the best of their own journeys. Mikel drinking Amstel Malta “It's been a fantastic night and I'm delighted with Amstel Malta's efforts in celebrating our own with the world”. “I am very excited about the opportunity this platform gives me to inspire the youths and will definitely do my best to support this noble cause.” she concluded.

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African Writers Series: Hisham Matar

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Every country in Africa has its perculiar story on how literature has developed over the years, and as far as there is the gift of language, there is literature. Writing can be harnessed for proper documentaion and the preservation of history and culture, it can also be adopted to foster social interraction and entertainment. Meanwhile, there are generations of writers that have made it possible for the development of the art. Matar A child of the 70s, Hisham Matar is a Libyan writer. His debut novel In the Country of Men was shortlisted for the 2006 Man Booker Prize. Matar’s essays have appeared in the Asharq Alawsat, The Independent, The Guardian, The Times and The New York Times. His second novel, Anatomy of a Disappearance, was published on 3 March 2011. He currently lives and writes in London. Hisham Matar was born in New York City. He spent his childhood in America with his Libyan parents while his father, Jaballa Matar, was working for the Libyan delegation to the United Nations. When he was three years old, his family went back to Tripoli, Libya, where he spent his early childhood. Due to political persecutions by the Gaddafi regime, in 1979 his father was accused of being a reactionary to the Libyan revolutionary regime and was forced to flee the country with his family. They lived in exile in Egypt where Hisham and his brother completed their schooling in Cairo. In 1986 Matar moved to London where he continued his studies and received a degree in architecture. Also in London he completed the MA in Design Futures at Goldsmiths, University of London. In 1990, while Matar was in London, his father Jaballa, a political dissident, was kidnapped in Cairo. He has been reported missing ever since. However, in 1996, the family received two letters in his father's handwriting stating that he had been kidnapped by the Egyptian secret police, handed over to the Libyan regime, and imprisoned in the notorious Abu Salim prison in the heart of Tripoli. Since that date, there has been little information about Jaballa Matar's whereabouts. In 2010 Hisham Matar reported that he had received news that his father had been seen alive in 2002, indicating that Jaballa had survived a 1996 massacre of 1200 political prisoners by the Libyan authorities. In March 1990, Egyptian secret service agents abducted my father from his home in Cairo. For the first two years they led us to believe that he was being held in Egypt, and told us to keep quiet or else they could not guarantee his safety. In 1992 my father managed to smuggle out a letter. A few months later my mother held it in her hand. His careful handwriting curled tightly on to itself to fit as many words as possible on the single A4 sheet of paper. Words with hardly a space between, above or beneath them. No margins, they run to the brink. Matar began writing his first novel, In the Country of Men, in early 2000. In the autumn of 2005, the publishers Penguin International signed him to a two-book deal. In the Country of Men was published in July 2006 and has been translated into 22 languages. In 2008 Matar became the Mary Amelia Cummins Harvey Visiting Fellow Commoner at Girton College at the University of Cambridge. He is currently a writer-in-residence for the charity First Story. Matar's second novel, Anatomy of a Disappearance, contains a character whose father is taken away by the authorities; while Matar acknowledges the relation to his own father's disappearance, he has stated that the novel is not autobiographical. matarinterview In the Country of Men received accolades from writers including J. M. Coetzee, Anne Michaels and Nadeem Aslam. It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award 2006. The book won the 2007 Commonwealth Writers' Prize Best First Book award for Europe and South Asia, the 2007 Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize, the Italian Premio Vallombrosa Gregor von Rezzori, the Italian Premio Internazionale Flaiano (Sezione Letteratura) and the inaugural Arab American Book Award. "In the Country of Men" has been translated into 22 languages. Matar's short story, "Naima", was included in The Pen/O. Henry Prize Short Stories, The Best Stories of the Year, 2012 collection of short stories, which, as a quote by The Atlantic Monthly reads on its cover, is "Widely regarded as the nation's most prestigious awards for short fiction."   Written by: Azeez Sanusi

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KENYA’S MOST INNOVATIVE APPS

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Its clear Kenya is becoming the epicentre for innovation and development in Africa with the majority of the apps listed below developed there mainly for android and non-smart phone users. In doubt search for apps in Africa, and Kenya keeps popping up all over the place. What’s fascinating is that these apps are not social media centric or gaming, as most apps have become today, rather these are apps that have been developed to positively impact lives of users, spread across various platforms from web to non-smart phones. Below is the first half of Kenya’s most innovative apps, these apps were created for Africans, by Africans: 1.      MPAYER: This is an app that helps users manage their cash and mobile money payments, supporting local business; it helps shoppers to pay for goods in a convenient way. The app also encourages customer feedback and real-time payment, making business faster and leaving customers happier. mpayer 2.      KASHA.MOBI: The kasha.mobi app gives ensures security and peace-of-mind, as it allows users to secure their data, providing services to store passwords and login details. It also saves text messages (SMS) at a secure location, so users can safeguard information contained within the message, by simply forwarding the text message to kasha.mobi after joining, which makes internet banking a bit safer. To retrieve messages, log into the mobisite and follow the links.  Platform: Text-based 3.      M-FARM: An app developed specifically for the African market, allows local Kenyan farmers to get up-to-date information on crop prices and farming-related matters. Farmers simply SMS 3535 to get information about the retail price of their products, buy their farm inputs directly from manufacturers at favourable prices, and find buyers for their produce. Since most farmers don’t have access to reliable internet connections, this SMS-based app is also a big selling-point for farmers, who are enabled to keep up with market updates and the competition. m-farm 4.      M-PEDIGREE: Here is an app that helps determine the authenticity of medications. A non-profit based in Ghana, the platform has also been endorsed by the Kenyan government in an advocate for the development of strategies to fight counterfeiting. When customers buy a pharmaceutical product, a verification strip can be scratched off to reveal a number. When this number is texted to M-Pedigree, the response will alert users to the validity status of the medicine bought. mPedigree 5.      ELIMU: The app (through the eLimu tablet) is engaging Kenyan primary school students in the learning process by shifting the way we think about education. It is an initiative that uses content correlating to the national curriculum modernized up with animations, videos, songs, games and quizzes to make the learning process more interactive, interesting, fun and engaging for students. Designed to make not only an educational, but also a social impact, eLimu includes extended learning content that focuses on responsible citizenship (environmental, human rights, civic justice and even curriculum on personal financial literacy.) elimu Written By: Olusola Agbaje

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The Complete List Of Winners Of The 2014 Africa Magis Viewers’ Choice Award

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Saturday 8th March 2014 at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, were honoured actors, actresses, producers, directors ... everyone one involved in movie making – for their impressive contributions to the film industry, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. The event was hosted by IK Osakioduwa, Osas Ighodaro and Vimbai Mutinhiri. This is the complete list of winners (and nominees): Best Movie 2013 Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Yvonne Okoro & Ken Attoh – Contract (Winner) Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja Udoka Oyeka & Orode Ryan – Living Funeral Michelle Bello – Flower Girl James Omokwe – Awakening Yvonne Okoro Best Movie Drama Frank Rajah Arase – The Groom’s Bride (Winner) Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja Edwin Maina Kariuki – Nairobi Half Life Udoka Oyeka & Orode Ryan – Living Funeral Jumafor Ajogwu & Chris Eneaji – Murder at Prime Suites Best Movie Comedy Elvis Chucks – A Wish (Winner) Uche Jombo – Lies Men Tell Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Yvonne Okoro & Ken Attoh – Contract Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Fighter Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Hero Elvis Chucks Best Movie Director Shirley Frimpong-Manso – Contract (Winner) Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja Tosh Gitonga – Nairobi Half Life Udoka Oyeka – Living Funeral Frank Rajah Arase – Price Amil Shivji – Shoeshine Best Actress in a Drama Nse Ikpe-Etim – Journey to Self (Winner) Stephanie Wilson – Living Funeral Veronica Waceke – Higher Learning Nkiru Sylvanus – Kiss And The Brides Ivie Okujaiye – The Volunteers Best Actor in a Drama Tope Tedela – A Mile From Home (Winner) Juma Rajab Rashid – Siri Ya Mtungi Majid Michel – Somewhere in Africa Hlomla Dandala – Contract Majid Michel – House of Gold Best Supporting Actress Bikiya Graham-Douglas – Flower Girl (Winner) Valerie Kimani – Higher Learning Jazymn Batchan – Still Standing Liz Ameye – Living Funeral Lance Handabile – Love Games Tamara Eteimo – Desperate House Girls Best Supporting Actor Desmond Elliot – Finding Mercy (Winner) David Mulwa – Higher Learning Ian Mbugua – House of Lungula Bimbo Manuel – Torn Chris Attoh – Flower Girl Best Actress in a Comedy Funke Akndele – Return of Sheri Koko (Winner) Funke Akndele – The Fighter Funke Akndele – The Hero Mary Ogbonna – Clinic Matters Jackie Appiah – Cheaters Yvonne Okoro – Contract Best Actor in a Comedy Osita Iheme – The Hero (Winner) Hlomla Dandala – Contract John Okafor – Return of Sheri Koko Osita Iheme – The Fighter Chinedu Ikedieze – The Hero chinedu-ikedieze-osita-iheme Best Television Series Comedy/Drama Fred Phiri – Love Games Episode 6 (Winner) Grace Kahaki Munthali – Prem Episode 2 John Riber – Siri Ya Mtungi Paul Igwe – The Benjamins Benson Akindeju – Nowhere to be Found Best Short Film Walter “Waltbanger” Taylaur – The Wages (Winner) Vincent Moloi – Berea Amarachukwu Onoh – Mother Tongue Amil Shivji – Shoeshine Enuma Chigbo – The Deadwood Best Documentary Dr Gilbert Chigbo (Narrator) – The Deadwood (Winner) Sonia Maingi – Tumanka Goes to School Peter Murimi – Matatu: My Life, My Art Peter Murimi- Guardians of the Wild David Campbell – Shamba Shape Up Best Indigenous Language Movie/Series (Swahili) Njoki Muhoho – Mama Duka (Winner) Edwin Maina Kariuki – Nairobi Half Life Jordan Riber – Siri Ya Mtungi Ann Hamberger – Nina Musa Venerable Mziba, Vagabond Best Indigenous Language Movie/Series (Yoruba) Mercy Aigbe – Komfo (Winner) Afeez Eniola – Arinnakore Abdulrasaq Abdullahi – Edidi Olatunji Akeem Balogun – Aye Kooto Olatunji Akeem Balogun - Mufu Olosa Oloko Best Indigenous Language Movie/Series (Hausa) Abba Muko Yakassai – Habib (Winner) Yasin Auwal, Umar K, Mazugal – Wana Gari 1& 2 Hafizu Bello – Bakin Kishi Nasir Sa’ad Gwangwazo – Runan Jakara Mikail I. Bin Hassan – Kurman Gari Best Online Video Amarachukwu Onoh – Mother Tongue (Winner) Stacy McDermott & Neville Ossai – Jungle Jewel: The Short Film Mary Kaiyare – Deceit Stanlee Ohikhuare – Kpian’s Premonition Dorothy Ghettuba, Oyunga Pala – Next Big Host Best Writer (Drama) Shirley Frimpong-Manso & Hertey Owusu – Contract (Winner) Patrick Yaadar & Andy Boyo – Off The Hook Akpor Kagho – Living Funeral Fatima Jabbe – Battered Pascal Amanfo – Single & Married Best Writer (Comedy) Jigi Bello – Flower Girl (Winner) Jahmal Holland – Still Standing Ohis Udofia – Kuti’s Career Palace Patrick Onyeka – The Place Seun Arowojolu – Squatterz Best Cinematographer Christian Almesberger – Nairobi Half Life (Winner) James Michael Costello – Last Flight to Abuja Idhebor Kagho – Living Funeral Imoh Umoren – Have a Nice Day Themba Masondo – Taxi Ride Best Art Director Barbara Minishi – Nairobi Half Life (Winner) Ken Attoh & Shirley Frimpong-Manso – Contract Shirley Frimpong-Manso – Apples Miniseries Part 1&2 Kyle Quint – Siri Ya Mtungi Frank Rajah Arase – The Piece Best Sound Editor Obi Emelonye & Luke Corradine – Last Flight to Abuja (Winner) Sola Awoponle – Ilari Jordan Riber – Siri Ya Mtungi Carl Raccah – Journey to Self Maurice Kings – Murder at Prime Suites Paul Apel – Blue Flames Best Video Editor Shirley Frimpong-Manso – Contract (Winner) Ben Nugent & Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja Austin Faani Ikechukwu – Battle for Wealth Chucks Madu Success – Oga On Top Jack Esterhuizen – Love Games Episode 25 Shirley-Frimpong-Manso Best Lightning Designer Mohammed Zain – Nairobi Half Life (Winner) Don Izuchukwu – Brother’s Keeper Godwin Daniel – Living Funeral Ifeoluwa Balogun – The Benjamins Eric Aghimien – A Mile from Home Best Costume Designer Chiemela Nwagboso – The Kingdom (Winner) Adeola Ramonu – Adebola Omo Oba Doreen Estazia Noni – Siri Ya Mtungi Catherine Kibugi – Sumu La Penzi Episode 5 Ruth Ndulu Maingi – Lies That Bind Episode 2 Season 2 Best Make-up Artist Elayne Okaya – Nairobi Half Life (Winner) Olabimpe Cole – Lekki Wives Alex Gakumo – Sumu La Penzi Episode 1 Season 1 Michael Wawuyo – The Felistas Fable Rehema Samo – Siri Ya Mtungi Israel Moses – A Wish Rosemary Obika, Redemption New Era Award Movie Rita Dominic – The Meeting Trailblazer Award Michelle Bello Industry Merit Award Pete Edochie

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History of Moroccan literature

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Every African country has a rich history as regards language in its most profound form. There are stories about the early African poets and their contributions to the development of literature in the continent today. Moroccan literature as a literature written in (Moroccan) Arabic, Berber, French or Spanish and of course particularly by people of Morocco, but also of Al-Andalus is quintessentially a pointer to the wealth of language the African continent possesses as illustrated in the 14th century courtly romance 'Hadîth Bayâd wa Riyâd' (the story of Bayad and Riyad). bayad_gets_council Moroccan literature saw its first flowering in the period of the Almoravid dynasty (1040–1147). In this period two writers stand out: Ayyad ben Moussa and Ibn Bajja and, in al-Andalus, Al-Tutili, Ibn Baqi, Ibn Khafaja and Ibn Sahl. An impression of a number of great poets of the period is given in anthologies and biographies like Kharidat al Qsar, Al Mutrib and Mujam as-Sifr. From 1086 Morocco and Al-Andalus, with its rich tradition from the Umayyads, formed one state and the Almoravid sultans stimulated culture in their courts and in the country. Ibn Bassam dedicated his anthology Dhakhira fî mahâsin ahl al-Gazira to Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar and Ibn Khaqan his Qala-id al-Iqyan to Yusuf ibn Tashfin. The early Almoravid movement had itself been influenced by the writings of Abu Imran al-Fasi. Under the Almohad dynasty (1147–1269) Morocco experienced another period of prosperity and brilliance of learning. The Almohad built the Marrakech Koutoubia Mosque, which accommodated no fewer than 25,000 people, but was also famed for its books, manuscripts, libraries and book shops, which gave it its name; the first book bazaar in history. The Almohad sultan Abu Yaqub Yusuf had a great love for collecting books. He founded a great private library, which was eventually moved to the kasbah of Marrakech and turned into a public library. Under the Almohads, the sovereigns encouraged the construction of schools and sponsored scholars of every sort. Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Ibn Tufail, Ibn Zuhr, Ibn al-Abbar, Ibn Amira and many more poets, philosophers and scholars found sanctuary and served the Almohad rulers. emir   During the reign of the Marinid dynasty (1215–1420) it was especially Sultan Abu Inan Faris (1349-1358) who stimulated literature. He built the Bou Inania Madrasa and created the library of the university of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez. At his invitation the icon of Moroccan literature Ibn Batuta returned to settle down in the city of Fez and write his Rihla or travelogue in cooperation with Ibn Juzayy. Abdelaziz al-Malzuzi (-1298) and Malik ibn al-Murahhal (1207–1300) are considered as the two greatest poets of the Marinid era. Historiographers were, among many others, Ismail ibn al-Ahmar and Ibn Idhari. Poets of Al-Andalus, like Ibn Abbad al-Rundi (1333–1390) and Salih ben Sharif al-Rundi (1204–1285) settled in Morocco, often forced by the political situation of the Nasrid kingdom. Both Ibn al-Khatib (1313–1374) and Ibn Zamrak, vizirs and poets whose poems can be read on the walls of the Alhambra, found shelter here. The heritage left by the literature of this time that saw the flowering of Al-Andalus and the rise of three Berber dynasties had its impact on Moroccan literature throughout the following centuries. From the beginning of the 12th century, the University of Fez played an important rule in the development of Moroccan literature. Among the scholars who studied and taught there were Ibn Khaldoun, Ibn al-Khatib, Al-Bannani, al-Bitruji, Ibn Hirzihim (Sidi Harazim) and Al-Wazzan (Leo Africanus). The writings of Sufi leaders have played an important role in Moroccan literature from this early period (e.g. Abu-l-Hassan ash-Shadhili and al-Jazouli) until now (e.g. Muhammad ibn al-Habib). The possession of manuscripts of famous writers remained the pride of courts and zawiyas throughout the history of Morocco until the modern times. The great Saadian ruler Ahmed al-Mansour (1578–1603) was a poet king. Poets of his court were Ahmad Ibn al-Qadi, Abd al-Aziz al-Fishtali. Ahmed Mohammed al-Maqqari lived during the reign of his sons. The Saadi Dynasty contributed greatly to the library of the Taroudant. Another library established in time that was that of Tamegroute. A large part of it remains today. By a strange coincidence the complete library of another Saadian ruler has also been transmitted to us to the present day. Due to circumstances in a civil war the sultan Zidan (r.1603–1627) had his complete collection transferred to a ship. The commander of the ship stole the ship and brought it to Spain where the collection was transmitted to El Escorial. In modern times, three generations of writers especially shaped 20th century Moroccan literature. The first was the generation that lived and wrote during the Protectorate (1912–56), its most important representative being Mohammed Ben Brahim (1897–1955). The second generation was the one that played an important role in the transition to independence with writers like Abdelkrim Ghallab (1919–2006), Allal al-Fassi (1910–1974) and Mohammed al-Mokhtar Soussi (1900–1963). The third generation is that of writers of the sixties. Moroccan literature then flourished with writers such as Mohamed Choukri, Driss Chraïbi, Mohamed Zafzaf and Driss El Khouri. Those writers were an important influence the many Moroccan novelists, poets and playwrights that were still to come. During the 1950s and 1960s, Morocco was also a refuge for writers from abroad as Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams, Brion Gysin, William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac. In 1966 a group of Moroccan writers founded a magazine called Souffles (Breaths) that was prohibited by the government in 1972 but gave impetus to the poetry and modern romantic works of many Moroccan writers. Tennessee_Williams_NYWTS Written by: Azeez Sanusi

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AFRICA’S LEADING LITERARY AWARD: THE CAINE PRIZE

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Named in celebration of the late Sir Michael Harris Caine (17th June 1927 – 20th March 1999); the Caine Prize, as he intended, is open to writers from anywhere in Africa for work published in English and its focus is on the short story. Sir Michael Caine, an English businessman, was the former Chairman of Booker Group Plc – which is the largest food wholesale operator in the United Kingdom. He was the Chairman of the 'Africa 95' arts festival in Europe and Africa in 1995, president of the Royal African Society (1996 – 1999) and for nearly 25 years, Chairman of the Booker Prize management committee, which he helped set up. Shortly before he died, Caine was working on the idea of a prize to encourage the growing recognition of the worth of African writing in English, its richness and diversity, by bringing it to a wider audience. His friends and colleagues decided to carry this idea forward and establish a prize of £10,000 to be awarded annually in his memory, it’s known as “The Caine Prize.” Baroness Nicholson and NoViolet Bulawayo (Winner of the 2011 Caine Prize) The Caine Prize, sometimes called the "African Booker", has become ‘the’ literary award for best original short story by an African writer (whether in Africa or elsewhere), published in the English language. The £10,000 prize, which was founded in the United Kingdom in 2000, is supported by a number of organisations such as the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, the Booker Prize Foundation, DOEN Foundation, China Africa Resources plc, CSL Stockbrokers, the British Council, the Marit & Hans Rausing Foundation, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the Headley Trust, the Esmee Fairbairn Charitable Trust, the Cairns Charitable Trust, the Sunrise Foundation, the Von Clemm Charitable Trust, the Gibbs Trust, the Thistle Trust, the Beit Trust, the Royal Over-Seas League, Commonwealth Writers, the cultural initiative from the Commonwealth Foundation, The Lennox & Wyfold Foundation, Sarova Hotels, Bata Shoes (Kenya & Zimbabwe) Ltd, Kenya Airways etc; and friends of Sir Caine in the UK, Europe, USA, China and Africa. Thus the Caine Prize is not supported by an endowment; rather, it’s a charity that raises funds each year to continue to support its work, making it wholly dependent on donations. The first prize was awarded in 2000 at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair in Harare to Sudanese housewife-turned-writer, Leila Aboulela for her short story "The Museum", in a competition which attracted entries from 20 African countries. While the 2001 Prize was awarded at the Nairobi Book Fair in September 2001, the winner is currently announced at a dinner in Oxford in July, where the shortlisted candidates are all invited, which is part of a week of activities for the candidates, including book readings, book signings and press opportunities. Leila Aboulela by Vaida V. Nairn The Patrons of the Caine Prize are all African winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature - Wole Soyinka, Nadine Gordimer and J M Coetzee. There are 50 council members of the Caine Prize, with Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, Sir Michael Caine’s second wife and widow as President, Ben Okri, the Nigerian poet and novelist and the 1991 winner of the Booker Prize, as the Vice-President. He also chaired the first panel of Caine Prize Judges, in 2000, while Jonathan Taylor is the chairman. Here are some quick facts about the prize: 1.      Nigeria has produced the most winners of the prize (5 winners), while Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa come second (2 winners each). 2.      Unpublished works are not eligible for the Caine Prize, thus submissions should be made by publishers only. 3.      Only one story per author will be considered in any one year, and submissions should specify which African country the author comes from. 4.      Only fictional work is eligible, as stories for children, factual writing, plays and biography are not eligible. So is any work shorter than 3000 words. The £10,000 cash prize is for the winning author, while a travel award and a £500 cash prize for each of the short-listed candidates (up to five in all). The Winner and short-listed authors are always invited to participate in writers’ workshops in Africa and the UK.     Written By:Olusola Agbaje

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Waje, Pilani Bubu, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Molara Wood, set to thrill at the music concert and art weekender

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WOMAN RISING 2014 Campaign

Arts, culture and lifestyle centre – Life House presents the second edition of Women Rising – a music concert and art weekender to hold March 16 and 17 2014 in Lagos Nigeria. Waje Waje The first event of the weekender is the literary salon event tagged ‘Letters & The Lady’ would hold at the Wheat baker Hotel Ikoyi, on March 15 at 6pm. The event would feature new literary work ‘Indigo’ by Molara Wood's book; an enchanting debut collection of short stories encased in a beautiful art-infused paper cover, will be introduced. Excerpts from Indigo as well as a variety of prose, poetry, and spoken word and song lyrics penned, inspired by, or written for women will be read. There will also be a book signing opportunity with Indigo author, Molara Wood. Diwari Peterside Diwari Ugoma Adegoke; organizer of the event said “Literature loving guests can also expect to read from the winning & shortlisted books of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature - We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo and Bom Boy by Yewande Omotoso, they are also guaranteed of lively conversations and a rich experience especially as the latter part of the event will feature an electrifying session in which the general audience and special guests will read and discuss Letters To Our Younger and Our Older Selves. This powerful literary and female empowering event is not to be missed!” Kemi Lala on Dazzling set Kemi Lala The second event lined up for the weekender is the concert platform which is designed to celebrate musical woman and female musicianship will witness live musical show by a  lineup of talented local and international female musicians. Artistes billed to perform include R&B songstress Waje, Trybe Records recording artist;  Aramide, Diwari (Nigerian Idol  Season 3), Fatima, Dupe Kachi (MTN Project Fame's Voice Coach and singer),  Lala with Pilani Bubu(South Africa) and Sian Thomas (United Kingdom). “This year’s concert line-up promises exciting, unforgettable performances and experimental musical exchanges and in signature Woman Rising style, the performances will be flavoured with reading interludes and special guest appearances.” Ugoma Adegoke added The night’s event will be hosted by Nollywood Actress Kemi-Lala Akindoju and Smooth 98.1FM's Aderonke Adebanjo. To make reservations or buy tickets, email info@thelifehouselagos.com or visit www.afritickets.com

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Africa Literary Legends: Ben Okri

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The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.

Taken from his Man Booker Prize for Fiction winning novel, The Famished Road (1991); novelist and poet, Ben Okri has used his works to express his concerns for humanity through magical realism, which was fuelled by his mother’s (Grace) preference to tell stories as a way of correcting him. Okri’s writing style varies as he bounces off spiritual realism to magical realism, to African folklore and post-colonial traditions – simply put, Ben Okri writes fantasy literature, which focuses on the early post-colonial history of Nigeria. ben 2 Born 15th March, 1959 in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, Silver Okri (Ben’s father) moved his family to England, before Ben was two years old and moved back in 1968, when Ben was nine. Okri’s foray into writing began when the civil war ended when he began to write articles on social and political issues of the time, though none of his articles were published. Ben later decided to use his early articles to form short stories and – alas – success was on the horizon, his works began to get published in evening papers and women’s journals. Much of his early fiction explores the political violence that he witnessed firsthand during the civil war. He left the country in the late 1970s when a grant from the Nigerian government enabled him to read Comparative Literature at Essex University in England. But funding for his scholarship suddenly stopped, and Okri found himself homeless, living on the street which strengthened his writing, as he described it – “I wrote and wrote in that period... If anything [the desire to write] actually intensified.” Not long after his plight on the streets, Ben Okri’s book Flowers and Shadows (1980) was published; and with it came international recognition as a writer. By the end of the 1980s, Ben Okri had written and published two collection s of short stories in Incidents at the Shrine (1986) and Stars of the New Curfew (1988). Both collections were set in Lagos and London touching the different aspects of life in Nigeria, by reflecting on the child’s eye view of the Nigerian Civil War, a depressed Taxi driver who finds two hundred thousand pounds left at the back seat of his cab by a ‘big’ Nigerian (perhaps a politician) or stories of shanty towns and of men from the villages seeking their fortunes in the streets and filthy gutters of the new town. His exposure to the Nigerian civil war and a culture in which his peers saw visions of spirits at this time later provided inspiration for The Famished Road (1991) - Okri's most popular work till date - about Azaro, a stubborn spirit child (aka abiku), who refers to himself as ‘an unwilling adventurer into chaos and sunlight, into the dreams of the living and the dead.’ The Famished Road is the first of a trilogy (with Songs of Enchantment – 1993 and Infinite Riches – 1998) that explores ‘the rotten milk of politics’, violence, traditional rituals, human-animal hybrids, sudden transformations and a ‘delirium of stories.’ The Famished Road Okri’s work has been influenced as much by the philosophical texts in his father's book shelves as it was by literature, and Okri cites the influence of Francis Bacon, Michel de Montaigne and William Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s influence can be seen in his 2002 adventure – In Arcadia, where freedom becomes a major theme, something that also reflected in his last novel – Starbook (2007). Okri’s accomplishments do not stop at being a novelist; he is also an accomplished poet whose works (An African Elegy – 1992, Mental Flight – 1999 and Wild – 2012) have been highly praised for ‘beauty of language and sweep of subjects.’ His poems are carefully rhymed, as they speak about an enhanced vision of nature. DID YOU KNOW THAT… 1.      Ben Okri’s first hand experience of the Nigerian civil war would go on to influence his writing, especially his earliest works - Flowers and Shadows (1980) which was published when Ben was just twenty one, and The Landscapes Within (1981). Both stories were set in Nigeria and featured two young men as central characters struggling to make sense of the disintegration and chaos happening in both their family and country. 2.      He was rejected to study physics in university because of his age – 14. 3.      Ben Okri, today, has been awarded by the Queen of England an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001. 4.      He is a fellow at The Royal Society of Literature (FRSL). He has also been awarded five honorary doctorates, all from different schools. 5.      Ben Okri is the Vice-President of the Caine Prize’s Council members. He was the chairman the first panel of Caine Prize Judges, in 2000. Ben Okri still writes till date, remaining a vital figure in the ongoing dialogue between Africa and the West.   Written By: Olusola Agbaje

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Get and retain your target business customers with technology and excellent customer service

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Technology

The main purpose of setting up any business entity is to render quality services to target customers as consequences get paid in return. Many scholars maintain several position on what make customer locate one’s business, patronize, satisfied and even make a comeback. Some hold the views that advertisement can bring enormous awareness of about one’s business premises, services and products. Others say advertisements cannot make customers always want to comeback for the same services and product, but that enterprises should focus more on rendering efficient customer services and good experiences. Another group of researchers say that quality customer service experience is realized majorly through qualified staff and trained personnel hires by many business organizations.

In the 21st Century business environment, lots have changed as to what customers anticipate or really want. Technology has come to the rescue though with many sides to it, whenever quality customer services were considered.  Below are some useful tips:

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Pre-emptive service: It is one of most prominent tool for excellent customer service delivery, because it manages and includes services for even the unexpressed wishes, desires and needs of one’s customers. Technology provides an opportunity for business personnel to adequately leave an indelible experience or memory on the minds of customers. This is the point to make permanent impressions and shift customers’ perception of one’s enterprise, which assist your customers to form opinions such as lasting commitment, sincere loyalty to your business, service and product. Let your customer look forward to your service and product in advance e.g. a movie cinema should tell their customer ahead of time what movies will be on the offering.

Start the conversion about your product: A good number of customers decided to patronize certain services and products because they came across information about your enterprise. Advertisements are very powerful tool aside from print, radio and TV media platforms; social media can be very cheap and new way of selling one’s business services and products. Bother your target customers, should be the principle, until they are able to find your business location and polices in timely and easily manner. That ultimately help your target customers decide to patronize or check it out on your services. Use the magic of technology in the first place to provoke and get into the minds your customers especially simple details of your business and services you render. For instance, a customer who wants to find about your product from your contacts should get through to you at a dial of phone or an email.

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Customer empathy: This is one stage many big and startups businesses fail to deliver. Customers will be loyal to your enterprise once your reach-out to them first and always. Customers feel safe to transact with your company whenever you make them feel remembered. Get to your customers by telephone calls, or better still get customers database that include: email addresses, place of residence, office residence, birthdays, colour likes, hobbies, etc. Technology has helped a great deal to achieve customer service, empathy and retention. Interact with your frequently, which help them get a feel of concern, interest, care etc., using any of technology tools to command their loyalty to your company. Nothing makes a customer more satisfied than being first to inform them about changes, new products and failure of service (e.g. send texts to your customer whenever a flight may be cancelled, next flight details, prices of tickets, etc. for an Air transport company).

 

Written By: Abraham Alfa

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What To Wear to A Wedding

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Have you been invited to a wedding, but aren't quite sure of what to wear? The "rules" are different for different times of day, as well as different formalities (informal, formal, etc.) In general, you'll want to wear a dress (doesn't need to be full-length unless it's a very formal wedding and just about any color goes except for white. In this era of the asoebi craze with colours that you might never have thought you will hear in your lifetime – Canary yellow, tomato red, champagne and so on – It is important to try to be different sometimes. Or what if the wedding didn’t even come with an asoebi color or you didn’t just buy it and you still plan to stand out, I have a solution for you. Types of Weddings and What to wear to them.
  1. Informal Daytime: Short dress or suit (business attire OK for morning weddings) img1
  2. Informal Evening: Cocktail dress (which is any dressier dress -- for example, a little black dress -- that's not full-length.) cocktail-dresses-r7usdtwz
  3. Semi-formal Evening: Cocktail dress
  4. Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit. Hats and gloves optional (although it's rare to see hats and gloves at most weddings.) b6c72d45a8ac320dfa56768e180b81fa
  5. Formal Evening or Black-Tie: Long or dressy short cocktail (beading, glam accessories, wrap)
  6. Ultra-formal or White Tie: Long gown, extra glitz (furs, diamonds, etc.)
  Dos and Don'ts for Her 1. Don't wear white, because it competes with the bride. According to Clinton Kelly, co-author of Dress Your Best. "The only person in a shade resembling white should be the bride—unless she has asked everyone to wear white because she's decided to wear red sequins,"  There are several other colors you can wear that won’t compete with the bride’s. If you’re looking for that soft look, you can opt for light pink or blush. b99a1221635b0116e0e94f015db3263c 2. Weddings are a time for celebrations - Don't overdo black or sequins during the daytime. Anything too sparkly/gothic will make you stand out and not in a good way. 3. Don't worry about wearing the same colors as the bridesmaids or mothers. Sometimes that’s a good thing. 4. Do wear something feminine and appropriate, out of respect for your hosts. Denim, Clubwear, overtly sexy clothing (strapless, see-through, etc) doesn't belong at a wedding. Also, avoid plunging necklines as they attract attention – the attention belongs to the bride. If you have to ask if it's appropriate, it probably isn't. It’s a wedding, not a club party… Lay off the heavy cutouts and second-skin tight dresses. 5. Don’t wear a tiara. The bride should be the only princess at the wedding. tiara_10272 Leave this for the bride. 6. Don't wear opera-length gloves (to top of arm) with anything but sleeveless or strapless gowns. 26+fashion+in+black Keep it real simple and do take off gloves to eat or drink. 7. Do use good judgment if the invitation doesn't specify the formality of the event. A pastel suit or soft floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening (after 6 p.m.) will take you almost anywhere. face A cardigan/blazer tones down the floral prints a bit. 8.  Hats can be okay at an outdoor wedding but you have to watch the size. It is supposed to shield your face from the sun and not block the view of all the other guests sitting around you at the wedding. Fascinators are welcomed options. 9.  Even at a casual wedding use good judgment when it comes to getting dressed. Casual can mean a pretty sundress (like for a coastal or beach wedding but rarely means something as casual as jeans or shorts. Written By: joy adegboye

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Trend Guide: How to wear Palazzo Pants

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Palazzo Pants are a huge trend at the moment. It is a trend with deep vintage roots as these were very popular in the 1930s and then again in 60’s worn by rich glamorous women all over Europe. Palazzo pants are elegant and feminine and, because of their wide leg and light fabric, they’re perfect for keeping you cool on hot summer days. Palazzos are easy to pull-on and go, provide balance and flatter wider thighs and hips, and create the illusion of a maxi skirt while keeping the freedom of pants intact. An ideal pair of Palazzos should skim the floor with heels on. Wear fitted tops or tuck your top in when wearing Palazzos as ithelps your hips and thighs look slimmer while elongating your legs. Your tops can be colorful to balance the look. Wear wedges heels to add height. Accessorize with contrasting jewelry for jazzing up the outfit. This is a must-try style trend this season. You must remember a few smart tricks to up your style quotient. Palazzos are bottom-heavy since they flare out from the knees below, so keep the top you’re wearing light and well-fitting. Here are some tips on choosing the right palazzo for you. -10 Fabric Pick the right fabric and color for the look you want to achieve. For a feminine look opt for silks and chiffons in pretty pastels. Stiff fabrics such as linen and cotton work if you are aiming for a chic and sharp/work look. The trick is with getting the right fabric for each occasion. It would be disastrous to wear a floral chiffon palazzo pant to work. Choose the right waist High-waisted pants should be worn with shorter tops or tops tucked in and longer tops with low-waisted pants. Prints Matter Avoid smaller prints and opt for bold prints or no prints at all. To play safe pick solid colors in light shades. Length The ideal length of a palazzo is floor-skimming even when you’re wearing heels.   Styling your Palazzo. -Neutral chic This is best when you’re afraid to experiment. Pair colored palazzos with either white, nude or black to be safe. Neautral-top -Simple tank and floral palazzo. Pair your printed palazzo pants with an easy tank in a solid color. Palazzo-Pants-New-Trend-for-Summer-2013-12 -With Blazer Go a lil bit formal by throwing on a structured blazer on your palazzo (try linen/cotton) pants. how-to-style-palazzo-pants-1 -Crop top This is always an option if you have washboard abs. Palazzo-Pants-New-Trend-for-Summer-2013-15 -Chambray Shirt Here’s another reason to wear your favorite denim shirt. how-to-style-palazzo-pants-14 -Feminine tops This can be perfect work wear attire if paired with solid colored tailored palazzos. how-to-style-palazzo-pants-15 -Accentuate your waist with a belt This will give the illusion of a very small waist. how-to-style-palazzo-pants-6 -Girly Glam These pants can also work for a girl’s night out situation. Just pair your palazzo with heavy sequins and sparkles and sky high heels. Don’t forget the bold lip color Palazzo-Pants-New-Trend-for-Summer-2013-16 -Color block for a serious style statement how-to-style-palazzo-pants-11 Accessorize Pair with statement necklaces and clutch bags to attain the ultimate chic looks. It is always advisable to wear heels with the palazzo but if you’re tall naturally, you can skip the heels if yourpalazzo covers your feet. But if you’re on the petit side, heels are compulsory. They make the palazzo elongate your legs thereby giving an illusion of height. Make up Keep the make-up simple with warm and neutral color palette to allow your statement trousers to stand out. Confidence The trick to looking as fab as these ladies is confidence. Put on a pair of sunglasses, raise your head up and walk tall with your palazzo.   Written By: joy adegboye

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Interesting career achievements of TY Bello!

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Toyin Shokefun Bello might not easily ring a bell but TY Bello does. On hearing the name, you think of the lady with the dark eyes, raspy alto voice from the renowned urban gospel group KUSH (which consisted of Lara George, Dapo Torimiro, herself and Emem), then you think of the beautiful lady with the 70’s trendy afro-style hair-do. That’s TY Bello. ty+bello She is by choice, a Nigerian photographer, musician and a philanthropist. During her early days, Toyin was good at so many things which made her confused as to what to become. She started as a hair stylist and then a make-up artist while she read Economics at the University of Lagos. She was also well known on campus as a rap artiste. Her group, KUSH enjoyed massive fame back ten and they were the first to perform at the Nigerian corner of the Notting hill Carnival in 2003. After the debut album from her group, they went their separate ways. TY’s first solo album “Greenland” was released in 2008. Her journey into photography started when she met a man called Pa Ajidagba who taught her part of what she knows.  

She is a Director of Link-a-child; an NGO dedicated to propagating information on orphanages in Nigeria and soliciting sponsorship on their behalf. TY dedicates her time to her NGO and once had a conversation that impacted on her so much to which she dedicated a song on her album ‘Ekundayo’ which she did with Olufunmi. The 4 minutes song done in English and Yoruba is about a conversation between Toyin Subair, Ty Bello and Mrs. Ekundayo (owner of Ekundayo Children’s Home, an orphanage in Isanlu, Kogi State).  According to TY, “that conversation made her realize how empty my life was. She saw someone who was doing a lot more than she was and had much less than she did. 

TY Bello believes that the crisis in Nigeria is beyond politics and she described the bombings in Nigeria by terrorist sects as a “metaphor of the hopelessness and impending tragedy that may lie ahead if we do not become more engaged in building the country we desire.” TY Bello is considered on the A-list of prominent and influential photographers. To her, Art is about collecting experiences and expressing them. For her, music and photography are similar art forms. She collects experiences, stir them in her and express it in her own language. Just like my photography, music is her language.” TY has taken pictures for magazines, Presidents, Governors, celebrities and A-Class celebrities

 HER WORKS

 They say “Action speaks louder than words”. Here are a few magazine covers and photos done by photographer, TY Bello. Notice that she has done quite good for herself.

family0 Mr President and family Thisday-Style-Agbani-Darego_zpsd0e9620a Agbani Darego 33-Cover-Article-Agbani Agbani Darego

Weird-MC1 Weird MC

4-Mania-Magazin0211

Written By: Frank Ugo

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KENYA’S MOST INNOVATIVE APPS (2)

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Last week we began this list – Kenya’s Most Innovative Apps (web & mobile) – and these apps have shown Kenya to be Africa’s forerunner in the positive use of mobile apps in impacting the lives of the people, as their implementations have not been restricted to people with internet access alone, as most are SMS/text based. Its obvious Kenya’s paving the way to accessible technology, and it’s time for the rest of Africa to tailor our technological innovations to our needs. Here are the five remaining apps Kenya has used to better the lives of its citizens. RUPU: Voted among the ‘Top 20 African Start-Up’ by Forbes Africa Magazine (February 2012), Rupu, a daily deals and discount website, which started operations in December 2010, helps get the best deals for a variety of items and holiday treats within Kenya. A place to find gifts and publicize business ideas, by providing online marketing resources for small, medium and large businesses to the millions of Kenyans who access the internet. Rupu, who emerged runners up on the Kenya ICT Board Innovation Awards - Wholesale, Retail & Trade category, is based in Nairobi, Kenya. rupu M-PEPEA: A fully automated app used to offer instant loans to workers at a fee through their mobile phones. M-Pepea has set out to revolutionize Kenya’s credit system by targeting employees on full-time basis registered for the service and offering small emergency loans ranging from KSh5023.96 (US$58) to KSh30317 (US$350) depending on pay-scale. Users can access loans anytime anywhere without the necessity of having to wait for advance approvals or having to visit a financial institution to request for emergency money. 

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h    ttp://mpepea.co.ke/ M-PESA: An award-winning mobile money transfer service, launched by Kenyan mobile network operator, Safaricom, in March 2007. M-Pesa had already captured 14 million subscribers as at November 2011, with 2 million daily transactions and over 28,000 agents across the country. M-Pesa has since expanded to East Africa (Uganda and Tanzania) and has also been launched in South Africa, Afghanistan, India and Egypt; as it has emerged winner at the 4 GSMA awards, 2011 Mobile Money Award and UN-Habitat. It’s innovative, yet simple and practical solutions have set it apart worldwide. M-PESA

 

       iCOW: As the name suggests, iCow is an SMS and voiced based app for small scale dairy farmers, acting as a virtual veterinary nurse and midwife for subscribers, giving advice on cow breeding, animal nutrition, milk production efficiency, gestation and fodder. Voted by Forbes.com as the best new African Mobile App of 2011 and winner of the US Department of State sponsored Apps 4 Africa contest in 2010, iCow has emerged the world’s first mobile phone cow calendar.

 

icow1

 MEDAFRICA: Developed by Kenya’s Shimba Technologies in 2011, MedAfrica helps users diagnose symptoms and provides directories of doctors and hospitals with the aim to revolutionize how people in developing areas, particularly on the African continent, access and use health information. It brings basic information about health and medicine to all phones, enabling people to use that information on their own. 

 

MedAfrica

 

http://www.medafrica.org/

Written By: Olusola Agbaje

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Good things you should know about fitness and exercises

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The effort of keeping fit for people may not be in their priority scales and so do exercises due to choices of their careers and lifestyles. This popular quote finds more expression here, health is wealth but wealth is health. There is no amount of money that brings back life once it is destroyed. Simple care, exercises and fitness activities can improve well-being of people and individuals. The challenge has been that many people spend a lot of money taking care of their physical well-being such as feeding, beauty and skin care, but little attention is paid to the other side of the equation, the spiritual part. A human body is typical composed of what can be seen and what cannot be seen i.e. mortal and immortal, which require same extent of care and attention to continually keep them fit. Below are benefits of physical and spiritual exercises:

Fitness 2 There are no side effects for guided physical exercises, because their natural as against beauty and health products that can cause many health hazards though with some proven potency. Continuous and regular exercises increase energy of muscle tone, strength of bones, endurance of cardiovascular, flexibility, reduction of blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce body fats, enhances long capacity, increase circulation and metabolism. Exercising regularly reduces rate and vulnerability for depression. Relentless exercising with motivational and inspiring materials can help a great lot in this direction. Physical fitness activity is a very useful anti-depressant that helps to enhance mood as well as stimulating endorphins production in the brain for feel of well-being. Alcohol and drugs have not really helped because of their permanent side effects on users. Fitness Recovering from stress and fatigue due to career and workloads can achieved through a good sleep. Exercises is known natural way to get better sleeping that help stabilize human body physically and spiritually. Most of very creative minds the world has ever produced are very good at exercises either physically or spiritually at some point in their lives. Exercises increase one’s creativity. Physical activity and other forms of exercises can minimize the effects of aging and improve life expectancy. Studies have shown clearly that people stay healthier, live longer and prevent untimely deaths, because they exercise habitually. Physical- The easiest way to restart and reactivate one’s creative system is through exercises. Motivations and inspirations teachings can reduce incidences of dryness or numbing experience of the mind. Exercises have become a good therapy for patients recovering from shocks, medical emergencies and loss of beloved ones. Psychologists have been known to be good in area of counseling and mental exercising activities. Exercises are shocks-absorbers. However, as much as exercises are very good for your body and spiritual well-being, medical experts have warned side effects from physical exercise can be minimized, when physical activities can be avoided three hours to your bed time. Again, fitness and life coaches can be of help when it comes to the choice of right and appropriate exercising activities and gym machines suitable for your body and disposition. Written By: Abraham Alfa  

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16 Facts On African Music History

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“Music speaks louder than words.”  - African Proverb

Music in Africa has always been used for different reasons to accompany various events, including celebration, hunting, marriage, child birth, politics and worship. What’s music to you? A means to tell stories, joyous sounds of instruments, a collection of sounds that transforms your state of being or something to dance to. Whatever music is to you, it’s a known fact that music is a significant component of any culture; and Africa is rich with different sounds that have gone on to shape our dear planet and way of life. Here are some interesting facts about African music that you should know: Drum Show
  1.       Highlife originated in Ghana and was exported to Nigeria in 1951
  2.       The dùndún pressure drum (talking drum), popularly associated with the Yoruba culture, was introduced around the 15th century, as it appeared in plaques made during that period in the kingdom of Benin. dundun1
  3.       The lamellaphone, a small box-resonated musical instrument, called the likembe in Congo, was invented in the lower Congo region during the mid-19th century.
  4.       East African music is known to have been influenced by Arabic, Indonesian, Indian and Polynesia music.
  5.       Some African tribes sing there music nude, with the men and women dancing together.
  6.       Blues emerged at the end of the 19th century as a form of self-expression for African-Americans, who were captured in Africa and brought over to America to become slaves. It emerged from a blend of spiritual songs, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants that were sung during a hard day's work.
  7.       While Jazz originated from the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities after they were freed from slavery. Jazz uses improvisation, polyrhythm, and melodic patterns, which are also commonly used in African music
  8.       African music has had the largest influence on western music through the slave trade. The slaves brought their drums and banjos and influenced popular music of the last century through blues and jazz
  9.       The banjo and the guitar originated from Africa.
  10.   The Senegalese band, Toure Kunda, pioneered the African invasion of Europe with the fusion of western-style melodies and reggae rhythms performed on traditional instruments with the album, “Freres Griots” (1979).
  11.   African music is said to have greatly influenced Scottish folk music, Irish music and white American music.
  12.   Drums are known to be the most common instruments in African music. African drums include the djembe, talking drum and bata drum.
  13.   Senegal music legend, Youssou N'Dour, who became a teenage sensation with the band Etoile De Dakar, released “Xalis” (1979) which established mbalax (a fusion of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, and rock blended with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal) as a major form of dance music.African-Music
  14.   Cameroon saxophonist, Manu Dibango, started a vogue for makossa (basically, highlife with a steady rhythm), that spread from Cameroon to nearby countries, with his proto-disco groove, “Soul Makossa” (1972).
  15.   Guinean kora player, Mory Kante’s dance-floor single, “Yeke Yeke” (1987), is the first ever African single to sell over one million copies.Lucky Dube Rastas Never Die
  16.   Ermelo "Lucky" Dube became the first reggae star of South Africa with “Rastas Never Die” (1985).
  Written By: Olusola Agbaje

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SEYI SHAY TALKS ABOUT MENTOR, 2FACE ON MTV BASE’s OFFICIAL NAIJA TOP TEN.

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Lagos, 17 March 2014: Fast rising artist and sultry singer, Seyi Shay, known for hit singles including “Irawo” and “Ragga Ragga” is this week’s studio guest on Nigeria’s biggest weekly show, MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 and will co-host the show with popular MTV Base VJ, Ehiz. Screen.fw The “Irawo” hitmaker who is at number 7 on this week’s chart with her new video, “Ragga Ragga” gives an insight on some of the videos that are on the chart. She also speaks on her relationship with multiple award winning artist, 2Face as her mentor and how he got her her very first stage performance in Nigeria when she returned from the United States. She comments, “I have so much respect for 2Face. He is my mentor and I have learnt a lot from him and his work. He also got me my very first gig in Nigeria and since then, I have only continued to move higher. I am grateful for every opportunity I have to work with him or perform on the same stage with him. “ Topping this week’s chart, Burna Boy holds the number 1 spot with the video, “Yawa Dey” as Dr Sid’s “Surulere” makes a huge leap to number 2 moving five places from number 7 last week kicking Tiwa Savage’s video, “Eminado” to number 4. eminado Jesse Jagz also moves up to number 3 from the 6th spot with his monster video, “Bad Girl”. Davido makes his way back to the chart this week with the much talked about video, “Aye” at number 10 with 2Face’s “Rainbow” featuring TPain making his way into the chart at number 9. tuface-idibia Other artists on this week’s chart include Patoranking and Banky W The MTV Base Official Naija Top 10: 15 -19 March 2014:  10: DAVIDO - AYE 9. 2FACE FT T PAIN - RAINBOW 8. PATORANKING - GIRLIE O 7. SEYI SHAY - RAGGA RAGGA 6. WIZKID FT FEMI KUTI - JAIYE JAIYE 5. BANKY W - JASI 4. TIWA SAVAGE FT DON JAZZY - EMINADO 3. JESSE JAGS FEAT WIZKID - BAD GIRL 2. DR SID FT DON JAZZY - SURULERE 1.BURNA BOY - YAWA DEY Every week, the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 is put together by an elite panel of judges comprising Nigerian broadcasters, music specialists and tastemakers, working with MTV Base to pick the winners and losers in the week's chart. On the panel are DJ Humility (Rhythm FM), DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Xclusive (Cool FM), Big Time (Rhythm FM), DJ Caise (The Beat FM), Toolz (The Beat FM) and Osagie Alonge (Nigerian Entertainment Today).   The MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 premieres on NTA every Friday night at 11:30 PM (WAT). The chart rundown can be seen on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) every Tuesday at 10 PM (WAT), on AIT on Tuesdays at 9.30 pm (WAT), and on STV on Thursdays at 6 pm (WAT). Next week's chart will be unveiled on Friday 14 March on NTA at 11:30 pm (WAT).

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