Afro Nation 2019: A celebration of African music
Nigerian artiste Falz came on stage like an angel
FOR a maiden edition in Ghana, the controversies surrounding Afro Nation may have been off-putting for some.
However, the legal issues, which mainly involved an injunction on the location of the event, the La Boma Beach, were not enough to dampen the mood of lovers of music who turned up in their numbers over four days, from December 27-30, for the show which celebrated the best of African music.
Afro Nation saw a number of top musical acts across Africa gather in Ghana to give fans the show of their lives. The first day, Friday, December 27, recorded a huge turnout with performing acts such as Nigeria’s Burna Boy, Ghana’s Stonebwoy, Becca, Medikal and others.
Olamide from Nigeria
The two acts that stood out were Stonebwoy and Burna Boy. Stonebwoy performed songs such as Hero, Tomorrow, Ololo, Kpo Keke among others and he again proved on the night that he had what it takes to do a live performance for hours.
It was all about Zanku, the legwork dance and Gbese when Burna Boy dropped his Anybody and Killing Dem tracks. He showed off his excellent dance skills and he was just amazing on stage.
As the only female performer from Ghana on the night, Becca did not disappoint as performed songs from her repertoire including her latest, Yes I Do, Move and Na Wash.
R2Bees
The venue’s energy level hit the roof when Omo Ada hitmaker, Medikal hit the stage with his verse on the song Wrowro Ho. He went on to perform his hit tracks and there was no dull moment as his energy was high and contagious.
The likes of Falz, Fireboy, Tion Wayne were wonderful on stage as well and from their demeanour, it was evident they had a good time.
On Saturday, December 28, it was a whole other vibe. From Ghana, there were Shatta Wale, Efya, Kwesi Arthur, La Meme Gang while Teni, Olamide, Rema, Runtown and many more represented Nigeria.
They all did amazing and it was beautiful watching the artistes come under one umbrella and use the same stage. Shatta Wale was in his element and gave a good performance but he did not end without ranting about the music industry not being supportive.
Teni entertained the patrons with songs such as Power Rangers, Case and Wait and she was well received by patrons. Efya also cemented the fact that she was the best when it came to vocal dexterity; taking the crowd to church with renditions of some Gospel songs before lighting up the show with songs such as Whoman Woman and Until the Dawn.
Burna Boy was phenomenal
Sunday, December 29 was no different as the celebration of African music continued with Jamaica’s Alkaline, R2bees, Wizkid, Eddy Kenzo, KiDi, Innoss’b, Kuami Eugene, Naira Marley, Rotimi Wily among others. People came in their numbers and there was a lot of excitement at the event grounds.
To wrap up the fourth day of the event on Monday, December 30, Davido, Mayorkun, Moonchild Sanelly, Zlatan, Akala, Navy Kenzo, Kofi Kinaata among others also took to the stage.
Efya
The Kokomaster, D’Banj, who was billed to perform failed to do so, disappointing many of his fans.
Of course for a maiden show, there were hitches over the four days especially with the time artistes mounted the stage among others but that does not take away from the fact that Afro Nation was a real celebration of all that is good about African music.
South Africa: Yvonne Chaka Chaka Denies Being Deported from Uganda
The popular South African music legend has dismissed reports that she was deported from Uganda, where she was scheduled to perform at a New Year’s Eve concert.
According to the Ugandan police force, the singer was sent home due to visa issues. But the singer took to social media, to say that she left of her own accord:
“Not deported, not arrested, not captured, everything is fine; everything is in order. I know my country is worried, my people are worried, my husband is worried. Everybody is worried. But I am fine,” she wrote.
It was also reported that Chaka Chaka had been deported due to her public support for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine.
Source:allafrica.con
My Family Didn’t Support Me Going Into Music: King Sunny Ade
Nigerian Afropop singer Sunday Adeniyi popularly known as Sunny Ade, says his family didn’t support his decision to be a musician, because only unserious people at the time chose music as a career.
The popular singer made this known when he visited Temidara Onafuye, his nine-year-old fan, in Lagos on Sunday.
Onafuye, a primary school pupil who is based in North Carolina, USA, visited Nigeria for the Christmas and New Year and said she wanted to see the musician.
While answering questions from his young fan, he said, “Apart from singing. I play guitar, keyboard, different percussion instruments including talking drum, “Sakara”, “Omele’, “Konga”; all these make African music stand out.”
“I have passion for guitar, I see it as my baby and I cannot do without it. A couple of years ago, I was rated 69th best guitarists in the whole world.
“I decided to learn how to play guitar on my own and I bought my first guitar when I was 16 years old. I saved money and bought the guitar for myself. All my family members did not want me to play music because they believed that musicians at that time were not serious people
“Eventually. when I bought the guitar I hid it under the staircase. I was afraid to tell anybody that I wanted to go into the city for music training where I would be exposed.
“Luckily for me, I chose my keys and my style of music which is known as “Juju”.
Ade said he had composed more than 3, 000 songs. He added that all his songs were his favourite because “each of them serves a purpose”.
“I wanted to retire sometime ago, but my fans all over the world did not allow me. They said if I retire, what will I be doing,” the 73-year-old musician said.
“Juju music is in my blood, I cannot retire from music, I can only retire from stage. Even at 100 years, God willing, I will still be singing.”
Source: informationng.com
The Nation Newspaper
Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Exchange coming
More than 2,000 participants from 68 countries are expected at the Creative Africa Exchange (CAX) Weekend which opens in Kigali on 16 January in what the organisers are describing as Africa’s first continental event dedicated to promoting exchange within the creative and cultural industry.
Organised by Times Multimedia (TMM) and sponsored by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and other partners, the three-day CAX Weekend will feature 250 exhibitors, including some of Africa’s leading talents. CAX Weekend is the opening act of a series of activities planned under the CAX Programme which seeks to bring together African creative talents from the music, arts, design, fashion, literature, publishing, film and television sectors.
According to information from the organisers, AITEO, the African Union, UNESCO and a number of other multilateral institutions are also partnering in CAX, which is a consolidated marketplace where buyers and sellers of goods and services from the creative and cultural industry can meet and explore business opportunities.
CAX Weekend is expected to give the exhibitors and participants the opportunity to network, create business opportunities, consider investment proposals and increase customer base. It will feature breakout sessions with investors and captains of industry, notable African and global actors, music stars and creative thought leaders from Africa and the Diaspora.
Speakers will include Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, American media personality Steve Harvey, actor Djimmon Hounsou, Oscar winning actor Idris Elba, representatives of the African Development Bank and senior government officials responsible for culture and the creative economy. Award winning Nigerian musician D’Banj and several other high-profile musicians are scheduled to perform.
CAX Weekend will also see the launch of MVMO, a new pan-African streaming service for movies, videos, music and opportunities that will serve as a distribution platform for the creative and cultural industry in Africa by deploying cutting-edge technologies to allow high performance streaming experience via mobile internet. MVMO is expected to help independent producers to publish and monetise their content.
The CAX programme is aimed at facilitating investments into cultural industries through education, trade, industrialisation and provision of critical infrastructure to support African economic transformation in alignment with continental initiatives, such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) rolled out by Afreximbank to stimulate trade among African countries.
Launched during the inaugural IATF in Cairo in December 2018, CAX is the first exchange of its kind. The CAX Weekend will be followed by CAX Week to be held on the sidelines of IATF2020 in Kigali from 1 to 7 September.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
Jidenna credits DJ Abrantee for spearheading afrobeats’ global takeover.
The musician has praised the British DJ’s support of the genre
JIDENNA HAS credited DJ Abrantee for spearheading the global popularity of afrobeats in an emotional Instagram post.
In a video shared on his Instagram page, Jidenna is seen speaking to DJ Abrantee about the role he has played in the genre’s recognition and rise around the world.
“It goes around the world then it comes to America, which really pushes it, and it’s like a complete circle, and it’s because of you,” the Classic Man singer tells DJ Abrantee in the video.
“And then a few years later we have millions of people in the diaspora coming here and I believe that music was at the forefront or the entertainment industry was at the forefront, which means you were one of god’s pivotal soldiers…what I’m saying is real…I just want people to know it’s you.”
INTERNATIONAL STAR: Davido has enjoyed global success as a result of the genre’s popularity
A visibly emotional Abrantree breaks down in tears as Jidenna places his arm on his shoulder and concludes his praise.
In a caption accompanying the video, Jidenna wrote: “This man is a legend. For every new genre, God chooses messengers to broadcast the music. DJ Abrantee was that for afrobeats.”
He added: “Music, the entertainment industry at large, and social media have changed the perception of Africa, making it more inviting and appealing to the diaspora. The music was the spearhead of this movement and DJ Abrantee carried the spear like the warrior-king he is.”
Read more here
Source: voice-online.uk
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Buganda youth give Govt 3-day ultimatum to apologise over Chaka Chaka deportation
KAMPALA – A group of youths affiliated to Buganda kingdom under ‘Nkoba za Mbogo’ has given the government three-day ultimatum to come out and apologize over the deportation of South African music icon Yvone Chaka Chaka.
Addressing the media on Wednesday January 1 in Kampala, James Mubiru a lawyer who led the group threatened to launch a campaign to call on the South African government to blacklist all Uganda government officials and known members of the NRM over the deportation of South African Musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
“Should the government fail to adhere to our request, we are going to pressure the South Africa government to denounce every NRM supporter to step their foot in South Africa,” he said.
He further called on government to offer Chaka Chaka an alternative day on which to return to Uganda and perform.
“Government should come out and set a new date for Chaka Chaka to sing for his highness the kabaka,” Mr Mubiru said.
He added that, “Should you refuse to set out all these things, we are going to spit out; we are going to make an alarm to all Ugandans in the diaspora and everyone that is concerned on our next move.”
Mr Julius Katongole a youth leader said, “Chaka Chaka’s deportation is a shame and big insult to Uganda and Buganda in particular.
Security forces on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 deported Chaka Chaka on account on lack of a visa.
The legendary South African artiste arrived in the country on Monday December 30 ahead of Tuesday’s performance at the Buganda Kingdom’s Enkuuka Y’Omwaka.
But police spokesman Fred Enanga said Chaka Chaka had entered the country on an ordinary visa of a visitor yet she had come to perform and required a special visa.
Mr Enanga said as a result, the Immigration Department cancelled her temporary visa before security officials escorted her to Entebbe Airport and put on the immediate plane back to South Africa.
However according to an insider, Chaka Chaka, who publicly declared her support for Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine in 2018, was actually deported for refusing to meet President Yoweri Museveni.
According to sources, security had planned to briefly fly the celebrity singer in a UPDF chopper from Pearl of Africa Kampala to Kisozi for a brief engagement with the President, a request Chaka Chaka totally rejected even after she was ‘threatened’ with deportation.
Security forces then are said to have cordoned off Pearl of Africa hotel and ordered her to stop her rehearsal session for a brief private meeting with her.
During a private meeting with her, sources say, a UPDF General demanded that she either accepts to see the President or be deported.
Chaka Chaka reportedly refused to bow down to the threats, prompting security to cancel her Visa through immigration department.
Source: PMLDAILY.COM
South African Actress Becomes The First-ever Black to Star in a Bollywood Series
Popular South African actress from Limpopo, Shonisani Masut has become the first-ever black actress to star in a Bollywood series.
Glamour.co.za, a South African online magazine reported that the young 28-year-old lady auditioned for the series titled Mehek via a Skype interview.
The super-excited lady has spoken in an interview, narrating how the experience has been and what she has learned from the singular feature.
In her own words, the 28-year-old lady said: “I just didn’t think they were looking for me. I also didn’t think I was good enough to go act in Bollywood as I hadn’t booked an acting job in about seven months and my confidence was shaky again. But my agent insisted that I go and try, and so I did”.
