Year: 2006

Botswana Bushmen win land after DiCaprio appeal

Earlier this week the NY Daily News rang the bell on the newest blood diamond match this time between Russell Simmons and Blood Diamond director Ed Zwick. The director’s critisism comes as the latest part of the fallout from Simmons’ fact-finding African diamonds mission. Since last week’s press conference, Russell has been fending off all…
Read more

Akon nominated for 2007 Grammy Award

So word’s in on the 2007 Grammy Awards nominees and my boy Akon is front and center. These are the categories and which he and other African artists have been nominated in. The awards ceremony will be begin at 8pm EST on February 11, 2007 and will be shown live on CBS * African artists…
Read more

African diamond facts according to Russell Simmons

As I mentioned, yesterday I attended Russell Simmons’ press conference to reveal the results of his fact-finding Africa mission. In attendance was Russell Simmons, Dr. Ben Chavis, Kimora Lee Simmons (Russell insisted she’s still his wife), Rev. Run(Run DMC), the Dipset’s “capo” Jim Jones (again I say, WTF does he have to do with diamonds…
Read more

Russell Simmons returns from African trip

I just got back from Russell Simmons’ press conference for his fact-finding mission to Africa (Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa). All I can say is Jim Jones?!!! WTF does he have to do with anything. More of my reaction later. In the mean time read up on the blood diamond controversy and hear what LA Weekly’s…
Read more

Nas shines on with diamonds video

With a new album nearing release, one of hip-hop’s elder statesmen and baddest lyricists, rhymes about blood diamonds. This video is for the track “Shine On ‘Em” from the Blood Diamond movie soundtrack which Nas is reported to have scored. Good work Nasir. Now you need to let a real Sierra Leonean in on the…
Read more

Afrobeat’s Tony Allen joins Gorillaz’s Damon Albarn’s new music project

The Good, The Bad and The Queen is the name of the new supergroup which legendary Nigerian drummer/Afrobeat icon Tony Allen is currently in. Most known as the beat behind Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat sound, Allen has been busy making a name for himself in both the world music and popular music worlds. As a child…
Read more

Video of Russell Simmons’ African diamond trip

Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons touched down in South Africa on Monday without his rumored love interest supermodel Petra Nemcova and immediately released a statement about his fact-finding tour. “I am here because the most important and powerful Muslim minister and the most important and powerful Jewish Rabbi I have met in my lifetime – The…
Read more

The Independent names 50 best African artists

This is an excellent article from today’s Independent newspaper. As part of the World AIDS day Product (RED) issue, the article emphasizes the importance of African cultural expression. “African leaders need to be more conscious of the role that culture can play, particularly economically. Many Western economies – such as Britain – have benefited hugely…
Read more

Today is World Aids Day

Today is World AIDS day and The RED campaign continues it’s campaign. WATCH: READ:

Blood Diamond NY premiere

Last night (November 30th) the Museum of Modern Art in New York hosted a screening of the new movie “Blood Diamond” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, And Jennifer Connelly. Despite the serious nature of the movie and the controversy surrounding it, the screening was reported to be a very festive one. I wonder if Sorious…
Read more