Tag: Music

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112 years later, African art (and controversy) at Venice Biennale

Olu Oguibe on cover of Modern Painters Junee 2007 Venice Biennale issueThe June issue of Modern Painters magazine features a cover story on the first African Pavilion to ever open at the 112 year old Venice Biennale. The Biennale, arguably the most prestigious contemporary arts festival in the world, has been around since 1895 with little or no African representation, until now. Curated by Fernando Alvim and Simon Njami (Africa Remix), the Check List Luanda POP show at the Africa Pavilion features 30 artists’ works from the Sindika Dokolo African Collection of Contemporary Art in Luanda, Angola. The exhibition which opened on June 10 was selected by a panel of experts composed of Meskerem Assegued, Ekow Eshun, Lyle Ashton Harris, Kellie Jones, Bisi Silva and chaired by Robert Storr to represent the African continent at the 52nd International Art Exhibition.

Venice Biennale Africa PavilionThe selection of the Sindika Dokolo Foundation‘s collection as a representation for Africa came with a bit of controversy surrounding the business activities of Congolese businessman and art collector Sindika Dokolo’s family and associates. Most notably a July 2006 article in the French-language newspaper La Conscience titled “The Dokolo Affair” which alleged that under the Mobutu Sese Seko regime, Sindika Dokolo’s father, Sanu, created the Bank of Kinshasa, which “channeled money to members of his own family including Sindika himself, bilking the state and normal depositors of more than $80 million dollars when it imploded in 1986”. In a reply to the Artnet Magazine’s story titled “Art and Corruption in Venice”, Dokolo stated that the goal of his art collection is to help Africans build “a strong point of view on the world that would be their own,” Despite the initial controversy, the Check List Luanda POP show has gone on to set a precedent which I hope will continue. Below is a list of the artists featured. Also listen to the “Ghostworld” a mix of music accompanying the show, produced by DJ Spooky.

Check List Luanda Pop – African Pavilion
52nd Venice Biennale International Contemporary Art Exhibition

Curators
Fernando Alvim (Angola)
Simon Njami (Cameroon)

Produced and organized by Foundation Sindika Dokolo

Listen to DJ Spooky’s “Ghostworld”
[audio:http://www.annansiclothing.com/Ghostworld.mp3]

Artists works showing

  • Ghada Amer (Egypt)
  • Oladélé Bamgboyé (Nigeria)
  • Miquel Barcelo (Spain)
  • Jean Michel Basquiat (USA)
  • Mario Benjamin (Haiti)
  • Bili Bidjocka (Cameroon)
  • Zoulikha Bouabdellah (Algeria)
  • Loulou Cherinet (Ethiopia)
  • Marlène Dumas (South Africa)
  • Mounir Fatmi (Marocco)
  • Kendell Geers (South Africa)
  • Ihosvanny (Angola)
  • Alfredo Jaar (Chile)
  • Paulo Kapela (Angola)
  • Amal Kenawy (Egypt)
  • Kiluanji Kia Henda (Angola)
  • Paul D. Miller Aka DJ Spooky (USA)
  • Santu Mofokeng (South Africa)
  • Nastio Mosquito (Angola)
  • Ndilo Mutima (Angola)
  • Ingrid Mwangi (Kenya)
  • Chris Ofili (UK/Nigeria)
  • Olu Oguibe (Nigeria)
  • Tracey Rose (South Africa)
  • Ruth Sacks (South Africa)
  • Yinka Shonibare, MBE, (UK/ Nigeria)
  • Minnette Vári (South Africa)
  • Viteix (Angola)
  • Andy Warhol (USA)
  • Yonamine (Angola)

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Hip-hop’s African ancestry at Odyssey Awards

Beverly Fab5 and Kofi at H20Last Saturday I attended the 5th Annual Hip-Hop Odyssey (H2O) Awards, held at BB Kings in New York City. Organized by the Hip-Hop Association, the awards ceremony recognized today’s hottest Hip-Hop filmmakers, industry professionals and pioneers. The event always features appearances and performances by Hip-Hop heavyweights. This year’s event, as usual, was packed with many of the individuals who have played a major part in shaping the hip-hop landscape including, artist/entrepreneur/hip-hop personality Fab 5 Freddy (that’s him in the picture standing in front of me as we listen to DJ Beverly Bond speak about YO! MTV Raps’ late producer Ted Demme), Ice-T (who gave an excellent acceptance speech about staying true to oneself), Dana Dane, Grand Wizard Theodore, (Dr.) Roxanne Shante, Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box), The Cold Crush Brothers, Chubb Rock and much more.

One thing I’ve always enjoyed about the awards and the preceding H2O International Film Festival, is how the organizers (Martha Diaz, Rolando Brown etc) make a conscious effort to show the influence of African (and international) cultures on the growth of America’s hip-hop/urban culture. A few years back, besides the performance by the Nomadic Wax Global Hip-hop All-stars’ Chosan (Sierra Leone) , Eli Efi (Brazil) , and El Gambina (Korea), the festival grand prize went to Hip-Hop Colony, a film about the African hip-hop explosion – now on DVD. This year Hip-Hop Colony’s Kenyan director, Michael Wanguhu, was on hand to present an award. To further encourage the hip-hop generation to connect with Africa, this year’s awards was sponsored by and involved a presentation by popular DNA lineage identification company African Ancestry Inc. Some of you might remember that African Ancestry Inc. was the company behind VH1’s Spike Lee-directed February (Black History month) spot which promoted a stronger connection between African-Americans and the African continent through DNA swab testing. African Ancestry’s President, Gina Paige, was on hand at this year’s H2O Awards ceremony to present the evening’s host, Paul Mooney, with his personal DNA test results. Upon revealing that Paul Mooney’s lineage goes back to Guinea-Bissau (I don’t remember which specific ethnic group was cited), Gina Paige presented Mr. Mooney with a folder containing the details of the tests as well as a t-shirt with a Guinea-Bissau logo. A very nice touch.

African Ancestry offers a great solution for African-Americans looking to re-connect with their African heritage. With the DNA procedure gaining popularity and support from African-American celebrities like Oprah, Whoopi Goldberg, LeVar Burton, Chris Tucker, Chris Rock, and Isaiah Washington – who also holds a seat on African Ancestry’s Board of Directors -, and media outlets from ABC’s Good Morning America to PBS championing the efforts, African Ancestry has already begun to solidify the link between African-American and African cultures.

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(RED) Vanity Fair charity album by Youssou N’Dour

(RED) Vanity Fair Youssou N'Dour charity albumThe recent issue of Vanity Fair, the “Africa issue”, has spawned a charity album featuring some great West African musicians. Based on Youssou N’Dour’s personal playlist, the “Tracks in the Sand” compilation album is available for sale on iTunes and includes a digital booklet with liner notes by Mark Hudson, author of The Music In My Head.

Tracklist:

  1. “Li Ma Weesu,” by Youssou N’Dour.
  2. “Senegal Fast Food,” by Amadou & Mariam.
  3. “Savane,” by Ali Farka Touré.
  4. “Jiin Ma Jiin Ma,” by Orchestra Baobab.
  5. “Africa Challenge,” by Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra.
  6. “Saa Magni,” by Oumou Sangare.
  7. “Chet Boghassa,” by Tinariwen.
  8. “M’bifo,” by Rokia Traoré.
  9. “Sou,” by Cheikh Lô.
  10. “Iniagige,” by Salif Keita.
  11. “Miyaabele,” by Baaba Maal.
  12. “Jaman Moro,” by Afel Bocoum.
  13. “Sigui,” by Djelimady Tounkara.
  14. “Debe,” by Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabate.
  15. “Allah,” by Youssou N’Dour.
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Top African-American talent plan trip to African Union Summit, Ghana

African Union Summit Hollywood Group

On Friday, June 15th, some of Hollywood’s most influential African-American talent got together at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, California for a panel discussion on promoting African-American interest in Africa. The meeting also served to organize a trip to attend the 9th Annual African Union Summit in Ghana next week. The gathering was organized by designer Ozwald Boateng, and included Jamie Foxx, Chris Tucker, Mos Def, Herbie Hancock, James Mathis, and Isaiah Washington – whose Gondobay Manga Foundation was started after he discovered that he is genetically linked to Sierra Leone’s Mende people. During the African Union Summit, held in Ghana from 25 June – 3 July 2007, 50 influential African-Americans will meet with the 53 attending African presidents to discuss the continent’s future. The African Union Summit’s ultimate goal is of full political and economic integration leading to the United States of Africa. It’s good to see African-Americans playing an active part in planning Africa’s future.

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Vanity Fair’s Africa issue debuts

Iman Alicia Keys Vanity FairJune07coverJayZ George Clooney Vanity FairJune07cover

The Bono-edited July 2007 issue of Vanity Fair, dubbed the “Africa issue”, has hit stands. What an issue this is. With 20 covers photographed by Vanity Fair’s go-to photographer, Annie Leibovitz , and insight on Africa from EVERYONE from Jay-Z, Iman, Djimon Hounsou, Desmond Tutu, Chris Rock, Madonna, Barack Obama, and Queen Rania of Jordan among others, this issue is a great effort on the part of Vanity Fair. Get a copy, read the articles, and let me know your views. Props to YG for the heads up and images.

As you read this—historic—issue of Vanity Fair, the Global Fund is benefiting, but that’s not the main reason we kidnapped this publication’s extraordinary photographers and storytellers. We needed help in describing the continent of Africa as an opportunity, as an adventure, not a burden. Our habit—and we have to kick it—is to reduce this mesmerizing, entrepreneurial, dynamic continent of 53 diverse countries to a hopeless deathbed of war, disease, and corruption. Binyavanga Wainaina’s piece on Kenya is an eye- and mind-opener. From here, what’s needed is a leg up, not a handout. Targeted debt cancellation and aid mean 20 million more African kids are in school, 1.3 million Africans are on lifesaving drugs. Amazing. -from Bono’s guest editor’s letter

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Africa’s next chapter convenes at TEDGlobal 2007

Chris Anderson and Emeka Okafor at TEDGlobalOne of the most important events for Africa’s technology, entertainment, and design industry development, TEDGlobal 2007, is in full swing in Arusha, Tanzania. Coming from vacation I have been reinvigorated by all the developments coming out of this seminal event. Now in it’s 3rd day, the conference has already given me more than enough insight into innovative ideas behind Africa’s next chapter. With all the information and idea sharing at this event, the African blogosphere is sure to be fueled for a long time to come. Below are some important resources for keeping up to date with the happenings in Tanzania. I’ll be watching and listening closely as I hope you all are.

Live updates:
Soyapi Mumba is Twittering TEDGlobal
Ethan Zuckerman of My Heart’s in Accra is live-blogging

Other bloggers at TEDGlobal 2007:
TEDFellow Erik Hersman, of White African
TEDFellow Rafiq Phillips at WebAddiCT
DNA
David McQueen
Africa Beat, by Jennifer Brea
Bankalele
Mental Acrobatics
AfroMusing
TEDFellow Mweshi
TEDFellow Fran Osseo-Asare, of Betumi: The African Food Network
TEDFellow Soyapi Mumba
TEDFellow Ramon Thomas, of NETucation
Ndesanjo Macha, who writes Digital Africa, in English, and Jikomboe, in Swahili
Fifthculture
Ellen Horne at Radio Lab in Tanzania
ClassV
Sam Ritchie
Harinjaka (in French)
Kenyan Pundit, by TED Conference speaker and blogger Ory Okolloh
Timbuktu Chronicles, by TEDGlobal conference director Emeka Okafor
and of course you can get official updates at the TED blog site

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Commerce & charity? Annansi asks Russell Simmons

Inc Magazine June 2007While catching up on my culture and business news, I came across the June 2007 Inc Magazine feature with a brief (1 question, 1 answer) Q&A between myself and entrepreneur/mogul/author Russell Simmons. The Q&A focuses on one of my favorite topics : mixing charity and commerce in business. As I’ve mentioned here before, I admire Mr. Simmons’ ability to constantly mix the two, even though I don’t always agree with his choices. Mr. Simmons’ answer is quite insightful. Read the short Q&A in the new issue of Inc Magazine in bookstores or online here.

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Dior puts a little soul in it’s Marrakech Express

Alek Wek on Dior Cruise 2008 NYC runway Alek Wek's shoes on Dior Cruise 2008 NYC runway

On Monday evening, designer John Galliano showed his Christian Dior Cruise 2008 collection in New York City. Going into the event I expected the normal couture runway spectacle, including the absence of anything or anyone African (or black). I was delighted to see though that Galliano did his part to at least acknowledge the diversity of the times by including Alek Wek and “it girl” Chanel Iman. While the collection and scenery channeled the 60’s-era, the Parisian fashion house designs and choice of music impressed me with it’s updated view of what luxury lifestyle is today. While the inclusion of only two ethnic models in a show themed “Marrakech Express” is not the best case scenario (hellooo! Moroccans have a unique African culture), I am happy to see that the trends I observed in last season’s shows is not catching on throughout the industry. Hopefully more African models can soon get a chance to lend their authenticity to couture runway shows. Ethiopian supermodel Liya Kabede was also in attendance.

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Africans on TIME’s 100 most influential people list

Youssou Ndour TIME influentials 2007TIME magazine has released it’s annual picks of the 100 most influential men and women whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world. The list is broken up into groups of Artists & Entertainers, Scientists & Thinkers, Leaders & Revolutionaries, Builders & Titans, Heroes & Pioneers. Here are the Africans who made TIME 100 most influential people list. The African country represented and the categories they appear in are in parentheses.

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New magazine changing image of African women

Kitu Kizuri MagI’m an avid reader of publications both online and offline, so when I came across this new African women’s magazine called Kitu Kizuri at Barnes and Noble, I was intrigued. Having already been in contact with the editor for a feature on myself and Annansi Clothing Co. in the “American Dreams” section, I kind of had an idea what the magazine was about anyway. But, when I finally found a copy hidden in the women’s interest section, I was impressed. While I’m sure there are other African women’s magazines available, I felt that Kitu Kizuri was on point with it’s focus and content. Being an African man, I might not be in the target market, but the articles gave me a good glimpse of what is on African women’s minds. Just the kind of insight I need for when I’m designing my upcoming women’s collection. Make sure you check out the magazine and SUBSCRIBE!! It’s only $20 per year and I’m sure you’ll agree that we need more magazines like this one to help shape a new African image. Congrats on the launch guys.