My City, Their Town, Our Blog
Showing posts with label continental movers and shakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label continental movers and shakers. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
AVMCA'S- THE KENYAN WINNERS
Congratulations to the 5 Kenyan Winners at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award 2014; Best Make-up artist - Elayne Okaya, Best Indeginous Series - Mama Duka by Njoki Muhoho, Best Lighting Director - Mohammed Zain, Best Art Director - Barbara Minishi and Best Cinematographer - Christian Almesberger!
Monday, March 3, 2014
WYRE THE LOVECHILD NOMINATED AT WORLD MUSIC AWARDS-
With a musical career spanning for more than a decade, Kevin Wyre a.k.a the Lovechild is no stranger to the Kenyan music industry. His recent video and single “No More” recently released courtesy of Lovechild records and Waggyras Records hasn’t been the only thing to celebrate. He’s also been nominated at the World Music Awards in the categories: Best Entertainer, Best Male and Best Live Act. This comes after his globally celebrated collabo with Elayne “Nakuoenda Pia”.
The new song “No More” has equally gripped Kenyan airwaves. The video is impressive and expressive in exploring the theme of love; its complexities, and resulting heart break. The story follows the ache of being cheated on that everyone with a broken heart relates to. As he hits the international stage, UP congratulate Wyre on his well-earned nominations. He faces fierce competition against more than 150 male artists from around the world. They include Femi Kuti, 2face Idiba, Chris Brown and Babyface.
The road will not be easy but with Kenya’s support and his talent anything is possible. Vote for Wyre below:
Best Entertainer: http://vote.worldmusicawards.com/vote.asp?intNominationID=2306&cat=worlds+best%A0entertainer+of+the+year&cats=9
Best Male: http://vote.worldmusicawards.com/vote.asp?intNominationID=2306&cat=worlds+best+male+artist&cats=5
Best Live Act: http://vote.worldmusicawards.com/vote.asp?intNominationID=2306&cat=worlds+best%A0live+act&cats=7
STORY BY WWW.UPNAIROBI.COM
AMERICANAH: BLACK HAIR AND LIFE IN THE DIASPORA
When was the last time you read an African love story? Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s latest literary work, Americanah, explores the journey of a couple, Ifemelu and Obinze, whose love begins as young teenagers in Nigeria. Ifemelu leaves Nigeria to pursue further studies in the United States of America. The combination of distance, time and exposure to a different culture wreak havoc on her relationship. She struggles with depression and identity issues whilst studying abroad, choosing to ignore Obinze’s attempt to stay in touch. He changes too after leaving Nigeria for the U.K., working illegally and doing everything in his power not to get caught.
The themes of race, identity and hair are deeply dissected in this 477-page novel. Chimamanda documents those realities we see but shrug off or don’t even notice. For example, the African Americans joining the Black Student Union while the American Africans, for lack of a better label, join the African Student Association at university. African Americans judge Ifemelu for dating a white man, and keeping her hair natural. Nairobians had a chance to hear about the author’s feelings about hair, when Chimamanda came to Nairobi to celebrate Kwani Trust’s 10th anniversary in December 2013.
We watch as Ifemelu struggles for years to reconcile her old and new self. Between blogging, braiding her hair and stringing her smart African American boyfriend along, it becomes clear that she is very much her own woman who does not really like to face things which evoke strong emotions in her; like breaking up with boyfriends. After decades apart, countless mistakes and lessons learned between them, Ifemelu and Obinze must decide whether to try again or accept their new lives and loves. The book is long but worth spending some alone time reading.
This book teaches a lesson that love is love; whether in Lagos or London. If it’s still there even after many mistakes and after time has passed, experiencing idealistic love perfect love won’t matter, as having it will be enough.
Americanah has been published in East Africa by Kwani Trust. To purchase it locally, visit www.kwani.org
By Josephine Opar
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
LUPITA WINS ANOTHER FILM AWARD AT THE IMAGE AWARDS
#filmawards
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arch 2nd is a day awaited by many film and
movie-buffs. It is the day for the Oscars; and 12 Years a Slave;
starring Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o is looking forward to nine wards.
Kenyans are hoping Lupita will be the first Kenyan to win an Oscar; but even as
we wait; the actress has added yet another feather to her cap by winning one
more award.
The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured
People (NAACP) Awards were announced at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium in
California USA.
Also known as the Image Awards; the NAACP Awards celebrate
the accomplishment of people of color in film, television, music and
literature.
She grabbed the award for Outstanding Supporting actress in
a motion picture for her work in 12 Years a Slave.
She beat Oprah (once again) in The Butler as well as her
co-star Alfre Woodard, Mandela: long walk to freedom’s
Naomie Harris and Fruitvale Station’s Octavia Spencer.
“it has been a historic year in film for all of us in this room, and I
am so proud to be a part of that history;” said Lupita, adding that “it
was such an honor to be recognized for a
film that has meant so much to so many people, a film that has inspired
discourse long overdue.”
12 Years a Slave; directed by Steve McQueen; was a winner too;
bagging the Most Outstanding Motion Picture. Forest Whitaker in Lee Daniel’s The
Butler; won Outstanding Actor; and Angela Basset went home with the
Outstanding Actress award.
Whitaker’s co-actor David Oyelowo won the Outstanding
Supporting Actor award.
With the Oscars around the corner; Lupita’s fellow nominees
for the Best Actress in a supporting role for the 86th edition of
the Oscars include Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle; Julia Roberts in August:
Osage County, June Squib in Nebraska and Sally Hawkins in Blue
Jasmine.
What is the prize-tag you ask for an Oscar? Well, frankly
there is no money-attached to an award (it sucks I know) but a win (this sounds
eve more good) for any actor or actress gives him or her bargaining power to
charge more for an appearance on a film.
Lupita’s win keeps her the favorite for the Oscars to be
announced this Sunday!
BY EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
ADONGO TAKES A TASTE OF KENYA TO THE NFL
#NFLREMARKABLEDEBUT
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merican football (NFL) has finally found new fans in Kenya. Well;
Kenya has its first son of the soil playing for the Indianapolis Colts. Yes,
twenty-four year old Daniel Adongo-he who made a shift from rugby to the NFL
(US National Football League).
With the change; Adongo had to work out the lingo and
nuances of the sport; learn the proper way to put on pads and a helmet and know
his place in the colts’ locker room.
But even as he adjusts and starts to feel comfortable;
there’s still more work to do; but the newly minted linebacker will get to show
the American football world how far he’s come in just a few months.
The AP (Associated Press) reports that it was late July last
year when general manger Ryan Grison decided to take the plunge after a
yearlong quest to find an overseas player who could help his team. Grison
gambled on Adongo; a Kenyan rugby player who was big; fast and had a penchant
for hitting.
Adongo surprised initially by the invite; made the flight to
Atlanta; then hopped on a connecting plane to Indy and worked out at the Colts’
headquarters during a rookie mini-camp. Within hours; the Colts signed Adongo
to a contract and two days later; the 6-foot 5, (1.96m, 117kg) American Football
novice stood out When he reported to training camp in a pair of short-shorts and football-style
shirt.
Daniel Adongo has played for Kenya’s under-18 and u-19 rugby
squads. In 2006, scouts from the University of South Africa spotted Adongo
during a tournament and a year later; he was attending the school. Then I t was
off to Sharks Academy. He’s competed in second-tier club championship in South Africa
and New Zealand since 2010; and made his super-rugby debut in 2013 with
Southern Kings.
However, the widely praised Adongo; it emerges that he will
be earning “peanuts,” $405,000 (sh 34.4 million) in basic salary compared to
other team members.
But even that isn’t putting him down. In an interview
recently on Citizen-TV and later on; on Churchill Show; Adongo added that he
knew the spotlight was now on him and with few doubters left-many wait to see
if he will cut it in the NFL.
>BY EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
REMEMBERING GOLDIE: 1 YEAR ON…
#ANNIVERSARY
At a time like this last year; the industry was treated to
unexpected shock after former BBA Nigerian contestant and former Prezzo’s
girlfriend Susan Goldie Harvey passed on after a sudden illness.
Since her demise; Goldie’s art works have continued to
illuminate her legacy with songs from her album African Invasion enjoying
heavy rotations on TV and radio stations across the continent.
What is your tribute message to the late Nigerian singer? This
is your talking point this week on Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/NairobizBlogazine
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