Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
africa<br />
Majid Michel<br />
Accomplished, Celebrated<br />
and Host of the<br />
African <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
Awards<br />
Brains & Beauty<br />
Juliet Ibrahim<br />
Exclusive Access<br />
21 Questions with<br />
Sam Sarpong<br />
The Inside Scoop with<br />
Olufunbi Osungade<br />
Winners & Achievers<br />
3
kelechi amadi 416 275 4408<br />
Real Estate Broker<br />
kelechiamadi@hotmail.com<br />
weeklyhome-PIcks.com<br />
Century 21 Peoples Choice Realty Inc., Brokerage<br />
what others say<br />
about kelechi<br />
“Kelechi is dependable. He involved us<br />
in the emotional home buying process,<br />
through education and open communication.<br />
It was a great experience doing<br />
business with him!”<br />
Lian U. and Family<br />
“It was a great pleasure working with<br />
Kelechi. He paid attention to the smallest<br />
details and delivered what no one<br />
else could!”<br />
Charles U. and Family<br />
6 midsummer Dr, Brampton on<br />
Executive apx 4300 Sf. 3 Yr Old Home. 4 Bedrooms 5 Washrooms. On Wide Lot!!! 3<br />
Car Garage(Tandem) With Breath Taking View Of Pond Located In The Most Prestigious<br />
Riverstone Golf Club Community**Every Bedroom Has Its Own washroom.<br />
Please call 416 275 4408 for more details, or email kelechiamadi@hotmail.com<br />
“Kelechi made our home purchase<br />
simple, clear, and worry free. He was<br />
straightforward and honest.”<br />
Ameen A. and Family<br />
“Kelechi is approachable and pragmaticHe<br />
placed our needs first by being<br />
available no matter what the concern.”<br />
Samuel O. and Family<br />
Buyers<br />
sellers<br />
Investors<br />
Partners<br />
• Mortgage Financing<br />
Available<br />
• 0% Down payment<br />
• Power of Sale Homes<br />
• Best team of Lawyers,<br />
Home Inspectors, and<br />
Insurance Agents<br />
• FREE Professional Photography<br />
and Virtual Tour<br />
of Your Home<br />
• FREE Home Staging<br />
Consultation<br />
• FREE Internet Marketing<br />
• FREE Book on HOW TO<br />
SELL YOUR HOME, FAST!<br />
• Get current Power of Sale<br />
Listings<br />
• 1 st , 2 nd , & 3 rd Mortgage<br />
Financing<br />
• Great Property Management<br />
Service<br />
• Best team of Contractors<br />
and Maintenance Crew<br />
• FREE Gift Card for First<br />
Referral<br />
• Monthly Draw for Gifts for<br />
Partners<br />
• Gifts will include Gift<br />
Cards, Tablets, and much<br />
more!<br />
• Up to $500 for Referral<br />
fee, if Deal Closes<br />
5
editor’s note |<br />
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013<br />
DEBUT ISSUE #1<br />
Editor, Publisher & Founder<br />
<strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
africa<br />
entertainment news around Africa and abroad<br />
Table of<br />
Contents<br />
A SPECIAL<br />
WELCOME TO THE<br />
ENTERTAINMENT<br />
AFRICA MAGAZINE<br />
READERS!<br />
Hello! It’s with sincere happiness and<br />
excitement that I welcome you to the<br />
first issue of our <strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa<br />
Magazine. After countless hours of<br />
content building, brainstorm sessions,<br />
creative meetings and collaborative<br />
efforts, we are now here! It puts a big<br />
smile on my face to finally have something<br />
to share with you.<br />
This debut issue has taught me a lot.<br />
I always knew the African <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
industry was rich and vibrant but<br />
researching and gathering from an “editor”<br />
perspective gave me a totally different<br />
view of our truly gifted community.<br />
It’s an experience kind of hard to explain,<br />
so the best word I can come up with is<br />
INCREDIBLE! The past year with the magazine has been filled with lots of love,<br />
support from great people and many memorable moments. The experience of<br />
helping create something bigger than all of us, makes me feel so proud.<br />
The <strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa Magazine was created to celebrate our diverse and<br />
amazing people who make the entertainment industry the powerhouse that it is.<br />
This particular issue delivers dynamic elements of fashion, music, interviews, products<br />
and talented artists, straight into your fingertips. There’s so much going on in the<br />
African entertainment business and it thrills me to continue to watch it grow. I’d love<br />
to see nothing more than for this magazine to expand and reach the highest heights.<br />
So without further ado, I encourage you to read, explore and enjoy your time with<br />
the pages. On with the feature presentation.<br />
Ibrahim Adekale<br />
Graphic & Art Designer<br />
Becca Courchesne<br />
Contributing Writers<br />
Consolante Tshibola<br />
Nathan Hammah<br />
Olufunbi Osungade<br />
Janeen Brown<br />
Nkechi Junior<br />
Rosette Boloko<br />
<strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
38 The Buss Report<br />
32 Must Watch Movies<br />
Fashion<br />
8 Kaela Kay<br />
14 Feature Models<br />
16 Fashion Spotlight:<br />
Yasika Mode<br />
20 Eaden Myles<br />
Photo Shoot<br />
24 Venus vs. Mars:<br />
Events<br />
28 Inside Scoop with<br />
Olufunbi Osungade<br />
Lifestyle<br />
20 Contributors Picks<br />
27<br />
Inside Scoop with<br />
Olufunbi Osungade<br />
Interviews<br />
12 Ijo Vudo Dance<br />
International<br />
25 21 Questions<br />
with Kelly Hansome<br />
26 21 Questions<br />
with Sam Sarpong<br />
Sports<br />
46 All Haile<br />
Gebreselassie<br />
32<br />
The“N”Word:<br />
Words & Thoughts<br />
by Verse<br />
Music<br />
19 On the Download<br />
Tatiana King<br />
Contributing Editor-In-Chief<br />
About US<br />
<strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa Magazine is a debut International entertainment<br />
publication with a main objective of celebrating and promoting Africans<br />
worldwide. The magazine leads with captivating rich content and is<br />
committed to sharing the many talents of entertainers to it’s readers.The<br />
magazine strives to deliver and showcase the best in arts, music, film,<br />
events, fashion, inspirational stories, interviews and more. The magazine<br />
aims to enlighten, empower and most importantly entertain it’s readers.<br />
Tachia Montague<br />
Ben Yamoah<br />
Eric Ampong<br />
Simone Spikes<br />
Julz Media<br />
Kelechi Amadi<br />
Thank You<br />
Tomi E. Salami<br />
Loola Cosmetics<br />
Jamma Market<br />
BK Unique Hair<br />
Jabs Creativity<br />
35 Ask House of Starres<br />
35 The “N” Word<br />
37 Why Men Cheat<br />
44 Horoscopes:<br />
house of Starres<br />
18 Bobby Obodo<br />
41 Brains & Beauty<br />
Juliet Ibrahim<br />
Exclusive Access<br />
Community<br />
26 From the Goodness<br />
of Unwana’s Heart<br />
34 Winners & Achievers<br />
51 In Loving Memory:<br />
Musicians We Remember<br />
6 7
fashion<br />
Kaela Kay is a forward thinking clothing<br />
line that transforms bold and ex-<br />
K AELA<br />
K AY<br />
travagant prints into sexy, feminine and<br />
KAELA KAY BRAND<br />
modern clothes – with an African flare.<br />
Kaela Kay’s success is due in part to the<br />
unique and ultramodern coupling of style<br />
and prints; the attention to intricate<br />
detail and creative symbolisms catapult<br />
Kaela Kay into the realm of luxurious<br />
fashion. With future goals to blossom<br />
Kaela Kay into a global brand, the grass<br />
roots of Kaela Kay’s longevity is to offer<br />
a powerhouse of style without definition<br />
and to keep all the clothes modern<br />
without losing femininity. Modeled<br />
after no one woman but designed for all<br />
women, Kaela Kay clothing is feminine<br />
yet strong; dainty yet bold; and totally,<br />
unconventionally, modern.<br />
THE KAELA KAY WOMAN<br />
The Kaela Kay woman is…a woman<br />
who wants to stand out in a crowd, who<br />
wants to be heard over all the voices, a<br />
woman who respects her heritage and<br />
uses that to plan her future. She is a<br />
mother, a wife, and a corporate worker.<br />
She is educated and refined. She walks<br />
tall with her shoulders back, and she<br />
knows her worth. Classless, brash, and<br />
discourteous – she is not. She will play<br />
with anyone, and laughs with everyone.<br />
She loves, and she is loved. And she does<br />
all of this, looking fiercely gorgeous and<br />
perfectly distinctive in her Kaela Kay<br />
dress.<br />
THE DESIGNER BEHIND<br />
THE BRAND<br />
As head designer and creative director<br />
of Kaela Kay, Catherine Addai lives on<br />
creativity. She loves to play with prints,<br />
patters and crafty detail. Always following<br />
her intuition, she designs with one<br />
goal in mind: to design clothes that she<br />
would love to wear every day.<br />
Abina Vivienne Citron Block Skirt<br />
Bella Lulu Print Pop Top<br />
Anna Maria Kukua Full Skirt<br />
Why did you name your company KAELA KAY?<br />
KAELA KAY is named after my daughter Mikaela. My<br />
dream of starting my own clothing line came to fruition<br />
just after my daughter was born, while I was on maternity<br />
leave. Mikaela’s birth spurred a desire in me to do more<br />
and be more. The drive to “own” my own business, to<br />
express my creativity, and to be successful heightened and<br />
I threw caution to the wind and started KAELA KAY.<br />
What does fashion mean to you?<br />
To me, fashion is about personal expression. Wear what<br />
you want, when you want and express your personality<br />
through your clothes. KAELA KAY is a representation<br />
of who I am, how I dress, and how I feel about fashion. I<br />
don’t follow trends; I believe that anyone and everyone’s<br />
style is a trend – their trend and we should all aspire to<br />
be individuals and fashion is a great way to promote that<br />
platform.<br />
Don’t be swayed by trends and<br />
other people’s opinions – style is<br />
totally personal.<br />
As fashion designers, how hard do you believe it is<br />
to succeed in this industry?<br />
It can be difficult to muddle through the process of being<br />
a fashion designer. From financing, to production, to<br />
creativity to exposure – they are all necessary pieces of<br />
the success puzzle and especially in the beginning, it can<br />
be very difficult to achieve all. Luckily, KAELA KAY has<br />
been extremely well received and the feedback has been<br />
nothing but positive. But there are definite struggles that<br />
fashion designers have to go through; I strongly believe<br />
with the right support, the right avenues and channels, the<br />
right connections and of course the passion, it is very possible<br />
to succeed in the industry.<br />
Why did you choose African inspired<br />
prints for your designs?<br />
The premise of KAELA KAY is to represent clothes with<br />
modern styles and sophistication while still representing<br />
African culture and heritage. I wanted to get away from<br />
the traditional view of African attire and bring a fresh<br />
perspective to African inspired style. The ntoma/Ankara<br />
prints are so beautiful, colourful and lively that I wanted<br />
to show that and prove that it can be mainstream and high<br />
fashion. I want to showcase the beautiful textiles that<br />
Africa offers, but in a very stylistic and modern realm.<br />
How would you define the<br />
style your line exemplifies?<br />
KAELA KAY clothes are modern, sexy, clean and elegant.<br />
I want all women to feel sophisticated and classy<br />
when they wear KAELA KAY clothes.<br />
Do you prefer sketching designs<br />
or actually constructing them?<br />
Both activities are pragmatic and necessary – but I love<br />
8 9
constructing the clothes because that is when it really<br />
comes alive. Sketching allows me to put all my thoughts<br />
down and look at different styling/color combinations –<br />
but when I construct the clothing is when I feel a great<br />
sense of accomplishment.<br />
Kaela Kay Clothing<br />
Details and Price List<br />
Whitney Catelina<br />
Striped Dress $110<br />
What advice would you give an aspiring designer?<br />
You have to have a vision – imagine what you would like<br />
your clothes to represent and work hard to make other<br />
people see that and appreciate that. Don’t be swayed by<br />
trends and other people’s opinions – style is totally personal,<br />
so desire to create clothing that are true to you and<br />
believe that other people will also appreciate it.<br />
Anna Maria Kukua<br />
Full Skirt $70<br />
Leona Afia Tree<br />
Print Dress $95<br />
Ohemaa Elizabeth<br />
Print Block Dress $105<br />
Serwaa Sika Bow Detail Top and Pencil Skirt<br />
What are some of your accomplishments as a designer?<br />
When I started KAELA KAY, I truly had no idea how<br />
big it was going to be in such a short period of time, but<br />
my accomplishments over the past year have been very<br />
humbling.<br />
KAELA KAY was a featured designer at Afrofest 2012,<br />
we had a very successful launch party in May this year,<br />
we have been accepted to showcase at both Africa Fashion<br />
Week New York (AFWNY) and Africa Fashion Week<br />
Toronto (AFWT) this year, our customer base is increasing<br />
internationally. But, the biggest accomplishment by<br />
far is the fact that KAELA KAY has been so well received<br />
and that customers are excited about the collections and<br />
about wearing KAELA KAY clothing – that is a great feeling.<br />
Nariyah Simone Bell Top<br />
Whitney Catelina Striped Dress<br />
Nariyah Simone Bell Top $70<br />
Bella Lulu Print Pop Top $65<br />
Abina Vivienne Citron<br />
Block Skirt $70<br />
Serwaa Sika Bow Detail Top and<br />
Pencil Skirt- $70 top; $60 skirt<br />
What are some of your fashion goals?<br />
My fashion goals are to continue push KAELA KAY to<br />
the international market and make it a world recognized<br />
clothing line. I endeavour to continue to make clothes<br />
that are true to the KAELA KAY brand while offering<br />
customers styles that everyone can identify with. I want<br />
to expand KAELA KAY to be synonymous with high end/<br />
classy fashion and put KAELA KAY on the same stage as<br />
other high end clothing lines.<br />
Where do you get your inspiration?<br />
My inspirations come from my personal style, my mother’s<br />
old school glamorous style, my beautiful friends and<br />
their personal styles – where I desire to create clothing<br />
that all of these women can appreciate and wear, at any<br />
age and at any stage in their lives.<br />
Where can readers find out more about you and<br />
your work?<br />
Readers can find out more about and shop KAELA KAY<br />
at:<br />
www.kaelakay.com<br />
www.facebook.com/kaelakaycollections<br />
Twitter: @kaelakayonline<br />
Instagram: kaelakayonline<br />
Ohemaa Elizabeth Print Block Dress<br />
10 11
interviews<br />
ijo<br />
vudu<br />
Dance International<br />
by: Rosette Boloko<br />
In the traditional language of the Yoruba people,<br />
ijo vudu refers to the transcendent spirit in dance.<br />
Founded by Nigerian dance educator, performer and<br />
choreographer Sani-Abu Mohammed Allen, Toronto’s ijo<br />
vudu Dance International is a performing and entertaining<br />
art company of professional dancers and drummers from<br />
diverse backgrounds, on a journey to experience and share<br />
the joy and spirit of traditional African music and dance.<br />
enough back home before migrating to a foreign land.<br />
Many who where born here never had the chance to visit<br />
back home or are not educated enough to really make a<br />
fuse about it.<br />
Q: How often does the group perform?<br />
A: We perform at least twice a month.We’re either teaching<br />
dance and drum performances, doing costume making,<br />
holding classes, workshops, educational program and<br />
choreographing.<br />
Q: Is there anyone that you would like to work with in the<br />
near future?<br />
A: I would really love to work with everyone because I<br />
gain experience from both the young and the old.<br />
Q: How would you describe your group in 3 words?<br />
A:Exceptional, Uplifting and inspiring.<br />
Q:Looking back, what would you say has been some of the<br />
important things you have learned in your career thus far?<br />
A:Knowing how to work and handle people. I learn everyday<br />
as I meet and work with different people and I’ve<br />
challenged myself learning hard core choreography.<br />
Q:Dance is an art in itself, Why did you choose<br />
this particular form of art?<br />
A: Dance is joy and dance is medicine that can heal<br />
all ages. I chose this form of art because it’s a high<br />
energy and rigorous activity, helps lower all kinds<br />
of sicknesses. A professional dancer lives a longer,<br />
healthier and more experienced life. This is why i<br />
chose this kind of art form.<br />
Q:What inspires your group the most?<br />
A: Everyday challenges and knowing about world cultures.<br />
Q: In one word, what does the future look like for Ijo<br />
Vudu?<br />
A: Brightness.<br />
Q: Ijo Vudu, What is the meaning behind the<br />
name?<br />
A: Ijo Vudu literary means, the Spirit In Dance.<br />
It’s the spirit that brings joy and happiness out of<br />
oneself.<br />
Q: What message are you trying to translate<br />
through dance?<br />
A: The message is that cultures have no boundaries<br />
and unity among ourselves, believing and<br />
helping each other showcases and preserves the<br />
richness of African and World culture.<br />
Q: Challenges are inevitable in life, what has been<br />
the biggest challenge that your group has faced?<br />
A: Support and acceptances. I’d say 80% of<br />
African don’t support their own culture and often<br />
neglect it when they come abroad. Sometimes<br />
it’s not their fault as they never practiced it well<br />
12 13
fashion<br />
Feature<br />
Models:<br />
East To West Beauties<br />
Name: Payne Bangoura<br />
Country of Origin: Guinea<br />
Height: 5”10<br />
Hobbies/Interests: Dancing,<br />
swimming and playing basketball<br />
Name: Joy Amanie Aman<br />
Height: 5”5<br />
Country of Origin: Sudan<br />
Hobbies/Interests: Music<br />
production, dancing, badminton,<br />
fitness and web design<br />
14<br />
15
fashion<br />
Fashion Spotlight:<br />
compiled by Tatiana King & Rosette Boloko<br />
YASIKA MODE<br />
Spring/Summer 2013 collection<br />
www.yasikamode.com<br />
Designer: Mamie Kapend<br />
Highlight: The collection offers an elegant and modern look at<br />
African textiles with clean lines and colorful patterns<br />
City: Congo, Africa by way of Chicago, IL, USA<br />
The meaning behind the name: The name Yasika Mode translates<br />
to mean The Latest Fashion<br />
About the collection: YASIKA MODE is a versatile ready-to-wear collection that<br />
offers a clean transition from day to evening looks. The pieces are exclusively made<br />
from African prints and a mix of modern textiles that combine to create a sense of<br />
Confidence and Elegance.<br />
16 17
interviews<br />
music<br />
Q:In one word, how would you complete this description<br />
of yourself! “Bobby Obodo is not only a talented actor but<br />
a _______”.<br />
A: Hehehe. This has got to be more than a one-word answer.<br />
Bobby is also a socio-political activist, a writer, and<br />
businessman<br />
Q:Take me back to the days prior to acting, what was<br />
Bobby up to?<br />
A: Prior to my acting debut, I was very heavily concentrated<br />
on my charitable programs and my youth organizations-<br />
Youths for Change and Nigerian Youth for Change…<br />
I was also planning a million-man march rally in Nigeria, as<br />
well as other parts of the world. That suffered a setback,<br />
but I’m still planning to get that back on track.<br />
Q:The GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY! Everyday isn’t<br />
always roses and sunshine. Tell me about the road to becoming<br />
Bobby Obodo the “actor”.<br />
A: My road to becoming Bobby the “actor” was really<br />
very easy. Unlike most of my colleagues, I had not “always<br />
wanted to be an actor”; in fact, I usually laughed at the<br />
idea when I’d pull an act around my friends and they would<br />
suggest that I should be an actor- I had no idea they were<br />
prophesying to me. In my case, my friend, Ini Edo and I<br />
were having a conversation on the phone; one discussion<br />
led to another- and let’s just say Ini succeeded in convincing<br />
me to give acting a shot.<br />
She introduced me to an amazing lady who has now<br />
grown to become my very good friend, Emem Isong. It<br />
wasn’t long after I got introduced to Emem Isong, that she<br />
told me to get ready for what’s to be one of the biggest<br />
movies in my start-up acting career- Weekend Getaway.<br />
Emem Isong believed in my acting ability from day one.<br />
And since being a star in Weekend Getaway (shot in<br />
October, 2011), it’s been an amazing roller-coaster ride for<br />
me in the African movies industry. And for this, I am more<br />
than grateful. Some things God’s grace and favour just<br />
handles for us- my rise in the movie industry is a confirmation<br />
of this fact.<br />
BOBBY<br />
OBODO<br />
Tatiana King<br />
Q:What’s one thing the world doesn’t know about you?<br />
A: That I am scared of dogs- even a little puppy will prevent<br />
me from entering your house<br />
Q: We know you as an actor now but you do have an interest<br />
in Politics, humanitarian work and your entrepreneurial<br />
aspirations. Tell us about other important aspects<br />
of your life.<br />
A: Well, you know whatever we do in this world has a<br />
title. So, my involvement in socio-political issues, organizing<br />
rallies/protests, standing up for the unheard and<br />
underprivileged, plus studying Political Science at school,<br />
has earned me titles ranging from activist to humanitarian/<br />
philanthropist to politician. I am also the Chairman/CEO<br />
of MIBO Logistics Limited, with branches in a couple<br />
African countries…and still pushing to expand, by God’s<br />
special grace.<br />
Q: You’ve been in the movie making business for a little<br />
over a year now, took roles in roughly 9 films and worked<br />
with some of the biggest names in the industry, What<br />
have you taken away from the entire experience?<br />
A: It has been both gratifying and humbling. And I believe<br />
it’s also a testament to the fact that I am loved both in and<br />
out of the industry. Add it all up and you see a guy who<br />
will continue pushing himself to be his best, make his fans<br />
super-proud of him, and join with my colleagues to surpass<br />
the respect Nollywood/African movie industry and actors<br />
enjoy right now, internationally.<br />
Q: When you were a little boy growing up was becoming<br />
an actor what you aspired to do?<br />
A: I think I have answered this question already. But<br />
just to reiterate; no, becoming an actor was never in my<br />
thoughts/dreams.<br />
Q: Give me a mental visual of the “actor experience” from<br />
your point of view. What’s a day in the life of Bobby all<br />
about?<br />
A: Emm… It’s totally different from<br />
the Bobby prior to becoming an actor,<br />
I must say. As a Warri boy, we always<br />
keep it 100 (lol). But there’s no denying<br />
the fact that, you just find out you<br />
are not the same person anymore- at<br />
least not to those who have come to<br />
know and love you as an actor/celebrity.<br />
I find it quite interesting hearing/<br />
reading some of my colleagues say<br />
the celebrity/actor has not changed<br />
who they are.<br />
I’m not sure<br />
I fully agree<br />
with this. You<br />
may try to be<br />
yourself/stay<br />
true to who<br />
I do my best to bring that<br />
imagination to life through<br />
my interpretation of a<br />
given role.<br />
you are, however, people who didn’t<br />
get the chance to know you prior to<br />
your stardom would most likely treat<br />
you differently, and that right there<br />
kind of makes you different/changes<br />
the “you” before the stardom.<br />
Q: You’ve worked alongside many<br />
talented actors and actresses. If you<br />
could work with any of them again<br />
and it was your choice, who would it<br />
be?<br />
A: There are a few of my colleagues<br />
I would not want to work with again<br />
(for personal reasons). But there are<br />
many I would love to work with, if<br />
the opportunity presents itself.<br />
Q: When presented with a film offer<br />
or script, how do you prepare and<br />
determine if it’s a good fit for you?<br />
A: For me, it’s hard to tell/ascertain<br />
what movie role is a good fit. I imagine<br />
a life/behaviour/mannerism for my<br />
character once I have read the entire<br />
script…and I do my best to bring that<br />
imagination to life through my interpretation<br />
of a given role.<br />
Q: What’s the biggest misconception<br />
about Nollywood and the African<br />
Film Industry?<br />
A: That it is not an industry that is<br />
striving to grow and improve on the<br />
quality of their work. This is completely<br />
untrue. I am sure people are<br />
already witnessing the growth in<br />
the industry… And I can assure that<br />
more improvements will be seen as<br />
the days/weeks/months go by.<br />
Q: The movie WEEKEND GET-<br />
AWAY...big cast, heavy promotion<br />
and lots of buzz surrounding the film.<br />
What was your<br />
most memorable<br />
moment on set?<br />
A: Hmmm. Set<br />
was fun! This space<br />
won’t be enough for<br />
me to state the memorable moments<br />
on Weekend Getaway set. Let me<br />
just say there were lots of memorable<br />
moments. If I try to state just one<br />
memorable moment, it would lead me<br />
to state others…and that would just<br />
overshadow this entire interview.<br />
Q: What next on the “to do list” for<br />
Bobby Obodo and can we expect any<br />
new projects in the pipeline?<br />
A: Wow! I have got quite a lot going<br />
on this year; from going back to set to<br />
working on expanding my business to<br />
continuing my humanitarian/activism<br />
duties, it sure is going to be another<br />
busy year for me- it has already<br />
started, as a matter of fact.<br />
On the<br />
Download<br />
tracks you need now!<br />
15<br />
This year<br />
we had some of the<br />
best music yet! Check<br />
out our top 15 list of<br />
artists and hit singles<br />
you should definitely<br />
download now!<br />
Ice Prince x Sarkodie x Mercy<br />
1<br />
Johnson x WizKid x M.I. x<br />
Khuli Chana - Aboki Remix<br />
Lola Rae - Watch My Ting Go<br />
2<br />
Davido - Gobe<br />
3<br />
May D - Got Me High<br />
4<br />
Fuse ODG x Sarkodie x<br />
5 Wande Coal x R2Bees<br />
- Antenna (AfroBeats Remix)<br />
P Square - Alingo<br />
6<br />
Iyanya - Your Waist<br />
7<br />
Sarkodie - Azonto Fiesta<br />
8<br />
Lynxx x WizKid - Fine Lady<br />
9<br />
Ice Prince x Brymo - Oleku<br />
10<br />
11<br />
Victoria Kimani - Mtoto<br />
Emma Nyra - Ori Mi Wu<br />
12<br />
Tonto - Jeje<br />
13<br />
Flavour - Shake<br />
14<br />
15<br />
Bracket - Temperature<br />
18<br />
19
lifestyle<br />
fashion<br />
CONTRIBUTORS PICKS<br />
A Collection of “Must Have” Items from the <strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa Writers<br />
Stolen From Africa T-Shirt<br />
stolenfromafrica.bigcartel.com<br />
Cost: $30.00<br />
Ghana Must Go<br />
hardcover novel<br />
www.us.penguingroup.com<br />
Cost: $25.95<br />
Men’s Fashion Feature with<br />
Eaden Myles<br />
Compiled by: Janen Brown<br />
Shea Butter<br />
sheabutterman.ca<br />
Cost: $15.00<br />
Canadian designer Eric Ampong of Eaden Myles allowed<br />
<strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa staff and fellow personalities; Rapper<br />
JD Era, Ghana Mixtapez Founder Julz, Actor John Dumelo and<br />
Rapper Verse into his showroom earlier this Summer and what<br />
an exciting time we had. The men were able to change between<br />
two sets of custom suits each, along with Eaden Myles custom<br />
dress shoes. Eaden Myles represents class, elegance and style,<br />
you definitely cannot go wrong when wearing one of Eric’s suits.<br />
Ankara Handbags<br />
by Tribal West Fashion<br />
www.tribalwestfashion.gnbo.com.ng<br />
Cost: $40.00<br />
Eaden Myles is available at The Eaden Myles showroom located<br />
at 2100 Steeles Ave W, Suite 201, Vaughan, Ontario<br />
or www.eadenmyles.com .<br />
Limited Edition<br />
Ghana Independence<br />
Ashanti Beads<br />
www.ashantibeads.com<br />
Cost: $20.00<br />
Urban Classic Cow<br />
Leather Satchel Laptop Bag<br />
by URBAN AFRICA<br />
www.urbanafrica.com<br />
Cost: $229.00<br />
Motherland <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
Iphone App<br />
itunes.apple.com/us/app/<br />
motherland-ent/id639387302?mt=8<br />
Free Download<br />
20 21
Dressed In Eaden Myles :descriptions listed below:<br />
1<br />
4 5<br />
Picture 2, 3<br />
Actor JOHN DUMELO in Blue Suit<br />
Color - Celebrity Blue<br />
Design – Euro by Eaden Myles<br />
1 Button Slim Fit, Double Vent Jacket Slanted Pockets, with<br />
ticket Peak Lapel Flat Front Trouser<br />
Picture 1, 5<br />
JD Era : Euro – Navy – Slim Cut – Custom Tailored.<br />
Julz: Euro – Black Gold – Slim Cut – Custom Tailored wearing<br />
Verse: Euro - Blue - Glen Plaid - Slim Cut Fit<br />
Picture 7<br />
JD Era: 1 Button Jacket w/vest – 3 Piece -2 Vents -Ticket<br />
Pocket & Pic Stitching -Lined with 2 toned Red Silk<br />
Verse: Button Jacket – 2 Piece- 2 Vents - Ticket Pocket & Pic<br />
Stitching-Lined with our signature paisley lining<br />
Julz:1 Button Jacket w/vest – 3 Piece -2 Vents -Ticket Pocket<br />
& Pic Stitching -Lined with 2 toned Red Silk<br />
Picture 4<br />
JD Era: 1 Button Jacket w/vest – 3 Piece -2 Vents -Ticket<br />
Pocket &<br />
Pic Stitching -Lined with 2 toned Red Silk<br />
Picture 8<br />
Verse: Euro - Blue - Glen Plaid - Slim Cut Fit<br />
Julz: Black Gold – Slim Cut – Custom Tailored wearing<br />
JD Era is wearing Euro – Navy – Slim Cut – Custom Tailored<br />
2 3<br />
6 7<br />
22 23
fashion<br />
Model<br />
Fatima Siad<br />
Stylist<br />
Dapper<br />
Venus vs Mars<br />
Which Sex Dressed Better This Summer?<br />
Actress<br />
Omotola-Jalade Ekeind<br />
Singer<br />
Banky<br />
Fashion Designers<br />
Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim<br />
Singer/Songwriter<br />
D’Banj<br />
Actress<br />
Nadia Buari<br />
Actor<br />
Idris Elba<br />
21Questions<br />
with<br />
Kelly Hansome<br />
1<br />
Tell us one word that<br />
best describes you?<br />
Versatile<br />
2<br />
What CD is sitting<br />
in your car CD player?<br />
Jay-Z: Reasonable<br />
Doubt<br />
3<br />
“Jordans” or “Chuck<br />
Taylors”?<br />
Jordans<br />
4<br />
On a typical Friday<br />
night, Sam can be<br />
found doing...?<br />
In the studio recording.<br />
5<br />
What’s your absolute<br />
favorite food to eat?<br />
It changes with time,<br />
but I eat healthy.<br />
6<br />
Reality TV or Nollywood<br />
Movies?<br />
Reality TV<br />
7<br />
I absolutely can’t<br />
live without _____!<br />
Money and God.<br />
8<br />
This ultimate destination<br />
is on my bucket<br />
list______!<br />
Buckingham Palace<br />
9<br />
What was your<br />
last big purchase?<br />
Fifty trailer loads of cement<br />
for a construction<br />
project in Imo State.<br />
10<br />
What’s the<br />
most shocking<br />
fact about you?<br />
People have the general<br />
impression that<br />
I’m troublesome due to<br />
misinterpretations from<br />
bad media, but people<br />
that get to know me<br />
come to find out I am<br />
the most humble and<br />
hard working artiste<br />
Africa would ever<br />
know.<br />
11<br />
Swimming in the ocean<br />
or sitting poolside?<br />
Swimming in the ocean.<br />
12<br />
Name one thing you<br />
always do before a big<br />
gig, appearance or red<br />
carpet moment?<br />
Pray.<br />
13<br />
Nadia Buari or<br />
Yvonne Nelson?<br />
I have to say Tonto Dike<br />
due to her not being<br />
effected by what others<br />
think of her. She is doing<br />
her acting thing and<br />
now launching a music<br />
career despite criticism,<br />
but getting better with<br />
every song.<br />
14<br />
Tell us about the most<br />
memorable moment as<br />
an entertainer?<br />
Performing at The<br />
World Music Awards in<br />
Monte Carlo, France.<br />
15<br />
Swagger or<br />
Beautiful?<br />
Each goes hand in hand<br />
with each other, but I<br />
prefer swagger because<br />
if you have swag, you<br />
know what’s up in the<br />
fashion industry and<br />
you’re on point from<br />
head to toe.<br />
16<br />
What astrological<br />
sign are you?<br />
Capricorn<br />
17<br />
What is your absolute<br />
worst nightmare?<br />
Being broke.<br />
18<br />
Tell us the craziest<br />
thing a fan has<br />
ever done.<br />
While I was performing<br />
a female fan grabbed<br />
my private parts.<br />
19<br />
Team iPhone or<br />
team Blackberry?<br />
Team Iphone.<br />
20<br />
The best kept secret<br />
in Nigeria is_____!<br />
Me, I do a lot of charity<br />
work within Nigeria<br />
and Africa as a whole<br />
by providing scholarships,<br />
clothing and feeding<br />
as many as possible<br />
in my own capacity.<br />
21<br />
Kelly Hansome<br />
in 10 yrs.?<br />
By the special grace<br />
of God, I will be an established<br />
entrepreneur<br />
in different business<br />
fields and definitely still<br />
making good music and<br />
touring while churning<br />
out great talents under<br />
my imprint.<br />
interviews<br />
Kelly Hansome is a Nigerian singer, songwriter<br />
and producer who is also a self-proclaimed multi<br />
instrumentalist who dubs as an entrepreneur.<br />
Some of his singles include “My Baby”, “Like<br />
Play” and “What Is Happening”.<br />
Our editor-in-chief sat down with Kelly Hansome<br />
for a fun round of 21 questions.<br />
Take a look at what he tells us.<br />
24 25
interviews<br />
Photo Credits:<br />
Curtis Sabir JB<br />
Photography,<br />
Planet Africa and<br />
Rising Stars UK<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
11<br />
21Questions<br />
with<br />
Ghana’s<br />
Tell us one word that best describes you?<br />
Genuine<br />
What CD is sitting in your car CD player?<br />
Tank<br />
“Jordans” or “Chuck Taylors”?<br />
Chuck Taylors<br />
On a typical Friday night,<br />
Sam can be found doing...?<br />
Chillin at home relaxing... I’m a homebody<br />
Jollof Rice, Kenkey with Fish<br />
or Fufu with Palmnut Soup?<br />
None... Kenkey with shito<br />
Reality TV or Nollywood Movies?<br />
Reality TV<br />
I absolutely can’t live without _____!<br />
My phone<br />
This ultimate destination is<br />
on my bucket list______!<br />
Brazil<br />
What was your last big purchase?<br />
Can’t remember I get most things for free...<br />
perks from entertainment and sponsors.<br />
Sam Sarpong<br />
What’s the most shocking fact about you?<br />
That I never missed a day of school for 14 years<br />
Swimming in the ocean or sitting poolside?<br />
Poolside<br />
Sam Sarpong is best known as an actor, model and musician. Some of Sam’s<br />
work includes hosting the MTV show Yo Momma and holding a six-year<br />
modeling gig with Tommy Hilfiger. Sam keeps busy and has over 100 films<br />
and TV shows combined to hit credit. Pretty impressive right?<br />
Our editor-in-chief sat down with Sam for a fun round of 21 questions.<br />
Take a look at what he tells us.<br />
12<br />
13<br />
14<br />
15<br />
16<br />
17<br />
18<br />
19<br />
20<br />
Name one thing you always do before<br />
a big gig, appearance or red carpet moment?<br />
I always pray.<br />
Nadia Buari or Yvonne Nelson?<br />
Nadia Buari.<br />
Tell us about the most memorable<br />
moment as an entertainer?<br />
Meeting Will Smith and him knowing who<br />
I was. It was shocking because he is my<br />
favorite entertainer.<br />
For a quick weekend getaway, Sam is likely<br />
to hop on a plane and head to...?<br />
Toronto. I love the people and the shopping.<br />
What astrological sign are you?<br />
Sagittarius.<br />
What is your absolute worst nightmare?<br />
Forgetting my lines for a big audition.<br />
Tell us the craziest thing a fan has ever done.<br />
Being followed by a fan when my group<br />
was on tour for way too many shows.<br />
It was kind of scary.<br />
Team iPhone or team Blackberry?<br />
Blackberry aaalllll day.<br />
The best kept secret in Ghana is_____!<br />
Me! I am a Ghanaian making it in<br />
America, UK, and Asia but no one<br />
knows I’m Ghanaian.<br />
21<br />
Sam Sarpong in 10 yrs.?<br />
Running my production company (Future<br />
Stars <strong>Entertainment</strong> Group), managing kids<br />
and hopefully married with kids.<br />
From the<br />
Goodness of<br />
Unwana’s Heart<br />
We all<br />
know<br />
the concept<br />
of working<br />
hard and getting<br />
rewarded<br />
in return but<br />
there are<br />
special people<br />
who decide<br />
to work even<br />
harder, get rewarded and still give back to<br />
society. These special people have made<br />
an impact in the lives of many with their<br />
strength, voice, financial contribution and<br />
philanthropy.<br />
Meet Unwana Udobang, from Akwa-<br />
Ibom state. Wana is a TV/Radio host,<br />
writer, poet, gender activist and philanthropist<br />
based in Lagos State, Nigeria.<br />
She enjoys reading, writing and cooking.<br />
Unwana Udobang works closely with the<br />
Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre,<br />
by empowering the Cancer patients<br />
and providing support. In an enlightening<br />
conversation with her, she lets us into her<br />
world of charity, radio and a variety of<br />
other interesting things...<br />
Wana Wana as she is fondly called by her<br />
radio fans/audience said she delved into<br />
radio broadcast and journalism because<br />
she always wanted to tell peoples stories<br />
be it good or bad. She also wanted to<br />
create avenues to talk about what we (the<br />
people) hide and the things we tend to<br />
sweep under the carpet, but ultimately it<br />
was about telling and sharing stories.<br />
When Wana was asked how she contributes<br />
to the growth and development of<br />
Nigeria, she said:<br />
I don’t know that I think of it consciously<br />
in that way but I know that the work I<br />
do allows me to create conversation and<br />
dialogue which has a huge impact in the<br />
change process.<br />
We need to act but we also need to have<br />
conversations about the things going on in<br />
our society; I hope that that plays a role in<br />
some way.<br />
Wana Udobang is involved in gender and<br />
health care advocacy. She employs every<br />
❦<br />
means possible to reach out to the woman<br />
in need. She uses social media as a tool<br />
and/or marches the streets protesting,<br />
creating campaigns or designing specific<br />
online content for the purpose of sensitising,<br />
educating or just awakening the<br />
conscience of people, creating art that interrogates<br />
our own humanity through her<br />
poetry. Wana believes that it’s important<br />
for people to understand that we all have<br />
a responsibility and owe it to ourselves to<br />
make the planet a more hospitable a place.<br />
Unwana runs an N.G.O called 1k4Cancer.<br />
She uses the platform to raise funds<br />
to help women from very low income<br />
families with their cancer treatment, majorly<br />
women with breast cancer. The idea<br />
behind 1k4Cancer is to get everyone to<br />
donate one thousand Naira. (It’s the whole<br />
cliche that little drops make an ocean).<br />
Wana said: ‘‘It’s really to show people<br />
that with very little we can save the lives<br />
of some people. I usually do an awareness<br />
campaign using social media and any<br />
other traditional media willing to lend<br />
their support. I also have class champions<br />
who help collect donations in their<br />
offices, amongst their family members or<br />
in their school etc. My class champions<br />
have been incredible within the past two<br />
years. It’s not easy though. First year<br />
I raised 2.4 million, second year two<br />
thousand Naira. I have come to a place<br />
where I’m grateful for what I receive; at<br />
least it can pay for a young lady’s treatment.<br />
I also volunteer with Alliances for<br />
Africa and the Nigerian Feminist Forum;<br />
I do a bit of youth mentorship from time<br />
to time. I am quite passionate about girls<br />
and women. I address issues ranging from<br />
economic empowerment, education, to<br />
issues of violence against women (VAW).<br />
I’m currently working on putting together<br />
my not-for-profit organisation called the<br />
Dorathy Helen Foundation, which would<br />
be a big umbrella for most of my gender<br />
related social projects.’’<br />
To know more about Unwana the woman<br />
of value, prestige and Philanthropy visit:<br />
www.wanawana.net<br />
www.guerillabasment.co<br />
www.1k4cancer.org<br />
@MissWanaWana<br />
community<br />
26 27
events<br />
Inside Scoop with<br />
OLUFUNBI OSUNGADE<br />
THE AFRICA MAGIC VIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS.<br />
The first ever Africa Magic Viewers Choice awards were held in Lagos, Nigeria and the female celebs rocked the red carpet in<br />
fabulous and quite daring dresses while the men, looked dapper in their suits and tie while some took it grassroots, looking ravishing in<br />
their native attire. The Africa Magic cable channel is one of the most watched in Africa and is known for celebrating African culture<br />
through movies, music and fashion. The night produced several winners that walked home with the highly coveted plaque, while others<br />
were consoled with the fact that being nominated equally meant being a winner. Surely it was a night to remember .....<br />
MR.IDEAL NIGERIA 2013.<br />
It’s very rare in Africa to find male pageantry. A few organisations have put together well planned male pageants but one stood out<br />
from the norm in Nigeria. House of Twitch & Style, put forth another successful edition of Mr.Ideal Nigeria. The winner walked<br />
home with a brand new car, was named Ambassador for Invicta Wristwatch, was given start-up capital for the winners chosen<br />
field of business and a trip to represent Nigeria in the Mr.Africa International pageant in London, UK. Mr.Ideal Nigeria 2013 gave<br />
Chidubem, who represented Imo State as the winner of the grand title and prize.<br />
SILVERBIRD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN NIGERIA 2013 PAGEANT<br />
18-year-old Anna Ebiere Banner who represented Bayelsa State in the pageant, emerged as Silverbirds Most Beautiful Girl In<br />
Nigeria(MBGN) 2013. Banner beat 31 eligible and quite beautiful ladies to win the crown. The colourful event was graced by top<br />
dignitries in Nigeria and celebrities from all parts of the Country. Anna immediately bagged an appointment as Honorary Special Assistant<br />
on Culture and Tourism to Governor Seriake Dickson as well as Cultural Ambassador of Bayelsa. She won a brand new car,<br />
gifts from various sponsors and a monthly salary from Silverbird to span throughout her entire reign. Coming in as the 1st runner up<br />
was Miss Imo, 2nd runner up Miss Adamawa, 3rd runner up Miss Kaduna and the 4th runner up was Miss Abuja.<br />
BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOS OF NIGERIA’S PROMISING ACT T.L.I Sojiboi.<br />
Check out photos from behind- the -scenes of Nigerian artist T.L.I sojiboi for his hit single ACADA. T.L.I’s Acada is a story of youngsters<br />
trying hard to live beyond their means of livelihood/standards. The video was shot in Lagos, Nigeria.<br />
NIGERIAN SINGER/SONG WRITER- TIWA SAVAGE’S STAR STUDDED ALBUM LISTENING PARTY.<br />
Tiwatope Savage, popularly known as Tiwa Savage, came into the Nigerian music industry a few years ago with her hit single “Kele<br />
kele Love”and followed up with single “Love Me”. She carved an uncompetitive niche for heself as all her released singles were major<br />
hits in the country and beyond. Tiwa Savage spent a big chunk of her life in the UK and America working and writing songs for big<br />
stars like Babyface, Fantasia, Mary J Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, Emma Bunton and a list of others. The release of her 19-track<br />
sophomore album titled “ONCE UPON A TIME’’, was much awaited but before the official release, she treated specially invited<br />
guests to a listening party in Lagos,Nigeria.<br />
28 29
DAREY ART- ALADE’S LOVE LIKE A MOVIE CONCERT<br />
Darey Art-Alade’s Love like a movie Concert was one of a kind. The event left an unforgettable and pleasant memory in the minds<br />
of all the guests that attended. The star studded event took place in Victoria Island on Sunday 17th February 2013. The Colourful<br />
show was co-Hosted by American reality star Kim Kadarshian. The show had in attendance the creme de la creme of the Nigerian<br />
entertainment industry; Legendary 2face Idibia, World record holder Kaffy ‘’the Dance Queen’’, Song bird- Tiwa Savage,Waje,Ebuka<br />
Uchendu,T.l.i Sojiboi and a host of others. The show was different from the norm as the stage was well crafted to depict the depth of<br />
the story being told via Music. Darey set a standard with his LLAM show which till date is yet to be beaten.<br />
TUFACE IDIBIA’S TRADITIONAL/WHITE WEDDING<br />
Finally! The Legendary,multi award winning Nigerian artiste Tuface Innocent Idibia decided to put the ring on it. The father of six<br />
Children from three different women decided to tie the knot with his long time lover Annie Idibia. The wedding ceremony was like a<br />
fairytale! The couple took the first leg of the ceremony to Annie’s home town; Eket in Akwa Ibom State,Nigeria. March 8,2013 was a<br />
big day in Eket and it’s environs as celebrities,politicians and well meaning Nigerians alongside fans and well wishers Journeyed down<br />
to the bride’s Village to grace the Occassion. Few days after the razzmattazz and high class celebration in Eket, The couple alongside<br />
all the Celebrities in Nigeria(not an exaggeration as 95% celebrities were in attendance) Jetted to Dubai for the last leg of tying the<br />
nuptial knot. Dubai was a standstill, a first timer would think it was another “Lagos’’ in the Arab country. The wedding ceremony was<br />
conducted at the Sefinah Ballroom of Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai,United Arab Emirates and the reception at Royal Island Beach.<br />
30 31
entertainment<br />
War Witch<br />
Must Watch Movies<br />
by: Consolante Tshibola<br />
Still Standing<br />
Cast: Jackie Appiah<br />
Bobby Obodo<br />
Still Standing narrates a woman’s plight of raising teenagers<br />
and caring husband’s deteriorating health, while trying<br />
to sustain the family core values, livelihood and her sanity.<br />
It’s about choice. What do you do with where you find<br />
yourself? Do you change it, run away from it, or embrace<br />
it? You will walk the road with the award winning Jackie<br />
Appiah, in the character Nne-Amaka, as she struggles<br />
with these choices.<br />
The film is a chronicle about the joy and pain of a striving<br />
young American family, originally from Africa, living the<br />
America dream until a major tragedy alters the family’s<br />
course. Nne-Amaka, just like so many other virtuous<br />
women, will be the lifeguard for the family in the middle of<br />
this stormy sea. Can she weather the storm? Will there be<br />
a strand of hope in this family tsunami?<br />
Cast:Rachel Mwanza<br />
Alain Bastien<br />
Serge Kanyinda<br />
Ralph Prosper<br />
Mizinga Mwinga<br />
Contract<br />
Cast: Yvonne Okoro<br />
Hlomla Damdala<br />
Joseph Benjamins<br />
Contract tells a story of a “successful businessman Peter Poplampo,<br />
the ultimate alpha male. He is 40 years old, rich, and a staunch<br />
bachelor. Despite his mother’s persistent attempt to find him a<br />
woman, Peter sticks to his rule of non-committal casual dates,<br />
freedom and being in control of his life until a yearning to have a<br />
child arises. Peter finds Abena Boateng a crude but clever local girl<br />
who is anything but impressed with Peter’s influence.An unsuspecting<br />
Romantic Comedy with unusual twists that exposes the<br />
flaws in being in control of your life. The movie is funny; it’s sexy<br />
with bizarre twists that will keep you guessing till the very end.<br />
War Witch is a story of Komona, a 14 year old girl who tells her unborn child the story<br />
of how she got abducted by rebel forces to become a child soldier. Komona befriended<br />
a young boy who was a magician, who she later fell in love with. Komona will need to<br />
return to where she came from and make amends with her past. Around them, war<br />
rages on… See what happens on the way. WAR WITCH is a love story between two<br />
young souls caught in a violent world yet filled with beauty and magic.<br />
Weekend Gateway<br />
Cast:Genevieve Nnaji<br />
Ramsey Noah<br />
Ini Edo<br />
Monalisa Chinda<br />
Uti Nwachukwu<br />
Bobby Obodo<br />
Uru Eke<br />
Beverly Naya<br />
Imeh Bishop Umoh<br />
Alex Ekubo<br />
Bryan Okwara<br />
Weekend Gateway is a glamorous, witty, suspense filled drama about five couples with<br />
relationship issues, who spends the weekend in the plush, exotic hotel in an attempt<br />
to rekindle their love and fix their issues. The film exposes the drama, dysfunction,<br />
intrigues, and lies and ultimately love, that abounds in their lives. The cast makes<br />
it a Must-See movie, but sometimes having an All-star cast can be a blessing as<br />
well as a curse, as expectation are very high, But this movie is bound to keep<br />
you on the edge of your sits.<br />
House of Gold<br />
Cast: Yvonne Nelson<br />
Majid Michel<br />
Omawumi Megbele<br />
Frances Odega<br />
Eddie Watson,<br />
Mr. J. Kofi Bucknor<br />
Luckie Lawson<br />
Umar Krub<br />
Sandra Ankobea<br />
House of Gold is a story of Dab Ansah Williams, a highflying entrepreneur/business<br />
mogul, polygamist and socialite, battling with cancer and has 6 weeks left to live according<br />
to medical practitioners. With the help of his long time associate and legal representative,<br />
he embarks on a mission to call all his children back home – most of whom were<br />
born out of wedlock and various illicit affairs. The re-union proves a little more than<br />
everyone bargained for. The children return with an agenda, setting the stage for the<br />
most hilarious and bizarre 7 days of their lives. At the end, they realize that there is just<br />
too much for too many.<br />
32 33
community<br />
WINNERS<br />
&<br />
ACHIEVERS!<br />
By Consolante Tshibol<br />
This year was predicted to be a year of achievement and greatness!<br />
We saw accomplishments pouring in from everywhere in business,<br />
entertainment, fashion and more. See for yourself!<br />
Ask<br />
Houseof<br />
Starres<br />
lifestyle<br />
“N”<br />
The Word<br />
Thoughts & Verse<br />
by Nathan ‘Verse’ Hammah<br />
Ice Prince (Nigerian):<br />
2013 BET Awards:<br />
Best African Act<br />
Dentaa Amoateng(Ghanaian):<br />
2013 African Women in<br />
Europe (AWE) Award:<br />
Europe’s Most Important<br />
African Woman<br />
Wizkid (Nigerian):<br />
2013 Ghana Music Awards:<br />
African Artiste of the Year<br />
Fally Ipupa (Congo):<br />
2013 Trace Music Awards:<br />
Best African Artist<br />
Aliko Dangote (Nigerian)<br />
Forbes African Billionaires: 1#<br />
on Africa’s 40 Richest List<br />
Noella Coursaris Musunka,<br />
(Congo):2013 African Fashion<br />
Week London (AFWL)<br />
Ambassador<br />
Oluchi Orlandi (Nigerian):<br />
2013 Next Top Model: Africa’s<br />
Next Top Model Presenter<br />
Justus Esiri (Nigerian)<br />
2013 Africa Movie<br />
Academy Awards: Best<br />
Actor in a leading role<br />
Tope Folarin (Nigerian):<br />
2013 Caine Prize:<br />
African Writing<br />
Jackie Appiah (Ghanaian):<br />
2013 AfricaMagic Viewers<br />
Choice Awards: Best Actress<br />
in a Drama<br />
CEO of Ethiopian Airline,<br />
Tewolde Gebremariam<br />
(Ethiopian): 2013 Airline<br />
Strategy Awards for Regional<br />
Leadership<br />
Ntokozo Mbambo (South<br />
Africa): 2013 Africa Gospel<br />
Music Award: Female Artist<br />
of the Year<br />
Hi Starre,<br />
I’m a 26 year old female in a long distance relationship with a male musician I<br />
met online. We’ve met a few times in person and I plan to relocate to America<br />
to be with him. He’s everything I could ask for in a man but we have our issues,<br />
one of them being HIS FRIENDS. His friends are the type of men that party,<br />
romance a number of different women and have a “Bro’s Before Ho#%” mentality.<br />
His behavior changes when he is around them, and he doesn’t text or call<br />
me when he’s out and about. His “I don’t care” attitude causes a lot of arguments<br />
between us and I’m not sure if I trust him anymore. I guess my questions<br />
for you are, does he want to be with me? Is he seeing someone else? How do I<br />
get him to understand how I feel about his behavior? I love him dearly and plan<br />
to move within the next few months. The transition of living abroad is a scary<br />
one and I don’t want to regret leaving my country to be with him.<br />
Thank You,<br />
Confused Heart from a Distance<br />
Hey Girly,<br />
For one, the first thing I sense about this man is that he’s a free-spirited person<br />
and likes his space. He loves to look his best and seen as the best at times he<br />
can be a little self-centered. I do sense a strong care for you from this man,<br />
but I feel he’s a bit unsure about giving up his freedom. I don’t sense there is<br />
anyone else in particular but he’s flirting with the idea of infidelity and isn’t the<br />
type of guy to follow through. As for his friend, they’re just used to seeing their<br />
‘buddy old pal’ single living the lifestyle they do. It’s almost as if this man was<br />
once the leader of their “Prowl Pack”. I do see you moving to be with him, but<br />
it will start off a little below expectation. Be patient and don’t restrain him from<br />
hanging out and he will find his way back home. As for getting him to understand<br />
you, you need to understand him. I’m pretty sure you knew what you<br />
were getting yourself into by dating a man of his profession. Be easy going and<br />
understanding about his social life. He will open up more about it and may go as<br />
far as inviting you out with the boys.<br />
This union is destined to be, so enjoy it while it last. You know the good ol’<br />
saying “Everything happens for a reason” so with that being said embrace the<br />
experience not the expectation of this relationship.<br />
Starre<br />
Should 1st Generation African<br />
Canadian’s Use the “N” Word?<br />
If you live in Canada or America you are<br />
likely to be inundated with the “N”. If<br />
you are a first or second generation African<br />
then you have likely considered or<br />
have considered its integration into your<br />
ˆˆˆ. I write this as the first verse of Jay-<br />
Z’s Tom Ford as it plays from my patio<br />
sound system speaker. I am hearing kids<br />
playing in the street below my 3 storey<br />
suburb house calling each other “nigga”. I<br />
have the urge to turn it down, I feel like I<br />
should know better because my roots are<br />
closer to the original soil and yet, “nigga”<br />
has permeated all levels of society. Some<br />
of my friends who easily clearing one<br />
hundred grand annually have arguably<br />
reclaimed the word.<br />
I am a rap artist and entrepreneur with<br />
Ghanaian and Barbadian roots, so I<br />
did not grow up with the word like my<br />
American siblings, yet many Canadians<br />
who have adopted American media as<br />
their own have adopted the word. Living<br />
in Toronto, I find that there is a divide<br />
that clearly is related to those above<br />
and below 25 years of age. So Africans<br />
worldwide I ask, do you use the “N”<br />
word, and why have you made this<br />
choice? I encourage Africans living on the<br />
original soil to respond to this question or<br />
at least think about it.<br />
Twitter: @VerseOnline<br />
Facebook Page: Facebook.com/VerseTheFuture<br />
34<br />
35
lifestyle<br />
Why African Men<br />
Cheat<br />
lot of questions continue to be asked regarding the many reasons<br />
why African men cheat on their wives, by keeping sexual<br />
A<br />
relationship(s) outside their matrimonial homes. There are reasons<br />
galore why men pull wool over the eyes of their wives. Let’s get into<br />
some of them shall we…<br />
It’s believed that African men cheat because there is a cultural expectation<br />
that they are allowed to cheat and they can get away with it. This<br />
expectation also involves African women who forgive their cheating<br />
husbands and take them back time and time again. Some have blamed<br />
this cultural expectation on the culture past<br />
of most African countries when women were<br />
not allowed to divorce their husbands or return<br />
home to their parents. In addition to this, most<br />
African countries welcome the idea of polygamy,<br />
whereby a man is allowed to have more than<br />
one wife. Hence a lot of men see this behavior as<br />
culturally acceptable.<br />
African men cheat because they are emotionally<br />
dissatisfied. Having low satisfaction within<br />
their marriage can definitely motivate a man to<br />
cheat. They feel the need to look out for some<br />
other woman, who can understand them and make them feel special and<br />
needed. Having a side affair or “mistress” is also a way for African men<br />
to get something they are simply not getting at home. The affair was a<br />
“reward” for being an unappreciated husband and father or for putting up<br />
with a partner who wasn’t affectionate, didn’t listen or ignored them. It<br />
was an “ego boost”.<br />
African men cheat because it is cheaper and easier to obtain a partner<br />
for an affair. It’s no shocker that most single African ladies tend to be<br />
attracted to married men, especially when he’s wealthy or financially<br />
comfortable. With the increase heights of desperation amongst young<br />
African ladies comes increase temptation to cheat. If a desired commodity<br />
becomes so accessible, we are most likely going to want a piece and<br />
taste of it.<br />
African men cheat because anything forbidden is often extrememly appealing.<br />
Most extra-marital affairs with someone else who is forbidden<br />
tend to be appealing and boredom could also lead to engaging in this<br />
supposidly thrilling act. The extra-marital relationship provides them<br />
with a readymade and fresh experience, which is appealing enough<br />
to take the risk.<br />
Some African men<br />
cheat because they want<br />
to experiment sexually.<br />
They crave sexual ‘variety’<br />
and desire to be with<br />
different women.<br />
Some African men cheat because they want<br />
to experiment sexually. They crave sexual<br />
‘variety’ and desire to be with different<br />
women. They want to explore something<br />
more. Often time greed, entitlement and<br />
insecurity inspire them to take this risky step.<br />
People often fail to acknowledge a fact which<br />
is very important about African married men<br />
who cheat. Some African married men cheat<br />
because they have cheating wives. Society<br />
tends to ignore the fact that some wives cheat and blame it all on their<br />
husband. However, some men who have multiple relationships sometimes<br />
do it to take revenge with their cheating wives.<br />
An African man with a perfect partner might also cheat because he<br />
is sick of routine or perfection and want to explore something more<br />
ordinary, fun and real. Other reasons may even include cheating because<br />
the marriage was done out of coercion or an unhappy arranged married.<br />
There are countless reasons, I’m sure, but one last reason that I must<br />
point out is the thought that he is searching for something lost as a child<br />
or even for lost youth.<br />
37
entertainment<br />
[ THE BUZZ REPORT<br />
WITH TACHIA MONTAGUE<br />
Ice Prince Zamani, known as Nigeria’s<br />
playboy was awarded the Best African<br />
Act award at this year’s annual BET<br />
awards. Subsequently, Ice Prince has<br />
received recognition in North America<br />
for his talents but to his dismay, Africans<br />
criticized Zamani for his lack of patriotism<br />
when accepting his BET award. Zamani<br />
has major plans for his career starting off<br />
with a charity. The Ice Prince Zamani<br />
Foundation will focus on helping children<br />
who suffer from similar struggles Ice<br />
Prince faced as a child. This foundation is<br />
set to launch after the release of his follow<br />
up album Fire of Zamani.<br />
16-year-old Wondagurl Ebony<br />
Oshunrinde, was the winner of the<br />
2012 Battle of the Beat Maker contest. She also produced<br />
a hit single featured on Jay-Z’s new album Magna Carter<br />
Holy Grail, in July 2013. The female alchemist of Nigerian<br />
descent is now labeled as one of hip-hop’s newest and hottest<br />
producers. All it took<br />
was this young girl to<br />
send her beat to southern<br />
rapper Travis Scott for<br />
Jay-Z to get wind of her<br />
brilliance. Despite her raw<br />
aptitude and new found<br />
success, mother Jozie<br />
Oshunrinde wants her<br />
prodigious child to stick to<br />
]<br />
finishing school. Stick to what you do,<br />
because Wondagurl just proved to us<br />
all that dreams do come true!<br />
Masai Ujirias of Nigeria signs contract<br />
to serve as General Manager of the<br />
Toronto Raptors basketball team.<br />
He was quoted in a press conference<br />
courtesy of cbc.ca stating “I’m tired of<br />
all this, people come here and everybody<br />
calls the team soft or call the<br />
team pushovers or all the stupid name,<br />
you come to Canada and you come to<br />
play. That’s the identity we’re trying to<br />
build here. We are in Canada, and this<br />
is our team. We’re going to be tough<br />
out there”. Is this the leadership the<br />
Raptors have been dying for? Is Ujirias<br />
the new found messiah of Canadian<br />
sports? We will have to wait and see<br />
this season.<br />
Ace lyricist Vector<br />
the Viper of<br />
the hit single Follow<br />
Me Dey Go<br />
stops by HipTV<br />
and gives testimony<br />
on why<br />
he was arrested<br />
last month at the<br />
YSG <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
studios.<br />
Rumor has it;<br />
the artist and<br />
his family were<br />
kept in police custody not once, but twice for disturbing<br />
the peace and physically assaulting record execs. Vector<br />
reported that the feud and break up stemmed from Young<br />
Shall Grow Motors refusing to promote his music. Details<br />
of this interview can be found at www.hiptv.tv<br />
Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo where do we start with this<br />
lady?! Hmmm… well for one we have to give major<br />
credit to her achievements as Crime Stoppers Activist,<br />
sex expert, concert promoter, aspiring Governor of State<br />
and Aphrodisiacs cook. I know we are missing something<br />
but these are not the only things this woman is capable<br />
of. After her deportation from Canada, Kemi kept true to<br />
her heart by bringing her North American flare to modest<br />
Africa. Despite major criticism from natives of Naija, she’s<br />
praised by some for her bold move in bringing progressive<br />
views for Nigeria’s future.<br />
As reported on her<br />
social media pages, Kemi<br />
has major plans to bring<br />
hip-hop’s biggest names<br />
to Nigeria. It has been<br />
announced that Omololu-Olunyolo<br />
will run in<br />
the race for presidency<br />
of Ibadan in the 2015<br />
election. Best of luck to<br />
this powerful female and<br />
all she does.<br />
R&B star Akon has<br />
suggested that African-<br />
Americans living in<br />
the US should move back to Africa following George<br />
Zimmerman’s acquittal in the fatal shooting of Trayvon<br />
Martin. The R&B hit-maker, born in Senegal, posted on<br />
his Instagram page after the trial “Every African-American<br />
in the United States needs to move their money, family<br />
and knowledge back to Africa where you will be treated<br />
like the royalty you are…you don’t deserve this treatment.<br />
This is not your country.” Other artists and fans have<br />
co-signed this statement. Some may say we are living the<br />
end of times; other’s think black people are waking up.<br />
Might we be regressing by choosing to subscribe to Akon’s<br />
stance?<br />
Swati and Zaziwe<br />
Mandela of reality<br />
show Being Mandela<br />
are cashing in<br />
on Mandela’s legacy<br />
and fighting over<br />
custodianship of his<br />
brand and assets,<br />
both worth millions<br />
of dollars. The<br />
Mandela girls own both House of Mandela Wine Collection<br />
and clothing line 46664, named after the former president’s<br />
prison number. South Africans are outraged that<br />
granddaughters of their beloved hero and former president<br />
would demean his name by branding his face to mediocre<br />
products. Catch the fights, speculation and drama on Being<br />
Mandela Sundays on Cozi TV 9pm ET.<br />
Africa’s Next Top Model begins to scout for Africa’s next<br />
Oluchi or even Alek Wek. ANTM is currently scouting<br />
the entire African continent looking for the next big breakout<br />
beauty. The reality tv show is set to air later this fall.<br />
Hollywood producer Christine Forsyth Peters famed for<br />
producing How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days starring Kate<br />
Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, begins shooting a<br />
story about former Kenya wildlife service Head, Richard<br />
Leakey. Christine will base the movie on Leakey’s memoir<br />
Wildlife Wars: My Fight to Save Africa’s<br />
Natural Treasures. The actor to<br />
play Leakey has yet to be announced<br />
but the movie is said to be a political<br />
thriller and wildlife adventure story.<br />
The book, Memoir of Richard Leakey<br />
can be found on paperback and hardcover<br />
at amazon.com.<br />
Emeli Sande is set to perform at<br />
Unity, a concert for Stephen Lawrence,<br />
an African-English male murdered<br />
due to racism in April of 1993 in<br />
South East London. Emeli alongside<br />
Jessie J, Rizzle Kicks and Labrinth are<br />
just a few set to perform at O2 Arena<br />
September 29th. The concert will<br />
raise funds for The<br />
Stephen Lawrence<br />
Charitable Trust,<br />
which helps develop<br />
brighter futures for<br />
young people from<br />
disadvantaged<br />
backgrounds. For<br />
more info please visit:<br />
http://www.theo2.<br />
co.uk/<br />
The possessions of late singer Goldie Harvey have been<br />
auctioned from her home in Lagos. The singer and Big<br />
Brother Africa 2012 star passed away suddenly this year<br />
from a hypertension disease and subsequently cerebral<br />
hemorrhaging, after returning to Nigeria from the Grammy<br />
Awards in Los Angeles. The possessions sold include<br />
clothing, shoes and household appliances.<br />
38 39
interviews<br />
Brains & Beauty<br />
Juliet<br />
Ibrahim<br />
Exclusive Access<br />
We all know<br />
you as that gorgeous<br />
Ghanaian/Lebanese actress,<br />
talented film producer and<br />
musician. You are a modern<br />
day Jill-of-All-Trades, so<br />
with all that being said<br />
let’s share more about the<br />
amazing things you do!<br />
40<br />
41
How do you balance it all, being a<br />
mother, wife, actress, role model,<br />
etc.?<br />
By the grace of God I have been able<br />
to describe myself or call myself a<br />
“superwoman”. It’s not easy, but with<br />
the help of my wonderful mother I<br />
have been able to juggle it all. She<br />
takes care of my son whenever I have<br />
to be on the road. My husband is also<br />
a quite busy person so we are both<br />
always on the road. I actually do make<br />
time for my son whenever I’m in<br />
Ghana and not on a film set. He is so<br />
much fun to be around and every time<br />
I’m away I miss him so much. I also<br />
run a boutique in Accra, so when I’m<br />
not on set filming I am taking care of<br />
my business.<br />
What’s that one thing your fans<br />
would be extremely surprised to find<br />
out about you?<br />
The one thing would be the fact that<br />
I grew up singing in the choir for over<br />
8yrs.<br />
A day in the life of Juliet includes...?<br />
Waking up in the morning to do my<br />
usual house chores, getting my son<br />
ready to drop him off to his grandmothers.<br />
I either head straight to a<br />
movie set to film or straight to my<br />
boutique in Osu. I typically go to a<br />
couple of meetings concerning my<br />
foundation, music career or my<br />
brand. After a long days work I<br />
head back home.<br />
Tell me about your charitable<br />
involvement and your foundation<br />
and what motivated you to start<br />
it?<br />
My foundation is a kidney cancer<br />
awareness organization. I had no<br />
idea how deadly kidney disease<br />
was until two of my distant aunts<br />
were diagnosed with kidney disease<br />
and currently live with the<br />
disease. One of my aunts had it<br />
because she was diabetic and the<br />
other had lupus. This made me<br />
become interested and I started<br />
doing my own research about<br />
kidneys and diseases related to<br />
the kidneys. Kidney cancer isn’t<br />
curable but preventable with<br />
common risk factors like smoking,<br />
obesity, diabetics, hypertension<br />
and so many others that are common<br />
within the African society.<br />
I thought why not educate my African<br />
brothers and sisters about such<br />
a deadly disease and help them focus<br />
on living a healthy lifestyle. The Juliet<br />
Ibrahim foundation also raises funds<br />
every now and then to help patients<br />
undergo kidney transplants as well<br />
as helping patients with the costs<br />
involved for dialysis treatments.<br />
Before the movies, travel and the<br />
lights, camera, action, what was Juliet<br />
up to?<br />
I was a model and a student at the<br />
Ghana Institute of Journalism where<br />
I studied marketing, advertising and<br />
PR. I was also running a posh beauty<br />
parlor in Osu and a modeling agency<br />
called the Dolfins Agency. I still run<br />
those businesses to date.<br />
Tell me about that exact moment you<br />
knew you were a star.<br />
I grew up watching so many celebrities<br />
in Hollywood and dreaming of<br />
being like them someday. My parents<br />
always used to buy me all the<br />
new music albums, just to keep me<br />
I grew up watching so many<br />
celebrities in Hollywood and<br />
dreaming of being like them<br />
someday<br />
updated. I was a huge Britney Spears<br />
and Celine Dion fan. I remember in<br />
the 7th grade we were told to write<br />
an essay on what we would like to<br />
be when we grow up and mine was<br />
about becoming an international<br />
model and musician. I didn’t have acting<br />
in my plans, although I acted a few<br />
times in senior high school and always<br />
been the shy type. I somehow stumbled<br />
on acting in 2004 after I won a<br />
beauty pageant and was crowned<br />
“Miss Ghana Institute of Languages”<br />
(Queen of languages). I went for the<br />
audition, got the role and the rest<br />
they say is history. However, I didn’t<br />
forget about my childhood passion<br />
though, I’m in the studio working on<br />
my album and I’ve released my first<br />
music single titled “celebrate” which<br />
features Jupita.<br />
What makes you stand out amongst<br />
all the other Nollywood and Gollywood<br />
actresses?<br />
I would say my charming personality<br />
most of all. Secondly, my unique<br />
accent which makes me standout<br />
amongst the rest. I grew up in the<br />
Ivory Coast (Cote D’ivoire) as well as<br />
Liberia and Lebanon. I went to<br />
elementary school in Lebanon for<br />
2 years, hence my accent which<br />
most don’t seem to get…lol<br />
Lastly, my unique knock knees<br />
that come with my great curvy<br />
body shape. I always like to<br />
stand out among millions of<br />
people and I love my unique<br />
features that set me apart.<br />
I read somewhere that<br />
you speak Spanish and<br />
French. True or False?<br />
Yes I do speak some Spanish<br />
but not fluently. I do speak<br />
French fluently though.<br />
Acting is clearly your art. Your<br />
good at what you do and it<br />
shows. What do you do to prepare<br />
for a new film project?<br />
After I stumbled upon acting<br />
without any form of education<br />
in the field, I had to start my<br />
own research and studies. I<br />
have been able to read and get<br />
educated via online resources<br />
and several books. What I do<br />
I learn, ask questions and try<br />
as much as I can to put myself<br />
in the person’s position.<br />
I practice and become the<br />
character...<br />
prefer most is to get my script ahead of time. Once I’ve<br />
read the script and understood my character in the movie.<br />
I t’s easy. I then begin to research and start with people<br />
around me. If I happen to know someone who has been in<br />
a similar situation, I learn, ask questions and try as much<br />
as I can to put myself in the person’s position. I practice<br />
and become the character as long as the movie is being<br />
shot. When acting, you simply have to remember you are<br />
no longer “Juliet Ibrahim” but the character you’re playing.<br />
Young women look up to you, admire you and want to<br />
pursue acting, just like you. What advise do you have for<br />
that girl who doesn’t know where to start and wants to<br />
become an actress?<br />
If she has the talent and believes it’s her destiny she should<br />
go for it. I would say to attend auditions and don’t wait for<br />
the easy way out. No one can make you a star. In Gods<br />
own time, your determination and talent will make you<br />
the star you are destined to be.<br />
I was never discouraged when I started acting because<br />
after I did my first few movies I wasn’t getting movie calls<br />
for over a year until I left the Ghana film industry and<br />
headed over to Nollywood side where I was accepted and<br />
became star. After I blew in Nollywood, the same Ghanaian<br />
producers started calling me for jobs. Our destiny lies<br />
in our own hands and we lead your own path.<br />
Do you regret any of the many film roles you’ve done in<br />
the past?<br />
No. I am an actress therefore versatility is a part of my<br />
career.<br />
Are there things Juliet will not do or say on film?<br />
I am not quite sure as to what I wouldn’t say but I won’t<br />
go completely nude in a movie.<br />
You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the business.<br />
If you had the opportunity to choose your co-star for<br />
a big budget comedy film, who would it be and why?<br />
I would choose two. Tyler Perry for a Hollywood co-star<br />
and for a Nollywood film actor I would choose Pete Edochie.<br />
I love Tyler Perry movies and having him as a part of<br />
my production I’m certain he would make it a wonderful<br />
movie. Pete Edochie is an awesome actor and I have plans<br />
of working with him.<br />
What was your absolute favorite city to film in?<br />
Haven’t visited my favorite city to film yet. That’s Las<br />
Vegas!<br />
30+ films and<br />
counting! What’s<br />
next for Juliet?<br />
Any new projects<br />
in the works?<br />
I just completed<br />
my personal movie<br />
production called<br />
“The Number<br />
One Fan”. Since<br />
2008 I have had<br />
several scripts and<br />
I’ve been wanting<br />
to shoot my<br />
personal movie<br />
but motherhood<br />
called. This year<br />
I have fulfilled my<br />
dreams and if all<br />
goes well I intend<br />
to bring a change<br />
to our movie industry.<br />
I also encourage movie investors because together<br />
we can change the industry and get better quality movies<br />
out there. I’m also working on my reality tv show and my<br />
music album. I have a couple of charity events coming up<br />
as well for the Juliet Ibrahim Foundation.<br />
Juliet it’s been more than fun getting to know you through<br />
research. What a pleasure! We here at <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
Africa appreciate your time and wish you nothing but<br />
continued success!<br />
42<br />
43
lifestyle<br />
h o ro s co p e s<br />
House of Starres<br />
Courtesy of www.sisterscorpio.com<br />
Aries<br />
March 21<br />
- April 19<br />
With all of the<br />
adventure and drama of Mercury<br />
throwing it in reverse last month,<br />
the engines are now back online<br />
and moving forward. Entrepreneur<br />
is your middle name with<br />
Uranus going retrograde. This is<br />
the time to use your fire and get<br />
things going to invent new ways to<br />
clean up the mayhem at home and<br />
before the kids go back to school<br />
or to start a new hobby to keep<br />
you busy in the winter months<br />
ahead.<br />
Taurus<br />
April 20<br />
- May 20<br />
Your patience has<br />
paid off and this<br />
intense drama-coaster is coming<br />
to a close with you and your lover,<br />
as things seem to come to a more<br />
secure and solid place. If you’re<br />
not with anyone at the moment,<br />
this is a good time to enjoy and<br />
perhaps try a new luxury in the<br />
home; you deserve it, as Jupiter<br />
has entered Cancer the House of<br />
the Home.<br />
Gemini<br />
May 21 -<br />
June 20<br />
Even though<br />
Jupiter has left<br />
Gemini for Cancer amid your<br />
ruling planet of Mercury going<br />
retrograde last month; Remember,<br />
it’s never too late to start that new<br />
venture. Now is the perfect time<br />
to lay down the groundwork to<br />
prepare, as it’s the perfect time to<br />
put your thoughts into actions.<br />
Cancer<br />
June 21 -<br />
July 22<br />
Keep those creative<br />
juices flowing in<br />
August, any doubts<br />
that you’ve been feeling about<br />
security are about to be made<br />
known if they haven’t already.<br />
Now time to start nesting or<br />
even redecorating your home and<br />
getting ready for fall décor in September.<br />
You’re ready and able to<br />
shop with the rest of them. So hit<br />
up those fall sales and make your<br />
home yours.<br />
Leo<br />
July 23<br />
- Aug 22<br />
As the Sun leaves<br />
you for Virgo on the<br />
22nd, know that what you accomplished<br />
in July will not go<br />
unnoticed. More work is coming<br />
your way as you’ve become<br />
known as “indispensable”.<br />
With this strong foothold and<br />
your will of iron, things are<br />
about to smooth out and give<br />
way to a much more steady<br />
month for you ahead.<br />
Virgo<br />
Aug 23 -<br />
Sept 22<br />
All that hard work<br />
of being the peace<br />
keeper or putting up with people<br />
and making up for other’s downfalls<br />
is paying off this month, as<br />
things smooth out and the dust<br />
settles. All that needs to be done is<br />
to sweep it out the back door. It’s<br />
hard not to analyze but it’s ok to<br />
relax. Perhaps take a mini vacation<br />
with the family or friends.<br />
Libra<br />
Sept 23 -<br />
Oct 22<br />
All’s fair in love and<br />
war. Priorities are at<br />
the forefront of your mind as it’s<br />
just been crazy for you lately with<br />
all this hot air around. Remember<br />
that everything begins within the<br />
home. If someone else’s home is in<br />
disarray it doesn’t mean that yours<br />
has to be for their benefit. Let<br />
others sort out their own imbalances.<br />
Let yourself indulge a little,<br />
a new candle for the table or even<br />
a splash of fall color.<br />
Scorpio<br />
Oct 23 -<br />
Nov 21<br />
There’s a lot going<br />
on underneath as<br />
we dig deep into<br />
what’s happening, leaving no stone<br />
left unturned. With the sun now<br />
in Virgo, we transform into the<br />
well-oiled machine that you’ve<br />
been preparing for. You are now<br />
at a point where you are ready to<br />
make a subtle but powerful move.<br />
Stop hesitating, just dip your foot<br />
in the water and keep walking till<br />
you swim.<br />
Sagittarius<br />
Nov 22 -<br />
Dec 21<br />
All the things<br />
you’ve seen, realized and philosophized<br />
about last month is going<br />
to become a big deal for you as<br />
Jupiter just went into Cancer last<br />
month. Let yourself be extroverted<br />
about that job position you’ve<br />
had your eye on, without being<br />
too cocky about it. In the months<br />
to come your boss will start<br />
watching to see if you’re what<br />
they need. If you were thinking<br />
about working from home, try it<br />
part time and watch as you transition<br />
to full time over the upcoming<br />
months.<br />
Capricorn<br />
Dec 22 -<br />
Jan 19<br />
When it comes<br />
to getting the job<br />
done, you’re the most dependable<br />
leader of them all as it’s important<br />
to understand you know who or<br />
what to use to get the job done<br />
right. If you’re looking to start a<br />
new hobby or business adventure,<br />
this is your lucky month as nobody<br />
can resist your ruling planet of<br />
Saturn in Scorpio.<br />
Aquarius<br />
Feb 19 -<br />
Mar 20<br />
What an intense<br />
rollercoaster last month! In comparison,<br />
this month of August is all<br />
about making repairs in friendships/relationships<br />
or simply cutting<br />
them off. You know what you<br />
need to do and you have the tools<br />
to do it. Change in life is what’s<br />
needed to progress and make ideas<br />
come to life.<br />
Pisces Feb<br />
19 - Mar 20<br />
Being able to go<br />
with the flow this<br />
August is exactly<br />
what you’ll be<br />
able to do. Your<br />
compassion and creative spiritual<br />
nature will shine and people will<br />
notice how you handle what life<br />
might throw at you. Let yourself<br />
relax and your imagination create<br />
more of the positive. This is a good<br />
time for you to start writing that<br />
novel or to take up painting and let<br />
your world inspire you. Someone<br />
might be looking for your masterpiece<br />
at the or on gallery or on<br />
amazon.<br />
44<br />
45
sports<br />
entertainment<br />
All Haile Gebreselassie<br />
Ma jid Michel<br />
Accomplished, Celebrated and Host of the<br />
African <strong>Entertainment</strong> Awards<br />
In a time when athletes are paid ridiculous sums for their work, it is not unusual<br />
to hear about an athlete spending money lavishly; buying expensive houses and<br />
cars, amassing collections the same way us plebeians would collect stamps.<br />
That’s why it’s always refreshing and I think progressive when an athlete takes the<br />
time and effort to create or support a charity that is dear to them. The case becomes<br />
even more inspiring when it’s African athlete, Haile Gebrselassie because it<br />
is a well known fact that Africa produces some of the world’s top athletes but also<br />
we know the continent has a lot of socio-economic issues that need to be dealt<br />
with. Hence, the fact that he giving back to his community, country and continent<br />
is something to be celebrated.<br />
Haile’s long-distance running career spans over 20 years and through it all the man<br />
has won two Olympic gold medals, four World Championship gold medals, numerous<br />
awards<br />
and has set many<br />
records as proof ...his passion for running, of his outstanding<br />
athleticism. In<br />
his love for giving and raising<br />
awareness for his chosen<br />
2010, he dropped<br />
out of the annual<br />
New York City<br />
Marathon due to<br />
an inflamed knee<br />
and announced charity are close to his heart his retirement but<br />
he soon changed<br />
his mind because<br />
for someone like Haile, his passion for running, his love for giving and raising awareness<br />
for his chosen charity are close to his heart. Even though the 40 year old has<br />
been all over the world competing, he has not forgotten his roots and is currently a<br />
marathon partner with the Entoto Foundation, a foundation dedicated to helping Ethiopians gain<br />
access to medical care and treatment.<br />
Haile has pledged to raise $200,000US and plans to do so by having a Tour, a ½ and 5k run all in<br />
one weekend, October 18 to October 20. The tour will give people the chance to explore Ethiopia<br />
and learn more about its culture and history, showing that Haile also cares about showing off<br />
his country in the best light. Both the half marathon and 5k races will occur on October 20. The<br />
race weekend planned promises to be exciting with a kids’ race, a cultural expo and group runs<br />
slated among other events. Haile and his team through this race weekend show us that when<br />
something is very important to you, you go the extra mile and put in the extra effort. I applaud<br />
Haile Gebrselassie for his work and I hope that his efforts will inspire others, not just athletes, to<br />
give their very best to whatever endeavors they have.<br />
Majid Michel hosts the 3rd Annual African <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
Awards at the Mississauga, On Living<br />
Arts Centre on August 31st alongside budding<br />
Nigerian actress Tracey Obonna. Excitement and<br />
anticipation surrounds his hosting gig and the fans wait<br />
patiently to see what he has up his sleeve on the night!<br />
<strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa Magazine celebrates and recognizes<br />
the many accomplishments made by Ghanaian<br />
actor Majid Michel. The A-list mega movie star has left<br />
an imprint in our African film/entertainment industry<br />
and never leaves us hanging with a less than spectacular<br />
performance on the big screen. Majid is the real deal.<br />
His on screen roles and filmography boast over 40 films<br />
and counting. We love to watch his versatility, charm<br />
and truly convincing characters.<br />
Majid has come a long way as a British trained actor;<br />
starting as a model, then a Ghana radio show series<br />
turned television show actor in Things We Do For Love<br />
and then moves to a breakout star in the 2004 release of<br />
his first movie, Divine Love. After his humble and hard<br />
working beginnings, it finally gave him a big return. Majid<br />
worked hard, stayed true to himself and the rest is history.<br />
Starring in movies like “Shakira”, “The Beast” and “Sin<br />
Of The Soul” all prove that Majid is a powerhouse actor<br />
who clearly knows what he’s doing. He loves to act, that’s<br />
clear. His natural ability to tug at our hearts, come into<br />
our homes and make us all laugh is something special.<br />
From the entire <strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa Magazine writers/<br />
team we congratulate Majid Michel on his decade plus<br />
service, dedication and powerful moments in film. We<br />
wish him continued success in the many years to come.<br />
Q: Your acting career has taken<br />
you far and wide. What’s<br />
your favorite Majid the “actor”<br />
moment or memory?<br />
A: I guess that would be in<br />
some of my earlier roles.<br />
Especially “Crime to Christ”<br />
and “Agony of Christ”<br />
Q: What’s your favorite thing<br />
about being an African actor?<br />
A: Well, for an actor who<br />
happens to be African,<br />
I would say it’s being an<br />
interesting and exciting ride.<br />
That’s because our industry<br />
is continuously evolving and<br />
I’m in the middle of it. The<br />
experience of challenging<br />
myself as an actor, witnessing<br />
directors, producers and<br />
writers strive to diligently do<br />
and give their best is definitely<br />
spectacular!<br />
Q: Tell us about your<br />
current projects?<br />
A. I just finished filming in<br />
Nigeria for Imem Isong but<br />
l have in development, my<br />
own film project and also taking<br />
time to organize the Majid<br />
Michel Foundation and doing<br />
a facelift to my website.<br />
Q: What was your first reaction<br />
when asked to be host of<br />
the 2013 African <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
Awards in Canada?<br />
A: Surprised of course and I<br />
hesitated – started thinking<br />
of fans booing me off stage<br />
lol, but I’ve been to Canada<br />
twice and the fans are lovely,<br />
very warm, and I’ve always<br />
enjoyed myself. So although<br />
am not a host, I look forward<br />
to giving it my best shot.<br />
Q: As host of the 3rd annual<br />
African <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
Awards in Canada this<br />
month, what can the attendees<br />
expect from you?<br />
A: Nothing – just kidding<br />
…..hmmm – they should just<br />
come out, expecting to have<br />
fun – they get to see Majid<br />
Michel in a different element<br />
– when not acting – Scary!<br />
Q: Do you get the chance to<br />
host a lot of ceremonies and<br />
award shows?<br />
A: I get asked a lot and usually<br />
I don’t or sometimes<br />
because of schedule conflicts,<br />
but I’m warming up to the<br />
idea - very slowly though, I<br />
think it’s difficult than acting<br />
or maybe it’s still acting I’m<br />
not too sure yet.<br />
Q: Your special message to<br />
the <strong>Entertainment</strong> Africa<br />
Magazine readers would<br />
be…?<br />
A: “If you Change nothing in<br />
your life, nothing will change!<br />
When you come to the end<br />
of all the light you know, and<br />
it’s time to step into the darkness<br />
of the unknown, faith<br />
is knowing that one of two<br />
things shall happen: Either<br />
you will be given something<br />
solid to stand on or you will<br />
be taught to fly.” Come out<br />
and enjoy yourselves, your<br />
support continues to take our<br />
industry to the next level!!<br />
46 47
African <strong>Entertainment</strong> Awards<br />
Check out the photos from last years second annual African <strong>Entertainment</strong> Awards in 2012.<br />
The awards show is the premiere African <strong>Entertainment</strong><br />
Awards event in Canada, celebrating and honouring<br />
the African cultural arts and entertainment.<br />
The event brings out the best in African entertainment,<br />
with international celebrities, entertainers, dignitaries,<br />
live performances and an awards ceremony.<br />
48 49
community<br />
In Loving Memory<br />
Musicians We Remember<br />
www.dreamfundholdings.com<br />
www.dreammakerrealty.ca<br />
www.dreamfundholdings.com<br />
UNIQUE VERTICAL INTEGRATION IN<br />
REAL ESTATE & WEALTH MANAGEMENT<br />
l Brokerage<br />
l Fund Management<br />
l Education<br />
l Property Management<br />
l Development<br />
l Financing<br />
Over half a billion dollars in real estate investments<br />
done and over 20 years of collective experience<br />
Dream Big and<br />
leave the rest to us!<br />
Fatai Rolling Dollar<br />
July 1927 - June 2013<br />
Bi Kidude 1910<br />
April 2013<br />
1. Buying and selling residential or commercial<br />
2. Building over a $1 million net investment portfolio<br />
3. Financial literacy in homes, schools, churches and at work<br />
4. Career opportunities available<br />
Isaac Sr. Olowolafe, Owner<br />
Isaac 50 Jr. Olowolafe, President & CEO<br />
Tel: 905-55-DREAM<br />
Tel: 416-725-1053<br />
E-mail: isaac@dreammakerrealty.ca<br />
Chiwoniso Mareire<br />
March 1976 - July 2013<br />
Goldie Harvey<br />
October 1983 - February 2013<br />
51