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<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


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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 />

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“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 />

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• 0% Down payment<br />

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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 />

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51

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