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interview
Legendary Soul Singer Omar
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Photo Source: Web
Omar Christopher Lye-Fook, known professionally as Omar, is an internationally acclaimed and exceptional soul singer, songwriter and musician, who has been praised by the likes of Maxwell, Erykah Badu and Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder actually wrote him a song which they recorded together as a duet 15 years later.
Omar was born on 14th October 1968 in London. His father, Byron Lye-Fook was a studio musician and drummer who worked with reggae legends Bob Marley and Horace Andy, as well as the Rolling Stones. At age five, Omar was already learning how to play the drums. During his school years, he completed formal training in piano, trumpet/coronet, and other percussion instruments. He also spent two years at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, and the Guildhall School of Music in London. Recording for his father's Kongo label, Omar debuted in 1985 with the single "Mr. Postman" at age 16. He shot to fame in 1991 with his single "There’s Nothing Like This". It reached number 14 in the UK Singles Chart.
In the 1990s, He recorded the albums There's Nothig Like This, Music, For Pleasure and This is Not a Love Song in and towards the end of that decade moved on to major-label RCA. When he parted ways with the label, Omar constructed his own studio and established the record label Blunt Music. He released Sing (If you want it) in 2006. Omar received the Best Neo-soul Act and Outstanding Achievement Awards at the Urban Music Awards, which acknowledges urban music artists around the globe. He was also appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2012. The next year, he released The Man and in 2017 Love In Beats on the Freestyle label, which took three years to make with the collaboration of his baby brother, known professionaly as Scratch Professor (aka Roland). Roland is a Grammy Winning producer, remixer and DJ.
Omar's voice is extra soulful and distinctive although he hated the sound of his voice when he first started performing. He is now described by some as the father of British Neo soul. However, Omar knows no musical boundaries.His influences are wide and varied, including ragga, hip-hop, funk, jazz-pop, rock, and Latin/Caribbean music.
More recently, before the pandemic, Omar was awarded the Music Honour at the Black Magic Awards 2019 at the Criterion Theatre in the heart of London.
Watch his interview and his word of advice for upcoming artists.
Beverley Knight - Powerful and Beautiful
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In this edition of 'Black Legacy', we will be presenting the charming and powerful singer, Beverley Knight.
Beverley Knight is an English recording artist and musical theatre actress who released her first album The B-Funk in 1995. Heavily influenced by American soul music icons such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Beverley Knight has released eight studio albums. Widely labelled as one of Britain's greatest soul singers, she is best known for her hit singles "Greatest Day", "Get Up", "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" and "Come as You Are".
After more than a decade in the music industry, she was appointed a MBE in 2006 in recognition of her contribution to British music. In September 2005, Knight was made an honorary Doctor of Music by the University of Wolverhampton. After receiving a host of awards, including three MOBO Awards Beverley Knight was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 at the Urban Music Award in London. Beverley Knight supported Prince during his residency at the O2 Arena and also performed at the concert after parties. As a result of this, she was flown to perform at his Oscars party in front of A-list stars and received a standing ovation from stars such as Quincy Jones.
In 2019, Knight celebrated 25 years in music with the release of the live album BK25.
Click on the video below to see Beverley Knight's interview by our cultural mediator Caro Sika at the Black Magic Awards Ceremony in London at the Criterion Theatre, as she received her Music Honour.
Une reine africaine des temps modernes
Cette semaine, dans la rubrique 'Patrimoine Culturel', découvrez la Reine Diambi Kabatusuila Muata Tshiyoyo de la République démocratique du Congo.
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La reine Diambi est notamment titulaire d’un doctorat en administration publique, d’un doctorat Honoris Causa de philosophie en sciences humaines, d’un poste de professeur en droit international et de l’ordre et d’une maîtrise en psychologie appliquée.
Queen Diambi oeuvre notamment pour la renaissance culturelle de l'Afrique.
Cliquez pour visionner son interview avec notre médiatrice culturelle Caro Sika à Africa Fashion Week London.
Retrouvez également Queen Diambi en images pour le plaisir des enfants. Le cahier d'activité ci-dessous a été conçu par Black History Activity Books.
(Ce livre n'est disponible qu'en version anglaise).
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Queen Diambi Activity Book - LA MARKETPLACE LOBBYNOIR
Her Royal Highness Queen Diambi is the female King and traditional ruler of the Bakwa Luntu. The Bakwa Luntu is part of a very ancient people called the Luba.
https://marketplacelobbynoir.com/produit/queen-diambi-activity-book/
Boubacar Kafando and Zaama Nooma at Hootananny, Brixton
Boubacar Kafando interviewed by Caro Sika
Boubacar Kafando and members of the Zaama Nooma Band
The actual band came together in 2010. The meaning of the band's name is "united we are stronger" in the Mossi Language, which is the dominant language of Burkina Faso, which counts approximately 70 languages and makes it a multicultural country, as many African nations. Boubacar Kafando and the band's love for people and unity really translate in their love for music; and the expression of their music is to call people to leave in harmony and love each other. They equally address the need for social justice and inequalities or injustice they see around them. It naturally makes perfect sense that the latest album of Boubacar Kafando, released in 2016, is called "faut pas se diviser", we must not be divided.
For more info about Zaama Nooma, Afrobeat band, check the link below:
Caro Sika and the Zaama Nooma Band, Hootananny
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Boubacar Kafando & Zaama Nooma Band | Biographie | boubacarkafando
Boubacar KAFANDO, virtuose du N'goni et de la Kora, artiste compositeur interprète et leader du groupe Zaama Nooma Band...
Their musical project is, however, far beyond the music industry alone. Zaama Nooma is also the name of the charitable organisation Boubacar Kafando founded in 2007 with the aim to pass on the musical heritage of Burkina Faso and sub-Saharan Africa to the youth. It accomplishes its goal through different actions such as musical workshops (Djembe, Kora), concerts, educational activities such as the repair and manufacture of instruments and research and preservation of endangered instruments. A cultural centre "le centre culturel Zounoogo" also opened its doors in 2009 in the town of Saponé, Burkina Faso.
For more info, https://www.boubacarkafando.com/association-zaama-nooma
It is evident that Boubacar's passion and commitment for music is integral, touring throughout the world and raising funds for the work of his charity and he is actively working at promoting the band so that they can comfortably make a living from the art and their craft. That is one of the reason Boubacar Kafando loves performing in London which he considers to be a multicultural city, very open to African Culture and music.
For my part, I have loved seeing Boubacar Kafando and the Zaama Nooma band perform. I loved the energy, the fusion of rock and the traditional rhythmic of the Kora and other traditional instruments.
For Boubacar Kafando's and the Zaama Nooma's Band next concerts, find all the dates on https://www.boubacarkafando.com/
Photo Credit: Giuliano Eboulia
It is evident that Boubacar's passion and commitment for music is integral, touring throughout the world and raising funds for the work of his charity and he is actively working at promoting the band so that they can comfortably make a living from the art and their craft. That is one of the reason Boubacar Kafando loves performing in London which he considers to be a multicultural city, very open to African Culture and music.
For my part, I have loved seeing Boubacar Kafando and the Zaama Nooma band perform. I loved the energy, the fusion of rock and the traditional rhythmic of the Kora and other traditional instruments.
For Boubacar Kafando's and the Zaama Nooma's Band next concerts, find all the dates on https://www.boubacarkafando.com/
Phenomenal Richard Bona at the Jazz Cafe London, Tour 2018
Photo Credit: Giuliano Eboulia
What a fabulous experience seeing and listening to Richard Bona and his Live Band’s performance in the intimacy of the iconic London Jazz Cafe this week and no we didn’t want it stop although he tried hard (for almost 30mns passed his set time) to put us to sleep in the most creative way ever….
Photo Credit: Giuliano Eboulia
Richard Bona is just an incredible and charismatic being, a substantial artist and a huge musical reference in « mankind » register. Not only is his voice smooth, surreal and unique, his music ecclectic and sophisticated, he just connects with any « nation and tribe » on earth !!! We all shared in this remarkable moment of musical genius as Richard connected with the audience representing different countries and started speaking and singing in Italian, « Hungarian », Hindi or Marathi perhaps as he referred to his fans in Mumbai, to name just a few, and even Japanese !!! Yes, while holding a professorship of Jazz music at New York University, Richard Bona spent 4 years learning Japanese (for free !!! as he boasted on stage). We all laughed at his facial expressions as he recalled the astonishement of Japanese tourists on NY tube as he directed them in their native language….. A black man speaking ……………. !!! Anyhow you got it !!!
Photo Credit: Giuliano Eboulia
And the songs he performed that night are just a display of his artistic prowess !! such as Kalabancoro released in 2003 with great groove and tunes, keys and brilliant shifts in sound perspective ; New Bell released in 1999 which alternates between African polyrhythms and bits of jazzy swing, it also encapsulates the depth of the artist as he tells the story, in his native Cameroonian language Douala, of a man falsely imprisoned for 15 years in the Cameroonian prison called New Bell. It has to be said, Richard Bona’s grandfather was a ‘griot’ (West African StoryTeller to keep it simple).
Richard also performed the song « Please don’t stop » birthed from his collaboration with John Legend released in 2005 on his fourth solo album Tiki, which was nominated for Best Contemporary World Music Album at the 49th Grammy Awards, as well as the song Muntula Moto from his latest album Heritage that he released in 2016 under Quincy Jones’ Qwest Label. The title of the song actually means « the benediction of a long life » which talks of the wisdom of old age.
It was a delightful moment !! The cultural and artistic contribution of a great Son of Africa to music and mankind. Sticking to his roots and yet transcending them to a universal musical expression !! Our legacy !!
Thank you Richard Bona and to you all, make sure to check out when this amazing artist comes to your hometown.
See tour dates and locations below, more to come in 2019 !!
Richard Bona and his Live Band at the Jazz Cafe London Tour 2018 - Photo Credit: Giulano Eboulia
Richard Bona Tour 2018
Meet Elsa interviewing kidpreneurs Kemi and Kiisha, CEOs of KishemWorld
Elsa, AfrocultureKidz and Kemi and Kiisha, Kishem
Check out Elsa's interview with girlskidpreneurs Kemi and Kiisha, owner of Kishem brand. Suscribe to our tube channel AfroCultureKidz to see our next videos.
For more info on Kishem and Afroculturekidz, see links below:
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Meet Omari McQueen, 10 year old CEO of Dipalicious
Omari McQueen, 10 year old CEO of Dipalicious
Budding business mogul Omari McQueen is set to impress foodies with his new vegan dip business, Dipalicious. At just ten years old, Omari is already the proud owner not only of his own food company, but a YouTube channel, 'The Mari Maker Show', where he enthuses about homemade vegan dishes and shows fans at home how to recreate them in style.
As one of six children, he learned how to cook very quickly from watching his mum and dad prepare large meals daily, and it wasn't long before he was rustling up his own culinary creations for family and friends, inspired by his Jamaican background and his love of great flavours! While making a vegan pizza, Omari decided to create a dip to accompany it – and the idea for Dipalicious was born.
Overcoming his natural shyness whena he's in the kitchen, Omari has always loved to cook, and creates all the dips he sells himself, before sharing them with the world via the Dipalicious website. As well as being tasty and nutritious, each dip is also 100% vegan approved, ensuring a healthy and ethical way to eat, all while supporting a new business venture from one of the UK's brightest young entrepreneurial talents.
The brand officially launched in 2017 when Omari was only eight, and the delicious flavours on offer currently include Caribbean Kick, Sweet Tooth and Coco Curry– each winning glowing reviews. Dipalicious is going from strength to strength as Omari experiments with new flavours to create vegan dips sure to suit even the most discerning palette.
"I want to create food which everyone can enjoy," says Omari. "That's what great food is all about, to me – it's a way to bring people closer together, and that's what I hope to do with Dipalicious."
When he's not building his brand, Omari enjoys spending time at home with his family and loves to dance along to his musical hero Michael Jackson.
Find out more about the brand and try the dips for yourself at the official website www.dipalicious.co.uk - Instagram @dipaliciousdips - twitter@omarimcqueen - Facebook @dipalicious
At Dipalicious we sell a range of Vegan dips with the aim to provide healthy snack food to everyone no matter their dietary needs.
Omari McQueen, 10 year old CEO of Dipalicious
AFWL AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON 2018
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Graphik Vision | Portofolio - London Africa Fashion Week 2018
© O. Giuliano Eboulia
https://graphikvision.myportfolio.com/london-africa-fashion-week-2018
AFWL 2018 Catwalk Pics by
Representing Afro Culture at AFWL London 2018 on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th August 2018 at Freemason's Hall was a real treat. Afro Culture's mission is to showcase and connect diasporic talents and this Fashion Show is all about promoting African and African-inspired design talent. Since its launch in 2011, AFWL has already showcased over 800 emerging designers and exhibitors from all over Africa, Europe and the Americas.
We partnered with Graphik Vision to capture the feel of the day, as well as amazing designs and concepts ( See above youtube link).
I particularly enjoyed seeing some African Royals, such as Queen Diambi Kabatusuila Tshiyoyo Muata of Kasai Kingdom of Democratic Republic of Congo, participating and contributing to the event.
We love to see proud Africans boosting their economy and talents.
See picture below and link for more info on AFWL.
Queen Diambi Kabatusuila Tshiyoyo Muata in the middle wearing her royal diadem
About AFWL
Founded in 2011 by Ronke Ademiluyi, Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) is Europe's largest fashion event promoting and nurturing African and African-inspired design talent.
With a collaborative catwalk, exhibition and business development program, AFWL has led the way in highlighting Africa’s emerging designers and apparel industry and has been at the forefront of bringing awareness of Africa’s burgeoning fashion industry to the international market.
Since 2011, AFWL has hosted 8 catwalk events and contributed expertise to at least 10 more events produced by 3rd parties such as The Mayor of London’s Black History Month celebrations.
We have also showcased over 800 emerging designers & exhibitors, from Africa, Europe and America, to almost 70,000 visitors including buyers, retailers, influential industry professionals, and the media and is now a highlight on the annual fashion calendar.
Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, founder and CEO of Africa Fashion Week London
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AFWL, the leading African fashion event across the globe is back for the season 8! Experience the catwalk shows, meet industry experts and shop from never seen before collections.
Caro Sika at AFWL LONDON 2018
