Discovering Prophets Of Da City
An interview with hip hop scholar, Adam Haupt, about hip hop pioneers P.O.C., the viral rappers Die Antwoord and the state of contemporary South African hip-hop.
Culture
A review Dak’art 2014 (II)
Halfway through my visit to the International Exhibition of this year’s ambitious edition of Dak’art: the 11th Biennale of Contemporary African Art, a tray of fragrant Thieboudienne, the classic Senegalese dish, was brought out into the courtyard of the Village de la Biennale, located in former television studios on the busy Route de Rufisque in […]
Why we made a film about images that cast Africans only as victims
Americans need recognize if they want to do good in Africa they need to partner with Africans or work in the US on policies that impact negatively Africans.
A Bronx Story: Ghana vs USA
The fate of World Cup draws has fostered an unlikely rivalry between Ghana and the United States.
How was Africa?
An American graduate student consciously attempts to preempt some of the problematic and ignorant queries from relatives back home.
Trouble in the Village
Dak'Art is the only art contemporary biennale of its scope with a mandate to include all artists of African descent.
The Rules of South African Hip Hop in 2014
South African hip-hop has become too safe. Cutting edge rappers are being sidelined in favour of tried-and-tested mainstays – creating a cycle of regurgitated talent that receives preferential treatment by radio stations, booking agents, and sponsors. Doubtless, the artists in the spotlight have dedicated endless hours to their craft, and the fact that their work is […]
Boima’s Rio World Cup Diary: Copa pra Quem? (Day 4)
One of the popular phrases that came out of the protests in the run up to the Cup was, “Copa pra quem”? On the third and fourth days of the Cup, I’ve been darting around to different neighborhoods in Rio during the matches — from favelas to wealthy beach front neighborhoods, and from street corner […]
Boima’s Rio World Cup Diary: Protests and Fan Fests (Day 2)
I haven’t been on social media yet, and I’m sure everyone’s already talking about this, but how fitting is it that the first goal of the tournament is an own goal by Brazil? I mean four goals scored by Brazil, one for the other team, perfectly illustrates Brazilian feelings about the build up to this […]
Boima’s Rio World Cup Diary: A tale of two copas (Day 1)
World Cup Day 1 — The sun is out in Rio for the first time in days. It’s a national holiday. Anticipation in the air. I’m woken up to the sound of horns. My first Brazilian national home game of significance is today… but perhaps this one is bigger than many. This is because there […]
The Brilliance of Children, The Duty of Citizens
Part 4 in a series of four posts by Ed Pavlic to commemorate what would have been James Baldwin's 90th year.
An African team in the World Cup semi-finals?
African champions, Nigeria, go into the 2014 World Cup with the best chance of making a big impression.
Africans in South Asia
The long histories of Africans in South Asia, including the case of Africans arriving as slaves in India and whose descendants are still in India and Pakistan.
The State Of African Hip Hop In 2014
In 2014, African hip-hop has graduated from the bedroom and walked into the boardroom. It’s left its cape (baggy jeans) at the door and picked up a pair of tight-fitting pants. In extreme cases, hip-hop has shed the ‘urban’ look completely and chosen shiny suits; it’s lost its assumed roots in the underground and allowed […]
Review: The Square by Jehane Noujaim
The 16th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival opened on Wednesday with The Square, Jehane Noujaim’s documentary about the Egyptian Revolution. The film (available in the US on Netflix) holds the title of being the first Egyptian film to be nominated for an Academy Award. It is a filmic triumph and an apt portrayal of […]
The African presence in Western Art
Interview with curators Sylviane Diouf (Schomburg Center) and Joaneath Spicer (Walters Art Museum) about the African presence in Western and Asian art.
Louis Henderson’s delicate journey through a real and virtual contemporary Ghana
Lettres du Voyant is a 40 minutes film made by Louis Henderson, a British filmmaker and artist. I met him during a dinner at Berlinale Talents last January, we had a fast chit-chat and after a couple of months I realise that he has done one of the most interesting film and document about Sakawa: […]
Black Style in an Age of Sight for the Speechless
The third in a series of four posts to commemorate 90 years since James Baldwin's birth.
South African Hip Hop–An Outsider’s Perspective
One evening while channel surfing at home, I stumbled upon what sounded like a rap cypher* on the radio. Quickly, I got up to look for an empty cassette tape nearby. Once I found one (a see-through Sonotech C-60 if memory serves right), hurriedly inserted it into the tape deck, and pressed the record button. That moment marked my […]
Adam Sandler’s “Africa”
It's unfunny and borderline offensive. But Late night TV talk shows can't get enough of it.