Wednesday, January 31, 2007

MY INTERVIEW W/KAYSHA



























Sometimes you have 2 take chances in life and this was def' 1..Just like you I saw Kaysha in all those videos, said the usual "kaysha on dit quoi" ...u know . And I was like , why don't I just go the source itself, since I am writting about him, why don't I go ask him questions that I would like to find answers to ....

Gracefully he accepted, neanmoins when he saw my list of questions , his answer started by :
"Daaaaaaaaamn!!!!! one million questions yo"

*Side Joke Kaysha, maybe this could be the title of your next song, of course I'll wait for my royalites...lol
Anywhoo people let's go:

1/First of all how did you come up with the name Kaysha?
It just came up one day at school, out of nowhere. Not even to perform, but just writting my name on walls as I was really into the hip hop culture, not just performing but also grafitti, dancing, tagging (on school tables only lol), turntabilism, rap, zulu nation, etc...

2/Where does your personal confidence come from?
On stage from one show to another. On my first shows, I was really shy, afraid that people wouldn't like me. I would never speak between tracks. Today, sometimes I speak more than I sing lol...

-You know I find it easy for people when they are a pretty high level of success, to LOVE but also IGNORE their public, but 1 thing about u is that you seem to understand that u can't ingore the people who MADE or MAKE you in this business..where did you get this humility (if there's such a word ...lol)?

I think it's in the education. My parents taught me to always respect your elders. Homeless, poor or rich, we always were raised respecting the people that were working for us at home. When my father worked as an Ambassador in France, I never looked at our driver as a servant but more like a big brother I could ask an advice and laugh with on the way to school in the morning...When I did a bad thing, the maid would beat me up with the approbation of the parents. I've grown a spoiled kid but my mother always taught me to give my toys to my poorer cousins when I was young...

- How do you define yourself as an African man?
I don't know. Africa is so full of differences... I wouldn't know the exact definition of an African.

What I can say is that I was born in Zaire and 75% of my blood is African blood. After that, some caucasian guys that live and work in Africa are so much more African than me...
I live in Europe and I'm so worldwide "chinese" in my mind that I'd define myself as a poduct of a "cultural metissage".

-How do you define yourself as an African man living in the Western world?

I've lived in Africa, South America, the West Indies, America, Europe. I'm just not trying to fit in, I do my thing the way I envision it, that's it. It's not the place where I dwell that defines me..

-Whats your relationship w/your home country, do u visit often?
I used to, but the 10 years of war took me away and I just discovered the rest of Africa these past ten years. I went back only once since then, but I'm about to come back more often now. But I like to see Africa as one huge country, so I go home up 8 to 9 times a year...

- If you were asked the hottest spots in congo what would it be ?

The mighty Grand Hotel with it's night club: l'Atmosphere, I used to perform there when I was 16. That's where I stay when I go home. Then the stadium, because my father built it. And Mbinza becuase that's where I was raised...

-What are the keys to success to you?

Hard work, believing, dedication, faithfulness, respect, and patience Oh, some talent might help you too... lol!

-Do you feel that being from African descant you encounter a lot of challenges in your career?

You will encounter challenges wherever you come from. I recieved more challenges because of my anticonformism more than my Africanism. People love to put people in categories, congolese doing rhumba and arabs doing Rai. When you just break those simple rules, you start having problems...

- Silly question..but do you have an entourage..a possee...do you have an assistant?
Assistant no. Crew, family yes, Anofela, Top One, Elizio, Provi, Kiff, etc... I have teamates and we all evolve around each other . Come try to beat me and watch what happens lol...

-How does your family react to your succeess?
With pride I guess. But at home I am a brother, a son, a father, that's it... It's something necessary anyway, or your head would just blow up. If my cousins acted as groupies, I would be shocked cause I've known them since birth..

-Did you know that 1 day , you woul be famous?

Not really, but I had hints

-What are you side business huttles?

Sushiraw clothing, sushiraw films, smoking beez design, digital paintings, acting, directing are some of my new hobbies....

- What are ur plans for the future?
Elevate to the sky .

-Would you say that producing african artists is rewarding financially, actually being that we are "African" entre guillemets do you find yourself giving to the people you produce "breaks"?

Producing is rewarding of course. It's always good to take an artist and record, produce, and publish his album. It's good financially and in an artistic point of view, it's great to venture where you can't go in your own album.

Some artists just buy me tracks, some I invest in them by signing them to my label.

- Do you enjoy making business with your African peeps?(Honeslty..well as much as u can..lol)

I enjoy working with serious people, I don't care where they come from. I met some ridiculously abject people in terms of business. People that just "talk ". People that always swear it's not their fault. But I also met great people that took me from one level to the next. Some where Africans, some from the West Indies, some chinese... It's all about who can take you somewhere and who you can take somewhere .

-Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Over there in the horizon .

- Are you accepted in the islands community, or was it hard 2 convice them that an African brotha could make great zouk ballades?

I was accepted instantaneously. The place where I come from wasn't really an issue because the sound was dope and the vision was clear. You will always have people that try to use that issue to break you, but then, it's just some people that hate you cause you do what they can't do. The monkey that can't reach the fruit on the branch says that it's bitter...

-Who are your fav' designers?how do you define your style?

I'm not a guy of definitions, I just dress how I please. I don't follow trends or designers. I'd rather go to a zara and please myself...

-What was your best experience concert wise ?
100000 people in Angola singing my song "Musiquarian" .

- What was the best concert you went to see as a fan?

Michael Jackson in Brussels. That man is the man, the artist. And no matter what people say, he makes me proud as an artist, a black man, an icon.

- Who are the coolest people in the african scene (be honest..)

Elizio, Jacob Devarieux, Lino Versace & Borosanguy to name a few....

- What was your favorite collaboration ? who would u love to do a song w/african wise, and world wise?

Fav collab? Too many to mention, but Jacob Desvarieux, is great and humble. Nelson Freitas is supercool. Top One and Anofela are my favorite "studio people". I'd see myself working with Femi and Michael Jackson. I'd show them some styles they don't know about...

- Who do u admire for their business skills? music skills?

Business? P. Diddy of course.Music? Quincy Jones of course.

- Do you see yourslef moving back in africa eventually or always living btw 2 airplanes?(honestly)

Between 2 planes. I'm not ready to move back yet. I need my 300 chanels and hi-speed internet and occidenal life. Sorry afro-centrists!


- We dont need to go there but i have 2 be partial to my readers..kaysha taken or not?

Not taken and trying to stay like that for a minute. Love betrayed me too much

- If yes or no what makes african women so special and unforgettable?

They are either the greatest woman on earth with those special values. But they can also be hell of liers.

- What's 1 advice you would give to an african sista?(wisdom)

Never sacrifice everything for a man, instead, go ahead and build everything with the right man. The right man is not the one you want, the right man is the man who deserves you and loves you the way you love him...

- Whats 1 item you couldnt leave without? (anything...)
My phone and my laptop with wifi internet


- I believe that you are a father right, i've noticed that african fathers that live abroad seem to be more affectionate than our own fathers back at home , in your opinion what's the reason?

I have no idea...But I think our fathers back in the days were working real hard to make it happen. And the parental job was left to the mothers and maids and aunts and sisters. Nowadays, men accept to change diapers and feed their babies. Everything evolves...!!

-I that know it's a general question and i know it's hard 2 say but do you ever see Africa pulling it together eventually and if yes how? And also whar role could music play towards a futur development of our beloved continent i?

Music brings pride to African people. Never have I seen Africans so proud of their music and artists as today. It used to be a congolese thing. But nowadays, Africans as a whole are proud of their artists. You don't need to be from Abidjan to dig coupe decale, zouk, rhumba. The new generation just love that african music movement and it's a great step towards unity. Then all I have to say for that matter is that my fellow Americans built their country on blood in and their country. Europe was built over 2 world wars and even before that, religious wars and slavery.

So they need to give us a break!! You don't just import the model of democracy from Europe or the Us to Africa.

You don't have the same story, values, culture, trends, views, etc...

From an African point of view, we will get there when we stop asking, and do it ourselves. But then, these same people that look at us and tell what is good and what is bad won't let us do our thing. Africa should deal with China another way and leave Europe...

-Did u finish your degree? And if yes, even though u went on a different direction what do u feel it brought u 2day?
Education is there in each of my words, can you read it?

-I know that u did couple of projects w/members of the jet set...any feelings about the death of Douk Saga?

It's sad to see a man go, jetset or not jetset.Then it's sad to see that people still would rather talk about sorcerers than the real deal...


-Is there a quote you live by?
Life is like a river, you are never in the same water .

-How important is religion 2 u?
I'm a buddhist. But I take what's good in any book. I'm free to fear, love and generate passion to who I believe.


- Last but not least WHAT DO U KNOW FOR SURE IN LIFE?

As you live, you learn !!


And as we finished the interview he wrote" Damn girl these were a million of questions". Anywhoo I want to say thank you very very much for taking a chance and the TIME because I'm sure that you are very busy man.

Stay humble, talented, smart, grateful!!

Djaa Kaysha est vraiment dans le chaud:)
Eyee Wayee:)

AKON, NOMINEE @ THE GRAMMY AWARDS


This is the perfect sign of success..mingling among other artists...tieuye:)
Akon & Amerie

Akon @ the recent Billboard Awards with Mr "yooo 'xuse me miss"..lol


Akon @ the Sundance Film Festival, last week!


Akon dans le relax..!


Thumbs Up bb...I agree!


What is up??...
Some of y'all may know and others like me maybe not, but Akon has been nominated for a Grammy for Best rap collabo btw him & Eminem for "Smack That"

I know his has the private concert in NY next week feb'7th w/invitation only.
Another concert in Las Vegas baby w/Nelly, JD, Lil Wayne...ect...on the 15th of Feb.

Go on boy....!!

He has a new cutesy son w/Gwen Stefani called -SWEET ESCAPE

His new solo single is called: "Don't Matter" even though I was hoping for Mama Africa to be a hugeeeee hit...anywhoo you win some , you lose some.
Anyhow ...here's a wonderful bloggie that will keep u updated on him...stalkers...lol kiddin'

DJAA WE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN:)
EYEE WAYEE:)

DOBET GNAHORE GRADUATING WITH HONORS FROM KIYI MBOCK


You can't fake authentic artistry


Deep in her song


Multi talented woman
La musique plein la cabeza


First of all let me start of by saying that if you've never seen the
Panafricanist group KIYI MBOCK on stage..you haven't seen anything ...

The KIYI MBOCK is litteraly an artistic village where artists from all African countries find themselves to sharp their artistic skills let it be in dancing, music, performing, painting, drawing ...u name it..(i'll be sure to devote a whole post to it..trully interesting)

Anywhoo so Dobet is the daughter of 1 of the main founders of the KIY MBOK. One day she told her father that she didn't want to attend academic school, rather attend the school of life w/him. Thus started her formation, from that time of her life, she took away discipline, a strong understanding of various traditions varying from Senegalese, malian, congolese..ect....that you can find back in her latest project "Na Afriki".

Her first project in 2004 "Ana Nero" was born w/her encouter w/Colin Larouche a French young man who came to Ivoiry Coast in pursuit of iner hapiness. They find themselves in amor with each other, making beautiful music where Colin plays the guitar while Dobet remains the main attraction due to her wonderful performance skills, her skills as a dancer,musician and singer... They have a little gal named Maeva.

I have so much respect, for people that dare to be different , while staying true to themselves.

Anywhoo give her a try, here's a video of her performing on stage:
Here's her webbie:
www.dobetgnahore.com
Djaa les gos de Cote d'Ivoire ne blaguent pas 'ooo:)
Eyee Wayeee:)

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

KIARA KABUKURU REPPIN FOR UGANDA IN THE FASHION INDUSTRTY


Black & White pics are always so elegant!

Love the combi btw the hair and the dentelles on the dress



Beautiful skin



You just can't deny that the gal got it going on

Y'all wanna be discovered..do just like Kiara take a walk in a mall in LA...& maybe you'll get a chance..
But yeah of course there's a big BUT, ah oui n'est pas manequin qui le veut hun...lol
Of course you have 2 have a beautiful dark chocolate skin, be at least 5ft,8 and be a size 6...
Anyone?? Going once..going twice..aight sold going to miss Kiara...!!

On a more serious note, Kiara has appeared in countless of ads, going from Ann Taylor,Nine West, Victoria Secret,Yves Saint Laurent,Kenneth Cole,she's modeles for the likes of Ana Sui, Christian Dior...ect.....

Djaa les gos du Uganda sont des "fierceuse":)
Eyeee Wayeee:)

RACHIDA BRAKNI REPPIN FOR ALGERIA IN THE MOVIE INDUSTRIE


Rachida dans toute son elegance

Rachida & Romane B.



Love the combin' w/the dress et les veuches relevees


Rachida dans l'Outremanger

Fierce in Red

Rachida in Abracadabra the movie



*'Xuse me Who It Be: Miss Rachida Brakni,29 years old
*'Xuse me miss What Part of Africa she reppin: Algeria baby
*'Xuse me miss what does u do anyway..lol":Young serious actress doing the damn thing in movies and in theater. She started her career by interning at the famous school of Theater "Le Conservatoire National d'Art Dramatrique" (a very serious Art school)
Her side husttle which won her a "Cesar" in 2002 for her role in the movie Chaos.
Rachida has appeared in many productions,ranging from comedies, tragedies,...ect
But she never forgets her Algerian roots ; she's part of that generation that grew up in France.

To that effect, she says that when she was younger , she felt both a stranger in France and Algeria.
But as she got older she realised that she is a French woman w/a strong cultural Algerian identity...ok!!

'Xuse me what's her latest project:Barakat in 2006.
'Xuse me miss what's 1 of the fiercest things you've done: Apperead in the Vagina Monologue

Djaa Algerian women are fiyaaa:)
Eyeee Wayeee:)

THE AMAZING WORK BY OUR ZIMBAWEAN SCULPTOR BROTHA ,MAMBAKWEDZA MUTASA


The Genius Sculptor




"Living in the Future"


"The Guilt of Mankind"



"Stubborn"(lol that's funny..it's easy to see that w/him holding his head)




"In Doubt"

"Tell the truth as it is written by the living word of God , through feelings and visions. l give all thanks and praises to the most high God for the living word that guide me through the path of righteousness. Uncover the hidden, share God’s wisdom and over-standing and at the same time glorifying him[working with the creator] ." is the mission of Mambakwedza Mutasa

This young man's pieces are so deep..that it's hard to believe that he's just 27 years old....I mean for the amount of accolades that he received ...check this out from 1994 to 2005 he's received awards every year from the National Gallery of Zimbabwe..

When I look at his pieces , I wonder how he does it??...comme quoi some people are really blessed w/various talents...his message comes alive through his sculptures, he choses the theme of injustice, shame,greed, ..in brief human moral shortcomings.....

He's a man who's trully affected by the lack of unity of us African people, the greed that some of our leaders have shown throughout their careers...

Anywhoo, I am trully impressed:)

Djaa les gars du Zimbabwe sont trop trop fort:)

Eyee Wayeee:)

Monday, January 29, 2007

LEILA ABOULELA THE LITTERARY QUEEN OF SUDAN


Naturally Pretty

Her latest book



Hadja Lelia Abouela



This post is overdue...and it's in thanks to 1 the readers (word up Sudaniya)
Thanks for introducing me to the litterary world of Dr. Leila Aboulela (yes she holds a PHD..excuse me )

She's an Egyto-Sudanese writter of 4 books , the latest is called "Minaret" , she was the Caine Prize Winner in 2000 for her book "The Museum",& the Orange Prize Winner for the book "The Translator" (which I just purchase this weekend..I'll be sure 2 let u know what I think of it)
She's also a playwritter (is there anything this woman doesn't do)

Anywhoo her background is that she was born and grew up in Khartoum Sudan in a family where women were God-Fearing but ambitious. In fact, her mother was the first woman Sudanian demographer .

Something that I found interesting about her is the fact that she felt more comfortable wearing the hijab once she moved to England . She explained that it was easier to do it in the Western world because of the freedom of expression, versus if she was to wear the hijab back in Sudan she would have 2 deal w/her friends or her entourage's reaction.

Hun that's intersting & very honest I thought.

She's a devout Muslim and apparently her writting can attest of that, for example in her latest book "Minaret"she talks about the fact that Muslim women who live in the Western World who don't necessarly feel the need to leave but rather live with great depth their Islamic identities....

Mm quite interesting....goes on to show that wearing the hijab or being trully religious is not a handicap in life..you could still in the world of today and prepare yourself for the other world*



Djaa Sudanese women are very interesting:)
Eyee Wayee:)

AZANIA NDORO THE RADIO DJ & VJ WHO'S CLIMBING & CLIMBING AWAY


Looking pretty @ a fashion event

Looking radiant!

Mother of 2, lovely wifey to Tony Ndoro sports journalist, radio personality, & now
tv vj...and all of that @ 29 years old.

Not just happy to host the regular Metro Breakfast show, Azania is now set to present her new show "Note" (an entertainment show one of a kind in South Africa, filled with appearances by musical artists such as Hugh Maseka, Mandoza,The Springbok Nude Girls...ect)

The objective of this show is to promote new and established artists....opening eyes and ears of its viewers to people they might not necessarly know or are familiar with....

She seems to be liked and respected in South Africa, except for the incident that happened btw her hubby and a former co-worker of her that her husband though was flirting a bit too much with her; it escalated........ (of course it was in the press)

One thing is for sure Azania is def' wearing many hats...go on sista.

Djaa SA women are strong:)
Eyee Waye:)

Saturday, January 27, 2007

RAHMATOU KEITA REPPIN FOR NIGER AS A BONA FIDA PRIME DIRECTOR!


Rahmatou Keita, the Director

Zalika Suley, the very first professional actress


You learn something new every day...
Today is no exception, I am discovering a little bit late I guess the n0.1 female director of Niger Mrs.Rahmatou Keita. What I found exceptional despite the facts that:

a- she's a woman directing movies in a male oriented industrty
b- she is an accomplished journalist
c- she holds degrees in both linguistics and philosophy
d- she was the 1st AFRICAN WOMAN JOURNALIST to appear on French TV.
e- wrote a book "SDF-SANS DOMICILE FIXE" in 1993


Would you like more?...lol


Non what i found great is that she made directors and actors of the sixties the main characters of her documentary, Al'EESSI L'ACTRICE AFRICAINE .

Inspired by the work that they've done in the beautiful country of Niger where movie theaters at the time were scarce, people were kinda afraid & intimidated of anything Western.

The main character of the movie is Zalika Souley , one of the VERY FIRST AFRICAN ACTRESSES.

In the movie directed by Moustapha Boubacar years ago, Zalika plays the role of a young woman in love w/the main character..she's even seen kissing him....

NOW ALL MY AFRICAN PEEPS..YOU KNOW.......so it's easy to portray the faces of utter disgust, or the "mm...no no" that the elders of that generation may have uttered....tieuye....

The funny thing 'bout that movie is that it was sup' a western ...lol all the actors took on american names, Yakuba went on to be Steve McQueen, Zelika became Queen Christine...(aint it funny like JLO says..Africains..lol)

Anywhoo.. so Rahmatou gave a voice to all those pioneers of the movie school of the sixties...and especially to Zalika who went on to play in various movies in provocative roles such as prostitutes ect.....

I think that this a beautiful and well -thought idea..Rahmatou admits that at first people didn't want to give a chance to her movie..and today it's acclaimed critically.

Lesson of the story..AFRICAN PEOPLE IF YOU BELIEVE IN A POSTIVE IDEA GO FOR IT..DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!!

Djaa les femmes du Niger sont fierce:)
Eyee Wayeee:)

Friday, January 26, 2007

OMOU SANGARE- THE AND I REPEAT THE MALIAN DIVA PERIOD!

There's nothing better than to listen to Oumou Sangare when you need to be centered , whether you understand her lyrics or not you can't help but be touched by her sincerity, the melancolie in her voice, that cry for whateva cause she's singing at the time. Her main theme usually is women, she always tries to encourage women to stay strong in front of life injustices, she calls out for men to respect women as well.
Anywhoo once I find that video of her and Alicia Keys I'll be sure to post , becos it was simply AMAZING...

Djaa les femmes du Mali sont unstopable:)
Eyee Wayee:)

Thursday, January 25, 2007

ZANZIBAR LES ILES DU REVE APHRODISIAC



Water...Sand...what more could you ask?!
Henna Action


Cozy




Man @ Work



These little streets remind me of the 1s in Goree Island...Dakar I miss ya




Isn't it funny....that u have 2 go to the other side of the continent to discover that Africa is sooo beautiful!


Zanzibar.. Zanzibar I wonder who thought of such a mysterious and sensual name for a Country.

But I gotta admit that it suits the 2 islands perfectly.

Zanzibar which is situated next to Tanziana (still considered a part of Tanzania legally) is synonym of paradiasic holidays with white sand and blue as blue clear water..mm just thinking of it..I wish it was not winter season here in NY..anywhoo focus marieme...focus....lol

"The Spice Island" as it's commonly called becos of its abundance in spices, cloves, agricultural products..ect..(agriculture is its main economic provider)

Zanzibaris is (yep that's how they are called) are a mix of East Africans, Arabs, Persians, Portuguese becos of colonisation and strong migration to Zanzibar.

There's so muc 2 say about Zanzibar..I was 1 bit curious but if you wanna find out more:


Djaa Zanzibaris are living beautifully & peacefully:)
Eyee Wayee:)

CHALEB MALEK- THE MUSLIM AUTHOR OF THE ARABIC KAMA-SUTRA



Malek Chebel
KAMA SUTRA ...mmm



Dictionnare Amoureux de l'Islam


Waouh ok!!... you trully have 2 know your material and be fierce to write a book called "Dictionnaire Amoureux de l'Islam" ...
Suprisingly enough besided his thought-challeging analysis, he's well respected in Arabic countries that are usually very defensive when it comes down to religion. Chaleb is a Muslim/ Algerian psychoanalyst, anthropologist who's written couple books encouraging a more liberal view of Islam.

Alarted by the negative attention that Islamic community received after Sept 11th , Chaleb called through his books for a better understanding of the religion first of all by Muslims themselves then by Westerners who don't really understand what the Islamic faith is based on.

He called his vision of Islam "L'Islam des Lumieres", an Islam that's less rigid, less strict....

He quotes the Prophet Muhamad who said" On m’a fait aimer en ce bas-monde trois choses : les parfums, les femmes et la prière, qui reste la plus importante à mes yeux » (that he basically loved three things on earth, good smell, women, and prayer...don't quote me on that I'm just stating Chabel's opinions)....

Anywhoo..very interesting , very detailed, the man wrote more than 20 books on the matter....

For those of you who speak french, here's an interview of him :
Djaa les Algeriens sont dans le chaud aussi:)
Eyee Wayeee:)