West African lions are in danger of becoming extinct. (Photo Credit: Google Images)
BBC News Africa is reporting that the lion in Africa is critically endangered. A new survey states that there has been a “catastrophic collapse” in the number of lions in West Africa. With only 250 mature lions of breeding age left, researchers are worried that the lion may become extinct in West Africa. The article reports:
“The research by Panthera, a non-profit organisation, was carried out in 17 countries, from Senegal to Nigeria, and took more than six years.
West African lions are genetically distinct from others in Africa.
In 2005, West African lions were believed to live in 21 different protected areas. But the survey, published in the scientific journal PLOS One, suggests lions now exist in just four of those sites.
The report says lions now roam in just 1.1% of their historic range in West Africa. The majority of their habitat has been converted for agricultural use, says Philipp Henschel, co-author of the report.”
The organization is calling for the lion to be listed as critically endangered in West Africa. While other parts of Africa (South Africa and East Africa) spend millions of dollars each year in conservation efforts to protect lions, many West African countries do not have the money to enact the same measures. Further, herders have poached the lions in protected areas in West Africa for the meat and have also killed lions in retaliation for human losses during poaching attempts.
The Wayne Wallace Quintet. (Photo Credit: David Belove)
Wayne Wallace is an acclaimed Afro-Latin jazz musician and eloquent public intellectual. This academic year, the multi-faceted, 61-year-old trombonist became a jazz professor at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Wallace, a keyboardist, composer and bandleader has made several albums with his self-titled quintet. His seventh album (the quintet’s second), Latin Jazz/Jazz Latin, recently earned Wallace his sixth career Grammy nomination. Released through his imprint, Patois Records, the self-assured musician believes taking ownership in his work always yield the greatest rewards. Educating others is one of Wallace’s greatest rewards.
Wallace, the recipient of numerous grants, believes jazz is more than a musical genre. He believes that jazz is the core of American culture. “It’s a creative lifestyle. Anybody that’s an artist, it’s an essential part of who they are. They wouldn’t function if they weren’t doing the essence of what they do,” he says.
Wallace visits Latin American countries and enclaves on many occasions. The accomplished instrumentalist and well-traveled culture advocate uses jazz as a bridge to connect with diverse people.
“If people are connected on all levels of society, it will move forward. What every civilization leaves behind for the rest of the world is their culture. If you don’t nurture your culture, you’re taking steps backward for your community,” says Wallace.
Admitting to enjoying good conversation, Wallace, an authority on Afro-Caribbean music, gets inspired when he connects with local citizens. “People are people no matter where you go. It makes me appreciate more of what’s available to me,” says Wallace with a slight crescendo in his voice.
That same inspiration emerges from Wallace’s appreciation for enthusiastic students. He believes they enhance his teaching methodology. “It’s an exchange. Students who like jazz are usually self-motivated. They come with a lot of questions and a lot of energy. They motivate me to wanna teach better and figure out different ways to help find their voices as artists and musicians,” says Wallace.
Critical thinking gets Wallace’s adrenaline going. He believes that students pursuing a higher education should take the initiative to challenge themselves. His past students have approached him and told him how his courses left an impression on them once they got into the real world.
“When you challenge students to think, they’ll eventually come around. They saw what I was talking about. That’s our job as teachers – to be mentors and pass on information,” says Wallace.
Wallace, an avid baseball fan, uses sports analogies whenever he talks about being self-sufficient. “Don’t wait for somebody to discover you. If you’re not willing to invest in yourself, then why should anybody else? If you go up to bat and you don’t swing, you won’t get a hit,” he says.
Furthermore, Wallace encourages younger musicians to become engaged civic leaders in their local communities. He references the Harlem Renaissance and how this generation should create black cultural products that reflect the concerns of African American communities.
Wallace often shares with his students. “The way music is packaged now, the art does not reflect what’s going on in society. Your art should go hand-in-hand with your social consciousness. Look at music as an active part of your life, not as a hobby,” he says.
“I’m very fortunate that I lived through the time I’ve lived through. I worked with that generation of performers that plowed the field for the rest of us. It’s my responsibility to pass that information onto all people. That’s how we move forward. If you take that away, you’re crippling your society,” says Wallace.
This post was written by Christopher A. Daniel, a pop cultural critic and music editor for The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.
British director Steve McQueen directors British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor in the film ’12 Years a Slave’ winner of the 2014 Golden Globe award for Best Picture. (Photo Credit: Google Images)
The highly-anticipated 2014 Golden Globe awards aired last night and there were few surprises. While the African Diaspora was well-represented in the nominations, only one winner prevailed. British director Steve McQueen’s slave narrative ’12 Years a Slave’ won for best picture, beating out ‘Captain Phillips,’ ‘Gravity,’ ‘Wilhemina,’ and ‘Rush’. Mexican film director Alfonso Cuaron won the best director award for his highly-acclaimed film, ‘Gravity’ starring Academy Award winners Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The fact that there was only one black and brown win isn’t surprising, but the fact that ‘The Butler’ received no nominations with Lee Daniels at the helm and powerhouse performances by Oprah Winfrey and Forrest Whitaker is still perplexing.
Nonetheless, there were no real upsets except for iconic actress Jacqueline Bissett’s rambling acceptance speech, which was dare say it, upsetting. Jennifer Lawrence’s win for Best Supporting Actress and Amy Adams’ Best Actress win for ‘American Hustle’ were well-deserved with outstanding performances in a film that was really a ‘Goodfellas’ knock-off, but featured enough good fellas (Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner, J.Law and Amy Adams), so audiences and critics wouldn’t notice.
Matthew McConaughey has finally shown what he is made of in Hollywood, shedding his ‘aw shucks,’ pretty boy image and playing the hell out of his role in ‘Dallas Buyers Club,’ supported by fellow Golden Globe winner Jared Leto, who is clearly 30 seconds to Oscar. Can we get an ‘Amen’ for McConaughey’s shifting star status and Leonardo DiCaprio winning an award? While we’re at it, lets have a worldwide group hug for DiCaprio, an outstanding actor who has yet to receive an Oscar despite a ridiculously awesome body of work. If the 2014 Golden Globes are any indicator, this may very well be his year, for a lesser film that is dwarfed by many other films in his body of work, but an overdue win nonetheless.
Even though British actor Idris Elba and Chiwetel Ejiofor did not win best actor for ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ or ’12 Years a Slave’, or their nominations in the best actor in a series, miniseries or television, it was a good reminder that these talented brothers are making their marks across a broad spectrum of spaces. I guess Elba can’t win every year, but it would be nice. Although Naomie Harris‘ haunting performance in ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ did not receive a nomination, U2, whose lead singer Bono’s name has become synonymous with Africa for his philanthropic work on the continent, won for best original song for a motion picture, ‘Ordinary Love.’ No surprise there.
Let’s just put this on the table — the world community is in love with Kerry Washington, and rightfully so; however, Robin Wright demonstrated that she has staying power with her win for ‘House of Cards.’ If you haven’t caught Wright’s intense yet understated performances as a politician’s wife who is anything but a politician’s wife in the Netflix series, then you will understand why she walked away with the statue. Wright brings ‘it’ in every episode. Wright’s win is a reminder that the writers at ‘Scandal’ and Washington, who has been joined/upstaged by powerhouse actors Joe Morton and Khandi Alexander, still have more work to do if they plan on Olivia Pope sashaying away with a statue. Speaking of sashaying, memo to the free world: Lupita Nyong’o’s fashion game is fierce, which is duly noted. Please don’t think that focusing on her fashion choices will make us forget how talented she really is as an actress, particularly when she is overlooked for a dynamite performance as was the case with ’12 Years a Slave’.
Mara Brock Akil’s ‘Being Mary Jane’ mined ratings goal, debuting as the top television show on Tuesday night. (Photo Credit: Google Images)
Rick Kissell of Variety is reporting that BET’s first original scripted series, drama “Being Mary Jane,” ranked as the top-rated first-run cable program of Tuesday night. The one-hour drama was also television’s top cable premiere among young adults this season.
Nielsen estimates that the series starring Gabrielle Union and Lisa Vidal averaged a 1.5 rating/4 share in adults 18-49 and 3.32 million viewers overall in the 10 o’clock hour, besting the series premiere of ABC’s “Killer Women” in the same time period (0.9 rating/2 share) in the same demographic.
‘Being Mary Jane’ was cable’s No. 1 original series on Tuesday in 18-49 as well as total viewers. And since the start of the 2013-14 television season in September, it is cable’s No. 1 premiere in the 18-49 demographic.
“Being Mary Jane” crushed social media on Tuesday night as well, with the official hashtag of #beingmaryjane reaching a unique audience of 1.71 million people while generating 12.48 million impressions, according to Nielsen SocialGuide.
Shonda Rhimes, creator of hit television shows ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Scandal’ will receive 2014 Television Showmanship Award at the International Cinematographers Guild’s 51st annual Publicists Awards Luncheon in February. (Photo Credit: Google Images)
Creativecow.net is reporting that Shonda Rhimes will receive yet another accolade in what is turning out to be a charmed career in television. The creator, writer and producer of the hit TV series “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice” and “Scandal,” will be presented with the 2014 Television Showmanship Award at the International Cinematographers Guild’s (IATSE Local 600) 51st annual Publicists Awards Luncheon on Friday, February 28, at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The author writes that Henri Bollinger, the Awards Committee Chairman stated:
“Shonda Rhimes is quickly becoming one of most honored and recognized creators and producers in television history,” said Bollinger. “Her multi-faceted career and the success she has already achieved defines the very essence of showmanship.”
ICG President Steven Poster added: “Shonda has carved a unique position for herself in the entertainment industry with her creativity and tremendous output of great work. As a fan and as president I’m delighted that she has been selected to receive this award.”
This is just one award in a slew of many including the Producers Guild of America 2007 Producer of the Year Award; the 2007 Golden Globe for Outstanding Television Drama; the 2007 Lucy Award for Excellence in Television from Women in Film; the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series in consecutive years 2007 – 2011, as well as five wins for Outstanding Drama Series during those same years; the 2006 Writers Guild Award for Best New Series; in addition to Emmy nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and Writing for a Drama Series.
The Directors Guild of America will honor Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers of Shondaland with the Guild’s 2014 Diversity Award at the 66th Annual DGA Awards in January.
Rhimes was the 2013 winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Drama Series with ‘Scandal,’ also receiving a nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. Rhimes was the recipient of the 2012 GLAAD Golden Gate Award; 2010 RAINN Hope Award; and a 2009 GLSEN Respect Awards Honoree. In 2013, she was appointed by President Obama to serve as Trustee for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
African migrants enter the fourth day of protests against Israel’s parliament. (Photo Credit: The Guardian)
AllAfrica.com is reporting that African migrants are protesting an Israeli law that allows authorities to detain indefinitely those without valid visas. The migrants say they are political refugees, but the government says they are economic migrants.
Voice of America‘s Scott Bobb reports from Jerusalem:
“In Israel, several thousand African migrants demonstrated Wednesday for a fourth day against a new law that allows authorities to detain indefinitely those without valid visas. The migrants say they are political refugees — but the government insists they are economic migrants.
The Migrants chanted that they are not criminals but rather refugees, as they gathered in front of and protested the Israeli Knesset (parliament).
The asylum seekers, who are mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, say Israel makes it difficult to obtain or renew their visas and rarely grants asylum. But the government considers them to be infiltrators looking for work and wants them to leave.”
More than 50,000 Africans have entered Israel in the last seven years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the influx had virtually stopped since the completion last year of a five-meter-high fence (16.4 foot fence) along the border with Egypt.
Poet, activist and educator Amiri Baraka dies at age 79. (Photo Credit: Poetry Foundation)
NJ.com is reporting that longtime activist and NJ poet laureate Amiri Baraka has died. David Giambusso of the Star-Ledger writes:
Baraka was placed in intensive care at Beth Israel Medical Center last month for an unknown reason, but a spokesman for his son’s mayoral campaign said his condition was improving late in December.
Newark Mayor Luis Quintana said Baraka will be sorely missed.
“I went to visit him at the hospital about two weeks ago,” Quintana said by phone. “He was more than poet he was a leader in his own right. He’s going to be missed and our condolences go out to his family today.”
Quintana recalled Baraka’s role in the 1970 Black and Puerto Rican convention, a landmark political meeting that resulted in the election of Ken Gibson, Newark’s first black mayor.
“We’re going to remember him always for his contributions to Newark, New Jersey and America,” Quintana said. “In this time of pain, the citizens of Newark and I are with him.”
Amiri Baraka was 79 years-old. Rest in power Mr. Baraka.
The Soul Rebels recently released a new mixtape Power=Power. (Photo Credit: Rick Olivier)
The Soul Rebels are a hip, groundbreaking group out of New Orleans. The eight-member band performs jazz, hip hop, R&B, soul, funk, rock and pop hits with brass instruments.
Like any collection since the band’s 1994 debut release, Let Your Mind Be Free, The Soul Rebels’ music promotes empowerment and embracing humanity. “It’s good to see the swag that we carry. We play and perform music that’s akin to our bloodline. We’ve always been a fashionable group. We just want to continue to show that style,” says co-founder, snare drummer and resident sneaker head Lumar LeBlanc.
LeBlanc, along with his Soul Rebels co-founder, bass drummer Derrick Moss, were originally members of the Young Olympia Brass Band when they met. The pair set out to organize a band that played the types of music they listened to and would pay homage to their 504 musical lineage.
The Soul Rebels were originally christened The Soul Rebels Brass Band in 1991 by hometown legend Cyril Neville of The Neville Brothers. The band’s adopted name, a thoughtful LeBlanc adds, is a direct reference to Bob Marley.
“Our name has always been synonymous with the purpose. Every album that we do is a step in our evolution. We’re about rebelling for, not against, positive expression. We’re rebelling against oppression. We want people to be able to love and express their inner self,” says LeBlanc with a syrupy, heavy New Orleans accent.
While attending Texas Southern University, LeBlanc, nicknamed “Big Cheeky,” was the marching band’s drum major. Moss was also a drum major at Southern University. LeBlanc, a self-proclaimed “aggressive drummer that brings the flavor”, attributes The Soul Rebels’ precision, unison blares and discipline to his on-campus drills and practice schedules.
The Soul Rebels perform before a major crowd of fans. (Photo Credit: Rick Olivier)
The Soul Rebels are also partially inspired by military bands. “The marching bands there are very serious. [Discipline] is one of those focal points that gets all of those drummers to listen to each other and play as one. You have to really learn your art and listen to the person next to you. You want to sound like one unit,” says LeBlanc.
To LeBlanc, whenever popular artists collaborate with The Soul Rebels, there’s always a creative mutual exchange. “To make the music still sound rich and bold is what gets these artists’ juices flowing. We’re doing what we do from the soul. Those artists seek out bands like us because we’re so different. We want to try to incorporate things that can expand their mind because that’s what we get when we play with those artists,” says a gracious LeBlanc.
The Soul Rebels have weathered storms, too. The band members were scattered across the Gulf at one point because of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. They still performed as a group. To this day, The Soul Rebels hold regular group meetings and roundtable discussions without any instruments in sight.
Bands often allow egos, greed and shady music executives to lead to their demise. Not fazed by major label deals or mainstream success, The Soul Rebels collectively make efforts to communicate with each other.
The music is a team effort on their terms. “Every band goes through it when you try to climb the ladder. The Soul Rebels is a family, and it’s a journey. We try to connect with each other. If you’re able to touch another person’s soul, you can get so much more out of them. That’s how we’re able to persevere for so long,” says LeBlanc.
At the time of the interview, The Soul Rebels were preparing to perform at Le Bon Temps Roule. The band performs at their hometown venue every Thursday if they’re not booked or on tour. The band was collecting toys to deliver to kids for Christmas presents during that performance.
Firm believers in karma, The Soul Rebels still get the same energy playing for their hometown as they would in any part of the world. “You have to be in tune with yourself and what you’re doing. That was one of the first major venues to give us an opportunity. It’s home-based and a good place for us. People like to see that,” says LeBlanc.
This post was written by Christopher A. Daniel, pop cultural critic and music editor for The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.
Former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear Mootz was killed during a robbery on a highway in Venezuela. (Photo Credit: Google Images)
Fox News Latinois reporting that five unidentified suspects have been arrested for killing former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear Mootz, 29 and her ex-husband Thomas Henry Berry, 39, a British citizen, in front of their 5-year-old daughter during a robbery on a roadside in Venezuela. Reportedly, Spear Mootz and Berry were shot after locking themselves in their disabled car to get away from robbers. Their daughter Maya was shot in the leg during the incident but survived. The author reports:
“Some of the suspects arrested by police in Puerto Cabello are under the age of 18. The accused bandits fired at least six shots into the vehicle.
The slaying of Spear and her ex-husband followed a pattern of late-night assaults carried out by disabling cars with obstacles placed on roadways.
They were killed at about 10:30 p.m. between Puerto Cabello, the country’s main port, and the provincial capital of Valencia, while on a badly maintained stretch of highway that is lightly traveled at that hour.”
The car was reportedly ambushed after hitting an object placed on the road to disable vehicles. Spear Mootz was crowned in 2004, eventually becoming a telenovela star in Venezuala. She most recently starred in Telemundo’s “Flor Salvaje” in 2011 and Pasión Prohibida last year. She was currently living in Florida.
The latest South Sudan conflict has resulted in thousands of people fleeing the capital city of Juba. (Photo Credit: Google Images)
BBC News is reporting that thousands of people are fleeing the South Sudanese city of Bentiu amid fears of a government move to recapture the oil-rich area from rebels, says BBC reporter Alastair Leithead.
Leithead reported that many people are taking refuge in a UN base in Bentiu. Ceasefire talks taking place in Ethiopia are cautiously proceeding.
Al Jazeera is reporting that South Sudan’s government said it was poised to recapture a key town, Bor, from rebel forces. The Al Jazeera reporter writes:
“Delegates from both sides held a second day of formal talks on Tuesday at a luxury hotel in Addis Ababa, although a brief morning session was adjourned with members of the government delegation heading back to Juba for “consultations” with President Salva Kiir.
‘So far, there is progress because so far now there is no disagreement,’ rebel spokesman Hussein Mar Nyot told AFP, adding the negotiations would resume on Wednesday.
Chief government delegate Nhial Deng Nhial said there was ‘a hiccup that threatens to scuttle the negotiations’ – the status of detainees loyal to Kiir’s rival Riek Machar, a former vice president and nominal rebel leader – but that negotiations would continue.
The talks, brokered by the East African regional bloc IGAD, are aimed at ending more than three weeks of fighting in the world’s newest nation. The conflict has left thousands dead, according to UN officials, while more than 200,000 people have been displaced or have fled the country.”
