Gert-Johan Coetzee's Spring Summer 2016 collection presented by Visa. (Photo: Aubrey Jonsson/Google Images)
Gert-Johan Coetzee’s Spring Summer 2016 collection presented by Visa. (Photo: Aubrey Jonsson/Google Images)
South African Fashion Week has officially kicked off and the blogosphere is loving the creations by designers like Gert-Johan Coetzee, Clive Rundle, Yasmin Furmi and Felipe Mazibuko. Ntombenhle Shezi of the Sunday Times chose Clive Rundle’s collection as the best collection of opening night. Shezi writes:
“Artfully printed fabrics, droopy silhouettes and strong shapes made Clive Rundle’s show a standout. Featuring everything from ready-to-wear pieces to garments that were more theatrical, the collection included a clever mix of clashing prints and monochrome tones with splashes of colour creeping in every now and then.”
Gert-Johan Coetzee is also being celebrated by a number of South African publications.
See more South African Fashion Week fashions on Twitter @safashionweek.
This post was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder and editor-in-chief of the award-winning news blog The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Shemekia Copeland was crowned 'Queen of the Blues' in 2011 during the Chicago Blues Festival (Photo Credit: Joseph A. Rosen).
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Shemekia Copeland was crowned ‘Queen of the Blues’ in 2011 during the Chicago Blues Festival (Photo Credit: Joseph A. Rosen).
In 2011, blues singer and songwriter Shemekia Copeland was crowned “Queen of the Blues” by legendary singer KoKo Taylor’s daughter, Cookie, at the Chicago Blues Festival. That special moment was a career highlight for the down home, Harlem-born entertainer with the gut-wrenching vocal chops. Yet, she was perplexed as to why she was being passed such an influential torch.
“I couldn’t believe it,” says Copeland during her master class at Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta. “I didn’t think it was going to happen in that way. It’s an honor and blessing for them to think that I can carry this music on for my generation.”
Copeland doesn’t speak in front of an audience very often, but she isn’t fazed by interacting with people at all. The singer is extremely gracious anytime fans or other musicians give her high praises for her talent or come to hear her sing. She drops a few historical references about iconic female blues singers she looks up to, shares several stories about herself and lists some of the global artists and musicians she streams on her playlists. But nothing gets Copeland’s adrenaline going like performing for a crowd.
Singing makes Copeland light up. “The art of entertaining is still my favorite part,” she says. “When somebody gets up there and jumps inside of a song and sells you that song, you need to be able to believe them.” What makes Copeland special in this era of music is she records and performs blues with contemporary themes and subject matter. She addresses topics like domestic violence (“I Ain’t Gonna Be Your Tattoo”), date rape and religious hypocrisy.
Lyrics are important to Copeland. She knows precisely what she wants for her final product. Therefore, she prefers to write, record and perform her own songs. “They’re very risqué,” says Copeland. “They will never make me popular, but it’s an awesome feeling ‘cause I’m doing what I wanna do.” Typically gripping a tambourine on-stage and accompanied by her four-piece band, Copeland’s ripe, robust pipes may have a slight twang to it here and there.
“I jump inside that song and become that song,” continues Copeland, “I become it, know it, feel those lyrics and know what they mean.”
A straight-shooting vocalist, it’s hard for Copeland to categorize her sound because she embraces incorporating various elements into her potent rendition of the blues. “I don’t cut anybody any slack,” she says. “I get on everybody within the music. It’s a big ‘ole stew. You gotta put it all in there. That’s how you make the music and make it good.”
Copeland, who will turn 37 on Apr. 10, was predestined to perform. The multiple Blues Music Award recipient and three-time Grammy award nominee is the daughter of late Texas-born, Grammy-winning guitarist and songwriter Johnny Clyde Copeland. She made her stage debut at age nine at The Cotton Club singing one of her dad’s compositions, “Stingy.” That experience was actually corrective action for Copeland, adding that she was slightly embarrassed by her mother making her wear a dress.
“It was punishment for me,” recalls Copeland, insisting she knew she would be called up to sing. “I’d gotten in trouble at home. I was supposed to be behaving myself. I started shaking, but I finally got up there.” Since that memorable evening, Copeland has worked tirelessly to forge her path as an accomplished musician in her own right. It irritates Copeland that her voice doesn’t resemble many of her favorite male (and some female) singers.
“When I was a kid, I wanted to sing like a man,” she says. “I was pissed. I couldn’t get that raspy.” Copeland traveled to Europe and throughout the New York area several times with her dad as a background singer. At times, she performed the entire first set of his show on her own. Before long, she was regularly booking solo gigs throughout New York even though she was barely old enough to set foot inside certain venues.
Right after her father’s passing in 1997, Copeland stepped into the spotlight full-time and chose to forego getting her college education. The following year, Copeland, at the time 18-years-old, released her debut LP, Turn the Heat Up. She was invited to tour with B.B. King and Dr. John for several months. “I became a little more serious about getting up there and singing,” says Copeland. “At first, I would sing a song with my daddy. He wouldn’t be there, so I would sing with his band.”
Copeland has released eight full-length studio projects, the most recent being 2015’s Outskirts of Love. She has shared stages along with Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, KoKo Taylor, Ruth Brown and Carlos Santana. The opportunity to join legendary talent came with a few hard lessons for Copeland about preparation.
“They don’t cut you no slack,” warns Copeland. “You gotta go up there, and do it. You gotta bring it. They won’t invite you back if you don’t.” Another pivotal moment for Copeland was performing along with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Keb Mo and Mick Jagger for the Obamas at the White House. Each performer participated in a “Blues for Schools” program for younger kids. Although she was the youngest act in the mix, Copeland appreciates being a part of that ensemble performance.
“These guys are great,” she confirms. “They don’t mind sharing their stage, especially with up-and-coming folks. The artists are all big fans of the music.” Almost immediately, Copeland shares another moment about performing with The Rolling Stones. She opened for the iconic rock band for a show in Chicago, later accepting a random gift from Jagger. “He sent me a bottle of champagne, and that’s my favorite” remembers Copeland. “I don’t know how he knew.”
Copeland reiterates countless times how her career has allowed her to be exposed to an influx of musical styles and places across the globe. She really takes it to heart anytime members of the audience share their personal stories about how her music has affected them. It may irritate Copeland that she hasn’t earned a Grammy just yet, but she’s incredibly moved when she can inspire her listeners.
“Every night, you just never know where you’re gonna be, who you’re gonna touch or who’s gonna hear you,” says Copeland. “What I put out into the universe is so important to me. You never know on any given night.”
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.
South African President Jacob Zuma has been ordered by the constitutional court to reimburse the state $16 million.
(Photo: Google Images)
South African President Jacob Zuma has been ordered by the constitutional court to reimburse the state $16 million. (Photo: Google Images)
Nqobile Dludla of Reuters Africa is reporting South African president Jacob Zuma has been ordered by South Africa’s constitutional court to reimburse the state $16 million spent upgrading his private home.
Dludla writes:
“The unanimous ruling by the 11-judge court, a central pillar of the democracy established at the end of apartheid, said Zuma had failed to “uphold, defend and respect” the constitution by ignoring the Public Protector’s findings on his sprawling rural residence at Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal.
In 2014, the constitutionally mandated anti-corruption watchdog identified a swimming pool, cattle enclosure, chicken run, amphitheatre and visitor centre as non-security items that Zuma must pay for.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng gave the Treasury 60 days in which to determine their “reasonable cost”, after which Zuma would have a further 45 days to pay.”
In a statement, president Zuma says he respects the court’s decision and will determine the proper action “in due course.”
The Tuskegee Airmen (Photo Credit:
National Archives and Records Administration)
The Tuskegee Airmen (Photo Credit: National Archives and Records Administration)
The Tuskegee Airmen are legendary in their accomplishments, role in American history and invaluable contribution to World War II. On March 29, 2016, Fathom Events partnered with Bryton Entertainment to present “In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen – The 75th Anniversary” in select U.S. cinemas for the first time ever. The one-night cinema event featured emotional interviews, rare photographs, archival footage and computer-generated recreations. Audiences experienced an exclusive panel discussion captured at the National Air Force Museum with Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. George Hardy, Former Administrator of NASA Col. Fred Gregory, as well as producer Bryan Williams and director Denton Adkinson.
Sixteen of the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first African-American military aviators who flew the skies of the European Theater during World War II, are featured in this powerful event. As African Americans were rejected in their attempts to enlist in World War I, the recruitment, training and combat of the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II was a monumental moment not only in American military history, but also in American history as a whole. “In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen – The 75th Anniversary” tells the story of how these airmen were some of the first to begin the civil rights movement and have lived long enough to see the changes that continue to resonate today.
“Fathom is extremely excited to be working with Bryton Entertainment on this powerful event that honors the Tuskegee Airmen. 2016 marks the 75th anniversary of these amazing fighters and there is no better way to celebrate these men than a documentary and panel discussion,” said Fathom Events CEO John Rubey.
The Tuskegee Airmen (Photo Credit: National Archives and Records Administration)
“The enthusiasm in which the few remaining Tuskegee Airmen reacted to this news has been nothing short of fulfilling. These brave men made one request of us upon lending their story, ‘Never let our story die!’” said Bryan Williams of Bryton Entertainment, LLC.
Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 200 movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website(theaters and participants are subject to change).
This post was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.
Multi-talented Grammy-nominated entertainer Tyrese Gibson is the celebrity ambassador for Coca-Cola's Pay It Forward program (Photo Credit: The Coca-Cola Company).
Multi-talented Grammy-nominated entertainer Tyrese Gibson is the celebrity ambassador for Coca-Cola’s Pay It Forward program (Photo Credit: The Coca-Cola Company).
Touring Coca-Cola’s Atlanta headquarters for the first time makes multi-faceted entertainer Tyrese Gibson a little emotional. Walking through those halls takes him back to appearing in that memorable commercial for the global beverage brand two-plus decades ago with the young, up-and-coming star harmonizing a jingle on a bus.
His television debut paid him residuals exceeding $100, which was the most money he had ever seen at that point. Now Tyrese wants to help others accomplish their dreams. The six-time Grammy-nominated vocalist and founder of his own youth empowerment nonprofit #TheLoveCircle rejoined his Coca-Cola connection as the celebrity ambassador for its Pay It Forward program.
Pay It Forward awards $5,000 scholarships to up to 25 youth in grades nine through 12 between the ages of 13 and 18. The recipients and their legal guardian attend its accompanying Pay It Forward Academy. Candidates may be nominated by a mentor or self-nominate.
Upon his entry into the conference room for an informal half-hour conversation, Tyrese reiterates how his reunion with Coca-Cola is a privilege because it’s a reminder of his humble beginnings. “Prayers have been answered with me being back with my original family,” says the singer behind the chart-topping LP Black Rose. “My life has been changed forever, so I want to do something to benefit others.”
Seated with his legs crossed at the center of a U-shaped table, the star of films like Baby Boy, Waist Deep, Four Brothers and several installments of the Fast & Furious franchise hints at still having aspirations to pursue higher education to concentrate on business administration and marketing. Following high school graduation, he embarked on his recording career instead of pursuing higher education. The closest program to Pay It Forward that Tyrese was involved in growing up in Watts, South Central Los Angeles was M.O.L.D., or Men of Locke Delegation.
Named after his alma mater, Alain Locke High School, the male participants in M.O.L.D. regularly convened to discuss how to improve their school and community. M.O.L.D. was also the only outreach effort Tyrese had access to at the time. Because of the limited programming offered in Tyrese’s community, the member of the R&B supergroup TGT knows the importance of having visible roles models in the lives of young people.
“Paying it forward is not always financial,” insists the passionate soul singer. “Paying it forward is being willing to have a conversation with somebody when they’re going through a rough patch. It’s seeing value.”
Tyrese continues, “It’s not lonely at the top if you help somebody else get there. When you know what you want to do, you lead the pack. As you figure out what you want to be, it’s important to surround yourself with like-minded people that will keep you encouraged.”
Before delving into the motivation for giving back. Tyrese takes a few moments to plug the release of his music video trilogy, The Black Book, available on WorldStarHipHop and Revolt TV. The project shot over three days in Los Angeles marks Tyrese’s directorial debut. Just before he makes that announcement, the extremely chatty singer, wearing a million-dollar smile to match the blooming flower on his well-tailored, polka dot navy blue tuxedo jacket, elaborates on why it’s important for youth to stay focused on their goals.
He hopes young people especially can solely concentrate on achieving excellence and including their families along on their journey. “It’s so much harder to find love now, to focus on education and to be mission and goal-oriented now,” says Tyrese. Tyrese notes that his frequent posts on social media to his millions of followers are often gimmicky and fun. Still, he says he takes his followers seriously, referring to his fans as his “congregation.”
“We have so much more access to distractions that we ever did. It’s really hard to not remember or focus on what you’re doing. Because of the amount of distraction, kids need to have their parents move into the direction of education that’s fun where you feel like you’re learning, but you don’t realize it.”
Tyrese recently gave $50,000 to a young man from Compton, currently enrolled at Morehouse College, to assist with his tuition. The 37-year-old best-selling author and co-host of OWN’s It’s Not You, It’s Men along with Rev. Run, his best friend of eight years, mentors young performer Gabi Wilson via BET’s First Taste with Coca-Cola.
“I make kings and queens,” states Tyrese. “I don’t play the game of quitting. There are only so many people that have the will power and the mental and spiritual audacity to stay the course. When you’re not struggling by yourself, you can help each other up.”
A few of Tyrese’s peers, he recalls, thought he was crazy to step back into the Coca-Cola culture in a philanthropic capacity. The productive entrepreneur that has a restaurant on his estate and owns an independent record label and production company, Voltron, aspires to have Coca-Cola increase the scholarship amount in the near future. He’s extremely comfortable with being the Pay It Forward ambassador and an humanitarian for now.
Tyrese says he isn’t quite sure if what he says or does for young people will make them smile but knows that hard work and dedication are what yields success. “My work ethic and my drive every single day is of a man who hasn’t accomplished anything,” confirms an upright Tyrese scratching his chin.
“It’s not too many people that can outwork me or keep up, but the way I pay it forward is simple. Everyone has those weak moments, but we have a responsibility to make people aware of things. Paying it forward is what it’s about for me at this point. It’s a great start.”
The deadline to apply for the Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program is March 31. Log onto the website for more details.
This post was written by Christopher A. Daniel, pop cultural critic and music editor for The Burton Wire. He is also contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.
Associationsnow.com is reporting the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP) have formed an alliance to combat being overlooked by federal agencies for advertising dollars.
The industry groups joined forces and made the issue part of their legislative fly-ins which occurred earlier this month.
“This historic media alliance is a gigantic step for our two organizations,” NNPA President and CEO Benjamin Chavis said in a statement. “We believe our working together has tremendous potential mutual benefits in today’s marketplace.”
NAHP Vice President Martha Montoya emphasized that the publications of the two associations’ members, while not targeting a general audience, nonetheless have a significant reach. Combined, they reach 43 million U.S. readers each week.
“With close to 97 million African Americans and Hispanics in the U.S. today, representing 33 percent of the total population, this consumer segment demands attention,” Montoya said in a statement. “The buying power of the African-American and Hispanic communities, currently at more than $2.3 trillion combined, continues to outpace the national average.”
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), has called for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate advertising by federal agencies in black- and Hispanic-owned publications in the form of a study.
Al Jazeera is reporting Nigerian troops have freed more than 800 hostages being held by Boko Haram across the country’s northeast, the army said. The author writes:
“The ‘clearance operation’ on Tuesday saw 520 people rescued in Kusumma village, three Boko Haram fighters killed and one fighter from the group captured alive, according to spokesman Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman.
In a statement posted to the army’s official website on Thursday, Usman said that 309 others were rescued in 11 villages across the region.
At least 22 ‘terrorists’ were said to have been killed in the operation in which 309 were rescued…
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Nigeria’s Information Minister Lai Mohammed said that the army had significantly reduced Boko Haram’s ability to carry out big attacks.”
Legendary rapper Malik 'Phife Dawg' Taylor.
(Photo: The Source/Google Images)
Legendary rapper Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor. (Photo: The Source/Google Images)
San Francisco radio station Q102 has exclusive footage of what may be legendary rapper Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor’s final freestyle. According to Jessica Todd of VLAD-TV, the Five Foot Assassin appeared on Mia Amor’s show on March 18, one week before his passing. Check the Rhime below:
SHADES OF BLUE -- Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Jennifer Lopez as Detective Harlee Santos, Dayo Okeniyi as Michael Loman -- (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC)
Dayo Okeniyi stars as Detective Michael Loman on NBC’s ‘Shades of Blue.’
People think they know Loman. They have no idea. – Dayo Okeniyi
Dayo Okeniyi stars as Detective Michael Loman on NBC’s hit police drama ‘Shades of Blue.’ Okeniyi plays the role of Loman, a rookie NYPD detective whose idea of the job and his role on the force is challenged from day one. Loman is the proverbial good guy gone bad – real bad due to bad luck, bad timing, and a really bad decision, which leads him down a path from which he may never be able to recover. Detective Loman’s complexity is what drew Okeniyi to the role.
“Loman is a fresh young man coming into the NYPD as a detective, which is really hard. He has all of these ideas and ideologies of what that means and all of it is challenged almost immediately. He has to play catch up with this world he’s now a part of,” says the Nigerian born actor. Okeniyi also liked the fact that Loman’s character is rare. “There is nothing stereotypical about him at all,” says Okeniyi. “When I read the character, he felt like a person. It felt original. As a young, black actor, you don’t find roles like that often,” says the Anderson University graduate.
After landing the role, Okeniyi got busy with preparing to play the naïve NYPD detective by watching hours of police training videos and working with police consultants to really figure out the best way to play the character. “YouTube is becoming an actor’s greatest resource,” he says laughingly. “I watched everything from tactical training like how to enter and clear a room to the psychological training needed to interact with people.”
SHADES OF BLUE — Episode 101 — Pictured: (l-r) Jennifer Lopez as Detective Harlee Santos, Dayo Okeniyi as Michael Loman — (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC)
Okeniyi is pouring all of what he has learned about police officers into the role of Loman, while learning as much as he can about the craft of acting from his fellow stars Ray Liotta, Drea de Matteo and Jennifer Lopez. “The show has amazing people in front of and behind the camera,” says Okeniyi. “Nobody is bringing you ten pages that hasn’t been completely thought out. They pound the material. They look at it from every angle so the scene can be the best it can be.”
In addition to “incredible writing,” Okeniyi says the approach to writing works hand in hand with the acting. “I’ve learned not to compromise, especially from Ray. Everything is questioned. Why are we saying this? Why are we doing this? He’s concerned with the authenticity of the character and performance,” says Okeniyi. “Sometimes as an actor, you get the pages and you think about the one way it can be played. Well, Ray thinks about 18 different ways it can be played. He’ll play a scene in a way that is always unexpected which is what makes him a great actor” he adds.
Okeniyi is committed to great acting and convincingly portraying a man engaged in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. The actor featured in Vanity Fair‘s New Wave portfolio of 30 Under 30, leaves viewers with a hint about what to expect in the upcoming finale. “People think they know Loman. They have no idea.”
Watch Shades of Blue on NBC on Thursdays at 10 p.m. EST. Check your local listings for channel information.
This article was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.
A stretch of beach along Grand Bassam is being guarded by police.
(Photo: Google Images)
A stretch of beach along Grand Bassam is being guarded by police. (Photo: Google Images)
Ofeibea Quist-Arcton of NPR is reporting the Ivory Coast is struggling to stay afloat after al-Qaeda terrorists open fired on swimmers and diners one week ago at a popular beachfront weekend getaway in Grand Bassam, the historic former capital of Ivory Coast. The author writes:
“Bassam, as the sleepy, pretty town is known, is a short 25-mile ride from the economic capital and main city, Abidjan. Bassam is much favored by local families and visitors, including children of all ages.
March 13 was a lazy, sweltering Sunday, as swimmers frolicked in the warm Atlantic Ocean waters, sunbathers enjoyed a day outdoors, and visitors and tourists sat down for lunch at hotels and restaurants overlooking the sea.
That’s when al-Qaida (sic) in the Islamic Maghreb, by its own admission, claims its black balaclava-clad militants, toting heavy weapons, first sprayed the palm-fringed beach. They fired in and out of the water before turning their weapons from the beach to the diners.
At least 19 Ivorians and foreigners were killed in the carnage. One body, with a bullet to the head, washed up midweek, fueling concern that others may follow.
The deadly assault on Grand Bassam was the third in five months in West Africa on a former French colony. Mali’s capital Bamako was first in November, with a siege on the Radisson Blu Hotel, favored by foreigners. Then the January siege in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, on the Splendid Hotel and Cappuccino cafe. Foreigners were among the 20 people killed in Bamako and 30 killed in Ouagadougou.”
Some believe that these African countries have been targeted due to their close association with the French government, which maintains a military presence in all three countries and intervened in Islamist terrorist attacks last year. Fear of another attack is keeping tourists away from the desirable location, which is hurting the economy.
See more South African Fashion Week fashions on Twitter @safashionweek.
