₦airaland Forum

I really think it's time we face the truth. African (male) leaders have proven to be power-hungry & blood thirsty losers. We need women to take over and help Africa live up to its potential. I hate to sound sexist but I have to be honest. African men do not understand leadership. You can't name one African leader that isn't corrupted -- and surprise, surprise -- they are ALL men. Let's get women in power and watch things change. GIRL POWER!

You are originally from Ghana. Could you tell us about your life growing up in Africa?

Yes I am from Ghana, Accra to be specific. My father was born in Ghana while my mom was born in Nigeria. I lived in Ghana but traveled all over the continent of Africa from Cameroon, Nigeria, and Malawi to Zimbabwe and South Africa as a child. I grew up mostly in Accra and Malawi; the cultures are different but the principles are the same. Life was very simple, family-oriented. I learned about the value of working hard for what you want and sacrificing immediate pleasures to build for the future. My father was a computer analyst, but later became a preacher so my earliest musical foundation and training came from the church.

In your interview with CBS Atlanta you mentioned that your parents didn’t want you to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. How did you navigate around this and what advice can you give to others going through the same situation?

Although a career in music wasn’t my parent’s ideal choice for me, it was my drive and love for music that eventually won them over. As African respect for your parents is very important, so I didn’t want to disrespect them, but at the same time I realized that I had to make the right decisions for my life. My advice is to get an education, but still remain committed to your art. I made a deal with my mother that if I completed my education, I could pursue my music career. You should respect your parents and explain to them that you want to follow your passions.

After deciding to pursue a music career, you took your talents to Atlanta. Is there a specific reason you chose Atlanta? How did you figure out Atlanta was the right place for you?

Even when I was in Africa, I followed the U.S. music industry. The reason I chose Atlanta was I noticed the music scene was emerging there. A lot of Atlanta artist started to gain buzz and recognition, so I just felt it was the place to be and that’s why I chose to come to college in Atlanta.

We read that you’ve worked with actor Idris Elba. What exactly were you working on? And if you could choose to work with any artist or producer, who would it be?

I had the pleasure of working with Idris Elba on his “High-Class Problems” EP which is available on iTunes. If I had a choice I definitely would work with Dr. Dre because I really like his sound and I feel I could learn a lot from him especially when I come to music production.

You’ve produced, engineered and co-written songs for a variety of artists including Akon. Should we expect more collaborations between the two of you?

Akon is someone I got to meet before he became the “Akon” that we all know and love right now, so I got to see first-hand the amount of hard work and passion it takes to get there and that’s what I admire about him. There’s no telling what the future holds but I definitely will not turn down an opportunity to work with him again.

Source: http://afri-culture.com/exclusive-afri-culture-one-on-one-with-artist-producer-selasi/

dmcdad: @bolded, don't be ridiculous.. Is there anything that is meant to stay forever if not marriage?? Even marriage of these days don't stand the test of time much less a mere relationship. Just so you know, that wasn't why we broke up, infact its far from that so don't get it twisted. Okay? Besides, the fact that she craved not for those things doesn't mean I didn't make use of my discretion to take care of those things..

But you really need to change your focal point because it aint gonna lead you well, whether you choose to accept it or not.

Look her up -- she's probably got herself a rich man. I refuse to believe you are over 20 years old. You sound very naive. This is 2013 -- you need to wake up. This generation is the most money hungry generation society has ever seen. If you think any woman in 2013 will stay with you while you are broke & refuse to do better for yourself, you are in for a VERY rude awakening.

dmcdad: I am not against you in any way but you should kinda review your posts or the entire thread as using the word broke might just imply a temporal blip and not as if the guy is in penury. You catch my drift? Even the so-called-rich-guys go broke sometimes. So, the fact remains that being broke or not, people should be allowed to date for whatever reason they want to.

There is one thing you need to be clear of and that is the fact that you cant date anyone who is broke. That is good and fine for you. But don't say they shouldn't be allowed to date like there is a fundamental law against such people dating. Besides, if u would date for money, there are girls that would date just for a guy's intelligence, handsomeness, wisdom, personality just to name a few.

Like I stated in one of my previous posts, money is required to fine-tune the dating experience, to add spices to it, to bring about treats and the likes. I have dated someone who doesn't like me taking her out or buying a gifts or the likes... What she ever craved for was just to be with me alone because whenever she was with me she was always happy and that was what she craved for. Please and please the bedrock of your relationship shouldn't be money... Besides, someone who is broke today might also be well to do tomorrow if he knows what he is doing. And a rich guy of today can eventually become flat-broke tomorrow.

Do u see right through me?

Where is the relationship now? That's what I thought. Listen, I am woman and I am telling you things straigjt up. No sugar coating. I am not here to stroke anyone's ego. The reaity is women will always say stuff like what your previous girlfriend said but best believe after a while all that CHANGES! A man needs to be ambitious.

If a man is "rich" and then goes broke, I have NO reason to leave him. I will stand by him and help get his feet back on track because I know he's capable.

dmcdad: Whats a lie? You pity your generation? I pity you for coming up with such a **** thread. It shows the kinda person you are. I can bet u are the type that would even be dating a rich dude and would run away if things goes bad for him... Please, remove the plank in ur eyes before tryna take out the dust in someone else's own.

I never spoke of dating a rich man. I simply said he can't be broke. Additionally, I intend on being a career woman -- in other words my source of income won't be my man/husband. BUT I still need a man to make me feel like a woman. He needs to be able to satisfy me in every way possible. Is that so difficult for you to understand?

I just can't figure out why someone who's completely broke would want to date. Even a 5 year old knows having a girlfriend will cost you money.

This is grown folks talk. If you can't handle it don't come into this thread.

dmcdad: Ehen..?? Okay I hope u wont complain when men cheat or something cause Abraham had Sarah when he was given the go-ahead to sleep with his slave girl.. So, you see! The same nature man was created to be a provider, so also was he created to have more than one woman.. If u no agree with this, me sef no agree with ur own. Simple!

That's a LIE and you know it. What kind of man even says something like that. I pity my generation.

Hunnydropps: tou make me laugh! You don't know me and I never approached you wrong. And no I am not the thpe to marry poor and complain. I don't appreciate your attitude but I guess some people have no home training, lol. Who are you to be ignorant when all I am is stating N opinion. If you don't want to see what others have to say and act like an adult while you do it then dont bother posting. Grow up and stop being so mean...,are you 3 yrs old? God Bless You.

I am not being mean to you. I am asking you to be honest. You can say you don't mind being with a man who is broke BUT don't seat here and talk like it's an easy life when truly it's NOT.

Money doesn't buy happiness and NO ONE should ever marry for money. I am not saying women should chase a rich man -- but should go for a man who can SIMPLY take care of his woman/family.

[quote author=star*]@op Hell no! There should be a strict law prohibiting a man without the funds to spoil a woman at least every week from dating. If they are found dating whilst broke the punishment should be a minimum of 5 years behind bars and a smacked bottom!!

Money can't buy love! Oh no wait. What was I saying?? [/quote]I don't believe money can buy love. I just think a man should be able to please his woman is every way, not just emotionally or sexually. If LOVE was all a relationship/marriage required to survive divorce rates wouldn't be SO high.

Creamish: Babe calm down . . .

Firstly, i never judged u.

Secondly, refer back to my post where i said he has to get something doing inorder to keep body and soul as well as pride together . .

Iv been married for some years now and Im content with mine. U asked our opinion. We all dont have to agree with urs. If he is broke and his girl likes him broke, FINE by THEM. Its not ur place to correct the girl. To each his own. U want roses, look for a man whoz willing to buy u roses. Therez nottin bad in dat either. . no b fight.

Ok

Creamish: U'l never rily know someone until u wear that person's shoes. Dont judge her. U dont know her. Not all women are materialistic.

Judge her? You are telling me not to judge her but the rest of you have judged me. I am not saying a man needs to be rich, he just has to be able to take care of his woman. Lots of you women try to play that "good girl" role acting like you don't care about money but once you are married you will start creating problems because your husband has no money to buy this or that for you.

In life you need to know what YOU want. Why settle for less because you are afraid of what others will say about you?

I would prefer if you said, I will date a man who doesn't have much money as long as he's willing to work hard to change his situation. I can respect a woman who says that. I can't respect a woman who comes on here giving a fake ass speech to gain fans on a message board.

The same girls who 10 years from now will be crying about how much they are suffering in their "marital home." I don't care what ANYONE says. I will do what is BEST for me.

Let's get REAL please.

Hunnydropps: [color=#000099][/color] The question I have is:
Why shouldn't they be allowed to? Are they not human? Don't we all desire to love and be loved? A man may be poor financially but rich in heart. So as he is not using a woman, leeching off her whats the problem? Woman need to look within, yes we like men who can provide pretty things, assistance if we need help with a bill or something. BUT we can give people a fair chance too. Imagine a man down on his luck but treats you wonderful, is kind, understanding, respectful. The right woman will naturally spark a desire to improve his station so that he can increase the ways he can show his care or her...ie hustling to improve financially. The love and commitment a man develops for a woman that was there with him while he was down should not be underestimated. He will grant you access to all the benefits he acquires as he improves on the come up and ultimately give you the world when he 'makes it'. This does not mean that you're supporting him like a child but we as women can give more understanding and opportunity for a man to improve his lot. Also, not all gifts are bought with $ and I've found that the best gifts are the free kind and freely given from the heart. If you keep your eyes open it can be seen whether a particular man has potential and maybe just needs a good, kind woman to believe in him. I'm not suggesting woman to waste time on lazy men....Lord knows we've come too far to put up with that nonsense as women but some men just need a chance. Judge each person and their circumstances individually and compare their situation and potential to yours and determine if you're able to deal with what you find. ~ Good day to you all

Child please, you are lying through your teeth. Girls like you are the first ones to marry broke men and then go and complain to anyone who has ears about how miserable your lives are.

Women have to stop lying to themselves.

Creamish: Broke men are human and as human, they have as much rights are the rich. . . One man's meat is another man's poison. There will alwayz be a babe for dem. We all dont have equal money-making opportunities and one will not force a broke man into rituals just to satisfy a babe.

However, its not an excuse to lay on the roadside doing nuttn. . . He can always find sth doing to keep body n soul together as well as his pride.

Derz no rules to dating. It depends on what u want/ are okay with.

I NEVER said he has to be RICH. The word Rich never came out of my mouth. I said he has to HOLD his own! That's it.

I didn't say the man has to be rich! I simply said "he can't be broke."

In the words of Kanye West "I ain't saying she a gold digger, but she ain't messing with no broke n*gga"

MRbrownJAY: yet, broke babes like the OP want to date......what an irony!!!!!

What makes you think I am broke? You are too funny. I am very far from broke, boo.

saintvc: Should ugly girls be dated

Should ugly men be dated?

Men. do not be deceived or fooled. NO woman is yruly happy with a broke man. Deep down her heart she's not happy and probably wants to leave you. I don't care how Christian she claims to be. The reality is -- a man must be able to provide. If he can't, why is he a man?

He doesn't ahve to be rich or filthy rich. He just has to be able to please his woman in all manners.

That's my opinion.

Do you guys think it's okay for a guy who has NO money to have a girldriend?

Let's be realistic for one second.

I don't think I could date someone who can't buy me beautiful roses here and there, take me to a nic restaurant during the weekend or spoil me with little gifts here and there.

I am not saying he has to be rich but he can't be broke. A man's gotta hold his own.

[quote author=gree-die]mad? no.... its funny really. ur writeup and ur profile pix [/quote]Only a fool will believe that's actually a photo of me.

I am not complaining. Being beautiful definitely has its perks. For example, I get 5 star treatments everywhere I go. I recently went to a business meeting with a partner and he started hitting on me. The sad part about this is that he’s a married man. He kept telling me how beautiful I was and how my smile melts his heart.
I enjoy being treated like a queen everywhere I go, but I don’t enjoy when married men or stupid men chase me. I am just sharing my frustration with you guys.

[quote author=gree-die]jonser.[/quote]Tell them why you mad son?

No need to be a hater. Get on my level.

I am so tired of men trying to date me, especially married men. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so pretty. It's so frustrating.

LMFAO - I cannot with you people.

I was wondering, who do y'all think is the best between the following?

Male:
D'Banj
Wizkid
Davido
Banky W
Sarkodie
Iyanya
Wale
Fally Ipupa
Akon
Magic System

Female:
Goldie R.I.P
Tiwa Savage
Dencia
Tonto Dikeh

I also realized that there aren't many African female singers. We definitely need more.

Earlier this month, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) hosted “Mic Check: Hip- Hop from North Africa and the Middle East”. The event, which ran from March 7 to 9, featured artists who use their music as a way to spread messages of hope and self-determination to those involved in the continuing struggles in North Africa and the Middle East.

With the recent revolutions in North Africa and the Middle East the artists – Amkoullel (Mali), El Général (Tunisia), Deeb (Egypt), Brahim Fribgane (Morocco) and Shadia Mansour (London born Palestinian) – have emerged as torchbearers for the movement’s progressive energy and defiant spirit. The rappers and musicians who performed in front of a packed house were welcomed to Brooklyn, hip-hop’s home, with open arms.

Zeyba Rahman, the event’s curator, spoke to the BBC on the role that hip-hop artists play in North Africa and The Middle East and why the BAM is the ideal venue for this once in a lifetime event.

From BBC:

“In the Middle East and North Africa it is a very popular means for MC’s to be social commentators who give voice to burning social and political issues and, as such, hip-hop culture and rap music has wide appeal across the region,” said Zeyba Rahman. “Over the last couple of years, with so many Arab countries in the grip of a social-political tsunami, hip hop has emerged as a prominent form of cultural resistance, an alternative to armed movement, and a strong voice for change.”

Rahman thinks that BAM is a great place to host African and Arab artists because it is located in a multi-cultural neighbourhood. “The institution is situated close to the long established Arab section along Atlantic Avenue, the Nigerian mosque and community center on Myrtle Avenue as well as other, diverse, Muslim populations within the BAM radius in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Cultural District.”

This is not the first time that the BAM hosts an African themed event. In May the centre will be hosting DanceAfrica, BAM’s longest running program is a festival that celebrates the cultural vitality of Africa and its diaspora through dance, art, film and an outdoor bazaar.

Source: http://afri-culture.com/revolutionary-north-african-rappers-welcomed-to-hip-hops-home/

good for them

To add to the point I made above. African Entertainment needs fresh faces -- PERIOD. I am not just referring to movies. I am speaking in regards to music, models, producers, directors, bloggers, hosts, presenters et cetera. Where are the young people? Who will carry the entertainment industry in 10-15 years if we are not developing/creating young stars? Why do people have to be so jealous of one another?

Fussbot: see,d op isn't saying we dn't have fresh faces in d movie industry,her point is dat we don't have a young act dat is widely and broadly accepted in d industry,asin a young act dat is in callibre of omotola,tonto dike in terms of fame...u know as wizkid is 2 d music industry??we dn't have a young actor lik dat...dat's it..

Exactly. I am not putting down anyone. I am simply saying we need to encourage young talent. They will be the future of African movies. Omotola, Tonto Dikeh, Gienevieve and company need to stop playing high school/college girls in movies. It just doesn't work any more. Will you ever see Halle Berry or Angelina Jolie playing a high school/college girl in a movie? NO.

We need to help and encouarge young people. The problems with Africans is JEALOUSY! They don't like to see others come up!

Being known by a few people doesn't make one a celebrity -- it just makes the popular. A celebrity is bigger than popularity. It's a brand, international star and can be recognized by everyone.

Those people you named are not, I repeat are NOT celebrities. They are JUST popular. Kind of like that popular kid in the neighbourhood everyone knows but outside his neighbourhood nobody gives a damn about him. That's NOT being celebrity.

To the foolish people talking about "must we always follow follow." It is this mentality that is stopping Africa from moving forward. If we were intelligent, we would take ideas from the West and use it for our own benefit.

So we should stop building highways, good roads and all too right? After all, it's all just "follow follow." NONSENSE!

safarigirl: @ Op, NEW celebs or YOUNG celebs, be specific.
The fact that YOU and some others don't know them, doesn't mean they're not present; damilola Adegbite, gbenro Ajibade, O.C Ukeje, Ivie Okujaiye, Gideon Okeke, Chris Attoh, Belinda Effah, Ifeanyi Ogbonna, Ifeanyi Kalu, Beverly Naya, Linda Ejiofor, Chris Okagbue...these guys are new to Nollywood (and fairly young, within the age range of 22-29), not as young as J. Bieber (but those guys aren't NEW, 2008 no be new celeb).

You can visit the celeb section and look for threads concerning NEW celebs

Hi there,

I understand your point. BUT, from what I recall, someone needs to have a following larger than 2 or 4 people to be considered a celebrity.

They would quality as struggling actors. Do they deserve an opportunity to shine? Absolutely! That is why holding AUDITIONS is key. This is how you explore an actor's potential. This is HOW you discover NEW talent.

Once again, I'm NOT saying entertainment has a retirement age. I didn't say the older actors should disappear. I'm simply saying, we need to encourage new talent & particularly young people. There are talented people out there looking for opportunities. Why not give them a chance? Do you know that in Hollywood even BIG actors have to audition for roles?

Why can't we do the same? This is how you discover new talent. This is how you explore someone's potential. Most African actors can only play a certain role, meanwhile in Hollywood, you have people like Idris Elba for instance, he has a Brittish accent but can sound completely American. Nicole Kidman is Australian but can sound American. For crying out loud, Leo Dicaprio played a role of a white South African in blood diamonds.

How do you think they have landed such roles? Auditions! Miley Cyrus began her career in Hanna Montanna, she went to the audition as a nobody and was chosen for the role due to her great performance.

Why can't African talent evolve? Why do our actors refuse to train and evolve? I once watched a Nigerian movie, I forgot the name. But, in the movie the guy went to study in America then after 5 years returned to Nigeria. Ask me why the guy returned and was faking a Brittish accent? Wasn't he supposed to go to America?

I just get annoyed with all these nonsense. Oh by the way, when I speak of new talent, I'm referring to everything -- actors, producers, writers, cameraman, directors, make-up artists, stylists. We need NEW talent. That is ALL!

I wonder if some of the people getting offended are Nollywood actors undercover. Lol. I see y'all!

Newly Launched African Diaspora Publication - Afri-Culture, Signs Global Public Relations Firm Ford Publicity

(Ottawa, ON- March 12, 2013) - Afri-Culture, an online publication dedicated to providing news and resource on the continent of Africa and its Diaspora, signed an agreement with Marketing/Public Relations firm Ford Publicity for representation.
"It is with great pleasure that we announce our decision to retain Ford Publicity as our PR Company. We are extremely excited about this new partnership and look forward to working together.
Afri-Culture was founded for one purpose; to honor and celebrate the motherland. Although the publication has been around for only 4 months, it has quickly gained many fans and supporters. We ask that you all join us as we continue to celebrate the motherland." - Raissa Nkuba, CEO of Afri-Culture
Afri-Culture
Afri-Culture is a Canadian-based online source of information on current “state of affairs” involving Africa. Afri-Culture is dedicated to providing our readers with strictly positive information pertaining to Africa and Africans.. www.afri-culture.com

Ford Publicity
Ford Publicity is a full service integrated marketing communications agency, which specializes in getting the attention you deserve. A sub-division of the Ford Global Group, establish in Toronto, Canada in 2006. Ford Publicity provides solutions for a wide range of industries through its innovative integrated services in public relations, marketing, creative and events. www.fordpublicity.com

Source: http://newsrelease.posterous.com/newly-launched-african-diaspora-publication-a

Is there a poster who just annoys you so much you wish you had the ability to punch them through the computer screen?

Or do you ever read a post/topic by a certain individual and wish your keyboard had a "slap him/her" key?

I have a few of those and they are as follows:

Adconline
Kirinwa
SniperInaDiaper

These 3 individuals annoy the living crap out of me.