Nigerian pop superstar Ayra Starr has been confirmed as music streaming service provider Spotify’s EQUAL Africa and EQUAL Global artist for the month of May. This marks the second time the singer is joining the artist development initiative aimed at promoting gender equity in music after her first inclusion in the EQUAL Africa programme in November 2021. She now joins fellow Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage as the only other African artist to be named both EQUAL Africa and EQUAL Global artist by Spotify. As the latest EQUAL act, Ayra Starr, signed to Nigerian music record label Mavin Records (led ..read more

Nollywood film Breath of Life pulled off a huge scoop of laurels at the recently-held Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) … The film clinched five awards on the night out of eleven nominations: Best Movie Best Lead Actor – Wale Ojo Best Supporting Actor – Demola Adedoyin Best Supporting Actress – Genoveva Umeh Best Director – BB Sasore Breath of Life follows Timi, a brilliant multilingual man who becomes the first African clergyman in the Church of England. After marrying and having a daughter, he returns to Nigeria, leading a fulfilling life until his family is wiped out by a loca ..read more

Popular Netflix series Stranger Things has been brought to life by a multi-award-winning creative team, who take theatrical storytelling and stagecraft to a whole new dimension … Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach. Marking her West End debut Ella Karuna Williams plays Patty New ..read more

There is Nothing Better Than Some British Entertainment … Unless it’s coupled with a dose of equally good TV from the US. If you’re looking for a game show the Fortune Hotel looks like a great watch, if you’re craving a period drama Bridgerton is back and if you need some Black History then look no further than The Big Cigar which stars André Holland as legendary Black Panther leader Huey P Newton. Let us know what you’ll be watching. The Fortune Hotel – Monday 13th – Thursday 16th May @ 9pm | ITV1 This reality competition series features 10 pairs of contestants who are given a briefcase, ins ..read more

The longlist for this year’s edition of the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize has been announced … Two books published by African authors are up for consideration. The twelve-strong longlist, selected by a panel of librarians and library staff from across the UK, includes works by British, Australian, American, Canadian, Georgian, Indian, Nigerian and South Korean authors. Five of the titles are debut works. The African books are Blessings by Nigerian writer Chukwuebuka Ibeh, and Shigidi and The Brass Head of Obalufon by Nigerian writer Wole Talabi. Chukwuebuka Ibeh was born in Port Harcou ..read more

South Africa’s Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) has announced the lineup of projects and participants for the 17th edition of Talents Durban … Taking place during the Durban FilmMart (DFM) in Durban from 19 – 22 July 2024.  This year’s edition of Talents Durban is distinguished by its inclusion of participants from 15 African countries, who collectively reflect the continent’s diversity of emerging film professionals. The selection process was highly competitive, with a record 499 applications resulting in the choice of 26 distinctive projects and 4 film critics, each bringing a fresh pe ..read more

In Everglade Studio opens in a small, forgotten recording studio, some three or four floors underground in 1971 England. We meet Skye, an aspiring country music star, Baron, her surly keyboardist, and Clarke, their enthusiastic but temperamental producer. Clarke has big plans for Skye and is trying to squeeze every last drop of talent and creativity from her and Baron before their studio time runs out. The play introduces these characters with the first of many brilliant original songs by Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller and Aveev Issacson, performed live by Isaacson and Emily Moment who play Baron a ..read more

Ray Young is a transdisciplinary performance artist, experience maker, and writer … Widely recognised for their groundbreaking work at the forefront of activism, queerness, race, and neurodiversity. Ray’s work has been presented widely across the UK, including in London, Cambridge, Brighton, Leeds, and Edinburgh, as well as internationally including Portland, Mexico City, and Venezuela. Their groundbreaking contributions to the field of performance art have earned them numerous awards and accolades, and their work continues to push boundaries and challenge conventional notions of what art can ..read more

With A dreary Bank Holiday and week ahead … What better than to chill out, relax and watch some great TV? Check out our picks for this coming week. Dark Matter – Wednesday 8th May | Apple TV+ Follows Jason Dessen, a physicist, professor and family man who one night while walking home on the streets of Chicago, is abducted into an alternate version of his life. Wonder quickly turns into a nightmare when he tries to return to his reality amid the mind-bending landscape of lives he could have lived. With Dayo Okeniyi and Amanda Brugel. Abbott Elementary: Season 3 – Wednesday 8th May | Disney+ J ..read more

Kebidoo (pronounced “kee-bee-doo”) is a South African artist whose music blends various international influences. Her musical style combines iconic South African hip-hop and kwaito with international genres and music cultures such as UK underground grime, K-pop, and electro-pop. Kebidoo represents a new generation of South African artists incorporating global influences into their music. Born in Mahikeng, in the North West province of South Africa, Kebidoo’s upbringing was uniquely shaped by her father’s career in the South African Airforce, which led to extensive international travel. These ..read more