601: July 2010
Mimitah live @ The Tabernacle, Powis Sq, Notting Hill London
A Taste of Spain
Creating a mini fiesta in London, the Regent Street Taste of Spain returns for a series of Spanish events throughout the traffic free day on London’s Regent street.
The main stage welcomed the highly acclaimed Spanish guitarist Paco Fernández and La Gente del Sol plus Foc i Fum from Ibiza, Spanish indie artist Annie B Sweet from Málaga, brass band Charanga La Chicuelina from Segovia and traditional flamenco music from Andalucía.
Supported by the Spanish Tourist Office, The Daily and Sunday Telegraph, the free festival will welcome many of the Spanish regions who will add colour and flair to the capital. With giant paellas, flamenco music, medieval food markets and a range of interactive sports challenges and events,
Regent Street, London
<a href=”http://www.atasteofspain.co.uk/stylesheet.asp?file=211_london_home” rel=”nofollow”>www.atasteofspain.co.uk/stylesheet.asp?file=211_london_home</a>
Ghana v Latvia
International friendly football match before the Ghana team take of to South Africa for the World Cup. Ghana won 1:0 from a 89 minute goal by Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.
Lineups:
Ghana:
Daniel Adjei, Samuel Inkoom, Lee Addy, Isaac Vorsah, John Mensah (Jonathan Mensah, 58), Anthony Annan, Kevin-Prince Boateng (Derek Boateng, 67), Prince Tagoe (Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, 58), Andrew Ayew (Matthew Amoah, 82), Kwadwo Asamoah (Stephen Appiah, 58), Asamoah Gyan (Dominic Adiyiah, 46).
Latvia:
Andris Vanins, Oskars Klava, Vitalijs Astafjevs (Vladimirs Kolesnicenko, 79), Juris Laizans (Maksims Rafalskis, 46), Deniss Ivanovs, Dzintars Zirnis, Pavels Mihadjuks, Genadijs Solonicins, Andrejs Pereplotkins (Ritus Krjauklis, 83), Artjoms Rudnevs (Arturs Karasausks, 58), Kristaps Grebis.
Link on website: <a href=”http://www.601tv.com/pix/x_ghanaLatvia.php” rel=”nofollow”>www.601tv.com/pix/x_ghanaLatvia.php</a>
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601: June 2010
Hells’ Gate shoot – The Kikoi Roadtrip
models: Pauline & Scolla
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photography: David Mbiyu & Antony Njoroge
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styling: Wairimu
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traditional accessories selection: Jemtai
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assistance: Joe Mbiyu, Bev Mlale
additional accessories & assistance in Nairobi
Urban Mpire +254 728 385 538 (Wairimu)
Forresters Shopping Mall, Moi Avenue-opposite Jazz Bar
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Petnot Shop +254 722320167 (Ngash)
Mamujee Exhibition
location : Hell’s Gate National Park, Mfangano Street, Moi Avenue, Railways Bridge, View Point
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Kwabena Classic London Shoot
model: Nana
designer/stylist: Kwabena
photography: David Mbiyu
location : Sloane Square, London
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Vquee launch debut album HALUA in Nairobi
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Afro Hair & Beauty Show 2010
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eCover June 2010 – Pauline in stripped red ochre Masai fabric & accessories. Hells’ Gate shoot
Vqee: Halua album launch
Denmark based-Kenyan singer VQEE launched her debut album in Alliance Francaise Gardens Nairobi 21st May with her 10-man band.
The 15-track album HALUA, is made in a genre she describes as Afro pop with obvious Kenyan sounds.
According to a statement from Gatwitch records, the album took three years to complete with producer Claus Seest.
Launch review on Nairobi Living Blog:
nairobiliving.com/component/content/article/19-blog/545-v…
Location: Alliance Francaise Gardens, Nairobi
601: May 2010
- Fashion 4 Africa
- Virgin London Marathon 2010
- Africa Weekender
Fashion 4 Africa
The event comprised of fashion competition, live music from Senegalese, Gambian and Congo Musicians co-ordinated by Eric Soul of Afro Groove and comedy. The objective is to combine all aspects of African culture, fashion, travel, arts, music, and languages etc.
At The Urdang, The Old Finsbury Town Hall
This showcase is …from the study focusing on the tourism of African fashion from all 53 states in Africa. The event will consist of fashion, live music and comedy show combined as a fundraising tool to sponsor:
1 non qualified designer a place at the Fashion Retail Academy of which is patronised by Sir Philip Green of Topshop alongside of high street brands, Next, Tescos and M&S.
1 qualified designer will be granted a platform for international exposure in Africa.
The night was hosted by Eddie Kadi & Tashie Jackson
For more info & other photos: www.fashion4africa.org
Vieux Farka Touré live at Dingwalls
Vieux Farka Touré live at Dingwalls for a one-off gig. Supported by Dry The River & Gabby Young.
Singer/ guitarist/ composer Vieux Farka Touré – one of Mali’s rising stars and son of the late legend Ali Farka Touré will next perform at the FIFA World Cup Celebration Concert in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event will feature performances by major international superstars and popular African artists collaborating together. Vieux is one of the few selected performers who will be sharing the stage with The Black Eyed Peas, Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys, and Shakira, as well as fellow Afro-rockers BLK JKS, Angelique Kidjo, Amadou & Miriam, The Parlotones, South African legend Vusi Mahlasela and desert bluesmen Tinariwen. The event will take place the night before the first World Cup match at 8:00 pm local time (GMT+2) on 10 June, at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg, and is set to be aired worldwide. The FIFA World Cup football tournament is the world’s most watched sporting event, and is staged every four years. This is the first time the FIFA World Cup is being held on the African continent.
Vieux Farka Touré released his second album ‘Fondo’ (meaning ‘The Road’) in 2009 on Six Degrees Records.
For more information, please contact
Ilka Schlockermann: ilka@ilkamedia.com
Vieux: www.vieuxfarkatoure.com
Dry The River: www.drytheriver.com
Gabby Young: www.gabbyyoungandotheranimals.com
Gabby Young & Other Animals live at Dingwalls
Gabby Young & Other Animals.
Gabby Young is a singer-songwriter based in London, England. Gabby and her 8 piece band ‘And Other Animals’, comprised of Stephen Ellis, Jim Hurt, Adam Lucas, Charlie Wren, Rory Shaw, Rosa Conrad and Yusuf Narcin, have been together since 2008 and have performed at major festivals such as Glastonbury and The Secret Garden Party.
www.gabbyyoungandotheranimals.com/
Shady Blue (Radio Interview)
Extract from Shady Blue’s interview at Colourful Radio in London.
The London based music artist is performing on 26th at The Mass, St Matthew’s Church, Brixton Hill, SW2 1JF.
DOORS OPEN 6.30PM, PERFORMANCES START 7.30PM TILL 11:00PM – After party till Late with DJ REN (former member of the famous Group – Urban Species)
Hosted By Cory McGee and a Surprise Female Celebrity., Brixton.
SPECIAL GUEST SUPPORT
Alicia Prayze – www.myspace.com/aliciabanton
Jaz Ellington – www.myspace.com/jazellington
Ife Awonubi – www.myspace.com/ifemusic
Leanne Robinson- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3K5sBADHn4
Anthony Everest – http://www.anthonyeverest.co.uk/
Singer-songwriter Shady Blue is one of the hottest new talents to emerge from the London music scene. Her unique vocal style blends the best of Soul/R&B/Jazz and Afro (her native African sound) forming music that will truly inspire a generation.
She teams up with various producers and songwriters to create a new unique sound – Afro-centric Soulful Jazz.
Shady Blue has been compared to a diverse range of artists, from Anita Baker to Sade Adu, From Jill Scott to Eryka Badu, from Norah Jones to Dido, from Alicia Keys to Rhian Benson to Viviene Green.
Shady Blue was born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa to a Nigerian – Yoruba father and bi-racial mother (half Ghanaian and half English) and moved to London as a teenager. During her early years, she was influenced by her father’s music – a renowned Jazz musician/producer in Nigeria & Atlanta. At the tender age of six (6), Shady started singing at her local church, when 8, became lead singer of the church choir.
She delivered exceptional three part-harmonies and captured audiences with her soothing voice and wide vocal range (Alto, soprano and tenor).
Shady Blue is not only a talented vocalist, but also writes; co-produces and arranges her music with instrumentation alongside producers.
With her sultry looks, unique style, infectious charm and dedication, she is destined to become one of the biggest stars emerging from the music scene.
This talented lady has always been very passionate about music from a very tender age.
Her family home was a place of music and has always had a desire to become a great singer and musician.
Shady Blue is inspired by artists and bands such as Michael Jackson, Incognito, (Earth, Wind & Fire), Rhian Benson, Fela Kuti, Alicia Keys, Anita Baker, Jill Scott, Eryka Badu, George Benson, Prince, Maxwell, Lisa Lisa, Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Sade Adu, Boyz II Men, Madonna and many more.
Shady Blue was won 3 of them stated below:
- The WIEE (Women in Entertainment and Arts Awards) UK 2009: Best Female Singer
- The NYAA (Nigerian Young Achievers Awards) UK 2009: Best Female Music Act
- The BEFFTA (Black Entertainment, Film, Fashion, Television and Arts Awards) UK 2009: Best Female Act (UK-Africa)
- Shady Blue was also nominated for the AMAs (African Music Awards) UK 2009 in the ‘New UK Artist’ category.
Guest & Support Acts Bios
Jaz Ellington
Having a name synonymous with the best in music certainly carries the weight of enormous expectation. Hailing from the South West of London Jaz Ellington is ready and able to shoulder that expectation with startling ease. Already a name at the forefront of UK Gospel having performed and written as part of The Renewal Project. Ellington is now working solo having released his debut EP ‘So … This is Me’ in the spring of 2008. An Introduction. A Hello. A collection of soul-stories that echoes the likes of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, and of course his namesake Duke all early influences of Ellington’s. Easily capable of a host of singing styles from Gospel to Blues and Pop to Hip-Hop this Tenor’s vocal abilities certainly attest to the legacy in his name. Currently at work in nine schools across the borough of Wandsworth, Ellington has facilitated Gospel Music Workshops throughout Europe and South Africa (Cape Town JazzFest) and gone on to perform as part of successful projects for the likes of House of Troops and The Wandsworth Community Gospel Choir. Whether as a backing vocalist for upcoming artists like Mpho Skeef or Clinton Jordan, supporting those on the cusp of their breakthrough such as Tawiah and Lisa McClendon or as a session singer for the world’s leading artists from Westlife, Leona Lewis, Jamelia, Katie Melua to The Kooks and Manic Street Preachers, Ellington has shown the ease, efficiency and fluency of a seasoned professional that looks set to serve him in good stead as he takes his first soulful steps into the solo music arena. A man of many sounds but one distinct voice. A talent of groundbreaking extremes but a God-Given gift. A talent that is in no way fluke, fallacy, secret or lie. A real talent. A Truth. This is his Truth. Tell me yours.
Ife Awonubi
Ife means love in Africa (Yoruba), and just like the bearer of the name, you cannot help but love him: the personality, the presence, and the voice of this artist.
Hailing from a rich and diverse cultural background, Ife has been influenced by an endless list of great artistes such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Beatles, Tracy Chapman, Donny Hathaway, Terence Trent Darby, Prince, Led Zeppelin, Rahshaan Patterson, Aretha Franklin etc. ife’s musical interest and stunning vocal ability ranges from the sultry seductiveness of soul to the sparse pulses of Hip-Hop and R&B to the grating edginess of Rock.
His incredible vast range coupled with an electric stage presence and an ability to turn a simple song into an event, have made this artiste a very popular entertainer amongst his peers and on the underground circuit.
He’s prolific writing and ability to express deep emotion through his lyrics has earned him the title Soul Poet. He describes his form of music as being Neo-rock.
Ife is well known on the underground circuit and has won several talent shows namely Talent nights at the Hackney, which he won twice, Uk Unsigned Xposure 2002, winner of the UK talent search 2003 etc. He has collaborated on a number of projects, including lending his vocals to Mike Ruff Cutt Lloyds cover version of Street Life originally covered by the White Head Brothers. He has also appeared on several TV shows, memorably, the Michael Barrymore Show (My Kind of Music) and Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes with Ian Wright and Actress Patsy Palmer (East Enders) and recently on ACCTV on Sky, numerous appearances on No Bling, channel OBE, Nottinghill Carnival (Between 2002-2007).
Ife has done backing vocals for numerous artists, namely while being a member of LCGC (London community Gospel Choir), he has over 15years experience of singing in a choir. He did backing vocals for the’ STREETS’, at the notable Leeds and Reading music festivals in 2006. He also had a starring role acting and singing in the anti-slavery Opera of Mozart (Zaide) staged by the world-renowned classical Opera director, Peter Sellars at the Barbican theatre 2006. Ife has also performed alongside Roachford, Natalie Williams, and Blu Cantrell. Winner of the Wilson White expressions Talent showcase. In his spare time he does backing vocals and session work
Ife’s talent is raw and a natural resource. He plays the Guitar and Piano, His other pseudonym is Luvchild the inspiration to an extensive wealth of several songs all penned and composed by him including poetry, paintings, cartoons and illustrations. When he sings people listen, open up and receive the gift of his voice. According to him I sing from deep within, and there people will connect. He currently has a track being played on Radio1Xtra called Dreams and both major and independent labels are hotly seeking after him. He worked with JD (Lisa Mafia) He has worked with Ian
Barter (Box Jelly Productions) who worked with Natasha Beddingfield, Amy Winehouse, Mcfly, Tyler James etc. He is currently working with Ronnie Wilson who has produced MN8, Eternal, Alexander O Neal, and Cleopatra. Ife recently did a blinding acoustic performance on Premiere Radio station (2006). He is currently working on 2 albums one which is Rock, with Soul and Indie influences and the 2nd Album is a Gospel Inspirational album both slated for release shortly.
You can catch Ife performing at venues such as 10 Rooms, Café De Paris, Tantra Club, Hard Rock Cafe, Spot (Convent Garden), Dance Attic (Clappy hour), Troy Bar Oceans Night Club, Sound Bar (Leicester Square), Motown Soul Bar, the Opium Bar, The Fridge, Pigalle, Motion Bar, Session Basement, and Diversity.
You can also hear Ife’s smooth voice collaborating with Mazy (Boney M) on her, which was released early in 2007. He has also worked with numerous charities, such as Barnados, Oxfam and Christian Aid. He and his band played at the world Aids day event sponsored by Christian Aid in conjunction with Lynford Christian Centre on the 1st of December 2007
A song written by Ife called ‘Elevation’ was used as a title track for upcoming British film, titled ‘Deadmeat’ which also won an Excellency film award in America, including a BET film award here in the Uk.
Ife participated in the Oxjam music festival 2007, which also featured the MTV/OXJAM Music competition, out of which over a 1,000 bands and acts parcipated all over the Uk, he and his band made it through to the best 100 as decided by MTV panel of judges. He is currently in the running for the overall lead of the competition.
IFE is also an accomplished illustrator, cartoonist and graphic artist, he is currently studying Animation in University, and learning how to blend Animation and music.
He performances in Belgium, France, Greece, Nigeria, Italy and Cairo has also gained considerable number of fans both within and outside the Uk, sharing his love and passion for music.
For more information on Ife, you can also check his website which is www.myspace.com/ifemusic.
Alicia Prayze
Alicia Prayze, of Jamaican descent, was born and raised in the UK.
At 18, after graduating from The Urdang Academy, where she trained in
singing, acting and various dance forms, Alicia began performing in
professional musical theatre productions such as Disney’s ”The Lion
King”. She went on to feature in commercials, on billboards and in
shows for leading brands- Unilever “Adez”, HSBC, BT, L’oreal, Trevor
Sorbie, SAKS, Wella, MTV India, VH1 India, Vodaphone, Virgin mobile,
Tesco- to name some. After 2 yrs of training in acting in the USA with
Tish Hill, of TISCH school of the Arts (NYU), as well as modelling and
performing in different parts of the world, Alicia worked on music,
writing and recording songs for Bollywood movie sound tracks and
other artists in Mumbai, as well as her own projects.
“God blessed me with talent, for a while I didn’t know why, but now I do.
I aim to be a positive inspiration to all, and to use the talent that He gave
me to bless others!”
Alicia is currently recording her own Gospel album, planned for release
this year.
Summary of Alicia Prayze- (Gospel artist)
”I am a gospel singer and I want to reach out to the youth, who I feel are sometimes underestimated and under-encouraged.
I recently entered a gospel competition (like a gospel ‘x-factor’ in UK) called ‘Just Out Of This World’ and came second (so I won without the pressure! LOL). Before this however, I was already recording my own songs to prepare for release of singles and an album this year.
I dance and act too, so I like my performances to include a lot of charactor and funky choreography. I see myself as the “Gospel Janet Jackson”- for all- but to really encourage the youth and be a positive example for them.”
Link to a music video I shot In India in 2007, was released in December 2007 exclusively to MTVIndia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu-x1iZSMjw
SPONSORS
PROMOTER – Saratoga Entertainment
AGENT – JL Inc.
DRESS TO BE WORN BY SHADY BLUE & SHOW HOST BY GODDIVA – http://www.goddiva.co.uk/
STYLIST & FASHION DESIGNER – AsakeOge Couture – http://www.asakeoge.com/
MAKE UP – Facequizite – http://www.facequizite.com/
HAIR EXTENSION – Fabulous Hair Europe – http://www.fabuloushairandbeauty.eu/
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY – David Mbiyu – http://601tv.com
PRINT – Swoop Media – http://www.swoopmedia.com/
The MIDI music Company – http://www.themidimusiccompany.co.uk/
FLYER DESIGNS: John Banji – Creative Artist at CR80VTY
LOGO DESIGNS: Ivan Lenko
PR : VIVACITY PR & WIEA - www.vivacitypr.com
VIDEOGRAPHY: Uvi Orogun – http://www.mediamind.co.uk/
Corey McGee – http://www.corymcgee.com/
PUBLICITY: Talent Publicity – www.anthonyeverest.co.uk
Shady Blue Inc.
www.shadyblue.com
Ghana @53 in London
Ghana 53rd Independence Celebrations Venues: Staratford Rex & Troxy Events promoted by Akwabba & West Coast respectively Photos: sixoone/ eLook The Gold Coast achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, becoming the first sub-Saharan African nation to do so and the name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana, which once extended throughout much of west Africa.