In Conversation With: Thara Popoola

Poet and screenwriter Thara Popoola’s career has been a slow and steady climb. Poem after poem, then short after short, and more recently one script after another, earning her a seat at the season 4 Sex Education writers’ room, where she got her first TV credit on the award winning show’s final episode. We caught up with her to talk what it’s really like to write for a living, Sex Education and her artistic sensibilities.

In Conversation With: Thara Popoola Read More »

DJ Joozey Is Just Getting Started

“I’m not happy,” DJ Joozey says about an hour into our conversation. He then adds, “I’m not living my best life.” Music fans are privy to the seemingly double-life artists live; a fast paced, cheery outward persona versus the more reserved, sometimes lonesome private lives they lead. While it should not be particularly shocking, it’s hard to be desensitized to hearing the young artist’s admission of unhappiness, especially this early in his career.

DJ Joozey Is Just Getting Started Read More »

In Conversation With: Crayon

An instant decision made at the entrance of an exam room changed the course of Crayon’s life. He decided not to write the paper and instead pursue music full time.”At the time it was the craziest decision to make,” he admits. But a residency at the Don Jazzy founded Mavin Records, two projects under his belt, and many collaborations later, the young afrobeats star is far from regretful.

In Conversation With: Crayon Read More »

In Conversation With: Turunesh

In 2015, when Bongo Flava was still mostly a melting pot of Tanzanian hip hop, dansi, taarab with influences from American hip hop, RnB and reggae, ‘Alternative Nights’ sought to introduce Dar natives to a new sound. The live music and poetry event featured a generation of young, independent artists, who were often gracing the stage for the very first time. Turunesh, one of those artists, speaks fondly of a 16-year-old version of herself getting her start at the event. “That was the first time I felt like a gig worthy musician and that I was important and had something to share,” she reveals, “and five years later there is more of a scene for alternative music.”

In Conversation With: Turunesh Read More »

In Conversation With: Donae’o

Donae’o: pronounced Donay-o to mean ‘gift from God.’ An apt stage name for a spiritual Ian Greenidge who always knew he was going to be an artist. It couldn’t have been anything else, he tells me early in our conversation, “God let me know from early that ‘this is what you are gonna do for the rest of your life’.” The spirituality that is the bedrock of his certainty is one he takes pride in cultivating himself. He mentions that he has always had a strong connection with God and the universe. So naturally, he considers his engagement with music an extension of that spirituality, that connection to God.

In Conversation With: Donae’o Read More »

Sema Nasi: Literature on African Podcasting

In this episode, Josephine Karianjahi and Melissa Mbugua discuss with Karen Chalamilla about her research and what she has learned from the variety of literature about African podcasting. She tells us why she has such an avid interest in pop culture in its entirety, and the multiple connections between race, gender and sexuality she finds in it with Africa. Finally, as a young investigator she talks about how she is constantly learning new forms of interaction between Africa and pop culture that let her see how the involvement of more Africans in podcasting is bringing a fresh air to the media space.

Sema Nasi: Literature on African Podcasting Read More »

Film Review: Lovers Rock

In the second release from the Small Axe compilation, Lovers Rock, McQueen abandons a heavily plot-driven production and instead leans into the slice-of-life sensibilities to create a stunning evocation of a Saturday Blues Night. Set almost entirely at a party for the duration of a night, Lovers Rock weaves together the multiple themes and stories of West Indians in London, as told by a vibrant house party.

Film Review: Lovers Rock Read More »

Amaarae Album Review: Fountain Baby

Amaarae’s new release Fountain Baby explores the full spectrum of desire. The world she builds through the record is that of a woman who takes pleasure and playfulness very seriously, whilst being aware that overindulgence comes at a cost. Fountain Baby is erotic, bitter, cocky, and divine all at once. She wants and wants some more, but not without recognising that it’s the excess that could be her undoing.

Amaarae Album Review: Fountain Baby Read More »

Scroll to Top