Entertainment Underground (PDF Fomart)

The long awaited E-Mag project from Updates24gh is finally here tagged 'Entertainment Underground'.

The project tells a lot about up and coming Fashion Models and Musicians who are just few steps in catching the globe, although some are already in the main stream.

Well this is just to showcase whats coming up next as the Vol 002 will be a documentary which will involve Three(3) African Countries Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa.

Download below and share your comments

(Download Here)

The Celebrities Favourite Celebrity

Fan of Afrobeat superstar, Wizkid, has made a point about the singer being all the celebrities favourite celebrity regardless their status and achievement.

The point raised by @stardomgys has not been countered by any fan of other artiste, thereby making it a fact. He added that the singer doesn’t flaunt assets like others, all he does is use serious melodious music as giveaway to the fans.

The fan made this point after the whole Nigerian and African celebrities stormed the singer’s comment section when he shared a sophisticated photo of himself in his new black Ferrari, looking dapper than ever.

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🍁

A post shared by 🦅 (@wizkidayo) on May 25, 2020 at 7:10am PDT

Watch And Listen To Strongman's 'Big Boy'

Strongman comes through again with a new Hip Hop wave in his latest release ‘Big Boy’; Directed by KobbyShots.

In it, Strongman flaunts his delivery prowess while flexing on the instrumentation. Affectionately accorded the best in his genre, Strongman’s lyrical dexterity and punches has always been something music lovers have always yearned to listen.

The single casted-video sees a more relaxed Strongman having fun while He does what He is known for along with some wittiness in his lyrics.

‘Big Boy’ announces the new energy and sets raises the bar for Hip hop and rap in the country.
Audio production by TubhaniMuzik.

stream and Watch below

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Def Jam Africa Launches In South Africa And Nigeria

Def Jam Africa launches with a roster of South African and Nigerian hip-hop and Afrobeats artists.

Universal Music Group today announced the launch of Def Jam Africa, a new label division within the continent dedicated to representing the best hip-hop and Afrobeats talent on the continent. According to a press release from UMG, Def Jam Africa will "follow the blueprint of the iconic Def Jam Recordings label, which has led and influenced the cutting-edge in hip-hop and urban culture for more than 35 years."

The label will initially be based in two of the continent's main music and entertainment hubs Joburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria, but will identify and sign artist talent from across the entire continent.

Def Jam Africa launches with a roster that includes some of the most successful African talent including Nigeria's Larry Gaaga and Vector alongside South Africa's Boity, Cassper Nyovest, Nadia Nakai, Nasty C, Tshego, Tellaman and Ricky Tyler. A majority of who were already signed to UMG.

This roster will be supported by dedicated A&R, marketing, creative and digital teams from the UMG teams in both Nigeria and South Africa and will report to Sipho Dlamini, the MD of Universal Music Sub-Saharan Africa & South Africa.

Dlamini shared in a press release that the aim for Def Jam Africa is to become the authentic and trusted home of hip-hop and urban culture in Africa. "Def Jam Recordings has always historically pushed the boundaries of the genre," he said, "and we are excited to create a new community of artists within the continent, shaped around the unique and multi-cultural sounds, rhythms and productions coming from our streets, in order to help elevate hip-hop, afrobeat and trap music from Africa, to reach new global audiences within the continent, across the diaspora and beyond."

Jeff Harleston, interim Chairman & CEO for Def Jam Recordings said:

"Def Jam is a globally recognized brand, synonymous with excellence in hip-hop, and we enthusiastically welcome the launch of Def Jam Africa as an opportunity for audiences worldwide to discover the incredibly talented hip-hop artists emerging from across the continent."

Earlier this year, Nasty C announced he would be releasing his third studio album Zulu Man With Some Power through Def Jam Recordings which was a joint venture with Universal Music Africa. New releases from the Def Jam Africa should be expected this year.

Listen To Mr Eazi's New Song 'I No Go Give Up On You'

Mr Eazi is back with his latest track, 'I No Go Give Up On You," his latest song since the release of "Kpalanga" at the top of the year.

The track, is a mid-tempo love song, with Eazi singing sweetly to his lover about his unwavering feelings for her. He released the track under his ever-growing emPawa initiative, with a humorous visualizer to accompany it. The song was produced by Blaq Jerzee.

New song Alert - https://t.co/2f0g9R3oB9 🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/Q7mnrRGR3E

— Don Eazi (@mreazi) May 22, 2020

 

The artist and founder of emPawa, recently covered Billboard Magazine for its Africa Now issue, along with fellow Nigerian stars Davido and Tiwa Savage.

He spoke with Billboard about what it means for Nigerians to fully embrace their culture as well as the growth of the country's bustling music scene:

There's also a general wind of appreciation now for what being African is about: "Hey, I'm African, it's great to be African, and we're flaunting it." When Davido is singing, he's talking about things that are very particular to his culture. It's also the same when Tiwa sings. Back in the day, even in the villages you'd hear people singing Céline Dion. But now people are playing 99% Nigerian music because that's what's hip.

In the interview, the artist also shared that he'll be releasing a new EP soon which will boasts features from the likes of frequent collaborator J Balvin and Nicki Minaj.

For now, listen to 'I No Go Give Up On You" in full below.

Stonebwoy Becomes Ghana’s Most Streamed Artiste On Boomplay With 10 Million Impressions

Ghanaian dancehall sensation, Stonebwoy, has added to his long list of achievements in his illustrious music career.

The artiste has become the first Ghanaian creative to reach 10 Million organic impressions on Boomplay Music.

He marked another significant stage or achievement in the success of his music profession, as he has become the first Ghanaian creative to reach 10 Million organic impressions on Boomplay Music – a media streaming and download service developed by Transsnet Music Limited.

In a Music Facts sheet report based on data from the music app, which has over 60M+ users globally with over 4.4M from Ghana. Boomplay also boasts of an expansive catalogue of over 20M tracks and is available on iOS, Android and web.

However, according to statistics, in less than a month, Stonebwoy

has attained another milestone – his fourth studio compilation, Anloga Junction album has gained 1 Million streams on the Africa’s biggest digital music service.

He leads the celebration, as he becomes the first Ghanaian recording and performing artiste to garner this overwhelming numbers in less than 30 days on the fastest growing music community, lifestyle and entertainment mobile application.

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In less than a month @stonebwoyb does it again- The #AnlogaJunctionAlbum has 1 MILLION streams on #Boomplay!!! Keep streaming the album in app via link in bio! . . . #bhimnation #Stonebwoy #boomplaymusic #everythingmusic #Africanmusic #Globalmusic #Ghanaianmusic #musicstreaming #Musicstreams #Ghanaianmusic #stayhome #staysafe

A post shared by Boomplay Music GH 🇬🇭 (@boomplaymusicgh) on May 20, 2020 at 8:52am PDT

Mr Drew Out With New Single 'EAT' Featuring Stonebwoy

Mr Drew dishes out his latest song titled ‘EAT’ featuring Stonebwoy. He gives us his rendition of Rotimi’s ‘Love Riddim’ which is geared at solving the Relationship issues in our lives. ‘E.A.T’ was produced by Kweku Bills and DatBeatGod.Yet Again Stonebwoy showed his versatility on this classic song with a mixture of Patois, Twi and broken English with Mr Drew projecting his vocal prowess.

Stream and Download Free mp3 below!

Mzvee Brings In Mugeez For Song 'Baddest Boss'

MzVee lastly quench the music lovers and prestigious listeners together with her eagerly anticipated promised hit single dubbed Baddest Boss.

MzVee- Baddest Boss strikes on to characteristic Veteran member of the R2bees ,Mugeez and track is alleged to be the third launch after she had launched Sherif and Who Born You.

Get pleasure from the brand new sensation from the songstress produced by Saszy Afrohii and share your ideas with us beneath.

listen below

Watch 2Baba and Tiwa Savage Perform Each Other's Songs In 'XSwitch Challenge'

Tiwa Savage and 2Baba are the latest pair of artists to take on one another's hits. The heavyweight Nigerian artists participated in an XSwitch Challenge, hosted by the Nigerian-based music streaming service uduX.

In two separate virtual sets, the singer's showed appreciation for each other's catalogs, with 2Baba performing Tiwa's "Lova Lova," and "All Over" (which he names as his favorite Savage track) as well as his own songs "For Instance," "Amaka" and more.

For her set, Savage sang 2Baba's "Ihe Neme," "Only Me," and "Be There" with the support of three back-up singers and a band. She also performs a rendition of Bob Marley and The Wailers' 1977 classic "Wait In Vain" towards the end of her performance.

It's a feel-good exchange between two of Nigeria's biggest artists and many online expressed their excitement over the performances as they watched.

Check out both 2 Baba and Tiwa Savage's performances below.

2Baba

  Tiwa

Wizkid Joins Yung L On The Vibrant New Song "Eve Bounce (Remix)

The song is from Yung L's Juice and Zimm EP, taking its name from the fact that it samples Eve's 2002 hit "Let Me Blow Ya Mind.' The remix came about after a social media exchange between the the two Nigerian artists about making new music during quarantine.

The afro-dancehall song is totally made for the summer, with its dance-worthy production and airy feel. It features a breezy second verse from Wizkid and a catchy hook that also interpolates Mario's "Let Me Love You."

"That Eve Bounce Remix making me wanna be in the sun right now," Wizkid tweeted shortly after the song was made—and we'd have to agree. We'll likely have the song on repeat for some time.

Yung L recently released his Juice and Zimm EP which boasts features from the likes of Sarkodie and Vanessa Mdee.

Listen to "Eve Bounce (Remix)" down below.

Watch: New Mini-Documentary On The Story of Zamrock

Zamrock was born in 1970s Zambia out of influences from James Brown's funk and Jimi Hendrix's acid guitar.

In recent years, the fuzzed-out and psychedelic Zamrock sound has been turning heads with vinyl reissues from some of its pioneering bands, the latest of which comes in the shape of the Vinyl Me, Please anthology The Story of Zamrock.

Put together in conjunction with with Now Again Records and Strawberry Rain Music, VMP's new Zamrock anthology will consists of eight albums from Witch, Amanaz, 5 Revolutions, Ricky Banda, Ngozi Family, Oscillations, Fireballs, and Crossbones.

VMP is now sharing an exclusive look at the anthology's accompanying mini-documentary The Story of Zamrock! The Zambian Rock Sound 1972-1978, which takes a look at the genesis of the sound, the people behind it, and the sociopolitical events that shaped it. It features rare interviews with members of Amanaz, Oscillations and Crossbones.

"The Story of Zamrock! The Zambian Rock Sound 1972-1978 is a snapshot of the social and political backdrop of Zambia's rock music scene in the 1970s... The short film weaves together interviews with nine artists and music industry professionals from the era and provides anecdotal insights into the creation and production processes of Zambia's burgeoning 1970s recording industry," VMP in a chat with Okayafrica

"The Story of Zamrock puts a face to some of Zambian rock's most cherished songwriters, presenting interviews with surviving members of Amanaz for the very first time and introducing the eccentric A&R executive Billie David Nyati of the independent Zambia Music Palour label. Also featured are Zambia's first female recording artist Violet Kafula of Crossbones and physically challenged guitar wizard Victor Kunda Kasoma of Oscillations," VMP explains. "Eschewing voiceovers or academic exposition, the short documentary is a refreshing insider window onto one of the 20th century's most compelling outsider rock scenes."

DMW Release Official Video For 'Mafa Mafa'

Davido, Peruzzi, Dremo and The Flowolf dropped the track "Mafa Mafa" a few months back. The Nigerian artists have now released the accompanying visuals for the collaborative track which was produced by Davido's DMW record label.

"Mafa Mafa" is the first official single of the year from DMW which was launched back in 2018. The song sees the artists dropping rap verses back and forth in Yoruba with "Mafa" loosely translating to "Don't pull it."

Produced by the talented Nakademus and directed by Director Q, the music video itself is a straightforward one that sees the artists doing their thing and having a ton of fun while they're at it. Davido and The Flowolf even show us a few killer dance moves amid shots of joints and drinks that add to the overall festive spirit of the music video.

Watch the music video for "Mafa Mafa" below:

Orezi With 'Your Body' Featuring Teni

Nigerian afropop artist Orezi links up with Teni on the upbeat new single "Your Body." The track is from Orezi's upcoming sophomore album, which is due out in July.

The sensual song is all about feel-good vibes as both Orezi and Teni deliver catchy verses atop the afropop production. The music video provides an early summer feel—which has us reminiscing about fun times outdoors—as the artists live it up during a colorful party. The video was directed by Paul Gambit.

Orezi released his debut album The Gehn Gehn Album back in 2015, and has been doing his thing ever since. Given the gap since the release of his first album, his upcoming follow-up is highly-anticipated.

Check out the music/video for "Your Body" below.

Tomi Agape Out With New Single 'London'

British-Nigerian Alté singer Tomi Agape recently dropped her latest single titled "London". The smooth and mellow track is the second track set to appear on her upcoming EP due for release later this month. "London" follows the release of "This Way" which dropped earlier this year in March.

British-Ghanaian producer Juls works closely with Tomi Agape on "London" to create a feel-good and laid-back jam. The measured use of percussive instrumentals adds to the easy feel of the track which pays homage to the British city that has greatly shaped the artist's experience of music.

With lyrics like "Take it on the chin don't stop/Meditation for the heart/Lucid dreaming when I'm lost/The reality gets too much," the artist sings about rising above hardships and keeping it moving against all odds.

Listen below.

M.anifest Teames Up With Kelvyn Boy And Afrobeats Producer Kel P To Create Dope Music 'We No Dey Hear'

M.anifest encourages resilience and defiance in the face of daunting odds in ‘We No Dey Hear’ featuring Kelvynboy and Nigerian Afrobeats Heavyweight producer – Kel P few days after releasing ‘No Long Talk’ .Production credits to Kel P.

Stream and Download

Ghanaian Afro-Jazz Musician 'DrumPIPO' Creating Waves Around Africa

Phillip Sowah (DrumPIPO)

DrumPIPO

DrumPIPO in his childhood never spared cutleries at home nor took a chance with whatever looked like sticks to him. He played on any surface of membranophones and experimenting beats suiting himself or the passerby, same way envisioning a stage with a large audience tapping to his beats, fused in the smoothest of rhythm ever imagined. DrumPIPO could have been dreaming Afro-Jazz, however his persistence earned him the discovery of his rightful skill. Philip certainly knew he was born a musician.

Philip Sowah, the Ghanaian born musician and self-taught drummer who was raised in Accra spent a decent number of his childhood age in church and was privileged to begin playing with the church band at 9 years old. After high school, Philip paid his way through his gigs to study at the University of Education, Winneba where he majored in African Music.

Philip is popularly known as ‘DrumPIPO’. Interestingly, he acquired the name during his University days, as some of his colleagues called him Philip, others called him Philippo, his name was then shortened for ‘PIPO’ whiles his undying passion for the drums landed him the stagename DrumPIPO. In 2007, he moved to South Africa after his University education to seek after his musical career. As persevering as he has constantly been, he performed at many music festivals across South Africa and America touring and sessioning with various top-notch South African artistes.

According to Philip, he has always been passionate about his music and that has kept him glued to the game.

In 2009, DrumPIPO established an Afro-Jazz Band which he called ‘DrumPIPO Ensemble'. They recorded their maiden album in 2010 called “Burning Desire”. In 2012 the band became second in the klipdrift Battle of the bands competition held at Carnival city in Johannesburg with which DrumPIPO Ensemble recorded a new single ‘Afrikan Child’. In 2016 he changed his band from DrumPIPO Ensemble to DrumPIPO as a solo artist where he recorded “Christmas In Africa” album and afterward released several singles.

Whilst pursuing his music, he delved into a couple of additional activities such as; setting up a recording studio and studied Film and Television Production. He has since been recording and filming several music videos, similarly as he produces all his songs and that of other musicians.

As versatile as he is, the lover of sound, the percussionist, the Art Musician, ‘DrumPIPO’ communicates in about 7 languages to compliment the motivation for his Afro-Jazz style of music.

“My music is inspired mostly by my life experiences but my sound is inspired mostly by nature. African languages inspire me, Animal sounds inspire me and so on. When I look around me everyday, I get inspired”, Philip stated.

His affection for family can be effectively noticed as he brightly smiles when asked about his family. DrumPIPO lives in Pretoria with his wife and son.

Amidst accolades, DrumPIPO received 2 grand awards from the 2018 Ghana Music Awards in South Africa.

Philip hosts a TV Show called 'The Sound of Silence' where he brings various artistes from all over the globe to showcase their skills by performing live and share their experiences in the music industry. The show can be viewed on DrumPIPO Music Channel on YouTube every Saturday.

BIAKOYE (oneness) DrumPIPO’s single ‘Biakoye (oneness)’ of his 'Sounds Of Africa EP

“Looking around, seeing Africans fighting each other and killing each other everywhere just bleeds my heart, hence ‘Biakoye’ is calling for us all to come together as one”, DrumPIPO disclosed to Iseegh his trigger for Biakoye.

‘Biakoye (oneness)’ is currently available on all digital platforms such as iTunes, Deezer, Spotify, Googleplay and more. ‘Biakoye (oneness)’ got lots of thumbs up from all across the world. He promises all fans to watch out soon for a music video for Biakoye which he intends to shoot in Ghana.

Check out DrumPIPO 'Sounds Of Africa' EP on the SoundCloud link below.

 
By: Abel Ofori-Adeniran

Rain Natis Teams Up With Allahni On A New Song 'Lock Down'

Abribrem Empire officially sends every music lover a lock down jam for the quarantine period and it's titled 'Lock Down' from Abrbrem top act Rain Natis featuring Allahni.

This Jam is fire stream and Download below.

(Click here to Download)

Don Jazzy Comes Back With A New Song, ​'Safe,' Featuring Falz

Veteran Nigerian artist Don Jazzy marks his return with his latest single "Safe," featuring Falz.

The track addresses the hardships brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak, calling it the "enemy" and encouraging Nigerians to band together against it and keep the faith.

The mellow song was also produced by Don Jazzy and is the first collaboration between him and popular rapper Falz, who delivers two reflective verses, touching on COVID-19's impact.

It's Don Jazzy's first release in a while, and he couldn't have picked a more fitting time to return and release a song about unity. According to BBC Africa's live tracker, there have been over 2,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. A message of collective action against the further spread of the disease is much-needed, and the artists have found a creative way to deliver one with "Safe."

Listen to the track below.

Joey B Unleashes His First Project Of The Year 2020 'LAVA FEELS'

Joey B has finally released his first-ever collection of the year 2020. The project is called “LAVA FEELS” and it features most of the award-winning musicians we have in our system currently.

Joey B’s Lava Feels has 8 songs on it in addition to one bonus track which adds up to make nine. The collection features the likes of Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Bosom P-Yung, RJZ, Dunsin The Engine, Santi, M3nsa, Ko-Jo Cue, Pappy KoJo and E.L.


Joey B – Lava Feels Track-List below:

1. Lava Feels
2. La Bamba Ft. Sarkodie
3. Silicon Valley Ft. Bosom P-Yung
4. Paa Kwesi Ft. RJZ
5. Over You Ft. Dunsin (The Engine) x Santi
6. Affection Ft. Stonebwoy
7. Far Away Ft. M3nsa
7. Hardnocks Ft. Ko-Jo Cue

BONUS TRACK

9. Too Hot Ft. E.L & Pappy Kojo

BET Expresses Their Love For Stonebwoy’s ‘Nominate’ Song Featuring Keri Hilson

BET UK on a tweet announced that they really love Stonebwoy’s ‘Nominate’ song featuring Keri Hilson.

The prestigious award scheme posted on their official Instagram handle that they really love how Stonebwoy taught Keri some dance moves in their song.

See tweet below:

Don't stop there, watch 'Nominate' by Stonebwoy ft Keri Hilson Below

Blaq Jerzee Dishes Out “Onome” Music Video

SJW Entertainment presents the official visuals for "Onome" by Blaq Jerzee.

This serves as the first music video of the talented music producer cum singer.

Watch & Download below.

Vybez Kartel Was No Match To Wizkid At The #NS10VS10 Show

The show which didn’t directly involve the artists themselves saw two fans of both artists play their fave’s hit songs in ten rounds.

The virtual radio show took place on the micro-blogging platform, Twitter on Sunday night via the handle @ThereIsNoSignall, played the top 10 songs from both artistes and asked fans to vote in a poll of rounds, from hits 1 to 10.

After all said and done, Wizkid won all the rounds scoring a ten to null against Vybz Kartel. The session had international artistes and media platforms tuning in and sent Twitter into a frenzy.

Results below:

How Fashion Historian Teleica Kirkland Is Transforming What We Know About Clothing From the African Diaspora

Photo graphic by Alanna Bass.

Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images

The founder of the Costume Institute of the African Diaspora is preserving Black history in a field where it's been erased.

From the effortlessly stylish aunties who rock matching wax-print top and bottoms like they're going out of style (they never will), to the urban youth who create just about every street-wear trend—clothing is a central part of cultural expression for people of African descent. While our penchant for style is something many of us recognize within our own community, the academic world has virtually ignored the contributions of Africans to the history of global style. For the average fashion historian, their scope of research begins and ends in the West.

Given that clothing tells the story of how people live, work and identify themselves—excluding Africa and its diaspora from the discussion undermines its cultural influence and threatens the push for more robust historical documentation of African people. If the rise of haute couture marked a period of newfound creativity and wealth in France, isn't it also worth understanding, for instance, how fashion changed in various African countries both before and after the liberation movements of the 1960s?

This is where Teleica Kirkland's work comes in. In 2011, Kirkland, a professor at the London College of Fashion, founded the UK-based Costume Institute of the African Diaspora (CIAD), a "growing resource hub" for knowledge sharing around African clothing and dress.

Teleica Kirkland(Photo courtesy of Teleica Kirkland.)

"The whole idea behind it is to establish some kind of academic discourse, specifically around the dress, costume and adornment that people of African heritage have used to define and identify themselves as they've been dispersed across the world through whatever way, shape or form," says Kirkland. "Whether it's been through the middle passage, enslavement, or whatever economic or social movement."

With clothing as the catalyst, Kirkland hopes to answer a much larger question about global Black identities: "How have [Africans] taken their adornments, their clothing, their fashions and used it to define and identify themselves wherever they find themselves?"

Becoming a Fashion Historian

While Kirkland is a decorated academic, who has run her own fashion company, curated museum exhibitions and worked with the likes of Vivienne West-wood, her journey as a fashion historian began long before she had the academic qualifications or even the language to describe what exactly she wanted to do. In 2007, she curated a solo exhibition around the Yoruba Orishas and wanted to know why the supreme deity Oshun is commonly portrayed wearing ethereal, yellow garments. When she tried to find the answer, she was stunned by the lack of definitive sources available.

"I was like, there's got to be some place in the world," says Kirkland. "We have the Victoria and Albert Museum [in London], and there's the Costume Institute—or even the Costume Institute at the Met. And I was like, how can there not be something about African Diaspora or African clothing and costume?"

She decided to fill the gap. "I started to try and put something together on the basis that some kind of collation of our dress history, costume history, has to exist in the world," she says. "I didn't realize at that time what a massive undertaking that was."

West Indies Guadeloupe carnival groups.Photo by Jean-Marc LECERF/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

For Kirkland, the desire to understand clothing also stemmed from the role it's played in her Jamaican heritage. "Clothing and dress has always been in my history," says Kirkland. "My mothers, grandmothers, aunts, always made clothes, so that was just something that was in my natural history anyway."

This led her down an academic path that she might have otherwise been shut out of on account of her Black, working class background. When she started out, there weren't many fashion historians from the same demographic that she could model her career after.

"I didn't know that there were things like curation, fashion curators, fashion historians, costume historians, research," explains Kirkland. "I didn't know any of that. I didn't even have that vocabulary. I came to it because I wanted to know the information, and I suppose, wanting to know the information then led me on to speak to other people who were like: Oh well, you could apply for this funding to do this and this funding to do that."

Grandassa Models at the Merton Simpson Gallery, New York (c. 1967) by Kwame Brathwaite.(Photo courtesy of the artist and Philip Martin Gallery, Los Angeles.)

Laying the Ground for New Knowledge

Kirkland earned a Master's in History and Culture of Fashion in 2015, and is currently completing her PHD. As she's gained status in her field, she's made it her priority to represent an African-centric point of view in a space that has historically undervalued it. It's been no small task. She describes having to explain basic concepts such as "color-ism" to a mostly white class when teaching on the legacy of 18th century Quadroon Balls in Louisiana, and a similar instance that occurred when she gave a lecture at one of the world's top institutes for costume design.

"I've got all these seemingly academics and older people who have been in this field [for years] scribbling down, tapping away, making notes," she says."I had to pause myself—I'm like hold on, why is everyone making notes?" Her audience, despite their status and longevity in the field, were unfamiliar with the topics being discussed, and it was clear why. "Of course they only operate within a European context. They know about European dress. They might even be able to touch on East Asian dress and clothing," she adds. "But they know nothing about the Americas or Africa or anything like how this affects people and why it affects people."

Three Jamaican immigrants (left to right) John Hazel, a 21-year-old boxer, Harold Wilmot, 32, and John Richards, a 22-year-old carpenter, arriving at Tilbury on board the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush', dressed in zoot suits and trilby hats.(Photo by Douglas Miller/Getty Images)

Understanding Fashion Across the African Diaspora

While "laying the ground as you walk or laying the train tracks as the train's coming," has been challenging, Kirkland stresses that the work itself has proven rewarding. In many ways, it's opened up a new world for the academic, and she speaks passionately when reflecting on it. She began her research with travels across the Caribbean, which expanded her understanding of the role clothes play in its environmental context—perhaps in a way that being in a classroom couldn't.

"The history of clothing is not preserved the way history of clothing is preserved in a European context or in the American context," says Kirkland. "Everything in the Caribbean is used until it can't be used again, which means it's disintegrated. But then, even that history is interesting: trying to explain how a dress becomes a skirt, a shirt becomes a baby's nappy or a baby's outfit, then becomes a rag, and then becomes something else until there's nothing left of it—this explains the context of how people relate and engage with their clothing in that particular way."

She's visited kente weaving communities in Toso and Kumasi in Ghana, and been intrigued by the fact that the ubiquitous cloth is made mostly by men. She studied the research of fellow scholar and friend Lucille Junkere, about diasporic links between Abeokuta Nigeria, the home of indigo-dyed adire cloth, and the city by the same name in Jamaica, where it is believed that enslaved people continued in the tradition of textile-making.

The research she's done has brought her back to the same personal history that set the foundation for her career path. Her most cherished clothing item is her grandmother's 1950's-era wedding dress that, perhaps, as some sort of metaphorical sign, has stood the test of time. "Moths had a good go on it, but they didn't eat it—which I found really interesting."

Kirkland's grandmother Florence Palmer (nee) Raymond, March 1963(Photo courtesy of Teleica Kirkland.)

While academia's systemic blind spot towards Black achievement has made her job more demanding, Kirkland insists it's been worth it. "There have been challenges," she says. "But it's not challenging enough to make me throw in the towel and be like, you know what, suck it."

Instead, she continues to expand the scope of her work through CIAD. The institute was set to hold its second annual biennial this Spring, focusing on the production of fabric across the diaspora, but it's been postponed till October due to the corona-virus outbreak. Ultimately, CIAD's mission is one that's of critical importance to just about anyone invested in preserving African cultural heritage, whether that be through the study of clothing, music, art or any other medium. "The whole push towards decolonizing is basically trying to get the other side of the story," she says. "We've understood the European context of history for... forever actually. This is really [about] providing another side to the context of history."

Tekno Addresses Growing Poverty In Nigeria on His Song 'Sudden'

Heavyweight Nigerian artist Tekno returns with his latest track, "Sudden."

The Spax-produced song relays a socially-conscious message that reflects current conditions in Nigeria that have been heightened due to the pandemic.

The singer and song writer talks about how 'all of a Sudden,' the prevalent situation has caused majority of Nigerians to plunge deeper into poverty and suffering, with nothing to eat."

Though it has an undeniable heavy message which reflects the complicated times, the song also boasts a catchy dance-worthy beat. It shows Tekno's versatility as a singer and songwriter.

It's the artist's latest release since "Kata" which he dropped early last month. Tekno told fans on social media that he'd be releasing new music throughout the quarantine period so that "they have something fresh to hear," and he's staying true to his word.

Listen to "Sudden" below.

Listen to BeBe Zahara Benet's EP 'Broken English'

Cameroonian drag artist Bebe Zahara Benet releases her highly-anticipated 5-track project featuring hit single 'Banjo'.

Cameroonian drag artist BeBe Zahara Benet has recently dropped her highly-anticipated Broken English EP. The five-track project drops after the artist released her hit single "Banjo" and the accompanying visuals last month. Incorporating elements of Afro-pop with alte sensibilities, Broken English is a diverse and fierce musical offering from the artist.

Bebe Zahara Benet's Broken English features "Banjo", "Turn Up", "Money 2 Much", "Shine" and "Body On me". While the first three tracks are upbeat and effervescent numbers which will have you wanting you to just get up and dance, the other two are more mellow and make for some really smooth listening. The music video for "Body On Me" is reportedly set to be released soon.

In an interview with Okayafrica, Zahara said.

"Broken English is a body of work that represents all my experiences like that, but also things like, "Hey listen, we all come from different places, and we all speak differently and I will speak like this. I'm going to pronounce this like this and that is that."

"If people who don't know anything about BeBe Zahara Benet, when they listen to the work, they are just going to love it. My fans and supporters will discover new things about the work; something fresh."

In addition to her music, the drag artist will also be a part of TLC's new show Dragnificent.

Listen to "Broken English" below:

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