The New African Photography: Emeka Okereke (Full Episode)

© Emeka Okereke from his 'Africans in Bordeaux' series

The highly anticipated series "New African Photography" aired on Al Jazeera yesterday, featuring Nigerian photographer Emeka Okereke. Emeka is the founder of Invisible Borders, which is an annual photographic project that gathers artists from around Africa and sees them embark on a cross continent road trip. The series kicked of with Emeka leading the artists and photographers on the latest road trip, as they explore, discover and document the tales of their continent. 

I love this series because it highlights the importance of the contribution of the African artist/photographer in telling the African story. More often than not, many of the images taken in Africa that get international recognition, are not taken by Africans. One of the reasons I wanted to become a photographer was the growing frustration I had in seeing Africa through a foreign lens. "New African Photography" is inspirational and essential in encouraging the African artist to continue to create, because his/her work is necessary and relevant. 

As Emeka says, “Everywhere we go in Africa, we see our generation talking about doing things for themselves. This is the time to actually go in and experiment.”

Check out the full first episode below, in case you missed it:




Follow Emeka on twitter

Rest in Paradise Bi Kidude

Tanzanian Taarab singer Fatma binti Baraka or Bi Kidude as she was fondly known, died today in Zanzibar. She was such a free spirit and believed to be over a hundred years old! When I think of Bi Kidude, one of my favourite L.F. Phelan quotes comes to mind:

"Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind. People grow old only by deserting their ideals and by outgrowing the consciousness of youth. Years wrinkle your skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul."

She remained enthusiastic about life and true to herself and I believe this is why she lived for so long. Mega salute to the queen of Taarab and her contribution to the preservation of Africa's cultural heritage through her music. 

Durban Street Life by Tyler Dolan

South African photographer Tyler Dolan took to the streets of Durban for his latest series 'Walking the Streets.' His main goal was to document Durban Street life by capturing the daily life of the people, how they live, how they work, and even how they play. What he discovers is mostly poverty, but also the typical African street hustle, with people basically doing what they have to do to survive. Africans are the masters of survival, of making something out of nothing regardless of the hand they are dealt. 

Dolan is in the process of putting together a book on his work and adventures on the streets of Durban, but for now here are some of the shots he captured along the way. As he weaves from alley to alley, and house to house, colours, textures and stories come alive.

 You can find Dolan on facebook or follow him on twitter

Arabic Typography from Ibrahim Hamdi

Check out the latest arabic typography from Egyptian typographer and Arabic type designer Ibrahim Hamdi. 

Find him on facebook

'Reflections of Inner Truth' by Loyiso Mkize

South African artist Loyiso Mkize's work is phenomenal, as evidenced by these surreal portraits from from his collection,  'Reflections of Inner Truth.' To me these portraits expose the complexity and chaos that is the human mind, further the unspoken truths that take shelter there.

Mkize's focus on African subjects portray's his passion and commitment to the preservation of Africa's cultural significance. As he beautifully explains: 

"The subjects I portray embody a message of self awareness, acknowledgement, strength, presence and even hope, in a society predominantly dumbed down not to notice the human condition. The art itself does not pose a solution, but perhaps a platform in which we can all communicate freely. My work carries with it the responsibility as an African to preserve our identity. To proudly place it in front of the rest of the world saying, we are more colourful with our diversities. This is what the children of tomorrow should know. This art is what I leave them with."

Uprooted Innocence

Pick a colour

Amandla Omfazi

Tomorrow Died Today

Power

Prayer

Loyiso Mkize Art

Chilli and Croissants with MC and Rap Artist Gaël Faye by Alison Hird

Franco-Rwandais MC and rap artist Gael Faye was born and bred in the Burundi capital, Bujumbura, and moved to Paris aged 13. He talks about this double culture and difficult transition in a remarkable debut album Pili Pili sur un croissant au beurre. 

Faye cut his teeth with the band Milk, Coffee and Sugar and says he was naturally drawn to the openness of hip-hop culture.

"Hip-hop takes in the environment," he explains. "So if you live in a big city you can talk about your big city but if you come from a small country like Burundi you can speak about that. This album is just an example of what we can do with rap if you just break all the barriers."

"I left Burundi after two years of war and I used to live in Bujumbura, my father was a crocodile hunter," he recalls. "I arrived in France and my mother was living in a small flat in the suburbs of Paris. Life was so different, so at beginning it was very difficult for me."The album, recorded between Paris and Bujumbura, draws heavily on Faye’s early years when he struggled to adapt to life in a major European capital.

In the song Je Pars (I’m Leaving) Faye dreams of a better place, free of racism. "It’s a place in my head, … my idea of paradise, my Zion," he laughs.

Other songs like Qwerty are ironic takes on being in the wrong place. Faye spent two years working in finance in London but soon realised wearing a suit and tie and sitting in front of computer was not for him."For me it’s problem of our generation, sometimes we don’t choose what we really want to do," he says. "It’s just the story of someone who wants to take life in his own hands." Faye did just that and rap has proved both a satisfying and successful means of expression for him.

The album features a number of illustrious guest stars - Tumi Molekane from South African hip-hop band Tumi and the Volume and Angolan star Bonga, to name but two.

He says rap is open to anyone. "Even if you don’t know the language of music, you can do rap so for me it’s music for the poor. But before rap I was very interested in writing and rap is just a tool for me."

But not everyone has Faye’s talent, or sensitivity. While some illustrious rap stars are renowned for their misogynous lyrics, Faye puts his wife on a pedestal in the song Ma Femme, praising her intelligence as much as her beauty, with the help of an eight-piece brass band.

Determined to share some of his success with his native Africa, Faye returns to Bujumbura and Kigali in June for a series of concerts and workshops with young people.

RFI English

From Cairo to Cali, Tamer Kattan Got Jokes!

When it comes to Comedy, Africans got the best jokes wouldn't you agree? From Ghana's Michael Blackson, to South Africa's Trevor Noah, who is the first African comedian to perform on Jay Leno's 'The Tonight Show,' African comedians have infiltrated the international comedy game. 

California based Egyptian comedian Tamer Katten, is also using comedy to put Africa on the map. He uses his comedy to educate people and teach them that immigrants - Egyptians, Africans, all immigrants are "Just like you". 

When he first immigrated to America as a child he faced bullying and ridicule because of his accent and afro. He was soon able to rise above his situation by telling jokes, and was performing stand up for his classmates by the age of 7.

It is obvious that though he has spent most of his life in America, this brother is still very much connected to Africa. In his own words:

"No matter how long I have lived in America I will never forget what I've been taught since I was a child - Not just Egypt, but ALL of Africa is "Om Ill Dunya! "Mother of the world" 

 Check out one of his sets below:





You can find out more about Tamer on his website, or to follow his journey find him on twitter