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South African rapper AKA

AKA's Music Career Faces A Crisis Amidst Investigations Around Anele Tembe's Death

South African rapper AKA announced a cessation of all activities with Cruz Vodka. This, following the abuse allegations that have emerged during the investigations of his fiancée Anele Tembe's death.

South African rapper AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, is reportedly in the process of brand evaluation. This, after the rapper publicly announced a temporary break regarding promotions with the New York-based vodka company, Cruz Vodka. The statement coincides with the ongoing investigations surrounding Anele Tembe's death, and a widely circulated video showing AKA allegedly attempting to break down a door to enter his fiancé's room.


AKA's manager T Effect has, on the other hand, cited the pause with Cruz Vodka as a protective measure for the images of both parties, especially regarding the dangerous narrative concerning the rapper's role in gender-based violence. According to The Citizen, AKA is loosing a string of live gigs and endorsements because of the abuse allegations towards the late Tembe. T Effect, however, says AKA chose to step back from not only live performances, but all endorsements because he is grieving his late fiancé.

Read: AKA Announces Social Media Break After Fiancée Nelli Tembe's Passing

Two weeks ago, News24 released an article claiming that a video of AKA breaking a door in his Bryanston home was circulating. The rapper is reportedly heard screaming at Tembe, who is surrounded by glass shards and his awards strewn across the floor. Tembe had allegedly tried to commit suicide that night. She subsequently passed away on April 11, 2021 after falling to her death from the tenth floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town. Two weeks after Tembe was laid to rest, the embattled rapper announced a social media hiatus. Recent news publications reveal that the two had a very complicated relationship.

The South African hit-maker has subsequently withdrawn from Huawei Joburg Day, one of South Africa's biggest annual music outdoor cultural events that sees major musical acts converge on one stage. Tembe featured on AKA's latest single "Finessin" from his critically received album Bhovamania.

AKA was unveiled as a Cruz Vodka ambassador in 2016.

Events
Photo by Ransford Quaye.

Fun Places in Accra, Ghana to Visit This Weekend

From Winged Wednesdays at Cachie & Cachie to Open Field Day at Bambo’s Adventure Park, Accra is packed with places to have fun.

This weekend is packed with places to have fun at! Enjoy unlimited wings, sides, and free drinks at a cool new restaurant, or sign up for a “Capture the Flag” paintball tournament with your entire squad. Whatever your choice of fun is, here is a list of places to visit this weekend in Accra, Ghana.

Right from the midweek all through to the weekend, here is a list of fun places to visit in Accra, Ghana.

Winged Wednesdays at Cachie & Cachie

Cachie & Cachie is a budding restaurant and bar located at East Legon, Accra that offers a diverse culinary experience. However, despite their distinct menu we’re here to highlight their signature weekly attraction - unlimited wings! Yes, you heard right, unlimited. Cachie & Cachie offers unlimited wings and sides every Wednesday evening for a flat rate that’s easy on the pockets. Also, show up early for a free mocktail from 6 - 6:30 p.m. only.

Date: Wednesday, 24th May, 6 - 10 p.m.

Venue: Cachie & Cachie, West Legon

Cost: From GHC85

Happy Hour at The Honeysuckle

The Honeysuckle is a popular sports bar themed after the famous British sports bars across the United Kingdom. Well known for its great food and ambiance, The Honeysuckle is regarded as one of the best spots in Accra for after-work leisure. On Thursdays, you can pass by to enjoy discounted food and drinks during Happy Hour. Also, there are multiple Honeysuckle locations in Accra, so take your pick, have a drink, and watch your favorite sports match for your pre-weekend unwind.

Date: Thursday, 25th May, 2-5 p.m.

Venue: The Honeysuckle, all locations

Junkie’s Burgers New Location Launch

If you’re a foodie and you haven’t tried Junkie’s Burgers, what are you doing? Junkie’s Burgers is home to Accra’s Best Burgers, and they’ll be launching a brand new location on Thursday. The new Junkie’s will be at Labone, so pass through for Junkie’s signature Fully Loaded Burger or any burger of your choice. Vegetarian options are also available.

Date: Thursday, 25th May

Venue: Junkie’s Burgers, Labone

Open Space at Kukun

Open Space is a conversation platform that periodically hosts panel-type conversations on intriguing subject matter facing young Africans across the world. It’s comparable to a live podcast, and their events are free to attend. Their mandate is “building and connecting Africans across the world through honest conversations,” and their conversations are intriguing, thought-provoking, and sometimes even humorous. This week’s topic is a hot one, so make sure to tap in for a night of great conversation.

Date: Friday, 26th May, 6 p.m.

Venue: Kukun, Osu

Cost: Free

“In Relation To Light” Exhibition at The Mix Design Hub

Curated by Mamoud Brimah, “In Relation To Light” is a solo exhibition featuring the work of Ghanaian illustrator and artist Michael Badger. The exhibition explores what constitutes true self-expression with a series of surrealist, figurative paintings depicting varying human emotions on a journey toward self-discovery. The artist involves these figurative subjects in an exploration of what it means to stand in the light.

Date: Friday, 26th May, 6 p.m.

Venue: The Mix Design Hub, Osu

Cost: Free

Dance Class at DWP Academy

For a dose of fun, great vibes, and some physical activity this weekend, you can sign up for a dance class at DWP Academy. Dance With a Purpose Academy is Accra’s most prominent dance studio, located at East Legon. DWP Academy dancers have featured in Beyonce music videos, performed alongside Usher at international festivals, and more. If you’re passionate about dance, DWP Academy is definitely a place to check out.

Date: Saturday, 27th May, 12:20 - 3:30 p.m.

Venue: Lizzy Sports Complex, East Legon

Cost: GHC50 for a session

The Awakening Live Recording Concert with Akesse Brempong

For fans of contemporary Christian music, there’s an event for you as well! Akesse Brempong, one of Ghana’s leading voices in the gospel music scene is hosting a live recording concert called “The Awakening: Anthems of Revival.”Other top gospel voices are on the bill as well, such as Pastor Isaiah Fosu Kwakye Jnr., MOG Music, Efe Grace, and Kofi Owusu Peprah, so it promises to be a night of gospel music excellence and one you definitely don’t want to miss.

Date: Saturday, 27th May, 4 p.m.

Venue: Empowerment Worship Centre, Achimota

Cost: Free, but register to attend

Vine Brunch

Vine Restaurant is a premium restaurant, bar, and lounge located at Labone. They offer a choice selection of continental and African dishes and drinks, and on Sunday you can catch the Vine Brunch for premium cocktails and mouth-watering dishes prepared by master chefs all throughout the day. Trust me, there’s no brunch like a Vine Brunch.

Date: Sunday, 28th May, 12:30 - 9 p.m.

Venue: Vine Restaurant, Labone

Open Field Day at Bambo’s Adventure Park

Bambo’s Adventure Park is a recreation center located at Labone, Accra. On the last Sunday of every month, they host Open Field Day, a fun games event. Their arena-style paintball tournament is the main attraction, however, there will be loads of other activities, as well as music, food, and drinks. Play capture the flag with a team of friends, or relax and unwind with board games at Bambo’s Adventure Park this weekend.

Date: Sunday, 28th May

Venue: Bambo’s Adventure Park, Labone

Cost: GHC180 per head

Music
Photo courtesy Black Major.

Bongeziwe Mabandla on his Latest Album, 'amaXesha,' and Returning to Love.

The South African singer-songwriter revisits timeless themes on an album dedicated to giving love a second chance.

When we last left Bongeziwe Mabandla, he was shutting the door on a relationship. Very literally, since his previous album, iimini, ended with the sound of a door slamming closed. But then the pandemic happened and, like so many of us, the singer found himself wondering about – perhaps, maybe – trying to open it back up again. You know, just in case this was how life was going to be forever.

“I was in that space of understanding that a lot of us revisit old relationships, old loves, trying to make something that didn't work, work,” he tells OkayAfrica. It was in this way that amaXesha, Mabandla’s latest album, began taking shape. The singer sees it as a continuation of iimini, his third album, which was released just as the lockdown in South Africa began. Rather than halt his songwriting, Mabandla, with a word of encouragement from his manager, kept on with the business of mining his thoughts and feelings about the things that were coming up for him during this time of enforced solitude.

AmaXesha means ‘the times,’ in his vernac of Xhosa, and the album roots itself in the idea of returning to a relationship over a span of time – reinvesting in it, fighting for it, giving it a second chance, even if there is no guarantee it will all work out again. “I just thought about the complexities of that; of going against everything that you said and trying to make a very turbulent relationship work again, and what it actually means,” says Mabandla. “What does it mean, relearning somebody, learning to forgive, finding love where there's a lot of pain?”

Let there be nothing that will again separate us

It’s how songs like “noba bangathini” came about. “That song means, no matter what anybody says, I think we are destined to be together,” says Mabandla. Or, as he sings, "makungabikho nto eyophinde isahlule (let there be nothing that will again separate us)." Like with iimini, he writes about his own experiences and there is much introspection as we hear Mabandla’s inner dialogue, the reckoning he goes through, and the desires he wrestles with, over folk-based and pop-tinged songs.

While the album may have been created during the insulated time of lockdown, it has an expansiveness to it. For Mabandla, who lives in Johannesburg but spent most of the early pandemic in Mozambique where he recorded with Correia-Paulo, writing lyrics that are able to extend far beyond his own experience is a skill he honed while studying acting at AFDA. His ability to reach into his own inner depth opens the door for others to do the same; to ask, where do I really belong?

Bongeziwe Mabandla - noba bangathini (official visualizer)www.youtube.com

AmaXesha captures that yearning for true connection, a yearning the pandemic only made more acute. As Mabandla’s fourth album, it’s connected to his previous work through little sonic trademarks, snippets of conversations – oftentimes between him and his producer Tiago Correia-Paulo – that are left in for us to hear. On 2017’s Mangaliso, the album that earned him the first of two SAMAs, you can hear Correia-Paulo at the beginning of “Ndibuyile” say, ‘Want to get closer to the mic?’ and then later on, his encouragement, ‘That’s it, little bit better.’

Now, as if responding years later – a progression of their working partnership – we hear Mabandla’s words to Correia-Paulo: ‘Should I try one last one? I’ve got one last one in me.’ He’s referring to a take, and keeping this in the recording lets us in on trust that exists between them. As much as this is Mabandla’s work, it’s also a feat of Correia-Paulo’s dexterity. He draws out elements from the singer: a sped-up vocal here, a drawn-out note there. They’ve worked together on the last three of Mabandla’s albums, shaping what some call the “Afro indie” sound of his songs – a mix of folk, soul, R&B, rock, and electronic that’s earned the singer a well-respected place in a country where amapiano and house rule the day.

“He’s definitely one of my closest friends,” says Mabandla of Correia-Paulo. “I feel like he has that sensibility of what an artist needs and what an artist doesn’t need. His way of working is not so much the technical, but it goes to understanding an artist’s sensitivity and emotive quality.” The trust between artist and producer creates the kind of atmosphere that allows Mabandla to relax and show us what he’s feeling, even when it’s a difficult song to share.

From "Zange" to "Thula"

There’s usually always one song on his albums that causes him a little bit of apprehension to share. With iimini it was “zange,” on amaXesha, it’s “thula,” a song that features Mabandla’s mother singing a lullaby, which was taken from a Whatsapp voice note she sent to him. The song is about his mother, “and some of the deep differences we have,” he says. One doesn’t have to know the details of their relationship, or what they don’t see eye-to-eye on to understand the conflicting emotions that can come with a mother-child relationship.

Mabandla, who was born in the Eastern Cape town of Tsolo, was raised without his father. “It's hard because I've always been very close with my mother,” he says. “So to have so many problems and issues between us, and to even put that into the music, it feels like a betrayal.” During a recording of “thula,” he changed one of the lyrics so that it “landed a little bit softer.” But it wasn’t really true to how he was feeling. He came back into the studio and found the original lyric had been placed back in the song by his producer. The old take “just worked better.”

An image of the singer looking at the camera as a sheet of purple blows across him.Bongeziwe Mabandla studied acting but has made his name in music for over the course of a decade and four albums.Photo courtesy Black Major.

To be sure, Mabandla has learned that diminishing the intensity of feelings doesn’t help. “With ‘khangele’ on my previous album, it was like, I have this song that I want to write and it’s about this feeling of loneliness that I sometimes get, which is super intense, but I'm not sure if I want to tell people that I'm actually a very lonely person,” he says. He wrote one verse, but felt it seemed a bit too needy, a bit too exposing. On the day he went to record the song, the loneliness made itself all too known.

“I was in the studio and I had that conversation with myself: ‘Dude, if you're not gonna go there, it’s never gonna land. If you’re not willing to risk it, it’s just gonna be, like, melodies and sound.’ And I took the risk, and had to write the second verse in the studio, and I decided like, I'm just gonna describe it – the chaos, the confusion, the mess. The loneliness.”

And it paid off. “Because people saw themselves in that song so much,” he says. They still see themselves in his music. Mabandla’s fans span the world, his tour dates cover from London to Mexico City, and he recently taped the single “sisahleleleni(i)” for the esteemed Colors show. As a nod to his roots, he also recently recorded covers of Brenda Fassie’s “Too Late for Mama” and Shwi No Mtekhala’s “Ngafa,” – the former being one of his favorite songs of all time.

Bongeziwe Mabandla - sisahleleleni (i) | A COLORS SHOWwww.youtube.com

“It’s one of those songs you listen to and never really digest the lyrics,” he says. Turns out, the maskandi classic has “the most heartbreaking lyrics that you can ever imagine.” Mabandla relates to their simplicity; of a man who believes he is dying for nothing, wondering out loud what has become of his relationship. South African artists, from Shwi to Simphiwe Dana and Thandiswa, are the base of Mabandla’s inspiration, with the likes of Frank Ocean, Solange and Bon Iver providing additional layers, too.

“I really have to give gratitude to the young me,” says Mabandla. “When I started out, I wasn’t sure about anything. It’s amazing how I've been able to build a career from knowing so little about music.” He chuckles when he thinks back to the days he’d walk around Melville in Joburg, guitar on his back, just trying to make a name for himself. The plan was to be an actor, and although he still takes on roles (he has a part in Baloji’s Omen, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival), music is the door he chose to walk through over a decade ago. It’s one his fans are ever grateful he decided to keep open.

Interview
Photo: Marie Planeille.

Interview: Decades Later, Tinariwen Is Still Speaking Out and Rocking

We talk to the Tuareg music collective about their pioneering influence on the desert blues and their new album, Amatssou.

There is an interesting backstory to the recording of Amatssou, the ninth studio album by the veteran Tuareg music collective Tinariwen.

Conceived as an exploration of the shared connections between the guitar heavy, socially conscious 'assouf' style of music (internationally known as desert blues) which the band pioneered and the twang of American country music, the plan was to record in Nashville, Tennessee on the invitation of superstar American rocker Jack White.

That plan was thwarted by the pandemic’s travel restrictions and the revolving collective—now fronted by founding members Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, Touhami Ag Alhassane and Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni as well as bassist Eyadou Ag Leche, percussionist SaidAg Ayad and guitarist Elaga Ag Hamid — headed towards Djanet, an oasis in the desert of southern Algeria.

Amatssou represents an artistic evolution for the Grammy-winning band formed back in 1979. But the record also maintains their trademark activism as seen in lyrics that address Mali’s ongoing political turmoil.

OkayAfrica had a chat with acoustic guitarist and vocalist Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni about bringing the new record to life and Tinariwen’s pioneering influence on the desert blues.

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Music
Photo by Shaun Llewellyn for Afro Nation.

From Amapiano tunes to Burna Boy: Here’s Everything That Went Down at Afro Nation Miami

Afro Nation, the world’s biggest Afrobeats music festival, landed in the United States over Memorial Day Weekend.

Afro Nation, the world’s leading Afrobeats celebration, has reached a delectable spot in its maturation since the festival first hit the scene in 2019. Creators Obi Asika and Smade have taken their creation to Portugal, Puerto Rico, Ghana, and Mexico. Over memorial day weekend, they finally took Afro Nation to the United States, testing the waters of Miami Beach, with a lineup that featured Burna Boy, Wizkid, Uncle Waffles, and more.

Here is what went down at the inaugural Afro Nation Miami.

Uncle Waffles at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami.Uncle Waffles at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami.Photo by Melody Timothee for Afro Nation.

Saturday Serenades and Salty Oxtail

Reggatone and Norteño serenaded Afro Nation attendees as we descended on the retractable, spaceship-like loanDepot park. The South Florida location, where the Miami Marlins typically play, feels like the perfect cultural hub for the diaspora to feel comfortable enough to party. However, while the size was adequate to fit all the cousins, having the majority of the attendees sitting so far away from the stage and VIP area made for an awkward, and almost cold, gap.

The festival organizers offered a limited selection of African, Caribbean, and Mexican foods. Most festival-goers anticipate a lengthy experience trying to get food, but the reality of having so few choices was kinda crazy. Thankfully, the arena’s own food court was open for business and guests had the option to fill up on traditional American classics. We were there for the culture, though, so one salty, over-priced oxtail sandwich later, and we were ready to hear some music.

Nigerian singer Nissi— the younger sister of Burna Boy—put on a show that emphasized her determination to stand out for her talent, rather than familial ties. The singer commanded the stage as she opened the floodgates to the roster of incredible talent set to follow her and get the party started. Suave Cape Verdean-Dutch singer Nelson Freitas had the folks grooving in harmony, while Ghana’s Black Sherif packed a powerful punch and performance for his electrified fans to write home about. Africa’s Boyfriend, Nigerian singer Ckay, had the ladies swooning, and the fellas booming as his slick vocals bounced along the stadium.

Over on the Piano People stage, South Africans Musa Keys, Focalistic, and a neon green-haired Uncle Waffles reigned supreme and had their audience in a fit, screaming “Haaibo” and other South African slang terms that were a trip to hear in the middle of Downtown Miami. As a South African, I still get tickled when I realize how far African creativity has come in the last few years. The sheer talent and determination to flourish on a global scale having made my people and my culture the norm is still settling in.

Asake at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami. Asake at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami. Photo by Kenneth Dapaah for Afro Nation.

The in-between moments were even fun as an abundance of Amapiano tunes and hype men Young Prince and DJ Kapo kept us satiated and distracted from the fact that we had been on our feet for going on four hours while the latter tried to make British rugby chants a thing. Nigerian hitmaker Asake hit the stage in socks and the power of having all ten toes on the ground was tangible because he killed his performance. The singer made his way into the crowd, dodging ravenous grips to party with his beloved fans. It was cool, until it wasn’t, and his trusty security was there to scoop him out in time to effortlessly go into his hit “Ototo”.

Headliner , and long-time friend of Afro Nation, Burna Boy had the crowd in the palm of his hand within the first few notes of his hit “Science.” He’s a fantastic performer, loves the stage, and creates music that people want to dance and sing along to — we pray neither party tries to fix what is working divinely. Burna delivered another potent rendition of his universally adored track “Last Last,” as those clever enough to sneak out earlier skipped the rush to find their Ubers in time to rest up for another day of merriment.

Gaykie at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami.Gaykie at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami. Photo by Chris Allmeid for Afro Nation.

Daytime Dancehall and Wizkid Cap-off Sunday

The day started off calmer as we all better understood what to do and where to be. The main stage crowd grew slowly over the day, however, Ghanaian singer Gyakie’s performance communicated that she was gonna slay no matter what. African time was in full effect on both days, but the second saw artists BNXN and Sech bring order to the party as they took turns performing for the crowd.

The Piano People stage gifted us an ethereal and intimate experience as DJ’s Kelvin Momo and DBN Gogo played hypnotic beats against the backdrop of a sun-drenched, palm tree-filled Miami skyline. I got caught up in an Amapiano trance and realized I could have stood there dancing for three more hours and would’ve been completely satisfied.

Back on the main stage, Jamaican dancehall singer Shenseea effortlessly replaced Beenie Man, and the Jamaicans in the house were happy to be included, having a good time nonetheless. Nigerian performer Fireboy DML felt right at home with Miami’s sex appeal and gave a raunchy performance, bringing on a beautiful Jamaican fan to demonstrate just how serious his lyrics are. His global hit “Peru” had the crowd phones out, singing along on their Instagram stories to show their friends that they too, “Just flew into Miami.” Bostonian act DJ Prince made sure to represent all regions of the continent and diaspora, using nostalgia and national pride to keep people in the moment and keen to stay around for what’s next. A body of classics from Brenda Fassie’s “Umqombothi” to “Murder She Wrote” by Chaka Demus & Pliers reemphasized the belief that we all did in fact have the same childhood.

Rema at Afro Nation in Miami, 2023. Rema at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami. Photo by Melody Timothee for Afro Nation.

Global star Rema employed someone to dance around in a bear costume in 29° weather, and, honestly, we love a man committed to the storyline. “As long as I’m on this stage it’s no longer Afro Nation–this is a Rema Party,” he declared to the audience who agreed wholeheartedly. The “Calm Down” singer gave an enormously energetic performance, a testament to the stamina he’s built by performing his music around the world. The singer, like many of his fellow performers, arrived in enough layers to make one think he didn’t get the Miami memo. But, by the end of the show, his adoring fans were gifted a full frontal of his glistening pectorals and a mental image to last them a lifetime. South African DJ duo – and identical twins – Major League DJz brought a showstopping set that included a gratifying appearance by fellow South African singer and composer Msaki as the crowd bid farewell to the indescribable experience at this year’s ‘Piano People’ stage. The grounds reeked of alcohol and we knew the people were ready for Big Wiz.

International superstar Wizkid sauntered his way down a set of stairs as he set started the party on a high note with the hit “Bad To Me.” The singer’s set hit every mark, allowing fans to enjoy his first and latest records in abundance. The singer’s sparkly, but casual getup gave him plenty of room to gyrate and seduce the crowd with his combination of tantalizing vocals and stage presence. Wizkid has also been a part of every iteration of Afro Nation so far, and his music continues to stimulate global interest in all things Africa.

Bodies moved and grooved for hours on end and the hoard of good-looking attendees showed respect and admiration for each other and their space. The inviting weather paired with the intoxicating nature of Amapiano, Afrobeats, and Dancehall made Afro Nation’s Miami affair a dreamy Memorial Day Weekend for those in attendance.

\u200b\u200bWizkid at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami. Wizkid at Afro Nation 2023 in Miami.Photo by Kenneth Dapaah for Afro Nation.

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Afro Nation Detroit Lineup: Davido, Burna Boy, P-Square & More

Afro Nation has released a line up of the artists who will be performing at the event.