Oct. 29, 2020 07:12AM EST

Book cover art.

Blackbird Books Publishes 'Exhale: Queer African Erotic Fiction'—a Must-Read.

Blackbird Books Publishes 'Exhale: Queer African Erotic Fiction'—a Must-Read

'Exhale: Queer African Erotic Fiction' is the delightfully risqué anthology from Blackbird Books and HOLAAfrica!. The anthology features queer writers from across Africa including Nakhane.

South African publishing house Blackbird Books has, in collaboration with HOLAAfrica!, recently published Exhale: Queer African Erotic Fiction. The delightfully risqué anthology is a compilation of stories from queer African writers across the continent. Both fresh literary voices and established ones such as the notable Nakhane, give the project a delicious mixture which is sure to cater to everyone's literary needs.

READ: Here are 5 Contemporary South African Books by Queer Writers You Need to Read

Sometimes you just want to read really imaginative and well-crafted stories about sex (this is where you clutch your pearls in fake horror). This is exactly what this latest anthology offers and more so for the LGBT community whose sexual experiences are continually seen as less important and even taboo from those of heterosexuals. The stories are diverse, compelling and most importantly, earnest.

Below is a brief excerpt from the anthology:

"They kissed. Softly at first, then desperately. Things fell all around them, loudly. It sounded as though a few things broke as well. Neither of them could ignore their need for long enough to care, or to check the extent of the damage they were causing. Remi couldn't remember the last time she was so completely present with another woman. She was so absorbed by her and into her and so oblivious to anything else but her body, her sounds and her smell."

The writers featured in Exhale: Queer African Erotic Fiction are: Mercy Thokozane Minah, Mubanga Kalimamukwento, Fiske Nyirongo, Lawrence Mashiyane, Tshegofatso Senne, Akou Midadje, Nakhane Toure, Cisi Eze, OluTimehin Adegbeye, Kabelo Motsoeneng, Lady Nwadike, Yvonne Ethagene and Von ZiGo.

You can purchase Exhale: Queer African Erotic Fiction here.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

15 Books By Black Authors That Came Out in 2020 ›

lgbt south africa black lives matter literature nakhane

Photo by Oupa Bopape/Gallo Images via Getty Images

South African Rapper Costa Titch Dies While Performing on Stage

Costa Titch, who was only 28, collapsed on stage in the middle of a festival performance.

South African rapper Constantinos Tsobanoglou, popularly known as Costa Titch, died over the weekend after collapsing onstage during a music festival performance. He was only 28.

Titch was performing at the Ultra South Africa concert near Johannesburg, when collapsed while on stage. The rapper regained consciousness but in quick succession collapsed a second time. Following his second collapse, emergency responders, and members of his team tried to revive him, but their efforts were unsuccessful. It is not yet clear what caused him to collapse.

See on Instagram

Following the chain of events, Costa Titch’s family members confirmed the tragic news of his passing on his official Instagram account.

Ever since the news broke, fans shared their condolences on social media, and praised the artist for his musical ability.

None
— (@)

Akon, who signed Costa to his label Konvict Muzik, also shared some heart warming words on his instagram account in respect to the late artist.

“I remember when Babs played me his record for the first time. I was convinced that he was going to make an impact in this world. Costa Titch had a vision that I knew for sure would take over the music industry globally and was on his way to doing just that when god’s plan intervened. It’s been a sad day but what makes me feel better is that I know he died doing what he loved doing the most in this world. God bless you COSTA!!!!!,” Akon wrote.

Before he passed, Costa had released the remix to his commercially successful “"Big Flexa" song. The rapper was also known for records like “Super Star” and “Goat." In 2020, he released his debut album, Made in Africa. Here's what OkayAfrica wrote about it at the time:

"Made in Africa doesn't do much to introduce the listener to the person behind Costa Titch. It's not that kind of album. As mentioned previously, it's made up of bangers and has plenty of guests. Almost every song is designed to be a single. So, there aren't any deep cuts in which the artist digs deep into his personal life to share heartfelt stories and vulnerability. The only instance is the song "Holy Rain" in which he reflects on his ongoing rise to the top of the SA hip-hop food chain—from being Cassper Nyovest's dancer to being tasked with 'saving the game.'"

Our thoughts go out to all of his loved ones.

Photo Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer

Black Coffee to Headline Madison Square Garden

South Africa’s Black Coffee has shared that he will be a headliner at Madison Square Garden later this year.

Black Coffee has collaborated with a host of recognized names, but he is about to make his biggest move yet: a musical stint at Madison Square Garden. Today, the South African producer and DJ announced that he will be headlining at the esteemed Madison Square Garden later in October this year. In a surprising instagram post, the celebrated South African DJ shared the news with millions of his followers. The show is slated to take place on October 7, 2023. Black Coffee is the most recent African to headline the venue and he will join a growing list of African artists who have performed at the venue including Burna Boy, and Wizkid.

See on Instagram

In a statement, Black Coffee, born Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, expressed a lot of excitement about the upcoming gig.

“Today’s announcement is one of those that just becomes difficult to put into words,” Black Coffee said. “As a performer sharing a stage that has hosted some of the greatest artists from all different genres and backgrounds just makes it all so real! I’m completely honored to make my Madison Square Garden debut in 2023!”

For many artists, a Madison Square Garden appearance is the pinnacle of their career, a sort of crowning achievement for the work that they have put into perfecting their craft.

Black Coffee has been at the forefront of pushing dance music to the public, and this development marks his continued relevance in the music space. With a career that spans almost three decades, Black Coffee continues to refine his sound and redefine what is considered music that Africans can make, and a Madison Square Garden appearance might just be more proof that his formula is working.

In a previous conversation with Billboard last year, Black Coffee said that he was honored to represent his country on the global stage.

“There is so much incredible talent coming not only from South Africa, but coming from the African continent as a whole, and being able to bring our culture to these types of platforms only opens the window of opportunity further and further for all of these incredible acts,” Black Coffee said.

News Brief

Photo by AMOS GUMULIRA/AFP via Getty Images

Worst Cyclone In Southern Africa's History Kills 190

35 days in, and Tropical Storm Freddy has torn through Malawi and Mozambique, making it the region's longest lasting cyclone to date.

Southern Africa is currently in the grips of a very intense tropical cyclone. Tropical Cyclone Freddy is on its way out, according to meteorologists, however, the record-breaking tropical storm has left behind a trail of debris, death, and destruction in its five-week journey across the Indian ocean. Hundreds of people in Malawi and Mozambique have had to battle torrential rain and devastating wind twice this month, many falling victim to what has come to be the Earth's longest-lasting tropical storm.

Keep reading...Show less

Music

Paras-Griffin via Getty Images.

Asake Performs On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Asake recently thrilled fans when he hit the stage at the The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform some of his biggest hits.

Ahmed Ololade Asake, famously known as Asake, recently hit the stage on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonto perform some of his biggest hits. The Nigerian singer made his debut on the U.S. television show on Monday, March 13th, giving the audience a medley of some of his renowned hits, which included the recently-released “Yoga,” and “Organise.” The YBNL signee is the latest Nigerian act to perform on Jimmy Fallon’s renowned show. In the past, the likes of Davido, Burna Boy and Wizkid have performed on the stage, garnering a growing international audience and drawing more eyes and ears to their respective brands.

The rise of Asake as an African mega-star has been one of the most fast-paced, and revolutionary rises to fame in recent years. At its release, his 2022 debut album, Mr. Money With the Vibe, entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 66, making it the highest-charting debut Nigerian album of all time. From his lightning-speed growth to one of today's most commercially successful African artists, Asake has repeatedly shown that he has all of the makings of a global superstar.

The performancewas an unabashed celebration of Africanness, and the Yoruba crooner did not hold back. The delivery and intonation of every word sung paid homage to his cultural background. The execution, coupled with theatrical smoke and a live band performing with the backdrop of a manufactured sunset, made the set even more riveting. Watch the clip below.

Asake: Yoga/Organise | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonwww.youtube.com

news.

popular.