PAPA WEMBA, LE PAPE DE LA SAPE

I was saddened to hear of Papa Wemba’s death. An unexpected event that followed too soon that of another cultural icon and black dandy, Prince. Wemba collapsed on stage in Abidjan on Sunday 24 April , leaving a country – his native Democratic Republic of Congo – and a whole continent to mourn him. Papa Wemba was the world ambassador of Congolese rhumba, but he …

VISUALS : KEVIN MACKINTOSH, “AN AFRICAN ODYSSEY”

From the photographer’s bio: Kevin Mackintosh was born in Africa, but left 15 years ago for the United Kingdom, ( where he lives, dividing his time between New York , London and Paris). While his work expresses a personal ‘ universe’ that combines an interest in European cinema, theatre and art, there is something about the largesse of his native …

PROBLEMATIC BLACK ICONICITY: THE SWENKAS

The swenkas are Zulu migrant laborers living in Johannesburg’s poor areas who have been turning heads with their elegant style and dance skills since the mid 1900s. In the apartheid decades, swenking preserved Zulu culture and pride. The swenkas favoured a formal dress code inspired by jazz-age refinement. Their tailored suits came with brimmed hats and leather shoes, as well as a variety of accessories, including eyewear, …

AFROSARTORIALISM PARTNERS WITH BLACKS TO THE FUTURE!

Today I am happy to announce I’m officially an editorial partner @ Blacks to the Future! This transmedia platform, headquartered in Paris, promotes a “forward-looking, sustainable and uninhibited relationship with africanness and its means of expression”, with the aim of overtaking  stereotyped views of Africa, providing a critical thought on blackness, and nourishing inspiration through an Afrofuturistic vision of the world. As a first contribution, the team led by art director …