Tune Of The Week: Jidenna’s ‘Boomerang’ is giving me all kinds of summertime vibes

Last month our ‘Classic Man’ released an EP featuring some of the best in the music industry including Tiwa Savage, Maleek Berry and Burna Boy. On it features one of my favourite songs of 2017, ‘Boomerang’.

This tune has a way of making me want to blow £1000+ just to fly to an island somewhere in the Caribbeans or off the coast of Africa so I can play this song on the beach, sip coconut water, absorb healthy doses of Vitamin D dancing in the sun for 3 minutes and 50 seconds only, money well spent if you asked me.

The visuals do not include Jidenna, well that’s unless you count the bobblehead at the end. Just two awesome beautiful dancers in a deserted place by the train tracks and a broken down car. As they dance the desolate location suddenly turns into a backdrop of vibrant colours and it’s all magical.

For almost 4 minutes this perfect blend of Afrobeats and Hip Hop allows you to escape reality of being in rainy and freezing London. While I wait for London’s blissful 2 weeks of summer in 2018, I’ll be here learning this bomb choreography so I’m ready to burn the club dance floor anytime this song is played.

I sure hope future bae wherever he is can dance because I’ve decided this will be the choreography to our future wedding’s first dance. No pressure.

Victory for Zimbabwe as Mugabe resigns after 37 years in power. Museveni next?

If you haven’t already heard the good news Zimbabwe’s 93 year old president Robert Mugabe finally handed in his long overdue resignation letter. The date 21st November 2017, will go down in history as the day Zimbabwean lives change forever, for the better, we hope. This is a momentous event many have spent years campaigning for, so its no surprise that people are out celebrating in the streets. Generations have come and gone with Mugabe still being in power but it is clear that with each passing generation the baton of change continued its journey and yesterday afternoon it finally reached its destination.

In a letter read out by Jacob Mudenda, the speaker of parliament Mr Mugabe said: “My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power”

For days the question on everyones lips were “Will he resign?” and now he has the question turns to “Who will replace him?”. The natural presumption being the ousted ex Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa AKA The Crocodile. Who ever takes up the role we can just hope that Zimbabwe get to see what real leadership looks like.

Under the Mugabe regime Zimbabweans have “suffered the second most severe episode of hyperinflation in recorded history.”, the needs and suffering have not been met for years, many Zims have fled the country and have vowed to never return as long as Mugabe remains in power. Indeed, he did some good things and was once the hero that fought against white oppressive dictatorship rule in then called Rhodesia, a regime that put the lives of foreigners over the people of the land. But like a guest that has outstayed their welcome, Mugabe seemed to not get the hint that he had over stayed his welcome, and with time turned from a hero to a tyrant.

My feeling is that many of these leaders that fought for independence feel an entitlement to stay in power till they die, but that is not how democracy works. One day the people will rise up against system and no one is above the system as shown in Libya, Egypt and soon Uganda (?)

I’m sure these events have inspired Ugandans to do the same and get the current president Museveni out. In my recent trip to Uganda I had my first taste of tear gas and witnessed clashes between those against Museveni and the police.

After three decades in power Ugandans are growing tired of their leader who is attempting to further corrupt the system by trying to raise the age limit which currently stands at 75 years old.

“Togikwatako!” (Don’t touch it) was a word of warning to Museveni and comrades shouted in the streets and written all over newspaper headlines. (Rooting for Bobi Wine to be president!) These people just don’t know when to stop.

Mugabe out, Museveni next.

10 Autumn/Winter Outerwear Picks “17

Back from my hiatus! Living in Uganda for sometime nearly made me forget what it feels like to be cold and yes, I still hate it. Reality quickly sunk in the moment I got off the plane, in true British fashion I was welcomed with a wall of cold, freezing, bone chilling air. The shock and horror.

Welcome back to London.

As I figure out how to re-adjust to this weather and resist the urge to go into hibernation I must say I’m loving these coats and jackets such as the teddy coat, classic trench, faux fur, puffer jackets, shearling all of which have caught my eye for their warmth, practicality and the sheer fact they look good. May be the very things you, especially me, need to bare this weather, who said you can’t wear eye popping colour in the winter?

*Details below, click on the icons.

10 Autumn/Winter Outerwear Inspo ’17 by olatishe2 featuring Holiday Lane

“If you want to see how the poor die, come to Grenfell Tower”

No truer words spoken in this time of mourning where almost a hundred people have died in Grenfell Tower. Each passing day fuels me with anger and sorrow for the Grenfell victims. This didn’t need to happen.

This shocking incident highlights the injustice and negligence practiced by those in high positions, those who seek to cut corners in order to fill their pockets, and do so at the expense of innocent lives. The government and Theresa May’s reaction has been nothing short of useless and beyond disappointing, a “failure” as quoted from the Prime Minster herself. If that building was a multimillion pound luxury apartment full of wealthy people, the fire would have been put out in a blink of an eye. In fact, there would have been fire extinguishers on every floor, sprinklers fitted, fire alarms up-to-date and working, adequate fire escapes and there certainly would’t be flammable cladding on the exterior of the building.

These people like you and I, died long before they actually met their horrific deaths, they were dead to the council and the government, it only just manifested itself on the 14th June 2017. They died the moment their pleads for safety were ignored.

The events that lead up to this incident, during and after plays into the idea many of us have held onto for some time now. London is undergoing a social cleansing, this has been the agenda of the Tories since coming into power, profits over people is their motto. Evidence unfolding from this tragic event only prove this once a speculative idea, to be in fact true. Day by day more incriminating details emerge, from the constant complaints and worries voiced by the tenants ignored by the authorities, the use of cheap flammable materials to make the exterior look less of an eye sore to its wealthy neighbours, today we found out that many of the victims were poisoned by cyanide, a toxic gas given off by the burning insulation, the same lethal substance used during Nazi Germany’s gas chambers. In the words of MP David Lammy “this was criminal”, an accident waiting to happen, arrests need to be made and quick. We need justice.

What pains me is that these were ordinary people and could have easily been anyone. Many on the brink of a breakthrough like the talented artist Khadija Saye, 24, who lived on the 20th floor with her mother. Her beautiful work is on show at the Venice Biennale. Syrian refugee Mohammad Alhajali, 23, was studying civil engineering at the university of West London, lived on the 14th floor of the block. His brother Omar, 25, managed to escape from the fire after becoming separated from Mohammad, who was unable to get to safety. They fled from one tragedy just to meet another. Many untapped talents, if given the opportunity to reach their potentials could have easily been able to move out of Grenfell and into one of the million pound houses that the tower overlooks. Now we will never know.

“In this age of austerity, the poor die for other’s prosperity” – Ben Okri

#JusticeforGrenfell

TotW: WizKid x Chris Brown’s ‘African Bad Gyal’ got me feeling all kinds of summer vibes

My TotW (Tune of the week) has to be Wizkid and Chris Brown’s “African Bad Gyal” because I must confess I very rarely do fall in love with Wizkid’s songs the first time I hear them. But lately Wizkid has been dishing out hot tunes for us all to shoki to and I’m not mad at him. Once a skeptic I am now a firm believer that this guy is a musical genius. Teaming up with Sarz the producer and Chris Brown ‘African Bad Gyal’ is another fiery tune we can add to the summer 2017 playlist.

Who ever thought they’d hear Chris Brown speak pigdin? NOT ME! The “Wizkid effect” is real and this tune is a madness.

No video released just yet but I’m looking to forward to a video that lives up to the songs title. Wizkid abeg, don’t let us down. In the meantime, enjoy!

Imagine, Chris Brown sabi pidgin pass me. Chai.

The case of Aung San Suu Kyi and the Rohingya minority has left us thinking is she a Hero turned Villain?

Her silence on the issue of genocide and persecution of the Muslim Rohingya minority in Myanmar was questionable, with widespread violence and terror against the Rohingya and other minorities in the Rakhine state, how could Suu Kyi not be aware that her people were being persecuted and still not do or say anything to condemn these actions? Why was she choosing to stay quiet? From the outside looking in it appears as though her first year in power is not going too smoothly.

With mounting pressure from the international community as to what she was going to do about the situation, she finally broke her silence in a recent interview with the Guardian and gave us all an insight into her stance on the problem in Myanmar:

“I don’t think ethnic cleansing is going on, I think ethnic cleansing is too strong of an expression to use for what’s happening”

I guess from that we can infer that Suu Kyi is very much aware of the current state of things in her country, but just doesn’t perceive people being targeted for their ethnicity and religion and having to flee for their lives into neighbouring countries as ethnic cleansing, it’s apparently “too strong of an expression”. Disappointing and shocking are just a few words that come to mind when I hear these words coming from the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. These words were enough for me to question her credibility, for someone who had been through a struggle (put under house arrest for just over a decade under former dictatorship rule) and been oppressed its funny how quickly she forgets what oppression looks like.

Although a year into the new diplomatic government the problems Myanmar faces today have been around for decades and realistically speaking can’t be solved in a year, Myanmar has always experienced conflict between its ethnic minorities, it almost runs through the veins of Myanmar.

Rumour has it that the outburst of violence against the minorities in the Rahkine state is over land, the Rohingya minority occupy land that the government and investors want to use for development and their refusal to leave has resulted in an outburst of violence and forced expulsion. Whatever the reason may be I think we can all agree and say something needs to be done to stop the discrimination and killing of innocent people.

Has Aung San Suu Kyi turned into a villain? If I’m being honest, I’m on the fence, the woman she is today seems to be a shadow of the woman I grew up reading about and admiring. Nonetheless, as much as I don’t agree with her treatment on the matter I need to bare in mind that things are never as they seem for that reason I’m still waiting to see how Suu Kyi will solve this problem and bring peace and unity into Myanmar in the next coming months and years, it is going to be an uphill battle that is for sure.

Top 5 Met Gala gowns: These women did not come to play, they came to SLAY.

It’s been over a week since this years Met Gala event and people are still talking about the weird and wonderful gowns showcased on the night. The theme was entitled “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” and commemorated the work of the 74 year old Japanese designer.

Looking back over 40 years worth of Rei Kawakubo’s work it is evident what fashion means to her, it is more than just looking good, its expressing emotions, thoughts and ideas, its art and so much more. Rei’s artistic and avant-garde take on fashion and contributions are the reasons why this year she was honoured.

Many of us look forward to the Met Gala for the drama and daring pieces, although few satisfied these expectations these women stood out for all the right reasons:

RIHANNA.

Rihanna. Is. Bae. Of. Life. Talk about making a statement. Looking a like a vision of all things Comme des Garçon x Rei Kawakubo, she absolutely nailed this look. From the hair and makeup down to her shoes (which apparently took an hour to get on!) Rihanna like always comes ready to slay.

Via EOnline: Rihanna in Comme des Garçon

2. TRACEE ELLIS ROSS

Sticking to the memo and honouring the honouree, Tracee effortlessly pulled off this shocking blue Rei Kawakubo creation, simple yet artistic.

temg

3. SOLANGE

Solange never fails to disappoint, for that reason she has for many years been my number one muse. Subtly avant-garde and been like so for many years, Solange wore Thom Browne shirt, long black and white puffer coat teamed with skater shoes.

solange-met-gala-2017-billboard-1240 (1).jpg

Via EOnline: Solange in Thom Browne

4. LILY COLLINS

Like many Met Gala attendees not all wore Rei Kawakubo’s creations however very few still channeled the theme in someway or another. As a fan of all things big, dramatic and contrasting Lily in this Giambattista Valli is all those three things. The classic black bustier teamed with the 80’s like full layered skirt is certainly eye catching, not to mention her short black bob and dramatic dark lips. One word: Love.

Via EOnline: Lily Collins in Giambattista Valli

5. Liu Wen

Denim is something you don’t often see in the Met Gala or any high profile event for that matter and Liu Wen pulls it off perfectly in this Off White dress. The contrast between the sheer upper half of the dress with the grungier layered denim skirt unexpectedly work!

liu wen telegraph

BONUS!

Caroline Kennedy

Not something it looks like she wears on a day to day basis but I think we can all appreciate that Caroline looked amazing. Though a former ambassador to Japan and coming from a political background I feel she’s secretly been wanting to ditch the traditional office wear in exchange for a unique, crazy ‘floral sphere’ dress, it’s all written in her eyes.

Via EOnline: Caroline Kennedy in Comme des Garçon

Overall, those that did keep to the Comme des Garçon theme stood out, paid homage to Rei Kawakubo and looked amazing doing so. I would have loved to see more of Rei Kawakubo’s provocative and shocking designs on the carpet as I think the Met Gala is one of the few times in a year where celebrities get to really go for it and let their creative juices flow. Too many celebs played it too safe or wore your traditional flowing, fitted and pretty gowns…which is NOT what Rei Kawakubo is about. If it looked like it could be worn to the Oscars then it certainly wasn’t getting on my list!