2GETHER MAGAZINE ISSUE05 by OH TV 2gether

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B R I N G I N G U S TO G E T H E R

ISSUE05

MUYIWA THIS IS WHAT I’VE BEEN CALLED TO DO

RACHEL KERR MUSICAL FORCE ON THE RISE

# 2 G E T HE RMAGAZINE

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ISBN - 65 7569MI KOVE143 STEF 1975

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AUGUST 2013

TIME2SHINE

THE RETURN OF BRITAIN’S LARGEST GOSPEL TALENT SEARCH

MALI MUSIC

UK’S BIGGEST YOUTH EVENT THIS DECADE!

AFWL

THE BIGGEST AFRICAN FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA OUTSIDE OF AFRICA

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CONTENTS • PG06 • MUYIWA OLAREWAJU •

AN INTERVIEW WITH MUYIWA OF MUYIWA AND RIVERSONGZ

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• PG10 • RIP THE RUNWAY 2013. •

A FUSION OF FASHION AND MUSIC COMING SOON TO OH TV.

• PG16 • MALI MUSIC – READY AIM, FIRE! •

MALI HITS THE MARK AT UK’S BIGGEST YOUTH EVENT THIS DECADE.

• PG20 • SEYI’S THOUGHTS ON EDUCATION •

SEYI AKIWOWO, YOUTH ACTIVIST AND EDUCATION REFORM CAMPAIGNER SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON EDUCATION.

• PG22 • THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR! •

A FEW PICKS OF THE TV SPECIALS COMING SOON TO OH TV NOT TO BE MISSED!

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EDITOR'S NOTES: Welcome to the 5th edition of 2gether Magazine! Not only am I excited that this issue is out but I am also ecstatic that finally summer is here! In keeping with the summer time spirit this edition is filled with more fun, music, fashion, entertainment and even food! So let’s get right down to it, if its entertainment you crave we have all you need to know about the exciting Muyiwa and Riversongz concert happening this September. We have the lowdown on the super successful Mali Music and Friends concert that took

• NAIJA BITES •

SAMPLE THE REAL TASTE OF NAIJA WITH MARY SHITTU AND BUSOLA AJIBADE.

This publication has been produced by the OPEN HEAVENS MEDIA LTD, All rights reserved. Production in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without written permission. The publishers cannot a necessarily that of th

AUG TWENTY THIRTEEN

• PG26 • LET IT GROW! •

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TEN WAYS TO GROW AFRICAN CARIBBEAN HAIR WITH VALLEY FONTAINE

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• AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON

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THE BIGGEST AFRICAN FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA OUTSIDE OF AFRICA!

• PG38 • KICKIN’ IT WITH RACHEL KERR •

PHENOMENAL UK ARTIST, SINGER SONGWRITER, MUSICAL FORCE ON THE RISE.

• PG42 • TIME2SHINE SEASON THREE.

Movies

Hair and Beauty

Politics

Music and Entertainment

Fashion and Culture

Food and Education

place in London and Birmingham. A massive well done to the UPRISE team for providing such a wonderful experience! Watch out for the new season Time2Shine, the premier gospel talent search show exclusive to OH TV! We also catch up with Rachel Kerr in an interview with Lola Ogunbadejo. Stay up to date with all the hottest shows not to be missed this summer on OH TV such as the Naija Bites new season filmed in ‘Hotlanta’ (Atlanta, USA)! We also have a few added extras such as a new Education Column and a Hair and Beauty section providing the best tips on hair care and make up. I could go on but its best to flip the page and get reading! Enjoy the sun! God Bless. Adeola Idowu

#2GETHERMAGAZINE

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• PG44 • GET READY FOR: •

MUYIWA GOES TO NOLLYWOOD, UK GOSPEL MEETS NOLLYWOOD.

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SPECIAL THANKS TO : Blackgrape Media, Femi Onatuga, Paul Akinriloa, Emmanuel Hammond, Macphotos, Shieleen Mckenzie, Rip The Runway UK, S Two PR, Mary Shittu, Rachel Kerr Management, Eric Jorrin Media, Richard Pascoe, Eunice Obianagha, Yana Cosmentics | 2GETHER is an OHTV publication. OHTV airs on SKY channel 199 in the UK, on free-to-air satellite across Africa and via OHBoX in the USA, Canada and Australia. OHTV WRN Broadcast Media Village, Wyvil Court, 10 Wyvil Road, London, SW8 2TG Tel: 020 7720 8210 | www.ohtv.co.uk | twitter.com/ohtv | facebook.com/ohtv.sky199 | Twitter @OHTV #2gethermagazine

OH TV BECOME OFFICIAL BROADCAST PARTNERS FOR TIME2SHINE GOSPEL TALENT SEARCH SEASON THREE.

FEATURING THE TOP SHOWS ON OH TV.

A Copyright 2008-2018. Except where explicitly stated, all content of this magazine is A Copyright Open Heavens Media Ltd, all rights are reserved, and content should not be copied, adapted, redistributed, or otherwise used without the prior written permission of Copyright Open Heavens Media Ltd. Any unauthorised publication, copying, hiring, lending or reproduction is strictly prohibited and constitutes a breach of copyright.

nnot accept responsibility for errors in adverts or articles, although 2GETHER has endeavoured to ensure that all information is correct at the time of printing.Opinions expressed in 2GETHER are at of the publishers.

| MAY 2012 Music and Entertainment

Interview by Adeola Idowu

MU Y I W A

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THIS IS WHAT I’VE BEEN CALLED TO DO MUYIWA OLAREWAJU IS WIDELY KNOWN FOR INSPIRING MUSIC LISTENERS ACROSS THE UK AND INTERNATIONALLY WITH HIS TALENTS AS A DEDICATED SINGER, SONG WRITER AND BROADCASTER. ALTHOUGH HE IS CURRENTLY THE STATION DIRECTOR FOR PREMIER GOSPEL RADIO AND PRESENTER FOR TELEVISION SHOW TURNING POINT, MUYIWA IS PROBABLY BEST KNOWN FOR BEING THE LEAD MAN FOR UK’S MOST SUCCESSFUL GOSPEL GROUP MUYIWA AND RIVERSONGZ. SINCE THEIR DEBUT IN 2002 THE GROUP HAVE GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH WITH 5 SUCCESSFUL ALBUMS, IMPRESSIVE SALES FIGURES, MANY CHART TOPPING ACHIEVEMENTS, COUNTLESS AWARDS AND SEVERAL APPEARANCES ON TELEVISION AND AT LEADING GOSPEL EVENTS. MUYIWA AND RIVERSONGZ ARE STILL THE ONLY INTERNATIONAL ACT TO APPEAR ON BET’S CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL ANNUAL EVENT AND IN RECENT MONTHS THEY APPEARED AS HEADLINING ACTS AT THE BBC PROMS ‘GOSPEL PROMS’. OVER A DECADE LATER IT IS SAFE TO SAY THEY HAVE BECOME KNOWN AS ONE OF UK GOSPEL’S MOST PRIZED ACTS.

This September 7th Muyiwa and Riversongz will host a special concert at The Forum, London, UK. The event will be covered by OH TV and feature special guests such as Omotola J. Ekeinde and Joselyn Dumas and supporting acts such as Rachel Kerr and JP Cooper. We caught up with Muyiwa during filming for his show Turning Point in the USA to discuss his music, his thoughts on UK Gospel and plans for the upcoming event… YOU HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AS ONE OF UK’S MOST SUCCESSFUL BLACK CHRISTIAN ARTISTS. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE PAST DECADE OR SO? People say we are one of the most successful in the UK, I just say we are one of the most fortunate! To achieve what we have, with our background is only grace. We are have been making records with out a record company yet we have sold out venues like Ocean, Royal Festival Hall, Hammersmith Apollo, Indigo2 at the O2 and to still be the only ones to have done that is incredible. On top of that to have CDs that top the chart like one did with HMV for 5 months in the jazz and blues charts. Another one that made it to 5 on the

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P eopl e s a y we a r e o n e of the m ost s u c c e s s f u l i n t h e UK, I j ust sa y we a r e o n e o f the m ost fort un a t e ! T o a c h i e v e w hat w e have, wi t h t h e b a c k ground w e have i t 's o n l y g r a c e .

Amazon world music chart and then to be in a place where we were now a headlining act at this year’s BBC Proms; its just incredible. NOT ONLY ARE YOU MAKING WAVES MUSICALLY YOU ALSO HAVE A FLOURISHING CAREER IN BROADCASTING AS THE STATION DIRECTOR OF PREMIER GOSPEL RADIO AND THE PRESENTER FOR TURNING POINT; A POPULAR SHOW AIRED WEEKLY ON OH TV. IF YOU WEREN’T A MUSICIAN OR BROADCASTER WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? The first job I ever wanted was to be a Safari Hunter [laughs] dress up in khaki and that whole thing. Then I wanted to be a farmer because that’s what the family had set for me. My parents retired to become farmers so at one point I was actually supposed to study as a farmer so I could take over from them. There was a time I considered working in marketing, in the 80s a lot of influential people in my life were working in that field. So maybe one of those things, however maybe not a safari hunter!

WHEN DID YOU REALISE YOU WANTED TO PURSUE MUSIC? I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to do music. As a child music was always in our house my siblings and I used to sing all the time. I always used to make up songs about food! As I matured I began to take an interest in the record industry I realised there was a job I could do being a singer. I wasn’t really that exposed to the entertainment world as most kids were back then. So when I became confident in the fact I wanted to do music I had to listen to my parents. Being West African they ensured that I studied business studies first before I could go into music. HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND YOUR FAITH IMPACTED YOUR LIFE AND CHOICE OF CAREER? My faith is at the epicentre of everything I do. It’s not just my relationship with God it’s not just something I do – it affects how I see everything from food to conversations, it’s right at the centre of everything I do. It forms how I view a child with aids in Africa or how I view Drummer Lee Rigby or the guys that violently attacked

| MAY 2012

“I’ve always k nown that I’ve wanted to do music.”

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“M y fa i t h i s a t t h e e p i c e n t re o f e v e r y t h in g I d o . ”

him, down to how I make music. That doesn’t mean it’s the reason I chose to do gospel music only, but for now this is what I’ve been called to do.

different. We have people who want to buy records and people who will promote records, artists and concerts. You just have to do the work and we have to be active in pushing it forward.

YOU WERE THE FIRST AND CURRENTLY THE ONLY INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS TO APPEAR ON BET’S ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL IN 2009. CLEARLY GOSPEL MUSIC IS A HUGE DEAL IN THE USA WITH A CONSIDERABLY LARGER MARKET THAN THE UK. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOSPEL MUSIC HERE IN THE UK AT THE MOMENT?

YOU HAVE A BIG EVENT COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER, MUYIWA GOES TO NOLLYWOOD. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT FROM THIS EVENT?

This difficult thing for gospel here in the UK is the fact that its not really an area that’s supported by the industry, you have record companies that pump money into contemporary Christian music, the typically white rock Christian music. They are a little less likely to put money into ‘gospel’. The fear is whether there is money in it for them. But you just have to do the math and look at what’s out there and you will see there is nowhere in the UK where you see a gathering of 50,000 to 60,000 black people all gathered under one roof to praise the name of Jesus. So the people are there! You have churches like the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners Chapel, Kingsway International Christian Centre that have thousands people gathering on Sunday. At the end of the day, these are the people, the multitudes that want to buy gospel music. Recent research has shown that biggest part of the growth of the church is in London and those at the epicentre of that are the black churches. The numbers are there, it just takes some catching on from the record industry to realise this. The more we support gospel music and the more television stations like OH TV, magazines like 2gether and other platforms promote and support it the more it will grow. DO YOU SEE GOSPEL MUSIC IN THE UK GROWING? It’s growing all the time. If we use the analogy of biology, an organism grows new cells all the time and the artists are the new cells. Look at artists like Guvna B and Faith Child, they wouldn’t be doing what they do if there was no growth. We have to realise that we are not America we are in the UK and circumstances here are

People can expect great music to start with. It will be different because this time around we are putting on a fun-packed show with a Nollywood twist. People can expect popular songs from Muyiwa and Riversongz and also some of the popular African praise and worship numbers delivered in a special Riversongz style. The show will feature stage appearances and funny skits from some of the biggest names in Nollywood and African comedy. It’s going to be a lot of fun and an evening of inspiration. If anyone comes tired by the time you leave you would have danced your tiredness away and laughed your head off, because we are going to have a great time. I’VE BEEN TO A CONCERT OF YOURS BEFORE AND I HAD SO MUCH FUN! IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO EXPERIENCE A NOLLYWOOD TWIST THIS TIME Can you imagine if you had the element of those who are real entertainers which is what Nollywood stars are? For all its worth we try but we are praise and worship so if you’re having fun with praise and worship and then you add Nollywood entertainment to it, boom! There’s fire on the mountain! WHAT ELSE CAN FANS WATCH OUT FOR THIS YEAR? We have a Christmas album at the end of the year so people should watch out for that. Then next year we are looking to do an African all-star album featuring big names from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa. We want to pull them all together on one record to celebrate African gospel music. The reality is most of us are busy trying to get the acceptance of non-africans and we forget that actually we are right at the core of the action ourselves. We’ve decided we are just going to do us and not try to get the acceptance of others and merely go with the flow.

| MAY 2012

Fashion and Culture

Written by Karen Nyame-Gyamfi

RIP THE RUNWAY UK 2013 OH TV WILL BE BRINGING YOU EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE FROM THIS YEAR’S RIP THE RUNWAY UK. BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN MUSIC AND FASHION, TWENTY DESIGNERS AND THEIR FASHION LINES TAKE THE STAGE ALONGSIDE SOME OF THE URBAN INDUSTRIES HOTTEST MUSIC ACTS. VIEWERS CAN EXPECT TO SEE THE LIKES OF RACHEL KERR, ANGEL, AFROBEAT SENSATION FUSE ODG - TO MENTION A FEW - PROVIDE THE SOUNDTRACK TO WHAT IS DEEMED AS BEING THE UK’S LARGEST ENTERTAINMENT SHOW.

Organised by contemporary clothing brands ODF Clothing and Trendset UK, Rip The Runway UK is a value led platform for the younger generation that champions the ethos of inspiration and emerging urban talent. Rip The Runway UK has been home to an array of up & coming and established fashion labels, something that has been a key component in their achievements thereafter. The show is an advocate for pushing urban UK talent beyond its barriers.

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RI P T he Runway U K i s o f c o u r s e a talent show, bu t w h a t d i f f e r e n t i a t e s them from the n o r m i s t h e i r a w a y o f mergi ng fashi on a n d m u s i c t o g e t h e r and engagi ng a l i v e a u d i e n c e w i t h i coni c fi gures o n s t a g e .

This year the event successfully filled out Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Troxy venue that holds a capacity of 2300 people, showing that the brand has evidently evolved, captilising on their target market. With emphasis placed on the trendsetters and innovators within these particular areas of the industry, OH TV will access Rip The Runway UK backstage, interviewing the brains and the brands behind this popular art concept. Viewers will gain an insight into how the event has been organised as well as experience performance highlights of the show.

The show layout is uniquely formatted with past hosts such as Eddie Kadi, Kevin J, presenter Georgia LA, and Kojo the comedian. Multicultural designers and fashion models from all walks of life will grace the stages as music artists perform their songs in order to recreate an animated catwalk experience for the spectactor. LOOK OUT FOR RIP THE RUNWAY UK ON OH TV THIS SUMMER!

| MAY 2012

UK ar ti st Angel per for m s a sel ecti on of popul ar hi ts on thi s year ' s Ri p T he Runw ay UK stage al ongsi de the l i ve fashi on show . Rachel K er r al so per for m s her l atest m ater i al to the packed out cr ow d.

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OH T V will b rin g y o u a ll t h e ac t io n fro m t h is y e a r's s h o w he l d a t t h e Tro x y in L o n d o n . Wi t h o v e r 2 0 d e s ig n e rs a n d a n ar r a y o f liv e p e rfo rma n c e s , an un fo rg e t t a b le n ig h t o f t o p en t e rt a in me n t a n d fa s h io n .

| MAY 2012

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DAB digital radio in London www.premiergospel.org.uk THE UK’s NUMBER ONE GOspEL MUsic sTATiON Tune in for the very best in jazz, hip hop, reggae, latin and traditional music

DOWNLOAD THE APP

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APP TODAY! oX B H O N O E IS T R E V D A TAKE YOUR BRAND

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these guys went shopping and got some Ad space, come and get yours!

ADVERTISE ON THE OHBOX APP TAKE YOUR BRAND TO THE NEXT LEVEL The OHBoX is the latest revolution in television viewing and is home to some of the best quality African entertainment channels available globally. The OHBoX App allows audiences to watch these channels on the move on a range of devices including, iPhone, iPad and android! By advertising on the OHBoX App, you too can reach a growing tech savvy audience of fashion conscious opinion formers in love with African entertainment.

WHY ADVERTISE? • AFFORDABLE – Promote your brand globally for less than £50 a week! •REACH A GLOBAL AUDIENCE – with a growing audience of over 300,000 subscribers you too can be seen alongside some of the worlds biggest brands • MAXIMUM ROI – Your banner ad will be promoted across all channels on the App giving you high reach, high impact and maximum return on investment. www.ohtvbox.com Email: ads@ohtvbox.com

| MAY 2012

Music and Entertainment

written by Adeola Idowu and Bukky Alabi

READY AIM, FIRE! MALI HITS THE MARK AT UK’S BIGGEST INDEPENDENT CHRISTIAN EVENT THIS DECADE! ON THE WEEKEND OF 18TH AND 19TH MAY A HUGE CROWD OF OVER 2,000 YOUNG CHRISTIANS AND NON-CHRISTIANS FROM ACROSS THE UK DESCENDED UPON THE FORUM, KENTISH TOWN IN LONDON AND THE INSTITUTE IN BIRMINGHAM TO EXPERIENCE 2 NIGHTS OF HISTORY. FOR TWO NIGHTS THOUSANDS ASSEMBLED TO EXPERIENCE THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED UPRISE PRESENTS: MALI MUSIC AND FRIENDS CONCERT, MAKING IT ONE OF THE BIGGEST YOUTH GOSPEL GIGS THE UK HAS EVER SEEN.

UK fans were exhilarated and elated as they worshiped along with the extraordinary gospel music sensation to popular hits such as “All the Glory belongs to You (Yahweh)”, “All I Have to Give”, “The Job Experience” and latest single set to be a massive hit “Ready Aim” accompanied with the experience of his full live American band. Supporting acts featured in the memorable event included some of the best in UK Gospel such as Four Kornerz, Faith Child, Jahaziel, Victizzle, S.O, Write-Way, Happy, A Star, MYM, Husky and various others!

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UPRISE PRESENTS: MALI MUSIC AND FRIENDS both cities; many were blessed as they worshipped alongside their favourite gospel artists. Special guests in the audience included famous names such as X Factor’s Jahmene Douglas, Gospel artist Muyiwa, Time2shine Judge Mark Beswick and E4‘s ‘Youngers’ actress Shavani Seth. UPRISE PRESENTS UPRISE Ambassador, Faith Child was ecstatic when recapping over both dates “This weekend has been immense! It was great to see people come out in their thousands to support their own as well as Mali Music. The atmosphere was amazing. God moved and people left changed!” UPRISE PRESENTS is a new live concert series launched by UPRISE MUSIC TV. UPRISE PRESENTS plan to continue a running schedule o f live music concerts and productions containing a host of popular artists and gifted Christian musicians in the near future. The aim of this initiative is to uplift and inspire youth in the UK with Christian music and revive the zeal and popularity of the UK gospel scene. UPRISE have a goal to increase the awareness of UK gospel to a mainstream audience and make every concert a thrilling live experience. Share Jesus International (Organisers of Pentecost Festival were one of the supporters and sponsors of the event. When commenting on on the success of the concert Deputy Director Eunice Obianagha said “Pentecost Festival is all about connecting people to the gospel through creative and relevant events and UPRISE PRESENTS Mali Music and friends was most definitely all of the above and more. We look forward to supporting this new platform again next year and seeing more young people connect and share their faith.'

“One o f t h e bi ggest youth gosp e l g i g s t h e UK h a s e v e r seen” During Mali Music’s Birmingham performance, he couldn’t help stopping his set to say “The UPRISE and OHTV Guys are amazing, they really make God look good!" Both nights were an unforgettable success with packed out crowds in

Faithchild

| MAY 2012

BEESUAREZ REVIEW:

“MALI MUSIC IS THE TRUTH IN MUSIC” - BEESUAREZ REVIEW OF LONDON CONCERT: The Forum, London, Saturday 18th May 2013. For more info visit: www.beesuarez.com The crowd came out in force for the overseas Gospel champion Mali Music, with a never ending queue already forming 4 hours before the show started never have we experienced such for a Gospel event in London. As we got into the venue, the atmosphere was already set, the vibe in the air was full of excitement and anxiety, shortly after the show began. Close to 20 Friends (UK Gospel acts) of Mali Music took turns delivering their particular brands of gospel, every song was a moment. Finally the time came that we had all been waiting for… MALI MUSIC, the crooner’s casual and comfortable stage presence was reflected in both his outfit, but the main focus was on the singer and his band, which included a simple set of a drummer, bassist and keyboardist. Arms stretched above their heads, with faces turned upward, he seamlessly linked from ministry to worship and back again awing and inspiring the crowd. For the rest of the night, a whirling, dancing, frenetic Mali with his soul inflected songs seemed tireless, as he carried on into the night. When it comes to crowd pleasers, Mali Music most definitely won the crowd over with his powerful and alarming latest single ‘Ready Aim’ – taken from his upcoming album. THE ATMOSPHERE CHANGED AS HE ADVANCED TO SING: “But there are powers in the air, you can’t see them, And they have rockets and machine guns, And they’re firing on my plane. But I say Fire! Fire! Ready aim Fire! You can’t shoot me down! No!” Jamaal “Mali Music” Pollard is truth in music. The Savannahbased singer, songwriter, producer is breaking out of the box of traditional gospel music. Mali Music is sure to unforgettably impact the world. If you were not in attendance, you most definitely missed out. Well done to the UPRISE Team and OH TV for pulling off such an incredible show. One can only hope this event, billed as a once in a lifetime event, will be successful enough to become an annual trek here in London. BeeSuarez of BeeSuarez.com – Your source for Christian and Gospel music, reviews, interviews, news and so much more. "THE EVENT WAS ONE OF THOSE TURNING POINTS IN THE HISTORY OF UK GOSPEL MUSIC AND THE LIFE OF THIS YOUNG GENERATION" Muyiwa Olarewaju, Director of Premier Gospel “UPRISE ARE RESURRECTING THE UK URBAN GOSPEL SCENE! THE MALI MUSIC CONCERT WAS JUST AWESOME!" Victizzle, Supporting Act

“THIS IS WHAT WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY ‘OHTV - BRINGING US TOGETHER’ ” Vidal Juba, Channel Manager of OHTV

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"UPRISE DELIVERED AN ELECTRIFYING NIGHT OF GOOD MUSIC GIVING THE AUDIENCE A CAPTIVATING CONCERT EXPERIENCE WITH GREAT ARTISTS IN A GREAT ATMOSPHERE... DEFINITELY VALUE FOR MONEY" Matt Brooks, Co-Founder of M-Brio

“LIFE CHANGING EVENT, WHETHER CHRISTIAN OR NOT YOU COULDN'T SAY THAT WASN'T AN AMAZING EVENT! ONWARDS AND UPWARDS” A Star, Supporting Act Jahazi el

Lola Godheld

Monique Thomas

S.O.

“MALI MUSIC AND FRIENDS WAS POWERFUL, AN EXPERIENCE THAT WILL STAY WITH ME FOR LIFE. UPRISE HAVE ONLY BEGUN! SUCCESSFULLY SELLING OUT IN 2 CITIES - IT'S UPWARDS FROM HERE AND NOW ON’ MYM, Supporting Act

| MAY 2012

EDUCATION CORNER WITH SEYI AKIWOWO Food and Education

Seyi’s Th o u g h ts o n E ducat ion SEYI AKIWOWO, YOUTH ACTIVIST AND EDUCATION REFORM CAMPAIGNER SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON EDUCATION DEVELOPMENTS AND REFORMS IN THE UK AND AROUND THE WORLD…

YOUNG PEOPLE TAKE OVER THE UN IN THE NAME OF QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL #MALALADAY

JULY 16TH MARKED THE DAY OF A YOUNG BRAVE GIRL’S BIRTHDAY, MALALA YOUSAFZAI. AN ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION WAS MADE ON HER LIFE LAST YEAR BECAUSE SHE ADVOCATES FOR YOUNG FEMALE RIGHTS TO EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN. THIS YEAR ON MALALA’S 16TH BIRTHDAY, HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS FROM MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES CALLED FOR QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL IN A UNIQUE YOUTH ASSEMBLY, WHERE DIPLOMATS TOOK A BACK SEAT IN ORDER TO LET YOUNG PEOPLE TAKE OVER THE UNITED NATIONS. Currently there are 57 million children around the world that are denied access to education as we speak and sadly, many of these children will grow up having never been to school or had access to basic education. In addition, more than 120 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24 lack basic reading and writing skills, putting them at odds with the evolving job market. As discussion on the post-2015 development goals have started, the European Youth Forum calls on United Nations to ensure more is done to address the millions that are denied their human right to education and to effectively involve youth in the process. Their request is simple: a new global goal to put every child on the planet in school. Experts say that this proposal to address the global education crisis would only cost the same as two nuclear power plants. Key points from the proposal include, guaranteeing equality for girls and marginalised youth that are disproportionately denied education, more efficient methods to better target spending on education to close the gaps and guarantee every child has at least 9 years education. Read more about the new worldwide petition calling for urgent action to ensure the right of every child to safely attend school. The petition was launched with the backing of the United Nations Special Envoy for Education, Gordon Brown. You can also and visit: www.change.org

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EDUCATION SYSTEMS SHOULD ENCOURAGE MORE DANCERS Sir Kenneth Robinson (born 4 March 1950) is an English author, speaker, and international advisor on education in the arts to government, non-profits, education, and arts bodies. He was Director of The Arts in Schools Project (1985–89), Professor of Arts Education at the University of Warwick (1989–2001), and was knighted in 2003 for services to education. Originally from a working-class Liverpool family, Robinson now lives in Los Angeles with his wife Marie-Therese and children James and Kate.

I am a massive fan of Sir Ken Robinson, I think he is intellectually funny and has a fresh but daring perspective on education systems. Tickets to see him speak in London at a RSA Event on How to Change Education-from the ground up in July sold out within minutes! Some time ago I came across a short video clip from 2006 of Sir Ken speaking at a TED Talks on “Do schools kill creativity?” and always he did not disappoint, I had to pause the clip a few times so I could take legible notes: I was somebody who had to give up pursing dance professionally because it was not a “stable career path.” I empathise with thousands of young people who have been given a similar speech and with those who feel inadequate in school because they do not fit into socially constructed “norms” of education. CHECK OUT THE KEY POINTS RAISED IN SIR KEN’S PRESENTATION AND SOME OF MY OPINIONS: • Education systems place importance on particular subjects and professions so we need to rethink our education systems as they are currently serving a particular commodity, training to be University Professors and not serving the future.

• Many young people with a ‘different’ talon cannot flourish because it tends to be stigmatised in school.

• This is no longer sustainable as the world is engulfed in various revolutions including a revolution within the labour market and ‘traditional’ jobs.

My conclusion? Governments need to be open and provide adequate time, resources and expertise to rethink their education systems. Education in my opinion should focus on life and learning first and then the labour market. If we do not so this soon, we will all be guilty of subjecting another generation to an unequal, outdated, ‘creative killing’ education system.

• Academic inflation: Jobs that required only a BA now require an MA and jobs which required an MA now require a PHD - this is also not sustainable!

• We need to rethink our views on intelligence, intelligence is: diverse, dynamic and distinct.

WWW.SEYIAKIWOWO.WORDPRESS.COM

ABOUT SEYI AKIWOWO Seyi Akiwowo is a youth activist and education reform campaigner. On her blog: www.seyiakiwowo.wordpress.com shares her thoughts on various developments and reforms in Education within the UK and around the world. Seyi graduated in BSc Social Policy from the London School of Economics last year and regularly writes and give talks about education and overcoming structural barriers in order to inform and empower people. She is currently based abroad as a Policy Monitoring and Communications Intern for the European Youth Forum in Brussels, Belgium. I am currently on a new journey abroad as a Policy Monitoring and Communications Intern for the European Youth Forum in Brussels, Belgium. In this role, I produce a bi-weekly bulletin which includes my results from monitoring youth policy and the other youth policy-related developments around the world. I intend to continue working within the policy and research field with a view to improving my expertise. One of my career objectives is to be able to contribute to the delivery of high-profile research projects in related leading-organisations.

| MAY 2012

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR! HERE ARE JUST A FEW PICKS OF THE TV SPECIALS THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS! ALL COMING SOON TO OH TV…

Out and About with Lola Award-winning presenter Lola Ogunbadejo will be retuning to our screens with season 2 of Out and About with Lola with glittering highlights from the most anticipated events, such as concerts, film premieres, live shows and award ceremonies in the world of African entertainment from Lagos to London. Enjoy the hottest reviews, celebrity interviews and ear- tingling celebrity news in ‘Gist Me’

Coming Soon

Rip The Runway UK OH TV brings you all the action from the UK’s hippest fashion and music show Rip The Runway. After a very successful night held in the Troxy, London with over 20 designers and an array of live performances from the likes of Rachel Kerr, Lola Rae and Fuse ODG to name a few, OH TV will premier a series where you will be able to catch all the back stage gossip and run up to live show.

Coming Soon

The Call Over the years there have been men and women that have literally changed our world. Their faith and works not only impacted our lives but also shaped the destiny of many. What sets them apart? What makes a man or a woman stand out amongst the chosen few? Find out on THE CALL. Join Muyiwa as he travels around the world to meet these distinct men and women of God, to discover how they received the Call.

Coming Soon

Lekki Wives A drama series exclusive to OHTV starring Adaora Ukoh, Kiki Omeili, Catherine Obiang, Keira Hewatch, and Chinonso Young set around 5 wives who live in the élite area of Lagos, Lekki. The show displays how they seek to maintain their lives, marriages and all the drama they encounter. Lekki Wives includes a mix of female types from the carefree housewife, to the trophy housewife, the ex-call girl and the rich authoritarian.

Coming Soon

Diamonds Of Africa A celebration of African women in entertiment. The series takes us behind the scenes of an exclusive TV commercial promoting IFACTORY LIVE & OH AFRICA featuring stars such as Anita Erskine, Michelle Attoh, Dzigbordi Dosoo, Joselyn Canfor Dumas, Osas Ighodaro and Geeta Sidhu Robb. ‘Diamonds of Africa’ takes viewers to various destinations in Africa on board the luxurious Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Deck.

Coming Soon OH TV is a family entertainment channel dedicated to providing the best of uplifting, inspirational and challenging content from the UK, Africa and around the world.

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| MAY 2012

Mary Shittu pictured with Us chef Rasheeda Sule and Musiq Soulchild on set of the new season in Atlanta USA.

Food and Education

Naija Bites SAMPLE THE REAL TASTE OF NAIJA! NAIJA BITES IS AN ENTERTAINMENT COOKERY SHOW EXCLUSIVELY ON OH TV GIVING YOU A BLEND OF FINE DINING MIXED WITH CELEBRITY FUN! HOSTED BY FASHIONISTA MARY SHITTU AND RENOWNED CELEBRITY CATERER BUSOLA AJIBADE, NAIJA BITES HAS BECOME POPULAR FOR TANTALISING TASTE BUDS AND SHOWING YOU HOW FOOD IS DONE THE NAIJA WAY! EACH WEEK, BUSOLA COOKS A NIGERIAN DELICACY, DURING WHICH MARY CHATS AWAY WITH A SPECIAL GUEST AS WELL AS HELPING TO ASSIST BUSOLA IN THE CREATION OF HER MOUTHWATERING DISHES!

WHO HAVE BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE GUESTS? One of my most memorable guests on the show would have to be Musiq Soulchild. He was so cool, relaxed and really enjoyed being in the Kitchen and learning how to cook authentic Nigerian food. WHO WOULD YOU LOVE TO HAVE AS A GUEST IN THE KITCHEN? I would love to have Mrs Obama and Oprah Winfrey in the kitchen with me how amazing would that be? Gisting while learning to cook some Nigerian dishes. WHAT CAN VIEWERS EXPECT FOR THE NEW ATLANTA SEASON?

MARY SHITTU | IN THE SPOTLIGHT This summer join Mary Shittu in the new season set in sunny Atlanta, USA. This season features special guests such as Musiq Soulchild, Quinnes "Q" Parker from R&B group 112 and many others! HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP NAIJA BITES IN YOUR OWN WORDS? I would sum up Naija Bites as a show with Celebrity, fun, food & frolics the Naija way. It's an entertaining, fun and mouth-watering cookery show with a twist of juicy celebrity interviews while we cook real Nigerian dishes. It's entertainment you can taste. WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESENTING THE SHOW SO FAR? I have a lot of fun doing the show and it's great to be able to come into people's homes and entertainment them. Also travelling to different countries interviewing celebrities while cooking some of my favourite Nigerian dishes. I also have to say working with the best crew ever, makes it all so great.

Viewers can expect to see my new American celebrity friends, fun, food and great entertainment all with an American twist! WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL FAVOURITE NAIJA DISH? I am a classic type of girl so my favourite Naija dish is Rice, plantain and chicken stew with a side dish of salad in there too. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE? I don't really have a least favourite. I like them all. I am a Naija girl at heart and love everything Naija! WHICH NAIJA DISH CAN YOU COOK THE BEST? All of them! Only joking, I am a creative person so if I can't cook a particular dish, I just improvise. SO IF YOU WANT TO SAMPLE THE REAL TASTE OF NAIJA, THIS IS THE SHOW FOR YOU!

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EVERY SATURDAY 12:30PM “I w ould sum up Nai j a B i t e s a s a show w i th celebr i t y , f u n, f ood and f r oli cs t h e N a ij a w ay.”

NEW SEASON COMING THIS SUMMER ON OH TV

NAIJA BITES SPECIAL RECIPE CHECK OUT THIS EASY STEP BY STEP RECIPE FROM NAIJA BITES CHEF BUSOLA AJIBADE. Mixed meat Ayamashe for 4 people. INGREDIENTS: 3 big green Bell pepper 3 Scotch bonnet 2 Onions (Good for flavour) Half of Hake fish diced into small pieces 2 Tablespoon of Jumbo All Purpose Seasoning 2 Tea Spoon Crayfish (Whole or ground) 1 cup of Palm Oil (Bleach) Pre-boiled meats – Tripe, Beef, Goat meat, Cowleg, Cow skin INSTRUCTIONS: Season mixed meat (Beef, Goat Meat, Tripe, Cow Foot and Cow Skin) with All Purpose seasoning, onions and cook till tender. Cow foot should be cooked separately until meat falls off the bone. Put Palm oil in a pot with cover with lid and bleach for 20mins (MAKE SURE THE POT NOT OPENED UNTIL COOL) Tip to know that the palm oil is bleached test with white kitchen towel, it must look like vegetable oil Blend Green Pepper, Scotch Bonnet and Onion, sieve the water and use throughout the blending process (Keep the sieved water aside to be used later) Pour the blended ingredients in a pot then cook for 20mins, if dry when cooking add the sieved water Fry Mixed meat, add bleached palm oil with the blended ingredients, stir and add fried meat and Cray fish, add All purpose seasoning and taste. Cook for another 15mins. Let it simmer for 5mins, Ready to serve. ESTIMATED COOKING TIME: 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES (APPROX)

Ayamashe

| MAY 2012

Hair and Beauty

Written by Valley Fontaine

L ET IT GROW 10 WAYS TO GROW LONGER AFRICAN CARIBBEAN HAIR ON AVERAGE A HEALTHY PERSON WILL HAVE UP TO HALF AN INCH OF HAIR GROWTH PER MONTH, SO THE WELL-TRODDEN MYTH THAT AFRO TYPE HAIR DOES NOT GROW IS NOT TRUE. THE REASON WHY THIS MYTH SEEMS TO EXIST IS BECAUSE AFRO TYPE HAIR AS IF BY MAGIC TENDS TO BREAK AT THE SAME RATE OF GROWTH, THEREFORE WE CAN’T SEE ANY GAIN IN LENGTH. Of course there are many people who have Alopecia and other hair problems. They are best advised to follow the advice or their Trichologist. But if you consider that you are in good health, then read on to find how to grow longer hair. So remember: whether you can see it or not, your hair is growing. The aim of this exercise is to retain the growth you gain each month. We want to try to prevent your hair from naturally breaking for as long as possible so you can experience the extra length.

SO LET’S BEGIN! 1. WASHING YOUR HAIR The process of washing your hair can culminate in lots of hair breakage. Whether your hair is relaxed or natural, before you wet your hair, divide your hair into four or six portions. Either plait or put it section in a band. Wash each section of the hair separately to avoid tangling and thus breakage. 2. MOISTURISING Moisturise your hair on a regular basis. The drier your hair is, the more likely it is to break. The driest part of your hair will be the ends, so it is crucial that you moisturise particularly the ends of your hair if not twice a day, once a day is essential. There are many products on the market. But the best form of moisture is water. I

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use a water based moisturiser. After you moisturise your ends, seal in the moisture with some oil or hair butter. 3. BLOW DRY/FLAT IRON Reduce the amount of times you blow dry or flat iron your hair. The use of heat has a drying effect and will most likely eventually result in thinning ends and hair breakage. 4. TRIMMING Trimming too often is likely to result in you trimming off any growth you’ve achieved. Only trim your hair if it is absolutely necessary, for example if you have split ends. Your hair does not need to be trimmed every time you relax it or because 3 or 6 months have passed. 5, PROTECTIVE STYLING This is very important. The more you are able to do this combined with the other tips the more successful you are likely to be. So for instance whatever style you are wearing try to tuck your ends out of view. The idea is to keep the ends of your hair from rubbing on your clothes, or just simply receiving wind, sun or any of the elements which dry out our hair causing it to eventually break or split.

8. RELAXERS, PERMS, TEXTURISERS & HAIR DYES Chemicals like relaxers, perms, texturisers & hair dyes permanently change the structure of your hair. This makes your hair more susceptible to dryness and breakage. So if you are not planning to stop using them, make sure you are extra gentle with your hair! 9. WIGS, WEAVES & EXTENSIONS Covering your hair does not mean you don’t have to attend to it, in fact you need to be just as attentive! Make sure you get moisture into your hair on a daily basis. Putting your product in a spray bottle helps. It’s also important to realise that too much stress on your own hair from these styles usually results in some kind of hair breakage. 10. PLAITS, CANEROW & LOCS Done too tightly these natural styles can lead to not only permanent hair loss but breakage too. Remember less pain more gain! So that’s my 10 tips.... Be patient and don’t lose faith. I would say give yourself at least a year to see a noticeable difference. And why not, less face it probably the worse thing that can happen is that you end up with healthier hair.

6. COMBING Throw away your comb or minimise it’s use, and start gently using your fingers instead. Use your moisturiser to help smooth down and lumps and bumps. Every time you comb your hair you are unwittingly breaking your hair. It’s not just the ends that are flying off, some hairs break midway down its shaft too. 7. HATS & SCARFS The less direct sun or cold weather your hair receives the better, they both dry your hair out, so wearing a hat is a good option. Also cover your head when going to bed this will help prevent your hair from tangling and drying. Some ladies go for satin bonnets, but just covering the hair will do the trick.

ABOUT VALLEY.... VALLEY FONTAINE IS A HAIR JOURNALIST. ON HER BLOG WWW.VALLEYFONTAINE.COM SHE SPECIALISES IN GIVING INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK HAIR CARE FOR NATURALS, WEARER OF WIGS, WEAVES, LOCS, RELAXERS, PERMS AND EXTENSIONS. VALLEY WHO IS A REGULAR WIG WEARER IS 3 AND A HALF YEARS NATURAL WITHOUT THE BIG CHOP. IN HER DAY JOB VALLEY IS BBC BROADCAST JOURNALIST.

Images above taken at hair demonstrations at the Annual Afro Hair and Beauty Live Show 2013, held at the Business Design Centre, Islington. (L-R) Three Models Promoting Long Hair Growth | Model during demonstraion of how protect and mosturise hair and encourage continuous hair growth | Back of Model's head demontrating the beginning stages of Locs - an example of a protective hairstyle.

| MAY 2012

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| MAY 2012

Fashion and Culture

Africa Fashion Week-London THE BIGGEST AFRICAN FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA OUTSIDE OF AFRICA Written by Karen Nyame-Gyamfi AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON (AFWL) IS THE CITY’S LARGEST FASHION EXHIBITION, FEATURING THE INDUSTRY’S FINEST AFRICAN DESIGNERS. SINCE IT’S LAUNCH IN AUGUST 2011, AFWL HAS BECOME A KEY PLATFORM FOR CAPTURING THE SURGE OF AFRICAN INSPIRED TRENDS IN FASHION, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY FOR EMERGING DESIGNERS TO SHOWCASE THEIR WORK TO PROFESSIONALS WITHIN INTERNATIONAL PRESS, RETAIL AND OTHER RELATED INDUSTRIES. The project is a creative canvas designed to induce cultural exchange, enhance development and enlighten global fashion houses about the vibrancy within African fashion and beauty. Designers from all categories such as textile prints, accessories, bridals, foot wears, lingerie and swimwear are invited to display their material on the runway. It’s historical launch played a pivotal part in changing how African inspired fashion was received and now in it’s third year running, (AFWL) sees a total of over 4700 spectators travelling to experience the well renowned event. Highlights of this year’s event held at Old Truman Brewery F Block in Shoreditch will be covered on OH TV’s “Out and About With Lola” airing later on this Summer. 100 designers are set to grace the runway along with over 100 exhibitors spread across Old Truman Brewery’s large indoor space. Starting off as creative photographers, by using fashion as an outlet in addition to over a decade of experience in media, AFWL PR Consultants Suby and Sinem have made their mark by enhancing one of the world’s growing fashion event brands. We caught up with Suby and Sinem to discuss their successes and highlights since the launch of Africa Fashion Week London. HOW DID AFRICA FASHION WEEK BEGIN? Africa Fashion Week London was born out of Nigerian entrepreneur Ronke Ademiluyi's passion for African fashion as she felt that emerging designers were struggling to find an affordable platform to reach their target audience and

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HOUSE OF NWOCHA

ELFRIDA

MONIS

ELDIMAA

APRIL 2ND

PATIENCE PLEASE

ASANDIA HOGAN

ELLA & GABBY

KETO COUTURE

KEMUNTO

BULL DOFF

MADEMOISELLE AGLAIA

RACHEL KIRYA

ROUCH BY RONKE

RYA V

potential buyers. There was also a disconnect between designers in the diaspora and potential buyers in Nigeria and vice versa, so AFWL was birthed not only as a global platform for emerging and established designers alike but also as a means of connecting design talent in different parts of the world with a diverse audience interested in their products.

We have a very committed team in place governed by one dream, or in Ronke's words, "One team, one dream." We work hard not just in the two or three months to the event but throughout the year to ensure each event is better than the previous one. In our third year, we certainly do not boat the biggest team but we definitely have the most committed one.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU SINCE THE ANNUAL EVENT PREMIERED IN 2011?

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE SHOW AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE OF IT?

In my opinion, the major highlight was seen in over 20,000 people visit Spitalfields over two days at our second edition last year in the heat of the Olympic summer fever. It was absolutely amazing to see people from different parts of the world, from Lagos to London, from Amsterdam to Accra, from Nairobi to New York, from all walks of life, check out the goods on offer across the exhibition hall and catch the back-to-back runway shows over two days.

The show brings Africa to the heart of London over three days (This year is the first year we are going for three days instead of two) and it is such a grand fashion extravaganza. I always love discovering new designers I have not heard of before but also witnessing the opportunities Ronke has created for emerging designers to share the runway with legendary names like Adebayo Jones.

ORGANISING THE UK'S BIGGEST AFRICAN FASHION EXHIBITION MUST ENTAIL A LOT OF PREPARATION AND HARD WORK. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS EACH YEAR?

YOU HAVE EXHIBITORS AND BRANDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TAKE PART EACH YEAR - HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE SUCCESS AND GROWTH OF AFRICAN FASHION WEEK LONDON?

| MAY 2012

Ronke always says with the debut event in 2011, she was expecting maybe around 500 people to turn up but the event attracted 4700 people over two days, and last year with the sophomore event we went even bigger, and this year for the first time we are coming back over three days, at a much bigger venue, with more designers. If the first event showed there was a need in London for an Afrocentric fashion event, last year showed us that there was growing support and with such support and such great vision, we can only get bigger and better. WHAT ARE YOUR VISIONS AND HOPES FOR AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON FOR FUTURE YEARS TO COME? I cannot speak of the vision as such but my hope is that AFWL can become a self-sustaining enterprise who will become a fixture not only on the London but on the international calendar and will ring in tenth, twentieth and thirtieth editions to come over the next few decades and continue to provide a much needed and much respected platform.

IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE SEEN AN UNPRECEDENTED EXPLOSION AND NEW DYNAMISM OF AFRICAN FASHION IN THE INDUSTRY ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS? We are happy to see that Africa no longer remains an exotic source of inspiration for Western designers but there is more and more recognition of African designers who own their own fashion and showcase it to the world, such as Lisa Folawiyo, Ozwald Boateng, Deola Sagoe. We hope that there will come a time when African fashion will go beyond being just 'African' as each country's fashion is too diverse to be labelled under the generic 'African' label and Nigerian, Ghanaian, Tanzanian, Kenyan (and other) designers will be recognised on their own merit, much like Dior, Dolce Gabbana, Chanel are not all pigeonholed into 'European' fashion. IT IS EVIDENT THAT AFRICANS AND THOSE IN THE DIASPORA ARE INCREASINGLY EMBRACING A GROWING LOVE FOR FASHION SHOWS. HOW DO WOULD YOU DESCRIBE PEOPLE'S RECEPTION TO AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON?

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MUYIWAGOES TO NOLLYWOOD SATURDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2013

| MAY 2012

Bull Doff and Green Mamba, fashion houses show their best pieces.

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The diasporans' reaction to AFWL has been great, and as I mentioned before, if there was a need for it previously not tapped into, over the last two years and in the run up to this third edition we have seen that there is much love for Africa Fashion Week London. It is the biggest African fashion event outside of the continent and attracts guests from across Europe as well as Africa who come out every year to celebrate African fashion and its future. AS SUBY & SINEM YOU HAVE A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE IN THE FASHION AND MEDIA INDUSTRY, WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO?

With over a decade's experience in media, we love sharing grand visions like that of Ronke's that aspire to support all the positive things about African - we have long dedicated our work and career to documenting all that is positive and often not celebrated often enough about Africa and we thrive on the passion to continue doing just this.

| MAY 2012

ALL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE ONLINE WWW.YANACOSMETICS.COM OR DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP TO GET SPECIAL OFFERS, LOOKS AND BEAUTY UPDATES.

Hair and Beauty

Written by Dr Yana Johnson, MBE

GE T T HE LOO K! SIMPLE WITH A LITTLE ATTITUDE YANA COSMETICS APP MODEL LA BELLA GETS A STUNNING MAKEOVER USING YANA COSMETICS MAKEUP. A SIMPLE LOOK THAT RADIATES GLAMOUR BY SIMPLY CHANGING NEUTRAL LIP GLOSS TO A FIERY RED WITH ATTITUDE. Number 3 Yana Foundation £25 is blended into the skin using a sponge and then foundation brush for the airbrush effect finished with Medium Dark Oil Controlling Powder £20. Apricot Mist is used to gentle bring out the cheekbones £10. Smoky eyes give off a dramatic look using True Black and Moonbeam Eye shadow £7 Red Lip Colour applied, however if scorching red sint for you the simple look can be maintained with a sheer pink gloss using the Natural Luster Lip Gloss £10

Now you can purchase these products on the Yana Cosmetics App. The Yana Cosmetics App is available on every smart mobile phone, tablet or android. The App features everything you need to buy and also a useful Shadefinder tool, giving you the option to match your perfect shade. Paraben, talc free and non-animal tested, the full range of Foundations, Powders, Blushers, Eye Shadows, Lip Glosses and Mascara are available online at www.yanacosmetics. com and the App available from your smart device App store.

Apricot Mist Blusher

Natural Luster Lip Gloss

Medium Dark Oil Controlling Powder

Various shades of Attitude Red Lipstick Number 3 foundation Moonbeam Eye Shadow

ALL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE ONLINE WWW.YANACOSMETICS.COM OR DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP TO GET SPECIAL OFFERS, LOOKS AND BEAUTY UPDATES.

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LIPSTICK TRICKS QUICK HINTS AND TIPS FOR LUSCIOUS LIPS: • Glossy lipstick makes lips shine but may not be long lasting. • Transparent lipstick highlights your signature smile with a natural look. • Matte lipstick is longer lasting and provides a smooth, ultra-sophisticated look. • Satin/Sheer lipstick results in an intense, glossy colour and giving a lot of coverage. • Pearly/Frosted lipstick adds sparkle to your smile with light-reflecting effects.

ABOUT FEATURED PRODUCT: YANA COSMETICS: THE COLLECTION OF CHOICE. There is definitely a high demand all over the world for premium makeup brand products that work on black skin. The Yana Cosmetics line consists of a range of products such as a choice of 13 foundation shades, 3 oil controlling powders in medium to dark tones, a choice of blushers, shimmers, eye makeup, lip glosses and Lip Pencils. “A Yana Foundation is a rich pigmented foundation creamy base which conceals all in one. It is a foundation that can be worn straight on the skin without a base or primer or Concealer, yet conceals and finishes all in one. The foundation will conceal dark marks in just two applications (when set with a powder); and because it is very rich you only need a pea sized amount for a full coverage that will last all day. You don’t need to be a professional to get professional results with the Yana foundation.”

| MAY 2012

Music and Entertainment

Kickin’ It With Rachel Kerr PHENOMENAL UK ARTIST, SINGER SONGWRITER, MUSICAL FORCE ON THE RISE! Interview by Lola Ogunbadejo

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PHENOMENAL UK ARTIST AND SINGER SONGWRITER RACHEL KERR IS A MUSICAL FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. STEMMING FROM A GOSPEL BACKGROUND BUT APPLYING DYNAMIC YET CONTEMPORARY TWISTS TO HER ORIGINAL MATERIAL, OVER THE YEARS KERR HAS PROVED TO BE ONE OF THE UK’S MOST POWERFUL, YET INNOVATIVE VOCALISTS TO DATE. Gaining increased attention internationally whilst causing a stir in her hometown, the MOBO award winner and Urban Music Award nominee is predominantly recognised for her high-energy, vocally decorative delivery. With her online videos hitting over 100,000 views daily, Rachel Kerr’s music is of obvious impact. Already having sung for President Bill Clinton, gracing the stages of Los Angeles, New York and Paris just to mention a few, Lola Ogunbadejo caught up with the songstress backstage at a recent performance in London to find out more about her musical inspirations, fashion interests and her latest single. FIRST OF ALL, I JUST HAVE TO MENTION YOUR COMPLEXION IS DARK AND LOVELY. YOU ARE GLOWING AND GLEAMING. NORMALLY WHEN YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF RADIANCE THAT MEANS YOU HAVE BEEN SOMEWHERE NICE RIGHT? Thank you so much! Yes I have, I just got back from Barbados. It’s so weird I walk past the mirror and I think wow Rach you’re dark today! [laughs] But I love it! I love the cool complexion. I’m even rocking darker foundation just to keep it! THAT’S NICE! WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN LOVELY BARBADOS? I had a great time, I went for Gospel Fest with some incredible people like Mali Music and Canton Jones. It was amazing.

‘ I W ill L ove Me’ lik e all my songs has an inspirat ional me s s a g e

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WELL RACHEL, BACK TO YOU, YOU’RE DOING YOUR THING AS WELL, YOUR VOICE IS STUNNING! ONE THING I LIKE ABOUT YOU IS THAT YOU’RE VERY HUMBLE, VERY MODEST, BUBBLY AND FRIENDLY. I HAVE TO COMMEND YOU ON YOUR STAGE PRESENCE DURING PERFORMANCES, YOU MUST REALLY ENJOY IT? Wow, thank you so much! I do, I always enjoy being on stage. It’s nerve racking beforehand and everytime I walk on stage I always say to myself “Rachel why do you put yourself through this?” This feeling it never goes, it never gets easier, never! But when I’m on stage and I get going I feel something in me and I know this is genuinely what I’m meant to be doing. I know if I weren’t performing or singing in general I'd be sad. So I just do it with joy and do it to the best of my ability. I ALSO HAVE TO COMMENT ON YOUR STYLE AND HOW YOU PUT PIECES TOGETHER… Oh thank you! I can’t take credit for that, honestly it’s all down to my stylist. She sorts out everything and puts it all together. [Laughs] DO YOU THINK FASHION AND MUSIC GO HAND IN HAND? Yes I do, nowadays you don’t even have to be a musician, if you just look great and you have a unique sense of style, a unique look about you, you could be the next big thing. Some of the people I love the most have a unique swag about them.

“It ’s just about put t ing a t wist on wh a t self - love is and really appreciat ing yourself f or what you’re wort h.” SO WHAT’S NEXT WITH YOU? I KNOW YOU HAVE A NEW SINGLE OUT, TELL US ABOUT THAT…

“ T h e re a re t wo people I get em otional ab o u t ; Wh i t n ey Houston and M ali M usic!” MALI MUSIC IS JUST INCREDIBLE, HOW WAS THAT EXPERIENCE PERFORMING AT THE SAME EVENT AS HIM? There are two people I get emotional about Whitney Houston and Mali Music! As in their artistry! Let me talk about Mali his talent, his purpose, his anointing, just everything about this man. This is going to sound really deep but he actually changed my craft. After seeing him and seeing what he poured out, I was like “Rachel you’ve got a long way to go!” He is so deep… he’s on such a different level. He really made me rethink that there’s a different level to what I do that has to be achieved. Not only is he deep, very humble but also incredibly gifted. So I love Mali he can do no wrong in my eyes! THAT’S SUCH A LOVELY THING TO SAY. I’M SURE IF HE WAS HERE HE’D PROBABLY HAVE TEARS IN HIS EYES BY NOW! Trust me if he was here I’d be crying too! [laughs]

“ B u t wh e n I ’ m on stage and I get goin g I fe e l s o me t h i ng in m e and I k now this is ge n u i n e l y wh a t I’ m m eant to be doing ”

Yes it’s called ‘I Will Love Me’ like all my songs it has an inspirational message. I have so many girlfriends who come to me and complain about how they’ve given so much in love and get very little back and it’s amazing that we base so much of our self-purpose on what man says. I’ve been in a position where you want to please people, you can go out of your way for someone and when that’s not perceived in the way you want you really start to question your self-worth. So I thought you know what, if you don’t love me it’s okay I will love me and better yet He will love me. So yeah it’s just about putting a twist on what self-love is and really appreciating yourself for what you’re worth. YOU ALSO HAVE AN EP COMING OUT SOON DON’T YOU? Yes I that’s right, it’s coming out soon around the end of summer, but can’t say much just yet. However ‘I Will Love Me’ is the first single off that. WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE A GOSPEL ARTIST OR AN INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST? HOW WOULD YOU CLASSIFY YOURSELF? I wouldn’t. I would never dare to; I think that’s the audience job to do that. I am aware of who I am but I never want to classify myself into anything reason being I feel like my purpose can’t be boxed, the God that I serve can’t be boxed. So to put it in a genre would be very unfair. I feel if I do so I may offend a few people if I say its one thing some may argue and say no its not! If I say its something else, another set of people may say no its not! So I just think you know what let me just give you the music, take something positive from it and I know I’ve done alright.

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| MAY 2012

Music and Entertainment

TIME2SHINE SEASON THREE Written By Adeola Idowu OH TV BECOME OFFICIAL BROADCAST PARTNERS FOR TIME2SHINE GOSPEL TALENT SEARCH SEASON THREE! OH TV has taken on their latest venture as the official broadcasters for the third season of the smash hit talent search series Time2Shine. After the success of past seasons that introduced us to new acts such as Divine Divine and Boma Diri (winners of season 1 and 2) the highly anticipated third series is set to grace our screens later this year on 1st September 2013.

Do not miss out on Season Three of T i m e 2 S h i n e p r e m i e r i n g S e p t e m b e r 1s t 2013 at 7.30 -9.30 pm! Showing only on O H T V , S ky C h a n n e l 1 9 9 .

Watch out for the Live Final at the Indigo2, London on 13th October 2013! The winner will be chosen based upon votes from both the judges and the audience. The winner receives a pri ze package valued at £100,000.

OH TV will broadcast the show and take us through each stage and finally round off the season with an amazing live final taking place at London’s illustrious IndigO2 at The O2. Vidal Juba, OH TV Channel Manager and Head of Production says, “I feel British gospel hasn’t enjoyed the recognition it deserves over the years. While we at OH TV strive to support and provide opportunities for up and coming, as well as established artists, it is a pleasure to be part of a initiatives like Time2Shine, which is securing and encouraging the future of the next generation of British gospel artists. Now it’s their Time to Shine” Mercy B, Executive Director of Time2Shine says, “It is a good time for gospel music here in the UK. If you combine all the people who went to every single event at the London 2012 Olympics, it is still less than the aggregate amount of people who go to church every Sunday here in the UK. Here at Time2Shine we are keen to find amazing gospel singers and give them an opportunity to shine their light. We are so excited to be working with OH TV on season 3 and look forward to some fireworks.” This season’s winner will receive a prize package including a £10,000 Cash Prize, a Management Contract, Recording Deal, Photo-shoot, Album launch concert and a performance at the Barbados Gospel Festival.

GET READY FOR TIME2SHINE THIS SEPTEMBER!

| MAY 2012

Music and Entertainment

GET READY FOR MUYIWA GOES TO NOLLYWOOD! UK GOSPEL MEETS NOLLYWOOD - A NIGHT WHERE TWO WORLDS COME TOGETHER, A FIRST IN UK GOSPEL HISTORY. Get prepared this September as the legendary MUYIWA AND RIVERSONGZ will perform for one exclusive night alongside a host of guests from Nollywood and UK Gospel. After three sold out shows at the Indigo2 and HMV Apollo, and hit albums such as Restoration, Declaring His Love and Declaring His Name All Around the World the award-winning group will be making a return with a new thrilling and inspiring concert. Special guests from the glittering world of Nollywood and UK Gospel’s finest will join Muyiwa and Riversongz for a night full of sidesplitting comedic skits, inspirational music and exclusive interviews with Nollywood’s best. Expect to dance and worship to a selection of popular hits such as ‘Alleluia Eh ‘Reprise’’, ‘Hey Ya’, ‘Our God is Good’, ‘Imela’ and much more. Prepare for an entertaining evening with performances from MOBO Award Winner RACHEL KERR and the soulful JP COOPER. Special guests from the world of African entertainment will include Nollywood heavyweight OMOTOLA and star of hit movie series 'Adams Apples’ JOSELYN DUMAS. Watch out for exclusive comedy skits with a host of Africa’s funniest comedians including Aki and Paw Paw, AY the Comedian, Julius Agwu, Eddie Kadi and more. “Can you imagine the element of those who are real entertainers which is what Nollywood stars are? If you’re having fun with praise and worship and then you add Nollywood entertainment to it, boom! There’s fire on the mountain!” - Muyiwa Olarewaju

MUYIWA GOES TO NOLLYWOOD MUYIWA & RIVERSONGZ LIVE AT THE FORUM, KENTISH TOWN, LONDON - SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2013. IT’S GOING TO BE NIGHT TO REMEMBER! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW AT WWW.TICKETMASTER. CO.UK. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RIVERSONGZ.COM

MUYIWAGOES TO NOLLYWOOD SATURDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2013

SPECIAL GUESTS AND SUPPORTING ARTISTS OMOTOLA Omotola Jalade Ekeinde popularly called Omosexy is a multiple award winning Nigerian actress. Omotola is not only noted for her accomplishments as a Nollywood actress, but she is also applauded for her remarkable humanitarian efforts. She is currently an ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme and an Amnesty International activist. Over the years, Omotola has been a pioneer in the Nollywood film industry, successfully becoming the most watched actress in Africa. She was recently honoured on the 2013 Time 100 Most Influential People in The World List alongside the likes of Michelle Obama, Beyoncé and Kate Middleton.

JOSELYN DUMAS Actress and television presenter Joselyn Dumas is best known for being the host of Ghana’s most watched talk show The One Show, her acting roles in hit films such as Perfect Picture, A Sting in a Tale and not forgetting her leading role in the sensational movie series Adams Apples. Joselyn is undeniably enjoying a thriving career in African entertainment with multiple awards and nominations including 2010/2011 TV Personality of the Year, 2012 Face of Range Rover Evoque in Ghana and 'Best Actress in a Leading Role’ at the 2011 Ghana Movie Academy Awards. In Ghana she has also caused a frenzy by being nabbed as Ghana’s most beautiful celebrity of the moment.

RACHEL KERR MOBO Award Winner Rachel Kerr brings a dynamic edge to music and has been making waves in the UK and across the Atlantic. Rachel has performed for President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Foundation in London, BET’s Music Matters show in New York and caused a stir on the largest urban blog in the UK SBTV and the largest in world World Star Hip Hop where a video of her singing her original song ‘Hold my hand’; attracted over 50,000 views in 24 hours and has attracted over 110,000 views on YouTube for the same song. Over the past year Rachel has performed on various stages across the world and recently headlined a 20,000 people show in the Caribbean.

JP COOPER Manchester based singer-songwriter JP Cooper has been commended for the soulful sound and charm in his music. The rising star has two short EPs (EP1 and EP2) showcasing the versatility of his vocals and song writing abilities. Cooper writes songs of love, relationships and redemption with tracks like “Oh Brother”, “Learn From The Landscapes”, “For The Man I’ve Known”, “Father’s House” and “The Only Reason”.

Lasting Love is back with season 2 in Atlanta, USA! Each episode you'll be empowered and enlightened with real life stories by couples from different cultural backgrounds. Presented by Funmi Adeyi, this show will help you enjoy the fullness of marriage. Make sure you're committed to Lasting Love! New season starts Thursday 1st August @14:30 GMT

Feast your eyes on this new series hosted by the loveable presenter Mary Shittu showcasing popular and tantalising Nigerian delicacies. Catch Mary and TV Chef Rasheeda Sule in the all new season 3 of Naija Bites in Atlanta, USA and find out which lucky celebrity guest is joining them in the tempting Naija Bites kitchen. This season features special guests such as Musiq Soulchild, Quinnes "Q" Parker from R&B group 112 and many others!

Real Ta lk The live interactive debate show is back again for season 4. Real Talk continues to tackle the most hard-hitting topics affecting the black diaspora and wider communities. Join Trish Adudu with her panel of guests each week. Have your say and get involved with live phone calls and social networking. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your show with your views!

Om ot o la : Th e R e a l Me She's played many roles on screen in her high-flying career, and now the glamorous actress, singer and entrepreneur Omotola Jolade Ekeinde will appear on your screens with her own reality TV series. The Nollywood superstar, mother of four and wife of a pilot is about to take us on the highly anticipated journey through her most personal roles in this fly-on-the-wall documentary. Make sure you fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride!

RETURNING SOON

Back again for season 4 with a fresh new look and hosted by renowned gospel artist Faith Child and Co-Presenter Mercedes. Uprise will continue to deviate from the norm and bring you the very best of urban gospel music and entertainment. This season will be filled to the brim with entertainment, fresh music videos and exclusive interviews with various Christian gospel artists.

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W ome n z Wo r ld Life coach Abbiih Oloyede opens you to Womenz World, a live weekly daytime panel show that guides today's women through every stage of their lives. The entrepreneur and mother of two, along with her carefully selected panel hold practical and engaging discussion forums and captivating life stories affecting women. This show is guaranteed to keep you educated, empowered and equipped for maximising your potential for a better you and a better world.

Adams A p p le s Adams Apples is a 10 chapter cinema movie series set in the hustle and bustle of the city of Accra and its suburbs with glimpses of the exciting metropolis of London. The movie follows the lives of the four â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adamsâ&#x20AC;? Ghanaian women. They work through domestic struggles, family life and personal battles to achieve success and happiness in a fast changing, 21st century Ghana. Adams Apples keeps you wanting more!

Unplu g g e d Unplugged showcases acoustic performance sessions from an array of gifted upcoming and unsigned artists. Filmed in the OH TV studios, the various artists perform a song of their choice giving them a chance to platform their vocal abilities and talent.

T he Wild Who could restrain themselves against watching this hugely successful South African soap? Based around three families bound by their relationship to a special piece of land, this high quality award-winning outdoor venture of family struggles and conflicts proves that the popularity of African drama is simply untamable. The cast includes stars such as Shona and Connie Ferguson.

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