AV Club: Queen Sono is a laudable first attempt at bringing the world to Africa
spoiler alert!
Sampa the Great’s upbeat hip-hop tune “Final Form” cues in as Queen Sono, played by Quantinco star Pearl Thusi, escapes over the idyllic Zanzibar shoreline with her co-worker, Fred. She’s just thrown the bad guys off her scent, ‘I might final form in my melanin/black power’ comes Sampa’s voice, setting the tone for the completely badass escape scene, reminiscent of many spy thrillers before it–from James Bond to Jason Bourne.
‘Queen Sono’ is actually Netflix’s first script-to-screen commission from Africa, spearheaded by South African director and comedian Kagiso Lediga. It’s one of the more recent efforts by the streaming giant to infiltrate the otherwise reliant on cable TV continent, and provide increased visibility for African stories told by Africans themselves. ‘Queen Sono’ is also a laudable first attempt at bringing stories and experiences rooted in African culture directly to the world, without wholly compromising on rooting its story close to home.
It’s commonplace to say that not all heroes wear capes, and Lediga certainly keeps to this, by often blurring the lines between who is a hero and a villain in the series. Queen is a skilled operative working for an intelligence unit called the Special Operations Group (SOP) whose leaders are somewhat questionable for their involvement with South Africa’s corrupt president.
Queen’s story is laden by the past. Her mother, who was activist Safiya Sono, got killed mysteriously when Queen was a child, by a corrupt and power-hungry government on the cusp of regaining power from the white colonialists during the apartheid regime. For other characters like William, the lines are even more blurred, as he was once a spy for the SOP, but is now the leader of the Watu Wema, an insurgent group that is backed by a Russian family, the Gromova’s who ruthlessly supply arms for terrorist groups.
We can’t talk about ‘Queen Sono’ without commending the incredible production and overall display of the many beautiful places in Africa, from the Zanzibar shoreline in the opening episode to the busy streets of Lagos. ‘Queen Sono’ was shot by an all African team in over 37 different locations within the vast continent, with dots of struggles pertinent to African cities dotted round the 6-episode show. English is also interwoven with local languages from across the country like isiZulu, Tsonga, and Swahili, which are at times not subtitled allowing key aspects of the plot to be missed out.
An African Netflix Original Series. Now streaming. Only on @Netflix #queensonoAnother noteworthy feat in ‘Queen Sono’ is its badass female characters–from Thusi herself to Abigail Kubeka who plays her grandmother to even the series main villain, Ekaterina played by Kate Liquorish. Women are leading on all fronts, and are among some of the strongest characters on ‘Queen Sono’ with some of the most complex plots. Queen is messy yet vulnerable and relatable, her grandmother is wise and represents hope, and even the late Safiya Sono is a beacon for change and fighting for the less privileged. Make no mistake, each woman in ‘Queen Sono’ is key to the series plot.
Conversely, ‘Queen Sono’ does lack in certain areas. The 6-part action and crime series is often times complex, with a plot that is not easily digestible and takes a few episodes to get into, owing to the multiple storylines. It begins at the present with a kickass spy Queen, then catapults us right into the past with flashbacks and personal memories. Queen occasionally sees bubbles, a trigger formed from the assassination of her mother right in her presence.
The ending of ‘Queen Sono’ all but screams there’s a second season, given the cliffhanger. In usual Netflix fashion, it could take up to a year before we get to see Queen and her world again. While we wait, Netflix has more African originals lined up for this year with the teen mystery series ‘Blood & Water’ coming out later this spring and the yet-to-be named Akin Omotosho show following shortly after.
Watch ‘Queen Sono’ on Netflix here.
Featured image credits/instagram: queensononetflix
Tami is a lover of astrology, music and women. Tweet your fave female artistes at her @tamimak_
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Studio monkey shoulder is funding ideas to bring music communities to life
N20 million up for
Following a successful first campaign, Studio Monkey Shoulder returns to Nigeria for the second year in a row. A brainchild of the Scottish Whisky brand Monkey Shoulder and online radio station Worldwide FM, Studio Monkey Shoulder is a grassroots music initiative created to fund trailblazers who are pushing sonic boundaries while also fostering real-world connections across different regions. Last year, Jazzhole received the Nigerian grant to digitally remaster rare archival recordings that preserve and celebrate Nigeria’s rich musical heritage.
This year, the competition, in continued partnership with legendary DJ and Worldwide FM founder Gilles Peterson, once again invites the country’s most innovative and ambitious grassroots music communities – everything from from independent record stores to DIY music venues, online radio stations and collectives – to apply for a £10,000 grant (₦20 million) to bring their hugely imaginative music projects to life.
“I am thrilled to see Studio Monkey Shoulder grow in its second year in partnership with Worldwide FM. It’s been a privilege to work with the communities we supported in 2024, seeing their projects thrive and come to life,” Peterson stated in a press release. “I am excited to uncover more amazing community-driven projects in Nigeria and witness the talent that comes with it as the project evolves in year two.”
The winner of this year’s grant will join an international creative network that’s designed to elevate community voices and bring their stories to a global stage. Applications for Nigeria’s Studio Monkey Shoulder Fund open on April 28th and close on June 1st.
For full details and to apply, visit this website
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Fanti Carnival Returns to Lagos This Easter with a Vibrant Celebration of Afro-Brazilian Culture
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the...
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the streets of Lagos Island alive with colour, music, and culture. With roots dating back to 1890, the Lagos Fanti Carnival is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most vibrant cultural traditions, celebrating the deep ties between Nigeria and Brazil through a dynamic fusion of Afro-Brazilian heritage and modern creativity.
This year’s edition is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, in partnership with Robert Taylor Media and the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos. Together, they aim to honour the legacy of the Afro-Brazilian community in Lagos — descendants of formerly enslaved returnees who shaped the city’s culture, religion, and architecture.
The carnival procession will kick off at 12:00 PM, starting from Old Defence Road and will end at the JK Randle Centre, with accreditation beginning at 10:00 AM. Attendees can expect a stunning showcase of traditional costumes, Afro-Brazilian drumming, dance, and performances from local creatives reinterpreting heritage for a new generation.
Whether you’re drawn to the dazzling pageantry, the live performances, or the chance to connect with a rich cultural history, the Fanti Carnival is an unmissable event this Easter.
Tickets are now available, and more information can be found via the official Fanti Carnival website or their social platforms.
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Vlisco’s “The Garden Of Sisterhood” Campaign Comes To Life in New “MAYANGA” Video
A celebration of creativity and cultural
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of its women’s month celebration. The campaign, which looks to extend Vlisco’s rich legacy in African fashion and its ongoing celebration of creativity and cultural storytelling, takes inspiration from Congolese musical icon Fally Ipupa’s latest single, “Mayanga.” The song’s accompanying music video was shot in the Ivory Coast, and seamlessly balances Ipupa’s signature soulful Rumba music with intricate floral motifs and soft, elegant colour palettes that celebrate the strength and individuality that blossoms through community.
In addition to Fally Ipupa, Vlisco also tapped up Ivorian fashion designer Loza Maléombho and Nigerian director Daniel Obasi to contribute to ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood’ campaign. Maléombho’s unique designs and Obasi’s striking storytelling helped contribute to actualising Vlisco’s distinct aesthetic and vision of merging heritage, creativity and fashion.
In a statement discussing the collaboration with Vlisco, the Congolese superstar described it as a beautiful experience. “They understood my vision of working with talented artists and honouring the beautiful women who wear Vlisco fabrics. By creating exclusive designs for me and the remarkable women in the cast, Vlisco really brought our artistic vision to life, harmoniously fusing music and fashion,” he said.
Similarly, Marlou van Engelen, the creative director of Vlisco, expressed that it was an honour working with Fally Ipupa. “His song ‘MAYANGA’ perfectly reflects our admiration for the women who shaped us, inspire us, and mean so much to us. For us, it’s not just about fashion; it’s about the stories told through our beautiful prints. And I believe the best stories are always told together,” she said in a statement.
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