Chiwetel Ejiofor’s production of “The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind” has begun in Malawi

Posted on by The Native

Films have proven to have positive impacts on the discussion of social issues. Representations of real-life events in film serves as a sort of conversation started towards supporting the voices of those who have experienced similar realities. Films like “Precious”, and “Slumdog Millionaire” are just some examples of such expository flicks about the human condition. And by adapting William Kamkwamba’s fictional biography, “The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind”, Chinwetel Ejiofor also hopes to help shed some light on two critical global issues; Climate change and child education.

“The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind” follows the life of 13-year-old William Kamkwamba, who is withdrawn from school due to his parent’s inability to pay his fees. He sneaks back into the school’s library where his curiosity leads him to a book with sparse plans for an electricity-generating windmill. From the rough plans he found and spare parts from his father’s old bicycle, William builds a windmill for his family which ultimately saves his entire village from famine.

Though William Kamkwamba’s story was adapted as a short film in 2008, a year before the book’s release, Chinwetel’s version comes at a critical time in the global economy with the world shifting towards renewable energy due to the visible effects of climate change. Stories of rural communities developing and how renewable energy can be used to negate the negative effects of climate change are more common than they were a decade ago. Perhaps his film will add to the collection of data used in promoting the effects of climate change on rural communities.

Chinwetel’s “The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind” was first announced in 2013 but not much else was heard till recently when got a first look at the images from the film. Chinwetel will direct and co-star as Trywell Kamkwamba, William’s father in the movie. The film is set in Malawi and stars Malawian actor, Maxwell Simba as the lead role of William Kamkwamba. And to ensure the story stays accurate, the book’s authors William Kamkwamba and Bryan Miller contributed as script consultants.

There’s still no release date yet, but if you haven’t read the book you can buy it from Amazon in anticipation of the film.

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chiwetel ejiofor to join Beyonce, donald glover, earl james and others in Disney’s the Lion King

Listen to the first track off Tomi Agape’s forthcoming EP, “In the Night”

Posted on by The Native

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfFgliMjmlA/?hl=en&taken-by=tomiagape

Tomi Agape debuts for the year with “In The Night”, a sultry dance-hall number that samples Kevin Lyttles’ “Turn Me On” in the opening line. “In the Night” does its intended job to whet appetites for what’s to come on her EP set for release later this year. With production from Spax and a guest verse from Nonso Amadi, the beat takes you at the hips, leaning into melody. Tomi already hinted her EP will draw inspiration from her African Roots, and let’s face it, no one does rhythm better than Africans.

Listen to “In the Night” here;

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/tomiagape

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Best New Music: M.I, Odunsi and Ghost are ” Popping” and it’s serious

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M.I’s infamous feature on Pulse’s LooseTalkGiants, though instrumental for the rapper’s recent re-up and the hip-hop culture, left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth. One particular argument that spurred M.I’s decision to come on to the show was ‘shelf life’. Rappers wear their egos like an armour, so it may not be so odd that a man who has sold many albums and cashed big endorsement cheques, chose to have a testosterone-fuelled chat over whiskey with journalists in a not-so-fancy book club manner. But to deny why the idea that a bulk of his discography did not have the critical reverence to be referenced today would hurt the rapper, would be to undercut his brightest moments under the spotlight.

Ten years after the release of M.I’s debut album, Talk About It, it’s hard to explain where the rapper is on ‘Rendezvous’, his new project, without acknowledging  M’s usual knack for superimposing mainstream calisthenics without sacrificing hip-hop’s core elements. You hear this when Odunsi lends a refrain from Lil Kesh’s “Shele Gan Gan” on the chorus for “Popping” , while SDC’s Ghost, adds an American West Coast edge to his verse.

But “Poppin” leaps at your for other reasons. M.I is not entirely interested in making a song about how he is still capable of energising the current urban music revolution, as he is reflecting on new clarity and the irony of fame and cult of personality bubbles. “My G, If Squad Is Fake, Demolish it” , M.I raps in a true masculine ‘dude-bro’ way, from one person who knows the other very well, only here, M.I himself is the mirror.

M has seen both sides of the bend. His verse on the Odunsi-produced beat is an expose on his perception of fame, of fake friends, loyalty and the human nature in its twistedness over time. “Popping”  isn’t another song about the good life and partying, instead, M.I takes a humanised point of view at some of the disappointments of the celebrity life despite its shiny outer gloss.

Listen to “Popping” off M.I’s Rendezvous below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/mi_abaga

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ICYMI: Watch M.I’s video for “Your Father” featuring Dice Ailes here

Native Mix 015: Featuring SMOKING INDOORS

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SMOKING INDOORS curates the 15th NATIVE Mix with a bit of everything from the nostalgia of the early 2000’s to the more prevailing sound on the radio today. Starting off with cuts from Madlib, Nas, Sauce Kid and Timberland, the easy-listen carries through the mid-tempo beats that lingers as we hear newer songs like Kiss Daniel’s “Yeba” and some tracks off Burna Boy’s Outside album.

The underlying theme is laid back and breezy, accentuated by Bo’s “Waves”, but not so much that it’s dispassionate. SMOKING INDOORS keeps things interesting switching between genres so unhurriedly, you’d probably question the relevance of genre tags.

Check out the tracklist and listen below.

Understanding – Madlib
To my – Timbaland feat Nas
Fulfilling all righteousness – Burna Boy feat Sauce Kid
Sekkle Down – Burna Boy feat J-Hus
So High – Mr Vegas ft Walshy Fire
Hot – The Partysquad & Full Crate feat Nick & Navi
Ye – Burna Boy
I No Like Skul – Willfresh
Cant Tell Me – 23
Gaga Shuffle – 2baba
Carry Go – Mr Dutch feat Yung OG
Hit the Ceiling (Zikomo Remix) – Lion babe
Waves – Bo
Radio (Jms Remix) – Nonso Amadi
Yeba – Kiss Daniel
Replay – Ice Prince
Windows – Teklun
World of Wonders – Buddy
Ultimate Gangsta – Giggs
Shade – Iamddb
Pack Lite (white label) – SMOKING INDOORS
Farfalla – Scientific
Dressed Like Rappers – Isaiah Radhad

Dare Olaitan’s “Ojukokoro” to be screened in New York

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You may have noticed the evolution of the quality of films produced by Nigerian filmmakers in recent years through noticeable tells like the quality of cinematography, the content-driven marketing campaigns and the well-rounded storylines. These improvements have gotten appreciation from Nigerians within and outside the entertainment industry. And KJM3 Entertainment Group attempts to take it a step further by relaunching their diaspora distribution with their new program under their subdivision KJM3.0.

The group’s goal is to introduce talented African filmmakers to international (American) theatrical audiences through unique cinema experiences using their new program: “Nollywood 3.0: Images and Stories from the African Diaspora”. The program is set to debut with daily screenings of select films in April at the Metrograph movie theatre in New York City. The debut screening with feature Dare Olaitan’s debut feature film “Ojukokoro(Greed)“, along with “Oblivion” and “The Encounter”, by Ekene Som Mekwunye.

Dare, who will be present for a Q&A session at the Metrograph movie theatre premier with his producer, Olufemi D. Ogunsanwo, said in a press release that “We can produce films that entertain international and domestic audiences and NY is our chance to show that”. KJM3 Entertainment Group, who are responsible for the $1.6 million distribution success of Julie Dash’s independent film “Daughters of the Dust”, will also show Akin Omotoso’s “Tell Me Sweet Something” and Davina Lee’s “The Knot”, both set and produced in South Africa at the relaunch screening.

The daily screenings in NYC are set for an April 13th release date.

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“Revisit Our AV Club review of Dare Olaitan’s Debut film “Ojukokoro”“

Watch Fasina’s Video for “Freaky” featuring Minz

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Five months after the release of his compilation playlist, Orange Juice, Fasina’s “Freaky”,  has finally gotten some screen treatment.

“Freaky” is about stages of hooking up with someone at a club and in line with the song’s theme, the video is set at a club scene. We watch both artists play out the before and after stages of hooking up at a club assisted by models. While Trimzbeatz and Higo’s produce the beat, Fasina, MarQ and Joshua Gukas get credits for directing the video which also features Minz performing his chorus bathed in a fluorescent neon-lit room.

Watch the video for Fasina and Minz’s “Freaky” below.

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“AT is in a class of her own on “Two of us”

Burna, Timbaland and Skrillex are making music

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For Burna Boy, the process of thriving on the world stage is underway. After collaborations with Lily Allen and ’40 on Outside and featuring on “Sunshine Riptide” off Fall Out Boys’ Mania album, Burna’s is moving onto other things. And what better way to do that than to work with more world-renowned producers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfTDIrTnIzj/?taken-by=burnaboygram

In his feature with Interview Magazines’ Will Schube weeks ago, Burna Boy opened up about his plans to keep putting out great music like we heard on the Outside album. Promising that “it’s gonna kick in doors”, fans wondered what else he had in store. The plan is taking shape now, after the singer revealed via an Instagram story that he’s working with Timbaland and Skrillex. Both producers have thirty nomination and twelve Grammy awards between them and we can’t wait to hear what comes of the collaboration.

It’s authentic, bold moves like this that prove that there’s no limit to where Burna Boy intends to take his music. the partnership is sure to produce more classics from Burna Boy, considering how impressive both Timbaland and Skrillex’ track records are.

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See Juls’ “Agoro” music video, featuring Adekunle Gold and Bisa Kdei

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“Agoro” is the second video off Juls, Ojekoo EP. Shot in Jamestown, Ghana, “Agoro” gives a glimpse of an Africa without the gloss of airbrushing. While the dull filter rendered on the video isn’t too cheerful, the video is actually quite lighthearted. Adekunle Gold, Juls and Ghanaian Hip life act, Bisa Kdei are shown having a good time enjoying the sights and feel of before they get together, literally doing the “Agoro” (Twi for play or performance).

Watch “Agoro” here;

Featured Image Credits: Youtube/DJ Juls

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“Essentials: Juls’ ‘Ojekoo’ EP is only 5 tracks long and it’s nearly not enough”

Watch: Minz is a hood superstar in “Odoyewu” video

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Last year, Minz came out with  “Odoyewu” , turning attention to his emerging Afropop spotlight. It took a minute, but Minz is finally giving the breakout single a video treatment and it’s both simple and compelling.

Without going overboard on filters and lighting, the video for “Odoyewu” is bright and colourful as Mahine directs the video showing a deft understanding of Minz’s range as a celebrity. Although we see him walking into a store unassumingly, he gets swamped by a crowd of female secondary school fans. The video takes a vibrant tone with the pleasing colour themes of his jersey and wall paints. But most of all, it’s the down-to-earth feeling of a superstar’s humble beginnings.

Watch the video for Minz’s “Odoyewu” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Minz

You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Minz has a story to tell and he wants everyone to listen

John Ibe is over fake friends on his new single, “F.O.M.”

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Houston based rapper, John Ibe recently released “F.O.M.” off his forthcoming JIBE EP expected to be released by the end of next summer under Next Records label.

On “F.O.M.”, John Ibe expresses discontent with fake friends and their dishonesty over piano-led instrumental, produced by EZM. He describes his expectations of his friends with aggression, implying that he expects them to be on his side completely or get out of his way. Though his reason, “Putting me down ‘cus they know I’m Great” isn’t overly convincing, his confidence makes it hard to argue with the logic.

Listen to “F.O.M.” here

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/_JohnIbe

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“Listen to Yinka Bernie’s “Subconscious Flashes” here”

A familiar Kokomaster returns on D’banj’s new video, “Shoulda”

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Since the release of King Don Come in August last year, D’Banj has kept the album in rotation by releasing visuals for select tracks. His latest release is for “Shoulda”, last song on the 12-track album. The lighthearted love assertions heard on the song which also features a nostalgic harmonica solo from D’banj is captured in the visuals Unlimited LA directs.

The colourful music video shows an array of models dancing to the beat. The direction is familiar enough—eye candy for the fans—but it’s a tame attempt when contrasted against D’banj’s long history with exploring sexuality’s promotional value. I mean, there is a reason he still calls himself the Kokomaster, right?

Watch the video for “Shoulda” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/DBanjVEVO

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“Listen to Moelogo’s “Happy” featuring Adekunle Gold”

Dwin, The Stoic reaffirms his faith on his new single, “Are You The One”

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Faith requires that we believe and trust that our doubts have been acknowledged by the highest power. But we are human and even those most in touch with their spirituality must have questions sometimes. On his new song, “Are You The One” Dwin, The Stoic asks from the position of a believer, about life, divinity and how real our beliefs are.

Backed by guitar harmonies and dispersing echoes, Dwin begins by summoning God and asking if he is in conversation with the one he believes is the savior; “Are you the one who takes my soul when I am off this earthly road”. He asks what the point of our existence is, not as a show of doubt in his faith, but because he wants to know more to feel closer to his divinity. And as these stories usually go, he eventually reaffirms his faith by resolving to ask God his questions when he meets him in the afterlife.

Listen to “Are you the one” here

“Tomiwa is figuring it out…” Tweet at her @fauxxbella

“AT is in a class of her own on “Two of us”

Hear Rotimi’s “Kitchen Table” remix featuring TY Dolla $ign and Trey Songz

Posted on by The Native

Love, passion, affection and lust are the equivalent of the scriptures in Rhythm and Blues circles. Since music you can knock boots to never go out of fashion, Rotimi’s “Kitchen Table” remix is just the right song to set the mood for romance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc49ySFlKfv/?taken-by=rotimimusic

Trey Songz & Ty Dolla add some extra flavor to the aptly titled song about a raunchy feast with seductive lyrics that leave very little to the imagination. Neither Trigga nor TY Dolla $ign are subtle when it comes to baby making music, so “Kitchen Table” is as graphic as you imagine and we wouldn’t have it any other way.“You keep lookin’ at me like that and you gone make me turn this bed into a kitchen table,”  “Lay it down, legs spread on the kitchen table.” The guys sing to their respective partners making it so hard to get through the joint without going ‘Yasss’ at every line.

Listen to “Kitchen Table” here;

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/rotimimusic

AV Club: Daniel Obasi’s “An Alien In Town” is a dull attempt at Afrofuturism

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Afrofuturism has become a recurring conversation, in the on-going African renaissance featuring the showcase of a so-called, ‘new Africa’ through various art mediums. African art has always been African art, and to his credit, Daniel Obasi’s new fashion film, “An Alien In Town” offers an interesting perspective from an African reimagining Africa without any of that pretence. The filmmaker, stylist and photographer’s movie debut, “Embers of Bloom”, was similarly centred on Afrofuturism. But for his latest work, “An Alien In Town” he depicts yet another amorphous look at post-modernism in collaboration with fashion brand, Vlisco&Co.

The drum scoring reminiscent of war scenes in traditional African movies sets a tense tone for “An Alien In Town” as we follow the lives of three characters: A well-dressed African couple and an alien navigating their way through an unnamed African city. The film starts with the two humans riding a motorcycle through a barren landscape till they find an alien wandering through the scenery and invite the creature to experience the city with them.

Asides the alien, the only futuristic elements captured in “An Alien In Town” are the outfits designed exclusively for this partnership by Tokyo James and Abiola Olusola. But sadly, most of the attention it deserves is distracted by the fast-moving camera and poor video lighting. Though Obasi in a conversation with Vice described the alien as a representation of how Africans living beyond the borders of the continent view Lagos and Africa at large, that sentiment is hardly communicated or reflected throughout the five-minute film.

Like his previous release, “Illegal”, Obasi merely hints at his message on “An Alien In Town”, never properly touching on any concepts. “An Alien In Town” had all potential to be an important tool for telling a post-modern African story from within, particularly given the current popularity of a pop-culture art geared towards rewriting African stereotypes. The opportunity to showcase the truly otherworldly alternative fashion in Nigeria on a global platform is lost in the poor video editing and technical problems, that only gives the film a lurid amateur gloss.

Watch Obasi’s “An Alien In Town” here:

https://youtu.be/1BWSG8PpBx4

Featured Image Credit:Youtube/Vlisco

“Tomiwa is figuring it out…” Tweet at her @fauxxbella

Revisit Our AV Club review of Daniel Obasi’s “Illegal”

Kendrick’s “Black Panther” album to debut at No 1 on Billboard 200

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After much ado, Marvel’s first Black superhero feature film, “Black Panther” is finally out and it seems poised to top every possible chart. All signs point to Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” fueled by the pent-up demand for what is expected to be a blockbuster with predominantly black casts and directors. According to Fandango, the film pre-sold more tickets than any other superhero movie and is on track to become one of Marvel Studios’ most valuable franchises.https://thenativemag.com/wp-admin/edit.php

Marvel not being one to half-ass anything, enlisted Kendrick Lamar to create the original soundtrack and he included contributions from artists like SZA, Khalid, Babes Wodumo and Vince staples. The film’s director, Ryan Coogler and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, curated the album along with Kendrick Lamar and it is already slated to hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart after it gets it’s Vinyl and cassette treatment.

If—or more accurately, when—it does snag the top spot, it will be the second film soundtrack to top the list this year after “The Greatest Showman”. WAKANDA FOREVER!

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/

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A brief update on African representation in Marvel’s “Black Panther” so far

Ric Hassani features Olamide and Falz on “Believe”

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Released earlier this month, Ric Hassani’s “Believe” expressed love in all its tender glory. Olamide contributed to Ric’s love ballad through complementing bars and now, we have an extended version with additional vocals from Falz just days after the initial release of the song.

With percussion heavy Afro-pop beats, Falz attempts to convince a woman he loves that his line of work is not as much of an obstacle as she may assume. Aware of the stereotype, he reminds his lover there could exception to the rule saying “Uncle Olu Still Dey With Aunty Joke”. Ric Hassani’s verse coming in after Falz’s reemphasizes the willingness to love entirely and Olamide keeps up the convincing act on the last verse. “Believe” has all the markings of a wedding song; soothing harmonies, convincing lyrics and a sentimental romantic release date.

Listen to “Believe” here:

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“Meet David Uzochukwu, the photographer behind the new Nike campaign”

Kiss Daniel’s “4 Dayz” video is beautiful but it still leaves questions about his gender politics

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In the aftermath of the press that trailed the problematic lyrics on “Yeba”, Kiss Daniel seems to have learnt a few lessons about how women feel about being touched without consent—and the invalidity of any apology to the effect.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfLceePFBlw/?hl=en&taken-by=iamkissdaniel

Directed by Sesan, “4Dayz” lends the same retro-theme seen on “Yeba”, in a manner that feels like a retake for the for the prior released video. But Kiss Daniel tells a more human story with his new video, showing two primary lovers who have literal communication problems. The man is presumably deaf, but it doesn’t stop him from bringing his partner to a night out at a bar where he meets Kiss Daniel to sing for her.

The rest of the video would have been perfect if it featured nought but clips of brightly coloured Ankara prints but for some reason, there is another cringe scene that looks and feels a lesson in consent that missed its mark. The effect of Kiss Daniel’s music isn’t felt by just the deaf man’s lover but also by those on the dancefloor and we get to see another example of a man using the dancefloor as an excuse to get what he hasn’t been offered.

Once again, it is plausible to excuse this cut from “4Dayz” as an exercise in Kiss Daniel’s seemingly dedicated attempt to educate the male folk on shedding entitlement and accepting rejection. Where the point of gender relations seems to have gone over his head, however, is ‘consent before contact’, and the obvious irritation on the face of the actress in the scene only proves the point. The lingering question remains, Is Kiss Daniel merely a narrator depicting typical examples of how everyday gender relations are problematic, or is he another tone-deaf preacher for a cause he doesn’t fully understand yet?

Watch Kiss Daniel’s “4 Dayz” below”

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That Time Kiss Daniel said he doesn’t want no booty twerking women

WavyTheCreator goes “In and Out” of love on her new single

Posted on by The Native

Perhaps thanks to new recognition for Burna Boy, the work producers like Leriq have done behind the scene to curate the sound as genre-bending fusionists will come to the fore. Leriq’s production work on WavyTheCreator’s “In And Out”, represents an idealistic fusion of the global sounds (electronic, hip-hop and Afro-triphop) he seems to have been trying to perfect all his career. Wavy wields her presence with emotional drawls and backup vocals, perfectly designed for synths and bass thumps as she sings of the daily push and pulls of love.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfL_eWRHIn5/?hl=en&taken-by=wavythecreator

The video, like previously released visuals from Wavy, centres on showing her as an artsy youth but does very little in terms of building her character beyond that. The video doesn’t follow any narrative as we watch to see how many poses Wavy can strike in her blond short hair and rings before we get bored. Odds are, another ‘Interlude‘ and fans will have had enough of her aesthetic look. “In and Out” was shot by San V and directed by TSE .

Stream WavyTheCreator’s “In and Out” here

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/wavythecreator

You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Watch the video for Wavythecreator’s “H.I.G.H” here

Watch Leriq and Wande Coal in video for “Will You Be Mine”

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Pretty women and beautiful scenery always go well together and It’s one of the reasons you’ll want to keep watching “Will You Be Mine” till the last frame. Directed by Sesan,  the video takes advantage of natures beauty for most of its shots. Its a chill declaration of love with sneak peeks of luxury as Wande Coal rap-sings on Leriq’s trap-inspired beat.

Is it grinch-y (or ambitious) to call dibs on that Porsche the video teased, if she answers No? I mean, it’s valentines.

Watch “Will You Be Mine” here;

Olamide features Skepta on his latest street-hop track “Sheevita Juice”

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Olamide’s latest single “Sheevita Juice” is proof that though “Science Student” was banned from the radio, his position as a hit dropper will not be threatened. Skepta’s feature is also proof that the rapper’s recent visit to Nigeria was more than just a courtesy trip for the photos and fan fair. Both artists’ musical personalities are distinct and though they both rap over the fast-paced beat, Olamide sticks to the bars where he is most meticulous, while Skepta incorporates pidgin-spliced lyrics to his sixteen.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfJlY_cgg2V/?hl=en&taken-by=baddosneh

Olamide has never been known for being literal, and “Sheevita Juice” is another misnomer, for another probably sex-related euphemism, yeah, typical Badoo. Skepta however, delivers a verse that could speculatively be a description his romantic affair with Nigeria while he was in the country briefly.

Listen to Olamide and Skepta’s “Sheevita Juice” here;

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/baddosneh

“Tomiwa is figuring it out…” Tweet at her @fauxxbella

ICYMI: Listen DJ consequence’s “Assignment” featuring Olamide

Sauti Sol release “Afrikan Star” off their fourth studio album featuring Burna Boy

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Sauti Sol has been releasing its fourth studio album since the tail end of last year using an innovative roll-out plan to release tracks over a twelve-month period. Starting with “Melanin” featuring Patoranking, Sauti Sol unveiled “Girl Next Door”featuring Tiwa Savage last month, making “Afrikan Star” featuring Burna Boy, the third track off the unnamed project.

“Afrikan Star” primarily features Sauti Sol’s signature pop formula of praising the African woman’s body—which is quite frankly, starting to border on repetitive. (Don’t even get me started on that stalker line). Burna Boy brings imagery and a semblance of a plot to the mix though, giving a little context to the muse at the heart of the track. “Afrikan Star” mostly succeeds on guitars that highlight a lost era of Pop-R&B set on acoustic work and Burna Boy’s folk-inspired outro.

Stream the third track off Sauti-Sol’s fourth studio album here:

Mariam is (insert pretentious stuff about myself here). Share your thoughts with me @MA_Y_M xoxo

Best New Music Album Special: Burna Boy, ‘Outside’