Season Finale of @NdaniTV ‘s Gidi Up 2

September 29, 2014 Tosinger Leave a comment

Gidi Up is a Nigerian television and web drama series starring OC Ukeje, Somkele Iyamah, Adeyemi Okanlawon and Titi Sonuga in lead roles. The series is created by Jadesola Osiberu and executively produced by Lola Odedina. It is produced by Ndani TV and sponsored by GTBank. Episodes are first aired online through Ndani.tv web channel and the first episode was aired on 20 February 2013.

The series follows the lives of four young adults (Obi, Tokunbo, Eki and Yvonne) who are pursuing success and independence in the city of Lagos, revealing the challenges they are faced with at every step of the way in their quest to achieve their dreams. The title of the series is culled from the popular term “Las Gidi”, a nickname for Lagos city.

The first season of the series was an eight-part web miniseries, with a length of approximately eight minutes per episode and used to be broadcast only online.The second season was however converted into a full 30-minute episodial television and webseries, with the first season combined together, re-edited and aired on television as the pilot episode for season 2. (culled wiki)

I got hooked on Season 2 and the season finale Episode 12 was published today. This will not be a review, or an expose on my favorite or least favorite characters because I will not like to preempt your thoughts about it. I must say it however gives you a good perspective of contemporary modern life of the young and upwardly mobile professionals in today’s Africa plus it’s great entertainment. The script/film is quite impressive and the acting is on point. I have compiled the videos below for your easy viewing. Enjoy!

And if you want to watch a compact Season one, here goes

Beautifully Dreaming…Positively Doing..

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Africa, Art, Fashion, Good Info, International, Spotlight, Video

South Africa : Fashion – David Tlale (@Tlale_large) at #NYFW + Arts – Yasmin’s Dramatic Need

September 20, 2014 Tosinger Leave a comment

One of the African Designers that I truly admire their work, South African David Tlale represented (as usual), beautifully at the New York Fashion Week with his stunning collection.

His Spring/Summer 15 collection unveiled cohesive looks of affluent prints and patented burgundy-red off set with bold, pure white. In Tlale’s words this spring collection aims to “[give]women back their power and [equip] them with a strong and confident sense of allure, without losing their essence and femininity.” – (via okayfrica)

David Tlale Presents S/S 15 with Tyson Beckford At Mercedes-Benz NYFW –

And here are some of my favorite picks below.

David Tlale – New York Fashion Week – Fall/ Winter 14 — Photography: Yuko Torihara –

About David Tlale

Tlale launched his brand in 2003, winning the title of “Elle New Talent in South Africa” shortly after. In 2009 he was presented the award for “Designer of the Year” at Africa Fashion Week by international super model Alek Wek. This recognition allowed the brand to debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Spring/Summer 2010.

Over the 11 years since Tlale launched his brand, South Africa native David Tlale has showcased his inimitable designs at all the premium fashion week platforms and etched his mark as a favorite on the South African and African fashion landscapes. Renowned for his undeniable knack for showmanship and elaborate designs, Tlale’s work is both daring and elegant—a brand that defies convention and a brand that impenitently employs unpredictable use and understanding of fabric, color and texture. David Tlale has taken his work around the world, and partnered with a number of influential brands in South Africa. In 2009, he was awarded Fashion Designer of the year at the Africa Fashion Awards in Johannesburg, and later made his debut at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week with a collection entitled “Cultural Intimacy.” It was in early 2011, for the Autumn/Winter Collection at Jo’burg Fashion Week, David Tlale presented his quintessential “Made In The City” Collection in celebration of the 92 years of Nelson Mandela’s life, Tlale sent 92 models down the ramp on what was deemed the longest ramp in the history of South African fashion: the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg. Tlale since his debut on catwalks, has been a ambassador for the “Change-4-Ever Campaign”, an initiative that aims to alleviate poverty in Southern Africa.

David Tlale has enjoyed outstanding exposure on both local and International catwalks, but his label goes beyond just fashion. The proudest moment for Tlale was being The First South African Fashion designer to show case Solo at the Mercedes Benz Fashion week New York in September 2012. For more visit http://www.davidtlale.com/the-brand.html

To connect with David Tlale:

***Speaking of South Africa, a friend needs your support to sponsor her on her mission to SA via Dramatic Need. Dramatic Need’s core mission is to bring the creative arts to underprivileged children in the poorest parts of South Africa and Rwanda. If you are like me, any thing that has to do with the creative arts, giving back and Africa pulls my heartstrings..

Yasmin Joseph – Scriptwriter, Theatre and Drama Teacher, London UK

Yasmin says —

I have been chosen as a volunteer to teach drama in rural Free State, South Africa, for a month spanning from October to late November.Dramatic Need is an amazing charity, devoted to enforcing the arts as a form of creative outlet for children in economically deprived African communities… something that I am very passionate about.After graduating last year with a degree in English and Drama, and feeling like my skills weren’t being fully utilized/valued here, I figured it’d be a good idea to go somewhere else and make myself useful!

To support her click Yasmin Joseph’s Fundraising Platform

Thank you in advance.

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing

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Africa, Art, Film, Good Info, International, Video

New Movie Alert – #ALetterFromAdam by @lydiaforson

September 15, 2014 Tosinger 1 Comment

Lydia Forson, African Movie Academy Award Winning Ghanaian Actress/Writer/Activist is set to release her latest project, a new movie production titled ‘A letter From Adam’ starring : Lydia Forson, Wale Ojo, Naa Ashorkor Mensah-Doku, Akorfa Edjeani, Fred Kanebi and introducing Jeff Kumordzie and Louie Lartey. It shows in Cinemas on September 19 2014 at the Silverbird (Accra Mall) and
20th September 2014 Silverbird (Weija). International screening dates yet to be released.

SYNOPSIS
A Letter From Adam is a contemporary story about love, loss and hope that will draw audiences into a realistic cycle of life seen through the pain of loss, the journey of self discovery and the courage and strength to find hope in the face of adversity.
Set in the busy yet simple city of Accra in Ghana, West Africa; A Letter From Adam brings to bare an often neglected truth about love — that love doesn’t always come in the form one often expects it to.

A Letter From Adam is a movie about Love, Loss and Hope

WRITTEN BY
Lydia Forson

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Lydia Forson

PRODUCER
Lydia Forson

DIRECTOR
Sam Kessie

CAST
Lydia Forson, Wale Ojo, Naa Ashokor Mensah Doku, Akorfa Edjeani, Albert Jackson, Fred Kanebi and introducing Jeff Kumordzie & Louie Lartey

View the official trailer

About Lydia Forson

Lydia Forson (born 1984) is an award winning Ghanaian actress, writer, and producer. In 2010 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Born in Mankessim, Ghana, Lydia Forson received her early life education at Wilmore Elementary school in Kentucky, US. She graduated from the University of Ghana where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Information Studies.Lydia Forson’s acting career started with a cameo role in Hotel St. James (2005), Run Baby Run (2006), Different Shades of Blue (2007) and a stint in the reality show The Next Movie Star in Nigeria (2007).

Shirley Frimpong Manso, CEO of Sparrow Productions, who had previously worked with her in the hit 2006 Ghanaian television series Different Shades of Blue brought Lydia Forson back to the screens through the movie Scorned. This starring role led to her first African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) nomination as the Best Upcoming Female Actress.In 2009, Lydia Forson starred in the multiple awards winning The Perfect Picture. She has recently starred in hit movies such as A Sting in a Tale, Phone Swap and Masquerades. Culled – Wiki

For more info, see http://www.aletterfromadam.com.

Beautifully Dreaming….. Positively Doing..

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Endorsements, Fashion, Good Info

@HauteKinkyHair Launches New Collection on September 8

September 6, 2014 Tosinger 1 Comment

Haute Kinky Hair launches a new collection on Sept. 8, a line of naturally textured wigs, u-parts and clip-ins and guess who is the model face of their newest addition – a gray/silver streaked wig unit. Yep ! You got it right. Yours Truly! 😀

With the emergence of natural hair products, women now have the option to maintain and protect their hair when it is in braids or weaves. However, the weaving styles available are either too straight or too curly and do not resemble the kinky curly texture of natural haired women, so most times the natural woman wore a protective style but was unable to protect her hair in the front or underneath because a) there was constant straightening of the hair on top to resemble the rest or b) the hair did not resemble a natural woman’s textured and was not believable. This gave birth to the Haute Kinky Hair line by Marie-Antoinette Murray CEO/Co-Founder & Maria Boyce COO / Director of Social Media and Marketing. (Culled from site www. hautekinkyhair.com)

Check out other photos from the shoot

MUA: @iamakeup | Photographer: @foreverrikk

Haute Kinky Hair. Premium Human Hair extensions. Protect your hair without changing your style. They ship Worldwide! US Based!

For more information:

Haute Kinky Hair Email: Info@hautekinkyhair.com | blog: http://www.hkhblog.com Instagram: @hautekinkyhair Website: http://www.hautekinkyhair.com

P.S – In honor of their 1 year anniversary they will have 10% off the entire month beginning Monday September 8th- October 8th. To get in on the deal use discount code TAKE10

Beautifully Dreaming….. Positively Doing..

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Africa, Good Info, International, Music, Video

Artist Spotlight – @Asa_Official Latest Album #BedofStone – Out Now

September 3, 2014 Tosinger 2 Comments

Following her second album, Beautiful Imperfection, which was released on 25 October 2010. Naïve Records Pop/Soul Afro ~ Singer/Songwriter Asa has done it again with the release of her latest work – ‘Bed of Stone’. She started off taking the french musical scene by storm with the release of her first self titled album and the ripple effect is now being felt internationally with her subsequent musical projects, warming quickly into the hearts of soul music lovers all over.

Available here –

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/bedofstone
Deezer: http://bit.ly/1mH7EbR
Qobuz : http://bit.ly/1q52Hgk
Spotify : http://spoti.fi/XLvs8F
Fnac (CD) : http://bit.ly/1okEAX8
Amazon (Vinyl) : http://smarturl.it/bedofstonevinyl

I personally have an affinity for her free spirited, honest, Yoruba + English style and vibe , there is no Asa song I do not ‘feel’ so I know I am not 100% in the best position to give a full and unbiased review 🙂 so here’s what to do, check it out and send me your reviews and I’ll post them up duly.

About Asa

Born Bukola Elemide, Aṣa was born in Paris, France to her Nigerian parents. Her family returned to live in Nigeria when she was two. Aṣa grew up in Alagbole, a border town in Ogun state near Lagos, in the south-western part of Nigeria.

She states that the city is “buzzing with energy but also home to a deep-rooted spirituality. Christianity thrives shoulder to shoulder with Islam in an atmosphere of tolerance, and the turbulent city moves endlessly in an infernal and yet harmonious ballet of love and hate, laughter and violence, poverty and wealth”.[citation needed] Twenty years later, Aṣa returned to Paris where her life as an artist took off.

Whenever Asa came home from school in Nigeria, she discovered musical acts like Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Raphael Saadiq, Lauryn Hill, Femi Kuti and Angélique Kidjo. This was while she was in pursuit of educational excellence, and these musical acts are whose footprints she dreamed of following… Culled Wiki