It's the little things

It’s been a rough couple of weeks here in GB land, but there have been a few moments of greatness. Starting with a wonderful performance by Wunmi at SOB's in NYC last night who stated categorically that she refused to take on the labels other people put on her. 'Everyone calls me the queen of AfroBeat' she said (well, something to that effect anyway), 'but I am not. I do what I do. You put Sade is Sade's Box, Bjork in Bjork's box, so why not put Wunmi in Wunmi's box?! I do what I do. Then she proceeded to slay the audience with her brand of music, which the GB shall henceforth call Wunmibeat (hahaha).

It was a historic moment for all that know her. Then this morning, on the way into manhattan, while psyching up for another day on the grind, I saw a wonderful looking woman, dark chocolate skin with a very low afro, dyed blonde and striking eye makeup. I normally don’t feel that look, but she looked amazing. I stood in awe, I caught myself, but it was too late, she had already caught me - or so I thought. It turned out she was looking at me. Before the subway doors opened, she mouthed, ' I'm loving your jacket, its cute'. I laughed at her, and said, and I was just admiring your hair! We both chuckled, wished each other a great day.

My Lens: New Orleans

OK, I have spent the past two days editing a 12 minute film that I was super proud of into a 5 minute film that I am also proud of for this edition of My Lens. I have uploaded it onto My Tube, for your amusement This is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz4H2gbfqDQ

I saw some of it. I hope you get to see all of it, because I had NO weekend, Its good, check it out.

Jay-Z in Ghana

Yeah, it's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you...
Why the silence? I hear you say?!! Well, indeed..the trip to New Orleans knocked The GB for six. Then, a short break to The GB out of the country. But we are back... You will hear all about New Orleans, through the lens of the people who live there soon. And looking ahead, we anticipate an interview with Nigerian-British recording artist Wunmi - she has a new (rather excellent) album coming out in the next few months...

Anyway, saw this interesting post about Jay-Z and his travels to Africa:

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/artikel.php?ID=110621
Tickets for Jay Z’s October 6 concert in Accra go on sale this week. They will sell at 600,000 cedis (ordinary) and one million cedis (for VIP seating).

The concert, to be staged at the International Conference Centre, is billed to be one of the biggest ever in Ghana. Jay Z arrives in Accra on October 4 on his private jet with girlfriend, Beyonce Knowles. He will also be accompanied by an entourage of about 30.

Jay Z’s concert in Accra forms part of a worldwide tour (supported by the United Nations and the music channel, MTV) to raise awareness about global water supply problems. In Africa, he will also perform in South Africa and Tanzania.

Charterhouse, which is organizing the show, says Jay Z will use the tour, which he calls ‘the African pilgrimage’ to learn as much as possible about the continent. He will also look into the possibility of collaborating with some local artistes. “Based on discussions Charterhouse had with his record label [Def Jam records], he intends to unearth some talents whiles in Ghana,” says Chris Attoh, events manager at Charterhouse. “What we found most exciting is that he requested to be furnished with some of the hottest hiplife songs in the country and he intends to remix them to create something awesome during his concert here.”

Meanwhile, Charterhouse is partnering with the mobile content provider, Mobistar, to run a competition which will make it possible for some 300 people to watch the Jay Z concert for free and get some photo opportunities with the super star. Phone subscribers will be required to text ‘JAY Z’ to the short codes to be announced soon. The top ten ‘texters’ will win VIP tickets and get the chance to take pictures with the legend.