5 July 2008
(Page 2 of 2)
Naomi Campbell
British born Naomi Campbell has conquered the fashion industry and achieved iconic status around the world with her incomparable physique and electrifying presence. Since stepping into the limelight over 15 years ago, Naomi Campbell has set runways and magazine covers ablaze with a sophisticated, sultry style and singular no-nonsense attitude that together have made her an international celebrity and fashion authority. Discovered on the streets of LondonÅfs Covent Garden when Naomi Campbell was just fifteen years old, Naomi Campbell soon had the entire fashion world clamouring to capture her inimitable look. Her first cover shoot was for British Elle. Naomi Campbell was the first black model to appear on the covers of TIME Magazine, and French and British VOGUE, She has worked with the greatest photographers in the world including Patrick DeMarchelier, Steven Meisel, Richard Avedon, Herb Ritts, Ellen von Unwerth, Mario Testino and Peter Lindbergh.
Naomi Campbell has walked for the greatest designers and has fronted campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Versace, Jazz, Francois Nars, Dolce & Gabbana and Dsquared. Because of her iconic status, Naomi Campbell was recently chosen to headline the campaign of hip-hop brand Rocawear. Naomi Campbell is also fronting the current lingerie campaign for H&M, and will be fronting the Louis Vuitton campaign alongside Kate Moss and Amber Valetta for Spring/Summer 2004. She has proved that her talents reach far beyond the realm of being a supermodel. She has channelled her interests and talents into a wide range of creative ventures including singing, writing and acting. Naomi Campbell has brought her charisma to the world of television and film acting alongside international stars, including appearances in films by Michelangelo Antonioni, Steve DiMarco and Spike Lee. As a writer, Naomi Campbell co-authored a best selling novel, Swan, published by Heinemann/Mandarin in 1997, followed by a photo book entitled Naomi, with introductions from friends and admirers Iman and Quincy Jones. As a sucessful enterpreneur, her business achievements, along with her ongoing modelling engagements and charity work, ensure that Naomi Campbell continues to surprise and impress.
Rihanna
Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados in February 1988 to Ronald Fenty of Barbados and biracial ancestry and Monica Fenty, who is of Afro-Guyanese descent. She has two younger brothers, Rorrey and Rajad Fenty. Rihanna went to Charles F. Broome Memorial School, a primary school in Barbados, and then on to the Combermere School, where she formed a musical trio with two of her classmates. In 2004, she won the Miss Combermere Beauty Pageant and performed in the Colours of Combermere School Show. In 2003, at the age of 15, Rihanna received her big break when one of her friends introduced her to music producer Evan Rogers, who was vacationing in Barbados with his wife. Rogers, along with his partner, Carl Sturken, helped Rihanna record material in the U.S. which was sent to various recording companies. One copy of Rihanna's work was sent to Jay-Z, who eventually signed her to Def Jam Recordings. Rihanna cites Brandy, Beyoncé Knowles, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Bob Marley, and her Caribbean background as major musical influences. Rihanna also stated in an interview that her friend and former Island Def Jam record label artist Fefe Dobson was someone whom she admired and looked up to, having a fellow artist writing, singing, and performing the music she truly loves.
Youssou n'Dour
Yousson n'Dour was born in Dakar, Senegal in 1959 and began singing as a child performer at neighborhood gatherings in the tough Medina section of Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. He took formally to the stage at age 12 and by his mid-teens was singing regularly with the Star Band, the most successful group in Senegal at that time. In 1979, he formed his own ensemble, the Etoile de Dakar, which, by 1981, had evolved into The Super Etoile. The most famous band in Africa, The Super Etoile, guided by Youssou N'Dour has crafted and invented a thoroughly modern African pop style, one which has gone on to influence artists as diverse as Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon. It was Gabriel, in fact, who introduced N'Dour to American and British artists via his So album (in 1986) and took N'Dour and The Super Etoile on the road with him in a subsequent world tour. In 1988, Youssou N'Dour was a co-headliner on the Amnesty International "Human Rights Now!" tour alongside Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, and Tracy Chapman. It was during the "Human Rights Now!" tour that N'Dour first heard Chimes of Freedom and became friends with Branford Marsalis, who appears on The Guide. N'Dour's first international album releases on Virgin, The Lion (1989), produced by George Acogny and containing the N'Dour-Gabriel composed single "Shaking The Tree"; and Set (1990), produced by Brian Eno-compadre Michael Brook, prompted Brian Cullman to write in Rolling Stone: "If any third world performer has a real shot at the sort of universal popularity last enjoyed by Bob Marley, it's Youssou, a singer with a voice so extraordinary that the history of Africa seems locked inside it." In the summer of 1991, Youssou N'Dour signed to Spike Lee's 40 Acres & A Mule Musicworks label, distributed by Columbia. N'Dour was impressed by Lee's stated commitment to "enlarging the legacy of great African-American music" in a wide range of styles and Lee's belief that N'Dour's music constituted a part of that legacy. The result of that union was 1992's Eyes Open; self-produced by N'Dour at his own state-of-the-art Xippi Studio in Dakar and featuring The Super Etoile, Eyes Open went on to win a Grammy Award nomination.
D'Banj
Dapo Daniel oyebanjo popularly known as D' Banji is a singer-songwriter and harmonica player. He is billed to perform his first ever performance in the United States today in Maryland, at Potters's Place. Since his stormed the Nigerian music industry, he has won many awards including the Best African Act (MTV Europe Music Awards 2007), Most promising Male Artiste (KORA all African Awards 2005) Hip Hop world Revelation (Hip Hop World Awards 2006) and Artiste of the Year (Nigerian music Awards 2006).
MI
MI pronounced as "em eye" was born in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. His encounter with Hip-Hop started with sampling the works of DMX and Lauryn Hill in 1998. He later delved into writing poetry. He has produced and featured on the works of artistes such as Jeremiah Gyang, Djinee, Rhymzo, Don Jazzy, shifi (Style Plus), Jesse Jags, Ice prince, Ruby, Lindsy, Leone, amongst others.
His performance includes opening for Grammy winners Black Ladysmith, Mambazo, and Keb Mo in Michigan, USA. His hit single "Crowd Mentality" is currently representing Nigeria at www.creativeconomy.org.uk website music competition.
ASA
Asa whose real name is Bukola Elemide born in Paris was a singer and songwriter has been making waves home and abroad since the release of her self-styled debut album. She is also signed to the same label as Katie Melua. Her music is already seen her album climb charts in France.
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