Kenya: 'Soul Boy' Tells a Different Story of Life in Kibera

Soul Boy is a gem of a film. It takes us into the world of the Kibera slums of Nairobi, telling the story of 14-year-old Abila, who sets out to find what is wrong with his ailing… Read more »

Tanzania: 'Chumo' - A New Twist on a Familiar Love Story

The only Tanzanian film at this year's Pan African Film Festival, Chumo made its American debut here. It was nominated for best short narrative. Read more »

Africa: Politics and Hip Hop Meet in Upcoming Elections

Hip hop has often been used by artists as a form of social commentary against poverty, corruption and inequality. Now, some of these artists are aiming to effect change from the… Read more »

Africa: Kina Klothing Brings East Africa to the Urban Clothing Market

Kina Klothing is an African urban wear brand that launched its first collection in 2009. Many of the designs depict themes and images celebrating Africa in general, while others… Read more »

Tanzania: This Year's Final Fiesta Headlined by Lil' Kim

After a series of concerts held throughout Tanzania, this year's final Fiesta was held in Dar es Salaam on August 7. The annual concert series, organized by Clouds FM, has a… Read more »

Kenya: Chronicle of a Newspaper and a Nation's Birth

One of the chapters in Gerard Loughran's new book on the history of Kenya's Nation newspaper is prefaced with a quote from Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United… Read more »

Africa: Rapper Blitz the Ambassador Talks Tour and Upcoming Projects

I last spoke with Blitz the Ambassador in 2007. Since then he has been busy doing a soundtrack for the film Bronx Princess, finishing a screenplay, releasing his third studio… Read more »

Africa: Newest Names in Fashion Show Designs in U.S.

African Vibes Magazine has held its fourth anniversary celebration in Los Angeles, California. The gala event on April 24 kicked off in the early evening with the “I Wear… Read more »

Africa: Rap Artists Join Forces on New Project

A new musical collaboration between artists representing Ghana, Uganda and the US has resulted in the creation of A.R.M., also known as African Rebel Movement or Artists… Read more »

Africa: The Lives of African Immigrants Explored in 'Soul Diaspora'

"Soul Diaspora," a new feature film by Nigerian filmmaker Odera Ozoka, recently won the Audience Favorite Narrative Feature Award at the annual Pan African Film Festival in Los… Read more »

Western Sahara: Controversial Film Exposes Slavery in Refugee Camps

One of the most controversial films shown at the recent Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) was “Stolen,” which had its U.S. premier at the festival. The… Read more »

Cape Verde: Film Exposes Portugal's Exploitative Labour Practices in Africa

The 2010 Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles featured the world premier of Contract by Cape Verdean filmmaker Guenny K. Pires. Read more »

Rwanda: Kagame's Human Rights Record Faces Scrutiny

As Rwanda applies this week to join the Commonwealth, the international grouping dominated by ex-British colonies, both its membership application and a number of recent books on… Read more »

Zimbabwe: 'Slow Boat to China'

When Zimbabweans were being attacked and killed in political violence, a little-known South African musician was inspired to act by the stories she heard from refugees living… Read more »

Liberia: Refugees Produce CD of Music With Canadian University

A musical link has been formed between a Canadian university and Liberia in the form of an annotated CD produced by the University of Alberta and Liberian refugee musicians. Read more »

Africa: Singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka Campaigns Against Malaria

The singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka visits New York this week to help campaign for the voices of Africa's women and children to be heard at the opening of the new session of the United… Read more »

Senegal: Rap Group Da Brains Set to Release Fifth Album

Since its self-titled debut album in the late 1990s the Senegalese group "Da Brains" has been a fixture on the local hip hop scene -- one of the biggest in Africa because of its… Read more »

Africa: Change Ways of Giving Aid, Says Economist

Paul Collier is the author of "The Bottom Billion," an award-winning book that shines a light on some 50 failing states in the world and the billion people who live in them. He… Read more »

Zimbabwe: Finding White Rhodesia in the American West

The writer Alexandra Fuller is best known in southern Africa for two books which portray with vivid and – for one who grew up in the same milieu – discomforting… Read more »

Africa: Soyinka Attacks Political Leaders

Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka has launched a new attack on Africa's political leaders, this time singling out heads of state who retain their grip on power by entering into… Read more »

Sudan: Emmanuel Jal Sheds Light on Struggles in Southern Sudan

Emmanuel Jal has an aura of quiet resolve and patience, qualities that make it easy to forget the years of struggle reflected in his music, in his book, “War Child,”… Read more »

South Africa: Lucky Dube's Killers Jailed for Life

The killers of South African reggae superstar, Lucky Dube, were jailed for life on Thursday. Read more »

Malawi: Madonna Tries to Adopt Second Child

Madonna is back in Malawi, seeking to adopt another child from the country – despite controversy over her adoption of a child there three years ago. Read more »

Sudan: U.S. Celebrities Pull Readers to Darfur

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof has quite the traveling companion for his latest trip to Darfur – actor George Clooney. Read more »

Africa: Obama Inauguration Sparks Celebrations in Washington

Spurred by Barack Obama's African heritage, his Inauguration this week as the 44th U.S. president was marked by a number of Africa-related events in the Washington, DC area. Read more »