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Soccer fever is in high gear as we speak! South Africa has been prepping to host the World Cup games when we all descend to the rainbow nation in May-June for the 2010 World Cup.

Alicia Keys at the Gotham Magazine Annual Gala in NYC this past Monday.

I just know that it is going to be BANANA’s in South Africa this coming Summer (U.S etc) and Winter (South Africa etc). I do know that Mzansi will rise to the occasion and show ‘em that we have always been ready to do this!

Official couple, Swizz Beatz (whose divorce from wife Mashonda has been finalized) & Alicia Keys

So to kick start the festivities, FIFA & Control Room have announced:

The first performing artists for the inaugural FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Celebration Concert. Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angélique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré and Vusi Mahlasela will take to the stage at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg on the eve of the opening match of the first FIFA World Cup™ on African soil. Further talent announcements will follow.

Billed as the greatest entertainment show to date in Africa, it will feature performances from major international musicians and African artists, as well as appearances by football legends past and present and celebrities from other fields. This historic music event will take place in front of a capacity stadium audience of 30,000 will be broadcast to hundreds of millions more worldwide. It is scheduled to begin at 20.00 local time (GMT+2) on 10 June.

“We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note – of celebration,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.

FIFA has selected Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Wall and his company Control Room to organise and produce the concert. Control Room has masterminded some of the world’s biggest and most complex events, such as Live Earth 2007, which featured 150 artists performing on seven continents over the course of 24 hours to raise awareness of climate change.

“We believe sports and music transcend cultural, language and geographic barriers, and through the official FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert, we will present the sights and sounds of unity and celebration for an unforgettable, must-see experience,” said Wall.

All net proceeds from the concert will be donated to 20 Centres for 2010, the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, whose aim is to achieve positive social change through football by building 20 centres across Africa offering education and healthcare services as well as football training to disadvantaged communities.

Ticket information
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime concert can be purchased as of today, either online at www.computicket.com or by telephone on (27) 083 915 8000. Tickets are priced at ZAR 450 (Outer Circle standing), ZAR 650 (Inner Circle standing), ZAR 850 and 950 (Upper Level seated), and ZAR 1,150 (Lower Level seated). Ticket prices include VAT, Computicket charges and Park & Ride for all ticketholders.

So who is going to be in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup games??? Holla back & drop your comments below!

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

Photo: Getty Images

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There was NO way he was going to stay away from golf indefinitely, infidelity or not! The sex scandal may have slowed him down and hopefully made him a better person and importantly a better husband & partner…

Tiger Woods, who has been away from golf and the limelight (except for his televised statements at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in February) for about 4 months has just announced that he will returning to golf for the upcoming Masters tournament;

Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that he will begin his 2010 season at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in April.

“The Masters is where I won my first major, and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I’m ready to start my season at Augusta.

“The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it’s been awhile since I last played.

“I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy, and I am continuing my treatment. Although I’m returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life.

“When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play. I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I again want to thank them both for their support and their understanding. Those are fantastic tournaments, and I look forward to competing in them again.

“I would also like to thank the Augusta National members and staff for their support. I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game.”

What’s your take on this? Holla back & drop your comments below! Muchas gracias!

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You know deep down, I was like please say it ain’t so…well it is so official & Zimbabwe truly mourns the sudden loss of Sam Mtukudzi. Tuku Music released a statement regarding the passing of Sam Mtukudzi this morning.

Monday, 15 March 2010 12:19

Musician Sam Mtukudzi (22) son of Oliver Mtukudzi died on the spot in Harare early this morning when his car veered off the road and crashed into a bridge near Kuwadzana Extension on the Harare-Bulawayo Road. Also killed in the accident was Sam’s friend and sound engineer Owen Chimhare (24).

Both were travelling from Harare to Norton where they lived.

Oliver Mtukudzi and his wife Daisy, who were on private business in South Africa, have received the tragic news with shock and were rushing back to Harare.

The bodies have since been taken to a private funeral parlour in Harare. Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.

Mourners are gathered at the Mtukudzi family home at Number 4276 Mtukudzi Way, Knowe, Norton.

For most of last week Sam and Owen were in South Africa mixing Sam’s second album. On Saturday 13th April both returned home and Sam staged what was to be his last show at Sports Diner in Harare. The crowd was small but Sam gave one of his most powerful performances in recent times – as if to say goodbye to his fans.

And just last week Sam had performed at one of the Perekedza Mwana concept shows at Extra Mile Leisure Spot in Harare where he attracted what all of us at Tuku Music Company thought was unprecedented attendance for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Four hundred fans (400) attended the show that was to be Sam’s last joint show with his father. They had both traveled together from another joint show in Rusape the previous day.

The Perekedza Mwana concept was conceived by Sam himself where his father was to accompany him to the old venues mainly in the ghettos were Mtukudzi senior played in the 1970s and 1980s. Already they had launched the shows at Mushandirapamwe Hotel in Highfield, Harare.

Just last month Sam had performed with his father at the Nzou neMhuru muDanga concert at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare.

Nzou neMhuru muDanga was a theatrical production that pollinated across genres and forms – there was a full mbira cast, contemporary dancers, Tuku and Sam as a duet and with their full separate bands, The Black Spirits and Ay Band respectively. They performed in a makeshift enclosure representing a kraal and nursing pen for the elephant and its baby hence the theme Nzou neMhuru muDanga loosely translated to mean an elephant and its baby in the kraal. Tuku is of the elephant totem.

Now, when all of us at Tuku Music Company and Pakare Paye Arts Centre look at the few recent events and the rare concepts that Tuku and Sam were involved in together, so closely of late, we are not wrong to say Tuku was simply passing the legacy of music to his son. But as fate would have it, that was not to be. When we look at the events in retrospect we see that in a way Sam was bidding his father farewell through a string of their recent collaborations. What can we say?

Born on 1st April 1988, Sam first showed his musical nature at the age of four when he started strumming on his father’s guitar. The family was then located in the City of Kwekwe. At the age of 10 his father saw him perform at a school concert and was so impressed by the performance that he bought him his first guitar.

When he started high school at Prince Edward in Harare, Sam found before him an institution that had great facilities for him to pursue music seriously and to learn a number of instruments. He immersed himself into it, learning mbira, drums, marimbas, saxophone and mastering his guitar skills.

As soon as he was done with school Sam started performing professionally, backing his father on many occasions, but also performing on his own. He went on to form his own ensemble, the Ay Band.

Sam released his first album, Rume Rimwe in 2007.

He performed all over the world including in countries such as Canada, United States of America, Lesotho, Swaziland, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, Ireland and United Kingdom.

His talent has illuminated festivals such as the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA), Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Winter Jazz Festival, Victoria Falls International Jazz Festival and, Johannesburg International Jazz Festival among others.

We are all saddened, we are in shock and disbelief that a life so young can go so soon. Sam was on the new board of Pakare Paye Arts Centre that Oliver Mtukudzi announced in January this year. At only 22 Sam was the youngest board member but his contributions were invaluable as we embarked on the rigorous journey of developing the arts academy founded by Tuku in 2003.

– Issued by Shepherd Mutamba, Director Information – Tuku Music Company and Pakare Paye Arts Centre on behalf of Oliver Mtukudzi, his wife Daisy and family.

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Father & Son on tour in the U.K – Oliver Mtukudzi & Sam Mtukudzi (via NewZimbabwe)

This is so sad, sudden and totally unexpected. Sam Mtukudzi was so young, turning 22 years old on April 1st. He was a talented upcoming musician under the watchful eye of his father, Oliver Mtukudzi, legendary and prolific musician from Zimbabwe. Sam was one of the new generation musicians who connected with fans through FaceBook, so he became like fam.

According to the NewZimbabwe folks, Sam, died in a car crash in the early hours of Monday, his family confirmed:

Saxophonist Sam was the only passenger when a Tata truck driven by his sound engineer Owen Chimhare struck the rails of a bridge just before the Kuwadzana Extension off-ramp along the Harare-Norton road.

Police were called to the scene just after 1.20AM, but the two men were already dead.

The national Traffic Police spokesman Inspector Tigere Chigome told New Zimbabwe.com: “The accident happened at 1:20AM. The driver of the Tata pick-up Owen Chimhare and the passenger Sam Mtukudzi died on the spot after sustaining serious head injuries.

“What happened is that the vehicle veered off the road and rammed into the right side of the bridge’s rails. The vehicle did not fall off the bridge.

“We don’t know where they were coming from, or what caused the vehicle to veer-off the road. We are still investigating.”

Oliver Mtukudzi’s nephew, Tapiwa Mtukudzi, said from the UK: “It’s sadly true, we lost him.”

Sam, widely tipped for greatness, has recorded two solo albums and has his own band, the Ay Band.

The band, which has a heavy influence of jazz, performed mainly at corporate events in Zimbabwe. He regularly joins his father on foreign tours.

Sam’s death will come as a tragic blow to his father who has been nurturing his undisputed talent – convinced that his legacy is secure.

Mtukudzi, who was in South Africa when he heard the news, was said to be “totally destroyed” and travelling back to Zimbabwe on Monday.

Our thoughts & prayers go to Oliver Mtukudzi, Amai Mtukudzi and the entire Mtukudzi, Tuku Music families. Also our thoughts and prayers are with Owen Chimhare’s family.  

Rest in Peace Sam!  Rest in Peace Owen!

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Singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka attended the MASSIVEGOOD STUDIO presented by Will.i.am and the Millennium Foundation at Esquire Apartment at Soho Mews on March 2, 2010 in New York City

So I had to track down the Princess of Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka to get some scoop from her on her recent trip to the US and her latest collaboration with Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas! By the time I got to her, she was back in South Africa and had finished performing at Sun City for her 25th Anniversary (she definitely stays busy!) Here’s what we chatted about….

FaraiToday: Hey Sis Yvonne, I finally catch up with you and you are back in South Africa! How was your recent trip to the U.S?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Hi my love! Yes I am back and the trip overseas was really great! I had a fabulous time in America!

FaraiToday: Awesome, I’m glad to hear that! You must have been in and out because I tried to catch up with you while you were in the U.S!

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Oh no, sorry that we missed each other! I was in New York City for four wonderful days!

FaraiToday: New York City is a fun city! Now Sis Yvonne, you were actually in the U.S to record a song with Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am, how was that experience?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Yes, I did a song with Will.i.am and you know it was a great experience to be in the studios with him. What was so remarkable about this whole experience was that Will.i.am donated his time & talent to do this for Massive Good. It is so encouraging to see a artist at that celebrity stature give back and give back so graciously as did Will.i.am! He is a very nice chap!

FaraiToday: And I am sure he must have thought the same of you Sis Yvonne! I mean you are the musical Princess of Africa! How did that collaboration come about?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Thank you love! Well, I am a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and the good folks over at the United Nations made the collaboration possible.

* Yvonne Chaka Chaka is the UNICEF and Roll Back Malaria Goodwill Ambassador.

FaraiToday: Ok, and this is for Massive Good, right?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Yes, my darling.

FaraiToday: Yeah, can you give us more info on what Massive Good is all about?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Massive Good is an initiative that will allow people to make small contributions when they buy a plane ticket, or reserve a hotel room or car and the money donated will go towards fighting HIV, TB & Malaria.

* Massive Good is a program of the Millennium Foundation, an independent non-profit organization that is helping the United Nations achieve the three health-related Millennium Development Goals which world leaders agreed to meet by 2015, which involve improving maternal and child health, and reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

FaraiToday: Nice! All for a good cause! Ok, can you give us a scoop on the song

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: The song is about social responsibility and the aim is to spread peace across around the world…

FaraiToday: Through music?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Yes, through music. The production was world class, top notch!

FaraiToday: So when is the song dropping?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: I think the song is expected to be released in the next few months. And fans will be able to buy the song on the web as soon as it is released!

FaraiToday: Ok, that’s what’s up! Switching gears a little, the last time I saw you was in New York City on the red carpet at Radio City for the Nelson Mandela Inaugural concert. You were with your son Themba…

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Yes, that’s right! Themba is now producing for Mandoza. Even though he is my son, Themba is so talented. We do fight when we are in the studio creating music together but that’s to be expected from artists (laughs)

* Mandoza is a South African kwaito musician.

FaraiToday:  And you just celebrated your 25th anniversary. Gosh, Sis Yvonne, it has been that long?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Yes 25 years of music. We just did the 25th anniversary concert in Sun City last Saturday. I flew from New York City to Paris then Jo’burg and on Friday I was my way to Sun City. Saturday I performed and it was a beautiful celebration. I had about 80 friends from Europe and North America come down as well to join in the celebrations. Our four First Ladies were there. Government officials were there, seven cabinet Ministers came too.

FaraiToday: Wow! Thank you so much for sharing with the world your gift of music! 25 years is a long time. What has been the key to your longevity in the game?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Well as an artist, you have to keep your feet to the ground. Respect your work and do not take your work or your fans, team, people in general for granted. This, I found has worked well for me.

FaraiToday: When can we expect new music from the Princess of Africa?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: I have been recording music for the past 18 months. I am very picky with what I want on the new album, so I am taking my time to make sure it comes out right…that it sounds right! So we definitely have something in the pipeline for the fans!

FaraiToday: Exciting news! I am very sure your fans worldwide will be happy to hear this. Any parting words for your fans?

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Thank you for the love and support and for allowing me to share with you my passion!

FaraiToday: Thank you Sis Yvonne for your time!

Yvonne Chaka Chaka: You are welcome love.

Peep some video footage of Yvonne Chaka Chaka & Will.i.am

With the Princess of Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka in New York City

How dope is this collabo with Yvonne Chaka Chaka from South Africa and Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am?!? Lovin’ it! Let us know what you think!

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

Photo: Getty / Zimbio

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Both are hot & fab and are on magazine covers…peep them below!

This just in from the peeps over at Bella Naija regarding one of our favorite “IT” girls, Nollywood actress & singer, Omotola! She is on the cover of the Nigerian magazine, Elan’s Mother’s Day issue. Elan, the fashion insert of NEXT’s Sunday newspaper will be featuring Omotola on the cover and in the fashion spread for it’s mother’s day edition. On the cover, Omosexy strikes a pose in a colourful long sleeved puffed shoulder Ankara top with her hair in a upswept do. Omotola models in the magazine’s fashion insert with her son Micheal…go girl! Heart some Omosexy!

I just got my April issue of Essence Magazine & one of Hollywood’s “IT” girls is on the cover! Fab chic Zoe Saldana who rocked the big screen in Oscar-nominated blockbuster movie, Avatar is profiled.  Her cover story is titled “From A to Zoe…” where she talks about her live-in and longtime boyfriend Keith Britton & much more sizzling hot topics!

Make sure you pick up the magazines….Next if you are in Nigeria & Essence in the U.S

Don’t they both look amazing! Holla back & drop your comments below!

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

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I am loving this new joint, Made You Look (Flow Stoopid) by Diggy Simmons!  I especially love the fact that he does not hide the fact that he is a BELIEVER, a follower of Jesus Christ! And he is so young. And so talented. And so cute. And so…oh just peep the video *smile*!

It’s been debated and contemplated that Biggie’s overrated but what the haters have stated never penetrated.

I’m so creative and innovative and I stay motivated by the constantly famous and I ain’t even made it!

The flow I cater is something major and indicator of what happens later is greater than what you’ve anticipated.

Some people love it the way I does it…

I don’t rap for my age like Lil’ Bow Wow, son of a King, so why would I ever bow down?

Young lyricist, ah n%gga be killing it…

I am still God-fearing and  filled with the Holy Spirit, so I fly like an angel…

Does Diggy “flow stoopid” or what? He definitely kept it “100″ and killed this joint! Holla back and let us know your thoughts on this young MC!

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

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Here it is, the highly anticipated music video to Lady Gaga & Beyonce’s song, “Telephone”…

So…was it worth the wait & is it what you expected, as in do ya like it? Holla back & drop your comments belows!

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

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The Queen has a new movie opening in theaters May 14th featuring rapper/actor Common as her love interest. Queen Latifah plays Leslie, a physical therapist who falls for basketball player Scott McKnight played by Common, whom she’s helping recover from a career-threatening injury. Things get complicated because Scott is drawn to Morgan (Paula Patton – she was in the movie, Precious & is Robin Thicke’s wife), the gorgeous best friend of Leslie who has her sight set on being an NBA trophy wife….so Leslie has to choose getting Scott, her lucrative job or her bestie, Morgan. Also in the movie is Pam Grier the original Foxxy Brown.

Peep the trailer below….

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“Some women have gay-dar. I’ve got ho-dar!” Wow! Alrightie then!

So will you be watching “Just Wright” when it comes out this May? Holla back & share your thoughts on the movie trailer! Muchas gracias!

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

Photo: Zimbio / Getty Images

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Colin Fernandez penned this article in the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail:

Nelson Mandela has been accused by his former wife of betraying South Africa’s black population.

In a savage attack, Winnie Mandela said he had done nothing for the poor and should not have accepted the Nobel peace prize with the man who jailed him, FW de Klerk.

I think I nearly lost my mind when I read Colin Fernandez’s use of  the words “savage” & “attack” to describe Mama Winne Mandela’s alleged accusation of Baba Nelson Mandela. I am appalled that in the 21st Century, a journalist would still those words to describe Africans or people of African descent! Particularly troubling to me is the use of the word savage. What was so “savage” about her “alleged” accusation (that is still to be confirmed by the ANC itself)? I was so mortified that her sentiments were reduced to “savage attack”. Strong, harsh, scathing, yes. But savage, NO! Absolutely not!

Mr. Fernandez please allow me to refresh your memory on the definition of the word, savage: fierce, ferocious, or cruel; untamed: as in savage beasts. uncivilized; barbarous: as in savage tribes. Regardless of what you may feel towards Mama Winnie Mandela, the word “savage” in this context is insensitive because it conjures up images of Africa/Africans that I fight to dispel. It was hard to read the article further (real talk)…

The 73-year-old said her ex-husband had become a ‘corporate foundation’ who was ‘wheeled out’ only to raise money for the ANC party he once led.

She said Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a cretin and claimed the sacrifices of Steve Biko and others in the fight against apartheid were being overlooked.

The comments were made in an interview yesterday with Nadira Naipaul, the wife of novelist V S Naipaul.

Mrs Mandela became notorious in 1991 when she was jailed for six years for the kidnap of Stompie Moeketsi – a sentence later cut to a fine.

Stompie, 14, had been murdered three years earlier by members of Mrs Mandela’s bodyguard, the Mandela United Football Club.

She also caused outrage by endorsing the punishment of apartheid collaborators with ‘ necklacing’ – putting burning tyres around their necks.

Yesterday she said: ‘This name Mandela is an albatross around the necks of my family.

‘You all must realise that Mandela was not the only man who suffered. There were many others, hundreds who languished in prison and died.

‘Mandela did go to prison and he went in there as a young revolutionary but look what came out.

‘Mandela let us down. He agreed to a bad deal for the blacks. Economically we are still on the outside. The economy is very much “white”.

‘I cannot forgive him for going to receive the Nobel with his jailer de Klerk. Hand in hand they went. Do you think de Klerk released him from the goodness of his heart?

‘He had to. The times dictated it, the world had changed.’

The Mandelas, who divorced in 1996, were married for 38 years – although together for only five.

Mrs Mandela criticised her country’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee – which she appeared before in 1997 and which implicated her in gross violations of human rights.

She said: ‘What good does the truth do? How does it help to anyone to know where and how their loved ones are killed or buried?

‘That Bishop Tutu who turned it all into a religious circus came here. He had a cheek to tell me to appear.

‘I told him that he and his other like-minded cretins were only sitting there because of our struggle and me. Look what they make him do. The great Mandela. He has no control or say any more.

‘They put that huge statue of him right in the middle of the most affluent white area of Johannesburg. Not here [in Soweto] where we spilled our blood.

‘Mandela is now like a corporate foundation. He is wheeled out globally to collect the money.’

She said her daughters, Zenani, 51, and Zindzi, 50, had to struggle through red tape to speak to their 91-year-old father, who led South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

Wow! All kinds of wow! I am told Mama Winnie Mandela is in the U.S on a visit. Peep her recent CNN interview with Roland Martin (thank you Ms. Makwakwa for heads up on this video!)…

“Africa is the new Asia“

Waiting to get some inside scoop on the alleged accusation story. Stay tuned!

Jennifer Hudson at Sir Elton John’s Oscar After Party

As you know, plans are going forward with the biopic movie based on Winnie Mandela. Jennifer Hudson is still scheduled to play the lead role of Winnie Mandela in the movie despite rumblings from South African actors. Wonder if this latest alleged accusation will make it in the movie.

Am I being overly sensitive about the word “savage” or what? Holla back & share your thoughts on this developing story! Muchas gracias!

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

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