Los Angeles, United States | AFP | US filmmaker George A. Romero, whose 1968 cult classic “Night of the Living Dead” spawned the zombie movie genre, died on Sunday aged 77, according to his manager. “Legendary filmmaker George A. Romero passed away on Sunday July 16, listening to the score …
Read More »BBC television unveils first female ‘Doctor Who’
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British actress Jodie Whittaker was unveiled Sunday as the first woman to play “Doctor Who”, telling fans of the cult BBC science fiction series they should “not be scared by my gender”. The 35-year-old, who starred in the British award-winning drama “Broadchurch”, will take …
Read More »Bollywood superstars dazzle at India film awards
East Rutherford, United States | AFP |India’s biggest Bollywood stars led a triumphant celebration of dance, music and fashion at the International Indian Film Academy awards Saturday, cheered by thousands of ecstatic fans just outside New York. The five-hour show at an American football stadium in New Jersey, where the …
Read More »Rapper Akon to buy 50% of African music download service
Dakar, Senegal | AFP | Senegalese-American rapper Akon announced Saturday he would purchase 50 percent of African music download service Musik Bi, as the platform struggles to gain a foothold after its launch 18 months ago. Africa’s first home-grown platform for legal music downloads, Musik Bi launched in Senegal in February …
Read More »‘Walking Dead’ halts production after stuntman dies
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Hollywood paid tribute Friday to “Walking Dead” stuntman John Bernecker after he was killed in a fall on set. Bernecker died in hospital Wednesday after falling 22 feet (6.70 meters) from a balcony headfirst onto concrete, according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing a …
Read More »‘Gangnam Style’ dethroned by ‘See You Again’ as top YouTube video
‘Gangnam Style’ dethroned as top YouTube video New York, United States | AFP | “Gangnam Style,” the quirky South Korean video that spawned a global dance craze and went so viral it nearly broke YouTube, has finally been dethroned as the most watched video. After four and a half years …
Read More »ARTS: Mayanja’s soot art excites
Common tadooba candle inspirations form avant garde mixed media exhibition Kampala, Uganda | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | Experimental artist Weazher Mayanja has evolved another new technique. The Kyambogo University don is this time using soot from tadooba candle flames on canvas to create captivating art forms. In an ongoing exhibition at …
Read More »Coldplay release song to support migrants
New York, United States | AFP | English rockers Coldplay have released a new song written with ambient legend Brian Eno, with proceeds to support migrants who make the dangerous journey to Europe across the Mediterranean. “Aliens,” released late Thursday alongside an animated video, is the latest single from Coldplay’s upcoming …
Read More »Week after exclusive, Jay-Z puts album on iTunes
New York, United States | AFP | A week after Jay-Z released his latest album as an exclusive on his Tidal streaming service, the rap mogul made it available Friday on Apple platforms — but not on rival Spotify. “4:44,” the 13th album by the leading name in hip-hop, was …
Read More »Uganda’s ‘Ghetto President’ music star becomes real life MP
Kampala, Uganda | Michael O’HAGAN | AFP | For the last decade Ugandans have known two presidents: Yoweri Museveni, the country’s long-time ruler, and musician Robert Kyagulanyi a.k.a. Bobi Wine, a.k.a. His Excellency the Ghetto President. But in a surprising turn the 35-year-old music superstar — who was just three when Museveni took …
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