How is your day going so far?
Just thought I should do a quick random roundup....Let's go!
__________________________________________________________________Here are the performances from this week's episode of Idols West Africa.
Joan got voted out this week.
Timi - Diana Ross’ hit ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’
Jerrilyn - ‘Don’t Leave Me this Way’ by Thelma Houston
Eric - Stevie Wonder’s ‘Signed Sealed Delivered’
Omawumi - Leo Sayer’s 1977 hit ‘When I Need You’
Uche - Nat King Cole, ‘Unforgettable’
Joan - ‘You Light Up My Life’ by Kacey Cisyk
Temitayo - Judy Garland classic ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’
Mercy - ‘If I Can’t Have You’ by Yvonne Elliman
Jodie - Respect by Aretha Franklin
Onyeka Onwenu attended the show and said this “Onwenu believes the contestants would sing from their inner beings if they performed in their languages. She says their languages will allow them to express all the locked nuances they possess. She clarifies that the contestant’s expressing themselves via their languages will not negate the essence of the show and the fact that the show is looking for a pop-star.”
THANK U ONYEKA! I wholeheartedly agree! I am tired on these same old songs! LOL…Ok if they don’t want to sing Nigerian songs, I wont even mind some modern hits like some Beyonce or something exciting.
__________________________________________________________________
Adidas has released a collection inspired by Africa.
Timi - Diana Ross’ hit ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’Jerrilyn - ‘Don’t Leave Me this Way’ by Thelma Houston
Eric - Stevie Wonder’s ‘Signed Sealed Delivered’
Omawumi - Leo Sayer’s 1977 hit ‘When I Need You’
Uche - Nat King Cole, ‘Unforgettable’
Joan - ‘You Light Up My Life’ by Kacey Cisyk
Temitayo - Judy Garland classic ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’
Mercy - ‘If I Can’t Have You’ by Yvonne Elliman
Jodie - Respect by Aretha FranklinOnyeka Onwenu attended the show and said this “Onwenu believes the contestants would sing from their inner beings if they performed in their languages. She says their languages will allow them to express all the locked nuances they possess. She clarifies that the contestant’s expressing themselves via their languages will not negate the essence of the show and the fact that the show is looking for a pop-star.”
THANK U ONYEKA! I wholeheartedly agree! I am tired on these same old songs! LOL…Ok if they don’t want to sing Nigerian songs, I wont even mind some modern hits like some Beyonce or something exciting.
__________________________________________________________________
Adidas has released a collection inspired by Africa.
I absolutely luv it! This is our year, everyone is trying to jump on the African bandwagon.
Inspired by People Magazine, here is our BellaNaija Edition of 'Who Wore It Better', I think both Omotola and Nike look absolutely gorgeous in this Mya by Maria Odunsi dress.
Have a great day.
Much love....
am i really first? Hallelujah.
ReplyDeleteOmosexy looks better,maybe because i like her better
Adidas is doing nothing new. They've been doing it all the time its just a shame that it takes a big name for anything africa to be cool or people to take note. Givenchy with the mudprints that eveyone is raving about now or remember the Mombassa bag by YSL. Its always cool when its by them but when its by us... it too strong or too much and they want to shortchange us. I love africa, we are just so rich in culture.
ReplyDeleteI think the woman on the right wears it better, it just looks like a better picture to me...
ReplyDeleteI'm tired of all these 'african' designs....eesh, enough already
Bella, I laughed real hard when I saw the "who wore it better." Nike had worn that dress at the first inauguration of "Catwalk the World" in Lagos at the Lagoon.So when I saw the posting of Omotola that you did, I was like, "isn't that Nike's dress." lol! You definitely have a good pulse on the minds of your readers. Hands down, for me, it's got to be Ms. Osinowo. She is such a style icon and radiates excitement and confidence.
ReplyDelete"this is our year"
ReplyDeletewhat r u smoking bella?this doesnt change anything in africa and africa gains absolutely nothing from adidas,LV,or whoever xyz decides to do 'ghana-must-go bag for$4500...
the earlier we stop looking to the west for validation, the faster we learn to be or bother's keepers!
this our year my lil' finger!
...on to brighter things, that dress by mya is hot!!
@anon6:13 - LOL
ReplyDelete@koki - I totally agree, many designers and corporations have been 'taking' ideas from Africa without giving us credit. Its nothing new, yes, but its still great seeing our influence on a worldwide stage
@undressed - I know u r a certified/card carrying member of the ankara haters club...shhh I just joined I am getting kinda sick of it too
@ladybrille - I so knew u would pick up on that!
@anonymous - I expect more from you, as should be able to recognize a tongue-in-cheek comment when you see one i.e 'this is our year'...and no I am not smoking anything LOL
As koki said, designers and companies have been 'taking' african influences for years and acting like it was something new and without giving us our due recognition. That said, Adidas is doing their thing and I respect that.
I wont be buying anything from that adidas collection!
ReplyDeleteBoth omotola and Nike look hot in their own unique way.
omotola is definetly rocking it better!
ReplyDeletei agree with koki on the adidas stuff..y does it alwayz take a big name to make african sturvs cool?
Slowly but surely i think niaja designers are begining to make a name for african sturvs
Oh gosh! I so agree with Onyenka's comments on West African Idol. I was so confused when this thing started, i was like "it's a good thing, but it lacks its own uniqueness". Even my other African friends were like "Nigerians must have their version of everything." (as per the idols and Nigeria's next top model) While it is commendable that we use such avenues to search out new, local talents (although i doubt how promising their future will be), we are a people so rich in culture and history that there is more to offer the world than 'bland copying'. Bella what do you think?
ReplyDeleteYeah totally agree with the legend Onyeka's comment..i'm even confused i don't know who i want to win...or who is looking like a likely winner sef.
ReplyDeleteGood shout from Adidas!!!!
I think Nike rocked the outfit better...not that i'm a fan of her's or anything..but that woman has a FAB figure...and can pull of anything..well almost anything...and she has a lot age-wise on Omotola...and still looks that fantastic.
Awwwww, the contestants look good!!
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo, I think they both wore it well...especially since they from different perspectives....
i agree with Onyeka Owenu. I even went to the idols website to try to post a comment saying "please let the contestants sing West African songs!"
ReplyDeleteI think I need to write to MNET sef. (LOL I am that determined)
I would buy the adidas shoes. @ Bella and Anonymous, Tongue in cheek comment or no tongue in cheek comment, "this is our year" In fact this is Africa's century.
In addition to the Adidas shoes and clothes, If I had my way I would probably wear Ankara and other African clothes and accessories all the days of my life, so by Adidas making the shoes they are helping people like me
ReplyDeleteI didn't pay much attention to Omotola/Nike shots cos they look quite similar. It's kinda hard judging without letting one's view of their personality sip into what might have been a clean and cut opinion of what body wore the dress better.
ReplyDeleteJodie is totally the bomb!Highly entertaining performance there.Uche comes next for me.
I'm indifferent about the adidas collection.The bottom line for these names is Profit! Profit!! Profit!!!Long after their bank accounts are in the green they don't care whether it was the african or somalian (i know that's also in africa lol)design that got it green.All I see is an idea executed for profit-making.Period.
those are some really cool kicks! it's a pity i'm a heels-chick.
ReplyDeleteThe shoes are lame. Nike radiates class, so she will always get my vote. Ankara is still hot its just nigerians jump so hard on fads you get sick of them and the fad in question. I dont blame the other africans turning up their noses although I know they will always be haters cause they really KENT do it lairrus (LIKE US) LLLLOOOLLLLL
ReplyDeletethey sing well sha....
ReplyDeleteloving nike oshinowos figure
adidas - not bad xxx
Interesting read. Never have been one for the whole 'Idol' thingy. Some nice designs, though.
ReplyDeleteI think the two ladies both look good in the Mya dress. I remember during the photoshoot when i chose the dress for OmoT, she was a bit skeptical about it but i managed to convince her, she was like 'i hope people no go say na nike dress i wear o'ah ah ah.Bella i dont know who you are but i just want to say you are doing a good job and i really really love your blog...its so so interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love your work, but I find it pretty hard to see most of the people you feature as celebs or whatever you make them to be. One thing most of our so-called stars lack is a respect for other people’s intellectual property. I heard Mako Fiesta by P-square and I could not believe the rip off. The same can be said of most of our artistes and quite unfortunately they are feted in Nigeria, because they are playing to an audience that is unaware. We need to be original, and stop being a poor imitation of the real thing..red carpet? This isn’t a reflection on your work, which I think is excellent, and will excel in whatever atmosphere our ‘celebs’ choice to showcase themselves.
ReplyDeletethe addidas thing is really cool.. maybe ill patronise it.....
ReplyDeleteabout who wore it better, i think its nike , considering the fact that she aint in a photo shot for ne magazine on-like omotola....
I think the second lady rocked it better... I love the adidas stuff.. if i was a sneakers fan.. i'd totally rock em... great writeup.. i'm so proud of the idol contestants... naija has talent sha
ReplyDeleteI don't get it too, was speaking to an indian colleague and they sing bollywood and indian songs for their idols show. The judges hardly let anyone who sang traditional songs through the first round.
ReplyDeleteI find the African-themed Adidas stuff a bit partonising. I would have prefered it if they were designed and made by an independent African designer. I don't follow idols but I think Onyeka Onwenu's comment makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteDont really agree with the whole singing nigerian songs. The whole idea is to sing and actually sing a song that allows the contestants singing abilities show, so if it means singing 'i'll always love you' or singing any nigerian song then so be it. Keep in mind many of us grew up with these other songs so really anyones entitled to sing whatever.
ReplyDeletebiko who attacked these WA idols girls faces with blush and eyeshadow ? I mean I know they're doing extra makeup for stage presence and whatnot, but haba worrahell?
ReplyDeleteExcellent coverage as always...Nice one
ReplyDeletep.s. My url has changed, its http://mbafive.blogspot.com
Please update the link on your blog.
Thanks
Aba Boy
Well i think Omotola posed for the picture but Nike just did her thing naturally
ReplyDeleteNike has my vote anyday!!
loll...bella, u make me seem like an ankara basher....well I am one so hey...and yeh, welcome to our rapidly increasing gang
ReplyDeleteI am loving the adidas gear, I think Nike rocked the outfit better n I am sooooooo bored of the same of monotone songs by the Idol contestants jere!
ReplyDeleteMy fav. is Jodie, am loving her style and rooting for her to win.
ReplyDeletebtw, if yu've gat time, peep into my blog, i've gat a lil somethn i need help on
thanks.
ReplyDeletelooking forward to coping one of them Adidas joints!