Arts Reporter February is special for the Tazvida clan, family, friends and fans. It marks the month when Nyasha Fanuel Tazvida, popularly known as System Tazvida, breathed his last on February 4 1999. Despite his untimely passing at just 30, he left behind a rich catalogue of songs that resonate with many generations. This year, he would have turned 57, the same age as the living legend Alick Macheso. Twenty-six years after his departure, a lot has happened, with several individuals trying in vain to fill his big shoes.

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson has just discovered Idols SA winner Yanga Sobetwa’s rendition of her smash hit,”If This Isn’t Love”, on the show, almost seven years later, and she can’t get enough of it. The 23-year-old musician told Sowetan yesterday she felt validated that her 2018 performance had caught the attention of Hudson – an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner) – and hoped to one day collaborate with her. On Tuesday, the 43-year-old American singer and actor, who became a household name after being part of American Idol in 2004, took to social media in a now viral post to praise then-16-year-old Sobetwa. “It feels so humbling. I was actually in disbelief but I’m so encouraged,” Sobetwa said. “The Bible says that your gift will make way for you and I’m seeing it come to light. The most surprising element about all of this is that I performed it seven years ago but I’m still receiving love – not just from people worldwide but the song’s original singer.

Arts Correspondent In the digital age, social media platforms have evolved from mere personal sharing spaces to influential arenas of opportunity, with TikTok emerging as a game-changer for aspiring artists worldwide. The platform’s unique fusion of creativity, viral potential, and community engagement has forged a new era for young musicians, dancers and visual artists, allowing them to break barriers and seamlessly connect with audiences and industry insiders alike. Once viewed as merely a recreational outlet, the application has rapidly transformed into a robust launchpad for emerging talent, offering unprecedented visibility. From catchy songs propelling a teenager’s music career to dancers attracting attention from celebrated choreographers, the success stories that overflow online reflect the platform’s power in nurturing artistic journeys.

After a self-prescribed mainstream hiatus, theatre veteran Keamogetsi Molapong will return to the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) with a production of Sifiso Nyathi’s ‘God of Women’. “It has been a long, long while since I’ve done a formal, mainstream play. I’m always asked: ‘So, when are we seeing something from you?’. So I’m just trying to answer that question as to when. It’s now,” says Molapong. For the last few years, the notable theatremaker has been focused on theatre as a tool to preserve and revive endangered languages in rural areas, primarily in collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology. The playwright also worked on 26 indigenous language radio plays with NBC Radio. Having previously directed ‘God of Women’ for a tour in Eswatini and at the national theatre, Molapong returns to the source material with a view to illuminate the Namibian play for English second language pupils for whom it is a prescribed text.

Let’s talk about something that needs to be said over and over again; actors should never, under any circumstances, look down on crew members. Ever. Time and time again, we hear stories of actors treating crew members like dirt, acting like they’re some sort of untouchable gods on set. Why? Because they think they’ve “made it.” Recently,Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia called out her colleague, Frederick Leonard, for allegedly mistreating a crew member. According to her, he not only disrespected a script supervisor by using her dress to wipe his sweat (yes, you read that right) but also demanded that she be removed from the set simply because she protested.

Veteran Nigerian actor Chiwetalu Agu has shared a powerful message urging singles to carefully vet their prospective spouses before committing to marry. In a trending video on Instagram, Agu cautioned against rushing into marriage due to peer pressure or desperation, emphasising that marriage should not be viewed as a life-or-death decision. Agu advised those in toxic or abusive relationships to take immediate action for their safety. “Marriage is not a do-or-die affair. If you have an abusive partner or are in a toxic relationship, run for your life. If you are not happy in your marriage, seek help or run for your life,” he stated.

The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) announced the selection of acclaimed Egyptian critic Ahmed Shawky as president of the Critics Jury at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, which will be held in the German capital from February 13-23, 2025. The Berlin jury is the largest committee organized by the International Federation of Film Critics annually, as it includes 12 critics from around the world, each three of whom judge films in one of the festival’s sections. Shawky will participate in judging the films of the international competition in addition to chairing the jury in general.

For 90 minutes, the world-renowned soprano Amira Selim captivated an audience of nearly 30,000 in Qatar during her performance at the closing of the "Egyptian Cultural Week" held at "Darb Al Saai" in Umm Salal. She presented 12 diverse songs, ranging from Egyptian heritage to global arts, performed in Italian and French. She was accompanied by her fellow musicians and friends, Salah Abdallah, Ahmed Osman, and Jamal Alaa El-Din, who played the piano, double bass, and percussion instruments. Amira began the concert with the song "Eh Al-Abara" by the great composer Sayed Darwish, which she had previously performed in a new musical arrangement titled "Nostalgia" in a "vocalise" style—singing without words. She concluded the concert with the famous "Hymn to Isis," following the audience's enthusiastic request, as they were captivated by everything she presented throughout the event.

WATCH IT has revealed the official poster for the series “Zolem El Mastaba” as part of its promotion and preparations for its release during Ramadan 2025. The poster features the TV show’s leading stars Riham Abdelghafour, Fathy Abdelwahab, and Eyad Nassar. The series houses several stars as well including Basma, Mohamed Ali Rizk, and Ahmed Azmy. The events of "Zolem El Mastaba" take place within the framework of a social drama, highlighting customs, traditions, and social norms. The series examines unjust practices and rulings that are common in villages and rural areas, often resulting from a lack of legal and religious principles.

With the unveiling of its official poster, the Egyptian short film “Blackout” has been selected to compete in the official competition of the 55th Tampere Film Festival in Finland. The prestigious festival, running from March 5-9, 2025, is one of Europe’s oldest and largest short film festivals, serving as a qualifier for the Academy Awards (Oscars), BAFTA, and the European Film Academy. “Blackout” features a stellar ensemble cast, including Gihan El Shamashergy, Sedky Sakhr, Malek Emad, Yara Goubran, Naglaa Younis, Shaimaa Farouk, and Youssef Drees. The film was written and directed by Ahmed Moustafa ElZogbhy. The film takes place at dawn on the eve of Eid, in a residential building where a family faces a sudden health crisis as their grandfather falls gravely ill.

igerian Afrobeats singer Adekunle Kosoko, known professionally as Adekunle Gold, has voiced out about the current trend of the wrong people leading the Nigerian music industry. The ‘Sade’ singer expressed this concern in a post shared on his X handle on Saturday, where he claimed that the people leading the music industry are not music-oriented. The singer opined that the wrong people in the industry are perpetuating false narratives about the business, saying this has resulted in brilliance being undervalued while mediocrity thrives. Adekunle Gold stressed that artists, producers and other creatives are overshadowed by people who do not create, understand and respect the music craft. He wrote, “People who have no business leading music conversations are now controlling and destroying the industry.

Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, has emerged as the first Nigerian woman to earn a RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) Diamond certification. Ayra Starr’s ‘Santa’ earned her the coveted certification after it sold over 10 million units in the United States. Note that for an African artist or someone who makes music outside of North and South America to earn an RIAA Diamond certification, the artist must sell over 10 million units of a song in America within the Latino market. Additionally, the song must have been sung using a mix of Spanish and English. Influences of Afrobeats and Reggaeton are found in Ayra Starr’s RIAA-certified song, “Santa,” with the 22-year-old’s hit single featuring Puerto Rican singer and rapper Rauw Alejandro and Jamaican singer Tarik Johnston, commonly known as Rvssian. ‘Santa’ is a smash hit that captivates listeners with its lyrics and vibrant sound.

Artworks let you communicate your vision without saying a word. Recognising its creative potential, Spotify recently introduced a new playlist cover art feature so users can flex their creativity. With this feature, Free and Premium users can personalise their music playlists more than ever by using unique images, colours, text effects, graphics, and more. On Wednesday at The Waterside in Lekki, Spotify users, media, and influencers in Lagos experienced this feature firsthand at a soiree hosted by popular host and podcaster Taymesan.

The Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, known as Kwam 1, appears to have addressed the controversy surrounding his ‘Ga nu si’ comment during the Fidau prayer for his late mother, Alimotu Anifowoshe. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Kwam 1 in January, while preparing for his late mother’s eight-day Fidau ceremony, incurred the wrought of some Islamic clerics when he used the phrase ‘Ga’nu sí during a conversation with a man. Speaking in Yoruba, the singer said, ”Alfas (Muslim clerics) will not go to my father’s house for the party; it’s my house they will ‘Ga’nu sí. We then prayed in my home before returning to my father’s house for the main party.”

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The highly anticipated Ikon Awards 2025 has announced this year’s nominees at an event hosted by media personality Ethan Kavuma, and renowned actress, Catherine Namugenyi.The Ikon Awards, now in its 3rd edition, is scheduled to happen on 29th March, 2025 at Serena Hotel Kampala. The Awards are a prestigious annual celebration of creativity, excellence and innovation in Uganda’s film and creative sector. They aim to honor and recognize exceptional talent, projects, and contributions that elevate the creative industry both locally and internationally. One of the key highlights of this year’s awards, hosted live Friday on the Ikon Awards Youtube Page, is the expansion of the nominee slots in each of the 22 competitive categories from four to five, offering greater recognition for outstanding talent.

Nigerian musician and entrepreneur Mr Eazi has shared insights into the challenges he faces as both an artiste and a record label manager. According to him, running a music company while actively making music is one of the hardest tasks, as he often has to switch from being a creative to handling the business side of things. The Empawa Records boss, in a social media post on Friday, January 31, said he plans to share more about these realities through his TikTok account. “Running a music company as a music artist is quite interesting because it almost feels like sometimes I have to detach myself from the art and switch to the hardline economic reality of projects and artists. This is the hardest bit.

Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has addressed recent allegations that he failed to show up for the video shoot of Kofi Mole's hit song Makoma, which features both him and Bosom PYung. The claims, made by Kofi Mole, have sparked controversy, with the rapper now clarifying his side of the story. Taking to X, Sarkodie responded to a post by Hitz FM, firmly denying any involvement in the video shoot's issues. He wrote, “Yaa monma me din nda kakra me sr3 mo … have no idea about this and if it actually happened, there was a miscommunication somewhere. Only responding to this cos I got love for my superstar @kofi_mole. I don't play games … I'm in or not.”

The series, set in Upper Egypt, features tensions between a group of men, including the character played by well-known actor Mostafa Shaaban, who deal in stolen artefacts. The plot is full of suspense and action. Hakim Basha is directed by Ahmed Khaled Amin to the scenario by Mohamed El-Shawaf. The series features Sahar El-Sayegh, Riyad El-Kholy, Dina Fouad, Ahmad Seyam, and Mohamed Nagaty. The production will air for 30 days during Ramadan (28 February - 29 March).

Jemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakech witnessed a unique event, as storytellers managed to set a world record for the longest continuous session in the art of storytelling, as part of the activities of the third edition of the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival. The participants were able to present narrative performances that lasted for 80 hours and 35 minutes without interruption, thus breaking the previous record and entering the Guinness Book of Records. According to the organizers, the event was a celebration of the art of storytelling, an integral part of Marrakesh culture, and the festival was organized in partnership with the Moroccan National Tourist Office. The festival, which took place from January 19 to 26, took the theme of “Joy,” reflecting the spirit of joy and sharing that has always characterized the red city.

Renowned Sudanese-Canadian artist Mustafa the Poet is bringing his unique blend of folk and hip-hop to Cairo for a highly anticipated concert on 27 May. Known for his moving lyrics and heartfelt performances, Mustafa has captivated audiences worldwide with his storytelling that reflects the struggles and triumphs of life in marginalized communities.

Nollywood actor, Bayo Bankole, popularly known as Boy Alinco for his role in the sitcom Papa Ajasco, has urged Nigerian parents to stop giving their kids names like Jayden and Biden. This was as he wondered why it has become a trend to give foreign names to children when Nigeria has beautiful Indigenous names. Bankole advised against the practice when he appeared on the Teju Babyface show. He said, "Don't give our children Jayden or Biden and all that stuff when we have beautiful names like Oluwaseun, Oluwapamilerinayo and Oluwasoromidayo. "Some will say they won't be able to call those names in schools. But it's a lie. They call Dutch names and Russian names that sound awkward. Indians will not change their names for anything in the world."

Local fashion designer, founder and creative director of King_A_Apparel, Armando van Wyk, reflects on the journey his brand has taken since inception in 2020 and what the future holds as he continues to push the boundaries of fashion. King_A_Apparel was born out of the Covid-19 lockdowns. With more time on his hands, Van Wyk wanted to create something meaningful. He started by designing fabric masks, which eventually grew into a full-fledged fashion brand. “What started as a way to stay productive and generate income during a difficult time has transformed into a brand that represents self-expression, confidence and inclusivity,” says Van Wyk. Over the years, the designer says his brand has made significant strides in the fashion industry, gaining recognition and a loyal following.

The makers of documentary “Khartoum” carried their national flag with pride and a sense of deep responsibility to their premiere at the influential US movie festival on Monday. Their country’s war rarely tops global news bulletins, and Sudan has never had a film at Sundance before. So the makers of documentary “Khartoum” carried their national flag with pride and a sense of deep responsibility to their premiere at the influential US movie festival on Monday. “The film is acting as an ambassador,” said Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad, co-director of the movie, which portrays five ordinary people from Sudan’s capital, all forced to flee the violence. “On a national level, everyone’s looking up at us now and telling us, ‘You guys should push forward to let the world know what’s happening in Sudan,'” he declared before the premiere.

Multi-award-winning rapper ST is set to launch his highly anticipated album, Nna La Duwa, on Saturday, February 1, at QCity in Bijilo. The event will feature performances from many of the country's top musicians, with a crowd of over 10,000 fans expected to attend. Expressing his excitement, ST said he is thrilled to return to QCity, The Gambia’s premier entertainment venue, to celebrate another album release. The official event flyer was released last week and has since gone viral on social media, widely shared by fans and key figures in the Gambian entertainment industry. One fan took to Facebook, writing: "The wait is finally over. Ntol kan kuwol lay kay. Nna la duwa!" Another supporter commented: "May Allah guide you through your journey."