Highlights:

  • South Africa's Tyla Breaks 55-Year Record: Billboard Hot 100 Debut with “Water” via BBC
  • Black Sherif Wins Best International Flow Win at 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards via OkayAfrica
  • Nollywood’s “The Black Book” Makes Global Hit Tops Netflix’s Chart via The Africa Report
  • Mr. Eazi: The Afrobeats Star Pioneering African Arts via CNN
  • Luxury Concept Store Alára Redefines African Fashion by Blending Global and Local Talent via WMagazine
  • Nike and Eliud Kipchoge Launch" EK Umoja Collection" Marking Two-Decade Collaboration via Hypebeast
  • African-born Artist Julie Mehretu’s Artwork Breaks Record at Art Auction via The Art Newspaper

Now, on to the real peel...

South Africa's Tyla Breaks 55-Year Record: Billboard Hot 100 Debut with “Water”

Image Courtesy of @takeover.al

South African music star Tyla has made history by debuting on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her first solo song to do so since Hugh Masekela's Grazing in the Grass 55 years ago. The song, which blends Afrobeats, pop, R&B, and Amapiano, has gained popularity on TikTok and inspired a viral water dance challenge. The dance routine has recorded over 70 million views and has surpassed 3.6 million views on YouTube. Tyla is set to release her first album in November.

👉 Check it out on BBC

Black Sherif Wins Best International Flow Win at 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards

Image Courtesy of ellese

The 50-year hip-hop celebration honoured industry talents and global impact. Ghanaian artist Black Sherif won Best International Flow, Kendrick Lamar won four awards, and AKA received the Global Visionary Award. Nigerian superstar Burna Boy had seven nominations but didn't win. Black Sherif expressed gratitude for his international rise and invited the diaspora to visit Africa.

👉 Check it out on OkayAfrica

Nollywood’s “The Black Book” Makes Global Hit Tops Netflix’s Chart

Mr.Eazi courtesy of his IG Page
Image Courtesy of Richard Mofe-Damijo

Nigerian film "The Black Book" achieved global success on Netflix after its release as an acquired Original on September 22. The action-thriller, starring Richard Mofe-Damijo, ranked fourth among English-language titles in its first weekend, with over 5.6 million views in the first two days. The film, directed by Editi Effiong, addresses police brutality and the pursuit of social justice, inspired by real-life events in Nigeria.

👉 Check it out on TheAfricaReport

Mr. Eazi: The Afrobeats Star Pioneering African Arts

Image Courtesy of @mreazi

Nigerian artist Mr. Eazi, initially disinterested in art, now embraces it passionately, curating an exhibition accompanying his album "The Evil Genius." His newfound appreciation for art mirrors his approach to music creation. The album pairs sixteen tracks with artworks by thirteen artists from eight countries. The exhibition launched in Accra and London, and Mr. Eazi hopes to make art more accessible and less exclusive.

👉 Check it out on CNN

Luxury Concept Store Alára Redefines African Fashion by Blending Global and Local Talent

Image Courtesy of @alaralagos

Alára, a Lagos-based luxury concept store, aims to redefine African luxury by combining international and emerging designers. The store offers clothing, furniture, books, design objects, a restaurant, and cultural programming. Its annual design competition, Emerge Alára, has launched the careers of several African designers. The store features a boutique with dressing rooms for customers to try on pieces by designers like Thebe Magugu, Edas, and Tongoro.

👉 Check it out on WMagazine

Nike and Eliud Kipchoge Launch "EK Umoja Collection" Marking Two-Decade Collaboration

Image Courtesy of Nike

Nike and Kenyan marathon star Eliud Kipchoge has launched the "EK Umoja Collection" to commemorate 20 years of partnership and Kipchoge's iconic moments. The collection features five pairs of running shoes, apparel, and activewear, inspired by Kipchoge's 2003 5000-meter world championship in Paris. The red colour symbolises Kipchoge's Kenyan heritage.

👉 Check it out on Hypebeast

African-Born Artist Julie Mehretu’s Artwork Breaks Record at Art Auction

Julie Mehretu. Image Courtesy of Julie Mehretu

African-born artist Julie Mehretu set a new auction record for an untitled 2001 diptych at Sotheby's Hong Kong contemporary evening sale, selling it for $9.32m. The top prices for African artists at auction are generated by women, with South African artist Irma Stern and Nigerian American artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby also in this top tier. The contemporary African art market is growing, with $63m spent on African-born artists in 2022, a $15m year-on-year increase.

👉 Check it out on TheArtNewspaper
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