This week on Studio 53
DJ Bushbaby & new club in Tanzania
Fareed caught up with East Africa radio's “Iron man” Michael Owori a.k.a the Bush in Tanzania. DJ Bushbaby has his finger in many endeavors, but he's primarily known for being a radio DJ and journalist – but his music is getting serious rotation in east Africa. We got the opportunity to talk to him about his album. We had an opportunity to find out about his likes, dislikes and his dreams, one of them being that he'd like to one day see it working for others, by getting a DJ academy together, to take DJing to another level. He's also formed a group “JOBUCO”, Jo for Joan, Bu for Bush and Co for complex. His track “Maisha iko sawa” is currently on serious rotation in East Africa and the video is ready as well. The 24 songs off the album are “merry go”, emphasizes Bush but worth mentioning is the fact that production was done at Complex Studios which is also the home of Afro records, U&I entertainment, power records and others. But DJ Bushbaby is renowned for putting out a unique blend of African classic tunes and new modern tunes.
What Renee Q Boateng is up to in Accra, Ghana
Young, witty and intelligent, Renee Q Boateng is the mastermind behind ReneeQ Accessories. After spending some time in the corporate world, she realized that she'd rather lift herself, and others, out of any dull outfit! She worked for Gillette UK as a Human Resource Specialist and in November 2005, moved to Ghana where she continued to hone her business skills in the banking industry.
The transition from the corporate world to the creation of her own fashion brand was a fairly organic one for her. She has for the past two years been designing a fashion accessories line that ranges from necklaces, pendants and earrings, bracelets, anklets etc. in a wide array of materials some of which include Freshwater Pearls, Crystal, and Traditional and Contemporary beads. She identified a gap in the market for colorful good quality, value for money accessories and moved strategically to fill the void.
She however did not stop there. Renée has yet again expanded her repertoire to include a clothing line. She saw an opportunity in the fashion industry and seized it. That opportunity turned into the launch of RenéeQ Bespoke, an elegant line of bead embellished tee shirts with an African Twist.
We meet Designer Talibe in Guinea
Africans are painting the world in vibrant colour combinations and dazzling patterns. Studio 53 and IK were lucky to be able to meet Talibe Bah who is one of Guinea's leading Designers. Talibe specializes in making women's clothing with a flair for ethnic fabrics and a passion for contemporary classs and designs. He has worked with top models like Hawa who is a Former West African Model from Guinea. He has also participated in the FIMA which pursues its objectives of asserting, promoting and safeguarding the heritage of a country at the crossroads of African cultures. His beautiful Designs have earned him the title of being one of Guinea's top designers.
Take in a profile on James Sekei from Tanzania
Studio 53 caught up with Commercial Director of African Footsteps Travel Magazines: James Peter Sekei, we had an on camera interview with him as he told us about how he began his Travel Agency and his involvement with the African Footsteps Travel Magazine. James Sekei is part of the team that believes just like Tanzania, this magazine has something for everyone. It has the production of a top quality, independent and international travel publication that promotes the beautiful and diverse country of Tanzania. You will find rich reporting on everything from Tanzanian cuisine, health, music, books to stunning wedding locations in our Destination Wedding section.
Travel to the Sesse Islands in Uganda
Studio 53 and Gaetano visited the beautiful Sesse Islands in Uganda. The Sesse Islands are an experience akin to travelling back in time. His experience started with the ferry across Lake Victoria. While on the ferry he got the opportunity to talk to Yusuf I. Bulunya, Captain of MV Kalangala. Once you reach the Islands you'll realize how remote you are. With the help of Ssese Island Guide Thomson Abraham Oboth we were able to experience the best of this Island. He drove through dust tracks. We also interviews Angie Kemi Omeke, Public Relations, Ssese Island Club followed by Charles Kyalema, Marketing executive, Ssese Habitat Resort. There's something truly spiritual about being in a place as remote as the Sesse Islands. We also got an opportunity of going to the Kalaya Caves. The lake is great for swimming, fishing and sitting on the beach watching the Sun go down over Lake Victoria with a Nile beer in hand is truly a high point of any traveler's life.
Drop in on a Coffee Plantation in Zambia
Ndaka had an opportunity of tasting the rich aroma of freshly grounded coffee from the plantations of Lusaka Zambia. Her Journey started off with stepping onto a coffee plantation just outside Lusaka, this was an experience that will give a new-found respect for the humble coffee bean. Simply understanding that it takes four to five years for one of these new plants to bear its first crop of coffee cherries, makes that cappuccino and espresso go down much better, we started off with David Njebele who is the Coffee Technician at the Chaloshi Farm, he got to tell us about why Zambia is so suited to the cultivation of high quality coffee. Ndaka had a chance to examine the ripe berries in a bag and then tastes one. We also show ripe cherries going through pulping process on the farm machinery and then being dried and tossed by the two. Teija Lublinkhof Coffee Roaster/Barista had a chance to explain the process generally as they walked through the coffee tasting process, tasting spitting and commenting on the flavors.
Check out the FHM Shoot in SA
The South African edition of the international men's lifeclass magazine, FHM, recently had Congolese born beauty, Joelle Kayembe grace their cover. Studio 53 went behind the scenes on one of their shoots. She is ranked 13 on FHM sexiest woman of SA this year. Joelle set with us and told us about her journey to stardom. In 1994, Kayembe and her family left the Democratic Republic of Congo for a holiday to South Africa. Political turmoil in their home country ensured that they never returned. Joelle and her siblings had to learn English as their 'holiday' was extended indefinitely. We are not surprised why Superstar Joelle Kayembe has become a household name in South Africa. With a body this stunning, it's not hard to understand why!
Tattoo Competitions in SA
Studio 53 went to the Jaded Ink Launch, which was show casing some of the Body art designed by Jade the tattoo artist. They had a Jade tattoo a piece live that evening, so that customers could see firsthand the incredible skills involved in tattooing. They had a Fashion show that had models with body art done by Jade. They had an international clothing sponsor that supplied the models with clothing and a private makeup artist, which brought their models to life with funky make up. We ended off the evening with hot band One day remains live on stage for a gig and a host of celebrities and musician who attended the launch.