The 10th edition of What’s Trending? promises to be give you an exciting mix of the latest news across the continent and beyond.


Jungle book characters brought to life by Lupita and Idris

Disney‘s upcoming live-action version of “The Jungle Book is soon to be viewed by the public. As an introduction, six new portraits of the “Jungle Book” have been released, the voice cast posing alongside their CGI-generated animal characters. London’s Idris Elba plays Shere Khan, and the beautiful Lupita Nyong’o becomes mama wolf Raksha. Also photographed are Scarlett Johansson (Kaa the python), Christopher Walken (King Louie the ape), Giancarlo Esposito (Akela the wolf) and Sir Ben Kingsley (Bagheera the panther).

Wonderfully, each actor provided their own quote alongside their character. The Jungle Book” opens in theaters April 15.

Nyong’o speaking on Raksha: “She is the protector, the eternal mother,” says the actress of her character, who adopts baby Mowgli after his abandonment. “The word Raksha actually means protection in Hindi. I felt really connected to that, wanting to protect a son that isn’t originally hers, but one she’s taken for her own.”

Take a look below at the stunning visual effects, featuring the beautiful Lupita’s performance.


Mali: The Late Great Malick Sibide

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Sibide

Sidibe is well known and respected for his timeless and unique black and white images especially from the 1960s and ’70s. He was a celebrated photographic pioneer, his visionary portraits captured the spirit of a newly independent Mali, helping promote the countries and it’s new freedom.

Sidibe had a popular studio in Bagadadji, Bamako which brought many people from all walks of life with the desire to be documented and immortalised them in true Sibidie photograph style. Think colourful t- shirts, a new hair do and a cool pose.

His death early this April, due to complications with diabetes has left an irreplaceable gap in the creative community as well as within his home country, Mali. A master of capturing the moment, he will be sorely missed for his skilled eye and creative flair.


Ghana/UK:  Signatures Magazine meets Sxwks 

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Sxwks Members

Young members of the African and Caribbean Diaspora are coming together across London to create independent platforms, representing an individual and collective identity in creative ways, such as visual art, performance, and music.

Signatures magazine is a recently launched magazine based in Ghana, showcasing young creatives in the country and also oversees.

Sxwks is a creative collective comprising of individuals from a variety of disciplines; poetry, music, photography, illustration – the list go on.

Recently, Signatures Magazine met with the ever – expanding Sxwks collective to discuss passion, inspiration and goals, in an energetic and insightful interview located in Marylebone. The product of this conversation will be out later on in the year, in true Signature Magazine style, which is bold, clean and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.


Africa/UK: The Royal African Society

The Royal African Society is back with another event sure to inform, inspire and challenge. The Real Politics of the Horn of Africa’: Making Sense of Current Developments, is an event focusing on Alex de Waal’s compelling account providing a contemporary history of how politicians, generals and insurgents in the Horn of Africa bargain over money and power, and use of war to achieve their goals.

Alex de Waal reveals the business model through which leaders run their countries, determined by oil exports, aid funds and Western military assistance for counterterrorism and peacekeeping. In this presentation, de Waal will address recent developments in the region, including the South Sudan peace agreement, the Red Sea crisis that has reconfigured the politics of Eritrea and Somalia, and the wave of anti-government protests in Oromia region of Ethiopia. Book here.


Africa/ UK The Countdown until Africa Writes

Rachel Long

Africa Writes is the Royal African Society’s annual literature festival and this year it is back for it’s 5th Anniversary. Every year it showcases established and emerging talent from the African continent and its diaspora in what is now the UK’s biggest celebration of contemporary African writing taking place over an exciting summer weekend. The festival features book launches, readings, author appearances, panel discussions, youth and children’s workshops, and other activities.

This year come and see acclaimed writer Nawal El Saadawi, poets Rachel Long and Caleb Femi as well as a performance of the provocative new play ‘The Immigrant”. As the date of Africa Writes fast approaches, get ready to book yourself onto the fantastic up coming events for this amazing festival.


Nigeria: Chukku’s Nigerian Tapas 

If you have not heard of Chukku’s you are definitely missing out. London born brother and sister duo Emeka and Ifeyinwa draw on Nigerian and Spanish culture creating a culinary fusion, somewhere between the small portions of tapas, and the delicious flavours of Nigerian cooking and culture the pair are so familiar with.

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Emeka and Ifeyinwa

The pick ‘n’ mix nature of the menu means you are not limited to choosing just one plate, allowing you to sample a wider range of flavours and tastes from Nigeria. We are excited to hear that Chukku’s is holding another pop up restaurant on Sunday the 24th of April.

We love the uniqueness of this pair’s work to bring Nigerian food to London in elaborate and diverse ways.

Make sure you go and sample some of their delicious food as the pair kick up a storm. See more details here.

 

 


Zimbabwe: Mokoomba makes History

Afro Fusion group Mokoomba travelled to the US to perform at the Africa Now Concert, which was held at the world famous Apollo Theatre in New York City on March 26. This was an extremely impressive and historical event for the group. The Africa Now Concert is a milestone for the group considering the iconic nature of the venue, which is one of the most notable structures in the American arts culture.

Mokoomba shared the stage with Bombino from Niger, Alsarah & The Nubatones from Sudan and Ghana’s Jojo Abot.


Music

As always, What’s Trending ends on a musical note, keeping your ear to the ground with great tracks from the continent. Nigeria’s Tiwa Savage, releases the colourful visuals for the summery “Standing Ovation” featuring Olamide. Get your headphones ready!

 

Cover Photo: Jolade Olusanya 2016