Music
African Child
The comedy "Get him to the Greek" is a forgettable vehicle for Russell Brand, except for the spoof music video "African Child" opening the film.
Pitch Perfect Friday
Africa is not just represented by five nations in the World Cup. Its diaspora is also here courtesy of Euro-American and South American squads.
Long Live Busi Mhlongo
The South African artist, born in 1948, and who has been suffering from cancer for while, has passed away.
Rihanna: Back in Blackface?
In the music video for her latest single, "Rockstar 101," singer Rihanna appears in what looks like blackface.
Make the Circle Bigger
Is this playful ode to coloured identity in South Africa the unofficial 2010 World Cup anthem for the locals?
When you’re from Africa. Like Africa Africa.
When the dance pop of London-based The Very Best, with one African member (the other two are French and Swedish) is described as very African.
Testing Negative and Other Stories
Here for your reading list: 10 things I have read quickly, seen or watched, listened to, been forwarded, did not really have the time to think about properly.
Toto meets Mango Groove
FIFA and the South African organizers of the World Cup have unveiled the 2010 World Cup "official" song: It's a rip-off of a Cameroonian military song.
Traces of Bhekumuzi Luthuli
White South African and Americans musicians have borrowed heavily and built a careers off the Maskandi music pioneered by working class musicians like Luthuli.
Prodigal Son
A white man dressed like Mobuto with two black "assistants" in tow, throw around fake money in Basel. What's this about?
Madlib’s Radio Freedom
Madlib's "Medicine Show No. 3: Beat Konducta in Africa" is about African liberation in the 1970s, especially south of the Limpopo.
The Trumpet King
Zeal Onyia was a master Nigerian trumpet player from the 1950s treated as an equal by Louis Armstrong.
Addis Swing
The revival of Ethiopian jazz, a tradition that dates back to the 1920s, and had its heyday under Emperor Haile Selassie.
Die Antwoord is Blackface
Die Antwoord is basically blackface. But blackface is also tricky, argues poet and writer Rustum Kozain.
Akon’s Africa
The Senegalese-American crooner's uninspiring "Oh Africa" reminds of bubblegum South African pop from the 1980s.