Naomi Wachira: "I Am An African Girl"

((  Written By: Staff Writer  ))  Singing since she was 5 years old, when she joined her parents' choir, folk-rock singer-songwriter Naomi Wachira is a natural lyricist.  Drawing inspiration from artists such as Tracy Chapman and Miriam Makeba, Naomi blends elements of African rhythm, American folk, and soul, offering her take on issues affecting society and telling her story as an African woman living in the Diaspora.  Her mission as an artist remains simple:  to write music that is applicable to anyone regardless of their education, beliefs, or socio-economic status.  She says, "I know that my music is not for the sake of music, but for the sake of society, reminding us that we are all in this together ... I sing, because it somehow gives me life.  I find that I am regenerated, taken out of the mediocrity of life and for those few minutes, I feel one with myself.  I can only hope that as much as I feel life awakening, it does the same to anyone listening."

Photo Shoot Fresh: House Of Hadassah

(( Written By: Staff Writer  ))  We love House of Hadassah's Spring 2012 look book that is all about celebrating fabulous mothers.  We've added a number of our favorite images from their look book on our Pinterest page, just take a look at our Iconic Africa board.  For more visit www.houseofhadassah.com.

Excuses For Why We Failed At Love: A Short Film Series By Zayna Daze And Warsan Shire

((  Written By:  Staff Writer  ))  Excuses For Why We Failed At Love is the first instalment of a three-part short film series by two equally gifted African women:  Nigerian-British independent filmmaker and photographer Zainab Adamu, also known as Zayna Daze, and Kenyan-born Somali poet and writer Warsan Shire.  Watch it below.

Highly Endangered: The Maasai

(( Written By: Nani Hapa  ))  In recent years, the Maasai have found it increasingly difficult to maintain their traditional pastoral life due to outside influences of the modern world and environmental degradation that has resulted from drought.  Highly Endangered: The Maasai is a viral campaign that seeks to advocate awareness about the effects of environmental degradation on the Maasai culture through fashion, photography, and design.

Coming To A Theater Near You: Nairobi Half Life

((  Written By:  Staff Writer  ))  If we are to believe the buzz around indie film, Nairobi Half Life, then Kenya has its first Oscar contender coming to a theater near you.  Directed by David "Tosh" Gitonga, the film has been submitted by Kenya for consideration by the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Best Foreign-Language Film category.  Watch the trailer below.

Stella Mwangi Releases Her Music Video For "Bad As I Wanna Be"

((  Written By:  Staff Writer  ))  Kenyan singer/rapper Stella Mwangi, recently released the video for her hit song, Bad As I Wanna Be.   The single, which is Stella's first release this year, marks a much more aggressive, darker sound for Stella whose more recent music has ventured into pop.  Watch the video below, and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

Watch Shuga: Love, Sex, Money Episode 6—The Finale

The Love, Sex, Money volume of the hit MTV Base series Shuga, comes to an end with episode six.  Watch it below now.

Watch It Now ... Shuga: Love, Sex, Money: Episode 5

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 5 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © MTV Base Africa)

Watch Shuga: Love, Sex, Money Episodes 3 And 4 Now

Written By: MIM!—The second season of the Kenyan MTV Staying Alive series, Shuga, keeps getting better and this time Nigeria is in on the action with singer and rising actor Ifeco Ikubese (9con).  Watch episodes 3 and 4 below now.

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 3 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 4 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © MTV Base Africa)

Watch Shuga: Love, Sex, Money Episode 2 Now!

Written By: MIM!—Here's the latest episode from season 2 of the MTV Base series that we can't get enough of, Shuga.  For more about Shuga, read Hey Shuga!, our interview with season 1 cast member—Kenyan actor David Omwange Nyareru. 

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 2 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: MTV Base Africa)

Music Video: Hula Hoop By Stella Mwangi Featuring Mohombi

Written By: MIM!—Below, watch the video for Stella Mwangi's single, Hula Hoop, from her latest album Kinanda, released in the summer of last year.  The song and video feature Swedish-Congolese singer-songwriter Mohombi.

Stella Mwangi feat Mohombi - "Hula Hoop" (Official video) from Big City on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © CD Cover Art)

MTV Staying Alive's Shuga: Episode 2

Written By: MIM!—If you're like us, then after watching Episode 1 of the second season of Shuga, you can't get enough of Shuga: Love, Sex, Money. Episode 2 will air on MTV Base, today. Here's a video of what's in store:

This week on Shuga - Episode 2 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

Watch the full episode of Shuga as soon as it is published online at shuga.tv, and of course stay tuned to  MIMI's blog for updates about the series.

(Photo Credits: © MTV Base Africa)

MTV Staying Alive's Shuga Is Back! Watch The First Episode Of Season 2 "Love, Sex, Money" Now

Written By: MIM!—It is only fitting that as of February 2, Season 2 of MTV's hit series, Shuga, is back. Like Season 1 of the award winning series, Season 2 of Shuga "Love, Sex, Money" is set in Nairobi, Kenya. Watch the first episode below:

Shuga: Love, Sex, Money - Episode 1 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

To join the conversation visit any of the following links: shuga.tv; facebook.com/mtvshuga; twitter.com/mtvshuga, and if you missed Season 1 of this exciting series, take a look at this blog post.

MIMI Related Articles: Hey Shuga! An Interview With Shuga's David Omwange Nyareru; Stella Mwangi: The Hit Girl; Cut! Censoring Sex In African Movies

(Photo Credits: © MTV Base Africa)

Africa Online: Iman, Estelle, Femi Kuti ... And More

Written By: MIM!—Stay connected to positive news by reading these five stories from the worldwide web, about Africa and the African Diaspora, that we loved reading this week:

1. Somalian supermodel Iman pens an inspiring article 5 Seeds of Hope for Somalia via The Huffington Post;

2. Senegalese-British singer-songwritter Estelle shares her oh so fashionable list of The 5 Things She Can't Live Without via The Stylist;

3. Nigerian afro-funk musician Femi Kuti describes what music is playing In His Ear via NPR;

4. Kenyan director Jinna Mutune's trailer for his highly-anticipated superhero film Leo hits the web via Shadow and Act; and

5. Haitian accessories designer Cynthia Germain, whose label Saint-Germain captures the spirit of Africa in its design aesthetic and was inspired by a trip to Niger, offers a behind the scenes look at her latest collection via Vimeo.

For more stories about Africa and the African Diaspora, catch up with MIMI's archives at www.mimimagazine.com/archives.

(Photo Credits: Movie Poster Art)

Miriam Chemmoss Debuts A New Cropped Hairstyle

Written By: MIM!—Singer and model Miriam Chemmoss has always been a trendsetter with her hair—first, with her signature red locks, and now with her short cropped black hairdo, and she always looks gorgeous. The short do is part of what Miriam is calling a "magical beginning" with the upcoming release of a new album. We can't wait! What do you think MIMI-isats, do you like Miriam's new short hairdo?

MIMI Related Articles: Gallery: A Shortcut To Beauty; Rudi: Miriam Chemmoss Is Back

(Photo Credits: Left © Shem Lwanga.  Right © Photography And Make-Up By Alexei Afonin. 

Stylist: Kathy Berry. Design: Tucia)

Vivienne Westwood Visits Kenya In Support Of Ethical Fashion

Written By: MIM!—British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has been working with the United Nations Ethical Fashion Programme to produce bags and accessories in Kenya. The idea behind the initiative is to lift communities out of poverty using environmentally sustainable materials and processes. As Vivienne explains, "Charity = dependence, Work = control over your own life." Vivienne recently wrote about her first trip to Kenya and posted some amazing photographs on her blog, to learn all about her trip, visit Vivienne's blog:  www.activeresistance.co.uk.

(Photo Credits: © Chloé Mukai / ITC for Vivienne Westwood)

MTV Announces Shuga: Love, Sex And Money Series 2 Coming In Early 2012

Written By: MIM!—Set in Nairobi, Kenya, Shuga the hard-hitting drama that follows the lives, loves and ambitions of a group of young people whose bright lives and fabulous futures are balanced on a knife edge due to their love of living dangerously is returning to the small screen. MTV has announced the hotly anticipated second series will bring some "exciting changes, with the introduction of new characters and increasingly addictive story-lines." Get the latest updates by visiting www.mtvshuga.com.

(Photo Credits: © MTV Base Africa)

Lalesso: Beauty And The Beach

Written By: MIM!—Discover Lalesso's perfect summer collection in the article Beauty And The Beach.

(Photo Credits: © Lalesso)

Clothes Call: Nancie Mwai

(( Written By: MIMI  ))  April 28th, 2010: Nancie Mwai, a young, newly minted stylist, launches the website The Fashion Notebook armed with no more than a passion for fashion and an ambitious goal of making a mark on Kenya’s fashion scene, for as she explains, “life is too short to blend in.”

Cut to the present: The Fashion Notebook is a widely-read and much loved blogazine that has Nancie so busy, her day is a fashion whirlwind. “I wake up, take coffee, go through my mail, write up a blog post, then I read other blogs. Since I am a stylist, I am also constantly styling then I finish my day with meetings, then I head home. Sometimes I rarely get time for lunch. When I get home I check my mails again and respond to my blog comments and plan for the next day. Then I sleep.”

MIMI:  Tell us, Nancie is...?
Nancie Mwai:  A fashion psychotic girl—it’s fashion madness in my world!

MIMI:  What is the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
Nancie Mwai:  My vintage Chanel bag.

MIMI:  What inspires you?
Nancie Mwai:  Myself ... I am the star in my life and I have to work hard for me to succeed.


MIMI:  Complete the sentence, Nancie loves...?
Nancie Mwai:  David Tlale—I’m awaiting the day I can wear at least one of his pieces!

MIMI:  What’s your favorite city, and why?
Nancie Mwai:  Paris, it’s the fashion capital and I'm obsessed with living there one day!

Read the current issue of MIMI, Reb(ELLEs), for our full interview with the stylista in the article Clothes Call.  And take a look at these elated articles from MIMI: The Elements Of Style: Lola Faturoti and Anna Reynolds: Stylista.

((  Photo Credits: © The Fashion Notebook  ))

Style Video: Behind The Scenes Of Lalesso's 2012 Collection

Written By: MIM!—In addition to releasing their annual 2012 collection, Lalesso has released a behind the scenes video documenting how the collection came together. Watch below.

Lalesso - Behind the Scenes of Lalesso 2012 Collection from Ernst Heusser on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © Lalesso)