Angelique Kidjo Concert in San Jose

West African singer Angelique Kidjo danced away at her concert stop in San Jose.



[photos by J. Medina]
In related news, Angelique Kidjo gets a positive review on her upcoming disc that features duets with Alicia Keys, Sade, and Josh Groban:
The title of Angelique Kidjo's latest album, Djin Djin, roughly translates to "seize the day" — an appropriate directive from the West African singer, whose career now spans 20 years. Kidjo fuses Afro-funk, salsa, reggae, gospel, jazz and more with shades of classic American rock, pop and soul: James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana and more.
Whether drawing on her musical roots or experimenting with hip-hop, dance and electronics, Kidjo's albums have featured fascinating collaborations, including work with Branford Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Dave Matthews and Santana. Djin Djin, produced by Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T-Rex), opens with a few would-be club hits before offering a haunting take on The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" — a reunion with Santana — as well as duets with Josh Groban and Sade and a song featuring Alicia Keys and Marsalis. Nothing if not ambitious, Kidjo continues to stake out new ground. [NPR.ORG]
Fun Facts about Miss Kidjo:
Kidjo is fluent in Fon, French, Yoruba, and English and sings in all four languages and also her own personal language which includes words that serve as songtitles such as Batonga. Malaika is a song sung in Swahili language. She often utilizes Benin's traditional Zilin vocal technique and jazz vocalese.

More on Miss Kidjo visit these cool links:

Official Site
Official MySpace

Thandie Newton Out & About in London

Actress Thandie Newton recently attended the Suka Restaurant at Sanderson Hotel Reopening Party in London looking fashion forward chic.


[photos by Nick Harvey]
Rocking an pleasing purple eye shadow Thandie Newton pose for pictures at Lavender Trust Party in white snug-fit silk dress.



[photos by H Cunningham ]

Thandie went for a retro flapper look at Sam Taylor Wood's Birthday Party.
[photos by Eamonn McCormack]



Thandie was seen rocking the same pair of leopard print shoes first at a store opening and recently at a b'day bash. Which look is on lock?

[Make your decision in comments and head on over to PLATFORM LAUNCH ACTION] to vote!

Akon at BET's Spring Bling!

Akon was spotted recently at BET's 2007 Spring Bling alongside R&B singer Omarion.
Catch this fun filled event in action on BET April 5-8th.
[See more flicks from this event over at CONCRETELOOP.COM]

Pictured above is Gwen Stefani with the 2007 American Idol finalists. She will perform “The Sweet Escape” with Akon on the results show Wednesday, March 28 on Fox.

Now onto those petty Akon and Wyclef supergroup rumors that's been hitting the blogs and hip-hop scene. Apparently Wyclef is going around telling folks who'll listen that he's creating a group with himself, Akon and a girl. Well SOHH caught up with Akon at Spring Bling to let us all know if this rumor is true or not.
"SOHH ran into Akon down at BET's Spring Bling in West Palm Beach this past weekend and to make a long story short. Wyclef is a liar.

[Akon and Wyclef at the 2007 Grammy's]
"He just be saying shit like that just to be creating a rumor just to exaggerate the hype, 'cause everybody miss the Fugees," Akon told SOHH. "Being that he was one of the key players of putting that group together, he kinda wanna keep that legacy alive, kinda like Elvis or Pac. So I think he just be doing it just to be bullshitting." [SOHH.COM]

Things that make me go hmmm....

Chris Rock has a crush on Sade!?!?

When I came across this tidbit in the current issue of "InStyle" magazine which features Halle Berry on the cover. I couldn't stop laughing. Chris Rock has a crush on Sade!?!?

"Funnyman Chris Rock missed a golden opportunity to impress his all-time crush, Sade, because she found his comedy costume hilarious. The comedian/actor admits he has always thought the sultry singer is "the most beautiful woman in the world,” but he was anything but a “Smooth Operator,” when he got a chance to meet her. Rock recalls, "I was on “Saturday Night Live,” and she was the musical guest. I was dying to meet this woman. "Somehow, some way, somebody wrote some League Of Justice sketch, where I had to play (BATMAN sidekick) ROBIN. "Now, I'm really skinny and I got on the tights and the Robin stuff, and I'm watching Sade do her sound check and she looks out and sees me and then starts giggling. She just giggles uncontrollably." [SPOTTED AT PANACHEREPORT.COM via CONTACTMUSIC.COM]

Liya Kebede for GAP

*click to enlarge*
Ethopian supermodel Liya Kebede can seen in the new GAP AD wearing a 'cropped peacoat' with a matching 'boyfriend trouser' for GAP's "Khakis with Attitude" AD campaign.
[pic credit: THEFASHIONSPOT.COM]

Visit GAPINC.COM for more celebrity modelling for GAP!

Thandie Newton on kissing Tom Cruise

Actress Thandie Newton mastered on-screen kissing after her “Mission: Impossible 2,” co-star Tom Cruise took her aside for a tutorial in celluloid puckering up. The British beauty admits her smooching was "overenthusiastic", and love-scene veteran Cruise was forced to take Newton to a nearby monitor to play back the sequence. Speaking on UK TV show “Friday Night With Jonathan Ross,” two days ago, she said, "We did this scene where we had to kiss passionately at the end, and he stopped and said, 'Oh God, that was terrible. Come here and look.' "And it was because I was so overenthusiastic. "So it became very clinical by the end and there was a huge skill (involved).” [source]

Candids: Ovie Mughelli

Earlier on FG2BH I introduced you all to Nigerian-American NFLer Ovie Mughelli, now you can enjoy some recent snapshots of him out and about.

Ovie striking a pose from a photoshoot.

Ovie with MTV News reporter Sway at the Bombay Sapphire Lounge.

Ovie hanging out during the NBA All-Star Weekend.


You can learn more about Ovie Mughelli by visiting his official website, www.oviemughelli34.com.

[thanks to Ovie's publicist for the photos!]

Iman at Saks Fifth Ave

Somali-American supermodel Iman hosted a celebration for the Rachel Roy Collection at Saks Fifth Avenue yesterday.

[Iman with Dame Dash and his wife Rachel Roy]

[Iman with models wearing the items from the Rachel Roy Spring 2007 collection.]

[Iman with Rachel Roy]

[photos by Shawn Ehlers]
[Visit Platform Launch Action for more Iman!]
Quick Facts about Iman:
Iman has become a citizen of the United States and is currently CEO of Iman Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances, a line she launched to market a selection of products for women of color.

She married British rock star and actor David Bowie in 1992. They have one daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, born August 15, 2000. She is also the stepmother to Bowie's son, Duncan Jones. She and her family reside primarily in New York and London.
[source]

Akon in the Bahamas

Akon mosh-pit with his fans down in the Bahamas for the second day of Z100 Party Plane musical event. Akon earlier on got his shopping game on with R&B singers Paula DeAnda and JoJo.
[Akon with JoJo]

[Akon with Paula and JoJo]

{Seee footage of Akon on the video set of "We Taking Over" at Straight Outta NYC}

[See more pictures of JoJo and Akon over at Platform Launch Action]

Throwback picture: Lemar

[UK R&B singer Lemar with US R&B/pop singer Mariah Carey at the 2005 MOBO Awards.]



Lemar with fellow R&B UK singer Jamelia at the 2005 Brit Awards. [Word has it that Lemar and Jamelia are the UK R&B answer to Usher and Beyonce.]


Speaking of Jamelia, she performed live The Astoria in London which you can see over at Platform Launch Action.

New Music from Samantha Mumba

According to Toya's World, Miss Mumba is making a comeback to the R&B/pop world. Earlier I posted up some fly pictures of Miss Mumba celebrating her Irish heritage in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day...so folks brace yourself for some new music from the R&B singer that got U.S rapper The Game crushing all on her. "Samantha Mumba is prepping herself for the release of her upcoming new album and I have a couple of snippets from the new album which you can either listen to or download [HERE]. The songs are Rear View, Personalities and Angel. Personalities is going to be the lead single." [spotted at Toya's World]

Out & About: Wale Ogunleye at Soul Kitchen at The Forge

Wale Ogunleye was spotted out and about at Soul Kitchen at The Forge in Miami Beach alongside Sanaa Lathan and Dwayne Wade. [photos by Seth Browarnik]

So is Wale the new man is Sanaa's life?!? If so Sanaa, 35, sure got herself a good catch. Wale, 29, was recently named Ebony magazine's top bachelors of the year.
ADEWALE ('WALE) OGUNLEYE 29, MIAMI
"A Pro Bowl defensive end entering his fifth season with the Miami Dolphins, Ogunleye enjoys reading, the cinema and spending time at the beach. His ideal woman is God-fearing, goal-oriented, educated, has common sense and values family. The perfect date for this "simple guy" includes dinner and great conversation, topped off with dessert at the beach." [Ebony, June 2004]

[view more pictures of Sanaa and Wale down in St. Thomas over at Platform Launch Action]

About Alek Wek

- Alek originates from the Dinka tribe of southern Sudan and has eight siblings. She went to school in England after her family fled there seeking political asylum when she was 14 years old. She went on to study fashion technology in London. She was discovered whilst attending a fete by Fiona Ellis, a scout from Models One. Alek was featured in the 1999 Pirelli calendar. She has received the 'Venus de la Mode' award.

- Alek has done a variety of work for charitable causes including World Vision (for which she is the spokesperson), the U.S. Committee for Refugees, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign, New York City Special Olympics, Sudanese relief through UNICEF, London Refugee Week, Roots (in Brooklyn) and DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS).

- Alek made her debut in cinema with a supporting role in director Shekhar Kapur's ('Elisabeth') FOUR FEATHERS. Alek was featured in Tina Turner's Golden Eye music video.[source]

Folake Akinola-Pinard in "Essence"

"This dress is perfect—it helps hide the extra tummy I got from my 7-month-old bundle of joy."

FOLAKE AKINOLA-PINARD, 35

My Occupation: Mentor–teacher

A Day in My Life: “After I get up, I try on two or three outfits—I’m still getting used to my new mommy body—wake up my son, get him ready, take him to the sitter, then head off to work. In my position, I spend a lot of time in the classroom observing elementary school teachers and students. I pick up my son after work. We get home, play, eat. Later my husband and I watch our favorite shows, then fall asleep around 11:00 p.m.”

My Style Philosophy: “I’m boho chic meets Oprah! Classic with a pinch of panache.”

My Fashion Staples: Vintage dresses and strappy sandals
WHAT FOLAKE AKINOLA-PINARD IS WEARING IN THE PICTURE ABOVE:
Plenty by Tracy Reese dress.
Tracy Matthews hoops.
Suzi Roher belt.
Alex Woo gold bangles.
JewelMak silver bangles.
Roberto Coin rose and yellow gold bangles.
[SOURCE]

Alek Wek in "Essence"

"I wear what fits my body well and feels comfortable, so I can carry on with whatever I’m doing, without restriction."

ALEK WEK, 30

My Occupation: Model, designer and creator of Wek1933

A Day in My Life: “I wake up at 6:30 or 7:00, do some stretches, grab a tea at the coffee shop, then I’ll focus and coordinate meetings for my humanitarian work. Throughout the day I check E-mails and phone Europe to follow up on my bag production, delivery and marketing.”

My Style Philosophy: “Style is what you make of it.”

My Fashion Staples: Any of my Wek1933 bags, Hermés Scarves
WHAT ALEK WEK IS WEARING IN THE PICTURE:
Diane von Furstenberg khaki dress.
Louis Vuitton hoops.
Objects Organique Collection by K. Brunini cuff.
Wek1933 bag.
Stuart Weitzman stilettos.
[source: ESSENCE.COM]

Thandie: Fashion Faceoff

Thandie Newton (black dress) at Suka Restaurant @ Sanderson Hotel Reopening party 3/15...or Thandie Newton (white dress) @ Lavender Trust party 3/14. [spotted at BOSSIP.COM]

Samantha Mumba celebrates St. Patrick's Day!

UK R&B singer Samantha Mumba celebrated her heritage in Belfast, Northern Ireland's City Centre for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations on March 17. [photos by Joe Fox]



Enoy this video throwback "Baby Come On Over."

Samantha is half Irish and half Zambian and she's also One of Ireland's most successful singers, with hits like "Gotta Tell You", "Body II Body", and "Always Come Back to Your Love".