AYO AT CHANEL HAUTE COUTURE PARIS SHOW

Ayo was invited to check out Chanel's Summer/Spring 2009 Haute Couture show in Paris. (Ayo was there last year too.)

What a lucky girl is she! Can we all take a moment to look at that python clutch Ayo has!!? Ayo got to sit front row with Chanel's current AD camapaign model Claudia Schiffer.

Photos: WIREIMAGE/AP

Ayo's best known for wearing silk colorful head wraps but at this aforementioned recent fashion event she did not wear one. Let's take a moment to reflect on Ayo's style...

Great stuff!
Photo credits: MYSPACE/PIERRE-JEAN.NET/WIREIMAGE

Estelle pose with her Homeschool Records boss John Legend for the August 2008 edition of "Q" magazine. She just posted up the spread on her official myspace page:

When John was asked about what's special about Estelle, he responded with, "She just sounded fresh. The kind of music that I, as a fan, was wanting to hear." Estelle agreed with, "John was the first person who stuck to his word when he said, 'I'll sign you.' I liked what John was about. With some people it's like, 'Oh, this is the most draining experience of my life!' And it's never like that [with him].

Estelle even too time to clear up the drama over her comments on Duffy and Adele in the interview. "Argh! They lost their minds with that one. Someone asked me whether I thought Adele and Duffy was soul music and I said, "The songs aren't particularly soul to me." I don't have any personal beef with any of the artists. Adele even called me back and said, "It's nothing...I love your songs."

Photography: Matthias Clamer for "Q" magazine

Iman was spotted solo in Soho. (Thanks YBF!) Ever since talk of July 2008 Vogue Italia's All Black issue quickly shook the blogosphere, Iman has been vocal about the situation. Senegalese models were seen on the runway during Paris Haute Couture week.

Speaking of Iman, her country Somalia's 48th independence celebration is today. Somalia declared its independence back in 1960. Check out this YouTube clip taken from the 16th Anniversary of Somaliland Independence Day in the UK:

Afro/Naija News:

• Python's back in style! [Mrs. Grapevine]
  
• OOh and Aaah over Jada Pinkett Smith's designer footwear! [In A Word...Fab]
  
• Check out Ayo's iLIKE profile. [iLIKE]
  
• Estelle and her Chanel chain bag shops at Selfridges! [Bauer Griffin Online]
  
• Check out the latest African Fashion News. [Ladybrille]
  
• Watch 9ice at Mandela's 46664 concert. [Bella Naija]
  
• Ajuma Nasenyana covers Cosmo Kenya! [Make Fetch Happen]

BUZZ ON LIYA KEBEDE, IDRIS ELBA, AND AYO

Liya Kebede was seen filming a promotional AD campaign spot for Estee Lauder in Piccadilly Circus in London.

Photo credit: WENN

Check out her other AD campaigns for Estee Lauder below...

"Ebony" magazine highlighted German-Naija songwriter Ayo in their annual Black Music Month issue. Ayo sat down with the urban publication to discuss her favorite songs that she has listed on her IPOD.

Episode 15: Life Is Real…And So Is Her Music.
Check out the turntable as we chat with the German born, singer/ songwriter, Ayo Ogunmakin. With her latest CD, “Joyful”, already seeing double-platinum success in France, Ayo is bringing a unique blend of soul to the United States. Listen in as we talk about her music and the inspiration she draws from her life journey.

Recommend Songs:
Down On My Knees
Life Is Real
Help Is Coming
Letter By Letter
Without You
And It’s Suppose To Be Love (I love this song!)

Visit here for Ayo's PODLIST.

Photos: Terrence Jennings for EBONYJET.COM

Idris Elba can be seen next in the Jada Pinkett Smith film project, "The Human Contract".

Photo credit: BLACKFILM.COM

The film centers on Julian Wright (Clarke), a charming and mega-successful businessman who hides a secret from the rest of the world which tears his soul apart every day. With his personal life in shambles, Julian will find himself willing to travel down the rabbit hole, as it were, when he meets Michael Reed (Vega), a gorgeous stranger who entices Julian to forget his rigid corporate world and try a more bohemian lifestyle, a decision that will not only affect his own life but those of his boss and co-workers, as well as inspire his half-sister Rita (Pinkett Smith) to re-examine her life with her abusive husband.

Will you go see this film? Be sure to visit BLACKFILM.COM for additional information.

Rants/Thoughts:
1. Anyone else secretly hoping for a successful Naija romance novel??!? (I see you, Abiola Abrams and your book, Dare!) Oh the possiblities!
2. How do Naija folks manage to squeeze in five parties in one night considering OUR parties never start on time?? You already know that not attending a party you were personally invited immediately means you have conflict with that person. Can someone tell me the secret formula behind that success, pretty please???

DISCLAIMER: all rants/thoughts are in good humor!

Afro/Naija news:

• Check out these notable Black Women on TV back in the 1980's! [Make Fetch Happen]
  
• Get To Know 3x World Cup winner Mary Onyali! [LadyBrille]
  
• BET raises awareness to the lack of Black Models in the fashion industry tonight with the BET News Special: Fashion Blackout. [Concrete Loop]
  
• Seal treats his wife like golden at LAX. [Gossip Girls]

AYO IN GIANT MAGAZINE

-click on thumbnail to see in full-

27-year-old German folk singer Ayo has a one-page article in the February/March edition of "Giant" magazine.

In the interview, Ayo describe her upbringing and talked about the joy her son Nile gives her.

Ayo on using music to cope with the pain of being raised by a heron-addicted mother: "Some people go to therapy, but when I opened up and talked about it in my music...it saved me."

Ayo on her son, Nile: "My son gave me more confidence in myself. He made complete. He made a real woman."

The singer wore a Claw Money hoodie over a Kloset dress and American Apparel leggings. On her feet are a pair of Kork-Ease platforms and gold toe socks. Her son Nile rock a tee-shirt from Richard Kidd.

Quick hoopla on Ayo:
-Ayo is Yoruba for "joy".
-Her full name is Joy Olasunmibo Ogunmakin
-Her Nigerian father nicknamed her "Ayo".
-Ayo happens to be the one of the first artists to be featured on Feels Good 2 B Home. (And we're glad Ayo's getting attention from "Giant" magazine!)
-myspace.com/ayo
-ayomusic.com
-Check out Ayo's new singles "Life Is Real" and "Help is Coming" which is off her current album, "Joyful":

"Life Is Real"

Ayo filmed "Life is Real" in Nigeria. Fumi Keti and local children joined Ayo on the set.

"Help is Coming"

For the "Help is Coming" video treatment, Ayo filmed in South Africa.

Photo/scan: Feels Good 2 B Home/Ruvan/Ayo's Official Myspace PageGiant mag

BEST OF AFRO-NAIJA SONGS

In the spirit of Black Music Month, here are JUST some of the very best Afro-Naija songs:

Sade's No Ordinary Love

Three decades strong, Sade the group and the lead vocalists is the soundtrack of romantic songs. UK pop/urban/R&B singer Sade is of Naija descent. She's Yoruba.

2Face Idibia-African Queen

Arguably one of the few talented West-African vocalists to break into mainstream urban sound, 2Face is of Naija descent. He's Igbo.

Akon-Don't Matter

The hitmaker himself may have been set back from his own action but his music speaks for himself. Akon is of Senegalese descent. He was born in American of Senegelese parents.

Styl Plus-Olufunmi

West African urban power group has become known for their now signature cut, "Olufunimi." Styl Plus is Afro-urban grop from Naija.

Ayo-Down on My Knees

Perhaps our generation's answer to Sade, Ayo's vocal range and her guitar proves she can sustain a long career in the music industry. Ayo is of Naija descent. Ayo's Igbo.

Seal-Crazy

The Grammy's , the GOlden Globes, the supermodel wife, and poster children, Sade is a mmulti-talented man indeed. UK R&B singer Seal is of British, Brazilian, and Naija descent. Seal's Yoruba.

Chamillionaire-Ridin

Looks may not be his strong point but Chamillionaire is giving some hope to future Naija MCs to come up after him. Chamillionaire is of Naija descent. Word is Chamillionaire is Yoruba. Ridin won Chamillionaire his first Grammy.

Block Party-I Still Remember

Naijas are everywherre musically. Block Party is a prime example of such. Lead singer Kele Okereke is of Naija descent. Kele's Igbo.

Lemar-Time To Grow

Uk R&B singer Lemar is of Naija descent. His parents are of Nigerian descent. His name is Lemar Obika. Lemar's Igbo.

Samantha Mumba-"Gotta Tell You"

Irish pop singer Samantha is of Zambian descent. Samantha's half Irish and Zambian.

P-Square-Temptation 2 Watch

P-Square is of Naija descent. They're two Igbo brothers.

Even Nollywood's biggest star Genevieve Nnaji got bitten by the singing bug. "No More":

Genevieve Nnaji is of Naija descent. She's Igbo.
See a song that didn't make the list? Drop a comment or two.

[feels good 2 b home]