Here's To A Great 2009!

To my faithful FG2BH readers, bloggers, and lurkers, here's to a great 2009!

Best dressed females in 2008 - Thandie Newton, Lola Ogunnaike, Iman, and Estelle.

Best dressed male in 2008 - Idris Elba

Best dressed couples in 2008 - Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, Djimon Hounsou and Kimora Lee Simmons

Best editorials in 2008 - Nnenna's Jil Sander Fashion mag shoot, Alek Wek & Liya Kebede for ARISE, Iman for Italia Vogue, Oluchi & Ugo's Vogue Moment.

Fashion designer of 2008 - Project Runway finalist Korto Momolu

Best TV Moment - 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards

Actress of the Year - Sophie Okonedo (Oscar nominee)

Actor of The Year - Chiwetel Ejifor (two-time Golden Globes nominee + OBE receipent)

Model of The Year - Oluchi Onweagaba-Orlandi

Political figure - President-Elect Barack Obama (January 20th is Inauguration Day!)

Writer of the Year - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Her Latest Short Story)

Male Eye Candy - Ngo Okafor

Athlete of The Year - Osi Umenyiora (NY Giants Defensive End)

Song of the Year - "If She Knew" by Lemar

Comeback of the Year - Seal's "Soul" album

Ones to Watch in 2009: Lady Gold, Dr. Ben Igwe's "Against The Odds, and Chasity Nwagabara. (Read the full blog post over at FG2BH WORDPRESS)
Photos: AP, Getty, Wireimage, Linda Ikeji Blog

Carmen Ejogo at "007" London Premiere + Updates on Akon & Boris

Carmen Ejogo and her husband Jeffrey Wright attended the London premiere of the latest Bond film, "Quantum of Solace" at the Odeon Leiceter Square on Thursday night. Jeffrey also appeared in the 2006 Bond film, "Casino Royale." Check out that Obama pin Jeffrey has on. Celebrity fashion designer Ozwald Boateng was also at the premiere...

"Quantam of Solace" trailer

I'm definitely looking forward to the new Bond film. Do expect to see these two on the red carpet this Fall thanks to Jeffery's role in "Cadillac Records."

photos: AP/GETTY

I just heard Akon's new song with Lil' Wayne and Young Jeezy called "I'm So Paid" on the radio and now there's a video premiere floating on the blogosphere. Akon's upcoming album, "Freedom" will be in stores on December 2nd. Check it out...

Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole Ari Parker were seen at the HollyRod event last night in Atlanta. (Thanks Natasha!) The HollyRod Foundation-sponspered event was hosted by actress Holly Robinson Peete in support of the style trends from designer Kevan Hall. The couple took photos with Essence Atkins (remember her from "Smart Guy"?!)

I see him flaunting his wedding ring--aww!
photos: Exclusive Access

Random Thoughts:
My shoe crush goes to these black pointy-toe shoes from Manolo Blahnik as worn by Ashley Olsen and Thandie Newton. Fashion blog/FG2BH friend Favored Fashion Fix is not helping my situation (copyright T.I.) ...lol!

-sigh!-

October just breezed right through, didn't it? What a month it has been!
Do you guys have any Naija/Ghana films that you think I should see? I had my eyes on "A Piece of My Flesh" and "Tomorrow Must Wait."

Afro/Naija News:

• Nadia Burai and long-time boyfriend Michael Essien set to wed in December. [Linda Ikeji]
  
  
• Traditional Nigerian wedding of Seun and Raji. [Gistmaster]
  
  
• Nas explains why Hip-Hop doesn't come to Africa. [Ariztos]
  
  
• Alek Wek and Sade serves up a smile and a wink for "ID" magazne. [In A Word...Fab]

LOOK OUT FOR LEMAR THIS NOVEMBER

So I was just on Lemar's official site, when I caught his new album release date for "The Reason." Finally some good R&B music! Right underneath the album cover for "The Reason" are two additional promo photos taken from Lemar's official myspace page.

Lemar announces new album!

photo: PLAY.COM

Tracklisting for "The Reason" via DJ G Child's blog:

1 - The Reason
2 - Weight Of The World
3 - Heartbreaker
4 - If She Knew
5 - Trust Me
6 - Over You
7 - Mayday
8 - Wait Forever
9 - Not What You Say
10 - Black Tide

Lemar picked SoulShock and Karlin-produced single "If She Knew" as the lead track off his upcoming fourth solo effort. Take a listen...

Listen to the song here if you can't see the embedded video.

November 24th (Lemar's album release date) cannot come any soon as Love Soul can contest to. Love Soul interview Lemar who talked about "The Reason" recording sessions.

spotted at LoveSoulTV

The official download date for "If She Only Knew" in the UK is on November 7th. Until then re-read my earlier post on Lemar's music right here.


Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole Ari Parker attended the opening of Tyler Perry's historic TV & Film studio in Atlanta, Georgia last night. (FYI: Boris appeared in Tyler's 2006 film, "Madea's Family Reunion.) Don't they just look like they step off a fashion magazine cover??!

photos: GETTY/WIREIMAGE

Updated: I added four more photos of Boris and Nicole from Calvin Evans.

Iman (in a yellow and white ruched Rachel Roy dress) attended New York's Foundation Fundraising Gala. Clearly this woman doesn't have a off day as she looked great as usually. Anyhow Iman posed alongside Mayor Bloomberg, Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower. (No signs of her husband David Bowie, though.)

Photos: WIREIMAGE/NY Post/YBF

On the fashion tip, Iman wore another yellow Rachel Roy design last year at Saks. Which look do you prefer?

My random thoughts:
Watching the African Channel yesterday got my attention fixed on Gabon-based artist Oliver N'Goma. Check out his two addictive reggae-infused singles, "Mueste" and "Bane."

Looooves it! Check out his Best of CD here.
disclaimer: Do I really need to place a disclaimer on Oliver's music?? Do I??!

Afro/Naija News:

• Ten questions with Project Runway's Korto Momolu. [Clutch Online]
  
  
• Do you think Mercy Johnson is Hollywood's sexiest actress? [Four2One]
  
  
• Scouting for Face of Africa 2008 competition hits Angola. [Chi9ja]

NGO & BORIS GOT SWAGGER + SKIN BLEACHING

Boris Kodjoe looked every bit like the fashion designer he has become in a new one-page article featured in the new "Uptown" magazine. All I have to say about the photo is swagger, swagger, swagger!

(Photo credit: Derek Blanks/ Thanks Necole!)

So I paid a visit to my local Barnes & Noble last night, the following romance novel cover got my attention.

By the looks of it, that's male model Ngo Okafor! (Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me but I'm waiting on him to confirm/deny that's him.) Do add him on myspace right here.

Tyra Banks visited a topic that is still revelant in few African countries. When I visited Nigeria a few years ago, I noticed a few of my Nigerian sisters bleaching their natural complexion for a lighter (re: what they consider more desirable) skin. Some of them argue that men wouldn't married them if they weren't lighter. (Do keep in mind these men are also dark but they don't have to bleach. Insert: the side-eye!) So when Tyra decided to use her datyime talk show as a platform to speak about it, I tune in.

I've been asked by many why do we bleach our complexion? Well the same can be said for those who enjoy tanning? You simply can't have it both ways. Skin bleaching is a hip thing to do within the black community and I say that very loosely! This is a HOT topic on Tyra's website. Darker women wants to be lighter and the fair women wants to be tan. What do you think?

UPDATE: Check out the entire episode...

Rants/thoughts:
I wish I found these Halle Berry's DVF gold metallic "Molto" sandals during the Summer time. They would been perfect for the wedding I went to back in August.

-sigh!-

Photo credits: Gossip Girls/FLYNET

Speaking of gold, isn't LaLa's Yves Saint Laurent sequin "Mombasa" bag AND Haute Hippie beaded tunic divine?! *By the way Lauren Conrad also wore this tunic recently.

Beyonce's high-fashion photo session with Tony Duran raised a few eyebrows but would have rock this Jean Paul Gaultier zebra print coat better than Mrs. Carter?

ESSENCE.COM got a great makeover...and I like what they did with the layout. It's easier to read, huh?

disclaimer: All rants/thoughts are in good humor!

Afro/Naija News:

Wycelf Jean & Matt Damon Visit Haiti City. [Ebony Intuition]

Nigerians are fighting over Oil. [Yahoo]

Duro Olowu in the latest's Vogue. [Match Fetch Happen]

Ladybrille chats with Iman. [Ladybrille]

Lauren Conrad and LaLa Vasquez got bitten by YSL accessories. [Urban-Hoopla]

Ramsey Noah opens up about his career. [Bella Naija]

Updated Fashion tidbits from Johannesburg. [Boutique Mix Fashion]

Trya Banks and Sessilee Lopez honors "Mahogany"! [Mrs. Grapevine]

Style Showdown: Rihanna vs Thandie. [Genuine-Imitation]