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ALL AFRICA FESTIVAL (AAF) SET TO DEBUT IN ABU DHABI, UAE

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ALL AFRICA FESTIVAL (AAF) SET TO DEBUT IN ABU DHABI, UAE

ALL AFRICA FESTIVAL (AAF) SET TO DEBUT IN ABU DHABI, UAE

SUPERSTARS OMAH LAY, STONEBWOY, DIAMOND PLATNUMZ, YEMI ALADE, TEKNO AND SKALES SET TO PERFORM

 

 

 

The award-winning All Africa Festival (AAF), the UAE’s largest celebration of Africa’s rich and diverse cultures in all their vibrant expressions and representations, is set to make a return for its 3rd edition, debuting in the nation’s capital, Abu Dhabi.

 

 

 

 

 

The festival will take place from 02 – 04 February 2024, and will see the UAE Africa Connect (UAEAC) platform operate as the festival’s strategic partner.

 

 

 

UAEAC is a platform that celebrates the harmonic and solid partnership between the UAE and Sub-Saharan Africa.
A-List artists slated to perform at the event include Omah Lay, Diamond Platnumz, Yemi Alade, Eddy Kenzo, Tekno, Skales, Kofi Olomide and Nora Fatehi amongst many other African stars.

 

 

 

 

The stage will be set on the grounds of Etihad Park; located in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s landmark family entertainment destination, Yas Island.

 

 

 

 

 

This fun packed event will bring together residents and visitors alike for a 3-day long entertainment and culturally immersive extravaganza that includes performances from globally renowned music icons, as well as locally based talents and DJs, with representation from all regions of the African continent.

 

 

 

 

 

Festival goers are invited to also come out and enjoy diverse offerings of pan-African cuisine, catch a glimpse of unique displays of live art and creative installations, immerse themselves in fashion exhibits from UAE based designers; all of which come together to present a mosaic of uniquely curated experiences that pay homage to the spirit of Africa and its people residing in different corners of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring back the All Africa Festival, with Yas Island in Abu Dhabi providing the perfect backdrop to take this event to new heights in driving our mandate to showcase and celebrate Africa’s vibrant entertainment, food and cultural experiences to residents and visitors to the UAE and the GCC region at large,” said Nina Olatoke, CEO and Co-Founder of the All Africa Festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“From humble beginnings in Dubai’s Creek Park in 2018, to two consecutive years hosting the Festival at the foot of Burj Khalifa in Burj Park, our history spans more than five years of curating and successfully producing a festival that welcomes all nationalities to come and experience the heartbeat of Africa through sound and displays of art, fashion and cuisine,” said Nina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The decision to move the All Africa Festival to Abu Dhabi, comes inspired by the nation’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and culturally diverse society, as well as having witnessed the growth in numbers of African expats living and working in the UAE. The UAE is increasingly becoming widely viewed by the African community as a land of opportunity and a global destination of distinction for occupational, entrepreneurship and creative opportunities for expats.

 

 

 

 

 

“As we bring to life the electric, vibrant energy for which Africa is known through music performances, fashion and art installations across the three days, we are truly honoured to be working closely with UAE Africa Connect, our strategic partner, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, as well as Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, in bringing this event to life,” Nina adds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The African renaissance is alive and growing across the world, with African music genres Amapiano and Afrobeats for example, becoming platforms for which to connect the world with the indomitable buzz of African creativity and intercultural exchange through song and dance. The All Africa Festival seeks to therefore build on previous successes, attracting residents and tourists to what has become an annual event that celebrates not only the diversity of African culture, but also the equally culturally diverse landscape for which the UAE is known.

 

 

ALL AFRICA FESTIVAL (AAF) SET TO DEBUT IN ABU DHABI, UAE

 

 

 

Tickets to the All Africa Festival on Yas Island are now available for sale on Platinumlist and Ticketmaster.
Ticketmaster: https://rb.gy/jzzj6
Platinumlist: https://rb.gy/oejdh

 

 

 

 

Potential vendors and performers keen to participate in this edition of AAF are invited to register their interest by emailing info@allafricafestival.

 

 

 

 

To learn more about the All Africa Festival or catch key event updates, visit www.allafricafestival.com

 

 

Notes to the Editors

ALL AFRICA FESTIVAL
The All Africa Festival (AFF) is brought to you by the All African Food & Culture Fest, a Dubai DED registered company Lic. No. 955399. Having started in 2018, AFF was conceived with the desire to showcase the vibrant energy, beauty, culture, and diversity of Africa in all HER expressions to residents and expat of UAE and the region.
The Founding members and organisers of AFF lead non-profit initiatives which support Africans in the UAE, in collaboration with African Missions, businesses and communities; doing so by running workshops, seminars and events that help foster collaboration between the African business community and residents and expats living and working in UAE.

YAS ISLAND
Yas Island is an island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It occupies a total land area of 25 km². It is a leisure island and one of the largest tourism projects in Abu Dhabi.

Social Media Handles

IG: All Africa Festival, UAEAfricaConnect, RivExcel

FB: All Africa Festival, UAE Africa Connect, RivExcel

TW: @allafrica_fest, @UAE_Africa, @RivExcel

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Ayra Starr’s Mother Sparks Buzz with Confession About Her Mystery Crush

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Ayra Starr’s Mother Sparks Buzz with Confession About Her Mystery Crush

Ayra Starr’s Mother Sparks Buzz with Confession About Her Mystery Crush

 

The mother of Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Ayra Starr has sent social media into a frenzy with a playful revelation about having a crush on someone who, humorously, calls her “mummy.” In a video that quickly went viral, she expressed her excitement about the possibility of meeting her crush at Ayra Starr’s upcoming show on Christmas Day.

Ayra Starr’s Mother Sparks Buzz with Confession About Her Mystery Crush

Captioning the video, Ayra Starr’s mother wrote: “Wahala, my crush is calling me mummy. Anyways, we will meet at Ayra’s show on the 25th.” Her candid and lighthearted confession immediately captivated fans, sparking a wave of speculation about the identity of her mystery crush.

Many have taken to social media to guess the individual who has captured Ayra Starr’s mother’s affections. A popular theory among fans is that the crush might be none other than Don Jazzy, the renowned Nigerian music mogul and the boss of Ayra Starr’s record label, Mavin Records. However, Ayra’s mother kept the identity of her crush under wraps, leaving fans to wonder and eagerly anticipate any clues that might surface.

As the excitement for Ayra Starr’s Christmas Day show builds, fans are eagerly awaiting the event, with many now watching closely to see if Ayra’s mother’s cheeky prediction about meeting her crush will indeed come true.

Stay tuned for updates and watch the video below as the mystery continues to unfold!

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Tiwa Savage Reveals Divorce Struggles: “It Made Me Depressed and Turned Me Into the ‘African Bad Girl'”

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Tiwa Savage Reveals Divorce Struggles: "It Made Me Depressed and Turned Me Into the 'African Bad Girl'"

Tiwa Savage Reveals Divorce Struggles: “It Made Me Depressed and Turned Me Into the ‘African Bad Girl'”

 

Nigerian music sensation Tiwa Savage has opened up about her turbulent divorce from Tunji “TeeBillz” Balogun, sharing deeply personal insights about the emotional toll it took on her life and career.

Tiwa Savage Reveals Divorce Struggles: "It Made Me Depressed and Turned Me Into the 'African Bad Girl'"

Speaking candidly on The Receipts Podcast, the 44-year-old Afrobeat star reflected on the heartbreak of her 2018 separation, which she revealed was exacerbated by her struggles with postpartum depression and public backlash.

“I Was Nigeria’s Sweetheart”
Tiwa described how her rise to fame was met with widespread admiration, as she followed what she called the “perfect path” of societal expectations.

“When I started, I was Nigeria’s sweetheart. I could do no wrong. I went to university, got married, had a baby — everything by the book. But then everything came crashing down, and I became the target of criticism,” she said.

The separation, which TeeBillz announced online, marked a turning point in Tiwa’s life. Despite not initiating the breakup, she recalled being vilified in the media and by the public.

“I Was Told I’d Never Win”

Tiwa revealed how the overwhelming criticism pushed her into a dark place. “At the time, my baby was just a few months old, and I was already dealing with postpartum depression. My body wasn’t the same, and I was depressed. But instead of support, people attacked me,” she shared.

After attempting to tell her side of the story in a public interview, she faced even more backlash.

“People said, ‘How dare you go and talk? You’re a woman, and you’re supposed to hold the home together.’ Famous people called to tell me I’d never win, and it was my fault because I was a woman. It was heartbreaking,” Tiwa recounted.

 

Reinvention as the “African Bad Girl”
The constant criticism and emotional pain led Tiwa to transform her image and embrace a bolder persona.

“It made me depressed for so long, but it also made me angry. I thought to myself, ‘If I did everything right and still got attacked, why should I bother?’ That’s when I became the ‘African Bad Girl,’” she said.

Tiwa explained how she began to rebel against societal norms, opting for tattoos, shorter skirts, and bikinis. “I was just wild. It was my way of coping and reclaiming control of my life after being judged for so long,” she added.

Despite the challenges, Tiwa’s resilience and reinvention have made her an enduring icon in the global music scene, solidifying her place as a trailblazer in African entertainment.

The revelations highlight not only the personal cost of fame but also the cultural pressures that women in the spotlight often endure. Through it all, Tiwa continues to inspire, proving that reinvention is a powerful tool for survival and success.

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Aliu Gafar delivers stellar performance as Esusu in Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doors

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*Aliu Gafar delivers stellar performance as Esusu in Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doors*

By Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

 

The much-anticipated movie series Seven Doors by Femi Adebayo has finally premiered, currently showing on Netflix, captivating audiences with its intricate storytelling and compelling characters.

The movie begins with a haunting scene of seven women under a mysterious spell leaping to their deaths from a waterfall, setting the tone for a gripping tale that unravels in Ilara Kingdom.

The series explores various societal issues, including corruption, greed, gluttony, family values, malicious conspiracies, and the delicate balance of law and order.

Central to its plot is the calamitous fate of Oba Adedunjoye, the Onilara of Ilara, whose failure to perform traditional rites—symbolised by knocking on seven doors—unleashes devastating consequences on his kingdom.

At the heart of this chaos is Esusu, a malevolent and exiled villain whose return wreaks havoc.

Esusu, a ni ohun t’Eledumare o ni.
Eledumare o ni ika, ika ni Esusu

The character of Esusu, pivotal to the story’s depth, is masterfully brought to life by Aliu Gafar.

Gafar’s first appearance, late in Episode 2, immediately shifts the narrative, introducing a chilling force that spares no one, not even the royal family. His commanding portrayal encapsulates the essence of Esusu, a man whose wickedness defies comprehension.

The backstory reveals Esusu’s sinister pact with Ọba Adejuwọn, an ancestor of Adedunjoye.

Desperation led Adejuwon to seek Esusu’s help to evade death—a move that came at an unthinkable cost, forgetting that bi alọ ba lọ, abọ nbọ (a pendulum that swings to is still coming to swing fro).

Esusu’s return demanded not only royal treatment but the freedom to live as he pleased, challenging the very fabric of the kingdom.

Gafar embodies this complex character with remarkable precision, delivering a performance that is both chilling and unforgettable.

With almost two decades in Nollywood, Aliu Gafar has solidified his reputation as a versatile and dedicated actor.

His extensive filmography includes acclaimed productions such as Jagun Jagun, Anikulapo, Iyalode, Eefin, and Omo Ajele.

His role in Seven Doors further cements his legacy as a master of his craft, showcasing his ability to seamlessly portray multifaceted characters.

The Yoruba actor has also garnered accolades for his work, including the Best Actor award at the Dallas International Yoruba Movies Awards for his role in Peregun.

His commitment to the industry and his talent for captivating performances continue to make him a force to be reckoned with in Nollywood.

In Seven Doors, Gafar’s nuanced performance as Esusu elevates the series, demonstrating his ability to command attention and bring depth to a complex narrative.

His contribution to the Nigerian film industry remains invaluable, and his portrayal of Esusu is a testament to his enduring excellence.

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