Lizha James is a singer from Mozambique and is considered one the biggest musicians in Lusophone Africa (Portuguese speaking). Her music mixes Marrabenta, Reggae, R&B, and Hip-Hop. Her lyrics speak to African pride as well as bringing awareness to domestic violence and women’s issues. I love her style and sense of humor. Enjoy!
This is her latest single. I love the music vibe and the 80s block colors.
In the song below, Nyandayeyo means “help.” The character in the story has a husband who does not work and always asks for money from her as well as disrespect her.
I love the rhythm in this one. It also looks like a fun party.
Quadron is an “electronic soul” duo from Denmark consisting of singer Coco Maja Hastrup Karshøj and musician/producer Robin Hannibal. Their music blends indie pop, electronica, new soul, jazz, and rap. Their 2nd album, Avalanche, is coming out June 4th and I am already in love with the released singles for it. I love her voice and their melodies.
Their upcoming album will also feature influences from the one and only King of Pop. They just released a new single from their album called “Neverland,” a beautiful tribute to Michael Jackson. I’m also a big MJ scholar and definitely appreciate tributes that tell his story and/or respect his legacy instead of just trying to duplicate his brilliance. I also recommend listening to “It’s Gonna Get You.” Enjoy.
Ahmed Soultan is a Moroccan singer whose musical style is considered the “Afrobian soul for Afro-Arabian.” He sings in multiple languages while blending traditional Moroccan and African music with R&B and soul. In 2011 he contributed to the Radiowaves Project by singing with other African musicians on “People Power” to fight against climate change in Africa and the world. I love how his music and his lyrics show that all of Africa is connected and that all Africans should support each other. Enjoy.
Selah Sue is a musician and songwriter from Belgium. I love how she blends her unique and passionate voice with a neat mixture of reggae, R&B, and soul. Her self-titled debut album came out in 2011 and was an instant success. Along with the great music vibe, her lyrics are incredible. She really has a gift with words and you can tell she took her time to share a story. Here is one of the singles from her album and an interview for you to get to know her better. Enjoy.
After all the meetings, parties, and plenty of people, sometimes we want to escape to somewhere quiet and eclectic to unwind with our new spouse. I think I found just the place for you. The Villa Monticello, located in Accra, Ghana, is a luxury boutique hotel with unique trimmings and beautiful accommodations.
Do not let the minimalistic facade fool you. I think this is how they maintain their relaxing sanctuary from the bustling urban streets of Accra. The most fabulous part about this exclusive retreat is its 14 individually custom-decorated luxury suites – each designed with a unique theme to feel like a very fancy home. Here are my favorites:
The Last Emperor Suite fuses historical and contemporary oriental design. The combination of red, black, and white is so elegant and powerful.
The Out of Africa Suite is designed to portray the colonial life of the last decades of the British Empire. It is decorated with beautiful images of the Kenyan savanna.
The Coco Chanel Suite is inspired by the creations of 20th century fashion designer Coco Chanel. Featuring contemporary French furniture and signature colors, I think this room is all the rage for simple elegance.
The Ghana Gold Coast Suite portrays a celebration of Ghana’s history and promising future through its blend of contemporary design and earth tones. Usually these colors tend to darken a room, but I love how they were able to use the color scheme and still brighten the room.
Their lovely dining area features an exclusive dining room and an intimate cocktail lounge. I love their modern twist to Afrocentric furniture and interior design.
Of course, to indulge in our favorite past times, we must lounge around this lovely pool.
Music Spotlight:
Since we are visiting Ghana in this post, it is only appropriate to feature the famous musical genre & dance that has taken Ghana and pretty much the world by storm. ”Azonto” is a Ghanaian dance and music genre that involves hand and knee movements to mimic everyday activities or signal an amusing intention. The style went viral in early 2011 and instantly gained global appeal. I am explaining all of this to you because the origin and creation of this style has been confused. Due to its massive appeal, many other African countries have adapted the style and produced music for it. Regardless of where you might have heard it first or who claimed they learned it from, I am here to set the record straight. Azonto is from the one and only Gold Coast – Ghana.
I decided to share this video because I think it nicely portrays the universal appeal of Azonto and how all Africans enjoy it. The medley includes songs by Sonni Balli (Ghana), D-Black (Ghana), Sarkodie(Ghana), Gasmilla (Ghana), Yaw Siki (Ghana), Iyanya (Nigeria), and T.O. & Stunnakid(Ghana/Germany). If you are planning to host or attend any sort of party, you should definitely include some of this music in the mix and learn these dance moves. Enjoy.
To experience culture and history on an enchanting vacation, Morocco is at the top of my list. From the photos and clips, I think the Amanjena Resort is the best place to experience all of it.
Located just outside Marrakech, Morocco, the Amanjena offers 32 private pavilions to indulge in relaxation, elegance, and romance. Aren’t their rooms gorgeous? I’m pretty sure any guest here feels like royalty.
Their restaurant specializes in authentic Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine. From breakfast in their Thai Restaurant, to lunch on the Pool Terrace, to an intimate private dinner in the Caidal Tent, there are so many romantic eating opportunities to entice anyone’s taste buds.
Of course, no one can have an enchanted vacation without lounging near or swimming in a 33-metre reflective pool.
My favorite part of this resort is their two-story library. It has a fireplace, high ceiling, and cozy, elegant furniture. Their library features books, magazines, newspapers, and board games. Between exploring the Sahara Desert and learning how to cook Moroccan food, I would probably spend the majority of my indoor time here snuggling with a good book or playing Mancala.
Music Spotlight:
Ahmed Soultan is a singer from Morocco. His signature style fuses Berber (a traditional Moroccan style of music) with soul music, which is why he is called the “Afrobian Soul for Afro-Arabian music.” I sampled some his other work and really like how he continues to advocate for a connection between all African countries. Regardless of region or religion, we should accept each other as just African brothers and sisters. I also like how the video showcases some parts of Morocco you might not see as a tourist. Enjoy!
Dagny Zenovia 