The Game gives Mzansi a taste of the MAMA's

We are only about 10 days away from the first ever MTV African Music Awards with Zain (MAMA's) scheduled to take place in Abuja, in Nigeria on the 22nd of November 2008. On the road to the MAMA's, MTV is staging a spectacular concert featuring some of the biggest artists that will also be giving their all at the MAMA's next weekend. Taking place this coming Thursday, 13 November 2008, at Standard Bank Arena, from 18:00, it's set to be just a taste of what to expect at the actual awards in Nigeria.

On the bill for Thursday is U.S. rapper The Game; local hip hop masterminds, HHP and Jozi; and Mzansi's rock extraordinaires, Cassette and The Parlotones. These nominees will also perform at the MAMA's, joined by other world superstars including charismatic R&B princess Kelly Rowland, and Paris-based Nigerian soulstar Asa. MTV VJ's Fix and Sizwe will be compeering for the night.

The tickets to Thursday's show, only going for R150, are available now at Computicket outlets, at Shoprite retail shops, and will also be available at the door at the Standard Bank Arena on the night of the show. Don't miss this opportunity for a taste of what to expect at the MTV African Music Awards with Zain on the 22nd of November 2008. Otherwise, you can catch the awards live on MTVbase.

And, don't forget to vote for your favourite band in the Listener's Choice Award category. You can vote at the MAMA's official website at mama.mtvbase.com, where voting is open until the 18th of November 2008. Nigeria is going to be rocking. Expect some sizzling and spectacular entertainment at the first ever annual MTV African Music awards with Zain.

Another filmmaking brilliance shown by the Coen Brothers.

If you have not heard of the Coen Brothers, where have you been hiding? They have directed some of the biggest and greatest films on the big screen. One of their outstanding works is the recent No Country For Old Men, which clinged 4 Oscars last year. Another memorable film I immensely enjoyed that they excelled in was a collage of short stories, adapted into a motion picture, called Paris je T'aime.

This past Tuesday I had a pleasure of experiencing their brilliance in their latest body of work titled Burn After Reading. The hilarious comedy is about 2 gym workers who come across sensitive ex-CIA memoir notes. They try to solicit or rather extort money in return of this information to the rightful owner. The chain of events that follow are presented in such clever, unique and witty humour. Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand plat the 2 gym workers. You see Brad Pitt in a way you have never seen him before. Frances is wonderful too, impressing me more after her awesome performance on Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day a few months ago. George Clooney's character is just as different, switching up his always charming and commanding role for more normal, and rather silly character. Another superhouse, John Malkovich delivers the goods too with his more calculated humour that's relayed in a tongue-in-cheek kind of fashion.

The story and the cast are so engaging, proving a winning formula in the selection of the actors blended with the screenplay. It seems the Coen Brothers rolled in the red capert in an impressive line-up that includes 3 Oscar winners and 2 Oscar nominees. On top of Frances and Clooney as Academy Award winners is the recent victor of the statuette, Tilda Swinton, who equally empresses in her role. I have to mention JK Simmons on the same breath too as he has become one of the most notable and sterling actors of our time.

Burn After Reading is a fantastic piece of work. The Coen Brothers have taken a serious subject and whimsically turned it into a joyous journey for the audience. The ability to draw out and inspire the actors to be so un-inhibited in their characters makes for a great gift too. This is definitely one of the best films to come out this year. Go out and see Brad Pitt, George Clooney and John Malkovich like you've never seen them before. Totally hilarious.

Burn After Reading opens at cnemas on the 09th of January 2009.

James Ingram, Angélique Kidjo, and Ray Phiri & Stimela added on MACfest bill

Music lovers, there is more instore for you! Organisers of the Mpumalanga Arts and Cultural Festival (MACfest) have added United States (US) star vocalist James Ingram, reigning queen of African song Angélique Kidjo and Mpumalanga native Ray Phiri & Stimela to the lineup of musicians that will perform at eMalahleni stadium (former @lantic Stadium) on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November.

Previously announced and forming part of the lineup are US group Spyro Gyra, king of Afropop Oliver Mtukudzi, guitar maestro Jimmy Dludlu, South African songstress Simphiwe Dana, doyen of maskandi music Madala Kunene, Grammy-winning acappella jazz group Take 6 from the US, local singer Lira, male vocalist MXO from Port Elizabeth and vocal-guitar-bass-drum quartet 340ml from Mozambique.

I really wish I could be there. On top of one of my favourites, Take 6, I've always enjoyed James Ingram's music. His timeless music is always inspirational.

Please note that on both days, gates at eMalahleni stadium (former @lantic Stadium) will open 90 minutes before the music begins. There will also be ample secure public parking at the cricket and hockey club, off Lukin Street. Tickets for the festival are available from Computicket and Shoprite-Checkers stores. Tickets cost R150.00 for 1 day / R200.00 for 2 days.

Don't miss out on this intercontinental music explosion.

The Mr. Bones sequel goes to Durban.

I've just returned from watching Mr Bones 2: Back From The Past, the sequel to the 2001 smash Leon Schuster comedy Mr. Bones. It takes a journey through Durban's Indian community like no other production has. Retaining the same style as its predecessor, Back From The Past is filled with the silly humour that many have grown to love from Schuster.

The make believe story follows the King of Kuvukiland, Hekule, who is given a precious gemstone that was stolen by a dying Kunji Balanadin, a chef to the voortrekkers who invaded their land in the 1870's. The white sangoma, who won the hearts of many in Mr. Bones, is the chosen one to rid his King of the spirit of Kunji, thus saving his King from the cursed stone. The Great one has commissioned Bones to return the gem to its home in an Indian fishing village.

It was great to see Mmabatho Montsho playing the Queen. Apart from her great portrayal of the Mother of the Nation, she's glowingly beautiful as usual. Please see our exclusive interview we did with her about 2 years ago, HERE. On the driving seat is still Gray Hofmeyr, who does a good job bringing the slapstick comedic presentations across to the audience. It may not be as funny as the original, but there are a few moments where you really laugh to your hearts content. I felt sad at the end when Schuster dedicated the movie in the memory of the late Bill Flynn. I commend Schuster for the sincere gesture towards his dear friend. I remembered how Mr. Flynn told me of his hopes to create at least one such movie a year when I interviewed him during the promotion of Running Riot. The interview is HERE.

We are scheduled for an interview with Leon Schuster this coming Friday. Please don't miss out on that, it will be published right here and on YEAHBO.DOT.NET.

Mr. Bones 2: Back From The Past opens at cinemas nationwide on the 27th of November 2008. It should be a good feat to accompany your summer holiday activities, especialy for the Schuster fans.

Congratulations to Barack Obama

Words cannot even begin to describe the feeling I had when it was revealed that Barack Obama had been elected the 44th U.S. President and the very first African American president in the history of America. It was the very same feeling of ecstacy, shock and elation we felt when Tata Madiba was elected the first democratic and black president in Mzansi in 1994. Winning by a landslide, this marks a glorious and historic milestone in the lives of Americans.

I immediately sent a few smses to a few friends of mine across the U.S. who I had been chatting with about the election race leading to this glorious occasion. I informed them of the jubilation expressed by Africans throughout the continent, including South Africa. They sent messages back and one of my friends who is in Austin, Texas proudly said, "He did it !! The world is smiling this day! Thank you for the well wishes and prayers my bhuti!!"

Yes, he did it. And that acceptance speech, WOW! What an inspiration! Congratulations to you, President Barack Obama. Your journey has just begun, we shall keep you in our prayers and thoughts and hope you restore the values, dreams and what means to be American, for your country. The Audacity Of Hope. You've shown us what that means.