2023 was filled with sad news, from the sudden, untimely deaths of South African rappers AKA and Costa Titch, to the president of Uganda signing the anti-homosexuality law. And yet, across the continent, Africans continued to find ways to overcome the limitations imposed on them. human rights activists continue to challenge Uganda’s restrictive anti-LGBT law and South African music lovers have made sure to keep the legacy of those who have died alive.
Here are the moments that gave us a chance to celebrate each other – our top 10 cultural moments from 2023:
South Africa becomes the first country to win the Rugby World Cup four times
Photo by David Ramos – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images.
South Africa’s Siya Kolisi lifts the Webb Ellis Cup after the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France.
The South African national rugby team made sporting history when they defended their title and won the trophy at this year’s Rugby World Cup held in France. The Springboks had won in 1995, 2007 and the previous Rugby World Cup, which was held in Japan in 2019. With the vociferous support of the South African crowd, both at home and abroad, the team went on to defeat New Zealand’s All The Blacks – who were also in line to claim their fourth win – in their final game, returning the prized Webb Ellis trophy to their proud nation.
African artists selling out iconic international venues
African artists have spent this year bringing their work to global audiences and dominating some of the world’s most sought-after performance venues and stages. African giant Burna Boy made history earlier in the year when he became the first African artist to sell out stadiums in London and the US, as well as becoming the first Nigerian artist to headline New York’s famous Madison Square Garden. Countryman Wizkid made the nation proud when he sold out London’s 200,000+ capacity Tottenham Stadium.
South African all-star DJ Black Coffee also headlined MSG, the first South African to do so, while hot country DJ Uncle Waffles was the first amapiano DJ to hit the decks at the famed Coachella Valley Music Festival.
The Brooklyn Museum brings the African Fashion Show to New York
This year, African fashion had its moment in the limelight as the African fashion The exhibition curated by Ernestine White-Mifetu and Annissa Malvoisin began its international tour. The African Innovation exhibit debuted at London’s V&A Museum before moving to New York’s Brooklyn Museum in an even bigger way. The experience highlights Africa’s style history, covering key moments in time from Ghana’s independence to the activism of South African singer Miriam Makeba, also known as ‘Mama Africa’. The exhibition featured Nigerian concept store Alára and his many unique items for sale. as well as an impressive playlist stacked with hits from the likes of Nigerian icon Fela Kuti and more.
100 Years Ousmane Sembene
Photo by Rainer Binder/ullstein bild via Getty Images.
Ousmane Sembene – director, writer – on camera during the filming of the XX Olympic film. Olympic Games, Munich
The top of the year marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of the “Father of African Cinema”, Ousmane Sembene. The life and work of the late Senegalese director, writer and producer have been highlighted and celebrated throughout the year, with an official bust making its debut at the 2023 Ouagadougou Pan-African Film and Television Festival in Burkina Faso. Screenings of his various films have been hosted in cities around the world, with Sembene’s passion for telling African stories from an African perspective, the decentralization of Western languages ​​and his sheer creative talent once again receiving praise and admiration. It is no small feat to stay true to your own creative and cultural visions and captivate audiences from around the world, and this year’s celebration only underscored what a gift Sembene was and continues to be to Africa’s film and literary world.
UNESCO officially crowns Senegal as the birthplace of Jollof Rice
ema accepts the award for Best Afrobeats for “Calm Down” on stage during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
Beef has officially been settled! For generations, West Africans have competed over who makes the best and most authentic version of the widely popular jollof rice dish. Ghana and Nigeria have been at each other’s throats over who was the first and best at creating the delicious rice dish, with Senegal’s Wolof community looking on quietly. Now, the United Nations has stepped in and set the record straight: research shows that Senegal is the birthplace of jollof rice. Locally referred to as Ceebu Jen the Thiéboudienne, Senegalese jollof rice is made with broken jasmine rice, vegetables and, traditionally, white fish.
The world’s answer to CJ “Fiery” Obasi’s Mami Wata
Still image from CJ Obasi’s film Mami Wata? courtesy of Sundance Film Institute.
The black and white fantasy thriller by Nigerian director and screenwriter CJ “Fiery” Obasi Mami Watta he had a year among the stars. Not only did the film, centered around African folklore, become the first homegrown Nigerian film to premiere at this year’s prestigious Sundance Film Festival – it won the Special Jury Award for Outstanding Cinematography. The film then went on to become the country’s official bid for the International Feature Film category at the 2024 Oscars. Obasi’s eighth film to date opened in cinemas in the US and the UK and saw him sign with the talent agency based in Los Angeles for the Stars, CAA. He also just recently got a coveted one Film Independent Spirit Award nomination.
Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ hijacks music charts worldwide
Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV.
Rema accepts the award for Best Afrobeats for “Calm Down” on stage during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
There probably isn’t a corner of the globe that hasn’t been obsessed with Nigerian hit maker Rema and his single Calm down This year. The star has had a triumphant year as he continues to hone his sound and unique contributions to the global music scene. His 2022 debut album ‘Rave & Roses’ became the highest streamed African album of all time on Spotify this year. However, once the Nigerian singer brought American singer Selena Gomez to reconsider Calm down, the single took on a life of its own. The collaboration has been streamed over 1 billion times on Spotify and won the inaugural Best Afrobeats award at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.
The Grammys have announced a new special category for African music
It seems that the growing popularity of African music on a global scale has finally awakened many of our international viewers. This year, the Recording Academy, the governing body behind the Grammys, announced a new category dedicated to the continent’s many musical contributions. The first official list of inaugural nominees for the categories did not disappoint – with Tyla, Davido, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy and Asake and Olamide facing off in February next year.
Hilda Baci enters the Guinness Book of Records
Nigerian chef Hilda Baci made headlines when she took on the task of becoming the world’s longest-serving solo chef in a bid to enter the Guinness Book of World Records. The 27-year-old clocked up 93 hours and 11 minutes of cooking, and Baci’s fans – both on social media and in person – stood every step of the way to support the young chef’s amazing achievements. However, Bachie was dethroned by the Irish chef Alan Fisher in October this year, but the memory of her victory lives on.
Tyla becomes the most successful African solo artist of all time
Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for GQ.
Tyla attends the GQ Men of the Year Party 2023 VIP Dinner at Chateau Marmont on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
The 21-year-old South African singer has soared this year. Her enticing single ‘Water’ broke records on the charts worldwide. Her biggest wave was felt in American waters as she earned a Grammy nomination and a place in their books as the most successful African solo artist in Advertising signThe Hot 100 list. Before her debut album even came out!
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