T A K I N G A F R I EDITORIAL “Iqui sus apidelicae volum re consequam eri- C bus ma voluptati il ium volupta inveliquiame et A quatur sit quas quis. Te re et adignis natende N llesequia cus, versper natur? Enis acessin vele- cae volupta tintios explacc ulparias...” A Ota asped magnime cupiti sed molupta sequi dendebit volorepti invenih illiquo ofcab inti am arumqui blaccum landestia a que nim ilitam et et essum ium solut autem faccum evelit R quam quo consequi debit fuga. Itatem et eatur, ofcim illabor ecatis net qui ut omnihil ilis dit andigeniet, volupientur ad ut aut odi comniminim nonet occuptiore omnimpore, voloreniam T quo od miliquis dus qui am facepel ma volore estis quam, torpore non preribus dolorrovit as dit quam ipsantia dellatum recto doluptaquam num incium con expliae consequi ofc tem consedio qui od quasper eiciiss itiumqui ofcii stius, cum vendae comnimusam dolupti cus adipsame pre sitecest percilit qui berum in con peribusaes antum et fuga odit, ofctes voluptatur, aut fugia S venitas voluptatur, venis voleni consecest as nonsectionem. Johnathan Doe E Johnathan Doe | Director R I O U S L Y 03 EDITORIAL <<< 07 art exhibition that inhabits African art were from Africa. What comes to mind when dollars, prices that would the ground foor of “Interest in contemporary you think of investment? It have been unimaginable Safaricom House – the African art has exploded, is probably property, land a few years ago. “Safaricom Centre” – in particularly among or shares. However, little Westlands. The idea is that international collectors, by little the East African The growing art sector has Safaricom does business who expect it to be the region has begun to been especially elevated by with a lot of people, not next market where values accommodate a different Circle Art Agency’s annual to mention the hundreds increase in the same manner kind of asset, art. For the modern and contemporary of employees who work as contemporary Chinese longest time, appreciation East African art auction. in the building. They all art,” he said. Giles Peppiatt and by extension purchase Considered to be the only get exposed to the art believes increased interest of art has been a preserve one in East Africa, the Circle every day, with some of from international buyers of foreign diplomats auction has given drive them possibly looking to and African buyers has and tourists. This tide to the art scene in Africa, an example of the lucrative ($10,000). In 2015, four art class individuals and Art Auction, with various purchase one or two. come with economic growth is slowly changing with getting East African artwork investment possibilities works beat that price; the companies, not simply other institutions looking in Sub-Saharan Africa. Much more locals appreciating recognised internationally capable of resulting from most expensive piece, by looking for nice paintings, to create investments Mr Peppiatt of Bonhams a of the top contemporary and buying art. Some of and locally. In 2015 alone, art in the region. Their very Ugandan painter Geoffrey but beautiful and rare in this growing market. privately owned international African art comes from Africa’s artists are now the auction brought in frst auction showcased Mukasa, was worth 1.7m. art pieces with a view to Safaricom, one of East auction house said half of Nigeria and, to a lesser able to sell their works for sales amounting to more various works with about Art works are beginning invest. This stretches a Africa’s largest corporate the buyers of contemporary extent, Ghana. One of Mr hundreds of thousands of than 20 million dollars, two selling for more than to attract numerous high- little beyond the Circle players, has its own modern 05 06 Peppiatt’s tips for future stardom is Paa Joe, a Ghanaian artist who makes highly decorated coffns. His piece Porsche 55 is expected to fetch £4,000-£6,000. The most sought-after contemporary African artists attract the attention of museums and private collections, boosting prices. Many of the masks and carvings were brought to Europe by colonists. Now pieces from those original collections are coming to the market, Mr Reeves said, as the original owners’ descendants sell their inherited pieces. A piece known as Baga Serpent on sale in Sotheby’s New York in 2008 was expected to fetch a low six-fgure sum but sold for $3.6m (£2.1m at current rates) – a record at the time for African art Mayfair gallery owner Michael Backman (michaelbackmanltd.com) said: “The main market for top- end pieces is in Paris, which is where record auction results for tribal art tend to be achieved. eye can enter the market Top-quality items that without spending a fortune.” might have sold for £20,000 a decade ago can The realisation of this invest- sell for millions now.”. ment potential has seen “Given the rapid eco- numerous endorsements However, while the top end of the art market through nomic growth in the of the African art market has facilitating exhibitions in risen markedly, prices in the various galleries across continent I see no middle to lower range have the world. Encouragement remained fairly fat. “Prices to create art continues to reason why contem- have not gone down but by grow, with the increasing and large have not risen so middle-class population, porary African art steadily either,” Mr Back- providing more clientele to man said. “This is an area various artists looking to ex- should not continue where a person with a good pose their creative works. to attract greater in- terest, and therefore increase in price.” 12 >>> FASHION 08 WAFFLES N CREAM For some unknown reason there is rumour going around the continent that skateboarders and skate enthusi- WAFFLES N CREAM are about more than just pushing their body’s to the limit, the brand portrays themselves asts only exist in places such as Ethiopia and South Africa, but quietly West Africans are beginning to embrace as a community of like minded individuals which is made up of (BMX Bikers, Musicians, Photographers, Graphic skate; especially countries such as Nigeria and Ghana. Nigeria though, is further ahead of Ghana in terms of its Designers, Videographers, and Skateboarders who share a similar vision and hunger and are trying to create skate culture and is home to skate team and street wear brand WAFFLES N CREAM.; To our knowledge they are a subculture which aims to greater expand the Nigerian Experience, connect streetwear and skate to greater West Africa’s frst fashion brand with skate culture as it’s core source of inspiration, Nigeria’s frst-ever skate success in their country, and have a social impact. They plan to do that by “supporting skateboarding regen- crew and the also produced the country’s frst ever skate flm titled Jide which translates to; To Have or To Hold. eration projects by building skate parks in and around Africa by collaborating with local skaters and artists.” 09 10 ©WAFFLES N CREAM 11 12 13 14 Even though Nigeria is one of the continents most populated cities, the lack of proper infrastructure and services makes it very challenging for the youth of the country to get involved in action sports and develop further. Although there are many barriers to overcome if anyone can do it these kids can because this publication believes skate- boarders are some of thee most fearless and most persistent athletes on the planet and as culturepreneurs those are two of the most important character traits they must have. 15 16 P-M Its an amazing thing! African music is beautiful man, so it feels good to see it blowing up and touching other cultures around the world. I think the dancing aspect has made it so appealing to the world. Every body loves to dance! No matter where you're from! A-STAR Quite a few of you may not know A Star by face or stage name which is a failure on your part ; not his. With tunes such as Power Ranger featruing Mr. Silva, Lava, Broken, Ebony, and his most popular single the viral monster that is Eggplant this is a man on the way up and with the right support there is no telling where his talent could end up taking him. 24 >>> TECHNOLOGY 6) Who is the greatest support system in your life 1) Tell us a bit about yourself man. Where are you right now? from and how did you get into the Afrobeats scene? Hey guys, I’m A-Star. I’m a rising rapper based in South Yes my family and friends have always supported me with East London. I’m keen on calling myself a rapper before my music since I started as a kid. I am now 25 years old and anything else because I feel hip-hop is where it all started I now feel its up to me to determine my destiny. I feel I’m at a for me. After making UK Rap music for a few years I collab- stage in my life where I can’t rely on anybody too much and orated with a few local artists on an Afrobeat record titled If I really want to succeed with my music, I have to put in the “Bo Won Sem Ma Me”. For me, I feel that specifc track was work myself. This is my dream and I have a vision that no- the beginning of the whole resurgence of UK Afrobeats and body else can see right now apart from me. It is now my job I this is also how I got into the Afrobeats scene.