The New African Magazine just released their list of 100 most
influential people in Africa, and 5 Nigerians made their top list, and they
are: Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Don Jazzy, Psquare and
Chiwetel Ejiofor.
You can see their full profile below after the page jump:
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Author/Novelist – Nigeria
With the release of her much anticipated novel Americanah
and the release of the movie adaptation of her novel Half of a Yellow Sun,
starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton. Yes, it has been a good year, but
Adichie does not look like a lady who will be slowing down in 2014. As someone
who is not afraaid to confront the difficult subjects of race, gender and
politics, and is a proud African, who continues to campaign against the
one-story narrative about Africa, we can't wait to see what she will do next.
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Actor - Nigeria/UK
Chiwetel Ejiofor has the lead role in two of 2013’s biggest
films – 12 Years A Slave, directed by Steve McQueen, and the film adaptation of
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s award-winning novel, Half of A Yellow Sun, directed
by Biyi Bandele. His portrayal of former South African president Thabo Mbeki in
the new Channel 4 drama Endgame was also another stellar performance. Prior to
the theatre release of both films, Ejiofor won critical acclaim for his
portrayal of Patrice Lumumba in A Season in The Congo, a theatre production
about the first democratically elected leader of the DRCongo at The Young Vic
theatre in London. Born to Nigerian parents in the UK, the award-winning actor
is garnering an Oscar buzz for his mesmerising performance in 12 Years A Slave.
The roles he has taken on this year prove once again what an African A-list,
Oscar-deserving actor he is. Will 2014 be his year?
Don Jazzy, Music Producer – Nigeria
One cannot talk about contemporary Nigerian music without a
mention of Don Jazzy, described as Africa’s number one beat maker. Founder and
CEO of Mavin Records, Michael Collins Ajereh, 31, is better known as Don Jazzy
and is an award-winning record producer and singer-songwriter. Before he set up
Mavin Records, he was head to Mo’ Hit Records, which at its height was home to
some of Nigeria’s most successful artists, like D’Banj. He has produced hit
songs for some of the biggest names in Nigeria’s music industry including;
D’Banj, Tiwa Savage, Dr SID and Wande Coal.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Actress – Nigeria
To her global fans, Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
embodies true African beauty beyond measure. But there is more to the Nigerian
sex bomb popular known as Omosexy. The gorgeous actress and mother of four’s
meteoric rise in 2013 – a year which saw her become the first African celebrity
to reach 1 million likes on Facebook, and named as one of the most influential
people in the world by Time magazine for their annual Time 100 list. Her debut
reality show, Omotola: The Real Me, made headlines as the most popular TV
series across Africa. But that was not all! It fixated her millions of fans,
revealing fascinating insights into one of Africa’s most recognised faces. She
is also increasingly becoming a social activist in her own right, although a
vocal critic of the current African political dispensation. Despite her
popularity, she has no political ambitions.
P Square, Musicians Nigeria
Peter and Paul Okoyo have defined and set a benchmark for a
new generation of Nigerian and African artists to follow with their energetic
and infectious sound. According to the MTV Africa Website, their music is
“Afrocentric in that it combines western and African rhythms in creating a
marvellous blend of R&B, Hip Hop and Dancehall songs.” Hit after hit, the
twin brothers have become apt at giving audiences songs that cut across age,
gender and geographical boundaries. They are arguably Nigeria’s biggest musical
export in the last few years, and have collaborated with some of the world’s
biggest hip-hop artists, like Akon.
Naija got talents....wow!
No comments:
Post a Comment