Davido signs worldwide deal with Sony Entertainment

Sony Music Entertainment have signed musician Davido to a groundbreaking global agreement. The deal was inked at Sony Music offices in New York and will see the American-born Nigerian recording artist release his sophomore album later this year.

In Africa, Davido is a bonafide superstar. After relocating to Nigeria from the United States aged 19, Davido set up HKN records alongside his brother and independently released the first song he ever recorded entitled, Back When. The track was an instant success and propelled Davido to national stardom as he followed this with the release of his second single and pan-African smash hit, Dami Duro. This track became one of the biggest airplay records not just on radio in Nigeria, but across the continent, catapulting him to superstar status and making him one of the most sought-after artists to collaborate with, widening his huge fan base and media support.

His debut album, Omo Baba Olowo was released in 2012 to critical acclaim earning him numerous award nominations and accolades, including two MTV Africa Music Awards and the 2014 BET Award for Best African Act. A world tour followed which saw Davido perform to sell-out venues across Africa, Paris, New York and London. Today, Davido enjoys a massive social media following with a combined number of over 6-million followers across all his platforms.

This deal represents a step forward for Sony Music Entertainment as it grows its roots in Africa. Announcing its official presence in Lagos, Nigeria verifies Sony Music Entertainment's decision to pursue new business via the introduction of on-the-ground operating entities in an expanded number of markets in the region. The timing of the decision is based on the convergence of a number of positive indicators in Africa's economy and positive signs in the music industry. Davido is a shining example of this.

Sean Watson, managing director of Sony Music Entertainment Africa says; "Working with incredible talent like Davido heralds a new era for Sony Music Entertainment Africa on the continent. We couldn't be prouder of our partnership with Davido and we are extremely keen to support his vision to succeed at the highest level in our industry."

“We are thrilled to welcome Davido into the Sony Music family.  We are very much looking forward to bringing one of Africa's biggest stars to the world.  We are also excited to partner with Kamal Ajiboye, Davido's manager as well as Efe Ogbeni, who will be executive producing the album on our behalf," adds Adam Granite, president of Northern and Eastern Europe and Africa.

Davido says; "Music is the universal language that unites and betters the world. It's always been my dream to take my music and culture to all corners of the world so I'm blessed to be partnering with Sony Music Entertainment on this next chapter. My number one aim is to make my fans and Africa proud."

Nicki Minaj and the Pinkprint Tour is coming to South Africa

American pop and hip hop sensation, Nicki Minaj, is bringing her Pinkprint Tour to her South African fans, with three shows starting in Johannesburg at the Ticketpro Dome on Thursday, 17 March, Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday, 20 March and Cape Town’s Grand Arena, Grand West on Tuesday, 22 March.

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Tickets go on sale at 09:00 on Thursday, 28 January from ticketpro.co.za and selected Edgars retail stores nationally. The Nicki Minaj Pinkprint tour is presented by Airey Scott Entertainment, 5FM, and Metro FM. The announcement of her South African tour was made simultaneously by both.

5FM and Metro FM on Tuesday morning on the stations' respective breakfast shows by The Fresh @5 and The First Avenue teams.

Grammy Award-nominated rapper, Nicki Minaj, continues to break records and impact pop culture at large. Her critically lauded third full-length album, The Pinkprint, arrived at the top of the Billboard 200 and Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, cementing her as raps' reigning queen.

Minaj recently made history, simultaneously occupying four top 10 spots on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart and becoming the first female artist to achieve the feat. Minaj also has the most hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart of any female rapper in history and is #3 among all females. What’s more, twelve of her entries entered the top ten, yielding another record for a female rapper.

Minaj stands at the top of the pop vanguard.  To date, she has sold over 50-million singles and 5-million albums worldwide. Minaj has also been the recipient of a bevy of awards including American Music Awards, MTV VMA’s, Billboard Awards, People’s Choice Awards, BET Awards & many others.

Outside of music, she has starred in films including Ice Age: Continental Drift and The Other Woman in addition to judging American Idol. She’ll also take the screen alongside Ice Cube and Cedric The Entertainer, starring in 2016’s Barbershop 3.

In South Africa, the chart-topping, multi-award winning rapper and actress will be performing a number of her countless hits from her three albums including her latest offering.

Tickets are available from www.ticketpro.co.za.

Introducing The New Hunter Original Autumn/Winter 2016 Campaign

The new Hunter Original autumn/winter 2016 campaign - A Hunter Highland Fling - takes us on an adventure through the Scottish Highlands, following a group of young pioneers as they make their way to the summit of a mountain.

Under the creative direction of Alasdhair Willis, the model shots for the campaign were captured by acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Elaine Constantine, chosen for her inimitable vision of British youth, which has featured in iconic campaigns and publications such as The Face, Vogue and W magazine. BAFTA nominated for her newly released film, Northern Soul, Elaine coached the cast in order to convey the unique spirit, nostalgia and sense of youthful adventure that runs throughout the campaign.  From a picnic complete with sandwiches and a Thermos flask to navigation with orienteering maps and trekking poles, a traditional British adventure is created for the campaign. 

This campaign develops on the story of the London Fashion Week show, which saw the Scottish glens reappropriated, taking place within a vast urban industrial space with metal waterfalls cutting through the runway. In the spirit of Hunter Original, the Scottish Highlands, the heritage of the brand, are recreated using CGI in a new modern treatment of the brand’s home and heartland, created by pioneering digital artist Thomas Traum. Blurring the digital renders and photography into one, the cast is set within a dramatic and hyperreal Scottish landscape of heathers and lichens, mountains and lakes, in each scene the skies becoming darker as rain clouds roll in.

The campaign photography comprises 4 scenes, presenting different stages of the journey through the Highlands, beginning with navigation, followed by a picnic and a landscape of waterfalls, until they reach the summit of the mountain. 

Hunter will be available in select stores from March 2016.

First Look: Nike Air Jordan 1 GS ‘BHM’

Nike’s Black History Month collection ‘celebrates black heritage, in sport, and beyond, around the world while also providing financial support to Nike’s even higher fund, which was created to bring mentorship, sport and all of its benefits to African American youth’.

Joining the Black History Month collection is the Nike Air Jordan 1 GS ‘BHM’ version. The Nike Air Jordan 1 GS ‘BHM’ has a black, white and voltage green color scheme. It features the colouful Kente print that covers majority of the upper that represents Black History Month, and the African American culture.

The Nike Air Jordan 1 GS ‘BHM’ is now available at selected retailers.

Game On! Introducing Radley Spring/Summer 2016

Radley launches the Radley Sporting Society, this Spring/Summer, to celebrate some of Britain’s cherished outdoor sports.

Radley’s polished leather handbags take inspiration from pristine bowling greens, while cues from the badminton court emerge in geometric shapes, nimble stripes and two-tone hues. London’s multi-coloured lido, Tooting, gets a namecheck too, with a palette of saturated pastels, swimming pool blues and nearly neons.

Sportswear references appear at every angle from neat poppers and slick drawstring closures, to streamlined silhouettes and practical pockets. This season’s collection has a confident energised feel with the ability to propel even the self-proclaimed sports-shy into full-on athletics mode. Game On!

Radley is available from Stuttafords in South Africa.

Introducing the NMD_R1 Primeknit by adidas Originals

Offering the groundbreaking new NMD Runner silhouette in a striking disruptive graphic for SS16, adidas Originals presents the NMD_R1 January release.

The sneaker blends the progressive design of the NMD Runner with adidas Originals’ most forward-thinking technical elements, constructing the upper from lightweight Primeknit textile in an all-over noise graphic with welded tape structural overlays, finished with tonal three-stripes atop the shoe’s distinctive midsole with EVA inserts.

 

Offered in a textured grey colourway, it’s a release that brings the NMD_R1 silhouette to the pinnacle of style with substance.

The NMD_R1 launches on the 30th of January 2016 in limited quantities at selected adidas Originals stores and retail partners.

adidas Originals x White Mountaineering FW16 at Pitti Uomo

FW16 sees the much-anticipated return of adidas Originals by White Mountaineering. After the success of SS16 adidas Originals design DNA is again reinterpreted through the eyes of Yosuke Aizawa.

Staying true to the White Mountaineering design philosophy, the adidas Originals by White Mountaineering partnership sees adidas’ rich sportswear history rooted in White Mountaineering’s designs, developing classic sportswear pieces reworked into exciting contemporary designs.

adidas Originals by White Mountaineering will be available from August 2016 in South Africa.

MUST HAVE: Nike Air Max 90 Premium ‘Metallic Gold’

Out of the iconic Air Max collection comes the Nike Air Max 90 Premium ‘Metalic Gold’ sneaker. The sneaker is a must have for women.

The Nike Air Max 90 Premium ‘Metallic Gold’ is made from a plush suede upper which is dipped in an aesthetically pleasing beige/tan hue. Contrasting black hits on the eyelets, inner lining and branding on the rear and side panels pronounces the design even further.

The metallic gold swooshes add a touch of vibrancy, while it rests atop a white and pearlised-coloured midsole. The sneaker is finished off with a classic gum outsole.

The Nike Air Max 90 Premium ‘Metallic Gold’ is now available in South Africa.

Introducing adidas StellaSport Spring/Summer 2016

Sparks fly as the collective energy of action girls everywhere ignites in the new adidas StellaSport Spring/Summer 2016 collection which hit stores on 14 January 2016. Inspired by the effortless cool of the 70’s and -California summers, the collection captures the energetic spirit of the season with a playful and unexpected range of apparel, footwear and accessories. Rainbow lettering, tie-dye texturing, and graphic rose prints are brought to life as they showcase the vibrant dynamics of the urban playground and capabilities of the collection.

Commenting on the range, Brett Burgees, Head of Training at adidas South Africa commented, “The new range once again brings to life all that is the adidas StellaSport girl – young, current and vibrant, looking to make a statement and stand out. It is performance wear with a pop, perfect for various types of training or simply going for a walk with friends while looking incredibly stylish. It is the season’s must have performance apparel for the ever-ready-for-action girl, with patterns and textures to suit any mood.”

This season sees action girls create magic on the streets in monochrome silhouettes with gradient rainbow StellaSport lettering. The all-black nylon hoodie was designed for movement and engineered with Climastorm© technology, allowing true outdoor warriors to remain unstoppable. Urban cliques showcase their skills without feeling the heat in the cool organic cotton of the Climalite© Logo Tee in white or grey and go further in the bold performance jersey Sport Tight in black all over print, which also features compression support. Built to keep up with the daring decisions of the wearer, this season’s Ively Shoe in black is made from breathable fabric and cushioned with new Bounce© technology to cope with quick, multi-directional movements.

The collection moves into playful tie-dye textures that encapsulate spirited summer vibes to inspire action girls to get moving. Go bold and embrace a top-to-toe look with the Tie Dye Tank, Jacket and wet-look, drawstring Woven Short. Finish this energetic colour explosion with the brand new adidas StellaSport Zilia Shoe, ideal for high-intensity training. Built as a one-piece construction, super flexible Adipure© sole technology allows for unrestricted movements and activates the muscles to create the illusion of barefoot running. Strategically placed cut-outs ensure maximum breathability and comfort, whilst a tie-dye sole and glow-in-the-dark strap guarantee standout style into the night. 

Vibrant coral-red rose prints meet with sporting silhouettes for an urban take on spring blossoms. Create a look that pops with the Rose Jacket and the Climalite© Rose Bra, a padded and non-padded racer-back construction, which provides statement support, whatever the occasion. Pair with the yellow banded Climalite© Rose Sport Tight and the high-top Irana Shoe in new colour-ways, to create a fierce all-over look that moves effortlessly from the studio to the dance floor. Offering superior ankle support, the Irana Shoe features high-traction technology, to enable action girls to throw shapes in sync with their crew all night long. As temperatures soar, jump head first into the waves with the supportive rose print Swimsuit.

Set the benchmark high and step into the spotlight in this season’s must-have Onesie. Inspired by old-school wrestling silhouettes, this dynamic one piece allows total freedom of movement, whilst Climalite© keeps sweat at bay. Layer-up and create the ultimate sports style statement with energetic and fresh azure blue and green separates; the grey Cropped Tank and the bright green Hoody with logo print with Knee Socks support those quick-fire efforts. The ultra-slick Waistbag in bright red and green keeps belongings safely packed away, whilst the Ivory Shoe offers a cushioned outersole to support stylish action girl’s for miles. 

The Spring/Summer 2016 adidas StellaSport collection is available at adidas retail stores and selected sports retailers from 14 January 2016, as well as online https://shop.adidas.co.za/women/ .

Introducing the Nike LeBron 13 ‘Black Lion’

Nike starts 2016 on a great note, by dropping a new pair of LeBrons. The Nike LeBron 13 features a ‘Black Lion’ colorway in a tonal black upper with a gum rubber sole below. Details include a crown logo on the heel section that reflects the shoe’s moniker, with more iridescent hits on the tongue tab and matching laces.

The Nike LeBron 13 ‘Black Lion’ is available at various retailers in South Africa, including Shesha Lifestyle Stores and Shelflife.