Ladybrille® Blogazine

FOR PRESS RELEASES

Friday, February 22, 2008

Can Africans Make a Tight Song Without Using American Beats?

I love, love, love Ladybrille readers! Whether it's the many that send e-mails or the commentators such as SET, Bella, Chichi, Ashley,Estella of Estella Couture, Lara Akinsanya of L-Shandi, My 2 cents and so many more. They are such independent thinkers and I so appreciate that. Thank you all for keeping it interesting and engaging! So, Tola, I love that you bring this topic up because I've thought about it for a while and at times, drop comments on Bella's blog when a few of her posts have brought up this issue.

Whether fashion, music or art, the "copy copy" syndrome seems to be a major issue these days. Even Senator Hillary Clinton accused Obama of "copy copy" speeches. Did you see the debate yesterday? Wasn't it delightful! By the way, I "xeroxed" oops I meant plagiarized your word for the headline to this article. Call my office let's talk if I make lots of money from it. Lol! On the fashion end, the industry is fighting about the Design Piracy Prohibition Act . We will bring you all the scoop and how it applies to Africa's Fashion Industry in the nearest future. Stay tuned for that.

But, as to my post on Rih Rih + P. Diddy vs Banky W & Oluwadiddy, which compelled Tola to say the following: "I"m not even gon lie, I love the Naija renditions. I totally agree with [B]ella about the fact of not being able to get the orignial American version back in my head. However, I have a mixed feeling about this. Are we saying that Nigerians can't be innovative and come up with a[n] awesome beat? Which is totally not true! Your lyrics are hot, just come up with your own beat, or tweek the beat up a lil bit or something. These are big time copy right infringement and its only a matter of time before they catch up to all these artists. I read somewhere when someone asked Sauce Kid about "stealing" Remy ma's beat for "Yebariba" and he said, "it's all publicity". Well I say, you'll be publicly broke when you are caught. Doing a home video with your favorite Artist's beat is totally different from doing a professional music video, and being paid to perform the songs. When [B]lack jesus did his thing online= cool; when he started performing a[n]d (getting paid) for it= not cool. "If I had a blog. I will blog about this because I'm seriously curious about what people think about the new wave of what I call, "I can't make a tight song until I use an [A]merican beat" thing going on. So I say keep the renditions coming because I love them, but try not to make money [o]ff it. Maybe I should really start a blog. Naaaaah! by the way I LOVE your blog Ladybrille.
February 22, 2008 12:35 PM.

Adding at 12:45pm, "Oh yea another comment. I just saw the "wetin man go do video... HOT". I still think the song will still be hot with a banging "original" beat. Also whoever knows them should tell them to change the whole "CNN" thing. They can do "ANN" for like[A]mplyfied news network. CNN does not play! It's a trademark guys.

Okay Tola, since I have the Blog and can blog about it, my response: Tola
! Funny you should speak of the IP issues. "Wetin {W}oman Go Do" Lol! I wholeheartedly agree with you that copyright issues are present and was the reason I delayed posting these clips until I felt comfortable to do so. Nevertheless, it is still a very murky area and boy do you open a whole can of worms! Perfecto! While I do not do music law, I do fashion law and the same IP issues apply, although a different industry. I, of course, invite the IP lawyers among us to please enlighten us, especially as to the music industry.

First, I think one could argue rather persuasively that the clips by users such as Naijaboys, Oluwadiddy e.t.c. falls under the Fair Use Doctrine of the Federal Copyright Law. However, I think the real analysis starts from understanding YouTube’s position and role as to such users who upload copyrighted materials. Why? Because YouTube has the deep pockets [green, owo, dinero, cheddar, money] and if I was suing, I would have my LAWYAS go after them first. It also helps us know where the NaijaBoys & Banky W.’s of the world stand.

YouTube permits users to upload content and they do not screen content for copyright infringements. Instead, they put the burden on copyright holders to do so. Needless to say, copyright holders, some of whom are MAJOR corporations, as you correctly note dropped it like it's hot with some "FIYAH" litigation on YouTube's bootie. Whoo hoo! I love this stuff. Sorry, litigation is in my DNA so I get excited when I hear of a legal battle of these sorts. Lol! Some of my colleagues in the music law biz are counting their cheddar. Darn!

Anyway, YouTube argued and continues to argue that it is exempt under the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act [“DMCA”]. A section of that statute says YouTube cannot be sued when folks like Interscope Records say, “Hey Naija Boy is infringing on our copyright with the SouljaBoy Tell Em beat e.t.c.,” and YouTube removes the infringing NaijaBoy video. Costar Group, Inc. v. Loopnet, Inc. 373 F.3d 544 [4th Cir. 2004], although a real estate case, dealt with the issue of whether a web site operator [who was like a gatekeeper with screening videos, unlike YouTube's hands off approach] was guilty of a direct copyright infringement because its users posted commercial real estate images owned by the Plaintiffs- the folks who sued on their site. The Fourth Circuit Court did a WyClef/Destiny Child’s remix as they said, “no no no no no!” YouTube makes the same analogous argument as to why it is not responsible for those who infringe on the copyright owners' IP rights. I could delve a lot more into the analysis but I think you should look up the act and case.

So since YouTube can be shielded from liability, do the big dawgs then sue Banky W, Oluwadiddy, Black Jesus, Naija Boys and the likes? Weeeeeeeeeeeeell, it's ALL about the money. Show me the money is what they are thinking. How much can they make with Naija Boys cranking and shaking their yansh? Not much. Waste of owo for awon[ the] lawyas. Unless, they of course want to do ut as a matter of principle to make a point.

These major copyright owners realizing that the Banky Ws, Naija Boys and even Oluwa Diddy ain't got much dinero ; and the fact that YouTube is very popular and is "hia" for the people by the people, has said, how can we make money off this thing? Warner, NBC, Lucas Film among others are now doing “if you can’t beat them, join them" thing. They have said, “Looki hia Looki hia YouTube! we know the Black Jesus and Naija Boys of the world will mix their home video with some of our copyrighted work and upload on your site. What we want from you is to cut us a deal.” Yes o, Tola. Money talks! Always follow the money and you will find the answers to why people do what they do, at least in the business world.

Warner, for example, has negotiated with YouTube to receive a certain percentage of advertising revenue. No shakin’! as they would say in Naija. In addition, YouTube itself knows it will continue to get sued. Viacom filed a huge suit against them last year saying you continue to let the Naija Boys and Oluwadiddy's of the world use our beats, songs e.t.c. and upload on your site, intentionally! YouTube does the math and wants to minimize the impact of litigation on its pocket book. So, they have established some protocol to reduce the impact of infringement of copyrighted works on the YouTube site. For example, clips are not to exceed 10mins e.t.c.

Inspite of it all, it remains to be seen where this goes. Now, if Banky W, takes his Ebute Metta and puts on an album, packages and sells it, then like you correctly point out, c’est tres grande issue because that is plain stealing and he is not shielded from YouTube and needs to pay up to JAY Z before Rihanna hits him with her Umbre ella, ella, ella. He is a user realizing profits and should be paying for the beats, which someone worked hard to make, just like he does his music. The lyrics are Banky's so Rihanna can just chill with the "talk to the hand" thing she was doing with Jay- Z on the grammy stage because Banky ain't havin' dat. He owes neither her nor Jay-Z didly squat on the lyrics-only the "Ebute Metta" residents. Lol! The same holds for everyone else including "Black Jesus." Again, very fascinating and exciting area bringing so many issues that the courts are still trying to iron out. Yes, you bet all players in the game, in their own way, are saying “Geez, THANKS YOUTUBE!”

As to the CNN thing, have you checked out Slide.com lately? You can use Vogue, NewsWeek e.t.c. covers complete with logos to launch your image on the cover of their magazine. Obviously, these entities have given the license to Slide.com to permit them to do this. Amplifyd needs to negotiate with CNN but I doubt that in between Oluwadiddy [ I like how that sounds. Great name] hiding all over DC and the 'CNN reporter' uplifting the American spirits that those Nigerian hip-hop crew would be found, Oluwadiddy had the time to negotiate with CNN. Maybe next time.
Alright Tola, signing off! One post dedicated to your question. Na wa! You are powerful wo/man!
Read More

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Rih Rih + P. Diddy vs Banky W & Oluwadiddy

Hilarious what today's African entertainers and musicians are doing, especially on YouTube, with some of the American hip-hop songs out there. First seen on Ms. Chichi of Feels Good 2 Be Home's blog, Naija Boy is the Nigerian version of the Soulja Boy song. I hated that song until I watched the Naija Boy version. Absolutely hillarious! I still hate the American version but LUV the African version.

Following in the footsteps of Naija Boy but with a more refined edge and artistic talent are R & B singer Banky W and Hip-Hop's Oluwa [the almighty] diddy of Amplyfyd Crew, both giving Rih-Rih and Diddy a run for their money. Banky's 'Ebute Metta' is a Nigerian rendition of Rihanna's Umbrella. It sounds good and the lyrical content is strong and makes sense. Ebute Metta is a city in Lagos, Nigeria. Oluwadiddy, decked as a Nigerian Diddy does his rendition of Kanye West's Stronger. Only problem Mr. Oluwadiddy is that you look like a business mogul but you complain about having no food, water or light and your location is in Washington DC. Kilonshele? Did you forget to eat first b/4 wearing your Oluwadiddy, OluwaSean John clothes. Check the videos out folks. The internet really does create a level playing field.

CRANK THAT NAIJA BOY


EBUTE METTA by Banky W


WETIN MAN GO DO BY AMPLYFYD CREW


**Update** 2/22/08- Thanks Bella for the recommendation. It is indeed hilarious. Below is the Chris Brown African remix version. *Sigh* LoL! Have a brilliant weekend folks! It is raining in my neck of the woods.

CHRIS BROWN "Kiss Kiss Kiss" by Naija Boys

Read More

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Where Can I Find Quality Hair Extensions?

Q. First I’d like to say that I really like your [blogazine]. It’s very informative. I know this might be an unusual question for you but I was wondering if you knew where I could purchase quality hair extensions. I live in Houston and even though there are lots of beauty supply stores, I would really like to find something with better quality. I was told New York has a great selection. I was hoping you could stir me in the right direction that way I can look up the company online and see if I could call and order directly with them. Thanks for your help."--[Nnene]

A.Nnene, thank you for being a Ladybrille reader and I am glad you find the site useful! Your question is definitely NOT unusual as hair is a BIG part of the fashion industry. Stay tuned throughout the year as we cover the beauty industry including hair and skincare. To answer your question, finding quality hair can be so tough! Plus, I feel your pain. Don't you just hate it when you spend money on so called "quality hair" and it falls apart within a month. Arrrrgh!!! Ladybrille to the rescue, or at least I hope :) For quality hair, check out the following:

New York: I contacted my friend and fashion model, Funmi Alaiyemola, whose ability to get quality hair is always on point. She recommended the following places in New York: Adorable hair [212] 989-7500, Bronx hair 718-931-6631 and G and G hair 212-569-7885. I'd also recommend you contact
Nedjetti for a consultation. Be sure to let her know Uduak of Ladybrille reffered you. Nedjetti is a respected expert in the beauty industry who regularly works on celebrity hair, the everyday woman's hair and models for fashion shoots. She can give you tips on how to determine quality hair extensions.

Outside New York: His and Her: Based in Los Angeles, they are one of the respected names in the hair extension business.

Also, consider Lace Front Wigs. This is famous, especially among Black Hollywood think Beyonce, Tyra Banks et al. It is costly a $1,000 plus but locally in Houston, you might have someone that can do it for as low as $700. It is so worth it because you can reuse the hair over and over again and the look is flawless. For more info, check out some of these other sites: Cyber Parlor --Cool site that shows you real people and you can buy directly from them, Lace Front Wigs-very professional site where you can purchase hair.
Read More

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Changing Africa Using Technology Panel Featured at 2008 SXSW Festival



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Changing Africa Using Technology Panel Featured at 2008 SXSW Festival
Groundbreaking panel features insight from African entrepreneurs and thought leaders
NY, NY – February 18, 2008 – How do you find sustainable solutions to Africa's problems? Using technology that's how. While the traditional media focuses on the conflict and failures on the African continent, there is a growing number of entrepreneurs who are using technological tools to change what is happening there. As evidenced in the ongoing conflict in Kenya, technologically savvy Africans are taking matters into their own hands and using inventive strategies to affect change. On March 9, 2008 at 5pm history will be made as entrepreneurs and thought leaders gather for the panel Africa 2.0: Affecting Change using Technology during the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas.

Every year, the SXSW Conferences & Festivals bring together the top film, interactive and music industry leaders, established and fresh breakthrough artists, filmmakers, bloggers, decision-makers and the dynamic audiences that support them all. With the inclusion of the Africa 2.0 panel the 2008 SXSW Interactive conference will continue to spotlight the most important topics in the technology and interactive industries. As the only Africa-focused panel on SXSW Interactive's 2008 schedule, the eagerly anticipated panel will be the focus of a conversation about how blogs, social networks, digital media and mobile technology are being used by businesses and citizens – both African and foreign – to affect change in Africa. The panel of experts will discuss adoption of mobile technology,community activism online, and the impact of digital media on Africa’s entertainment industries.

The panel Africa 2.0: Affecting Change using Technology takes place at 5pm, March 9, 2008. It is a part of the 2008 SXSW Interactive Conference and Festival taking place at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas.

About the panelists
G. Kofi Annan is an entrepreneur, strategist and author with a specialty in cross-cultural communications strategies. He is the principal at Annansi LLC, a product development consultancy that produces Annansi Clothing Co., an award-nominated Africa-inspired apparel
brand, and Annansi Chronicles, a syndicated African style and business trends blog currently ranked as one of the top 100 lifestyle blogs. Mr. Annan is on the board of directors of the African Film Commission and his award-nominated work has been recognized for re-branding Africa in popular culture and bridging the communications gap between Africa and the global community. His work on African culture, marketing, and branding has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Reuters, BusinessWeek, Advertising Age, and Inc. Magazine among others.

Erik Hersman is a rising international technology influencer with a keen eye on the impact of Web 2.0 advancements in the U.S. with his finger on the pulse of technology innovation across Africa. He writes four different technology blogs including: http://www.whiteafrican.com/ , African
Signals, Realty Thoughts and Afrigadget, which has been called “The ‘Can Do’ Attitude Personified “ by Treehugger.com. Erik can be seen speaking around the world at recognized conferences including the TEDGlobal conference in Tanzania.

Uduak Oduok is the founder of Ladybrille, http://www.ladybrille.com/ , a fashion brand which through its media subsidiary, Ladybrille Blogazine, brings Africa's sophisticated fashions and industry to Western consumers. Since its launch June 2007, Ladybrille has been featured in leading publications and blogs in Africa and the USA. As of January '08, the Washington Flyer Magazine named Ladybrille as "one of the Magnificent 7 poised to be the next big thing nationwide." The blogazine has also been nominated for "excellence and outstanding quality" for the 2008 Fabbies Fashion Blogs Awards. Uduak is also an Attorney, Model and Journalist and has been
published in numerous national and international magazines.

Nii Simmonds is a capitalist/entrepreneur who lives in the DC metro area. His blog, Nubian Cheetah seeks to inform those who have an interest in Africa's sustainable development with regards to ICT, technology, business, and social entrepreneurship. Nii is also the
founder of NAFRICOM, a non-profit trade association for IT Software and Technology Services industry for Africa. Mr. Simmonds is also a Co-founder of Emerging ICT Group, a global ICT research, training, and advisory/consultancy.

Contact:
G. Kofi Annan
1–888–235–6851
info@annansi.com
###
Read More

Monday, February 18, 2008

Vivienne Westwood, an Icon of Rebellious Elegance

London Fashion Week ended this past Friday, February 15th, 2008. The legendary Dame Vivienne Westwood showed her collection in all its glory laced with her elegant yet rebellious streak. Particularly rebellious, this year, was the loud political message she sent on the runway, "FAIR TRIAL MY ARSE! JUSTICE FOR THE PRISONERS IN GUANTANOMO BAY. REPRIEVE." Last year, I had the privilege of interviewing the designer in a one on one session, as well as listened to her speak to students at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, [FIDM]. Here's the article I wrote about her last year, republished here just for you! Get to know this intriguing fashion politico legend.
Vivienne Westwood, an Icon of Rebellious Elegance
by Uduak Oduok
“I never wanted to be a fashion designer. I was too intellectually inclined,” said reknowned British Designer Vivienne Westwood, in the auditorium, at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University where she was honored, on March 4th, 2007, with a doctorate degree for her contribution to the fashion industry. After receiving her degree from President Elisa Stephens and Executive Director for the School of Fashion, Gladys Perint Palmer, Westwood began fielding questions from the mostly student audience. In answering the first question posed by Palmer on who Westwood would choose to carry on the operations of her business, the sixty six [66] year old Westwood answered, “my husband who is twenty-five years younger than I.” Westwood’s response was only a quick glimpse into her non-conformist role and viewpoint in the fashion industry.
Thirty six years ago, Westwood was the pioneer of 50s inspired punk rock clothing even before “Rock n Roll” became mainstream; designing for the Sex Pistols. “[I]t was an incredible heroic attempt against the establishment,” said Westwood. “We were so disgusted with the way the world was so cruel [and] [w]ith the older generation who had allowed this to happen.” In “an attempt to see if [she] could destroy and go against the establishment,” Westwood, by the 70s, began operating a shop in Chelsea, London. Opting for fabrics such as leather, latex, nylon, rubber and spandex, she sold extreme and controversial apparels including bondage and fetish designs, t-shirts with slogans and pornographic images inscribed on them and 20 inch stilettos/platforms. By the 80s, the rebel on a mission to “destroy the establishment” took to London’s fashion runway. Her collections pushed the envelope on sex, sexual identity and incorporated youths and street culture.
“I don’t necessarily think the same [w]ay,” said the now mature designer. “I later changed my mind and said it has to be more than destroy the establishment.” In changing her mind, Westwood, it appears, channeled her very avant garde energy by researching historic fashion eras and tuning into understanding what women want. By the 90s, it was clear that while she remained a non-conformist, she understood the need for a balanced viewpoint which paid attention to fit, design details and creative intelligence.
By the same 90s, Westwood had redefined her style. She maintained her avant garde edge but presented it in a sexy, refined and modernistic reconstruction of historic fashions such as corsets and crinolines; infusing what would be her signature style of British fabrics such as tweeds and tartans. From disheveled, extreme and rebellious looks that was synonymous with her socio-political stance, Westwood has transitioned to womanly yet non-conformist elegance. “We are all being trained to be consumers. There is no choice at all. The dream of the business person is to sell one product forever and ever. [The] [result] is everyone looks so horrible, miserable, bored [and] stuffy,” lamented Westwood as to the current state of fashion and her determination to give women a viewpoint that goes “against the consumer” mentality with her designs.
While Westwood has traded a total focus on youth culture and rebellion for mature elegance that embraces individuality, design technique and detail, she still remains a designer who mixes art, activism and fashion together. In 2005, she collaborated with British Civil Rights Group, Liberty, speak against the government’s seemingly “draconian” anti-terrorist laws. Westwood launched exclusive limited baby t-shirts and T-shirts with inscribed slogans stating, “I AM NOT A TERRORIST, please don’t arrest me.” “People are being imprisoned and the elected government has become tyrants who can imprison people without trial and it is just sad,” said Westwood to [Ladybrille] in her luncheon just before the ceremony in the Academy of Art’s Auditorium. “It was in 1215 that England said a tyrant is not able to take somebody, put them in jail and not tell them why,” explained Westwood. “Under this excuse for “terrorism,” they are doing this and making this false equation that somehow, if you object to them doing that, you support the idea of being bombed.” The ever rebellious designer adds, “It has nothing to do with democracy does it? We have to always fight for justice before the law.”
Read More

African Fashion Calendar 2008

Africa's fashion events are ready to get poppin'! Here we go with some key events we think you should not miss. If you have events you want listed, send to info@ladybrille.com.

SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa Design Week-- Design Indaba, February 23-29, CTICC Cape Town, South Africa. A must attend if you are in South Africa or surrounding African continents. The event features work from over 250 South African designers to the public and international fashion buyers, a Journalism Workshop and Young Designers Simulcast.
Sanlam SA Fashion Week
-- On to its 11th year, the Sanlam SA Fashion Week begins March 14-16, 2008, fashion workshops included. Congrats to Lucilla Booyzen for being appointed as fashion representative for South Africa on the World Fashion International Committee.

Audi Joburg Fashion Week-- March 5th-8th, 2008.

Fashion in Africa-- Tunisia, June 28, 2008
Fashion Africa 2008
--May 8th-11th, 2008

NIGERIA
Africa Movie Academy Awards-- April 26th, 2008

Nigeria Fashion Week [NFW]--July 22-26th, 2008. Congrats again to Lexy-Mojo Eyes producer of NFW for being appointed as Nigeria's fashion representative on the World Fashion International Committee.
GAMBIA
9TH Annual International Roots Festival: The Gambian Department of State for Tourism and Culture invites all Africans and friends of Africa overseas to come home and participate in this HUGE celebration which includes Gambian fashion, arts and crafts and takes place from 30th May – 7th June 2008. "Roots 2008 commemorates the enforced slavery enslavement and transportation of millions of Africans to the Americas and the Carribean."

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Howard University African Students present the 4th Annual African Fashion Show-- February 29th, 2008. The event is part of the Howard African Business Conference. Click on the preceding link to get all the details including how to purchase your tickets.

Mosaic Shop and Launching Event-- Official Launch Party of http://www.shopmosaiconline/ owned by fashion buyer Chioma Amegashie who was our main feature in our January issue. Date: February 22nd, 2008 from 6-9pm. Location: Esteban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd Street, Oakland, CA. 25% off all items for that evening plus, a percentage of the evening's proceeds will be donated to Tigerlily Foundation and The African Women's Cancer Awareness Association.

Stay tuned for more upcoming events!

Read More
Theme images by Jason Morrow. Powered by Blogger.

© 2007-2017 Ladybrille® Blogazine, All Rights Reserved.

Designed by ScreenWritersArena