Lira Announces USA Tour Dates + New EP

Okayplayer in conjunction with Okayafrica is very proud to announce the upcoming North American debut of Lira AND the release of the LIRA EP on August 8th! These are but the first volley of warning shots to get your attention, America. A 14-track album, Feel Good, will be released on January 31, 2012 and the song of the same name will be the first single at radio. Lira is a boned-afied superstar in her native South Africa, where her four albums and one DVD release have all gone platinum (or better!).  We are definitely excited to be a part of her team as she embarks on what promises to be a wildly successful career here, too.

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Marlon Wyans to host MTV Africa Music Awards

The 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards, which take place on 7 June at the Durban International Convention Centre, will be hosted by US actor, producer, stand-up comedian, writer and film director Marlon Wayans.

The awards are presented in partnership with KwaZulu-Natal Province, Absolut Vodka, the City of Durban and South Africa Tourism.

Wayans was discovered on the TV sketch comedy show In Living Color, along with Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx. He also co-starred in the comedy sitcom The Wayans Brothers, a largely autobiographical show based on the brothers' real relationship and personalities.

As a stand-up comedian, Wayans continues to sell out in venues across the US and serves up urban comedy from established and emerging comedians, writers and actors through his website, WhatTheFunny.com.

Alex Okosi, SVP and MD of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa commented, “Marlon Wayans is a hugely popular entertainment figure known and loved by African audiences from The Wayans Brothers and his various movie roles. His irreverent humour and infectious energy will definitely make him a great host for the 2014 MAMA.”

Celebrating musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African youth culture throughout the year, MAMA 2014 will, for the first time, premiere live across Africa on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130) at 21h00.

The 2014 MAMA will feature performances from African and international artists, including R&B superstar Miguel, hip hop game changer French Montana, Nigerian sensations Davido, Flavour and Tiwa Savage and South African hit makers Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Oskido and Professor.

Nominees from sub-Saharan Africa are represented in the nominations for this year’s music categories, including: 2Face, AKA, Amani, Amr Singh, Anselmo Ralph, Arielle T, Beatenberg, Big Nuz, Burna Boy, Chidinma, Clarence Peters, Danny K, Davido, Diamond, DJ Buckz, DJ Clock, DJ C'ndo, DJ Ganyani, DJ Kent, The Arrows, Donald, Don Jazzy, Dr Malinga, Dr Sid, Efya, Espoir 2000, Fally Ipupa, FB, Ferre Gola, Flavour, Fuse ODG, Gangs of Ballet, Goldfish, Heavy K, Ice Prince, JD, KCEE, Khuli Chana, Kyle Lewis, LCNVL, Lizha James, Mafikizolo, Matthew Mole, May D, Mi Casa, Michael Lowman, Nakhane Toure, Nelson Freitas, Olamide, Oskido, P Square, Professor, The Parlotones, Phyno, Radio and Weasel, R2bees, Sarkodie, Sauti Sol, Shortstraw, Stanley Enow, Tiwa Savage, Toofan, Uhuru, Wizkid, Youssoupha, Yuri Da Cunha and Zakes Bantwini.

In the newly introduced lifestyle award categories, Chimamanda Adiche, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Trevor Noah, Lupita Nyong’o and Yaya Toure are nominated for Personality of the Year.

Public voting for the MAMA can be done via the MTV Base website until midnight on 4 June 2014. Voting for Song of the Year continues up until the show on 7 June however, the winners of the MTV Base Leadership Award and Best Video are chosen exclusively by MTV Base.

Tickets are on sale at Computicket.
Seated tickets cost R450,00 (incl. VAT) while general access (standing) tickets are R200,00 (incl. VAT).

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Donald Moatshe arrested

Award-winning singer Donald Moatshe was arrested after he was caught
speeding on the N2 in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, traffic police said on
Sunday.

Donald Moatshe
"He was driving a silver Audi Q3 and was caught driving at 182 km on a
120 km zone," said road traffic inspectorate spokesperson Zinhle
Mngomezulu.

Moatshe was with a couple of friends from Swaziland, she said.

The musician was granted a R2,500 bail.

He is expected to appear in the Umhlali Magistrate's Court on Monday.

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Maggie Benedict (Akhona) arrested for Shoplifting

Actress turned Thug?

User @Tumacious told popular blog, Just Curious that she spotted Maggie Benedicts (known as Akhona from popular soapie Generations) being dragged into a police van at Cresta Shopping Mall in Johannesburg.

Linden Police confirmed that a 32 Year Old well known actress had been arrested and that her identity will be revealed when ready. The actress was arrested for allegedly stealing headache tablets.

To keep in mind, Maggie Benedict was born in 1981, 10 February. Ewn reported that the brother of the actress says he suspects his sister was set-up and that they are trying not to make her spend the night in Jail.


Follow: @PhreshentZA

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Gone but not Forgotten, RIP Tata Madiba

Freedom fighter, prisoner, moral compass and South Africa's symbol of the struggle against racial oppression.

That was Nelson Mandela, who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead his country out of decades of apartheid.

He died Thursday night at age 95.

His message of reconciliation, not vengeance, inspired the world after he negotiated a peaceful end to segregation and urged forgiveness for the white government that imprisoned him.

"As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison," Mandela said after he was freed in 1990.

Mandela, a former president, battled health issues in recent years, including a recurring lung infection that led to numerous hospitalizations.

Despite rare public appearances, he held a special place in the consciousness of the nation and the world.

"Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father," South African President Jacob Zuma said. "What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves."

His U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, echoed the same sentiment.

"We've lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth," Obama said. "He no longer belongs to us -- he belongs to the ages."

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Ja Rule Is Now Gay?

"He wrote all them love songs and still don't know how to treat a b*tch" Responded Aisha Atkin's rapper Ja Rule's wife in an opening statement during her MTV exclusive "Married Life After Prison" set to air later this month.

"We spent 10 plus years building our marriage but it only took him two to decide he'd rather suck a d*ck than be with his wife" Ja Rule was sentenced to two years in jail for a gun charge and released earlier in 2013 when he presumably returned to life with his family, but according to Aisha that is simply not the case.

"He returned home alright; To get his shit and leave" She claims that Ja Rule real name Jeffery Atkins simply told her that he was sleeping with his personal trainer and not until later did she find out that not only was he a man, but his prison cell mate.

Aisha admits that she hopes this is just a phase, but is now convinced that the whole 50 cent thing was not just a silly rap feud, but more than likely a crush.

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RIP Paul Walker

Paul Walker, the star of the "Fast & Furious" movie series died Saturday afternoon in a car crash that killed him and his friend, north of Los Angeles. Paul had just recently celebrated his 40th Birthday.

Reports say Walker was a passenger in the friend's car and that Walker was in the area to attend a charity event for his organization, Reach Out Worldwide. True hey, Bad things happen to Good People.

The LA County Sheriff's Department said that Deputies found a car engulfed in flames when they responded to a report of a collision in the community of Valencia. Two people who were found in the car were pronounced dead at the scene.

A red Porsche crashed into a light pole and the car burst into flames.

Walker was working on "Fast & Furious 7" at the time of his death. He also stared in the suspense drama, "Hours", Which is set for release this month.

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