Photo Recap: Okayafrica Presents The Very Best

Photo Recap: Okayafrica Presents The Very Best


Arms went up and floors were shook at Gramercy Theater last night during our Okayafrica Presents: The Very Best showcase. DJ Chief Boima kicked off the party with topical bass on the decks, then Sierra Leone's Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew brought a full-band assault, UK-based Nigerian/Kenyan Seye delivered a solo guitar set and The Very Best had every limb in the vicinity flailing to their electro-infused diaspora tunes. Seye and The Very Best will continue to throw dance parties across the United States this summer. Check their remaining tour dates here. Read an in-depth review of our showcase at Ignite the Soundhere, and see photos from the showcase, shot by Emmanuelle Saliba and Dominique Taylor, below.

Military official wearing green beret and camouflage uniform signs documents at desk while four officials stand behind, with Malian flag and African artwork in background.
News

As Mali Purge Streets Of French Names, Locals Wonder If It’s A Priority

The Malian military administration has renamed about 25 locations, including public institutions in a bid to shed itself of its French colonial history. However, some locals think this may render history incomplete.

Thandiwe Newton in a grey sleeveless dress, wearing red lipstick and crystal earrings, poses against a pink background
Arts + Culture

What's in A Name: How African Names Get Lost in Translation

From NBA stars to Grammy nominees, prominent Africans have often had their names misspelled or mispronounced. While some have pushed back and reclaimed it, others embrace it.