Izetta Jones Wins Miss Malaika
Published: 06 October, 2008
Miss Malaika Liberia 2008-2009, Izetta Jones Photo by F. Momolu Dorley
MONROVIA, Izetta Jones (Delegate 12), a sophomore student at Cuttington University, bagged Liberia's first-ever Miss Malaika crown in an intense pageant of beauty and brains at the Unity Conference Center on Saturday, October 4. The pageant is unique among its kind in Liberia, highlighting key attributes of African beauty which run rather contrary to more widely observed Western concepts of pageantry.
Miss Malaika Delegates on Stage Tomorrow
Published: 03 October, 2008
Come one, come all, the event is here! The Miss Malaika Liberia pageant is expected to mold a new curve in the art and practice of pageantry in Liberia, as Malaika Mania climaxes at the Unity Conference Center (UCC) on Saturday, October 4. And with Stella Damascus Aboderin and Desmond Elliot in the house that evening, expectations for the event are already soaring.
First PRS F'Ball, Musical & Cultural Sensitization Campaign Ends
Published: 26 September, 2008
The Director of Cabinet Mrs. Medina Wesseh, has praised the organizers of the just-ended month-long Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) football, musical and cultural tournament, and assured them of Government's qualified support during the nation-wide sensitization campaign.
Organizers of Liberia's first Ms. Malaika show currently being hosted have disclosed that Nigerian famed movie stars Desmond Elliot and Stella Damasus will grace the October 4th 2008 finals of the event at the historic Unity Conference Center in Virginia, outside Monrovia.
'Star is Born' Winner Launches Album Today
Published: 12 September, 2008
Moses Swaray, winner of the 2007/2008 'A Star is Born' National Talent Hunt, will along with the Liberian Government and the UN Mission In Liberia (UNMIL) officially launch his debut album, “Keep on Trying”, today at the University of Liberia auditorium. The event will showcase Liberian musical performances and lead to the symbolic hand-over of the albums/CDs to the star of the evening, Mr. Swaray. The program starts at 3:30pm prompt.
Youth MDGs/PRS Inter-University Basketball and Musical Gala Begins Saturday
Published: 12 September, 2008
David Mell
Global Youth Connections, a non-governmental organization, is hosting an inter-university basketball and musical gala this Saturday, September 13, at the Sports Commission on Broad Street. The program is part of the broader outreach program aimed at creating awareness on the MDGs/PRS among youth and students of Liberia under the “Get Informed; Get Involved” Campaign.
Philadelphia Central Church Hosts Grand Gospel Concert
Published: 12 September, 2008
A choir director once told his singers, “Pray if you need direction and fast if you need a breakthrough. But if you need to touch the heart of God, then you better open your mouth and sing like you mean it!” The latter is the vision for the music ministry of Philadelphia Central Church.
Liberian Musician Stranded in Studio
Published: 05 September, 2008
Joe Amstrong Coker
A Liberian free star, Joe Amstrong Coker, has gotten financially stranded in the Middle T recording studio and is crying for urgent support in a bid to survive his embryonic musical career.
Diamond Glitters in Carpetville
Published: 29 August, 2008
Tracy Diamond Williams's radiant, humble melodious voice coupled with a classic performance left a lasting mark at an induction program of leaders of Carpetville community in Virginia.
Monrovia, August 6 Depending on where you work usually dictates what you should be wearing. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Dressing successfully is important for getting the job you want, keeping the job you have or a promotion. Get ahead at work by looking the part.
Miss Malaika Liberia 2008 Delegates at Lonestar Cell
Malaika Mania
Published: 15 August, 2008
The Miss Malaika beauty pageant 2008 trail is exuding more excitement with the date of the main event fast approaching as the days pass. Two of the sixteen delegates have already dropped from the race for personal reasons leaving the contest with fourteen equally beautiful, intelligent and eloquent young women. The organizing committee and Delegates have been touring the entire city and its environs, visiting with sponsors and other exciting tourism cites around the city and identifying with destitute and needy children sheltering at various orphanages.
THE DELEGATES, WHO BECOMES TOURISM AMBASSADOR ?
Published: 08 August, 2008
As the clock is ticking towards the final showdown for this year's Miss Malaika contest, it has now become necessary for the public to get to know who becomes Liberia's Tourism Ambassador and leads the fight against the deadly disease malaria. Already, the sixteen delegates (contestants) have been housed in the Malaika Mansion while the voting process ensues with members of the public voting for delegates of their choice. One can become part of the process by texting the number of their choice delegate (1-16) to 1010 on their cell phones using any GSM company. Predicated on results from the ongoing text voting process, four delegates with the least numbers of entries will be evicted from the mansion on August 17. This will leave the competition with ten finalists who will participate in the major event. The ten will also take a seven days vacation to the Republic of Ghana prior to the main event. The actual date for the pageant which was earlier scheduled for August 23 has now been extended to September 13, 2008 so as to allow enough time for the designers to get the delegates' outfits ready, especially as each delegate will be using about four outfits for the main event.
Members of the IC Movement led by Executive Directors Ben and Felicita Myers (rear c
Liberia Jubilee Concert: Hip-hop and Christianity on Stage
Published: 25 July, 2008
The Sports Commission amphitheater goes live on July 26, Independence Day, with at least twelve Liberian Gospel music artists headlined by Liberian Gospel sensation, Kanvee Gaines Adams under the banner, the Liberia Jubilee Concert. The event will also feature Hip-hop dancers and other live theatrical performances which are rare Christian worship and evangelism in Liberia.
Members of the Tanzanites Band at RIA and Mr. Kapinga: 'We with messages of peace and reconciliation'
Top Int'l Musicians Arrive in Monrovia
Published: 25 July, 2008
An eleven-person musical team from a Tanzania-based international Tanzanites Band has arrived in Monrovia to entertain visiting dignitaries, government officials as well as other guests that will attend the 161st Independence Day Celebration.
Peter Ballah center in country cloth gown performs at the festival
Liberian Dialects Dying Out
Published: 18 July, 2008
Since the end of the civil conflict, a couple of years ago, the war-torn West African nation of Liberia has failed to find the future direction of its cultural heritage.
The children performing brilliantly at the program
Children Applaud Day of African Child
Published: 27 June, 2008
Hundreds of children applauded the day of African Child which was celebrated on the 16th of this month starting with parade and followed by an indoor program with the kids really dominating the whole occasion.
MISS MALAIKA LIBERIA 2008: The Search Begins
Published: 27 June, 2008
The Ghana based Charter House in collaboration with Renaissance Incorporated, operator of Truth FM Radio and Real TV is bringing to Liberia, for the first time in the country's history, Africa's most recognized event, Miss Malaika. Many have heard about the Miss Malaika pageant, but for a good percentage of the Liberian population, this is news.
Free Anti-Rape Concert at SKD Tomorrow
Published: 27 June, 2008
Peter Cole will headline a cast of national and internationally acclaimed artists at SKD tomorrow
Thousands of music and entertainment fans are expected to storm the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) sports complex tomorrow for a jamboree kicking off an anti-rape campaign in Liberia. The Government of Liberia in collaboration with UNMIL is taking its anti-rape campaign to another level in a free entertainment show that will include cultural performances, anti-rape dramas and, of course, fantastic musical performances by secular and gospel artistes. The Saturday event which is already being noised in every nook and corner of Monrovia and its environs will blend national and international stars to give the audience a full dose of modern entertainment. Artists such as Liberian international sensation Peter Cole, rastaman Rabbie Nas, Friday the Cell-phone Man, Star is Born champ Moses Swaray, 2007 West African Idol contestant Jerilyn Mulbah, to name a few. Liberia's favorite comedian, Georgio Brutini, will be there to keep fans laughing off their seats. The international line-up includes Nollywood's (Nigeria) movie star Stephanie Okereke, Sierra Leone's Linda Samai (a.k.a. Star Zero) with her hit single “Lighter”; and Ghanaian musician Sidney, all of whom will arrive in Liberia today.
Liberians and their Music
Published: 20 June, 2008
The life of Liberian music has for decades been smothered by what may otherwise be considered as the natural consequences of war… or so it seems. For most of the past two decades, Liberians have seemed to take more interest in music produced by their West African neighbors than their own. Some attribute this trend to sub-standard production of Liberian music; others to lack of exposure of artists. Some others maintain that Liberia just needs to get her act together, then all this 'extra stuff' will fall right into place. But with the mass importation of culture and ideals of other countries in the region and the world at large through art, style and entertainment media, perhaps the music industry in Liberia may be just too bombarded with the competition to hear its own voice. Can someone get me the soundproof earphones?
Kanvee Gains Adams, one of Liberia's hottest selling gospel musical artists
Almost everyone in Liberia today is dancing and singing the song. In homes, along street corners, and in most, if not every gathering, not to speak of Christian functions, the song of the day is, “You Will Carry My Load."
“After a hard day's work it is time to take the stress off my mind. Maybe a bottle of Energy drink could count since I don't take in alcoholic beverages these days.”
JAMAICALVIN Versus RASTAFARIAN
Published: 06 June, 2008
We take cognizance against Rastafarianism being a politically oriented religion rooted in Jamaica, which has rapidly spread throughout the Caribbean nations and amongst Black communities of Britain and African-American communities of the United States. It began in the Depression, during which period an approximate figure of some twenty (20,000) thousand Jamaicans returned to their island from contract work in countries such as Cuba and Panama, in search of employment and a new sense of identity.
Emeka Obiamiwe directing an editing session with sound engineers at Nu Era, Inc. Studio
Getting all the Right Stuff
Published: 30 May, 2008
Every successful musician knows that the key to a successful album is a creative mix of the right artist, the right production, the right engineering and the right management. Omit any of these and you'll have a situation comparable to why George Weah couldn't win the 2005 presidential election. He didn't have all of the right stuff. The music industry in Liberia has grappled with this particular problem for the better part of the past 2 decades.
An elegantly dressed table of food at the Taste of Liberia in Atlanta, 2006 and Women of fire consists of young Liberian women reaching out to other women
Women of Fire Host 6th Annual Taste of Liberia Festival
Published: 16 May, 2008
The Women of Fire are hosting a series of events this week to officially celebrate the launching of the Monrovia branch of the organization, climaxing with the 6th annual Taste of Liberia festival on Saturday, May 17, at the White House in Congo Town. Based in Atlanta, Georgia USA, Women of Fire have since 2002 raised funds through The Taste of Liberia festival and other creative, tasteful events for the benefit and development of women and children in Liberia. On Tuesday Fire conducted a Career Day Panel discussion at the College of West Africa (CWA) where professional Liberian women shared their experiences in their chosen fields. On Thursday, the Women of Fire visited the Obaa's Girls in Monrovia.
New Musical Band Hits Nimba
Published: 02 May, 2008
A new musical band known as “Nimba Jazz” has been established in Nimba County to buttress the recruitment process of several youths to engage in promoting peace and reconciliation among the citizens and people of the county and the country at large.
LIB-HIPCO to Another Level…
Published: 25 April, 2008
Tom Holder in his LNS studio
Nowadays about 45% of the music coming out of the night clubs and on local radio stations are lyrically made of local Liberian slangs popularly known as LIB Hip-co unlike a few years back, Liberian hip-co songs are topping the local music chat, with children as young as 3 years old well able to sing along with the lyrics while dancing to the beat at the same time.
Akon speaking immediately after the Government of Liberia gowned him and Kekura Kamara
Kamara Speaks on Akon's Reception to the Chicken, Kola Nut offer
Published: 18 April, 2008
The head of the famed Balawala culture group Mr. Kekura Kamara has revealed that it was a great honor for him and the Liberia people for Mega Star Akon to truly identify with the Liberia cultural heritage.
Liberian Musicians to Get Awards
Published: 14 April, 2008
Mr. Steve Tequah
It may be a who's who in Liberian music or perhaps Liberia's style of 'Grammy' award, as on Saturday April 19, 2008, the ballroom of Monrovia City Hall will play host to a musical award for leading musical groups that the organizers said 'have inspired or touched the lives of people through their musical career'.
Princess Pittman: A Blooming Onion at Center Stage
Published: 04 April, 2008
It wasn't my first time hearing her sing and, though I don't attend close to half of the gospel music concerts and recitals in Monrovia, I can speak for most music lovers who have heard her that Princess Pittman isn't just an incredible songstress. Yes, she's been singing since she was 9 years old and her vocal maturity has lately come of age. In the same regard, she has probably had more than the doctor's dose of guest appearances as a blooming onion at other gospel musical programs.
Ambassador Endee at one of the sites in Paynesville yesterday
Cultural Amb. Endee Launches HIV/AIDS, Small Arms Awareness Campaign
Published: 04 April, 2008
The best of Liberia's cultural and musical artistes will converge at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 for a day-long awareness jamboree on the dangers associated with HIV/AIDS and Small Arms.
For Akon's Pending Visit
Published: 04 April, 2008
LIB Queen
Liberia's rising musician, Nancy Kumba Gbollie alias 'LIB Queen', has heaped praises on CellCom for the pending visit of one of the world's premier musical icons, Aliaune Thiam affectionately known as 'Akon
Gospel Musicians Thrill City Hall Audience
Published: 02 April, 2008
The theatre of the Monrovia City Hall was last Sunday the scene of a dynamic and spectacular Gospel music fest featuring the young and beautiful Liberian star, Miss Fatu Teta Davis, and her Nigerian co-star, Pecular Emegwana.
Akon’s Coming to Liberia Is in Everybody's Interest
Published: 28 March, 2008
Alieu Thiam aka Akon
Earlier reports that the Ministry of Information was not officially aware of the coming into Liberia of Senegalese-born American artist, Alieu Thiam aka Akon, has been clarified. The Liberian government has officially signed a letter approving the upcoming performance of the artist in the country. Making the disclosure at a press briefing in Monrovia yesterday, Information Minister Lawrence Konmla Bropleh said a letter was officially sent to his office by Cellcom GSM concerning the Akon show but had not addressed himself to it because of his busy schedule out of the city recently. Min. Bropleh, who said he finally signed the letter yesterday, intimated that the coming of Akon to Liberia is in the interest of everybody, even though he did not elucidate further.
Princess Pitman Launches Debut Album
Published: 28 March, 2008
Yolanda Adams has touched audiences worldwide, including Liberia's young Princess Pitman, who is set to launch her debut album called 'Princess Passion'.
Akon to Hit Record Attendance
Published: 18 March, 2008
Aliaune Thiam, a.k.a. Akon and Miss Barkue Tubman
MONROVIA, One of the world’s premier musical icons, Aliaune Thiam, popularly known as 'Akon' is reportedly set for his debut visit to war-ravaged Liberia on April 15, 2008.
Two young and energetic Liberian queens Miss Liberia 2008, Bendu Parker and Miss Liberia in Georgia, the United States graced the Bomi County's preliminaries spelling bee competition held at the C.H. Dewey High School in Tubmanburg, the provisional capital of the county.
Bendu Parker (center) and Faciah Harris (far right), along with students of Cathedral Catholic School and Deputy Education Minister for administration Hawa Goll-Kotchi
Parker Speaks on Children's Plight
Published: 07 March, 2008
Liberia's 2008 beauty queen, Bendu Parker, has intoned that the children of Liberia have been forgotten.
MONROVIA, Senegalese-born American musical star Aliaune Thiam, popularly known as Akon, is due to visit Liberia for the first time in mid-April this year.
New Liberian Movie Hits the Rivoli Cinema…
Published: 29 February, 2008
The Liberian movie industry (Liberwood) will today Friday light up the Rivoli Cinema on Broad Street with one of the grandest movies ever to hit the silver screen in post war Liberia. The movie with its central theme focusing on reconciliation is the debut effort of the Dayo-Collins Production. “Line of Bitterness” portrays the deep rooted bitterness occasioned by the more than a decade and half of “near-fratricidal genocide” in Liberia, especially between the Gio and Mandingo tribes.
Culture Ambassador Honors Black American Billionaire
Published: 22 February, 2008
Juli Endee in live performance
Liberia's Culture Ambassador for Peace, Juli Endee, on Wednesday launched a musical CD in honor of black American billionaire Bob Johnson. The CD is entitled 'Liberia Says Thank You,' done in appreciation of the billionaire's many contributions not only to Liberia but to the entire African continent.
Broadway boss, Mr. Gary Allsopp and The date for the Shalfest Contest in the UK is from July 4 - 5, 2008.
17 Artistes in 'Broadway Battle Of the Bands' Contest
Published: 08 February, 2008
Seventeen local musical artistes who made it to the 'Broadway Battle of the Bands' musical contest would this weekend be involved in a hectic stage performances in a bid for a place in to the contest's final showdown that comes up next month.
Freesound lead vocalist, Keith Bartlin, and friends at Mamba Point Photo by I. Nagbe
Hope for Liberian Musicians
Published: 01 February, 2008
Freesound lead vocalist/guitarist, Keith Bartlin, a renowned musician from Honolulu, Hawaii in the USA recently paid a one-week visit to Liberia. The Rastafarian musician, who was in the country for the first time, expressed joy to be in a country he had heard about for a long time.
ABOVE l-r: Amb Juli Endee making remarks at the launching and LCP culture dancers at the program and Partial view of some female traditional leaders; below L-R: Information Minister Bropleh(left) was among dignitaries at the launching and Partial view of some traditional leaders at the program
Crusaders for Peace Launches Media Campaign
Published: 25 January, 2008
The Executive Director of the Liberia Crusaders for Peace, Culture Ambassador Juli Endee has expressed the important role her group and the local media need to play to sensitize the citizenry on the forthcoming National Population & Housing Census.
Amid energetic celebration on Wednesday at the party's headquarters, with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and supporters of the Unity Party-led Government dancing to the tune of their political jingles, a few yards away at the Open Air Sports Commission on Broad Street, hundreds of people from virtually every political sphere in the country were entertained by Liberia's famed comedy group Balawala Malawala International in commemoration of Africa's first female President's second inaugural anniversary.
Vai Town Representative Alpha Barry and Jamaica Road Representative Momo Thomas Vaii Jr.
Eight Communities Vie for District #10 Top Social Accolades
Published: 28 December, 2007
Sixteen teenagers, majority between the ages of 16 and 17 will tomorrow have a hectic night as they vigorously go all-out in the kickoff of this year's District #10 highest social contest.
Summertime along with some of the kids photo by A. M. Johnson
WATEVER Record Fetes Kids at X-Mas
Published: 28 December, 2007
Children from various communities in and around Monrovia were featured in a Christmas Day musical show in the auditorium of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) headquarters on Crown Hill, Broad Street.
LIB Queen (left) with Balawala International Executive Director Kekura Kamara
All-Liberia Culture Festival Set for New Year's Day
Published: 14 December, 2007
The head of the famed Balawala culture group, Mr. Kekura Kamara, has disclosed that every mechanism was being put in place for the pending all-Liberia culture festival on New Year's Day.
Two international gospel musical artistes have encouraged Christians in Liberia to keep worshiping God whom they regard as their Savior. They made the statement on Sunday, December 2, 2007 when they spoke with our reporter in an exclusive interview.
