Month: October 2013

JASMINE WITH LEADING BUSINESS WOMAN AND ECONOMIC HONOURS COMMITTEE MEMBER- YVONNE THOMPSON CBE.

WANT AN MBE/ OBE/ CBE?
When you watch the Prime Minister or the Queen distribute honours like the MBE, OBE, CBE each year, do you look on at ‘’them’’ and imagine if that were ‘’us’’? Well guess what? The honours system is not an upper class, Caucasian award only for those connected, famous and in high places. It’s possible for anyone (yes, that you and me), to nominate anyone else (yes, that’s you and me too!) right now there’s a campaign being led by cabinet office that’s encouraging more nominations by and for women and minority communities.
Have you ever wondered why or how some people receive a MBE, OBE or CBE honour from the Queens New Years or Birthday Honours List. How do you nominate, someone to receive this, and do you know someone who deserves to be nominated?

As part of a Black History Month road show to encourage more minorities and women to be nominated for the honours, I was invited to attend a presentation to help find out more about how the system works, entitled Demystifying the British Honours System.

Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE was recently appointed to the Economic Honours Committee, one of the nine committees which endorses nominations to be passed by Prime Minister Rt Hon. David Cameron to Queen Elizabeth II for her approval of investitures, either for the Queen’s New year’s Honours List or for the Queen’s Honours Birthday List.

On joining the committee, one of the first things she recognised was the lack of nominations from women and minorities, and immediately made a commitment to help the Cabinet Office to spread the word that the system is open to nominations, not just from the perceived great and good, but for anyone seen to be carrying out supportive work in their community beyond the call of duty, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Yvonne explained that white men currently dominate the system. What she referred to as ‘’male, pale and stale’’. She added that there is a lack of nominations by and for from women especially from the BAME community. Is it because we’re not as good at supporting each other?. Yvonne said ‘’People think it’s much more difficult and don’t know the process. There’s a lack of knowledge. That’s why we’re doing a roadshow that goes across the UK so people from women’s and BAME backgrounds, disabled backgrounds and youth can know that we want them to be a part of the honours system. ‘‘When you nominate just go to the honours website and fill in a short, very simple form about your nominee. What are they doing outside their day job? Talk about what the impact has been on the community, length of service and change. It must be someone that is still doing that role. We are interested in increasing diversity in all areas’’.

it’s a well known fact that poet Benjamin Zephaniah and theater artist jonzi d rejected their honours for a number of reasons. Yvonne acknowledged this too ‘‘we have had discussions about the use of the word empire. From my personal perspective I’m honoured to have been asked and those that have been touched by what I do makes me acknowledge the award with grace.
Some people turn it down cos they think they should have a higher award. There will always be a debate about the word “empire” especially whilst the queen is around. Currently there are no plans to change the word “empire”. There is a cross section of community who are awarded these honours, from foster carers, head teachers*, police, dinner ladies and more, it’s just that the media, for obvious reasons, focus on the celeb stories’’ so there you have it readers. You can nominate! What are you waiting for?

JASMINE WITH (L-R) PR LADY JODIE DALMEDA AND PRECIOUS AWARDS HOST JESSICA HUIE.

PRECIOUS AWARDS- WALDORF HOTEL

I attended the annual Precious Awards, which celebrate and honour women in a variety of categories at the Waldorf Hotel. Founder Foluke Akinlose told me ‘’at the core of our awards is our commitment to giving a platform to women of colour in business and leadership’’. Foluke launched precious magazine in 1999 as there were no digital platforms for women of colour in the UK ‘’it was as if little girls like me were invisible, I had to look at American publications to read positive stories of black achievement. Women of colour are still generally ignored by the mainstream, the standard of the ‘’class of 2013 was high and choosing our winners was difficult but deep down all our finalists are winners’’.

JASMINE WITH PRECIOUS AWARD NOMINEE HOPE DAVIS

The night was very elegant and intimate. A very specially chosen select group of nominees and press started with a champagne reception and then a sumptuous sit down meal. At my table were two very impressive nominees. One of them was Hope Davis- who founded the hope school of dance, which offers classes specifically for children with special needs.

Hope herself is a trained dancer and has overcome many physical and medical challenges in her own past which inspired her to help others. She and her partner Ivan were very good company at my table.

Also at my table was the founder of ROCKSTAR STARTUP LOANS who are the UK’s largest entrepreneurial mentoring organisation.

The awards were hosted by my friend, founder of Colourblind Cards and PR lady- Jessica Huie. Her co-host was life coach and motivational speaker Rasheed Ogunlaru. Both did a brilliant job in guiding us through each award. It was fascinating to hear of and see so many amazing women who have set up their own businesses and are doing so well.

The big head honcho of this very newspaper- George Ruddock- also attended to hand out the award to the man of the year. He whispered to me ‘’I cant believe it, all these very talented, successful women everywhere and I get to give out an award to the only male winner-that’s not fair!’’ lol

GOOGLE BHM EVENT- (all pics by SAI Photography)

Finally I attended an event titled Inspiring Minds: Community, Choices & Legacy at Google’s London office. Google UK were celebrating Black History Month for the first time and developed a calendar of activities, lead by the Black Googler Network (BGN) to; engage Googlers, develop pipeline and show their commitment.

STRATFORD THEATRE CHOIR PERFORM AT GOOGLE

The event was for 150 external guests in their London office where they brought together professionals, students, community leaders and employees for an evening of discussion and entertainment to honour Black History Month. In the house were faces like actor/presenter Kat Boyce, music lady Cookie Pryce, hip hop act Akala, Flava Magazines head lady Annika Allen and more.

AKALA AT THE GOOGLE EVENT.

ANNIKA ALLEN (FLAVA), ANGIE LE MAR, JAS, GOOGLES ADRIAN JOSEPH.

The pre event reception was in a huge stylist space where waiters handed out drinks and snacks and clearly no expense was spared. We were also entertained by a very impressive performance set by the community choir Stratford East Singers.

The main event paid tribute to the exceptional talent and recognised the outstanding contribution that the UK Black community plays in modern Britain.

GOOGLE EXEC ADRIAN JOSEPH

It kicked off with a welcome speech by Google exec Adrian Joseph, who had us all sitting tall in our seats. It’s so refreshing to see a top exec at a company not just give a welcoming speech and then leave. Adrian was engaging, fun and inspiring with his demonstration of Google’s technology possibilities today, how it had helped keep the world informed, why it was the planets biggest and best search engine and most impressively, why it was the company’s mission to be the leading tech company in diversity areas by the end of 2014! By the time he had finished speaking I wanted him to be my boss!

THE GUARDIAN’S JOSEPH HARKER

Speakers included; Joseph Harker, the Guardians assistant comment editor. He was also a former editor at the weekly newspaper Black Briton and The Voice newspaper. Josephs speech was beautiful. A really passionate speaker, who had us engaged about his own experiences and his journey to the top of the print press game.

GOOGLE PANEL

Next, a panel debate was hosted by my surrogate big sister, (not mother or Angie will kill me!), comedienne and actress Angie Le Mar. panelists included Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE, Matilda MacAttram, Pablo Reid and Vanessa Sanyauke. All of the speakers impressed with their insight on the topics of legacy and as the CHOICEFM name change to Capital Xtra was topical, Yvonne enlightened us by saying ‘’Choice had to be sold but it left a legacy, by training younger djs who went on to more mainstream stations, to spread the professional black story. It did what it had to do’’
Matilda MacAttram from the Black Mental Health organization really impressed me with her speech in which she educated us about the story of David Bennett who was killed after being restrained by medical staff. She told us ‘’Nurses held him down for 30 minutes. His final words were ‘’I can’t breath. I can’t breath’’. The nurse’s words were ‘‘calm down boy!’’ this example typifies mental health in our community’’. Matilda had both us and herself I tears by the time she had finished speaking about the work she does. (Has she got an honour? can someone who knows her please nominate her?)

MISHA B PERFORMS AT GOOGLE.

The main event closed with another musical performance, this time by X Factor act Misha B, who sang with gusto and passion. A networking reception followed with culinary delights including fried plantain balls, lamb patties and tamarind balls which I had to pick at discreetly so as not to be seen to polish of two trays full.

GOOGLE LAMB PATTIES.

Over the month of October Google have raised the visibility and awareness of Black History Month and the Black Googler Network internally, and gained new members to the group.

AUDIENCE GUESTS AT GOOGLE

Adrian finished by reminding us of Googles commitment to the diversity cause both in front and behind their online platform. He urged me to tell you all about Topblacktalent.com which engages great talent from the BAME community. Yearly Applications close in November so check it out and get on board life’s winners train today!

GOOGLE RECEPTION

ACTOR/DIRECTOR FEMI OYENIRAN AND JASMINE

This week has been about colliding genres in the worlds of film, debate, art and sport. I love it when genres collide.
To start off, I attended the film premiere in Leicester square, of the latest movie to come from #teamuk actor/director Femi Oyeniran, titled ‘’is a lot’’.

It has a storyline about young students making a fake charity up for bone marrow donation and gave the ACLT (African Caribbean leukaemia trust), a big mention throughout the narrative. Femi also revealed that 4% of all profits from the film will go to the charity. That’s a big gesture that puts his money where his mouth is. Many celebs (including actors that star in the film) told the london360 news reporters on the red carpet, that they still hadn’t joined the blood register. What is it about our culture that stops us doing anything charitable until it affects us? I know we’re not that selfish as a people, so what’s the answer?

JASMINE WITH ACLT’S ORIN AND BEVERLEY.

The night saw a number of stars turn out to support Femi’s film. We spoke to Beverly and Orin who run the ACLT who were still in shock after comedian Felix Dexter’s death and said

‘’ In an honour to Felix, it’s a case of continuing the work of the charity to get more donors on board, to have more laughter, he would be saying, you guys push on, try and find donors, he tried to help Daniel, he joined the register in 1997 himself to help Daniel, he would want others to now register to help other people. So everyone can go to the shows and have a laugh and come to nights like this and relax and chill because that’s what Felix was about, having a good time with a serious message below the surface. And that’s what the ACLT’s about. And that’s what the film is trying to say as well, a mix of the seriousness and also the laugher on top, which is of course what everyone wants’’

JASMINE AND WRETCH

Music star Wretch32, Rizzle Kicks, Broadcaster, MOBO host and now actress Sarah Jane Crawford, Eddie Kadi, Krept and Konan and Adam Deacon all excited the paparazzi on the red carpet.

COMEDIAN EDDIE KADI AND RIZZLE KICKS ON THE RED CARPET

Also in attendance were director Darwood Grace, actress Roxanne Pallet, DJ Tim Westwood (or Tim Whitewood as he was known in the film), Roxie Sternberg, Red Mandrell, Jack Doolan and Jazzie Zonzolo.

JASMINE WITH SARAH JANE CRAWFORD

Kojo who plays the headmaster said

‘’ to be in a movie, and get the message across in a movie, is very unique, I’ve not seen it done’, “I think more pressure should be put on celebrities, there’s a black guy sitting in the White House based on celebrity help”

LONDON360 REPORTER MARVIN INTERVIEWS RIZZLE KICKS

Director and actor Femi urged ‘

’ If this film does really well 4% of the box office is going to the ACLT…If the film does well, the ACLT will financially benefit from the movie. I’ve not told anyone that, so you’ve got the exclusive there, Let’s narrow the gap guys!’’

A great juxtaposition of the worlds of film, charity and youth!

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DO WOMEN RULE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY OR…?

An overflowing room of ladies, both from the music industry and many others that want to be a part of it, gathered (not just for an evening of cocktails and to compliment each others latest music signings and PR success’s), but to debate about whether women ruled the industry. (As we didn’t already know the answer to that question). Taking place at THE OTHER CLUB –a pop up members club in Kingly Court, the night was titled; Do Women Rule the Music Industry Or…? Attending for the panel were singers Katie Melua and VV Brown, DJ Goldierocks, music artist manager Cassandra Gracey from Turn First Artists, and the panel chair- Krissi Murison – a British music journalist and former editor of the NME.

The debate explored a women’s place in the music industry. Its scary when you break down music industry stereotypes where men take all the A&R jobs and record label head roles, whilst women stick to more female friendly areas of PR, marketing and styling. Former NME editor Krissi told of episodes where female A&R’s at the side of the stage were often mistaken for groupies on the road. Considering the music industry is made up of 30% women, Katie said it was better than many countries she had grown up in, and especially when you consider how quickly women have fought for a right to other areas of equality, I.E its only been 95 years since women in the UK have been able to buy property.

Lara Baker- Organiser of the AIM Independent Music Awards blogged ‘’ Statistics consistently show that women in music earn less than their male counterparts. Despite the music industry signing up to UK Music’s Equality and Diversity Charter at the beginning of 2012, there is little sign of things improving. UK Music’s Equality and Diversity Charter is a really positive step, but whether the many organisations and companies that signed up to it will actually take action, I’m not sure. PRS for Music have been active in organising events for women in the industry, and a number of informal networking groups have become established. The 30 Percent Club, whilst not focused on the music industry, is working hard to get more women onto corporate boards, with some exciting initiatives underway to make this a reality’’

VV Brown told us that she had just set up her own label and suggested that whilst it could be frustrating for some that female music stars were often judged on their dresses instead of their musical talent, she was grateful to the part fashion had played in her own career path

“fashion played massive part in my career. At one point I was doing more M&S ads than music and it kept me out there and paid my bills”

However, the conversation became heated when they opened up that topic of “do u think being beautiful helps or hinders your career? It was inevitable that Miley Cyrus and Rihanna and their consistent pornograph-ication of teenagers would come up. VV stated,

“we have a responsibility to other younger women and having thousands of Disney fans who adore you and follow you means that the twerking episode was just not cool. If you have millions of Disney fans, and then you’re on a wrecking ball suggesting you’re giving a blow job it’s just not on ”

The question was asked as to whether Miley and her ilk should take responsibility for the way they dress? Katie disagreed “I don’t think they should. My only responsibility is to make music that I love” Katie added “I found Sinead O Connors letter to Miley condescending”
DJ Goldirocks was clear “as women we have a responsibility full stop, when female pop stars do sexy shoots are we advertising that we don’t take our music as seriously?’’
VV agreed “Overtly sexual images dilute the music” this point was underlined as an audience member reminded us ‘’ the two biggest female acts in recent history, from the UK in the USA are Adele and Sade. They didn’t have to get their kit off’’, others added ‘‘if u feed the public the dress/naked shot, that’s what they’ll write about.

Joy Lo Dico from the Evening Standard newspaper diary pages informed us all ‘

’It’s much easier to get a female music act press in paper than a male. Here is where females do have an unfair advantage!’’

Next everyone debated about how much Miley and Riri have a say in what they’re doing? Some said none-it was all male record label heads encouraging flesh and sex themes, others disagreed vehemently and said the girls knew exactly what they were doing and are much more smart and clued up than we’d like to believe. Cassandra who looks after Ellie Golding and Rita Ora said she was happy for her clients to do sexy PR shoots if they’re comfortable with it.
Suggestions to move females up higher in the industry included starting a mentoring for females in music organization, and a few suggested women who wanted to go into the radio world should join organisations like Soundwomen.org

I personally found the whole evening slightly disappointing. The idea to empower and bring together professional women was a great one, but the result was a room full of women resigned to the fact that men ran this industry. All their experiences seemed to be negative and as an aside-I was one of only 3 non-white women in the room.
My personal experience in the industry has always been very positive. I got a foot on the ladder as Channel 4 was looking for a female to present a music entertainment show. Whilst at MTV all my senior mentors except one were powerful, strong yet feminine women like our Senior Vice President Fleur Sarfaty, Harriet Brand and Heather Jones. I think your experience as a female depends on your employer as a brand. MTV and Channel 4 were always very proactive with diversity initiatives and championed women at all levels of the workplace.

Instead of conforming to the cliché of women gathering to discuss business, but then the majority of the conversation dwelling on sexuality and fashion was poor. Why not ask questions like; what does the unequal balance of male female stats in the music industry mean and how does it affect us? What have our experiences all across the industry been- not just as performers and artist managers? Why weren’t women that should’ve been on the panel like one of the UK music business’s few truly powerful women, AIM Chairman and CEO Alison Wenham, who received an OBE recently for services to the creative industries? How about Fleur Sarfaty? What about Lee Ellen Newman- Vice President, International Promotions at Universal Music Group, MOBO CEO Kanya King, Senior press officer at Warner music- Taponeswa Mavunga, former music artist now music marketing specialist Cookie Pryce? Why do women drop out at a certain age? Is it as simple as leaving to focus on building a family, personal reasons or deeper reasons of being over looked professionally? Also, there should’ve been a man on the panel- a head that has a strong line up of females in his team like Mervyn Lyn (former VP strategic partnerships at Sony Music Entertainment UK)

Music is an industry that’s always been maverick and never played by the rules. The men at the top fear women of a certain age in case they want maternity leave; they let guilt ridden female HR departments often carry out their dirty work. Women who go off to have families are carefully demoted and treated like 3rd class citizens on returning to the workplace. Will this ever be anything more than the old boys club? Only if we fight for our positions at the top, call out all injustices in diversity, champion women that need a hand up the ladder and if we ever reach the perilous heights at the top, reach down and help pull another sister up!

JASMINE WITH PREEYA (WHOSE NEW TRACK HAS A COUPLE OF BANGERS THAT COULD BE MY THEME TUNE LOL!)

A busy fortnight with the recruitment of the brand new London360 team starting at Media Trust! We’re on series 5 and raring to go!. Previous reporters from our past 4 series have gone on to work at ITV News, MTV, Sky, BBC, Livity, Shine, Radio 1,MOBO and more! This series the reporters are stronger than ever and about to hit the big time! Want to know more? Stay tuned!
This week, London town as ever had celebs from Rick Ross to Britney Spears to Jay Z passing through, and film and video sets were chock a block full of talent. We attended set visits for actor/director Noel Clarke’s latest film and actress/musician Preeya Kalidas new music video, where a group of her flyest girl friends were in attendance to join her onscreen. I also trotted down to Hammersmith Apollo to watch Russell Brands show ‘’MESSIAH COMPLEX’’- it was absolutely brilliant. He is a different level of comic genius!

THE THOMSON REUTERS PANEL L-R
Jasmine Dotiwala, Executive Producer, Media Trust, // Jo Welch, Creative Skill Set//, Marcus Ryder, Executive Producer, BBC//, Chair: Axel Threlfall – TV Anchor Reuters

THOMSON REUTERS
Next I was a part of a panel at Thomson Reuters in Canary Wharf. The debate was a PANEL DISCUSSION titled DIVERSITY IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY. WHAT HAPPENED? Our esteemed Panel Chair was Reuters news anchor Axel Threlfall. My fellow panel members were Marcus Ryder, Executive Producer, at the BBC and Jo Welch from Creative SkillSet. A recent Skillset Employment census reported that over 2000 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) employees have left creative industries (television, radio, animation, facilities, interactive media, computer games, VFX, corporate production and film) between 2009 and 2012, a decrease of 1.3%, against the backdrop of an increase in industry employment of 2%. Even more surprising and disappointing, considering 18% of media students are from BAME backgrounds. The turn out at the event was very heartening with an impressive group of young people keen to get into the industry with great ideas, minds and networks that are so unified and strong they will change the media staffing landscape within years.

Kojo Capital Xtra radio presenter and Neil Kenlock Choice FM founder and former Black Panther 2

BRITISH BLACK PANTHER EXHIBITION
One of the highlights of my week was attending the British Black Panther exhibition: Famous in the US, what many people don’t know is that London had branches too. For black history month an exhibition in Brixton pays tribute to their legacy. Fifty years ago America was changing – the civil rights movement was forcing the country to rethink its attitudes on race. At the forefront of this was the Black Panthers – a group of political activists- who knew?

Former British Black Panther Darcus Howe giving a speech

The exhibition at Photofusion Gallery, Brixton shone a light on the legacy of the British Black Panthers and Black Power Movement during Black History Month and runs from 16-26 October featuring works by Organised Youth – a group of local young people 13-25 inspired by the youthful activism of the British Panthers.

Former British Black Panther Farrukh Dhondy giving a speech

After gaining access to the Brixton based Panthers, Organised Youth photographed each Panther member inside their home and recorded a series of oral history interviews, they have produced a documentary film and a limited edition book about the project called The British Black Panthers and Black Power Movement.

Akala hip hop artist next to portrait of former Black Panther Altheia Jones-LeCointe

A private view for the exhibition was attended by former British Black Panther and members of the British Black Power movement as well as acclaimed hip hop artist Akala, Capital Xtra radio presenter Kojo, Comedy outfit Mandem on the Wall, photographer Charlie Phillips as well as Sky Drama Commissioners who are working on a new series depicting the life and times of the British movement. On exhibit were a documentary film, a living room instillation, interpretation protest banners, limited edition exhibition books and a great turn out of black panthers and youth. Do check it out if you can.

WEST LONDON LADIES- ESTELLE AND JASMINE.

ESTELLE NEW CARTOON CHARACTER
Finally look out for our very own west London songstress Estelle who is the voice of a brand new cartoon character!
Steven Universe is about the misadventures of a boy named Steven, the ultimate “little brother” to a team of magical guardians of humanity-the Crystal Gems. Steven (voiced by Zach Callison) is an energetic, lovable, half-Gem of a boy who is still trying to figure out his powers to become the true hero he is destined to be. With one foot in the human world and another in a magic world, sometimes his mortal quirks disrupt Gem missions and Gem magic can crash into his everyday life. But no matter what happens in a day, Steven has a smile on his face, a ukulele in his hand and a joke to crack!
The Crystal Gems, the self-appointed guardians of the universe, are as much a family as they are a team. Garnet (voiced by R&B singer-songwriter Estelle) is the mysterious and powerful leader of the group. Featured voices also include: Sinbad, along with special guest star Nicki Minaj.
Estelle told me ”i use my usual, regular English accent for my character.(Its always interesting hearing people change their regular voice to character voice at the drop of a dime. ) I based the look of my character on my video for Freak”. Revealing her plans for her new music she stated ”my New EP-the third and final installation of love and happiness “how stella got her groove back” is coming soon and my Album is coming 1st quarter next year. I’m workin on it as I type! LOL!”.
I quite fancy being a cartoon charcter- then i would stop buying up everything in the Disney store that features Aladins Princess Jasmine!

VANNESSA AND OKI’S FIRST DANCE!

Imagine your perfect wedding day, the venue, location, guests, visuals, entertainment, fun barometer and more. Whatever you imagined, it’s pretty much bound to have been summed up this past fortnight, with the wedding of the year!
The great and the good of London town and Nigeria came out to honour PR maven Vannessa Amadi’s wedding to her best friend, Oki on a beautiful sunny Saturday.

The invitation stated ‘’11am prompt’’ so most of us turned up around 10.30am in order to park in the surrounding 2-hour maximum limit zone, wander up to the most gorgeous intimate church chapel in Hampstead and find a seat. Well imagine my horror, when stylist extraordinaire and fellow guest Vernon Francis whispered to me on the sly ‘’I don’t think Vannessa is turning up until about 12noon’’. Huh? But that would mean if the ceremony and photos lasted longer than an hour we would all get tickets or clamps on our cars! Furthermore the overly impressive church programme running order clearly showed it was a lengthy ceremony. (The programme like the invitation was one of the most impressive I have ever seen for a nuptial. Both were silver grey, very classic and screamed ‘’money!!’’)

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE GETS HER DAUGHTER READY.

The invite was a hardboard silk covered inscribed and finished off with a blinging clasp. The programme listed the ceremony running order, photos of the happy couple, a personalized service script and even a credit list like the end of a movie! Yes, a credit list naming the main players of the day, bridesmaids, groomsmen, pastor, wedding dress maker- Vera Wang as if you couldn’t guess, and more.

So being an always prepared, extremely resourceful girl scout, I called up my assistant who lives in Hampstead, who popped by speedily with 4 resident parking permits that would save our cars. After slipping on my flats to leg it to our vehicles and back we settled down and gossiped for a whole hour before the brides arrival. Myself and other industry ladies, Jodie Dalmeda, Kanya King, Jessica Huie, Taponeswa Mavunga and Paola Lucktung had to laugh.

MUSIC INDUSTRY LADIES KANYA, TAPPY, ESTELLE, JAS, POALA, JESS.

The wedding party arrived at 12.30pm and then the day was well on its way. Vannessa runs her own PR Company so looks after music and showbiz clients who end up becoming tight friends. 2 of these include music stars Estelle and Keisha Buchanan, who were in friend mode for the morning ceremony as bridesmaids.

MUSIC STARS ESTELLE AND KEISHA EXCITED TO WALK VANNESSA UP THE AISLE.

Vannessa’s family turned out in their full, beautiful African regalia and the service with its harp quartet, female priest and choir was magical.

The reception was at west London stately home Syon Park in an outdoor marquee. It kicked off with a huge drinks reception where many, many more guests from Vanessa and Oki’s world turned up. Once the guests were seated at over 40 tables, all the African aunties accompanied by drums danced from the rear along the central aisle to the stage area.

THE AUNTIES DO THEIR THING.

Then the host asked us to be upstanding for the first formal introduction of the new happy couple- MR AND MRS OGBONA. Now THIS was an exceptional moment and my favourite of the day. A white curtain at the rear of the hall parted, to reveal a white film screen adorned with the couples monogrammed logo. Then a spotlight flashed on and popped, at the same time as Robin Thickes ‘Blurred lines’ roared out. The light showed Vannessa and Oki’s silhouettes behind the screen posing in classic wedding poses and dancing before dancing out to us, along the aisle and to their spot at the front of the room onstage.

The guests were delirious with surprise and joy and sang and danced along with them. Thereafter followed a lovely schedule of traditional African events like the cracking of the nut and speeches followed by more speeches, before we tucked into a never ending buffet of Caribbean meets African food.
Other highlights of the night included of course, the throwing of the bouquet (I kept well away!), there was also loads of extra fun stuff like a group photo booth, an ice ream cart, a sweetie confectionary table and more.

The classic first dance which Keisha Buchanan from Sugababes sang the Natalie Cole song ‘’Inseparable’’.

KEISHA SINGS THE 1ST DANCE.

Later we had music chart stars Estelle perform a short set on a raised round platform stage in the party area, followed by D’Banj who led the whole wedding procession around the marquee at one point too! I was embarrassing myself by mostly taking photos of the stylishly chic monogrammed dance floor-the first time I’ve ever wanted to snap floor pics!

CHECK OUT THE FLOOR!

TABLE 32!

I was sat on table 32, which was obviously the loudest, most glamorous fun table. Joining me at the table was Adidas honcho Paola Lucktung, PR mavens Jodie Dalmeda and Jessica Huie, warner music’s Taponeswa Mavunga, and actress Preeya Kalidas.

JODIE, JASMINE, PREEYA.

Also in the house were African superstar actress Genevieve Nnaji,MOBO CEO Kanya King, Captal Xtra DJ Manny Norte and breakfast show host Kojo, comedian Eddie Kadi, blingtastic business guru Alexander Amosu. Dolce & Gabanna PR girl Ruth Buttah, sprinter/ athlete Jeanette Kwakye, designer Wale Adyemi MBE, singer Roses Gabour, glowingly beautiful pregnant business woman Becki Fatemi, PR lady Fiona Ramsey, Cultural integrator, activist and writer Rozan. Journalist Sarah Tetah and a very happy Radio 1 DJ Reg Yates with his ultra stunning lady Tia Ward.

CONGRATULATIONS MR AND MRS O!

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GYPTIAN

Next I caught up with reggae superstar Gyptian who was in town promoting his latest music and forthcoming live dates.
Like the few standout reggae icons, Gyptian has brought a new flavour to the genre, with his power and vitality to steer reggae in a new direction. Still in his twenties his past hit “Hold You” has been a constant on DJ’s playlists at parties and summer jams repeatedly, and brought a breath of fresh air to the genre.
His albums My Name is Gyptian and I Can Feel Your Pain, have captivated fans globally and his work ethic continues to make inroads into the mainstream. His presence and voice has not faltered. His soothing vocals have carried his bold views from the island of Jamaica to the world. His recent Single- vixen he tells me excitedly is of course about and for the ladies. ‘‘Anything I make for the ladies to enjoy-the man enjoys as a sidebar too!’’ I laughed at the fact that so many acts from the Caribbean always rub their god weather in our faces by showcasing their beaches all the time. He laughed and retorted ‘’riding a horse on a beach-that’s a typical Jamaican date, that’s what we do!’’.
Of course whilst Gyptian was in town the whole ChoiceFM death scenario was being played out. He said it wasn’t anything new and shrugged his shoulders ‘’the white middle class corporations always take over our black brands and make them white and more digestible. Reggae is off most playlists on commercial radio, Why aren’t there more reggae labels? We have David Rodigan in the uk but where are the young reggae djs?’’ I didn’t have the heart to tell him that was our own fault as the radio gatekeepers never developed any young, hot reggae djs.
Gyptian added ‘’the Big always suck out lil ones, the power shifts, we need to see each other more as one, but you cant kill reggae it will go underground, we still perform all over the planet – they cant hold us back for ever!’’
Asked who the top 3 hitters are from the modern reggae scene Gyptian immediately cited ‘’me Gyptian, Shaggy and Sean Paul, numbers don’t lie’’
==================

ACTORS FEMI AND RICHARD AT THE HIPHOP SHAKESPEARE JAM.

Finally I went to check out the London date for the latest hip-hop Shakespeare show by Akala’s team. Akala and his brilliantly doubly talented actor rappers performed the story of Richard ll at the Islington O2 Academy. The iambic pentameter of Shakespeare was translated into hip-hop verses and the acting by the whole cast-including main man Bashy who played Richard 11 was amazing.
All the acts including Akala, Bashy, Lady Leshurr & Josh Osho told a compelling story. The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company which was launched by Sir Ian McKellan and fast had Ed Sheeran on board now has legions of fans that rap along to the performance word for word.
Akala told us ”“Richard II is a tale of greed and power, family rivalries and corruption. It is also a story about human beings and what unfettered power does to their souls, it contains some of Shakespeare’s best verses but is not as well known as many of his works. For all these reasons I thought Richard II would be perfect material to inspire The Hip-hop Shakespeare company on our first national tour. We have rewritten the play as a concept album with a full live band, whilst keeping many passages from the original text to move the narrative forward. We can’t wait to share this with more audiences.”
In the house watching this new genre of hip hop performance were music industry bigwigs as well as acting world hot shots like Femi Oyeniran whos own film ‘’Its a lot’’ premiers in Leicester Sq this coming week!

Also this fortnight, is the huge Superstars of Hip Hop” show, at London’s Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith on Saturday November 2nd featuring Busta Rhymes; Method Man and Redman. Isn’t London the greatest city in the world? Work hard, play hard!.

This past week, much of the nations black music lovers and music industry has debated about the sudden; shocking (to some) news that Choice FM was no longer. It has been rebranded by its owner GLOBAL, who also own Capital Radio, and been resurrected with great imagination, as Capital Xtra.

During its early years, CHOICE FM held a very special place in the hearts of the black British community when it made history in 1990, becoming the first licensed 24-hour independent black music radio station. The then Brixton-based station covered south London and eventually spread to Birmingham and north London, amassing followers and awards alike. It moved to borough High Street a few years later, but controversy struck the brand when a decade ago, in 2003, it was taken over by Capital Radio Group, and moved from south London to Leicester Square in London’s West End.

At this point I agreed with many of their changes to the DJ line up. Many of the DJ’s were so disconnected and inarticulate; some could barely string a coherent sentence together, whilst others mispronounced the names of artists, and other more cringe-worthy mistakes regularly.
Today’s very pro-urban music generation across London have been brought up by Choice FM, but its owners now want that audience to be a lot younger-preferably teenagers. Of course music brands have to reposition themselves to keep their current listenership fresh and youthful but is Choice FM changing its name, and playing a playlist that’s already all over the UK, in hundreds of different stations the way to go?

ASHLEY TABOR. GLOBAL HEAD HONCHO.

“The launch of Capital Xtra is a great moment for listeners, for commercial radio, for the DAB platform and for our team here at Global,” said Global founder and executive president Ashley Tabor. “People right across the UK will now get to enjoy a truly national station in Capital Xtra – the only commercial station to play urban dance music nationwide. “We’re taking the best presenters and shows and building on that by adding even more new talent to the line-up and we believe Capital XTRA has a very bright future.”

XTRA name
Firstly, they’re calling it Global Radio’s latest brand extension” – as far as I’m aware, this is Global Radio’s first ever brand extension if we’re talking about new sub-branded stations. However, can it be a good idea to align yourself with the Radio 1’s brand extension? The word Xtra is so aligned with Radio1Xtra its crazy that Capital has jumped on their bandwagon. It makes the Global creative team look weak, lazy and unimaginative. With all those creatives working at Global is that all they could come up with? Piggy- backing another rival brand?
A prominent industry insider stated ‘’

I think the short-sightedness even from a commercial point of view spanks of incompetence. Why even try to compete with Kiss, with this ‘urban dance’ stuff when the market is crying out for a credible, representative outlet for Black music? I don’t like or use the term ‘urban’ because its adaption signalled the mainstream demise in terms of budget and coverage of music stations like this were set up to play in the first place, namely Hip Hop, R&B, Dancehall and Reggae’’

With the black music community’s disappointment, It’s not just the human-interest side of this story that’s intriguing, but social branding of the new name- Capital Xtra is bizarre. Radio1Xtra staff are amused, and ready to welcome all the new listeners, that will no doubt migrate across to the BBC in Choice’s absence. The debate over black music radio station Choice FM having its name changed to Capital Xtra has divided fans. Some feel Choice was a worthy, boring, more community name and Capital packs a stronger punch. Others feel Capital has never had a history of championing black music, and their back-story with their former R&B DJ Simon ‘school boy’ Phillips years ago, was testament to the fact that Capital did indeed jump on the black music bandwagon extremely late.

Someone not afraid of the change is long time music manager of acts like Laura Mvula – Kwame Kwaten – who told me ‘’

Its hard on some but every station has an evolution. Maybe the name is a little close to home with regards 1Xtra for many who remember Choice FM as Choice FM . But this is Choice FM’s chosen evolution. I have seen the reaction on Facebook and social networks and people are probably more reacting to a part of their childhood and adolescence that they feel is disappearing. Others are fine with it. My view is we can’t stop time. We can find new alternatives and new stations if a station has moved on …Maybe there will be a new Choice FM who knows but there are also many new Choice fans that love the new station and its outlook and it is to these people that Choice is making the change. So that’s the future…I don’t fear the future’’

Grime music leader Wiley tweeted ‘’

The new word for urban radio is #Xtra..So there is a main station for everyone and the #Xtra bit is the urban part of the station for us .

’’

DJ’S DISRESPECT
Awkwardly, it’s the latter part of Ashleys statement above where the Choice FM family has had a knife plunged through its creative talent pool’s heart. It’s been a car crash management of a rebrand that needn’t have gotten this messy and left a bad taste in its listeners and fans mouths. ‘’ We’re taking the best presenters and shows’’…. it’s not unusual to have a cull of radio personalities. In fact, over the years I’ve often noted how poor, many of their past broadcasters were, in terms of articulation, black music knowledge or simple facts about the music stars they were talking about. But the way in which they have kicked their staff to the music street kerb, has been unprofessional and callous. It also speaks volumes about the brand, since they were bought by the Capital/ Global group.

Throughout the years every DJ on a variety of stations has been ‘let go’ or ‘stepped down’ gracefully, with both sides managing the ‘situation’. However, notoriously at Choice FM throughout the years, ever since Capital took over, loyal hardworking DJ’s have been unceremoniously given the boot; told after their last show that their services are no longer required and they shouldn’t come in next week. In fact, there is a list longer than my arm, of disgruntled DJ’s from Choice that have been treated horrifically. It’s a wonder nothing tragic has come back to bite the brand in the ass, in some way. No one is denying that change must come, and Choice have needed a new shot in the arm for years, the situation should be managed with grace and sensitivity. You’re dealing with people’s livelihoods and music lover’s favourite personalities.

Nearly a year ago, former Choice DJ Jerry Bascombe told THE VOICE newspaper ‘’

“I have nothing bad to say about Choice FM. They wanted a new target audience and they got that. They now appeal to the 13-23 year olds and that will make them money. The younger audience is easier to manipulate with the music, so if that means repeating a song 10 times a day, that is what’s going to happen.”’’

Last month there was a big outcry when BBC Radio 1 announced, that Tim Westwood was leaving the station to be replaced by Radio1Xtra’s Charlie Sloth. Charlie is liked in the industry. He’s fresh, well-mannered and very talented. Clearly Tim had a plan up his sleeve. He’s a survivor, and he’s connected. His long-time mentor and first boss Richard Park who had hired him for his Saturday night rap show on Capital in the 80’s brought him to Choice FM- the station that Tim dissed viciously over the years. The irony.

TIM WESTWOOD

It was clear that if Westwood went to Choice things were going to get very ugly, very quickly for the hip-hop stalwarts already there.

DJ 279

DJ 279 (who has been at the station over 20 years), and Tim Westwood have had a long running, extremely bitter beef for 2 decades. Insiders say that Westwood would block any music stars coming to 279’s show, and block live shows that rival DJ’s tried to promote, and threaten labels with a black-out of their artists if he didn’t get his way, causing much frustration and tension over the years. Westwood’s one-time colleagues told me that death threats that were made to Westwood over the years had been traced back via police rival DJs. Who knows really what’s what. But clearly the hip-hop music industry wasn’t a healthy place behind the scenes back then.

This past week, apparently this is how things played out; THE VOICE NEWSPAPER (Britain’s biggest black newspaper), broke the story of the rebrand, before Global were ready to publicly announce their plans. I imagine feathers were flying around the Global offices, and they hurriedly sent out a big group e-mail to staff, stating that DJ 279 was ‘stepping down’’. Minutes later to the whole group, 279 replied ‘

’I’m not stepping down, I’ve been sacked’

’.OUCH.

THE Choice brand used to stand for community in a unique, underground, connected-to-the-streets way. ChoiceFM always had the potential to be the UK’s version of New York top urban music station- HOT97 ,the leader across the nation in the urban black music realm. Alas in the battle between trying to stay grounded to their roots and becoming commercial, the stations been confused for over a decade. The DJs who used to have unique, opinionated voices, that represented their listeners have been replaced by great, young broadcasters who are practically spoon-fed their whole shows, which is just as disrespectful to listeners.

The playlist is extremely limited; a couple of years ago, the Choice FM playlist changed to directly reflect Kiss FM’s. Next they let the entire music specialist team go, and replaced them with many who are faces but not music connoisseurs.

I listen to the station now, and DJ’s still often mispronounce artist’s names, song titles are often factually wrong and don’t even consider that they know NOTHING about the history of black music.

For a broadcaster that claims to be the nation’s first national, commercial urban dance music station you’d think their DJs would not only know about the history of the music they play, but actually conduct the best knowledgeable interviews in this city. There are urban music bloggers conducting more interesting, newsworthy and ground-breaking interviews with urban music stars than the radio station’s DJs! When pop stars openly cringe around the industry and whisper behind doors that they ‘have to go to Choice for the usual wishy-washy nonsense’ you know there’s a problem.

How many of Choices DJ’s are simply allowed to play music off the main radio playlist? Barely any. Where does this leave new, underground acts? We already have Kiss playing exactly what the newly-named Capital Xtra intends to play – urban dance music. So I guess moving forwards, Radio1Xtra and stations like Rinse FM will lead in the black music field.

Where Capital succeeded in their first takeover a decade ago, was by keeping music genres, but they failed in putting the right gatekeepers in place. So for example, whilst Choice listeners love reggae and soca, their DJ’s were out of touch and also blocked younger, fresher names from coming through. Reggae as a genre has become much more dancehall focused so they should have brought in and properly developed younger, street connected names to be the face of modern reggae.

This week Global swiftly chopped the station’s reggae, soca and gospel slots. Of some of those specialist DJ slots, an insider (that for obviously reasons chose to remain anonymous) said ‘’

those guys became lazy and clearly complacent. One was yet another example of a failed gatekeeper like Westwood, in terms of hating on others, and trying to block the progression of certain DJs, and not championing the cause using the position they had’’

.

DIVERSITY
In recent years the staffing of urban music radio stations all across London has seen them cull a lot of BAME production and behind the scenes staff. Black music has cultural sensitivities. Black music acts talk to their peers in a very different way. I know this. I’ve observed it over 2 decades in my own role behind the scenes. That’s just the way it is. Would it be accepted for the majority of staff at the Asian Network or Sunrise NOT to be Asian?

The gentrification of Choice isn’t a shock. Similar black music brands have laid the path before this. World renowned reggae DJ David Rodigan refused to stand by and be side-lined into the twilight hours and said this as he resigned from KISSFM on Nov. 22nd 2012:

I write this to inform you that today I have resigned from my position as a broadcaster on Kiss FM. I’ve been with station for 22 years, shared some wonderful times with many fantastic artists and members of staff and it’s with great sadness that I’ve come to this decision. Due to their continued marginalisation of reggae music into the twilight zone of radio scheduling, it has left me no option but to make a stand for my passion and the music I love so dearly.

As Bob Marley famously said “

the stone that the builder refused will be the head corner stone.” Reggae was originally played on the streets, not on radio, and Kiss’ refusal to schedule the only reggae show on their network to a socially accessible time has resulted in this decision. Reggae is worthy of more respect and so are the fans and lovers of this music.

Whether Capital Xtra will be a good move or not remains to be seen. Perhaps it will surprise us all by going back to the original promises made to OFCOM. OFCOM say…

‘’ We expect the two Choice FM analogue licences to continue to comply with the current published Formats of these licences. This obviously includes the localness obligations, such as the delivery of local news bulletins, in addition to reflecting all aspects of the ‘Character of Service.’

Below the published formats

A TARGETED MUSIC, NEWS AND INFORMATION SERVICE PRIMARILY FOR LISTENERS OF AFRICAN AND AFRO-CARIBBEAN ORIGIN IN THE BRIXTON AREA BUT WITH CROSS-OVER APPEAL TO OTHER LISTENERS WHO APPRECIATE URBAN CONTEMPORARY BLACK MUSIC. SERVICE INCLUDES 21 HOURS PER WEEK OF COMPLEMENTARY SPECIALIST MUSIC.

A MUSIC, NEWS, COMMUNITY NEWS AND INFORMATION SERVICE PRIMARILY FOR LISTENERS OF AFRICAN AND AFRO-CARIBBEAN ORIGIN IN THE NORTH LONDON AREA BUT WITH CROSS-OVER APPEAL TO OTHER LISTENERS WHO APPRECIATE URBAN CONTEMPORARY BLACK MUSIC. SERVICE INCLUDES 21 HOURS PER WEEK OF COMPLEMENTARY SPECIALIST MUSIC.

Yes business is business. But so was the slave trade. In other words that doesn’t mean things should remain the same, or continue to happen because it it’s the ‘norm’. Kiss was hailed as a new dawn and for a while it was. With its sales to EMAP/Bauer it was clear black music and audiences weren’t part of the agenda. Choice FM, with all the jokes about its ‘cab office’ HQ in Brixton, did for a while anyway, try to serve the community for which it was created. It was dry and we complained as it didn’t quite do the job – so we didn’t really listen. By the time Capital bought it, it wasn’t the community’s anymore.

And 1Xtra? All I know is when the station launched over a decade ago it proudly called itself a ‘ Black music station’. Black music lovers will now NO DOUBT switch back to the old way of enjoying their genre- pirate radio. With most radio content now being digested online, maybe this is a great opportunity for a new black music brand. Any takers?

PRINCESS NYAH, TAMAR AND JASMINE AT THE RED BAR, WOMEN OF EMPOWERMENT COCKTAILS!
(ALL PHOTO’S COURTESY ROMAIN KEDOCHIM)

The first time I met Tamar Braxton was 15 years ago when I interviewed all the Braxton sisters (lead by Toni), on a grand London hotel bed, which we all piled on, for my column in the infamous black music magazine TOUCH. Back then she was happy to let her sisters lead, speak and take control of the media.Today she is totally in control. A pretty big reality TV star in the USA with her family reality show ‘’Braxton family values’’, which features her daily run ins with her family, sisters, husband and life. The show was so popular she and her husband Vince have been given a spin off series titled- Tamar and Vince! Quite unnervingly for a stranger to stranger chat, Tamar is happy to screamfrom the rooftops, about her still deep love for her other half ‘’I am still and will forever be so in love with Vincent. He’s my best friend, he’s the reason I now speak to my dad and he wont ever let me stay down, he’s my rock!’’

TAMAR WITH THE LOVE OF HER LIFE- VINCE!

The Braxton family have never been short of tabloid headlines from sister Toni’s infamous boob job, to her multi award winning music career. Tamar looks back on the early years with a level head ‘’ there was never any resentment on my part during the early years when Toni was very famous, I was the youngest and when Toni went solo I was happy for her. The only tough thing was once I finally came out as a soloist myself it was hard for the press and public to stop the connection and compare us constantly until we made ‘’Braxton family values’’

VIVIAN SCOTT CHEW-OWNER TIMEZONE INTERNATIONAL, JASMINE AND JAY DAVIDSON -BBC MARKETING.

Tamar’s early career saw her work with two huge names in the industry. Jermaine Dupri and Tommy Mottola. Of JD she says ‘’ I agree he’s really underrated but he’s an amazing human being and now he enjoys djing all over the country so he’s having fun!’’ For a lady that’s been in the music game 20 years, she’s still very excited about her new album LOVE & WAR which includes titles like ‘’pettiest girl’’, ‘’stay and fight’’, and the one’’. I’ve been listening to the album all month and it’s a really strong classic piece of work reminiscent of the greatest R&B albums of the eighties era. She told me ‘’I’ve been singing all my life. This albums really all about my personal life andexperiences- most of which the public already know due to the TV show. The TV show actually made it easier to bring out new music, as I don’t need to get people to get familiar with me, they already know me. We have our dramas in the show, but that’s reality, there’s nothing wrong with being real about our ups and downs’’

A WEALTH OF MEDIA AND MUSIC INDUSTRY LADIES-SEE WHO YOU CAN SPOT!

Even though she was the baby sister of the Braxton family watching her siblings careers grow, by 2004, Tamar was signed to Tommy Mottola’s reactivated Casablanca Records- there was a lot of talkabout Tommy and his hard-core business sense- what was he like to work with? I had to enquire about the powerhouse that is Tommy to see whether Tamar had experienced any of that much spoken of ‘’racism’ he’s been accused of by many. ‘’I worked with Tommy very briefly, he once told me I was very talented and that my music back then reminded him of Mariah’s ‘’music box’’, which made me so happy as she was my idol’’.

Tamar’s TV show see’s her vulnerable, warts and all, attempting to make sense of her life. She laughs at any suggestion it is ever fixed, scripted or hyped up ‘’there’s certainly no hype, the only thing I regret showing is my potty mouth, but when you have lots if sisters, managing all those relationships can be tough’’

The reality show is just one of many family focused shows in the USA and Tamar welcomes them all not seeing any ratings competition with her fellow Kardashian camera lovers ‘’there’s never any thought of competition, they’re all beautiful women and entrepreneurs, and my show is about sisterly and husband and wife unity and music’’

Tamar isn’t camera shy though and sees the 24-7 intrusion as oddly cathartic and positive ‘’there are a lot of frustratingly wrong media stories that come withy the territory, but reality TV taught me you cant care what anyone thinks or it will hold you back’’

Not only does Tamar share her TV life with her family, but also her music career and life on the road. When I catch up with her in Sony music’s London office she reveals that she’s brought the whole Braxton clan on the road with her. Her much adored husband Vincent is looking after their 3-month-old new baby son Logan, her mothers around to support and she’s even invited ‘’the rest of the girls’’ out.

She’s still in the first throes of baby love and admits ‘’motherhood is amazing but actually I had wanted a girl so I could have a Tamar junior. Logan’s nothing like me, he’s like his daddy, a total drama freeze, totally chilled out’

TAMAR’S HUSBAND VINCE WELCOMES US ALL AND SPEAKS ABOUT HOW TALENTED HIS LADY IS…

That same night, Tamar hosted a women’s only empowerment cocktail party at the red bar in the Grosvenor house hotel. She’s passionate about sisterly unity. ‘‘Women, period, have it tough in the music and fashion industry- look at Naomi Campbell’s recent campaign to support and champion more females of colour on the catwalk. I was bullied at school and it still makes me insecure. We women should compliment each other!’’

We discussed the difference in fan access now that the universe has twitter. Tamar laughs’’ it’s a blessing and a curse. Artists get frustrated and say what we shouldn’t. In the past we were very protected but now fans wanna get to know you. I thinksocial media helps to sexual young people way too early. So many kids now have fake twitter and facebook accounts that are clean just for their parents and a whole nother account for other stuff. I think though that if the children’s grounding is in the church then they know right from wrong. You just have to trust them!’’

MORE SISTERLY LOVE

There was a real sense of female love and empowerment in the room, akin to a hen party with whoops and hugs all round. Tamar worked the room. As a testament to the respect that other artists have for her singingtalent other singers were in the house praising her talent too. We had Denise Pearson from 5 Star, Terri Walker, Princess Nyah and more, proving that Tamar inspires multi generational respect!

SINGER TERRI WALKER AND FRIENDS

Princess Nyah said ‘’Tamar’s event was an exceptional meeting of the minds, with an exceptional bunch ofbusiness moguls! I love Tamar’s attitude, her style and Family values. Her album is a MUST have, my fav is Hot Sugar most deff!’’

So a big night with limitless champagne and cocktails with lovely nibbles, singers, media moguls, record label ladies and many other female movers and shakers! No war- just love!