Kayobi @ STREETFEST FESTIVAL 2010

We had a wonderful time at the streetfest festival there was art, painting graffiti, music, skating fashion and off course KAYOBI this was our first big UK showcase and by the Grace of God it was a resounding success.
Check out some of the pictures below and UK hiphop legend TY plugging Kayobi - the vent was filmed by my man Kwame from Blakkdon Films and would be uploaded soon.


All the new shirts from the event are now available online: www.kayobi.bigcartel.com

2010 KAYOBI UPDATES

2010 KAYOBI UPDATES - Please click on Picture below


Whats good people - I just thought i would give you an update on what we have been up to:

Ivory Coast International and Arsenal footballer Emmanuel Eboué supports the KAYOBI Movement

Make EBA not WAR Shirt will be available(limited quantities) and posted out from the 20th of FEB - buy yours here:http://kayobi.bigcartel.com/product/make-eba-not-war-pre-order

New Canvas art online here:http://kayobi.bigcartel.com/

We are taking orders for Ghana and Africa please contact kwabena on: 0233244889225/kwabenab@hotmail.com (customization(choosing colours) available)

Check out the pictures of the updates and Eboue here:http://ghanahype.blogspot.com/


Thanks and holla if you need a discount :)
Stay Blessed Kwabena Boateng


New Art: Available here
New website:here

Ivory Coast International and Arsenal footballer Emmanuel Eboué supports the KAYOBI Movement

Big shout out to Emmanuel Eboué for rocking Kayobi and for joining the FUFU GANG also to PO T for hooking it UP




If you dont know who he is then get Schooled

Kraft owns Cadburys now - So what's next for GHANA

You might have heard by now that Cadburys - probably the biggest purchaser and 'publicist' of Ghana and its Cocoa has been bought by American Company Kraft. As usual the Ghanaian government is still probably sleeping and has not thought about the implications this will have on one of Ghana's main foreign exchange earners( 6 percent of GDP and 30 percent of export revenue) and the relationship cocoa farmers have with the English ...errrr I mean American Company.

Cadburys as of 2009 had been trading with Ghana's cocoa farms for a 100 years (since 1908), as the main ingredient of their famous dairy milk is full of the goodness from Ghana with at least 20 percent cocoa powder per chocolate bar. Will Kraft reduce the content of cocoa powder to 10 percent which is acceptable under American rules for making chocolate?

To celebrate the hundred years of trade cadburys set up a Cocoa Partnership for Cocoa growing communities, mostly in the Eastern, Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo, have been lined up for Cadbury’s 10-year investment package designed to secure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of cocoa farmers and the communities in which they live and work.
How will the sale affect this partnership and the planned 30 million pound investment which is chicken feed when compared to the 30 BILLION Kraft paid for Cadbury.

"In Ghana, there is a phrase 'Coco obatanpa', which means 'Cocoa is a good parent. It looks after you'," said James Boateng, MD of Cadbury Ghana, in a statement. - What kind of parent will Kraft be to Ghana and its farmers?

I wonder if the government of Ghana even owns a single share in Cadburys - we all know Cadburys share holders will be smiling all the way to the banks today - but after a 100 years did any of our governments see it fit to invest in one of the limbs that feed it (i seriously doubt this) and once again our destiny is in the hands of someone else.

In 2009 Ghana and Ghanaian musician Tinny became the POSTER boy of Cadburys Fair trade dairy milk UK launch - as evident in the video below:


I commend cardury for promoting Ghana on an international scale (something our current government failed to do even with OBAMA forcing the world to literally watch Ghana) from music videos to itunes to prime time UK tv to massive billboards around the UK and of course the name Ghana features on all the wrapping of their fair trade bars.

The only thing I would have liked is if a few Ghanaians were involved in the the actual production of the videos and fair trade campaign. On closer inspection of the advertising and production credits of the campaign there are no Ghanaian names not even the main act Tinny is credited on the musical production - I guess they (Ghanaians) were all hired hands - contrary to the impression the cadurys site gives - click here
Once again there has been no transfer of knowledge and the foreign currency does not stay in AFRICA.

There is even a blog dedicated to Ghana - Click Here

I am not being ungrateful but music videos and blogs are lovely things but won't it have been better to take the opportunity to pass on some knowledge onto some creatives ie advertising student etc whilst the production team was in Ghana. After a 100 years cadburys does not have a chocolate production factory in Ghana. The cocoa is still shipped in its raw (unprocessed) and cheaper sate -

I am not blaming cadburys but there is even a lesser chance that Kraft will set up a plant in Ghana - In fact according to human rights activist craig murray (click here for full article) they might even do worse:

''What Cadbury’s use in the UK is from independent Ghanaian smallholders, and is the equivalent of wines from an ancient small chateau or boutique Californian estate. They pay extra for it, and their willingness to pay extra has been a key part of keeping the Ghanaian small farmer going.

Kraft on the other hand use the mass produced estate cocoa; the equivalent of soulless and tasteless wine from multiple fields and huge stainless steel tanks. They source mostly in Brazil – the World’s most tasteless cocoa – and Ivory Coast. The bad taste in the mouth from the cocoa is both real and metaphorical. The estates in both countries make massive use of child labour.

I have no doubt that in order to rack up the return on their vast investment, Kraft will switch to the cheap and nasty cocoa they normally use. This could be the worst thing to hit the Ghanaian rural economy since blackpod disease.''



I hope for the best outcome with this situation - by the time the Ghanaian government wake up and protect the famers and the interests of the nation it will be a done deal. I guess they are too busy thinking of the Black Gold (oil) Ghana will start producing this year - wow we mismanaged Gold Cocoa and probably oil - WAKE UP AFRICA


on a lighter note whilst trawling cadburys fair trade blog



I noticed they had a picture of one of my t -shirts on a chap in the midst of two Ghanaian STARS SWAY and TINNY - who ever can tell me which t shirt he is wearing I will send you the exact same shirt: email answers to info@kayobiclothing.com


Peace and STAY BLESSED

The FUTURE of UK streetwear and art

This past weekend was one cool one and this was mainly because the ''OFF THE RAILS FASHION EVENT'' was literally off the hook.
Wih sick artists and designers, free drinks , nice food and ridiculously talented people that were down to earth and humble. I left the event with one thing in mind - INSPIRATION - The FUTURE IS OF THE RAILS.
This is a list of some of the Designers - who were all cool with their time and ideas - BIG UPS to -

http://WWW.OFFTHERAILSUK.COM
http://WWW.TWITTER.COM/OFFTHERAILSLIVED-visions Clothing

Oddkingdom
Alice Boutique
Originique
True Sterling


Check out their sites and support the movement - i coped a sick shirt from pins - classice poster from ODDKINGDOM and got some freebies from True Sterling whose attention to details and desigs are MAD

www.D-visions.co.uk
www.THENEWBLACK.EU
www.twitter.com/TheNewBlackProjectLive
www.alices-boutique.com
www.oddkingdom.com
www.pinspired.com

More pictures

How Adidas Stole from AFRICA - First response

PLEASE REFER TO PREVIOUS POST - HOW ADIDAS STOLE FROM AFRICA

HI guys thanks for the support in spreading this message i sent the letter to many offices of adidas including their head of intellectual property - This is the first automated reply :( - Allot of people have called for a petition. I am giving adidas a few
more days to get their act together if we dont get a satisfactory reply we will petition and will take them on through all avenues.
Thanks and keep spreading it on twitter, facebook etc PEACE

Customer Ref No: 665396

Dear Kwabena

Thank you for your recent enquiry.

Your email has been forwarded onto the relevant department and
we will contact you again shortly.

In the meantime, we would like to take this opportunity to
thank you for contacting adidas and for your interest in the
brand.

Yours sincerely

Lauren Cruse
Customer Care Manager
For and on behalf of adidas (UK) Limited


For career opportunities within the adidas Group please go to:
www.adidas-group.com/careers

Your Personal information may be used to invite you to provide
valuable feedback on your Customer Care experience and to inform you
about any future developments in adidas. If you would prefer not to
receive further information, please e-mail customercareuk@adidas.com
with a Subject title of 'Remove'.

The Mystery of FUFU

This is an excellent mini audio documentary on FUFU from the perspective of a westernerhttp://savvytraveler.publicradio.org/show/features/2002/20020531/rafiles/20020531feature3.ram
Plese click here to listen
Enjoy

I am now taking Pre Orders for the Make FUFU not war ladies T- Shirt - please email me your size if you want one - boateng.kwabena@gmail.com

Shirts can be shipped to UK
EUROPE, AMERICA and CANADA

Thanks
Click here for a peak and or size guide

Click here

Catch Kayobi at UCL on the 30 Oct

As part of our celebration of Black History month, The UCL ACS will hold a 1 day exhibition.

Kayobi will be there - Come and vibe with us. I will have some shirts, bags, ipod covers and art on sale. If you have a specific shirt you want then please email me the details and i will print it just for this event. If you have a particular design you want on a canvas please send me details.

It will me nice to meet you guys so dont loose out on fashion food art and history - from UK's finest artists and disigners.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=142695543573

Black History Month Exhibition
Name: Soul Source
Venue: UCL North and South cloisters
Date: Friday 30th of October

P.s we are taking pre orders for make fufu not war tshirts for ladies and hoodies for men. This will be our las batch for the year so please email me your sizes. boateng.kwabena@gmail.com
Thanks

Kayobi at University of Hertfordshire ACS launch

Had a wonderful time at the launch of the ACS at University of Hertfordshire - Good Blessings to all the young Black peeps I met May your dreams come true. Check ou the pics and let me know what you think.
Check it out
and join the Family on facebook - Kayobi Clothing

Kayobi T shirt gets featured on Wahala the #1 AFRICAN ARTS and CULTRAL Video SHOW

Kayobi Weapons of Mass Destruction(mosquitoes)T-shirt as worn by Dj Eric Soul on Wahala the #1AFRICAN video SHOW




About this EPISODE:
London’s Camden Town is a sea of entertainment, overflowing with colorful markets, shops, restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, theatres and cinemas. At its centre, the Proud Gallery, located in the 200-year-old Grad II Listed Horse Hospital in the ever popular Camden Stables Market.

This is our destination for this week, people!! PROUD Gallery is a truly unique venue, photographic gallery by day; the venue is transformed into a live music venue by night. This is where the whole London Afro scene chose to gathered on a summery Monday evening for a special multi-disciplinary event, celebrating the legacy of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

The night, dubbed FELA’s BOYS, showcased dance with Bode Lawal, music from the London Afrobeat Collective, Wale Ojo, Richards Olutunde, SES, Inemo and Wahala’s host, DJ Eric Soul
Join the Family



You can buy the same t shirt here
http://kayobi.bigcartel.com/

Cadbury Dairy Milk and Ghanaian Hiplife artist TINNY release track - ZINGOLO

This pic was taken at the wapi even in Ghana when Tinny came to the kayobi clothing table to check out our stuff - checkout the video - PEACE

Cadbury Dairy Milk and Ghanaian Hiplife artist TINNY release track and video Zingolo to launch their fair trade chocolate from Ghana :)

Here is the 60 sec ad

Kayobi Clothing @ Nottinghill Carnival 2009 pt2 - Ghana Float /Migraine skank

The Ghana Float at Carnival 2009 was Live

Kayobi Notting Hill Carnival 2009 Rundown

Notting Hill Carnival 2009 - Our Entrance

The Crowds Appear - Kayobi gets Papped

Its just a ROUTINE check - or is it - I think police slowed down carnival a bit too much

Kayobi gets more love

African Massive Follow the Ghana FLOAT

Respect The Hustle ~ Kayobi Clothing Interview

Please check out the first online interview for my clothing line Kayobi Clothing and leave a comment. Thanks
The shirts and items are available here:http://kayobi.bigcartel.com/

Respect The Hustle ~ Kayobi

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KAyobi Clothing Facebook Page

Please Join the KAyobi Family here

Kayobi Clothing on Facebook

Presenter, Comedian, Actor - Eddie Kadi rocking the Classic Make Fufu Not War Tee

Presenter, Comedian, Actor - Eddie Kadi rocking the Classic Make Fufu Not War Tee
Watch him now - thank me later - p,s his show was sold out tonignt

See Africa Differently

Kayobi Clothing 2009 Summer Update

Who is Kayobi Clothing

Who is Kayobi?
Kayobi - pronounced (K – OW – B) is an apparel and accessories company created to ¬ tell the African story and that of the Diaspora through positive, vibrant and thought provoking imagery.
What’s in a name?
The word ‘Kayobi’ translates from Japanese as ‘Tuesday’, this is in reference to my name Kwabena Oppong Boateng. Kwabena is the Twi name given to a child born on a Tuesday in the Akan Tribes of Ghana, coincidentally ‘Kayobi’ sounded phonetically similar to my initials ‘KOB’. Why a Japanese word? I have always had a love for the Japanese design and art aesthetic ‘kayobi’ therefore was the perfect play on words.

Our Story.
Founded in Accra Ghana on 08/08/08 the collection has evolved from a T- Shirt line to include bags and ipod cases. Now designed and produced in London we are happy to present our first collection entitled ‘its always summer in Africa’. The collection was created during my year and a half stay in Ghana and aims to capture the true essence of AFRICA.
The theme refers to the gift of eternal sunshine the continent is blessed with. Contrary to the imposed label of ‘dark continent’ stamped on Africa, the continent is actually bursting with light, life, beauty and most importantly HOPE.
With an abundance of colour we have created a visual journey through daily African life ranging from childhood nostalgia, socio – political issues, music, culture, traditional art and food.
Kayobi was created in Africa with 100% Sunshine, Love and Blessings and we hope our collection gives you this in abundance.
Thanks for being a part of the Revolution. Stay Blessed and Seek Eternity.
Kwabena Oppong Boateng

View the collection here:
http://issuu.com/kayobi/docs/kayobi_clothing_look_book_final

Buy Kayobi Online:
http://www.kayobi.bigcartel.com/

Kayobi Clothing 2009 Summer Look book

Hope you enjoy - regular blogging will resume very soon.thanks