ITS OUR TIME 2010 - AFRICA - ENJOY
Friday, February 05, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
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
If you dont know who he is then get Schooled
Black men cant SKI - yeah right
I am so proud of Kwame from GHANA who against all ODDS and no support from the GHANA Government or media has made it to the winter olympics in the unlikely sport of skiing - Yes say it loud -COOL RUNNINGS - Knick Named the SNOW LEOPARD - she sure deserves all the support he can get.
Please check out his site "
here and support him in any way - if the Govt. of Ghana can give each player on the Black stars 20 thousand dollars each for being the second best team in Africa I guess they can give Kwame something for being the first Ghanaian at the winter olympics.
Please check out his site "
here and support him in any way - if the Govt. of Ghana can give each player on the Black stars 20 thousand dollars each for being the second best team in Africa I guess they can give Kwame something for being the first Ghanaian at the winter olympics.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Fresh from the Motherland - Jay Ghartey - My Lady video
This music is sooo fresh - peep the FELA inspired hook - and the Video captures the spirit of GHANA - POW
Check out more of his music here - you wont be disappointed
Check out more of his music here - you wont be disappointed
Saturday, January 23, 2010
KAYOBI - 2010 ART
Sneak peek @ Kayobi 2010 Limited Edition Canvas art :) out in February only 10 each
More designs to come so stay looking.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
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
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
Watch Afrikan Boy - Lagos Town _ FRESH
MORE NWA's - NEW WORLD AFRICANS
Afrikan Boy - Lagos Town from afrikanboy on Vimeo.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year from Ghana Hype and Kayobi
Happy New Year people - Decisions Determine Destiny - I hope we make the RIGHT moves and decisions in 2010
New Beginings YALLLLLL
New Beginings YALLLLLL
Thursday, December 10, 2009
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
Saturday, December 05, 2009
M3NSA ADJUMA (WORK!! HUSTLE!) VIDEO
This video is an ODE to the real movers of AFRICA - check it out
Monday, November 23, 2009
Adidas apologizes for misrepresenting KENTE, GHANA and AFRICA
This is a follow up from my previous posts about Adidas stealing from Africa :Click here to read how adidas stole fron Ghana
It pays to speak up - people of africa please patent, copy right and protect your heritage.
Dear Mr Kwabena,
Thank you for contacting adidas regarding the Jeremy Scott, Originals by Originals shoe Nizza 2 Hi; and for correcting us on the incorrectly referenced Kente cloth. We regrettably made an error in the copywriting process when describing this shoe. I can assure you that this was not meant to be disrespectful in any way, but a simple human error when creating copy which would be used to describe the shoe.
We have begun to correct this where we can - ie adidas.com/originals, Press Materials etc.
We have also contacted all of the communications and PR managers in our local markets to advise them of the change and act accordingly. Any future stories from adidas should correctly reference the Kente cloth which inspired the design.
We're very proud to work with external design partner Jeremy Scott and also to be able to reference and be inspired by materials, designs and styles from around the world and we're also reverential in crediting the origin of the design correctly.
In this instance, Jeremy Scott sent us the design with the correct name, but in our process of writing the description a typo was made. We have now tried to correct this mistake.
Thank you again for calling this to our attention.
Kind regards,
Tom Ramsden
Senior Communications Manager - adidas Originals
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Unlike Adidas Puma acknowledges Africa and Ghana's Kente as inspiration
Adidas Please watch and learn - PUMA shoes you how its done even though their design is not as obvious they still had the decency of letting the world know who's intellectual property was the inspiration for their shoe. You guys simply copied and pasted and still decided to re write African culture and History.
Puma goes wild by way of Africa with this Pack of Clydes that takes you on venture through the Serengeti. Available in black or jungle green, each shoe features a woven geometric strip along the eyelets inspired by traditional Ghanaian Kente silk fabrics. The scuffed mid and outsole gives a rugged wild look.
PLEASE REFER TO MY LAST TWO POST ON ADIDAS - THANKS
Puma goes wild by way of Africa with this Pack of Clydes that takes you on venture through the Serengeti. Available in black or jungle green, each shoe features a woven geometric strip along the eyelets inspired by traditional Ghanaian Kente silk fabrics. The scuffed mid and outsole gives a rugged wild look.
PLEASE REFER TO MY LAST TWO POST ON ADIDAS - THANKS
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'.
Monday, November 02, 2009
How Adidas Stole from AFRICA
If Adidas wants to borrow inspiration from AFRICA then they should pay up or Give Credit Where due - This is my letter to adidas with regards to the misspelling of the word 'KENTE' and lack of ascribing the origin of the cloth use in their African Inspired 'KENTA" Nizza 2 Hi sneakers
Hi i noted that for a while now Adidas has been doing the materials of the world special edition shoes and clothing. I think this is lovely and commend adidas for this.
As an African Designer I was also extremely excited by the release of Jeremey Scotts Africa Themed apparel. I was excited when i saw the African Inspired Nizza 2 Hi sneakers however i was saddened by the wrong description of the material used. The Adidas description stated that it was a unique 'kenta' cloth. Unfortunately Adidas has got it all wrong the cloth used on the shoe in question is actually the 'kente' cloth and not the 'kenta' cloth as has been published in all materials pertaining to the shoes.
This lack of respect for the name and history of Ghana's national cloth shows how little research and consideration was taking in fashioning or mimicking this shoe as an authentic African product.
Kente is the trendiest and most renowned cloth in Ghana and possibly in all of Africa. The strip-woven cloth made by the Akan people of Ghana and the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo, is the best known of all African textiles. Its fame has spread globally where it is now one of the most admired of all fabrics in many parts of the world.
Africa as it is a misunderstood, over exploited and misrepresented continent - If conglomerates like adidas wish to take inspiration from African art and textiles for their products the least you could do was provide an accurate historical description of the 'borrowed' design.
The country of origin of the kente design was not published.
Kente has been woven for centuries on looms by skilled artisans in Ghana and Togo - these designs are the daily bread of these Africans and the intellectual property of these artists and Nations as a whole.
I am certain Adidas will not be happy if a small shoe and clothing factory in Ghana decided to utilise the Trefoil logo and the 3 - Stripes mark on their make shift line.
So why is it that the culture and intellectual property of whole nations can be misrepresented by such a big company without and regard for the originators of the design.
I would appreciate it if the name of the shoe could be corrected and the design origins of the material could be rightfully ascribed to its originators. I am sure this is either a typographical mistake or just a slight oversight as a company with such a rich history will not intentionally misrepresent the whole continent of AFRICA.
thanks for your attention
P.S No AFricans were plagiarized in the making of this letter.
Kwabena Boateng
Please spread the word and post this on your blogs, diggs, twitter facebook etc
If africans dont speak out on injustices on or image and brand wewill wake up one day and the copy right of the word AFRICA
will be owned by a multi national in the WEST.
Hi i noted that for a while now Adidas has been doing the materials of the world special edition shoes and clothing. I think this is lovely and commend adidas for this.
As an African Designer I was also extremely excited by the release of Jeremey Scotts Africa Themed apparel. I was excited when i saw the African Inspired Nizza 2 Hi sneakers however i was saddened by the wrong description of the material used. The Adidas description stated that it was a unique 'kenta' cloth. Unfortunately Adidas has got it all wrong the cloth used on the shoe in question is actually the 'kente' cloth and not the 'kenta' cloth as has been published in all materials pertaining to the shoes.
This lack of respect for the name and history of Ghana's national cloth shows how little research and consideration was taking in fashioning or mimicking this shoe as an authentic African product.
Kente is the trendiest and most renowned cloth in Ghana and possibly in all of Africa. The strip-woven cloth made by the Akan people of Ghana and the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo, is the best known of all African textiles. Its fame has spread globally where it is now one of the most admired of all fabrics in many parts of the world.
Africa as it is a misunderstood, over exploited and misrepresented continent - If conglomerates like adidas wish to take inspiration from African art and textiles for their products the least you could do was provide an accurate historical description of the 'borrowed' design.
The country of origin of the kente design was not published.
Kente has been woven for centuries on looms by skilled artisans in Ghana and Togo - these designs are the daily bread of these Africans and the intellectual property of these artists and Nations as a whole.
I am certain Adidas will not be happy if a small shoe and clothing factory in Ghana decided to utilise the Trefoil logo and the 3 - Stripes mark on their make shift line.
So why is it that the culture and intellectual property of whole nations can be misrepresented by such a big company without and regard for the originators of the design.
I would appreciate it if the name of the shoe could be corrected and the design origins of the material could be rightfully ascribed to its originators. I am sure this is either a typographical mistake or just a slight oversight as a company with such a rich history will not intentionally misrepresent the whole continent of AFRICA.
thanks for your attention
P.S No AFricans were plagiarized in the making of this letter.
Kwabena Boateng
Please spread the word and post this on your blogs, diggs, twitter facebook etc
If africans dont speak out on injustices on or image and brand wewill wake up one day and the copy right of the word AFRICA
will be owned by a multi national in the WEST.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Mystery of FUFU
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
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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
Monday, October 19, 2009
Don't Waste Your Life
I am at the point in my life where i need to take a stand for Christ and get rid of the sins that are holding me back and the false idols i have occupied my life with - it is a struggle but he is good and will not give me a load i can not bear - i dont want to gain the world and waste my life - pray for me and i will pray for you on this road - SEEK ETERNITY
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