In the heat of the growing debate about the extent some Ghanaians go to ‘slay’ at various events, I’m doing a throwback feature on how some Africans (yes, including myself) dazzled at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. While different arguments have been made for, and against the need to slay at such events, I hope to share my little view on the subject. I find nothing wrong with looking good and making an appearance. But for me, my issue is the importance people attach to it and the extent they go to make an appearance.
I often use the term ‘slay queen’ derogatorily and I’m sure those who are used to my sarcastic ways would have picked up on it by now (well I guess the incidence where I was compared to Dobby from Harry Porter says it all…wink).
These ‘slay queens’ often than not just want us to remember them for slaying, as though that in itself is a fulltime job. They go to events sometimes with make-up artists on standby, and with their own photographers to conduct a photo shoots at the venue, just to have stunning photos to post on Instagram.
Some of them, sometimes avoid the red carpet because they are not sure what images ‘unofficial’ photographers would capture. I have attended many major events around the world, and watched many such events on TV; and I have never seen international celebrities (from Beyonce to Jennifer Lopez) behave like Ghana’s ‘slay queens’ do.
Let me use Joselyn Dumas as an example. She has been captured looking stunning at various events home and abroad for many years. And all this while, all she has been doing is showing up and looking stunning ‘on the red carpet’.
Now, let me take you to the 2017 Cannes Film Festival where Joselyn Dumas stunned in a lovely Kente gown to the screening of ‘Potato Potahto’. The movie by Shirley Frimpong-Manso had a parallel screening at Le Gray D’albion during Cannes Film Festival.
Joselyn’s co-stars OC Ukeje, Nikki Samonas and Lala Akindoju were also in attendance at the screening. They also took the opportunity to make appearances at Palais des Festivals et des Congrès for main Cannes screenings and premieres.
Also making an appearance was Kenyan Fashion, Beauty, and Travel & Lifestyle blogger, Silvia Njoki.
Perhaps Africa’s most elaborate and media frenzy appearance on the red carpet came from the pair of Tanzanian actor Ernest Napoleon and former Miss Tanzania, Miriam Odemba. Their appearances on various days caught the eyes of the international photographers mostly due to Miriam Odemba’s larger than life sense of style.
I know many people have been asking why Ghanaians go to the Cannes Film Festival anyway. It may seem pointless to just show up and rock the red carpets but the festival also offers a lot of opportunities for actors and filmmakers to network and market themselves.
According to sources, after Harold Amenyah attended the festival in 2016, it opened an opportunity for him to be casted in an upcoming production in South Africa. I also believe that screening ‘Potato Potahto’ at Cannes put Shirley Frimpong-Manso in contact with some people who can market her films or collaborate with in the future.
So I guess all I want to say is that it is important to make grand appearances with a mind-set of gaining from such appearances. 
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Ice Spice remix stamps Cash Cobain’s “Fisherrr” as the Song of the Summer
Billboard Rookie of the Month, and multi-hyphenate NYC star, Cash Cobain has just linked up with Ice Spice for the long-awaited video remix for “Fisherrr”(feat. BaySwag) [18m+ Streams]. After bubbling the past few years with R-rated anthems over his own ethereal production – creating the playful “sexy drill” sound that he’s pioneered and taken to mainstream heights, Cash Cobain is stamping himself as a serious song of the summer contender with this remix.
Following up his two smash singles “Dunk Contest” (8m+) and “Fisherrr” (pronounced, ‘for sure), Cash is primed for his moment in the spotlight –– hitting 1M Monthly Listeners on Spotify, Top 3 NYC Shazam Charts, having occupied the #1 + #3 slots of the NYC Apple Music Charts, hitting #45 on the Urban Radio Charts and counting, and now landing Ice Spice’s third feature ever –– in the words of COMPLEX, “the summer of 2024 is looking very slizzy”. On the highly-anticipated remix, Ice Spice is simply in top-tier shape.
Adding her signature magnetic ‘it-girl’ flair, charming cadence, and instantly-coinable one-liners, she bolsters the lightning-hot single into astronomical territory with the opening lines –– “Got an attitude but I’m feelingless, so I ain’t mad at you, And I’m tatted too on this fatty-tude, I’m the baddest boo”.
The long-overdue collab from the two Bronx natives is seamless, with her being a tailor-fit alongside the ethereal, dreamy production and silky smooth verses from Bay Swag and Cash. With the recent releases of “Dunk Contest” (watch Genius ‘Open Mic’) and now the Ice Spice-assisted remix for “Fisherrr” (feat. BaySwag), Cash Cobain is using his collaborative momentum from last year to continue elevating his signature sound, showcasing its influential and ever-growing widespread appeal in the process. In the words of Cash:“It’s a beautiful record. It feels amazing, it feels like NYC is back stronger than ever with me and Spice -– two Bronx legends. Get ready for the song of the summer.”
Last month, Cash took over NYC with his birthday show, ‘Slizzyfest’ at Irving Plaza –– a night that was slated as a stacked lineup of NY’s finest, with rumors of an A-list superstar surprise set. After chatter spread online and the hype reached a fever pitch, the crowd became too much to handle and the show was ultimately canceled –– but Cash wanted to give the fans their money’s worth so he ventured into Union Square and threw a makeshift show with his crew, a Bluetooth speaker, and hundreds of adoring fans (read ‘I Went to Cash Cobain’s Slizzyfest and All I Got Was That Classic NYC Feeling’ via Rolling Stone + statement in Billboard).
Also in Billboard, Cash recently teased potential collaborations with Frank Ocean, Travis Scott, Don Toliver (seen filming a music video here), Lil Yachty and more –– a surefire sign of the worldwide stardom soon to come. These recent releases arrive on the heels of a career-defining year in 2023 that closed with the production of PinkPantheress‘ “Nice To Meet You” (feat. Central Cee), which debuted at #20 on Billboard Hot 100 (he also starred alongside her in a nationally-syndicated Apple commercial for the new MacBook).
This was preceded by producing Drake’s “Calling For You” (feat. 21 Savage), which debuted at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, DJ’ing at Travis Scott‘s Cactus Jack x Audemars Piguet event, and releasing his critically-acclaimed debut solo album Pretty Girls Love Slizzy with Giant Music.
Please find links to stream the new “Fisherrr” Remix (feat. Ice Spice) below, and stay tuned for more announcements:
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