Music show: Laura Prince retraces her African roots on 'Adjoko'
From the show
In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with Franco-Togolese singer Laura Prince. She's just released her second album "Adjoko", a voyage between memory, identity and authenticity. "Adjoko" is Laura's Togolese name, and symbolises her quest to reconnect with her African roots. She produced the record between France, Togo and Ouidah in Benin, a port town famous for its dark role in the slave trade. She also references her West African links to slavery through her name Laura Prince. It's an homage to author Mary Prince, the first Black woman to publish a book about her experiences as a slave.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Euronews
16-07-2025
- Euronews
Belgian music festival under pressure over Franco-Israeli billing
Les Francofolies de Spa, a staple of Belgium's summer music festival season since 1994, is at the heart of a growing controversy mere days before it starts. The four-day event, which aims to promote francophone artists, kicks off tomorrow and one planned set on Friday is fueling concern - that of Franco-Israeli singer Amir, a former contestant on The Voice and France's Eurovision representative in 2016. His presence on the billing has angered several other artists who are also due to perform at the festival, who have expressed their unease at Amir's perceived pro-Israel stance. Artists like Lovelace, Nicou, CHOSE and Mado have signed a statement denouncing the singer's presence: 'As artists scheduled to perform at the Francofolies de Spa, we strongly disagree with the decision to programme Amir.' As for Franco-Swiss singer Yoa, she has cancelled her participation (also originally set for Friday) altogether, citing her 'social, political and humanist" convictions which dictate that she should not 'share the stage with an artist who does not recognise the ongoing genocide in Palestine, and who has taken part in events organised in support of the Israeli army.' Indeed, Amir took part in an event in Hebron, an Israeli settlement that is illegal under international law, in 2014. Artists have also referred to his attendance at an evening in support of IDF soldiers, organised by Yoni Chetboun - an MP for the far-right Habayit Hayehudi (The Jewish Home) party. In the wake of Yoa walking away from the festival, two other artists announced that they too were withdrawing from the Francofolies de Spa: Brussels DJ RaQL and activist DJ LibraRomea. Amir's label has denounced "an outpouring of anti-Semitic hatred" and posted its support for the singer on Instagram. As for the organisers of the Francofolies de Spa, interviewed by public service broadcaster for the French-speaking Community of Belgium RTBF, they said they had received "numerous messages calling for Amir to be deprogrammed." "In a dramatic context, it is understandable that citizens and artists should question us about the commitments of an artist on the bill", said the organisers. "We are outraged by the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and deeply shocked by the unacceptable suffering inflicted on the civilian population." However, the festival seems to be maintaining Amir's concert, as they are unable to 'morally assess the entirety of his personal trajectory or access the innermost depths of his convictions'. This comes at a time when tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are regularly overshadowing European music festivals. For instance, this year's Glastonbury festival in the UK courted controversy over sets by Kneecap and Bob Vylan. This led to the BBC (the festival's official broadcaster) facing pressure from the UK government – and ultimately leading to the BBC's director of music having to step down over the scandal. Les Francofolies de Spatakes place in Spa, Belgium, from 17 - 20 July 2025.
France 24
14-07-2025
- France 24
British musician Kae Tempest on his new album 'Self Titled'
Culture 11:10 Issued on: 11:10 min From the show FRANCE 24's Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with British musician, poet, playwright and author Kae Tempest. He is back with "Self Titled", his most personal album to date, which among other topics talks about his recent transition.
Fashion Network
10-07-2025
- Fashion Network
Original Birkin bag sells for record £7.4 million at Paris auction
The original bag custom-made for actress Jane Birkin — which went on to inspire one of the most iconic accessories in modern fashion history — was sold for a record €8.6 million (£7.4 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Paris on Thursday. According to fashion lore, the first Birkin bag was created after the Franco-British actress and singer sat beside Hermès executive Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight in 1984 and mentioned she needed a bag that was both elegant and functional for her life as a young mother. Dumas reportedly sketched the concept mid-flight, designing a rectangular handbag with space specifically for baby bottles. Hermès produced that prototype for Birkin, later releasing smaller versions to the public. The now-legendary design quickly gained popularity and became a cornerstone of the brand's identity and commercial success. Standard Birkin bags today retail for over £8,000, but this original — which features Birkin's 'J.B.' initials on the flap and a non-detachable shoulder strap, unlike later versions — was sold by phone to a private buyer in Japan, according to Sotheby's. The final bid set a new record for the most expensive fashion item ever sold at auction. 'It was a travel bag. Clearly, it was worn for nine years by Jane Birkin on a daily basis, and the form is still very beautiful,' said Aurélie Vassy, head of the Handbags and Fashion Department at Sotheby's Europe and Middle East, in an interview with Reuters. Birkin originally auctioned the bag in 1994 to raise funds for Sidaction, a French charity supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS. It changed hands again in 2000, when a private French collector purchased it. When Jane Birkin passed away in 2023, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo called her the 'most Parisian of the English,' a tribute to her deep connection with the French capital. Born in the United Kingdom, Birkin moved to France in the late 1960s and became known not just for her work in film and music — particularly the provocative hit 'Je t'aime… moi non plus' — but also for her activism and humanitarian contributions.
