artists performing at the baaadu FEstival
Patsha Bay, Festival Host
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He was selected by director, Djo Tunda Wa Munga to play the physically-demanding role of a small-time Congolese gangster, Riva, despite Mukuna having no screen acting experience. The film opens with Riva returning home to Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, after a decade away — rolling in with a truckload of hijacked gasoline that’s worth a fortune, since Kinshasa is out of fuel — but closely pursued by his old Angolan gang that he stole the gas from. A few weeks after Viva Riva! Release, it dominated the 7th Annual African Movie Academy Awards in Nigeria — winning Best Picture. The movie also received the first MTV movie award as best foreign movie. After his role in viva Riva, he worked with many Hollywood actors such as Tommy Lister (Friday,5th Element, Dark Knight) and Malik Yoba (New York Undercover, Cop Land, Empire) in independent movies. He is currently working on his own movie projects Marco and Bella by taking the role of both director and leading actor. Watch for him to shock the movie industry as he’s being called “The One” by his fans worldwide.
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Soleil Diva, Festival Host
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SOLEIL DIVA presently serves as part of the creative trio and the Executive Producer for the BRIDGING AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE AFRICAN DIASPORA UNITY FESTIVAL (the BAAADU FESTIVAL). Soleil Diva, born in Washington DC, came from a modest upbringing by parents who are Congolese from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where her parents nurtured her strong faith in God as well as her love for music. Her family traveled to several countries in Europe to develop her music career before returning to the United States where she attended Auburn University and the Atlantic Art Institute.
She released her first album titled “French Kiss” in 2000 with her twin sister in the music group, 2PM. She also released her self-titled Solo album "Soleil Diva" in 2005. Soleil decided to expand her skills as an entertainer and in 2006, she starred as a lead actress in a Cameroon film titled "Dream Kweenz." She went on to appear in several other roles as a producer, writer, and actress. In 2012, her album, “C'est Moi La Femme” simply meaning, "I, AM That Woman" was released. In 2017, Soleil became a HAPAWARDS Ambassador representing her homeland, The Democratic Republic of Congo. Soleil Diva further challenged herself by taking on the role of HAPAWARDS Chief Ambassador for five consecutive years. This noteworthy role allowed her to help many African Artists fulfill their dreams to come to Hollywood. |
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Dani B. JAIA, Festival Host
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The talented Dani B JAIA wears many hats as she is a Minister, Prophetic Psalmist, Worship Leader, Singer, Songwriter, Show Host, Actress, Momager, Motivational Speaker and Entrepreneur.
With her beautiful, strong and harmonic voice she has sang at many events such as festivals, governor balls and of course churches, where she leads in worship. Dani B is also a member of the iconic group Kylmaxx and can be seen nationwide as they tour all over the states. When Dani is not on stage singing you can find her going live on her self produced talk show Heart of Worship, which she is also the host of. Dani B uses this platform to motivate and lift others, with her testimonies as well as wisdom from her Christian faith. Who knows how Dani finds the time, but she always does as she is also the co-founder and Ceo of Faith House Productions that was founded by her and her late husband Gerard Burton. At Faith House Productions Studio, you can find a wonderful, vintage, and spacious stage ready for podcast production, events, and shows. Dani B runs this studio to help those have a place to express their talents and art while having it be very professional and qualified for all platforms. Dani B's gifts have taken her nationwide and worldwide, and she is not done yet! She just finished producing and acting in the hit play Still Standing. She also is pushing her gospel album, “Just As I Am” under her artist name Dani B Jaia, which can be found on all streaming platforms. Her music has been a success overseas and has been reviewed very well in the UK for its electrifying sound that you just can’t get enough of. |
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Meet Louis Price, former Lead Singer of The Temptations and The Drifters
Called “a performer’s performer” because he can entertain the entertainers, Louis Price, former lead singer for "The Temptations" and "The Drifters" is a Chicago native, who has been entertaining audiences all over the world. Whether he is singing Pop, R&B, gospel, standards or his originals, his showmanship and improvisational song stylings delight you.
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Currently amusing audiences in the musical podcast Melon’s House Party playing Old Tom, LOUIS has firmly stepped into the streaming world.
LOUIS most recent music releases are the gripping song “What Do You Think of That” and the reimagined Prince classic “When Doves Cry”, is streaming on all platforms.” Whether with Beyoncé. Mary J Blidge, or John Legend and Common on the Oscars and Grammys, LOUIS adds flavor to any vocal mix. LOUIS was blessed to sing on hit albums by Justin Timberlake, Katie Perry , Michael Bublé, Celine Dion, Carol King, and Elton John. His vocal arrangement of Carol of The Bells is included on the Carole King holiday CD. He was also vocal consultant on 2 Seal albums. His self-titled solo album on Motown Records, “Louis Price,” contains songs that warm your heart as well as get you moving on the dance floor. In addition, Louis under the L Price ReCORDS label produced an acclaimed gospel album “Thank You Lord” by gospel great Vernon Oliver Price, who is often compared to Mahalia Jackson. He added his vocals to the movies “Bad Boys For Life,” “Superfly,” “Uncle Drew,” “Hidden Figures,” “Rio,” The Lego Movie," and “The Lorax." His voice is featured in "Happy Feet” I & II singing “Papa Oom Maw, Maw,” and singing the title for “Jackie’s Back.” Other films include “The Lion King”, “Big Mama’s House”, “Price of Egypt,” The Princess and The Frog,” “Phone Booth,” and “A Bug’s Life. LOUIS sang “Gloria” and “The Chase” in the pulp classic “White Men Can’t Jump” where he also honed his acting abilities as basketballer, “King Eddie Faroo. |
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Meet KJLH's Radio Personality Kevin Nash
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As an on-air personality Kevin Nash has created an extraordinary presence on the radio scene and has generated a loyal following throughout California and abroad. With an authentic heart for music this class act has worked just about all genres of music to include Gospel, Light Rock, Jazz, Oldies and Urban Contemporary. To add to his credit, he is an accomplished voice over artist who paints the picture with words. He is the voice of B.E.T. from BET Awards to Celebration of Gospel, as well as AOL Radio, ABC Sports Halftime Show, Movie Trailers, and Radio Imaging. Kevin has worked with some of the best in the industry. Kevin was nominated R&R Personality of the Year and won Radio Personality of the Year (Urban Radio Network), NAACP Men of Valor Award, Gospel Announcer of the Year Award, and A.M.E. Theology in The Neighborhood Award. Currently, he’s doing the most at Stevie Wonder’s KJLH 102.3 FM, The Kevin Nash Show M-F 8p-12a. Kevin is truly an urban musical pioneer by his own right. Despite his love for music, his focus has been on a different medium. Having 30 years of industry experience in broadcasting, Kevin’s radio career has definitely been the cornerstone to his success, but music has always been a sideline. Musical skills are no secret to Kevin. He is an accomplished vocalist, songwriter and producer.
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Meet Victory Boyd
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"There is a rich legacy of music that originates from both the trials and triumphs of the African-American experience, a legacy that flows like a river through generations and waters the world with songs of hope for the present times and for the future".
This is how Victory Boyd, a 27-year-old soul and folk artist who hails originally from Detroit Michigan, describes not only the sound that she carries but also the responsibility of what she carries as an artist, entrepreneur, and advocate. After being personally signed by Jay-Z in 2016, Victory released her debut EP entitled "It's a New Dawn" featuring her soul stirring rendition of Nina Simone's classic "Feeling Good," among other songs including original songs "Believe In Love," "Lessons From My Father," and "Cheap Love." The entire project was released globally and premiered in over 8,000 Starbucks locations worldwide for over a year and positioned Victory to be highly anticipated in 2018 when her debut album and "The Broken Instrument" was released. Victory's talent as a singer-songwriter and performer quickly became popular in the music industry as she continued to demonstrate rare capabilities of captivating audiences with her classic sultry voice, thought-provoking lyrics, and unconventional guitar skills. Victory established a reputation in elite circles of influence having performed private concerts for Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, Mellody Hobson from Ariel investments and her husband George Lucas the creator of Star Wars, Robert Smith venture capitalist, Mike Novogratz, Tyler Perry, Kanye West, and many, many others. |
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Meet JDT Mulopwe
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Meet Bouro Mpela
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Meet Mz. Mennah
Song title: Gbomoh Release date: Country: Liberia Category: Afro-Beats A captivating singer/songwriter, Mz Menneh is a passionate, soulful, Liberian Traditional Female Artist who takes listeners on a journey through a musical world where freedom and joy balance sorrow and injustice. Her lyrics, reflective of her African roots, embrace the essence of traditional and cultural life in Liberia and the African perspective. |
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Meet Arsene NGOUELE
Born on August 10 in Congo-Brazzaville in the city
ocean (Pointe-Noire). He was born into a Christian family,
eldest of a family of 6 children. He is from the fifth
generation of a family of griots and musicians. Each
evening before going to bed, the family met around a
table for family worship showing hymns of
praise to God. These cults allowed to awaken the talent of the
singer who slept in him, and they opened the doors of
the Sunday school of the Minu annex of the Parish
Gospel of Tié-Tié in 1984, which propelled him beyond
front of the stage thanks to the mastery of singing, his voice
melancholy and his vocal suavity.
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Meet Mandala Gourougang
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