It’s Black Friday Week and that can only mean one thing! You are in search of great deals on items you’ve had your eye on for a while. Allow us to expand your shopping list to include some of our favorite retailers with African-Inspired goodies at great prices! Best of all, you don’t have to go in the cold, get wet or navigate extremely long lines just for these items. Nope. You can shop, conveniently, from the comfort of your home, online! Voila! Here is LADYBRILLEmag.com’s list of some of the hottest Africa Inspired e-shopping destinations to make your Black Friday shopping heaven!
SHOP African-Inspired Music
Pan African
For a truly Pan-African experience, you should check out TruSpot.com. TruSpot offers a diverse collection of African music from across the continent and even encompasses the Caribbean. The site is relatively easy to navigate, users can sample all genres of music through Truspot radio or each individual artist page. One artist to definitely check out is Cape Verde’sSarah Taraves.One word, “amazing!”
LADYBRILLEmag.com Country Specific Recommendations
West Africa
Nigeria
If you are looking to sample contemporary Nigerian music online, NotJustok.com is arguably your #1 go to online destination. The site’s e-shop offers assorted collections of music ranging from r&b, afro-pop to hip-hop.
For our readers and new visitors attempting, for the first time, Nigerian contemporary music, may we suggest, on Notjustok.com, some timeless albums you simply can not go wrong with? Depending on your music taste bud, check out:
1. Lami Phillips (Pop/R &B), buy here.
2. Omawumi (Afro-pop), buy here.
3. 2Face (World/Afro-pop), buy here.
4. MI2 (Hip-hop), buy here.
NOTE: MI2 Sophomore album drops at 12midnight today, Eastern Standard Time. From our review of the album, (Jude) aka M.I Abaga, a very familiar name here on Ladybrille, really surprised us. On MI2, he pushes a lot further than we expected, making a rather long wait (almost 2years), worth it. MI debuts MI2 as a ‘Music Film/Movie’ and shows a surprising range and well executed fusion of music genres: jazz, high-life, salsa, among others. Almost every song on the album could easily be a hit. Our favorites: ‘Nobody,’ ‘Beef,’ ‘Epic’ ‘Craze,’ and ‘Number One.’
5. Vector (Hip-hop), buy here.
NOTE: Also a newly released album, if you are a hip-hop head, you will love Vector, an emerging and very talented artist who just released his Freshman album, ‘State of Surprise.’ With smooth vocals that never lose a beat on delivery, Vector also shows his versatility rapping on diverse beats including reggae beats. Our favorite tracks: ‘Sha Ma Wa Lo,’ ‘Kilode,’ Mary Jane,’ and ‘Denge Pose.’
Other absolutely classic Nigerian artists you can’t go wrong with:
6. Nneka, buy here.
7. Ayo, buy here.
8. Asa, buy here. Sample latest work here.
Ghana
Ghanaians know how to have a good time and this is reflected in their music. The #1 online destination for the diverse range of Ghanaian music can be found on Ghanamusic.com. Whether you are a tourist seeking to sample great Ghanaian hip music or an African in the diaspora looking to expand your music taste, Ghanamusic.com offers anything from hip-life, r &b to hip-hop. The site aesthetic is very pleasing to the eye and we find, easy to navigate. Almost all content on Ghanamusic.com e-shop is hyper-linked to Amazon and Itunes, making for a seamless shopping experience.
Solid Ghanaian Artists to Check Out:
Kojo Antwi (R&B) (Pioneer), buy here.
Ofori Amponsah (Hip-life), (Hip-life master) buy here.
Samini (Afro pop), buy here.
Sarkodie (hip-hop) (Dubbed Ghana’s Rap King), buy here.
Reggie Rockstone (hip-hop) (Pioneer), buy here.
VIP (hip-hop), buy here.
D-Black & Kwaku T, (Hip-hop), buy here.
Rhian Benson (R&B /Soul), buy here.
Sway (hip-hop), buy here.
South Africa
Tear Gas, (Hip-hop), buy here.
Freshly Ground (Pop), buy here.
Zamajobe (Jazz), buy here.
Lira (Pop), buy here.
East Africa
Just A Band (Rock/Alternative), buy here.
X-Plastaz (Hip-Hop) (Massai music fused with hip-hop), buy here.
Central Africa
Kaysha (R&B) (Trailblazer & Music Icon), buy here.
Fally Ipupa (World) (Trailblazer & Music Icon), buy here.
Shop African-Inspired Fashions
Contemporary Fashion
As early as three years ago, it was hard to point to any credible online destinations for shopping beautiful Ladybrille “Afri-chic” designs. Today, we have a handful! These e-retailers have their supply chain logistics down, their site(s) aesthetics are beautiful and they promise a beautiful shopping experience. We won’t have it any other way. Head over to:
Asos.com;
Africhic.com;
Agnesandlola.com; or
Myasho.com; and enjoy great fashions and accessories at amazing prices.
Designer Specific Sites To Shop:
Some designers in addition to selling with the above e-retailers also have their own e-retail stores. Below is our selection of fine e-designers to shop:
Allen & Fifth (T-shirts)
Clutch Culture (Accessories)
Eki Orleans (Dresses & Accessories)
Korto Momolu (Accessories, Women’s Designs)
Hemma Collection (Men & Women’s Designs)
HVS (Accessories)
Liya Kebede’s Lem Lem (Women & Children)
Ohema Ohene (Shoes + Men & Women’s Designs)
Urban Knit (Accessories)
Wewe Clothing (Children, Men, Women)
Zed Eye (Women’s)
Zulu Rose (Sexy tees for Women)
HAPPY SHOPPING!
DISCLAIMER: Please read our Disclaimer Policy and Terms of Use . This list is provided for your convenience only.
~by Uduak Oduok
~Copyright 2010, Ladybrille Magazine (Ladybrillemag.com), All Rights Reserved
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
