Before joining the cast of VH1’s Love and Hip Hop in 2013, the Hamburg, Germany born and bred, Aminata “Amina” Schmahl, knew that music was in her blood at an early age. Her Motown loving mother and jazz loving father were just two of many who played an important part in her musically rich upbringing.
At the age of six, Amina joined a classical choir and soon started performing in musicals and toured with local pop acts and gospel groups.
At the age of 13, she began songwriting and signed her first record deal in 1997 with her older sister Sophie, and twin Safietou (known as “Jazz“), with BMG Germany. Soon they released their first single, under the name “Choyce”.
2002, proved to be the girls’ biggest move. After a few more tries with other labels and production teams in Germany and Europe, Amina and her sisters left Germany and headed to America. Along with the relocation, came a name change – Black Buddafly. After being discovered by producer/manager, Orrin Ennis, and scoring a record deal with Def Jam in 2005, the girls enjoyed a modest hit with danceable, yet provocative “Rock-a Bye“.
Image Source: hip-hop vibe.com
After a label switch, the departure of oldest sister Sophie and experiencing the challenges of the music business, Amina aspired to expand her skills of songwriting and composing to perfect her craft.
With a wide range of musical influences including Linda Perry, Carmen McRae, and Mariah Carey; Amina describes her sound as pure and realistic with truthful lyrics, enhanced with organic sounds and timeless harmonies.
A self-taught musician, she is in the process of mastering the piano and acoustic guitar, in addition to learning how to engineer and produce.
Released December 17, 2013, Amina’s EP, I AM, part 2, can be downloaded at http://mp3truck.net/amina-buddafly-mp3-download.html
Her catchy song “Can U” is highly listenable and currently has over 1,442 views on YouTube.
Also, keep up with her future projects on her website, http://www.iamamina.com, on YouTube, at http://www.youtube.com/abuddafly and on Twitter: @Aminabuddafly
Angela H. Polk, Program Manager, Community Development for Ford Motor Company Fund, presenting $10,000 check to Mr. Bill Duke of Duke Media Foundation and his board members, along with representatives of the NAACP Hollywood Bureau. | Photo credit: Louis “Kengi” Carr Photography
At a time when most corporations are downsizing their charitable donations to community based organizations, FordMotor Company Fund returned as the sole sponsor of the 10th Annual NAACP Image Award Symposium with the title, ‘Moving Forward: The State of the Industry‘.
More than 300 people, including Hollywood entertainers, NAACP board members, members of the NAACP Image Awards’ committee and television academy, as well as film and television students from local colleges and universities convened at the beautiful Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, California for an evening of networking and conversation about the film industry.
With the growing influence of Black filmmakers, including an increased number of black film directors and actors starring in lead roles, as well as gripping feature films backed by moving historical pieces, the film entertainment industry set a record with box office receipts totaling $11 billion last year.
Angela H. Polk, Program Manager of Community Development for Ford Motor Company Fund, presented a $10,000 grant to Director Bill Duke, founder and CEO of Duke Media Foundation.
“Ford is proud to be working again with the NAACP Hollywood Bureau Symposium to showcase a renaissance in black film at all levels,” said Pamela Alexander, Director of Community Development of Ford Motor Company Fund. “We congratulate the award-winning Bill Duke and Duke Media Foundation for their work in developing media and financial literacy programs to prepare inner-city and gifted high school students for the new digital media age.”
The Bill Duke Media Arts Foundation is located in Los Angeles, California and is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation of which the legendary actor/director/producer Mr. Bill Duke is the founder and CEO. Mr. Duke is a multi-talented mega force in entertainment, with acting credits stretching back to Car Wash, Predator, Menace To Society, X-Men III, American Gigalo and Get Rich or Die Trying. As a director his credits include Deep Cover, A Rage in Harlem, Sister Act II, Hoodlinand Not Easily Broken.
Through his foundation he provides media training for kids from grade school through high school in collaboration with Educating Young Minds Learning Center, another not-for-profit organization. Moreover, his foundation supports fundraising and educational efforts surrounding foster care, HIV and AIDS, nutritional education, financial literacy, as well as gang intervention.
Mr. Bill Duke was, also, part of the panel discussion that included Creative Artists Agency agent, Cameron Mitchell; Senior Vice President of Production for Columbia/Tristar Pictures, Mr. Devon Franklin; and author/producer, Flo McAfee. The discussion looked behind the curtain to speak on how the roles and characters of Blacks have evolved over the years, but also shed light on the work that still needs to be done to make certain Blacks continue to move forward.
From film funding and how Blacks are viewed in Hollywood to the possibility of seeing a Black woman play both the lead and love interest in a major studio film, the questions from the audience covered it all and the panel did their very best to provide answers that challenged, encouraged and inspired the aspiring film makers.
According to the NAACP website, “In 1999, the networks signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with the NAACP and the Grand Coalition greatly advancing the cause of diversity in the entertainment industry and creating a milestone by which we can measure future progress in Hollywood. Today, the NAACP through its Hollywood Bureau, and support of its membership, continues to monitor offensive and defamatory images in film and television, and its campaign for greater minority participation in the entertainment industry.”
The Hollywood Bureau 10th Annual Symposium is one of many events taking place during NAACP Image Awards Week in Los Angeles.
~ Written by Louis “Kengi” Carr | Photo: Louis “Kengi” Carr Photography
The 86th Annual Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, was full of surprises. Which was more memorable? The hilarious monologue from host Ellen DeGeneres? Jared Leto’s touching acceptance speech, which included a loving dedication to his mom? Or 12 Years a Slave winning Best Picture? While many have their own perception, I think Pharrell Williams was the cherry on top of Hollywood’s biggest night.
Introduced to the stage by the “Scandalous” Ms. Kerry Washington, the charismatic Mr. Williams glided onstage to perform his neo-soul, funk hit “Happy”. Taken from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, the cheerful tune was the first performance of the night. Clad in a black Adidas sweat suit and his popular oversized hat, Pharrell belted out his hit single with his trademark Curtis Mayfield-like falsetto, while joined by a group of young dancers. Wearing smiles that accentuated the song’s title, the kids showcased just how much fun they were having with their colorful choreography.
But the moment of the performance that has everyone abuzz, came once Pharrell made his way into the audience, for some “crowd participation”. Who? The female nominees.
First was Best Supporting Actress winner Lupita Nyong’o. Decked in her silk, light blue, deep v-neck Prada gown, the 12 Years a Slave star gleefully leaped from her seat and sashayed with Mr. Williams, while just a few seats down veteran actress Meryl Streep shimmied with him while still seated. Last, but not least, was Amy Adams. Clad in her dark navy Gucci dress, the American Hustle star rose from her seat while moving her hips and waving her hands in the air, as Pharrell danced in front of her.
Written and produced by Williams, “Happy” also serves as the lead single from his second studio album, GIRL, which officially hits shelves on March 3rd. GIRL is Williams’ first album release in eight years.
“Happy” is highly successful, topping the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and charts in 15 other countries, including France and Germany. The crossover hit has sold one million copies in the United Kingdom. Congratulations Pharrell!
Pop sensation Beyoncé stunned the music industry and her fans with her self-titled album released in December 2013, without much ado. The album was hidden under wraps and was revealed only on the day of its release, much to the amazement of fans all over the world. For this new album, Beyoncé did away with the conventional style of release involving cliché promotional techniques like promos and teasers.
According to Beyoncé, this out of the blue release made her connect with her fans much more than ever before. This album was an overnight hit and there were 1.2 million tweets in just 24 hours of its release. All the social networks were flooded with comments about the beautifully shot videos and tracks and this album soon became the talk of the town.
The music album, comprising 14 tracks and 17 videos, was a treat for music lovers all over the world. It was available for sale on iTunes on December 13th, the very day of its release. CD/DVDs could be bought from the retail stores from December 20, but it was not available in Target. The album was a delight for music connoisseurs during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The fifth music album was special in many ways for the star. Her daughter, Blue Ivy, appears in the video for ‘Blue’ while several other renowned industry faces grace other videos. These stars include Pharrell, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, Frank Ocean, Timbaland and her husband, Jay Z.
The album sold a record number of 828,773 copies in three days, without quintessential marketing, and this was enough to prove the success of this unconventional album launch. The hit brought a smile to the faces of producers and technicians of Columbia Records who helped devise this new strategy. The sales figures for the album on iTunes, reported by Apple, are the highest ever for the singer.
“Springing [an album] on the world without anybody knowing, that sort of turns decades of music marketing on its head,” said Music-Industry Consultant Mark Mulligan.
Echoing his opinion, Research Analyst Mike McGuire of Gartner averred that decades of A&R practice kind of got thrown out the window!
This new strategy has become a game changer in the music industry with its record sales figures and never-ending praises on social networks. Beyonce’s hard work and dedication have paid off once again and the queen of pop undoubtedly deserves a toast from the friends, fans and fraternity.
Pop sensation Beyoncé stunned the music industry and her fans with her self-titled album released in December 2013, without much ado. The album was hidden under wraps and was revealed only on the day of its release, much to the amazement of fans all over the world. For this new album, Beyoncé did away with the conventional style of release involving cliché promotional techniques like promos and teasers.
The fifth music album was special in many ways for the star. Her daughter, Blue Ivy, appears in the video for ‘Blue’ while several other renowned industry faces grace other videos. These stars include Pharrell, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, Frank Ocean, Timbaland and her husband, Jay Z.