Judeslist Jude Brandford-Sackey

In this episode, I speak with Toluwani Obayan. A distinguished writer, director, and editor. Her notable works include the short film “Heart & Might,” and the acclaimed 2020 movie “This Lady Called Life,” which earned her the Best of Nollywood 2020 Award for Best Screenplay and an AMVCA nomination for Best Writer. 
She has also contributed to the award-winning documentary “Explore the World With Tindel,” celebrated with the ITFF Africa 2019 award for Best African Film. Beyond filmmaking, Toluwani has enriched the literary world with her published academic article on Nollywood’s role in socio-cultural development, satirical narratives like “The Tale of a Disgruntled Pair of Nigerian Flip Flops” that confront child abuse, and her inspiring book “Becoming a Spectacular Woman.” 

We talk about the Nigerian film industry which operates fast due to economic constraints and how filmmakers are finding ways to create quality projects that resonate globally. We also speak about the African film industry and how storytelling is again becoming a respected craft.

In this episode I speak with Didintle Khunou a highly accomplished South African actor known for her extensive work in screen acting, theater, voice acting, and as a session vocalist. She’s gained significant recognition for playing Celie in "The Color Purple Musical," making history as the first African performer to lead in this role, for which she received a Broadway World Online and a Naledi Award for 'Best Lead Actress In a Musical'.

Didintle shares her journey as an actor and musician, highlighting the role of music in her self-expression. We discuss the courage to pursue one's passions and the need for a supportive community in the creative industry. Didintle also shares how she chooses projects based on alignment with her goals and career trajectory. She emphasizes the importance of detaching from the idea of only telling specific stories and the need to focus on growth and expansion as an actor.

You can connect with Didintle at https://www.instagram.com/didintle_khunou?igsh=a3o3M3EyanhocmQ5 and https://www.didintlekhunou.com/

In this episode, I speak with Denisse a copywriter and photographer whose work revolves around words, people, and images. She crafts compelling narratives for brands through her lens as a photographer.

She shares the importance of radical honesty and empathy in her work, and how she uses these values to connect with her subjects. She also explores self-reflection, acceptance, and the transformative power of making art.

You can connect with Denisse at https://www.instagram.com/denisseaps?igsh=MWVxYmhxdDh4bmxodQ== and https://www.denisseariana.com/

In this episode I speak with Papa Versa a singer-songwriter, rapper, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, He has gained the respect and admiration as one of Ghana’s most versatile artists. 
Paapa has become known for thoughtful, sincere lyricism in genre-bending music. Born with a terrible stutter, music became his primary mode of expression. His greatest desire is to inspire people everywhere to harness their gifts and become bigger than the world they live in, for the world’s sake.
He also shares the meaning behind his music and its impact on listeners, as we talk about the art of holding people's attention and the responsibility of artists to communicate meaning. 

You can connect with Paapa at https://www.instagram.com/paapaversa/ and on his website https://paapaversa.com/

In this episode, I speak with Tajh Rust. His art deeply interrogates society’s obsessions with tradition and over-consumption and offers a fresh perspective on representation.

Tajh shares his background, influences, and artistic process. He talks about the importance of art residencies and his dream collaboration projects. Tajh also shares his experiences growing up in a Caribbean household and how it has influenced his art. He discusses the themes and subjects in his paintings, including the use of water as a symbol. He shares the challenges of painting and the importance of creating an engaging art-viewing experience. 

You can connect with Tajh at https://www.instagram.com/tajhrust/

In this episode, I speak with Djakou Kassi Nathalie a renowned ceramic artist from Cameroon. Her career is a testament to her passion, talent, and dedication to the art of ceramics, and her contributions continue to inspire and captivate audiences both at home and around the world.

We discuss her journey as a ceramic artist as she shares insights into her creative process. She emphasizes the importance of continuously raising the bar and striving for improvement in her work. She also explains how she creates the look of copper on her ceramics and the process she discovered through practice and experimentation. She highlights the challenges she faced in adapting to limited resources and how it led to the development of her unique style.

You can connect with Nathalie at https://www.instagram.com/djakoukassi/?hl=en