Category: Lifestyle

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Newly formed fashion outfit Dele’s clothing has recently released a collection of varsity jackets styled with African prints. “The idea and vision comes from tapping into cultures, and people I have experienced in the course of my life. Fashion is deeply embedded in my culture. There is an inborn knack for dressing gorgeous and this is what my brand is founded upon. Initially, we were more engrossed in creating native African designs but with my venture into the United states our style and mission statement evolved. With the USA offering more varieties in fashion due to varying climatic conditions and a plethora of cultures, I developed an interest in fashion beyond my initial scope. My updated mission is now to apply my culture, experiences and perspective to create fashion trends in the USA and beyond. The kind of fashion that will be worn across cultures” the CEO Kayode said…

Just incase you have been wondering what “Ankara” is – Ankara, also known as “African prints” “Holland wax” and “Dutch wax”, is a 100% cotton fabric with vibrant patterns. It is usually a colorful cloth and is primarily associated with Africa because of its beautiful tribal-like patterns and motifs.

 

 

 

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Indianapolis has grown to be one of the top places to visit if you are looking to catch some huge African parties in the USA. This could be attributed to the fact that Africans have migrated to the city in their thousands in the last few years, maybe because of the lower cost of living , or just the mere fact that a lot of immigrants find it better to live in a city with a chill vibe, different from the rugged and fast paced nature of bigger cities. Whatever the case maybe, the city has definitely become a home away from home for millions of African immigrants especially those from the west and the eastern parts of Africa.

If you are planning to visit or move to Indianapolis soon, we have compiled a list of top spots to visit if you want to catch some African parties, food , and events.

  1. Club Kalakutah Restaurant $ Nightclub

Located on the west-side of Indianapolis, Club Kalakutah and kalakutah restaurant are pretty big names in the entertainment scene here in Indianapolis and they have been around for quite sometime . They can brag about the magnitude of events they have hosted in the past and number of A list artists they have partied at their venue . This list includes Tubaba, Falz, Teni, Rotimi, Reekado banks just to mention a few. Named After Fela’s Shrine, you can be rest assured Kalakutah always has something going on. The restaurant serves mainly Nigerian styled dishes but you may also find some foreign styled dishes in their menu. The restaurant is open 7 days a week.

Associated DJs

*DJ Delly Jay
*DJ Phlame
*DJ Drey
*DJ Ranye

Pros

-Huge parking space with free parking
-Huge Space with VIP sessions just in-case you wanted to stand out
-Safe and clean environment.

Cons

-Food is heavily Nigerian food so you may need to sort through what you like if you are not Nigerian

2. Eko Restaurant and lounge

As the name suggests, EKO (meaning Lagos) is a Nigerian spot that is famous for hosting huge events and parties . For many years , EKO and Kalakutah were the go to places for the fun seeking Africans. Eko African cuisine as they are called is located on the west side of Indianapolis. Over the years, EKO restaurant and lounge have hosted massive artists like Dbanj, Zlatan Ibile , and Yinka Ayefele just to mention a few. They also serve Nigerian food and pastries . Check out some of their more popular events like Exhibit A

Associated DJs

*DJ Stunt
*DJ XClone
*DJ Smart
*DJ Larry
*DJ Delly Jay

Pros

-Huge parking space for free parking
-Great space inside and outside
-Safe and clean environment

Cons

– Food is mostly Nigerian food.

3. De Proof restaurant and Bar

This is a relatively new spot that came in the scene in 2019. They were a breath of fresh air for promoters who were seeking for more spaces to host their events. Located on Washington street, D Proof restaurant serves a lot of Africans in the Plainfield / Avon/ Camby area of Indianapolis . This spot serves good Nigerian food and are also heavy on Nigerian events and music. This is also a great spot to catch local artists and concerts.

Associated DJs

*DJ Larry
*DJ Stunt
*DJ Xclone

Pros
-Laid back and chill
-Clean and calm environment
-Great hosts, very welcoming due it not being as fast-paced.
-Huge parking space. Parking is free

Cons

-They are pretty new.
-Not as many events as most places.
-Menu is limited to Nigerian food.

3. 05 Arena

05 Arena is neither a club or a lounge. It is an event center that hosts all manners of events . The management of the Arena rents the place out to Individuals and promoters who are hoping to find a space for parties or events. It is hard to tell what to expect at the arena unless you follow some of their promoters on social media. Their events range from wedding ceremonies, college parties,  or ball parties . We would definitely recommend this spot if you are an independent promoter looking for a nice space to host your events. Although their is a restaurant attached to the event center, you are allowed to bring in your own catering for your event.

Associated DJs

*DJ Xclone
*DJ Delly Jay
*DJ Larry

Pros

-Very spacious (Seating available, tables and chairs)
-Flexible and customizable
-Music is flexible as it houses different crowds depending on who is renting
-Huge parking lot for free parking

Cons

-Parking lot could be limited as it is shared with a few busy businesses
-Not knowing what to expect only if you follow promoters
-Little or no social media presence

4. Delicious African Cuisine and Bar

This is a nice lounge located in Greenwood on the south-side of Indiana. Most of the other venues are concentrated around the west-side where many Africans congregate , but the owners of Delicious African cuisine decided that it would be best to go in search of a more diverse crowd on the south side. The south Side of Indianapolis houses very few Nigerians but is home to quite a number of eastern Africans and Southern African. This is a very clean` spot with more of a Liberian vibe, which reflects the culture of it’s owners. The atmosphere is cozy and it is suited for any type of parties, business meetings , and corporate events. This spot is popular for frequently hosts top artists and celebrities in the city of Indianapolis.

Associated DJs

*DJ Smart
*VDJ Wada
*DJ Sleezy

Pros

-Play a wide range of music to satisfy the more diverse nature of their guests
-Huge parking space for free parking
-Flexible space to accommodate all types of events.
-Music is flexible and wide range

Cons

-It is mature and laid back. Therefore if you are looking to find a wild and active crowd, this may not be the place.
-Music is delivered by a playlist mostly.

5. Negrill

Negrill was commissioned during the pandemic. It’s design and lay out is beautiful and the painting and graffiti of Important Jamaican Icons and personality on the wall is particularly impressive. It kind of feels as if you are in a museum of Jamaican culture. It’s main aim is to give the Afro-carribean community a place to call home in Indianapolis. They serve Jamaican styled cuisine and drinks.

Associated DJ

*DJ Viruz

Pros

-Sparkling clean (new lounge)
-Free parking

Cons

-Music is heavily Jamaican, just a few Afro-beat and hip-hop songs
-Parking lot is really small
-Serve only Jamaican styled cuisine – Jerk chicken, curry goat, Plantains , ox tail and drinks

6. Lava

Located in Broadripple Indiana – one of the busiest party districts in Indiana, Lava has become very famous for serving Hookah, food , drinks and great all round music . Wednesdays are one of the most popular nights and you would have to call ahead of time to reserve a table or you may not be let in the building let alone find somewhere to sit. Lava has an international vibe and the songs played each night comes from all over the world. The playlist usually includes Hip hop and R&B and also a small dose of Afro beat music.

Associated DJs

*DJ Splash
*Deejay Xclone

Pros

*Hookah available
*Great International crowd

Cons

-Reservation required to avoid standing outside
-Limited parking. Payment required often

7. CasBa

Casba has been the number one lounge for reggae listeners here in Indianapolis. Every Sunday, reggae lovers from all over the city troop in their hundreds to Casba to listen to DJ Indiana Jones play. Sadly, DJ Indiana Jones just passed away a few days ago and nobody knows what will happen at the spot after the demise of their iconic DJ. Casba place is religiously followed by Reggae and Ragga fans.

Associated DJs

*DJ Indiana Jones
*DJ Viruz

Cons

-Small Space with only one entrance and exit for guests
-No parking available. Fees may apply

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Gospel singer Umasom Chims, popularly known as Uchims got wedded to his beautiful princess Queen Agbai in a colorful and eventful ceremony that took place at  First Love Assembly in the Garden city of Port Harcourt.

The Chims family originates from Ahoda in Rivers State, Nigeria but as Nigerian tradition requires, had to travel all the way to Ozuitem in Abia State to bring their bride home.

Uchims recently released his brilliant E.P titled “Faith in me” that has had very good reviews since it’s release. Congratulations once again to the newlyweds, we wish them a very fruitful and prosperous marriage. Check out a few pictures from the holy matrimony below.

Check out Uchims Faith in me EP here

 

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We spent a full day in the studio with a big-time Afro-beat artist from Indiana USA called Afrorolls @afrorolls . We were looking to understand his music-making process and see how he comes up with amazing tunes. it was a time well spent! Good food, plenty of alcohol and music is a recipe for long life.
Check out the summary of our stay with Afrorolls as he continues to stack up good music. We are glad to be a part of the process for slow wine and we can’t wait for it to drop.

Listen to Afrorolls IRE

 

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Seyi is a Nigerian portrait and wedding photographer based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. He took up photography professionally in 2018 after learning from self-paced web tutorials on “The YouTube Varsity”, this coupled with mentoring sessions and internships with established photographers helped him blossom into one of the finest talents in Indianapolis.

His love for the old arts, paintings, details, emotions, and color spectrums is what inspires and reflects in the dexterity with which he shoots lifestyle and portraits. “I love weddings! From the love that flows through the air, to the cheery tinged emotions, to the artistically placed food and of course, and the incredible party! Wedding photography allows me to put all other forms of photography (Portraits, Documentary, Lifestyle, Product, etc.) together to tell a beautiful love story”..he said

“If I’m not shooting, I’m most likely out exploring food, (no, I’m not a foodie, haha), learning new stuff about photography, playing video games, or just chilling on a couch listening to audiobooks,” he continued

It’s been nothing but brilliant pixel-perfect beauty. Check out some of Seyi’s photos below

If you consider being Seyi’s next client please follow @official_seymour

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Sərkəs is a collection of clothing designs, mostly Tee-shirts, made by Liberian-American creative Fatima Fahnbulleh. Fatima highlights her appreciation for culture, fashion, music, and art; finding a balance between traditional African values and Western influences. Her designs are intelligent, eclectic, and are boldly printed on delicate fabrics and complementary fits.

Fatima Fahnbulleh is a graduate of Indiana University and served in the peace corps for two years. She currently works for Indiana University IU and holds a position as a youth coordinator for the Liberian Association of Indiana. Check out her store below

 

 

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We would like to use this medium to wish One of Indiana’s most prolific photographers Stiff Shot’s a Happy Birthday.

Stephen Oluwagbemike Fadojutimi popularly known as Stiffshot was born in the late 1970s. In 2007, he graduated from Business Administration and management from Ondo state polytechnic and went on to serve at the EDO state Government house( media department).

Through his Photography business, Stiffshot has contributed a lot to the success of events and shows in Indianapolis USA. He has help capture key moments and memories that live long in the hearts of residents of Indianapolis and hence was a nominee at the Afrique Entertainment Awards USA. He is loved by many and his impact to the culture is very positive. Happy Birthday Sir and have a memorable day

This is a play-list we put together to celebrate with him. click play

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Indianapolis is bracing up for the Birthday Bash of USA based Nigerian actress Oluwatosin Shokoya also Known as Sexy sIno. The beautiful and fully endowed actress caused a stir online this week when she declared in an interview published by The Punch Newspaper that her curvy bum gives her the most attention. The actress also opened up about her early childhood, her personal life and career.

The Birthday party which is scheduled to hold on the 14th OF March at EKO AFRICAN RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE promises to attract the who is who of Entertainment in Indianapolis and the United States in general. The event features a live band performance by Ojulari and plenty of music courtesy DJ Stunt one of Indiana’s leading DJs.

EKO African Restuarant and lounge have remained at the forefront of African Entertainment in the city of Indianapolis and are known for hosting memorable events. This the potential to be one of such epic events.

For sponsorship details, reach out to her management  @heyjayworldent

 

 

 

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A lot is expected of Terrance Anderson in Indianapolis in 2020. He is has shown a lot of promise over the years and maybe 2020 is the year that he propels himself to greater heights. The Afrique Entertainment Award Nominee recently released promotional pictures for the year and boy it was dope!

In a comment on his Instagram page, Terrance likened the pictures to that of the late Pop Legend Michael Jackson, an artist he refers to as his al time favorite.

The “ Don’t sleep” crooner also did put out some #coofacts about himself on Instagram where he stated that he was born and raised in Indianapolis and has been mixing his songs from the age of 15. The photos were shot by Shavonn Bluiett a great photographer and graphic designer here in Indianapolis and you can follow @terranceandersonfive to see some more #coofacts about him.

Check out one of his most recent videos – Don’t Sleep

 

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Nigerian weddings are arguably the most flamboyant ceremonies in the world. In many places weddings are often celebrated with a few friends and family or sometimes in getaway weddings, only the bride and the groom are present. In a typical Nigerian wedding, the couples go all out, after all, it is a once in a lifetime celebration for many people.

Such elegance was the case when Okeoghene Abobise and Kingsley Ekeiwu were Joined in Holy Matrimony in Abuja Nigeria in the presence of friends, family, and well-wishers.

Check out the beautiful pictures from the ceremony below.

Kingsley Ekeiwu who hails from Umuebee, IMO state, ws joined in holy matrimony to Okeoghene Abobise who is from Ovrode, in Delta State, Nigeria. The Traditional wedding took place in Delta state while the Church wedding was at Wuse II at the federal capital territory, Abuja, on the 21st of December 2019.

We at mazifeanyidotcom wish the couples a life of Love, understanding, and fruitfulness in all their endeavors.

 

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After several weeks of shopping and planning, Engineer Jude Ozota and his beautiful wife Vanessa Kechi Obika finally tied the knot in a colorful wedding at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Independence Layout Enugu.

The Holy matrimony presided over by Reverend father Joshua Eze was attended by family, friends, and well-wishers from all over Nigeria. The traditional wedding which took place earlier was a true display of the beauty of the Igbo culture. Jude who hails from Lejja in Nsukka Local Government Area in Enugu state and Vanessa who is an indigene of Agukwu-Nri, Anambra State Nigeria put the Igbo traditional culture on full display. The couples are off on their honeymoon.

We wish them the best marriage ever, full of love, happiness, and understanding.

Check out some pictures below and please leave the newly wedded couple a comment.

This special playlist was curated for you courtesy mazifeanyidotcom

 

 

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Dj Dee Money was in the city of Indianapolis this weekend to drop a doze of his Afro-fusion. The event which was held at Eko Restuarant and lounge, an exotic African lounge that plays host to African parties and events. The event was hosted by Chicago based DJ Dee Money alongside DJ Three K, DJ Matrix, and Indiana’s ace DJ, Deejayxclone.

Young Pablozy, Teeklef, Mr. Duke, and Ojulari were some of the acts I ran into at the event. However, young Pablozy was the only artist to hit the stage on the night to perform a couple of his songs. The music was beautiful and the ambiance was absolutely gorgeous, it felt like the entire city was out at the event.

Kudos to Deemoney and his team for bringing a lit show to the cold city to warm up the place.

Photos by Indiana’s renowned photographer Atoms Images.

 

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Today is the birthday of one of Nigeria’s most prominent sons living in Indianapolis USA. Chief Adetunji Anthony Adeleke is a father, husband, and leader. A consummate professional, project manager and social person. His main interest is the growth and development of all people wherever they come from. Very passionate about Africa and always like to put a smile on other people’s faces.

Chief Adeleke is also the president of NIDO Indiana (Nigerians In diaspora) an organization that caters to the Welfare and development of Nigerians in the diaspora and contributes meaningfully to the growth of Nigeria. They have been behind so many meaningful projects like passport exercises aimed to reduce the stress Nigerians face to obtain passports and several other top events and parties in the city of Indianapolis designed to unite the African population.

I recently asked Chief if he was related to the Nigerian billionaire and legendary Adeleke family but he smiled and kept on moving (I suspect, he is Davido’s uncle.. lol). We from Mazifeanyidotcom and the Nigerian community living in Indianapolis want to use this medium to wish you a happy birthday, good health, and more success in your endeavors.

Here is our special playlist dedicated to you on your Birthday.

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Olumide Harris is a well-renowned community leader. A native of Ondo State, he has led serval Nigerian Non-profit organizations in the USA and has been a fundamental part of the growth of the Nigerian community in Indianapolis, USA, and back at home in Ondo State Nigeria.  He has a degree in accounting and has bagged numerous awards due to his positive contributions to the Nigerian communities in Nigeria, the USA and in the diaspora.

We would like to use this opportunity to say Happy Birthday, More life, Good health, and more successes in all your endeavors. We all love you.

 

 

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Indianapolis based Afrobeat artist Rilo has released brand new photos to further fuel the anticipation of what is to come this new year 2020. The best Afrobeat artist nominee at this year’s Afrique Entertainment Awards is known to be a lover of high-end fashion and keep his closet filled with designer apparel… The boss’s life.

Rilo also announced a new single amongst other things that are scheduled to drop soon.

The photos were shot by one of Indiana’s most renowned Photographers Seymour.

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When you walk into a club the first thing you take note of is perhaps the music and how packed or loosely packed the spot is. The DJs, the ambiance of the place, and the music give the first impression of the club or lounge.

For a lot of people though, the bar is the one place that gives the longest-lasting impression of the place. Most club-goers spend 90 percent of their time at the bar flirting with the bartender or buying a drink for a new girl they met while walking in. The bar experience sums up the night for most. Therefore, the design of the bar, the look of the bartenders, and the quality of drinks on hand are key indicators of how the night will be. That is why event venues spend a lot of money to ensure that the bar area is up to par.

That goes to show how important bartenders and bar personnel are to the success of a lounge or a night club. A top bartender is a customer service person, they do not only satisfy people’s cravings for good drinks, but they also become a point of contact between the customer and the club. They are directly and constantly engaging with new and old customers, therefore, they are probably the best people to go to when lounge management wants to hear what customers have got to say about the establishment in general. In summary, they are your customer care personnel.

I have met quite a number of bartenders or “startenders” as they like to call themselves but there are two that have stood out for me. Not just because they are experts at getting the mixes done right but also because of the several other elements they bring into bartending. One of the most eye-catching things they do is the way they go all out to promote events in the establishments they work for. They do so in some of the most creative ways ever, adding a touch of public relations to their bartending role. That really helps in getting customers in the door.

Meet Sydney McCauley who we all know as Raasta Chic, the pretty dread-locked girl that smiles all day at the bar, and Jamila, another pretty young girl that is able to creatively combine bartending with a host of other activities.

Sydney is an independent, traveling bartender (among other things). In 2015 she started as a cocktail waitress at a popular bar in Broad Ripple and was promoted to a bartender a year later where she gained a majority of her experience as a startender. Since then she has worked her way around multiple bars and clubs in Indianapolis and eventually became a bar brat working multiple places every weekend. According to Sydney, Jameson or Malibu are her go-to for unique cocktails/ shots. Green tea shots and skittles are some of my favorite shots. Over the course of her career, she has bar-tended at top spots that include Brothers Bar & Grill, Sunking, The Casba, and Club Kalakutah.

Jamila A.K.A MilaThemami is also a well-known bartender in Indianapolis. She has gained a reputation for herself, the service is excellent and the drinks are served just in the way the customer wants it. “I started off at the Indiana Grand casino and has kept on growing”, Jamila said. The 25-year-old mother of two says she is passionate about bartending and has a long term goal of owning her own Nail and hair bar.

Both Bartenders have been utilized as video vixens in a couple of top music videos to drop in the city. Jamila recently featured in Rilo’s Loke video while Sydney McCauley made a cameo at Afrorolls Alasiko video

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Lakshmi Symone Rae is a professional promotional advertising model and brand ambassador utilized by some of the top promotional model and talent agencies in the Midwest region. She began as a freelance model post graduation from Pike High School working with a multitude of artists in the Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

 

Her captivating eyes making her a popular choice. She currently works as a Commercial Model and Actress, appearing in the urban horror film ‘Night of the Unspeakable’ and starring in ‘The King’s Cross’ which premiered on the Nollywood market in 2019. She also starred as a support model in Afrorolls hit single Alasiko. The super star model is looking to make a bigger impression in 2020.

Contact Lakshmi Symone Rae via her Instagram @lakshmisymonerae

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When you talk of a Super handsome, well-built, well-spoken, and a perfect model, you are talking about Cheick Sangare, one of the top Models in Indianapolis.

Cheick Sangare is an Ivorian model, he was born and raised in Ivory Coast but moved to Indianapolis in 2012.  “My ambition was always to be famous so I started to play soccer but when I stopped playing soccer, I still wanted to be famous, so I asked my friends what else I could do here in America to achieve this, and they told me that I had the body to be a model”, he said.

According to cheick, he did not have the perfect body, speak good English, or have the mentality to be a model, but he took to the gym to build his body and self-confidence. “I got myself a gym membership and I would work out in the gym seven days a week just to build my body and confidence for modeling auditions”, cheick said.

In 2015, he got signed to Lmodelz and his career took off almost immediately.  He got exposed to and recruited by top brands like finish-line, Express, and Lids just to mention a few. In 2018, he signed a contract with Helenwells another top modelling agent in Indianapolis. Cheick has a degree in supply chain logistics and is interested in venturing into acting.“I am an athlete, I love sports, I love rich and famous people, I love beautiful girls and I love acting”, cheick said.

He also starred in Koros hit music video “Let me take you”  as one of the lead models alongside Tahlia L’ Oreal another famous personality in the city. Watch video below

Download Lemme Take you