,
@sammyapproved
Chelsea Samuel is Associate Editor at Global Grind and writes under the name Sammy Approved. Chelsea currently creates content to stimulate thought and conversation within black and brown culture and entertainment on a range of topics including music, television, film, lifestyle and celebrity news. She has been working at Global Grind since 2020. As a native of Atlanta, Chelsea has always been proud that her hometown nurtured her ear and love of music and culture. Her academic background in television production at Howard University inspired the creation of her brand Sammy Approved and the online community Approved Army.
Source: Kevin Mazur/Getty
These black celebrities find their way back to Africa. In recent months, celebrities like Kendrick Lamar, DaBaby and others have been returning to the continent to explore and give back to the place where our ancestors lived. Check out a gallery of these famous faces below who have taken their talents to Africa.
In honor of yesterday’s Africa Day (May 25), we’re celebrating with a roster of Black American talent exploring their roots. Africa Day is observed annually to commemorate the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which was formed on May 25, 1963. It is the forerunner of the African Union (AU).
As we mark this day, we reflect on the achievements of the people of the African continent and the challenges they still face. This year’s theme focused on the importance of tackling malnutrition and food insecurity.
From Compton to Ghana, rapper Kendrick Lamar visited Accra, Ghana. Rapper Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers appeared to be filming ahead of his album’s release. Lamar also visited The Freedom Skatepark, Ghana’s very first skate park founded by the late Virgil Abloh.
America hasn’t been particularly kind to black people since its inception. In recent years in particular, the country has shown its utter hatred of blacks and browns alike. To paraphrase Beyoncé, “Find your way back. Don’t let this life drive you crazy.” Visiting black celebrities in their homes is great.
Check out this gallery of black celebrities who have visited Africa below.
1. Kendrick Lamar in Ghana
Source: Spotify
Kendrick Lamar spent some time in Ghana where he appears to have been filming and supporting Virgil Abloh’s skate park.
2. DaBaby in Nigeria
Source: RapRespectful
DaBaby visited Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. On Monday, May 16, the rapper arrived in Nigeria to a stormy reception. DaBaby shared some videos on his Instagram stories upon his arrival.
3. Beyoncé in South Africa
Source: __Onixivy
Beyoncé has traveled to Africa countless times. One of her most memorable times there was when she performed for Mandela 100 of the Global Citizen Festival in South Africa. Her husband Jay-Z also joined her on stage.
4. Erykah Badu in South Africa
Source: Dahn Dahlas
Erykah Badu has visited the country several times. This is a throwback to her singing in Cape Town at a popular jazz festival in 2002.
5. Ludacris in Gabon
Source:bersain__
Ludacris is now a citizen of Gabon, the home country of his wife Eudoxie Mbouguiengue. The rapper and actor traveled to the Central African country with his family for the Christmas holidays a few years ago. While there, Ludacris, his mother and daughters also took Gabonese citizenship.
6. Idris Elba
Source: AmeyawDebrah
In 2019, Idris Elba received citizenship of his father’s native country of Sierra Leone.
7. Tiffany Haddish in Eritrea
Source: hawelti
In May 2019, the American comedian and actress became a full citizen of Eritrea, the birthplace of her father, who moved to the United States as a refugee before she was born. She first visited Eritrea in 2018 to bury her father Tsihaye Reda Haddish.
8. Samuel L. Jackson in Gabon
Source: AfricaStoryLive
Like many African Americans, Samuel L. Jackson wanted to discover his ancestors and found them deeply rooted in Gabon. Jackson visited Gabon where he met with President Ali Bongo Ondimba and his wife Sylvia Bongo Ondimba. Jackson received Gabonese citizenship and a passport.
Comments are closed.