Young, Famous & African

Last updated

Young, Famous & African
Young, Famous & African.jpg
Genre Reality television
Created by
Starring
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes16
Production
Executive producers
Production location Johannesburg
Camera setup Multi-camera
Original release
NetworkNetflix
Release18 March 2022 (2022-03-18)

Young, Famous & African is a Netflix original first African reality television series, [1] starring African stars Khanyi Mbau, Annie Macaulay-Idibia, Zari Hassan, Diamond Platnumz, Andile Ncube, Swanky Jerry, Naked DJ, Nadia Nakai, Kayleigh Schwark and 2Baba. [2] The show focused on building careers, looking for love, and rekindling old flames of famous media personalities from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania. [3]

Contents

The series premiered on 18 March 2022. [4]

Plot

The show follows a group of friends who are African entertainers and A-listers as they go about their lives having fun, flirting and fighting in Johannesburg, South Africa.

They hail from five African countries. South African actress and media personality Khanyi Mbau is the central character of the group who is in a relationship with a Zimbabwean businessman. Separated couple Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania and his ex-girlfriend, South African-based Ugandan businesswoman Zari Hassan navigate their post-separation relationship, moving on and co-parenting.

Nigerian model Annie Macaulay-Idibia and her musician husband 2Baba deal with issues of previous infidelity and restoration. Nigerian fashion stylist Swanky Jerry is another central character who often appears as a peacemaker in the group.

South African rapper Nadia Nakai who is in a long-distance relationship, and single guy and broadcaster Andile Ncube also feature as potential love interests of other cast members.

Twice-divorced South African Naked DJ and his footballer girlfriend Kayleigh Schwark go through the challenges of dating life and their 12-year age gap. [5] [6]

Cast

Episodes

SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
1 718 March 2022 (2022-03-18)
2 919 May 2023 (2023-05-19)

Season 1 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byOriginal release date [7]
11"Welcome to South Africa"
18 March 2022 (2022-03-18)
Queen of bling Khanyi Mbau throws a ball for her friends; Diamond Platnumz's heartbreak emerges as he woos Nadia Nakai; parenting talk gets intense.
22"The Newcomer"
18 March 2022 (2022-03-18)
Diamond hands the wheel to Nadia as they shop; Khanyi and Annie Macaulay-Idibia clash; Kayleigh Schwark spills about life with Naked DJ.
33"Love Is in the Air"
18 March 2022 (2022-03-18)
Zari makes a splash at a soiree; Diamond gets called out by Naked, who spars with Khanyi; a loved one shows up.
44"Bye, Bitch!"
18 March 2022 (2022-03-18)
African queens are on a collision course; Annie shares her joy, but Zari takes 2Face to the side; Andile Ncube assembles all his friends including his two baby mamas for a posh party.
55"Faceoff"
18 March 2022 (2022-03-18)
Entanglements turn explosive, Zari confides in Khanyi, Annie gossips with Swanky and Nadia, and Andile makes time for love.
66"Murder on the Blue Train"
18 March 2022 (2022-03-18)
Zari invites the squad on a luxury train trip; awkwardness -- and lions -- rattle the crew; Nadia has big news.
77"Wedding Bells"
18 March 2022 (2022-03-18)
A lavish vow renewal approaches; the men shift gears for a speedy bachelor party while Swanky shakes up a tense bachelorette party.

Season 2 (2023)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byOriginal release date [7]
81"Awkward Reunions"
19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
92"Masks Off"
19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
103"Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend"
19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
114"The Queen B"
19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
125"Showdown"
19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
136"Oh Baby!"
19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
147"Trailer Proposal"
19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
158"Gloves Off"
19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
169"Trials and Tribulations"
19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)

Production

On 22 June 2021, Netflix partnered with the creator and executive producer, Peace Hyde, to produce its first African reality series. [8] On 25 September 2021, Netflix premiered Young, Famous & African at Tudum: A Global Fan Event in Brazil, among 60 Netflix Originals. [9]

On 14 February 2022, the official trailer was released on Netflix's YouTube channel. [10] The show premiered on 18 March. [11]

Reception

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
2022 African Entertainment Awards USA Best Reality TV ShowsYoung, Famous & AfricanWon

Related Research Articles

Bongo Flava is a nickname for Tanzanian music. The genre developed in the 1990s, mainly as a derivative of American hip hop and traditional Tanzanian styles such as taarab and dansi, with additional influences from reggae, R&B, and afrobeats, to form a unique style of music. Lyrics are usually in Swahili or English, although increasingly from mid 2000s there has been limited use of words from Sub-Saharan African music traditions due to the influence of Afrobeats and Kwaito with their dynamics usage of West African Pidgin English, Nigerian Pidgin or other Creole language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2Baba</span> Nigerian musician (born 1975)

Innocent Ujah Idibia MON, known by his stage name 2Baba, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munachi Abii</span> Nigerian actress (born 1987)

Munachi Abii is a Nigerian rapper/hip-hop artist, songwriter, tv host, model, actress and beauty pageant titleholder. She performs under the name Muna. She is the winner of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2007. She is an Igbo lady who hails from Imo state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waje</span> Musical artist

Aituaje Iruobe known professionally as Waje, which is the first letter from each word in the phrase "Words Aren't Just Enough," is a Nigerian singer. She first gained recognition after being featured on the remake of P-Square’s "Omoge Mi". Waje was also featured on the duo's 2008 hit track "Do Me". She contributed vocals to Banky W's "Thief My Kele" and M.I's "One Naira". In 2016, Waje was one of the four judges in the inaugural season of The Voice Nigeria. In 2018, on the final season of the Africa Magic telenovela, "Battleground", Waje reemerged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond Platnumz</span> Tanzanian singer, dancer, philanthropist and businessman

Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, professionally known as Diamond Platnumz, is a Tanzanian bongo flava recording artist, dancer, philanthropist and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of WCB Wasafi Record Label, Wasafi Bet and Wasafi Media. Diamond has gained a massive following in East and Central Africa. He became the first Africa-based artist to reach 900 million views on YouTube.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annie Macaulay-Idibia</span> Nigerian, model, presenter and actress (born 1984)

Annie Macaulay–Idibia is a Nigerian model, presenter, and actress. She was nominated in the "Best Supporting Actress" category at the 2009 Best of Nollywood Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Kiba</span> Tanzanian musician and songwriter

Ali Saleh Kiba, best known as Ali Kiba or occasionally as King Kiba, is a Tanzanian musician and songwriter. He is one of the most talented musicians in East Africa and mostly considered the King of Bongo Flava music Genre. He is from Kigoma and the owner of Kings Music label. With hit songs such as Mwana, Aje, Chekecha Cheketua, Cinderella, Nakshi Mrembo, Usiniseme, Dushelele, Single Boy with Lady Jaydee, Mapenzi Yana Run Dunia and Macmuga. Ali Kiba is usually regarded as one of the most successful Bongo Flava stars usually associated with close rivalry with Diamond Platnumz.

<i>The Voice Nigeria</i> Reality television singing competition

The Voice Nigeria is the Nigerian franchise of the TV series The Voice. It is a singing competition that features music enthusiasts and professional performers. Since its first edition in 2016 in Nigeria, the show has become the biggest rival to the Nigerian Idol. It has also produced many talents and celebrated artistes in the country and Africa at large.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yvonne Jegede</span> Nigerian actor and singer

Yvonne Jegede is a Nigerian actress, film producer, model, and television personality; notable for producing 3 is Company. She rose to prominence after she made a cameo appearance in the music video African Queen by 2Face Idibia alongside Annie Macaulay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayoola Ayolola</span> Nigerian musician and actor

Ayoola Ayolola is a Nigerian musician, singer, and actor. He won the 5th Project Fame West Africa on September 29, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayode Kasum</span> Nigerian movie director

Kayode Kasum is a Nigerian movie director and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warner Music Africa</span> Music company

Warner Music Africa is a music corporation of the global record label Warner Music Group, founded on 5 December 2013. with its South Africa arm managing artist development, marketing, and distribution for Warner Music artists in Africa, with its corporate headquarters located in 1 Saxon Rd, Hyde Park, Sandton, 2196, Johannesburg, South Africa.

<i>Juju Stories</i> 2021 Nigerian film

Juju Stories is a three-part anthology film exploring juju (magical) stories rooted in Nigerian folklore and urban legend, written and directed by C.J. Obasi, Abba Makama and Michael Omonua. The film features three stories: "Love Potion" by Omonua, "YAM" by Makama, and "Suffer The Witch" by Obasi. It is scheduled for theatrical release in Nigeria on 21 January 2022.

James Amuta is a film producer, director, aerial cinematographer and publicist. He is best known for his documentary film "Nightfall in Lagos" which was nominated for the best documentary film in 2018 by the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Def Jam Africa</span> Record label

Def Jam Recordings Africa, is the African division of the international record label Def Jam Recordings. The label is owned by Universal Music Africa, a flagship of Universal Music Group. Founded in 2020, and operating in South Africa, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Cameroon. It specializes mainly on African hip-hop, Afrobeats and trap music.

<i>Collision Course</i> (2021 film) 2021 film

Collision Course, later retitled as Collision, is a 2021 Nigerian drama film directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters. It was featured as the closing film for the 10th Africa International Film Festival in November 2021 and was the opening film for the Athen’s Nollywood Travel Film Festival in May 2022.

Brotherhood is a Nigerian crime-action thriller produced by Jade Osiberu and starring Tobi Bakre, Boma Akpore, Falz, Basketmouth, Sam Dede, Ronke Oshodi Oke, Toni Tones, Zubby Micheal, Mr Macaroni and a host of others. The film was released to cinemas in Africa on 23 September 2022. The film started showing simultaneously in several African countries including Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger Republic, Senegal, Congo, Rwanda, Gabon, Guinea, and Madagascar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul O</span> Nigerian show promoter and record exec (born 1967)

Paul Okoye, also known as Paulo Okoye or Paul O, is a Nigerian event promoter, talent manager, record exec, philanthropist and business man.

Genoveva Kenechukwu Umeh professionally known as Genoveva Umeh is a British–Nigerian Actress. She was nominated for the Best Actress in a drama at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award 2022 for her role in ‘A Tune Away’. She also received critical acclaim for her roles in Nigerian's first Netflix original crime thriller series ‘Blood Sisters’ and young adult series ‘Far From Home’. One of her major film roles include ‘One Lagos Night’, 2019. She also leads as Shindara in Episode 4 of Showmax's Original Drama series ‘Crime and Justice Lagos’ 2022.

References

  1. "Netflix announces star-studded cast for its first African reality series". The South African. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  2. "Peace Hyde is Producing Netflix's First African Reality TV Series – Young, Famous & African – Starring Annie Idibia, Diamond Platnumz, Swanky Jerry". BellaNaija. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  3. "Young, Famous & African". Netflix . Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  4. Rajput, Gunjan (15 March 2022). "'Young, Famous & African': 5 things you need to know about the Netflix Reality series". Meaww. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  5. Phiri, Janice (22 March 2022). "Young, Famous & African – here is what you need to know". News24 . Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  6. Rafter, Shana (23 June 2021). "Diamond and Zari to premiere on Netflix' reality show "Young, Famous & African"". NexTV News Africa. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Shows A-Z – Young, Famous & African on Netflix". The Futon Critic . Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  8. "Netflix partners Peace Hyde for first African Reality TV series". The Nation. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  9. Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (28 September 2021). "'Young, Famous & African' premieres at Netflix global fan event Tudum". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  10. Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (14 February 2022). "Netflix debuts trailer for first African reality show 'Young, Famous & African'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  11. Phiri, Janice (22 March 2022). "Young, Famous & African – here is what you need to know". News24 . Retrieved 24 March 2022.