Davido's '5ive' welcomes the Afrobeats megastar into an era of change and growth
NEW YORK — Afrobeats may be the hot sound of the moment , but Davido remembers a very recent past when music from Africa wasn't embraced globally, amid a perception the continent was one of only destitute poverty and primitive lands.
'I remember when Africans used to lie that they were Jamaicans,' laughed the Atlanta-born 'Fall' singer, who grew up between the U.S. and Nigeria. 'The narrative has immensely changed. And thanks to the people who are behind this, because it's not governments … it's the innovators. The musicians. The entertainers. The lawyers. The doctors in America, pushing the narrative of being African.'
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Rare Labubu sells for more than $150,000 at auction
A rare, first-generation Labubu figure has sold for $150,000 in Beijing at an auction held exclusively for the toys that have taken the world by storm. The 131-centimeter (51-inch) mint green figurine with a gremlin-like appearance, sharp teeth and puckish grin went for 1.08 million yuan ($150,325) at the Yongle International Auction house that normally specializes in selling jewelry and modern art. 'Congratulations to the online buyer on collecting the world's only such one,' said the auctioneer at an exhibition center in downtown Beijing on Tuesday afternoon. Labubus are currently the trendiest plush toys on the planet, created by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung and retailed by the Chinese toy giant Pop Mart. In recent months, the bunny-bodied, elf-faced creatures — equal parts grotesque and adorable — have soared in popularity, sparking buying frenzies around the world, and in some cases, brawls among fans outside shops selling them. Even in China, where Pop Mart is based and most of its toys are made, people are struggling to get their hands on Labubus. A total of 48 Labubus were auctioned at the special event, billed as the 'World's First' auction of first generation collectible Labubus. A brown, 160-centimeter (63-inch) Labubu figure, sold for $114,086, the second highest hammer price at the event. The company said only 15 such figures exist around the world. Other figures went for more than $1,000 each. 'As a trendy toy in China, Labubu is now becoming a global artwork as it has truly sparked a craze around the world,' Zhao Xu, the founder of Yongle Auction, told state-owned outlet The Beijing News. Zhao said the company plans to hold monthly livestream auctions for Labubu and other trendy artworks. A pair of Minions-like Labubus sold at auction for 10,000 yuan ($1,391). Buyers at the auction also had to pay an additional 15% brokerage fee on top of the hammer prices. And it's not rare to see a price inflation of Labubus due to the crazy demand in China. For instance, a blind box from the latest Labubu 3.0 series, originally priced at around $81, has been selling for up to $278 on the second-hand market, state-owned outlet Cover News reported. Labubu's viral popularity has been a booster for Pop Mart. Annual results show that the Chinese company's global gross profit surged by over 125% last year, while its revenue in mainland China reached more than $1.09 billion, 34% higher than 2023.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
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Labubu toy sculpture sold for $150,000 at China auction
A Beijing auction house has sold a four-foot-tall sculpture of a viral plush toy character for more than $150,000, as global demand for the Chinese-designed Labubu dolls reaches fever pitch. The rabbit-like figures sporting mischievous grins began as a character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, and are made by Beijing-based toy brand Pop Mart. They have been endorsed by celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa, and fans have queued overnight outside stores hoping to snag one, with analysts pointing to the phenomenon as evidence of China's growing soft power. On Tuesday, a teal sculpture depicting a Labubu character with a furry body and head fetched an eye-watering 1.08 million yuan ($150,260) at an auction held in Beijing, according to the auction house's app. The sculpture is "the only piece of its kind in the world", according to Yongle International Auction. It was offered alongside other Labubu paraphernalia including a brown statue that sold for 820,000 yuan. Pop Mart has over 400 stores globally, including 30 US branches. The worldwide frenzy has seen people go to desperate lengths to acquire their own Labubu. Last month a London branch of Pop Mart suspended in-store sales of the toys, fearing violence from would-be buyers who failed to get their hands on the limited-edition Labubus. In Singapore, CCTV footage captured a family stealing Labubu dolls from a claw machine, according to Singaporean online media outlet AsiaOne. Burglars broke into a store in California last week and took several Labubu dolls along with electronics and other valuables, American news outlet ABC reported. In China, the toys have been promised as freebies for new bank customers -- an incentive quickly shut down by local regulators, according to Chinese media reports. The toys have spawned a booming resale market as well as an online community of fans sharing tips on how to customise their dolls. Knockoffs -- many of which are also made in China -- have flooded online platforms, dubbed "Lafufus" by social media users. tjx/reb/dhc
Business Wire
7 hours ago
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American Black Film Festival Partners With the Art in Black Foundation to Introduce The South African Collective
BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with the Art in Black Foundation to present The South African Collective —a debut curatorial art exhibition spotlighting five dynamic visual artists from South Africa. The exhibit, open exclusively to festival attendees, will be on view during ABFF, taking place June 12–14, 2025, at the New World Center in Miami Beach. The catalog of available artwork is HERE. Curated by Allana Foster Finley of Cur8Africa, The South African Collective is the inaugural fine art initiative of the Art in Black Foundation—founded by Ellis Friday, a visionary young creative committed to cultural connection, with support from his parents, Nicole and Jeff Friday. This curated experience marks an evolution in ABFF's programming, expanding the festival's cultural offerings to include global visual art in dialogue with Black film, media, and storytelling. The idea for this collaboration was born during an immersive art tour through South Africa led by curator Allana Foster Finley and attended by Jeff Friday. Inspired by the depth of artistic talent and cultural expression, the journey laid the foundation for what would become this inaugural showcase. 'This exhibition is an exciting step forward in ABFF's mission to uplift global Black creatives,' said Jeff Friday, founder of ABFF. 'We are proud to provide a platform where African art and cinematic storytelling can exist in conversation, inspiring deeper cultural connection.' Featured Artists: Steve Maphoso - A self-taught Angolan-born artist, Maphoso blends acrylic and charcoal to create emotionally resonant portraits. His current series centers on twin boys guided by ancestral intention, exploring themes of migration, ritual, and brotherhood through symbolic narrative and layered abstraction. Thabiso Dakamela - With roots in Venda and Ndebele heritage, Dakamela's Afrocentric work examines identity and emotion. His expressive style—often rendered in powerful blues—has earned national recognition, and his DKS Project House supports emerging artists in South Africa. Assan Taylor - Known for textured portraits combining oil, charcoal, gold leaf, and found materials, Taylor's work bridges tradition and innovation. His bold, multilayered pieces reflect the vibrancy of contemporary Southern African culture and human connection. Siyabonga Mlambi - Originating from South Africa's Eastern Cape, Mlambi's art is deeply rooted in Nguni tradition and modern innovation. His unique style, Khanda-Art Superblur African Synthetic Cubism, employs fabric, stones, and mixed media to evoke unity, imagination, and spiritual energy. Ayanda Moyo - A Zimbabwean artist whose work in charcoal and acrylic explores identity and culture, Moyo's emotionally rich paintings invite deep reflection on the shared human experience through bold, expressive techniques. Together, these artists bring their individual perspectives to a collective narrative that intersects visual art with the broader mission of ABFF—celebrating and amplifying Black stories worldwide. About the Art in Black Foundation Formerly the Film Life Foundation, the Art in Black Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to uplifting works that reflect the richness and diversity of the Black experience. The organization aims to bridge communities through storytelling across all artistic mediums, highlighting the humanity and creativity of people of African descent. About the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Founded in 1997, the American Black Film Festival is the leading festival dedicated to showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent. Now in its 29th year, ABFF continues to serve as a vital platform for emerging and established Black artists, attracting attendees from around the world to celebrate the power of storytelling in all its forms. For updates, visit and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.
