Zadie Smith interviews Jay-Z - The House That Hova Built

Photograph by Cass Bird. Fashion editor: Sara Moonves

For the New York Times Magazine British writer Zadie Smith sits down with rapper Jay-Z and describes and interviews him. 

It’s difficult to know what to ask a rapper. It’s not unlike the difficulty (I imagine) of being a rapper.

He’s not late. He’s dressed like a kid, in cap and jeans, if he said he was 30 you wouldn’t doubt him. (He’s 42.) He’s overwhelmingly familiar, which is of course a function of his fame ­ — rap superstar, husband of Beyoncé, minority owner of the Nets, whose new home, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, will open this month — but also of the fact he’s been speaking into our ears for so long.

Film: Story of Dido Belle - A mixed-race aristocrat in 18th-century Britain

Late 18th–early 19th century painting by unknown artist of Dido Elizabeth Belle, left, and her cousin. Courtesy Wikipedia

Via Madnews
The second feature to be written and directed by the British filmmaker Amma Asante, “Belle” will tell the story of a mixed-race woman raised as an aristocrat in 18th-century England. Dido Elizabeth Belle (1761-1804) was the illegitimate daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay of the British navy and an enslaved woman, herself known as Belle.

Bijlmer Talk - Dutch urban talk show

The first edition of Bijlmer Talk 2012, the urban talk show in the Netherlands: BT (Bijlmer Talk). It's the pilot with the theme "BIJLMER 2.0, the new improved version of the Bijlmer '.

Montreal International Black Film Festival 2012

Canada's Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) is back with a diverse and exciting line-up featuring 115 films from nearly 40 countries. The Festival is presented by Global Montreal, in collaboration with the Fabienne Colas Foundation, and will run from September 19 to 30, 2012.

NEW: NNEKA - My Home (Alternative Official Video Clip)

The latest clip from Nigerian-German singer Nneka. Originally shot at the same time then the other "My Home" clip, this is a whole diffrent take of the song and it's lyrics by director Antonio Navarro, who also directed the "Soul Is Heavy" Video clip.

Helen Grant first black female Conservative Minister in the UK

Helen Grant MP has been made a Minister in David Cameron’s Ministerial reshuffle this September. She is now the first Conservative woman of African descent to become a Minister.

Grant, 50, was born in London to an English mother and Nigerian father, but grew up in a single parent family after her parents separated and her father emigrated to the United States.

According to OBV, The Maidstone and Weald MP has been appointed joint Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice and for women’s and equality issues.

Trailer: Dutch film "Alleen maar nette mensen" - Ghetto versus civilised

A Jewish boy from a middle class family goes to the black neighboorhood Amsterdam Bijlmer to find a black ghetto girl with a big behind. The story is the film adaptation of the controversial bestseller by Dutch writer Robert Vuijsje, entitled "Alleen Maar Nette Mensen" (or "Only Decent People").

Crossing the Atlantic: An African woman searching for black heritage on Curaçao

Westpunt beach (photo Sanza)

It's usually the other way around. African-Americans and Caribbeans going on a pilgrimage to Africa. But this time it's an African woman from Belgium crossing the Atlantic. This August Congolese-Belgian guest blogger Sanza traveled to Curaçao to find the African heritage. She tasted the food, met interesting people, but also felt the colonialism.

Exhibition: Africa in photos and posters in Essen Germany + Janet Jackson

Amis des espagnole, 1968 (photo: Malick Sidibé)

The German Museum Folkwang in Essen presents two exhibitions about Africa. The photo exhibition "Africa, There and Back" and the poster exhibition "Africa - Reflections in Posters". Both exhibitions will run until Oktober 21, 2012

Expo: Kuona Afrika 2012 in Antwerp - Belgium

The tourism, trade and investment conference "Kuona Afrika 2012" will take place at the Kinepolis Event Center, Antwerp, Belgium from 19 - 21 October 2012

Fate of the Afro-Turks: Nothing left but colour

Afro-Turks during the Sixth festival of the Calf (photo: Ekrem Eddy Güzeldere)

The Afro-Turks, whose ancestors came to the Ottoman Empire as slaves in the nineteenth century, are still struggling for recognition. Now, though, their desire to assimilate into the wider society has become greater than their desire to maintain their own identity. By Ekrem Eddy Güzeldere.

Affirmative Action Law for Universities in Brazil

Activists from Educafro chained themselves to the ministry in Brasilia

Dilma Rousseff, president of Brazil, signed the law that will guarantee 50% of all places in public universities to students from public schools, thus making access to the best universities easier for students with a poverty background. The law also states that university students with African or indigenous roots should get preferential access to public universities.

Notting Hill Carnival 2012

The streets of West London come alive every August Bank Holiday weekend as London celebrates Europe's biggest street festival – the Notting Hill Carnival. This year the Carnival Bands will start at 9am on Sunday 26th August (Children's Day) and at the same time on Monday 27th of August.