Mzansi Avenue

Actor Of The Week: Jon Lindstrom - The Best Card On The Table  Jon Lindstrom . Picture taken from his website www.jonlindstrom.com Our Actor Of The Week is Jon Lindstrom who is currently portraying the villainous and fan favourite Joey Armstrong on CBS 's new daytime soap opera Beyond The Gates .  Joey is a well written character who always seems to be steps ahead and is never outsted by anybody. Proving to be a great ally and a deadly enemy, when it comes to picking your poison, first know your position or you'll just be another clean up job and his detergent never leaves any stains of evidence that the carpet had blood, somehow it'll be reported as wine, I mean there is a Marcel Malone ( Darryl W. Handy ) after all not forgetting chief of police Elon Hawthorne  (Malachi Malik). He's basically untouchable with Martin Richardson ( Brandon Claybon ) in his pocket and the great senator Vernon Dupree ( Clifton Davis ) there's no way he'd easily go d...

Monday Music Motivation: Little Mix unleashes their roar with See Me Now! Official Artwork. / Syco & Columbia Records. Welcome to Monday Music Motivation where music meets meaning that brings about a feel good and empowering perspective. A confidence anthem taken from their sophomore studio album Salute which was well received by critics for its distinct and catchy sounds that saw a blend of tribal beats, R&B, Soul, Pop & Hip Hop a very fun, dark and mature offering. With production from Fred Ball . Nathan Duval . TMS . MNEK .  See Me Now has such a frenzy vibe, a beat sounds like a battlefield starter before the actual war, it is a rapper's dream yet the girls hold their own with impeccable vocals, polished confidence and a harmonic chorus that has Jade and Leigh-Anne leading to prove haters, doubters wrong! It's such a euphoric song sure to give you an adrenaline rush. The "I'm not scared now!" high note is one of the standout moments  A giganti...

Artist On Feature: Unchained & Unlimited. New Identity In Christ! Had a chat with an extraordinary man who went from a life of crime to complete reformation, turning to Christ and making impactful music, leaving a note of change is possible and that people can't be condemned to the past when there's a chance at a reboot.  Welcome to Mzansi Avenue  Thank You for Joining Us  How are You? Psalmist: I'm good Sir and how are you? Aaron: I'm Well thanks. Who is Psalmist Nalane and what does he do? Psalmist: Psalmist Nalane whose real name is Simon Nalane Motalane, third to be born in his family, from a rural area called Mohlabeng Wa Malokela (Bochum) I'm a Musician, Gospel Artist, Motivational Speaker and Event Organiser Aaron: How did your love for music start? Tell us about that Psalmist: It started at an early age in high school [during] morning assembly and also experiencing the Community Gospel Choir..I used to attend [the] Community Gospel Choir comp...

Entertainment Avenue: Supergirl Promises all the blockbuster highs! Official Promotional Movie Poster featuring Milly Alcock as Supergirl/Kara Zor-EL. DC Studios/Warner Bros  We've been waiting for a proper Supergirl movie, the CW brought us a good TV series led by Melissa Benoist and after spending time as Superman's sidekick she's finally owning it and killing it. Female superheroes hardly get a chance to thrive as it's either they are paired with a male character who somehow steals the spotlight or is made to feel like a duet when it's a solo.  James Gunn (And Peter Safran)  is bringing the big guns alright, Milly Alcock 's casting as Supergirl was first announced back in January 2024 and while some had lukewarm reactions to this movie, overtime it created a compelling hype especially with the storyline based on a famous comic book storyline; Woman Of Tomorrow by Tom King Bilquis Evely and the inclusion of Lobo who is a fan favourite set to be ...

Pop Essentials: Lea Michele - Cue The Rain  Official Artwork. Columbia Records   2014 was a great year for music with great and timeless editions to an ever increasing library of must have hits! Lea Michele dropped her debut studio album Louder which had writing credits from Sia , Tove Lo , Matt Rad , Christina Perri and herself to name a few. It definitely was a jungle of pop music as it stepped into folk, EDM and very adventurous with an almost classical take for a youthful appeal.  Cue the Rain is a hard hitting ballad that showcases her vocal chops, it takes you on a thrilling high like a firework launched into the sky and beautifully explodes. The verses give you the chills as she gets confrontational as she sings "how many times have I driven this road on my way home? It's always the same" it's just a gripping opening and the song never gets dull, intensifying with an epic post chorus which is an outstanding highlight on this record.  @leamiche...

Entertainment Avenue: Season 4 of Will Trent returns on ABC Jan 6 2026 with a Jive to Justice.  Official Promotional Poster featuring Ramón Rodríguez as Will Trent . ABC Press. Based on the Will Trent novels by Karin Slaughter and developed for TV by Liz Heldens and Daniel T. Thomsen . This police procedural has a homey feel to it, giving classic detective who has progressed into an expressive family man who no longer broods in broad daylight. The gloomy eyes now are brightening but are still narrowly focused on the case of the week. Season 4's promo video has the lead cast dancing their way to work ready to uncover, lock up and keep the streets clean.  Led by Ramón Rodríguez. Sonja Sohn . Jake McLaughlin . Iantha Richardson . Erica Christensen . Kevin Daniels . Bluebell and Cora Lu Tran . Kevin Daniels as Franklin Wilks has been promoted to series regular. Last season was filled with a lot of high stakes drama, Amanda getting shot and needing su...

Entertainment Avenue: Superman, He's Back, Bright & Bold. Official Promotional Poster. DC Studios  Superman has been widely known as an action packed hero who often wasn't brooding or on the cheerful side of life, more of a very nonchalant figure who saves the day and flees the scene. While there have been variations of the character to stretch the story and explore creative writing and reimagining, it all goes back to the original that set the overall tone of heroic identity. We've had Superman movies throughout the years featuring prominent actors that brought their own touch to the man of tomorrow. It's always fun when you have an actor that made this comicbook character extra special for you from Kirk Alyn to Christopher Reeve and to Henry Cavill then to David Corenswet who at first received a mixed reception only for fans to give him a nod of approval. The franchise got a reboot and don't we all hate those? James Gunn stepped in and gave Su...

Avenue Music: Dagny Drops 3 track EP 'Jupiter'  Jupiter Promotional images @Dagnymusic @Dagnymusic Best known for her bright and boasting songs such as Come over, That feeling when, Heartbreak in the making and Strawberry dream . She has a signature sound that is definitely hard to resist because it carries a charm sure to light you up with romance driven deliveries, pizza? Yes with toppings for the heart.  Jupiter gives us a more darker tone in sound, it is truly gripping in gravity as it moves you and keeps you on a very intimate listen, moody atmospheres with well meaning lyrics, Dagny isn't the resident bad girl at all, she's edgy but mostly sincere. Knowing You gives power ballad done right, it sounds like a big budget film with high stakes yet she's just going on about a lover, reminiscing over this echoing beat.  Heavy Tonight, not hooked on the first listen but it definitely carries a specific energy, a familiar piano arrangement that is strong enough to giv...

Pop Essentials: Leigh-Anne - Anticipate Official Artwork. This week on Pop Essentials - we have Anticipate by Leigh-Anne taken from her debut EP No Hard Feelings. It's such a door knocking attention calling R&B sunset flavoured banger.  Leigh-Anne is definitely having fun in her element, with a nearly fast paced delivery, it captures an active romance, where they just can't keep their hands off each other, always ready for the honey I'm home and I've been waiting on you type of connect. Some island, vibrating beats and this sound is reminiscent of Tamia and Brandy.  It's one of the highs of her EP. With play value, you'll definitely enjoy this track as goes from soulful to sultry and islandy It gives you an impression that this young lady would've had an identity in that era as she channels her artistry and gives you an outro that'll have you longing for more. Definitely a playlist essential, let it play on and on and on! Anticipate is av...

 Actress Of The Week: Kealeboga Masango  - Olifantsfontein High's Brightest Act... PhotoCred: @Officialkealeboga_masango on IG. Widely known for her portrayal of the adored Zintle on etv 's longtime running music soap opera Rhythm City , this young and captivating on TV star is setting an unforgettable mark with further recognition as Olifantsfontein High Head Girl, Ms Popular who knows how to throw a proper tantrum while maintaining good grades, a healthy love affair sure fitting for a teen who should probably know better. She's fun and truly makes her character work, she's one mean girl with layers of performative flavour you'll enjoy, she's not the girl you love to hate, you'll love to love her even when she's way out of line.  The writers did an excellent job in fleshing her out as her scenes that carry empowerment like when she encourages her schoolmates or touches on heavy subjects such as her father's misdeeds she truly shines str...

Avenue Music: Mature by Hilary Duff, The Good Stuff in Pop is Back! Official Artwork./ sugarmouse Inc. After 10 long years and the controversy surrounding her fifth studio album Breathe in. Breathe Out. Which was filled with timeless classics such as Sparks. Brave Heart. All About You & Stay In Love which was penned by Tove Lo . Fans were greatly disappointed with the rollout, no tour or TV performances plus the music video for 3rd single - Sparks was met with a negative reception that Duff had to do fan service and she definitely made up for it.  She went on to star on numerous TV shows such as Younger , How I Met Your Father and has been on demand with many hoping for a return and the day finally came as Mature was released (November 6th), it gives us what sounds like half of BIBO but evolved as the song carries an orchestral pop rock confetti with this thrilling anticipating beat with a neat kick as Hilary daringly sings on what sounds like the biggest night of her life,...

Avenue Music: Leigh-Anne says Goodbye to Silence with Dead & Gone!  Leigh-Anne . Every artist wants to be in control of their identity in music and not just be another industry product for sales with no true relation. As some songs are the ever so pleasant radio friendly pop, they tend to contain too much sugar, which makes them feel superficial, surface level offerings that offer a nice melody yet long-term it holds no weight. Recently there's been a shift in music with songs that run for 2 minutes and are denied the classic bridge, it feels like "oh, we can't add more because the shorter the better especially for TikTok challenges" Leigh-Anne on the other is very defiant leaving Warner a record label she was part of since her solo career kicked off with an impressionable debut single to a choir connect love affair with My Love she seemed off to a solid start. Underrated rollup if you ask me, it had star quality but less stage presentation, the mark...

Avenue Music: Lauren Jauregui is Back & Sounds Rooted and Ready Official Artwork/ Attunement Records. Lauren Jauregui has been independent in the music scene for a while now, with an unexpected Fifth Harmony reunion and releasing some beautifully constructed pieces of music that are emotionally dependant in carrying the story of her ever so broad and deep engagements of romance, mental health and desires. Her EPs (Prelude & In Between) deserve to be in the Top 5 of anyone's music library.  Ego brings in a very deep and uncomfortable conversation, tackling the truths, taking in the tension like sips of quenching the thirst of uncertainty, Lauren lyrically dives right in opening up like she's in therapy or penning the ultimatum before the finale, raising the stakes as she sounds so in love, longing for answers and true to her intentions it's such a chilled sonic arrangement yet the message carries so much depth that you can't help but be compelled. We ...

Avenue Music: Hello by Sigala, Leigh-Anne & Jonita!  Leigh-Anne. Sigala & Jonita/ Cred: Sigala This song has been teased for months by Leigh-Anne and fans have been longing for its release. It's finally here. It's screaming Tropical summer, a surging with flirtatious romance bop that feels like it's the ultimate love song sure to get two lovers together. Jonita and Leigh-Anne bring in the energy sounding electric and charged up, so assured of the intentions of the guy who has their attention, letting him know he's a winner, they're already in, no need to do more. The downside is I would've loved it if the song had a bridge or they sang together some more, not seperate solos. It gets a 3.8/5 stars.  The Chorus is such a high, like a rocket taking off with rhythm and launching into affection, truly magnificent pop. "Don't go putting on a show you ain't gotta wrap me up in gold, tell you something you should know, you had me at hell...

Avenue Music: Perrie's eponymous debut studio album: Beautiful, Intimate Experiences. Personal Hits done Right!  Official Artwork/ Columbia Records . Signed to Columbia records this girl group alumni and Award Winning Artist has finally released her debut studio album which had fans long awaiting it since she first announced her solo career in music. Perrie kicked off with the Ed Sheeran penned lead single Forget About Us which is very catchy, warm and comforting, a roadtrip getaway kind of track.  Tears &  You Go Your Way followed which was well received by fans and critics, an anthemic moving on ballad that has massive power in its chorus, Perrie belts her way to freedom with this 80s inspired track.  Cute Aggression is soft rock nostalgia as Perrie gets very vocal about her love and affection for Alex , whom she loves in a way that scares her and it's such an energized song sure to give you the feels.  Rocket Scientist which was supposed...