Dan Tshanda to partner with Zimbabwean Musicians

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | July 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment

African producers and musicians are reaching out increasingly to collaborate with talent beyond their borders. Weez, from South Africa, has done that and, now, top South African music producer, Dan Tshanda, of Dalom Music Productions, has signed a deal with seven Zimbabwean musicians in an attempt to help them build markets regionally.

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Filed in African HotSpot » Music

South Africa mourns the death of yet another great artist….

Written by Prudence Chauke | July 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I remember it clearly it was on a December afternoon driving in the streets of Johannesburg when a song titled “Destiny” stimulated my ears and from then on I was on a mission to discover more about this trio group called Malaika. The more I discovered of them the more in love I fell with not only they music but them as a group for the style and energy they added to the South African music industry was amazing. » Read more…

Filed in African HotSpot » Music

The Talented Ms. Lola Adesioye

Interview by Laura Adibe | July 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Lola Adesioye is a well-published writer who focuses on issues that affect the black community in America.  What people don’t know is that she is also a singer/songwriter who owns her own record label. » Read more…

Filed in Music » Up and Coming

Nas In South Africa For the Durban July Festival

Written by Prudence Chauke | July 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Christmas came early this year for those who attended the Durban July Festival as an unexpected grammy nominee, Nas, made a grand entrance and topped it off with an exclusive, killer perfomance as a token of love to his fans. The rapper, who is about to release his new album soon, proved to his fans that they have a lot to look forward to when his album drops on July 15th. Finally!

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Filed in Music

Weez gives us a Verbal Massacre

Interview by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | July 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

One of the best things about this job is being able to highlight talent that mainstream media seems to miss all the time. Weez, a hiphop rapper from South Africa, is one such talent. Despite being recognized by several notable producers on the continent, and in the diaspora, he is still a relative unknown. This despite the fact that one of his raps is part of a compilation that has done very well in the United States, and the fact that his upcoming collaboration is with a person who was part of the reason Weez got into rap in the first place. Always ready to put on a show, he had to freestyle at the American embassy to get his visa (they weren’t convinced that he was really a rapper). Jamati caught up with Weez to find out what makes him tick.

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Filed in African Hip-Hop » African HotSpot » Backstage Pass » Music

Styl-Plus Crew - Smooth RnB sounds

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | July 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I just stumbled on a group that is really great.  Styl-Plus Crew is a group out of Nigeria that can really sing.  They formed their names from the first names of the founding members, Shifi Emoefe, Tunde Akinsanmi, Yemi Akinwonmi, and Lanre Faneyi.  Lanre Faneyi passed away in 1999 and Zeal Onyecheme took his place. To accomodate the new member, they added Plus to their original name, becoming Styl-Plus.

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Filed in African HotSpot » Music

Akon performs at South Florida SummerFest 2008

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Akon, Keyshia Cole, and L’il Wayne wowed the crowds at Summerfest 2008 in Sunrise, Florida.  Konvict Records was well represented with T-Pain and DJ Khaled also performing.

Filed in Music » Slideshow

Kaysha or Fally? - You Pick!

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment

My two favorite Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) performers are Fally Ipupa and Kaysha. Both have a way of getting the crowd riled up and keeping them entertained from the beginning of the concert to the end.

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Filed in Jamati Top 10 » Music

Wale Folarin - The Next Big Thing!

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Rolling Stone says he has more crossover appeal than weed (oooh, that’s serious!), and he has been featured in several magazines including the New York Times, Boston Globe, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post, Vibe, Complex, Hiphopgame.com, AllHipHop.com, Entertainment Weekly, and The Source.

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Filed in African Hip-Hop » Music

Mandela’s 90th Birthday Music Concert

Written by Shirlene Alusa-brown | June 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Mandela’s 90th birthday is slated to be a huge celebration with a concert that will include some of the hottest names in African music. Among the celebrities scheduled to perform include 9ice, Papa Wemba, Suzanna Owiyo, Johnny Clegg, Sipho Mabuze, Loyiso, Kurt Darren, the Soweto Gospel Choir, the Aids orphan choir, The Children of Agape, and Emmanuel Jal.

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Filed in Music

Tumi: No Guarantee

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Itumeleng Ramailane, better known as Tumi, is a newcomer on the South African music scene that plays like a veteran. His debut album,”No Guarantee“, is a soulful mix of R&B and funk. Tumi’s voice is like silky chocolate, embracing the notes and drawing them smoothly over your eardrums like a sinfully delightful dessert. » Read more…

Filed in African HotSpot » Music » Reviews