Swahili Nation - Rapping in Swahili and Repping Africa
Swahili Nation was originally founded by two Kenyan brothers, Andrew and Ken Muturi, and a Tanzanian, Cool James. Cool James went solo in 1992 and they added two Ugandans, Ken Kayongo, and Charlie “King” Todwong to the group. They were very popular and soon signed a deal in 1996 with Dr. Alban of Dr. Records. » Read more…
X-Plastaz - Reppin Tanzania and the Maasai
X-Plastaz originally consisted of three members and was formed to address social issues in a form that could connect with the younger generation. The original members, Ruff, Gsaan, and Ziggy, worked in a haircutting salon in the heart of Maasailand in Tanzania. » Read more…
Abbass Kubaff a.k.a. Doobeez
Abbas Kubaff aka Doobeez was born in Nairobi, Kenya in Eastleigh, a rough neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya. He grew up in Kariobangi, South (K-South) and showed an early interest in music. » Read more…
Young Nations: South Africa’s Hip Hop Innovator
Young Nations was born in South Central L.A. to South African parents. The son of an activist, he became actively involved in numerous organizations focused on global youth empowerment. Nations helped organize one of the largest protests against apartheid in Los Angeles, and was one the youngest members of Children of War, a non-profit organization of young refugees from war torn countries around the world. » Read more…
Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) - Acceptance Speech
Hip Hop Pantsula, better known as HHP, is arguably one of the most innovative hip-hop artists in African music today. His latest album, Acceptance Speech, highlights his versatility and great ability to utilize different genres of music (a style he calls Motswako which means ‘mixture’ in Setswana) to bring out a unique hip hop flavor. Even more interesting is his use of a 12 piece band (6 ladies [Bass player, Alto Sax, Trombone, Keyboard, 2 backing singers] and 6 guys[Guitarist, Keyboards, Drums, 2 backing singers and myself, the rapper]) to round out his style. He has performed with Will Downing, Angelina Kidjo, Jamie Cullum, Saul Williams, Snoop Dogg, Kwani Experience, Ringo, Bongo Maffin, Mapumba and many more. » Read more…
Wawesh a.k.a. Kiboi - Producing Grammy Nominees
Wawesh has been creating a swirling buzz in Swahili speaking communities in Eastern Africa and the Diaspora via his three consecutive hit singles (Mjanja, Wawero and Wasanii) plus a highly acclaimed debut album, “It’s Meant To Be”. » Read more…
MC Solaar - Chapitre 7
Claude M’Barali a.k.a. MC Solaar was born in Senegal to Chadian parents who later relocated to France when he was 6 months old. He adapted his name from his grafitti tags, ‘Soar’ and ‘Solaar’. His rapping style, fused with a jazzy edge has always been popular with crowds around the world and brought him to the attention of Guru, who featured him on his (Guru’s) album, Jazzmatazz. His latest offering, Chapitre 7 is a wonderful mix of styles and beats. In his song, Paris-Samba, he explores the salsa rythms of latin dance and then takes you through a reggae beat in ‘Clic Clic’. ‘Da Vinci Claude’ showcases his gift of rhythmic rap and a rock beat. There are few who can match his gift for rhyming so effortlessly and making that sound like music in itself. It is no wonder he has a large following. ‘Sous les Palmiers’ is reminiscent of the rapping, good music feel of old that transports you to the days when people made music for the fun of it. ‘Merci‘ harkens back to his jazzy hip-hop style with a soothing beat. Overall this album is bound not to disappoint MC Solaar fans who are always waiting with bated breath for his next production. The album was produced in New York City. » Read more…
Bamboo - East Africa’s Hiphop King
Bamboo is recognized as one of the most talented rappers on the African hiphop circuit. His song, ‘Bumaye’, highlights the life of Muhammed Ali, and another song made it into the soundtrack of the movie, ‘Primeval’. » Read more…
Krukid - Afr-I-Can
Krukid, born Edwin Ruyonga, has come out with an album that is HOT!! His rapping style is great, and he manages to mix energetic beats into his poetic rapping flow, to keep you on your feet and ready to make a difference in the world. He won an award for best Hip Hop at the 1071 CU Local Music Awards which proved to be the impetus he needed to launch his career. Rawkus Records, famous for launching the careers of famous hip-hop artists like Sir Menelik, Company Flow, the High and Mighty, Mos Def and Talib Kweli (as a duo known as Black Star), Common, Pharaoh Monch, and Skillz, signed him on as one of their Rawkus 50. Rawkus is dedicated to promoting concious hip-hop and their artists have helped redirect the message of the industry.
The rap “Invisible“, a tribute to his Ugandan roots, highlights the plight of the child soldiers in Northern Uganda and Sudan. The words are deep and the passion unmistakeable. “KRU” talks about AIDS and the problems associated with it. “Calling” is more lyrical in its flow and lends itself more to a head-bobbing, hand-bouncing-in-the-air kind of reaction. The title song, “African” is very popular with the African hip-hop population and is quickly being adopted as the African anthem. You can here it here. The artists that he works with on the album include Somi, CashHill Affiliates, John Doe, Timmy Knoxx, Monty Shoe Walker, Falynx, Mulatto Bastard, Yes Yes, John Doe, Ryan Groff, and Kayla Brown, to name a few. » Read more…
9ice - Raising the bar on Afro-hiphop
9ice (pronounced NICE) is blazing the trail with hot dance songs in the Nigerian club scene. His latest track Ganja Man is definitely a hit. But who is this man? He was born Abolore Akande and he started his music career in 1994 with a music demo called “Risi de Alagbaja”. He went on to form a group called the Mysterious Boyz but they disbanded a year later. In 2002 he released two hit songs–‘Ma gbe keke e lo’ and ‘Sayo’—with his newly formed group, Abinibi. ‘Sayo’ was a huge hit and the band members decided to pursue independent careers.
Chosan speaks out!
Jamati: You have a new project with G. Kofi Annan called ‘Bling Is Dead’ which is trying to influence people’s ideas of how they view diamonds. How is that project going and what are the plans for 2008? » Read more…
African Events Calendar
Upcoming Events
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Nov. 3, 2008
TIKEN JAH FAKOLY - high performance reggae
West Europe
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Nov. 3, 2008
CHINUA ACHEBE’S NOVEL “THINGS FALL APART” CELEBRATED AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
USA - North East
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Nov. 1, 2008
Queendom - the fabulous five
West Europe
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October 17, 2008
KINGS or QUEENS [GHANA or NAIJA] pt 2
USA - South East
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