Lessons in K’sonology
Music is a powerful tool that can be used to impact lives positively; and upcoming singer K’son hopes to use his ‘message songs’ to do just that. Born Kofi Hanson-Asiedu in Ghana, he relocated to the United Kingdom to live with his mother at the age of 8.
Blessed with a squeaky clean and sweet voice, music and singing came naturally to K’son. He began by singing chart songs in the playground and occasionally being asked to sing in front of class. However, he knew he had a future in music when he was once singing at his older sister’s house and heard the approving “ooh you can sing you know!” from his sister. Since then, he has never looked back since. » Read more…
Marcus Eley to Perfom at International Arts Festival in South Africa
Clarinetist, Marcus Eley, has received a coveted invitation to perform two recitals on the main program at the prestigious National Arts Festivals in South Africa. He was chosen from out of scores of applicants from around the world. The National Arts Festival is considered the second largest arts festival in the world after the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. It takes places annually in the Eastern Cape town of Grahamstown. This year’s event takes place from July 2-11.
And The Nominees Are…
The list of nominees for the 2009 Ghana Music Awards has been announced and the competition looks keener than ever. Gospel singer Christiana Love topped the list with six nominations. Although the past year has been good for Ghanaian hip-hop, she was able to sail to the top because unlike the hip-hop artists, she was also nominated for Best Female Vocal Performance. However, hiplife/hip-hop acts like Okyeame Kwame and Praye are touted as favourites going into the awards slated for Saturday April 4.
Meet Disastrous, Ghanaian-Made but American Influenced
US based Ghanaian rapper, Disastrous, hopes to put Ghanaian music on the map with his forthcoming sophomore album, poignantly titled ‘Ghanaian-Made, American Influenced’. Born Edem Nigel Amedume in Accra, Ghana, Disastrous discovered his talent as early as age 8. Even before Reggie Rockstone, the Godfather of hiplife, had made a name for himself in the industry, young Disastrous was making a name for himself performing future hits out of Reggie’s demo. It is therefore not surprising that Reggie Rockstone remains to date, one of Disastrous’ biggest influences.
CODA – African Fusion Band
CODA is a unique collaboration between vocalist Yolanda Yawa, electric cellist Carol Thorns, saxophonist Judy Brown, electric violinist Cristina Chiselev and House DJ Nick Matthews. This talented band has been nominated, and was a finalist for both the Best of Cape Town Awards 2008 and the 2006 Top Billing/Lifestyle Awards in the categories Best Performing Group and Best South African Band respectively.
Tic Tac still strong after 10 years
One of Africa’s most prolific hip-hop artists, Tic Tac, has launched his 6th album titled, ‘The Tenth Day’ to mark his 10th year in the game. He describes his new album as a classic. “It is lyrically strong. Production wise, it’s second to none and I think it is a fantastic and classic album”. It also features collaborations with Keynote (Nigeria), Tinny, Okyeame Kwame and Asem; with productions by Seven, Jam Master J, Quick Action and several others.
Africa’s 2009 51st Grammy Awards Winners
With no doubt, the biggest highlights for the past weekend were the 2009 51st Grammy Awards ceremony, were big names from all genres of the music industry came together in celebration of the legacy that is attached with the Grammy’s.
Some celebrities turned heads with their chosen attire whilst some sent profound messages to the masses about “what not to wear”. Despite all the Grammy happenings of the night, from the rocking performances to the many winners, my proudest moment of the night was witnessing two Africans take home awards. » Read more…
Samini to Rock Bob Marley Fest in Atlanta
Ghana’s most loved hiplife/dancehall performer, Samini will join a host of privileged artists from all over the world to mark the 4th Annual Bob Marley Celebrations in Atlanta, Georgia this weekend. The 4-day festival starts from February 4-7. Samini, who is currently touring Jamaica, will join international acts like Una Morgan, Laza, Shola Lewis, Kelly Love Jones, Carla C. Gomez, Ishmael Turner, Jah Bless, Dana Gilmore and Eastern Standard at Atlanta’s world famous Sugar Hill-Underground on Saturday, February 7, to celebrate the life and music of the reggae icon.
This would mark Samini’s first-ever performance in the US throughout his career and it has been made possible by Boogie Down Nima Productions (BDNP), an agency charged with marketing Samini to the American market. On March 14, Samini will continue his performances in the States, when he joins a host of other Ghanaian and African artists in an explosive celebration of Ghanaian music and culture in New York City during the Ghana @52 Independence Day Celebration Concert. » Read more…
Salone JR aka Born Sierra Leonean: A Gem in your Midst
JR is a reggae singer/songwriter born in Sierra Leone and has been residing in the US since 1989. While attending high school, he joined a reggae band where he honed his skills. During a vacation to Sierra Leone in 2004, JR recorded two tracks “Rise Up Sa Lone” and “Gonna Miss You” featuring the Jungle Leaders, a talented group of guys with conscious reggae vibes. These two songs were featured on Jungle Leader’s “Same Soup” Album released in 2005.
Jamati: Firstly more light to you for gracing the Jamati tree with your light and welcome. » Read more…
Kae Sun Signs to Urbnet Records
Ontario based Ghanaian singer/songwriter/poet Kae Sun has inked a licensing deal with Toronto’s venerable alternative and hip-hop label, Urbnet Records. Urbnet is home to Moka Only, Grand Analog and The Carps, among others. The agreement will see Kae Sun release his debut full-length album, ‘Lion on a Leash’ through Urbnet on August 25th 2009.
‘Lion on a Leash’ marks a change of direction with Kae Sun. In this set, Kae Sun turns to a more acoustic, urban-folk influenced sound. Flecks of Afrobeat, spoken word, gospel and hip-hop ebb and flow through Lion on a Leash, but all in all it is a more focused, folk-influenced collection. Emphasis is placed on simple chord progressions and political lyricism, in which Kae Sun discusses the concept of the human condition, from love to greed, injustice to poverty. The album is currently being recorded at Central Audio in Toronto and at Studio J in Hamilton, Ontario. » Read more…
Munya and Thami Join Hazelmania
Zimbabwe representative to the ‘Big Brother Africa III‘(BBAIII), Munya, was to join the final party on Friday that Malawians had arranged for their representative and finalist in the house, Hazel Warren. She has since become an overnight national sensation after losing narrowly with a tie to Angolan, Ricco Venaccio.
The Hazelmania parties that started in the capital, Lilongwe, with live performances of Malawi’s top performing artists, beer parties, and the appearance of South African House mate, Thami, who was very close to Hazel, went haywire last Friday in Blantyre as Munya and Ricco joined the fun starved fans of the Malawian commercial city. » Read more…
African Events Calendar
Upcoming Events
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July 14 - 17, 2010
Africa Fashion Week New York (AFWNY) in New York
USA - North East
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March 20, 2010
FACE Africa 1st Annual Gala
USA - North East
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March 11 -15, 2010
Sixth Annual New African Films Festival
USA - North East
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April 10, 2010
RUNWAY LIBERIA: Silver Spring,MD
USA - North East
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