Meta And The Cornerstones – a New Take on Reggae
It is said that a candle is of more value when it is able to share it’s fire with another candle, enabling the light to shine beyond the present time. After this weekend’s performance of the Meta and the Cornerstones at the SARFM radio’s African festival, that saying is beyond true.
As I listened to Meta and the Cornerstones’ perfomance I coudnt help but think of the late Lucky Dube; so much of Meta and the Cornerstones reflects his legacy and although both of them share a love for reggae music, Meta and the Cornerstones have a more soulful reggae sound. Lucky Dube was one of the people the group got inspiration from. » Read more…
Ray C – She’s….well…….Racy!
Ray-C, born Rehema Chalamila, is at the top of the list for ummm….some pretty interesting music videos. She has more wiggles in her moves than Shakira and Beyonce combined, and she looks good doing it. That could be due to the fact that she took belly dancing lessons (which she must have done really well in).
Ray-C worked as a DJ on a show, Dr. Beat, for Clouds FM Radio station in Tanzania and took vocal training lessons. The only musician to perform Bongo, Bhangra, Taarab and R&B in one album, she is affectionately known as Tanzania’s beauty queen. To date she has released three albums, Mapenzi Yangu (My Love), Na Wewe Milele (With You Forever) in 2004, and Ray-C. All albums have gone platinum. » Read more…
A-Plus’ Letter to the West
A-Plus is a Ghanaian artist best described as controversial and politically incorrect. He first made a name for himself singing about events leading to and after Ghana’s 2000 general elections. His witty and fairly accurate narration of political issues made his song an immediate hit. He followed up in the same way on the 2004 general elections and continued in a slightly different direction in 2007 when this time he specifically talked about Ghana’s Parliament in his somewhat poignant, ‘Letter to Parliament’. Letter to Parliament won him a nomination for Best Hip-life Song at the 2008 edition of the Ghana Music Awards.
In between his releases, A-Plus has also tried his hand ay stand-up comedy with relative success. He has carved a niche for himself as a politically incorrect artist but in his latest single, ‘A Letter to the West’; he makes a complete u-turn to spit conscious and politically correct lyrics about Africa’s bane of poor leadership. He talks about wars and poverty in Africa resulting from stinking political leadership. » Read more…
Dan Tshanda to partner with Zimbabwean Musicians
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.
South Africa mourns the death of yet another great artist….
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…
Weez gives us a Verbal Massacre
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.
Styl-Plus Crew – Smooth RnB sounds
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.
Tumi: No Guarantee
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…
PiliPili – His stage name is Swahili for “pepper” and yes, his voice is just as hot
His stage name is Swahili for “pepper” and yes, his voice is just as hot. Pilipili is an African artist intent on singing his way into the hearts of everyone, everywhere. With his uniquely recognizable pipes, the singer started off his career as a rapper performing all over Nairobi, Kenya in 2002. The response of the audiences at Nairobi landmarks; ‘F2’ (Florida 2000), The ClubHouse and Vybestar, where he performed convinced him that music was, indeed, his calling.
Hip Hop Pantsula – Mr Jabba man
This two-time SAMA award winner whose name is one of the most respected in the SA music industry makes hit after hit, never disappointing and always exceeding his fans’ expectations. Jamati caught up with the man himself and this is what he had to say: » 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…
African Events Calendar
Upcoming Events
-
June 22 - 24, 2010
2010 Africa Business Conference and Trade Fair
USA - North East
-
July 10, 2010
Talent-ED
USA - North East
-
March 22, 2010
A “Tribute to Mama Afrika: Miriam Makeba”
USA - North East
-
July 14 - 17, 2010
Africa Fashion Week New York (AFWNY) in New York
USA - North East
See more African Events | Submit Your Own
Browse by Region
- Asia (2)
- Australia (2)
- Canada (1)
- Central Africa (3)
- East Africa (9)
- South Africa (9)
- UK (15)
- USA – Mid West (4)
- USA – North East (126)
- USA – North West (3)
- USA – South East (23)
- USA – South West (5)
- USA – West Coast (5)
- West Africa (16)
- West Europe (14)
