Chosan sets the record straight on Kanye, and the whole Blood Diamonds controversy on Jamati Radio

Written by Roxana Bangura | August 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Jamati.com had the exclusive privilege to speak to one of Sierra Leone’s Hip Hop stars Chosan. As you may recall, we did a story on Chosan and the whole controversy behind the Blood Diamonds song that appeared on Kanye West’s album Late Registration. According to Chosan, Kanye approached him to collaborate on a track called Blood Diamonds but he did not give any credit to Chosan’s contribution to the song. A song, mind you, that contributed to an album that went double platinum. At any rate, Chosan decided to contact Jamati.com with the latest update on this whole situation and what he had to say might just surprise you. If you want to find out tune in to Jamati Radio.

Tags: , Blood Diamonds, Chosan, Jamati Radio, Kanye West, Late Registration, Sierra Leone

Chris DeShield Going for the Title

Interview by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | August 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Chris DeShield is a talented singer who won the BET ‘Wild Out Wednesday‘ challenge in January this year. He is now pitting his singing talent against previous show winners to go for the ultimate Wild Out Wednesday talent. Jamati talked to him to find out what his life has been like since he won.

» Read more…

Tags:

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.

» Read more…

Tags: , Akon, b-real, Big Buff, Cashless Society, coast 2 coast, cypress hill, D-man, Dem Crack Boys, DJ Dino Bravo, DJ Green Lantern, DJ Khaled, Draztik, get ready, Igho, Lady Lea, latin thug records, Luki Mareki, maye, South Africa, step back, Terror Squad, the harvest volume 1, The White Lion, TI, Weez

Tabi Bonney - From Togo to DC

Interview by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Tabi Bonney, born Tabiabuè Bonney, has been seen on VH1-Soul, MTV Jams, MTV 2, MTV U , MTV Africa, BET J, Music Choice, and Suckerfree MTV. His rap has a powerful message and he is proud to be from Washington DC. The son of a famous musician, Itadi Bonney, he couldn’t help but follow in the footsteps and pursue his love of music. Jamati caught up with him to discover what gives him the passion to do what he does.

Jamati: You were born in Lome, Togo to Itadi Bonney, a great musician in his own right. How much of an influence was he in your life, and how did it help direct your music? » Read more…

Tags: , BET J, Cam'ron, itadi bonney, LL Cool J, MTV 2, MTV Africa, MTV Jams, MTV U, Music Choice, Outkast, Suckerfree MTV, tabi bonney

Lisa Amenya: Radio Personality, Activist, Proudly African

Interview by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | May 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Lisa Amenya has been active on the Kenyan music scene for a while. She is also passionate about building up the African scene by promoting the best in Kenyan entertainment. Jamati caught up with her to find out what makes her tick. » Read more…

Tags: , Akon, Classic 105, diaspora, hip-hop, kenyans, Kiss 100, lingala, Lisa Amenya, malaria, Radio Africa, valerie kimani

Ray Lavender: AKON Protégé and “KONVICTED”

Written by Saba, Ink | May 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Who in the world is Ray Lavender and what does AKON have to do with him? » Read more…

Tags: , Akon, Blackstreet, Guy, Konvict Clothing, Lavender Fever, michael jackson, New Edition, R. Kelly, Ray Lavendar, Ready for The World, Sam Cooke, t-pain, Troop

Hip Hop Pantsula - Mr Jabba man

Interview by Prudence Chauke | May 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

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…

Tags: , Acceptance Speech, Hip Hop Pantsula, Jabba man, Jay-Z, Sama, Snoop, South African Hip hop, Vusi Leew

International Reggae And World Music Awards Honors The Late Lucky Dube

Written by Prudence Chauke | May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment

It hasn’t even been a year since Lucky Dube’s tragic death and still his fans, family and friends in the music industry mourns he’s passing . I must say it was an emotional moment at the International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA) which was held at Harlem’s Legendary Apollo Theatre, 4 May 2008. They had one of the greatest poets from the Jamaican islands to dedicate a piece to the life Lucky Dube himself, and from the reaction of the audience that was present it showed that his legacy will leave on . » Read more…

Tags: , Bob Marley, fally ipupa, Jr. Reid, Koffi Olomide, Kymani Marley, Shaggy, Taurus Riley. Lucky Dube

Riz aka “The Prince”

Interview by Prudence Chauke | May 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Riz is a phenomenal artist who has wowed audiences around the world.  Jamati caught up with him to find out what makes him tick.  » Read more…

Tags: , Akon, charity water, konvict music, Mad cobra, michael jackson, prince, Riz, time to fly

Omega Bugembe Okello - The Singing Health Advocate

Interview by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | April 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Omega Okello is a talented woman with a beautiful voice (even when she talks the tonal quality is wonderful). Her soothing, soft-spoken style belies the strong, generous, intelligent woman that she is. Jamati was privileged to catch up with her to learn more about the things that make her tick. » Read more…

Tags: , kiswahili, kiwomera emmeeme, luganda, nina simone, omega bugembe okello

Kaysha- Musical Genius, Marketing Maven

Interview by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | April 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Jamati was privileged to catch up with a man who is so busy he is hard to catch. Kaysha travels all over the world sharing his brand of ’sushiraw’ talent with a wiggle of his hips and a flash of his smile. He has been featured on CNN International, and has produced music for some tremendous talent. We asked him what his secret was. » Read more…

Tags: , Elizio, fally ipupa, Isah, Jacob Desvarieux, Kaysha, Loony Johnson, Ludo, MC Solaar, Mika Mendes, Passi, Soumia, sushiraw label, Thayna