Victor Sila

Sila and the Afrofunk Experience’s second album was recognized as the top entry in the genre for 2009, a notable achievement and something of a surprise for the San Francisco-based artist and Kenyan native, who released the album independently on his own Visalia label. The album tackled such heavy issues as refugees, female beauty ideals, and global politics, with an original and funky Afropop sound influenced by both Fela Kuti and James Brown.

The Image Award caps a remarkable outpouring of critical acclaim for Sila and the Afrofunk Experience and “Black President“. In addition to the band being named “Best International Act” by San Francisco Weekly, the album was among the Top 5 African releases of 2009, according to IPR’s “Afropop Worldwide.”

Congratulations to the band.  They will be performing on March 20th at the Great American Music Hall at the official Black President Victory Party. Tickets are $14; a portion of proceeds will be donated to Chilean earthquake victims.

Danny K and Kabelo from TKZee are the brainchild behind this master campaign after reaching their saturation point with the steadily climbing crime statistics and news bulletins detailing violence and bloodshed on daily basis. Using his influence on established South African artists, Danny K recruited the best of South Africa’s music talent to record a cover of the 1980’s group, Tear for Fears’ hit, “Shout“, with the mindset of donating all the proceeds from downloads, and sales of the singles and brand collateral, to charities which support victims, and initiatives which aid in the prevention of crime.

As a South African myself, I love Danny K and Kabelo for this campaign, especially now more  for bringing great people such HHP, Nonhle Thema, Freshly Ground, DJ Fresh, Loyiso, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Lira, Hugh Masekela, Rebecca Malope, Karen Zoid, Heinz Winkler, Jamali, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Kurt Darren, Skwatta Kamp, Proverb, just to name a few.

For more on the campaign and to find out how to lend a helping to this cause, please log on to their website.

Here is the officiall “SHOUT SA” music video: SHOUT SA

The tour will continue on with high-energy performances that will highlight Kelly’s number one hits which includes “My life will suck without you” and “Because of you”, live in Belgium, Germany, UK, Holland, Denmark, New Zealand and Australia.

Here is a clip of Ms Kelly sharing her views about her tour:Kelly Clarkson in SA letting it all out <3

Legendary Oliver Mtukudzi who was in South Africa when he heard the news is said to have rushed back to his home town to begin the funeral arrangement for his son.  

Gone too soon is all I can think off and I pray that this is another one of those lives awakening moment, for us a people to live like there were no tomorrow. Our prayers go out to the Mtukudzi family and we send positive vibrations, for this too shall pass.

Here is a clip of Sam Mtukudzi sharing the stage with his father Oliver Mtukudzi: Sam and Oliver Mtukudzi live

This producerand singer-songwriter who is already a major brand in the UK, Taio Cruz has broken a seven-year-old record by taking the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot 100 single chart in the U.S, a titles that belong to the Black Eyed Peas’ a for two-week straight.

This is major success for this 26 year old R&B singer and I’m sure will be seeing more of him within the U.S musical stadium.

Here is Taio Cruz ft Ludacris – \”Break Your Heart\”

Big Nuz – Undisputed

BLK JK- After Robots

Busi Mhlongo – Amakholwa Believers

Selaelo Selota – Lapeng Laka

Teargas – Dark or Blue

Duo or Group Of The Year:

Aking – Against All Odds

Big Nuz – Undisputed

Jaziel Brothers – The Journey

Joyouse Celebration – Volume 13 Live at the Mosaiek Theatre, Johannesburg

Teargas – Dark or Blu

Female Artists Of  The Year:

Busi Mhlongo – Amakholwa

Cagwini – Emandulo

Lira- Live in Concert: A Celebration

Louise Carver – The Home Tour: Live

Thandiswa Mazwai – Ibokwe

Male Artist Of  The Year:

Benjamin Dube – 16 June Commemoration Live

Black Coffee – Home Brewed

Chris Chameleon – Kyk Hoe Lyk Ons Nou

Ntando – Inqubela

Selaelo Selota – Lapeng Laka

New Comer of the Year:

Culoe

Kyle Sheperd

Solly Mahlangu

The South African Youth Choir

Tshepo Mnoma

MTN Record Of The Year:

Change the World – Master Jam (w/RJ Benjamin)

Consider Me – Prime Circle

Fairytale – Liquideep

Fort Knox – Goldfish

Free – Thembi Seete

Good Music – DJ Cleo

Heartbreak Street – Jesse Clegg

I Believe – Oskido

Ingoma – Thandiswa ft Hugh Masekela

Lesson Number 1 – Rhythmic Elements

Live my Life – Winnie Khumalo

Maybe- Loyiso

Mmatswale – Malaika

Mpitse – HHP

Nka Mo Dira – Nutty Nys (w/Abe Molamu)

Nomalanga Mntakwthu – Zuluboy

Push me to the Floor – Parlotones

Umlilo – Big Nuz ft Tira

We Baba – Culoe De Song ft Busi Mhlongo

The 16th SAMA Award are schedule to take place in a high standard Award ceremony in Sun City on the 16th and 17th of April, 2010. Congratulations to all the nominees and all the best to you all!

Founded by Sirak Getachew and Kalab Berhane, “Africology” is a Brooklyn, NYC based entertainment venture  who’s main focus is educating the world about African descent, inspired music. The main mission behind  “Africology” is to “create a multimedia enterprise that elevates African musicians and it’s artistry into the limelight with the understanding that they are merely a conduit; transporting inspiration from Africa’s belly to the world.”

“Africology” is a podium for an array string of DJs and artists such as Ethiopian beauty Sheba Sahlemariam, NYC most loved band - ”Meta and the Cornestones, Haitian native – Tiga Jean – Baptiste, Gibril Da African, New York native – Kilem, Suntoucha, Chosan, Zaki Ibrahim, A-Alikes, Victoria Bekele, Bamboo, Servantz Of  The Earth and Okai. Adding to list is DJ Moma, DJ Eddie Ed and DJ Sirak himself.

The driving force behind this brand is no child’s play but a unit with a profound mission to promote African artistry one artist and one DJ at a time, from Brooklyn to the world.

If you didn’t know now you know and you better get familiar because “Africology” is redefining things. For more on “Africology visit www.africologymedia.com  and be sure to catch an up-coming “Africology” exclusive interview, coming soon to Jamati.com.

Click here for get familiar with some of Africology’s artists: www.therealsheba.com, www.metaandthecornerstones.com, www.kilenm.com, www.zakiibrahim.com, www.aalikes.net, www.servantzoftheearth.com .

Christine Vaindirlis Exclusive right here on the Jamati podium as she walks us through her globetrotting journey, from London to growing up in one of the hardest South African eras (apartheid), to dreaming her way out of South Africa into the beginning of her life inspiring  journey.

If there is one thing I’ve learnt from doing this interview, it’s that “Giving up in life is never an option, everything is possible, we just gotta believe and keep on dreaming, speaking life to the world were everything is possible. Christine herself is a major inspiration and I hope that every soul that reads this, takes with them a profound message that will inspire them with they walk in life…… Enjoy and don’t forget to share your views

Jamati: Firstly welcome and thank you for allowing to share your life’s journey with the Jamati family?

CV: It’s a real honor and a pleasure to share my heart with you! Thank you for reaching out and for taking interest in my adventure.

Jamati: In brief please share some insights as to who Christine Vaindirlis is all about, cause there is a lot of mystery there ?

CV: Ha, ha! Yes, it’s a bit complicated. I was born in London but soon thereafter my parents moved back to South Africa where I grew up and went to school. I had always been very passionate about music and it had been my dream to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. However, at the time it seemed unobtainable, unaffordable, and with my parents being so nervous about me venturing to the US by myself to another dangerous city, it could have only stayed a dream. So I decided to go to Italy for a month to “study Italian”, where I auditioned and was awarded a full scholarship to study opera at the G.Verdi Conservatory in Milan. After a few years of study and having to work to pay rent, I came to grips with the fact that opera wasn’t really part of who I was. I started writing my own music whilst missing home terribly, longing for South Africa and it’s people, keeping traditional African music close for my comfort, took me closer to the place that I loved.

Performing and continuing to work in Milan until one day, the company I was working for decided to relocate and I found myself without a job, like an eaglet forced out of it’s nest, I had to fly. Still passionate about my dream, curiosity took me to the Berklee College website where I discovered that they were hosting a European Scholarship Audition and I decided to give it a shot and cutting a long story short, I was awarded the scholarship which together with an unexpected financial incentives from my former employer, brought me to the US and sparked the beginning of my dream. “Never give up hope”, things can happen when you least expect them to, it’s never too late to dream!

Jamati: Let’s talk about “Dance Mama your current album, what has been the inspiration behind it and what can fans expect from the album?

CV: “Dance Mama” is an energetic mix of funk, jazz and South African flavoured horn and vocal arrangements. It’s a mix of musical influences of the very same people of whom which I wanted to honor, who inspired my writing by tucking little tributes here and there, but it was one of those fruit of life’s lessons, there’s a little story behind each song. I wrote songs having specific musicians in mind knowing they would the songs come to life and by God’s grace I worked with Bakhiti Kumalo, whom i always wanted to work with.

For example, I wrote “Indaba” (meeting place), when I moved to New York- a place filled with a diversity and culture very much like South Africa.  “Dance Mama” was was a fruit of the joy and peace I have in my heart from knowing that God is in complete control over my life. He’s always watching over me all the time, come rain or sunshine. I’m never afraid. This joy makes me want to dance to one of my favorite songs from home, “Pata-Pata”, rest in peace Mama Africa.

Jamati: Which string of artists influenced your globetrotting musical journey?

CV: Lol, that’s a long list be warned:), but definitely Mirriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, The Manhattan Brothers, Dorothy Masuka, Robbie Jansen, Abdullah Ibrahim, Paul Simon, Mahlatini and the Mohotella Queens, Lady Smith Black Mambazo, Johnny Clegg, The African Jazz Pioneers, Bakithi Khumalo, Tony Cedras, Richard Bona, Chaka Khan, Tower of Power and Hiromi. The list goes on and on!

Jamati: Being musically exposed like you have been, what major lessons have you learnt that have helped you in branding yourself and your artistry, especially in the US platforms.

CV: Actually, that’s what my song “Call to Freedom” is all about, being true and honest to oneself and not conforming to other people. Be the person you like, so what’s in your heart and what you do best because you’ll be the best at being you. I will never be Mary J. or Chaka as hard as I try ans much as I love them. Many artists aspire to be who they admire and there is nothing wrong with that, there is much to be learnt from such talent, but often they forget and neglect their own unique gift which could very possibly be an inspiration and blessing to someone else one day.

Jamati: I personally love your whole image, the big hair and African inspired clothing:). What or who inspired that ?

CV: Ha,ha, thank you! Yes, the big hair….well, when I was in college people could never remember my name, so I became known as “The Girl With The Hair”, it worked, so I kept it.

As for the clothing, I love bold and intense colors, they symbolize joy and life, they a great way to make a statement. Nature in South Africa is so dramatic and spectacular, the sky, the way it lights up when there’s a thunder storm, the dessert, the mountains. If you ever get a chance to go to Cape Town, the colors of the two oceans are absolutely stunning. People aren’t afraid to wear bold colors and among the colorful African arts and crafts are the Zulu bead-work, the telephone wire and Ndebele wall paintings. The jewelery I wear is all Zulu bead-work from home and the actual ” Dance Mama” CD design was inspired by the telephone wire baskets while the jacket and the booklet, was inspired by the Ndebele paintings. That’s why it’s important to get physical CD but not just the download,lol!

Jamati: Currently which album or artist have captured your heart and why?

CV: OK, you might think my answer is biased since she plays on “Dance Mama”, but you asked the question and it is what I’m honestly listening to right now. Hiromi’s new album “A Place to Be”, released earlier this year. It is a master piece. I had the opportunity of seeing her in New York and her performance captivated the audience. Her playing and writing is so visual. for example “Viva Vegas”: The Gambler, if you close your eyes you can actually pictures the slot machines turning, and the player when a first he loses ans then wins the jackpot. “BQE” on the hand is about the Brooklyn-Queens Express way, and if you’ve ever been on it, you know what that’s all about, lol. Her playing always takes my imagination and always stimulates me. She can be very energetic but at the same time very melodic. reflective and always leaves a spot for humor.

Jamati: What has been your liefs strengthening quote?

CV: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Jamati: In today’s global musical stadium, what do you think is the importance for African influenced/inspired music?

CV: African inspired music is basically going back to our roots. Poly-rhythmic African rhythms and sounds brought over the Atlantic Ocean by slaves, shaped what we know today as blues and jazz, which branched off into so many  genres from Rock ‘n Roll and R&B, to heavy metal, punk rock, pop music and many more. African music has and will continue to be at the root of a very significant portion of popular music and highly influential internationally as well as across socio-economic groupings.

Jamati: Are there any other projects on the works right now that you’ve been involved in that you would life to share?

CV: Yes, actually there are some good news I’d like to share with you. My songs “Tell Me” was a finalist in the 2009 USA Song Writing Competition in the World Category. “Indaba” was a semi-finalist in the 2009 internationalist Songwriting Competition (ISC) World Music Category, and “This is My Place” was quarter finalist in the 2009 UK Songwriting Competition Open Category. Also If you flying Continental, United or Copa Airlines, check the World Music in flight radio play lists, and listen to some of my songs from the “Dance Mama” album.

There are few things in the works, I’m writing new music and working on a music video for “Indaba”, but my main focus will be on celebrating South Africa and promoting the World Cup here in the US and hopefully in South Africa too. Don’t forget to get the Diski dance down, http://www.southafrica.info/footballfridays/diski-dance2.htm !

Jamati: Thank you a ton and we send positive energy your way and may you be blessed as you grow forward in all your life’s endeavors.

CV: Thank you for having me.

For more on Christine Vaindirlis visit, www.dance-mama.com and to purchase her music you can visit, www.cdbaby.com, iTunes, Amazon.com or Dig-station.

Click here to see Christine Vaindirlis live in action: Christine Vaindirlis live

Everything about her is beyond her age, the maturity of all the elements of her music is really breath taking to see from a young, yet new artist. Her debut EP ”Model Citizen” is a compilation of Top 40 Pop and urban contemporary songs featuring many of the hits that have brought her worldwide attention. The album includes features and production from some of the industry’s greats and rising talents including Havoc of Mobb Depp, RIZ (Konvict/Interscope/Universal) and Space Cowboy, producer of Lady Gaga.

Voted a “Top Ten Artist” on StereoFame, this young sensations will soon be number one in so many levels, cause that’s what happens when great talent is foundation-ed by driven management that truly believe in they brand and understands what it ultimately takes to make it in the industry.

Nenna Yvonne’s debut EP album “Model Citizen” is now available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon.com and MySpace Music.

For more on this trailblazing sensation, visit www.nennayvonne.comor add Nenna Yvonne on facebook. This truly is a must, get familiar with artist and be sure not to forget her name cause I’m predicting her career is about to take an extraordinary turn. I <3 her and so will you:~)  Listen up, click to get familiar: Nenna Yvonne

“Freak” which features Kardinal Offishall, produced by David Guetta is a “Soul II Soul – Back to life” sample, which is infused with intoxicating electro-soul vibe, which will get your fist pumping. Although I must say that this is more of a club hit or simply that high energy track to help to kick-start one’s weekend.

Personally I’m loving it and would love to hear your thoughts and views on it.

Click here for Estelle  new single: Estelle – \”Freak\”