Just A Band - Scratch to Reveal
This band has embraced a genre of music that is somewhat neglected in Africa today. With creative videos, unique sounds, and great music, they are putting afro/techno-house on the map. Their latest release “Scratch To Reveal” is already making headlines. Billy “Blink” Selanga, Dan Muli, and Jim Chuchu are the ‘boys’ of the band, and they let us scratch the surface to discover what lies beneath!
1. Your brand of music is somewhat off the beaten track. What made you decide to pick this genre of music? » Read more…
George François’s Passion for African folk idiom
Ghanaian concert pianist, George François was born into a musical family and so began piano lessons as early as age 2. His passion to make good music took him to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, where he won the Charles James Heywood Prize for Piano; the Charles Hall Scholarship; and the Terence Weill Prize for Chamber Music.
He has participated in numerous international concerts with a contemporary music ensemble, a jazz band and other smaller ensembles. With his keen passion for celebrating and promoting African folk idioms, he is gradually leaving his mark on modern classical music as an exponent of African folk music. He plays arrangements of African folk music that are his own arrangements/compositions. He has deep respect for the works of renowned Ghanaian composer, Prof. J.H Nketiah, and has played several compositions from the professor for audiences across Europe and America. » Read more…
MTV unites Africa with Making the Video
Kwaw Kesse ruled Ghana’s hip-hop scene in the past year and he hopes to extend his reign to the rest of Africa. Well, with the assistance of MTV Base, his dream may soon become a reality as he just got the chance to collaborate with Tanzania’s hip-hop superstar, Professor J.
The MTV ‘Making the Video Challenge’ with Shell team is currently in Accra to shoot a video for the remix to Kwaw Kesse’s ‘Who Be You’ featuring Professor J. The video will be shot by a team of Ghanaian directors under the mentorship of veteran director, Anthony Mandler. Mandler has worked with the likes of Beyonce, Ne-Yo, Omarion, Rihanna, and One Republic. The music video will be premiered on Saturday, September 27, at the Aphrodisiac Nite Club in Ghana and, subsequently, on MTV Base and its affiliate TV stations across Africa. » Read more…
Doing it for West Africa
Without a doubt, Ghanaian-born UK rapper, Sway DaSafo, and Nigerian born UK R&B singer, Lemar, are the best in their respective fields as far is the UK music scene is concerned. So what happens when the two collaborate on a song? - A masterpiece even better than R. Kelly and Jay Z’s ‘Best of Both Worlds’. Ha-ha! That is certainly how I felt when I saw the video for ‘Saturday Night Hustle’. The video is well put together and the music, um, the music is refreshing!
Maybe I am about to exaggerate a little but I can’t stop thinking that the video aptly tells the story of how Africans and blacks in general have to get their hustle on just to survive in the west. I am sure many of our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora can relate with that. Whichever way you look at it, Sway and Lamar are doing Africa proud and this one goes to West Africa!
And the 2008 MOBO Awards Nominees Are……….
The Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) awards have grown to be one of the biggest awards in the music industry today. This London-based ceremony is dedicated to music of black origin, from urban to hip hop, R&B, gospel, and reggae. These awards are also a way to acknowledge artsits for their work around the world through their music.
Since their first year, these awards have officially made their mark, bringing together artists from the American, European, and African industry all in one stage. This year Africa is highly represented with more artists nominated. Some have been nominated in several categories. » Read more…
Bheki Mseleku - South Africa’s international acclaimed jazz artist dies….
Another legend makes his way to his last resting place after a long struggle with diabetes. Bheki Mseleku, a pianist, saxoponist, composer, and arranger’s passing left the music industry in disbelief. This jazz legend had a profound impact in the growth of jazz music in South Africa. Even though he resided in London Mseleku always found a way to give back to the industry that established and made him a legend.
He recorded numerous soul-touching albums including an old time favorite, titled “Meditation”, which captures his journey on his search for his spiritual purpose in life. He has also worked with several international artists from Courtney Pine to Joe Henderson, and Elvin Jones. » Read more…
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…
Culture Spears Fighting for Copyright Rights
Copyright laws are not always honored in Africa, but musicians are becoming wiser as they start to protect their creative content.
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…
Akon Puts New Kids On the Block on “The Block”
The New Kids on the Block are back with a new album and Akon’s collaboration with them, ‘Put It On My Tab‘ is already being heralded as a smash hit-in-waiting. The song is very T-Pain in style and shows the smart choices the New Kids on the Block made in collaborating with some of the hottest names in music to create a comeback album.
The New Kids on the Block have definitely grown up. Their album is edgy, features Ne-Yo, Akon, Timbaland, the Pussycat Dolls, and Teddy Riley, to name a few. Not bad. ‘Single‘ is a collaboration with Ne-Yo, and showcases their vocal talent. ‘Grown Man‘ is a pretty hot dance piece in collaboration with Teddy Riley and the Pussycat Dolls. The album is in stores now. You can purchase their album here. » Read more…
One Night With Grammy Award Winner - Anita Baker
50 has never looked sexier or hotter than the looks of legendary R&B/soul crooner, Ms. Anita Baker.
African Events Calendar
Upcoming Events
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October 16, 2008
ROLL BOUNCE 2 at Orchards SkateLand
USA - North East
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October 2, 2008
Hip Hop Colony Screening
UK
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September 26, 2008
VJB Live at the Archway Island
UK
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Youth Voter Registration Party during the Obama McCain Debate at the Viking Center
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