Two years after the acclaimed Wogdog Blues, Art Melody returns with Moogho – “world” in Mooré, the language of the Mossi people of Burkina Faso.

Moogho explores bridges between continents, styles and times, as Art Melody raps and sings on top of uncompromising productions by long time partner Redrum, aided by a a slew of far reaching international producers.

Moogho is released exactly one year after the Burkinabè insurection which successfully  ousted president Blaise Compaoré. The album also comes out days after the recent failed coup in Burkina Faso, a reminder of the still frail state of affairs in Ouagadougou. A fragility which heighten the importance of artists like Art Melody, who has remained vocal and critical throughout the turmoil, without ever losing his faith in the Burkinabè people, and in particular its youth.

On Moogho Art Melody shares his commentary with his unimitable technique, rapping and singing in both Mooré and Dioula, flowing freely in a current of hip hop, electro, blues, afrobeat, bass music and free jazz.

This deliberate juxtaposition of Burkinabè reality and global musicality sets Art Melody in the lineage of musical geniuses such as Afrika Bambaata, Archie Shepp, The Clash or Manu Dibango, who all blurred lines and embraced diverse influences and genres.

Moogho’s powerful statement is in sharp contrast with the stringent and absurdly repressive immigration policies of our times, it stands against cultural segmentation and social segregation. Moogho is a universal dance, a global vibration hailing straight from the streets of Ouagadougou.

Two years after the acclaimed Zound Zandé album, Burkinabé rapper Art Melody returns with Wogdog Blues – Ouagadougou blues.

An ambitious album which stretches the limits of African hip hop and throws the listener into a musical vortex. Produced by Redrum and Minimalkonstrunction, the beats draw from afrobeat, bass music, 1990s hip hop, African tradition and retro-futurism to best carry Art Melody’s unique flow. The album is mastered by Dave Cooley (Spoek Mathambo, J Dilla, Madvillain) in Los Angeles.

With support from artists such as High Priest from avant-garde hip hop group Antipop Consortium, or Walter Kibby aka Dirty Walt of cult LA band Fishbone, Art Melody helps us break down the borders separating our words.

Powerful, raucous and dark, Art Melody’s voice describes the blues and melancholy of an African people resisting poverty, disease, obscurantism and war daily. Despair which finds hope in Art Melody’s voice.

Art Melody still lives in the same neighborhood with his family.

On a different note: Art Melody will be touring France later this month, check the dates in the right column of this post.