Maskarado is a familiar name for anybody paying attention to Angolan house and kuduro. He’s the go-to MC for many of the best crossover kuduro-house tracks out there – starting with the massive Angolan hit Elegom Bounsa, produced by DJ Djeff, unavoidable Angolan afrohouse artist whom we had the pleasure of releasing a couple of years ago. Monami is only the latest in a string of Luandan hits propelling Maskardo to the helm of Angolan music. Monami pay attention.
It all started one year ago, Akwaaba head dood Benjamin Lebrave met up with the Perfect Loosers in their studio right outside of Paris. He came with a mountain of songs by Ahmed Fofana, Baba Salah and Onyenze. Treasures he’d accumulated on his travels to West Africa. And he met an enthusiastic trio: Waly had been fed Tunisian music since birth, Mast grew up listening to his Congolese step dad’s addictive soukous jams. He also ripped walls with Sigisbert Tartanpion, his head filled with the Caribbean sounds of his parents.
At the time, the Perfect Loosers had already made a remix for Angolan kuduro artist Ze Bula, but clearly they were hungry for much more. And it really didn’t take much for this impromptu meeting to give birth to yet another project in the Akwaaba constellation. With such a diverse musical background, connections in the international DJ and club circuit, and the skills to create dancefloor killers and the artwork to go with it, the trio agreed to go a few steps beyond remixing, and piece together a full length compilation where Africa would meet the club.
The concept is to let artists and producers from around the world rethink handpicked, eclectic West African songs. With one rule: staying away from bland, uninspired “world music remixed” releases. Instead tapping into a bubbling scene of up and coming artists, not only receptive but more importantly inspired by music from Africa.
The stems were a mess, the artists had jam-packed schedules of projects, yet month after month, the album took shape. The result is a diverse blend of club aesthetics and African tradition. Not some trendy, artificial music: it is the sum of creations by original artists with deep musical roots. Artists from Europe and North America – as usual, but also from Africa itself, Latin America and the Middle East. Pushing Akwaaba’s mission further in connecting the dots between artists and music lovers around the world.[:fr]
Tout a commencé il y a un an lorsque le boss d’Akwaaba Benjamin Lebrave a rencontré les Perfect Loosers dans leur studio à côté de Paris. Il est arrivé avec une montagne de sons d’Ahmed Fofana, Baba Salah et Onyenze, des trésors qu’il a accumulés au cours de ses voyages en Afrique de l’Ouest. Et il a rencontré un trio enthousiaste : Waly est nourri à la musique tunisienne depuis son enfance, Mast a grandi en écoutant les hits soukous addictifs de son beau-père congolais. Il a également réussi à surmonter les barrières potentielles avec un Sigisbert Tartanpion à la tête pleine des sons caribéens de ses parents.
À l’époque, les Perfect Loosers avaient déjà réalisé un remix pour l’artiste de kuduro angolais Ze Bula, mais ils voulaient clairement aller plus loin. Ça ne prit doncpas beaucoup de temps pour que de cette rencontre impromptue naisse un autre projet dans la constellation Akwaaba. Avec un tel héritage musical, les connections avec des DJ internationaux et des réseaux de clubs, les compétences pour produire des sons ultra-efficaces en soirées, et l’artwork qui va avec, le trio a consenti à pousser plus loin qu’un simple remix, à composer une compilation long format où l’Afrique rencontre le club.
Le concept était de laisser les artistes et les producteurs du monde entier repenser des titres éclectiques et choisis d’Afrique de l’Ouest. Avec une règle : se tenir à bonne distance des sorties de “world music remixée” sans saveur et inspiration. Au contraire, s’immerger dans la scène bouillonnante des artistes montants qui sont non seulement réceptifs mais aussi inspirés par la musique d’Afrique.
Le début a été un sacré bordel, les artistes avaient des valises pleines de projets, mais les mois passant, l’album a pris forme. Le résultat est un mélange divers de tradition africaine et d’esthétique club. Pas de musique en vogue et artificielle mais la somme des créations d’artistes originaux avec des racines musicales profondes. Des artistes d’Europe et d’Amérique du Nord – comme d’habitude – mais aussi d’Afrique, d’Amérique Latine et du Moyen Orient, poussant plus avant encore la mission Akwaaba : connecter les artistes et les amoureux de musique du monde entier.[:de]
It all started one year ago, Akwaaba head dood Benjamin Lebrave met up with the Perfect Loosers in their studio right outside of Paris. He came with a mountain of songs by Ahmed Fofana, Baba Salah and Onyenze. Treasures he’d accumulated on his travels to West Africa. And he met an enthusiastic trio: Waly had been fed Tunisian music since birth, Mast grew up listening to his Congolese step dad’s addictive soukous jams. He also ripped walls with Sigisbert Tartanpion, his head filled with the Caribbean sounds of his parents.
At the time, the Perfect Loosers had already made a remix for Angolan kuduro artist Ze Bula, but clearly they were hungry for much more. And it really didn’t take much for this impromptu meeting to give birth to yet another project in the Akwaaba constellation. With such a diverse musical background, connections in the international DJ and club circuit, and the skills to create dancefloor killers and the artwork to go with it, the trio agreed to go a few steps beyond remixing, and piece together a full length compilation where Africa would meet the club.
The concept is to let artists and producers from around the world rethink handpicked, eclectic West African songs. With one rule: staying away from bland, uninspired “world music remixed” releases. Instead tapping into a bubbling scene of up and coming artists, not only receptive but more importantly inspired by music from Africa.
The stems were a mess, the artists had jam-packed schedules of projects, yet month after month, the album took shape. The result is a diverse blend of club aesthetics and African tradition. Not some trendy, artificial music: it is the sum of creations by original artists with deep musical roots. Artists from Europe and North America – as usual, but also from Africa itself, Latin America and the Middle East. Pushing Akwaaba’s mission further in connecting the dots between artists and music lovers around the world.
[:]
Music is our business…
Throughout the months of October and November this year, the international workshop program “Buzz Meets Biz” is taking place in Germany, Spain, and Ghana, bringing together young music professionals from the mentioned nations plus the UK. Not only active artists but also promoters, bloggers, label owners, and other professionals in the musical field are involved, covering all kinds of modern genres. Through networking, sharing knowledge and experiences, and participating in educative workshops, these young creatives will be inspired and taught to take confident and smart steps in the tough world of show biz.
PART 3 – ACCRA, GHANA
November 18 – 30, 2017
The third and last part of the mobility program will take place here in Accra. Complementing the two past workshop series on the economic issues of music, this session will focus on music itself. Creativity process, production, performance and an insight into the Ghanaian music scene will all contribute to the grand finale of this international project.
in and out is about all those times of finding yourself in between the 'here', the 'there' and the 'nowhere' while trusting you will eventually find your way and the peace within. The visuals depict that very state of mind and lure you into that special space. Take a...
Follow up to Abidjan-based Cameroonian DJ and creative director Jeune Lio, here's the lyrics video to his debut single My Love featuring Magasco. Video animation was done by Ozaki & Tiemo. RELATED Follow up to Abidjan-based Cameroonian DJ and...
Music on the Road was shot by Daniel Kwabena Marmo of The 3 Suns. According to Solid K, " The video tries to capture how I feel about music, it depicts how hard it is to explain with words. It shows what a surreal feeling it brings to me. As can be seen, I walk...
Perfect Loosers Megamix!
Music is our business…
Throughout the months of October and November this year, the international workshop program “Buzz Meets Biz” is taking place in Germany, Spain, and Ghana, bringing together young music professionals from the mentioned nations plus the UK. Not only active artists but also promoters, bloggers, label owners, and other professionals in the musical field are involved, covering all kinds of modern genres. Through networking, sharing knowledge and experiences, and participating in educative workshops, these young creatives will be inspired and taught to take confident and smart steps in the tough world of show biz.
PART 3 – ACCRA, GHANA
November 18 – 30, 2017
The third and last part of the mobility program will take place here in Accra. Complementing the two past workshop series on the economic issues of music, this session will focus on music itself. Creativity process, production, performance and an insight into the Ghanaian music scene will all contribute to the grand finale of this international project.
in and out is about all those times of finding yourself in between the 'here', the 'there' and the 'nowhere' while trusting you will eventually find your way and the peace within. The visuals depict that very state of mind and lure you into that special space. Take a...
Follow up to Abidjan-based Cameroonian DJ and creative director Jeune Lio, here's the lyrics video to his debut single My Love featuring Magasco. Video animation was done by Ozaki & Tiemo. RELATED Follow up to Abidjan-based Cameroonian DJ and...
Music on the Road was shot by Daniel Kwabena Marmo of The 3 Suns. According to Solid K, " The video tries to capture how I feel about music, it depicts how hard it is to explain with words. It shows what a surreal feeling it brings to me. As can be seen, I walk...
Ho Chi Fu strikes again! If he is not yet a household name in your brain, then go check out his youtube channel NOW. He has established himself as the number one music video director in Angola, a country with a booming music scene, more and more cash, hence more and more good looking videos. Spread this one around, it shows Angola – and even Africa – in a way too many would not ever expect. Elegom Bounsa – slang/broken portuguese for he’s a good dancer, ele e bom dançar. Get the track from iTunes or directly from us here:
Hard to believe, but it was just over 2 years ago that our first release, Akwaaba wo Africa, came out worldwide. What a journey it’s been since then! 2 dozen releases spanning the gamut from Nigerian highlife to Gambian griot kora, Angolan kuduro to Benin salsa… We’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with artists from 12 countries, not counting the numerous remixes pouring in from Mexico, Israel, Argentina, all over Europe and North America.
For us this release is at heart a big thank you, Thank you for helping us carve out a niche on this overcrowded web. Thank you for helping us connect the dots between talented, hardly-known local artists and music lovers worldwide. Thank you for playing our music on your radio shows, for pushing it on your blogs, for playing it at work and letting the world know where the music is coming from. We have been overwhelmed with the response, the emails, big ups and shout outs, and we start the year with a huge smile, filled with all the energy required to keep tons of fresh music coming your way.
So here it is, a collection of 50 songs giving a thorough taste of what Akwaaba is about: an open ear tuned in to sound made in Africa. We priced this mega-compilation at a ridiculous minimum price of $10. I mean, in many ways the price tag seems ridiculous, but if you feel differently, hell, shoot us an email and let’s bargain some more 😉 You can buy this compilation from us directly only, secured credit card payment and all that good stuff. It will not be available on iTunes or anywhere else.
Along with the songs comes a fantastic mix by DJ Zhao. We asked him to do this mix for us because he is one of the very few DJs we know, who can piece together a mix not made exclusively for the dancefloor. So here goes one hour covering so many of the sounds we have been pushing. Really, an epic journey into the heart of contemporary African pop music.
[:fr]
Difficile à croire, mais ça ne fait pourtant que 2 ans depuis notre première sortie mondiale Akwaaba wo Africa. Tellement de choses se sont passées depuis ! Deux douzaines de sorties qui couvrent un éventail allant du Highlife nigérian au griot gambien joueur de kora, du Kuduro angolais à la Salsa béninoise…Nous avons eu le plaisir de collaborer avec des artistes de 12 pays, sans compter les nombreux remixes en provenance de Mexico, Israël, d’Argentine, de toute l’Europe et l’Amérique du Nord.
Pour nous cette sortie est du fond du cœur un grand merci, merci de nous avoir aidé à creuser une niche dans un web surpeuplé. Merci de nous avoir aidé à connecter des artistes locaux talentueux et difficiles d’accès aux amoureux de la musique du monde entier. Merci d’avoir joué notre musique dans vos shows radios, sur vos blogs, au travail, et d’avoir dit au monde d’où la musique provient. Nous avons été débordé de réponses, emails, dédicaces et félicitations, et on débute l’année avec un grand sourire, pleins de l’énergie requise pour continuer de vous faire parvenir des tonnes de musique tout fraîche.
Donc la voilà, une collection de 50 titres, un aperçu global de ce qu’est Akwaaba : une oreille ouverte et tournée vers les sons en provenance d’Afrique. Nous avons fixé cette méga-compilation au prix minimum (et ridicule) de 10$. On veut dire que sous beaucoup d’aspects le prix nous paraît ridicule, si vous n’étiez cependant pas de notre opinion, et bien envoyez-nous un email, et lançons les négociations 😉 Vous ne pouvez acheter cette compilation que par nous directement, paiement sécurisé etc. Elle ne sera pas disponible sur iTunes ou autre.
En plus des sons vous avez droit également à un mix excellent de DJ Zhao. On lui a demandé de réaliser ce mix pour nous car c’est l’un des rares DJ que l’on connaisse à être capable de composer un mix qui ne soit pas fait exclusivement pour bouger en soirée. C’est donc une heure de beaucoup de sons dont on a fait la promotion, un véritable voyage épique au cœur de la pop music contemporaine d’Afrique.
[:de]
Hard to believe, but it was just over 2 years ago that our first release, Akwaaba wo Africa, came out worldwide. What a journey it’s been since then! 2 dozen releases spanning the gamut from Nigerian highlife to Gambian griot kora, Angolan kuduro to Benin salsa… We’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with artists from 12 countries, not counting the numerous remixes pouring in from Mexico, Israel, Argentina, all over Europe and North America.
For us this release is at heart a big thank you, Thank you for helping us carve out a niche on this overcrowded web. Thank you for helping us connect the dots between talented, hardly-known local artists and music lovers worldwide. Thank you for playing our music on your radio shows, for pushing it on your blogs, for playing it at work and letting the world know where the music is coming from. We have been overwhelmed with the response, the emails, big ups and shout outs, and we start the year with a huge smile, filled with all the energy required to keep tons of fresh music coming your way.
So here it is, a collection of 50 songs giving a thorough taste of what Akwaaba is about: an open ear tuned in to sound made in Africa. We priced this mega-compilation at a ridiculous minimum price of $10. I mean, in many ways the price tag seems ridiculous, but if you feel differently, hell, shoot us an email and let’s bargain some more 😉 You can buy this compilation from us directly only, secured credit card payment and all that good stuff. It will not be available on iTunes or anywhere else.
Along with the songs comes a fantastic mix by DJ Zhao. We asked him to do this mix for us because he is one of the very few DJs we know, who can piece together a mix not made exclusively for the dancefloor. So here goes one hour covering so many of the sounds we have been pushing. Really, an epic journey into the heart of contemporary African pop music.
This here is a 2 hour roundup of some of our favorite sounds coming from Africa. With a definite emphasis on sounds to make your hips move, and also definitely not an exhaustive line-up of genres – we are heavily biased towards Ghana, Angola, the Congo Kinshasa and Ivory Coast… what can you do!
BBRAVE put this mix together for This Is Africa and Nairobi-based Ghetto Radio who will air the mix… shortly. In the meantime, cop it here, and make sure to check out the full playlist below. And make sure to play loud and warm up the tip of your half-frozen feet!!
Monalisa – Ruff-N-Smooth Site | Buy
Simple – Bradez Buy
She De Bee feat. Guru – Old Sodja
So Cold – DaSoul
Ratata feat. K. Switch – R2Bees Buy
Extra – Just A Band Site | Buy
No Time feat. P Square – Bracket Buy
Swagger feat Stay Jay – Ruff-N-Smooth Site | Buy
Dome Na Mendowo feat. Castro – Appietus Site | Buy
Pipi – Marlaw
Fall In Love – D’Banj Buy
Yori Yori- Bracket Buy
Essabel feat. Mike & Old Sodja- Appietus Site | Buy
Boom Back Remix feat. Jose Chameleone – Bebe Kool
No One Like You – P-Square Buy
? – Les Garagistes Buy
Coeur Blanc – Les Patrons Buy
Do As i Do – Bracket Buy
Ma Alomo feat. KK Fosu & Reggie Zippy – Appietus Site | Buy
Eha Ye De (Bebia Awo) feat. SK Blinks – Nana Boroo Buy
Femme Africaine Lutchiana 100%
Elegom Bounsa feat. Maskarado (Radio Mix) – DJ Djeff Site | Buy
Relela – Skeat Site | Buy
Miss Doctor feat. 4X4 – Appietus Site | Buy
Kiss Ur Hand feat. Wande Coal- R2Bees Buy
Usinibore – Just A Band Site | Buy
DJ’s Mortel (2) – Polio – Kiloko
Sentiment Moka – ?
Wengeze – Eazzy
Windek – Cabo Snoop
Tchouchou Tchoucou – Kedjevara Site | Buy
Coupe de Tête de Zidane – DJ Menza Site | Buy
Asta Di – Aurlus Mabele Buy
Django – DJ Bonano Site | Buy
Som Do Zoca – Zoca Zoca Site | Buy
Tabouret Baoulé – Pat Sexy
Celimania Remix – Gadji Celi Buy
Sukuma – Killamu Site | Buy
Tiramakossa – Noite e Día Site | Buy
Number One – Fofandó & Saborosa Site | Buy
Aladin Mix – DJ Znobia
Kassumuna – Game Walla
DJ Djeff offers a break from the raw Angolan kuduro batidas, and shows us a clubbier side to the Luanda sound on Elegom Bounsa, a collaboration with kuduro-house darling MC Maskarado.
House and deep house are the result of years in Portugal’s club circuit, inspired by the likes of Louie Vega, DJ Gregory or Erick Morillo. Looking further, DJ Djeff’s music has roots in African and Caribbean classics such as Cesaria Evora or Kassav, tunes he would hear a lot growing up in a Cape Verdian and Angolan household in Lisbon.
From 2002 to 2008, DJ Djeff was perfecting his DJing skills at various clubs in Portugal and Angola. When he completed his graphic design course in Lisbon in 2008, he headed straight to Luanda, where he’s taken the club circuit by storm, while also honing his skills as a beat maker. But there’s more: DJ Djeff is also the host of Made in Angola on TV Zimbo, an influential TOP 10 music video show in Angola.
DJ Djeff has quickly made a name for himself on Angola’s music and club circuit, landing him a collaboration with Maskarado, a familiar voice – and face – in Angola: Maskarado has become the go-to kuduro MC for all kuduro / house crossovers, collaborating with producers such as Eliei, but also working as an actor with film makers such as Ho Chi Fu.
Despite their busy schedules, the two found time to record this big, big tune. Not a day goes by in Luanda without hearing Elegom Bounsa, we feel sharing it is way overdue! A nova dica pai!
DJ Djeff nous propose de mettre de côté un instant les batidas brut du kuduro Angolais et nous montre un aspect plus club du son luandais avec Elegom Bounsa, une collaboration avec le chéri de la kuduro-house MC Maskarado.
La House et la Deep House sont le résultat d’années passées dans le milieu club du Portugal, inspirés par exemple par Louie Vega, DJ Gregory ou Erick Morillo. En allant chercher plus loin, la musique de DJ Djeff trouve ses racines dans les classiques africains et caribéens comme Cesaria Evora ou Kassav, des morceaux qu’en grandissant dans une famille cap-verdienne et angolaise à Lisbonne il a beaucoup entendus.
De 2002 à 2008, DJ Djeff a parfait ses compétences de DJing dans un certain nombre de clubs au Portugal et en Angola. Dès qu’il termine ses études de design graphique à Lisbonne en 2008, il part à Luanda sur le champ, où il a complètement retourné le monde des clubs tout en affûtant ses compétences de beat-maker. Mais il y a autre chose encore : DJ Djeff est aussi l’organisateur de Made in Angola sur TV Zimbo, un show de TOP 10 de clips influent en Angola.
DJ Djeff s’est rapidement fait un nom dans le milieu des clubs et dans la musique angolaise, ce qui le conduit à collaborer avec Maskarado, une voix (et un visage) familiers en Angola : Maskarado est devenu le MC de kuduro en vogue pour tous les projets kuduro / house, collaborant avec des producteurs tels que Eliei, mais travaillant aussi comme acteur pour des réalisateurs comme Ho Chi Fu.
Malgré leurs emploi du temps chargés, tous deux ont réussi à trouver un moment pour enregistrer ce gros, gros son. Pas un jour ne passe à Luanda sans que l’on entende Elegom Bounsa, ça nous donne l’impression d’être en retard en le partageant ! A nova dica pai !
DJ Djeff offers a break from the raw Angolan kuduro batidas, and shows us a clubbier side to the Luanda sound on Elegom Bounsa, a collaboration with kuduro-house darling MC Maskarado.
House and deep house are the result of years in Portugal’s club circuit, inspired by the likes of Louie Vega, DJ Gregory or Erick Morillo. Looking further, DJ Djeff’s music has roots in African and Caribbean classics such as Cesaria Evora or Kassav, tunes he would hear a lot growing up in a Cape Verdian and Angolan household in Lisbon.
From 2002 to 2008, DJ Djeff was perfecting his DJing skills at various clubs in Portugal and Angola. When he completed his graphic design course in Lisbon in 2008, he headed straight to Luanda, where he’s taken the club circuit by storm, while also honing his skills as a beat maker. But there’s more: DJ Djeff is also the host of Made in Angola on TV Zimbo, an influential TOP 10 music video show in Angola.
DJ Djeff has quickly made a name for himself on Angola’s music and club circuit, landing him a collaboration with Maskarado, a familiar voice – and face – in Angola: Maskarado has become the go-to kuduro MC for all kuduro / house crossovers, collaborating with producers such as Eliei, but also working as an actor with film makers such as Ho Chi Fu.
Despite their busy schedules, the two found time to record this big, big tune. Not a day goes by in Luanda without hearing Elegom Bounsa, we feel sharing it is way overdue! A nova dica pai!
Music is our business…
