Alassane Sy had an office career until recently, when he decided to go back to his true passion: music. On our first release, Akwaaba wo Africa, we’re featuring one of Alassane’s most bautiful songs, Ngatamaré, which means rain in wolof, Senegal’s dominant language. More generally ngatamaré is synonymous with abundance, and in the song the word refers to Maimouna Sow, a woman who fills her home and friends with her abundance of care and respect.
The Charlee is a boutique hotel coming to Medellín’s Parque Lleras. They invited BBRAVE to DJ their launch event on the hotel’s site. Although the name of the city alone still evokes cartels and violence to many, Medellín and Colombia in general have been on the rise. It’s much safer and prosperous, the FARC are losing ground and cartel power has gravitated towards Mexico. Colombia is also filled with great music, in particular Colombian cumbia in Cali, and champeta in Cartagena.
At the event, the crowd losened up as a few gathered by the DJ booth to dance salsa! Great opportunity to test out Michel Pinheiro’s great Beninese salsa, as well as music from salsa mbalax giant Pape Fall from Senegal. Great feedback, check this out:
[:en]Michel was born in southern Bénin, where he started singing at a very early age. After playing the guitar for local bands, he got his first break when he met Mamadou Doumbia during a trip to Côte d’Ivoire. There he learned to play the trombone and started playing for many local musicians. Today he plays for Tiken Jah Fakoly, one of Africa’s biggest stars today, but also released his own salsa albums, including “Agoh” which will be released worldwide on Akwaaba.
[:fr]Michel est né au sud du Bénin et débute très jeune le chant. Après avoir joué de la guitare pour des groupes locaux, il vit sa première rupture lorsqu’il rencontre Mamadou Doumbia lors d’un voyage en Côte d’Ivoire. Là, il apprend à jouer du trombone et commence à jouer pour de nombreux artistes locaux. Il joue aujourd’hui pour Tiken Jah Fakoly, une des plus grande star africaine contemporaine, mais a également sorti son propre album de salsa, intitulé “Agoh”, qui va être diffusé mondialement par Akwaaba.
[:de]Michel was born in southern Bénin, where he started singing at a very early age. After playing the guitar for local bands, he got his first break when he met Mamadou Doumbia during a trip to Côte d’Ivoire. There he learned to play the trombone and started playing for many local musicians. Today he plays for Tiken Jah Fakoly, one of Africa’s biggest stars today, but also released his own salsa albums, including “Agoh” which will be released worldwide on Akwaaba.
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Baba is a Malian from Gao in northern Mali. Songhai music is often linked with American blues, with its slower tempo and pentatonic scales, and with artists such as Ali Farka Touré blurring the line. Baba Salah is one of the most successful singers at home, yet he has been virtually unknown outside of Africa.
Baba Salah is the man in Mali right now. This Songhai musician is creating his own style of guitar playing and is attracting students and fans from around the world. Baba’s music is accessible and musically accomplished with clear roots in the music of the desert and in Baba’s Malian heritage and culture. Baba is an energetic, yet soulful electric guitarist. His silky tenor voice and unique guitar style have made him a huge hit in his home country, where he plays to huge audiences. He is also an entrancing acoustic guitarist whose solo playing is lyrical and moving.
Baba has recently won a number of national and international awards,
including:- “Best New Artiste”, “Most Promising Revelation of the Year”, “Best Group of the Festival au Désert”, “Best Artiste” on Chaîne 2.
Akwaaba’s first compilation, Akwaaba wo Africa, features the track Borey, which you can listen to on fairtilizer.com and buy in iTunes.