SURAJ – Tribute To The East Exclusive Mix

SURAJ – Tribute To The East Exclusive Mix

I finally made it to Nairobi last August, and among many other eye openers, I was blown away when I realized afrohouse is already a pillar of Nairobi’s nightlife. The Angolan and Mozambican scenes have inundated Soundcloud with countless bangers, not to mention South Africa, which is by most standards the global epicenter of house music. I was less aware of Nairobi’s house music output, but was very impressed by the quality of the DJs. One DJ who stood out in particular is SURAJ: this guy took me on a musical journey for the first time in way too long. I witnessed SURAJ behind the decks on several occasions, and truly appreciated his range, cleverly adapting his style to the time and venue without ever letting go of his distinct personality.

Fiending for more, I asked SURAJ to prepare an exclusive mix for us, which he describes this way:

“This mix for Akwaaba gives me the opportunity to create a set that reflects a night out in Nairobi and the music that comes along with it. I am a DJ and producer based in Nairobi, Kenya, I create contemporary electronic music infused with traditional musical and cultural elements. In this mix, I highlight my signature sound alongside new music from some of my favorite labels and artists from around the world. I’ve featured among others Denivel Line, Pablo Fierro & Zepherin Saint.

Tracklist

Denivel Line – Iniciacao (Wild Mix) (Aluku Records)

SpellbandPapaya (MoBlack Records)

BreythVoyage To Guatemala (MoBlack Records)

Zepherin SaintCanima (Afrotech Remix) (Tribe Trax)

Denivel LineWild Spirits (Aluku Records)

HyenaThe Wish (Dub) (Freerange Records)

DJ OatsKalahari Deep (Housetribe Records)

Msk & DJ Tea Feat. Dave – Nomperere (Djeff Afrozilla Private Edit) (Katsaitis Music)

Kato Change Feat. WinyoAbiro (Riot Stereo & SURAJ Remix) (Aluku Records Promo)

Gilles Peterson’s Havana Cultura BandHavana Sessions (Pablo Fierro Remix) (Brownswood Recordings)

FatoumataWigeon (MoBlack Records)

DJ AnnaSlow Mind (Tronic Music)

A.L.C.A.Calling Africa (Jasc Remix) (Magnetik Grooves)

 

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Music Video: Solid K – Music on the Road

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  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...

SURAJ – Tribute To The East Exclusive Mix

I finally made it to Nairobi last August, and among many other eye openers, I was blown away when I realized afrohouse is already a pillar of Nairobi’s nightlife. The Angolan and Mozambican scenes have inundated Soundcloud with countless bangers, not to mention South Africa, which is by most standards the global epicenter of house music. I was less aware of Nairobi’s house music output, but was very impressed by the quality of the DJs. One DJ who stood out in particular is SURAJ: this guy took me on a musical journey for the first time in way too long. I witnessed SURAJ behind the decks on several occasions, and truly appreciated his range, cleverly adapting his style to the time and venue without ever letting go of his distinct personality.

Fiending for more, I asked SURAJ to prepare an exclusive mix for us, which he describes this way:

“This mix for Akwaaba gives me the opportunity to create a set that reflects a night out in Nairobi and the music that comes along with it. I am a DJ and producer based in Nairobi, Kenya, I create contemporary electronic music infused with traditional musical and cultural elements. In this mix, I highlight my signature sound alongside new music from some of my favorite labels and artists from around the world. I’ve featured among others Denivel Line, Pablo Fierro & Zepherin Saint.

Tracklist

Denivel Line – Iniciacao (Wild Mix) (Aluku Records)

SpellbandPapaya (MoBlack Records)

BreythVoyage To Guatemala (MoBlack Records)

Zepherin SaintCanima (Afrotech Remix) (Tribe Trax)

Denivel LineWild Spirits (Aluku Records)

HyenaThe Wish (Dub) (Freerange Records)

DJ OatsKalahari Deep (Housetribe Records)

Msk & DJ Tea Feat. Dave – Nomperere (Djeff Afrozilla Private Edit) (Katsaitis Music)

Kato Change Feat. WinyoAbiro (Riot Stereo & SURAJ Remix) (Aluku Records Promo)

Gilles Peterson’s Havana Cultura BandHavana Sessions (Pablo Fierro Remix) (Brownswood Recordings)

FatoumataWigeon (MoBlack Records)

DJ AnnaSlow Mind (Tronic Music)

A.L.C.A.Calling Africa (Jasc Remix) (Magnetik Grooves)

 

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Lyrics Video: Jeune Lio – My Love feat. Magasco

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Music Video: Solid K – Music on the Road

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  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...

Anto Nesoul – Paid My Dues

[:en]

Remember Anto Neosoul? I loved his song Chips Funga two years back already, and at last he is announcing the release of his album next month! To get us started, a very catchy first single, Paid My Dues. Check what Anto’s been up to on Twitter or Facebook, and stay tuned for the rest of the album in the coming weeks.

[:de]

Remember Anto Neosoul? I loved his song Chips Funga two years back already, and at last he is announcing the release of his album next month! To get us started, a very catchy first single, Paid My Dues. Check what Anto’s been up to on Twitter or Facebook, and stay tuned for the rest of the album in the coming weeks.

[:fr]

Remember Anto Neosoul? I loved his song Chips Funga two years back already, and at last he is announcing the release of his album next month! To get us started, a very catchy first single, Paid My Dues. Check what Anto’s been up to on Twitter or Facebook, and stay tuned for the rest of the album in the coming weeks.

[:]

Just A Band – Sorry For The Delay – New Album!!!

Very, very exciting!!! In the Band’s own words:

“We are Just A Band, and this is our third studio album. It’s called “Sorry For The Delay”, and it is a collection of songs about life and death, light and darkness, fun, laughter and friendship (good and bad). We hope you will enjoy it.”

Listen to the full album right here:

Also a nice freebie to wet your appetite, check out the first single:

And just to make sure there is no confusion: Akwaaba is not releasing this album, we congratulate the Band on their choice to move forward on their own. We have no doubt they have what it takes to conquer the world with their art, but we remain big supporters and will naturally continue to post about all the great stuff they do!

Just A Band & Nonini: Nerdy Genge Boys Band?

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You know Just A Band, but have you heard of Nonini? If you haven’t, clearly you are not Kenyan. This guy practically created genge, Nairobi’s own take on hip hop. He teamed up with the Band to redo their hit song Ha-He… video is coming soon, stay chooned!

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Music Video: Solid K – Music on the Road

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  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...

Just A Band & Nonini: Nerdy Genge Boys Band?

You know Just A Band, but have you heard of Nonini? If you haven’t, clearly you are not Kenyan. This guy practically created genge, Nairobi’s own take on hip hop. He teamed up with the Band to redo their hit song Ha-He… video is coming soon, stay chooned!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozBFjA8iF2o

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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...

Lyrics Video: Jeune Lio – My Love feat. Magasco

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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 Video: Solid K – Music on the Road

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