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)

 

RELATED

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

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

Lyrics Video: Jeune Lio – My Love feat. Magasco

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

Music Video: Solid K – Music on the Road

  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)

 

RELATED

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

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

Lyrics Video: Jeune Lio – My Love feat. Magasco

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

Music Video: Solid K – Music on the Road

  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...

Joey B feat. Wanlov the Kubolor – “Tonga” Live with Akwaaba Sound System

Joey B feat. Wanlov the Kubolor – “Tonga” Live with Akwaaba Sound System

On October 24, Akwaaba Sound System performed at Alliance Française Accra for the Electro Comes to Ghana festival. We managed to score some top grade vocalists to grace our show, check out this impromptu refix of the already classic song Tonga by Joey B, this time featuring a freestyle verse from no other than the Kubolor himself. Check our youtube channel for more Akwaaba Sound System refixes of Ghanaian and African hits!

RELATED

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

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

Lyrics Video: Jeune Lio – My Love feat. Magasco

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

Music Video: Solid K – Music on the Road

  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...

Joey B feat. Wanlov the Kubolor – “Tonga” Live with Akwaaba Sound System

On October 24, Akwaaba Sound System performed at Alliance Française Accra for the Electro Comes to Ghana festival. We managed to score some top grade vocalists to grace our show, check out this impromptu refix of the already classic song Tonga by Joey B, this time featuring a freestyle verse from no other than the Kubolor himself. Check our youtube channel for more Akwaaba Sound System refixes of Ghanaian and African hits!

RELATED

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

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

Lyrics Video: Jeune Lio – My Love feat. Magasco

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

Music Video: Solid K – Music on the Road

  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...

A.J. Holmes – 20 years of Kwaito Mix

A.J. Holmes – 20 years of Kwaito Mix

artworks-000077392525-yym501-t500x500

With this new mix A.J. Holmes shows yet another angle to his musical taste. “I first discovered Kwaito in 2003 after a friend, João Orecchia (who now lives in Johannesburg and has a great project with members of the BLK JKS called Motel Mari) returned from his first visit to South Africa with a bag filled with Kwaito cassettes. The track that first grabbed me was TKZee – Magesh which had been a hit in SA a few years earlier. I listened to these cassettes reputably on car journeys touring in Germany the following year.

I was DJing a mix of Old School Rumba, Township Jive, High Life and Grime (UK Hip Hop) at the time. The down beat groove of Kwaito seemed to fit perfectly in this mix and to be the ‘missing link’ in my taste pallet: Employing the beautiful melodies of township Jive and the urban experience of – what was at the time – modern Soweto. This mix seemed to work in the clubs and bars in Europe: London, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Rostock, Malmö, Copenhagen…for me it was a big part of the sound of 2004; but of course I ‘discovered’ this music 10 years after the fact, as some of it – to my surprise – had been released in the mid 90’s; however it still sounded fresh and exciting to me!”

Here’s what A.J. has to say about this mix in particular:

20 years ago – on the 27th April 1994 – ‘Nelson Mandela took office as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. 
The removal of the political and economic sanctions greatly transformed the South African music industry. In the backdrop of a transforming South Africa, Kwaito took shape in the township Soweto’

For me this mixtape marks a personal 10 year reflection; since I first heard this mid 90’s / early 00’s Kwaito – South African Hip Hop – music. Which became a big part of the 2004 Summer sound track for me and my friends, after my friend João Orecchia returned from South African the previous year with a plastic bag filled with cassettes.

I was recently having a bit of a spring clear out and come across these cassettes. As much as I was really into them at the time; I somehow wasn’t surprised to discover that they sound even better to me now then they did all those years ago!

I think it’s time to ‘re- discover’ – or even ‘discover’ for the first time (you lucky person if that is the case!) – this amazing dance music. 20 years after some of it was made and – to me – this music sounds as relevant as ever.

I would love to go to a club that played this music. So if anyone wanted to invite me to play a set of hissy old Kwaito cassettes from this gold era of South African dance music; I’d be well up for it!

I’ve creamed off some of my favourite tracks to make this mixtape. Most of which can be bought on the great compilation – Kwaito: South African Hip Hop CD

So here’s to a ‘better life for all’!

Track list

Mandoza – 50/50

Jimmy B – Make Em Bounce

TKZee – Magesh

Spokes ‘H’ – Wara Wara

Aba Shante – Come get me

Brenda Fassie – Qula

Arthur – Kaffir

RELATED

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

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

Lyrics Video: Jeune Lio – My Love feat. Magasco

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

Music Video: Solid K – Music on the Road

  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...

A.J. Holmes – 20 years of Kwaito Mix

artworks-000077392525-yym501-t500x500

With this new mix A.J. Holmes shows yet another angle to his musical taste. “I first discovered Kwaito in 2003 after a friend, João Orecchia (who now lives in Johannesburg and has a great project with members of the BLK JKS called Motel Mari) returned from his first visit to South Africa with a bag filled with Kwaito cassettes. The track that first grabbed me was TKZee – Magesh which had been a hit in SA a few years earlier. I listened to these cassettes reputably on car journeys touring in Germany the following year.

I was DJing a mix of Old School Rumba, Township Jive, High Life and Grime (UK Hip Hop) at the time. The down beat groove of Kwaito seemed to fit perfectly in this mix and to be the ‘missing link’ in my taste pallet: Employing the beautiful melodies of township Jive and the urban experience of – what was at the time – modern Soweto. This mix seemed to work in the clubs and bars in Europe: London, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Rostock, Malmö, Copenhagen…for me it was a big part of the sound of 2004; but of course I ‘discovered’ this music 10 years after the fact, as some of it – to my surprise – had been released in the mid 90’s; however it still sounded fresh and exciting to me!”

Here’s what A.J. has to say about this mix in particular:

20 years ago – on the 27th April 1994 – ‘Nelson Mandela took office as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. 
The removal of the political and economic sanctions greatly transformed the South African music industry. In the backdrop of a transforming South Africa, Kwaito took shape in the township Soweto’

For me this mixtape marks a personal 10 year reflection; since I first heard this mid 90’s / early 00’s Kwaito – South African Hip Hop – music. Which became a big part of the 2004 Summer sound track for me and my friends, after my friend João Orecchia returned from South African the previous year with a plastic bag filled with cassettes.

I was recently having a bit of a spring clear out and come across these cassettes. As much as I was really into them at the time; I somehow wasn’t surprised to discover that they sound even better to me now then they did all those years ago!

I think it’s time to ‘re- discover’ – or even ‘discover’ for the first time (you lucky person if that is the case!) – this amazing dance music. 20 years after some of it was made and – to me – this music sounds as relevant as ever.

I would love to go to a club that played this music. So if anyone wanted to invite me to play a set of hissy old Kwaito cassettes from this gold era of South African dance music; I’d be well up for it!

I’ve creamed off some of my favourite tracks to make this mixtape. Most of which can be bought on the great compilation – Kwaito: South African Hip Hop CD

So here’s to a ‘better life for all’!

Track list

Mandoza – 50/50

Jimmy B – Make Em Bounce

TKZee – Magesh

Spokes ‘H’ – Wara Wara

Aba Shante – Come get me

Brenda Fassie – Qula

Arthur – Kaffir

RELATED

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

Music Video: in and out by betina quest

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

Lyrics Video: Jeune Lio – My Love feat. Magasco

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

Music Video: Solid K – Music on the Road

  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...

AJ Holmes – Last of the Summer Alomo Mixtape

[:en]

AJ_Last_Of_The_Summer_Alomo

AJ is one of the coolest cats I’ve met throughout my globe trotting DJ/music guy adventures. He also happens to be a talented musician, and last but not least: he rocks an Alomo shirt. Dude obviously scores mad points. I’m a horrible paraphraser, so please check out his website for more details about his busy summer and upcoming projects. Better yet: join his mailing list by entering your email into the player below.

[:de]

AJ_Last_Of_The_Summer_Alomo

AJ is one of the coolest cats I’ve met throughout my globe trotting DJ/music guy adventures. He also happens to be a talented musician, and last but not least: he rocks an Alomo shirt. Dude obviously scores mad points. I’m a horrible paraphraser, so please check out his website for more details about his busy summer and upcoming projects. Better yet: join his mailing list by entering your email into the player below.

[:fr]

AJ_Last_Of_The_Summer_Alomo

AJ is one of the coolest cats I’ve met throughout my globe trotting DJ/music guy adventures. He also happens to be a talented musician, and last but not least: he rocks an Alomo shirt. Dude obviously scores mad points. I’m a horrible paraphraser, so please check out his website for more details about his busy summer and upcoming projects. Better yet: join his mailing list by entering your email into the player below.

[:]