Spreading Mamã Africana: take this instrumental!!

Spreading Mamã Africana: take this instrumental!!

Batida and Akwaaba invite you to take this beat further, sticking to the original concept: the song Lá Vai María is about Mamã Africana, both Africa and the African mother. So we just ask that you stick to the theme: write a song about your own María, about mothers, about Africa, write with a strong social or political touch, and keep it personal.

Then Batida and Akwaaba will together pick some tracks, perhaps releasing them as an EP, an album, or individual free downloads… it all depends on what we see coming through. You can download the instrumental for the next month. After that, much like the original Mamã Africana EP, it will go away…

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A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

     OUR 2016 ARTISTS… Wrapping up another eventful year here at Akwaaba Music! We were glad to release into the world the exciting new albums of Senegalese beatmaker Ibaaku, Ghana-Burkina collaborative duo Mabiisi, Portuguese producer Rocky Marsiano and Ghanaian...

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

It's been a few years since the first three installments of DJ Satelite's Luanda No Horizonte series (Vol. 1, 2 & 3), it's a pleasure to introduce you to this 11th installment, as deep and funky as ever. Tracklist below: 1 - DJ Satelite & Cee El Assaad feat....

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...

Spreading Mamã Africana: take this instrumental!!

Batida and Akwaaba invite you to take this beat further, sticking to the original concept: the song Lá Vai María is about Mamã Africana, both Africa and the African mother. So we just ask that you stick to the theme: write a song about your own María, about mothers, about Africa, write with a strong social or political touch, and keep it personal.

Then Batida and Akwaaba will together pick some tracks, perhaps releasing them as an EP, an album, or individual free downloads… it all depends on what we see coming through. You can download the instrumental for the next month. After that, much like the original Mamã Africana EP, it will go away…

RELATED

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

     OUR 2016 ARTISTS… Wrapping up another eventful year here at Akwaaba Music! We were glad to release into the world the exciting new albums of Senegalese beatmaker Ibaaku, Ghana-Burkina collaborative duo Mabiisi, Portuguese producer Rocky Marsiano and Ghanaian...

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

It's been a few years since the first three installments of DJ Satelite's Luanda No Horizonte series (Vol. 1, 2 & 3), it's a pleasure to introduce you to this 11th installment, as deep and funky as ever. Tracklist below: 1 - DJ Satelite & Cee El Assaad feat....

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...

Lungu Lungu: Wanlov Tells the FOKN DunaQuest Story

Lungu Lungu: Wanlov Tells the FOKN DunaQuest Story

A few minutes with Wanlov the Kubolor, half of the FOKN Bois. He and M3nsa connected with the Irie Maffia in Budapest, giving birth to some infectious, futuristic Afropop. Akwaaba, chaleh, welcome 2 d future.

Via our new Lungu Lungu column over at The Fader:

Apparently the end of the world has been either canceled or delayed. The reason is pretty clear to me: FOKN Bois just released their latest album, The FOKN DunaQuest in Budapest, and it needs a bit of space before we can all proceed with the end of times. Surely it will happen—on Ghana time.

The FOKN Bois, aka Wanlov the Kubolor and M3nsa, are not your average Ghanaian rappers. They reside far from the shady world of payola and corporate sponsorships that seriously limits the recognition of creative artists in Ghana. The Bois are closer to the streets, as exemplified in their amazingly fresh Coz Ov Moni pidgin English musical. They’re no payola policy means they’re not the most played artists on Ghana’s radio stations. However, after spending about 5 seconds on the streets of Accra with Wanlov, it’s pretty clear he is incredibly popular, a genuine artist recognized by people from all walks of life.

But forget Ghana for a second. Their latest collaboration with Hungary’s Irie Maffia can hardly be pigeon-holed as “Ghana music”—whatever that may mean, anyway. Instead of paraphrasing the story of how the album came to be, I’ll let Wanlov tell it. Check the video, below, to find out how these dudes ended up in Budapest, and better understand the double meaning of lungu lungu, a phrase that alludes to zigzagging through back streets, and also, corruption.

RELATED

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

     OUR 2016 ARTISTS… Wrapping up another eventful year here at Akwaaba Music! We were glad to release into the world the exciting new albums of Senegalese beatmaker Ibaaku, Ghana-Burkina collaborative duo Mabiisi, Portuguese producer Rocky Marsiano and Ghanaian...

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

It's been a few years since the first three installments of DJ Satelite's Luanda No Horizonte series (Vol. 1, 2 & 3), it's a pleasure to introduce you to this 11th installment, as deep and funky as ever. Tracklist below: 1 - DJ Satelite & Cee El Assaad feat....

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...

Lungu Lungu: Wanlov Tells the FOKN DunaQuest Story

A few minutes with Wanlov the Kubolor, half of the FOKN Bois. He and M3nsa connected with the Irie Maffia in Budapest, giving birth to some infectious, futuristic Afropop. Akwaaba, chaleh, welcome 2 d future.

Via our new Lungu Lungu column over at The Fader:

Apparently the end of the world has been either canceled or delayed. The reason is pretty clear to me: FOKN Bois just released their latest album, The FOKN DunaQuest in Budapest, and it needs a bit of space before we can all proceed with the end of times. Surely it will happen—on Ghana time.

The FOKN Bois, aka Wanlov the Kubolor and M3nsa, are not your average Ghanaian rappers. They reside far from the shady world of payola and corporate sponsorships that seriously limits the recognition of creative artists in Ghana. The Bois are closer to the streets, as exemplified in their amazingly fresh Coz Ov Moni pidgin English musical. They’re no payola policy means they’re not the most played artists on Ghana’s radio stations. However, after spending about 5 seconds on the streets of Accra with Wanlov, it’s pretty clear he is incredibly popular, a genuine artist recognized by people from all walks of life.

But forget Ghana for a second. Their latest collaboration with Hungary’s Irie Maffia can hardly be pigeon-holed as “Ghana music”—whatever that may mean, anyway. Instead of paraphrasing the story of how the album came to be, I’ll let Wanlov tell it. Check the video, below, to find out how these dudes ended up in Budapest, and better understand the double meaning of lungu lungu, a phrase that alludes to zigzagging through back streets, and also, corruption.

RELATED

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

     OUR 2016 ARTISTS… Wrapping up another eventful year here at Akwaaba Music! We were glad to release into the world the exciting new albums of Senegalese beatmaker Ibaaku, Ghana-Burkina collaborative duo Mabiisi, Portuguese producer Rocky Marsiano and Ghanaian...

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

It's been a few years since the first three installments of DJ Satelite's Luanda No Horizonte series (Vol. 1, 2 & 3), it's a pleasure to introduce you to this 11th installment, as deep and funky as ever. Tracklist below: 1 - DJ Satelite & Cee El Assaad feat....

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...

FOKN Bois meet Irie Maffia: The FOKN DunaQuest in Budapest

FOKN Bois meet Irie Maffia: The FOKN DunaQuest in Budapest

 

After running around Accra because of money, the FOKN Bois left for Budapest, hungry on a quest to find the finest duna (arse). They were kidnapped by the infamous Irie Maffia, a notorious band of musicians, singers, songwriters, deejays, producers, rappers…and fed only palinka and bread in a hot studio in the nippy Buda hills close to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s home.

In 5 days they were forced to do 4 gigs and record 8 tracks… It was sleepless hell… They managed to escape when the producer, Elo Marton, who was trying to water board more lyrics out of the exhausted FOKN Bois at a Turkish bath, absentmindedly gazed at singer/songwriter Sena’s duna as she sauntered by distractingly.

Now the tracks are out and sound so good that the FOKN Bois have forgiven Irie Maffia for the conditions by which this beautiful record came together.  In their words: “We see demma Maffia side, but now everything be Irie.”

The FOKN Dunaquest in Budapest is a sonic Hiphop/Dance/Afropop adventure from Budapest to Bucharest, Brenham to Boston and Bolgatanga to Bubuashie! Eastern Europe meets West Africa…apio meets palinka. Ha!!!

Grab FOKN Future for free – we just ask for your email, and we won’t share it, promise!

Grab the entire release directly from Bandcamp, or in iTunes. Available in every other major internet store next week!

 

RELATED

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

     OUR 2016 ARTISTS… Wrapping up another eventful year here at Akwaaba Music! We were glad to release into the world the exciting new albums of Senegalese beatmaker Ibaaku, Ghana-Burkina collaborative duo Mabiisi, Portuguese producer Rocky Marsiano and Ghanaian...

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

It's been a few years since the first three installments of DJ Satelite's Luanda No Horizonte series (Vol. 1, 2 & 3), it's a pleasure to introduce you to this 11th installment, as deep and funky as ever. Tracklist below: 1 - DJ Satelite & Cee El Assaad feat....

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...

FOKN Bois meet Irie Maffia: The FOKN DunaQuest in Budapest

 

After running around Accra because of money, the FOKN Bois left for Budapest, hungry on a quest to find the finest duna (arse). They were kidnapped by the infamous Irie Maffia, a notorious band of musicians, singers, songwriters, deejays, producers, rappers…and fed only palinka and bread in a hot studio in the nippy Buda hills close to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s home.

In 5 days they were forced to do 4 gigs and record 8 tracks… It was sleepless hell… They managed to escape when the producer, Elo Marton, who was trying to water board more lyrics out of the exhausted FOKN Bois at a Turkish bath, absentmindedly gazed at singer/songwriter Sena’s duna as she sauntered by distractingly.

Now the tracks are out and sound so good that the FOKN Bois have forgiven Irie Maffia for the conditions by which this beautiful record came together.  In their words: “We see demma Maffia side, but now everything be Irie.”

The FOKN Dunaquest in Budapest is a sonic Hiphop/Dance/Afropop adventure from Budapest to Bucharest, Brenham to Boston and Bolgatanga to Bubuashie! Eastern Europe meets West Africa…apio meets palinka. Ha!!!

Grab FOKN Future for free – we just ask for your email, and we won’t share it, promise!

Grab the entire release directly from Bandcamp, or in iTunes. Available in every other major internet store next week!

 

RELATED

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

     OUR 2016 ARTISTS… Wrapping up another eventful year here at Akwaaba Music! We were glad to release into the world the exciting new albums of Senegalese beatmaker Ibaaku, Ghana-Burkina collaborative duo Mabiisi, Portuguese producer Rocky Marsiano and Ghanaian...

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

It's been a few years since the first three installments of DJ Satelite's Luanda No Horizonte series (Vol. 1, 2 & 3), it's a pleasure to introduce you to this 11th installment, as deep and funky as ever. Tracklist below: 1 - DJ Satelite & Cee El Assaad feat....

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...

Mama I Love Yooooooou

Today, second sunday of May, seems to have more national mother’s days than any other date. So let’s celebrate yeah? We couldnt come up with a top 10 or 20 songs about mommies, there are simply TOO MANY in Africa. So instead, we indulge into 10 minutes of claaaaassic sonic bliss, courtesy of Cameroonian-born, Nigerian-bred legendary artist Prince Nico Mbarga:

Annnnnnd a heads up about this brand spankin’ new mixtape by The Very Best, which you can download by clicking on the image below:

 

Moving Crunk Out The Way: Introducing Yob – Lomé, Togo

Moving Crunk Out The Way: Introducing Yob – Lomé, Togo

We met Yob on our last trip to Togo, almost one year ago already! We have hours and hours of footage, but finally managed to edit some of the fantastic footage, thanks in large to Tim Videomit, who met Benjamin Lebrave last fall in Paris. Check out the interview he did here (long version in French here). We should be heading back to Togo in a matter of weeks now, where we intend to catch up with Yob, Arc Djébé and cook up some fresh sounds for y’all! Stay chooned.

RELATED

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

     OUR 2016 ARTISTS… Wrapping up another eventful year here at Akwaaba Music! We were glad to release into the world the exciting new albums of Senegalese beatmaker Ibaaku, Ghana-Burkina collaborative duo Mabiisi, Portuguese producer Rocky Marsiano and Ghanaian...

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

It's been a few years since the first three installments of DJ Satelite's Luanda No Horizonte series (Vol. 1, 2 & 3), it's a pleasure to introduce you to this 11th installment, as deep and funky as ever. Tracklist below: 1 - DJ Satelite & Cee El Assaad feat....

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...

Moving Crunk Out The Way: Introducing Yob – Lomé, Togo

We met Yob on our last trip to Togo, almost one year ago already! We have hours and hours of footage, but finally managed to edit some of the fantastic footage, thanks in large to Tim Videomit, who met Benjamin Lebrave last fall in Paris. Check out the interview he did here (long version in French here). We should be heading back to Togo in a matter of weeks now, where we intend to catch up with Yob, Arc Djébé and cook up some fresh sounds for y’all! Stay chooned.

http://vimeo.com/17215421

RELATED

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

A happy old year for us, and a happy new year to you!

     OUR 2016 ARTISTS… Wrapping up another eventful year here at Akwaaba Music! We were glad to release into the world the exciting new albums of Senegalese beatmaker Ibaaku, Ghana-Burkina collaborative duo Mabiisi, Portuguese producer Rocky Marsiano and Ghanaian...

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

DJ Satelite – Luanda No Horizonte Vol. 11

It's been a few years since the first three installments of DJ Satelite's Luanda No Horizonte series (Vol. 1, 2 & 3), it's a pleasure to introduce you to this 11th installment, as deep and funky as ever. Tracklist below: 1 - DJ Satelite & Cee El Assaad feat....

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...