Africa Is The Future (AITF) and Akwaaba met at the Shoot Me film festival in the Hague last fall, during a short film festival focused on Africa. The festival was more of a pretext, as we all knew about each other already, through mutual acquaintances who kept insisting on the similarities between our approaches – they were right!
Our collaboration is a natural and logical fit. AITF considers Akwaaba to be the sharpest label for contemporary African music. And we consider AITF to be not only one of the coolest slogans around, but more importantly a solid team with great vision – have you checked out their short films?
Together, we created a custom AITF x Akwaaba shirt, along with its own AITF x Akwaaba compilation, showcasing a small sample of the modern, often futuristic African music we work with. Buy a shirt from AITF’s online store, and get the compilation with them for free. Or you can check out the music directly here.
Today the Tatali Remix EP is out exclusively on Beatport!! And of course our own Bandcamp shop. Wait a couple more weeks to see it pop up everywhere else… Check out the choons:
DJ Los Carlos (Netherlands / Surinam): This up and coming Rotterdam based producer is crazy for kuduro. This is the second time he makes a kuduro remix for Akwaaba, the first one being the great remix of Elegom Bounsa by DJ Djeff and Maskarado.
Kosta Kostov (Germany / Bulgaria): Versatile DJ and producer with roots in the Balkans – both literally and musically, Born in Bulgaria, based in Germany, at home around the world, Kosta recently put out a great EP for UrbanWorld, and is now schooling us to his djigit style.
DJ Reaganomics (USA): perhaps the artist with the greatest name in the entire world, Reaganomics is a mixtape master, with close to three decades of mashing sounds together under his belt. In recent years Reaganomics has embraced tropical and booty sounds from all over the world. As exemplified quite well with his remix.
Bigote (Spain): Madrid-based multifaceted artist, Bigote moves among photography, visual art and… music. His DJ sets include many Latin American musical genres, as do his productions, bridging the gap between the Americas and Europe.
And don’t you freeloaders forget, we love you too, you can grab the Serious Attention Disorder Minimix for freeeeee right here:
[:fr]
L’EP Tatali Remix est disponible sur Beatport, Bandcamp, et chez les revendeurs habituels. Petit tour des titres :
DJ Los Carlos (Hollande/Surinam): Un producteur basé à Rotterdam, en pleine ascension, et fan de kuduro. C’est d’ailleurs son deuxième remix du genre chez Akwaaba, le premier étant sa reprise remarquée de Elegom Bounsa par DJ Djeff et Maskarado.
Kosta Kostov (Allemagne / Bulgarie): Dj et producteur polyvalent dont les racines sont situées dans les balkans – littéralement comme musicalement – né en Bulgarie, basé en Allemagne mais familier des quatres coins du globe. Kosta a récemment sorti un EP de qualité chez UrbanWorld, il nous enseigne aujourd’hui le style djigit.
DJ Reaganomics (États-Unis): Malgré son nom de scène assez inattendu et franchement comique, Reaganomics est un expert de la mixtape : à son actif près de 3 décennies à combiner les sons et en stocker dans sa besace. Ces dernières années Reaganomics s’est consacré aux sons tropicaux et dansants du monde entier. Son remix l’illustre assez bien.
Bigote (Espagne): Bigote , artiste multifacette de Madrid, se consacre aussi bien à la photo et aux arts visuels qu’à la musique. Ses DJ sets comprennent un paquet de styles musicaux d’Amérique Latine, tout comme ses productions, établissant une passerelle entre les Etats-Unis et l’Europe.
Et pour ceux qui ne téléchargent que quand c’est pas payant, on vous a pas oublié, et on vous aime aussi : vous pouvez chopper Serious Attention Disorder Minimix gratooooos ici :
[:de]
Today the Tatali Remix EP is out exclusively on Beatport!! And of course our own Bandcamp shop. Wait a couple more weeks to see it pop up everywhere else… Check out the choons:
DJ Los Carlos (Netherlands / Surinam): This up and coming Rotterdam based producer is crazy for kuduro. This is the second time he makes a kuduro remix for Akwaaba, the first one being the great remix of Elegom Bounsa by DJ Djeff and Maskarado.
Kosta Kostov (Germany / Bulgaria): Versatile DJ and producer with roots in the Balkans – both literally and musically, Born in Bulgaria, based in Germany, at home around the world, Kosta recently put out a great EP for UrbanWorld, and is now schooling us to his djigit style.
DJ Reaganomics (USA): perhaps the artist with the greatest name in the entire world, Reaganomics is a mixtape master, with close to three decades of mashing sounds together under his belt. In recent years Reaganomics has embraced tropical and booty sounds from all over the world. As exemplified quite well with his remix.
Bigote (Spain): Madrid-based multifaceted artist, Bigote moves among photography, visual art and… music. His DJ sets include many Latin American musical genres, as do his productions, bridging the gap between the Americas and Europe.
And don’t you freeloaders forget, we love you too, you can grab the Serious Attention Disorder Minimix for freeeeee right here:
Well well… we’ve been keeping it kinda hush hush, but it’s about time we let the world know who won the Double “Tatali” remix contest! And the winners are…
An eclectic bunch, who’s tracks are featured along with a remastered version of the original mix. EP drops exclusively on Beatport March 1, and if you wait patiently you will find it everywhere else 2 weeks later. In the meantime… check out this downloadable minimix to whet your appetite. Enjoy the week end oooo!
It’s been a few months since the Fader article about Alec Lomami was published, and by now, his green card situation should have been sorted. Well, it hasn’t. And rather than choose to go to court to fight his asylum case again, Alec decided to avoid dealing with judges this time, and leave the US for some time until the situation is sorted. So today he flies to Zimbabwe. Not before releasing another tune however…
Pop Revolution is a song he recorded while he was in New York, surrounded by creative Africans: film makers, fashioned designers, writers, musicians. As Alec puts it: “It felt like I was part of a renaissance of some sorts, so part of me wanted to capture that moment in a song.” But there was a lot more going on at that time: “I was also monitoring the elections back home [DRC], I saw something I’ve never really seen the Congolese do before. Generally we are pretty easy going, we are known for wanting to party our problems away, but this time it seemed like people were tired and couldn’t take it anymore. So I wanted to capture that as well.”
Yet Alec doesn’t try to do political songs: “Not that I don’t care about politics, but when it comes to music, I have an existential approach to it, it’s pretty narcissistic. It’s a mean by which I’m purging my own demons, it’s the space where I allow myself to express my emotions.” And Alec also deliberately chooses to make pop music, which “has been known for being simple, and with no depth. While African Hip Hop has played a huge role fighting the powers that be. So, I wanted to keep the simple approach that many pop songs have but without being simplistic. I did a pop song while bringing a meaningful message. “
The song features Alec’s cousin Well$, a Congolese American based in Charlotte, North Carolina, whom Alec is producing. And the beat is by Hervé Wala of SoulStarZmuseeQ, a production outfit based out of Belgium, who contacted Alec some time ago to collaborate on a track. Done! Bam! Pop Revolution!
My level is the biggest song from Shatta Wale this year. Its a street anthem and its currently enjoying radio and club plays all over the country. On My Level, Shatta Wale talks about how far he is come in this industry. Starting of as Bandana , going on a hiatus and...
DJ Pizaro: This week we have La vie là-bas by Togolese act Toofan , Fakye by Highlife act Bisa K'dei, sultry Nana Yaa drops a new one called Woman Power , Dancehall Queen Mzvee features Kuami Eugene on Bend Down and Ruff Town Records new signee Wendy Shay...
This is one of the biggest Afrobeats song on the african continent today. The song has an afrohouse vibe to it and you cant help but " Shaku Shaku " when you hear it. There's an interesting story behind this hit song and that is why we feature it on Lala Shishi this...
Alec Lomami – Pop Revolution
It’s been a few months since the Fader article about Alec Lomami was published, and by now, his green card situation should have been sorted. Well, it hasn’t. And rather than choose to go to court to fight his asylum case again, Alec decided to avoid dealing with judges this time, and leave the US for some time until the situation is sorted. So today he flies to Zimbabwe. Not before releasing another tune however…
Pop Revolution is a song he recorded while he was in New York, surrounded by creative Africans: film makers, fashioned designers, writers, musicians. As Alec puts it: “It felt like I was part of a renaissance of some sorts, so part of me wanted to capture that moment in a song.” But there was a lot more going on at that time: “I was also monitoring the elections back home [DRC], I saw something I’ve never really seen the Congolese do before. Generally we are pretty easy going, we are known for wanting to party our problems away, but this time it seemed like people were tired and couldn’t take it anymore. So I wanted to capture that as well.”
Yet Alec doesn’t try to do political songs: “Not that I don’t care about politics, but when it comes to music, I have an existential approach to it, it’s pretty narcissistic. It’s a mean by which I’m purging my own demons, it’s the space where I allow myself to express my emotions.” And Alec also deliberately chooses to make pop music, which “has been known for being simple, and with no depth. While African Hip Hop has played a huge role fighting the powers that be. So, I wanted to keep the simple approach that many pop songs have but without being simplistic. I did a pop song while bringing a meaningful message. ”
The song features Alec’s cousin Well$, a Congolese American based in Charlotte, North Carolina, whom Alec is producing. And the beat is by Hervé Wala of SoulStarZmuseeQ, a production outfit based out of Belgium, who contacted Alec some time ago to collaborate on a track. Done! Bam! Pop Revolution!
My level is the biggest song from Shatta Wale this year. Its a street anthem and its currently enjoying radio and club plays all over the country. On My Level, Shatta Wale talks about how far he is come in this industry. Starting of as Bandana , going on a hiatus and...
DJ Pizaro: This week we have La vie là-bas by Togolese act Toofan , Fakye by Highlife act Bisa K'dei, sultry Nana Yaa drops a new one called Woman Power , Dancehall Queen Mzvee features Kuami Eugene on Bend Down and Ruff Town Records new signee Wendy Shay...
This is one of the biggest Afrobeats song on the african continent today. The song has an afrohouse vibe to it and you cant help but " Shaku Shaku " when you hear it. There's an interesting story behind this hit song and that is why we feature it on Lala Shishi this...
Remain strong and feisty. The meaning of “Dale Fo Yi Kin Dao” hits you as soon as the cold but punchy beat starts. This song is the first release by Waga 3000. It’s average hip hop from Burkina Faso, and it’s very obvious, very fast. I say this, but I know close to nothing about hip hop in Burkina. I do know the underground scene is strong, and more generally hip hop is really taking roots among the youth. Sounds promising, but in practice most of what I’ve heard hasn’t really caught my attention. I’m biased though, much more interested in beats than lyrics, and I find that too often, the beats—and more importantly, the vibe—aren’t up to par. But “Dale Fo Yi Kin Dao”‘s tight production and wicked flows did catch my attention—I had to know how it came about.
To best understand, we have to rewind a bit. First in Burkina, where culture is traditionally carried on by the griots—singers, story tellers, poets, musicians—stories and songs to travel through time, to this day. It’s no coincidence that Art Melody, lead rapper for Waga 3000, is the son of a griot woman. He’s been singing since childhood, and found hip hop at a young age as well. Burkina is a landlocked country, one of the poorest in Africa, and like many, Art Melody tried to find his way to Europe to earn a better living and send money back home.
He never made it to Europe, and was arrested in Algeria. But he did travel through parts of West Africa where hip hop was already very lively: Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Mauritania. When he returned to Burkina, Melody incorporated the flows he’d heard, often inspired by US rappers such as Nas or Mobb Deep, with the griot singing he grew up with. He raps in Moré and dioula and calls it Warbarap.
Joey le Soldat (Joey the Soldier), is a strong voice among the younger generation of Burkinabé MCs. Like many in Burkina’s capital Ouagadougou, Joey holds a diploma, but cannot find work. He represents a generation disappointed by the government, a sentiment which also culminated in demonstrations early last year.
The name of the group hints at Ouaga 2000, a modern settlement which has become an instrument of government propaganda. Ouaga 2000 is home to the presidential palace and luxurious, often deserted estates. It also reflects the blingy attitude favored by mainstream rappers in Burkina. Waga 3000 are heirs of Burkinabé revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara. Their voice is socially engaged, never afraid to speak up, and incorporates cultural heritage with pride.
Now let’s move to France. The second-largest hip hop market in the world, and often a significant catalyst for rap in francophone African countries. Someone like Mokobé, who grew up in the suburbs of Paris, is a mainstream name in France, and a figure many look up to throughout Africa. Further from the spotlight, I’ve met a lot of French cats involved with hip hop in West Africa, especially Senegal and Burkina.
In this case it’s Nicolas Guibert, who has been taveling to Burkina for four years. Guibert created Tentacule Records, and is responsible for hooking up Art Melody with his producer, Redrum. Eventually Guibert’s brother DJ Form joined the fold and the group of three—Art Melody, Joey Le Soldat, DJ Form—formed Waga 3000. The Frenchies came to record in Burkina, and mixed the songs in France.
“Cold heat.” This is how Guibert refers to the ambiance created by the white and blue neon lightbulbs you find all over Africa. “I was very sensitive to this light and what it created,” he says. That vibe is the inspiration for Waga 3000′s metallic, retro-futuristic sound. That, and some 1980s Miami bass and Blade Runner-style soundtracks. The goal for everyone involved is to allow voices from Burkina to shine beyond world music and reggae festivals. As Guibert puts it, “The African youth is like the rest of the world, it listens to rap, soul, rock, techno, without forgetting its roots.” He adds, “Art Melody and Joey le Soldat, without forgetting their ancestors and their culture, look at the future and took great pleasure in working on this album without djembes or kora.” So, for those who can enjoy music from a griot who does not play the kora or the ngoni, say hello to the neon lights.
My level is the biggest song from Shatta Wale this year. Its a street anthem and its currently enjoying radio and club plays all over the country. On My Level, Shatta Wale talks about how far he is come in this industry. Starting of as Bandana , going on a hiatus and...
DJ Pizaro: This week we have La vie là-bas by Togolese act Toofan , Fakye by Highlife act Bisa K'dei, sultry Nana Yaa drops a new one called Woman Power , Dancehall Queen Mzvee features Kuami Eugene on Bend Down and Ruff Town Records new signee Wendy Shay...
This is one of the biggest Afrobeats song on the african continent today. The song has an afrohouse vibe to it and you cant help but " Shaku Shaku " when you hear it. There's an interesting story behind this hit song and that is why we feature it on Lala Shishi this...
Remain strong and feisty. The meaning of “Dale Fo Yi Kin Dao” hits you as soon as the cold but punchy beat starts. This song is the first release by Waga 3000. It’s average hip hop from Burkina Faso, and it’s very obvious, very fast. I say this, but I know close to nothing about hip hop in Burkina. I do know the underground scene is strong, and more generally hip hop is really taking roots among the youth. Sounds promising, but in practice most of what I’ve heard hasn’t really caught my attention. I’m biased though, much more interested in beats than lyrics, and I find that too often, the beats—and more importantly, the vibe—aren’t up to par. But “Dale Fo Yi Kin Dao”‘s tight production and wicked flows did catch my attention—I had to know how it came about.
To best understand, we have to rewind a bit. First in Burkina, where culture is traditionally carried on by the griots—singers, story tellers, poets, musicians—stories and songs to travel through time, to this day. It’s no coincidence that Art Melody, lead rapper for Waga 3000, is the son of a griot woman. He’s been singing since childhood, and found hip hop at a young age as well. Burkina is a landlocked country, one of the poorest in Africa, and like many, Art Melody tried to find his way to Europe to earn a better living and send money back home.
He never made it to Europe, and was arrested in Algeria. But he did travel through parts of West Africa where hip hop was already very lively: Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Mauritania. When he returned to Burkina, Melody incorporated the flows he’d heard, often inspired by US rappers such as Nas or Mobb Deep, with the griot singing he grew up with. He raps in Moré and dioula and calls it Warbarap.
Joey le Soldat (Joey the Soldier), is a strong voice among the younger generation of Burkinabé MCs. Like many in Burkina’s capital Ouagadougou, Joey holds a diploma, but cannot find work. He represents a generation disappointed by the government, a sentiment which also culminated in demonstrations early last year.
The name of the group hints at Ouaga 2000, a modern settlement which has become an instrument of government propaganda. Ouaga 2000 is home to the presidential palace and luxurious, often deserted estates. It also reflects the blingy attitude favored by mainstream rappers in Burkina. Waga 3000 are heirs of Burkinabé revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara. Their voice is socially engaged, never afraid to speak up, and incorporates cultural heritage with pride.
Now let’s move to France. The second-largest hip hop market in the world, and often a significant catalyst for rap in francophone African countries. Someone like Mokobé, who grew up in the suburbs of Paris, is a mainstream name in France, and a figure many look up to throughout Africa. Further from the spotlight, I’ve met a lot of French cats involved with hip hop in West Africa, especially Senegal and Burkina.
In this case it’s Nicolas Guibert, who has been taveling to Burkina for four years. Guibert created Tentacule Records, and is responsible for hooking up Art Melody with his producer, Redrum. Eventually Guibert’s brother DJ Form joined the fold and the group of three—Art Melody, Joey Le Soldat, DJ Form—formed Waga 3000. The Frenchies came to record in Burkina, and mixed the songs in France.
“Cold heat.” This is how Guibert refers to the ambiance created by the white and blue neon lightbulbs you find all over Africa. “I was very sensitive to this light and what it created,” he says. That vibe is the inspiration for Waga 3000′s metallic, retro-futuristic sound. That, and some 1980s Miami bass and Blade Runner-style soundtracks. The goal for everyone involved is to allow voices from Burkina to shine beyond world music and reggae festivals. As Guibert puts it, “The African youth is like the rest of the world, it listens to rap, soul, rock, techno, without forgetting its roots.” He adds, “Art Melody and Joey le Soldat, without forgetting their ancestors and their culture, look at the future and took great pleasure in working on this album without djembes or kora.” So, for those who can enjoy music from a griot who does not play the kora or the ngoni, say hello to the neon lights.
My level is the biggest song from Shatta Wale this year. Its a street anthem and its currently enjoying radio and club plays all over the country. On My Level, Shatta Wale talks about how far he is come in this industry. Starting of as Bandana , going on a hiatus and...
DJ Pizaro: This week we have La vie là-bas by Togolese act Toofan , Fakye by Highlife act Bisa K'dei, sultry Nana Yaa drops a new one called Woman Power , Dancehall Queen Mzvee features Kuami Eugene on Bend Down and Ruff Town Records new signee Wendy Shay...
This is one of the biggest Afrobeats song on the african continent today. The song has an afrohouse vibe to it and you cant help but " Shaku Shaku " when you hear it. There's an interesting story behind this hit song and that is why we feature it on Lala Shishi this...
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!
My level is the biggest song from Shatta Wale this year. Its a street anthem and its currently enjoying radio and club plays all over the country. On My Level, Shatta Wale talks about how far he is come in this industry. Starting of as Bandana , going on a hiatus and...
DJ Pizaro: This week we have La vie là-bas by Togolese act Toofan , Fakye by Highlife act Bisa K'dei, sultry Nana Yaa drops a new one called Woman Power , Dancehall Queen Mzvee features Kuami Eugene on Bend Down and Ruff Town Records new signee Wendy Shay...
This is one of the biggest Afrobeats song on the african continent today. The song has an afrohouse vibe to it and you cant help but " Shaku Shaku " when you hear it. There's an interesting story behind this hit song and that is why we feature it on Lala Shishi this...
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!
My level is the biggest song from Shatta Wale this year. Its a street anthem and its currently enjoying radio and club plays all over the country. On My Level, Shatta Wale talks about how far he is come in this industry. Starting of as Bandana , going on a hiatus and...
DJ Pizaro: This week we have La vie là-bas by Togolese act Toofan , Fakye by Highlife act Bisa K'dei, sultry Nana Yaa drops a new one called Woman Power , Dancehall Queen Mzvee features Kuami Eugene on Bend Down and Ruff Town Records new signee Wendy Shay...
This is one of the biggest Afrobeats song on the african continent today. The song has an afrohouse vibe to it and you cant help but " Shaku Shaku " when you hear it. There's an interesting story behind this hit song and that is why we feature it on Lala Shishi this...
