Africa to salute James Brown this summer

This promises to be a pretty hot ticket. Pee Wee Ellis, former saxophonist of James Brown, has brought together some excellent artists for a tribute to the legendary James Brown. Among them are Fred Wesley and Tony Allen (drummer of Fela Kuti), the Nigerian-London singer Wunmi (who DJed in 2004 at Couleur Café in Brussels), The Family Stone-singer Fred Ross, the Senegalese artist Cheikh Lô and the still very young but already celebrated South-African jazz singer Simphiwe Dana.

They will be playing under the banner, “Still Black, Still proud” (a reference to the James Brown track “Say it Loud”). They recently got a three-star review in the UK’s Independent. Look out for them in your local press.

Movaizhaleine parodies French and Gabonese leaders

Movaizhaleine, probably the best hip-hop outfit on Africa’s West Coast, have created a viral hit with “Quaffffoutre”. They used a sample of the Gabonese president saying “Moi, je n’ai qu’à foutre” (me, I don’t give a shit) and looped it. As France and Gabon are having a little push and pull for the moment, the clip features the Gabonese president, Nicolas Sarkozy, Jacques Chirac and the French Socialist Ségolène Royal. Fun.

Wendo Kolosoy: return of the king of rumba

Wendo Kolosoy, the veteran World music star, has released an album of material recorded in 2004 on the IglooMondo label. Kolosoy is hailed as the father of the rumba, having helped shape the style already in the fifties and sixties. “Banaya Papa Wendo” features 10 tracks with old sparring partners such as Jean-Louis Kayala Bikunda on bass and Vula Diankatu Missy on guitar.
Wendo Kolosoy on Amazon.fr

Baloji brings African rap to Paris

Although it was only released in Belgium, one of our favourite albums in 2007 was “Hotel Impala” by Baloji. This Belgian rapper of Congolese origin has created an album that spans Hip-Hop, 70s soul, Afro Beat and chanson - quite a programme. The breakout single was “Congo”, a 7-minute masterpiece.

Baloji will be bringing his show to the Cafe de la Danse in Paris (5 Passage Louis Philippe, 75011) on February 15 before travelling around France later.

Click through for the full dates in France and Switzerland and the full version of “Congo”.

Didier Awadi stands against EU-African pact

Senegal’s Didier Awadi, formerly of the pioneering Hip-Hop act Positive Black Soul, has made a strong stand against the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) countries. Like many people, he feels it is too heavily balanced in favour of the EU. The debate is a very complex one, involving international trade, aid, GATT and the World Trade Organisation.

Awadi has recorded “On ne signe pas” (we’re not signing) to highlight the issue, which has already been addressed by numerous bodies. Ultimately, Awadi feels that the pact will make African more dependent on Europe rather than more independent. It requires substantial access to African markets in exchange for freer trade. Many people argue that what is needed is more support for African business rather than the arrival of well-financed competitors. To see the clip of “On ne signe pas”, visit Studio Sankara.

Lord Ekomy N’Dong brings African rap to Paris

One of the most impressive Hip-Hop producers outside the US happens to be one of the least known. Lord Ekomy N’dong is an innovative producer from Gabon that offers one of the savviest combinations of African sounds and a massive contemporary Hip-Hop vibe. His first album, “L’Afrikain”, played on a loop in our office two years ago. He is now back with a new one, “On détient la harpe sacrée, Tome II” (We hold the sacred harp, volume II) and a first major show in Paris at the Elysée Montmartre on December 21 with Maât Seignieur Lion. This is conscious Hip-Hop with a funky and rootsy twist. Highly recommended. For details and music, check Movaizhaleine.

Les Nubians live in New York

The French Hip-Hop duo Les Nubians will be appearing in New York before the New Year. The sisters play a neat style that has been summed up as “Afropean hip-hop with R&B”, singing in French and English. ‘Princesses Nubiennes’ (Higher Octave/Virgin) was the most successful French-language album in more than a decade of Billboard charts. Since then, they have traveled the world, soaking up the sounds of reggae, afro-beat, pop and electronica while collaborating with a host of respected musicians.

Lion’s Den, 214 Sullivan between Bleecker & W. 3rd, NYC

Fri. Dec. 28th
8:30pm Doors

Last minute: African rap in Norway

In terms of diversity and colour, nothing beats African rap. We just got news that the South African band Black Noise will be appearing in Oslo, Norway on October 17 as part of the Oslo Celebrations. More specifically, they will be providing music, DJing and capoeira for an African fashion show at the Georg Sverdrups Hus (University Library), University of Oslo. Get more details here.

Find their three albums on iTunes:

Mamadou Konte remembered in Marseilles and Paris

As mentioned below, the death of Mamadou Konte was a great loss to African music (and indeed the US and European music fans that enjoyed the acts he promoted). The company he created, Africa Fête, is however continuing. On September 9 and 15 next, they are putting together a special homage to Konte with a selection of acts based in the south of France: these include Toko Blaze (photo right), Oumar Kouyaté, Sayon Bama Camara, Afro Latin Jazz Concept and others.

The Paris and Marseilles events are also to support Africa Fête, who were recently the victims of a burglary. For details, visit Africa Fête.com. To check Toko Blaze’s sweet ragga/dancehall in French, click here.

Fela Kuti son kicks up a live storm

Reviews of the Seun Kuti live shows with Egypt 80 in North America have been very good, with reviewers again welcoming the arrival of a massive Afro-Beat band led by the son of the iconic Fela Kuti (not that anyone has forgotten his other son Femi yet). “The band was the most important thing in my father’s life,” says his youngest son Seun. “I didn’t want it to die.” Seun seems a bit overwhelmed by the response, or a little mis-informed. “Before my father’s death, it was only (Africans) who listened to Afro beat, but right now it is a global phenomenon,” he told AFP. Really? I’m sure I’m not the only that attended Fela’s concerts in major venues across the globe.

Click through for the upcoming dates in Europe

RIP: Mamadou Konte

Although largely unknown to the general audience, African rap has lost one of its most important players. Mamadou Konte founded the Africa Fête festival in France in the late seventies, later bringing it to the US and Canada. He also set up a label in Senegal that was responsible for uncovering Positive Black Soul and Pee Froiss, amongst others. One of his most important contributions to music, however, was the continued development of a music business in West Africa, where he ran numerous programmes for training managers and other professionals. He was also very active in trying to protect African music from the rampant piracy of the West Coast. Much of his work can be found by connecting to Africa Fete.com. Konte died in Dakar on June 21, and is survived by two sons - and a whole generation of musicians and music professionals.

UPDATE: Mamadou Konte will be featured in a special programme to be broadcast on TV5 Monde. Boncana Maïga’s “Stars Parade” will be devoted to him. Guests will include Souleymane Coly (Koteba), Luc Mayitoukou and Saintrick. The show goes out on July 14 at 18:00 GMT and Sunday July 15 at 12:00 GMT for Africa and Friday July 20 at 6:30 in France. Looks like you should check your satellite dishes and recorders.

Source: African Rap.com

Summer festivals, Part 1: Africa Fête

We’re beginning to get a lot of press releases concerning summer festivals. One we thought we’d highlight is the annual Africa Fête show in Marseilles on June 30. First, because we’ve always wanted to visit the town and secondly as the event is quite cool. Headliners include Kristo Numpuby, Ashes to Machines, Oumar Kouyaté and Fogny. Needless to say, there will be the usual extra-curricular goodies such as contemporary dance from Burkina Faso, associations promoting all things African and a truck built by artists from Liverpool, Prague and elsewhere on the theme of migration. All this for a ridiculous €5. Details on the Africa Fête site.

Visa problems for Konono N° 1 in Europe

The bad news this week is that the Konono N°1 European tour has been hit by the visa blues. The group was due to fly to Europe via Switzerland but two members were refused as they didn’t have the requisite Schengen visas. These had been requested at the German embassy in Kinshasa but were not forthcoming. Why? “No comment,” from the consulate. Konono N° 1 has been touring for about three years, and had all the requisite paperwork.

Dates in France, Ireland and Slovakia are sill going ahead, apparently. But it would be wise to check your local press if you bought tickets.

Kristo Numpuby sings Brassens, again

We’ve mentioned him before, but there’s no harm in mentioning him again as the project is an interesting one. Last year Cameroon singer Kristo Numpuby recorded a homage to the master of chanson, George Brassens. The unlikely combination, however, struck a chord at home in France, where Numpuby tours regularly and has appeared on prime time TV. His latest dates include a show at the legendary New Morning in Paris. Click through for the full dates.

Konono N°1 record with Bjork, tour US

I have to admit that the Congolese outfit Konono N°1 is not my favourite band. In fact, their saturated sound drive me nuts. But they are unique, which is probably reason enough for Bjork to invite them to record on her new album alongside Timbaland and Antony. They have a new release out (”Live in Tokyo” - only available digitally), and are currently appearing across the US and later in Europe. Click through to find the concert dates.