Magic System to appear in the UK

One of the most popular acts in France at the moment are Magic System, the Ivory Coast band that has chalked up a number of major hits such as “Premier Gaou” and “Bouger, Bouger”. They have so far totalled over 2 million singles in France alone, as well as 400,000 albums.
Their mainstream version of the Zouglou sound (see also: Sur-Choc) is now set to have a major unveiling in London when they bring a full 12-piece band to the Coronet Theatre on Easter Sunday, April 8. The show will also feature noted DJs Edu from Kenya and Agbadou from Ivory Coast. Support acts are the Congolese act Nostra Musica and Pit’a Mbongo from Cameroon. So it should be a pretty hot night.

Magic System on iTunes US

Magic system on iTunes UK

Magic System Official website

BBC launches new “Africa beyond” website

Anyone interested in the African scene might already know the BBC’s Africa Beyond, which celebrates African arts in the UK. The site covers the entire continent, illustrating the extraordinary diversity of the 54 African nations.

More specifically, the new site wil incorporate “Africa on Your Street” that covers everything from Afrobeat to M’balax plus gig listing across the UK.

Manou Gallo: 2nd album and documentary

Ivory Coast’s Manou Gallo is one of the most in-demand bassists in Europe. After playing with Zap Mama for six years and appearing in a play, she released her first album, “Dida” on the IglooMondo label in 2003. A documentary now traces her worldwide tour and the release of the second album…

Dig music, build something positive

The people over at Calabash Music have had a neat idea. Despite what many people think, the US spends less than 1% of its federal budget on foreign aid. As Calabash points out, “If everyone in the United States gave up one soft drink a month we could double our current aid to Africa. If everyone gave up one movie a year we could double our current aid to Africa and Asia.” But rather than get preachy and feeling guilty about the situation, Calabash are running a very simple promotion called “Tune Your World”. “If every American would buy 10 songs by African Artists — We would DOUBLE the amount of money the US is currently sending to Africa.”

So their idea is simple: get ten happening songs for just $7.99. I know Calabash Music. Two things you should know about them too: they have a really good selection of music, and as they work directly with musicians and labels from around the world, at least 50% of your money is going straight to the musicians and labels. What’s more, they are highlighting a number of interesting projects such as the Refugee All Stars, the Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project (featuring Antibalas, Tony Allen and the voice of Fela Kuti, no less) and Stop Excision.

By the way, this is not an American thing. It’s a music thing. Fantastic music is being produced across Africa, but we won’t hear it unless people like Calabash and, yes, Music Wire stick it under our noses. So for some tasty MP3s, visit Tune Your World and start browsing.

Ugandan Hip-Hop: “no bling”

It might just sound like some place on a map, but Uganda also has its “yoof”. And they have things to say - which is hardly surprising when you see the chaos they have to deal with. Like in most African countries these days, Hip-Hop acts as the pressure valve, social commentary and popular entertainment. Check this teaser of a documentary about Ugandan Hip-Hop. As one guy points out, “they’re not interested in listening to bling-bling”. We have that much in common, then.

First spotted on African-Rap.com.

See Damon Alban and Mali’s finest in London

You’ll have to move fast on this one. Damon Alban of Blur has visited Mali on several occasions, and is determined to spread the good news about its music. He is hosting an exclusive event on December 13 in South London that will bring together Amadou and Mariam, Rachid Taha, K’naan, Souad Massi and Ba Cissoko along with 20 or so other like-minded English and American artists, a lot of whom will be your favourite acts (…….. it apparently includes some very big names indeed).

But - and it’s a major but - this is not taking place in Wembley. It’s a 300 capacity venue that will already be pretty full with the musicians and their guests. But the organisers would also like to invite some music fans and are opening a few places to the audience. So nip over quickly to the Africa Express site and… good luck!

Before that, many of the same crew will be appearing at London’s Roundhouse on December 11. Check your local press for details.

Fifa Street track hits virtual streets

“Fou Ho” from Sur-Choc has remained one of the most enigmatic tracks from the Fifa Street game. The tune was picked up after becoming a runaway hit in the clubs of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The makers of “Fifa Street 2005″ were looking for a track with a gritty feel. Sur-Choc are one of the creators of the heady Zouglou style in Ivory Coast, whose best-known act is Magic System. The band records nutty dance tracks with a rough street feel.

Yet despite touring in France and elsewhere, Sur-Choc’s material is been hard to find. We are currently trying to find information about their tours.

“Bunny” Benaissa sells rap video

Rappers are doing it for themselves! Although there is a perception that rap artists roll around in Mercs drinking Crissy with their female companions, the reality is different. In Europe particularly, they have only themselves to rely on. There are big labels, but rap is not their priority.

So performers have to make sure their name is out there, by doing shows and promoting their work. “Bunny” Benaissa is a Moroccan-born rapper working in Germany. In addition to producing his own material, he also produced a clip for the track “Set Language”. Is this the way forward? For many performers, the answer is “yes”. But it means that they must become mini-labels in their own right. And not everyone has what it takes to produce videos, promote endlessly, book gigs, etc. <>

<>What’s cool in the case of Benaissa is that if you download the track (for just 25c), you can sell it from your own site, blog or mailing list. Check it out.

Georges Brassens gets unlikely tribute

Few artists are revered in the French-speaking worlds as Georges Brassens. His gentle songs about country life, accompanied by acoustic guitar, have been a staple of chanson française since the fifties. Yet his latest tribute comes from an unlikely source: Africa. Singer Kristo Numpuby is currently touring with a show called “Brassens en Afrique”. It “recreates the atmosphere of bars in black Africa after independance”. After concerts in France, Belgium and Switzerland, Numpuby was recently invited by the French TV channel France 2 for an interview. To view it, click here.

UPDATE DEC 14: The CD has just been released and is available on Brassens en Afrique.