Ojos de Brujo

Serbian rapper Sin changes name

Canada-based Serbian rapper Sin is now using his real name Filip Filipi to coincide with the release of a new mixtape. “I feel the change is appropriate as I enter a more musically mature and genuine chapter of my career. I’m extremely satisfied and proud of the 10 mixtapes I’ve released as Sin over the last 4 years which include the Sizzerb and Rane trilogies as well as The Supreme Poet and Vijetnam,” he says. Click through to hear his new mixtape

Checkpoint 303 in Rome and Venice

Palestinian/Tunisian/French electro outfit Checkpoint 303 will be appearing (for free) in Rome on Sunday May 31 as part of the “Finding Palestine” event, featuring traditional and contemporary arts. They will also be appearing at the Venice Biennale. Click “read more” for further details.

Checkpoint 303 in Paris and Angers

The Palestinian/French/Tunisian electro collective will be appearing at the Générale en Manufacture in Paris on February 2:

They will then appear at the Chabada in Angers the following day, February 3. Click through for details.

Electronic mayhem in 3 parts

Slam and Hip-Hop sessions in Brussels

Brussels is getting ready for three days of slam and hip-hop. The “Sessions Ubraines” will feature a presentation of the new book “Souterrain 95-08 Bxl”, the first of its kind about the Belgian scene. There’s an extensive panel of guests from noted journalists to rappers Defi J, Lady N and others. Date December 17 at the Mason du livre.

Over at the Botanique on December 18, a rap session will bring together AB7, Mari’M, Invaderdz, Sismik, Maky, Gandhi & D’Johnny Six, Stan et Yassin, Za and L’Huissier.

The last night, the 19th, will see urban lyricists and slam artists battling it out. The organisers have done this several times already, and it’s usually worth checking out. Guests include Be-Lion Vagabond, Maky, Veence Hanao, Dynamic & B-Flow, Mochelan, Posa (from RCS), Verbal, Leawsane, Rézie , BD Banx, Maïa Chauvier, Stan (Les Autres), Manza. The night will finish with the incredible award-winning Baloji (check the album “Hotel Impala”).

For the full details, visit: Lezarts Urbains.

Fanfare Ciocarlia announce January/February Australian and Euro tour dates

Romania’s impressive Fanfare Ciocarlia has announced a series of Australian and European dates in January and February. Zece Prajini is a village of just four hundred souls and home to the twelve Romany Gypsy musicians who make up the Fanfare Ciocarlia brass ensemble. The rugged, secluded hills have been echoing to the sounds of brass band music since the Turkish military bands marched in with the Ottoman occupation at the beginning of the 19th century. In addition to still being the most in-demand band for local weddings, funerals and other occasions, they have in the last years been touring around the world, a story well-documented in the must-see film by German director Ralf Marschalleck: “Iag Bari - Brass on Fire”.

Click through for the dates.

Africa Fete celebrates 30 years as festival and promoter

Africa fete festival

For 30 years already, Africa Fete has been one of the motors of African music, through their annual festival in Dakar and different events in France. The founder, Mamadou Konte, died some time ago but had built a up a highly professional team that is pursuing his work. If you look a the festivals and releases of the past two years, it is clear that African music is having a particularly hard time. So the role of Africa Fete is all the more important in continuing to allow new African music to survive.

The 30th anniversary will feaure a combination of new and established acts, that include: les Amazones de Guinée, Fallyssa, Imhotep (IAM) appearing Didier Awadi, Duggy T and others as well as Omar Pene, Thione Seck, Alioune Mbaye Nder, Saintrick and other surprise guests, playing with the Africa Fête big band.

The festival is to be held on December 6 in Dakar. For details, visit Africa Fete.

Kenge Kenge sing for Obama

No matter who gets elected, the world will feel the impact of the next American president. So although politicians around the world are remaining very diplomatic, artists are coming out in support of Obama - particularly in Africa. Kenya’s Kenge Kenge have recorded one of the sweetest tracks a gentle tribute, which opens with a very laidback groove and then picks up. Neat. This track was featured on their European tour.

To buy the track, visit World Music Network.

MTV Africa announces award nominees

MTV Base has announced the nominees for their upcoming MAMA African music awards to be held in Abuja, Nigeria on November 22. The ten categories cover best male, female, live performer, alternative, Hip-Hop, artist of the year, new act and video. I strongly recmmend a visit to their site to get an overview of the current music scene across Africa. Although South African and Nigerian artists get the most nominations, tiny Gabon is in with a good chance through one of our favourites: Movaiz’Haleine. They are nominated in the best video category for the track “Nous” (Us) directed by John Gibbs. Check it out and then visit the other tracks at MTV Base.