Music Wire: News for the global urban generation

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Entries Tagged as 'Rap/Hip-Hop'

Baloji brings African rap to Paris

January 11th, 2008 · No Comments

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 […]

Tags: Africa · Music · Rap/Hip-Hop · events

Didier Awadi stands against EU-African pact

December 28th, 2007 · No Comments

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, […]

Tags: Africa · Music · Rap/Hip-Hop

Wyclef-Jean, Jimmy Rosemond and Akon “give back” to Haiti

December 10th, 2007 · No Comments

On December 15, 2007, a trio of music heavyweights, Wyclef-Jean, Jimmy Rosemond and Akon will travel to Haiti for a charitable endeavor spearheaded by Mr. Rosemond and Wyclef Jean. Yele Fest will tour local schools and the notorious child prison in Port-au-Prince to shed light on the current plight in Haiti of increasing poverty, weakened […]

Tags: Music · Rap/Hip-Hop · events

Lord Ekomy N’Dong brings African rap to Paris

December 7th, 2007 · No Comments

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 […]

Tags: Africa · Music · Rap/Hip-Hop · events

Les Nubians live in New York

December 3rd, 2007 · No Comments

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 […]

Tags: Africa · Music · Rap/Hip-Hop · events

Last minute: African rap in Norway

October 16th, 2007 · No Comments

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 […]

Tags: Africa · Music · Rap/Hip-Hop · events

Uman adds hip-hop to ragga stylee

October 8th, 2007 · 1 Comment

We just heard the first single from Original Uman’s album “L’aventure c’est l’aventure”. Uman made a mark for himself first with la Puta Madre and later as a toaster. The single “184 centrimetres” is a Hip-Hop workout in French with notes of accordion. The rest of the album promises “Jamaican rhythms”, with the label […]

Tags: Music · Rap/Hip-Hop · events

Aiwa: Arabic dub/electronic on the road

February 4th, 2007 · No Comments

Created in 1998 by two Iraqi brothers brought up in France, Aiwa is one of the most exciting fusion/electronic outfits. Musically, they mix Classical Arabic sounds with heavy dub/electronic grooves and ultra-suave rap. They have released two albums “Aiwa” and “El Nar” (photo), with an album of remixes of “Aiwa” in the pipeline - more […]

Tags: Electronic · Rap/Hip-Hop · events

Ugandan Hip-Hop: “no bling”

December 11th, 2006 · No Comments

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. […]

Tags: Africa · Music · Rap/Hip-Hop · Uncategorized

“Bunny” Benaissa sells rap video

November 8th, 2006 · No Comments

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 […]

Tags: Africa · Music · Rap/Hip-Hop · Uncategorized