KonKoma Remixed

KonKoma Remixed, the new collection of remixes featuring beatmakers like Chico Mann, debruit, and Auntie Flo, is absolute fire.  Preview the track below, and cop the album.  Now.

The Afrobeat Blog Best Albums of 2012

2012 was a great year for music.  A lot of great bands put out some amazing albums.  While most people compiled their best of lists in the waning days of 2012, it took me a little longer to get around to it.  As the saying goes, better late than never.  

1. Antibalas - Antibalas

2. Fangnawa Experience - Fanga and Abdallah Guinéa

3. Solidarity - Souljazz Orchestra

4. Good Future - EMEFE

5. Faithful Man - Lee Fields

6. Landing on a Hundred - Cody Chesnutt

7. Thrillah - Easy Star All-Stars

8. Jungle Fire - Jungle Fire

9. High Noon - The Funk Ark

10. Instrumental EP - Chico Mann

11. Radio Salone - Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars

12. En Yay Sah - Janka Nabay & The Bubu Gang

13. Dub to the Bone - Super Hi-Fi

14. La Bala - Ana Tijoux

15. Roots before Branches - Henry Cole & The Afrobeat Collective

Femi Kuti Tours USA

The legendary Femi Anikulapo Kuti kicks off his US tour tonight.  I'll be catching him live next Wednesday night in Boston.  Check out the interview I conducted with Femi in 2009.  Catch him when he comes to a town near you.


17 JAN Belly up Tavern, Solana Beach
18 JAN El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
19 JAN The Fillmore, San Fransisco
21 JAN Metro, Chicago
23 JAN Paradise Rock Club, Boston
24 JAN World cafe Live, Philadelphia
25 JAN  9.30 Club, Washington Dc
26 JAN Webster Hall, New York




The Afrobeat Blog: How would you describe the evolution of your music? Where is your music today that it wasn't several years ago when your last studio album came out?

Femi Kuti: I'm getting more experience, age, more mature, and so the music is changing with all of this. I'm happy people think it's getting better, people are enjoying it, people support what I'm doing, that's most important.

The Afrobeat Blog: What are you listening to right now that's inspiring you?

Femi: Nothing really, I'm trying to start work on my next album, so I'm working on some new stuff

The Afrobeat Blog: You've shared the stage with a lot of amazing musicians, With whom have you collaborated in your career that you've learned the most from? 

Femi: My father

The Afrobeat Blog: How old were you when you started playing with Fela and Egypt 80?

Femi: 16

The Afrobeat Blog: Who are some African musicians you feel are pushing their genres and innovating new trends in African music today?

Femi: I think most Africans are trying to do that. There's a lot of hip hop Nigerian artists that are very American-Nigerian orientated. That may be typical of my fathers influence on the music scene. There are many artists developing a unique style for themselves. It would be wrong for me to pick one.

The Afrobeat Blog: Who specifically within the genre of Afrobeat do you respect and listen to?

Femi: Nobody. 

The Afrobeat Blog: Nobody, really?

Femi: What are they going to teach me?

The Afrobeat Blog: Well, I guess you have a point.

Femi: Well I mean if I was playing at a concert and any afrobeat band is there, I would be forced to listen. I could listen from my dressing room I could hear. There are not a lot of bands playing good afrobeat, I mean, it's ok. There are many in America, Australia, France. Many are getting hooked on the afrobeat.

The Afrobeat Blog: As someone who thinks of something different when they hear the black president than someone like me who grew up in the US What did the election of a black president, Barack Obama, mean to you and what do you think it will mean for Africa on the whole?

Femi: Well, what it means to me might take a while. Barack Obama is first an American, generally, it shows that Americans are open-minded. I never believed Americans would vote a black man or black person President, the highest office in America. Americans are open-minded, there's a new generation of Americans who are not thinking on a racial basis, and are completely open-minded. So that impressed me, that gave me a lot of hope for the world and America. If Americans can see things in this light, there's a strong future for them and the world. America dictates a lot of world opinion, if America moves to the right, the world moves to the right, if America moves to the left, the world moves to the left. It impressed me a lot.

The Afrobeat Blog: Do you hope because of his African roots Obama will change the way America has dealt with Africa in the past?

Femi: I hope he will be very objective. I hope he won't be lenient in dealing with the corruption of African governments because he's a black man. I hope he doesn't fall for that. He has to be very objective, because all the African governments are corrupt. So it should not be because he's a black American he should be lenient on corruption, I think that is where he should be hard because he should want Africa to become a great continent. He has to be very hard on his policies, because he has to put an end to the corruption with his policies in Africa. He has to prove that the African government is not being proper democracy according to what we know it should be. The African government is corrupt. 

The Afrobeat Blog: I read in an interview on jambase.com, when talking about the raid on Kalakuta republic that killed your grandmother and ransacked Fela's compound, you raised the possibility of the CIA being involved. What makes you think that's the case and would you clarify your stance on the issue?

Femi: Because somebody came to warn my father before the attack and warned him the CIA wanted him dead. He said it many times. He was warned that the CIA was going to kill him. I was there, I heard him say it many times.

The Afrobeat Blog: Who came to warn Fela?

Femi: An american, I don't want to name names here.

The Afrobeat Blog: The CIA definitely has a history of targeting African ideologues that oppose them like Patrice Lamumba and many others.

Femi: Lamumba, anyone, Any western government is always opposed to any Pan-African in government.

The Afrobeat Blog: One of Fela's major accomplishments that is often overlooked was his ability to mobilize people into action around a cause. A lot of people dismiss him as a dissident, just a crazy musician, but he made things happen in Nigeria organizing youth groups and political action groups. Could you talk about some of the ways in which you've continued his legacy of political action outside of your music?

Femi: I think its just through music. I stopped giving to organizations because I found out its so corrupt, people are just taking my money, I give people money to make posters you know, put up the flyers, but they get ripped up in the street. And they're just ripping me off in my money. We're at a critical point, where the corruption is so bad, people are so desperate for money right now. It is not smart for me right now. I'll just continue to talk about the problems, sing about the problems, and deal with the problems. I can be in any part of the world today, having a good life, or having a better life than I'm having here [Nigeria], but staying here is a political statement. People are mad at me for staying here, so maybe I mobilize many generations by staying here. Three generations have passed through me knowing I have achieved what I've achieved by staying here in Nigeria. I didn't go to America to stay, I didn't go to Europe, I've stayed here. Everybody told me you've got to move, fuck that. Everybody said I won't be in demand if I stay in Nigeria. I opened the market, I've kept the market my father opened. It won't do any use to admire what I've done. I use my music, what I sing about to make a difference. And I don't want to run for office, any kind of office. I just want to be a musician.

The Afrobeat Blog: What are some of your unfinished goals for your music career?

Femi: Wow, that's a question for God Almighty to answer, not me. I want to arrange and produce some albums. I hope I can always impress and please my fans and other people, and my self as well. I'd like to spend more time with my family. What else...I'd like to see Africa Unite in my lifetime I'd like to see highways running north to south east to west like I see in America, I'd like to see big airports like I see everywhere, train stations like I see everywhere, I'd like to see the United Countries of Africa, I would like to see the eradication of poverty and the end of suffering. We're the richest continent I can't understand why we're suffering. I would like to see the end of corruption. And all these things that I stand for in my lifetime, I would like to see an end to it in my lifetime. But that's up to the creator to decide that. I'll just do my part, keep practicing, playing music, and fighting.

Femi: Just for your information the shrine was closed yesterday by the government. So now we're having a big battle right now, trying to get it open.

The Afrobeat Blog: On what grounds did they close it, they just decided they didn't want it to be open?

Femi: They said people were selling things outside, like sweets, and fried meats, biscuits, things like this on the streets, not in the shrine, on the streets, on the major road. Now they're saying we're responsible for those people. So they are closing the shrine because we let people come and sell things there. And we're like how do they expect us to get rid of these people? Do we own the road? The road belongs to the federal government. How we can we go to the federal governments' property and say get out of here? It's the government's problem to do that. They have to remove them not us.

The Afrobeat Blog: Have they tried to do things like this before?

Femi: Yea. They have closed the place for two days now, we are losing all kinds of money, our instruments are there, we can't rehearse.

The Afrobeat Blog: So what can you do to fight them?

Femi: We don't know yet, we have many options, maybe we are going to court, we don't know yet. Right now we're talking to the office of the commissioner to give us the go-ahead to open the place. They said 10 o'clock this morning, they didn't show up, then they said 2, they didn't open it, so we're still waiting.

The Afrobeat Blog: Well whatever I can do to help, I'm not sure how receptive the Nigerian government is to petitions from American music fans...

Femi: Well maybe put it in your article on the internet so that more journalists will put it in their papers, 'The Nigerian government closed the shrine, blah, blah, blah, things like that.

EMEFE Embarks on Southeastern US Tour

One of Brooklyn's finest afrobeat enesmbles, EMEFE, is about to embark on a tour of the southeastern United States.  I've seen EMEFE rock it live a number of times, and each time they hit the stage, they bring it.  If you can make it to one of these shows, definitely make it out and catch some afro-love.

What are you doing for the end of the world?

Got plans for the end of the world?  How about Friday night?  If you live in either New York or Boston and are into afrobeat, I've got two great options for you to spend what may be your last moments on God's green Earth.

If you're in or around Boston, check out Federator No. 1, Endangered Speeches, and Kina Zoré at The Church of Boston.  All three bands bring the afro-noise in a big way.  What better way to usher in the beginning of the next cycle than to shake that ass to some afroheavy grooves.  Dig the details.

If you're in or around New York definitely check out Armagedd-It-On featuring Rubblebucket Orchestra, Super Hi-Fi and the SLF DJ Crew.  If you've been to a SLF extravaganza before, then you know they know how to get down.  Don't waste a chance to catch this collection of amazing music.  You may never have another opportunity.

Super Hi-Fi: Dub to the Bone

Do you love the trombone?  How about nasty bass-lines that vibrate the ground underneath your feet, shaking your insides to a reggae rhythm?  If your answer is yes, Super Hi-Fi has a major dose of what you love waiting with their debut EP Dub to the Bone, out today on Electric Cowbell Records.  Super Hi-Fi is the brainchild of Ezra Gale and the inner-workings of his Afro-Dub mind.  Ezra has been a friend of mine for several years now.  I first saw him perform with Aphrodesia, the bay-area afrobeat ensemble that introduced me to the experience of live afrobeat, back in 2005.  

Ezra moved across the country to New York around 2009 where he started to put together the lineup for Super Hi-Fi.  The band has evolved into a known entity around New York where their brand of dub is in demand.  Dub to the Bone is the culmination of their early efforts, 8 tracks of thick, heavy, sub-woofer empowering dub.  I'll be checking them out this Friday night at Toad in Cambridge, MA.  They're sharing the bill with Rubble Bucket Orchestra on December 20th for Armagedd-It-On at The Lab in Brooklyn, NY.

The Funk Ark Begins Bi-Monthly Residency at NuBlu Tomorrow Night

The Funk Ark, the funkiest group of cats D.C. has to offer, are beginning a bi-monthly residency at NuBlu in the E. Village NYC tomorrow night.  They'll be rockin solo tomorrow night but will be incorporating members of the extended Afrobeat Blog family EMEFE, Superhuman Happiness, Zongo Junction and others as the months move forward.  I've long held The Funk Ark up as one of the most original, dynamic, funky-ass groups around today.  I've seen them live before, so I can personally attest to their ability to make people dance.  If you're in or around NYC, definitely go check them out.

The Macrotones Record Release Party at Johnny D's Saturday Night

The Macrotones, Boston's own homegrown afrobeat ensemble, are celebrating the release of the third EP, Darvaza, out December 4, 2012 on Music ADD Records, this Saturday night at Johnny D's in Somerville, MA.  The Macrotones have been at it for a while with their percussive, heavy sound driving dance floors into a frenzy.  Darvaza was recorded and produced by the legendary Sean Slade (Radiohead, Pixies, Morphine, Mighty Mighty Bosstones) and the Boston Music Award-winning Benny Grotto at Mad Oak Studios in Allston, Mass.  The record captures the 9-piece ensemble's dark and dense sound in a warm and gritty analog setting. The six meticulously constructed tracks move from traditional afrobeat to funk, to rock, to ethiojazz – and stay persistently infectious with chunky horn lines and pulsating percussion.  If you're in or around Boston, come get a taste of their new tunes live in person this Saturday night.  Then cop the record on vinyl, CD, or digitally on the 4th when it drops.

Zongo Junction Releases New Single in Advance of Tour w/ Souljazz Orchestra

Zongo Junction, one of the best young afrobeat ensembles uplifting the genre out of Brooklyn, NY, have released their new single, The Van That Got Away via their website.  Zongo is about to embark on a tour of the eastern and mid-western U.S. with The Souljazz Orchestra.  This a double-bill for the ages.  I'll be checking them out this Thursday night in Boston.  Get to a city where they're playing near you.



Nov 28 - Burlington VT - Higher Ground
Nov 29 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
Nov 30 - New York, NY - Studio at Webster Hall
Dec 2 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
Dec 4 - Buffalo, NY - Nietzsche's 
Dec 5 - Detroit, MI - The Crofoot
Dec 6 - Columbus, OH - Woodlands Tavern
Dec 7 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
Dec 8 - Madison, WI - University of Wisconsin 
Dec 10 - Oberlin, OH - Oberlin College

E4RTH - It's Where We Live

This video from E4RTH for their new single It's Where We Live featuring Amy Douglas, White Lion and Amaze The Icon just made my day.  It completely speaks for itself.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Edem Drops Mass Production

Edem, Ghana's hottest MC reppin the Ewe people of the Volta Region, dropped his sophomore album, Mass Production, out November 12, 2012 on Akwaaba Music.  If you're looking to hear what's hot on the streets of Accra, this is it.  Perfect for your next dance party.

Africa In Your Earbuds # 31

It's been a while since I posted an OkayAfrica mixtape, so dig the latest in the Africa In Your Earbuds Series from Boddhi Satva: Ancestral Soul.  This mix goes deep, so prepare yourself for some afro-heavy soulful dopeness.

The Brand New Life Comes to NYC

Have you ever dreamt of The Brand New Life?  Well, your dreams can soon come true.  The North Carolina based afro-fusion oriented ensemble is on a Northeastern U.S. tour and coming to NYC this Friday night.  Check out their unique take on the afrobeat sound at The Bitter End this Friday night.

Smoove Brings the Funk with First Class

Smoove, one of Europe's dopest beat makers, has put out a new album of remixes perfect for your next dance party on Jalapeno Records.  Featuring remixes of cuts from The New Mastersounds, Afrika Bambaataa, and a host of others, check out the comp and cop it at your leisure.

Fangnawa Experience

Fangnawa Experience, out November 13, 2012 on Strut Records, is a groundbreaking fusion of two distinct African musical styles: West African Afrobeat, and North African ceremonial Gnawa Music. Originally brought together by the forward-thinking Détours du Monde festival in Montpelier, French Afrobeat collective Fanga and Moroccan master musician Maâlem Abdallah Guinéa have found musical common ground on their performances and recordings together.

Performed primarily in Morocco and South-western Algeria, a traditional Gnawa ceremony re-creates the genesis of the universe, incorporating trance-inducing music, a clairvoyant, incense, and ecstatic dancing in a complicated liturgy. Gnawa music mixes classical Islamic Sufism with pre-Islamic African traditions, and in recent decades has begun to be performed outside of the traditional closed-door ceremonies, to the wider Moroccan public, and to global music audience at large.

Afrobeat as a genre was born out of fusion.  Many in musical critical circles judge afrobeat projects based off the measuring stick of how well they are able to mimic Fela's Afrika 70 sound.  I would put myself into that category when I first started writing about the music in the early 2000's, but I soon discovered that most artists seek to create their own sound and forge their own identity.  Fanga is taking an immensely ambitious step forward in that direction.

Dig this short video about the project to get a taste.  Then cop the album when it drops next week.  If you like music that's unique, you won't want to miss out on this one.

 

Brasilian Afrobeat Mixtape

Afro-followers may or may not know that the funky nation of Brazil was very much affected by the spread of afrobeat throughout the African Diaspora.  For those unaware, Wolfram from Soundgoods put together a mixtape choc full of Afro-Brasilian afrobeat goodness.  Dig it.

Grant Phabao Afrofunk Arkestra Debuts New Cut on Compilation from Paris DJ's

This track is pure unadulterated afrobeat heaven.  I dare you not to move while you listen to Ogun from Grant Phabao Afrofunk Arkestra feat. members of Souljazz Orchestra, a track off of Dis Is Good For You - Tropical Grooves and Afrofunk International a forthcoming compilation from Paris DJ's Soundsystem.  If you dig this track (which you absolutely should) then check out the rest of the comp for more afrobeat goodness.

Staff Benda Bilili

I'm a little behind the curve on this one, but these guys are so awesome I figured I'd share it anyways.  Staff Benda Bilili have released their second full-length album, Bouger Le Monde, on Crammed Discs Records.  If you're not familiar with their story, you can read all about it here.  These guys are truly inspirational.  Check out a preview video below and cop the album at your leisure.

Felabration is almost here!

It's that time of year again.  74 years ago Monday, Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti was born.  The man the world came to know as Fela Anikulapo Kuti, legendary musical icon, political leader, and inspirational force that he was, left an indelible effect on the world.  The fact you're reading these words right now is testament to the fact that Fela's message was spread far and wide.  In that vein, October 18th is always a day to celebrate that legacy and continue that story.  Depending on where you're located geographically, here are a few parties going down to celebrate Fela, his music, his message, and his legacy.  No matter where you are, put on some Fela tomorrow, have a dance party, and offer whatever libations you deem fit to the legendary chief priest.  

Littlefield - Brooklyn feat. EMEFE, Mokaad, The Funk Ark, The Rainbow Children, DJ Monk-One

Neighborhood Theater - Charlotte, NC feat. DJ Rich Medina, The Marksmen

The Echo - Los Angeles, CA feat. DJ Rich Medina

Maria's Package Goods and Community Bar - Chicago, IL feat. DJ King Scratch

Hurricane Season in Brooklyn

If you haven't heard of the Analog Players Society, it's about time you have.  Their new album, Hurricane Season in Brooklyn, out September 25, 2012 via Studio Brooklyn is a beautiful collection of songs that breathe life and humanity into some songs previously known as highly-produced radio hits.  

Analog Players Society is a project spearheaded by percussionist, engineer, and producer, Amon.  I first  came into contact with Amon at a party in Brooklyn in the summer of 2008 when he was playing congas accompanying Chris Annibell's dj set, a role he played at Turntables on the Hudson parties often.  It's that live, human presence that Amon brought to the party that shines through on his studio work.  Analog Players Society is about catering to the human aesthetic, to creating sound that can't be re-created with electronic sounds.  Celebrating that earthy, warm sound that only real live musicians are capable of creating is what Analog Players Society do best.  


For fans of APS who've been waiting for this album, you won't be disappointed.  Dig the title track below for a sample, then cop the rest at your earliest convenience.