West Africa Expedition
The past week we took a journey across West Africa, exploring the afrobeats that gave birth to the modern afro music. Music is a universal language understood by all and knows no boundries, ths was confirmed during the show as we travelled across the whole region of West Africa.
We started the show with the pioneer of afrobeat all the way from Nigeria Fela Kuti. He needed no introduction as we had a show dedicated to him a few months back. His opening song called Upside down which he performed with his band Africa 70.
Music is to some extent passed on from generation to generation, from father to son. Our next artist in the playlist proved just that. We continued the show with non other than Femi Kuti the eldest son of Fela Kuti performing one of his hit songs Africa a Quentin Harris remix.
Amadou & Mariam Sarama a blind couple from Mali have performed in big stages alongside groups like Coldplay. The duo consists of husband and wife who are guitarlist and vocalist respectively and they have inspired the world that being handicapped does not have to stop someone to reach for his or her dreams. We picked „La Charmante“ from their 2009 album „The Magic Couple.“ Even after many years performing around the world Amadou & Mariam Sarama are still very active in music production.
Sona Jobarteh who plays the kora is another special artist. She has kept the tradition passed on from generation to generation in her family. She is the granddaughter of the Master Griot of his generation, Amadu Bansang Jobarteh and cousin of the well-known and celebrated Kora player Toumani Diabate. Sona is also the sister of the renowned Diaspora Kora player Tunde Jegede. The song we played is called „Jarabi“
Ismael Lo is another living legend, born in Senegal, he is well known across africa for his hit songs including Tajabone.
In the last part of the show we focused on modern West African music. A rare pick was „Memories of Africa“ is a new collaboration between rising stars, Cameroonian Rapper Derrick Buma and Zambian RnB artist Ariel.
Female Ghanian rapper Tiffany Owusu better known by her stage name „Itz Tiffany“ with her new single „Akyee Woo“ is shining in a male dominated music industry. The song is produced by Ghanaian top producer Killbeatz and has become a club favorite.
If you missed our adventure of West African music you can find it in our archive Jukebox.
Playlist:
Fela Kuti & Africa '70 – Upside Down [Barclay Records](Nigeria)
Femi Kuti – Africa (quentin Harris remix) [Barclay Records](Nigeria)
Amadou & Mariam – La Charmante [ Wrasse Records](Mali)
Amadou & Mariam ft. Santigold – Dougou Badia (Joan of ART Remix) [Wrasse Records](Mali)
Sona Job – Sona Jobarteh [African Guild Records](Gambia) Ismael Lo – Jammu Africa [Barclay records](Senegal) Memories – Memories of Africa(original) [self released](Cameroon/Zambia)
Mpita NJ – Mpita Njia - Alicios ft Juliana [R-Kay](DR Congo/Uganda)
R2bees – LIFE(walaahi) [R2bees entertainment](Ghana)
D-Black ft. Joey B – VERA [Black Avenue Muzik](Ghana) Tiffany – Akyee Wo {Caught_Up} [FW entertainment](Ghana)
Becca ft. King Ayisoba & Trigmatic – Push [EKB records](Ghana)
Atumpan – Muyerh Africana ft Cabo Snoop [Movingui Records] (Ghana/Angola)
May D – Soundtrack [Square records](Nigeria)
Ruff N Smooth – Azingele Hagan Pop Remix [Ruff n Smooth Records] (Ghana)
Serge Beynaud – La Tchokora [self release] (Ivory Coast)
Magic System – Premiere Gaou [Next Music] (Ivory Coast)
Lucie Africa – Chicken [self-release] (Czech Republic/South Africa)
Mahoota vs. Vetkuk ft. Oskido n Professor – Stokvel [Kalawa Jazzmee Records] (South Africa)
