The Afropop Blog

Rokia Traore Live Performance Video!

2010-04-21T15:29:00.002-04:00

Today we have some special goodies for all you afropoppers out there, in the form of some wonderful video we shot at Rokia Traore's soulful performance at Highline ballroom this past weekend.

Rokia was in top form with a killin' international band featuring, in particular, an exceptionally fantastic bassist who introduced himself to me simply as "Disco" (aka Christophe Minck).

Driven by Rokia's beautifully unique personality both as a singer and songwriter, the set ranged from some old school Miriam Makeba to funky bass breakdowns and unexpected hard rocking interludes.

All this combined with Rokia's captivating beauty and charming stage presence made it one of the most thoroughly enjoyable concerts in recent memory.

-Gabriel and the whole gang here at Afropop

$5.00 Off Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars Tonight at Highline

2010-04-14T16:23:00.002-04:00

Not only can you get $5.00 off the price of admission to the Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars tonight at Highline Ballroom (and we highly suggest that you do just that), but Janka Nabay and Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew will be opening for them. Below are a few videos to whet your appetite.

USE CODE AFROPOP AT THE HIGHLINE BOX OFFICE!

See you there...

--Matt

JANKA NABAY

BAJAH + THE DRY EYE CREW

SIERRA LEONE REFUGEE ALL-STARS

Fantastic King Sunny Ade Vid From 1984

2010-04-13T15:37:00.002-04:00

Gabe came across this gem while doing a little research for us on Nigerian artists. It's the one and only King Sunny Ade holding court in London, in 1984. It was KSA that blew Sean Barlow's mind in 1983 and lead to the creation of Afropop. Here, a year later, KSA's still killin' 'em.

Sean would like to remind everyone that KSA will be in NYC at the HighLine Ballroom on May 18...

Now, have your mind blown...

Exclusive Video from Senegal's 50th Anniversary Parade in Dakar

2010-04-09T14:18:00.003-04:00

(POSTED BY SEAN)
I was lucky to be in Dakar on Sunday April 4th, when Senegal celebrated its 50th Anniversary of Independence. They told me Independence Days were usually when the army, police, gendarmes and navy brass bands got to show their stuff. And this day was no different. I love brass bands so I was happy. Then the planes buzzed overhead and the sabar groups performed their polyrhythmic fury. Presiding over the whole scene was President Abdoulaye Wade and eight African heads of state. I slipped out of the security perimeter and enjoyed hanging out on the street corner where the just plain folks enjoyed their holiday.

MARCHING BAND #1

MARCHING BAND #2

STUDENTS MARCHING

MILITARY MARCHING

SABAR BAND AND YOUNGSTERS DANCING

STREET CORNER ON PARADE DAY

PARADE-GOERS WAVE GOODBYE

Sean's Video from Senegal: Awadi Among Senegalese Superstars to Perform in NYC Tonight; DC on MON

2010-04-08T17:25:00.006-04:00

Sean and Banning have just headed up to the Skirball Center in Manhattan to interview Awadi, part of the famed Senegalese Hip Hop duo Positive Black Soul. He will be one of many superstars in NYC tonight and DC on Monday as part of the Concert for Peace Tolerance and Understanding: USA-Senegal. (See below for a full press release on the event, which will make its way back to Dakar for a Megaconcert in May.)

Sean actually got Flipcam video of Awadi performing in Senegal last weekend as part of his trip to celebrate the country's 50th Anniversary...

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

Concert for Peace, Tolerance, and Understanding
USA-Senegal

Emerging Senegalese Superstars Play New York, Washington DC, and Dakar

Leading Senegalese artists are scheduled to perform at a series of free concerts in the United States and Senegal for Peace Tolerance, and Understanding, as part of an exchange program to promote mutual understanding between our two countries. The program is being conducted by the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal and the Senegalese Ministry of Culture.

A total of three concerts will take place at the following locations: New York University’s (NYU) Skirball Center in New York on April 8th, 2010 (doors open at 7 PM; 2-hour show at 8 PM); Cramton Auditorium at Howard University, Washington DC, on April 12th, 2010 (doors open at 6 PM; 2-hour show at 7 PM); and at the 60,000 seat Stade Léopold Senghor (aka Stade de l’Amitié) in Dakar, Senegal, on May 12th, 2010 (doors open at 6 PM; 5-hour show at 8 PM).

Concerts will feature leading Senegalese artists across a spectrum of musical genres: hip hop group Positive Black Soul, “Golden Voice” Abdou Guitté Seck, Ma Sané of Waflash, and “angel” voiced Titi. In Dakar, the five artists will be joined by well-known legends of Senegalese music, including Youssou N’Dour, Baba Maal, Omar Pene, and others: Pape Diouf, Mame Balla, Abou Thioubalo, Carlou D, the Julien Jouga Christian Choir, and an Islamic music group. DJ Xuman and MC DJ Boubs will open the show.

The five Senegalese artists will return home to share their experience of America and discuss the multitude of cultures, races, and religions that thrive in the United States.

Additional concert details are provided below:

U.S. Concerts

New York, April 8, 2010, at New York University’s Skirball Center

Washington D.C., April 12, 2010, at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium

The two concerts on April 8, 2010, at New York University’s Skirball Center and on April 12, 2010, at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium in Washington DC, will feature four groups, including three of Senegal’s newer, most popular stars, whose performances will symbolize the diversity in Senegalese music – from hip-hop to mbalax and bougarabou to reggae beats.

Positive Black Soul
Positive Black Soul, the hip-hop duo of Didier Awadi and Duggy Tee, will headline the concert (http://www.myspace.com/positiveblacksoul). They recently reunited after some time apart. Bound by music and their common ideals of Afrocentrism and peace and democracy, the two musicians have become African hip-hop role models and leaders in their communities and perform their hits in French, Wolof, the main language in Senegal, and in English.

Titi
Titi (Ndeye Fatou Tine) (http://www.titi-music.com) is also known as ‘Titi l’ange’ (‘Titi the Angel’) for her glorious voice singing to Mbalax rythms. Titi has gained critical acclaim for her music and been in great demand to share the stage with several Senegalese top stars. She recently won the prestigious SUNUMUSIC Best Female Singer Award.

Ma Sané
Ma Sané and her all-male group Waflash is one of West Africa’s loveliest, gentle singers (http://www.myspace.com/waflash). Since she started the group with childhood friends in the 1990s, Waflash has known great success. Their sounds reflect a broad range of influences, blending African and Western musical genres: Senegalese mbalax and bougarabou, soul, jazz, Afrobeat, hip-hop, reggae.

Abdou Guité Seck Abdou Guité Seck is also referred to as “The Golden Voice” and “the future of Senegalese music” (www.guiteseck.com). Prior to launching his solo career, Abdou Guité became the lead vocal singer for the Franco-Senegalese group Wock, which signature sound combined mbalax with rock. The group performed at Festival des Nuits Métisses, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, and Festival International de Jazz de St. Louis. Abdou Guité won the 2000 RFI Découvertes Award and was nominated in 2001 for the best world music album category in the French Music Awards in Paris. Abdou Guité has embarked on his solo career with his new band, Evolution, and has won numerous awards with several solo albums and huge commercial success in Senegal and beyond. His abiding themes continue to explore childhood, love, hope, education, and universal peace.

Concert in Dakar
The “Concert de la Paix, la Tolérance, et l’Entente” will be held at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium, on May 12, 2010.

The line-up for the five-hour free concert includes: Youssou N’Dour, PBS, Ma Sané, Titi, Abdou Guité Seck, Omar Pene, Baaba Maal, Pape Diouf, Mame Balla, Carlou D, Abou Thioubalo, the Julien Jouga Christian choir and an Islamic music group, DJ Xuman, and MC DJ Boubs.
Artists’ high-resolution jpegs available upon request

TRUE Media Contact: evangelinekim@gmail.com

How To Obtain Free Tickets For US Concerts:
SKIRBALL CENTER CONCERT – APRIL 8TH, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY:

Ticket RSVP for NYU Skirball Center performance:

Concerts for Peace, Tolerance and Understanding – Featuring Positive Black Soul, Abdou Guitte Seck, Titi, Ma Sane

NYU Skirball Center – Thursday, April 8th

RSVP by email for free tickets: ibrahim10031@gmail.com

Type “RSVP – Peace” in the subject heading; in body of email provide full name and indicate 1 or 2 tickets (Limit: 2 tickets per person)

Tickets for guests with RSVP will be available at no cost at the NYU Skirball Center box office (Noon-6pm, Tues-Sat) beginning Wednesday, April 7th

RSVP tickets are free, but are “first come first served”

General admission / Doors open at 7pm – Concert at 8pm

CRAMTON AUDITORIUM CONCERT – APRIL 12TH, HOWARD UNIVERSITY:

Ticket RSVP for Howard University Cramton Auditorium performance:

Concerts for Peace, Tolerance and Understanding – Featuring Positive Black Soul, Abdou Guitte Seck, Titi, Ma Sane

Howard University Cramton Auditorium – Monday, April 12th

RSVP by email for free tickets: cramtonauditorium@howard.edu

Type “RSVP – Peace” in the subject heading; in body of email provide full name and indicate 1 or 2 tickets (Limit: 2 tickets per person)

Tickets for guests with RSVP will be available at no cost at the Howard University box office (10am-6pm, M-F) beginning Friday, April 9th

RSVP tickets are free, but are “first come first served``

General admission / Doors open at 6pm – Concert at 7pm

Hot Senegalese Videos

2010-04-06T18:16:00.002-04:00

Coming up very soon, Sean will be releasing a wealth of information on his experience in Senegal, where he traveled last weekend for the country's 50th Anniversary.

For now, Gabe's pulled together a great collection of Senegalese vids in honor of last weekend's celebration, including this great video from Orchestra Baobab:

Check out all of the YouTube links that Gabe gathered.

Timbila Record Release @ DROM Tonight!

2010-04-02T15:54:00.003-04:00

Banning's Band. Timbila. Bootie' Shakin'. DROM. Tonight. 'Nuff Said...

Orquestra Contemporanea de Olinda

2010-04-01T15:15:00.003-04:00

Sean is now on his way to JFK to fly to Senegal (keep your eyes on Newsflashes for more on that), but before he left, he wanted to point out that the hot Orquestra Contemporanea de Olinda from the Northeast of Brazil make their NYC debut tonight at Lincoln Center and Saturday at SOB’s.

Here's a video of the band...

Caetano Veloso's Zii e Zie Out This Week

2010-03-31T17:14:00.003-04:00

While we try to keep the "we're toally jamming out to such and such in the office" blog post and tweets to a minimum, sometimes we can't help ourself. Earlier this week it was a fantastic Sterns Music compilation of Issa Juma and Super Wanykia Stars--World Defeats the Grandfathers: Swinging Swahili Rumba 1982-1986.

At this very moment, we're enjoying Caetano Veloso's most recent album, which was released just this week: Zii e Zie.

This, of course, begs the question: Where can I purchase these wonderful albums, thus giving back to the world music community I--as a rabid fan--am part of?

Here's where...

Zii e Zie

World Defeats the Grandfathers

Hugh Tracey Feature from Wills

2010-03-30T11:58:00.002-04:00

Last week, we released a new Hip Deep show. For those that don't know, our Hip Deep shows are humanities-rich Afropop shows that delve much deeper into the culture and history surrounding the music we profile. Wills Glasspiegel just finished a piece on field recordist HUGH TRACY, who was to southern Africa what Alan Lomax was to the Americas. Check out the program page on our brand-new Hip Deep site here:

DISCOVER AND RECORD: THE FIELD RECORDINGS OF HUGH TRACEY

Music nerds, GEEK OUT!

--Matt

Habib Koite Concert @ HighLine: Photos from Santi

2010-03-26T14:55:00.002-04:00

(POSTED BY MATT)
Well, spring has sprung and summer is right around the corner, judging from all of the great music happening. Soon, we'll be dancing at SummerStage again. In the meanwhile, we've already seen some great performers come through--Habib Koite was in town last week, performing at the HighLine Ballroom on Tuesday night and South Orange Performing Arts Center on Friday.

Santiago Felipe, our intrepid (and extremely underpaid) staff photographer snapped the following shots from Habib's NYC show...

Discount Tickets for Highline Shows: Sierra Leone All-Stars and Rokia Traore

2010-03-25T19:26:00.002-04:00

Highline Ballroom has generously offered the Afropop community $5.00 off two upcoming shows--

Sierra Leone All Stars--April 14
Rokia Traore--April 17

Head to HighLine Ballroom's Website, and plop the code AFROPOP into the form when you purchase your tickets.

Afropop is also reserving a few tables for the Rokia show for a CLUB AFROPOP. More info on that can be found on our website.

So much good music coming up!

Be in a Nollywood Movie at the Next NollywoodNYC Event!

2010-03-23T16:45:00.002-04:00

I just got off the phone with Oji at NollywoodNYC, where he let me in on some fantastic news--not only will some of Nollywood's biggest stars be out in full force THURSDAY night for the next NollywoodNYC event, but they'll be filming scenes for a new movie at the event.

So, get there early, put on your best look, and perhaps you too will soon be a NollywoodNYC star...

--Matt

DETAILS...

Do join NollywoodNYC, and aficionados of Nollywood (the Nigerian film industry) in its unique after-work networking event for an exclusive movie preview and night of networking.

Do join surprise Nollywood actors and actresses live and direct from Nigeria!

After substantial and month long interior renovations, the space previously known as Boucarou has been retransformed to Betty’s!

NollywoodNYC is back with unfiltered cultural stimuli!

Come join the Nollywood culture and experience!
Meet and greet industry professionals!
Food and drinks - Pepper soup, Suya, Palm wine, etc.

Raffle to win 2 tickets to Broadway hit FELA!
Raffle to win 2 match tickets for World Cup SA 2010 courtesy of media sponsor Africa.com

Event Details
Date: Thursday, March 25th, 2010.

Time: 6 until 11pm. Movie preview begins at 7pm and ends approximately at 9pm with some interludes.

Admission: $5.00 before 7pm.

Location: Betty’s Lounge. http://www.bettysnewyork.com
64 East 1st Street (btw 1st & 2nd Ave), New York, NY 10003
212.529.3262. F or V train to 2nd Ave. Take the 1st Ave exit.

Contacts: nollywoodnyc@gmail.com

New Web Feature from Guest Jake Bright

2010-03-23T15:56:00.002-04:00

(POSTED BY MATT)
A few months back, our friend Jake Bright (better known as DJake), spun at the Freetown, Sierra Leone club ACES. He was nice enough to put a feature together for us that covers his experience and delves deep into the current African music scene...

"E Wan D.J. Nar Yar": A New York D.J. Returns to Mix In Postwar Sierra Leone

New Afropop Live! Video on Kiko Klaus

2010-03-22T13:54:00.003-04:00

Much more from Kiko Klaus' NYC debut at Joe's Pub. Special shout out to Chico Science (RIP), whose fantastic video for Maracatu Atomico was posted on the blog a few weeks ago.

You can find out more about Kiko Klaus on his website.

Robert Farris Thompson @ MoCADA Tonight

2010-03-18T13:31:00.002-04:00

(POSTED BY MATT)

If you're free tonight and are looking for something FREE to do, we suggest the following:

Robert Farris Thompson: Eshu in the Americas
March 18, 6pm-8pm
FREE

MoCADA, 80 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Yale Professor of African & African-American Art History, Yoruba practitioner and internationally acclaimed author, Dr. Robert Farris Thompson will present a dynamic lecture/discussion on the Yoruba deity Eshu (the Trickster). Dr. Thompson will trace the deity's history from West Africa to the Americas and how the Yoruba religion is practiced today.

A Q&A will follow the presentation, and Dr. Thompson will sign his signature book Flash of the Spirit, along with a small reception.

The book will be available at MoCADA's store for $14.95.

www.africanart.org/programs/106/robert_farris_thompson_eshu_in_the_americas_copresented_with_mocada

For more information on Robert Farris Thompson and to hear the radio program we produced with him on Tango, check out our Hip Deep site.

Youssou N'Dour Tackles Reggae...WELL

2010-03-17T11:11:00.003-04:00

(POSTED BY MATT)
Youssou N'Dour has one of the most unique voices in the world, but what makes it so special is that he's able to work it seamlessly into so many contexts. Whether it's singing with Peter Gabriel (and providing the vocal climax to "In Your Eyes") or channeling the history of Islam with Egyptian arrangements (if you haven't seen I Bring What I Love, rent it as soon as possible), Youssou's voice sounds like it BELONGS.

Thanks to a video tip from Josh, I just found out that Youssou has found another context for his voice: reggae. Now, before you snicker (like I did), watch the following EPK video on his new album, Dakar-Kingston. You'll be blown away by how perfect his voice sounds over reggae beats...

This album was just released in Europe, and I'm trying to find out when we'll hear it here in the US.

Folks that have had a listen, please comment below!

Festival in the Desert Videos from Christopher Nolan

2010-03-16T17:04:00.002-04:00

(POSTED BY MATT)

We've been meaning to get these videos out to our Afropoppers for some time. You might remember, Christopher Nolan sent along a number of dispatches from the 10th Anniversary of the Festival in the Desert (Early JAN). He's followed up by posting a number of videos from the Festival on YouTube. You can head over to his YouTube Channel to view folks like Bassekou Kouyate, Amadou & Miriam, Khaira Arby, and more. Below, Festival Director Manny Ansar talks about the 10th Anniversary...

For all of Chris's posts and more, head to the Festival in the Desert 10th Anniversary Feature on Afropop.org.

Free Show: Bonga and The Vodou Drums of Haiti

2010-03-15T18:12:00.002-04:00

(POSTED BY MATT)
There's really nothing greater than seeing free music in New York City, and Kaisha from the Center for Traditional Music and Dance just passed this along to the Afropop Community:

'Bonga and The Vodou Drums of Haiti at Lincoln Center Atrium - Thursday, March 18th - FREE'

Kaisha says to get there by 7:30 or you might not be able to get in!

New Kiko Klaus Video from Afropop

2010-03-12T15:43:00.003-05:00

(POSTED BY MATT)
Next week, we'll have a fuller interview with Brazilian composer/guitarist/singer Kiko Klaus, as well as more concert footage from his US Debut at Joe's Pub in Manhattan. Here, Kiko treats us to an acoustic version of his song, "Pra me Encontrar."
Fun fact--Kiko is indeed sitting on my desk during this performance.

For more on Kiko, check out his website.

Gilberto Gil Video: Live in Concert with Maria Rita

2010-03-11T17:52:00.002-05:00

(POSTED BY MATT)
Gilberto Gil always has a way of creeping up on New York City without any of us knowing about it. Luckliy for us, he's done it again, and will be performing tonight in NYC at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square. In a Gilberto mood, I surfed around YouTube to see if I could find anything tasty for the blog, and came across this simply shot but simply delicious video of Gilberto playing and singing with Maria Rita:

This is the video currently playing on the official Gilberto Gil channel of YouTube. Surf on over and look at the most recent video, an interview of the man talking about his current tour.

?uestlove on Fela Kuti

2010-03-10T13:45:00.002-05:00

(POSTED BY MATT)
There's been a whole lot of Fela goin' on, especially with the Broadway debut of FELA! in October. It's amazing to see how many different artists have been affected by Fela Anikulapo Kuti--?uestlove, drummer for the Roots, talks about the effects he's seen in the music industry...

See full report...

We've got plenty more about Fela and FELA! on our website, including a report from the winner of our Afropop Trip to NYC to See Fela! on Broadway contest. Needless to say, she had a great time.

I myself will be seeing Fela! on Broadway (I saw it during its off-Broadway run) for the first time tonight.

X Plastaz Music Video

2010-03-09T16:05:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, Sean threw some X Plastaz (Tanzanian hip-hop) on the CD player and everyone's ears perked up (especially Dan's, as he knows Swahili). With the beats still bouncing around in his head, Gabe found this video, complete with English sub-titles, today. Enjoy!

Music and the Spirit of Haiti

2010-03-09T15:25:00.002-05:00

A teacher in Michigan recently posted a collection of NPR stories focusing on Haiti and its music on his blog, along with an assignment for his students. Thanks to Liza (once again) for coming across this interesting resource:

Music and the Spirit of Haiti

Maracatu Atomico Video from Chico Science

2010-03-08T15:03:00.005-05:00

(POSTED BY MATT)
I've been working with Sean and Julius to perfect our latest YouTube video on Brazilian Kiko Klaus' NYC Debut. During our interview with Kiko, he mentioned Chico Science as an influence. Sean was instrumental in connecting Chico to U.S. and international presenters back in the early 90s, althgouh I was unfamiliar. So, I sniffed around YouTube to see what I could find on Chico, and was blown away by this great video for "Maracatu Atômico" off of Chico's second (and sadly, final) album. He died in 1997, making me wonder--what would he have been doing if he were still around?

(P.S. -- I noticed some early '90s rock video influences--please comment if you can as well!)