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- Hip Deep is Afropop's media project dedicated to the idea that music is a key to understanding everything. Get hip deep into programs on how the music formed and informed cultures in Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas, plus companion interviews, features, discographies and more.
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KG Omulo: Ayah Ye!: Moving Train

A synergy of funk, rock, reggae and traditional African sounds from this inventive, young singer/songwriter.
Various Artists: Chief Boima Presents: Lone Stars - Hipco and Gbema
Mamadou Diabaté: Courage

Mamadou Diabate, the kora master, takes a fresh look at Mali instrumental music with his new CD Courage.
Various Artists: The Kankobela of the Batonga, Vol. 2

Mysterious melodies from a disappearing thumb piano tradition of Southern Africa.
Kiran Ahluwalia: Aam Zameen: Common Ground

Indo-Canadian Songwriter Combines Folk Poetry with African Rock, Jazz and more
M.anifest: Immigrant Chronicles: Coming to America
Sona Jobarteh: FASIYA

West African female kora virtuoso releases an album full of grace, warmth, and passion.
Sia Tolno: My Life

Kissi singer releases a strong second album full of pop-infused star power over songs of strife and triumph.
Zieti: Zemelewa

Eclectic blend of Afro-infused pop out of Cote d'Ivoire.
Guelewar: Halleli N Dakarou

Re-released and remastered live CD from this 80's experimental Senegambian outfit.
Tinariwen: Tassili

Touareg desert legends return with an offering that is meandering, sorrowful and proud.
Los Rakas: Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada

Oakland/Panamanian rappers -call it "Panabay"-- return with good results.
Cheikh Lo: Jamm

The unique Senegalese singer and multi-instrumentalist crafts an eclectically excellent record.
David Rudder: Random Notes

Calypsonian David Rudder returns with an album that covers various styles with excellent results.

All Reviews >>

Rachid Taha Tékitoi? Wrasse Records, 2004

Rachid Taha is a maverick among ’s rai rebels. This street-wise, hybrid genre made its way to the global stage with passionate, young singers challenging social taboos. Taha went further, eschewing the slick pop of Cheb Mami, and the feel-good, funky rai of Khaled in favor of a rough-edged, rock vibe. Taha’s brooding cover of the Clash (“Rock el Casbah”) is only the most obvious gesture amid a 14-track feast of finely crafted rawness unlike anything else in African music. Producer/guitarist Steve Hillage heads a team of collaborators, but for all the techno grooves and layering of gnarly guitars, Middle Eastern instruments, and a blustery string section, Taha keeps it real with his gruff, edgy vocals. The voice is not pretty. It extends from a ragged whisper to a mad roar, calibrated to suit messages of despair, longing, and anger at “liars, thieves, killers, and oppressors.” Taha is master of the terse, punk refrain on songs like “Meftuh/Open” and “Safi/Pure.” He’s also capable of high-concept rock bombast à la Led Zeppelin (“Nah’Seb/I Count”), and percolating, one-chord grooves reminiscent of Talking Heads (“Shuf/Look”). What endures is the expression of an angry man looking for hope and beauty in a soiled, broken world.