SABOLAI RADIO PLAYLIST

Artist: SONGHOY BLUES

Video Title: AL HASSIDI TEREI

Malian music group Songhoy Blues put out this video for their debut single “Al Hassidi Terei,” off their up coming “Music In Exile” project. The group was formed as reaction to the unrest in Gao in 2012, which displaced them. In their quest not to be ruined by what had happened, they formed the Band. The debut album, “Music In Exile” is due to be released on February 23, 2015.

 

Artist: EMMY GEE

Video Title: RANDS and NAIRA FT. ICE PRINCE, CASSPER NYOVEST, PHYNO, ANATII +

After fair reviews for his debut single “Rands and Naira,” Nigerian rapper Emmy Gee has dropped a video for the remix of “Rand and Naira.” The song features “Alobam” hit maker Phyno, Ice Prince, Anatii, DJ Dimplez, Ab Crazy and Cassper Nyovest. This is a great effort at combating  Xenophobia in South Africa, but African rappers would sound so much better without the “Americanized” lyrics and unnecessary cursing. Its a good remix though to be fair.

NEW MUSIC AFRICA

Artist: PAPPY KOJO

Video Title: REALER NO FT. JOEY B

After their much talked about “Wave” single, Pappy Kojo and Joey B tag team on Pappy’s new single “Realer No”.  What stands out in the whole song is Pappy Kojo’s flow- We haven’t heard anyone make #Fante lyrics [spoken in the Western region of Ghana] sound so fresh since Kwaw Kese’s “Nonsense” circa 2004.  The blatant Hilfiger and New York Mets apparel is a bit confusing as Ghanaians don’t give a flying f*^@ about base ball let alone fashion by Hilfiger. Pappy and his gang could have gone for a much more interesting local aesthetic. The forced US HipHop tropes will throw you off but other than that, “Realer No” is a banger. Well to be fair some commentators online have mentioned how similar it sounds to “Wave”

FRESH MUSIC AFRICA

Here are the songs bumping on the streets of Africa.

Artist: Jayso

Video Title: MAKING TASHA PROUD

Rapper/Producer Paul Nuamah Donkor A.K.A Jayso has released a video for his hit single “Making Tasha Proud”off his untitled yet to be released album. The visuals are supposed to be based on real life events of an inspired fan.  The video was Shot in the UK and Accra, and fellow Ghanaian born Glasgow based rapper Kobi Onyame also makes a cameo.

 

Artist: REASON

Video Title: 2CUPS SHAKUR

South African rapper Reason has an anthem for grand booze fantasies “2Cups Shakur” off his latest album “Audio HD (AHD).” The Black and White portrait flashes dreamy moments of Reasons life of success and his expensive tastes. [youtube

 

NEW MUSIC AFRICA

We found these new jams and thought it wise to share with our readers. The artists below are folks you should be curious about. Enjoy

 

Artist: SIPHO the GIFT Video Title: SOMEWHERE [dir Sam Turpin] Sipho the Gift is originally from Kimberly in SA but is currently based in Stellenbosch. He produces his own music and is an extremely dynamic lyricist quite unique among other South African rappers. He is currently working on his debut project “Coming of Age” which should be out in 2015 and has been in collaboration with US rapper (of Congolese origin) Well$ from Immaculate Taste.

 

 

Artist: ICE PRINCE Video Title: WHISKY FT. SUNNY NEJI Nigerian rapper Ice Prince’s new video”Whiskey”  off his album “Fire Of Zamani”  is a poignant tribute to fallen heros and friends. The Video features legendary Nigerian highlife singer Sunny Neji.

 

CHALE WOTE 2014: THE FILM FESTIVAL

By Jase Tay

FOKN BOIS are coming to Chale Wote 2014 with COS OV MONI

We’re excited about CHALE WOTE 2014 and we can’t wait to see all you fine people out there show up. We have a lot of amazing things happening at this year’s event with an incredible slew of creatives who are sure to blow your mind.

Just like last year’s event, we’re holding a film festival where we’re showcasing what’s new, hot, fresh and upcoming on the continent and beyond, by talented African directors, from all over. We’re showcasing some awesome films you most likely haven’t seen yet, as well as premiering new films and documentaries. Have you seen the incredible Coz ov Moni by our homeboys, the FOKN BOIS? What about Blitz the Ambassador’s Native Sun, Terence Nance‘s phantasmic An Oversimplification of Her Beauty or Giacomo Pecci’s evocative Try and See? You also get to watch a set of stunning music videos that we’re bumping, plus catch up with ACCRA [dot] ALT’s activities.

E.L SAYS HE IS THE BEST RAPPER IN AFRICA

Ghanaian HipHop artist E.L says he is the best in Africa | Photo courtesy of the artist

Ghanaian hip hop artist E.L has crowned himself as the best rapper on the continent with the release of The B.A.R. Mixtape two days ago. That’s a ballsy proclamation. But it’s also the kind of confidence African music needs at this moment. A time where music makers across the continent are trending more and more on global, and particularly western, radars.

HOME FOR INSPIRATION: TAWIAH’S ACCRA REUNION

Stopping traffic in Downtown Accra

by MOLLY SULLIVAN | photos by ABASS ISMAIL and MANTSE ARYEEQUAYE

A year after her first Skype Talk Party Series experience, TAWIAH’s much anticipated return to Accra proved to be well worth the wait.

An intimate evening with the Ghanaian British singer/songwriter began with an open Q&A, where questions sprung out about her creative process and the musicians that influenced her at ages 8, 16, 24, and now (her list included gospel, Wu-tang Clan, Erykah Badu, Radiohead, Me’shell Ndegeocello, the Spice Girls, and her own stuff)

Posing with a thrift store owner in Downtown Accra

Accompanied by Tawiah’s commentary, we screened music videos from FREEdom DROP, her illmatic mixtape released last March. Videos for  “TearDROP”, “FACes”, and “SEAlion”– all teased the crowd into stunned silence. Tawiah shared with us the inspiration for these songs, the vision behind the videos, and amusing anecdotes from her creation process. She discussed the decision to set the music video for “FACes” in Accra, the choice to deviate from the standard song structure with “SEAlion”, and her inability to sink during the filming of “TearDROP”.

Posting up outside a clothing stall in Northridge

The evening concluded with a chillingly beautiful, live performance. Tawiah, poised for utter destruction, propped up her guitar on a knee, a loop station beneath her feet. There was a noticeable shift in the room when Tawiah began to sing – a collective leaning in of bodies gravitating towards the perfect plethora of sound making. The set included two new songs from a forthcoming album this year. Upon much pleading from the audience, Tawiah consented to perform again, this time with a slow jam remix of Soul for Real’s ’95 classic, “Candy Rain”.

Luckily, amidst the praise and congratulations from fans that followed, we were able to pull Tawiah aside for some final questions about the reception to FREEdom DROP, her two week visit in Ghana, and what to expect next from the musician.

RECALLING INDIE FUSE 2013: DAYS 2 AND 3

Story by BILLIE MCTERNAN | Photography by SELORM JAY

JAYSO, rapper, producer, CEO of Skillions Records, at IND!E FUSE.

DAY 2

On the second day, i.e. the SABOLAI RADIO Street Party, hordes of music lovers gathered at The Republic Bar & Grill in Osu to witness what some have called the “outdooring” of the new guard. Between the soulful folk bangers of Drunk Beggar Thief, the heavy drum and horn tunes from Fatau Keita and the HighLife-Flamenco fusion mashup of Kyekyeku – the Republic became a dance portal with bodies spiraling everywhere.

Drunk Beggar Thief tunes up-

Kwame Write- takes us to ‘church’.

Afua Asona –

China man Azonto

Dj Steloo up close and mixing it up.

RECALLING INDIE FUSE 2013: DAY 1

Story by BILLIE MCTERNAN | Photography by SELORM JAY

For those that are unfamiliar with IND!E FUSE, you should know that it is the country’s largest concert of independent artists that falls slap-bang in the middle of Ghana’s December party season.

Mensa of FOKN BOIS with the crowd.

When I came to Ghana in December 2012 it had been four years since I’d last visited the country. Up until that time I had been under the guardianship of family, shuttling from one family house to another, missing out on the vibrancy the city had to offer. I was looking forward to discovering an alternative experience. 

BLITZ THE AMBASSADOR HAS ACCRA CITY DREAMING AGAIN

Blitz takes in all the #Accra love

Going in red and deep. Blitz Taking it all in- #AfropolitanDreams concert #Accra 

In the shadows. #AfropolitanDreams comncert

Afrobeat/Jazz lengend Gyedu Blay Ambolley brought his illest Sax game to the jam. #AfropolitanDreams concert #Accra

Jamming with the drummer Syd- Embassy MVMT. #Accra