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”

Yasmin Furmie’s new line for Missshape Ambassadors

The new Missshape Ambassadors collection will launch online today. This will be the  third installment of the campaign is collaboration with Yasmin Furmie. Furmie’s story in fashion is an unusual one, from her modelling days in Sydney and LA, to her involvement in social work projects and now, as rising star figure on the South African fashion scene.

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.

 

ART SPEAKS LOUDER IN THE STREETS OF ACCRA: #CHALEWOTE2014

Photography by GHANYOBI MANTEY , KOBE SUBRAMANIAM & ACCRA DOT ALT

Accra’s deepest history lies in James Town, the original port city leading to the
development of Ghana as a nation. James Town is a time capsule and a treasure
trove all at once. The place is filled with beautiful colonial architecture and
spirited boxing legends, a tumultuous history of the transatlantic slave trade and
and a people’s diehard spirit to remember who they are. Here a constellation of
families, cultural practices, and aquatic livelihoods persistently remix James
Town’s past, present and future. It is a place of endings and beginnings, of
ongoing deaths and rebirths.

IBRAHIM MAHAMA

SOCIAL REALITY

This installation covers a building with fabric made from coal sacks and wax print panels. This is a project of relational aesthetics. The architecture is seen as an extension of the body irrespective of it’s ” true relationship” with the site and its history.

THE ARTISTS BEHIND THE SCENES: CHALE WOTE 2014

Photography by MANTSE ARYEEQUAYE

As we ready ourselves for the CHALE WOTE Street festival 2014, we’d like you to familiarize yourselves with the works of some of the artists who are coming to the festival.

The Strolling Goats in Accra, DJ Steloo, Nii Aryittey, Abrokwah & Din.

DJ Steloo will be rocking the turntables at the Accra House Music DJ booth. Abrokwah A.K.A “Bike Lord” is getting ready to serve some Kpakpo Shito Bicycle stunts at Chale Wote 2014. Nii Aryertey and Din are part of the amazing Chale Wote 2014 production team.

Selorm Jay looking forward to the rebirth of GH Hiphop with Yoyo Tinz at Chale Wote 2014

Yoyo Tinz: Gbobalor

opposite Mantse Agbonaa

Gbobalor evokes the reincarnation of newborns in Ga. In the same way, Yoyo Tinz presents the evolution of hip hop culture in Ghana. This event will take hip hop lovers, spectators, community members, artists and art lovers on a journey into how broad and diverse Ghanaian hip hop culture truly is. On the bill: interactive freestyles, rap battles, dance, graffiti, beatmaking and much more.

NAIJA FUNK JUNKIE: VILLY MAKES ACCRA HOME

As told to Molly Sullivan | Photography by Mantse Aryeequaye

Villy gets his first experience at the Old Accra harbor in James Town-Accra

Nigerian Afro-fusion singer, Villy, describes his music as limitless – a free expression that breaks form and expectation. Inspired by a variety of artists, he blurs the lines between genres to create a distinct style that does not adhere to rules or guidelines. By combining rock, soul, hip hop, jazz and a consistent African influence, Villy has created a new sound that is accessible to all but firmly roots African music on the map. Accra got a proper feel for his music at last year’s IND!E FUSE.

Now Villy and his band (THE XTREME VOLUMES) have chosen to uproot and continue the music mission in Ghana, and they are not wasting any time. With a major concert coming up in a few weeks, we were happy to talk with Villy about Afro-fusion music, Nigeria’s wahala, and his move to Ghana.

Ghanaian Artist El Anatsui, First African Appointed at London’s Royal Academy

Ghanaian Artist El Anatsui, First African Appointed at London’s Royal Academy

via Ghanaian Artist El Anatsui, First African Appointed at London’s Royal Academy.

TALK PARTY SERIES Returns Tonight with INVISIBLE BORDERS

This month we’re teaming up with INVISIBLE BORDERS, an amazing cadre of photographers from Nigeria and other countries across the continent, as a part of The Accra Project. The group is stopping through town to show some of their work, share with us a short film about the project and participate in a chill conversation about art and photography.

Join us TONIGHT Friday, 19th July from 6-9pm for the Talk Party Series. We’re meeting up at the WEB DuBois Centre in Cantonments [behind the U.S. Embassy], Multipurpose Space.

Kobby Graham will be our moderator. DJ K3V is on the 1s and 2s. Live poetry, Cocktails provided by Absolut Vodka and Comfort food by Roots Restaurant. A smashing good time, indeed.

FOKN BOIS: The FOKN Interview

by AIGERIM SAPAROVA | photos by MANTSE ARYEEQUAYE

[Double-click on images to enlarge]

the FOKN BOIS at home in Accra | April 2013

If you’re ever lucky enough to meet Ghana’s very own FOKN BOIS aka Foes of Kwame Nkrumah, you’d immediately know one thing: they are both a bit bizarre. Not the deranged, repulsive kind of bizarre. More like a magnetic and high-energy hypnotic that comes from the MCs’ fearless humor.