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Photography by MANTSE ARYEEQUAYE
As we make ready for endless crowds to “Come to the Center of the World” on August 23 & 24, we give you more images of the artists who will jamming with us at the CHALE WOTE Street Art Festival 2014.
Strolling Goats in Accra with Chale Wote 2014, DJ Steloo
Selorm Jay + Yoyo Tinz are bringing Gbobalor Hiphop to Chale Wote 2014
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.
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.
Motivated by an ambition to tell his own story – a Kumasi story to the world – KO-JO CUE is one of the few Ghanaian rappers who treats lyricism like a fine art. Three months after the release of his seventh mixtape – Before We Shine II [The Cremation of Care] – and we still have the MC on weekly replay. Kumasi isn’t known for being a rap haven but despite this Ko-jo Cue’s been able to win over both obsessive and occasional hip hop lovers. He just spits those fresh rhymes you can’t get enough of.
Hands down one of the dopest MCS you’ve probably never heard of. Dude definitely spits fire. Like dayyyuuuumm….
We’re happy to have LYRICAL WANZAM join the show this year. May he stretch you with his AfroPolyTank flows and his chicken strut [*watch the video to find out what the scooby doo hell we’re talking about].
Check Wanzam in action on the IND!E FUSE 2012 mainstage this Saturday, December 15th from 7:30 – 11:00pm at Alliance Francaise.
See LYRICAL WANZAM live at IND!E FUSE 2012 | @LyricalWanzam
On FRIDAY<DEC14th, catch our mashup boutique at The Republic Bar + Grill in Osu (make the first right after Frankie’s, place is on your right). We’re starting the party @9:00pm with DJ sets from Jason Kleatsh, Kweku Ananse, SanSe and DJ Kev and collabos with Rumor [Skillions Records], HollaBlak, Looney the TKR, Oga Chuxx, Steloo + Yaw P, Eli and Fatul. 5ghc @ the door.
M.ANIFEST | photo by ACCRA [dot] ALT
LYRICALWANZAM | photo by Clockwork Media
FUNKY COLD MADINA is not only the name of Tone-Lōc‘s 1989 hip hop classic but a fitting reference to two of Ghana’s most ice cold emcees (*however, Lōc’s version is spelled Medina).
M.anifest and Lyrical Wanzam – who both grew up in the Accra suburb of Madina – team up and trick out this track about having fun with life, “Sheygey Reasons” (pidgin for “for foolish reasons” or “for the sake of it”). Producer Kwam1 flips highlife upside down with Vis-a-Vis + K. Frimpong’s 1977 muse “Obi Agye Me Dofo” (Someone Has Taken My Lover).
The MCs have had a succulent mango kind of year. M.anifest created new music for the Rocket Juice + The Moon album (released in March 2012) performing with Damon Albarn (of the Gorillaz), Tony Allen, Flea, Erykah Badu, M3NSA (of FOKN Bois), and Fatoumata Diawara. In June M.anifest performed live on Big Brother Africa 7: Stargame! for millions of television viewers continent-wide and just last month he jam-packed a show at Africa Express in London.
Word on the street is that Wanzam is beginning work on his first EP project. His AfroPolyTank mixtape received 10,000 downloads in the first week of its release in February 2012 causing cats to sit up right and take notice. The lyricist is signed to the management label Fullish Art and record label, Cryme Records.
BUMP this joint in your speakers. For sheygey reasons.
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