I Dey Craze

African Food and Arts Festival

2011-07-14T12:07:00.006-04:00

Taken from the facebook event page:
"This event is to provide opportunity for Ottawa families to relax and be entertained in an Afro-centric environment while gaining a deeper appreciation of the countries of Africa - their foods, culture, history, geography, economic and development issues.

Come in and enjoy ethnic foods, arts & crafts, music & other entertainment. Representatives of several African communities will be present."

Don't miss it! Purchase your ticket today at Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/mTgs49

It will be held on Ottawa's City Hall on July 16th!

Come one, come all! *Ghanaian accent*

Festival Nuits d'Afrique!

2011-07-14T11:53:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone!!

Festival Nuits d'Afrique in Montreal is back!! I'm so excited! 2 weeks of different concerts and activities for everyone.

I'm too excited for Meiway, Oumou Sangare, Kassav and Soukous Stars!

Check out the website at: http://www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com/en

See you there! :)

I Have My Liberty! Gospel Sounds from Accra, Ghana

2011-06-28T12:57:00.005-04:00

I received an email from Calpin Hoffman-Williamson who is a Philadelphia-based audio engineer and producer of I Have My Liberty! Gospel Sounds from Accra, Ghana.

A description of the project:

I Have My Liberty! Gospel Sounds from Accra, Ghana is an album of songs and performances recorded live from the churches of Ghana’s capitol city.

Amid Accra’s bustling sprawl of swirling dust and exhaust, are countless havens for homegrown musical expression: charismatic and Pentecostal-inspired church services. There, distorted PA systems anchored by female singers and ramshackle guitars played by a rotating cast of local men, weave in and out of popular melodies bringing congregations to their feet. Singers emote in repeated phrases, lifted by tambourines, claps, and percussion, to unite their voices in praise and worship. I Have My Liberty! takes listeners into these churches, where congregations silence the noise and process the anxieties of their West African metropolis.

credits

released 24 April 2011
produced by Calpin Hoffman-Williamson
mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk

I urge you all to check out this amazing project!

Listen to the album in its entirety at: ihavemyliberty.bandcamp.com

Read the I Have My Liberty! blog at: ihavemyliberty.tumblr.com

Download and share select songs at: soundcloud.com/ihavemyliberty

I'm back!!

2011-06-28T12:09:00.005-04:00

Hello everyone!! It's been too long since i've updated this blog.... but in the coming days, weeks and months...prepare to be blown away by more posts on music from the motherland!! With the Ottawa Jazz festival, Festval Nuits d'Afrique in Montreal and many other African summer concerts, I'll be sure to keep you all posted!!

I'm going to see the South African legend Hugh Masekela perform today at the Ottawa Jazz Festival! I'm so excited!! Are you?!

I hope he performs my favourite song:

Stay tuned my friends! :D

Qui est derrière toi?

2010-10-06T17:48:00.000-04:00

Now that i've moved to Ottawa, it's so hard to find CD's and cassettes (yes I still have them lol) of African music. If I really want a CD, I have to travel to Montreal or Toronto to get them..as most of the CD's I want aren't available for purchase online, or the full track isn't available. :( But being a broke student, that's not very often. *hint, hint* lol
I was trying to be cheap and look for torrents and downloads of it but there weren't any.

Anyways moving on, Ferre Gola is one of my favorite Congolese singers at the moment, and as promised in an earlier post about Ferre Gola, here's some tracks from his latest album "Qui est derrière toi?" which is a 2 CD album. Mehn, the way I had to SEARCH for this album no be small! Kai! That's how much I love his music, even though I don't understand what the hell he's saying. The CD as in the majority of Congolese CDs these days is a blend of the fast-tempo Ndombolo and slower Rumba tracks.

Tracklist:
1. 3 ème doigt
2. Generique bokoko
3.Bequille
4. Match Eza Wooh
5.Qui est derrière toi?
6. Je t'attend
7. Diki Diki
8. Kamasutra
9.Légume
10. Zazou
11.Andy Mputu
12. Insuline

QUI EST DERRIERE TOI DOWNLOAD

Fresh 'ish from the Motherland

2010-07-27T00:09:00.000-04:00

Why hello there everyone! Yeah, yeah it's been MONTHS since I posted.

*looks around* You know...school...work... the World Cup... depression after Ghana's heartbreaking loss to Uruguay :$%:#:@$ Suarez :@ $#%#......but i'm back! Yay! :) I appreciate the random messages I recieved asking for new songs :)

Anyways over the months i've just been stacking up on new and old music from the motherland and i'll share the love...

Here's a MASH up mix from all corners of the motherland :) ..enjoy!

Tracklist:

1. Umsebemzi Wami - DJ What What (South Africa)

2. Ghana Lady - Appietus ft Mframa (Ghana)

3. The Uncomfortable Truth - Nneka (Nigeria)

4. La Danse du Mannequin - Yannick le Mannequin ft Petit Pays (Cameroon)

5. Tchongon Cite - Abou Smith (Cote d'Ivoire)

6. La Jungle - Fally Ipupa (DR Congo)

7. Yaaye - Gorgui Ndiaye (Senegal)

8. Somalia - K'Naan (Somalia)

9. Pike, Pike - DJ Patrick fr Agre. G (Angola)

10. Koune Araafti Mali Entier - Najat Aatabou (Morocco)

MOTHERLANDIAN MIX DOWNLOAD

Senegal represent!

2010-02-12T14:01:00.000-05:00

I'm a huge fan of Senegalese music...and their football (soccer team)... well in the 2002 FIFA World Cup I was ..since then they haven't impressed me at all. Sorry Senegalese folk lol. Anyways this posting is of Mbalax (probounced mbalakh) music in which "Etoile de Dakar (starring Youssou N'Dour and El Hadji Faye), and Raam Daan (starring Thione Seck)"(1) ,are credited in helping to nurture the evolution of mbalax into an internationally recognized style. It's a fusion of "Sabar" (the tradition drumming of Senegal) with the electric guitar, brass and keyboard rhythms.

Here are some fresh tracks from a "mixtape" called "Mbeuguel Da Fa Khew Vol. 2".

1. Amitie - Youssou N'dour & Viviane N'dour
2. Diama Noir - Aida Ndiaye * my fave
3. Beuss Bi - Abdou Guitte Seck
4. Yaaye - Gorgui Ndiaye
5. Sama Gamou - Youssou N'dour
6. Music- Titi
7. Niit - Youssou N'dour
8. Jangaro - Abdou Guitte Seck

Mbalax Download Link

*attempts to dance sabar* Man.... dancing to Mbalax is a workout *gasps* lol google it up and you'll see what i'm talking about.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbalax

LOL I know wikipedia is sometimes not a credible source..hehe no profs nearby :P

GO BLACKSTARS, GO BLACKSTARS GO!

2010-01-13T22:25:00.000-05:00

In honour of my national team THE GHANA BLACK STARS, here's some patriotic music to ignite our run to win the AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS and in June - the FIFA WORLD CUP! Oh yes I believe in my team!!! *waves hand in praise*

Y'all might think i'm crazy, but I prepare my mind, body and soul before big Blackstar games. Some of these songs are part of my "praise and worship" session before watching the game. Yes football (soccer) is my religion and i'm not ashamed to admit it lol.

Ghanaian National Anthem

Ghana 2008 CAN Anthem

Oseyie - Hiplife All-Stars

Black Stars - Sway

Ferre Gola!

2010-01-07T22:27:00.000-05:00

Happy belated new year! Yeah it's been a while since I posted something. Times are rough but i'm still here! lol

Anyways, i've been listening to these two songs non-stop since 2 weeks ago... oh man! Ferre Gola is one of my favourite artists right now. He has an amazing voice and even though I don't understand what the hell he's saying. His newest album (Qui est Derrière Toi) came out in October and i'll post some of the tracks in a later post.
For those of you that don't know who he is, his real name is Hervé Gola Bataringe and was born in Kinshasa, DR Congo in 1976.
Besides his great voice, he plays the piano and drums. He was discovered in 1995 by Werrason back then when he was a member of the group Wenge Musica during a fair. This discovery launched the career of the singer.

P.S: The videos are kinda "wack" but the songs are nice....and he's fine too ;)

Meiway

2009-11-27T23:35:00.000-05:00

*eats last chunk of fufu* ....ahem.....

One of my favourite artists, Frederic Ehui- better known as Meiway- rules dance floors all over Africa. Using zoblazo (a catchy rhythm from southern Cote d'Ivoire), Meiway has invented his own signature style throughout a career that has spanned more than 15 years. He sings in N'zema (a language spoken in Cote D'Ivoire as well as in Ghana) and French. Enjoy!!

Word!

Tracklist:
1. Fidelite- Papillon ft Meiway
2. Emeraude
3. Appolo
4. Ayibebou
5 .Les Genies Vous Parlent
6. Cellulaire
7. 300% Zoblazo
8. Miss Lolo
9. Kalaboule Man
10. Prends Mais Laisse

Meiway Download

African "Rave" Music

2009-10-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Man it's been a while since I posted something.....
School. Bills. Rent. You know how it is lol.

Anyways, over the past few years many new genres of "rave" music have started from all over Africa including Kuduro, Hiplife, Coupe Decale, Kwaito and so on.
They all have something in common. It's about freedom of expression. It's about youth spilling onto the dance-floor and experimenting with a wave of old and new sounds and of freedom of association. It's all about escape from the hardships of life. Life is tough in the motherland, sh*t it's not easy being a youth in general wherever you live.
Y'all know when you're sick of life and you HIT the dance-floor, all your problems just melt away (Well it's true for me..I don't know about you lol). If you know me very well... I DANCE my problems away lol.
Here's a collection of some of my favourite tunes right now that I blast in my speakers...whether i'm in the library gettin' my learn on, or in my room bored as hell.

Here we go:

1. Zingolo (South Rakkas Crew Remix) - Tinny (Ghana)
2. Kwata-Kwata - DJ Eridson (Angola)
3. Wena - Esau Mwamwaya (Malawi)
4. Logobi (instru) - Zaza Twins (Cote D'Ivoire/France) *this beat is too sick!
5. Decale Mon Afrique - DJ Vielo (Cote D'Ivoire)
6. Kaggua - Ku-Bo ft Tshila (Uganda/Austria)
7. Sane Eba - Zakee Kuduro ft. Anbuley (Ghana/Austria/Philly)
8. Un Gaou a Oran - Magic System ft 113 & Mohamed Lamine (Cote d'Ivoire/Algeria/Mali/France)
9. Straight 2 Your Head - Lil Kenny (Zimbabwe/USA)

>>African "Rave" Music Download<<

Congolese Divas

2009-08-11T21:12:00.000-04:00

DRC STAND UP!

This post is 2nd of a series of posts focusing on divas of the African continent (1st post being Malian Divas).

Enjoy!

Tracklist:

1. Mina Kupenda - Vonga Aye
2. Koumba - Tshala Muana
3. Femme Commercante - Mpongo Love
4. Massu - Jolie Detta & Yondo Nyota
5. Nakei Nairobi - M'bilia Bel
6. Kupepe Suka - Abeti Masikini
7. C'est Dur la vie D'une Femme Celibataire - Baniel & Nana
8. Bazo - Yondo Sister

Congolese Divas Download

Petit Pays!

2009-07-26T10:30:00.000-04:00

Cameroon stand UP!

In honor of Petit-Pays doing a series of concerts in North America (so excited!!), here's his 2nd album and one of my favourites "Ancien Parigo":

A lil' background info taken from http://crawfurd.dk/africa/petitpays.htm :

Behind the artist name of Petit Pays is Adolphe Claude Moundi, born in Douala (Cameroon) in 1967. He started early playing music, but also studied law in Paris. Petit Pays has had a professional music career since the late 1980's when he teamed up with the producer Eyabé Kwedi. He has written hundreds of songs and several has become big hits, first of all in Cameroon and West Africa. On many albums Petit Pays plays with his band called "Les Sans Visas" (The Sans Visa International).

The numerous albums of Petit Pays are first of all dance music influenced by Makossa, Soukous, the more slow and sensual Zouk and sometimes a little touch of salsa. Makossa is the traditional music originating from the Douala region of Cameroon. The lyrics are often quite steamy, but that probably doesn't do any damage to his popularity.

>>>Ancien Parigo Download <<<

Malian Divas

2009-07-09T19:09:00.001-04:00

Here's a collection of traditional Malian music sung by some of Mali's prominent female musicians. These songs feature the 'kora', a harp-like instrument dominant in traditional Malian music, and the balafon, which is like a xylophone, also common to Malian music. These women have such amazing voices....trust me you'll be blown away. Word. Oh and some of the songs were ripped straight from cassettes, so if the volume is a bit low, don't worry, it's not your computer messing up.

P.s: That's Oumou Sangare in the picture. Isn't she beautiful? ;)

Tracklist:
1. Anka Mali Ba - Djeneba Seck
2. Santolema - Sadio Kouyate* (my favourite :) )
3. Korodia - Na Hawa Doumbia
4. Na - Ramata Diakite
5. Guede - Kandja Kouyate
6. Kanimba - Siramori Diabate
7. Akafo - Oumou Sangare
8. Farafina Mousso - Naimy Diabate
9. Astou Damba - Djamy Kouyate
10. Djeneba Diallo - Tata Bambo Kouyate

Malian Divas Download

A Rough Guide to Coupe Decale

2009-06-30T00:44:00.000-04:00

On va coupé, on va danser ....
Get ready to JAM!

Tracklist:

1. Aladji - Jeff Bongolo Bango
2. Fete a Saga - Douk Saga
3. Wolosso - Dollar DJ
4. Seka Seka - DJ Mareshal
5. Sentiment Moko - DJ Kaloudji
6. Bobaraba - DJ Eloh & DJ Mix
7. Les Bienfaiteurs - Dino Malachie
8. Faire le Cho - Anaconda
9. Kpangor - DJ Arafat ft Debordo
10. Améliore ta Vie - DJ Molokai
11. Sans Guèbè - Doliziana Debordo ft Majistral DJ
12. Coupé-Tué - Les Tueuses
13. Coupe Decale Crunk - The Bird ft Mano 2 Mano
14. Dans la Foret du Congo - DJ Kedjevara

A Rough Guide to Coupe Decale Download

Koffi Olomide! "Mopao Mokonzi"

2009-06-19T01:13:00.000-04:00

This man's a LEGEND in Congolese and African music in general. He has dominated music charts across the continent and abroad with a combination of his deep baritone voice, sophisticated arrangements, lively beats, and his blending of old school Congolese rumba with a new-school twist. To sum it up...he's just AMAZING. He has 50 + albums to his credit and a career spanning over 30 years, and the man is still making music.

He's one of my favorite singers of all time...word up!

Here's a rough guide to Koffi's music:

Koffi Olomide Download

Tracklist:
1. Loi
2. Tsiane
3.Moustiquaire
4.Washington
5. Ma Fille
6. Roseau
7. Silivi
8.Somalien
9.Spaghetti
10. Longitima Skol
11. Papa Plus
12. Elixir
13.Classe Tendresse

African Rebel Music: Roots, Reggae and Dancehall

2009-06-12T02:06:00.000-04:00

Presenting hits from 10 countries ‘African Rebel Music – Roots reggae and dancehall’ gives a preview of the reggae dancehall movement in Africa. Get ready to dance! Heba!!

Tracklist:

1.Owange RMX - Peter Miles (Uganda)
2.Africa Unite - E.A.R.B.C. (Kenya/Uganda)
3.Bad Boy - 994 Crew (Mauritania)
4.TonTon D'America - Tiken Jah Fakoly (Cote D'Ivoire)
5.Wachita Over - Leo Muntu (Zambia)
6.Handsome - Prince Dully Sykes (Tanzania)
7.African - H2O - (featuring Zubz) (South Africa)
8.Sensimilia - Mad Melon/Mt. Black (Nigeria)
9.Bless My Room - Necessary Noize (Kenya)
10.Wouty Zion - Baay Sooley - (featuring Carlou D/Country Man) (Senegal)
11.One Vive One Flow Pt. 2 - Bantu/PBS (Nigeria/Senegal)
12.Wooyo - Alif (Senegal)
13.We Must Rebel - Rebellion The Recaller - (featuring Suns Of Light) (Gambia)
14.Shashamane on My Mind - Sydney Salmon & The 12 Tribes Of Israel Band (Ethiopia)
15.Gatyeni - Teba (South Africa)
16.Love Somebody - Small Axe (Uganda)
17.Lambori - Batman - (featuring Gogome) (Ghana)

African Rebel Music Download

Tribute to Kofi Ghanaba a.k.a Guy Warren

2009-06-08T11:59:00.000-04:00

One of Ghana's most prolific drummers; Kofi Ghanaba (Guy Warren, Kpakpo Kofi Warren Gamaliel Harding Akwei), drummer and journalist, was born 4 May 1923 and died 22 December 2008.

Taken from the Journal of African Music and Popular Culture:

As a composer, drummer, and flutist Ghanaba recorded several other long playing records, most of them in the 1950s and 1960s, among them Themes For African Drums (1958), The African Soundz of Guy Warrren of Ghana (1960), African Rhythms - The Exciting Soundz of Guy Warrren and his Talking Drums (1962), Emergent Drums (1963) and Afro-Jazz (1969). He became known in America for introducing the obonu drum to Jazz, a drum then referred to as “Talking Drum”. It had been unknown to Jazz before. Ghanaba was among the first to search for the creative possibilities of blending/and (re)connecting (African-American) Jazz with African or better Ghanaian modern popular as well as traditional music long before this became a creative powerhouse for many other musicians from Africa as well as the Americas.

In honor of his life, here's the full album Themes for African Drums - The Guy Warren Sounds (1958):
Themes for African Drums Download

Special Request: Kanda Bongo Man

2009-06-05T02:06:00.001-04:00

This album is a more up-beat compilation of Kanda Bongo Man's first two albums "Iyole" (1981) and "Djessy"(1982) released in 1990. I'm feelin' the album cover work lol
Also, check out Diblo Dibala's guitarwork ... mehn!! You gotta love that Soukous guitar.

Download link: Non-stop

Watch out for another Kanda Bongo Man post in the near future.

Reggae from Around di Worl'

2009-06-02T13:07:00.001-04:00

Tracklist
1. Bloodshed in Africa - Alpha Blondy (Cote D'Ivoire)
2. Love Me - Lucky Dube (South Africa) R.I.P :(
3. In Ghana - Rocky Dawuni (Ghana)
4. Alou Maye - Tiken Jah Fakoly ft Saramba Kouyate (Cote D'Ivoire)
5. Promised Land - Majek Fashek (Nigeria)
6. Roots Ragga - Kreyol Syndikat (France)
7. Jamaica Brasileira - Tribo de Jah (Brazil)
8. Liberation - Morgan Heritage (US/Jamaica)
9. Life - Dub Incorporation ft Tiken Jah Fakoly (France/Cote D'Ivoire)
10. Wadjou - Askia Modibo (Mali)

Reggae from around di' worl' download

A.B Crentsil

2009-05-31T22:55:00.000-04:00

A.B (Alfred Benjamin) Crentsil is one of Ghana's greatest highlife musicians. His career began in the 1960s as a member of El Dorado's Sweet Talks and the Ahenfo band. His many hits include (Anyen) Devil, Moses, I go pay you tomorrow and Papa Samo. Anyway here are some of his songs for your enjoyment:

Serekeye Duku

Papa Samo

I Go Pay You Tomorrow

Juliana

Anyen (Devil/Witch)

Angolan Kuduro

2009-05-31T00:11:00.000-04:00

Kuduro is the name of the genre of electronic-dance music from Angola which started in the late 80's-early 90's. It began with Angolan DJ's experimenting by mixing soca, techno, traditional Angolan music and calypso to create a new unique sound. You haven't heard anything like this... all I can tell you is that it's DOPE! Here are some tracks for your listening pleasure:

Endjuko Tipuluke - Bruno M

Sem Maneiras - DJ Patrick

Zuata-Zuata - Puto Prata

Fiquei Malaiki - Os Turbante

Sentem - DJ Bobo J