“The diaspora is part of my essence, from before my physical existence. I don’t embrace any nation or state. Everywhere I go, I surround myself with communities that embrace similar values as me. There’s a lot of work to be done in our communities everywhere.” – Bocafloja
Bocafloja is a pioneer, a member of the first generation of Mexico City’s hip-hop scene. “Somehow we built a platform that developed into a community,” he says. Since then, Bocafloja’s art and activism have taken him around the world. Today he bears a certain responsibility in the action of his art, an ideology that has been built over a decade of hip-hop and world travel. This video tells that story.
As a kid growing up, M.O.A’s (Minista Of Agrikulcha) parents were constantly playing the track “Sweet Mother” by Prince Nico Mbarga around the house. For M.O.A., the song came to symbolize his own mother, as well as strong African women around the world. Even as a 10 year old, the song had a major impact upon him. Fast forward to 2011- M.O.A. was reviewing a selection of beats sent to him by Sierra Leonian producer Olatunji Mason when he stumbled across one sampling ‘Sweet Mother.’ Brought back to his childhood, M.O.A wrote what he calls “the fastest 48 bars ever.” M.O.A. laughingly recalls the moment, “I literally got the email from Ola in the morning and an hour later was done writing.” A few phone calls later and M.O.A. had young Congolese singer Rafiya singing the chorus. The track, entitled ‘Sweet Moda,’ was recorded at legendary Larry Gold’s ‘The Studio’ in Philadelphia.
Here at Nomadic Wax, M.O.A.’s ‘Sweet Moda’ track is easily one of our favorite all time singles. Up there with Tumi’s ‘Once Upon A Time [in Africa],’ this track is an instant classic. Nomadic Wax Creative Director DJ Magee calls the track “genius.” The track is defined by M.O.A.’s smooth flow, seamless language transitions and varied flow patterns. The chorus is so catchy, and M.O.A.’s voice is infectious. M.O.A. is able to capture his experiences as a young man in West Africa, and here in the Diaspora, and his pride for his continent, all sentiments and experiences shared by some many people all around the world.
As it is one of our favorite tracks out there, our team pitched a remix campaign to M.O.A.. He jumped at the idea and today, we have our first remix of the original track. This one is by producer/emcee John Moon, of the innovative (and very dope!) live band hip hop collective the Cornel West Theory, based out of Washington DC. John flipped the entire sound of the track, giving it a more luxurious and spacey vibe as opposed to the original, more crunchy sample-based track. John was inspired by the track’s depth of storytelling: “There was a strong cinematic element to it. I could close my eyes and see the whole film unfold before me…” He was also drawn to “Sweet Moda” by the vocals: “…from Rafiya’s singing to M.O.A.’s verses there was a tangible African quality that was both foreign and familiar on a soul level.”
The remixed version feels like a whole new song. Who knew we could love M.O.A.’s track even more?
Senegalese rap duo Wagëblë release the video for “Oneday”– a single from their new album, Message of Hope. Looks like Waterflow cut his locks for the occasion! The track features Alphawon.
Soulful Singer Releases New Age African Anthem and Memorable Video
This great new track from Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter features a beat produced by DJ Nio of the Italian rap group Zero Plastica, which highlights Italian-Turkish guitarist Emiliano Bugatt. “Where I’m From” is a reggae-influenced track and a new age African pride anthem.
“Where I’m From” is available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. Read more
Subatomic Sound System will support Lee “Scratch” Perry in a future dub mix style, along with live bass player Paul Zasky of Europe’s Dubblestandart & veteran Jamaican percussionist Larry McDonald of Dub Is a Weapon.
Dates: 5/16 Washington DC The State Theater 5/17 New York City, NY* Gramercy Theater 5/18 Buffalo, NY* Town Ballroom 5/19 Nelsonville, OHIO* Nelsonville Music Fest 5/20 Indianpolis, IN The Vogue Theatre 5/21 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall 5/23 Minneapolis, MN* Cedar Cultural Center 5/24 Lincoln NE Bourbon Theater 5/25 Denver, CO Cervantes 5/26 Aspen , CO Belly Up
Subatomic Sound System will continue on solo
5/27 San Francisco, CA Dub Mission party at Elbo Room 5/31 Los Angeles, CA Afro Funke’ party at Zanzibar
Native Sun is a London based duo consisting of bilingual rapper Mohammed Yahya, born in Mozambique, South East Africa and singer-song writer Sarina Leah born in London with Caribbean roots. Joining forces in 2010 Native Sun was born fusing Hip Hop and African rhythms with the aim ofpromoting a message of Peace, Social Justice and Environmental Change.
“Indigenous Soundwaves”is beautifully compiled 10 track Album in which Sarina Leah’s sweet
melodies perfectly fuse addictive Afro-Beat Inspired head bouncing Hip Hop undertones,
conscious bilingual lyrics and catchy hooks perfect for a climate in need of an uplifting message.
Bocafloja is a rapper, poet, spoken word artist, and outspoken social communicator from Mexico City, Mexico. His new album, Patologias del Invisible Incomodo, dropped this past February. Here we have the first in a series of sixteen videos that are planned to go along with the album.
“Patologias del Invisible Incomodo is a concept album, where the interconnection and interdependence between each track means and includes a musical experience and discourse. This is not a collection of singles.”
Whether in the role of front man for world-music band Soulfege, hosting an award-winning TV show, or creating a better business model for independent artists, Derrick Ashong is just trying to communicate.
This track shows a different perspective of one of the most talented mc’s in Genova (Italy) ever: Lure. Lure is part of the Italian supergroup Zero Plastica. “Come fai” means “How can you do that?” and is a love song that shows Lure’s most intimate side. He raps here about a very passionate relationship with a girl that treated him very badly and made him suffer for a long time. Produced by MarcoG.
