Archive for June 2012
"BIG FAT DOG" by Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars [VIDEO]
The World Food Program USA and Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have joined forces to bring attention to the urgent issue of global hunger. The music video “Big Fat Dog” was filmed in Freetown, Sierra Leone and addresses an issue that’s all too familiar to Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars: the divide between those who have plenty and those who have little.
Formed in refugee camps in Guinea during the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have always sought to bring attention to important social and political issues in Africa and beyond. The fight against hunger in Sierra Leone is something the band members have experienced firsthand, and it continues to be a major issue at home and across the continent.
"Crown" by StaHHr [VIDEO]
This is the first video release from StaHHr’s latest album “Mother Nature with a Molotov: Molotov Season”. Filmed during the 2012 Malcolm X Festival that takes place in Atlanta, Ga every year. StaHHr had a vending table of product to manage, a performance (along with Dj Jah Prince) as well as indulge in the numerous networking opportunities that present themselves in this environment. Not to mention the countless amount of love she receives from close friends, associates and fans. The video showcases these activities as well as the overall grind and work ethic a solo/independent artist has to put forth in order to achieve their goals.
This is the second StaHHr video directed, recorded and edited by the duo Goldi Gold and C.Flux.Sing.
DIAFAR "We're Here" (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - Rap Campaign Against Racism: Argentina
This video, sponsored by DIAFAR (African Diaspora in Argentina) is part of their Rap Campaign Against Racism. The video features a cameo from CHUCK D! as well as a number of well-known Argentinian rappers. It’s a really catchy track!
Rappers featured are Fidel Nadal, MC Marciano, 07Socvar, Jesús Vázquez, Juan Sativo, El Chojín, Leeva, Alemán Grup, El Guapo MC & Chuck D.
UNITED STATES OF AFRICA: Beyond Hip Hop [FILM]
Read Sean Jacob’s review on africaisacountry.com: http://tinyurl.com/82x2ce8
African hip hop pioneer Didier Awadi is on a quest to craft an album that pays tribute to the great black revolutionary leaders and their struggle to realize a dream: a united, independent Africa. In this epic musical and political journey, Awadi visits some 40 countries to collaborate with hip hop activist artists, including Smockey (Burkina Faso), M-1 of Dead Prez (United States) and ZuluBoy (South Africa). Read more
Autopsy of a Nation - Political hip hop in Togo [ARTICLE]
Check out this thorough article by our good friend Benjamin LeBrave from Akwaaba Records. He gives a personal account of his experience navigating the hip hop scene in Togo, complete with video and listening examples!
Autopsy of a Nation – Political hip hop in Togo
by Benjamin Lebrave
“What are the Togolese injecting in their ears, and how does it come about? To best answer these questions, I had some fascinating discussions with Elom Vince, a remarkably well-informed and active rapper from Lomé, Togo.”
Gaël Faye feat Tumi - "Blend" OFFICIAL VIDEO
Gaël Faye is half Rwandan, half French. You might recognize him from the Paris hip hop outfit Milk Coffee & Sugar. He lived in Bujumbara until the war struck.
Gael’s solo album is called ” Pilli Pilli sur du croissant au beurre” Some of the guests featured on the album are Julia Sarr (love her), Tumi,Ben L’Oncle Soul,Ousmane Danedjo,Pytshens Kambilo, Aesène Yodé and more.
254-256 CYPHER (Kenyan and Ugandan MCs)
254 is the area code of Kenya and 256 is the area code of Uganda. This cypher video, edited by Martha (flicker films) Features MCS from both regions.
Kenyan MCS include G-dash, Kalahari Jeshi (Nairobi) and Nafsi Huru from Mombasa. Cyno MC and Burney MC both members of the Luga Flow Army from Uganda.
Akua Naru- "The Journey...Aflame" OFFICIAL VIDEO
Nomadic Wax Exclusive Premiere: Akua Naru’s “The Journey… Aflame”
written by Amanda Macchia
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Akua Naru is on fire, but she’s only just begun. Check out the premiere of her video “The Journey… Aflame”
Back in February of 2012, international hip hop poet Akua Naru brought her band Digflo and a few other guest musicians into the studio to record and film a live session album. Live & Aflame is a remix of Akua’s debut release, Journey Aflame. In this new record and video series, Akua’s centered ferocity and performative poetics translates into something unbelievable, bridging the gap between the writer’s kinetic performances and the sounds of the studio. Read more
AKALA Ft. SELAH - A MESSAGE (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
From the mixtape ‘Knowledge is Power‘
Big ups to Akala and Selah for having the strength to speak about the negative effects of male supremacy on families and society.
The Rookies- Spirit of Silence
The MISFITS are super dope dance crew. This video features some of the newer, younger members of the crew. The song is “Indian Click” by the group VERBAL CLICK.
“Inspiration is like meditation.
Silence is sometimes needed to fully focus on the simple, use it to feel the music & movement.”
