My interview with Blakk Rasta, Ghana’s most famous reggae star, has not started well. Who’d have thought a Ghanaian Rastafarian would actually turn up on time – at 9am on a Saturday? I certainly didn’t expect it… so I’d spent most of the night drinking in what I dimly recall was a red leather-lined cage inContinue reading “Blakk Rasta: If Bob Marley were alive today he’d be infusing African beats into reggae”
Category Archives: Music Specials
All Africa Music Awards nominations NOW OPEN for you to apply
The 2017 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, has officially kicked off. Artistes, managers, producers, record label owners, video directors, publicists and entertainment and music journalists are invited to submit their work for consideration from today, May 8. Nominate yourself through the website to be in a chance of winning recognition. Knock Knock!!!#AFRIMACallForEntry starts TOMORROW! Submit yourContinue reading “All Africa Music Awards nominations NOW OPEN for you to apply”
IMPACT conference aims to get more women in the music industry
If you’re a young musician, you probably know how difficult it is to break into the music industry. This is why the Impact Music Conference, which is being held in Accra, Ghana, on April 26 and 27, is so important. Even better, it’s free. Women Allowed? The answer at the forthcoming IMPACT Music Conference inContinue reading “IMPACT conference aims to get more women in the music industry”
How black women saved music in 2016
‘This shit is for us.’ Finally. When I was asked to write a piece about how black women have (pretty much) saved music in 2016, Solange’s standout lyric, from F.U.B.U from her recently released A Seat At The Table immediately sprung to mind. We’re going through a renaissance of sorts; black narratives are becoming mainstream andContinue reading “How black women saved music in 2016”
From Wizkid to Temi Dollface and Alika: the MOBOs gave young talent a chance to shine
This year, the MOBO Awards are celebrating a major milestone – turning 20 years old. A week before the big event, the MOBOs held a pre-ceremony gala on 27 October 2016 where the awards for Best R’n’B/Soul, Best Gospel, Best Jazz and Best African acts were up for grabs. As you can imagine, the stars cameContinue reading “From Wizkid to Temi Dollface and Alika: the MOBOs gave young talent a chance to shine”
AFRIMMA Awards 2016 nominees announced
Afrikan Muzik Magazine Awards’ third edition is coming soon and the nominees are in. 2016 AFRIMMA Awards is being held on October 15, 2016 in Dallas, Texas at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters. https://www.instagram.com/p/BKH5d0lhazX/?taken-by=afrimma Selling itself as ‘the sole award ceremony in diaspora that caters to all musical genres’ there’s aContinue reading “AFRIMMA Awards 2016 nominees announced”
Head to Gaborone International Music and Culture Week
Botswana’s capital will be coming alive with music, poetry, comedy and more from August 27 to September 3. Gaborone’s third annual culture week is bringing together international stars like South Africa’s Black Coffee alongside home grown talent like Sereetsi & The Natives. Previous editions have been just as international; from Nigerian comedian Basketmouth to SA rapperContinue reading “Head to Gaborone International Music and Culture Week”
Head to Womad to experience legendary international acts live
Into world music? Then head to Womad (World of Musics, Art and Dance) taking place in the English countryside from July 28 to 31. [responsive id=’31890′ name=’2016/08/GettyImages-481901042.jpg’] Camp with friends, and explore the beautiful countryside of Wilstshite, where Womad takes place annually. Artists from across the four corners of the world will descend from Malia’sContinue reading “Head to Womad to experience legendary international acts live”
The Congolese rapper Alec Lomami on the legacy of Papa Wemba
When Belgium-born, DRC-raised and now South Africa-based Alec Lomami was last in Kinshasa, he got to meet Papa Wemba at his crib, where the two not only broke bread, but nearly got to make music together. It was a defining moment for Alec, who grew up to the music of a figure spoken of asContinue reading “The Congolese rapper Alec Lomami on the legacy of Papa Wemba”