The Warrior Healer series is an ode to enlightening souls of the continent whose visions inspire me. Warrior Healer returns to spread the wisdom of Thomas Mapfumo. Through the sounds and words of his Chimurenga music, Mukanya guided a generation of Zimbabweans to independence. His struggle soundscape is timeless and echoes our present state of crisis…Continue reading “The Warrior Healer presents… Thomas Mapfumo”
Category Archives: Music Specials
‘Rwandans cannot live without music’: a conversation with Mighty Popo
‘I didn’t choose traditional music, I chose music. But in tradition, I find my roots and I wouldn’t be able to do anything without that.’ Mighty Popo is both a well-known artist and director of Rwanda’s first public music school. While we were talking about Rwanda’s creative industry one beautiful evening in Kigali, he told me aboutContinue reading “‘Rwandans cannot live without music’: a conversation with Mighty Popo”
Toumani Diabaté on the links between the kora and the Quran
The nondescript house on the corner of Rue 652 in Bamako’s N’Tomikorobougou district is the place where Toumani Diabaté, a master of the kora, spends many of his afternoons. It’s not the house where he lives, but it certainly is a place where he relaxes, and finds inspiration. He lives with his children and firstContinue reading “Toumani Diabaté on the links between the kora and the Quran”
AFROPUNK is coming to London
AFROPUNK, the alt-black culture festival hailing from Brooklyn have chosen London as their latest destination, riding the wave of excitement post-AFROPUNK Paris this June. You may have spotted these ominous posters dotted around East London if you’re in town as a mark of what’s to come: https://www.instagram.com/p/BGXE-sJjnOK/?tagged=afropunklondon Ace Hotel in Shoreditch hosted AFROPUNK’s inauguralContinue reading “AFROPUNK is coming to London”
Papa Wemba: the King of Rumba, ‘le Prince de la Sape’ (1949 – 2016)
Today, Papa Wemba passed away during a concert in Abidjan. A Congolese, African, and world music icon, he left us doing what he will always be remembered for: mesmerising performances, rumba, soukous, and his contagious joy of life. My dad first introduced me to Papa Wemba’s album Pole Position, and I would often spend SundayContinue reading “Papa Wemba: the King of Rumba, ‘le Prince de la Sape’ (1949 – 2016)”
Papa Wemba, rumba rocker and king of the Sapeurs, dies age 66
Papa Wemba suffered a seizure while on stage at an urban music festival in Abidjan, the Festival des musiques urbaines d’Anoumabo (FEMUA) according to Congolese radio station Okapi. [recommended id=22381] Papa Wemba (also known as Jules Presley Shungu Wembadio) was one of the leading figures in the Congolese music scene and released more than a dozenContinue reading “Papa Wemba, rumba rocker and king of the Sapeurs, dies age 66”
‘Our heart beats the same’… Pan-African artists from Bahia to Haïti meet in Cape Verde
For the thousands of slaves transported from Senegal across the Atlantic, Cape Verde was the last sight they had of Africa. Today, the country is a meeting point for the diaspora. Its creole population has roots in Europe, Africa and Latin America and the cultural life of the islands is influenced by these diverse origins. The Atlantic Music Expo (AME)Continue reading “‘Our heart beats the same’… Pan-African artists from Bahia to Haïti meet in Cape Verde”
TRUE Africa Mix #2: ‘Original Sound of Durban’ from Gqom Oh!’s Julz Da Deejay
The second instalment of TRUE Africa’s mix series curated by Ethiopian Records. We head to Durban to interview Julz Da Deejay. Julz Da Deejay was born in Durban in 1996. Originally from the neighbourhood of Newlands East, he moved to Durban’s South Beach. He started producing music in mid 2011 and is now signed toContinue reading “TRUE Africa Mix #2: ‘Original Sound of Durban’ from Gqom Oh!’s Julz Da Deejay”
From Cassper Nyovest to Black Coffee: the best moments of 2015 in South African music
Before we catapult into 2016, it’s only fair that we pay homage to 2015 by looking back at some of the moments that will forever remind us of the year that’s gone. From a South African perspective, many will remember 2015 as the year of #FeesMustFall and when Trevor Noah – a South African – succeededContinue reading “From Cassper Nyovest to Black Coffee: the best moments of 2015 in South African music”