Oct 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: This Is African Music?!

By Todomundo

Song Artist Purchase
Gang Ber Ki Dako Otim Alpha
Bela Os Detroia
Summeryomuthi Blaq Diamond
Nkalakatha Mandoza
One Good Cry Global Ghetto
Bakka Pygmie Riddim Riddlore
It's Okay To Cry Yinka bernie, Joyce Olong
Who No Know Go Know The Cavemen.
Afroed Riddlore
Kure Ti Gonzi, Ishan
Coo Oromo Otim Alpha
Forest Nativity Francis Bebey
She Doesn't Love You Kondi Band, Mariama
I love you, I hate you Little Simz
My Power Nija
Yoyoyo Yemi Alade
Cotounou James Stewart
Ndim Iqhawe - Pt. 1 Simpphiwe Dna
1er Gaou Magic System
Nobody Ugly P-Square
Come Closer WizKid
Leg Over Mr. Eazi, Major Lazer
Ye Burna Boy
Aketesia Kontihene
Katerina Bruce Melodie
Venom Little Simz
Jerusalema Master KG
iLwa Ntombo Bobo Mbhele
Bella Ciao Tyler ICU
W I L D Lady Donli
SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY Amaarae
Dancina Yemi Alade
Koroba Tiwa Savage
Soul Clap SA Riddlelore
Polisi Dogo Niga
Agaba Kibati Bamba Pana
Sapienz Jay Mitta
Dubugwanjuba Nihiloxica
Kimbau Mbau Dogo Niga
Hard Screw Metal Preyers
Uganda with Sam Duma
Wateranga Bamba Pana
Queendom HHY & The Kampala Unit
Posa Na Bika Rey Sapienz
Snake Sacrifise Metal Preyers
Gang Oling Zing Zang
Ding Ding Nihiloxica
Ojuelegba WizKid
Batonga Angelique Kidjo
Bow SAULT
Obi Kontihene
Vuli Ndlela Brenda Fassie
Wonderful Burna Boy
Fauziah Alostmen
Chismiten Mdou Moctar
Onyeka (Baby) Burna Boy
Minus Me Alostmen
Siyaphi Kekelingo
Smile WizKid, H.E.R

About a month or so ago, I went down a rabbit hole of contemporary African music. I was initially led there by an artist's top 10 list in Artforum -- of all places. He mentioned a Ugandan collective called "Nyege Nyege", and when I checked out their playlist I was astounded... Radical electronic sounds, and textures like nothing I’d ever heard!

I had already been aware that quite a few African artists were making appearances on songs, or collaborating with pop megastars. Nija and others collaborated with Beyonce on a Lion King song, Wiz Kid did a collaboration with Drake AND with H.E.R. To be fair... Michael Kiwanuka is British, but his parents emigrated from Uganda... So, obviously, something is happening.

Back in the day, African artists were mostly relegated to the World Music charts. Now they’re all over the pop charts, and the technology of pop music has radically changed African music as well. The use of software and electronic sounds and beats are everywhere. I remember the first time hearing that technology being applied to African beats on the Angelique Kidjo record “Batonga”, produced by Joe Galdo (formerly associated with Miami Sound Machine). He kept the beats and rhythms intact, replacing each sound with samples or electronic beats. I loved it!

The availability of inexpensive music production software meant that artists could now produce tracks on their laptops… they didn’t have to have bands or pay for expensive studios. The arrival of streaming also has had a huge effect on African music. The big platforms have taken an interest - but maybe more importantly local streaming services have emerged catering to African artists and their fans (like This One mentioned Here).

Here’s a piece w/ links to some of the many indie streaming services. Artists can upload their tracks directly - and for listeners, it’s cheaper than buying physical copies. So artists and fans have access to one another- and the music has exploded.

Much of the music is dance music, more like club tracks than songs...but there are songs too. I have included some dance tracks, but really - they’re more suited to DJ sets than to my usual playlists. Not all African artists are supportive of this musical trend- some have made it clear that they think that electronification might not be keeping true to African roots.

Lastly, following the legacy of Fela, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and others - quite a few African artists are socially and politically engaged. There are plenty of tracks about dancing and love and sex, but there is also some pointed political commentary. Valsero in Cameroon, Bobi Wine in Uganda heads a political party. Traditionally African artists have often sung praise to the local strongman or political leaders, but some of these newer artists are speaking out - singing truth to power, not without some risk and danger to themselves.

So, this is a long playlist, but even so it’s hard to represent all that is going on. This is just a sample.

DB

NYC

Apple Music: Link Here

Spotify: Link Here

Oct 1 2021

David Byrne Presents: This Is African Music?!

By Todomundo

Song Artist Purchase
Gang Ber Ki Dako Otim Alpha
Bela Os Detroia
Summeryomuthi Blaq Diamond
Nkalakatha Mandoza
One Good Cry Global Ghetto
Bakka Pygmie Riddim Riddlore
It's Okay To Cry Yinka bernie, Joyce Olong
Who No Know Go Know The Cavemen.
Afroed Riddlore
Kure Ti Gonzi, Ishan
Coo Oromo Otim Alpha
Forest Nativity Francis Bebey
She Doesn't Love You Kondi Band, Mariama
I love you, I hate you Little Simz
My Power Nija
Yoyoyo Yemi Alade
Cotounou James Stewart
Ndim Iqhawe - Pt. 1 Simpphiwe Dna
1er Gaou Magic System
Nobody Ugly P-Square
Come Closer WizKid
Leg Over Mr. Eazi, Major Lazer
Ye Burna Boy
Aketesia Kontihene
Katerina Bruce Melodie
Venom Little Simz
Jerusalema Master KG
iLwa Ntombo Bobo Mbhele
Bella Ciao Tyler ICU
W I L D Lady Donli
SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY Amaarae
Dancina Yemi Alade
Koroba Tiwa Savage
Soul Clap SA Riddlelore
Polisi Dogo Niga
Agaba Kibati Bamba Pana
Sapienz Jay Mitta
Dubugwanjuba Nihiloxica
Kimbau Mbau Dogo Niga
Hard Screw Metal Preyers
Uganda with Sam Duma
Wateranga Bamba Pana
Queendom HHY & The Kampala Unit
Posa Na Bika Rey Sapienz
Snake Sacrifise Metal Preyers
Gang Oling Zing Zang
Ding Ding Nihiloxica
Ojuelegba WizKid
Batonga Angelique Kidjo
Bow SAULT
Obi Kontihene
Vuli Ndlela Brenda Fassie
Wonderful Burna Boy
Fauziah Alostmen
Chismiten Mdou Moctar
Onyeka (Baby) Burna Boy
Minus Me Alostmen
Siyaphi Kekelingo
Smile WizKid, H.E.R

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