The few times western publications have written about Kwaito and South African House, styles which have thrived for many decades, the story is almost always told in terms of a unidirectional migration of House Music from the United States to Africa. This is problematic because 1 central factor is not only understated, but entirely missing, including from the South African voices sometimes interviewed.
Bigup Bomb Diggy crew out in Amsterdam for inviting me to contribute to their mix series.
the first 8 volumes in this Reboot.fm radio series. for tracklisting please go to the soundcloud pages for each show. to download of course simply click the downward aarow on the right side of the player for each show.
___________________________________________________________________________
before you listen and download: how much are these products worth to you? if possible, please make a donation.
___________________________________________________________________________
RADIO NGOMA 1 – Live from Krakow
RADIO NGOMA 2 – Mid Tempo Trip Around the World
RADIO NGOMA 3 – Moody Booty
RADIO NGOMA 4 – Righteousness and Rudeness (Reggae Special)
RADIO NGOMA 5 – Ancestral Rhythms
RADIO NGOMA 6 – Afro Futurism
RADIO NGOMA 7 – Global Dub Resistance
RADIO NGOMA 8 – Trans-Atlantic Rhythm Passage
The super awesome and diverse Akwaaba asked me to do a mix to represent the first 2 years of their existence, and it was a challenge. The releases cover a wide range of both classic and modern sounds — how was i going to move from Malian roots to African Salsa to Kwaito, Hiplife, Afro-pop, Jazz, Funk, House and Kuduro? This is what i came up with. enjoy!
01 Baro – Ahmed Fofana
(from AKW001 VA – Akwaaba Wo Africa)
02 Alou Sangare Buranke – Kana Mine Mogo Kan Man
(from AKW006 Alou Sangare Buranke)
03 Mamou Sidibe – Noumou
(from AKW004 Mamou Sidibe – Djougouya)
04 Just a Band – Tingiza Kichwa
(from AKW015 Just a Band – 82)
05 Skeat – Basimanyana mamela Meroapa
(from AKW018 Skeat – Basimanyana Mamela Meroapa)
06 Iba Diabate – Sow
(from AKW013 Iba Diabate – Mouna)
07 Appietus – Ma Alomo (featuring KK Fosu & Reggie Zippy)
(from AKW020 Appietus – The Revolution)
08 Killamu – Vai Con Calma
(from AKW014 Killamu – A Minha Face)
09 Killamu – Não aceito, não
(from AKW014 Killamu – A Minha Face
10 Michel Pinheiro – Femme
(from AKW007 Michel Pinheiro – Agoh)
11 Bradez – One gallon
(from AKW001 Akwaaba Wo Africa
12 Quabena Philip – Wadaade Me
(from AKW002 VA – Move It Chaleh!)
13 Appietus the Revolution – Essabel (featuring Old Sodja & Mike)
(from AKW020 Appietus – The Revolution)
14 Ruff n Smooth – Swagger (feat. Stay Jay)
(from AKW023 Ruff’n’Smooth – Life Is Rough and Smooth)
15 Iba Diabate – Iba Nana
(from AKW013 Iba Diabate – Mouna)
16 Jali Bakary – Combination
(from AKW016 Jali Bakary Konteh Konteh Kunda)
17 Rabbi – Wedding
(from AKW002 VA – Move It Chaleh!)
18 Skeat – Dumelang
(from AKW018 Skeat – Basimanyana Mamela Meroapa)
19 DJ Djeff feat Maskarado – Elegom Bounsa
(from AKW024 DJ Djeff feat Maskarado – Elegom Bounsa)
20 Ruff n Smooth – Azingele feat. S.K. Blinks
(from AKW023 Ruff’n’Smooth – Life Is Rough and Smooth)
21 Killamu – Melodia De Semba
(from AKW014 Killamu – A Minha Face)
22 Killamu – Flaminguinho
(from AKW014 Killamu – A Minha Face)
23 Killamu – Yuya
(from AKW014 Killamu – A Minha Face)24 Killamu – Tchilu
25 Noite e Dia – Tiramakossa
(from AKW010 VA – Akwaaba Sem Transporte)
26 Just a Band – Kaa Ridho
(from AKW015 Just a Band – 82)
27 Jali Bakary – Kelefa
(from AKW016 Jali Bakary Konteh Konteh Kunda)
Umlilo means fire in Zulu, and this mix takes us back to the Dirty South for a scorching ride through raw township sound. Exchanging smooth for ruff, Umlilo focuses on the connection between ghetto Rap and current Electro, between modern SA House and its Kwaito roots.
OR: STREAM: MIXCLOUD // DOWNLOAD SINGLE TRACK: MEDIAFIRE
Futurism in Africa never disconnected at all from the body: sound design does not become a solipsistic end in itself (even though every timber and texture is perfection itslef); song form stays 100% intact in the electronic club music format; and the beats never bang on aimless and without purpose — robust machine groove reinterprets but absolutely incarnates the magic and essence of timeless rhythmic tradition.
regarding the first song: what kind of church drops sick bass like this?? (sign me up!)
01 Dj Killer – Church Song feat. Chaka Chukwu
02 Big Nuz – Superman
03 Xavatha (Woza Chynaman)DJ Clock ft. Big Nuz, Tzozo & Sox
04 Big Nuz – Ungesabi (remix)
05 Zola – Khokhovula
06 Big Nuz – Izinja feat Tira and Tzozo
07 TKZee – Fella Kae
08 CNDO – Seducer feat. Tira & Big Nuz
09 Mgo – Yes
10 DJ What What – Unknown
11 Unknown – Woza Durban
12 Dj Sbu – Vuvuzela Bafana
13 Dj Vetkuk Vs Mahoota – Cina Feat. Dj Killer
14 Dj Skzi VS Big Dawg – Mbeleke
15 Dj Cleo – Egyptian Drum
16 B.O.P – Bop Killer [Featuring Zulu & Costa]
17 Dj Cleo – Akulalwa
18 Penny Penny & Joe – Nkosi
19 Mafikizolo – Sibongile
20 B.O.P. – Life’ Iskorokoro
21 Dj Cleo – Ndizayitya Lemali
(as featured on Gen Bass and The Fader)
Framing house music, perhaps the most depoliticized of all urban musics, whose narrative revolve around unreflective pleasure seeking, in a political context may seem incredulous to some. Yet this incredulity would be based on a superficial reading of the essence of house music culture, despite what it has become in the commercial sphere: in its very inception, the escapism into a fantasy hedonistic world was an expression of the underprivileged and marginalized, and the creation of a sanctuary of acceptance was nothing less than a political act of the oppressed and discriminated against.
STREAM: MIXCLOUD // DOWNLOAD SINGLE TRACK: MEDIAFIRE
Perhaps even more than Chicago or Detriot 67, the political dimension is deeply interwoven into the urban musical fabric of South Africa, and has profoundly influenced its evolution. Zulu protest songs live on through Kwaito, the first musical expression of a free South Africa, and from there the current House culture developed: if less overtly rebellious, it nonetheless retains in its beats and voices the spirit of revolt: the urgent and passionate expression of a people who have been subjugated for too long.
The Zulu word Ukulwa means war and struggle. and in this context it can only mean a war against oppression and the struggle for freedom and independence. Apartheid may have officially ended, but its myriad effects can be unmistakably felt in a slew of social problems which plague the nation today, from crime to domestic violence as result of the break up of families, from poverty to various hardships which come from an entire generation having been systematically deprived of formal education. Thus even while many positive things are taking place, as South Africa is surely rising as a proud modern nation, even as we rejoice in these blissful rhythms, we must remember this war, and both continue, and continue to be inspired by, this struggle against domination, against injustice: Ukulwa.
Continuing from NGOMA 1, this is an excursion into 100 BPM global urban bass music.
OR: STREAM: MIXCLOUD // SINGLE FILE: MEDIAFIRE
Heavy on both classic and modern Kwaito: Arthur Mafokate’s 1993 track Oyi Oyi, TKZEE with their Kwaito offshoot style known as Guz, and the immense talent that was Mawillies (RIP), whose effortlessly powerful voice graces the track GaGu.
Also tunes from other parts of Africa: the AshThomas project and Marvelous Benji from Nigeria, DJ Rams from in Angola, and Emmanuel Jal, the Sudanese singer with the crazy personal history.
Always great to find one great Bhangra tune on too many an album of otherwise generic numbers and a little taste of classic cumbia gold. A few all time Dancehall bangers and reggaeton, oh how i wish they still made them like El General did in Panama back in the early 90s. (all of these sounds need their own NGOMA volume, yes i do realize. thanks 🙂
___________________________________________________________________________
01 [Ghana/UK] Professor Stretch & African Headcharge – Brother of Reality
02 [SA] Tone Deaf Junkies – Fred is Dead
03 [Nigeria] AshThomas – Music in My System (MIMS)
04 [SA] Mapaputsi – Kufa
05 [Ghana] Bradaz – Hiplife Review
06 [SA] Suspects – Wash’uMkhuKhu
07 [SA] Brikz – Swimming Pool
08 [SA] Mapaputsi – Kas Lam Dub
09 [SA] Mawillies – GaGu
10 [SA] Arthur Mafokate – Oyi, Oyi
11 [SA] Busi Mhlongo – Yehlisan’Umoya Ma-Africa (Soul II Black Remix)
12 [SA] Bongomaffin – Way You Live
13 [SA] Zola – Ndodandoda Dub
14 [SA] Unknown – Unknown
15 [SA] TKZEE – Guz
16 [Angola] DJ Rams – Fire Nigth Tarracho
17 [India] Sangeeta – Multani
18 [US/Angola] Fat Joe – Lean Back (DJ Rams & DJ X Remix)
19 [Norway] Easy and the Center of Universe – Hamada
20 [Egypt/US] Psychobabble Dub Interlude
21 [US] Badawi – Jihad
22 [Syria] Omar Souleyman – La Sidounak Syyada
23 [UK] Subway — 44110
24 [Angola] Helder Rei – Instrumental
25 [NL/US] SDP vs DJ Lengua – Mi Camino
26 [Colombia] Chambacu – No Quiero Envejecer
27 [Nigeria] Marvelous Benji – Swo
28 [Panama] El General – Digame Cual
29 [Sudan] Emmanuel Jal & Abdel Gadir Salim – Elengwen (afroArabia)
30 [Jamaica] Cecile – Hot Like We
31 [Jamaica] Vybs Cartel – Mi Fi A Dweet
32 [SA] Middle Finga, Cozi G, Oracle Flow & Ben Sharpa – Move Over
33 [Jamaica/UK] Sarantis & Warrior Queen – Retaliate
34 [SA] Zola – Lord of Sound
35 [SA] Kalahari Surfers – Gangsta
while staying in the same territory as 2, the journey is not the same, and many things make this one unique: the psychedelic motorik genius of Dj Clock’s “Durban Guitar”; the monolithic, earth shaking visions of Black Coffee; DJ Sdoko’s ominous Kraftwerkian phuture; Manya’s soul stirring take on traditonal Angolan melodies; a surprisingly wicked banger from the Dutch DJ Bigga (UK is not the only place currently Afro minded), and ending with a further reach of rhythmic diaspora: Sami vocal style from Mari Boine, reinterpreting the sound of indigenous Norway.
OR: STREAM: MIXCLOUD //// DOWNLOAD SINGLE TRACK: MEDIAFIRE
concerning the anti-apartheid and war samples used through out the mix: the struggle for freedom from colonialism is the context which gave rise to contemporary South African music: Kwaito was born amidst antagonism and bloodshed, and has led to the current house music scene. thus songs such as “100 Zulu Warriors” and the radio broadcast at the end should not be taken as an incitement of racial conflict (especially in light of last year’s wave of horrible xenophobia) but as a reminder of the political realities of the Apartheid era from which this music comes.
01 [SA] Andy X – Tech House
02 [SA] DJ Clock – Durban Guitar
03 [SA] Bantu Soul – Isgubhu
04 [SA] Blackcoffee / DJ Christos and Demor – Searching
05 [SA] Black Coffee – 100 Zulu Warriors
06 [SA] Black Coffee – Stimela (remix)
07 [SA] Thebe – Ugezi
08 [SA] DJ Fhiso – House Animation
09 [SA] DJ Clock – Move Your Body
10 [SA] DJ Clock – No Fear
11 [SA] DJ Sdoko – Boozoom Base
12 [SA] Double Trouble – Mamelodi Funk
13 [SA] DJ Tira and Bubzin – Beat Goes On (Iyo)
14 [UK] Don Haffer – Mad Fling
15 [ANGOLA] DJ Znobia – Afrosound
16 [UK] Ossie – Tarantula (inc Funkineven Remix)
17 [Peru] Novalima – Mayoral
18 [UK] DSD – Fruity
19 [UK] Footsteps – Baby Kinta
20 [UK] Roska – Tack Tiles
21 [UK] DJ Mystery – Changes
22 [UK] DJ Tremendous – Log 19
23 [HOLLAND] DJ BIgga – Boeke Anthem X [BRAZIL] Menor do Chapa – Familia Vida Loka
24 [UK] Unknown – Unknown
25 [SA] Unknown – Thumping
26 [SA] Mr Flip – The Wild Thing
27 [UK] Geeneus – Yellowtail
28 [UK] Headhunter – Birks Range
29 [SA] Shana – Uyangichomela
30 [SA] Bucie – Amadoda (Black Coffee remix)
31 [NORWAY/GER] Mari Boine – Vuoi Vuoi Mu (Henrik Schwarz Remix)
32 [SA] Dr Duda and Dr M-bee – The Gap Featuring Gina
33 [SA/US] Terre Thaemlitz / Radio Freedom (Anti-Apartheid Broadcast)
The drum comes from Africa, and also techno. Here is an extremely simplified version of the lineage: slave songs – blues – gospel – jazz – funk – disco – house – techno —- the circle is complete. After all, the 4 on the floor hypnotic groove can be found in the myriad styles of African music from every era. House and techno grew up in the northern hemisphere, acquiring a character a bit removed from the rich rhythmic traditions of the mother continent. But in recent decades electronic dance music has been developing in Africa, and a new wave of club music is blossoming and flourishing.
OR: STREAM: MIXCLOUD // SEPARATE TRACKS DL: MEDIAFIRE
History was made in 2008 with Warp Records’ release of DJ Mujava’s Township Funk in Europe, and the world is slowly coming to grips with the awesome power of African electronic music. Motherland house and techno is spreading far and wide, forming the rhythmic basis for urban bass music in the UK and elsewhere: Africanized Killer Beats on the swarm!
The positive side of globalization: irresistable 21st century urban music arise on every continent. India, Cuba, Tanzania, Egypt, Cape Town, these are just a few places where wild hybrid styles are born: futuristic, bass heavy and electronic, yet drawing from the wealth of local musical heritage. the NGOMA series bring the heat from musical hotspots across the known world — the wickedest beats and sweetest flows.
OR: STREAM: MIXCLOUD // DL: MEDIAFIRE
___________________________________________________________________________
NGOMA SOUND 