July 6, Comores and Malawi (Belated)

Belated.

First  for the Comores, here’s Rikaef. They live in France (big Comores diaspora) and they’re like four mini Lil’ Waynes:

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Africa Day

The Very Best–a collaboration of Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit–has a new mixtape. It came out a few weeks ago. It is still good for Africa Day.

Download it here.

Music Break

Longtime readers of AIAC know that we love The Very Best, whose music, at least according to the MySpace, apparently falls under the categories “Melodramatic Popular Song / Showtunes / Tropical.” Right. Whatever you want to call it, we’ll keep it bringing it to you. Last time, it was the Malawi Lake of Stars remix to their wildly popular, “Julia.” Now comes the official video for that song, featuring the group’s brand-new member, South African DJ and MC, Mo-Laudi.

Perfect music break for your Monday.

Lake of Stars


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‘Like Africa, Africa’

A bit late on this but Pitchfork.tv recently unveiled their latest series, Selector, in which they offer a rapper two different beats, one of which the rapper picks as a backing track for a freestyle. In the premiere episode (taped at the original location of Eddie Murphy’s 80s classic, Coming to America), Virginia rap darlings, Clipse, are offered beats from The Very Best and Doom. While there are several comments of note, the most memorable comes when Eavvon (yes, that’s how his name is spelled), the Pitchfork host—without any hint of irony I might add—introduces The Very Best: “They’re actually from Africa. Like Africa, Africa.” Just in case there was any confusion.

Of course, it doesn’t matter that the only member of the band that is actually from Africa—like Africa, Africa—is singer Esau Mwamwaya from Malawi. In any case, like Sean, I’m a huge fan of this group. Their 2009 debut, Warm Heart of Africa, is perhaps my favorite release of the past year.

The Warm Heart of Africa

One of the catchier tunes from 2009 featuring Ezra Koenig (of Vampire Weekend) and Esau Mwamwaya. Now the video’s out.

HT: Jen Mazer

10 MUSIC VIDEOS FOR THE WEEKEND

Since it is Friday, I might as well put up a few music videos.

[10] First up is the Kano remix of The Very Best’s “Julia” (remember earlier this year’s excellent “The Warm Heart of Africa” album?):

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MUSIC BREAK / ESAU MWAMWAYA

esau-the-very-best

The young Malawian crooner (he’s the center of the “Warm Heart of Africa” project) on a remix of the album’s title track.


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