Africa Is a Country

Weekend Music Break 54

Weekend Music Break 54

By
Ts'eliso Monaheng

Flex Boogie, featured on this song by producer/radio deejay The Prince, is a Pretoria-based hip-hop artist who was part of the pioneering hip-hop group Ba4za at one point. He has undergone numerous changes since then – from an overhaul of his image, to recently appearing in a liquor advert on national television (Flex Boogie’s real name is Hakeem, and he’s Muslim). But he doesn’t rap this song. Instead, he provides fillers over sparse house beats, hollering “tsokotsa” (dance) every so often.

In the lead-up to her new album entitled “Ticket to the world”, German-Ghanaian vocalist Ayo collaborates with Congolese-French emcee Youssoupha for a bit of social commentary. “The city’s burning down/ but there’s no water” she sings before her rap/spoken word crusade. It must be pointed out that Youssoupha’s verse is very similar in structure to this song of his. (P.S.: Her facebook page is somewhat of a gem.)

“My new album is more involved. It takes you on a spiritual trip. It is about good and bad, about body and soul, and about finding the balance. It takes you out of your comfort zone and makes you feel part of the music” says vocalist Ntjam Rosie. This music is the perfect backdrop for the Southern Hemisphere’s transition into Spring.

A Professor song has become standard in any house club in South Africa. He ropes in kwaito artist Brickz for yet another club-friendly heater.

Lesotho’s Charles Alvin possesses an effortless flow which is expertly complemented by the music. The video, shot around the surrounds of Maseru by upcoming director Sehlabaka Rampeta, is not half-bad either.

Fredy Massamba was in South Africa in September last year. That is when him and Tumi (formerly of Tumi and the Volume) linked up to record this song.

Big FKN Gun enlist the help of Cuss Group co-conspirateur Ravi Govender to direct this stark look into the realities of a drug currently causing turf wars in Durban. The video features an appearance by artist Evl Jon, whose exhibition “Ward 56” opened this past week.

Johannesburg party rap comes to the fore on this club banger-assured collaboration between DJ Switch and Reason.

This Starz-produced collaboration between surefire Nigerian heavyweights follows hot on the heels of Shank’s victorious Music Video of the Year nod at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Expect beautifully haunting visuals courtesy of Patrick Elis.

And straight from Belgium to the world, the duo of Joy Adegoke and Wim Janssens (better known as Joy Wellboy) makes exquisite electronic funk for outstanding music connoisseurs and occasional listeners alike. We dig it!

Further Reading

Not exactly at arm’s length

Despite South Africa’s ban on arms exports to Israel and its condemnation of Israel’s actions in Palestine, local arms companies continue to send weapons to Israel’s allies and its major arms suppliers.

Ruto’s Kenya

Since June’s anti-finance bill protests, dozens of people remain unaccounted for—a stark reminder of the Kenyan state’s long history of abductions and assassinations.

Between Harlem and home

African postcolonial cinema serves as a mirror, revealing the limits of escape—whether through migration or personal defiance—and exposing the tensions between dreams and reality.

The real Rwanda

The world is slowly opening its eyes to how Paul Kagame’s regime abuses human rights, suppresses dissent, and exploits neighboring countries.

In the shadow of Mondlane

After a historic election and on the eve of celebrating fifty years of independence, Mozambicans need to ask whether the values, symbols, and institutions created to give shape to “national unity” are still legitimate today.

À sombra de Mondlane

Depois de uma eleição histórica e em vésperas de celebrar os 50 anos de independência, os moçambicanos precisam de perguntar se os valores, símbolos e instituições criados para dar forma à “unidade nacional” ainda são legítimos hoje.