From Now On*
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq_HP8mgT8A&w=500&h=307&rel=0] The video for Dutch hip hop group Zwart Licht‘s single “Vanaf Nu.” Via @Mustafa Maluka:
Music
Rihanna: Back in Blackface?
In the music video for her latest single, "Rockstar 101," singer Rihanna appears in what looks like blackface.
'Something to Believe'
[vimeo=http://vimeo.com/9002801 w=500&h=281] Rapper Blitz the Ambassador (representing for the Ghanaian diaspora and Brooklyn), featuring Tess, who
Fresh hiphop funk from Cameroon
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWUEvngFue8&w=500&h=307&rel=0] Via Mustafa Maluka
Vroom. Vroom
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhrgnCAydu4&w=500&h=307&rel=0] Your parents’ Congolese music–like it needs the jolt–gets the dance music treatment from the kids,
The Unofficial World Cup Song?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM_Ew6zsnDY&w=500&h=307&rel=0] Is this playful ode to coloured identity,* becoming the unofficial World Cup anthem? Apparently South
Nas and Damian Marley channel Amadou and Mariam
“Patience,” another track of the much anticipated “Distant Relatives” project. Nas and Damian Marley channels Amadou
Friday Music: Jalin Rose
[vimeo=http://vimeo.com/10881896 w=500&h=281] Love this video and rapper Jalin Rose‘s flow. The sample is off Ski’s “24
The Idea of Africa
Singer Rokia Traoré speaking truth to The Times of London: “… Some Europeans who love Africa
'Ya'll feel me even if it's in Swahili'*
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcY34CGzj20&w=500&h=295] The official video for the Nas-Damian Marley’s single, “As We Enter” off “The Distant Relatives”
Mos Def, ‘Supermagic’
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_RXEJLx2Uw&w=500&h=307] I love the sample as well as the graphics in the video for “Supermagic” off
When you’re from Africa. Like Africa Africa.
When the dance pop of London-based The Very Best, with one African member (the other two are French and Swedish) is described as very African.
Lagos vs New York
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZX6gUoQGvw&w=500&h=307] By Keziah Jones, who has a new album, “Nigering Wood,” out this Spring, comparing his
Ian Kamau
I first heard this track, “Love it Here,” in the video above, in February this year
Fela! wins on Broadway
Bill T Jones’ “Fela!,” the musical interpretation of the life of the Afrobeat king, is up
Janelle Monáe
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xktMnfb0Q0A&w=500&h=307] Janelle Monáe featuring Big Boi of Outkast, “Tight Rope.” James Brown is in the building.
Uju
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np72mq3M-9s&w=500&h=307&rel=0] I like the flow of this Johannesburg band, Uju (formerly known as Sound Republic). Their
Zaki Ibrahim, 'Daylight'
Live video for “Daylight” by Canadian singer Zaki Ibrahim shot in central Cape Town as part
Weekend Links
Things I have read quickly, seen or watched, listened to, been forwarded, did not really have
Teargas
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt6otC_a_ZY&w=480&h=295] The video for the first single, “Go Away,” off the album “Dark or Blue” by