JJC
May 2006 - X Plastaz, London African Music Festival, Africa Oye, Meiway
Maasai hip-hop group X Plastaz
Unfortunately I will have to start this column with some very sad news: On 29 March 2006, Faza Nelly passed away after having been stabbed by a psychotic neighbour who had been terrorizing the local area for some time. Faza Nelly (real name Nelson Chrizostom Rutta) was one of the founding members of X Plastaz , a group of six rappers based in Arusha, Northern Tanzania. X Plastaz are one of the most internationally well-known, original and respected African hip-hop groups and they have performed across the world in places like the UK, Brazil and Holland. They have released one full-length album, several videos and have had tracks on a number of international compilations. One of the things that sets them apart is the unusual mix of characters in their group: three male rappers in their late 20s, a young boy rapper, a young girl rapper - and a Maasai warrior/ singer. It might sound like a mish-mash on paper but it works beautifully. Socially conscious and respectful of traditional culture, yet totally modern and fresh.
At the moment it's unclear what the remaining members, Ziggy, Gsann, Merege, Dineh and Steve, will do, but it is hoped they will carry on with the group. Nelly's death has come at a time when it looked like the group was really moving their career to the next level. They had finished recording their single Hiyo which can be heard on their MySpace page . The track will also be included on the upcoming Kunta Kinte Conscious Clothing Mixtape Vol 3 , mixed by Manchester-based Zimbabwean DJ Mujay which will also feature tracks by TY, Metaphysics, Begotten Sun and DKR - more information can be found shortly on Kunta Kinte's website .
X Plastaz's track Dunia Dudumizi is featured in on the brilliant The Rough Guide to the Music of Tanzania compilation (World Music Network/ RGENT1158CD - out now), a wonderful introduction to the music of Tanzania, which is lesser known than music from many other Africa countries. For more info on this compilation go to CD review . If you wish to explore the local hip-hop (known as bongo flava) scene further, Dunia Dudumizi is also featured on the compilation Bongo Flava - Swahili Rap from Tanzania (Out Here Records/ OH 003 - out 12 June). Another track, Msimu Kwa Msimu , plus the video to that song, can be found on the upcoming CD/DVD compilation Afrolution Vol. 1 - The Original African Hip-Hop Collection (Afrolution Records/ afrolution 002 - out 26 June). And finally, Maasai Hip-Hop , the debut album by X Plastaz will be re-issued in the UK on 15 May (Out Here Records/ OH 002).
Log on to the official X Plastaz website for updates and much more.
R.I.P. Nelson aka Faza Nelly (1976 - 2006).
African events in the UK
The London African Music Festival returns to the South Bank Centre (19 May - 28 May) for 14 events featuring a wide spectrum of African music with some of the biggest African acts of the moment performing, such as Toumani Diabaté's Symmetric Orchestra from Mali (27 May, Queen Elizabeth Hall). Toumani will also be on a full UK tour as part of a double bill with another great artist: Cheikh Lô from Senegal (Cheikh will performing at the festival on 21 May with Funmi Olawumi at Queen Elizabeth Hall).
The Master Drummers of Africa are not to be missed either, a collective of drummers from different African countries - incidentally, Nigerian talking drummer Ayan Ayandosu The 1st is part of the group, too; he has recorded with myself and the 419 Squad and is also featured on the track Iyoja by Weird MC (available on the upcoming compilation Lagos Stori Plenti - Urban Sounds of Nigeria - out 12 June). At the other end of the spectrum you can check out the future of African dj'ing in the shape of Dudu Sarr (Senegal) and Eric Soul (Rwanda) who will be taking their show - an exciting mix of dj'ing, live vocals, instruments and visuals - to the Purcell Room on 27 May. Both DJs have been active on the African music scene in London, the UK and abroad for many years now and it's good to see them join forces. For full info on the festival check out the Royal Festival Hall website .
For those further North, Africa Oyé , the free African Music festival returns to Sefton Park in Liverpool on 17 and 18 June 2006 (midday until 8pm). The line-up includes Eyuphuro (Mozambique), Nuru Kane (Senegal), Bonga (Angola), Omar Pene (Senegal), Afel Bocoum (Mali) and one of Africa's best Reggae acts Tiken Jah Fakoly (Ivory Coast). I'm still loving Tiken Jah Fakoly's self-titled album which was released last year (Wrasse Records/ WRASS 159); his track Tonton D'America can also be found on the upcoming compilation African Rebel Music - Roots Reggae and Dancehall (Out Here Records/ OH 004). For full information on the festival log on to the Africa Oyé website .
Were you amongst the unlucky ones who couldn't get to see K'naan when he performed at Market Place in London on 9 April, as the place was jam-packed and no more people were let in? Well, don't worry,K'naan will be back in London for his first major solo performance on Sunday, 14 May, at Cargo. My advice: get your tickets early! Check Cargo's website for full info.
If you fancy getting out of the city but still want a bustling fun time you should put the African Beach Party in your diary. From 9 - 12 June Butlins Minehead Beach Resort in Somerset will become one big African party for the whole family. In the evenings enjoy music by DJs such as DJ Edu (BBC 1Xtra), DJ Lloyd Musara (DJs Unlimited), DJ Abass (Intro TV), Black Mango Sound System, DJ Ilka and DJ Carol (Afro Entertainment), plus live performances by UK-based African artists including Inemo (Nigeria), Janet Gabriel (Nigeria), Kimba of Real Elements (Malawi), Lindanamathugs (South Africa) and Divided Kingdom Republic (Zimbabwe). During the day have fun on the beach and the outdoor pool, play sports (football, volleyball, netball, horse-riding, diving, canoeing) or just chill. For more information visit Afro Entertainment Productions' website or call 0870 383 4218 or 077 8379 2438.
Finally, the World Cup 2006 in Germany is around the corner. Yes, yes, I know Nigeria is not in it - now stop rubbing it in! Good luck to Ghana, Togo, Angola, Ivory Coast and Tunisia. There will be quite a few World Cup-themed parties taking place. On Saturday 3, and Sunday 4 June, Leon Parker will host Rhythms of the World Cup on the South Bank (outside the MDC shop, Southside Parade, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX) where all throughout the afternoon and evening he will be playing music from the countries taking part in the World Cup. Expect to hear some Ghanaian, Togolese, Angolan, Tunisian and Ivorian music too!
Meiway from Ivory Coast
Talking about music from Ivory Coast, is there anybody on the African music scene who hasn't caught the Meiway bug? If so, why not? My 'Africa On Your Street' colleague Yve Ngoo talked about Meiway in her January 2004 column . Meiway's career has been going strong for about 15 years now. His first album Ayibebou , which he financed himself with a bank loan, was released in 1989 and since then he has steadily progressed to becoming one of the superstars in Francophone Africa and beyond. Like Koffi Olomidé , Awilo Longomba and Kaysha , all three from the Democratic Republic of Congo, here is an African artist who has also managed to have Pan-African appeal with his music popular in many countries throughout Africa.
Meiway's current album Golgotha - 800% Zoblazo may have been out for over a year now but it's still rocking the dance floors of African clubs in London and elsewhere. Zoblazo is the name of the cosmopolitan dance music style from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that started in the early 90s, of which Meiway is one of the main champions. Zoblazo is characterised by a simple up-tempo rhythm and high tech instrumentation; it is a mix of different folklore from the southern Ivory Coast and has a dance rhythm with a percussion base. Meiway's albums usually have subtitles, like 200% Zoblazo, 300% Zoblazo ... and now we've reached 800%
Apart from being inspired by his own ethnic group, the N'Zema, Meiway is also influenced by other styles such as high-life from neighbouring Ghana, Senegalese m'balax and Caribbean music (Meiway has recorded with Jacob Desvarieux of Kassav' , the pioneering Zouk super group from the Caribbean island of Martinique). Meiway who also fronts his own group, Zo Gang , is a multiple Kora Awards winner and has performed all over Europe and Canada and of course Africa. I hope that 900% Zoblazo will be here soon and that Meiway makes it to our shores again this summer.
Until next time.
JJC
JJC's recommended CDs
Various artists - 'The Rough Guide to the Music of Tanzania'
Cheikh Lô - 'Lamp Fall'
Meiway - 'Golgotha - 800% Zoblazo'
Check out my recommended CDs this month in the CD Reviews section or go to Music Search to look at our archive of recommended CDs.