JJC
November 2005 - South London 's Soothsayers, Kenyan hip-hop act Wawesh and the amazing K'naan.
Welcome to my last column for 2005
Soothsayers
"Soothsayer = A seer, a person who can supposedly see into the future, a story-teller with a futuristic vision. Soothsayers = A group of musicians playing a fusion of nu Afrobeat and dub; a cultural collision created by movement of people; music with vision and a message; music for all people from all cultures and nations."
After their critically-acclaimed debut album 'Lost City' from 2002, Soothsayers now release their second album 'Tangled Roots'. Like the previous one it is self-produced and released on their own Red Earth label. Soothsayers are producers, writers and musicians Idris Rahman (tenor sax) and Robin Hopcraft (trumpet / flugel horn) who have in the past worked with a wide range of leading African artists as well as Jamaican reggae stars, jazz groups and pop acts. For this album they have enlisted a brilliant list of guest vocalists, musicians and co-writers including:
London-based Nigerian singer / percussionist Adesose Wallace , a WOMAD veteran and part of DJs Max Reinhardt's and Rita Ray's Synchro System.
Superstar Maxi Jazz, lead vocalist of Faithless.
Bristol-based Zimbabwean 'Chimurenga Soul' singer / songwriter Netsayi Chigwendere .
Nigerian singer / guitarist / writer Keziah Jones
Kora player Mosi Condi.
South Africa's Lucky Ranku who is regarded as Africa's greatest Jazz guitarist.
Reggae singer Rikki Rankin, who regularly performs with UK hip-hop act Roots Manuva.
Idris Rahman and Robin Hopcraft lead this ensemble of guest artists in a very competent way which ensures the flow and consistency of the album while at the same time offering variety throughout. The music takes in a wide range of influences: Afrobeat, reggae, dub, jazz, highlife, funk and more. This eclectic blend works perfectly with the sound being organic and unique. It reflects the diverse cultural influences in modern urban Britain and you can imagine the music fitting in on dancefloors in South London, Kingston, Lagos or Accra. Infectious, funky and great fun!
Make sure you catch Soothsayers live at 'Dance The Guns To Silence' , a night of poetry, film, live music & Afrogroove sounds, to be held at JAMM in Brixton, London, on Thursday, 10th November.
The event is part of the'Remember Saro Wiwa' season to celebrate Nigerian writer and social activist Ken Saro-Wiwa who, together with eight others, was executed ten years ago by the Nigerian state for campaigning against the brutal suppression of the Ogoni people and the devastation of the Niger Delta by oil companies.
Wawesh
Kenya's hip hop scene is really blowing up at the moment. The Kenyan hip hop trio Kleptomaniax is one of the five nominees in the 'Best African Act' category at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2005. Hip Hop Colony , the documentary on the Kenyan hip hop scene, debuted in the UK recently at the ICA as part of the Black Filmmakers' Festival. The event was totally sold out and plans are underway to bring the film back to the UK soon - watch this space.
One of the hottest African hip hop tunes right now is 'Mjanja', the bouncy debut single by Swedish-based Kenyan rapper/ producer Wawesh. After early support from tastemakers in Kenya such as DJ John (Homeboyz) and DJ Pinye, the tune is now on heavy rotation all over Kenya and has started to create a buzz here as well. Guaranteed to rock any party, 'Mjanja' has an addictive hook and shows of Wawesh's tight flow.
Wawesh, aka Robert Wawero Kiboy, emigrated to Sweden as a young boy in the mid 80s. He has produced and released several artists on BlaO Entertainment, a label he co-founded, and he has also worked with several internationally known hip hop artists. Make sure you check out the cool 'Mjanja' video, too, which was produced in the UK: log on to Wawesh's website to watch, or even download, the video and to get a sneak preview of his forthcoming album (due 2006).
Wawesh is part of Watu Wangu, a forthcoming collaborative album project starring a collective of young talented UK-based Kenyan artists also including Kalaway (Jawabu), Newjam, Toshi (aka Umbwa Kali - Nanoma), Eshban K, DJ Edu (of BBC 1Xtra's African show D.N.A.) and producer Sir Prestige (Social Misfits).
Before dropping the full collaborative album Watu Wangu are distributing free mix CDs, the first of which being the 'Msingi Wa Watu Wangu - The Prelude' mix CD. Get down to one of the East African nightclubs and events around the country to pick one up or log on to www.djedu.net - if you are quick you get to request your own copy via the site. Alternatively, you can hear it in full online atwww.nannoma.com and soon at www.watuwangu.com . Watch out for the follow-up mix CD 'Watu Wangu presents...Twende Kazi' (which means 'let's go work/get busy') in December.
No doubt you should be able to get a copy of this mix CD at Kenya's independence party next month. The Jamhuri Day '05 celebration will take place on Saturday, 10 December 2005, 8pm till late, at Club NTYCE in London. Live PAs all the way from Kenya include Nameless, Redsan and Salim Junior, plus DJ Pinye (Kenya's number 1 DJ) and our very own DJ Edu (BBC 1Xtra) and many more.
Another high profile event happening soon is Miss Kenya UK on Friday, 2 December 2005, at Novotel London. The show will be co-hosted by Sir Prestige. For more information visit www.sacoma.org.uk or call 020 8554 9444.
K'naan
Don't forget to leave me a message . I would be particularly interested in finding out who you think will become the African hip hop star of 2006. One of my predictions is K'naan, a Somali rapper based in Toronto, Canada. He also goes by the name 'The Dusty Foot Philosopher' which is the title of his album. K'naan is originally from an area with the harrowing name River of Blood, a notorious part of Mogadishu, Somalia, and probably one of the most dangerous places on earth.
The grandson of one of Somalia's most famous poets, K'Naan Warsame started rapping verses from his heroes Nas and Rakim as a young kid - but without actually speaking a word of English at the time! By the time he was 13, he had already been on both ends of guns and seen classmates die but then by a stroke of luck K'naan, his mother and siblings managed to leave war-torn Somalia on what would prove to be the final commercial flight out of Mogadishu.
Check out his killer track 'Soobax' . The words, mainly in Somali and the odd bit of English, are a powerful battle cry against the warlords who rule Somalia. You must have a look at the video at:www.thedustyfoot.com . Due to security concerns K'naan decided that for his own safety he shouldn't attempt to shoot the video in Mogadishu. Instead 'Soobax' was shot among crowds of exiled Somalis in Mombasa and Nairobi's Eastleigh (also known as 'Little Somalia') district, Kenya. Compelling stuff. Watch out for K'naan in 2006!
See you again in the new year!
JJC
JJC's recommended CDs
Soothsayers - 'Tangled Roots'
Wawesh - 'Mjana'
K'naan - 'The Dusty Foot Philosopher'
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.