Rolling African Dance / Urban Music Thread

We already have an African music thread, but I want this one to concentrate on the various dance styles that have been emerging more recently. I don't know a great deal about it beyond things like DJ Mujava's Kwaito stuff and the Shangaan Electro compilation, but I'd def like to know more. What do you know?

I know that I will watch this thread with great interest! You've heard the Ayobaness! comp, right? And I recently mentioned the Township Funk comp on the African thread. it hasn't arrived yet, but I will report back. This video is pretty amazing (maybe more so than the actual song?):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKfwSFI8LhQ

Rolling African Music 2011 Thread

There was some discussion here(and on the prior years Rolling African and "World" music threads)

I've just got hold of Ayobaness! It's excellent all the way through. Also just received the Club Secousse comp which I haven't dipped into yet.

Anyone know much about how these styles get formed? I'm kind of fascinated how similar Shangaan dancing is to footwork - and as they're both very fast and frenetic styles of music (160-180bpm) it's almost as one were watching the other, but somehow I doubt it. I think there's something more at work here, but what?

that video is... wow!

No idea if there's a genuine connection between footwork and Shangaan stuff (it seems close to impossible that the Shangaan dancers would know about footwork but I'm not sure about the other direction...?), but this is a pretty good article on the origins of Shangaan "electro."

I haven't even heard the whole thing yet, but the Township Funk comp is pretty great so far. I really love this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9YKXFBLq70

Is Township Funk out yet, or did you get pre-release?

I think it came out last fall but doesn't seem to have been distributed outside the UK and I couldn't find any reviews of it anywhere. I ordered it through a British seller on Amazon. On thing that wasn't entirely clear is that the CD is a mix, so if you want each discrete track at full length you might just want to get it in mp3 form (in fact, at least on Amazon, if you buy the mp3 album you get each track plus the 70 min. mix). I listened to the whole thing last night and if you like Ayobaness, I think you'll be into it--fewer of the songs are as conspicuously South African-sounding as on Ayobaness (and there are a couple of overlaps), but it worked as a great house mix with some really outstanding songs.

Hey I checked out Spoek Mathambo's album, on the back of that Control cover, and from what I've heard so far it's bloody excellent!

Because I like mixing and compiling things myself, I'm not so keen on DJ mixed tracks, but I'll look out for the Township comp.

http://vimeo.com/10028672

oh man, I have to upgrade my recommendation for that Township Funk comp after getting to listen to it closely (completely understand about the mix thing--I was a little irritated though it is competently mixed), there are some amazing songs on it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPty74mWUn4

Been meaning to check out more Mathambo, ty for the link.

The Township Funk comp is rocking my world right now.

Will buy it today if I see it in london

The Spoek Mathambo record is really great, one of my overall favorites from last year.

Didn't find it. Got hessle audio comp instead :-/

Ok, and now I listened to the Ayobaness comp and that's even better.

Got the Township Funk because of this thread. So far, it's phenomenal!

Tim F mentioned this Ame collaboration on another thread. Thought it might interest anyone following this thread:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uKIgCKHX6M

Version 2 might actually be the better one.

Anybody keeping up on dance music from anywhere in Africa?

haven't been keeping up with kuduro as much as i used to, but this site used to be one of my main sources :

http://kuduro.podomatic.com/

^^ it's not updated since october, but if you find anything by os lambas it's worth downloading.

recently i've been digging this :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffiptWT9woc&feature=relmfu

http://www.lastfm.com.br/music/Various+Artists/Dj%C2%B4s+Di+Ghetho+Vol+1

^^ and here you can listen to the mixtape from dj's di ghetto (a collective of lisbon producers including dj marfox, dj nervoso, etc.)

Dj Tsoro is doing some mad decent deep house at the moment but I cAn't find a link.

ha, love that "I don't know" chorus, ra (presuming I'm not mishearing that). will definitely check out that mixtape too.

DL, is this who you're talking about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVTMumBL--w

http://chiefboima.com/2012/01/24/african-in-new-york/

the track they mentioned that's on the Fader is really nice: http://www.thefader.com/2012/01/23/chief-boima-f-sorie-kondi-without-money-no-family-mp3/

just reposting Fader links on this thread I guess, but this Kenyan hip-hop song is great: http://soundcloud.com/fadermedia/wazushi-and-yome-via

just got hold of the Shangaan Shake compilation, but I left my headphones at home ARRGH!

it is kinda dud that everyone on shangaan shake did the same few tracks ... mostly as far as i can tell the first two from shangaan electro?

tbf the original comp does have a "riddim album" type of vibe to it but it seems like they could have dug a little deeper? or maybe they only licensed a couple of the tracks for remixes? then why not put those tracks together on the same singles?

also why didn't they credit the sources the way you traditionally would on a remix?

my copy credits them as "(remixer) meets (artist)" for some tracks and "(remixer) meets Shangaan Electro" for others. idk, but I guessed the latter tracks sampled/used more than one track off the original comp?

ritchaz y keky (formerly ritchaz e keké) are a lisbon based funana/kizomba/zouk duo - with origins in cape verde. they've been silent for some time, but they have recently uploaded some new tracks on soundloud - 'n'kre toca dento bo' is amazing. really looking fwd for their in lisbon gig tomorrow.

http://soundcloud.com/ritchaz-y-keky

also, dj marfox has made a stunning mix for portuguese fact magazine - mostly of his own tunes. it's no longer availabe on their website, but you can still hear it here : http://www.mixcloud.com/FACTpt/fact-pt-mix-051-dj-marfox/

xp : *for their gig in lisbon tomorrow

My interview with Spoek Mathambo: http://thequietus.com/articles/08689-spoek-mathambo-interview-father-creeper

He's coming to Washington DC and I suspect elsewhere in North America this summer

Afrobeats mix in the UK by DJ Abrantees

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jan/19/the-rise-of-afrobeats

"See I like Beyoncé, but she dey with Jigga / I like Nicki, her yansh is bigger..." // D'BANJ - OLIVER TWIST // afrobeats in the charts

Maybe I need to start looking at Dissensus again-- discussed there and here

suppose i was referring to a few people on the dissensus afrobeats thread, which quite depressingly turned into a moanfest about lumping together Naija, Hiplife, Boomba, kuduro etc, thereby misrepresenting these distinct musical styles/traditions etc...i suppose they have a point but slagging Abrantee seemed a bit cynical to me, he's doing a lot to promote this music.

― Benny B, Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:00 PM (1 hour ago

http://africasacountry.com/2012/01/27/the-whole-afrobeats-thing/

― curmudgeon, Thursday, May 24, 2012 1:12 PM (0 seconds ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Return of the World Music Thread: 2012

"See I like Beyoncé, but she dey with Jigga / I like Nicki, her yansh is bigger..." // D'BANJ - OLIVER TWIST // afrobeats in the charts

striking SA rap:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7GR09Uttxg

Anyone heard of this guy?

Saturday 7/21: Lost Society w/ DJ Cortega
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My good friend DJ Cortega, who throughs the Electrafrique party in Nairobi, Kenya, will be joining me this week for my Saturday residency at Lost Society. Cortega has made quite a name for himself in his city and is sure to bring his signature style of blending classic US house with the contemporary sounds that have given dance music its own voice in the African continent.

Lost Society
2001 14th St NW WDC 20009
10PM /// 21+ /// No Cover

haven't heard of him. still need to check out lost society, maybe.

trailer for a film coming out "the african cypher"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqSW6rKEkQw

x-post -- found his website --

Hailing from Switzerland, Cortega has built a solid DJ reputation on the Afrobeat and House scenes in Washington, DC and New York since 2005.

....

Cortega now tours globally with his ELECTRAFRIQUE party, which blends new African electro such as Coupé Décalé, Mzansi house, Kwaito and Kuduro, with deep and soulful House from all over, infused with African rhythms. The latest Nairobi editions have seen him partner with local Electrique DJ duo (B-DJ and Somi) and some of Kenya’s hottest live musicians such as Eddie Grey (guitar), Wendy Kimani (vocals) and Chalo Tee (drums).

these are 2 best mixes i've heard this year :

http://official.fm/tracks/NVPA

^^ from akwaaba. some late night moods straight from luanda.

http://soundcloud.com/dj-marfox/distortion-ass

^^ unstoppable rhythm frenzy from lisbon's finest kuduro producer.

ooh, this Luanda mix is nice. rusty you might like this SA mixtape: http://www.okayafrica.com/2012/07/18/jumping-back-slash-the-uhambo-mixtape/

^^ thx alot rob, that looks promising. will check soon.

that luanda mix is making my life atm. i've always been keeping an eye on dance music from angola, but everything seemed to veer either to the rhythmic onlsaught of kuduro or to the mellower side of kizomba and tarrachinha. this is the first time i came across an unbeatable mix focusing on a deeper / late night mood kind of vibe.

also, speaking of marfox, sherburne wrote a piece about the mix i linked above for spin : http://www.spin.com/#blogs/dj-marfoxs-hypnotic-hard-assed-dance-mix

on a personal note, i'm going to write a piece for a portuguese website about some of the freshest producers from the suburbs - the ghetto so to speak, mostly from an area/hood called quinta do mocho - of lisbon. household names like dj marfox and dj nervoso, but also the "new generation" of kids like dj firmeza, dj maboku and dj liofox...

yeah, been meaning to listen to that Marfox mix since seeing the Spin post. if you feel like translating that piece into English, i would love to read it. I think living in a not particularly urban part of the US has hampered my getting into kuduro, so would love to get some context.

^^ that piece is being written quite slowly. next week i'll make a visit to one those "ghettos" to interview some of those kids - looking fwd to that. i'll probably only finish it sometime around september - if i have the time, i'll definitely translate it ;)

Fader blog post on RubyGold, who sings the first track on that great Luanda mix: http://www.thefader.com/2012/08/08/lungu-lungu-ruby-gold-brings-substance/

this has really become one of my favorite songs this summer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvDSJ03zSfM

a friend of mine was just over in ghana, he's putting up lots of dope videos and worked on this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R_mNJGALnE

xp: that monotone track is great. also loving the 'teka munike' track with revolution.

this isn't exactly new but i've been digging the eerie production on this one :

http://soundcloud.com/djnk/dj-n-k-d-pinkstar-6-feira-2012

^^ dude was part of dj's di ghetto - the same crew of marfox and nervoso among others. looks like he's been producing for d. pinkstar atm.

oh, I like that a whole hell of a lot, more please!

yeah i like that

on a not exactly related note, dj znobia - which can be seen as the main influence to all of those rising producers from portugal and angola - is now giving loads of his tracks on soundcloud : http://soundcloud.com/dj-znobia

^^ most of them are early to mid noughties tunes that were virtually impossible to find nowadays. 'dança da mãe' is an absolute classic and i'd recommend the 'set de kuduro 2003' to get a glimpse of kuduro - instrumental wise - in its formative years, right after the end of the civil war.

http://www.okayafrica.com/2012/09/19/big-fkn-gun-riot-download/

opened up for janka nabay last night, his band is pretty killing. definitely worth catching.

still need to check these afropopworldwide podcasts out-

HIP DEEP ANGOLA PART TWO is up, with the unwieldy title of 21st CENTURY URBAN ANGOLA: KIZOMBA, KUDURO, AFRO-HOUSE, AND BEYOND.

― curmudgeon, Monday, October 22, 2012 7:00 PM (2 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

African dance music of yore, so much fun:

http://www.awesometapes.com/2013/04/massinkodj-mengie-nyc-dj-xl-yafet-side.html

He is always digging up great stuff

whoa, i didn't know that (Eno-produced) Seun Kuti record came out, uh, two years ago. never heard a word about it, i was still waiting to hear about a release date!

this is beautiful i need more

https://soundcloud.com/principepromos/dj-maboku

Afrobeats 2013

Umm, reviving this thread despite the fact it's old and I would have called it something more like "Global Bass" or something these days. Anyway, I'm DJing a set of new outernational / global dance / dancehall / hip hop and wondering what I might be missing? I've got loads of amapiano and afrobeats but looking for dancey bangers and maybe naything out of the usual sphere. Doesn't have to be African.

Do you like any of Laa Lee's tracks? I posted a few on the new dancehall thread; they stand out in dancehall production right now for sounding very afro-house influenced rather than trap/drill. This one was on last year's thread and I think it's still me fave:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9c4E7DyTJo

saw this on okayafrica the other day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELWz7fGKgLQ

Yeah I love that one!

Laa Lee that is. Not heard this one

that's fruckn ace

How about a shot of Tanzanian singeli to create some mayhem on the dancefloor?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR33KmrgxsM
DJ Travella • Crazy Beat Music Umeme 2

(This is a preview track from their album on Nyege Nyege Tapes, which will be out 1 April)

More singeli, sweetened and salted for more general consumption:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLVeft4cAp4
Meja Kunta ft. Tamimu • Mume Wa Mtu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPKt7-LDnkg
NgomaZetu ft. Juma Nature & Msaga Sumu • Inaniuma Sana

A Kenya x UK collaborative project:

Nabalayo x NKC • Mwizi II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOEbc6jWbk

Or perhaps the Dub version is preferable.

DR Congo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW8nCs3V4DQ
Spilulu ft. DJ Boyoma x Ted Smith • Maboko Kaka Boye (2020)

Angola:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdlr2HF_90E
Johnny Berry ft. Cage One, King de Fofera & DJ Vado Poster • Pra Manter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQWr4n3ezTw
Bicho e o Bruxo • Sambala Qn Acaba

Surprise package from Naija:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmJXls4JYJU
Dai Verse ft. Buju • Sweet Daddy (Remix)

Plenty of bass in Ghanaian drill:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=294N-3477PU
Jay Bahd ft. Skyface SDW, ChicoGod & City Boy • Masherita

South Africa - as for amapiano, you absolutely need this current banger of bangers – if you already have it lined up, just play it twice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfI0Fzz-qeM
DJ Karri ft. Prime De 1st, BL Zero & Lebzito • Trigger

full version

OUT OF AFRICA:

Some oldies from Martinique (je crois):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPZeC04My4k
Sorrow ft. DJ Digital • Petit Pas Sauvage (2019)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3phSocz1b3k
Saa’Turn ft. DJ Digital • Tèt la lou (2018)

BRAZIL:

A different type of (baile) (funk) banger: Producer DJ Swat from Belo Horizonte (check this guy’s work out!) is sensational. The fact that the melody starts off in a very similar fashion to Bankulli & Not3s’ “Foreign” may appeal to you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4SX1oB1SIU
Mc Tolent ft. DJ Swat • Princesa Tu Joga

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2bJhwN6UeM
TZ da Coronel, DJ PurpleRain.REC • Trajado de Glock Ela Joga na Cara

(track is 2’07, but you could just put it on endless repeat and dance the hell out of it)

And there’s always the simpler pleasures of Bregafunk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVme4QLOOtQ
Anderson Neiff ft. Mc Terror, Laryssa Real & Mc Magrinho • O Neiff Me Ligou

(some of these, and others are well, can be found here: rolling baile funk 2021)

Lots of freaky fun to be had in Japan as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VIeV_LZXHM
宝鐘マリン (Marine Houshou) & Yunomi • Unison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRwHZ0nsbBY
戦慄かなの (Senritsu Kanano) • drop
(this one placed in the Tracks EOY 77)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6xG_zFoE8g
Kyaru Pamyu Pamyu • Dodonpa

Oh, and some of the stuff posted on the Rolling Re-De-Reconstructed Club Music 2022 thread might be up your alley as well, but perhaps you’re familiar with it already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?=CgiX53hjAPc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgiX53hjAPc

oooohh thanks for all these!

(my night went really well btw, although everyone overran and I was playing last B2B with my mate, so I only really got to play about 8 tunes!)

Mwizi II has been a highlight in my sets for a while - it's absolutely lovely. Enjoying the Singeli stuff!

breastcrawl / everyone else - not sure if you're on FB but if you are, it's worth joining my Terrain community - you'd be very valued and welcome https://www.facebook.com/groups/196834248337309

I don’t do FB, so I’ll have to pass.
Happy you like my selections tho!