Photos: OKAYSUMMER! 2011 Party Blow Out Photo Re-Cap

We hate to rub it in, but if you missed our OKAYSUMMER! Pop-Up Party this past Saturday (8/20) you slept on possibly the funnest event of the summer (and yes, I mean FUNNEST!).  With a sizzling hot cast of music makers, including Just A Band (Kenya) – with their FIRST U.S. performance (!!), Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew (Sierra Leone), DJ Gravy (Rice N Peas, LargeUp), DJ MoMa, Sinkane – pictured above (Yeasayer), Little Shalimar (Chin Chin, Reverend Vince, Big Mono), Saarid (Throne of Blood, VHS or Beta), and Jaleel Bunton (TV on the Radio) – and dumpster diving pools, girls in swimsuits, boys in Speedos, badminton, ping pong, Sangria, photo booths, fire spinning, fashion shows, and plenty of debauchery – let’s just say some of us (ahem…) are still hung over.  Two days later.  If you were there, relive the action with our stunning photo series, thanks to Lauren Silberman and The Self-Portrait Project, below – if you weren’t able to make it, these flicks will take you there.  Big up to our fam-a-lam Okayplayer and LargeUp, and our co-party-throwers The Danger and 3rd Ward.

OKAYSUMMER! photos by Lauren Silberman

 

OKAYSUMMER! photos by The Self-Portrait Project

 

NYC: The OKAYSUMMER Pop-Up Party!

Okayplayer and Okayafrica present: The OKAYSUMMER Pop-Up Party!
+ A late-summer chance to get your DRINK + DANCE + SWIM on +

Set at the brand-new, tropical-infused, paradise-like, art oasis – an ode to the Boca Raton resorts of the 1940′s – come swag out with us at The Palms this Saturday for a day and night of DJs, performances, swimming, theatrics, acts of fire, coconut cocktails, and lobster rolls.

{also: THE OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY FOR JUST A BAND’s PHENOMENAL EXHIBIT “Kudishnyao!“}

There will be the infamous dumpster pools (yes, you can swim!). There will be a massive fire performance. There will be a vintage bathing suit fashion show. There will be strip bocce and bubble gun battles. There will be synchronized swim performers. There will be liquor, dance-floors, and thoughtful hedonism. There will be MUSIC.

{also: THE OFFICIAL “WELCOME BACK DRY EYE CREW” EXTRAVAGANZA}

Can you believe this ish? We can’t.

Performances/DJ sets from: Read More »

Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew: Declaration of Boldness (via Revivalist)

Today our sister channel, jazz-inspired Revivalist, goes in-depth with our favorite Sierra Leonean pop stars, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew – excerpt below:

Bajah and the Dry Eye Crew, a ferocious trio from Sierra Leone, who’s lyrics pack a political punch–and who’s energetic performances have involved acrobatics and other physically impressive maneuvers of that caliber–have brought their message to the U.S. in a most surprising way. Growing up during the 11 year conflict, and being eye-witnesses to the mass violence that was inflicted upon their homeland, Bajah and the Dry Eye Crew members, Bajah, Dovy Dovy, and A-Klazz still have an air of love and gratitude that they exude in their everyday lives and certainly in their music, despite living in conflict for over a decade. The Revivalist spent an afternoon at Photo Rob’s studio for a fun shoot with the guys as we picked their brains about bearing witness to war, the initial culture shock of moving to the United States, and how their music has affected change in their communities where they are hometown superstars.

Check out the full interview with the dynamic trio HERE, and also see the rest of Photo Rob’s awesome flicks!

 


VIDEO: Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew on CNN

On CNN today: Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew‘s stories of the war in Sierra Leone, their budding US career, and what one guy has to say about how good they is.

Having just arrived back from touring their homeland, DC folks can head to the Kennedy Center tonight to check them. Later this summer, they will be gracing the stage at an impressive number of UK festivals (dates after the jump). Look out this fall for their international debut album – and stay tuned for more US dates (and possibly…shhhh…their welcome back extravaganza).

Read More »

OKAYAFRICA Heads To London! Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew, FOKN BOIS, + Afrikan Boy.

Okayafrica is trekking across the pond to jolly ol’ London for an OKA Invasion!  We’ll be taking over London’s prestigious Jazz Cafe for 1 night on Thursday, July 28th, to present the UK’s 1st Okayafrica showcase featuring Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew (Sierra Leone), the FOKN BOIS (M3NSA + Wanlov The Kubolor + DJ Edu from Ghana), with special guest Afrikan Boy (Nigeria).  Shout out to our amazing partners, ARISE Magazine and Dawn Africa.  This will be a show to remember – get your tix now RIGHT HERE.

Deets:

Thursday, July 28th
JAZZ CAFE
5 Parkway, Camden Town
London, NW1
Doors 7PM

Le Wi Lan Krio: Episode 1

Our friends at WeOwnTv have developed this awesome series of lessons, “Le Wi Lan Krio”, to teach Sierra Leonean Krio – the common language spoken in every day life of Sierra Leone. Now you too can chat with Sierra Leone artists such as Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew, the Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars, and Janka Nabay.

In this episode: greetings, sit down, stand up, and a parable about how to cope with having lots of children.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALONE!

Happy Birthday Sierra Leone! May your future be bright and peaceful, and may your tumba‘s dance to the righteous sounds of all the musicians of Sierra Leone, including our favorites, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew, who will be rockin’ your National Stadium tonight like a shuttle to Mars. Congrats Mama Salone, we miss you!

Big up to our friends the Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars and their Positive Revolution (#positiverevolution), and Bubu King Janka Nabay!

And for a taste of what’s to come tonight:

Audio: Saadi and Bajah “Lights Up”

Boshra, the Syrian born front woman for her solo outfit Saadi has tapped Sierra Leonian superstar Bajah (from Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew) to guest on her newest single, “Lights Up.”  According to Saadi, “‘Lights Up NYC’ deals with the relationship every artist has with the struggle to live and create in NYC. It was inspired by Pupa Bajah’s story of coming to New York with the Dry Eye Crew from Sierra Leone.  The song came into being when Bajah and Boshra met at an Antibalas show at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn and went back to the East Village, spending the rest of the night recording at the Village Riddim Factory (a.k.a. Boshra’s tiny east village apt) and writing what would become Lights Up NYC.”  For the infectious electro-happy track, check below.  Also, click after the jump for a video of the two performing the song live.

Saadi and Bajah – “Lights Up”

Click HERE to download.

Read More »

Subatomic Sound Presents NYC-2-Africa

The NYC-2-Africa EP was recorded in New York City, Kingston, Jamaica and Dakar, Senegal, using a single original rhythm to trace the diaspora back through history from hip hop’s inception on NYC’s gritty streets, to its Jamaican dancehall reggae roots, to its foundation in African rhythms—represented here by a battery of Senegalese sabar drums.  The politics, culture, and environmental awareness fundamental to this musical history are represented vocally by Anthony B (Jamaica), Jahdan Blakkamoore (NYC) and Bajah (Sierra Leone), the three artists featured on the track.  For an exclusive look inside the studio during recording, check out the video above.  The song itself can be heard below, and for download links along with more information about the song and Subatomic Sound click here.

Anthony B w/ Subatomic Sound System & Nomadic Wax – Dem Can’t Stop We From Talk by SubatomicSound

Audio: Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew “Any Girl”

Check out “Any Girl” from Sierra Leonean 3-piece Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew today on RCRDLBL.com, from their self-titled debut album, due out in Spring 2011 via One Haven Music/Modiba Productions. The song, a bubbling, vibrant track with an infectious hook and a tropical reggae vibe, is available as a free download. Also, watch out for Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew at the Okayplayer Holiday Jam (deets coming soon!) before they head back to their native “Salone” for a sold-out headlining Christmas show at the 50,000-person National Stadium. Stateside, Bajah, A-Klazz, and Dovy Dovy have been steadily winning over NYC audiences with their unique sound, known as Gbomognoh (pronounced bo-mo-no), their signature fusion of funk, hip-hop, dancehall, reggae and unique Sierra Leonean sounds.

Download “Any Girl” by clicking here.

Any Girl