Video: FOKN Bois ‘Broken Language’

December 15, 2011 1 Comment

You already know how into “Broken Language” (apparent new title “Brkn Lngwjz”) we are. Wanlov and M3NSA finally release a clip for their undeniable pidgin rap stomper. In the Jay Hill-directed video, the FOKN Bois mug around Ghana streets to the backdrop of future-synths and rhymes that showcase why they’re the most unique mathafackas. Watch above.

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Audio: FOKN Bois’ Dunaquest In Budapest Remix Album

October 31, 2011 Leave a comment

Wanlov and M3NSA are on the heels of releasing the “world’s first pidgen musical” in its entirety, which we’re keeping a close eye on. ‘Til the full thing’s out, the FOKN Bois hold us over with a (free!) remix of The FOKN Dunaquest In Budapest LP. The 10-track album features remixes by an array Global Bass Scene producers including Flore, Hijo De La Cumbia, Vadim and Frikstailers. Stream and grab it below, it’s only free for a month!

The FOKN Dunaquest in Budapest Remix Album by Irie Maffia Production

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Video: M3nsa ‘Fanti Love Song’

October 12, 2011 1 Comment

New clip for FOKN Bois pidgen rapper M3nsa the Magnificent. Stepping away from the eccentric raucousness of his rhymes alongside Wanlov the Kubulor, “Fanti Love Song” finds M3nsa delivering a relaxed meditation and ode to his fellow Ghanaians — and probably a particular female Ghanaian. The Brooklyn-shot video shows M3nsa longboarding around the borough, stopping by bodegas and practice spaces like so many locals do. Watch the clip above and a ‘making of’ below. “Fanti Love Song” can be found on No. 1 Mango Street out now.

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Audio: FOKN Bois “Broken Language (DJ Juls Remix)” + The Blue Color Mixtape

September 14, 2011 2 Comments

M3nsa and Wanlov‘s undeniable pidgin jam “Broken Language” is stripped of its syncopated future-synth beat in exchange for an upright bass and acoustic drum kit combo. Ghanaian DJ Juls achieves the near-impossible by crafting a sparse new rhythm to the FOKN Bois‘ acapella that doesn’t immediately make us want to throw on the original.

Grab DJ Juls’ free Blue Color Mixtape, which features this remake of the FOKN Bois’ joint and other interpolations of tracks by M.anifest, Yaa Pono, Nas, and Lil Wayne.

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(via Akwaaba)

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

June 28, 2011 Leave a comment

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

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Audio: Kobi Onyame Rolls In The Green Green Grasses

April 14, 2011 1 Comment

Included recently in the Scottish Sun’s “Ones to Watch” list of 2011, Kobi Onyame, (b. Kwame Barfour-Osei) is a Ghanaian/UK hip-hop producer and artist, who draws his influences from the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Talib Kweli.  His new album “Green Green Grasses” shows off the multicultural influences he has developed over the years as a result of his dual nationalities and American hip-hop influence. The album’s title track fuses highlife guitars with modern day hip-hop rhythms and features fellow Ghanaian artist M3nsa.  Onyame sounds may sound like fellow UK rapper Dizzee Rascal, but his beats have more of a welcome familiarity to them while also incorporating hints of his Ghanaian roots.  Take a listen to the title track “Green Green Grasses” below, and get the album off iTunes here.

Green Green Grasses ft. M3nsa

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Video: No.1 Mango Street by M3NSA

March 2, 2011 Leave a comment

M3NSA was born in Ghana, raised in London spening a large part of his youth in Accra producing music.  On his international debut solo album No.1 Mango Street, M3NSA takes to the mic and projects a positive and thoughtful message over a diverse array of sounds.  While the album is by no means groundbreaking, it is a nice addition to the expanding world of Hip Hop mixed with African sounds and is enjoyable to listen too.  The first single off No.1 Mango Street is titled No Body Knows, an expeptionately bright song that one could imagine hearing on Saturday morning TV.  Check out the video for the single below (after the jump) and explore more of M3NSA and No.1 Mango Street, including download links, here.

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Video: “Adjuma” from M3NSA’s new album No.1 Mango Street

September 13, 2010 2 Comments

Named among the top 50 Ghanaians to watch by BBC, M3NSA will release his first international album on October 2nd. Having performed with other OKA favorites such as Wanlov Kubolor and DJ Richy Pitch, M3NSA’s No. 1 Mango Street is highly anticipated by hip hop heads worldwide. Fusing nu-jazz, soul, hip hop, and afrobeat, M3NSA reflects upon growing up in Accra, saying; “I talk about going back to pick up from where I left things at, and where everything started. It’s about acknowledging exactly where I come from and bringing all those experiences with me.”  M3NSA, who raps in English with bits of Twi and Pidgen mixed in, also, in collaboration with Wanlov, helped conceptualize and performed in the hilarious Coz Ov Moni (known as the world’s first Pidgin musical) and produced most of its soundtrack.  Watch the video for “Adjuma” off the album (above), and check the album art after the jump (below).  Look for No. 1 Mango Street at the top of next month.

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Kweku Ananse Remixes a Musical, Free EP

August 20, 2010 1 Comment

Originally, the FOKN Bois, made up of the duo of Wanlov the Kubolor (Ghana by way of Romania) and M3NSA (Ghana by way of England), wanted to put together a concept album about a day in the lives of two quirky boys growing up in Accra. Soon, however, they realized the theme was far too big to cover fully through music alone, so they opted instead to shoot a musical film. The product, Coz Ov Moni, is the first musical done entirely in the West African language of Pidgen (a mix of English and other languages), and stars the FOKN Bois.

It came out a few months ago, which was plenty of time for it to reach the eyes and ears of Kweku Ananse, a highlife and breakbeat DJ and producer living in Accra. Kweku took the soundtrack of the musical and laced it through much loved samples from the likes of Fela Kuti, Bilal and Thomas Mapfumo’s Hallelujah Chicken Run Band. The remixes are now available for free as the 8-track Coz Ov Moni – The Remix EP.

Download it here.

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