Video: Zakee ‘Snakes’

January 9, 2012 Leave a comment

“Snakes,” one of the more electronically-minded tracks from Zakee‘s diverse genre palette, gets a kaleidoscopic video treatment courtesy of TriggerHappy. In terms of the music, we hear TV on the Radio if they were mainstays at London’s Boiler Room. Zakee’s Assimilations — an Okayafrica LP of the year pick — is available now.

Share|

Okayafrica’s Top 11 Tracks of 2011

December 28, 2011 1 Comment

It’s tough to sum up a year, let alone a year in music. For our top 11 tracks of 2011 we opted to stick to songs that had been featured on Okayafrica in the past 12 months. Love the choices? Hate ‘em? Let us know in the comments. Browse our top tracks of 2011 below, check out our top music videos and top side-eye moments of the year, and stay tuned for top 11 LPs!

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

CHLLNGR ft. Spoek Mathambo, Mpumi of BLK JKS, and Mo Laudi “Ask For (Africa Remix)”

CHLLNGR‘s nighttime dubby jam gets Africa remixed by Spoek Mathambo, Mpumi Mcata of BLK JKS, and Mo Laudi.

Grab it
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Zakee “Dope Girl”

Philly-via-Dakar Zakee‘s ode to the ultimate squeeze.

Grab it

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Nneka ft. Black Thought “God Knows Why”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Soulstress Nneka featuring The Roots‘ own Black Thought.

Grab it

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

M.anifest “Suffer”

Chopped-up soul samples in M.anfest‘s tougher life anthem “Suffer.”

Grab it

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

DJ Sbu ft. Zahara “Lengoma”

Kwaito-tinged South African house from DJ Sbu with vocals from budding singer Zahara.

Grab it

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Just A Band, Michel Ongaro, and Gebrüder Teichmann & Jahcoozi “Away”

Reverb-layered collaboration from Kenya’s Just A Band, Michel Ongaro and German producers Gebrüder Teichmann & Jahcoozi.

Grab it

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Jonti ft. Hodgy Beats “Nagoya”

SA producer Jonti cooks up a flawless electronic breeze for Odd Future’s Hodgy Beats.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

BIG FKN GUN “Pop Models”

Collage of Zulu rhymes spread over house beats from SA’s BIG FKN GUN.

Grab it

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Batida “Yumbala”

Kuduro beats and 60s semba guitar samples by Batida with verses from Luandan MCs Sacerdote and Dama Ivone.

Grab it

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

DJ Caise ft. Eldee, Jesse Jagz, & Grip-Boyz “Shake Bodi (Gidi House Mafia Remix)”

Naija-bred afro house banger from an all-star Chocolate City line up.

Grab it

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Zaki Ibrahim “Something In The Water”

SA/Canada’s Zaki Ibrahim delivers an undulating minimalist bass tune.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Share|

Audio: Zakee Presents ‘Dreams of Igboland’

December 15, 2011 1 Comment

Dope girl snatcher Zakee curated and produced this batch of traditional and religious Heebo Country tunes from Chief Kalu. Dreams of Igboland is the first of several gritty, analog recordings Zakee chased down in West Africa. Hear the reggae-tinged “Mighty GOD” below and download the whole album for FREE.

Chief Kalu “Mighty GOD” [from Zakee Presents: Dreams of Igboland] by okayafrica

>>>Download: Dreams of Igboland

Share|

Video: Zakee ‘Push The Power’

November 29, 2011 Leave a comment

Philly-via-Dakar’s Zakee keeps up the versatility with “Push The Power.” We’ve seen dude do the TVOTR thing, and the rainy-day romantic thing, now catch him and his friends drenching in the vibes and sunshine of Captiva Island, Jamaica, LA and BK. If we had a backing band exclusively made up of cute bids we’d be this happy too (no hate, just sayin’). Zakee’s Assimilations LP is out now.

Share|

Video: Zakee “Dope Girl” + Assimilations LP

September 13, 2011 Leave a comment

Our man Eddie “STATS” over at Okayplayer dished us over these two bits from Philly-via-Dakar’s Zakee, in his own words:

“Zakee‘s new album Assimilations drops today through Warner/Green Owl and to mark the occasion he just put out this video for “Dope Girl” just to prove one of two things: 1) he is one of the most versatile artists coming up in the game right now and 2) all you really need for a dope video is a rainy day, some cigarettes, a beach and the titular dope girl.”

Watch the clip for “Dope Girl” above. Zakke’s Assimilations is now coppable on iTunes.

Share|

Video: Zakee’s “Glory”

August 29, 2011 1 Comment

Shot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Zakee‘s latest video for his newest single “Glory” – off the upcoming Assimilations (Sept 13/Green Owl/WBR) – was directed by Zakee himself, along with Fernando Reginato.  According to Zakee, it was his travels to Africa and Brazil that inspired this song.  Apparently time in Rio de Janeiro led to a true spiritual journey for Zakee, allowing him time to reflect upon the intimate subject matter of the poor, mistreated youth and underdogs of society – which is what “Glory” is all about.  Get into the electro bass driven rhythm right here.

Share|

Video: Zakee “Freedom”

August 24, 2011 Leave a comment

On this track Zakee‘s light, pretty vocal stylings seem to float on top of the heavier percussive beat, with a bit of a spacey, airy feel – which makes sense given that the title of this track is “Freedom.”  This joint has a certain TV on the Radio-ish vibe at times, and the video is equal parts pretty, slow, carefree, and joyful (directed by LAZLO).  This is just the latest off Zakee’s upcoming debut LP Assimilations, a true blend of alternative, afrobeat, hip-hop, electro-pop and world music, out Sept. 13th on Green Owl/Warner Music Group.  Having heard the whole project we can say that you won’t be disappointed with your purchase.

 

Share|

Audio: Zakee’s “Dark Crystal” feat. Vinicius de Moraes and Esau Mwamwaya

April 29, 2011 2 Comments

Senegalese-American musican Zakee (who you may remember as “Zakee Kuduro”) is poised to release his first official album, Assimilations, on Green Owl Records/Warner Music Group this spring.  OKA is happy to present the first single off of Zakee’s debut offering, “Dark Crystal” featuring Vinicius de Moraes and Esau Mwamwaya (from The Very Best), below.  The song serves as an intro to the project which is entirely self-produced and filled with crunchy electronics, melodic pop hooks, and seriously heavy bass.  Born and raised in Philadelphia to a Senegalese mother, Zakee has been influenced by wide range of global sounds, incorporating into his music elements of afrobeat, hip-hop, electro, folk, Latin, alternative rock and more.  We’ve already seen a tremendous amount of growth and evolution from this young artist, and we’re looking forward to what’s to come.  This first single definitely has us eager to hear the new album in full.  Visit Zakee’s website for more.

Zakee – Dark Crystal

*NYC, come check out Zakee live, tonight, @ Public Assembly in Williamsburg.  Click here for more info on the event.

Share|

Photos: OKAYAFRICA launch event w/ The Roots, Talib Kweli, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew and more!

July 13, 2010 12 Comments

15,000 people will likely remember the finals of the World Cup 2010 for the rest of their lives – and not just because the games and the media hoopla around them were incredible to behold – but because they were all part of an evening that (musical) legends are made of. The okayafrica World Cup Celebration brought together an incredible line-up of acts; headlined by The Roots and Talib Kweli, acts from all over the continent positively ROCKED the stage – Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew, Blitz the Ambassador, Zakee, Dragons of Zynth, Sahr (from FELA!) with Super Human Happiness, and so many more. DJs J. Period, OP!, and Dhundee smashed the pre-party + interludes as well. And if that wasn’t enough, all our tired, sweaty behinds got treated to a last minute Nice & Smooth guest appearance, rockin’ with none other than Black Thought himself. We wanted the night to never end. There’s only one word for this kind of night: epic. It’ll be right up there with Dave Chappelle’s Block Party and Wattstax in no time. You can experience the vibe yourself through these amazing photos – follow me after the jump for photo galleries from Mel D. Cole, Terrence Jennings, and King Texas. Read More »

Share|

Hey New York: Today Is The Launch Of OKAYAFRICA!

July 11, 2010 10 Comments

Join us in Prospect Park this afternoon at 4pm for the official launch event for OKAYAFRICA, presented by Celebrate Brooklyn. It will be a celebration of all that is new, fresh, and innovative coming out of the continent and the diaspora.  Expect African influenced hip-hop, reggae, electronica, indie-rock and more.  Performers include The Roots, Talib Kweli, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew, Blitz the Ambassador, Sahr Ngaugah (the star of FELA! on Broadway), Zakee, Dragons of Zynth and DJ sets by J. Period, Dhundee, and OP! The party will be huge, make your way over to the park right after you finish watching the WORLD CUP finals!  To be the first to find out about all our special events and contests, sign up for the OKA email list today.

Share|