NYC: Khaira Arby and her Band – Thursday, July 7th

July 6, 2011 Leave a comment

Kharia Arby, hailing from Northern Mali, will be performing Thursday, July 7th at Le Poisson Rouge. Known for her strength and creativity, Arby draws influence from the edgy and progressive to the traditional and deeply rooted. Check the video below for a preview of the live experience.

Doors are at 6:30, the show begins at 7:30. Tickets are $15. Opening up for Khaira Arby’s set is The Mast, a Brooklyn-based duo who create a propulsive and expansive sound.

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NYC: Pharoahe Monch and Baloji, Sat. July 2nd – FREE!

June 27, 2011 Leave a comment

We’ve been anticipating Congolese/Belgian crooner Baloji‘s arrival in NYC for a while now, and this upcoming weekend he’ll be touching down in the Big Apple for a visit.  We’re pretty much in love with everything about Baloji – his rad Sapeur style, his groovy voice, his French raps.  So this Saturday, July 2nd, come celebrate Emancipation Day (commemorating the historic end to slavery in New York state) with Pharoahe Monch as the headliner, and Baloji and DJ Manchildblack on the bill. Completely free (with a $5 suggested donation), the festivities began at 4pm, with Bajoli going on at 6pm, followed by Pharoahe Monch at 7pm. All the events are at the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn (1698 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11213). Check the flyer above for more details.

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Audio: Da Cruz “Boom Boom Boom”

June 9, 2011 Leave a comment

Check this fresh new single from Swiss and Brazilian combo Da Cruz. Brazilian singer (with Bahian roots), Mariana Da Cruz joins forces with Swiss electronica producer Ane H. for their new album Sistema Subversiva (available June 28th on Six Degree Records). Merging Brazilian music, electro, afrobeat, breakbeats, Ethiopian grooves, and kuduro, their new album pushes boundaries of typical brazilian fusion. Listen to the track below to get a taste for what’s coming.

Da Cruz: “Boom Boom Boom” by SixDegreesRecords

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NYC: Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars at The Bell House (Sat, 5/28)

May 26, 2011 Leave a comment

Not only is the weather shaping up for Memorial Day Weekend, but so are the events. Saturday night, May 28th, the Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars are performing live in Brooklyn at The Bell House. What better way to spend the weekend than dancing the night away to the infectious rhythms of infectious Sierra Leonian music. Luckily, OKA has 2 pairs of tickets to give away for FREE – just CLICK HERE to enter the contest!  The event begins at 8pm and tickets are $15 for those who might want to buy at the door.  Check the video below after the jump to see what the All Stars have been up to. Read More »

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Video: Les Nubians Live at The Shrine in Chicago

May 20, 2011 Leave a comment

As first seen on okayplayer, Cam Be and Jamaar J capture Les Nubians at The Shrine in Chicago discussing the meaning and purpose of their new album Nu Revolution, the power of dance – the relief, energy and action that the music has on stage. Mixed with live clips of their performance, it’s clear to see that Les Nubians still got it.

 

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Audio: Mo Kolours’ The Drum Walking Mixtape

May 19, 2011 Leave a comment

Last month, we dropped an album teaser of “Biddies” from Mo Kolours, off his much anticipated Drum Talking EP, which has now arrived.  Along with it, MK offers up a mixtape to continue the celebration of his new release. Based on the drums, The Drum Walking Mixtape is full of songs that inspire the half-Mauritian percussionist and vocalist. Presented by our friends over at Wax Poetics, check out the mixtape below.

Drum Walking Mixtape by Mo Kolours by Wax Poetics

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DC: Afrocuba, DMV Area’s Monthly Party Begins This Friday (5/13)

May 11, 2011 Leave a comment

Every second Friday of the month, DJ Asho presents AFROCUBA, playing the best of salsa, son, timba, rumba y yoruba. This amazing event is in an all new location, Liv Nightclub, not to mention that it is free! Check out the dates for the summer after the jump, and the flyer above for more details. Read More »

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NYC & DC: Okayafrica presents Nneka Unplugged – WIN FREE TIX!

May 9, 2011 1 Comment

**CONTEST!  WIN a pair of FREE TICKETS to either the NYC or the DC Nneka show – just CLICK HERE to enter.

One of OKA’s favorite artists, Nneka, is back in the states and has two shows coming up in May. NYC – check her out at SOB’s on Friday May 13th (flyer above), and DC heads you can see her live the next night on Saturday the 14th, at The Park at Fourteenth (flyer below, after the jump). If you have never heard of Nneka, stop sleeping. She is the Nigerian born songstress behind Concrete Jungle, who spent much of her life growing up in Germany, and has a voice that will cut right through you and leave you aching for more. Last summer she toured with Nas and Damian Marley on their Distant Relatives tour – and like those two she’s infused her music with a bit of a political slant – she’s got a message, listen for it. She has also worked with The Roots, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew, J. Period and others.  A superstar to watch out for, for sure. Read More »

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Audio: “Yesterday” by Core Wreckah ft. Deney

May 6, 2011 2 Comments

The new single from Core Wreckah, “Yesterday” featuring Deney, is about a love triangle gone wrong. Wreckah provides the outsider’s perspective on how it feels to be cheated on. Born and raised in small town Maseru, Lesotho, Core Wreckah gives the listener an insightful look at an all too common situation, layered with a deeper understanding that one action can evoke many reactions.

“Yesterday” ft. Deney

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Video: “Stop Look & Listen” by Brams aka L’Insatiable feat. Juba Zaki

May 2, 2011 Leave a comment

Check out this new video from Brams, aka L’Insatiable, (born in Cameroon, living in Brussels) featuring Brooklyn emcee Juba Zaki. Both rappers flow freely complementing each others style. Brams spits in French, while Juba sticks with English: the language barrier is clearly no problem here.

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