Seattle/Zimbabwe experimental rap duo Shabazz Palaces drop this clip for “Are You… Can You… Were You? (Felt)” off the highly-praised 2011 Black Up LP. The visuals span dreamlike states, bicycle near-accidents, and a mother’s disapproval of her daughter’s threads (argued in Amharic). Watch it above.
New Sounds Of Africa is a new weekly series where we introduce need-to-know artists from the continent and the diaspora. In our second installment we feature Rina Mushonga, an Indian-born Zimbabwean/Dutch singer that has potential to be an international household name with her incredible rich and powerful sound. Her vocal feel and talent is reminiscent of Tracy Chapman, but with a soulful rock influence and refreshing flow. She convincingly belts out lyrics with a nice control of low ranges but really grabs ya when she goes up higher. The notes float out the back of her throat and embrace you. Check out her tribute to Portishead’s “Glory Box” above.
Listen to Rina’s popular single “All My Ships” below and look out for the full album of the same title in May 2012.
“Commenting on the New Sounds Of Africa helps the artist and expands the music universe!” -GiKu
Thomas Mapfumo‘s 1986 track “Shumba” gets an extended edit from Dan Snaith’s (aka Caribou) side project, Daphni. Thomas Mapfumo is one of Zimbabwe’s most notable music icons who incorporated traditional Shona songs with political lyrics in his Chimurenga music and was a threat to the minority white Zimbabwae (Rhodesia) government for the years leading up to its independence in 1980. This extra long edit gets a solid 4/4 beat and extended breaks making it an infinite jam highlighted by gorgeous guitars. The flip side is worth a listen as well.
The Zimbabwean government has recently banned “second-hand undergarments of any type, form or description – whether purchased, donated or procured in any other manner.” Finance Minister Tendai Biti even added: “If you are a husband and you see your wife buying underwear from the flea market, you have failed.” The bigger failure seems to be the necessity out of which folks in Zimbabwe have to buy second-hand knickers. It’s likely that sh*t’s not a choice.
If you’re not familiar with post-post-everything hip-hop experimentalists Shabazz Palaces‘ highlight LP, here’s your visual alleviation. Watch the album presentation of Ishmael Butler (Digable Planets) and Zimbabwean multi-instrumentalist Tendai Maraire’s Black Up above. Shabazz description from Sub Pop:
Like rich velvet hijabs or gold threaded abayas. Luxury as understood by the modest. Shabazz Palaces. If Bedouins herded beats instead of goats and settled in Seattle instead of the Atlas Mountains, this would be their album. Forward thinkers but nostalgic for a sparer time when ancient astronomers only recognized five planets. Hip hop.
You’ve probably heard of these Seattle rap-experimentalists by now. Shabazz Palaces is compromised of Palaceer Lanzaro (aka former Digable Planets‘s Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler) and multi-instrumentalist Tendai Maraire, who employs ancient instruments from his homeland Zimbabwe.
Shabazz’ mid-year LP release, Black Up, garnered large amounts of critic and blog praise. If you’re not familiar, we suggest you checking and grabbing “Swerve… the reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)” below (dudes’ have a knack for titles). Above, watch Shabazz on The Guardian’s “How We Wrote It” series, where they play and explain the dream-story behind “Bronny On A Breakaway.”
Our boys at LargeUp hip us to UK producer Zulu‘s Mixtape Vol. 1 in the latest installment of their Mixtape Mondays series. In their own words:
18-year-old London producer Zulu has just released a mixtape of all original material… Recently signed to tropical bass don Toddla T’s Girls Music label, Zulu is set to make some serious noise this year with his self-proclaimed Zimbabwean trance sound and upcoming EP dropping November 7th. The African zulu elements are clear as day, as well as bits of UK funky & 2 step, house, and that good good future club that can’t be put into a box as it lacks a specific shape. Whether or not this is a sound or style you’re used to, adding this mix to your life is highly recommended.
Stream Zulu Mixtape Vol. 1 below, grab the free DL over at dude’s Facebook page and cop his Kwaito EP. You can get acquainted with more Afro-Carib riddims from the fam at LargeUp.
In the past 10 years, Jackie Mgido, a native Zimbabwean, has worked as a makeup and hair stylist with celebrities such as Cuba Gooding Jr., Jamie Foxx, Jane Lynch, Gayle King, Snoop Dogg and too many others to count. As part of Okayafrica’s new series, “An African Minute,” we caught up with Jackie in New York City where she was working hair and makeup magic on Food Network star Lisa Lillien (aka Hungry Girl) to ask her 5 questions.
1. How did you get started in the makeup industry?
Being from Zimbabwe, my parents always wanted me to go to college and become a vet. Truth is I’ve always loved makeup, whereas my Dad hated it. He always thought that it was for women of the night. I used to put on makeup and he actually didn’t notice that I had it on. After arriving in the United States I started working for a cosmetic company. It was my husband’s idea to move to California, where I attended MUD (Make Up Designery). Before you know it, I did my first gig in the industry and that’s how it all began.
2. You worked with the very funny and talented Jane Lynch from Glee during her Emmy hosting stint, what was that experience like?
That woman is so amazing, patient and great. She knows what she wants and made things simple. She’s really professional and that pushed me to be as precise and as professional as possible. It was awesome, especially since she’s the biggest thing out right now. She’s naturally funny. I had to transform her into to a Jersey Shore/Real Housewives/Mafia Wives woman (photo in series below). That was awesome, I really loved that day. They cut out a lot of things, just her character alone “Donatella” would have been enough.
3. So you’ve worked with entertainers Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and Lil Jon – all guys. Hold up! Men get their makeup done too? What do you do for them?
When anyone (male or female) is on television one of things you have to do is even out their skin tone. A lot of people don’t realize that African American skin has a tendency of looking oily and ashy on film. If men have pimples its important is to even out their skin tone cause nobody wants to look at that (laughs). One of the people that has really great skin is John Legend. He’s so cute and so polite, I love him. I also had to even out his skin tone. I’ve also worked with Sylvester Stallone and the thing with Sylvester is he’s very red, so you don’t want him to look that red on television, so you have to counterbalance that. There’s a whole science behind it.
4. As an African woman, born in Zimbabwe, What would you say African attitudes are towards makeup?
The thing is, at home, it’s not part of our culture. It’s associated with luxury, so we are not educated in that realm. It’s funny, cause my Dad would say to me “Do you sell Mary Kary?” I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with selling it but I would say “No Dad, I don’t sell Mary Kay. I’m not getting the pink Cadillac” (laughs). A lot of people don’t get what I do. They keep asking when they are going to see me in the movies and I’m like “No, you don’t understand, I make these people look presentable”. I love doing special effects but I find that when I do them a lot of people don’t quite understand it. In Zimbabwe I see a lot of young people working with clay and it’s really special to me because I did a master’s program in that art form. I see the makeup industry as a developing field for African youth especially for men, it’s a big industry. I think what’s missing is the education behind it. If I could just go home and get all those artists to come to the United States and work, then perhaps the perceptions would change.
5. Do you find it difficult to balance being a mom to a beautiful 4 year old, a wife, and a career woman all the same time?
I don’t think it’s a matter of being difficult. It’s about having a supportive spouse and knowing that each one has a dream and you have to live it so you don’t regret it later. My husband is extremely supportive. So yes of course I do feel a certain amount of guilt leaving my daughter, but if Mommy’s not happy then baby’s not happy. So you need to make sure everyone is happy. Who’s to say you can have a family and also live your life? Having a supportive spouse I can do both and it’s great. I have a lot going on in my professional life. I’m working on a sizzle reel and I want people to know about makeup and get excited about it. I’m trying to pitch something to the networks and I’m really excited about. I’m also starting a lip liner line, I’ve noticed that what often happens is that these lip liners always come off. So I’m working with a company right now and we are creating a semi-permanent lip liner line. I’m also an educator at heart so you can always find me on YouTube educating people about the art of makeup.
Find out more about Jackie’s hair and makeup skills on her site.
The tin sounds from Tinashé‘s mbira (finger piano) in this version of “Zambezi” compliment the sound of raindrops falling on the pavement outside of the OKA offices this evening. We’re also digging his voice – so soothing that we almost forget the song is about Zimbabwe’s liberation movement.
The ‘Side eye’ is the facial response given to people, events, or actions that are silly and ridiculous. Side Eye Stories will summarize instances that we can’t be bothered to write a long-form response to, but wanna express our skepticism towards. Without further ado, here are this week’s picks:
This week The Independent reported that a US Embassy Cable unearthed by Wikileaks detailed Richard Branson‘s plan to bankroll the ousting of Robert Mugabe. The Cable was written in 2007, a week before Branson announced his financial support for ‘The Elders’ – a group of prominent figures including Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and Kofi Annan. The cable says that Branson would sponsor a meeting of The Elders in which they would discuss how to approach Mugabe and respectfully ask him to step down from office. That’s so badass. Unfortunately, it was all talk and no action – the meeting never took place.
And a ton more, after the jump.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria got a pretty bad wrap in the 90s. Signs warning passengers of weak security there were posted by the FAA in terminals all over the United States. When Obasanjo became president in ’99, the airport’s infrastructure and security improved greatly. The side eye came out when we spotted this senseless gem creating fear at the DOMESTIC terminal at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport. It might as well read: Lagos, Nigeria is dangerous as shit. Enjoy your flight to Kansas City, Missouri.
Thanks to Common‘s recent book, we now know what Angelina Jolie thinks about Fela Kuti‘s music. Apparently Common writes in his book that he made Angelina a CD of “Fela and some other stuff.” Her response to the CD was: “that’s some real dark warrior music.” Fela Kuti? Dark warrior music? Yo Common, we don’t think Angelina actually listened to that mixtape you made her. Btw, we’re not the only ones that Angelina irritates, check out Paul Zeleza‘s comments on her ridiculous Africa talk. Big thanks to G.D. at PostBourgie for spotting this fantastic side eye moment.
Do you ever wish you were an antelope so you could get away with things like this under the assumption that it’s an act of nature?
Video: Shabazz Palaces ‘Are You… Can You… Were You? (Felt)’
Seattle/Zimbabwe experimental rap duo Shabazz Palaces drop this clip for “Are You… Can You… Were You? (Felt)” off the highly-praised 2011 Black Up LP. The visuals span dreamlike states, bicycle near-accidents, and a mother’s disapproval of her daughter’s threads (argued in Amharic). Watch it above.