This Sunday, Mathias Kiwanuka, the New York Giants’ linebacker, will compete in his hometown of Indianapolis against the New England Patriots for the NFL championship. But he will have his home country, Uganda, on his mind.  He’ll also be thinking of his grandfather, Benedicto Kiwanuka, Uganda’s first prime minister after the country won self-government in 1962 from Britain. Benedicto was assassinated by Idi Amin in1972 – an event that, according to the New York Times, may have set back progress in East Africa for years.

Mathias, on Uganda: “How much does Uganda mean to me? It means everything.”

Parisian Producers Jess and Crabbe are getting Bazzerk again and this time it’s the Coupe Decale sound they are crazy about on their latest release, Bazzerk.Yrslf Logobi Special EP — in association with B.YRSLF Division. Heavy kicks, rave-synths, fast rhythms and memorable instrumental hooks will put you in a trace on the dance floor. You can listen and download the free EP below but try not to hurt .yrslf while listening.

Frank Gossner of the acclaimed Voodoo Funk parties — and now label — is back from his travels with fresh vinyl and a new Nigerian Funk mix intended to “lighten up these gray days of winter.” New Yorkers: Gossner will be spinning his new findings at Williamsburg jazz cave Zebulon Cafe tonight! See all details on the flyer below.

If you read the site you might know of our love for Punk In Africa — a documentary on the rise and influence of punk music in South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Well, Berlin’s DJ Zhao, whose North African mixtape was featured on here a minute ago, has put together this “Punk In Africa” mix to go along with the film.

The 75-minute compilation goes from “punk to heavily Africanized rebel rock… to Congotronics remixes” Featuring pioneering punk-reggae Joburg outfit National Wake, Durban’s Wild Youth, and plenty more. Stream and download the mix in its entirety below!

TRACKLIST
01 [South Africa] National Wake – Black Punk Rockers
02 [South Africa] National Wake – Mercenaries
03 [South Africa] KOOS – Is Jy N Moegoe
04 [South Africa] National Wake – Dreams In My Head
05 [Zimbabwe] Chikwata 263 – Dudumduri
06 [South Africa] Dread Warriors – Xighangu Xamina
07 [South Africa] National Wake – Tchindi (live]
08 [UK] Andy Moor – From E to F + Pinch – Warlord
09 [South Africa] Kalahari Surfers – Don’t Dance (live) + Bass Boy – Stamp
10 [DR Congo] Docteur Nico & African Fiesta – Save Me
11 [Mozambique] 340ML – Shotgun (Zhao Fix)
12 [Zimbabwe] Evicted – Mapurisa (Remix)
13 [Zimbabwe] Chikwata 263 – In the Jungle
14 [South Africa] National Wake ft. Warrick Sony –Bolina (Kalahari Mix) + Cyrus – Manhatten Blues
15 [UK] Andy Moor – Ella Speed + Unknown
16 [DR Congo] Kasai Allstars – The Incident At Mbuji-Mayi (Bass Clef Remix)
17 [DR Congo] Kasai Allstars – Mukuba Special (Shackleton Remix)
18 [France / UK] DJ Rupture & Andy Moor – Broken Minded
19 [South Africa] Powerage – Waiting For the War
20 [South Africa] Powerage – Freedom + FilthyBeatz – Bounced
21 [Angola] Acromaniacos – unknown
22 [South Africa] KOOS – Ek Is My Dilemma
23 [South Africa] Fuzigish – Burn the Fucking House Down
24 [South Africa] Wild Youth – All Messed Up
25 [South Africa] Wild Youth – Wot About Me
26 [Tanzania] Jagwa Sound System – Watu na Maisha Yao
27 [South Africa] A-Cads – Down The Road
28 [South Africa] The Dynamics – Garlic Baloney

Somalia’s troubadour released this lyric-video for the Coldplay-sampling “Better” off his More Beautiful Than Silence EP. The track, produced by One Republic‘s Ryan Tedder, sees K’naan addressing pre-fame times — way before “Wavin’ Flag” and the FIFA/ I was a dreamer/ Life was a gamble.

Read our in-depth interview with K’naan on Nas, the new EP and transnational identity. And check out other clips for “Nothing To Lose ft. Nas” and “Is Anybody Out There” with Nelly Furtado. More Beautiful Than Silence is coppable now.

(via)

As far back as the 14th century, many countries throughout West Africa possessed an incredibly rich culture of oral storytelling. The gatekeepers, known as griots, played the essential and unique role of their community’s historians through poetry, prose and song. They also provided entertainment as well as social and political commentary gathered through observation. Griots were vital to the social fibre of whatever community they served, preserving the history of these societies as they passed their talents on to the next generation.

Though not a self-proclaimed griot, conscious Senegalese hip-hop artist Keyti uses his music as a platform to pass on knowledge, share wisdom, and inspire listeners worldwide. His music brings awareness to the everyday realities that many people in his home country are burdened with as a result of the political and economic malevolencies that spread beyond the borders of Senegal, seeping and soaking much of the African continent in the same heavy waves of strife.

With the metropolitan capital city of Dakar as his backdrop, in his latest video released by Nomadic Wax, Keyti delivers a series of poignant poetic verses that so vividly capture the seemingly never-ending tribulations of his people, the same sentiments that have sparked protests and uprisings throughout the African continent over the past year.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been using K’naan‘s global hit “Wavin’ Flag” (above) throughout his campaign tour, seemingly in honor of the ol’ red white and blue. The incidence prompted K’naan to release a statement yesterday saying:

“I have not been asked for permission by Mitt Romney’s campaign for the use of my song. If I had been asked, I would certainly not have granted it. I would happily grant the Obama campaign use of my song without prejudice.”

Romney’s camp claim the song was used through the campaign’s regular blanket license but, out of respect for K’Naan’s statement, won’t be used again. Chapter closed. Still not as bad as Ronald Reagan‘s complete misinterpretation of Bruce Springsteen‘s “Born in the U.S.A.”

Below, watch Jon Stewart‘s breakdown of the staggering (nauseating) wealth of Mitt Romney. Clue: he paid $6 million in taxes last year.

Amadou & Miriam will be filming a video shoot at NYC’s exclusive burlesque venue The Box with TV on the Radio‘s Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone —who you might remember collaborated on the Malian duo’s upcoming album. Okayafrica has gotten VIP access to the exclusive video shoot, and we need EXTRAS who want to come behind-the-scenes and take part in the shooting of the video.

If you’d like to attend the shoot and be in the video as part of the live audience, email Julie at amadounmariamextras@gmail.com and attach a photo of yourself.  You’ll need to be available to be at an exclusive venue in the LES from 2pm-10pm on Monday, February 6th.  You’ll also be allowed and invited to stay for the FREE concert they’ll be giving after the video shoot!

ALSO, Amadou & Mariam and Tunde + Kyp will be performing a FREE INVITE ONLY concert after shooting the video in the evening. We have 30 FREE TICKETS (15 winners each with a +1) for a lucky few. All you have to do is enter the contest (below) and check your inbox on MONDAY MORNING (coming from okayafricacontest@gmail.com) — so don’t be giving us a fake e-mail!

ENTER HERE TO WIN TICKETS

E-MAIL JULIE TO BE AN EXTRA

Julie’s specifications for extras:

The set will be at a chic and exclusive cabaret venue in the LES from 2-10pm.  If you can come the entire shoot, thats great but if just for one half, that can work as well. We need quintessential, colorful, and real New Yorker characters who love culture, music, art, and letting go. As far as outward image, can be anything authentic, but please own it– whether a young professional type, or absolute artiste, or an exotic dancer, doesn’t matter — we’d love to see you come forward as whatever it is you dress as each day or whatever best represents your persona.

The video concept deals with dissolution of facades. The artists involved share a worldliness as well as an artfulness. The shoot includes an actual live performance by Amadou and Mariam alongside Kyp Malone from TV on the Radio. There is no pay for this one but it will be an absolutely unique and powerful experience as well as an amazing party.

Awesome Tapes From Africa stopped by the (amazing) East Village record store Turntable Lab to deliver a tape deck-mixed set of his rare cassettes from West Africa and the continent. Highlights include cuts from ATFA label’s first releases from Malian songstress Na Hawa Doumbia and North Ghana’s kologo virtuoso Bola. Stream and download the mix below. Head to TTL for an interview with Brian Shimkovitz, the mind behind ATFA.

TRACKLIST
Boubou Tounkara – “Tara”
Joe Nez – “Mona Come Back”
Mamar Kassy – “Lelly Yoro”
Souleyman Sidibe – “Samaba”
Eddie Donkor – “Eye Banker”
Wonder Dayo Kjore – “Super Jet”
Bola – “Zuo Wam Te Yire Me”
Ramblers Dance Band – “Knock on Wood”
Na Hawa Doumbia – “Koro Dia”
Bill Diakhou – “Tani”

(via TTL)

“the genius of it all was THIS was the first time that black people were proud to be called AFRICAN”

Questlove took the time to write these words on OKP about the passing of Soul Train host/producer Don Cornelius, we felt it fit to reprint for Don’s incredible legacy and ?uesto’s breakdown of his effect on African-American identity :

you guys see this bag?

this bag has NEVER left my side for the past 14 years. I deemed it imperative that i NEVER part with it. you can imagine the arguments i’ve gotten into with flight attendants over that bag. this bag is my blue blanket to my linus. i carry that bag everywhere cause the future is in this bag. and by the future i mean our past. and by our past i mean Soul Train.

Don Cornelius was my first non musical non celeb non blood related hero.

its amazing timing that my arrival on earth and his greatest creative manifestation came within 9 months of each other. both symbolizing a new hope for urban america.

most won’t get it til now (especially now that he’s gone) but i pray that Don knew of the appreciation he had in all of us born after 1968.

you people will have to forgive me…im just kinda writing from the heart….sporadic thoughts tears and snot are spilling out and whatnot. im certain dream and toure and nelson will do his legacy justice in print….i just felt the need to write something.

i just wanna use my position to really let people know that next to Berry Gordy, Don Cornelius was hands down the MOST crucial non political figure to emerge from the civil rights era post 68. the craziest most radical thing of all is i don’t even consider Soul Train his most radical statement. yes the idea of the young black teenager NOT mired in legal trouble on the 6 oclock news getting camera time was a new idea to most…so of course the fact the U.S. really got its first vicarious look at our culture was amazing.

but the TRUE stroke of genius in my opinion was how Don managed to show US how important we were. which was NOT an easy task.

not by premiering the newest jam by james brown

not by focusing on the latest dance craze
not by the crazy outfits….

ill tell you how Don really made a radical statement. and he himself acknowledges it:

the commercials.

Soul Train had double duty, to not only produce a show, but they also had to provide ALL of the production for the Johnson beauty products commercials that was funding the show. often using the set and the soul train gang (they became soul train dancers in 1976) as lead actors.

ok ahmir so where are you going with this?

the genius of it all was THIS was the first time that black people were proud to be called AFRICAN.

psssh before 1971?—i mean on the real…til like the early 80s on some schoolyard insult game ish? if someone called you “african” that was the most insulting degrading lower than low “im finna f**k you up” type of insult.

i know right? why?

to control our mentality during the slave period we were taught we were the lowest of low.

to control us AFTER slavery during the jim crow era we were taught we were the lowest of low.

the first introduction to entertainment (of which we were allowed to participate) was minstrel entertainment an over exaggerated buffoon display of shame and ugliness that we STILL CARRY TO THIS DAY (minus the makeup) (hello hip-hop….but that is another piece altogether).

to say with a straight, dignified face that BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL was the RISKIEST radical life-changing move that america has seen. and amazingly enough for one hour for one saturday out the week, if you were watching soul train….it became contagious. next thing you know you are actually believing you have some sort of worth.

the whole idea of Afrocentrism in my opinion manifested and spread with Soul Train in its first 6 years.

i saw the impact it had on my mom and dad and how they let the impact trickle down to my sister and me.

i mean i was BORN into it: so i came in this world thinking every african american had it just like i did: some funky dressing, proud, knowledgable parents who since birth exposed me to every record known to man and who kept my crown (make no mistake, i’d cry “mommy cut it off the kids are teasing me!”) on my head as a symbol that one day i would be “a mighty leader”….lol

seriously, they were like “that afro is symbolic because we named you Ahmir and Ahmir means King and to be a King you must have a crown and to lead you must be knowledgeable!”

and with that…Soul Train was about maybe one of 5 tv shows i was allowed to watch on tv. if it was educational pbs or some other similar program then i was allowed but mostly it was all about Soul Train.

and of course watching it as a baby i had no clue Don was trying to program the minds of an untainted generation. hell i don’t even know if HE knew the grand scheme of things. but somehow we rode each other to glory.

once the vcr age came to be, i started religiously recording all the episodes. and back when i became a signed artist i crafted MANY a Dear Santa letter asking if there is anyway possible i can see an episode or two from my childhood.

don’s people never answered me back.

then my 1st trip to japan came.

got off the plane and noticed a weird liking some of the natives were taking to me. and how they all in their weird communication was trying to say they like my “soul train style”.

puzzled i was like “how do yall know that?”

my translator then explained how Don syndicated 100 classic episod—–

that was ALL she had to say: we were in INSTANT “take me to these tapes NOW!!!” mode.

my translator was startled like “where’s the fire?!” but i had to explain to her ALL of my memories were locked inside this show. and because of my limited tv viewing all the thoughts were still fresh in my head.

it took her about 12 hours but she found someone willing to dub all 100 epi$ode$ for me.

after that i was a man on a mission from god.

and EVER since that day i carried those VHS tapes ANYWHERE i went.

why?

to school people.

my first student? D’angelo.

we had JUST started Voodoo and these Soul Train eps were proving to be a MIGHTY educational tool and a source of energy for us.

and day by day you saw and heard the results.

then i started sharing eps with Erykah and so on…

then this artist and so on…

and that artist and so on….

soon after once mini TB drives came into fashion i then started carrying around endless hardrives of Soul Train eps (i got about 400+) sharing with ANYONE within eyeshot a history of a people.

even my thursday night regular spot (Bowl Train at @brooklynbowl) is just an excuse for me to watch my all time favorite show on a movie screen.

Don has left a legacy behind that i will PERSONALLY carry on until i can’t carry anymore.

Soul Train to me is the GREATEST creation and inspiration of my life. i literally watch 5 eps a day just as mere background noise (the best roomate ever is a tv….this is why i cannot be a cat from brooklyn) i will NEVER EVER forget its powerful impact on education on pride on creativity on culture and on me.

i love you don.

love and peace.