Fela Kuti x Pharrell 'Happy Mentality'

Download a blend of Fela Kuti and Pharrell from Seattle's dj100proof in "Happy Mentality."

We'd been waiting for this one to come along. Seattle's dj100proof comes through with the inevitable mash-up of Pharrell's massive hit "Happy" — which has gotten a lot of love from Cameroonian and Cotonou video remakes — with Fela Kuti's "Colonial Mentality" from 1977's Opposite People/Sorrow Tears and Blood. As dj100proof writes on his website, "I thought the shuffle tempo, driving bass lines and horns of Fela Kuti could provide a nice backdrop, so I chopped up his classic." Download his blend of Fela Kuti and Pharrell in "Happy Mentality" below.

OKA TV

Amaarae Breaks Down Her Hits In OkayAfrica's New Video Series 'Decoded'

In Decoded, our favorite African artists dive deep into their music, lyrics and share notable behind-the-scenes moments.

We're launching Decoded, our brand new pop-up style video series featuring the latest, buzzing African artists' music and influences.

We kick things off with Ghanaian-American singer-songwriter-producer Amaarae who has been making waves with the release of her debut album, The Angel You Don't Know.

In our first-ever Decoded episode, Amaarae breaks down hit songs like "Trust Fund Baby", "Jumping Ship" with Kojey Radical as well as her Southern rap musical influences. She also mentions being inspired by an op-ed that she penned for OkayAfrica in 2019, and her mother's role in helping her coin the album title The Angel You Don't Know.

When all is said and done, Amaarae just wants to give other young women "an option not to have to be the archetypal female African artist, and give them an opportunity to expand all of their possibilities, explore all the different genres, and still be successful and get this money." Amen to that!

Check out our first episode of Decoded with Amaarae below.

Keep reading... Show less

popular.

Pregnant Tanzanian Girls Now Have Hope Of An Education