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killakam
Aug. 25, 2015 02:50PM EST

Petite Noir Shares The Love Song 'MDR'

'Noirwave' singer-songwriter Petite Noir shares "MDR," a rare love song off his upcoming album 'La Vie Est Belle / Life Is Beautiful.'

Photo: Travys Owen.

"MDR," the third single from Petite Noir's forthcoming album La Vie Est Belle / Life Is Beautiful, is a love song that takes off from a post-punk influenced guitar riff and patiently unfolds into a sparkling chorus backed by girl group vocals. The track, which follows the striking music videos for "Best" and the Democratic Republic of the Congo-shot "Down," comes out a few days after the Cape Town-based 'noirwaver' tore it down at this weekend's Afropunk Festival in NYC .

La Vie Est Belle / Life Is Beautiful, due September 11 on Domino Records, looks to expand on Petite Noir's concept of 'noirwave' — a new, forward-thinking African aesthetic influenced by the likes of Fela Kuti, Tabu Ley Rochereau and Yasiin Bey. “It’s just the story their music tells and the sense of freedom,” the Congolese-Angolan artist adds, “It’s about seeing the positive in dark times." Pre-order the album and listen to "MDR" below, plus check out Petite Noir's upcoming tour dates and some of our snaps of him at Afropunk underneath.

Petite Noir Tour Dates

Tues September 15 || London, UK || Lexington

Wed September 16 || Glasgow, UK || Stereo

Thu September 17 || Manchester, UK || Deaf Institute

Sat September 19 || Nurnburg, Festival, Germany || Melt!

Mon September 21 || Paris, France || Badaboum

Tues September 22 || Brussels, Belgium || Botanique/Witloofbar

Thu September 24 || Amsterdam, Netherlands || Melkweg

Fri September 25 || Hamburg, Festival, Germany || Reeperbahn Festival

@petitenoirkvlt live & 100% #Noirwave at #AFROPUNK (📷: @sneakshotphotography) #lifeisbeautiful #lavieestbelle #afropunkfest

A photo posted by Okayafrica (@okayafrica) on

Happy Birthday, @petitenoirkvlt! #NOIRWAVE #AFROPUNK

A video posted by Okayafrica (@okayafrica) on

petite noir
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Image via Sheila Afari PR.

9 Black Electronic Musicians You Should Be Listening To

Featuring DJ Lag, Spellling, Nozinja, Klein, LSDXOXO and more.

We know that Black queer DJs from the Midwest are behind the creation of house and dance music. Yet, a look at the current electronic scene will find it terribly whitewashed and gentrified, with the current prominent acts spinning tracks sung by unnamed soulful singers from time to time. Like many art forms created by Black people all over the world, the industry hasn't paid homage to its pioneers, despite the obvious influence they have. Thankfully, the independent music scene is thriving with many Black acts inspired by their forefathers and mothers who are here to revolutionize electronic music. Here are a list of the ones you should check out:

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