So did you like K'naan African brand of Hip Hop/Folk/World/Pop?? Nneka soulful and urgent social message? Well, check this brother out, US based Kenyan Hip Hop artist Bamboo is bringing some newness in the Global Afro HipHop world...

BAMBOO - HIP HOP - KENYA

Bamboo has just signed to former Wu-Tang GM Cedric Muhammad's Hip-Hoppreneur Brand Management company. 

Bamboo is already a legend in Kenya and East Africa for good reason and in 2011 this Afro-American management/artist combo is looking to take over the world.

Personnally some of his previous track such as the anthemic African Shit and Hater Wave were adopted as daily companions upon discovery, strong rugged hip hop beat and supa dope lyrical flow in both Swahili and English...he has serious cross-over appeal and if the global meteoric rise of Knaan and Nneka is anything to go by, hopefully, 2011 is set to be hit by a whole new wave of African Urban artists not exactely fitting in the Tropical/World/Exotic box......or even worse.

Keeping it real does matter more than ever!

Heya! by Therealbamboo More info here:

Requests should be directed to cedric@cmcap.com

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Meanwhile, from South Africa, Afrogroov collaborator KHETHI is finally releasing her highly anticipated album EXEMPLIFY on the legendary South-African label Gallo Record.

KHETHI - SOUL POETRY - SOUTH AFRICA

Jozi favorite Zulu diva, singer-composer, poetess  and entrepreuneur Khethi is finally unleashing her hotly anticpated debut X-emplify to the world. An album that has been three years in the making and here again we have a transcontinental effort recorded between Paris, London and South Africa. A few privileged ones do remember her few London appearances a few years back at event such as Afrogroov @ The Ritzy or The 1st African Hip Hop Festival @ Cargo. A totally compelling and gorgeous performer who never fail to captivate audiences wherever she perform, Khethi create a perfect blend of Culture, Soul, Poetry and Jazz style all of her own, sing with a honeyed voice seasonned with wit, clever lyrics that soothe the mind, uplift the spirits and......well don't take my word for it.....

Here is her empowering ode to woman victim of domestic violence:

KHETHI WEBSITE

BUY EXEMPLIFY album now

For the last three weeks, Bill T Jones's creation has taken London by storm. It is a slightly different version from the Award-Winning Broadway version of FELA THE MUSICAL with a brand new cast, musicians...only the leading roles of Fela is still there.

Antibalas was the tight musical unit who re-worked and performed the music for the stateside version while the National Theatre production gave the responsability to re-create the intricate music of Fela to the very capable hand of Dele Sosimi, Rob Hopcraft and Idris Rahman from the very slick Afro/Dub top London band Soothsayers. 

The London press launch was really buzzing, both Seun And Femi Kuti were in attendance, Marie Daulne from Zap Mama, DJ Rita Ray amongst a few Nigerians celebrities and a kaledoscopic mix of media, industry crowd and other familiar faces. All were there mingling, drinking and dancing...a free party courtesy of the National Theatre production team.

For the gossips: Apparently the London version was a more pan-African cast and 60% of the cast were french-speaking performers of Carribean and African origin: the happy tap-dancer was not part of the Broadway version: Femi Kuti gave his thumbs up to the play saying it was quite an emotional experience....

Fela! was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical for Bill T. Jones, Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Sahr Ngaujah, and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Lillias White.

Weither you love musical or not....the FELA production is a real creative "tour de force". Critics will be very quick to point out details and question with sarcasms the possibility to produce a rendition of such a complex, facinating, multi-faceted and seriously iconic charachter in a 2 hour play?

Well, you really need to be blinded by negativity to not be impressed by the sheer near-perfect balance between inter-active entertainment, powerful thought-povoking acting , music and dance performance in display while retracing authentic moment of the life of the Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, pioneer of afrobeat music, human rights activist, and political maverick that FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI was.

Because it is the first, it is just the best that it could be and the bar has been set quite high.....So critics are very welcome to create their own version.....more there is...the merrier!

Africanize 2011!!

Link: http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/felalondon/

Fela Xmas Party
A celebration of Fela-inspired music

SATURDAY 18 December, 8pm-2am @ The Africa Centre

The Africa Centre wishes you a very merry Christmas and invites you to an exclusive party in homage of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the founding father of Afrobeat music, featuring the cast from the sold-out Fela! Musical currently showing at the National Theatre, and a great Dj line-up, including Djs Eric Soul (AFROGROOV), Nastee McQuaid, Nwachukwu (NEPA/burntprogress) & TRoy (Broadcite).

All proceeds from the night will go towards the refurbishment of the Africa Centre premises, scheduled to take place from March to July next year.

Please come along to enjoy and celebrate a night of Fela-inspired music at the Africa Centre with the cast from the Fela! Musical and other Fela Kuti lovers.

If you are a UK reader or just happen to be in London during this pre-NYE period! This is simply the place to be after the Xmas feast...nothing better to burn those extra calories!!

We really look forward to seeing you there!

Book your tickets online now at http://felaxmasparty.eventbrite.com

*The Africa Centre would like to thank all the above-mentioned djs, the cast of the Fela! Musical and artist Daniela Yohannes for making this night happen.