Newen Afrobeat are from Chile rather than Lagos, but are proof that afrobeat has become a global music to address injustice. Formed in Chile in 2009, Newen translates as ‘strength’ in the indigenous (and marginalised) Mapuche language, and the seven songs that make up the collective’s third album Curiche speak up...
Tag Archives: Seun Kuti
In a few days’ time, Nova Batida will bring some musical brutishness to Lisbon. The first edition of the festival, organized by Soundcrash, will indeed keep the stages at LX Factory and Village Underground Lisboa busy throughout the weekend, with almost 50 local and UK-based acts dealing with every sort of beat...
Lisbon has a new summer festival exploding onto its already happening music and creative scene, adding to the vibrant and unique energy that the city of seven hills and stunning views already has. The team from Soundcrash are bringing a multitude of global talent for a weekend of good music...
It was another triumphant weekend at Walthamstow Garden Party. Sunbathing in glorious weather and indulging in radiant notes played by brilliant musicians, we enjoyed every minute of it. From its debut, basking in Saturday’s early afternoon heat with London African Gospel Choir and their rendition of Paul Simon’s Graceland, until Sunday...
There’s no summer in London without Walthamstow Garden Party! The two-day free-entry festival happening every mid-July at Lloyd Park in Walthamstow is becoming a constant of the British capital’s summer event calendar. And it couldn’t be otherwise, because the weekend of music, theatre, dance, circus, film and spoken word organised...
Walking into the small, church-like Stanley Halls, one could hear the familiar stabbing-horn sounds of afrobeat emanating from the hall. The venue almost juxtaposed the performance on stage; as one entered, a musical, colourful spectacle erupted from the stage, held together with aged wooden beams and high ceilings. The sound...
![Album Review: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – Black Times [Strut Records; 2nd March 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/seun-kuti-black-times-335x335.jpg)
Black Times opens with warm congas, followed by afro-typical cyclical riffs on the guitar, layered with repetitive female chorus, the introduction of bass and full drum kit, then a short break before bursting full power back into the groove – this time with an added horn section of trumpet, tenor...
Cheltenham Jazz Festival provides a five-day intoxicating mix of both popular music and jazz artists. This year’s lineup sees a larger number of British performers take the stage, as the baton gets shared across the Atlantic for the younger generation. London singer-songwriter Zara McFarlane will be adding her modern twist...
Sean Kuti and the Egypt 80 continue the vivacious afrobeat legacy of Nigeria whilst performing tracks with social commentary in high-energy Afro-jazz-funk performances, live in London at Stanley Halls on Friday 4th May. At the age of 14 years old, Sean Kuti stepped into the tremendous shoes of his father –...
If anyone can claim the title of ‘afrobeat Ambassador’, it would be Seun Kuti. The youngest son of Fela Kuti and hereditary leader of the Egypt 80 is the bridge between his father’s role as afrobeat pioneer and the more contemporary metamorphosis and migrations of the Nigerian style. On Friday, Seun...