Unless you’ve been living under a rock, afrobeat’s rise in global popularity in the past decade has unavoidable. But the genre, with a rich history based on instrumental figures such as Fela Kuti, Tony Allen and Oghene Kologbo dating back to the late 60s, is more than a commercial fad.
To commemorate this Rhythm Passport is co-hosting the online Global Afrobeat e-Fest on Saturday 23rd May with Belgian DJ and radio presenter Mukambo. This mini festival will include live music, DJs and discussions streamed via Facebook, all in the name of afrobeat.
There will be a live session with the band Carapaus Afrobeat featuring guitarist Kologbo. Carapaus Afrobeat is an ensemble of nine Brazilian and Portuguese bandmates who released their first album Night Fever last year, integrating afrobeat with Black American staples such as funk, blues and soul to great acclaim.
There will also be vibrant DJ sets with Mukambo himself as well as Ghanian Chief Commander Yabaa of the Brixton-formed band Yaaba Funk and Rwandan DJ Eric Soul of Rwanda of the creative network AFROGROOV.
For the live talks, Kologbo will host Ode to Baba Tony, in memory of former bandmate Tony Allen who passed away earlier this month, with Bukky Leo & Black Egypt and Dele Sosimi. Juanita Euka (London Afrobeat Collective) will host a Women in Afrobeat discussion alongside Thaïs Diarra (Professor Wouassa), Monica Avila (Abayomy), Macarena Rozic (Newen Afrobeat).
And of course, we’ll also be discussing the global afrobeat movement with acts from across the world – Duke Amayo (Antibalas, New York), Klibens Michelet (London Afrobeat Collective), Pedro Rajão (journalist/filmmaker, Rio de Janeiro), Martin Smith (Kologbo & his OK Band, Roforofo Jazz, Paris) & Firmann aka Rumshot (Instigator Afrobeat Orchestra, Singapore).
The current list of artists isn’t exhaustive, however, so make sure to keep glued onto the Facebook event page for updates of who else will perform. We hope to see you there – 16:00-22:00 (London time)!
Every month, we bring you a collection of the best world music-related videos. That’s our way to give value to too often overlooked, rich and diverse artistic expressions. Listen with your eyes! Watch the full playlist:
Artists: Adekunle Gold , Alsarah And Nubatones , Ana Moura , Daniel Haaksman , Dj Dolores , El Remolón , Gary Bartz , ILe , Jaubi , Jupiter & Okwess , Little Simz , Lorenzo BITW , Philippe Cohen Solal , Tony Allen
‘Tolembi’ is the latest video from UK-based afrobeat and afro-funk band London Afrobeat Collective extracted from their third LP, Humans. Find out more here: https://londonafrobeatcollective.bandcamp.com/ “We are tired – of the governments of the world and their hypocrisy when it comes to human rights. We are asking – for…
Artists: London Afrobeat Collective
During this month of March, the fourth edition of Black History Month Belgium will be taking place through virtual performances at AB & many other venues, including Belgian-Ghanian multi-instrumentalist Esinam and the Afropean slammer Badi. Check blackhistorymonth.be for the full programme. Radio Mukambo offers you Afro-grooves all year long, but…
Artists: Badi , Baloji , Bantu , Big Gad , Boddhi Satva , Daniel Dzidzonu , Eparapo , Esinam , FTP , Joey Le Soldat , Jupiter , King Ayisoba , Leeroy , London Afrobeat Collective , Max le Daron , Omar Perry , Spoek Mathambo , T'challa
This week, Radio Mukambo takes you from Germany to Africa with Zik Zak, cd of the week by the German production duo Ancient Astronauts featuring upcoming vocalists and rappers from across Africa and the diaspora. We listen to plenty of new releases & remixes from Brazil, London, Afro-Colombia, Angola, Brussels &…
Artists: Ancient Astronauts , Azmari , Batida , ChampetaMan , Chouk Bwa and The Ångströmers , Dele Sosimi , DJ KL Jay , Eparapo , Faraon Bantu , Kind and Kinky Zoo , Lakou Mizik , Plu con Pla , Sumohair , The Fontanas , The New Mastersounds , The Soul Rebels
To end 2020 we make a Rendez-vous with three generations of afrobeat and celebrate a Nigerian musical dynasty. As Fela is honoured with a Black Plaque at his old music conservatoire Trinity Laban in Greenwich, we consider how the musical idiom he created remains more popular than ever. Track list: 1….
Artists: Fela Kuti , Femi Kuti , Made Kuti , Seun Kuti![Album Review: Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela – Rejoice [World Circuit Records; March 2020]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/allen-masekela-rejoice-620x620.jpg)
With the very recent passing of Tony Allen, this set of recordings has special significance. He and South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela had been planning on making a record together for years and in 2010 this finally was about to become a reality. Producer Nick Gold got the two titans…
Artists: Hugh Masekela , Tony Allen
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, afrobeat’s rise in global popularity in the past decade has unavoidable. But the genre, with a rich history based on instrumental figures such as Fela Kuti, Tony Allen and Oghene Kologbo dating back to the late 60s, is more than a commercial fad….
Artists: Carapaus Afrobeat , Chief Commander Yabaa , Dele Sosimi , Dj Eric Soul , Duke Amayo , Firmann , Juanita Euka , Kologbo , Macarena Rozic , Monica Avila , Pedro Rajão , Rumshot , Thaïs Diarra
Tributes and homages to artists who recently passed away often sound trivial or trite if done by someone who wasn’t directly connected with them. That’s why we always repeat the mantra that we prefer to let the music do the talking and ask fellow musicians, who grew up and/or shared…
Artists: Bukky Leo , Tony Allen
This Corona stuff really sucks ey! Since we might all be bound by borders for a while, we’d like to come together and share some happiness in the shape of a playlist or mix! In the next days and weeks, check out Safe & Sounds, where we will figuratively introduce you…
Artists: London Afrobeat Collective
If you’re looking for an unpredictable night-out in music, look no further. When “Afrobeat Ambassador” Dele Sosimi meets electronic DJ and house producer Medlar, you can be sure that you’ll be dancing and listening to quality music. But you never know where the night will lead you… On Friday the 21st…
Artists: Brother’s Testament , Dele Sosimi , Medlar , Nebula Sun
At times, we are the first to lose track of how many exciting music events happen in London each month, so we have decided to offer you some sort of “public musical service”, meant for all the locals and passers-by, with the aim of suggesting where to listen to some…
Artists: Actress , Amon Tobin , Bukky Leo , Dele Sosimi , Diezmo , Domenico Lancellotti , Dwight Trible , Fanfare Ciocarlia , Femi Elias , Gaijin Blues , Gary Bartz , Ivocore , Lokkhi Terra , Luke Vibert , Maisha , Marcos Aganju , Nina Miranda , Nubiyan Twist , Ólafur Arnalds , Pedrolito , Snarky Puppy , Taraf De Impex , The Scorpios , Tinariwen , Toby Kaar
An inaugural festival is always going to be packed with risk and suspense, and after the downpour that Friday night experienced, a breath was held in anticipation of Saturday’s events. However, it is with sheer delight I report that the proceedings seemingly went ahead seamlessly. Saturday I have to jump…
Artists: Children Of Zeus , Dele Sosimi , Dwight Trible , Etuk Ubong , Gary Bartz , Gilles Peterson , Kokoroko , Lee Fields & The Expressions , Maisha , Rob , Saul Williams , Shabaka Hutchings , Shirley Tetteh , Sons Of Kemet , Steam Down , The Comet Is Coming , Zara Mcfarlane![Event Review: Wilderness Festival 2019 @ Cornbury Park (Oxfordshire; Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th August 2019]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/dsc00010_edited-620x414.jpg)
Situated within close proximity to some of the festival’s increasingly populated hangouts at Wilderness, such as the Atrium, if you happened to stumble upon the Level stage, you were almost guaranteed to be charmed by a constant conveyer belt of talented troubadours within the world music spectrum. There were memorable…
Artists: Colectiva , Dele Sosimi , Incognito , Project Karnak , Ruby Rushton
Ten years on from their inception, the high impact band that is London Afrobeat Collective are about to release their third album, Humans (for which they’ve given life to an ongoing crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo). It is probably also their most ambitious to date, exhibiting as it does something of a departure…
Artists: London Afrobeat Collective
Contrary to the average UK music festival, Wilderness Festival is equally centred on themes of healthy living, nature and the arts. From sacred nipple adorning, to wild swims and tree play, the festival’s main objective is to fortify the soul, restore the senses and enliven the spirit, by allowing its…
Artists: Ata Kak , Caravan Palace , Dele Sosimi , Groove Armada , Incognito
If you have attended any of the previous Africa Express shows, you know they never disappoint your thirst for music. For hours and hours, they stun you with a deluge of quality acts and unexpected collaborations, not only featuring the exceptional artistry of the musicians involved but also their welcoming…
Artists: Batida , Blur , Damon Albarn , Django Django , Dobet Gnahore , Ellie Rowsell , Georgia , Joan As Policewoman , Krar Collective , London Community Gospel Choir , Mounir Troudi , ONIPA , Rokia Traoré , The Turbans , Tony Allen![Album Review: Lokkhi Terra meets Dele Sosimi – Cubafrobeat [Funkiwala Records; June 2018]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cubafrobeat-cover-609x620.jpg)
The holy trinity of pleasure, music that serves mind, body and soul. Cubafrobeat simultaneously feeds them all. The new Lokkhi Terra and Dele Sosimi collaboration show off jazzy solos to power your intellect, but never detract from the chance to lose yourself to dance. Brought together by pianist Kishon Khan,…
Artists: Dele Sosimi , Lokkhi Terra
Still cerebrating how to celebrate the last night of 2018 and the first morning of 2019? We are here to help with a selection of some of the best NYE parties happening in London and the rest of UK. Whether you’re willing to spend the 31st December dancing, revelling in…
Artists: Baqué De Axé , Big Ben Jorge , Dele Sosimi , Dila V & The Odd Beats , Dj Hiphoppapotamus , Dj Randall , Dreadsquad , Dub Princess , Emma-Jean Thackray , Father Funk , Futurecast , Gardna , Gentleman's Dub Club , Hard House Banton , Henry Wu , Hippo Sound System , Jink in Dub , Lefto , Maxwell Owin , Norsicaa , Parly B , Reggae Roast , Tertia May , The Busy Twist , The Nextmen , The Odd Beats , Tropical Tea Party , Wrongtom
In recent years, Turin has gained quite a reputation in the music world for its electronic/dance-oriented scene, being the host city of Italy’s largest electronic music festival, Club to Club. Nevertheless, the city has much more to offer, with new upcoming events and festivals popping up year after year. One of them is…
Artists: Amadou & Mariam , Bombino , Jeff Mills , Tony Allen
We’re guilty of rarely venturing too far west in London, but when we do we always live our days up, attending outstanding events and enjoying every minute of it. The 2018 edition of Ealing Jazz Festival was no exception. Despite the blustery weather blowing sand all over Walpole Park and…
Artists: Let Drum Beat , Tony Allen , Vels Trio , Zara Mcfarlane
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