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)!
| Date | Event name | Artist | City/Town | Venue |
| 01 Oct | Cubafrobeat: Lokkhi Terra meets Dele Sosimi | Dele Sosimi | London | Woolwich Works |
| 23 Oct | BUKKY LEO & BLACK EGYPT | Bukky Leo | London | Woolwich Works |
‘Atomic Bomb’ is extracted from Bukky Leo‘s upcoming album Bukky Leo and Black Egypt Presents The Legend of William Onyeabor. “A unique live interpretation of some of William Onyeabor greatest hits”. Find out more here: https://bukkyleoandblackegypt.bandcamp.com/…/atomic-bomb-2
Artists: Bukky Leo , Bukky Leo & the Black Egypt
This show is a trip through world music and global beats searching for the Oneness in humanity, regardless of all geographical, political, economic and all kinds of divisions, and identifications we might all have, in these times of uncertainties we search for Unity. The unity that music brings to us……
Artists: Akaba Man and The Niggie Rockets , Alpha Blondy , Amerigo Gazaway , Anthony Joseph , Cesária Évora , Eddy Grant , Faran Ensamble , Fela Kuti , Laijadu Sisters , Linton Kwesi Johnson , Lura , Mária Bethânia , Paulo Flores , Salif Keita , Tinariwen , Zé do Pau
Ten years of making radio and 500 podcasts, that’s what Mukambo is celebrating this week. So we have a special program talking you through the very vest albums of those ten years. Get ready for a trans-Atlantic trip going from Africa over Latin America to Europe, and a pan-African ride…
Artists: Batida , Dele Sosimi , Dizzy Mandjeku , Doña Onete , Ebo Taylor , Gaspar Z'África , Guts , Gyedu-Blay Ambolley , Jungle Fire , Konono N1 , London Afrobeat Collective , Michi Sarmiento , Mulatu Astatke , Newen Afrobeat , Oghene Kologbo , Raúl Monsalve , Raul Monsalve Y Los Forajidos , Rocky Marsiano , Seun Kuti , Son Palenque , The Bongo Hop
This week Radio Mukambo only serves afrobeat. Some sounds you’ll recognize as afrobeat, others may be what the future of afrobeat will sound like. Which is the case for Tony Allen‘s posthumous album “There Is No End”, more hiphop than afrobeat, except for the drumming, of course! The master drummer…
Artists: Akua Allrich , Alma Afrobeat Ensemble , ATOMGA , Blitz the Ambassador , Bosq , Fanga , Les Frères Smith , Rael , Tony Allen , Warsaw Afrobeat Orchestra , Weird MC
Enjoy a brand-new lockdown session by London Afrobeat Collective! For their second “home” video, the 9-piece ensemble hosted 4 special guests…Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyate, Barcelona-based Josep Blanes at the trombone, Ben Plocki and his bass sax, and trumpet player Sam Warner. ‘Tokomona’ (in its studio version) is…
Artists: London Afrobeat Collective
Twenty+ years after Fela Kuti‘s death, afrobeat seems to be more alive than ever! Over the past two decades, afrobeat bands have arisen in the four corners of the earth, some paying homage to Fela, other playing their own blend of afrobeat, mixing their roots with Fela Kuti and Tony…
Artists: Ajate , Alma Afrobeat Ensemble , Bantu , Cacique 97 , Carapaus Afrobeat , Dj Tahira , Fanga , IFA , Jorge Ben , Les Frères Smith , Newen Afrobeat , NY.KO , Tonho Crocco , Tony Allen
Check out the new collaborative single by the late afrobeat legend Tony Allen and London-based rapper Lava La Rue extracted from the Nigerian drummer’s posthumous album There Is No End out now on Blue Note Records: https://tonyallen.lnk.to/ThereIsNoEnd “I play yours, you play mine. The music never ends.” The wisdom of…
Artists: Lava La Rue , Tony Allen
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
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