Author: Prudence Chauke

New York based ‘Dance New Amsterdam’, presents one of  Africa’s best choreographer Sduduzo Ka-Mbili and his dance company “Juxtapower”, featuring special guest Omar Edwards. This is going to be a four day stage production of song and dance blended with a high energy sketch offering the best of South Africa’s theatrical tradition.

The production will feature Zulu, Gumboot and Pantsula dances, performed by very talented and professional  dancers and musicians from South Africa and the U.S, who promise to take the audience on a journey from the mines to the township, to green pastures of the country side.

Tickets for this production of which will be held at 290 Broadway,2nd floor, New York-NY,are recession affordable, starting from $10-$17 . For more information on the tickets or the production its self, go to www.juxtapower.org or www.dnadance.org.

 Although his two week residency with www.bloombars.com a non-profit organization based in Washington D.C whose mission is to “unite  communities through arts into model for energizing and inspiring communities to strive for personal and collective progress”, is coming to its ending season, make no mistake that history has been made. 

Jabba man is the first hip-hop artist to sail from South Africa who, through his craft, has blown the US industry in such a profound way by far.

Jabba has been here for a two-week “Artist-In-Bloom” residency to unite communities in South Africa and the United States and promote cross-cultural awareness about critical important issues such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes and arts education. During his stay, Jabba has been performing and giving speaking engagements at high schools, juvenile detention facilities, colleges and universities both in Washington D.C and New York City.

Major hip-hop publications have been blown away by HHP’s sytle, confirming what the South African audience knew for a long time–that he is an iconic figure in the South African and African hip-hop industry. Jabba has proven to be the kind of craft who, regardeless of whether he’s performing in a different country to a different crowd in a different language., will still execute his music utilizing his talent to the fullest.

America needed to hear this man’s layers of profound and intoxicating poetry/hip-hop style. He has paved a strong foundation and opened doors for other African hip-hop artists here in the States. The history being birthed from this whole experience should be exciting and I for one am excited. Jabba has done us proud and I’m sure that from here on out, there will be no question about his talent in the hip-hop arena.

You’ve done us proud, Kudos to you!

Mama Mirriam Makeba might no longer be with us but her music will forever live on.  Recently Mirriam Makeba’s most famous hit song “Pata Pata” has been featured in the new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour commercial and ironically enough this is the same and the last song that she performed shortly after her passing in November 2008, in Italy. Surely she is  not forgotten, Lala Ngoxolo (Rest in peace). Click here for the commercial: Mirriam Makeba\’s 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour commercial

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

Jumbo Aniebiet is a native Nigerian Jazz and R&B singer, song writer and producer who’s  biggest tragedy in his life lead to his vocation. Although Jumbo began playing the harmonica at age 6, it wasn’t until the tragic loss of his mother that he developed a stronger passion  for music. Through hard work ,and growth of his artistry, Jumbo’s doors opened up as he worked with great artists such as South African legendary jazz musician, Hugh Masekhela and Nigerian Queen of Soul, Yinka Davis.

Jumbo – Brand New Day

I must say that one of the best things in the Music industry, is seeing the uniting of African artists in the name of producing good, high quality music. 

British Rock band, Noisettes, have collaborated with two of Africa’s best artists, Wale and Estelle, in the remix of  “Don’t Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go)”, an upbeat dance tune with a very rocky-hip-hop, catchy tune.

Take a look at the video below and make your decision.  Is this a hit or not??

I must say the year couldn’t have a better start musically. It began with the return of Sade with her 6th studio album due for release in February and now Angelique Kidjo is set to release her her next studio album titled “OYO’ in February 9th.

Angelique Kidjo

Kidjo is said to have returned back to her roots during the recording of “OYO“, by interpreting the music that inspired her whilst growing up in Benin, music that was instrumental in her artistic formation. The first thing one will hear at the out seat of the album is her breathtaking voice, long-sustaining the first word of “Zelie,” a song by Bella Bellow from Togo. The are various African songs that can be heard, including “Lakutshn Llanga,” a lullaby made famous by the late  Mama Miriam Makeba, and the Beninese traditional son “Atcha Houn.”

Although “OYO” is primarily comprised of covers, many of the tracks reveal the prevalence of American soul and funk in the port city of Cotonou, where Kidjo grew up. She collaborated with John Legend and Diana Reeves. “OYO” is recorded and mixed by Russell Elevado and produced by Jean Hebrail.

Come February, the legends are back!

 Congratulation to Zap Mama for they NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding World Music Album for Re Creation. The winners will be announced at the official ceremony, which will air Friday, February 26th.

Also nominated for the 2010 NAACP award is Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Voting for the 2010 NAACP begins January 21th for all NAACP members.

All the best to Zap mama.

 Allow me to share with you the most-anticipated official music video for “Soldier of Love”, Sade’s lead single of her upcoming 6th studio album due for release February 8th in the US and February 9th worldwide.

The count down begins and until then enjoy the video and dont hesitate to share your views .

Sade’s- “Soldier of Love” official music video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riDukz4XzDk

Beneath the Lion’s Gaze is a novel by Maaza Mengiste an Addis Ababa, Ethiopian born author with an MFA in creative writing from New York University.

This novel is about “an epic tale of a father and two sons, of betrayals and loyalties, of a  family unraveling in the wake of Ethiopians revolution”. “It tells a gripping  story of family, of the bonds of love and friendship set in a time and place that has rarely been explored in fiction before. It is a story about the lengths human beings will go in pursuit of freedom and the human price of a national revolution. Emotionally gripping, poetic and indelibly tragic.

This novel has been acclaimed to be a “transcendent and a powerful debut” by a very powerful writer.

Say grace before drowning trailer Is a trailer by writer and director Nikyatsu Jusu. “After meeting her African Refugee mother for the first time in six years, 8 year old Hawa is forced to coexist with a woman teetering on the brink of insanity”. The trailer stars Ellie Foumbi, Ebbe Bassey, Dennise Gregory and Hisham Tawfiq.

Nikyatu Jusu is one of Africa’s most talented film maker who is also responsible for past films like ” YOUTHENASIA” and “African booty scratcher.

For more on Nikyatu Jusu and her work please visit: ww.w.nikyatu.com nikyatu.wordpress.com

With more than  five years of i’ts running, the Winter Jazz Fest has become a profound annual event that jazz music lovers look forward to. Brought to you by “Boom-Boom Productions, the winter jazz fest  this year will take place on January 8th and 9th in NYC,taking over multiple venues at the West Village including (Le) Poisson Rouge, Kenny’s Castaways, Zinc Bar, Sullivan Hall and Bitter End.

Like the other years, the winter jazz fest has an exciting line up of  Jazz artists from all different walks of life which include New York-based Somi; Accidental Brothers Dance Band International featuring Samba Mapangala; Baptiste Trotignon; Ben Allison; Bitches Brew Revisited; Carmen Consoli Elettra; Chelsea Baratz; Chris Dave Trio; Dr Lonnie Smith; Elliott Sharp’s Terraplane; Eric Lewis; Lionel Loueke; and  a whole lot more.

This is a must attend event in pursuit to kick-start the year on a right note, musically .

For more on the 2010 Winter Jazz Fest taking place January 8th and 9th, click: www.winterjazzfest.com

In the spirit of the new year and all that it brings with it, I couldn’t think of any better way to kick start the year than in high and positive spirit. I pray for balance, love and wisdom as you all grow-forward in life, and thank you for being part of the Jamati family as we continue to strive to raise the African flag up high.

Now in the spirit of the  new beginnings, with courtesy of  Banky W’s new single titled “Lagos Party“, featuring Naeto C, Eldee, Dbanj, 9ice and Muna, I urge every one to de-stress themselves from all life’s drama and use the music to let yourselves go and be free.

Looking forward to sharing and growing forward with you all! Kick off your shoes and watch this great Banky W- Lagos Party ft Naeto C, Eldee, Dbanj, 9ice and Muna video.