Dynamic Africa
Formerly, "This is Africa/fyeahAfrica".
(Profile Photo by Mama Casset)
DISCLAIMER:
I do not endorse any of the products or opinions shared on this site, nor do I claim any of the work posted here to be my own - except where stated. All posts originally made by me are credited. If no credit is given then the work is either my own/written by me or reblogged from another source.
A LITTLE ABOUT ME:
Student, 24
Based in Cape Town, South Africa
From Lagos, Nigeria
Want to advertise through us? Send an email to dynamicafricablog@gmail.com
(As an unemployed media student, all donations go into ensuring my survival in this cruel world and future projects I hope to embark on).
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(since Oct. 21th 2012)
Wangechi Mutu On Making a Music Video for Pegasus Warning via @OkayAfrica
Wangechi Mutu: Much of the mood and imagery for Pegasus Warning’s was first and foremost inspired by this gorgeous, heart-achingly, multilayered and thoughtful lyrics and of course the music of this song “Try So Hard.”
The images that came to mind were those of Rodin’s sculptures.
Our set was built to reference cast bronze and two large pedestals were made for the actors. I wanted to harness the raw power and weight of Rodin’s erotic figures.
There is an incredible amount of movement in his sculptures because of his expressive style and the intense gestures and straining musculature of his forms. I wanted to see what it would be like for those figures to actually move around the room.
OkayAfrica assists US musician Flying Lotus in discovering his African ancestry through his maternal lineage (matrilineality) and tracks down 1/16th of his heritage to the Tikar people of Northwest Cameroon, who emigrated there from Sudan.
In this feature, DJ Chief Boima introduces Flying Lotus to some popular Cameroonian songs that were all sampled by artists from the West including James Brown, Michael Jackson and Shakira - all of which used these songs without permission from the original artists.
Previously on this blog I highlighted the Michael Jackson/Manu Dibangu ‘Soul Makossa’ copyright issues as well as that concerning Colombian artist Shakira and the use of the song ‘Zangalewa’.
Find more posts on Cameroon.
DYNAMIC AFRICA HOLIDAY GIFT LIST ITEM #5: Merchandise from the OkayAfrica Store
The OKA store is periodically stocked with some of the kiffest articles of clothing and accessories that are both essential and exclusive. From accessories to apparel, Fela necklaces to ranges of Dutch Wax totes and Kikoi scarves, finding gifts for friends, family or even yourself is not hard to do at the store- especially with their affordable prices.
AFRICA IN YOUR EARBUDS #20: BLK JKS
South African punk-dub ensemble BLK JKS were basically the first African indie act to make it global. The quartet initially stomped their experimental-rock boots onto the scene with the four-track Mystery EP (2009), which led to a signing with independent imprint Secretly Canadian and a full-length release that garnered heavy praise from a number of major tastemaker publications.
For Africa In Your Earbuds #20 guitarist Mpumi Mcata crafts a mix as eclectic and uncompromising as BLK JKS’ sound — with tunes ranging from a deep-bass remix of Marvin Gaye to cuts from Sinkane, DJ Mujava and Talking Heads.
TRACKLIST
1. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (Nit Grit Remix)
2. Saitana – Jenakuru
3. Tlokwe Sehomi – Masepalati
4. Sinkane – Jeeper Creeper
5. vampire9000 – Colours
6. Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)
7. Brenda Fassie – Weekend Special (Richard the Third’s Italo Dub remix)
8. DJ Mujava – Mugwanti (Shooting Horses Remix)
9. Motèl Mari – Hold On Me
10. BLK JKS – Tselane (Tselan3 Dub Remix)
11. Christian Tiger School – Slip Into Something Uncomfortable
12. Mankunku – Before the Rain And After
@OkayAfrica interviews filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu, the man behind the critically acclaimed ‘Restless City’, to uncover his inspiration behind the film as well as the movie making experience.
Excerpt:
BLR: Do you find it challenging working between Africa and the US?
AD: We live in a world that is global, so I don’t think there is any point in setting up rigid categorizations that wall people off from one another instead of building connections. I am working as an African in the Diaspora, and I try to make this relevant to the audience. It’s a comfort zone for me, a space full of possibilities rather than difficulties.
BLR: What is the role of music in your film?
AD: The music was important from the word go. We organize the movie in a couple of weeks, and one central element around which we built the narrative was this nomadic aspect of our male protagonist. I had in mind the idea of the cattlemen who uses music to keep the sheep moving, so I used music in the same way. Music also works as a middle passage, and that is the reason I used a lot of different songs from different musical traditions, to underline this transatlantic connection and tension through the soundtrack. Being from Africa, we are exposed to music from countless regions and traditions, so the protagonist’s being a musician was central to this project.
- DynamicAfrica
AFRICA IN YOUR EARBUDS #5: JUST A BAND
OkayAfrica have been upping eclectic Nairobi trio Just A Band since day one — from the time their blaxploitation spoof became “Kenya’s first viral hit” to their recent BLNRB collaborations and Okaysummer Party throw-downs.
For Africa In Your Earbuds #5, JAB’s DJ Nairobi Dhobi (aka Dan) and DJ Bonyeza Kidude (aka Jim) hit OkayAfrica up with a 41-minute mix that plays in the vein of their group’s cross-pollinating style — an Afro-futurist blend of European house, hip-hop, and funk that’s almost impossible to pin down with genre specifics.
In crafting AIYE #5, the JAB boys mentioned wanting to integrate vinyls they listened to as kids in the 80s, showcase geographical diversity and, quite simply, make people dance. They succeed at all three, seamlessly weaving tracks by Ali Farka Touré, Black Coffee, Baaba Maal, Hugh Masekela, Sam Fan Thomas, Little Dragon, SBTRKT and plenty more.
Stream and download Africa In Your Earbuds #5: Just A Band!
And check out the OKATV episode following Just A Band’s first New York visit.
