Another Pan-African Hip Hop Mix

Logo Radia Wave v panafrických barváchFoto: Craig Duncan

It's been far too long since we had one of these, so here we go again. You know the Friday Ripple hip hop manifesto by now: Western hip hop is over; Africa is where it's at.

This week, let's give proper respect to hip hop's new global capitals... 

Down in South Africa, Gauteng province is home to some of Africa's most exciting hip hop, both in the Soweto townships and neighbouring Johannesburg. On this mix it's represented by the slamming kwaito of Pro Kid, Zola and Skwatta Kamp, and the smoother, jazzy beats of Tumi and the Volume and Imbube. Also in South Africa, there's the tremendous scene around Cape Town and the nearby Cape Flats, represented here by Terror MC, Teba, Black Noise and Sifiso Sudan. Moving to Western Africa, we've got some great cuts from the Nigerian capital of Lagos, with Eedris Abdulkarem, Azadus and Igho. And let's not forget the huge scene in Dakar, Senegal: some classic Senegalese stuff on here comes courtesy of ALIF, Fou Malade, Viviane N'Dour, and Positive Black Soul. 

Mapa AfrikyFoto:  www.nationsonline.org

There's more to African hip hop than these four places, though. Big respect also to the other countries represented here, like Tanzania (G Plat, Juma Nature, X-Plastaz) Mauritania (Ewlad Leblad), Malawi (Esau Mwamwaya), Gabon (Lord Ekomy Ndong) and Morocco (Bigg). A big shout-out goes also to the African diaspora in France, keeping hip hop original right here in Europe - check out the Afrocentric sounds of Mokobe and Bisso Na Bisso. Finally, it wouldn't be an African hip hop set without something from Somalia's favourite son K'naan, resident in Canada and looking more likely than ever to make African hip hop a globally-recognised phenomenon. 

Here's this week's playlist in full:
J.Period & K'naan - Got My Dream (Messengers Remix) (self-released)
Terror MC - Liberate Yourself (Pioneer Unit)
Teba - 'sassination (African Dope)
Mokobe feat. Manu Chao, Amadou & Mariam, Tiken Jah Fakoly & Fou Malade - Politique (Jive/SMBE Europe)
Black Noise - Africa Could You Be Loved (Cape Flats Uprising)
ProKid - Move (EMI Music South Africa)
Zola - Bhambatha (Ghetto Ruff)
G Plat feat. Juma Nature - Wanaogopa (Bongo Records)
X- Plastaz - Dunia Dudumizi (Out Here Records)
Maga Bo feat. Bigg - 3akel (Soot)
Ewlad Leblad - Mouwatan (self-released)
Azadus - Dem Say U Say (Kennis Music)
Igho - Big Boss (IGH)
Eedris Abdulkareem feat. Ruggedman - Koleyewon (Kennis Music)
Imbube - Umile (Unreleased Records)
Sifiso Sudan - Smoke (African Dope)
Tumi and the Volume - What It's All About (Urbnet Records)
Viviane N'Dour w King Massassi & Tata Pound - Obibolo (Jololi)
Alif - Wooyo (Out Here Records)
Zuluboy feat. Young Nations and Pro Kid - 3 Zulus On the Mic (Native Rhythms)
The Very Best (Esau Mwamwaya & Radioclit) - Tengazako (Green Owl)
Spikiri - Bhumpa Iwile (Kalawa Jazmee Records)
Positive Black Soul - Boul Fale Remix (Rough Guide)
Skwatta Kamp - Netso (EMI Music South Africa)
Lord Ekomy Ndong feat Sally Nyolo - Exile (Out Here Records)
Bisso Na Bisso - Show Ce Soir (V2 Music France)
K'naan - Dreamer (A&M/Octone)