MODIBA is a
production, management, licensing and music consultation company dedicated
to international music and social responsibility.
News & Updates
Modiba music-supervised film "In Tahrir Square" on Oscar shortlist
Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill’s In Tahrir Square is among the eight shortlisted contenders for the 84th Academy Awards’ Best Documentary Short Subject category, of which three to five films will earn Oscar nominations. The eight docs, named by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, were chosen from all eligible entries. Modiba provided the Egyptian-set film with music selections and clearances. Truly an honor to work on this important film!
Vieux Farka Toure premieres new video for "All the Same feat. Dave Matthews"
With "All the Same," Vieux Farka Toure and Dave Matthews craft a stunning song about the perils of possessing a unique and desirable gift. Both Vieux and Dave are hailed as musical torch-bearers of both their generation and hometown, but with this venerable duty comes the threat of targeted jealousy. "Smiles and promises/Cry real tears 'til you believe/They don't want you, they want what you've got/It may taste sweet but love it's not." In an equally stunning video by Native Resonance, a young boy finds himself thrust into limelight and power in a dreamlike world surrounded by entranced peers. The children dance around their newly crowned king who is momentarily blissful sitting on his throne. But adoration quickly turns to jealousy as the same child who crowned the king is the one to topple his kingdom in an attempt to steal the throne for himself. It is in the wisdom of a little girl singing Dave Matthews' lines that the truth is revealed.
Rolling Stone says ''The Secret' slays!'
We are thrilled to announce Vieux Farka Toure’s third and
most accomplished studio album, The Secret (Six
Degrees Records, May 2011) is OUT NOW! The album produced by guitarist Eric
Krasno (of Soulive fame) also features Dave Matthews, Derek Trucks, John
Scofield, Ivan Neville and Vieux’s final collaboration with his legendary
father, Ali Farka Toure.
“To make this album I had to dig deep into the secrets of my own history and my country’s culture in order to move the music forward,”
Vieux said, back in his native Mali. “My music is more mature now, more evolved. It digs deeper into the past and pushes harder into the
future as a result. This is a hard thing to explain, but hopefully the music speaks for itself. Do you want to know the secret? You have to
listen to the album.”
And it appears Rolling Stone did listen and loved what they heard. Will
Hermes from Rolling Stone says Vieux “joins American peers for a crossover
set that slays, primarily because the players come to his music, not the
other way around.” With a star-rating on par with the uber-popular Lonely
Island and Tyler, The Creator releases, Vieux’s album is receiving a warm
welcome from the music industry mainstream. Read the entire stellar review
HERE.
Note: Grammy-nominated guitarist John Scofield played with Miles Davis,
not Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Grab a copy of the new album! Download
from iTunes | Order
the CD
Modiba Publishing's Sweet Micky is elected Haitian President!
We never thought we would have the privelege of saying this, but Modiba Publishing Artist Michel Martelly, aka Sweet Micky, is currently the projected winner of the Haitian Presidential election. In a country still recovering from a devastating earthquake, President-Elect Martelly will have an immense amount of work to do to get his country back on track. But we have nothing but faith in his drive and optimistic approach! With music most recently featured on NBC's "The Philanthropist," President-Elect Martelly's music continues to capture audiences across the world. We wish him and his family the best of luck! Read CNN's coverage of the election here.
Bombino performs for Mondomix's Mix Box in France
Bombino treated Mondomix to an intimate solo performance (Yes, solo. That is just Bombino playing guitar.) This short video provides a live-peak into
Bombino -- an artist whose new legacy Music-News describes as follows:
"There is a wealth of music leaking out from Africa at present and when you add [Bombino] to musicians
like Bassekou Kouyate and Vieux Farka Toure...you definitely begin to see the legacy of music that Africa has been giving to the West. Bombino is one of the best and
this is an early entry for World album of the year and quite possibly in the running for Album of the Year as well." --Music-News
Read the full Music-News review here.
Shad beats out Toronto-native Drake for Rap Recording of the Year!
Congratulations to Modiba Publishing's Shad, who captured the Rap Recording of the Year at Canada's version of the Grammys -- The Juno Awards. The Star writes: "Eccentric Vancouver-via-London, Ont.-via-Kenya rapper Shad gave everyone a pleasant surprise on Saturday night by stealing the Rap Recording of the Year trophy for his acclaimed third album, TSOL, from this year’s expected Juno golden boy Drake and his international smash hit debut, Thank Me Later." Read the full article here.
Bombino's new album, 'Agadez' is OUT NOW!
Omara
"Bombino" Moctar, a young Tuareg guitarist and songwriter freshly signed to
Modiba Management, was raised during an era of armed struggles for independence and violent suppression
by government forces. His electrifying jams capture the spirit of resistance
and rebellion while echoing with guitar riffs reminiscent of fellow Africans
Tinariwen and Ali Farka Touré not to mention rock and blues icons such as
Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Page. Already a superstar in the
Tuareg community, with the release of Agadez on Cumbancha Discovery (April
2011), Bombino's stature as one
of Africa's hottest young guitarists is now being revealed to the world.
Grab a copy of Bombino's buzzing new album, 'Agadez,' right
over HERE.
"Fail Forever" by When Saints Go Machine
Copenhagen stand up. This title track from When Saints Go Machine's latest release brings a star-gazing ambiance to the dancefloor. Also to check out is the Nicolas Jaar remix, hosted over at XLR8R.
Vieux Farka Toure accepts Best World Album Grammy on behalf of his father, Ali Farka Toure, and Toumani Diabate
At the 53rd Grammy Awards in LA, Vieux Farka Toure had the honor of accepting the Grammy for Best Traditional World Album on behalf of his late father--the legendary Ali Farka Toure--and Toumani Diabate. The album, Ali and Toumani, was recorded before Ali's death in 2006 in the Toures' hometown of Bamako, Mali. This is Ali's third Grammy win, but his first award received posthumously. Vieux played percussion and contributed backing vocals on the album, released by World Circuit Records. Congratulations to everyone involved in the creation of this amazing album, and to all of the night's winners!
Modiba Publishing's Misteur Valaire scores a nod for Canada's Best New Artist
Misteur Valaire, the colorful and energetic live-electro band from Quebec, has been nominated at the 2011 Juno awards for Best New Artist! The Junos are basically the Grammys of Canada, so it is a tremendous honor to even be nominated. A huge congratulations goes out to the band --- well deserved indeed! Check out the complete list of nominees right over here.
Modiba's Vieux Farka Toure and Bombino at Festival of the Desert in Timbuktu
Modiba Management Artists Vieux Farka Toure and Bombino met for the first time in Timbuktu for the 2011 Festival of the Desert where both performed. Look for new albums and big tours for veteran Vieux and freshly signed Bombino in 2011!
Congrats to the GRAMMY Nominees in Modiba's extended family!
Congratulations is due to everyone in this
year's GRAMMY class, but most especially to those in the Modiba fam:
Creole Moon: Live At The Blue Moon Saloon -- Cedric Watson et Bijou Créole (Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album)
Bulevar 2000 -- Nortec Collective Presents Bostich + Fussible (Latin Rock/Alternative/Urban)
Oro -- Choc Quib Town (Latin Rock/Alternative/Urban)
1977 by Ana Tijoux (Latin Rock/Alternative/Urban)
Ali and Toumani -- Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté (Best Traditional World Music Album)
I Speak Fula -- Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba (Best Traditional World Music Album)
Here is great new video from Ghana's own MC M.anifest. The video was filmed and directed by the very talented Wale Deen Abgoola. The song was produced by another very talented friend and musical comrade, Budo (Rhymesayers). It's the first song he's releasing from his sophomore debut "Coming to America: Immigrant Chronicles" - due out in spring 2011.
Check out this music video--or should we say short film?--from Toni Comas for Meta and the Cornerstones. Meta always comes hard with his videos, and this video for "Cornerstone" is no different.
Check out Paul and the Patients' new song "Blogspot" featured in Target's Fall 2010 campaign! Pretty catchy tune, huh? You can purchase the song on iTunes right over here.
Music consultation on this ad by Modiba Publishing and Evergreen Copyrights.
Gordon Voidwell featured in Seventeen Magazine's "Unsigned Finds"
Modiba Publishing artist Gordon Voidwell has caught the ear of teen-girl tastemakers at
Seventeen Magazine, as they feature the pop-oddity in their "Unsigned Finds" section. Seventeen's CosmoGirl
writes:
"Though he's often compared to Prince, and rightly so, Voidwell's
self-penned tunes (and these are really self-penned - he plays all
the instruments himself!) tactfully layer the '80s synth-funk and
R&B sounds of times past with the more polished sounds of today's
iTunes top ten. Translation: this dude's hooks are insanely catchy.
And, he's got some famous friends who think so as well. In addition
to his musical kinship with up-and-coming buzz bands Brahms and Boy
Crisis, super DJ and producer Mark Ronson is a massive Voidwell fan
and currently spins Gordon's latest single "Ivy League Circus," at
his often celeb-packed DJ gigs." Read the full article here.
Vieux Farka Toure Godin Guitar Giveaway!
To celebrate Vieux Farka Toure's North American Summer Tour and the release of his Live Album, Relix and Six Degrees Records will be giving away a Godin guitar (the same model Vieux Farka Toure plays)! Enter here at Relix.com
Make 'em Move. The podcast.
Click to download.
Download Make 'em Move: http://www.mediafire.com/?jlhnkg0xctj
Track listing:
Make em move intro
"More Life" - Jahdan Blakkamoore
"Jungle Drum remix" - Jai Paul
"Nar di man dis" - Dry Yai and Jungle Leaders
"Snoop Dogg Millionaire" - Chase + Status
"Ciranda" (Amon Remix) - Nation Beat
"Ingxwaba Ngxwaba" - Ghetto Muffin
"Bicho de luz (version para bailar)" - Frikstailers
"Mikono Kwenye Hewa (Distractions And Hidden Agendas)" - Muthoni The
Drummer Queen
"Décalé Gwada" - Jessy Matador
"New Style" - Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew
:: Built by Leen Back ::
Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew kick off dance craze with new "Jacky Jacky" video
Sierra Leone's Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew return to their homeland to teach the people of Tokeh Village their new dance, the "Jacky Jacky!" The video has been bubbling around the internet, following the Crew's performance at Brooklyn's Prospect Park launching Okayafrica.com in front of 15,000 people. Performing along with The Roots, Talib Kweli and African-inspired acts, the Crew definitely got the 'party going in the streets,' as they promise in the lyrics of "Jacky Jacky." Check it out!
Critics applaud Vieux Farka Toure's "Live" album
"Like the audience for these shows, the listener comes away from this record more than satisfied. Vieux Farka Touré has proven himself a worthy musician and a budding global superstar...this is the sound of the new African century: joyful, confident, and boisterous." --PopMatters.com
With his 2010 World Cup performance before a billion people —yes, you heard that
right—in Johannesburg, South Africa, Vieux Farka Touré has become one of the most celebrated African
guitarists in history.
With international acclaim still pouring in from his second full-length, Fondo—one of iTunes best World Music
albums of 2009, and a staple on critics' year-end pick lists as chosen by the Wall Street Journal, The New York
Times, The Village Voice and the BBC among many others—Vieux has not only distinguished himself from his famous
bluesman father, Malian legend Ali Farka Touré, but begun to transcend thelimitations of the world music genre
itself.
The release of the concert album
VFT Live (Digital: 6/8/10, Physical: 6/29/10) affirms that Mali's
young lion has become a legend in his own right, emerging at a crucial
point in history, just as the Western world is finally beginning to
take notice of West African acts like Amadou & Miriam and Omou Sangare.
Not only does VFT Live capture the excitement of Vieux's much- anticipated
World Cup performance, but it confirms what tens of thousands of music
fans around the world already know: VFT's live show is championship-caliber.
Vieux Farka Toure performs at World Cup Opening Ceremony!
Click to watch Modiba's very first artist, Vieux Farka Toure, perform at the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup. Other performances included Shakira, K'NAAN, Amadou and Mariam, among many other musical luminaries.
Modiba featured in Billboard's photo coverage of the 2010 Music + Advertising Conference
Jillian Kelleher of Sound Museum Music and Eileen O'Neill
from Modiba Publishing and Consulting at the Music & Advertising Conference
cocktail party sponsored by Guvera. (Photo by Michael Seto of Billboard)
Presenters at this year's Music + Advertising Conference
included ad executives and music supervisors, while Kid Rock and Devo
spoke about their experience with brand partnerships. Full coverage
here.
Jahdan Blakkamoore issues new 'Global Warning!'
The good people of Large Up present Modiba Publishing artist Jahdan Blakkamoore's new streaming mixtape, 'GLOBAL WARNING!' Jahdan Blakkamoore (Noble Society, Major Lazer) keeps his buzz building with this new mix, featuring his signature reggae, dancehall, hip-hop and electronic stylings. Check out the mix and more info on the rising star over at Large Up!
Documentary film "War Don Don" premiers in NYC; Original theme song by Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew
In the heart of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, United Nations soldiers guard a heavily fortified building known as the “special court.” Inside, Issa Sesay awaits his trial. Prosecutors say Sesay is a war criminal, guilty of heinous crimes against humanity. His defenders say he is a reluctant fighter who protected civilians and played a crucial role in bringing peace to Sierra Leone. With unprecedented access to prosecutors, defense attorneys, victims, and, from behind bars, Sesay himself, WAR DON DON puts international justice on trial for the world to see — finding that in some cases the past is not just painful, it is also opaque. MORE INFO: http://www.wardondonfilm.com and tickets for the New York screenings: http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/hrw10/wardondon.html
?uestlove calls Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew "the most electric performers I've seen in my life." -- The Metro
Click to enlarge.
Even ?uestlove couldn't contain his excitement about Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew's upcoming performance at The Roots Picnic 2010, telling The Metro they are "the most electric performers I've seen in (his) life," and that he is humbled watching the artists develop. The Sierra Leone superstars perform Saturday, June 5, 2010 at Festival Pier in Philadelphia on the Mainstage. Tickets can be purchased here.
Vieux Farka Toure Announces Tour and World Cup 2010 Performance
On Thursday, June 10, Vieux Farka Touré, the Malian guitarist/singer/songwriter and appointed “African guitar hero” first discovered by Modiba, will perform at the first-ever FIFA World Cup Celebration Concert in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event will feature musical performances by major international superstars and popular African artists collaborating together. Vieux is one of the few selected performers who will be sharing the stage with The Black Eyed Peas, Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys, and Shakira, as well as fellow Afro-rockers BLK JKS, Angelique Kidjo, Amadou & Miriam, The Parlotones, South African legend Vusi Mahlasela, and desert bluesmen Tinariwen. The event will take place the night before the first World Cup match at 8:00 pm local time (GMT+2) on June 10, 2010, at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg, and is set to be aired worldwide. The FIFA World Cup football tournament is the world’s most watched sporting event, and is staged every four years. This is the first time the FIFA World Cup is being held on the African continent.
Check out Vieux's tour dates on his website here, and grab his sterling debut album in the Modiba Store.
B-DEC’s “socially conscious party music” draws standing ovation at Carnegie Hall
“Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew, a three-man Sierra Leonean hip-hop group relocated to New York City, tore into socially conscious party music that draws from both sides of the Atlantic: African and Caribbean grooves, three-part harmony and raspy dancehall toasting, denunciations of ‘hypocrites’ and ‘bloodsuckers’ and calls for love and dancing.” (Photo: Richard Perry/The New York Times) Full article is HERE.
Pick up Modiba's latest releases and hot summer merchandise.
If you'd like to see our news archives just click here, you big weirdo.
