Old News
Archived updates from way back
Modiba Music Works' Sweet Micky is elected Haitian President!
We never thought we would have the privelege of saying this, but Modiba licensing 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.
Shad beats out Toronto-native Drake for Rap Recording of the Year!
Congratulations to Modiba licensing artist 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 Music Works' 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 Music Works and Evergreen Copyrights.
Gordon Voidwell featured in Seventeen Magazine's "Unsigned Finds"
Modiba licensing 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 Music Works 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 licensing 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.
Long Live Afrobeat!
Modiba Publishing artists Sila and the Afrofunk Experience received the NAACP Image Award for their album "Black President!" Huge congratulations are due to the band, led by Kenyan frontman Victor Sila, who began writing material for the album even before President Obama was elected. The band draws its musical inspiration from Fela Kuti, James Brown, Sly Stone, Bob Marley and Parliament Funkadelic, as well as African genres zouk and soukous. Check out the award-winning album on their website.
Modiba inks deal with One Have Music to release Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew's debut album!
We are THRILLED to announce the freshly formed relationship between Modiba Productions and One Haven Music. Modiba and the new label--which is a partner of The Orchard--are now gearing up to drop the new album from Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew during Summer 2010. The yet-to-be-titled album--executive produced by Modiba--has been in the works for the last year, as Bajah, Dovy and A-Klazz have been building the buzz stateside with their undeniably energetic live show. ?uestlove, a featured producer on the upcoming album, calls Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew "a walking Tony award," complimenting their dynamic stage show which he says challenges his own idea of live performance. More of ?uesto's reflections on Bajah and the guys coming soon, so stay tuned for that and more news on the album release!
Vieux Farka Toure's debut named in Top 50 Albums of the Decade by Murphy's Law
Music writer Sean Murphy praised Vieux's Modiba-produced first album as one of his favorites of the last decade. He writes, "Toure’s debut is an almost indescribably buoyant, expansive affair. It is so full of life and so brimming with confidence and enthusiasm it is a small miracle of sorts." Read the full review here.
Modiba Publishing artist Jahdan Blakkamoore has iTunes "Best Reggae Album of 2009"
For the second year in a row, Jahdan Blakkamoore claims iTunes' favorite reggae release.
Village Voice calls Okayafrica "...what may have been the best show of CMJ 2009."
Thanks to everyone who came out and partied with us for Modiba and Okayplayer's CMJ Closing Party: OKAYAFRICA!!!! It was a HUGE success. The new Knitting Factory in Brooklyn was bursting at the seams with energy and good peoples. IyaDedE, Blitz the Ambassador, Jahdan and headliners Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew all rocked the stage. In fact, they rocked so much that The Village Voice and MSN Music both ranked the show with the Best of CMJ 2009! Read the full reviews of the night here from Village Voice and here from MSN. Looking forward to getting down with you all again. Stay tuned for what's next from Okayafrica!!
Modiba and Okayplayer present...
The OKAYAFRICA! CMJ Closing Party
Saturday, October 24, 11pm | The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn | $10 | Tickets
Welcome to CMJ09. It's about to get loud. New York's yearly musical gauntlet is kicking off, and we trust that you have a nice schedule of events ahead so we're making it easy and giving you the cherry on top. Saturday night is the CMJ09 show to end all CMJ09 shows... it's The OKAYAFRICA! CMJ Closing Party. Featuring the newness from Africa and the Diaspora, in a late night of Afro-Futurism.
Your Cherry-On-Top Lineup
+ Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew
+ Blitz the Ambassador
+ Jahdan Blakkamoore and Matt Shadetek
+ IyaDedE
+ DJ Zakee Kuduro
+ a late night Afro-dubstep /electro hip-hop set with secret special guests
+ a special performance by the spirit of the late, great Fela Kuti
+ a special appearance by the father of West African bubu music, Janka Nabay
+ and projections by VJs Ted Dancin and Cupcakes Love Supreme
Bajah hits Brooklyn Bowl as part of The Coolhunter 10 Dollar Bill Show with The Roots
Thursday, October 1st, it's The Coolhunter Jam!!! It
goes down at the new Brooklyn Bowl, and features The ROOTS, Bajah
+ The Dry Eye Crew, Mayer Hawthorne, Pattern Is Movement, Ursula
Rucker. ALL for only 10 bones! It's the best deal in town.
@ Brooklyn Bowl: 61 Wythe Ave.(bet. North 11th and North 12th)
Jahdan Blakkamoore drops Buzzrock Warrior
Modiba Publishing artist Jahdan Blakkamoore unleashes the mighty Buzzrock Warrior with
a show at Santos Party House in NYC on 9/17/09. Out on Gold Dust Media/!K7, Buzzrock is one of our favorite albums in
a very long while. Precious few albums have hit the speakers in the Modiba offices more than this right here, and
now it is time for the world to hear.
Often featured alongside Dead Prez, Smif n Wessun, Adam Deitch (Fyre
Dept), Matt Shadetek and dj/Rupture, Jahdan has been bubbling in the
underground for a minute now, but this year he's officially coming
up. Featured on the standout track 'Cash Flow' on Diplo's Major Lazer
album, and lending songwriting talents to Matisyahu's latest album,
Jahdan's hook-slaying has now become impossible to ignore. So if you
didn't know yet.... you're about to know. Grab the new album.
Freshly released Fela Installment of J.Period and K'Naan present The Messengers
Bajah lends a hand in paying tribute to the great Fela Kuti on K'Naan's mixtape, freshly released. Check out the track 'Gentleman' for Bajah's feature below. We love J.Period and K'Naan. And Fela. Download the Fela installment here.
Bajah featured on the new K'Naan mixtape by J.Period
K'Naan's new mixtape, J.Period and K'Naan present The Messengers, pays homage to quite the trifecta: Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, and Bob Dylan. And on this three-song release preceding the September 1st full mixtape drop, Bajah joins Kardinal Offishall and Steele on the Bob Marley cover, "Belly Full." Download this and two other tracks here.
Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew Light Up Lincoln Center
Last night rocked. Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew headlined
Hip
Hop Generation Next at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, on such
a beautiful August 6th. The whole evening's lineup was so energized
and culture-packed, with a variety of the hip-hop dance and martial
arts crews leading up to Bajah's set. Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew closed
the night with a 12 piece band, rotating dancers, and the high energy
3 main MCs-- Bajah, Dovy and A-Klazz. Special guests included dancehall
buzz man Jahdan Blakkamoore, drummer/producer Adam Deitch, and The
Retro Kidz. All of the evening's dance crews came back out for one
giant dance party: the best way to end an amazingly diverse night
of music and movement.
Make sure to check out the new mixtape and the rest of their story on www.planetbajah.com
Photo credit: TheWeblicist.com
Jimmy Fallon shouts out Bajah's upcoming panel at Lincoln Center, hosted by WSJ
On the 7/28/09 episode, Jimmy Fallon and ?uestlove discussed the August 4th Planet Hip-Hop panel on which Bajah will be featured, alongside Public Enemy's Chuck D, entrepreneur Steve Stoute, and ?uestlove himself. The evening will be moderated by Wall Street Journal's culture editor Christopher John Farley, as they discuss why hip-hop has gone global -- and where the music is heading next. Tickets are here, and the full Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is here (check about 9 minutes in for Bajah's lovely portrait.)
Come Celebrate the Arrival of Kings Of Salone: The DJ Gravy Mixtape!
Check more info on www.PlanetBajah.com
After rocking a packed house last night at The Roots' Jam at Highline Ballroom, Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew will be back for more on Monday night at Santos Party House, with mixtape producer DJ Gravy and the legendary ?uestlove on the decks all night. We can't wait for you to hear the new mixtape, so make sure to look for it on Monday when it is officially released. Sign up for the Modiba newsletter above to have it emailed direct on Monday morning!
Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew Remember Future Africa
Is America Part Of The World? Find out July 11th!
FARM AID PRESENTS NATION BEAT WITH WILLE NELSON & FRIENDS
Airing now on The 101 Network exclusively on DIRECTV
FARM AID PRESENTS NATION BEAT WITH WILLIE NELSON & FRIENDS showcases a magical set by the rich, rhythmic world fusion group Nation Beat, who are joined by Willie Nelson for a performance that presents a perfect mix of their songs and sounds. Also featured in this special are performances by Jamey Johnson and Jesse Lenat, both making their first Farm Aid appearances, as well as songs by Arlo Guthrie, Steve Earle, John, Neil, Willie, and Dave (with Tim). Each of the FARM AID PRESENTS specials is a non-stop hour of great music captured in high definition and presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital. Airing exclusively on "The 101 Network" (Channel 101) on DIRECTV. The FARM AID PRESENTS specials will be airing throughout the year. Check www.directv.com for broadcast dates.
BAJAH + THE DRY EYE CREW TO PERFORM AT THE ROOTS PICNIC 2009!!
Mark your calendars for June 6th... Bajah and the boys are making a special guest appearance at The Roots' Picnic in Philly. Check here for the rest of the day's killing lineup.
Drom on June 4, 2009
NEW VIDEO FROM NATION BEAT!
"A Onde Tem Cerveja Tem Mulher" Animation by David Perry
NATION BEAT REMIXED!
Click here to download the dancefloor crushing remix of Nation Beat's "Mare Cheia" by NYC producer/percussionist extraordinaire Amon. Beware, contents are hot.
Amon:Website / Myspace
