P.A.M Feature: United States of AFrica

The Importance of a Global connection of Africa and the diaspora.

"Kwame Nkrumah and I were committed to the idea of unity. African leaders and heads of state did not take Kwame seriously. However, I did. I did not believe in these small little nations. Still today I do not believe in them. I tell our people to look at the European Union, at these people who ruled us who are now uniting. Kwame and I met in 1963 and discussed African Unity. We differed on how to achieve a United States of Africa. But we both agreed on a United States of Africa as necessary... After independence the wider African community became clear to me. I was concerned about education; the work of Booker T. Washington resonated with me. There were skills we needed and black people outside Africa had them. I gave our US Ambassador the specific job of recruiting skilled Africans from the US Diaspora. A few came. Some stayed; others left. We should try to revive it. We should look to our brothers and sisters in the West. We should build the broader Pan-Africanism. There is still the room – and the need" — Julius Nyerere interviewed by Ikaweba Bunting, The Heart of Africa, New Internationalist Magazine, Issue 309, January-February 1999.

P.A.M Feature: Africa Unplugged Music Festival for DR Congo

Africa Unplugged Ltd – presents the largest African music festival in Europe….ever!

‘Africa Unplugged Music Festival is taking place on bank holiday Monday the 27th of August 2012, at Wembley Arena in support of SaveTheCongo and WarChildUk.

‘THE BIGGEST AFRICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL IN EUROPE EVER’
Africa Unplugged Ltd presents the largest African music festival in Europe….ever! ‘Africa Unplugged Music Festival  is taking place on bank holiday Monday the 27th of August 2012, at Wembley Arena in support of SaveTheCongo and WarChildUk.  Starting 5pm -11pm
Africa Unplugged will educate, motivate and inspire all by shedding light on the plight of Mother Africa and the daily issues she faces. This includes: Genocide, Poverty, Corruption, War, HIV, Water Shortage and Malaria. We will celebrate the spirit of Africa through music, comedy and dance.

P. A. M Feature: Lupe Fiasco New release

What an explicitly revealing video and song. Lupe Fiasco has once again put the musical platform to good use. Hopefully the message sinks with a few people. Enjoy

P.A.M feature: SNOOP LION not DOGG any more

In case you missed it, the mega hit superstar is now into Reggae. We at Pan Africa are particularly loving this transformation to a more positivist approach to musical production. We look forward to hearing his new album and watching his journey to Snoop Lion in his upcoming documentary. Very intriguing. Find below the article from NY times.

 

 

P. A.M Feature: Ngosa Brothers "Bamwine" (Zambia)

Here in the west, when we think of religious music, we often think (boring) well unless its Gospel. But this group has you dancing and you almost forget its a religious piece. Enjoy: Ngosa brothers from Zambia.

P.A.M Feature: : Amadamara- Freddie Gwala (South AFrica)

We at Pan Africa absolutely love and appreciate the work of  Freddie Gwala. He never gained the fame that he may have gotten in this day and age. but what wonderful work. Enjoy.

P.A.M feature: Toumani Diabeté's Symmetric Orchesta - Tapha Niang

An absolutely beautiful number from a great collection. Be sure to own this if you don't already.
Enjoy

P.A.M Collabo: P-Square Taking it International

We just wanted to do a feature on this dynamic duo from Nigeria. They are on a steady road to international recognition, collaborating with numerous well known artists. It seems that joining Konvict was good progressive, business and musical decision after all.

It is known that Dbanj, the other big house out of Nigeria is joining forces with Kanye West. We are looking forward to the results of that collaboration.

Meanwhile, enjoy more P-square here.

P.A.M Find: Sherifa Gunu

Sherifa just came to our attention through her collaboration with Sarkodie. In the video on here. Sarkodie, did what he does best, quality rapping. And Sherifa, what a voice! You can here the griotry within her voice. What a well produced contemporary-traditional piece. Very nice video as well, Kudos to the director.

Pan African Music Dance: Iyanya-Kukere

GET YOUR DANCING SHOES ON: If you are a little bit behind the new hits from the continent like us at Pan Africa (we have been busy with the humanitarian work we are involved in) then you may have missed the new love being shown to MTN Project Fame West Africa winner Iyanya. His single, Kukere, has everyone dancing. Although the artist from Ghana has released an official video himself, there are several entertaining ones on the net. If you are a dancer, you will like the two we have included here because you can actually learn some good dance steps from them. As you may know, there is an AZonto dance fever on the west coast of the continent, which I am sure will go east and even south soon.

P.A.M Feature: Pan African ultimate Collaboration (check it out)

Wow, talk about a Pan African Music collaboration. Look at the number of artist brought togather for this sonic production. TWENTY ARTISTS------- INCREDIBLE! .. Enjoy the clip 

Tiken Jah Fakoly, Duggy Tee, Sekouba Bambino, Moussa Mbaye, Didier Awadi, Sia Tolno, Takana Zion, Mory KAnte, Phaduba, Fode Baro, Elie Kamano, Bouba Kirikou, Sekouba Kandia, Sona Tata, Ras Condel, Joe Dioubate, Mister X, Abdoul Jabbar, Lama Sidibé & Baraka.

P.A.M Reggae: Tikeh Jah Fakoly

Tikeh, is a true panafrican Reggae artist. Take a look at his extra musical involvements and collaborations across genres, states and more. 
 He is featured on Steel Pulse: African Holocaust, on Didier Awadi: Stoppez les criminels, on Riké: Airt Frais, onBernard Lavilliers: Carnets De Bord, on Amadou & Mariam: Dimanche À Bamako, on Dub Incorporation Diversité, and on Tata Pound: Cikan. He also appears on the compilationAfrican Consciences with Mebgane N’Dour. He will be featured in the upcoming movie Les Oiseaux Du Ciel, directed by Eliane de Latour. 2009 "Africa's Reggae Legend in the Making", Directed by Mackie Fagan.

P. A. M Reggae: South Africa's Lucky Dube

I remember my number always talking about Lucky Dube when I was young. She loved Lucky Dube. I soon grew to love him as well. And when I started doing radio I would play some of his stuff. Its been a while since I played a song of his on the radio but a song of his came on while I was playing my ipod. So today, I pay a tribute to Lucky Dube. Let his music live on! 

He recorded 22 albums in Zulu, English and Afrikaans in a 25-year period and was South Africa's biggest selling reggae artist. On 21 October 2008, Rykodisc released a compilation album entitled Retrospective, which featured many of Dube's most influential songs as well as previously unreleased tracks in the United States. The album celebrated Dube's music and honored the contributions he made to South Africa.^[17]

Pan Africa Music Feature: Fatoumata Diawara - Bissa

Rising Malian artist who was born in Ivory Coast stays close to her roots and traditions, addressing issues facing women in her work.

 "In the Wassoulou musical tradition, women address issues of childbearing and polygamy, but Diawara's perspective as a half-outsider allows her to tackle yet more sensitive issues, such as female genital mutilation. (On the gentle ballad Boloko, she sings, as it's translated: "If you circumcise girls/ You will make their intimate moments difficult/ They will always have problems with childbirth".)"  Caspar Llewellyn Smith

Enjoy Bissa  from her debut album 'Fatou'

On PanAfrica WORT 89.9 FM: African Ambiance Show, Africa Fest in Madison, Preview Orton Park with Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars Band

Tune in this Saturday, August 18th, 2-4 PM Central (3-5 PM EST) (http://www.wort-fm.org/listen.php) for another edition of Panafrica show featuring diverse, hip deep, swing, energetic, rhythmic dance beats from Africa and the Diaspora.  From soukous, ndombolo, rumba, mabalax, makossa, bikutsi, township beats, kwaito, bonga flava, rai, funana, zouk, Afrobeats, Naija beats, soca, calypso, coumbia, reggae to dancehall, you will have an eclectic collection of sounds and irresistible dance beats across the Panafrican world that will surely get you moving.

 

Saturday is also Africa Festival in Madison, Wisconsin with a celebration of the rich diverse cultural heritage of the continent and diaspora on display. Thrpoughout the day, Africa Fest will feature music, fashion shows, dance, food, and more stuff.  Call in to Panafrica with your Africa Fest updates and music requests.

P.A. M Artisit Feature: Sidi Touré, Tondi Karaa (The White Stone)

One of Mali's Best hidden Talents....well the bird is out of the cage. Enjoy.

Biography

Sidi Touré is, like the famous Ali Farka Touré, a songhaï from the north of Mali, but unlike the latter, Sidi is from Gao, the capital of the ancient songhaï empire. During his childhood, Sidi Touré was the leadsinger of the school band, but his family was initially opposed to a potential musical career. Nevertheless, in 1976, he became member of the regional orchestra of Gao, the Songhaï Stars. At that time, the government of Mali supported cultural and musical expression through bi-annual festivals (Biennale), where each region of Mali was represented by an orchestra and a traditional ensemble.

Pan Africa Music Collabo: Angelique Kidjo feat. Ziggy Marley - Sedjedo

Another beautiful Pan African sonic production by one of African's most powerful voices and dancers and the King of Reggae's son. Enjoy Sedjedo by Angelique Kidjo and Ziggy Marley.

The Pan Africa hosts have been blessed to present Angelique Kidjo twice in concerts. You have to see her live to understand her force. Magnificent artist! 

P.A.M Reggae: Tiwony Ft Takana Zion, Appolo J, Singleton, Baba Samba

Again we bring you the master work of Takana Zion. In general we love his work of fusing the traditional and the modern for great contemporary beats, which not salient in this song. However, we admired the true Pan African collaborative work ( 2  (Guineans); 1 (Guyanese); 1 (Ivorian), and secondly Takana shows why he is going to hit big at least in the Reggae world (although he also produces griotry music). 

P.A.M African Reggae: Takana Zion- Reggae Donkili.

Takana is enormously talented. Visited him in Guinea this past summer and he is definitely a leveled headed African artist. When the world gets to know of 

him, they wouldn't be able to get enough. His voice is outta this space. You have to hear him live to understand but in the meantime enjoy this track.

P. A. M Hip Hop: K’naan Releasing Children’s Book On His Post-Somalian Life and a New Album “Country, God or the Girl”

by Jake Crates, August 15th, 2012

(AllHipHop News) Toronto, Canada based poet, MC, and singer K’naan is releasing a new children’s book entitled When I Get Older: The Story Behind Wavin’ Flag.

When I Get Older tells the the story of K’naan, who was born in Somalia and escaped the outbreak of the Somali Civil war in 1991.

The book talks about the challenges K’naan faced adjusting to life in a new country after his family moved to New York, and then Toronto, Canada, as they sought asylum from war-stricken Somalia.

Tundra Books will be releasing the triumphant story in Canada and the United States on September 25 in hardcover and as and e-book. The story shows how music became a way for K’naan to connect with his past, with his classmates, and eventually with millions of people around the world.

P. A. M News: Koffi Olomide In Court

Congolese soukous star Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, alias Koffi Olomide is reportedly in court for assaulting his manager in a dispute over $3,680. He risks up to 6 months of jail time if convicted. Koffi is a favorite for soukous lovers and congolese music lovers. We at Pan Africa have a special appreciation for his early works, most of them done with Papa Wemba. They carry a richness and sonic production that travels time and occasions. Have a taste with the accompanying videos

A bit of History: 
Koffi whose  father is Congolese (Gbandi tribe from Equateur region) and mother  Sierra-Leonean earned a scholarship and went to study in Bordeaux,France where he obtained a Bachelors Degree in Business Economics. He is also reported to have a master's degree. 

Baloji On Pan Africa Radio Show, WORT 89.9FM

Before performing at La Fete de Marquette (2011), Baloji, the upcoming artist from Congo (based in Belgium) and the band stopped by Pan Africa. It was a wonderful time. Baloji is a well spoken young man. His quest to keep the traditional form of congolese music is admirable. He shared with the listeners that he went to congo to record a number of songs on his most recent Album. Emphasizing his conscious effort to include veterans and legends.......Hats off to you BALOJI and more grease to your elbows.

MC'ing at WAKE UP MADAGASCAR

It was not just music, it was a movement. Wake up Madagascar which seeks to inform the world about deforestation in Madagascar brings the best artist out of the country to the world as a group. Razia Said, King of Salegy Jajaoby, Charles Nely and Saramba brought the rich Malagasy soundz to Madison, WI and we, the Pan Africa Radio show host were there to welcome them. enjoy pictures below (courtesy of Zachary Rosen)

MC'ing Amadou and Mariam Concert

In addition to the radio show. We are constantly MC'ing festivals and Africa (Pan African)- related music events. This past week, we MC'ed the Amadou & Mariam concert. That was just an amazing show. After MC'ing their drummer pulled us to stage for dancing. Photo credits: Zachary Rosen

On Panafrica WORT 89.9FM - Acoustic Africa Blues-Jazz and More, Professor John Francis (PlanetWalker), Superstars Amadou & Miriam in Madison

Tune in this Saturday, August 4^th, 2-4 PM Central (3-5 PM EST) (http://www.wort-fm.org/

listen.php) for another edition of Panafrica show featuring diverse acoustic elements, sounds, rhythms, and voices from Africa. From Kora, Balafon, Xylophone, Ngoni, Mbira, Guitar, African Fiddles, Calabash, percussions to thumb pianos, the African continent is full of dense clusters of music sequences, rhythmic patterns, harmonies and tonalities of various African cultures that have come to define the modern day Blues, Jazz, Afro-Cuban Son/Kora Son, soul, R&B, rock and roll, funk, and more.

Then our studio guest is Professor John Francis, an environmental activist, former United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador, Banjo Player and author of Planetwalker: How to Change Your World One Step at a Time.  Spurred by a 1971 oil spill in California, he took a vow of silence for 17 years and eschewed motor vehicles for 22 years, walking across North and South America and spreading inspiration and environmental awareness. Along the way, Francis earned three degrees, including a Ph.D. at UW–Madison, and worked with groups ranging from the U.S. military to the United Nations. He is now a National Geographic Education Fellow and runs the non-profit Planetwalk, dedicated to environmental education. Francis is spending the 2011-12 academic year teaching in the UW–Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. We will have an exclusive interview with John Francis on his journey, life, and more.