A family friend, Chana, recently got back from Kenya where she was working for a few months in a rural hospital. I bumped into her in Toronto about a week ago, Benn loxo came up, and next thing you know I find a compilation of Kenyan hip-hop sitting in my inbox. And a good one, too. Thanks, Chana.

Ogopa Deejays is a music production company run out of Nairobi, Kenya. It’s played a big part in promoting Kenyan urban music.

West Africa has long been known for its talented and well-promoted hip-hop, reggae and RnB acts like PBS, VIP, Daara J, MC Solaar, Pee Froiss, Tiken Jah and many others. On the other side of the continent things have moved a bit slower in terms of musicians breaking into the international market. Labels and production companies like Ogopa Deejays are helping to finally raise awareness about East Africa’s urban music scenes.

Their first compilation was released in 2001 and was a huge success both at home at abroad. It kick-started the careers of many young Kenyan musicians, including Amani, Big Pin and the late hip-hop MC, E-Sir. You’ll hear some tracks off this compilation titled “Ogopa 1 – Kenyan Club Classics” on today’s post.

You can buy albums, see videos, hear clips and learn more about Ogopa Deejays on their official web site.

E-Sir – Leo Ni Leo
Vinnie Banton & Mr. Googs – Wasee (Githurai remix)
Amani – Move On

Once and a while on Benn loxo I like to remind listeners that African music isn’t all about koras and djembes. There are lots of sounds coming out of the continent these days and not all of them are strictly related to “traditional” music, nor do they all sound like they should filed under “World” at your local Virgin megastore.

I’ve featured quite a bit of hip-hop from Senegal, South African and Nigeria over the past couple years. It’s been a while, so why not listen to some more. Today we’ll hear some contemporary hip-hop and drum’n'bass sounds from Tanzania.

I know that many of you already know the Xplastaz track, but I’ve never featured it on my site and it’s one of my favourite hip-hop tracks to come out of the continent. This song has particular resonance for me. When I first arrived in Paris a little over a year ago I went to this house party near Opera Garnier. A Benn loxo listener, Olivier, had invited me. I walked into what I thought would be a small gathering to find a multi-room dance party in a partially constructed building filled with a few hundred people all busting up the dancefloor to… Tanzanian hiphop? What a great way to start off a city.

The other two tracks are off Mapito, the Tanzanian Mix Tape Remix Project. This compilation really reflects for me how far East African hip-hop has come over the past few years. Both production and musical quality has really, really improved since the scene started opening up during the late 90s and early 2ks.

Both Xplastaz and Mapito are on the excellent African hip-hop label, Nomadic Wax. You’ve heard stuff here already off their release, African Underground Vol. 1: Hip-Hop Senegal. Much more info on African urban sounds at Africanhiphop.com.

X Plastaz – Msimu kwa msimu
Owen Saunders & Mike Freear feat LC, Bennamo, Yega & Mr. Soo – Self Destruct
Mr. Soap – Niwachache Tu (Timebomb Remix)

After the last post’s sounds it’s high time for a kora remix.

Today’s first track comes off Hadja Kouyate and Ali Boulo Santo’s 2003 album, Manding-Ko, recorded at Dakar’s Studio 2000. Hadja Kouyate is the daughter of Guinean griots who, as far as I can tell, most people believe is Malian. Ali Boulo Santo isn’t Malian either – he’s Senegalese, a Dakarois even. Regardless, the album is a collection of nice Mandingo kora music accompanying Kouyate’s beautiful singing. Pan-West African, Malian sounding at times and generally good all ’round.

The remix bit comes off an album on the same label, Frédéric Galliano’s Frikyiwa, called FKW 016: Electronic Experience in African Music. The title sort of describes what the album is all about – definitely worth a listen.

My copies of both albums are courtesy my good friend, Alex. Happy birthday, Alex, and cheers for some great new additions to the collection.

Hadja Kouyate & Ali Boulo Santo – Agne Tolona
Hadja Kouyate & Ali Boulo Santo – Agne Tolona recontructed

I mentioned The Allenko Brotherhood Ensemble in my post yesterday. Since I’m in the mood for some afrobeat I thought I’d post a track off that album to kick-off the weekend.

The Allenko Brotherhood Ensemble isn’t a group but rather an effort by Comet records in 2001 to unite some contemporary musicians and DJs with Tony Allen’s drum beats. Instead of same-old same-old remixes the album incorporates Allen’s classic beats with new styles… with great results.

My favourite track off the album is by Tweak from Straight Ahead Recordings. It’s also one of the closest in style to Tony Allen, particularly his recent solo works. I’ll illustrate this by posting a track off Allen’s 1999 album, Black Voices.

Tony Allen – The Same Blood
Tweak – Leroy