Now for something completely different
Congolese-born Belgian rapper Baloji spreads his wings
- Published: 22 Jan 2013 at 00.00
- Newspaper section: Life
African musicians often complain that they face negative reactions when they create modern styles of music. It's fine if they stick with dance music or traditional acoustic sets, but when they want to do something different, people outside Africa seem to dismiss their efforts.
1. DIABLOS DEL RITMO - Various Artists (Colombia)
2. GROUND OF ITS OWN - Sam Lee (UK)
3. ALMA DE CANTAORA - Amparo Sanchez (Spain)
4. Y’ANBESSAW TEZETA - Getatchew Mekuria & The Ex & Friends (Ethiopia)
5. PIZZICA INDIAVOLATA - Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (Italy)
6. THE GRIOT’S CRAFT - Sekouba Bambino (Guinea)
7. DESESPERANZA - Meridian Brothers (Colombia)
8. ADUNA - Malick Pathe Sow & Sissoko (Belgium/Senegal)
9. MABRUK - Aziza Brahim & Gulili Mankoo (Western Sahara)
10. LA CANTIGA DEL FUEGO - Ana Alcaide (Spain)
Congolese multi-instrumentalist and composer Ray Lema was one of the first to resist such stereotypical ideas with his unique blend of Western and African music in the 1980s and 1990s, but he never managed to reach a big audience. Senegal's Baaba Maal was more successful and compatriot Youssou N'Dour made something of a breakthrough when he composed the music for the World Cup hosted by France.
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