The incredible artists/activists Dr. Cornell West and Mos Def laid some knowledge on the table on Bill Maher’s show a few days ago. I adore the combined energies of West and Def. Mos Def has so much charisma and a fantastic sense of humour, he keeps the energy up and just keeps dropping conspiracy theories. Dr. Cornell West has the deep voice and elegance of a professor and a Panther. They complement each other perfectly. If only Adam Yauch and Mos Def would run for Prez and VP of the US, then get Dr. West a high position in the White House or the Congress… That’s the US I want to live in! ([More →])

There are two brand new hip hop tracks on HearingTest today - one from 9th Wonder and one from Strong Arm Steady. ([More →])

Did a bunch of hip hop producers posse up last year and have a labor meeting? I’m starting to suspect that’s what’s goin on, because this is the year for sought-after producers to drop solo debut albums! Sounds like it must have been quite a meeting too - Havoc brought The Kush, Swizz Beatz set up his One Man Band, and 9th Wonder was the Dream Merchant. The newest Wonder album is set for release October 9th on Six Hole/Hall of Justus Records. And, naturally, being the much-coveted hip hop rhythm section that he is, there will be some sweet collaborations going on with some old friends. 9th Wonder brings to the mic: Mos Def, Jean Grae, Royce the 5′9, Little Brother, Keisha Shontelle, Sean Price and a score of others! Previously 9th Wonder has produced music for a long string of hits you probably know well, with Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, Lloyd Banks, Mos Def, De La Soul, Memphis Bleek, Jean Grae, Masta Ace, Murs, Buckshot, Masta Ace, Royce 5’9, Ras Kass, and oh so many more. ([More →])

Apollo Heights have been busy - with sexy results…. They recorded a new album called White Music for Black People that features Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins), Mos Def, Dave Sitek (TVOTR) and the Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite)! How appropriate that the songs came out with titles like “Disco Lights,” “The Color of Love Is Blue” and “Everlasting Gobbster”! ([More →])

It’s been 10 years since the death of Nigerian superstar Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and 200 turbulent years since human enslavement was officially abolished. These events continue to influence the talented Femi Kuti, biological heir to an aural empire of funk, jazz, and polyrhythmic afro-beats that his father first shared with the world. Femi is standing strong in Fela’s footsteps, fusing music and social activism and bringing it to the massive. Femi Kuti’s bio on his my$pace page elaborates : “The result honors his father’s work and extends its vision into the new century. It lays the groundwork for a new global pop vision, one that’s politically charged as well as danceable.”

The Definitive Collection: Femi Kuti weaves together individual threads taken from each of his previous 3 albums onto a 2CD set with extra goodness. Ready for release on May 22nd, this amazing album features collaborations with Mos Def, Common, and Macy Gray. Stunning songs such as, “Wonder Wonder,” “Survival,” and selections from his debut, Femi Kuti. The album also includes a haunting performance of “Ala Jalkoum” that features Femi singing a duet with Rachid Taha, “97″ a tribute to his father’s passing, and an inspired reworking of one of Fela’s favorites, the popular “Water No Get Enemy”.

Tracklisting

Disc: 1
1. Do Your Best - Kuti, Femi & Mos Def
2. Fight To Win
3. ‘97
4. Traitors Of Africa
5. Beng Beng Beng
6. Water No Get Enemy - Kuti, Femi & D’Angelo/Macy Gray
7. Wonder Wonder
8. Look Around
9. Survival
10. Truth Don Die

Disc: 2
1. Truth Don Die
2. Victim Of Life
3. Sorry Sorry
4. Beng Beng Beng
5. Do Your Best
6. Blackman Know Yourself
7. Eregele
8. What Will Tomorrow Bring
9. Scatta Head
10. Missing Link - Kuti, Femi & Common

This album is a treasure trove of afro-beat heritage on its own, but that didn’t stop the label from adding a limited edition bonus cd. This adds another 10 jewels of Femi Kuti mixes to the cache.

Femi Kuti Tour dates:

2-Jul Monday Summerfest MILWAUKEE
4-Jul Wednesday Comerica City Festival DETROIT
6-Jul Friday Ottawa Blues Festival OTTAWA
7-Jul Saturday Quebec Festival QUEBEC CITY
8-Jul Sunday Paradise BOSTON
11-Jul Wednesday Summerstage NYC
12-Jul Thursday Philadelphia Theater of the Living Arts PHILADELPHIA
13-Jul Friday 9:30 Club WASHINGTON DC
14-Jul Saturday Variety Playhouse ATLANTA
16-Jul Monday Stubb’s AUSTIN
18-Jul Wednesday ORPHEUM FLAGSTAFF
19-Jul Thursday HOB SAN DIEGO
20-Jul Friday HOB LOS ANGELES
21-Jul Saturday Fillmore SAN FRANCISCO
22-Jul Sunday Truckee Regional Park TRUCKEE
25-Jul Wednesday Showbox SEATTLE
26-Jul Thursday Commodore Ballroom VANCOUVER
27-Jul Friday Horning’s Hideout PORTLAND
29-Jul Sunday The Depot SALT LAKE CITY
30-Jul Monday Belly Up ASPEN
31-Jul Tuesday Boulder Theater BOULDER
2-Aug Thursday Minneapolis Zoo Amphitheater MINNEAPOLIS
3-Aug Friday Lollapalooza Festival CHICAGO