afrobeats
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East Coast, West Coast, Worldwide: Akon’s Business Ventures Are Legend, but His New Music Enterprise Is One of His Most Boundary Breaking Yet
The instant Akon joined me at The Root’s office in a skyscraper overlooking Times Square, he seemed at ease. With his publicist in tow, he strolled in, falling headfirst into a conversation we were having about the huge buzz around upcoming events in Accra, Ghana in December (AfroNation and Afrochella); a pilgrimage so massive, hotels…
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'This Is Sonic Cinema': Beyoncé Releases New Single 'Spirit' From Upcoming Self-Curated Album, The Lion King: The Gift
Like her lioness character, Nala, Beyoncé has “pinned you again”—with a new album! The Lion King: The Gift comes from Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records and is curated by Bey herself. The album will feature some of the most important current African artists in what is being described as a “tribute” to the film and “love letter…
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30 Days of Musical Blackness With VSB, Day 8: Teni, 'Party Next Door'
One thing I’ve made it a point to do more in the past few years is dig heavier into current music coming from Africa. So many artists are breaking through (i.e., Davido, etc.) but there is just SO SO much dope music coming from West Africa—Nigeria in particular. Fela Kuti is one of my top…
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You Gotta Put Me On: For the Artists Who Haven’t Quite Reached Mainstream Success but Are Killing the Game
When black people who are musically inclined choose to pursue a career as an artist, they are proclaiming that they not only believe in their talent but also don’t subscribe to the conventional ways of making an American dream a reality. These people are dreamers with thick skin. Rejection is palpable when you choose to…