Afro Roots Hop Notes

SMOD: Les Dirigeants Africains

akwerius — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:23:20 +0000

Big video by SMOD, a Malian Hip-Hop group. Yet another stinging critique of Africa’s dictatorial leaders. Let it out.

“Get Control” by Nap Nat

akwerius — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:24:07 +0000

Check out the latest song from emcee Nap Nat, featuring irie production from K-Salaam & Beatnick, is called “Get Control”. The tune is a call to people living life on auto pilot to take control of their existence and be original. It is featured on the forthcoming EP The Wholistic, features contributions from: Chicago’s own Pugs Atomz, dope up and coming producer duo Nez & Rio as well as the prolific production team of K-Salaam & Beatick. The Wholistic is an audio companion to Jesse Childs’ (p.k.a. Nap Nat the Napi Natural) second novel entitled Kam Remembered- available June 16th on Amazon.com

Project: Circadian Riddims New Mixtape

akwerius — Wed, 25 May 2011 22:32:57 +0000

As some of you may know, Circadian Riddims is a Boston-based production camp out of Boston, MA. Since the release of our first mixtape “Four Directions” in December 2010, the crew has been spending a lot of time in the studio working on its next release, the upcoming new full length album Electric Food Vol. I. Our lead producer Felix Fantasia (who also doubles as the crew’s sound engineer) has had to take a leave of absence from his other projects in order to focus on this record, which will be a magical dub odyssey by the time we’re done tracking and mixing at the end of the summer. That’s where you come in! As independent artists, we know we are not alone (at least we hope we’re not). Still, the cost of recording, mixing, mastering, duplicating and promoting a record on a level that everyone out there can hear it, is a burden we are often tasked to bear on our own. As our families, friends and supporters, we thank you for all the support you have given and continue to give us as we keep aspiring to live out our dreams and in so-doing maybe even inspire others to do the same.

> Download free dubcast on iTunes

> Buy “Four Directions” Mixtape Here

> Fund our next mixtape project

Exclusive: “The Abbey” Short Film

akwerius — Wed, 25 May 2011 22:09:37 +0000

The short film “The Abbey” produced by kwe on the occasion of the video/DVD release of his 2002 classic “Mr. Prezident” and based on his first collection of poetry “Dirges of Becoming” is now available for viewing online. In the category of experimental films produced by an African artist, “The Abbey” is the first act in a coming saga by this poet and musician. Film and music by kwe. Camera by Mars Jupiter and Invisible Flux. Video slideshow by Cathy Cathodic. Presented by Voices of the New Millennium (VNM).

Preview: “Tell Dem” Album

akwerius — Wed, 25 May 2011 21:00:36 +0000

This album is the fruit of a collaboration with Circadian Riddims. As a project, it illustrates some of the best capabilities of this Boston-based production crew. From entirely live acoustic tracks to studio productions, the sound is nu and fresh. When asked about his approach to making this record, kwe responds: “Lyrically, I want this album to demonstrate the range of my vocal talent. You got some straight-up hip hop tracks (which is my musical foundation), alongside more roots-type beats with chants and singing parts/verses. Finally, you got dub poetry.” Having recently published his first collection of poetry in 2010, this album is a reflection of kwe’s growth not only as an emcee/poet, but also as a musician and artist. In anticipation of this album, a podcast release last year (Astronomy Vol. I) served as a blueprint of sorts for “Tell Dem”.

> Download the podcast on iTunes.

> Preview & Pre-Order “Tell Dem”

FEATURED: “Mr. Prezident” Video by Akwerius

akwerius — Wed, 25 May 2011 18:15:01 +0000

As a prelude to his upcoming album “Tell Dem”, kwe has just released a hot new video for “Mr. Prezident”. Produced by Cuzmosis and featured on kwe’s debut album “Sonrise”, the tune is being re-released as a digital download by Afro Roots Hop. “It’s a political rap that I felt was quite timely”, says kwe on the timing of this music video, which comes at a moment of great social and political upheavals throughout the Middle East and Africa. Although the song, written in the form of a letter to the president, was originally intended for Paul Biya (President of the Republic of Cameroon, and one of the longest serving leaders in Africa), its message today is relevant beyond kwe’s home-country of Cameroon.

> buy track here

Hip Hop Lives (KRS-ONE & Marley Marl)

akwerius — Wed, 25 May 2011 17:47:33 +0000

Two Hip Hop legends connect.

2011: kwe – The Wind

akwerius — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 22:15:08 +0000

kwe reads his poem “The Wind” at Sankofa Books, Videos & Cafe in Washington, DC (4/21/2011)

Classic Video: Sonrise

akwerius — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:16:48 +0000

This music video shot in a day was made in Chicago for the first single off kwe’s 2002 album, Sonrise (prod. Veras Films).

Isaiah Eleven Readings

akwerius — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:06:33 +0000

Jesse Childs shares excerpts of his debut novel Isaiah Eleven, available now for sale on Amazon. Listen and watch parts: One – Two – Three – Four – Five