A soundscape for the fictional nightclub

March 4, 2022 12:34 PM

Africa Is a Country Radio is a monthly deep dive into the music and cultural politics of the African continent and beyond. Season 3 focuses on authors and began with an episode on Tizita music to highlight Mukoma Wa Ngugi's latest novel Unbury Our Dead with Song. Next is a guest mix from Folarin Ajibade inspired by the ethnography Kwaito Bodies by Xavier Livermon. The latest is Chief Boima's soundtrack for Fiston Mwanza Mujila's debut novel, Tram 83. Track listings
posted by spamandkimchi (3 comments total)

Some of the featured classic Kwaito tracks (the WorldwideFM links have track listings):

Kamo Mphela - Nkulunkulu
Alfa Kat & TidoSoul - Sip Sip
Mr JazziQ, Kabza De Small & Lady - Woza feat Boohie
Nektunez - Amen Amapiano (the Goya remix version)
Trompies - Jakarumba Kwa! Kwa! Kwa!
Doc Shebeleza - S'kumfete
Boom Shaka - Thobela
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:44 PM on March 4, 2022 [1 favorite]

Oh, wow! I've been chipping away at the edges of African music for a while now -- my last foray was into the One Night in Pelican compilation.

I think I've been so discouraged by copyright limits on North-Amerian-centric music podcasts before and the frustration of only ever hearing music in 15-second chunks that it kind of turned me off in general. Listening to TRAM 83 and this sounds much more generous in its music presentation. Thanks for sharing.
posted by Shepherd at 12:59 PM on March 4, 2022 [1 favorite]

Here's also a decade old mix by Chief Boima. I really enjoyed it when it came out, and think I'll enjoy working through these links as well. Thanks for posting!
posted by yeahwhatever at 1:00 PM on March 4, 2022 [1 favorite]