Where can I get more like 'Africa Stop Ebola'?
February 2, 2015 6:26 AM   Subscribe

Can anyone recommend anything that similar to 'Africa Stop Ebola' that I might like? I want more!

Quick first point: the song Africa Stop Ebola (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruYQY6z3mV8) is a serious song about a serious subject, and my question is in no way intended to trivialise or ignore that point.

But with regard specifically to the music, I *love* it. Haven't been able to stop listening. What I like is the: super tight, fluid, expressive reggae rhythm section, slick production, juxtaposed with the kora, terrific African singers, and some sick African rap. The whole thing reminds me a little of Guru's Jazzmatazz at times, but with much heavier and better reggae feel, and the African/world flavour to boot.

Can anyone recommend anything that is a pretty similar combination of the above that I might like? I want more!

Thank you in advance for any suggestions!
posted by Hartham's Hugging Robots to Media & Arts (6 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
You might like other stuff by Ivorian reggae artist Tiken Jah Fakoly. I really like "Je Dis Non."
posted by ChuraChura at 7:36 AM on February 2, 2015


do you know zap mama? i think she shares a lot of those attributes - smooth, expressive, great production, a strong funky african aesthetic. she doesn't have any african rap, but there's a lot of french?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_5Xg-0UBIU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slSkt2_V1ks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPvLZsruKeg
posted by mrmanvir at 10:15 AM on February 2, 2015 [1 favorite]


He wasn't African, but Brazilian with African, funk, etc. influences, but I immediately thought of Tim Maia.

Also seconding Zap Mama who, to be pedantic, is a group and not a person even though Marie Daulne "is" Zap Mama in that she's the one who makes everything happen. As I understand it, anyway.
posted by cmoj at 10:33 AM on February 2, 2015


You've asked a very big question there, since that track features so many major African artists, encompassing many different styles of music. Salif Keita, the guy with albinism, sings haunting, soaring, elegiac griot-influenced music. Amadou and Mariam are more sort of jazzy bluesy Malian folk. Imo you're best option is to go on a youtube journey and follow the links from song to song, page to page and artist to artist.

If what you like about the Ebola track is the fusion of different elements under a strong/simple beat, you might like Manu Chao. He's producing these days.
posted by glasseyes at 4:34 AM on February 4, 2015


On the other hand for something quite a bit heavier and thrilling perhaps just a bit similar:

Fantasma, South African electro-Zulu supergroup Fantasma's futurist EP.

Spoek Mathombo and DJ Spokos. I can't believe I've not seen this hyped everywhere.
posted by glasseyes at 5:17 AM on February 4, 2015


Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Will be checking all of them out!
posted by Hartham's Hugging Robots at 6:39 AM on February 4, 2015


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