Video: Melissa NKonda, VV Brown - "J'Ai Fait Tout Ca Pour Vous" - French FAAC nominee

French singer Melissa NKonda is nominated for the French "Trophées des Arts Afro-Caribéens (FAAC)" ("Afro-Caribbean Arts Awards") in the category Best Newcomer of the year 2011. Nkonda’s debut album is "Noveaux Horizons", which is an homage to her Algerian and Cameroonian roots. One of the tracks is "J'Ai Fait Tout Ca Pour Vous", which she recorded with English singer VV Brown (Vanessa Brown).

The awards ceremony will be held on September 12, 2011 in Paris France. You can vote for your favorite artist at the website of France Ô at http://participer.franceo.fr/lestaac/

Video: TLF Feat Corneille "Le Meilleur Du Monde" - French FAAC nominee

The clip "Le Meilleur Du Monde" of French rapper TLF and French R&B singer Corneille is nominated for the French "Trophées des Arts Afro-Caribéens (FAAC)" ("Afro-Caribbean Arts Awards") in the category Clip of the Year 2011.

The awards ceremony will be held on September 12, 2011 in Paris France. You can vote for your favorite artist at the website of France Ô at http://participer.franceo.fr/lestaac/

The French Afro-Caribbean Arts Awards 2011 in Paris (Sept 12th)

The sixth edition of the "Trophées des Arts Afro-Caribéens (TAAC)" ("Afro-Caribbean Arts Awards") will be held September 12, 2011 at the théâtre du Châtelet in Paris France and will be broadcasted on Sept. 18 on the French public television network France Ô.

The show will be presented by Audrey Chauveau and Sébastien Folin.

Compilation of 2009 and 2010


list of candidates

Category: Artist of the Year
RColonel Reyel, Dominik Coco, Alpha Blondy, Danyel Waro

Category: Clip of the year
Fanny J Feat Black Kent, Colonel Reyel, TLF Feat Corneille, Soprano.

Category: Best Group of the Year.
Sexion d’Assaut, Staff Benda Bilili, Didye Kegrin Ek Soul KAMAYANN, Bamboolaz .

Category: Newcomer of the Year.
Mélissa Nkonda, Patrice Hulman, Tsenga, Colonel Reyel.

You can vote for your favorite artist at the website of France Ô at http://participer.franceo.fr/lestaac/

Two performances in the Awards of 2010

Ben L'Oncle Soul


Lynsha feat Neg'Marrons "Mon idéal"

Video: Belgian singer Stromae released video "Peace or violence"

The Belgian singer-songwriter Stromae, real name Paul Van Haver, released the video "Peace or violence", which is a song from his studio album Cheese (2010).

Stromae has distinguished himself in both hip hop and electronic music. He first became famous with the song "Alors on danse" which remained at number one for several weeks in numerous countries throughout Europe. Stromae was born in Brussels to a Rwandan father and a Belgian mother.



The blog Africa is Country wrote about him. "Stromae seems determined to turn every song on his 2010 album Cheese into a hit. A video like the one above will no doubt help. I’ve always been surprised by articles digging for his ‘Rwandan roots’ (e.g. “in Africa, I am considered white”), for in Belgium we just know him as the dude from Alors on Danse (and its hilarious ‘making-of’ you must have seen by now)."

Video: French soul singer Ben L'Oncle Soul - "Elle me dit"

French singer Ben L'Oncle Soul just released his video "Elle me dit". The soulful video is part of his album Ben l'Oncle Soul.

Benjamin Duterde (born 1984), a.k.a. Ben L’Oncle Soul (‘Ben the Soul Uncle’), is a French nu-soul singer from the town of Tours.

Duterde first gained prominence in his home country with the Soul Wash EP (2009), which featured six covers of songs by Gnarls Barkley, Spice Girls, Katy Perry and, most notably, The White Stripes (Seven Nation Army).



Ben’s first full-length album, entitled simply Ben L’Oncle Soul was released in the summer of 2010 and was put out internationally on the Motown label.

UKSoulJam - Jazz Cafe London - August 7th 2011

Pauline Henry (The Chimes), Afro Symphony Ft. Linda Muriel (Brand New Heavies, Incognito) & More Live At UKSoulJam, Jazz Cafe London: Sunday August 7th 2011

UK SOUL JAM: A celebration of UK SOUL in an Open Mic – Jam Session, Showcase & DJ Session featuring the best of London’s Soul talent at Jazz Cafe. As seen on Sky TV.

UK Soul Jam captures the energy and musical talent from London’s Contemporary Soul Scene. Bringing together singers, players, & connoisseurs of Neo Soul, Nu Jazz, Credible Hip Hop and RnB, Brokenbeat, Reggae, Gospel and Soulful House scenes in London. A platform for new & established artists. Open Mic / Jam is open to the public.

Pauline Henry of The Chimes topped the charts in the UK & USA with her band & solo work & she headlines this UKSoulJam, Jazz Cafe special ft. Chimes classics & new work with strong support from Brand New Heavies & Incognito front lady Linda Muriel & her new band Afro Symphony, Soul-Jazz from Jazz Bailey, Real R&B from Leanne Robinson & Folk Soul from De’Borah & more acts TBA + the midnight jam open to the public later in the show + surprise guests



More information at http://www.keepthefaithevents.com/

Video: Fatoumata Diawara "Kanou" - Mali/France

Copyright: Festival Internacional Canarias Jazz&Más
Fatoumata Diawara (29) is the new rising star and musical talent from Mali and France. Although she is relatively new to the music scene she has already performed with the Youssou N'dour, Herbie Hancock and Hank Jones.



She currently lives in France and was born in the Ivory Coast to Malian parents. She moved to France to pursue acting, appearing in Cheikh Oumar Cissoko's 1999 feature film La Genèse, Dani Kouyaté's popular 2001 film Sia, le rêve du python, in the internationally renowned street theatre troupe Royal Deluxe, and played a leading role in the musical Kirikou et Karaba.

She later took up the guitar and began composing her own material, writing songs that blend Wassalou traditions of Southern Mali with international influences.

Her new EP "Kanou" was released May 9, 2011 and her debut album with World Circuit Records will be released in September 2011.

Website: http://fatou.bandcamp.com

See Prince perform "Kiss" in the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam

The megastar Prince will be performing in the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands) in the small hours of July 8, 9 and 10, after the standard program has finished.

His Purple Highness was born as Prince Rogers Nelson in 1958, the son of a pianist-composer and jazz singer. He had already taught himself to play the piano and had written his first song by the age of seven.

Ebony Magazine wrote about him. " Entering the world of Prince Rogers Nelson is like slipping into the altered reality of The Matrix. We learned that he is as deliberate as he is mysterious and deeply loyal of those in his inner circle.

Prince performing "Kiss" on Ellen Degeneres


But he's fiercely guarded and suspicious of most others, at least at first interaction. Prince has definitely carved out his own rules and makes no bones about it. That’s what truly makes him who he really is while remaining true to himself. He has also been very fortunate to work with some of the best musical artists, Sheila E., for example, and intriguing entertainers, such as Vanity."

Janelle Monae performs Tightrope live at Glastonbury 2011

Kansas born Janelle Monae performs Tightrope live at Glastonbury 2011

See more of Janelle Monae here

See Neo Soul singer Carmen Rodgers perform "It's Me" at Jazz-Cafe in London

On Sat July 9th Carmen Rodgers returns with her new album for her first show at Jazz Cafe in London in over 5 years.

Carmen is a formidable talent on the Neo Soul scene with recent appearances on BET TV & live appearances & collabs with a who’s who of the new Soul scene.

Part of Keep The Faith’s NeoSoulWorldWide Live series – a USA Neo Soul artist rare, one-night-only UK appearance not to be missed and support from Tamara Wellons (Osunlade, Ocha Records USA), Jesse Gamage, Lataille (Ann-Marie, Organic Familia).



For more information see www.keepthefaithful.com

1st of July Slavery Remembrance Day in The Netherlands - My personal celebration

The 1st of July is the official Slavery Remembrance Day in the Netherlands. Slavery was abolished in the Dutch colonies in 1863. Because my family is split up in an Antillean and a Surinamese part, I will celebrate both cultures evenly.

Surinamese and Antillean (Dutch Caribbean) people share the same Dutch history, but they have a slightly different culture. But most of all we share the same African heritage. So my personal celebration for today in videos.

The 1st of July is also called "Keti Koti", which is Surinamese for "breaking the chains". Although the remembrance day in the Netherlands is meant for the Dutch Caribbean (the former Dutch Antilleans) and Suriname, the date is a Surinamese slavery commoration date and not an Antillean one.

The 17th of August is the national day of commemoration in the Antilles. On this day, the revolt led by Tula is remembered and the leaders of the revolt are honored. The day was declared a national holiday by proclamation in 1985.


The videos

Video of the Maroons of Suriname, music and photos

The Maroons of Suriname are often called the best kept part of Africa outside Africa. Because of their hard guerrilla warfare the Dutch closed a peace treaty with the Ndyuka people on 10the October 1760. The music is called 'Kauna' and the language could be Saramacan or Ndyuka.

A music video of creole Surinamse theatre group Naks

They sing about Mai Aisa. It's a god who is part of the traditional afro-Surinamese african religion called "Winti". It's a nature god.
When the woman talks she says: I would rather be a Kankantri (a type of Caribbean tree), so I can use my power on every side. ... Yes my motherland Suriname ...
They sing in the creole language Surinamese.

Video: Curacao: Poet Ellis Juliana

The woman says if the master thinks he can be the boss over our mind, then he is crazy. Nobody is the boss of our dances. We are masters of our fight.

Ellis Juliana says, the masters sold their slaves. He sold the men, and the women and children stayed behind. That’s what song is all about. A slave is a chicken mama, a slave is a chicken mama. Juliana says, it's real African, they expressed their shame of what has happened to them. He says I can imagine how they sang the song, hours and hours, how they discharged their feelings. The music is called "Tambu".

The language is Papiamento. A more Spanish Creole language of the Dutch Caribbean.

And to celebrate this day a of song of Izaline Calister - "Wow'i Kariño" ("Friendly eyes"), which she sang on Mother's day. Cailister won the Dutch Edison Award 2009 in the category Jazz and World Music. She was born on Curacao, lives in the Netherlands and sings in Papiamento.


Some links
One of the books that made me more aware of my history was Creole drum, An Anthology of Creole Literature in Surinam. And it's in English.
http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/voor007creo01_01/

If you have Surinamese ancestry, you may want to take a look in the online database of the Dutch National archive.
http://www.gahetna.nl/collectie/index/nt00340

Remembrance day

A video of the commemoration of 2009 in Amsterdam. The video is in the middle of the translation. (The native inhabitans also play a part in the celebration/commoration, because they also were enslaved. Recently I heard that the As)

Girl: I think it’s very important to be here today, because we celebrate the abolition of slavery and I think that all Surinamese should celebrate this day

Surinamese Asian girls: Actually we are here because it’s a beautiful day in the park, there is music, food and there are lot of nice things do to.

Elvira Sweet (then the chairman of city counsel of Amsterdam South East): It's important that people know there roots and that eventually people will find it normal to live here and because we have a shared history

Guy with red shirt: I think it's important to remember what has happened so many years ago



Dutch Woman, under secretary/minster Ank Bijleveld: I've seen the plantations in the Dutch Antillean. And I can hardly imagine how people have experienced it. That's why it's important that there is such a commemoration.

Two girls: We are here because we think it's very important for us, as Surinamese girls, to celebrate our history. And because there is lot of tasty food.

Eddy Campbell, director of Slavery Institute Ninsee. The youth has the future. And they need to celebrate Keti Koti because it contributes to the strengthening of their identity.

Voice: Is it also important that Dutch young people celebrate this?
Guy in Red shirt. Sure, That they realise it, that they know what their history is and why we are here. And why we are one.

Voice of secretary/minster Ank Bijleveld: It had a very big influence on The Netherlands of today. You can't deny what has happened in the past. You have to learn that the slave trade was dehumanising. …

Voice: the Dutch government has voiced regret for the past. Do you think The Netherlands has done enough?

Eddy Campbell: I don't think it's so important. It's just a phrase. What does regret mean if you don't take real steps to take away the disadvantaged position where we are in, and the young people are in today.

Elvira Sweet (then the chairman of city counsel of Amsterdam South East): I thing it's good gesture. But I think it has to do with the future, with acceptance, and to combat exclusion and discrimination. I think that's more important then words.

Tula - the Rebellion of 1795 in Curaçao. The video is a style impression for a feature near future about Tula

The language is Papiamento
Check out the website http://www.tulalives.org/

Keri Hilson gives advice on music business (London)

The UK online music magazine SoulCulture produced two very interesting music business videos with American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson.

In the first video Keri Hilson talks to SoulCulture about the challenges of the music business, bonding with her musical associates such as Timbaland and the reality behind the perceived arrogance of Kanye West. Where some suffer from the blurred line between the person and the performer, Keri maintains “It’s always me”.



See full story here

Earlier this month R&B singer/songwriter Keri Hilson visited inner city London training provider DV8 Training in Walthamstow, East London to give a motivational talk on careers in the music business drawing on her own experience and Q&A with young people from some of the poorest London boroughs.



See full story here

Diversidad Paris Urban video + remix contest part 2

Beat-makers from all over Europe will compete to remix
"Concrete Jungle" and "Anthem" both produced by Eversor for "The Experience Album".

Enter the contest and win great prizes! More information here.


Video:The Diversidad Show at “Le Trianon” – Paris, May 2011

Video: Rochelle wins Dutch X Factor 2011

Rochelle Perts wins Dutch X Factor 2011. With 73% of the votes the 19 old year talent from the Dutch city Hengelo won the competition on 10 June, a competion which lasted 6 months.

One of her winning songs was "No Air" from Jordin Sparks (featuring Chris Brown), which is now released as a debut single.



Rochelle, who is born to a Dutch mother and a Surinamese father, has star power. Simon Cowell of the UK X Factor said she sounds and looks like an international star. And the French fashion magazine L'Officiel featured her in a photo shoot in the June issue. The same magazine where Beyonce was on the cover in February.

According to the X Factor jury and Simon Cowell the shy 19 old year student of the Rock City Institute has to work on one thing. Become aware of her talent.

The studio version


The group Adlicious with Laise Sanches (Dutch/Capverdian) was runner-up



Another talented group in X Factor 2011 was Sim'Ran. The three girls of Surinamese orgin, two sisters and a friend, lost in the semi-finals and ended up in fourth place.

Video: Dutch Neo-Soul/Jazz singer Ntjam Rosie

Photo:Gilles Peterson and Ntjam Rosie
Dutch Neo-Soul/Jazz singer Ntjam Rosie was recently invited to fly over London to join Gilles Peterson on his radio program on BBC 1. Peterson is the widely acclaimed musical tastemaker of the BBC.

The invitation doesn't come as a surprise. In October 2010 she released her highly acclaimed album “Elle”. And in 2011 she released the singles “Space’Of You” and “Morning Glow”. In July she will perform at the famous North Sea Jazz festival in Rotterdam.

The video of ‘Space’Of You’ has Rotterdam all over it. The skyline, the bridge, the space and Ntjam Rosie. And as always she stays close to her Cameroonian roots.



Ntjam Rosie received her Bachelor of Music from the Codarts Conservatory and she won the Music Matters Award gaining her the title of music ambassador of Rotterdam in 2010. Which really is an honour, because Rotterdam is the "silicon vally" of black music in The Netherlands. A lot of creative Neo-Soul, R&B and Jazz singers are from the harbour city.

Rotterdam is a fusion culture city. It's a vibrant mix of cultures from the Cabo Verde, Suriname, Dutch Caribbean and many other cultures. As a an Amsterdam native I have to admit that my city has lost the black music vibe long time ago to Rotterdam.

“In Need” is Gilles Peterson favourite

Video: The debut EP by Obenewa - Soul from London

Obenewa is a new upcoming singer from the UK. Born of Jamaican and Ghanaian heritage, the west London vocalist is owner to not just a traditional Ghanaian name, but also a dreamy and sultry voice which has captivated her many followers, not to mention being an accomplished pianist and avid guitar player, writes Soul Culture.

She released her new debut EP, simply called "Obenewa"


Also check out the interview of Gilles Peterson here
Update (longer version)

Video: Nneka - "Valley" (In-Studio Performance)

Another great track of German/Nigerian singer Nneka. She sings neo-soul that combines Hip-Hop, R&B, reggae and other styles. This song has a special meaning to her, she said that the lyrics in "Vally" are though.

Video: Black in Finland - Gracia – “HKI” (Helsinki)

H/T Mikko Kapanen
”Helsinki doesn’t get much shouted out, to hell with those trying to hush and shout it out.” sings black Finish rapper Cracias in his video "HKI" (Helsinki)

On his blog he writes about himself. "Gracias (Deogracias Masomi May 6th 1987) hailing from The Democratic Republic Of Congo, (formerly Zaire (the place where Muhammad Ali knocked Foreman out.)) Kinshasa.



At the age of four, around 1992 D.Masomi moved up north to Helsinki, Finland alongside his mother to join his father and spark up hope for a better life. At the time DRC was getting torned down by the civil war and riots. In other words Gracias and his family became refugees."

Video: Sergio Alcover - Spanish singer and Hip Hop dancer

Sergio Alcover is the most prominent black dance and music artist in Spain. Born in Valencia, to a Guinean father and a Spanish mother, Alcover is the face of Hip Hop dance in Spain.

In 1994 he began his career as a breakdancer. And in 2009 he released his first DVD with a breakdance masterclass, tutorials and interviews.

In 2010 he released his second album “Sergio Alcover”. The album quickly gained popularity because of a very popular Spanish television show where he teaches street dance.

Video: London rapper AKALA - "Find no enemy"

AKALA ,born Kingslee Daley (27), London, England is a UK rapper who enjoyed critical acclaim during the mid-00s with his progressive Hip-Hop. In 2006 he recieved the MOBO Awards for Best Hip-Hop Artist.

Akala, who is a fan of Jay-Z, grew up in North London, and uses his own life experiences when he writes. “All of my music is life,” he said. “My music is very autobiographical.” Another of his favourite artists is the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. “I love them! They are unique and different, and I would love to work with them sometime.

"Find no enemy" is the single from Akala’s third album “Doublethink” (2010).


In Nov 2010 Akala headlined a live performance at the British Library to launch the Evolving English exhibition and featured performances by the renowned British poet Zena Edwards, comedian Doc Brown and British rapper/activist Lowkey. The live event also included Akala taking part in a Hip Hop panel discussion alongside Saul Williams, US professor M.K. Asante and Lowkey. See the post British rappers criticise Jay-z

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