BluFunk is a FACT~ Keziah Jones

Hi lovers, i sincerely apologise for the lack of posts. I can't believe its been over a month since i last blogged! I thought long and hard about what material i would use for my 'come back' post but i found nothing that 'spoke' to me. Lazy sunday mornings are for me, the perfect lie in day to do absolutely nothing but listen to good music. 'Sophie's breasts' started playing (one of my fave K.J songs) and i was immediately inspired. I wonder why i hadn't done a post on him any sooner. Not only has this artist created his own genre of music, his style is refreshingly individual, quirky with an African twinge. You can't help but heart this guy.

Keziah Jones was born Olufemi Sanyaolu in Lagos in the late 60s. He is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He describes his musical style as "Blufunk", 'Blues being the basis of where everything came from and funk being a state of mind'. His sound is authentic, like none other i've ever heard, drawing inspiration from his motherland Yoruba sound and an eclectic mix of old school funk & the classic blues.

He taught himself how to play the piano at the age of 13 and picked up the guitar a few years later and the rest is history. Music, he describes was a form of release, a way to 'free your soul'. He went against his Yoruba father's wishes and took to the streets of London to pursue his dream, his talent, his life. He moved to Paris and was 'discovered' and signed to a French label 'Delabel' in 1991. His first album 'Rhythm is love' was recorded and he never looked back. I have never seen an artist, who delivers, album after album. From his album African Space ship, to Liquid Sunshine, his sound has remained distinct, authentic and real. He single handedly made BluFunk a fact, once you hear it, you know.

He reminds me of a cross betweenJimi Hendrix and Fela with a quirky Pete Doherty flare. I love his laid back funky style, the fact that he's always wearing hats and he acts like he doesn't have a care in the world. Not only does he write and sing, but he paints as well. You can see from watching him perform that music is within him, a part of him. It makes me appreciate an artist more when you can tell their creativity is coming from the soul. It makes it even more fantastic that he is a Nigerian. Loves him. Loves him. Loves him. Below is a short film made by the Blacknerds network on Keziah. Be sure to Check it.

'Nigeria is where I'm from, where I'm going is somewhere else'- Keziah Jones

~Ndidi Onukwulu~ The contradictor.

Ndidi Onukwulu is a Canadian Nigerian Jazz/Blues singer. I heard her when i was randomly listening to the radio and was immediately drawn to her voice. There was a faint hint of the old Amy Winehouse (the Frank days), a twinge of Norah Jones and something else i couldn't quite put my finger on. I googled her once i had the chance and hours after listening to every track on her myspace pagei knew i had to do a post on her. Not only is she amazingly talented but i realized the thing i couldn't quite put my finger on, was her. There was something different about the way she performed, the way she belted out the high notes, the way she sang.So incredibly individual, i quit comparing her and just listened. Ndidi's father, Ernest Onukwulu was also a jazz singer which gave her a feel for music at a very young age. She integrates Nigerian music into her performances to give her an eclectic sound. Her album, 'the contradictor' got its name from the contradiction between the upbeat music and its more serious themes, in addition to the elements of Ndidi's personality. Just by looking at her i get a huge sense of a contradiction (in a good way) - this prim & proper pretty girl with an angel smile, all tatted up like some biker chic.- gotta love it. My fave song off the album is 'He needs me'-which i've shared with you lovelies below!  For more information, check out her myspace page ~http://www.myspace.com/ndidionukwulu. ❤

---A F R I C A N I S M---

Afrikanism
I wait for another artist who speaks

Speaks about truths

The ugly truth.

I wait for another artist who says

Says the things that need to be said

So ears can hear.

I wait for the death of marxism

the demise of capitalism

and the birth of Afrikanism.

R.I.P Fela.

An original by Nicosi

~I spy with my little eye~ Olushola Ajose

Olushola Ajose better known as Afrikan boy is a grime/Afro beat MC based in  London. I first heard of him on MIA's song, "Hussel" & fell in love. His style is very unique, if its possible to label it, i would call his look 'Afro-Grime'. I might sound like a broken record but i heart the vibrant colors in the video. The video 'Lagos town' is simple but full of rich textiles, clips of Lagos & creative patterns. Love how he incorporates humor into his lyrics and how visually appealing all the work that he does is. Lagos Town is a single of the debut album 1444 Musik. Will definitely be buying his album, set to be released this 2010. 

Afrikan Boy - Lagos Town from afrikanboy on Vimeo.

I spy with my little eye ~ Nenna Yvonne.

The gorgeous Nenna Yvonne is a Nigerian born singer/song 

writer based in NYC. Her debut EP ”Model Citizen” is a pop-

urban contemporary combination, revealing her eclectic + 

individual style. The album includes features and production 

from some of the industry’s greats and rising talents including 

Havoc of Mobb Depp, RIZ & Space Cowboy. I can't wait to 

hear the whole album, from the buzz surrounding her, I'm sure 

it'll be awesome. 

Her debut EP album “Model Citizen” is now available for 

purchase on iTunes, Amazon.com and MySpace Music.

#nowplayin'

This song isn't featured on his Attention Deficit album for some reason. Had it on repeat all day. I do love me some Wale.