Ubuntu FM Africa

11/10/2024

Slavery is (Not) a Choice - Ikenna Okeh 📚 The title of the latest by Ikenna Okeh takes its courageous nuance of confrontation from the now notorious and befuddled outburst of famous American rapper Kanye West, who declared to the outrage of most people of good conscience that ‘slavery was a choice’ for the victims.

In this thought-provoking one-act play which reverberates with well-calculated waves of sensibilities quite appropriate for the grim subject matter, Okeh creatively and covertly presents reparation as the elephant in the room of the global discussion on slavery, the silent currency of resolving the trauma of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the African collective mind.
.ikenna

15/08/2024

Justina Lee Brown - Billiki 🇳🇬 “Billiki,” tells a tragic story and contains melodies weaved around painful circumstances— something that is easy to understand upon first listen, whether or not you understand what Justina Lee Brown sings about in her native language, Yoruba.
Striking guitar chords and introspective harmonising from Brown set off the song, laying an intense atmosphere over which she tells the heartbreaking story of Billiki. Hinged on recurring cases of child abuse, sexual abuse and harassment in Nigeria and Africa in general.
“Billiki” tells about the eponymous character, a young girl who goes missing after her mother sends her to the stream to fetch some water for the house; shedding light on the deep levels of insecurity young children in Nigeria, especially girls, face even in their community.

04/07/2024

Vanetty ft. Yng Kizzy 'Spirit' 🇳🇬 'Spirit' by Vanetty, featuring Nigerian singer YNG Kizzy, is an Afrohouse summer anthem that captivates with its cinematic lyrics and mesmerising synth melodies. Known for his prowess as an Afrohouse producer and DJ, Vanetty has released tracks on renowned labels like Armada, Deep Root Records, and Nervous Records. His recent collaboration, 'Ethnica,' with Nico de Andrea, further showcases his dynamic musical talent.

:: Delivered By Your Army ::

27/06/2024

Izethekeli Band - Don’t fight me as I fall 🇦🇹 🇿🇼 This song depicts the life of an honest hardworking person fighting to break through the walls of poverty to live "the dream" as sold on TV screens but is continuously being pulled down by a "higher society" that refuse to share their wealth and success.
Izethekeli, meaning "Visitors" in the native Ndebele language, is a dynamic musical group based in Vienna, Austria, founded in late 2017 by Zimbabwean-born artists Blessings Nqo Nkomo and Jonathan Wise. Their musical journey is a vibrant celebration of life and the African philosophy of "Ubuntu," which emphasizes our interconnectedness as human beings, captured through electrifying performances.

20/06/2024

Thy Young - Enjoyment 🇸🇱 California-based Sierra Leonean producer Thy Young aka Francis Tiffa Williams unveiled his debut album "Scent Of Amie". Regarded as one of the best producers in Sierra Leone, Thy Young is the man behind the beat for artists such as Kontri Boss, Dom B., Swadu Natasha Beckley, Mello Seven, Innocent Kuti, Kaley Bag, Bigg Shake, and many more.

13/06/2024

S**i Jo-An - "Chapter 30" 🇿🇦 The Voice South Africa finalist, Sikelelwa Jo-An Qwazi, known to her fans as S**i Jo-An, "The African Queen," has officially released her highly anticipated debut album titled "Chapter 30". This captivating album includes inspiring music such as Bekezela and Khumbula; which are available on all major digital music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Instagram/Facebook, TikTok, YouTube Music, Amazon, Pandora, and Deezer.
**i

07/05/2024

Ancient Astronauts - Sekalootera (ft. Phitzo Kiganda) 🔥 Ancient Astronauts continues to dazzle with their latest single "Sekalootera," featuring the mesmerizing vocal talents of Phitzo Kiganda. Known for his profound contributions to the esteemed Nilotika Cultural Ensemble in Kampala, Phitzo effortlessly blends his lyrical prowess as a rapper and Reggae singer into this captivating track.
"Sekalootera" delves deep into timeless themes of spirituality, positivity, and indigenous values, reflecting Phitzo's unwavering reverence for Jah Rastafari and his divine wisdom. With lyrics steeped in humility and gratitude, Phitzo imparts a powerful message of caution, urging listeners to tread the path of life with discernment.

23/04/2024

Misato - Disconnect(ed) More than just a song, “Disconnect(ed)” is a powerful call to action. The third single from Misato, the rising nu-electrosoul trio formed by the children of legendary musician Bantunani, delivers a strong message about the need to escape the digital trap and reconnect with real-world connections.

16/04/2024

Jembaa Groove - Ye Ankasa (We Ourselves) Rich in ancestral flows, between Ghana and Europe, powered by deep, conga led rhythms and seductive warm horn riffs come Jembaa Groove, whose new album and newly rendered sound, reminds us that jazz, in its contemporary, soulful form is not just a London ‘ting’. Highlife is Ghana’s colourful national tradition and is at the heart of Berlin based Jembaa Groove’s groove.

12/03/2024

Tiken Jah Fakoly - Acoustic | Nothing makes an impact like simple words do. Always straight to the point, but with elegance and staying true to the African identity: such are the guiding principles of "Acoustic" the sixteenth album by Tiken Jah Fakoly.
On "Acoustic", Tiken Jah’s voice is sublimated like never before, whether solo or enhanced and enriched in choruses. Coming armed and prepared does not exclude charm. Acoustic switches everything up, in doing so highlighting two virtues: the power of fighting words and the pleasure of sticking to the Mandingo music foundations, so supple, so gripping, and ultimately so reggae in spirit.

07/03/2024

Ikenna Okeh 📖 Rogues of the East 👁️‍🗨️ BOOK REVIEW of ‘Rogues of the East’ by Ebri Kowaki - How Ikenna Okeh has cleared a new pathway for Nigerian crime fiction. Daring and imaginative Nigerian novelists have published crime novels every other year since 2010. Like dynamite going off underwater, it is creating a great splash. And that splash is what this review analyses.
Read the full review here: https://buff.ly/3uTZ9cO

05/03/2024

Afro Neat ft. J Nana - ‘Tuwaokoe Watoto’ (Save The Children) 🇰🇪 Afro Neat is a captivating track featuring Kenya’s exceptional producer, musician, and vocalist, J Nana, who sings the song in both English and Swahili and Lano Msanii. Additionally, session musicians from Kenya join the mix.

27/02/2024

Mo'Kalamity - Shine 🇨🇻 Capverdian born Mo’Kalamity grew up in France where she quickly imposed herself in the world of reggae thanks to her talent as a singer, author and composer. Her latest release - SHINE - is infused with Caribbean and African-American rhythms, delivering a strong spiritual message in which she encourages us to become aware of our life mission.

06/02/2024

El Gato Negro - Tigre Qui Pleure ❤️ Philosophical tales, poetic observations, light- hearted love stories are told in French, Spanish or Wolof, a West-African native language. Beneath El Gato Negro's perpetually cheerful mask, a hitherto hidden melancholy is now on full display with his new opus, "Tigre Qui Pleure". French melancholy laced with an unbreakable African spirit.

28/12/2023

As we approach the end of 2023, I am taking stock of the things I have done - for myself, and for the culture. The link below is one I did for the culture; on behalf of UbuntuFM, I interviewed Maazi Ibiam Ude Ufiem of Ijele Renaissance Theatre.

A discussion on contemporary Nigerian theatre.. In this interview, Ikenna Okeh speaks with Ude Ibiam Ufiem – Nigerian stage performer and manager of the theatre group, 'Ijele Renaissance Theatre'.

23/12/2023

WHY is it that we mostly receive music from and ? WHERE is the rest of ??? Internet access is one reason we know. Let us know if there is more to the story.