Happy Monday! This mix is incredibly dope. ‘Nuff said (yes, i took back to the 90s on that one). It features a great remix of Nomisupasta’s “Maybe I,” as well as several other deep & dope gems. I hope you enjoy it. Much Love.
Archive for December, 2011
18 Dec
Ol’ Skool Sunday: Anti-Boderation Dance
Bless! Ol’ Skool Sunday is back again. This week, i’m giving thanks
for some great Reggae artists (as i like to do periodically). In doing so, i think i came to realization that Steel Pulse is one of my favorite bands (woo hoo!).
Anyways (and always), i hope you enjoy these great songs. Much Love.
Steel Pulse, “Blues Dance Raid”
Rita Marley, “I’m Still Waiting”
Third World, “96 Degrees”
13 Dec
Tru Skool Tuesday: He Is Slot-A
Peace & Blessings! This week’s Tru Skool pick comes from my guy, Slot-A.
He’s been releasing tracks on the sneak tip (i.e. i somehow am just now finding out about these). I am hereby using this post to expose his work to the world! LOL.
Jokes aside, enjoy the tracks on the brother’s bandcamp (my current favorites are Discography and Life That I Chose) and show him some love.
12 Dec
Mixtape Monday: A Year-End Recap Of Sorts
Mixtape Monday is something i look forward to each week (along with my other regular posts). So many great DJs are making their mixes available via Soundcloud, Mixcloud, Podomatic, and many other websites, that one can literally get through each week without hearing the same thing twice. There’s a world of music out there, and as long as it’s available, i’m trying to hear it ALL! The downside for me is that i find it hard to develop a strong connection with DJs, artists, and songs in the same way that i did back in the analog days.
For that reason, i’m taking a week or two off from listening to DJ mixes. What that actually means, is that i won’t be binging on them and posting as i usually do. I will, however, ask that YOU go back through the mixtape archive that i’ve been building up by simply clicking on the “Mixtape Monday” tag just below the title for this post. Rediscover some of the talent out there in the World (Wide Web). Leave comments for the DJs you like; i’m absolutely certain that they’ll appreciate hearing from you.
I will be greeting 2012 with some new mixes to promote events i’m getting involved in, as well as to chart some new personal territory as my musical tastes continue to expand and evolve. I’m getting the next “Radiant Souls” mixtape ready for Feb. 2012. Also, “Sonic Diaspora” is still going strong, so i’ll have more of those mixes coming at you throughout the year! I suggest that you stay tuned to my facebook page and get down with my mixserv by emailing me (brotha.onaci@gmail.com) so that you can get everything first!
Much Love & Gratitude for all your support and inspiration.
11 Dec
Ol’ Skool Sunday: Oh So Cold
Heeeey there! I hope you’re well on this brisk (at least where i am) Sunday… Ol’ Skool Sunday, that is. This week i’ve been hearing great 80s R&B just about everywhere. The mobile concerts (cars w/ deafening systems) riding on my block have particularly helpful! So, here it is. I hope you enjoy these great tunes. If you’re a Peace Partyer, then they will prepare you for Danny’s dance floor. Much Love.
Chaka Khan, “Ain’t Nobody”
Meli’sa Morgan, “Fools Paradise”
Loose Ends, “Watching You”
6 Dec
Tru Skool Tuesday: How Great Musicians Do
I recently had the privilege of sharing some space with a great jazz singer who was lamenting the loss of music programs for children in Philly. As she spoke, she commented on the difference between synthesized music (which she said children were forced to create in the absence of traditional instruments) and performances with instrumentalists (she didn’t distinguish between those who are trained and those who play by ear). Specifically, she stated that synthesized music doesn’t capture human emotion. In many ways, i agree with her. Although i disagree with the claim that synthesized music lacks human emotion, i do believe that instrumentalists better capture and, therefore, transmit that aspect of humanity through music.
I think that is why i appreciate The Roots so much. Ever since i first heard “Proceed” and “Silent Treatment” (i heard them on the same day), i’ve been a fan. Black Thought was on point, but there was something about the “beats” that really resonated with my soul. When i later learned that The Roots are a band, it began to make sense. The live instruments seemed vibrate at a level that forced me to be more critical of everything else i listened to. I believe that they were a major factor in my embrace and promotion of what i then called “real” and/or “underground” hip hop.
Since that Saturday afternoon in 1995, The Roots have not ceased to impress me. Their 13th album, the Undun is great, and i believe that i’ll have it on heavy rotation for a while. You can read all about the album concept on Okayplayer. As you’re reading about, STREAM IT FOR FREE. The link probably will not work after today (Nov. 6), so once you’re convinced that it’s good, cop it and enjoy it to your heart’s content.
So, there it is. Happy Tru Skool Tuesday!
This is my ish right here:
5 Dec
Mixtape Monday: Essence of Hip Hop Vol. 1
Peace & More Peace! This week’s mixtape pick is a great throwback by DJ Fatcat from Philly. It’s straight up “Golden Era” hip hop that will make vinylphiles and hip hop heads (like myself) drool. Check it out and enjoy!
Click on the Picture to Stream and/or download this mix!
4 Dec
Ol’ Skool Sunday: Good Times
I’m excited about this week’s Ol’ Skool Sunday (as i am every Sunday)! 
It’s inspired by the good times i have been blessed to share with some GREAT people. Specifically, i wanna shout out Baoku & Jocelyn Moses, Meredith Rifkin, and my man 50-grand, Sko! Enjoy these great tunes, and enjoy your Sunday! Much Love.
Chic, “Good Times”
Ms. Bubblin’ Brown Sugar (Vivian Reed), “Your Until Tomorrow”
Tom Browne, “Jamican Funk”
Pete Rodriguez, “I Like It Like That”
2 Dec
Get Familiar Episode 6: Nomisupasta/Nomsa Mazwai
Several weeks ago, i happened to hear a song called, “Maybe I.” The song begins with a piano melody fit for a blockbuster movie score, quickly includes the playful sounds of electronic organ improv, a tough baseline, strings, and a drum rhythm that, i’m certain, has Max Roach and Babatunde Olatunji arguing amongst the ancestors about whose legacy is more pronounced. Then the voice comes in with beauty that almost betrays the underlying critique of patriarchy within the singer’s question: “What in life /makes it all up to he?”
Nomsa Mazwai had me hooked with “Maybe I.” But, the other songs on her EP Nomisupasta ensured that i would not be able to untangle myself from her musical web. Her songs are encouraging to people struggling for a better life, critical of unhealthy relationships, and sonic assaults against capitalist oppression and imperialism without being too “preachy.” Nomisupasta is currently in heavy rotation along with Iyadede, Akua Naru, and Just Jay (to name a few). I can’t get enough of it!
I was fortunate to have a brief conversation with the South African queen of alternative music (she recently won the South African equivalent of a Grammy) who is presently a Fulbright student working on her M.A. in economics at Fordham University. When asked about how she got into music, Nomsa explained that she comes from musical family and has been singing her entire life. Several of her aunts sing in choirs and her sister, Thandiswa Mazwai, is respected as a member of Kwaito group, Bongo Maffin, as well as for her solo work. According to Nomsa, “in terms of South African music, while I’m an ambassador, [Thandiswa’s] like a president.” Another sister, Ntsiki Mazwai is a celebrated poet, singer, entrepreneur, and published writer.
Although many may come to know Nomsa for her musical talent, she claims that her forte is in the realm of politics and economics. While attending the University of Fort Hare in South Africa, Nomsa was the first woman to become president of the student government. She has written articles that were featured in several publications in South Africa. Nomsa has even published a book, called Sai Sai Little Girl. Poetry and music are tools for Nomsa to package her analyses and distribute them to the broader population of working class people with whom she aligns herself.
“Cockroaches Fly” is an example of how Nomsa weaves her observations and critiques of political leaders into her music. The song reminds listeners that even when We think they’ve done their worst, politicians can and will find creative ways to reach unimaginable levels of corruption and oppression. “Cockroaches Fly” also encourages people to participate in their governmental processes. That’s what democracy means to Nomsa; it’s not just about free and fair elections, but long term participation in a people’s government.
“The Emperor,” could be the soundtrack to “The Story of Stuff.” In this song, Nomsa delivers a somewhat comical, though scathing, critique of capitalism and consumerism. While some people are convinced that a consumer culture is acceptable, Nomsa argues that such an existence is not sustainable and brings harm to people in the Third World. “The promise of that lifestyle, all the promises of capitalism must be called out and laughed at by the people… Capitalism is survival of the richest,” not the fittest. She stated further that it’s inhumane to approach the world that way. If people lose their humanity, they will die out like the dinosaurs.
Nomsa has come to these conclusion based on her experiences in South Africa. She explains “what I write is from an international, global perspective… There’s a reality that other people have to face that some of us don’t even know about. And that’s terrible.” From the incredible rates of HIV to the dumping of toxic wastes in Third World countries, Nomsa couldn’t help but question her role as a Black South African women in this world, and how she can contribute to making it better and more humane. Her music is just one of her many tools.
Nomsa, is currently fine tuning her live performances, which she describes as experimental with regard to 
audiovisual effects and how she rallies crowd participation. Her audience might realize where she has borrowed from Michael Jackson, Prince, and Luther Vandross, as well as several South African performers. She is also working on some new music with South African producer and partner, Mpho Pholo (37MPH), and she recently recorded a song with Black Coffee. Nomsa hopes that her next big project will be with her Sisters, Ntsiki and Thandiswa.
You can purchase Nomsa’s EP, Nomisupasta on Bandcamp. And keep up with her on Twitter and Facebook.
