Trans∆itions: A Summer-Fall Mixtape

This mix is about the tension and harmony between seasons, facets of the self, and the continuum of existence. The music featured here moves across a variety of (sub)genres and styles to highlight the melancholy, joy, love, rejection, and other emotions that compete for our total attention at any given moment. More importantly, these songs transport listeners across state-constructed borders and lifts them beyond the gravitational pull of planets. The tracks work together to obliterate time and space as we know it, thanks to the various vessels through which this audio communication was gifted to us.

Several inspirational people transitioned back to the spiritual essence during the long process of curating this mix. Some were personal friends and acquaintances. Others existed outside of my personal space. All taught me some important lessons about humanity and provided glimpses of how we can work together to heal it from its current ills. I dedicate this mix to them, as well as to my people who still travel with me in their earthly form. Some of you just arrived. Others have been here for a few years. I love and cherish you all.

Note: the overwhelming majority of these songs are available for download, so be sure to explore the links.

TRACK LIST
01. Bosco, “Slippin”
02. 10th Letter, “Inhale the Sun”
03. Jodeci, “Freek N’ You” (TOKiMONSTA Frickinyoo Remix)
04. Little Simz, “Have I”
05. 7even Thirty, “Filthy Rich”
06. Tech N9ne, “Fragile” F. Kendrick Lamar
07. Muhsinah, “Cut Off”
08. Ego Ella May, “Underwater”
09. De La Soul, “Let the King Ascend”
10. Iyadede, “DEDEOPHIL0X”
11. Kanye West, “Two Words” (Chillverb Remix)
12. Jill Scott, “Love Rain” F. Mos Def (iJawn Remix)
13. DR.M∆D • Megiapa • V.S.Ø., “Beyond the Sun” (R33 DRMWRKD)
14. Chester Watson, “Casanegra” F. Gabe “Nandez”
15. Pharrell Williams, “Happy” (DJ Ruckus R&B Drop Refix)
16. Animals As Leaders, “The Price of Everything and the Value of Nothing” (Crushfield Remix)
17. Jackie Queens, “Interludishness”
18. Ed Thomas, “Hurt”
19. Gyptian, “Wine Slow” Kush Arora China White Remix)
20. DJ Limbs, “You Might Just Go and Catch a Shooting Star”
21. Eva, “Deaf”
22. Tinashe, “Vunlerable” (Sango Remix)
23. Miguel, “Girl With the Tatoo” (NEVR Remix)

Mixtape Monday: Celebrating 3 Years of Sonic Diaspora!

Sonic Diaspora celebrates 3 years of connecting people to the sounds of Africa and its vast diaspora! Starting in Chicago at the Butterfly Social Club in May 2011, the Sonic D concept has spread and the team has grown. In name or in spirit, the party has been in DC, Philly, Brooklyn and elsewhere as the Sonic DJs travelled and reached new audiences. Supporters have included Chief Boima & Geko Jones (Dutty Artz),DJs Beto & Ushka (iBomba), Maracuyeah, DJ Underdog, Jah Sonic, Ben Arsenal and Mr. Femstar (WorldTown), DJ Senyo (Swenka), Tropicalismo, DuiJi 13, Record Breakin’ Music, and more!

In commemoration and commitment to the concept (connecting people to the sounds of the African world), the Sonic Diaspora DJs put together a 97 minute mix that takes listeners on a journey across 4 continents and innumerable cultures.

Itzi Nallah gets things going with an eclectic mix futuristic, house, Afrobeat vibes and more. The newest Sonic DJ, Punchaushen, takes us to his home, South Africa. His blend of township sounds will have you moving uncontrollably. Itch 13 reminds us how important the Caribbean is as a connector of peoples, cultures, and sounds. Then afroqbano explores deep and hypnotic rhythms stretching from Brazil to Réunion Island, including some of his latest remixes. Finally, Brotha Onaci closes with a small sampling of music meant to liberate your body and uplift your soul.

Enjoy this mix as we say Happy 3rd Anniversary to Sonic Diaspora! Big s/o to Beshou (@LaBeautifulMess on Twitter) & Kate Bomz (@KateBomz on Twitter) who have contributed greatly to the Sonic D family. Most importantly, thanks to YOU for showing so much support over these last 3 years. We look forward to bringing you more Sonic goodies as we move forward!

01. Mating Dance – “Flako”
02. EL, Dex Kwasi and Stargo – “Wawolo” (Julz Remix)
03. Full Crate ft. Papa Ghana – “L’Afrique”
04. Sali Sidibe´ – “Dunia Djamou” (Jose Marquez Remix)
05. Homeboyz Muzik – “African Central Soul”
06. Fela Kuti – “Shakara” (Ossie’s Bump Edit)
07. London Afrobeat Collective – “Prime Minister” (Captain Planet Remix)
08. Justin Imperiale/ Eddie Nicholas – “Fall in Love” (3 Kings Café Leroux Instrumental)
09. Twinny Tee/Ma V – “Musujungihala” (Deep Sound Crew Remix)
10. O-KA-Pi – “Bolingo” (African Roots Remix)
11. DJ Sailorman – “Afurika” (Instrumental)
12. Reebah – “Amadlozi” (Deep Night Project)
13. Flipo – “Doh Tell Me Dat”
14. Bunji Garlin – “It’s a Carnival”
15. Blatan – “Indebuilding”
16. Bradez – “Wossop”
17. Mpeach & Sunsplash – “Boogaloo Mutante”
18. Sango – “Tres Horas”
19. Lx Monkeys Beats – “Hwambo”
20. Owiny Sigoma Band – “Wires” (Theo Parish Remix)
21. Voukoum – “Dériv’”
22. JM EDITS – “Fela” (JM edit) (water no enemy)
23. Buju Banton – “Champion” (afroqbano remix)
24. Sono Rhizmo’ – “O Telefono”
25. Jackson do Pandeiro – “Capoeira Mata Um” (Tahira – Buraco Velho Edit)
26. Umoja – “Fiya!”
27. Cantigas de Capoeira – “Eu naci foi de repente” (afroqbano edit)
28. Lindigo – “Buffalony”
29. Mariem Hassan – “Haiyu” (Brotha Onaci edit)
30. Meiway – “200% Zoblazo” (Brotha Onaci edit)
31. Farmer Nappy – “Big People Party”
32. Alpha & Olmega – “Talk of the Drum”

Kinetic Connections: Delhi – Nairobi – Philly

Free downloads. Grab yours now!

 

Connections Across the Diaspora

Chicago – Nairobi – Philly

I recently supplied a House music mix to our good friends of the Sentient Sound Session crew. They are creating and promoting some great music, so i am honored that they allowed a Brotha to contribute to the cause! My mix includes edits and remixes from Sonic Diaspora teammates Afroqbano and Punchuashen, as well as yours truly. 60 minutes of deep and soulful tracks will have you groovin’ and catchin’ the spirit of spring!

Track List
01. DJ Tipz, “Lifetime” F. Kholi
02. Migosy, “Skyline” (Rancido Deep Journey Main Mix)
03. James Blake, “Retrograde” (Punchuashen Rikere Remix) www.soundcloud.com/punchuashen
04. Black Coffee, “Rock My World” F. Soulstar (Jullian Gomes Remix)
05. Paso Doble, “Get Me Over” F. Miranda Nicole
06. DJ X-Trio & Ricardo Alves, “Loukua Kanza”
07. John Legend, “All of Me” (Brotha Onaci’s Afrodeep Edit) www.soundcloud.com/brotha-onaci/all-of-me-edit
08. The Layabouts, “Open Up” F. KOF
09. Carlos Silva, “Riding on Love” F. Nelson Freitas (Rancido Traveling Soul Mix)
10. St. Evo & Mbewe, “Kalijo” (Brotha Onaci’s “The Harvest” Mashup) www.soundcloud.com/mycrazything-records/brotha-onaci-the-harvest
11. Nappy Vendetta, “Thuli’s Lament” F. Thuli Mlambo James www.soundcloud.com/nappyvendetta/featuring-thuli-mlambo-james
12. DJ X-Trio, “Glow” F. Jackie Queens www.soundcloud.com/jackie-queens
13. Nicolas Jaar, “With Just One Glance” F. Scout LaRue (Zepherin Saint Edit)
14. 4X4, “Miss Doctor” (Afroqbano Remix) www.soundcloud.com/dj-afroqbano/miss-doctor-afroqbano-chill

 

 

 

Radiant Souls Re-Up

Delhi – London – Philly

Amrisha, host of Worldwide Thing, has an excellent show that you may enjoy. I’ve given her show a few listens, and always get HOOKED. If that’s not enough, she has been kind enough to feature some of my DJ mixes and production on her radio program! Amrisha and her guests play some great tunes, and i am grateful to share such camaraderie. Check out Worldwide Thing on Soundcloud and connect with Amrisha on Twitter. You won’t be sorry!

 

 

 

 

Listen to the entire show here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queen of Peace by Casmir [Mixed by Brotha Onaci]

So it’s a new year and i am embarking on some new ventures (film, dance, remixes, EP… it’s going to be a great year)! Even with all of the newness, i am also going to do a little more of the same. I am still a DJ through and through and have a few mixtape projects lined up.

The first mix features Dope Chic numero uno, Casmir (Chicago & Los Angeles)! Folks who have been riding with me for a while may remember her from Radiant Souls Mixtape Vol. 1. She invited me to scratch, cut and past some of her recent tunes into her Queen of Peace Mixtape. I had a great time working with these tracks and think that listeners will appreciate her blend of deep thought, “street” sensibilities, and her loud and proud sexual expression. Her music/sound choices and vocal delivery also provide for an interesting overall composition.

Anyone who knows me is aware that am critical of how nuanced (and blatant) manifestations of gender oppression pop up in just about everything human beings think, say, and do. This mixtape contains some of those things that i challenge myself and everyone else (who will listen) to recognize and rethink. Despite this, i recommend that folks give this a thorough listen and discuss the pros and cons of the music, broader culture, and the reality that we live in, which Casmir artistically brings into her music. Also, show Casmir some support by commenting on and her tracks!

— Much Love

Mixtape Monday: The Best Mixes…

Sometimes the best mixes come from selectors who aren’t necessarily interested in playing at all the biggest night clubs while doing some absurd pose waiting for all the camera phone to capture the moment.  In fact, i’ve learned time and time again that the best mixes offer a selection of music that i can’t get elsewhere. They typically aren’t accompanied by a gimmick. Instead, they filled with deep love and appreciation for the music. That’s what captures my attention and has me searching Soundcloud for countless hours each week. It’s the love!

With that said, i present the scholar, vinylphile, and music lover, Afrekete. Afrekete’s mix,  “Tribute to Seeco Guaracha,” filled me with incomprehensible joy when i gave a listen. I could tell that she was happy to present the music in this mix. Her happiness made it nearly impossible for me to do anything else as i listened. You can check the mix out here:

After listening to this mix, be sure to give Afrekete a holler. Here’s a little about her to help you establish the connection. In her own words:

Afrekete wants to restore relevance to the music, artists and activists of yesterday, which is why her eclectic themed mixes combine the political, historical, playful and soulful. Based in a small Florida city, she keeps up with the world by record shopping, mix-making and occasionally playing out. A first generation African in the Americas, she’s an out queer butch. During the day she is a professor of Africana literature and visual culture. Her only hope for humanity is the preservation of Africanity and she works at it every damn day. Reach her at afrekete@hotmail.com to suggest music that should be on her radar—or to just say hello.

I hope that you enjoy the mix and communicating with Afrekete as i much as i do!!!

— Much Love

Gil Scott-Heaven: A Tribute

Happy Bearthday to Gil Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949). This short mix is comprised of three movements, each based on a song i’ve been listening to a LOT in recent weeks.

I hope that you enjoy this project and that it inspires you to (re)discover Gil Scott-Heron’s  collection (Pieces of a Man & Midnight Band: The First Minute of a New Day are my faves).

Movement 1: “Intro Peace”
Based on “Peace Go With You, Brother“ (1974)

Movement 2: “Be No Rain”
Based on “I Think I’ll Call It Morning” (1971)

Movement 3: “Troubles Away”
Based on “Lady Day & John Coltrane” (1971)

R.i.C Presents Breaking Hoolig@n$ Mixtape

My lil homie, R.i.C, is back! This time, he’s put together his debut mixtape with 23 tracks of hip hop for your listening pleasure. Breaking Hoolig@n$ is R.i.C’s attempt to combine his love for hip hop and social justice. Overall, i think that he successfully demonstrates that. His opening track, “Awake” details his struggle to be a “good” suburban kid while still “keeping it real” enough to gain acceptance from the brothers on the block.

His struggle to appeal to people interested in social justice and the streets is evident throughout the rest of Breaking Hoolig@n$. On the one hand, he critiques racism, vows to free the imprisoned, and promises to treat women with respect. On the other hand, he and his guests are still learning the subtleties of patriarchy, misogyny, homophobia, and many other forms of oppression that are deeply entrenched in American culture. For that reason, i would like to encourage R.i.C and his guests to think critically about the effect of rapping about taking someone else’s girl, referring to people and ideas as “gay” or “homo,” and freely using “nigga” and “bitch” throughout the album.  Also, i’m curious as to why it’s so important to people (especially those from the suburbs) to appeal to “the streets” (also read, “the block” or making it sound “hard”). I have already spoken with R.i.C about this, and am confident that he (much like me and many others who are dedicated to social justice) will continue to learn ways that he can continue to grow and better reflect the ideals that he believes will make the world better for everyone.

Overall, i LOVE this mixtape. In fact, i’ve listen to it just about every day since, R.i.C first sent it my way! During my first listen, i was simply trying to give each track a good listen so that i could provide R.i.C with some critical feedback. I listened to the album out of order and was greatly impressed with each track. Both the production and the message in each song let me know that R.i.C and his friends in Front Row Gang are some talented individuals. I have no doubt that he, Nicole Eboni, Hooligan, Cado, and the whole team will be a powerful force in hip hop culture in the very near future.

I encourage you to stream and download this mixtape (which is mixed by yours truly by the way), share it with your friends via social media, and post comments on R.i.C’s Facebook page. You can also hit him up on Twitter with critical feedback. As a Chicago Freedom School alum and self-reflective individual, he is open to loving critique and encouragement.

Mixtape Monday: Fela Anikulapo Kuti

Folks who know me know that I’m a big fan of Fela Kuti (who isn’t?). I try to take any opportunity i can to share his music with people. And today, his 74th bearthday, is no different. This Mixtape Monday features  two great Fela Kuti mixes that should warm you up for the Fela Kuti b-day events taking place in DC and Philly this week.

The first mix is by producer Tek-Zilla, who i’ve featured here before.

Next is my “Rough Intro to Fela” mix:

– Much Love

DJ Underdog & Brotha Onaci Present: Serengeti Crossing Mixtape

I recently teamed up with DJ Underdog on a mixtape project called “Serengeti Crossing.” The mix features tracks from Liquideep, Janelle Monae, Osunlade, and remixes by DJ Underdog! The music is soulful, percussion heavy, spiritually uplifting, and dance worthy! This project foretells some of the awesome adventures We’re planning for the near future, so stay tuned!

 

Cover Design by Underdog

 

 

 

Mixtape Monday: Nu-Bein Vibrations

“Nu-Bein Vibrations” is a spirit-musical journey. It celebrates sounds that encourage us to reach outside of our current comfort zones to embrace that which is “new,” fresh, and positive. As we submit our minds to this process our body-intelligence will kick in and cause the re-awakening of musical taste buds that yearn only for that which is good for the entire self. It will challenge the self which floats within the comfortable boundaries set by those who profit from our acceptance of their dangerously low standards.

The delectable dance tunes in this short mix contribute to a process of raising one’s spiritual energy to the highest attainable level. It facilitates in the transformation from humans to Nu-Beins (or New Beings) who choose to vibrate only at frequencies that contribute positivity and beauty to this world we currently inhabit.

Enjoy this Journey. Embrace the evolution.

— Much Love

(click on the picture to listen)