Les Lions d’Afrique: Spring 2009 USA Nomadic Wax Tour
July 3, 2009
Let me describe the scene:
One aging silver minivan, a rotating cast of Senegalese and Zimbabwean musicians, one South African violinist/tour manager/driver; an intern toting a video camera; a marimba (xylophone) set, a djembe, amps, turntables, suitcases, merchandise, and camera equipment.
Three weeks straight, rain or shine. Can you picture it now?
Through April and May, Nomadic Wax traveled from Boston to Connecticut to New Jersey to DC and back, helping to put together the Spread the Word Tour. Backed by the Chabvondoka band, the tour featured Zimbabwe’s biggest names in political protest and hip hop, headlined by artists Comrade Fatso and Outspoken the Alpha Intellect , and spearheaded by violinist Verity Norman. It also featured guest appearnces from Zimbabwean music legends like Chiwoniso and DoomE of Zimbabwe Legit. Near the end of April, we were joined by Wageble <hyperlink www.wageble.com>, one of Senegal’s most legendary crews, on their first US tour.
After numerous shows, back aches and leg cramps and hours on the highway, Nomadic Wax has two music videos of the tour in the works, which will be released shortly. It was an honor and a privilege for us at Nomadic Wax to take part in this tour alongside some of Africa’s finest hip hop acts.
Comrade Fatso and Outspoken both have critically acclaimed albums available now through Nomadic Wax. Check out Comrade Fatso’s blog about the tour, and keep an eye out for Wageble’s upcoming album to be released this summer!
Click here for two articles (in French) about the Wageble tour:
http://www.kingsize.sn/Chronicles.aspx?ArtNo=8085
http://www.kingsize.sn/News.aspx?ArtNo=8165
Magee McIlvaine for Nomadic Wax
Comrade Fatso & Outspoken (alongside Mohammed Yahya and Poetic Pilgrimage of the UK) on Boston College radio, Part 1:
Comrade Fatso & Outspoken (alongside Mohammed Yahya and Poetic Pilgrimage of the UK) on Boston College radio, Part 2:
Outspoken, Eye-Witness (Wageble), and DoomE Right (Zimbabwe Legit) live on WPFW FM Radio in Washington DC, Part 1:
Outspoken, Eye-Witness (Wageble), and DoomE Right (Zimbabwe Legit) live on WPFW FM Radio in Washington DC, Part 2:
Outspoken performing his ‘Freedom Train’ poetry piece:
Freestyle Cipher at the Trinity College International Hip Hop Festival (www.trinityhiphop.org) in Hartford, CT. featuring Outspoken, Themba on percussion, Baay Musa (Senegal), and Hired Gun (Brooklyn):
Outspoken performing alongside other artists from around the world during the freestyle jam session on the first night of the Trinity College International Hip Hop Festival (www.trinityhiphop.org):
Themba Mawoko performing an acoustic set on the Marimba, part 1:
Themba Mawoko performing an acoustic set on the Marimba, part 2:
Themba Mawoko performing an acoustic set on the Marimba, part 3:
Outspoken alongside Readnex Poetry Squad, K’Naan, Baay Musa, Hired Gun, Self Suffice, and other artists at the 4th Annual Trinity College International Hip Hop Festival (www.trinityhiphop.org):
Outspoken at the DC international hip hop BBQ, part 1:
Outspoken at the DC international hip hop BBQ, part 2:
Outspoken at the DC international hip hop BBQ, part 3:
Outspoken at the DC international hip hop BBQ, part 4:
Magee McIlvaine for Nomadic Wax
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