Blog (2008-2018)

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It’s been some time coming, but Kondi Band – the inspired Afro-electronic collaboration between Dutty Artz member Chief Boima and Sierra Leonean kondi (thumb piano) virtuoso Sorie Kondi – will release their debut LP Salone in partnership with Strut Records and Chief Boima’s own INTL BLK, this June 2nd.

The album follows the release of 2016’s Belle Wahallah EP, which spawned a #1 Spotify Viral Chart hit in the form of the track “Yeanoh (Powe Handa Blingabe),” as well as The Freetown Tapes, a free collection of Kondi’s solo work in the early 2000’s, mixed by Boima.

Salone arrives on CD, 2LP, and digital formats. Pre-order the album and get the song “Titi Dem Too Service” (performed live at WOMEX below) now!

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In a little over a week from now, INTL BLK comes to NY.

It is a celebration of the international black magic radiating out of the big apple, with support from the Dutty Artz family. RSVP on Facebook, or just come thru to Queens the night of!

Here’s descriptions of invited artists on this super stacked lineup:

DJ Flex (Empire) – New Jersey based DJ of Ghanaian origin, who is introducing West African Afrobeats sounds into the Jersey Club scene. https://twitter.com/therealdjflex

SHYBOI (Kunq/Discwoman) – New York based DJ of Jamaican origin, incorporating the sounds of the African diapsora in lively New York club sets, refracted through a Queer New York Caribbean immigrant lens. https://soundcloud.com/djshyboi

Bembona (Bembona & Friends/Pillow Talk) – New York based DJ of Panamanian and Puerto Rican origin, bringing the sounds of a new generation of Afro Latin and Caribbean club music. https://soundcloud.com/djbembona

Africa Latina (Chief Boima & Geko Jones) – The Dutty Artz initiated African and Latin house project of Chief Boima and Geko Jones. https://soundcloud.com/africalatina

Shawn Dub (I Love Vinyl) – New York based DJ from Long Beach, steeped in the Funk and Hip Hop of his native West Coast, he plays from one of the deepest catalogs of American Black music in the United States. https://soundcloud.com/shawndub

Kondi Band Soundsystem (Chief Boima & Will LV) – The rhythm section of Chief Boima and Sorie Kondi’s new collaboration Kondi Band… opening up the night, the two producers will talk about and play their influences, soundsystem style. https://kondiband.bandcamp.com/

Dutty Artz (Ushka, Riobamba and K7) – representing the Brooklyn-centered, community and social justice oriented collective of DJs.

IOIA – DJ project of Antonio Antmaper + Glaucia Mayer from Rio de Janeiro, aiming to bridge through sonics, the oceanic gap between Rio, Lisboa, Praia, and Luanda. https://soundcloud.com/ioiamusica

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I’ll be back in the States for about a month this summer, and have just touched down in NYC!

I’ll be moving around the country a bit, but catch me DJing first at Trans-Pecos in Queens on Friday night! The early show is called “Becoming New Objects” and features a host of experimental performers gathering for the Queens International Concert Series, including Chino Amobi of NON — someone who I’ve seen create quite a stir from a distance, and am looking forward to catching live.

After that, on the same night in the same venue, I will be part of the Mixpak x Tryna Function party with another great lineup, including Ikonika and Scratcha DVA of Hyperdub fame! Both artists, I’m also very excited to be able to catch live, so I’ll be in the building both as a DJ and a fan.

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Finally, I will be recording a live edition of Africa is a Radio at The Lot Radio in Brooklyn with special guests on Sunday June 26th from 6-8pm. Tune in here!

Africa is a Radio

Looking forward to catching up with my NY fam!

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The tragedy that struck Pulse Nightclub in Orlando last Saturday has rocked the core of queer & trans people of color communities.

In a show of solidarity and to raise funds for the families of the victims – some of New York City’s QTPOC deejays (including members Ushka and Riobamba of Dutty Artz) who foster queer spaces have organized this event and will deejay sets to honor the Latinx and Black queer family who have passed in Orlando.

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