http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/6007-africa-100-the-indestructible-beat/
....and its in bad form from the first paragraph. this is not an ordinary case of 'hipster backlash,' for one because i am not (one). ok i mean hes attempting to limit it to afrobeat, but that really doesnt make sense in and of itself.
in typical pitchfork fashion, this article does not discuss the movements that developed around the music. simply man+message. so. completely. useless.
since thats the norm ill do the same.
i have to throw zola in here, because he is great. though i probably shouldnt start with him. from soweto outside/inside joburg. tupac rather than mosdef. the guy has seen it all.
thomas mapfumo=the jam. not even mugabe can keep him quiet.
saw amadou and miriam at lollapalooza in 2008. standout concert. fun crowd, these two share so much on stage. their french bassist is a dead ringer for jean reno as well, though thats not in the least bit pertinent nor within my purview. i just love that word. purview. yes they are both blind.
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ali farka toure. probably my favorite overall. i remember being in the library in senior year, and opening up the new york times and reading about his death the day after it happened. all i could think of was: 'why didnt i know sooner?'. he had a state funeral, not certain but i think bono showed up. watch both of these videos.
ginger baker did this next video. cream's drummer, as you may know him, certainly one of the best overall. this video is actually pretty important. probably as important as camus at the football match. find that one on your own time. its probably not that important.