Learning about listening in a dj Residency

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The first series of DJ Residency was held at the SO((U))L HQ on Saturday April 27, 2024. The motivation behind the Dj residency was to create an event which allowed djs and music lovers to explore the idea and practice of creating interesting listening experiences. I have always been interested in understanding more about how … Continue reading Learning about listening in a dj Residency

Why is it important To talk about Afrobeats?

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Afrobeats is the sound of Africa today. Internet sources locate the root of the sound in Nigeria, Ghana and the United Kingdom in the early 2000s. Artistes such as P-Square, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Stonebwoy, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Tems, Mr.Eazi and Davido have become the face of the music internationally. The conversation about Afrobeats is … Continue reading Why is it important To talk about Afrobeats?

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Learning from art

When I started the memory project in 2019, it was from a curiosity about how popular music made us remember or forget events. I wanted to understand how individual memory works different from collective memory and I was hoping to find some music or sound related solutions to memory related illnesses. Now it has become … Continue reading Learning from art

Zaga Dat ! The future of African Music

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A few weeks ago I was asked to make a presentation at a meeting of the African Caribbean Students Association at the University of the West Indies, Mona on Afrobeat/s and Dancehall. I welcomed the opportunity to explore some issues and ideas around the popularity of Afrobeat/s and I wanted to discuss the connections between … Continue reading Zaga Dat ! The future of African Music

Music is a Conversation Vol 11

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It is exhausting to live in a country where you cannot dream....well dreaming means becoming bigger and better. "It is difficult to live in a place that limits your imagination. This living can take the life out of you. It takes so much more to live a life with meaning". To continue dreaming ........... Here … Continue reading Music is a Conversation Vol 11

Voting in a pandemic? What is wrong with democracy?

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Voting is a critical part of the democratic process. In a democracy citizens participate in the creation of the government by selecting representatives to the Legislature. Jamaica has fourteen parishes which are divided into sixty-three constituencies. Political parties and independent candidates compete to be voted as the best person to represent an area or a constituency. Successful candidates in each constituency become Members of Parliament (MPs). There are 63 Members of Parliament who sit in the House of Representatives.

Watch Spirit Desire : an experimental film project by dj afifa

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Spirit desire is based on a soundtrack/soundscape called the "Mass". It is inspired by the Catholic Christian ritual the Eucharist or Holy Communion, one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The soundtrack positions Catholic Christianity alongside Haitian Vodoun to show their powerful similarity and to question what we know about Haiti and Vodoun.

A day of national mourning

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How can a nation remember what keeps it hopeful despite all the pain and the unexplained? A day of national mourning is a selection of tracks featured in the Sound Gallery at djafifa.com. It is dedicated to the memory of the elderly women who lost their lives in the Eventide Home Fire and the other days of national mourning that we have forgotten.

An “Archive of Jamaican Politics” on DTA Live Radio

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Decolonizing the Archive Radio(DTA.Live) will be featuring excerpts of the Jamaica Parliament Audio database every Wednesday at 3pm (UK time). Dubbed an "Archive of Jamaican Politics", the series was launched on August 6 and will continue to air throughout the rest of the year. The series will feature Sittings of the House of Parliament in … Continue reading An “Archive of Jamaican Politics” on DTA Live Radio

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Jean Binta Breeze live at the Poetry Society of Jamaica

8 years ago, on Tuesday July 31, I recorded Jean Binta Breeze at the Poetry Society of Jamaica fellowship at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts. Jean Binta Breeze is a Jamaican born British based dub poet who has made very important contributions to the development of poetry and dub poetry. Enjoy this release of the live performance by her.

What happens in the Senate?

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The Jamaican Parliament is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate contains 21 Senators appointed by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. There are 13 "government" senators and 8 "opposition" Senators. The role of the Senate is to Review Bills passed by the House of Representatives. Listen … Continue reading What happens in the Senate?

Through the years-a tribute to Kenny Rogers

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There used to be a Kenny Roger Roasters in Jamaica on Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston.  Kenny Rogers Roasters  was a restaurant franchise co-founded in 1991 by country music singer Kenny Rogers. He is probably the only country music singer that i enjoyed.  Songs like "Through the years",  "Lady", "She believes in me", "You decorated … Continue reading Through the years-a tribute to Kenny Rogers

Music for highways

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In Jamaica, road expansion and the creation of highways dominate the urban landscape. At least one person dies everyday in a road accident. Starting in 2015,  new roadways have been created in the Barbican area, Constant Spring Road, Hagley Park Road and the Mandela Highway under the Major Infrastructure Development Project, (MIDP). Whenever I use … Continue reading Music for highways

Interesting listening-Notes on the electromagnetic radiation

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What do you consider interesting listening? Here is the latest edition of the Electromagnetic radiation on Zanj Radio. This episode features selections of ambient, nu-jazz, avant garde and experimental music from Dusted jazz vol. 2 , Trio Antimanierista,  Claudio Nunez, Sergio de Carli and others. Tune into the electromagnetic Radiation on Zanj Radio 10pm to … Continue reading Interesting listening-Notes on the electromagnetic radiation

Notes- What to expect from a Electromagnetic Radiation live show

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Here is the latest episode of the Electromagnetic Radiation on Zanj Radio. This episode features the premier of "Flies" a nu-music track by dj zanj rracc. You can look forward to Electromagnetic Radiation live shows  in 2020. The Electromagnetic radiation is a stimulating sonic environment. The show is 2 hours and is broken down into … Continue reading Notes- What to expect from a Electromagnetic Radiation live show

Getting Ready- Notes on the electro magnetic radiation

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Here are the last two episodes of  the Electro magnetic Radiation on Zanj Radio. https://www.mixcloud.com/zanjradio/electromagnetic-radiation-with-dj-afifa-june142019/ Both episodes feature music/experimental sound projects from netlabels Paparoota, Pueblo Nuevo and Bumpfoot. These last two episodes have been a part of my preparation to submit an experimental mix to the Zanj Radio International broadcast of chill mixes on July … Continue reading Getting Ready- Notes on the electro magnetic radiation

Excerpts of Dis Poem Wordz and Agro Festival 2019

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This project was released a few weeks ago on the Sounds of Life nu-music label. The project is an experiment in recording live events using easily accessible and affordable handheld devices. Excerpts of the Dis Poem Wordz and Agro Festival 2019 was recorded using a Panasonic RR-US511 digital voice recorder. Here are some of my … Continue reading Excerpts of Dis Poem Wordz and Agro Festival 2019

Revisiting the SO((U))Lherverse project

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In 2012 I collaborated with Amina Doherty (SHeroxlox) on a project called SO((U))LHERVERSE, it was a series of compilations released to mark International Womens Day.  SO((U))LHERVERSE is “a fused socio-political-sonic space where womyn’s voices are fierce and free".The second compilation featured a resource guide to accompany the mixtape produced by Georgia Love. The 3rd compilation … Continue reading Revisiting the SO((U))Lherverse project

Music and Memory- Notes on the Electromagnetic Radiation

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Here are the 3 latest episodes of the Electromagnetic Radiation on Zanj Radio. For 2019 i want to explore the relationship between music and memory. So far these are the questions i am exploring; With so much happening around us can we use music to help us process them? How do we remember important events? … Continue reading Music and Memory- Notes on the Electromagnetic Radiation