Johannesburg, South Africa – CANEX Creations Incorporated, an initiative powered by Afrexim Bank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme is thrilled to announce the release of the highly anticipated EP, ONE DRUM – a collaborative masterpiece that bridges cultures and genres, while celebrating the rich musical heritage of Africa and its diaspora.
This unique project brings together an extraordinary lineup of artists from across the African diaspora, the Caribbean, Brazil, the USA and also Europe.
ONE DRUM is a celebration of the cultural ties that unite Africa and its diaspora, forged through the shared history of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
This EP also highlights the enduring rhythms and musical traditions that have been carried across continents, from the magical drums of Brazil to the reggae and soul of the Caribbean and the global beats of Afrobeats and Amapiano.
The EP delves into themes of cultural pride, resilience, and the beauty of collaboration. It not only showcases musical talent but also celebrates the power of cultural exchange, creating a universal language that connects us all.
The EP features an impressive array of talent, including:
- DJ Oskido (South Africa): Music pioneer and co-founder of Kalawa Jazmee Records.
- The Scorpion Kings (South Africa): Amapiano giants DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, known for their innovative contributions to the genre.
- Olodum (Brazil): Renowned for their iconic Yoruba drumming and collaborations with legends like Michael Jackson and Paul Simon.
- Commissioner Gordon Williams (USA): Executive producer known for his work with Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, and Carlos Santana.
- Flavour (Nigeria): Celebrated Afrobeat artist known for his powerful lyrics and dynamic performances.
- Sofiya Nzau (Kenya): Globally recognized artist with a standout EDM hit, “Mwaki.”
- Stephen Marley and Jo Mersa Marley (Jamaica): Reggae royalty bringing soulful and heartfelt tracks to the EP.
The first single on the “ONE DRUM” album “AFRO-WAVE” which will be released this Friday, is a international collaboration by South African’s own Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa) alongside the legendary house DJ Oskido. This unique offering also features leading Amapiano vocalists TmanXpress and Phila Dlozi. Renowned Brazilian Bloc-Afro band Olodum bring in the international Bahia sound blending the Afrohouse with Amapiano beats accompanied with isiZulu lyrics.
AFRO WAVE will be available on all major digital streaming platforms from Friday, 16th August 2024.
TRACK HIGHLIGHT:
- Let’s Dance – A mid-tempo, sultry song featuring Flavour, DJ Oskido, and Olodum that combines samba, rumba, and marimba with Afrobeats and Igbo-highlife elements.
- Coming Home – A deeply emotional track featuring Jo Mersa Marley, Steven Marley, and Thee Legacy among others, celebrates the connection to Africa.
- Stop Stressin is a bass-infused reggae track produced by Commissioner Gordon which also has a dance version produced by Oskido, delivers a message of resilience and positivity.
- Money (Besa) – An EDM-inspired anthem by Sofiya Nzau, sung in Kikuyu, showcasing her charismatic charm and dynamic presence.
- Afro-Wave – A vibrant collaboration by the Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa), DJ Oskido, TmanXpress, X-Wise, Phila Dlozi, and Olodum, blending Afrohouse with Amapiano and isiZulu lyrics.
Fans can also look forward to exclusive content, including behind-the-scenes footage and artist interviews on the CANEX Creations Incorporated website or alternatively on the artists social media.
CANEX | OSKIDO | DJ MAPHORISA | KABZA DA SMALL
ABOUT CANEX
The Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs) as drivers of both economic growth and cultural engagement primarily generate income through the trade and commercialisation of intellectual property rights whilst creating new jobs in higher occupational skills, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
With advancements in technology, especially the digital and streaming revolutions, creative and knowledge-based industries have become leaders in disruption and innovation, emerging amongst the most dynamic sectors in the global economy. In addition to its economic benefits, cultural and creative industries generate non-monetary value that can contribute significantly to achieving people centered, inclusive, and sustainable development.
However, despite being among the most rapidly growing sectors, CCIs and their linkages to the rest of the economy have largely been overlooked in Africa resulting in the dominance of informal players and emergence of unstructured markets. Some of the constraints to the growth and development of Africa’s CCI’s include limited capital, due largely to perceived risks associated with the sectors; knowledge gaps especially in specialised areas e.g. film production, incomplete value chains; limited linkages into high value demand hubs; and unfavourable regulatory environment.
Afreximbank, having recognized the relevance and opportunities provided by the creative economy as a key driver for development and job creation, established the Creative Africa Nexus programme (CANEX) to support the development of Africa’s Creative and Cultural Industries and address some of the challenges faced by this economy, through the provision of access to finance, capacity building, trade, investment and export promotion, access to new market opportunities, digital solutions, and policy advocacy to fast-track the scaling of Africa’s creative sectors within the global economy.
ABOUT OSKIDO
The Metro awards “Lifetime Achievement winner, popularly known as Oskido, Oscar Mdlongwa is a South African co founder and director of Kalawa Jazzmee Records, the legendary indie label that has been in the game for over 25 years.
During this time, Oskido has been a foundational member of the group of people who shaped South African urban music, initially through Kwaito, a post 1994 genre that was the backdrop to South Africa’s coming of age in the free nation.
With an incredible penchant to spot talent, he has, over the years, been instrumental in the growth of some of the biggest names in South African music including; Mafikizolo, Bongo Maffin, Black Motion, Black Coffee, DJ Zinhle and of the leaders of the amapiano movement DJ Maphorisa. In a sense, Oskido is the proverbial leitmotif spanning across the various South African music genres including Kwaito, House, Afropop and lately Amapiano.
Internationally he has collaborated with the likes of Masters at Work’s Louie Vega, Davido (in the huge hits in the production of MafikizoloXDavido) and Ninola to name a few.
Oskido has most recently completed a USA tour with Amapiano giants Scorpion Kings and will also co-headline the London UK Piano People festival of 2024.
ABOUT SCORPION KINGS
The Scorpion Kings, made up of Amapiano heavyweights, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa.
ABOUT ONE DRUM
The “One Drum,” EP embodies the profound cultural connections between Africa and its diaspora, including the Caribbean and the Americas. These connections, deeply rooted in the shared history of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, have allowed African culture to flourish globally, influencing music, fashion, and religion.
One Drum brings together a diverse array of artists from across Africa and the diaspora, including the renowned Brazilian band Olodum. This collaboration highlights the rhythmic traditions carried by the diaspora, from Yoruba drums in Brazil to soukous in the Caribbean, and Afrobeats and Amapiano which have become global sensations. The drum, a vital musical element, serves as the heartbeat of this project, uniting performers and audiences through its universal language.
Curated by CANEX Creations Incorporated, “One Drum” features an eclectic blend of genres such as Afrobeat, Latin, Amapiano, EDM, Axé, Reggae, and Afro House. Spearheaded by South African music pioneer DJ Oskido and American polymath Commissioner Gordon, the EP includes contributions from notable artists like Nigeria’s Flavour, Kenya’s Sofiya Nzau, Jamaica’s Stephen Marley, and Jo Mersa Marley, among others.
The opening track, “Let’s Dance,” features Nigeria’s Flavour and Olodum, combining samba melodies with Igbo-highlife and Afrobeat elements. “Coming Home,” a poignant Afro-reggae track, brings together the voices of Jo Marley and South Africa’s Thee Legacy, celebrating a return to Africa. Stephen Marley’s “Stop Stressin'” merges reggae and afro-house, promoting resilience and positivity. Sofiya Nzau’s “Money (Besa)” adds a vibrant EDM-inspired anthem, while “Afro-Wave” and “Kontrola” blend Afrohouse with Amapiano and showcase the rich cultural heritage of South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire.
One Drum is a bold expression of global musical collaboration, celebrating the vibrancy, resilience, and diversity of African music while embracing global influences.
This EP not only showcases musical talent but also underscores the power of collaboration and cultural exchange, resonating with audiences worldwide.