Celestina Releases Boomtion

((  Written By: Staff Writer  ))  From boarding school in Nigeria, Africa to grinding in Hollywood, California, as a recording artist and songwriter, Celestina brings a unique merge of an exotic African flair and pop/electronic sounds.  Celestina is now on the scene with a slamming buzz record, “BOOMTION.”  Watch the video for Boomtion on Celestina’s YouTube channel, TheCelestinaChannel, and if you like what you hear, the single is available on iTunes and other digital stores.

He(ART): Koku Gonza—Ushering In The Neo-Soul World Music Movement

((  Written By:  Staff Writer  ))  With the release of her third CD, Radiozophrenic, Koku Gonza brought together elements of her Tanzanian heritage as well as her unique aesthetic for genre blending, to create a sound that is filled with passion, love, and neo-soul.    MIMI sat down with the artist to talk music, style and inspiration.

MIMI:  How were you discovered and put on the path to becoming a recording artist?
Koku Gonza:   I was discovered by playing everywhere I could. I started singing in church and city choirs as a child and I continued discovering various aspects of music as a teenager. I was put on the path of recording at a young age. As a kid, I used to watch my father write and record songs on tape. (Her father is Tanzanian guitarist Longfellow Mugarula.) I knew at the age of 4 I was interested in creating my own music. I recorded my first song at the age of 9. I sang and played piano.

MIMI:  What place do you call home?

Koku Gonza:  My third floor apartment in Chicago in Hyde Park by the lake front.

MIMI: What is your definition of "Radiozophrenic"?

Koku Gonza:  Radiozophrenic is the concept of turning the dial on my personal creative radio as a songwriter. I love to listen to different genres of music. Sometimes its Jazz, Funk, Fusion, Pop, Hip-Hop, Soul, R&B, Brazilian Style-Bossa Nova or the Bongo Music of East Africa that tickles my musical pallet within a span of one hour.

Freedom Music: The Otelo Burning Mixtape

((  Written By:  Staff Writer  ))  Otelo Burning, an award-winning film inspired by true events set in the South African township of Lamontville in 1989 against a backdrop of brewing conflict, tells the story of a group of township kids who discover freedom through surfing.  The movie opened across South Africa this past May, but for everyone who is not in South Africa, the story as told through the music of Zaki Ibrahim, Tumi, and many other talented artists is available to download for free on the Otelo Burning Mixtape, available from the film's official website.  Watch this space to find out when Otelo Burning will be released internationally.

((  Photo Credits:  www.oteloburning.com ))

Stella Mwangi Releases Her Music Video For "Bad As I Wanna Be"

((  Written By:  Staff Writer  ))  Kenyan singer/rapper Stella Mwangi, recently released the video for her hit song, Bad As I Wanna Be.   The single, which is Stella's first release this year, marks a much more aggressive, darker sound for Stella whose more recent music has ventured into pop.  Watch the video below, and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

The G.O.O.D. Wait Is Over, D'Banj Debuts The Music Video For Oliver Twist

((  Written By:  Staff Writer  ))  When news broke last year that Nigerian hit singer/songwriter D'banj was signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music record label, the blogosphere was abuzz about what artistic direction D'banj's music would take. The wait is over; this week, D'Banj debuted the video for his single Oliver Twist, from his upcoming album, Mr. Endowed. Watch below.

Estelle's All Of Me Is Out Today In The US

Written By: MIM!—We've been eagerly waiting for four years, and today, All Of Me, Estelle's follow up to her 2008 album, Shine, is released in the US. All Of Me features features a number of collaborations, including the already-released singles Break My Heart (with Rick Ross) and Thank You (with Akon). Stateside fans can catch Estelle on tour, which is already underway; for details, visit www.estellemusic.com. In the UK, All Of Me will be released on March, 12th.

(Photo Credits: CD Cover Art)

Goapele's Back With Her Soon To Be Released Album "Break Of Dawn"

Written By: MIM!—Singer Goapele is poised to release her anticipated full length album, Break of Dawn, on October 24th. Watch the sexy black and white video for the newly released single, Play, below.

Goapele "Play" from Detail Shoppe on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © CD Cover Art)

Dris' Private Garden

Written By: Nani Hapa—Proving he's not just eye candy ... he's also ear candy, our favorite actor Idris Elba is making a run for the music industry under the stage name Dris. Check out his video for Private Garden below.

Private Garden from Crystle Clear Roberson on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © Driis)

New Music Video: Nneka "My Home"

Written By: MIM!—Take a look at Nneka's latest music video for the song "My Home" and then read all about her in the Winter 2011 issue of MIMI, where she was profiled as The Voice of Africa in MIMI's Hot 21.

Nneka "My Home" (Official Video) from Sony Exploitation on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © Nicolas Premier for www.AfricaIsTheFuture.com)

Multi-Platinum Vocalist LIRA Releases Her 5-Track EP On iTunes

Written By: MIM!—Sony Music Africa recording artist LIRA is following in the footsteps of the legendary Miriam Makeba and Letta Mbulu, releasing four platinum selling albums making her the current highest selling artist in South Africa. Today, the Afro-Soul vocalist makes her entrance into the U.S with the release of a 5-track EP on iTunes to give her fans a preview of the debut American Album Feel Good which is slated to be released in January 2012. Get your copy of LIRA's EP starting today on iTunes.

(Photo Credits: CD Cover Art)

Nneka Releases Her Music Video For "Soul Is Heavy"

NNEKA - Soul Is Heavy from Shoemakerhh on Vimeo.

MIMI Related Articles: A Tune Of Her Own: Alache; African Soul Brotha: Blick Blassy

(Photo Credits: © Jens Bolt)

Soul Video: Melissa Nkonda "Nouveaux Horizons"

Written By: MIM!—Melissa Nkonda’s debut album, Noveaux Horizons, is an homage to her Algerian and Cameroonian roots as heard through the genres of pop, soul, jazz, latin, and African rhythms. Although she primarily sings in French, Melissa infuses bits of English on singles such as Nouveaux Horizons, I Dance Alone, J’ai Fait Tout Ca Pour Vous (with British singer VV Brown), and Africa, there is something good for the soul for everyone on Melissa's album. Watch the video for the single, Nouveaux Horizons, below.

MELISSA NKONDA "Nouveaux Horizons" from Sebastien Caudron on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © Album Cover Art)

Soul Video: Asa, Why Can't We (Directed By Raphaël Frydman)

Written By: MIM!—Watch Asa's simply adorable video for her equally adorable song, Why Can't We, directed By Raphaël Frydman. 

Music Video Asa "Why Can't We" from Raphael Frydman on Vimeo.

MIMI Related Articles:  Inna Modja: The Sweetheart; Baloji: The Hip-Hop Maestro; Just A Band: The Cool Kids

(Photo Credits: © Jean Baptiste Mondino)

New Music From Rising Nigerian Pop-Alternative Artist Gloria Maduka: Love Illusion

Written By: MIM!—Rising Nigerian Pop-Alternative artist, Gloria Maduka, has released her first single, Love Illusion, from her debut album, Of Light and Angels. Love Illusion is a cross-over song with a message of caution to those who have been once deceived in love. Gloria Maduka infuses her native Nigerian language within the song, and makes reference to Mase Gbagbe (mah-sheh-gbah-gbeh), Don't Forget. Take a listen below.

(Photo Credits: © MadukasMusicGroup)

Soweto's Black Porcelain's Single Butterflies Is A Hit!

Written By: MIM!—Soweto born singer and songwriter Black Porcelain, who is currently in the studio finishing her debut album, Invincible Summer, says she is pleasantly surprised by the success of her lead single from the album, Butterflies. “I called the album Invincible Summer as it has been a very long journey with many rejections on the way. I was inspired by an Albert Camus quote (in the depth of winter, I finally realised that within me there lay an invincible summer', which described this journey so well ... honestly, I think we out did ourselves [with the single Butterflies] because I don’t even have an album or a label.” Listen to Butterflies below and let us know if you are excited about Black Porcelain’s upcoming album.

To learn more about Black Porcelain, visit www.facebook.com/BlackPorcelain or follow her on Twitter @blckporcelain.

(Photo Credits: © Tim Hulme)

New Music From Joy Denalane: Maureen

Written By: MIM!—After a five year hiatus since releasing her album, Born and Raised, Joy Denalane is back with a new album Maureen (Maureen is Joy's middle name). This time around Joy sings more tracks in German, but she is still belting out her rich R&B sound that we've come to love. To get a sense for the vibe of Joy's new album, Maureen, take a look at the video for the album's lead single Niemand (Was Wir Nicht Tun) (featuring Maxx Herre), below.

Joy Denalane feat Megaloh, Max Herre & Samy Deluxe - Niemand (Rap Version) // Musicvideo from JUSTIN KRUSE on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © CD Cover Art)

New Music: Ntjam Rosie, Space Of You

Written By: MIM!—Watch Cameroonian singer Ntjam Rosie's ethereal music video for Space of You, directed by Bouba Dola below.  Space Of You is the second single from Ntjam Rosie's album Elle.

Ntjam Rosie - Space of you from AMP21 on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © Ntjam Rosie Press Kit)

New Music From Imany: The Shape Of A Broken Heart

Written By: MIM!—Following the release of her acclaimed EP Acoustic Sessions, Imany has now released her full length album, The Shape Of A Broken Heart. Take a look at her music video for You Will Never Know, the first single from the album, and to hear more from Imany's album, Shape Of A Broken Heart, visit www.imanymusic.com.

Imany "You Will Never Know" en acoustique sur Mange Disques from Romain Dufrene on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: CD Cover Art / © Barron Claiborne)

Freshlyground's Debut North American Tour, June-July, 2011

Written By: MIM!—Freshlyground—whose name evokes the fresh mix of just-crushed herbs—fearlessly dives into crates of traditional instruments, pointed political critique, poetry notebooks, and well-loved Southern African pop forms. They channel the sunny openness of hip Cape Town and the intense energy of singing ancestors. The mix is catchy, driving, and refreshingly upbeat, even when songs take aim at social ills and the folly of misguided politicians.

This summer the group’s bountiful diversity will hit North America (including New York, San Francisco, DC, Philly, Montreal, Vancouver) for the first time, as the group tours in June and July, in a live show bursting with bold energy, wry humor, and skillful spontaneity. Here are their North American tour dates:

06/24/2011, Fri Northampton, MA Iron Horse

06/25/2011, Sat New Haven, CT Festival of Arts & Idea

06/26/2011, Sun New York, NY Central Park SummerStage

06/27/2011, Mon Allston, MA Brighton Music Hall

06/28/2011, Tue Montreal, QC Montreal Jazzfest

06/29/2011, Wed Montreal, QC Montreal Jazzfest

06/30/2011, Thu Chicago, IL Millennium Park - Jay Pritzker Pavilion

07/02/2011, Sat Washington, DC Black Cat

07/05/2011, Tue Philadelphia, PA World Cafe Live!

07/08/2011, Fri Quebec City, QC Festival D'ete - Loto-Quebec Stage

07/09/2011, Sat Burlington, VT Higher Ground - Showcase Lounge

07/10/2011, Sun Pasadena, CA Levitt Pavilion

07/13/2011, Wed San Francisco, CA The Brick and Mortar Music Hall

07/14/2011, Thu Santa Cruz, CA Kuumbwa Jazz Center

07/15/2011, Fri Vancouver, BC Vancouver Folk Festival

07/16/2011, Sat Vancouver, BC Vancouver Folk Festival

07/17/2011, Sun Vancouver, BC Vancouver Folk Festival

(Photo Credits: Seppi Hochfellner)

Soul Video: Afro Dance By Les Nubians

Written By: MIM!—Have you ever danced with your hair? You will after watching Les Nubians, Afro Dance, from their recently released album, Nu Revolution.

Les Nubians - Afrodance from Nice Dissolve on Vimeo.

(Photo Credits: © Delphine Diallo)