From guest blogger - Dominique

The Kotazo craze is sweeping the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's mixed with coupe decale (from Ivory Coast) but people from Kinshasa have created their own dance. It's kind of a reaction against coupe decale and traditional congolese dances described as too "quiet". So like in Coupe decale, people get crazy dancing on kotazo, mixing some capoeira dances, simulating fights. It's simple, you do what you can do ;) It's more aggressive than other Congolese dances.

Football is the passion of many African countries. It has been said that when the music of a state changes, the constituion changes too. Football and music are two things that Africans hold really dearly. When they are merged through songs, anthems and jams used to support football teams, it unites nations, tribes, people and neighbours. Football and music have a special relationship.

Due to some splendid performances by 'Les Elephants', Ivory Coast graced the occasion at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the first time in a mundial for the West African country. Magic System composed a song together with various members of the national team that could be used to support the Elephants in the march to World Cup glory and beyond. Even though the Elephants couldn't progress out of the group stage, they left an indelible mark on the world stage and you bet that they will be a force in world football.

This video below was made for the song, a tribute by Magic System (of Premier Gaou fame) to the World Cup qualification. It features Ivorian stars like Didier Drogba, Bonaventure Kalou, Kolo Toure, Gilles Yapo Yapo, Bakari Kone, Arouna Kone, Aruna Dindane, Romaric, rocking the mic. Didier Drogba even did a solo song for the Ivorian president, Laurent Gbagbo at a pre-World Cup reception in Abidjan.

Watch the video featuring Magic System and Didier Drogba

They may go unnoticed as we jam to kwaito, soukouss, highlife and bongo flava, but the African Children's Choir is a strong presence whose mission we all need to be in support of. Made up of the most precious of faces and the most delicate of voices, the choir comprises of young African children aged between 7 and 11. Many of them have lost a parent or two to famine and disease, some are HIV positive orphans. They speak different languages and are from various countries around the continent, but they have united in one voice to represent and raise awareness to the issues concerning AIDS orphans from all over Africa. They were recently featured in the "Blood Diamond" movie's soundtrack. They have shared stages with personalities such as Miriam Makeba, Thandiswa Mazwai, Josh Groban, Wyclef Jean, Michael W. Smith to name a few, and have been successful in raising significant funds towards supporting and educating their brothers and sisters throughout the continent.

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  Album The Dusty foot philosopher
  Year 2005
  Writer K'Naan Warsame
  Language English
  Track # 1
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  Video URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZKFV6mOjCE

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  Year 2005
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  Video URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ouDZkX1Yh8

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  Artistes K'Naan
  Album The Dusty foot philosopher
  Year 2005
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  Year 2005
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