About Zozo Afrobeat // The Hottest Side of Afrobeat
“Zozo,” taken from the Goun and Fon word for “something hot,” truly keeps the Afrobeat fires burning. A 13-piece ensemble from New York City, Zozo Afrobeat features musicians from around the world and is led by African music luminary Kaleta. Born in the Republic of Benin and raised in Nigeria, Kaleta grew up recording and performing with legendary Nigerian musicians
Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade. After moving to the U.S., Kaleta toured with Femi Kuti and most recently with Lauryn Hill.
With Zozo Afrobeat, Kaleta’s music pays homage to the greats, and yet has its own distinctive sound and energy. Like Fela Kuti, who used his music to challenge a corrupt Nigerian government, Kaleta has written songs that are socially and politically provocative. At the same time, his lyrics reflect a keen sense of humor and a message of hope. On Zozo Afrobeat’s 2007 release, “Country of Guns,” Kaleta scatters popculture references and marvels of a country with “250 million people and 250 billion guns.” On
other songs, Kaleta sings in Yoruba, Goan, Fon, and French.
On stage, Kaleta displays remarkable energy – singing, dancing, and playing guitar and percussion. The band responds accordingly, delivering
cascades of horns, hypnotic Benino-Nigerian rhythms, and captivating solos. Zozo Afrobeat has played at the Lincoln Center “Out of Doors” Festival, the Brooklyn Museum, and various clubs in the New York area.
Kaleta ! Infinite respects to you for being a genuine leader/inspirator and role model of outstanding size and class, raising your voice so powerfully for sake of enlightenment and positive changes to Humanity. Your species is rare on the planet. Stay blessed and keep shedding your Light! May your efforts bear plenty and sustainable fruits. Your Source of inspiration keep flowing. Your seeds of inspiration spread around the world and find open hearts to growing awareness. Wishing you and your sublime musicians in ZoZo Afrobeat a great and memorable show in CENTRAL PARK on Sat 28 June. Peace & Success to you in all your efforts - God Bless! Jane
ZoZo..Praying that you are well and peaceful....... We live in a Global Society...Our neighbors are next door or a continent away. Our prayers should not be just for our children...but also for the children we may never meet. When I eat a meal and drink clean water, I should be mindful that my neighbors across the waters may not have eaten in a week. When I am tempted to complain about the rain, I repent and remember that my sisters and brothers in other countries may be praying for rain. As musical artists, we are the modern day griot....we must sing the stories...the mantle is in our hands. Music is my contribution to my collective earth family....It's the least I can do....." Diane Cameron
SALUT EVERYONE,THANKS FOR YOUR FANTASTIC SOUNDS AND MESSAGE,I'LL BE AT THE SUMMERSTAGE TO HEAR MORE OF YOUR AMAZING MUSIC,BEST FROM ALL OF US FROM THE BANDA BLACK RIO.
Dear ZOZO AFROBEAT<hottest side of Afrobeat. Thank you for growing into a friend. Your music is "Good!! Good!! Good!!" Thank you for listening to our music. Thank you for the comment. Love and peace
U PLAY A PURE AND RIGHT AFROBEAT MEN...RESPECT FROM PARIS." Véritable laboratoire d'alchimie musicale pour Karim Tedjani (chanteur, auteur, compositeur) et Xavier Sibre (saxophoniste, flûtiste, compositeur), BAZARKITONN a, au fil du temps, de leurs rencontres et de ses mutations, pris la forme d'un groupe a géométire variable (du quintet au 12 têtes) réunissant une quinzaine de musiciens talentueux et actifs dans la scéne héxagonale et internationale autour d'un répertoire tout en variations. Faire groover la langue de Molière sur les musiques de notre Monde sans pour autant s'enfermer dans les clichés de la "musique du monde", s'inspirer de la tradition au service de l'innovation, rester ouvert de "feuille" et d'esprit, en jouer et s'en jouer sans tabous , telles sont les ambitions affichées sur cet album par le très énergétique BAZARKITONN'. La musique de ce groupe, un brin stéréoatypique, est inspirée autant par celles d'ailleurs et d'hier, que de celles d'ici et maintenant, un savant mélange entre chansons à textes et tourneries instrumentales où l'improvisation et le second degré ne sont pas exclus. La poésie de la musique au service de la musique des mots et vice versa...Les rires d'un clown en larmes sur des rythmiques tonitruantes, des chansons épicées à toutes les sauces musicales que Karim et Xavier se sont à la fois amusés mais aussi ingéniés à concocter pour "le Z pointé", album en deux chapitres: "La peauésie de l'être" et "Heavy Végetal Fuzion". Sur ce projet , grâce notament au travail remarquable et inspiré de Dom Sablier à la réalisation , BAZARKITONN a vraiment franchi un palier decisif dans leur quête d'une destructure structurée de la Chanson Indigéne dont ils sont depuis trois ans de fervents explorateurs. Cet opus est en cours de finition et sera disponible à partir de Mars 2008."/ Turkmüche Le Roi Des Founks Errants
...Femi Kuti's Shrine, attacked again by the police...
On the evening of Saturday, December 15, Nigerians police raided the "New Africa shrine".
According to witnesses, up to 2OO police, including some heavily drunk officers, invaded the premeses, pretending to search for armed robbers.
Around 400 people have been reportedly arrested during the operation.
Femi Kuti is unharmed and well, but, several of its musicians and dancers, have been arrested and are detained. the band regular perfomances are cancelled for the time being.
This is a sad reminder of the various attacks,that were carried against Fela Kuti by Nigerian authorities.
Some things will never change, history repeat itself...
KALETA ! We are delighted being able to announce that your Yoruba version of the Your Song Child Project STORY is now featured in our profile. Thank you for fruitful collaborations and we are looking forward to future developments. Blessings and all best wishes for all of your projects.
May strong winds carry your wings and see all your visions and dreams come true!
Peace Be The Maluka Music Team
May Tolerance Understanding Loving Kindness Rule your world
