Bongo Flava: Swahili Rap From Tanzania

Bongo Flava: Swahili Rap from Tanzania (Out|Here Rec)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 7/10/06
Rap from Tanzania in Swahili (duh!) – tends to be a bit chill, also more conscious in terms of subject and lyrics than most American popular hip hop, not that non-Swahili speakers would be able to tell. Should be of interest to both hip hop and world aficionados, even has a reggae number. Liner notes are interesting but hard to read – the individual song/artist notes are cool, though.
No FCCs, although I heard something in Swahili that sounded like an FCC in English.
I like 9 best, but many tracks are way cool
1. *starts with falsetto vocals and acoustic guitar, then somewhat downbeat hip hop group with strings, about hopeful future for Tanzania.
2. **Midtempo, sounds like play instruments, interesting combination of voices.
3. **Swingy midtempo beat, sweet male solo and chorus rap and female singing – about how anyone can get AIDS.
4. ***Midtempo, cool beat and strong rap from Tanzania’s premier solo rap artist, about political promises.
5. ***midtempo, what passes in Tanzania for Gangsta rap, just without the violence. Deep vocals, sparse instrumentation but lots of energy. Sounds a bit like Reggaeton!
6. **midtempo, cool beat and vocals, female singing adds a nice touch.
7. ***crazy riddim, “cartoon rap” about money not being as important as love and freedom.
8. **Slightly uptempo, melodic rap, sweet. Lots of sycopation, also lots of electronica.
9. ****Uptempo bouncy reggae riddim, about the hard life of a parentless child.
10. ***midtempo, cool riddim and smooth vocals by what sounds like the spiritual KRS-One of Bongo Flava, about MC mindfulness.
11. **downbeat melodic rap about life of an orphan.
12. **midtempo tough rap by one of the few female rappers in Tanzania.
13. **A bit laid back and downtempo, jazzy number about Maasai pride (Mr. Ebbo wears Maasai dress on stage.)
14. ***downtempo, combining Maasai dance vocalizations with rap.