Baloji Announces North American Tour Dates
Baloji's North American 2011 tour dates
Belgian/Congolese rapper Baloji, who charmed and rocked crowds in NYC this past summer with his seamless blend of traditional African music and hip-hp, has announced dates for a North American tour (see below). For those of you who have not yet heard the French-speaking MC and his band, check out the video for "Independence Cha-Cha" after the jump, and visit Baloji on the web right here.
June 30 - MONTREAL - Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
July 1 - MONTREAL - Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
July 2 - BROOKLYN - Weeksville Garden Party
July 3 - NYC - Summerstage Central Park –
July 6 - CLEVELAND - TBA
July 7 - CHICAGO - Millenium Park Music Without Borders
July 8 - MADISON - Free Festival
July 9 - CHICAGO - Old Town School of Folk Music
July 12 - QUEBEC - Festival d'Eté de Québec
July 13 - QUEBEC - Festival d'Eté de Québec
July 14 - OTTAWA - TBA
As Mali Purge Streets Of French Names, Locals Wonder If It’s A Priority
The Malian military administration has renamed about 25 locations, including public institutions in a bid to shed itself of its French colonial history. However, some locals think this may render history incomplete.
What's in A Name: How African Names Get Lost in Translation
From NBA stars to Grammy nominees, prominent Africans have often had their names misspelled or mispronounced. While some have pushed back and reclaimed it, others embrace it.