You are here

OneBeat 2016 mixtape released

13 Mar 2017 - 09:34

Found Sound Nation (FSN), the Brooklyn collective that organises the OneBeat Fellowship in collaboration with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, released its fifth OneBeat Mixtape on 10 March 2017. The mixtape showcases a diverse range of artists from across the globe who were part of the 2016 OneBeat Fellowship.

Benjamin Jephta features on the fifth track of the mixtape. Photo: Afrikaaps

The opening track of the mixtape is delivered by Algerian vocalist Amel Zen and accompanied by a Zimbabwean hosho and Kyrgyzstani kyl kiak. This peculiar mix of cultures and musical heritage is continued in most of the tracks, including the fifth track, which is the heartbreaking story of Ellen Pakkies, musically imagined by South African bassist Benjamin Jephta and narrated by Ghanaian spoken word artist Poetra Asantewa.

The album also features the work of young artists encountered by the OneBeat Fellows in 2016 during their tour of the US. OneBeat and its ever-growing network of global musicians continues to establish cross-cultural connections, delivering music that evokes a profound sense of origin while conjuring a thrilling collective and new musical horizons.

Applications for the 2017 edition of the music exchange program closed on 10 February.

OneBeat Mixtape