You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January 2010.
CARE, a leading non-profit humanitarian organization that fights poverty and social injustice, is currently working to respond to the crisis in Haiti. Please join Zap Mama in making a donation to CARE to deliver aid and help the survivors of the crisis.
KCRW Radio recently listed its Most Played Records of 2009, with Zap Mama making the list. KCRW, which describes itself as a “recognized tastemaker for new music from around the world,” is Southern California’s leading public radio affiliate, serving Los Angeles and Orange Counties, among others.
In the interview, Zap Mama talks about the inspiration behind her latest album, “ReCreation.” She also describes the process of collaborating with other artists, like G.Love (“Drifting”) and Bilal (“Way You Are”), and her creative vision for the “Hello to Mama” music video.
SolarAid, a nonprofit organization that brings solar power to poor communities in African countries, recently released “Power Up The Planet,” a compilation CD of 14 tracks by renowned world musicians. Zap Mama has contributed “Vibrations” to the mix. Sales of the album will support the fight against global climate change and poverty.
The CD is available here.
Back in November 2009, the French Arts television program Canape featured Zap Mama in its monthly review of prominent French musicians, dancers, and authors. In her interview, Zap Mama discusses the global inspirations behind her songs, the progress of her style throughout her career, and her goals for the music she creates.
The episode also includes interviews with Creole musician Cedric Watson and French authors Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt and Marie NDaiye.
You can watch the program here. (Skip ahead to 17:00 for Zap Mama’s interview.)
In the video, Zap Mama sings “I Shall Be Released” with American vocalist and seven-time Grammy winner Al Jarreau. The performance was aired on French television network Taratata. The New York Times review of Zap Mama’s performance with Al Jarreau at Carnegie Hall describes the show: “The quintet, accompanying itself on African percussion instruments and at one point beating its microphones like drums, sang a program of multilingual songs that were determinedly upbeat. “We got to think positive!” it chanted at one point. “Respect what’s different and you will wake up from the nightmare.” Leading the audience to take parts in a layered African Pygmy song, the group not only sang the multicultural gospel but helped spread it.”
Image Credit: Discovery Green
For the last forty years, the NAACP Image Awards have recognized the most influential people of color for their outstanding contributions to literature, music, film, and television. Now in the 41st year of the Image Awards, Zap Mama’s ReCreation has been nominated for Outstanding World Music Album!
All members of the NAACP are eligible to vote. If you are a member, you can cast your ballot here beginning January 21st.
Other major nominees include “Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire” for Outstanding Motion Picture, Jay-Z for Outstanding Male Artist, and Alicia Keys for Outstanding Female Artist. You can find a complete list of nominees here.
The winners will be announced at the award ceremony, airing Friday, February 26th at 8:00 PM on FOX.
Looking back on 2009, Napster has recently recounted the best World and Reggae music of the year, with Zap Mama on the list. “The polyphonic music of Belgian-Congolese singer Marie Daulne, a.k.a. Zap Mama, graced the air waves of hipster radio stations across the U.S.” write Napster’s bloggers. It was certainly a successful year for Zap Mama, especially with the release of ReCreation, and 2010 is sure to be even more promising. On that note, a belated Happy New Year to all Zap Mama fans!
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