THE REAL DEAL AFRO ROUND UP

As an international bunch here at J.E.M we always embrace good music stretching from the shores of Brighton to Belize. In what is fast becoming a celebration of all things African here at the Just Elemental Music towers, our Afro weekend round up takes us from the pitches of Equatorial Guinea to the airwaves of BBC Radio 1Xtra for all things Afrobeats.

Nothing says weekend like a football terrace, team chants and in the case of our South Africa cousin's the sound of a vuvuzela. Football fans the world over will of course know that it is that time again in the international football calendar when we see Africa's finest take to the pitch for the Africa Cup of Nations.

A little nearer to home, the weekend kicked off with none other than the 'Fresh prince of Hackney' aka Choice FM's Kojo's return to his stand up and East London roots by taking to the Empire's stage for two nights (20-21 January 2012) of his signature comic capers and the recording of his 'Live N Kicking' DVD. Earlier in the week Kojo spoke to MTV in this heart warming and frank interview ahead of his shows: KOJO'S MTV 'LIVE N KICKING' INTERVIEW | MTV UK

As you would expect, J.E.M's very own African Princess and first lady was of course there sipping on a complementary fruit cocktail (minus the alcohol naturally) in the VIP alongside the likes of striker Carlton Cole, songstress Jamelia, actor Ricky Norwood (Eastender's Fatboy), Blue's Simon Webbe and ITN's Charlene White but to name a few. Even being papped on arrival, for what was also the comedian’s birthday celebration. We can't wait to see the snaps which will be coming to J.E.M very soon


Each Sunday to wrap up the weekend here at J.E.M, our very own Rich B brings us his very own Just Elemental Music Radio Show. As a multi talented lot, we are no strangers to the airwaves with our very own Tooty often found chatting to the likes of Kath Melandri on BBC London 94.9 and the occasional Colourful Radio stint in her eclectic arts, ents and culture round ups.

It therefore makes perfect sense that our Afro round up would end with great radio in the form of an exciting documentary charting 'The Rise and Rise of Afrobeats' which is fast dominating Dj sets and sweeping across UK club dance floors.

Produced by friend of J.E.M and BBC Radio 1 & 1's Bernard P Achampong and presented by 1xtra's DJ Edu, the doc promises to take us on a journey across Africa with contributions from Afrobeats artists including Nigerian superstar signed to Kanye West's GOOD label D'Banj (pictured) and South African House Music legend Black Coffee, to personal insights from UK homegrown African talent such as Sway, Estelle and Tinchy Stryder.

Tune in and get your tweets at the ready at 21:00hrs TONIGHT for 'The Rise and Rise of Afrobeats'. Twitter hashtag: #theriseofafrobeats

The Rise and Rise of Afrobeats
Sunday 22nd January 2012
2100 - 2200 hours (GMT)
BBC RADIO 1Xtra (www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra)

Presenter: DJ Edu
Producer: Bernard P Achampong

BBC's Sound of 2012