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Is Macklemore Playing EMP Tomorrow? All clues lead to a big yes on that one. Follow the link below.
One Vibe Africa presents Madaraka Festival, a benefit concert and art sale to empower youth from Kenya. Madaraka Day (June 1) commemorates the day that Kenya attained internal self-rule. It celebrates the spirit and meaning of the word Madaraka—Swahili for the authority to make decisions. Madaraka Festival will showcase the music, visual arts, initiatives, and innovations that embody the special relationship between Seattle and Africa; galvanize the community; and support Kenyan youth in taking control of their destiny.
Don’t miss spectacular musical performances (including surprise special guests!) and an art sale featuring original work by students and teachers from the port city of Kisumu. All proceeds go directly to One Vibe Africa and students in Kisumu, Kenya.
Click here for tickets:
Here are some clues as to who the special guest is going to be:
Got it figured out yet?
OWUOR ARUNGA
Owuor Arunga is a legendary trumpeter and an inspiring figure in the growth of One Vibe Africa. Arunga went to The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York where the musicians he admired acted as mentors. You may recognize him as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s trumpet player.
NAOMI WACHIRA
Originally from Kenya, Naomi Wachira has collaborated with renowned Seattle bassist Evan Flory-Barnes, cellist Natalie Hall (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis), and drummer Darren Reynolds.
BLACK STAX
Comprised of Seattle MCs Silas Blak and Jace ECAj , and vocalist Felicia Loud, Black Stax blends and bends the musical genres of blues, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. “What defines [Felicia] Loud is […] her flawless command of the tones and texture of American Soul. And what defines [Silas Blak and Jace ECAj] is their commitment to a hip-hop that is complicated at the level of ideas and expression, politics and language.” Charles Mudede, The Stranger.
KORE IONZ
With a multi-cultural cast of musicians that have played and collaborated with artists ranging from Digible Planets to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kore Ionz brings a positive energy that feels familiar, but takes reggae, rock, and pop to astonishingly new places.
KAMAU NGIGI
The music of Kamau Ngigi contains sociopolitical messages that address the struggles of youth in Africa. A renowned East African hip-hop artist, Kamau Ngigi is a member of Kalamashaka, a Dandora-based group that paved the way for mainstream Swahili hip-hop in Kenya.
MAZIGAZI BAND
An African band from Olympia, Mazigazi Band started within a single family but has since grown to include nine-members. Inspired by African tribal rhythms and musical traditions, their music emphasizes cultural experiences, environmental conversation, and co-existence in a world where differences tend to pull us apart.
GABRIEL TEODROS
To know that another world is possible, and bring it to life has always been the mission of Gabriel Teodros. He has set stages on fire across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Ethiopia, and performed alongside Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def & Talib Kweli, Zap Mama, Digable Planets, and Fishbone to name but a few. Teodros is set to release albums Children Of The Dragon and Evidence Of Things Not Seen in 2014.
YIRIM SECK
Known for his searing lyricism, impassioned performance, and for forging hip-hop with traditional Senegalese dance music, Yirim Seck bridges the illustrious musical legacy of Seattle’s Central District with his family’s African heritage.
NAOMI WAMBOE
First generation Kenyan-American singer Naomi Wamboe broke into the music industry with the release of her single “Niaje,” which pairs her vocal prowess with the power of Macklemore’s acclaimed trumpet player, Owour Arunga.
THE PHYSICS
Local hip-hop trio The Physics first gained recognition with their 15-track LP Future Talk (2007). They’ve since performed at Sasquatch!, South by Southwest, Bumbershoot, Capitol Hill Block Party, and every major nightclub in Seattle to become an integral part of Seattle’s sonic landscape.
And of course you know who.
