Often we get asked who we think the best African/Kenyan DJ in the US/UK is. While this is a flattering position and opinion to be requested of us, its not as simple to come up with one individual who is talented, versatile, skilled and well known. There are so many things that go into defining a great DJ vs just a good or a talented DJ.
2008 has been a phenomenal year for many individuals in the US, many people put the title DJ in front of their names and conveniently called themselves DJs. Some individuals teamed up and formed DJ units which in our opinion is a lost cause in this market place, and some individuals chose to travel from Kenya to promote their skills and technique in the US. Either way you look at it from our perspective consistency is the key – and for several years one person seems to stand out as the undoubted winner and DJ of the year. Though we do not showcase a lot of his work here (mainly because he is already well acknowledged and placed in the UK) we listen to his work every week online and constantly appreciate the amount of work put in to each and every mix.
DJ Edu, a homeboyz veteran has been on the music scene for quite a long time, but there is something about Edu that many Kenyan DJs dont seem to get. Edu has figured out a way to corner and master the African market as a whole. Edu doesn’t only play Genge, soul and urban… Edu plays Coupe De Cale, Zouk, Lingala, Soukous, Nigerian hits, Egyptian hits, tonnes of Afro beats. Edu has essentially changed how a lot of people consume African Music in the US and UK. BBC 1xtra is only available online and through DAB in the UK, but you can imagine the number of simultenous sessions per week trying to get a listen off his latest work.
It doesn’t mean that there aren’t any other DJs in the US who advocate and put African music out there, it just means this is one individual that we feel in our opinion has the winning formula year after year. I mean this is one person who in my humble opinion listens to every song he puts on his mixes and then figures out how to create relationships between these songs and other western songs.
We have attached one of his latest shows to close the year 18th Dec 2008 – please pay close attention to the mashups and blends especially the DNA mixes and the Kwaku Mixes… DJ Edu takes the 2008 award for African DJ of the year as far as GetMziki is concerned.
Listen to DJ Edu Mix here:
download the Session here:
The Tracklist:
B-Kay & Kazz (Zimbabwe/UK)-You Know It’s Right (CDR)
Exile (Zambia)-Not Gonna Loose You (CDR)
Mujava (South Africa)-Township Funk (Warp/This Is Music)
Wayna (Ethiopia/US)-Moonlight Rendezvous (Quiet Power Prod.)
Emmanuel Jal (Sudan)-Warchild (Sonic 360)
Zeynab (Benin)-Ovi (Captives)
Audius ft Sean Ray (Zimbabwe)-Take Me Back (Blindfaith)
Proffessor Jay ft Nyash & Collo (Tanzania/Kenya)-Njoo (CDR)
-DNA MIX 1-
9ice (Nigeria)-Gongo Aso (Alapomeji) / Linkin Park & Jay-Z (US)-Numb/Encore (Warner/Roc-A-Fella)
Kk Fosu (Ghana)-No 1 (CDR) / Madonna ft Justin Timberlake (US)-4 Minutes (To Save The World) (Warner)
Olu Maintain ft Lkt (Nigeria)-Yahoozee (Reloaded) / DJ Khaled ft T.I, Akon, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Lil’ Wayne & Baby (US)-We Takin’ Over (Koch) / Dizzee Rascal (Nigeria/UK)-Old Skool (XL) / Diana Ross (US)-I’m Coming Out (Motown)
Triple M (Ghana)-Pletu (CDR) / Flo Rida ft Timbaland (US)-Elevator (Atlantic)
L’ Vovo (South Africa)-Resista (Mayonie Productions) Ne-Yo (US)-Closer (Def Jam)
Young Kof & Wanlov (UK/Ghana)-Live From The Motherland (CDR)
Bebe Cool ft Sweet Kid (Uganda)-Kiba Kibi (CDR)
Kwaku Mix
Fnaire (Morocco)-Unknown (CDR)
D’Banj ft Special Ed (Nigeria)-Fall In Love (Mo Hits)
-DNA MIX 2-
Janet Jackson ft Nelly (US)-Call On Me (Virgin) / Estelle ft Sean Paul (Senegal/UK/Jamaica)-Come Over (Atlantic/Homeschool)
Lil Wayne ft Bobby Valentino (US)-Mrs. Officer (Cash Money)/Harry Kimani (Kenya)-My Desire (CDR)
Mika Mendes ft Shana (Cape Verde)-Dis Moi Que Tu M’aime (Sushiraw) / Ne-Yo (US)-Miss Independent (Def Jam)
Wanlov The Kubolor (Ghana)-Human Being (Pidgen Music) / John Legend (US)-Used To Love U (Sony BMG)
Weasel ft Mowzey (Uganda)-Nakudata (CDR) /T-Pain ft Lil Wayne (US)-Can’t Believe It (Zomba)
Mb Dogg (Tanzania)-Natamani (CDR) / Mavado (Jamaica)-So Special (VP)
Fnaire (Morocco)-Unknown (CDR)
D’Banj ft Special Ed (Nigeria)-Fall In Love (Mo Hits)
K’naan (Somali)-ABC’s (CDR)
Jessy Matador (Cote d’Ivoire)-Decale Gwada (Wagram/Oyas)
Shank (Nigeria)-Too Late (CDR)
