Africans Represent at OkayPlayer Event
By Nosarieme Garrick
On our final night at was has become a blurry CMJ week, we took it to Williamsburg’s Knitting Factory for the Okay Africa Showcase. Presented by Modiba and OkayPlayer, OkayAfrica featured Sierra Leone’s Bajah and the Dry Eye Crew, Rwanda’s Iyadede (pictured above), Brooklyn hip-hoppers Jahdan Blakkamoore & Matt Shadetek, and Ghana’s Blitz the Ambassador.
BLITZ-Knitting Factory clip from Truth Films on Vimeo.
Prior CMJ shenanigans only allowed us to catch Blitz’s show, but it was definitely worth the trek. Backed by the impressive Embassy Brass ensemble (choreographed routine included), Blitz presented us with a powerful performance. With a fervent energy, Blitz spewed his usual political thought to the mass, paying a worthy tribute to old school hip-hop, and delivering instructions to “Kill the Radio” (No really, he killed a dude in a radio head dancing on stage, figuratively of course). Peep the clip above.
We bid you farewell CMJ. We’re off to nurse our ringing ears, and shriveled livers, as we wait for next year to roll around, for another sleep free week.
