MODIBA

Bio:

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Nation Beat + WILLIE NELSON: Farm Aid 2008



BEST OF MODIBA ON VIDEO



MODIBA is an international record label and production company dedicated to the social and economic empowerment of Africa and its Diaspora. Founded in 2004 by Eric Herman and Jesse Brenner, Modiba first released the 100% benefit album ASAP: the Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project to critical acclaim, both for its musical triumph as well as its humanitarian accomplishments. The compilation of afrobeat music from around the globe debuted at 1 on the iTunes world music store and has since raised over $140,000 to date to fund humanitarian groups working on the ground in Darfur to relieve the suffering of the beleaguered survivors.

In 2007, Modiba launched the career of Vieux Farka Toure, son and successor to international superstar and GRAMMY© Award-winning Ali Farka Toure. In February 2007, Modiba released Vieux Farka Touré: the self-titled debut featuring Ali himself on two remarkable pieces. These tracks are the only existing recordings of father and son playing together, and are amongst the final recorded material of Ali before his death. The record, which Rolling Stone hailed as “a remarkable debut,” also features two magnificent guest performances by the GRAMMY© Award-winning kora master Toumani Diabaté. Vieux’s subsequent North American tour, the Fight Malaria Tour produced by Modiba, has seen packed houses at nearly every stop and raised money for and awareness about the crisis of malaria in Africa. Only months later, Modiba released Vieux Farka Toure Remixed: UFO’s Over Bamako, a dazzling remix project from the some of the world’s most acclaimed DJs – including Cheb i Sabbah, Karsh Kale and Nickodemus - ranging from hypnotic soundscapes to dancefloor crushers. 10% of proceeds from both albums go towards Modiba’s Fight Malaria campaign in Vieux’s hometown of Niafunke in Northern Mali.

Nation Beat represents Modiba's first foray into Africa’s Diaspora in South America, a Brazilian-American band that has introduced an unprecedented and intoxicating mix of northeastern Brazilian rhythms with the styles of the deep American South, including bluegrass, old-time country, and second line New Orleans funk. Nation Beat leader Scott Kettner is a recent US State Department Latin Jazz Ambassador and long-time collaborator with world-renowned masters Frank London of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics (who are featured on three tracks on the upcoming album) and Brazilian percussion master Cyro Baptista. Lead singer Liliana Araujo has been stunning audiences with her soaring, virtuosic vocals and irresistible charm since her recent success on “Fama,” Brazil’s “American Idol.” 10% of proceeds from the group’s much anticipated 2008, Modiba-produced album will be donated to Corpos Percussivos, an organization directed by Pernambuco superstar percussionist Jorge Martins, which is dedicated to uplifting and teaching arts and culture to street children in Recife, Brazil.

The buzz continues to build for Sierra Leone's mega-star hip-hop and dancehall trio, Dry Yai. Dry Yai's Bajah and the Baw-Waw Society (AKlass and Dovy), are often hailed as “the voice of the youth” of war-torn Sierra Leone. Selling out soccer stadiums and plastered all over billboards in Freetown, the three members of Dry Yai continue to rock their small West African nation with a positive message for the youth and radio dominating hits like “Grap en Clap”, “Angel”, and “City Line,” making them essential figures in a nation in which over half the voters are under 35 years old. Famously featured in the soundtrack to the acclaimed political thriller Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly, Bajah and Dry Yai have subsequently gained the support of artists such as Wyclef Jean, Talib Kweli and Moby. Dry Yai also appeared in the film Bling: A Planet Rock, starring Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, Paul Wall, Tego Calderon along with their host, former child soldier and bestselling author Ishmael Beah, and produced in conjunction with VH1, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and Article 19 Films. In August, Dry Yai released a powerful single, “Ease Di Tension” — produced by Modiba in association with OkayPlayer and Nomadic Wax — to encourage a peaceful and healthy democratic election in Sierra Leone. The single was on regular rotation on Sierra Leone radio prior to the August 11th elections, and NPR’s Marco Werman hailed: “Any of Sierra Leone’s candidates could have written down Dry Yai’s lyrics and easily transformed them into a winning platform…the central message of these three young men in Dry Yai is well worth listening to.”

Member Since:

June 23, 2007

Record Label:

Modiba