The music platform has partnered with Nyege Nyege for this short documentary, accompanied by an energetic compilation, Music for the Eagles.
SCENES: East African Underground tells the story of a group of innovative artists building a creative community and sharing it on a global scale, powered by future-forward music that pushes the boundaries of hip-hop, experimental electronics, dance, and sounds from throughout the region. The video features commentary from these artists and others creating diverse, multi-faceted sounds across the scene, featuring DJ Slikback, Aunty Rayzor, Otim Alpha, KMRU, Boutross, and Nyege Nyege Festival co-founder Derek Debru. Some of these are present on Music for the Eagles, the Nyege compilation released for the occasion. “Nyege Nyege and SoundCloud share a love for underground music and community building,” said Derek Debru. “Music for the Eagles is both music that engages audiences in new sonic territories and also an opportunity for many emerging artists to get a formidable spotlight to further their career and engage with global audiences.”
With 14 never-before released tracks from emerging scenes on the continent, Music for the Eagles features exclusive works from big local cats, and introduces up-and-coming talents representing a variety of unique genres. Artists featured include local heroes such as Nairobi-based rapper, singer and producer Boutross, traditional adungu and nanga harp master and singer Otim Alpha and Tanzanian producer Jay Mitta who made a name for himself through a unique take on singeli music. The album also introduces up and coming talents like Kenyan future-pop artist KABEAUSHÉ, Ugandan grime, hip-hop and punk master MC Yallah and dynamic rapper Ecko Bazz. Beyond East Africa, acts like Durban’s Phelimuncasi, with their signature style of Gqom, are represented as well as razor sharp Nigerian rapper Aunty Rayzor and many more from a diverse range of underground scenes.
Music for the Eagles, out on Nyege Nyege and Soundcloud now.
Listen to Music for the Eagles in our afro + club playlist on Spotify and Deezer.
