DJ Katapila will join our favourite Ghanaian rap enigma on the road.
Tape digging specialists Awesome Tapes From Africa, the blog-turned-label operated by Brian Shimkowitz, turned 10 years old this year and to cap off the celebrations, two of the label’s greatest finds have announced European shows throughout October and November.
Ata Kak is the mysterious figure behind the inaugural post on the Awesome Tapes blog, an addictive mid-90s tape of boogie-rap silliness called Obaa Sima, which Shimkowitz found in a market stall in Ghana. Tracked down some 20 years after the cassette’s initial release, this year Ata Kak took his live show on the road for the first time.
His tour continues with a string of UK and Europe dates this autumn alongside his countryman DJ Katapila, whose high-octane interpretations of traditional dance styles also have a home on the label (check out last year’s Trotro), while Shimkowitz will DJ in support.
Ethiopian keyboard and accordion legend Hailu Mergia will also be taking his hypnotic Ethio-jazz on tour, playing with Swedish experimental singer Sofia Jernberg on three dates and with support from Tony Buck and Mike Majkowski.
Read FACT’s interview with Ata Kak about the making of an awesome tape from Africa and find out more about Hailu Mergia’s music and Ethiopia’s golden age.
Check the tour dates below.
Tour dates:
Ata Kak, DJ Katapila and ATFA (DJ)
Oct 12 – Bristol UK // The Lantern
Oct 14 – Manchester UK // Hidden
Oct 15 – Amsterdam NL // De Marktkantine
Oct 19 – Brighton UK // Patterns
Oct 20 – London UK // Corsica Studios
Oct 22 – Berlin DE // ACUD (DJ Katapila & ATFA only)
Hailu Mergia w/ Tony Buck & Mike Majkowski
Oct 08 – Utrecht NL // Rasa
Oct 09 – Antwerpen BE // Het Bos
Oct 10 – Stockholm SE // Stockholm Jazz Festival
Oct 11 – London UK // Café OTO
Oct 13 – Montreuil // Instants Chavires
Oct 14 – CH St. Gallen // Palace
Oct 15 – AT Graz // steirischer herbst
Oct 16 – DE Berlin // Silent Green
Sofia Jernberg & Hailu Mergia
Oct 10 – Stockholm SE // Stockholm Jazz Festival
Oct 20 – Malmö SE // Inkonst
Oct 21 – Köln DE // Stadtgarten – Night of Surprise
