Another DOPE Africa Incorporated in the books, Y’ALL!

This Thursday, October 29th, we took a musical journey through generations of Soul, House, Alternative R&B and Hip Hop, eventually finding our way to that unmistakable NEW YORK sound! And the beautiful thing about this show? We finished right where we started!

We kicked things off with Yvonne Fair’s “Let Your Hair Down,” a classic Soul recording that Jay-Z later sampled for “Where I’m From.” I love bringing these original records into the show because they remind us just how deeply Hip Hop is connected to the music that came before it.

From there, Inner City brought that Detroit House energy with “Big Fun,” followed by Neneh Cherry’s “Buffalo Stance.” Two records that helped us move into a different musical atmosphere before stepping into the alternative sounds of N.E.R.D, Kelis and Tyler, The Creator.

N.E.R.D’s “She Wants to Move” brought that Funk and Hip Hop energy, Kelis followed with “Perfect Day,” and Tyler slowed things down beautifully with “Treehome95,” featuring Coco O. and Erykah Badu. Different musical personalities, but all connected through creativity and a willingness to explore beyond traditional genres.

Then we moved into another generation of Hip Hop with Domani, before bringing some CHICAGO flavor into the afternoon!

Chance The Rapper’s “Smoke Break,” featuring Future, and VIC MENSA’s “Orange Soda” kept things moving. Growing up in Chicago, I always enjoy hearing how artists from my city approach the culture with their own personalities and sounds.

But after that Chicago stretch, WE WERE HEADING EAST!

Jadakiss opened our New York run with “Kisses To The Sky,” followed by A.G. and “Andre The Giant.” Then Lost Boyz brought back that classic Queens flavor with “Music Makes Me High.”

MAN, I LOVE THIS ERA OF HIP HOP!

Method Man & Redman stepped in with “Y.O.U.” from Blackout!, bringing that unmistakable chemistry and lyrical energy. Then Dave East and Harry Fraud kept the NYC connection alive with “Diamonds.”

Different generations, different approaches, but that New York Hip Hop identity was present throughout!

And then it was time to bring everything FULL CIRCLE!

We closed with Jay-Z’s “Where I’m From” from In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, bringing us right back to the Yvonne Fair recording that opened the afternoon.

That’s one of my favorite things about Hip Hop culture. A Soul record from an earlier generation becomes part of something completely new, connecting musicians, producers, DJs and MCs across decades.

And that’s exactly what I wanted y’all to hear!

From classic Soul to Detroit House, Alternative R&B, Chicago Hip Hop and straight into NEW YORK CITY, the musical connections were everywhere!

MUSIC • CULTURE • CONNECTION!

That’s what we do here on Africa Incorporated. Exploring the sounds, sharing the history, and celebrating the creativity that keeps this music moving forward.

Another DOPE Africa Incorporated in the books with DIESAL! 🎶🔥