Mattoh at day 1 of the project in Arusha... more pics soon... this song is from G Kolezi in Likoni...

it is about producers who cheat.... or at least who don't fully support their artists... and shows that they keep going and are still making music... the instrumental was produced by GPE's Dope Boy producer in Asheville...  I will be holding off on posting the other songs from Likoni, and probably any video, (also some CHACHILLIE colabs!!) until I get back... more pics and music soon though...

http://soundcloud.com/ben-gradison/wazamani-rough-mix

I had to ignore the state dept and go through Mombassa (today and yesterday)... yes a bomb went off... and yes I am fine... a day late to Arusha, where I recieved a warm awelcome from LEAF International Teacher Fredy ktonga...I am safe and sound... the equiptment and Mattoh too... the ride was wild... very dusty... I saw big heard of elephants, some ostriges and other wild thuings without any need for a safari... As long as I have music I may never need to be a tourist again... tommorrow a new project... some of the brightest satudents in Tanzania I am told... eager for hip-hop producion skills and equiptment... and on their midterm break, stuck board at boarding school... the "D" is for destiny...

I will post pics... more music from TWAAYF soon... and maybe video... 

At yesterday's event where our kids performed... (how quickly I feel I can describe them that way)... I couldn't help but play for the local kids while things were getting set up and all were kind of hanging around staring at the Mzungu...  these kids (unlike the kids at TWAAYF) didn't speak a work of english except "yes"... and not much Swahili either (mostly Lago? I think)  how else could we communicate but to share songs... they and any nearby adults surely thought I was crazy... Maybe, a little.

Here is a shot from the event itself...

Young stars

A great evening session after a few day time sessions and classes... this time the kids (the orphanes of TWAAYF themselves got it in... woah! these tracks, this CD WOW! It will be hard to leave for Arusha...and then home... gotta keep moving... I hope very much to come back before too long. It is great to be here now.

1st fuller track to share... still could use collaborators (guitar fills?)... missing verse to be filled in here tomorrow...

Another one to build on... from just today... Rnb, soul, and christian artists be sure to check this out...

Any ideas on this one? send layers of wav files or mp3s to dstreetstudios@gmail.com (loops also usefull)
We have already recorded 5 songs... but a few are waiting to be ready or wouldn't upload right yet... I will post another possible colab in the morning (8hr difference to EST.)

I realize the main thing readers are interested in is the music... we have a good start on tracking, unlike the Colombia Project, most of the songs are being written while I am here, also, since we are going to post initial mixes, we want to make sure the mixes are decent, mixing 101 is today (monday was recording 101) so I should be able to post some tracks this evening.

Teaching production in the office (studio is grey room in previous post.... still under construction)

just outside the TWAAYF walls

kids getting into synths from the time of setup

Received a warm welcome here in Likoni... lots of excitement about this project... construction of a new space for the studio was in progress... ready to teach...

What a journey! 4 flights due to an unexpected stop in Bujamburu... several cabs and shuttles, a very long bus (from which I saw zebras and baboons) and a tuk-tuk... which crossed a ferry... I made it... gear and all... I will post pics etc soon, I have to buy airtime... (using someone else's right now....) music will start by tommorow.

On layover in Belgium... so far so good... I miss everybody, am certain this is exactly what I should be doing.

Where will I be? Here...

We have got it... Thanks to everyone... Producers: Ben Harrel, Dope Boy, Campaign, Chachillie, Chris Tege, John Stewart, Data Steve, and more to be added soon... everyone who has donated funds, loops, productions, equipment... thank you for making this possible! As you can see from these piles of gear.. it is really happening. I will put out individual thanks and recognitions once the list is complete... pay attention to this blog to stay involved and collaborate while the trip is in progress... build relationships with artists in Africa that can grow for years to come.

The equipment is coming in, the tickets are bought... I am working on lesson plans and project specifics, logistics etc... starting to get very excited. I will be posting content consistently while I am gone, enjoy and offer collaborations as you have ideas, we seek instrumentals, verses, loops and unfinished songs... send files to download or contact me before the 13th...