Kwanzaa

Label: Kwanzaa
Format: CD (Official Compilation / Mixed / Limited Edition)
Release Date: 2011 (Japan)
Genre: Conscious Hip Hop /Afrocentric / African Diaspora

About the Release
Kwanzaais a powerful and deeply intentional official mix CD by DJSARASA, created in collaboration with KWANZAA Tokyo and released on DJ Honda Recordings and Mynority Classics. More than just a mix, this project is a cultural statement. Through her global lens, DJ SARASA curates voices from across the African diaspora. From South African MCs like Rattex and Konfab, to African-American icons such as Dead Prez, The Roots, and Erykah Badu, and even Japanese artist Cello a.k.a. Massan, this mix bridges continents while honoring shared ancestral roots. Beyond hard-hitting hip hop, SARASA also features soulful, live-band recordings from artists like Blitz the Ambassador, Tumi and the Volume, and Nigeria’s Nneka—highlighting the rhythmic depth and conscious energy that defines African-rooted music. The title Kwanzaa—Swahili for “first fruits”—is no coincidence. Just as the holiday celebrates African heritage and self-determination, DJ SARASA’s mix takes listeners on a sonic harvest: deep, rich, and full of life. It’s groove-heavy, politically awake, and spiritually grounding—a tribute to the global experience told through music.

Tracklist
1. Ali Shaheed Muhammad Interview 1990 over Zaki Ibrahim’s Acapella (DJ SARASA Edit)
2. Blitz the Ambassador – Something to Believe
3. Soul Nana feat. Brother J and Kobi Onyame – We Go Go
4. Cello a.k.a. Massan – Obaba
5. M.anifest – 2nd Coming PSA (prod. Katrah-Quey)
6. Rattex – The Government
7. Jon Connor – The Message (prod. Optiks)
8. Tumi and The Volume – People, People
9. Dead Prez – Hip Hop
10. Nneka – Heartbeat feat. Talib Kweli
11. K-OS – Sunday Morning
12. Nneka – Suffri
13. The Roots – I Will Not Apologize
14. Erykah Badu – Ain’t No Mistaken feat. Big Tuck
15. Ben Sharpa feat. Konfab – Statement
16. M.anifest – Golly Gosh
17. Sub Z, Snazz D (prod. Ootz the Afronaut) – Best of Both Worlds
18. Tony Nobody – Respect
19. AKIR – Kunta Kinte
20. Archetypes – Ultimatum (Ultimate Statement)
21. K-Meleon – [Title unclear due to print issue]
22. GMB / Gery Mendes – Mr. Entity
23. Jaak – Soete 16
24. Pangea Project – Worlds Collide
25. Kamau – Old Soul
26. Shad K. feat. Bernadette Kabango – I’ll Never Understand
27. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Balicky Bom

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