This month, the Marvel movie Black Panther will hit the theaters. The film combines elements of science fiction, magical realism, and African history, which represents the concept of Afrofuturism. The term was coined by the writer Mark Dery in his 1994 essay, “Black to the Future.” This week on Rhythm Lab Radio, in honor of the film we have put together a special Afrofuturistic mix featuring artists that explore Afrofuturism in their lyrics and sound.
Unlike the soundtrack, this mix features multiple genres from the African diaspora from jazz to afrobeat to drum n bass and everything in between.
In the first hour, you will hear tracks from Sun Ra, Black Coffee, Fela Kuti, Grace Jones, Janelle Monae, ESG, Cybotron, Inner City and more.
In the second hour, you will hear tracks from Detroit techno legend Derrick May, Outkast, Suzi Analogue, Flying Lotus, The Rotary Connection, Laura Mvula, and more.
Listen to the show and check out the Spotify playlist below.
Tracklisting
HOUR 1
Sun Ra & His Myth Science Arkestra - “Love In Outer Space”
-break-
Fela Kuti - “Let’s Start”
Funkadelic - “Music For My Mother”
Grace Jones - “I’ve Seen That Face Before”
ESG - “U.F.O.”
Cybotron - “Clear”
Sammus - “Crown”
J*Davey - “Mr. Mister”
DJ Mujava - “Township Funk”
Mi Casa - “Africa Shine” feat. Black Coffee
Inner City - “Good Life”
Janelle Monae - “Dance or Die” feat. Saul Williams
Shy FX - “Raver” feat. Kano, Donae’o & Roses Gabor
HOUR 2
Carl Craig - “At Les (Versus Edit Version)”
-break-
Derrick May - “Strings of Life”
Attica Blues - “The Man”
Ebony Bones - “W.A.R.R.I.O.R.”
Outkast - “B.O.B.”
Laura Mvula - “Phenomenal Woman”
Suzi Analogue - “Gurl Sweatshirt”
Bahamadia - “Pep Talk”
Goldie - “Kemistry”
THEESatisfaction - “QueenS”
Flying Lotus - “Tea Leaf Dancers” feat. Andreya Triana
4Hero - “The Awakening” feat. Ursula Rucker
Rotary Connection - “I Am The Black Gold of the Sun”
Roots Manuva - “Movements”
