African Cream Music is a South African record company that was established in 2001 with the aim of sharing the best African music with the world. They showcase some of the most talented musicians, artists and producers on the African continent.
The Start of the African Cream
After working in property development for many years, founder and CEO Alex Agulnik decided that creating a record label that celebrated African music was the best way to follow his passion. While involved with Digital Cupboard, the biggest Internet site in Africa at the time, Agulnik realised there was a huge international thirst for music from the African continent – and it needed to be quenched. And so, African Cream Music was born.
The Artists & Compilations
African Cream Music, through its acclaimed compilations, continuously strives to showcase top quality music, whether from established legends or promising youngsters. Hugh Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambaza, Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba and The Mohatella Queens, Papa Wemba, Salif Keita, Oliver Mtukudzi, Angelique Kidjo and Cesaria Evoria are just a few of the renowned musical icons who are featured alongside hot new talents like Malaika, Mafikizolo, Simphiwe Dana, Brickz and Zola to name but a few. Producers include acclaimed veterans of the music scene like Thapelo Khomo, Wendy Oldfield and Andre Abrahamse. African artists signed to the label include mbube masters Amaryoni, afro-fusion stars Khumbula, Namibian reggae artist Ras Sheehama, the multi-lingual Latino from Mozambique and kwaito talent Choppa.
African Cream Music′s CD Series
The popular Trip series is a collection of stunning tracks from Africa. The Great South African Trip Volume 1 & 2 feature the latest and the greatest musicians and hits, while The Great East African Trip, The Great Pan African Trip and The Essential South African Trip are all atmospheric expressions of the rhythms of Africa. The Great North African Trip and The Great West African Trip are in the pipeline.
The Afronsoniq series offers contemporary cutting-edge sounds: expect lounge, funk and groove with a definite African edge in albums such as Ambient Afrique and The African Lounge Experience from producers such as Afronauts and Mpemba Effect. Award-winningThapelo Khomo produced The African Groove Experience by “Spha” Bembe.
The Mother Africa series includes riveting albums like Healing Sounds from Mother Africa by iconic musician Pops Mohamed, Gospel from Mother Africa, Marimbas from Mother Africa and Voices from Mother Africa.
The Jazz series boasts an eclectic collection of jazz greats and original standards from the masters: check out A cappella group Amaryoni′s Marabi Moments, for example.
The Drum Series includes African Drum Masters, Drummers from Mother Africa and Marimbas from Mother Africa, which all resonate deeply with the heartbeats of Africa.
African Cream Kidz, launched in 2006, is a popular series of albums containing children′s stories, songs and lullabies. Under African Skies with songs by Wendy Oldfield, Lullabies from Mother Africa, Singalong Kidz and Goodnight Songs from Tina Schouw are all part of the African Cream Kidz series.
African Cream′s music is sold and distributed all over the world including Africa, Europe and America as well as in hotels, tourist destinations and lounge bars. Click on the Where To Buy tab for more information.
More about African Cream Music
Website: http://www.africancreammusic.com

Mica will be joined in Kibera by acclaimed Kenyan gospel musician Jimmy Gait, and KIN Trustees from the UK.

Mica Paris is one of the UK’s finest and most respected female singers with a career full of Top 10 hit singles and albums worldwide.

She recently recorded a long-awaited new album of original material featuring renowned guest singers and musicians to be released later this year.

Most recently Mica has been honoured as an “Icon” at Windsor Castle by the Duke of Edinburgh and performed at his 90th birthday celebrations.

Jimmy Gait is a sought after gospel Kenyan artist; recipient of the Kisima and Groove Awards.

He is also a visionary and his Make IT or Make IT campaign seeks to motivate people to believe in success in whatever they do. Jimmy recently joined with Riziki Kenya to dig pit latrines for Kibera residents.

The musical duo will use a trip to Kibera this weekend to highlight conditions in the massive slum, and seek support for KIN/Riziki Kenya projects.

“It is indeed an honour to be a patron of this great cause. Our children are our future. Please join me in reaching out to give these children and their families, living in such desperate conditions, a chance of a better life,” said Paris.

KIN and Riziki work closely together and support more than 200 Kibera children through school. There is a weekly feeding programme, vaccinations, medical support, outings, vocational training amid other projects.

More than 400 small business loans have also been made to Kibera businesses.

Born and raised by his mother in a struggling community on the south side of Houston, Lecrae moved around to several places giving him the versatile background and cultural awareness he carries with him. San Diego, Denver, and Dallas have also once been home to him and the street life he once idolized and pursued. Along the way, like many in the inner city, he took to rapping as a way of communicating his mind. It wasn’t until after high school that his hobby became a passion after his hip hop background was redeemed by Jesus Christ.

At 19 years old at the encouragement of a christian leader he attended a conference and heard James White delivering the message. In that moment, sitting in a chair, his world was flipped upside down as the Holy Spirit convicted him of his sin and need for a Savior. That day Lecrae was rescued by the Lord and began following after Christ. Almost instantly his renewed heart spilled over as he printed his testimony and passed it out enthusiastically all over his college campus at University of North Texas. The next 5 years included many struggles and victories before he teamed up to begin Reach Records, releasing his first album at the age of 25.

Calling Dallas home, Lecrae remained content using his gifts of speaking and rapping while volunteering at a juvenile detention center, but the Lord would have different plans and soon he began working on his debut “Real Talk”. Pouring out a genuine discussion of life issues andpassionate, unashamed pursuit of Jesus Christ, Real Talk was released to the world where he quickly became noted as an emcee that would meet listeners where they were by delivering
transparent, relatable, and impacting messages.

As Lecrae continued to make his mark in the music industry, he realized the stage wasn’t enough. He wanted to see deeper impact in urban culture. There needed to be a culturally relevant and biblically solid resource center to help train the next generation. Co-founding ReachLife Ministries in 2005, the non-profit organization exists to partner with organizations to equip local leaders with culturally relevant tools and media projects designed to strengthen communities with the word of God. ReachLife is another vital piece in the larger vision of seeing a reformation in urban culture.

Since formation, Lecrae has released the groundbreaking album After
the Music Stops and the first Christian Rap CD to ever sit in the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Top Gospel Charts, Rebel. Led by the
classic single Jesus Musik, After the Music Stops slowly spread to the mainstream market with other hits such as Praying For You and Send Me. Aimed to build an audience of disciples, the album sat on Soundscan Christian Hip Hop/R&B chart for two years after releasing in 2006. While in the No. 3 position, Rebel released in 2008 and claimed the No. 3 position on the secular iTunes Rap chart.

A graduate of University of North Texas, Lecrae now resides in the
inner city of Memphis, one of the nations most violent cities. A movement is brewing around the country with hungry, unashamed believers popping up in inner city communities everywhere. Lecrae is humbled to be a part of leading others towards Christ so that lives can be changed forever just like his changed years ago. With new avenues and strategic partnerships Lecrae prays that the impact from Reach will spread far beyond simply the music and into the lives of believers across the world.