the yes! effect - can one word change the world? yes!
yes! effect music
Discover new music and artists in the next evolving phase of the yes! effect. We’re featuring a diverse roster of international artists and music to help continue the message of “yes!”.
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read about our yes! effect artists:
- Baaba Maal
- Baka Gbiné
- Karen David
- Brice Wassy
- Sipho Gumede
- HKB Finn
- Industrial Salt
- Los Coquillos
- Circuits
- Busi Mhlongo
- Alphousseyni Kouyate
about baaba maal
Baaba Maal is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. In addition to acoustic guitar, Baaba also plays percussion. He has released several albums, both for independent and major labels. Born 12 November 1953, he was made a UNDP Youth Emissary in July 2003.
Since his father was a fisherman, Baaba was expected to become a fisherman as well. However, under the influence of his lifelong friend Mansour Seck, Baaba devoted himself to learning music from his mother and his school‟s headmaster. He went on to study music at the university in Dakar, before leaving for postgraduate studies on a scholarship at Beaux-Arts in Paris. He has become quite famous in Africa, and is also the most internationally-famous musician from Senegal, with the possible exception of Youssou N'Dour.
Baaba sings primarily in Pulaar, and is the foremost promoter of the traditions of the Pulaar-speaking peoples who live on either side of the Senegal River in the ancient Senegalese kingdom of Futa Tooro. And on 7 July 2007 Maal performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.
about baka gbiné
Baka Gbiné recorded his debut album “Gati Bongo” live in the rainforest of Cameroon. It comes as the result of regular visits to the Baka's homeland by British members of Afro- Celtic band Baka Beyond.
Martin Cradick and Su Hart of Baka Beyond have regularly stayed with the Baka in Africa, taking and donating a number of guitars as part of 15 year collaboration. Using these guitars alongside traditional instruments made in the forest, the Baka Pygmies have created their own band, Baka Gbiné - together with a distinct and irresistible musical style.
The album was recorded using a solar-powered mobile studio set up under a giant tree deep in the forest, and completed in England at Martin Cradick's studio in Bath. Two songs from the album, title track 'Gati Bongo' and 'Mosumana Collé', were released on iTunes in January 2006.
Music is an integral part of life for the members of Baka Gbine and their community. Song and rhythm are essential to their lives for many reasons, including the sheer fun they bring. The Gati Bongo album captures this sense of fun perfectly, bringing this joyous, spiritual and vibrant music to an international audience.
Royalties earned by Baka Gbine are channeled back to the Baka musicians and their communities through the UK based charity Global Music Exchange. This money has already enabled them to win land rights and recognition as Cameroonian citizens, as well as funding the building of a medical centre and a beautiful 'music house'. These positive steps help protect the Baka's forest environment and unique hunter-gatherer way of life.
about karen david
A talented artist whose star quality shines through everything she puts her passion to, Karen describes her music as an extension of who she is and a reflection of her journey and her dreams. Karen believes the gift of music is a powerful and universal language, one which has the ability to break down barriers and biases. “If my music can bring some peace and happiness, then that is my best reward by far! I hope people who listen to my music can relate to similar experiences.”
Karen was born in Shillong, at the foot of the Himalayas, raised in Toronto and now lives in London, where expected boundaries of music don‟t confine her either. In fact, she believes her music transcends cultures, describing it as a crossover from her heritage and roots to mainstream. “I was born to a half Chinese/Kasi mother and a father from Chennai, so it was important for me to celebrate my roots, but also to mix it with the mainstream influences I had growing up with in Canada and have now living in London. I call my music exotic pop.”
The stylish singer, songwriter and actress has been focusing on completing her debut album, “Me Versus Me.” She‟s been working with an A-list team that includes the beautiful, eclectic Bombay Dub Orchestra (Garry Hughes and Andrew T Mackay), songwriter-producers Rob Wells, Damian Legassick, Andy Bradfield and, of course, A R Rahman. The breathtakingly-original songs marry her velvet-smooth voice and quirky insights with progressive dub pop, set against an exotic backdrop that could only have been painted by Karen David.
about brice wassy
Brice Wassy belongs to the generation of African musicians who came over to France during the first half of the „70s to embark on an international career. After starting out playing cooking pots and frying pans, between the ages of 7 and 12 Brice found himself in different bands in Yaoundé, Cameroon. And he has been in the world of music ever since!
He arrived in Paris in 1974, where he played with Wally Badarou, then Manu Dibango for six years. In 1981, during the recording of the “Waka Juju” album, qualities that by then had already been widely acknowledged throughout the music scene were thrown into sharp relief.
A highly-skilled drummer, he has played with Pierre Akendengé (Gabon), Francis Bebey (Cameroon), Uta Bella (Cameroon), Busi Mhlongo, Touré Kounda (Senegal), Daniel Balavoine, Louis Chédid, Jacques Higelin (France) and many others, as well as jazzmen (who appreciate his mastery of ternary music), such as Colin Walcott, Don Cherry, Graham Haynes and Jim Pepper (USA).
Inhabited by the various rhythms of Cameroon, his homeland, and by the influence of everything he has played elsewhere, Brice started to write his own music, meeting with immediate success. In 1991, he co-produced Jean-Luc Ponty‟s album, recruited the musicians and composed most of the tracks, including the piece that gave the album its name: “Tchokola.”
From 1994, after playing on the album "SORO", Brice became the musical director of Salif Keita‟s band for six years, and then regularly played with Myriam Makeba. He was part of Tam-Tam l‟Europe (a group of 9 drummers also starring Francis Lassus, Mocktar Samba and Paco Serry). He frequently performs in the best jazz venues in Paris. Brice assumes the role of artistic director for recordings by major names in African music, such as Anne Marie Nzi and Oumou Sangaré. But his main focus is composing and playing his own music, “Kù Jazz,” harnessing the boundless wealth of rhythms deeply rooted in Africa, fostering a kaleidoscope of encounters. Emerging from beneath the amazing complexity of “Kù Music,” the simplicity of “AfricanJazz Dance” incites us to feel the music, the whole music, and nothing but the music…
about sipho gumede
Coming soon...
about hkb finn
HKB FiNN, aka Andrew Ward, is a spoken-word artist from the UK, whose combination of provocative poetry, innovative raps and original music embodies the worldly influences present in a cosmopolitan city like London. Born to Maltese parents in the Caribbean, FiNN was a resident of Africa by age four. But regardless of where he comes from he is a true believer that we are all citizens in one large community. HKB hopes that his music will bring smiles, movement and enjoyment to people all over the world!
In addition to being one of hip hop‟s most distinctive artists, FiNN has a way of transcending cultures and borders through music that communicates grand ideas and emotions. Part reggae, part West African, part jazz, his brand of alternative hip hop is filled with elegance and verve rare in this type music. His music incorporates many different acoustic traditions which allow people from almost any background to enjoy what he does.
The former front man of the UK band Katch 22, FiNN has recorded and performed across several genres and with various groups and organizations. Since his debut as a solo artist, FiNN has released 5 successful albums, all of which received praise by the public and press alike. So what‟s his secret? FiNN says, “Only you can give up on your dreams. Never give up on your dreams.”
about industrial salt
Industrial Salt consists of Hayley Bonnick on guitar and backing vocals and Alex Stamp on vocals and electric piano – two girls with plenty of attitude, and a passion for music who met during 2004 and hit it off immediately. The band name was a direct lift from a Chemistry textbook that Hayley was referring to while doing her homework one night. “I just thought it was a great name for a band,” she joked. “I never thought it would stick!”
During 2004 and 2005, the band worked together to record their first album “A Pocket Full of Magnetic Letters,” and signed to Flying Saucer Music for a release in Japan through Sony Music.
Sick of a UK music industry the girls have sought a different route to the top. The first territory to release their material was Japan, in 2005. Once they have established a name for themselves in the hearts and minds of the Japanese, they hope to forge their way home, westward in a blaze of glory.
about los coquillos
Founded in the Canary Islands in 1990, the rock band Los Coquille made up of Gines Cedres, Miguel Cedres, Miguelo Arencibia and Andres Alvaradohas has managed to break the patience of six bassists, three keyboardists, four managers and a camel in their long history. Their first album, “The Perfect Crime,” was recorded in a fit of euphoria, enduring endless sessions with teacher Alfredo Santana. Despite the lack of any marketing budget, the disc was a success. The secret was the pure pop of the singles. After “Guardian Angel,” in their third album, “Old Hero,” they added a more distorted guitar sound to the pop. "Until Dawn" featured a very direct approach, while "All the Faces that Were" is a compilation of studio retakes, alternate tracks and songs that didn‟t make their previous records.
Los Coquille has twice played in the International WOMAD Festival (in Caceres and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), sharing the stage with artists like Joaquin Sabina, Los Rodriguez, Palmera, Celtas Cortos, Carmen Paris and Mastretta. The band has received many honors and awards for their music, and headlined the Carnival of Las Palmas in 2001, taking an indefinite break after that concert. Then in June 2004, the new song “Drunk until Dawn” hit the Internet. Before long, it was getting heavy airplay on some radio stations in making its way to Colombia. In a few months it reached the top of the charts there. That December, the Argentinean group Vilma Palma e Vampiros released "Drunk till Dawn" as the first single from their new album. They further popularized the song, playing it all through their tour of Latin America and the United States.
about circuits
According to band mates Benny, Nicky, Simon and Nick – aka Junior – what they do playing music can‟t really affect the world. “Four boys who play guitars can never exceed or be a greater size than a particular time or place, regardless of how nostalgic people get about music.” But fans don‟t think as modestly about them as they think about themselves; this is a small band making a big impact on the music scene around the world! The band‟s music was first, and continues to be, well received at home in England and abroad.
Described by The Guardian as “punchy, with a sense of purpose... Circuits could be huge, conquer stadiums and save rainforests.” Circuits are led by singer Benny, who confesses that he “lied his way into show business,” alluding to his talent as the original bassist. Co-founder and guitarist Nicky recruited a proper bassist, Simon, and Brummie drummer Nick. But together, they make up more than just four Brits with guitars and drums. Theirs is a story that builds; they journey through the world today with a positive attitude and a powerful message on education believing that it‟s fundamental for every child, and believe it is scary how powerful learning can be.
about busi mhlongo
A virtuoso singer, dancer and composer, Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, aka Busi Mhlongo, and her music defy categorization. Drawing on various South African styles, such as Mbaqanga, Maskanda, Marabi and traditional Zulu and fused with contemporary elements from jazz, funk, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and west african music, she is an artist that produces a fresh and exciting sound. “Zulu is my home language and all my songs are in Zulu, but the message is understood globally simply because the power of music comes from the universe and has no borders” Her infectious music and singing style have a universal appeal, and her lyrics carry powerful and poignant messages that all translate to one of her greatest beliefs “Make use of your talent spreading the good word!”
Spreading the good word is exactly what she does. Currently, Busi is spreading her message around the world with her new Maskanda album “Urbanzulu;” which before now is a style of South African minstral folk music traditionally performed only by men. Busi has accomplished an amazing achievement as a woman of South Africa with this album obtaining commercial success with an international audience. Busi describes her country as one with a high crime rate, but with her music she declares her message as one of Peace and Reconciliation.
In 2000, Busi scooped three awards at the FNB South African Music Awards for Best Female Artist, Best Adult Contemporary Album (Africa) and Best African Pop Album. Since then, she has scored a Kora Award, and Melthas and has released a compilation, called “Indiza,” with two new tracks, produced by Brice Wassy, and a series of remixes by Club 3.30. In addition to the barriers she continues to break, Busi was honoured at the first South African Music Benefit held by the South African Broadcasting Corporation, which not only celebrated her birthday but also helped raise money for Busi‟s treatment after her diagnosis with Cancer.
about alphousseyni kouyate
As the founder of Dialia, a vibrant sound that accompanies songs with powerful messages about the history of Senegal, respect for ancestors, poverty and the importance of education, Aphousseyni Kouyate is no stranger to working with children. He descends from the Diabate family, known worldwide as master kora players. The band has performed in school programs in Senegal, Gambia and Mali and also large festivals throughout Senegal.
Formed in 1992, Dialia, which means “griot” or storyteller in Mandingo, is a group of musicians from Senegal who sing in the traditional language of Mandingo and play traditional homemade West African instruments. With his music Aphousseyni hopes to have a positive effect on the world by integrating other people throughout the world and exchanging experience.
Still, keeping a tight hold on culture and tradition, this group makes their own homemade instruments. It is Dialia‟s hope that they will carry the tradition of ancient Senegalese music to generations to come, teaching young people the history of traditional instruments and songs as they were played by their ancestors. In a climate of rapid change and adaptation to Western standards and culture, bands like Dialia will ensure the preservation of these inspirational traditions.
