Africa HiTech Live at Drake Hotel

While their XLR8R podcast from a few weeks back is definitely essential listening (in fact, it’s pretty mucha PhD thesis on the relationship between juke and jungle), Africa Hitech’s live set is what really needs your attention.

If you missed them smash LPR  in November, here’s a taste of their (very rewarding) live set. The first half is a bit of a history lesson – starting with some actual african music, and moving quickly through a few modern grime anthems and classic DMZ-style dubstep (as well as modern classics like Joes claptrap), Africa Hitech is showing us how we got to where we are today. A trio of tracks by new-school masters (LA’s jonwayne, Joker and Bok Bok) showcase a trend towards more emotive, soulful bass music before diving deep into the heaviest of dubs. The euphoria of Traxman’s Prince-sampling jam, Lifeeeee Is For Ever, marks the midpoint, and the calm before the storm.

A taste of juke from Philip D. Kick sets the stage for an absolutely ripping version of their calling card track, Out in the Streets. From there, it’s straight hyperspace business, as the next 23 tracks recklessly careen through 20 years of juke, jungle, hip-hop and dancehall, sounding ruthlessly futuristic the entire time. If the first half of this set is how we got here, and the second half is where we’re going (as a bass music culture), then perhaps Africa Hitech is suggesting that a key part of successful evolution is embracing our roots.

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1 – Nya Asem Hwe – City boys Band
2 – Where i belong – Scratcha DVA
3 – Bluku Bluku – D Double E
4 – 8 Barnaza – DOK
5 – Highs and lows – Wiley
6 – Notice now – Trim (Pedro 123 remix)
7 – Haunted – Coki
8 – Ice Rink Riddim – Riko
9 – Dollar sign – Stush
10 – Its late – Silkie
11- Claptrap – Joe
12 – New Epoch – Gothtrad
13 – Crumbled Luna – Jon Wayne
14 – Silo Pass – Bok Bok
15 – Trance Girl – Joker
16 – Revolution (Not Smiling songs) – Coki
17 – Elephant dub – Mark Pritchard
18 – Shaka the Warrior – House of deb players
19 – Lighter VIP – Champion

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20 – Lifeee is forever – Traxman
21 – The Darkest Hype (Philip D. Kick Remix) – Cadenza
22 – Out in the streets – Africa hitech
23 – Out in the streets VIP – Africa hitech
24 – Perfect Gain Structure – Krampfhaft
25 – Welcome to the Chi – Dj Rashad
26 – Heaven sent – Dj Rashad and Gant man
26 – Erotic heat – Jlin
27 – Cbat – Hudson Mohawke
28 – Horizons (Phillip D. Kick Remix) – LTJ Bukem
29 – I’ll Fly Away – Ballistic Brothers
30 – Y’all aint ready – Jay dee – Mark Pritchard remix
31 – Dirtbox – Harmonic 313
32 – Raise it up – Slum Village
33 – Lion – Harmonic 313
34 – Turn it on – Mark Pritchard/Steve Spacek
35 – This aint Tom and Jerry – Cousin Cockroach
36 – In her heart – Capleton
37 – Scud books – Hudson Mohawke
38 – Toothbrush Portamento – Dorian Concept
39 – Sound Murderah – Remarc
40 – England story – YT
41 – True stories – Krust
42 – Light the way – Africa hitech
43 – Viking 1 – Moondog