This week, in the second episode of our new Afropop Closeups podcast series, we hear the story of a boundary-breaking collaboration between rapper Art Melody from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and kologo player Stevo Atambire from the north of Ghana, known as "Mabiisi."
United by common languages and cultural traditions, but divided by national borders and colonial heritage, the two artists met in Accra in December 2014 to record their debut album, out now on Akwaaba Music. Producer Morgan Greenstreet was on hand to witness this unique collaboration. Alongside interviews and behind the scenes recordings, he also captured some candid photographs of the sessions at Last Chance Studios in Accra:
The Dzorwulu neighborhood of Accra, Ghana
Stevo Atambire and Art Melody relaxing between takes at the studio
Stevo with his instrument, the kologo
Mabiisi in action
Benjamin Lebrave at the controls
Mabiisi also performed live at the Sabolai Radio Festival
Benjamin Lebrave of Akwaaba Music and Mantse Aryeequaye of Sabolai Radio
