Afropop Worldwide

The intercontinental collaboration spearheaded by Damon Albarn of Gorillaz and Blur fame, Africa Express, is back with a new single for an upcoming new album. Titled Egoli, the Xhosa word for Johannesburg, where the album was recorded over just seven days, the record is full of South African stars old and new, and will be released on July 12.

Hear the title track featuring Gruff Rhys, Morena Leraba, Radio 123 and Sibot, entitled “Johannesburg.”

In addition to Albarn, Egoli features: BCUC, Mahotella Queens, Blk Jks, Dominowe, Faka, Infamous Boiz, Moonchild Sanelly, Muzi, Nonku Phiri, Sho Madjozi, Zola 7, Zolani Mahola, maskandi guitar legend Phuzekhemisi, and the late DJ Spoko.

After two albums centered on West Africa and some folkloric artists, it'll be interesting to see how the group will work with South Africa's myriad different genres of electronic musics, and how its more traditional genres like maskandi will fit in.