BBC Radio 1Xtra heads to Ghana for Destination Africa 2015

BBC Radio 1Xtra heads to Ghana in March to bring back a host of exclusive content for Destination Africa 2015 – a celebration of some of the most exciting sounds of Africa.

Ghana has an incredibly vibrant music scene so for the on-air project, BBC Radio 1Xtra will travel in and around the capital city Accra, to explore, discover and meet some of the biggest artists from the region. The results of the trip are special programmes, interviews, videos, exclusive Live Lounge performances and takeovers from UK and African artists which can be heard on 1Xtra from 14-28 March.

One aspect of the Destination Africa programming is a UK & Ghana Music Exchange, where 1Xtra Breakfast presenter Twin B links up a BBC 

Introducing producer, a UK artist of Ghanaian descent and a Ghanaian artist, to create a brand new and exclusive track. The artists and producers in question are Mobo award-winner and no. 3 on the BBC Sound of 2015 poll Stormzy; BBC Introducing artist Jay Vades; and Ghanaian artist JoJo Abot.

The trio, who have never met or worked together before, will start work on the track over the internet, before meeting up in Accra at the beginning of March to write and record the track together. The fruits of their work will be heard for the first time on air on the 16 March and will be added to the 1Xtra playlist in the BBC Introducing slot.

For the UK & Ghana Music Exchange, BBC Radio 1Xtra will partner with BBC World News Focus On Africa programme – the TV show which looks at the biggest African and international stories. Whilst in Ghana, Twin B will be reporting into his co-presenter Yasmin Evans on 1Xtra Breakfast and will provide filmed packages for Focus On Africa to keep the audience updated on how the project is taking place.

BBC Radio 1Xtra is also working with the commissioner of The Space, the exciting new digital art and website where visitors can explore new work made by the most talented contemporary artists from around the world. The Space and BBC Radio 1Xtra have co-commissioned an interactive film to accompany the ‘BBC Introducing track’. It will be made by two young filmmakers, under the guidance of a BBC Arts director, and will feature the artists in and around Accra for an innovative music video for the track.

Twin B, 1Xtra Breakfast presenter, says: “I’m going home to Ghana and I can’t wait to get out there to connect some of the best emerging UK talent with the authentic and exciting music coming out of Ghana.”

Stormzy, says: “I’m most excited about going back to the roots of where I come from. I’ve got family in Ghana but I haven’t been there for about ten years and a lot has happened in that time! I’m really looking forward to getting into the studio with Jay and JoJo and seeing what comes out – its three very different sounds and worlds coming together in unison for the project and anything can come out of it, I think it’s going to be sick!” Continue here

 

Credit: The British Blacklis