A mix for DiS' African afternoon by OLUGBENGA, best known as the bassist who plays with in Metronomy...

Jand. It's a Nigerian slang word for England and it seems appropriate here seeing as London's basically been my home for more than a decade now. Plus, Jand and Yankee (I'll let you work that one out) have long been the two Holy Grails for Nigerians who are looking to move out of the country.

This mix is kind of dedicated to the Nigerian diaspora with K'Naan as an honorary member partly because he did a tune with Wale, and mostly because 'TIA' is a phenomenal rap song. There's a direct Nigerian connection with every other artist in the mix even though they're based all over the world.
A conflicted sense of self (individually and collectively) comes with the territory for any second or third generation immigrant community and Nigerians around the world are no different. You get points for being born in the Old Country (point for me), points for knowing the tribal languages (nul point pour moi), and on and on. I guess more than anything for me, it's a feeling. I have Nigerian and British passports, but I feel Nigerian. Hearing people speak with Nigerian accents fills my heart with happiness wherever I am (and believe me, it can happen anywhere - Moscow, Kansas City, Luanda, Aberdeen).

Like the last time I did I mix for DiS, there's no afrobeat or highlife in sight. Below is a loose tracklist... Enjoy!

1. K'Naan - TIA
2. Wale feat. K'Naan - TV In The Radio
3. Rukus feat. Soul Brother - I'm Nigerian
4. Zee feat. Nosa - Standing
5. Oyinkansola feat. BrymO - Love Wan TinTin
6. Bloc Party - Ares
7. Blak Twang & Silvastone - Survival
8. Naira - Fly Hustle, Fresh Grind
9. Vocal Slender - Owo Yapa
10. Ghostpoet - Liines [OLUGBENGA ARES EDIT]
11. AKS - House Called Home

For more of DiS' African afternoon click here and for various things by and about Olugbenga, including lots more mixes, visit his blog: http://thegissilent.wordpress.com.