The Kafa Beanz - Andromeda: The Chronicles Of Blackopia, Volume 1 [2008] [usa+eth]

        The Kafa Beanz is a collective of solo artists who blend their Ethiopian culture and music with hip hop, soul, and alternative musical textures. The name “Kafa Beanz” is a play on words.  If one looks at a map of Ethiopia, there is the Kafa region where coffee is known to originate. Coffee was “discovered” by the Portuguese in Ethiopia in the middle ages.  Coffee is the primary export of Ethiopia to this day and considered the country’s most valuable export. This group of young artists, primarily of Ethiopian origin, wanted to express that the true value of Ethiopia is in the people, thus the name Kafa Beanz. 

        The Kafa Beanz formed in 2007 when a group of accomplished Ethiopian-American musicians, producers and vocalist who have been longtime fans of each other’s respective work decided to join forces. Their first project as a collective is entitled “Andromeda: The Chronicles of Blackopia  Vol. 1.”  The project’s title pays homage to Princess Andromeda who, according to Greek Mythology, was the daughter of Cassiopeia and Cepheus, the king of Ethiopia.

Gabriel Teodros - "Tizita"

          The Kafa Beanz consists of lead vocalists B Sheba(rapper /singer) and Burntface (rapper/producer) and is rounded out by Wayna (singer/songwriter), Gabriel Teodros (rapper), AP (rapper/singer) and various Special Guest Appearances including Hermela Mulatu (singer), daughter of Ethiopian Jazz Musician Mulatu Astatke.

        The Kafa Beanz is a group of solo artists who share a passion for Africa and a desire to expose their music to the world. Four of the five members are of Ethiopian origin, and the exotic sounds of East Africa are evident in their music.

        Despite having a sonic texture heavily influenced by 60s and 70s era Ethiopian Jazz music, The Kafa Beanz have a universal sound that has often been compared to The Fugees, Black Eyed Peas and Outkast. The Kafa Beanz effortlessly blends soulful vocal harmonies and poignant lyrics over an eclectic mixture of classic hip hop and futuristic world music. 

       Each member is an accomplished artist in their own right with their own respective fan bases. Their collective professional experience and talents make for a powerful and versatile combination that can rock a party crowd or tantalize a jazzy lounge or café. In a time when the traditional music industry paradigm is crashing in on itself, and genres are being disregarded, The Kafa Beanz are poised to be the future of world music.

The Kafa Beanz - 01 - Andromeda (1:45)

Wayna, Burntface - 02 - Let It Go (5:04)

Burntface, AP, B Sheba, Wayna - 03 - IRock (2:53)

Burntface, B Sheba, AP - 04 - AA++ (2:28)

B Sheba, Burntface, AP - 05 - Arada  (4:15)

AP, Wayna - 06 - Rebel (2:58)

B Sheba - 07 - Babylon Blues (4:35)

Burntface, B Sheba - 08 - History (3:05)

Wayna, Burntface - 09 - Love's Fool (3:24)

B Sheba, Hermela Mulatu, Burntface, Gabriel Teodros - 10 - Hope (4:43)

Burntface - 11 - Fly Away (3:45)

Burntface, B Sheba, Malik (30), Texx - 12 - Diaspora (3:41)

Gabriel Teodros, B Sheba - 13 - Tizita (4:07)

Wayna - 14 - Final Transmition (3:44)