Akwaaba Sem Transporte: First global release of Angolan kuduro

Kuduro is the most popular genre in Angola today. It has already made waves outside of Africa, most notably in Portugal, where it's been a club staple for over 15 years, but also in France and Europe, and more recently in North America with the 2009 tour of Portuguese group Buraka Som Sistema.

Akwaaba Music is now globally releasing the very first Angolan kuduro compilation, Akwaaba Sem Transporte. iTunes exclusive pre-release started August 4, then all other major digital music stores will follow September 8, 2009.

Transportation is difficult to come by in Luanda, the sprawling, overpopulated capital of Angola. Candongueiros, the blue and white minivans criss crossing the city, are never numerous enough. Imagine potholes, corrupt cops, beat up engines, Luanda's infamous traffic, and most importantly: distorted subwoofers pounding out the latest kuduro mixtapes.

Kuduro is the sound of the streets of Angola. Kuduro is the music kids hum and dance to. Kuduro is a way out of the ghetto. Kuduro has taken Angola by storm, since its creation in the mid-90s to its acceptance by the government only 3 years ago.

Yet Angolan kuduro is still far removed from the rest of the world, despite an increasing Western interest in kuduro, or at least its Portuguese and French cousins. "While major labels are competing in vulgarity and blandness with their kuduro compilations, we chose to bring the sound of Angola to your ears. Unpolished, untamed, grimy and raw."

You can find stories, videos, photos and sounds on Akwaaba Music's website, www.akwaabamusic.com