mabili

Mabili Kregg Ajamu

(Rhythm Republik)

Interview 10 March 2006

http://www.funkshunalentertainment.com/RhythmRepublik.htm

On March 10 2006 I set up a meet with Mabili and we met at my hotel room. Steve Wallace arrived first and the interview with him is elsewhere on the site. Mabili arrived later and we had a long discussion /interview about a whole range of things – but I am embarrassed to say that the tape didn’t come out and I lost it all –this is the first time this has happened and I deeply apologise. It is a shame because we spoke for ages on a variety of matters, musical and beyond. He is especially enthusiastic about Steve Wallace and the Progressive Soul Muzik Tour of which more later.

Suffice to say Mabili is a hugely infectious character, enthusing all the time. If a fraction of this rubs off on any of his artists then they will be all the better for it and will deserve to be superstars.

Mabili is the key man, founder, bandleader, musical light behind Rhythm Republik, who are a self contained musical entity, based heavily on funk, very much based on a live musical experience, is diverse, soulful lyrically and labelled Progressive Black Music.

Republik have become an institition in and around New York, and they are very proud of that fact, indeed maybe evn more proud to be Brooklyn! He is especially proud of Brooklyn and in putting down some festival type venues for next year Brooklyn wil come first, before Manhattan. A’veteran’of New York Funk & Soul.

Mabili is an encyclopaedia of funk and draws from that heavily citing Maurice White and more latterly Prince as heroes and profound influences., but there is a whole heap of other stuff in there from Sly Stone, Parliament/ Funkadelic, Zapp and so onLyrically love songs are secondary, promarily he draws on messages, political statement, social commentary, culture and life. Mabili is a strong character, with strong beliefs and is helpful to his community, his culture and his people (an I mean that in the closest sense, those near to him, and in th ewider global sense), and stands strong for that.

Republik have been standing strong for over 10 years now, with Mabili at the helm. Plans are now being made to take it to the next level, to the wider stage with a large tour being formulated. This will start on the East Coast but the plan is to take it to the rest of the World.

Independence is also key, the show will feature Republik, others from their stable, most particularly Steve Wallace, but is likely to contani other prominent Independent acts…but this will be a big show that when it comes off will be a milestone in showing what Independent can do.

has been an opening act for artists such as Teena Marie, Fertile Ground, Steel Pulse, Julie Dexter, The Family Stand, The Funky Meters, Leo Nocentelli, Zapp & Roger Troutman (late), Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors, the Last Poets and The Wallflowers (Jakob Dylan) The band has participated in various food and clothing drives for the homeless. They've also supported freedom efforts against global genocide in the African Sudan and raised $10,000 with many different bands for death row activist/Black Panther/journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal toward his continued legal defense.

Through www.funkshunalentertainment.com , MABILI (Band leader) has produced/promoted over 400 shows for local, regional and national acts at S.O.B.'s, B.B. King's Blues Club & Grill, the Blue Note, Mercury Lounge, CBGB's, BAM CafÈ (Brooklyn Academy of Music) and the Wetlands-Preserve (ceased operation, September, 2001).

There is a strength, togetherness and unity within the band. For example Mabili told that one day he received a call quite a well known artist asking if Republik would do back up on a Nationwide tour. This would have been terrific exposure but there was a sting in the tail, the artist said that she would not have any other female singers on stage with her. This would have meant leaving Lenora Jaye, who I also spoke to briefly on th ephone and who Mabili regards as on the best singers he has known, behind. Who was let down? The artist had to look elsewhere for support.

Republik is self contained and very much Mabili’s operation, built around it he is always looking for New talent and pushing them forward, offering talent programming and career development.

We talked at length about the UK Scene and various people who he should contact, he already has a good knowledge of what kind of material is likely to go down well, and we scrutinised some of the tracks on Soul Congregation Rising with this in mind. Speaking of this album (reviewed elsewhere) it is interesting and good to see how Mabili puts together is beliefs, without compromise, into an environment where marketing can be key. He will not be compromised in any respect right down to the packaging, where he favours digipacks over jewel cases, as he is aware how much and to what extent artists, including independent artists, have been ripped off. (Digipacks being pretty impossible to duplicate, at least cheaply and without care)

We discussed many artists who he has worked with and has great affinity with and these included particularly Martha Redbone and Aaron Witby, Kelli Sae and Monet. It is also interesting to note from my point of view how often these three artists come to the top when talking to pretty much anybody in New York.

The Progressive Soul Muzic Tour

Plans are well under way for this project which will get underway in 2006. It will be predominantly Eastern Side of the US to strt with from Funk Central Minneapolis and taking in Atlanta, Charlotte, DC, Philly, Cincinayyi, New York (probably Celebrate Brooklyn Outdoors in Prospect Park in mid summer), Chicago, jersey, detroit, Buffalo and Albany.

Subsequently it could be taken elsewhere onto th eglobal stage.

If anybody is interested from Sponsorship or for booking contact me at mike@lifeandsoulpromotions.co.uk and I can pass it on or email Mabili at kajamu@funkshunalentertainment.com

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