{"title":"DJ Katapila","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProducer and DJ \u003cen\u003eDJ Katapila\u003c\/en\u003e hails from Accra, Ghana. With a unique blend of electronic beats and traditional Ghanaian rhythms, he has carved out his own distinct sound in the music industry. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Ata Kak, Muslimgauze, and Dur-Dur Band, \u003cen\u003eDJ Katapila\u003c\/en\u003e brings a fresh perspective to the world of electronic music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown for his energetic live performances and infectious tracks, \u003cen\u003eDJ Katapila\u003c\/en\u003e has gained a loyal following both locally and internationally. His music seamlessly combines elements of Afrobeat, techno, and house, creating a captivating sonic experience that keeps audiences moving on the dancefloor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInfluenced by the vibrant music scene in Accra, \u003cen\u003eDJ Katapila\u003c\/en\u003e infuses his tracks with rich melodies and intricate percussion patterns. His ability to merge traditional African sounds with modern electronic production techniques sets him apart from other artists in the genre.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"trotro","title":"Trotro","description":"\u003cp\u003eDJ Katapila makes Ga traditional music using electronic sounds instead of live percussion to create his own kind of what he calls house music. In the context of Ghana's pop music landscape, Katapila's music is singular. The uptempo, bass-heavy, Roland 808-rooted sounds echo early 1990's Detroit techno and Chicago acid house more than the contemporary hiplife productions blasting across Ghanaian airwaves currently. However, the structure of Katapila's sound directly descends from Ga musical lineage found around Accra. Neo-traditional dance music forms gome, kpanlogo and gyama are there. DJ Katapila didn't start producing music until he was 39 years old. Around 1998, began chanting and rapping in Twi and Ga during instrumental breaks of songs he was DJing. He added Yamaha DD11 electronic drum pads and sampler and invented new creations on the fly. Katapila then began experimenting with program beats using Fruity Loops on his laptop. His music reflects his love for the international dance pop that filtered into Accra's radio waves in the '90s: Inner City's \"Big Fun\"; C\u0026amp;C Music Factory's \"Gonna Make You Sweat\"; Crystal Waters' \"Gypsy Woman\"; even Rick Astley hits, among many others. Katapila mixed international tunes with highlife - J.A. City Boys and AB Crentsil - as well as hiplife, Ghanaian gospel, Jamaican dancehall, soca and regional Francophone hits. This blend helped set the stage for Trotro and the inspired yet minimalist dance music Katapila now creates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Awesome Tapes From Africa","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50493786915147,"sku":"397707","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/bedc4459-a3af-407d-9165-dbcb04726922_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727700517"},{"product_id":"aroo","title":"Aroo","description":"\u003cp\u003eDJ Katapila's \u003ci\u003eAroo EP\u003c\/i\u003e is the latest addition to the iconoclastic producer's catalog of fast-paced, pan-West African-influenced dance music. From a young age, Ishmael Abbey was a beloved local DJ in Accra, Ghana's competitive and rapidly-evolving music galaxy. DJ Katapila's debut release with Awesome Tapes From Africa, 2016's reissue of Trotro, ignited international acclaim for the Ghanaian DJ and producer: The New York Times, Pitchfork, Resident Advisor and FACT heaped praise on his work. Katapila launched a touring career beyond his grueling schedule of all-night parties around Ghana's southern coast and neighboring countries, heading to Europe and the UK, where he performed at festivals and clubs the pasty two years. Katapila brought Ghana's street party culture to audiences overseas; a wave of joy and happy dancers were left in his wake. The song \u003ci\u003eAroo\u003c\/i\u003e useshis earlier song \u003ci\u003eCocoawra\u003c\/i\u003e as a jumping off point and expands upon its endearing quick-rhythmed interplay of vocal hiccups and percussive clinks. Katapila thinks of \u003ci\u003eAroo\u003c\/i\u003e as a simple math equation: “Francophone rhythms plus techno equals so hot and danceable.” While traveling this past summer in Europe, he continued to work on the minimalist electronic music steeped in his hometown rhythms that has made him a growing and singular voice in West African music. Having never travelled outside his region before, the contemporary sounds of London impacted his sonic palette, triggering new song \u003ci\u003eAfrican Techno\u003c\/i\u003e. He explains, “In Europe and the UK they like these techno songs and house music. They have songs that sound like African music, and we have songs that sound like house music and techno music.” \u003ci\u003eGhana Baby DJ\u003c\/i\u003e references his ongoing development of Ga dance music style gbe ohe. It also conjures his daughter’s voice and inimitable vibe and blendsit with the characteristic clave rhythm of this. The EP's final cut is a track released with a an eye-catching music video this summer called \u003ci\u003eMonkey\u003c\/i\u003e. Following radio play in Ghana and demand from fans online, this track makes its debut on vinyl. Awesome Tapes From Africa is proud to present new music from this unmistakably original artist with an honesty and unpretentiousness that feels good at this current point in history. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Awesome Tapes From Africa","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50497783431499,"sku":"1028913","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/facf972b-dc73-4aa6-8497-1c50bd45a673_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727732632"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_dfc24321_thumbnail_4096_58e185f1-1a7b-45ba-ae94-5f169e7937e3.jpg?v=1727700497","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/dj-katapila.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}