JULY 24, 2012
SMOD Announce U.S. Tour Dates
Malian Hip Hop Trio Returns To American Stages In July
by Tom PryorMalian hip-hop trio SMOD returns to U.S. stages after their globalFEST debut earlier this year. The Manu Chao-produced group, which features the son of Malian musical duo Amadou & Mariam, will be touring in late July and through August, according to a press release from the Nacional label. The full press release, including full tour dates, is reprinted below.
This summer, Malian hip-hop SMOD crew heads out on their debut US tour, visiting Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Columbus, Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Cruz.
The groundbreaking debut album from SMOD was produced by global superstar Manu Chao. SMOD originally connected with Manu Chao through their frontman Sam, who is the son of world music stars Amadou & Mariam. Manu Chao had produced Amadou & Mariam's breakthrough album, 'Dimanche a Bamako,' catapulting them into international icons.
SMOD's album fuses hip-hop, folk and blues music with traditional Malian styles from a politically-conscious perspective and addresses inequalities across African history via impassioned French lyrics. French rap sensation Keny Arkana is featured on the track, "J'ai Pas Peur Du Micro."
SMOD embodies the emergence of a new scene in Africa, the embracing of new urban sounds while incorporating the importance of heritage. While the group has released three albums in Europe over the past 10 years, this new release is their proper North American debut.
SMOD U.S. Tour Dates:
July 25 / Pittsburgh / Shadow Lounge
July 27 / Columbus / Wexner Center
July 28 / Chicago / Clark Street Festival
July 30 / Chicago / Jay Pritzker Pavillion
July 31 / Minneapolis / the Cedar
August 3 / Los Angeles / Levitt Pavilion
August 4 / Santa Monica / The Central
August 5 / San Francisco / Stern Groove
August 6 / Santa Cruz / Moe's Alley
August 10 / Gaspé CA / Festival du Bout du Monde