What Parisian Music Collective 99GINGER Are Listening To This Spring

2021 sees Paris-based collective and label 99GINGER celebrate their third anniversary, marked by the release of their second compilation, MÜGUU. The collective is utilising this project as a vessel to continue to stride towards their goal of connecting diverse underground scenes through the arts. Nine transatlantic producers, singers and rappers – from France, Portugal, Ghana, the UK, South Africa and the Congo – have come together to create MÜGUU: a delicate blend of warmth, tinted with melancholy and playfully rhythmic elements. Sitting somewhere between Amapiano, Hip-hop and Batida, the compilation invites us to celebrate difference through highlighting eclecticism and building bridges between seemingly disparate cultures. MÜGUU drops tomorrow, 16 April, on all platforms, and to celebrate its imminent launch, 99GINGER share with Something Curated their ultimate springtime listening list.

Mulatu Astatke — Tezeta

“This song just instantly transports you to the time and the place that you thought you had forgotten about. I still get goosebumps listening to this – it takes me back to Addis Ababa and reminds me of my childhood,” 99GINGER Founder & Creative Director Kirou tells Something Curated.

Jorge Ben — Chove Chuva

Collective member Gabriel notes, “This is a beautiful balance between Bossa Nova stirring rhythm and Jorge Ben nostalgic lyrics. A relatable and refreshing song about love through Rio de Janeiro on intense, warm, rainy days.”

Alfa Mist — Run Outs

“Run Outs is an exploration into the vibrant universe of Alfa Mist. A well needed one in our current standstill period,” says 99GINGER’s Nadia.

The Colours That Rise — Home Time

“A really nice track for being lost in translation. The whole album is a great relaxing Lo-fi tinted piece of art with nice features, fraught with the groove we love,” tells fellow collective member Clarisse.

The Jones Girls — Nights Over Egypt

99GINGER member Nada expands, “The girl band trio’s most popular vocals. Added to a richly textured groovy track that stands the test of time. An ode to the motherland, seasoned with powerful lyrics like, “Your eyes won’t believe what your mind can’t conceive.” A true soul classic.”

Planet Giza — When The Moving Stops

 
“A big stroke of genius from these Montrealers! Clearly filled with nostalgia, they create their own style by building bridges between the Hip-hop/R&B wave of the 90s (that crack your neck), and the synthetic, instrumental chords of the 80s, to get you into the mood. Their visual aesthetic takes us to a romantic and avant-garde boom bap atmosphere. Don’t even try to fight it; it’s a whole vibe,” collective member Laury says.



Feature image courtesy 99GINGER