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Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew Set Album Release

07/12/2010
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Sierra Leone hip-hop stars Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew have announced the release of their self-titled debut album on September 28, 2010 on One Haven Music.

Helmed by the production team Fyre Department (50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, GZA, Talib Kweli, Justin Timberlake) and ?uestlove of The Roots and recorded in New York City and Philadelphia, the 14 tracks that make up Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew are vibrant, dynamic songs that seamlessly blend multiple genres from the western world and Africa's rich musical history.

With special guest appearances by some of the biggest names in hip-hop and the most talked-about stars on the African music scene today, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew is guaranteed to be one of the most exciting albums of the Fall.

A history rich with numerous sold-out shows at the national stadium in Sierra Leone and international recognition for their contribution to the soundtrack for the Academy Award-winning film Blood Diamond, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew are setting their sights even higher. Already building a devout fan base in their new home of New York City, audiences have praised their new style of music called Gbomognoh (pronounced bo-mo-no) which is their signature fusion of funk, hip-hop, dancehall, reggae and unique Sierra Leonean sounds. Their electrifying performances - truly a spectacle to be seen - have garnered them a rabid live following. Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew ramp up the crowd with an exuberant show sung in both English and their native Krio that leaves the audience empowered, joining in on song and dance.

Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew is made up of Bajah, A-Klazz and Dovy Dovy, musicians whose larger-than-life stage personalities are as individual as their musical and vocal styles. Childhood friends Dovy Dovy and A-Klazz met Bajah in a recording studio in Sierra Leone in 2000. Bringing with them powerful and profound life stories, they began writing, recording and performing together, quickly winning over legions of fans. In Sierra Leone, a country ravaged by genocide and brutal civil wars funded by slave like conditions mining "blood diamonds," and where political and social injustice runs rampant, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew are a beacon of hope. They attract everyone from young schoolchildren to village elders who passionately support the Crew's music and message of peace, love and inspiration. At the center of this powerful musical entity is Bajah himself. A true star on the rise, he has inspired comparisons such as the Sean Paul of West Africa with the social conscience of Bob Marley. A magnetic and engaging frontman, Bajah is the rare artist who effortlessly connects with audiences through both deeply meaningful lyrics and irresistibly infectious melodies.

Stateside, they have incited so much excitement in the music community that ?uestlove, Talib Kweli, K'Naan, Res, El-P and Nneka all signed on to contribute their vocal and production talents to the album. Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew has a number of impressive tracks that serve as a testament to the sound that has made them a national and global treasure. "New Style" features a native rhythm made up of funk and dancehall while "Soldier (feat. K'NAAN)" reflects on the brutalities and hardships of war. Following the mid-tempo saunter of "Love of My Life (feat. Nneka)" in which the Crew laments on losing someone special to the violence of war, Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew moves ahead at full throttle with the dancefloor-friendly "Shake", produced by ?uestlove, that is sure to pack a punch. The bubbling melody of "Any Girl" and the reggae-tinged "Give Me Your Number" feature instantly familiar hooks while "Jacky Jacky" introduces U.S. audiences to the newest Sierra Leonean dance craze by the same name, invented by the group.

Bajah + The Cry Eye Crew take their name from the Sierra Leonean term "dry eye" which refers to those who are bold and brazen. They have been named "the voice of the voiceless" for their determination in bringing their country's social and political injustices to the forefront of their music. This boldness is ever present on this album and in their unforgettable live shows, where their music, message and joyous spirit come together to form the ultimate experience that is Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew.

Tracklisting:
Intro
New Style
Soldier (feat. K'NAAN)
Love of My Life (feat. Nneka)
Gun Thing
Shake
Come Near Me (feat. The Jungle Leaders)
Who's Fooling Who (feat. Talib Kweli, R.E.S and Graph Nobel)
High (feat. Jahdan Blakkamoore)
Any Girl
Jacky Jacky
Give Me Your Number
Dark Temple
Wonderful Time

Upcoming Live Dates:
July 17 Philadelphia, PA Global Fusion Festival@ Great Plaza - Penn's Landing
August 2 New York, NY Highline Ballroom (opening for Nneka)
August 10 New York, NY City Winery


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