Africa Now!: Blitz the Ambassador + Freshlyground + Lokua Kanza + Nneka

The Apollo presents the jewel in the crown of its Africa Now! weekend festival. In the top slot, Ghanaian rapper Blitz the Ambassador raises his voice over soulful grooves, spiked with West African and flamenco flourishes courtesy of the Embassy Ensemble, Blitz's outrageously funky band. Also on the bill is South African combo Freshlyground, which offers a perky mixture of blues, indie rock and traditional kwela motifs; plus feisty, charismatic singer and MC Nneka (from the Niger Delta), whose music plays like a prettier take on M.I.A.’s frantic fusion of styles. Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson hosts.