This summer, the Switchstance Reggae Radio crew hit the road, making stops at some of Europe’s most iconic and long-standing Reggae festivals. Our journey began at Summerjam in Cologne and Reggae Jam in Bersenbrück, then crossed into Belgium for Reggae Geel in Geel, and continued to the Netherlands for Reggae Lake in Amsterdam.
While we couldn’t secure interviews at this year’s Summerjam, we’ve got something special in store. Our October show will feature an all-female “Ladies First” takeover, showcasing five incredible women who electrified the opening night at Summerjam, making thousands dance like there was no tomorrow.
In our Reggae Jam Interview Special, we’re excited to share our first set of exclusive interviews from the Reggae Jam festival. Tune in for deep conversations with legendary Roots Reggae band Black Uhuru, Iqulah Rastafari, Jah Lil, Inti & Chaski, Keishera, Jah Tung, Autarchii, and Dre JA.
Click below to dive into insightful discussions on Reggae culture, Rastafari, and the stories behind these artists!
And here is a photo selection from Reggae Jam festival:
Tune into this full 2-hour episode of SWITCHSTANCE RADIO, featuring a special segment on the Summerjam Festival 2024 in Cologne.
Our live guest, YUNITE The Hypequeen, who electrified the all-female opening night, joins DOGU to share insights about the festival’s positive vibes and outstanding music. Don’t miss this captivating conversation!
Yes, you heard it right! Our new album with the indigenous Hip Hop band BA Cypher Kabaka from Kampala, Uganda, has just been released.
Recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, this album was made possible thanks to a pandemic relief grant from the Goethe-Institut. Much respect and love for their support!
The album is a vibrant mix of conscious Hip Hop and Reggae, blending the indigenous Ugandan rhymes of BA Cypher Kabaka with the production expertise of us, Ancient Astronauts.
Tune in to the May 2024 edition of Switchstance Radio for a special episode featuring three dynamic and diverse interviews. First, Congolese-German singer and activist MELANE joined us live in the studio to talk about her music and political activism. We also spoke with Reggae and Dub producer Kibir La Amlak, who visited Cologne for an exceptional live performance. Our third interview took place in Rotterdam, where DOGU met with Leo PaLayeng and Emiliano Motta, the creative forces behind the Makabila Umoja label, for a collaborative music session.
This episode also includes new music releases from artists like Sylvester Kabombo, Woxov, El Michels Affair, Pretty Bulli, Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, and more.
Hey everyone! Before our upcoming album “Cypher Kabaka” drops on June 28th, we’re excited to give you a taste with the third single from the album, “Sekalootera.” This track features the soulful vocals of Phitzo Kiganda, formerly of the Nilotika Cultural Ensemble and a key member of BA Cypher Kabaka.
“Sekalootera” dives deep into timeless themes of spirituality, positivity, and indigenous wisdom, echoing Phitzo’s profound respect for Jah Rastafari and his divine teachings. With lyrics brimming with humility and gratitude, Phitzo delivers a poignant message, urging listeners to navigate life with careful consideration. Infused with conscious empowerment, traditional African beats, and ancient wisdom, this song represents our fusion of the past and the present, offering a modern interpretation of age-old values.
The March 2024 edition of Switchstance Radio is up on our Mixcloud channel. It features an exclusive interview with female Senegalese rapper Sister LB and new music by Holy Hive, Sahad, Anatoly Ice, Brazen Rule & Dogu, Nyonjo, Ancient Astronauts & Niina MC, The Meredians, Spyda MC and many more. 2 hours of pure listening pleasure:
This is the February edition of SWITCHSTANCE REGGAE RADIO featuring new music by Dubmatix, Turbulence, Kabaka Mpiso, Lutan Fyah, Macka B & Heartical, Magnetic Tailors, Nyle Banks, Fantan Mojah & Richie Spice, Chezidek & Perfect Giddimani, Black Ice & Junior Toots and many more:
Founded over two decades ago, Switchstance Recordings emerged as a collaborative hub uniting musical visionaries dedicated to crafting a distinct sonic identity. The debut of ‘Fantastic Freeriding’ in 2002 marked the inception of pioneering artists Ancient Astronauts, Protassov, Kabanjak, and Dogu, laying the groundwork for a dynamic musical journey blending beats, breaks, and poignant lyricism.
Initially instrumental-focused, the label gradually embraced vocal collaborations, notably collaborating with the iconic Jungle Brothers, marking a pivotal shift. Evolving through time, Switchstance drew inspiration from the essence of 90s Hip Hop, Reggae, Funk, Afrobeat, and Jazz, cultivating an eclectic yet cohesive musical narrative.
Collaborations with industry luminaries like The Pharcyde, Thievery Corporation, Raashan Ahmad, and Akua Naru expanded the label’s scope, earning acclaim for quality transcending conventional pop confines. Rooted in substance, cultural depth, and irresistible rhythms, Switchstance solidified its position as a purveyor of musical authenticity.
Presenting ‘Fantastic Freeriding – The Journey Continues,’ the latest label compilation showcases the vibrant tapestry of the current artist collective. Alongside established trailblazers, emerging talents such as Ugandan prodigy Ejuku, Australian composer Fixed Error, Dutch maestro Core Fields, Italian virtuoso Two Eyes One Truth, Ugandan luminary Nyonjo, and Argentinian composer Enrique Nicolas Noviello contribute to this musical mosaic.
This compilation spotlights innovative collaborations, featuring groundbreaking partnerships like Dogu’s ventures with Congolese producer Majestik Legend and Ugandan sensation Brazen Rule. Notable fusions include Ancient Astronauts’ synergy with Ugandan Adungu maestro Otim Alpha and Deela’s fusion with the eclectic Los Chicos Altos, uniting extraordinary global talents united by a shared passion for captivating rhythms and expansive sonic landscapes.
Recent explorations in East Africa, notably Uganda, birthed a synergistic alliance with Kampala-based studio East African Records. This partnership led to remarkable works and releases with African artists, a natural progression amplified by label founder Tom Strauch’s deep reverence for African musical heritage.
Step into the contemporary realm of Switchstance Recordings—an immersive sonic experience interweaving organic Hip Hop, Afro Electronica, Downtempo, Reggae, Blues, and innovative electronic rhythms. As a testament to the label’s legacy, DJ Ses, a distinguished member of the historic Switchstance DJ Collective, shares nostalgic reflections, inviting listeners to relish in cherished memories. Please read below!
So Much Music – A tribute to the early days of Switchstance Recordings
by Daniel Giebel aka DJ Ses (part of the original Switchstance DJ Collective)
“So much music. That’s all I could think when the van got plucked apart by cops at some truck stop on our way to the Alps. Back in the early 2000s, all four DJs of our collective would only play vinyl. And since we were proud knights of versatility, we would bring a lot. Bags, actual cases. One even had a trolley for his cases. And now the poor cops had to unload all of it next to the Autobahn, picking through every record in every bag, looking for – actually, I have no idea what they were looking for. But they sure got an education in funkin’ and skankin’ music that day.
So much music. Tom (Dogu) and Kabanjak and Thury and me played Hip Hop, Trip Hop, Reggae, Dancehall, Funk, Soul, Afrobeat, Jazz, Breakbeats, Big Beats, Jungle, Drum’n’Bass, and then some. All four of us came into the label’s DJ collective from different backgrounds, but we could spin all of it, and each of us had a specialty. And we always brought fire to the dance. It was always fun and smiles all round, and we kept it rolling with a multitude of styles and vibes. It was an environment where you could get away with slipping in Mash-ups, House or even some Led Zep!
So much music. Around those first years of Switchstance Recordings, the four of us would travel to DJ somewhere every weekend, often in changing combinations. Many of those trips led us to Austria and Switzerland, where we played at boardsports events and clubs. I wouldn’t be able to say what happened when exactly, but there are so many vivid memories. Like spinning records on a sunny afternoon in a sort of cable car, seemingly dropped into a vast field of snow from outer space. All alone high up above the Kaunertal, with only Italy behind me and snowboarders doing their thing below me, to my ever-changing beats. Heaven, really.
So much music. Of course, it helped that Tom as the mastermind of Switchstance Recordings has always been on a mission. Every label needs a guy like him. A music lover from the depth of his heart, he makes you feel it in his DJ sets, but also as the ambassador for his own label and the music he makes as Ancient Astronauts with his comrade Kabanjak. Good to see both of them still at it some twenty years later. The four-headed beast of the Switchstance DJ collective might have disbanded, but we’re all still friends. And, in some way or another, still involved with music.
Today there are 2 releases conncected to Ancient Astronauts. The first one is “Singa feat. Niina MC” which is the 2nd single of our upcoming album “Cypher Kabaka”: Indigenous Hip Hop from Kampala, Uganda meets an Ancient Astronauts uptempo beat that will take you away to a Hip Hop Cypher on the shore of Lake Victoria.
The second release is the debut single of the new collaboration by Dogu and Tanzanian producer Amani Greene that is coming out on East African Records. The song features uprising Ugandan Dancehall artist Bad Sparksy on vocals. Yesterday was the official video premiere through Reggaeville. Check the video below and dive into some heavy Ugandan Dancehall vibes!
Ancient Astronauts 