Africa Express ft: Bootie Brown, M.anifest, Tom Excell & Joan As Police Woman - Motherland (Official Video)

Africa Express Drop New Track ‘Motherland’ Ahead of Mexico Shows.

Ahead of two headline shows in Mexico this weekend, Africa Express have unveiled a new bonus track, ‘Motherland’, featuring Bootie Brown, M.anifest and Tom Excell, with Joan As Police Woman on violin.

A funk-infused, beat-driven celebration of the continent, Motherland brings together Bootie Brown’s distinctive vocals, the lyrical finesse of Ghana’s M.anifest and Excell’s sharp production. The track, already a live favourite across Europe, joins the collective’s acclaimed new album Africa Express Presents… Bahidorá.

Reflecting on the song, M.anifest said, “Motherland epitomises our Africa Express recording experience in Mexico, spontaneous, unpredictable, open minded, and a beautiful collision of worlds in a sublime location.”

Producer Tom Excell described the creative spark behind the track: “The atmosphere in the studio was completely magical. Bootie started exploring melodies instead of rapping, then M.anifest appeared, wrote and recorded his part almost instantly. The next morning I heard strings in my head and Joan came in to bring that sound to life.”

Bootie Brown added, “The challenge was to step outside the comfort zone of a traditional studio. Once I understood the mission, everything fell into place. Some things are just made to be.”

Africa Express return to Mexico this month for two major performances at Cervantino Festival in Guanajuato (26 October) and Mexico City’s Auditorio BB (28 October), joined by co-founder Damon Albarn and over 50 artists from across four continents, including Moonchild Sanelly, Django Django, Luisa Almaguer and Jupiter & Okwess.

Recorded in Mexico last year, Africa Express Presents… Bahidorá is a vibrant 21-track album that celebrates global collaboration and sonic exploration. From the Latin pop rhythms of Mi Lado and the pulsing energy of Kuduro to the cinematic beauty of Soledad and the haunting spirituality of Invocation, it is a record that embodies the collective’s adventurous spirit.

Founded in 2006 by Damon Albarn, Africa Express continues to break down musical and cultural barriers, bringing together artists from across the world to create something uniquely powerful, human and joyous.