There are two types of culture ambassadors on the Global Music scene.

1) Diplo: He will find the HOTTEST artist on a scene and expose them to the rest of the world. When this happens that artist will inherit (for better of for worse) part of Diplo’s brand. It’s great to be a Mad Decent affiliate, but you REALLY have to know how to think beyond that. Otherwise when the spotlight moves on, you will find yourself out of favor.

DON’T BLAME DIPLO..!! He did his job as kind of the “Christopher Columbus” of music. He “discovers” scenes and re-presents them for “The Man’s” consumption. The issue is that FANS of Diplo have to stop being so fickle! I remember publicly BERATING this No-Count-Hipster-Trash-Wannabe who DARED to try to proclaim Baile Funk (Funk Carioca) “dead” simply because his Messiah was no longer spinning it. Wake Tha FK UP, people. If I were Diplo, I would secretly HATE you. People are dissing him, partly because of YOUR short sightedness.

2) Maga Bo: If there’s anyone I would trust to get his hands dirty and curate music on my behalf it would be him. Maga Bo is a bit more careful. Whereas some might highlight the superstars of a scene, Bo will try to highlight the ENTIRE scene, and work with the most TALENTED. He will try to find the originator of a trend and give that person the credit. If he sees it as important he will even do these things at great personal monetary loss (no sponsors).

The main thing is that Maga Bo’s focus is not so much on himself. Maga Bo will not slap his logo on an entire culture, like the flag of a conquistador. (I had to BEG Maga Bo to even CREATE a logo..lol) His careful approach validates a custom and hopefully creates outlets for many artists in the process. It certainly would if there were more funding behind it.

Am I saying one is better than the other? NO because you need BOTH. Maga Bo’s approach reminds me of something I would watch on the History Channel.. (90% of my TV time is there, TRUSS). Diplo is more the MTV approach, which I dig occasionally as well. Sometimes you do not need to know the origins of a damn drum tone, you just like it… Different strokes. I can get with them both depending on the mood.

Today I read that Maga Bo, and the most excellent DJ Rupture are headed to Marrakesh, Morocco..! Apparently the people of the area have an autotune fixation(?!?)

……..OK…..THIS IS REALLY an example of American, cultural runoff if ever there were one. Autotune does happen to sound cool as hell with the Arabic singing… but look at it from my point of view. Imagine if you went to an exotic island in the Far East, and they worshiped Ronald McDonald . I’M JUST SAYING…..

Anyway, I know the Maga Bo/Rupture excursion will ultimately be a beneficial one for the people of Morocco, and I am definitely happy to contribute to their Kick Starter campaign. Apparently so were quite a few others. They are 160% FUNDED!!

People might remember that Maga Bo and Diplo did the Baile funk video like this one a while back.

Maga Bo always seems to get next to some of the more interesting people in music. This time he sits down with Ghislain Poirier to discuss music philosophy. Pay attention to the part where he says he [has no interest in being 'REAL'... REAL does not exist].

… To me that is the TAO of DJ / Producing. You can still serve a purpose (regardless what it is) without being singleminded in your pursuits.

An Interview with Ghislain Poirier from Maga Bo on Vimeo.