In addition to being a Grammy-nominated producer, Wondaland Records' resident DJ Nana Kwabena is also the founder of the AllOneBlood foundation. The non-profit is a largely self-funded project dedicated to bringing awareness to Sickle Cell disease while raising funds toward research, and hopefully the eventual eradication of the illness.
Kwabena's background in science and his own family history with Sickle Cell - both he and his late brother contended with the disease - were a huge part of what inspired the foundation. In fact, Kwabena originally intended to go into public health after studying biology at the University of Pennsylvania , where ironically, he also met future musical collaborator, Jidenna.
After the death of his brother in 2012 from Sickle Cell related complications, Kwabena founded AllOneBlood. And as he shared with Highsnobiety in an earlier interview, “the biggest narrative that needs to change is that it’s [Sickle Cell] a black disease. When you open up the lens on a global perspective you realize that Sickle Cell effects basically anybody near the equator who have developed this genetic mutation that tried to protect them from malaria.”
In honor of World Sickle Cell Day - recognized globally every June 19 - Kwabena is offering up an exclusive mix to help you party with a purpose.
Tracklist:
01. Drake - Passionfruit 02. DJ Cassidy ft. Grace & Lil Yachty 03. Sarkodie - Gboza 04. GoldLink - Meditation 05. Brian Fresco ft. Chance The Rapper - Higher 06. DJ Mshega Ft. Busi N - Get Down (Whistle Song) 07. Stonebwoy - Agoro 08. DJ Maphorisa x DJ Buckz ft. Sjava & TDK Macassette - Goosheshe 09. OkMalumKoolKat ft. Amadando - Gqi! 10. DJ Malvado ft. Eddy Tussa - Zenze 11. Migos - Say Sum 12. Future - When I Was Broke 13. Wande Coal x DJ Tunez - Iskaba 14. Busiswa ft. Uhuru & DJ Buckz - Lahla 15. DJ Henry x Wizkid - Like This (Airietja & Sonny Bass Remix) 16. Drake ft. Black Coffee & Jorja Smith - Get It Together 17. DJ Ganyani ft. Hloni - Ntoni 18. DJ Zinhle ft. Tamara Dey - Colours 19. CDQ ft. DJ Maphorisa - Say Baba Remix 20. Drake ft. Quavo & Travis Scott - Portland 21. Migos - T-Shirt 22. Young Thug - Future Swag 23. Kendrick Lamar ft. U2 - XXX 24. Future ft. Drake - Used To This 25. Yxng Bane ft. Kojo Funds & WizKid - Fine Wine Remix 26. WizKid ft. Drake - Come Closer (DjangoBeats Zouk Remix) 27. Alikiba - Aje 28. Eugy ft. Ycee - Give It To Me 29. Korede Bello ft. Tiwa Savage - Romantic 30. Yemi Alade - Want You 31. Disclosure ft. The Weeknd - Nocturnal 32. Jidenna - Bambi (Steve Rhythm & Fridz Remix) 33. Maleek Berry - Nuh Let Go 34. Runtown - Mad Over You (Prblm Remix) 35. DJ Juls ft. Maleek Berry, Stonebwoy & Eugy - With You 36. Tspize - Pain Killer Remix 37. Sage The Gemini - Now and Later 38. Tekno - Diana 39. Calvin Harris ft. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams & Ariana Grande - Heatstroke
Listen to Nana Kwabena's last mix and learn more about the AllOneBlood foundation here.
