“Oral narratives are an essential part of constructing identities in this part of the world. It is important to enable people to keep up access to their history. “ Lebogang Mashile, South-African poet Stories are created by being told. In telling narratives, stories are invented, passed on, changed and adapted. They wander through the world,
The Spoken Word Project – Stories travelling through Africa Read More »
Soul Makossa by Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango dates back to 1972 and is often cited as one of the first disco records ever. Over the years, the song has been sampled and alluded to in songs by artists such as Michael Jackson, Rihanna and Kanye West, with little or no credit given to Manu
Serubiri Moses Originally published in Start When we meet at 2:45 pm, I’m sitting at the grand piano in the Green Room, behind the stage of the National Theatre wondering whether he will make it through the rain, but I’m glad he does, and our interview can finally start. The piano is quite old, and
A Ugandan MC's intimate keyboard Hip-Hop Read More »
Maureen Rutabingwa is a jazz saxophonist, pianist and vocalist based in Kampala. Her Soul Deep band reworks Rihanna, Erykah Badu and the jazz of George Benson and Roy Hargrove. Dancers along Kampala-Jinja Road during the KCCA Independence Day Carnival, Oct. 7th 2012.
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Anne Moraa, photo credit: Reumac (reumac.wordpress.com) My history of music is intensely personal. I love music. I can’t sing worth a damn, but I love music. You will forgive me, but I’m going to give you a history lesson. My history of music is not the textbook version and I’m sure neither is yours. I’m
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Blunted on Reality by Chinedu Achebe; Chinedu Books, 2012, ISBN-13: 978-0615629254. While they enjoyed a late breakfast, they began to discuss the history of Obama’s election. Obi started the conversation saying, “I still can’t believe this racist ass country elected a black man named Barack Hussein Obama to be the President. I guess Bush fucked
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Rene Nyah Yong Although hip-hop historians cite 1978 as its birthday, hip-hop’s roots can well be referred to the African continent. Music had long been part and parcel of the religion and culture of the African people. It had always been used as an accompaniment in everyday life, as Mbiti puts it: “Wherever the African…
Originally Published on Interviews with Jodelle Jodelle: Can you please introduce yourself to our readers? Naoumie: My name is Naoumie Ekiko, I am from Cameroon and I live in New York now. I have been modeling for some time now and I’m loving it. You’re a Q Management Agency model, we read you were signed
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Sannu de Aike * Poem for a former student now a lecturer: Neem Tree Woman Now I can call you that without hesitation. Without the need of mellifluous words, or the sweet melodies of the kora to accompany my songs. On the crest of dawn, the cow egrets are listening; I can
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