Despite a culture going back to the 7th century, the mesmerizing and beautiful cultural background of Rwanda is tainted by a dark history of wars and genocide.
A little know and unusual fact when it come to AFRICA, but it used to be a time in Rwanda, where all three communities (Twa, Hutu, Tutsi) forming the Rwandan society were sharing a culture, a unique language, political system, religion, values, songs, dance and traditions.
INTORE DANCER
Rarely aknowledge in western media reports and history books, this significant fact of Rwandan history has been conviniently set aside. In today's mainstream memory, only the man-made politically-motivated ethnic divisions of Rwanda is highlighted which correspond to a consistency in perpetuating mis-leading stereotyped ideas and imageries of Africa.
In this instance, ignoring and setting aside the knowledge of a society living together harmoniously promote a racist conception of African ethnicities as primitive and savage, it prevents observers from coming to an accurate understanding of the causes of conflicts and impoverishment in Rwanda and other contries of the continent.
Physical stereotyping took place too. The first missionaries wrote things like: ‘We met Tutsi who are tall...’ People came along with instruments to measure nose length and width. This was nonsense – but the stereotyping persists today. A report from the recent war describes it as ‘a war between the tall and the short people’.
Rwanda has a profound and beautiful endangered culture. For decades now, to preserve, showcase and to teach Rwandan culture many forms and complexities to the next generation has been the ultimate mission of concerned Rwanda intellectuals, creatives, poets, artists and musicians. For they know the dignity and strenght of a population imperatively start with the knowledge of self, its roots, its history.
Not to miss a good opportunity to generate audiences, Hollywood hastly unlocked the finances to produce the Oscar-nominated movie "HOTEL RWANDA", the film was shoot in South Africa because the Rwandan governement, rightly so, were not convinced that such production was in their best interests and so refused to give authorisation to film on their land. It was released in a hush in 2004 to coincide with the 10th anniversay celebration of the Genocide.
What HOTEL RWANDA did to collective consciousness is to reinforce the same old stereotyped about Africa. With no or little twisted explanation about the country colonial history. This film showed us an governemental army executing its population, wild-out thugs massacring innocent, regular people killing their neighbours for no apparent or at least rational reasons. Its the Hollywood version. No surprise there.....
HBO, the US TV network, also had the will to tell the incredible story of this little known country called Rwanda. So they asked director Raoul Peck to come up with a story for a film. Mr Raoul Peck took a very different view and accomplished his mission brilliantly by approaching the subject from a totally different angle....more about him and his great movie SOMETIMES IN APRIL starring Idris Elba, Carole Karemera) in next blog.
Meanwhile....don't believe the hype! All is not what it seem to be....
AFRICA IS THE FUTURE - BE INSPIRED - FOLLOW DA GROOV
Out and about, meeting and mingling with brilliant, talented and good-looking people of all sexes and races, a recurring subject seem to invariably enter the conversation in most social circles.
Man want to find woman and woman want to find man...
If we were living in remote village somewhere in Eastern Europe, I would understand the lack of opportunities available to meet the one-that-will-make-you-smile locally....
However, living in London where we seem to have a concentration of the best people of the world, the selection of candidates to fulfil our lives should be easy....well apparently it is not.
So remembering we are in one of the most vibrant and culturally mixed cities of the world and setting aside the players and the men-bashing female crew....it will be fair to say that a wide range of more-than-decent candidates are ready for love but are still very much concerned about one little detail. .....
Where do you find love??
Furthermore, as we talking about dating in the Nubian world, do all black people have the same issue when it comes to find love? Does the dating game play with the same rule in Paris, London, New York, Atlanta, Dakar or Nairobi or Kinshasa?
Are there too many competitions from other races to bag an exotic date?
Alas, no magic solution, no opinion here...he he! Just fuelling the debate and pointing you out to COSMOPOLITAN. A new show on Voxafrica covering the subject of online dating...
Presented by Thabang Motsei, a modern, smart and elegant black woman herself, she went to investigate the online dating game.
Watch it here: http://www.voxafrica.com/modx/en/cosmopolitan/dating-in-the-big-city
The interesting part of the show are the tips given by a .....(wait for it)....a Black Dating Coach expert!! I thought HITCH was just a movie for Will Smith to remind us how much of a Golden Boy he is, simultaneously smashing the box office, enriching his studio executive bosses while fatting up his own wallet, making men feel inadequate and women want to have his babies...No no no, apparently Love Doctor is a real job!! Now you want to see this.... www.voxafrica.com/modx/en/cosmopolitan/dating-in-the-big-city
Wahala arrives in Paris for an unprecedented meeting with the French Reggae scene! No need to go to Jamaica to discover the reggae tones... France is swarming with outstanding artists ...
At the Cabaret Sauvage, Eric Soul found them and there is something for all tastes! From the energetic bashement of the Spyda Team to the sweeter notes of Soul Stereo Sound System via Brahim, and Senegalese super-star Daara J Family, finishing with the big Capleton!
Wahala vibed at the Cabaret Sauvage during one of the largest Reggae gatherings orchestrated by Reggae France . Happy Birthday and Big up to them ! And to find out more about Reggae France log on to( http://www.reggaefrance.com/).
WAHALA is broadcast EVERY SATURDAY on VOXAFRICA:
VOXAFRICA: 1st Independant Pan African Bilingual TV Channel
www.voxafrica.com/en/wahala
WAHALA is produced by
Monday, 16 November 2009
JOURNEY ACROSS THE BLACK ATLANTIC
FOLLOW DA GROOV NEWSLETTER NOV 09
Follow da Groov is a newsletter compiled and edited by AFROGROOV, its aim is to inform a significantly expanding and excited new audience about Afro related event…that is you Ladies and Gentlemen! Most –but not all- of the events compiled in FDG newsletter use the creative services of cultural activist DJ ERIC SOUL, these events are usually taking place all across London and in the rest of UK however we will endeavor to keep you up-to-date with worth-checking events happening abroad as well…We are part of a growing global cultural movement so in no means can this list ever be exhaustive, many other empowering afro-tastic projects, artistic collectives and initiatives are mushrooming in every cities of every countries and continents around the globe, using edgy mediums of “black” cultural artistry- may it be from African, American or ethnic origin- to channel positive energy which create an uplifting impact on various communities. Check them out, just follow da groov…
It’s this time of the year again, Xmas and NYE are around the corner, a good opportunity to reflect and acknowledge to good things of 09.
Since COMPONENTS, the now legendary Sunday all-dayer at the south-London venue Brixton Jamm, ended a year of 12 sessions through the year 2008. The year 2009 has seen activities on the AFRO tip multiplying and mushrooming all over the city and beyond...
What started as a tiny and self-contained cultural movement amongst people "in-the-known" has now truly evolved in a range of pro-actives afro-influenced initiatives generating a solid impact in London, waving larger circles outside its own original borders.
In a demonstration of collective consciousness, replication of that energy can also be felt in cities like Paris, New York, Bamako and Marrakech. The whole planet is grooving to the same cutting-edge Afro pulse.
As African, we always felt we had a bit of a raw deal as far as our representation in the cultural landscape been concerned but if we look deeply into the first half of 2009, unless you were hidden in a cave, the general feeling of an AFRO culture about to burst in the mainstream is almost becoming palpable in London town, congratulations are due!!!
Highlights are:
· The rise of Muntu Valdo who went on to performs his Sawa-blues style around the globe.
· The completion of Jally Keba Susso album to be released soon via a Manifesto imprint.
· Carsten Höller's temporary art installation The Double Club dominated the London club scene during a 6 month period. With a strong western/congolese music policy...a unique cultural experience, the club challenged expectations and helped re-shape music taste amongst the fashionistas, celebrities, global jet-set, industry and media type London is so found off...
· The multi-purposed community project Passing Cloud completed its transformation and currently host the best live jams with positive musicians from top bands on the regular…appearing on their stage on a weekly basis. Members of Tru Thought’s Savanna Soul to Nuru Kane via Heliocentrics and Dub Colussus, Soothsayers, YaabaFunk, Kadyaly Kouyate, One Drum Abass, Afla Sackey & Afrik Bawantu, Sofrito’s DJ’s and many more are regularly playing...
· Barefoot skirt wearer Hippy Hop artist Wanlov The Kubolor, the self proclaimed King Of Pidgin music is on the rise, jet setting the world to solidify links and collabo’s, big album and film in the pipeline...dont sleep on Da Kubolo….
· A big up to Enchanted Tunes the Momo Tuesday popularity is growing, their side project are ace!! E.T. Shepherd's Bush Festival, a show spawned over several days and venues in the West London area saw artists as diverse as Gordon Masiela, Emmanuel Jal, The Kubolor and Lyric L gracing the stage. The highlight must have been the visit of Jamel Comedy Club perform in London for the first time. Jamel is no1 French comedian and its worth noting he is in fact from Morocco....another African making it big aborad!!
· Artist such as K’naan, Vieux Farka Toure, Mulatu Astake, Ousmou Sangare, Amadou n Mariam, Youssou N Dour, Seun Kuti, Baaba Maal, etc…have become regular fixture on the live London scene, selling out London’s favorite venues such as Barbican, Jazz Cafe, South Bank, Cargo etc...
· Various initiative and promotion group have step up their games and masses of trendy Afro type characters are moving in packs from East to South, West to North to check the various nights, south to east London, all bases are covered... Afrobeat Collective, DJ Abass’s Planet Nollywood, from AFRO POP LIVE to SOFRITO via AFROBEAT VIBRATION & Wom@tt, HEADSHIGH, AFRIK KOKOA, BAOBAB and MOVIMIENTOS...even the almighty LIMPOPO was back on the front line presenting Afro live show on the west side of London...
· While the black music we find in the charts is progressively morphing into pure pop, the London over-ground scene reacted with a serious increase and proliferation of DJ’s collectives and crew working hard, pushing fresh ideas, new artists and generally help shape up new musical formats for mass global consumptions.
· Case on point, NNEKA! She beat the big boys and received the Best African Act at the MOBO 2009. Need we say more? Ok then, what about reaching the BBC Radio 1 top 20 charts with the dub-steppy rock&bass re-fix from Chase & Status…..how harder could 1 make a bigger impact with one single tune???
· A new TV show has landed on the screen worldwide, it is WAHALA!! A new weekly show produced and presented by AFROGROOV’s Eric Soul, broadcast every week Saturday on VOXAFRICA: The 1st Pan-African Independent TV channel, WAHALA takes you where no other show has been before, with previous guest such as Dele Sosimi, Wunmi, Keziah Jones, Daara J Family, Capleton, Ghariokwu Lemi and Simphiwe Dana amongst other….
Yes people we are truly making the necessary noise, creating the big waves we need in order to elevate our culture to its deserved position...
As someone said to me recently: " I feel this is just the beginning"...
New beginning. Yes indeed!!!
Join us as London is grooving again….
AFRICA IS THE FUTURE – FOLLOW DA GROOV – BE INSPIRED! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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SUNDAY 22 NOV 2009 From 3 Corner Of The World @ CARGO – Rivington Street – Shoreditch.
SANDBLAST-ARTS is an arts and human rights charity, working to empower the Saharawis to tell their own story, promote their culture and earn a living through the arts. The majority of the Saharawi people are forgotten refugees living in desolate camps in the harsh Algerian desert. SANDBLAST are doing an amazing job to raise awareness about the Saharawi’s, AFROGROOV suggest you investigate and get involved, current project involve music making and cultural exchanges between African and Western with the Saharawis musicians of the band TIRIS living in the desert….
The Cargo fund-raiser line up is yummy...reach!!
FRIDAY 4th December 2009 Extraordinary Voices - LATE @ TATE – Millbank - London SW1P 4RG
home live art presents Extraordinary Voices at Tate Britain with artists, performers, choirs and communal singing which explores the use of the voice as an instrument of extraordinary physical and cultural resonance.
The night includes live performances from a group of leading UK and European artist and performers including: Adey & Kayte from The Shout, who sing haunting songs through megaphones, in Arabic and Hebrew, on step ladders high across the cavernous Durveen Galleries. Powerful performances from the massed choirs of Maspindzeli (Georgian) and the London Bulgarian Choir. An all night set, from influential Afro Urban DJ Eric Soul from Afrogroov. Exquisite and theatrical performances by Mikhail Karikis, who crosses the Durveen Galleries like a catwalk. A durational performance by artist Geoff Fazan's busking band, who attempt to cover the entire Bob Dylan songbook throughout the course of the evening and the chance for the audience to create two new scratch choirs and perform themselves, in the galleries of Tate Britain, with The Funk Chorus (Barby Asante & Andrea Encinas) and The Feral Choir (Phil Minton).
6.00 till 22.00 FREE – http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/eventseducation/lateattatebritain/lateattate2009december.htm
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++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SATURDAY 5th DECEMBER YAABAFUNK 7” LAUNCH CD @ AFRICAN CENTRE – Covent Garden – London.
38 Kings Street, Covent Garden London - WC2E 8IT
Yaaba Funk will be Launching their first single at the famous Africa Centre on the 5th December 2009. Expect a riotous live performance form yours truly (some new and classic Yaaba tunes) On the wheels of steel will be Africathy, Debbie, AJ (Afrikokoa) Volta45, Dudu Sarr and the Yaaba DJ's Eric Soul and the Wahala Crew will be there to film a special edition for his Wahala TV show. Senga K Designs will be there to help you with your christmas shopping while you Shake your NYASH!!!!!!!! Email us yaabafunk@hotmail.co.uk for a five pound guest list. YAGA YAGA YAGA YAGA YAGA.
SUNDAY 13th DECEMBER 2009 AFRIKOKOA XMAS FUNDRAISER @ BIG CHILL HOUSE, Kings Cross
257-259 Pentonville Road, King’s Cross, London, N1 9NL (Northern Line, Victoria Line and Thames Link, Next door to Thames link and Scala).
Afri-kokoa continue to push the boundaries of cutting edge African contemporary music with a special headline act of UK legendary dance producer and disco house pioneer DJ Joey Negro playing a unique blend of Afro-House and its funky infusions. DJ Joey Negro (aka Dave Lee) is hot property; his eclectic sound delivered in mind-blowing performances has graced many of the world's hottest nightspots on a regular basis. He is an MN2S resident DJ regularly rocking the spot at The End (London) and El Divino (Ibiza)
Also on this special night we present live the phenomenally talented afro group ‘Afrikbawantu’ led by the well known Ghanaian percussionist ‘Afla Sackey’. A brilliant and professional line up that consists of an amazing horn section plus funky bass, guitar, drums, vocals and a full set of african percussion. Their music is a dance floor filling blend of jazz, funk, afrobeat and highlife.
Music by resident DJ: Eric Soul (Afrogroov, Components) Chief Commander Yaaba AJ Kwame
Artistic visuals will be provided by Erin Sorenson -
Live Visuals by KLEM@S - Graphic Design by Mick - Arts & crafts stalls Senga Design
Amnesty International who will have their representatives from London at the event raising money with your kind donations….
Amnesty International campaign for the protection human rights across the world. They are not tied to any political party or belief: for almost 50 years Amnesty have worked to advance the human rights of all ordinary people. Amnesty is active throughout London and very happy to be supporting this exciting event.
What a scorching start of the month. The organiser decided to present SIMPHIWE DANA last date of her One Love Movement UK tour in the 900-capacity main room @ Queen Elisabeth Hall and the scenery was appropriate to experience this young songstress from South Africa.
Most press release hail her as the new Miriam Makeba and that is typical of media to look for a known and obvious reference points in order to digest new information. Is it because she sing, while being a female, while coming from South Africa and being black that she automatically is compared to the great Miriam Makeba? Is it because, she, too, sings in both her native Xhosa and English? Is it fair to the artist? Is it fair to Miriam Makeba? The simplistic approach...the new this, the new that....??!
It is when she step on stage, with gracious and subtle movement, she immediately draw you into her world, musically sparse, beautifully delivered, politically engaged, Soul, Jazz and traditionnal perfectly blend, fiercely conscious of who she is and what her purpose is... All become clear, here is a unique singer, an engaging performer with subtle yet riveting stage presence....
You want more? Get to know more about SD on www.voxafrica.com flagship cultural show AFROBUZZ; Cosmopolitan and WAHALA....coming soon
Simphiwe Dana, we salutes you!!!
SIMPHIWE DANA, KADIJATHOU, YEMI FROM AFRO POP LIVE, KIRENGA ERIC SOUL
Only 1 day to recover from a gruelling tour, we are at ULU to welcome Best African Act Mobo winner NNEKA for the 1st date of her forthcoming UK tour!
It was interesting to see the attendance at NNEKA concert at ULU. University Of London Union's concert venue was a very appropriate choice for this special evening.
The place filled up quickly with a young, sexy and hip multicultural crowd who came to check a unusual line up... Gnawa-esque Ragga dub from Amazigh K from Algeria and sensation NNEKA from Nigeria
It was an great sight for someone like me, I mean the audience.... as London music scene is sometimes unecessarily secluded and me being an inquisitve DJ, I always felt it was natural and necessary to swing from World music exclusive circles to underground afro-boho spots while hanging at hip hop and Jazz jam and continue raving in illegal warehouse blasting loud bleeps and bassline from hand-made sub-woofer...for me its all good!!!! If one need to hop from scene to scene to see what is really cooking ...so be it, its part of the job.
To bring those scenes and audiences together has alwyas been a difficult and constantly challenging mission for various marketeer and concert promoters.
What the NNEKA-buzz effortlessly created last nite... or should I say, what the NNEKA-buzz easily destroyed last nite was the division the existed within various and disparates audiences.... young, sexy and hip listenners of BBC Radio 1 rubbed shoulder with the white and middle-age elite of the World music scene, Arabic and Africans community members of all ages and top industry executive nodded in unisson to the music of Nigeria and Algeria, the lines were blurred, the music once again brought everyboy together under one roof.
NIGERIAN CHART-TOPPER JUSTINA AND CHARLIE GILLET
Delivered and sealed by the partnership of Afro Pop Live and Enchanted Tunes, it was a great evening and should be the template of many others fresh live music event in the forthcoming future...
NNEKA is back on her 1st UK tour later this month, stay logged!
NNEKA and Amazigh K, we salutes you,
And finally, as it always comes in three!! Another great Afro lady will be performing 2nite @ Passing Cloud as part of Dele Sosimi's annual celebration of FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI's birthday.
Toli Nameless (empress of Afro beat) meets Dele Sosimi (legendary keyboardist to Fela Kuti) in a rare Afro Beat jam session. Special guest including but not limited to Helen McDonald (vocals & talking drum). It’s going to be a night to remember. Please join us at Passing Clouds in London on Nov 5th.
