In the past few weeks, I have been honoured to share deep thoughts and devise ambitious plan with brilliant individuals, go-getter and doers.
Most discussions were generally geared towards Africa, the economics of music and culture and how we could contribute to its progress in the 21st century.
The world seem to wake up to Africa and even though it appears as good news to many, the most conscious amongst us are concerned as we already know this trend is 1) not as trend at all 2) may be a double edge swords of massive scale proportions.
As kindly "advised" by the government, experts and "humanitarian "celebrity". Africa need to take charge of its own destiny.
In that register, I wanted to know people honest thoughts on this new track by Angelica Kidjo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtEkbYhtW3Q
What do you think of it musically and aesthetically speaking?
Does it represent African culture or perpetuate status quo and stereotypes?
Do we support this sort of initiatives or no? Why or why not?
is it clever? Easy?
I would be very much interested to know what you think on this specific track of Angelica Kidjo which feature Bono and John Legend andf the dancers from Fela musical ( I wonder if Fela would have approved to let his dancer participate to this), most of you know how passionate I am about the way African music is represented in the west and the way we perceive it in our our own mind.
I touch on the subject in length in an article/manifesto published in UNTOLD in 2001. My view haven't changed a since then..in the light of currents events, it has become even more urgent today:
http://www.creativecaribbeannetwork.com/page/3275/en
For me music is not just entertainment or a money-maker. The way we care about our culture and trade our music is reflective of the way we perceive ourselves and the role we could play as African in the world.
If Music is the Weapon...I suggest we use it properly, intelligently and responsibly...
Peas n light
Most discussions were generally geared towards Africa, the economics of music and culture and how we could contribute to its progress in the 21st century.
The world seem to wake up to Africa and even though it appears as good news to many, the most conscious amongst us are concerned as we already know this trend is 1) not as trend at all 2) may be a double edge swords of massive scale proportions.
As kindly "advised" by the government, experts and "humanitarian "celebrity". Africa need to take charge of its own destiny.
In that register, I wanted to know people honest thoughts on this new track by Angelica Kidjo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtEkbYhtW3Q
What do you think of it musically and aesthetically speaking?
Does it represent African culture or perpetuate status quo and stereotypes?
Do we support this sort of initiatives or no? Why or why not?
is it clever? Easy?
I would be very much interested to know what you think on this specific track of Angelica Kidjo which feature Bono and John Legend andf the dancers from Fela musical ( I wonder if Fela would have approved to let his dancer participate to this), most of you know how passionate I am about the way African music is represented in the west and the way we perceive it in our our own mind.
I touch on the subject in length in an article/manifesto published in UNTOLD in 2001. My view haven't changed a since then..in the light of currents events, it has become even more urgent today:
http://www.creativecaribbeannetwork.com/page/3275/en
For me music is not just entertainment or a money-maker. The way we care about our culture and trade our music is reflective of the way we perceive ourselves and the role we could play as African in the world.
If Music is the Weapon...I suggest we use it properly, intelligently and responsibly...
Peas n light
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