Is Black Music in Africa
Going back to Africa is a dream for many Black Americans. The return to the motherland – the original mothership connection.
The radio show is largely focused on African American music. One of the reasons for this is the lack of context I possess for African culture and the rich folklore that underlies the music.
And so it was that we set out to Cameroon and Nigeria to experience the lifestyle and sentiment of those lands first hand.
We found loving outreach, clay dusted roads, anonymous mix tapes and heads balancing heavy loads.
In Lagos pure synchronicity landed us in Fela Kuti’s house on the actual day of his birthday celebrations during the week-long Felabration festival. And in Benin City the same good fortune brought us to the seat of the great Benin Kingdom for the coronation of the new Oba.
And so it was that Is Black Music went to Africa, and Africa was ready waiting.
We will never be the same.
Fela Kuti’s grave at his home Kalakuta in Lagos
With owner Kunle at the amazing Jazz Hole bookshop, record store and cultural hub, Lagos
Horsemen at the Oba’s coronation in Benin
Brass casting in Foumban in the Cameroon grasslands
Drum to call warriors to battle, Foumban, Cameroon
Rocktoberfest, Lagos
Worshipping at Fela’s Shrine club in Lagos
