Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novels remind us that the history of the African continent is complex, that race is nothing more than a social construct used to support oligarchic power, and that different does mean better or worse, just different.
In her four part speech at the Christopher Okigbo International Conference at Harvard University, Adichie defends the idea that the African reality is worthy of literature and that the complexity of its people be shared.
4 months ago • 0 notesDuring an economic recession it’s very easy to become self-absorbed with one’s own needs. What ubuntu (the African philosophy of humaneness) reminds us is that we live in a world of co-existence and must not forget the importance of helping one another. In a progress driven, capitalistic society, it is easy to forget to look behind and lift up those around you as you move forward. This video produced by the Global Oneness Project is constant reminder that basic acts of kindness trump all financial successes.
12 months ago • 0 notes
Yuppies Head For The Hills - Si*Se and Bajofondo @ The Stern Grove Festival Golden Gate Park - 8/3/2008
Despite San Francisco’s sub 50 degree fahrenheit summer weather, there’s no place I’d rather be on a Sunday afternoon then Golden Gate Park for the annual Stern Grove Festival concerts. This past Sunday, Si*Se took the stage with fellow Latin Electronica artist Bajofondo.
1 year ago • 0 notes“Elephant Gun”, Beirut.
If I was young, I’d flee this town
I’d bury my dreams underground
As did I, we drink to die, we drink tonight
What if you decided to drop out of high school, travel through Europe with your older brother exposing yourself to Balkan Gypsy music and other Eastern European genres, then produce 3 EPs and 2 full length albums all before you turned 21? Sounds pretty cool, right? Well, Zach Condon of Beirut’s already done it. Beg your mom for a ukelele and a trumpet and maybe you too can transform yourslef into the next darling of indie-folk.
“They’re selling us into second slavery,” preaches Seun Kuti during a recent NPR interview. “In my country we have 150 million people. 130 million people still live on $1 a day. The 20 million who have jobs in banks and oil companies that were put up with money stolen from our country, are leaving the other 130 milliion behind.” As my mother always says, “Nigeria we hail thee”.
1 year ago • 0 notes“Dr. C”, Alias & Tarsier
In the humble words of Timbaland, “I never should’ve left you, without a dope beat to step to”, I return to musical apartheid after a 1-month hiatus with beats from Oakland/Brooklyn duo Alias & Tarsier. Alias (Brendon Whitney) and Tarsier (Rona Rapadas) produced this song as well as an entire album at distance. Alias produced the beats in his studio in Oakland, CA sending his tracks to Tarsier who would then inject her heavenly vocals onto the tracks from her home in Brooklyn, NY. Together Alias and Tarsier produced the album “Brookland/Oaklyn” a timeless trip hop masterpiece that bridges the sounds between two of the US’s most important artistic communities.
Who knew that the Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti had a second son in the business, besides his eldest son Femi Kuti? Well, looks like NPR and San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival Association got the memo, as well as Time Out Chicago. Check out this special clip of Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performing at a festival in Dakar to help raise awareness of the wide spread malaria health crisis throughout Africa. His theatrical performance and powerful lyrics certainly live up to the Kuti name and then some. Also, make sure to look out for the percussionist in the green track suit doing the original Beyonce booty shake. Uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-oh-no-no.
1 year ago • 0 notes