Africa Unite

Ray C, a Tanzanian songstress has a lovely track called Africa Unite in which she urges the young people to stop the war and continue to strive for unity.

Here is the situation in the United States, there seems to be a whole lot of very smart people who have come over the last fifty years to study and work and live in the land where there are abundant opportunities. I meet some here and there, not too many East Africans though, and the numbers of West African people in Philadelphia especially is well over critical mass. I ask myself, however, whether we would have had the same interactions if my classmates at home were from Niger and Cameroon. If we were connected to Nigeria by more than the fact that we are both former British colonies. If the song that Eric Wainaina sings called Joka were about a train winding across Africa and not just from Kisumu to Nairobi.

Moving into a multi-African society these last couple of years has enriched my life. I love to put a bit of Ghanaian Shito(spicy paste made from scratch) in my rice as much as I love to debate the merits and demerits of kwaito South African house music with colleagues from Zimbabwe and American friends who have lived in South Africa for any portion of time.

So far, the idea of cultural inclusion has entered and found a home in my mind. I no longer believe that there are that many differences between people. I see the race, class, gender and ethnicity debates as a part of life, but if people are bad it does not matter what they had for Sunday Dinner growing up, they will be bad. Take my view with a few of your own in mind and schedule your thoughts around the idea that because you are reading my blog, you are connected to Africa, America and the Internet( essentially nowhere and yet everywhere) at the same time.

Chew on those few words a little as I seek to tell you more about the world as I learn from and see it. Have a mellifluous Wednesday. Good day and stay well, wherever you are.

La Femme Afrique shows topical insights from an African woman living in the United States. Africa content includes the arts, writing, food and people.

Eric Wainaina, Twende Twende album

An open letter to Eric Wainaina,

Thank you for releasing the much awaited album ‘Twende Twende’ in late 2006. I had the good fortune of finding this gem when I was home over Winter Break, and it is fitting to give God tribute for the talent which he has bestowed on you.

So far I have received so many compliments on the music from Pakistani, Indian, Zimbabwean, Kenyan and other friends. The message they are sending is, send us this album. So if you find this message somewhere on the internet, please, send albums this way to market to the US. There is a high demand.

I appreciate the global applicability of your album. I especially enjoy ‘Ni Ki Kiega’ because moms are awesome!!!

God bless you.

One of the Ma Fans

La Femme Afrique shows topical insights from an African woman living in the United States. Africa content includes the arts, writing, food and people.

SHU

I cannot believe that I have blogged this long without mentioning this electric man called Shu.

From about a year ago, when I first hear his songs from a friend’s collection I have been enthralled by the talent of this man. He is brilliant, in school and in the music academy called Life. I applaud his efforts to take the music world by storm in an environment that is ascetic to ‘outsiders’ and hard to penetrate.

Undoubtedly, he is mentioned in the same vein as John Legend( Shu has worked with Dave Tozer, who produced some tracks from the maiden first album for the then unknown Legend) In my books he is OKAY!! What What!

Never underestimate a man like Shu. He has endeared himself to his fans by being available to answer to emails and always keep us updated on his shows and reviews. As we would say, “Huyu jamaa ni wetu”

My personal medal to Shu would have the following citation
‘ For living every parents dream and pursuing music with education, and not only writing good songs, but giving enervating performances both at home, Kenya, and abroad; For entertaining and energising young and old alike; For showing us more than just talent but successful initiative; We award you, Shu this award as a token of appreciation for all you have done and all you have continued to do’

Here is his latest review just in case you are wondering how recently this guy appeared.
(Top Photo By Nicole Sweet, also available at www.shusic.com)

La Femme Afrique shows topical insights from an African woman living in the United States. Africa content includes the arts, writing, food and people.