Happy New Year Music Post

My mum used to play this every December leading up to new Year. it is a Christian song asking for God's protection in the new year and praying against sadness, poverty and asking for complete happiness in the new year. I think regardless of your religious inclinations the sentiment is universal.


Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. 

Cover vs Original: I.K. Dairo and Paul 'Play' Dairo - Mo Sorire

 I.K. Dairo (original)



Paul 'Play' Dairo (cover)



Pitting father and son against each other for this week's Cover VS Original for you this week. Needless to say, I prefer the original. It was ground breaking at the time it was released. The arrangement is effortless and more pleasing to the ear.


The song translates to "I've done something great/I've achieved something and I thank my creator." He goes on to specify that things like getting up in the morning is great and worth being thank full for.

African Music Post: YINKA AYEFELE - NEXT LEVEL (IYIN ATI OPE)

YINKA AYEFELE - NEXT LEVEL (IYIN ATI OPE)

This is a type of traditional Yoruba song. Basically the musician has been gifted money by people in high society or he was introduced to them at a party and in turn he writes a song and name drops them. Luckily it's got subtitles, so you can follow his name dropping easily.


XX


p.s: don't let the youtube title fool you there is nothing gospel about this song. 

Majek Fashek - So long

The borderline African weather we've been having put me in the mood for some Nigerian music. 

Picture Post: The Art of Fela’s Queens

To commemorate the 13th anniversary of Fela's death, Elan Magazine did a spread on Fela!'s Queen's/Dancers/backup singers. If you aren't familiar with Fela check him out, I've featured his music here before: African Music Post,Fela! on Broadway














Fela in Performance





Source: http://www.bellanaija.com/2010/08/05/elan-celebrates-“the-art-of-fela’s-queens”/
Happy Friday! 


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African Music Post: Christy Essien Igbokwe - Black Ladies Are Funky Ladies

This is a golden oldies meets African music post. I came across this song when I was feeling nostalgic and listening to the Nigerian old songs I used to listen to as a kid. I had never heard this song before, initially wanted to listen to another one of her songs, "Seun Rere". 


"Seun Rere" is in yoruba and it implores kids to listen to their parents so they can have a better future. She says she is confused about the life she is living, but her parents have pointed out the good paths for her to follow. As an adult, I realise the whole parent-child relationship is more complex than that. Aside from my relationship with my parents, the press is filled with stories of bad parents and I find myself looking at this song differently.  The other song "Black Ladies Are Funky Ladies" was a pleasant surprise, I'm only aware of her Christian songs so I didn't expect this funk influenced song.  I can totally picture my parents in their bug-eyed sunglasses and afros dancing to it in a discotheque.

Seun Rere


Black Ladies Are Funky Ladies


Take Life Easy


Artist: Christy Essien Igbokwe
Song: Black Ladies Are Funky Ladies
Country: Nigeria


Bio:

Nigeria's lady of songs. She put Nigeria's name on the world music map with her evergreen Soun Rere track. She was the first female president of the performing musicians association of Nigeria. Born on the 11th November 1960, this singer and actress is the chairman and managing director of Soul Train entertainment limited.

Her honours include Nigerian lady of songs award, Africa music mother award 1984, international special achievement award Mexico 1983 world song festival award Los Angeles queen of music international award association of theatre arts practitioners Lagos 1996 outstanding achievement in female uplifting. She has also contributed enormously to nation building, peace and tolerance - which, alongside moral uprightness, remain constant themes of her songs.

Bio Source: http://www.onlinenigeria.com/people/ad.asp?blurb=105

Celebs at the Fela! post-theater reception

Fela! is based on the life Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. It has been nominated for 11 Tony awards during it's run. I've featured Fela's music here once before,but I'll post a quick reminder.


Fela Anikulapo Kuti - Zombie





The Sage version of Zombie



Trailer for the show





I really want to see this! I hope it comes to London soon.


http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_FELA_Producers_Honor_FELA_at_The_Palm_20100521


http://www.felaonbroadway.com


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African Music Post: Suzie - My Body

This video has been causing some controversy in it's native country Nigeria. It is obviously a take on D'angelo's untitled video, and I think she has some balls to it considering how easily it could backfire on her.


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African Music Post: Fela

Lady - Fela Kuti


Today, in London it's sunny for a change and it's times like these that I'm reminded of African music. I look back at things I hated, for instance being stuck in traffic and listening to Fela, with a sense of nostalgia . . . funny how that works. 




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African Music Post: Prince Nico - Sweet Mother

The most popular African song ever recorded, it has been covered and rearranged countless times. Fans of Vampire Weekend might the familiar with the guitar style used in the opening, it is a style used mostly in highlife music. The song reminds me of much simpler times when I had a better relationship with my mother.It is in pidgin english and quite easy to follow, but just incase you don't immediately understand the singer is basically thanking his mother for everything she's done for him and all her hardwork.










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African Music Post: Asa - Bi'Ban'Ke

It took me a long time to get Asa's (pronounced Asha) album, but I'm glad I did. It is a good mix of Yoruba and English songs. Out of eleven tracks on the album, more than half (seven) are entirely in English making this worth your while even if you don't speak Yoruba.


It is very hard for me to pick my favourite song on the album, I torn between 'Fire on the Mountain' - which is a bit political, 'Awé'  -A funny story about naivety and this song I'm posting 'Bi'ban ké' - which is about breaking up. In the chorus, she sings "If I'm crying a flood of tears, leave me a alone. If I'm crying really hard, leave me alone". I'm a bit like that, if I'm crying, I want to be left alone.






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