African Music Post: Lira

Feel Good



Ixesha



I discovered Lira through this year's world cup and I've been a fan of hers ever since.
The songs are three years old, but they so perfect for summer, I just had to post them! 

Artist: Lira
Song:Feel Good
Country: South Africa


Bio:

Lira was born Lira Molapo in the East Rand eDaveyton (Ekurhuleni). Her music is a mix of Afro-Jazz, RnB, soul among others. Lira started performing live at the age of 16, singing both cover versions and self-penned songs. In 2000 she was discovered by musician and producer Arthur Mafokate, who had her sign with his own record label, 999 Music. She wrote all the songs on her album that was called All My Love (2003) and released in May 2003.

She left 999 Music and teamed up with keyboardist Victor Mngomezulu, bassist Tshepo Sekele, and producer Robin Kohl. In 2006, her second album, Feel Good, was released and was a bigger success. She received five nominations at the South African Grammy Awards (Best New Artist, Best Female Artist, Best R&B Album, Best Single, and Best Video). 

Some of the songs include Change the world, All My Luv, Wa Mpahela, Ngiyabonga, Feel it in me, Ngiyazifela, Dance of life, Twisted, Crush, Yeah yeah yeah and Dumisa.

Source: http://www.museke.com/Lira

More info:

http://www.myspace.com/missliramusic

http://www.misslira.co.za/

MITNB

African Music Post: Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Iningi Liyabou Ububende

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Iningi Liyabou Ububende


I couldn't log into my blog account yesterday, I had some malware f**king up my computer, which is why there was no African music post. I'm working on improving this post and providing more detail on the musicians featured. These changes should start from next week all things being equal. 


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African Music Post + World Cup

The 2010 Football World Cup (soccer to you Americans) is taking place in South Africa. This year's official world cup song is a cover of Zangalewa by Cameroonian band Zangalewa. Listening to this song brought back some memories for me. When I was in boarding school, we had to sing this as we jogged during out sports day, the lyrics made no sense to me and I assumed by teacher had made it up. So imagine my shock when I listen to the Shakira version and I hear her singing my jogging song.

From what I gather from my interwebs research, the song pays tribute to the African skirmishers that fought during WW2 and mocks black military officers that too sides with white people to oppress black people. (more here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamina_mina_(Zangalewa))

Original


Cover


There has been some chatter online about whether or not Shakira should have been asked to sing since the World Cup is taking place in South Africa and she isn't vaguely African. Some argue that allowing her to sing is in the spirit of unity that the World Cup preaches. While others (and I fall into this bracket) believe that it should have been left to the African people. Singing this song is a big opportunity and a chance to get some African music on the map, right now the only person everyone is talking about in relation to the world cup song is Shakira. Many people don't take a moment to notice and acknowledge the fact that South African band Freshlyground sing on it as well.

There are a couple of African musicians with cross over appeal to pull of the world Cup song and give it the international appeal that the organisers want. People like - Dave Matthews (yes, that Dave Matthews), Femi Kuti, Tony Allen, Seether,  Freshlyground. Hopefully, another African Country would get to host the world cup in my lifetime and rectify this mess.


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African Music Post:Brenda Fassie - Vulindela

 I used to listen to this a lot as a kid. but, I had no idea what it was about. After a bit of googling, I found out that it is about a woman expressing joy that her son is finally getting married. I think I prefer not knowing what it means. 




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African Music Post:Freshlyground - Potbelly

Between life and work, I never get to complete my music reviews as quickly as I would like. But, I really want to keep this blog going (I know I keep saying this), so I'm just going to keep posting mini updates like this.

I need to complete my view of Julian Casabalanca's album and the new Sade album. I'm also hoping to get time of work to go and see 'Phantom Limb' and 'Steve Carlson', hopefully my boss would take all my overtime into consideration and give me the evening off.

Till I get the time to complete my review (most likely this weekend), I'm going to post this little gem. I know many people aren't exposed to African music and it hurts me when people reference Vampire Weekend as African music. If you've never heard actually African music, I hope this song is a great intro and piques your interest in African music, be it modern like Freshlyground and K'naan or tradtional like Miriam Makeba or Fela. I might go on to make this a regular thing.

This isn't representative of all African Music, this is more of a modern take. Freshlyground is a very jazz, popy and occasionally traditional south African band. I saw this video, fell in love and had to get the entire album (Ma'Cheri) which is mostly in English. I think not understanding a language should not prevent you from& enjoying a song. I listen to a lot of Carlos Santana and I don't speak a word of Spanish.

Anyway, here is it;

Freshlyground - Potbelly


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