Charmed by Africa Music in South Africa
A special event presented by African JAG “If Streets Around the World Unite Hand in Hand” will be happening on November 22 (sat) at LIQUIDROOM in Ebisu, Tokyo. Artists performing on the night will be DJ KRUSH (DJ), Kazunori KUMAGAI (Tap Dance), Tempei (piano), VEKROTZ (performer), etc, a collective of top-notch Japanese artists transcending jenres. Lately, in Japan, the music industry seems to be centered too much around kiddy stuffs, seems too “lukewarm.” Since I wanted to make it a showcase that adults could also enjoy, with artists that have world acclamations, I decided to offer each of these live members. I’m already looking forward to the show. If you could spare your time to make it to the show, do come to LIQUIDROOM, it’s definitely gonna be worthwhile checking. Also, a part of the income from this event will be donated to African JAG Project like any other activities we do.… So, I started off with promotion of my project, but on this issue, I would like to tell you about music in South Africa, which is currently grabbing a global attention as the hosting country of the World Cup 2010.
Music Scenes in South Africa - I
In 1991, the apartheid finally saw its end, and in 1994, Nelson Mandela was elected as the first black president. Thereafter, variety of western music gushed into the country, making a drastic change on music scenes in South Africa.
Televisions are now in every house & rooms, music promoted through TV programs are topping the local charts. Obviously, everyone started to make promotion videos, and TV is becoming the key media especially with music which appeals to young generations, just like any other advanced countries.
HIP HOP
Hip Hop is been a huge scene for the past few years, most of the video clips you see on TV is Hip Hop. After artists from Soweto such as ZOLA & Proverb made a ground breaking success, lots of young kids have started to hold mics to follow them up. Recently, while a lot of artists try to tell messages to the world of the severe situations they are put in, it seems like more artists choose to do Hip Hop to achieve sales.Still, their scene is healthy enough in that although their skills may be immature, MCs are selecting their words very carefully & very conscious in delivering messages to people.Compared to the MCs, track-makers are getting too much influence from western Hip Hop, a lot of DJs sounds the same, with no originality, which is a shame. Their sounds are at times even stale,sounding like what hit the charts in advanced countries years ago. It is true that they are limited in the equipments they could use, some of them even use those that none of the wanna-be DJs would ever choose to use, but they should create their original beats enfolding all the music, rhythms & grooves they grew up on.Nevertheless, I do feel their strong force to “get to the top by making music,” and a hunch that some incredible artists would appear from their scene in the future not so far away,but… My recommendation in Hip Hop is Crosby from a ghetto in Cape Town. He delivers messages that spring out of his real life, in his original style. He will be contributing a track on “African JAG vol.2” benefit Album out next year, so be sure to check him.
JAZZ
South Africa is said to be the origin of jazz, and a huge jazz festival takes place in Cape Town every March. Lately, jazz has become very trendy & stylish, but there are still lots of artists with original grooves. Performances by old cats in their 60s & 70s are especially cool. It’s a shame that places for them to perform decreases every year...
Reggae & Raggamuffin
Reggae & Raggamuffin is also extremely popular. There is even a Rasta community within a Cape Town ghetto, and they work on their music everyday. There are also some ragamuffin MCs in the ghetto who invite visitors from overseas to their homes, eat their ghetto food, talk about their ghetto in order to spread understandings to their activity to vanish ghettos from the place. There are also a lot of people worshipping Rasta too. Anywhere you go, guys with true Rasta hearts are respected…although recently, there are also lots of people who only take it as a fashion…
House Music
Next comes House Music. This scene is definitely up & coming, their original rhythm with flavors of Ska is quite interesting. The music that you could even name it an “African House” is definitely original. I think that the distinctive grooves & vibes that they have in their blood are developing new sounds one after the other.
Others
South Africa, as far as I know, also has a great amount of top-quality female vocalists. My top recommendation is BUSI MHLONGO. Her vocals simply hit you on the spot, even if you don’t understand Zulu language. Long time ago, I was fortunate enough & had a chance to see her live, but I jut couldn’t stop the tears falling down my cheeks. I think I felt her “soul.” Left her country when apartheid begun, being away from her family, she totally sealed her mother language of Zulu & sang in English, outside of her country. When she was returning to her home country after 25 years, she said “I want to sing with my own language. I have the pride to be who I am.” A lot of South African artists truly respect her as well. She is currently taking a break from music, after having an operation of her breast cancer. I cordially & honestly hope to see her again on stage real soon.Other female artists you should keep an eye on is Zamajobe. She is a well-known artist already in Europe, winning various awards. Her music isn’t something that you could call African music like Busi, but her voice is extremely soothing.
Live Albums
I also would like to introduce you to a live recorded album. The one I like is “1 night at MOYO live.” Cream of South African artists are recorded on the album, sounds & grooves are uplifting, with great combinations of traditional & latest rhythms. A must!!
Street Lives
rhythms. A must!! Street Lives I wrote about it in the past chapter, but street lives are extremely powerful. It’s the real street-born power enfolding heat & seriously earnest, something you can’t feel any more in any advanced countries now. The place isn’t safe so I won’t state the exact location where the street lives take place, but if you have the urge to see them, check the details for yourself, and be sure to protect yourself at your own responsibility. You could definitely feel a humungus excitement you’ve never felt for ages.
This is just a tip & pieces of the music scenes in South Africa. There are still lots of stuff I could write about South Africa, but will keep them for next time!!
Producer / Noriko ASANO
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