by Mayuyuka
African music has always been a major part of my music collection; ranging from Kwaito to Jazz classics and even some obscure Hip Hop. In celebration of African music past and present I decided to have a look at a few releases that keep music from a previous generation alive and well, by borrowing from it and updating it for a younger audience. Think of this as the musical equivalent of continuing to pursue the goals set by the Organisation of African Unity, now done through the African Union, 53 years after the original institution's inception. Here are a few songs I picked out on Africa Day that represent that passing of the baton pretty well:
Sampling a classic track is a pretty gutsy thing to do. The attempt can lead to rapturous applause or just plainly rub people the wrong way. When it does go right it's something to behold. The Fraternity's Bheka Mina Ngedwa is a feel good song that brightens up my day any time I listen to it. The song sample's Brenda Fassie's Weekend Special and keeps the funkiness of the original alive whilst adding a fresh twist. A little bit of nostalgia is a great addition to the ingredients when making a hit, and this song will transport you to the blissful days of your childhood.
The next song on my playlist was Handiende by the mercurial Zubz. The song's guitar rhythm is hauntingly rhythmical, and provided a solid base upon which one of the most gifted MCs I've heard could rhyme. This somber tale of a disintegrating relationship owes it's being to the original track done by Steve Makoni. The track was later covered by Oliver Mtukudzi, with the similarly named Hakuendwe; and has the Zimbabwean legend wistfully croon over the outstanding guitar riff. Zubz brilliantly conveys the emotive story in his version of the song whilst staying true to the subject matter of the original.
I came across Moelogo's Penkele somewhat by chance and was immediately enthralled by the infectious bassline. This England-based artist had found a way to infuse the intensity of a Trap beat with the infectious melody of an Afro Pop song. I couldn't escape the result of this unique approach for days after I'd first heard it. A little while after my discovery, finding out the history of this song was the cherry on top. To my surprise, I found that it had reworked the original song of the same name performed by King Sunny Ade. Despite not understanding most of the lyrics, I can assure you both these songs are amazing!
In terms of politics, the continent faces the challenge of carrying the torch lit by a generation of stalwarts who envisioned a brighter future for it. Musically, the sounds of the past can also be relayed to a new generation and keep the cultural heritage of Africans firmly in our midst. Africa Day was a great time to reflect on the achievements of Africans of all walks of life... it made sense to have a proudly African playlist to go along with the celebrations!
