P.A.M Bostwana: Turns 46 Today

Bostwana's Flag

Happy Independence Day to Botswana (formerly called Bechuanaland.) as it celebrates 46 years of independence. A landlocked country in southern Africa, it shares borders with South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and

north, Zambia to the North and Zimbabwe to the northeast . Bostwana which has enjoyed relative stability in recent years is Africa's longest continuous democracy and one of the world's biggest diamond producers.

P.A.M Feature: Yoruba Africa Orishas

We had to share this beautiful work of art with you by James C. Lewis, an Atlanta based photographer. The portrait is a precise representation of the African gods & goddesses.

"YORUBA AFRICAN ORISHAS: These are the gods & goddesses of the IFA Religion which originated in Nigeria West Africa. Due to the slave trade the religion spread to Brazil, Cuba, The Caribbean and several other areas around the globe. There are over 400 Orishas however, only 20 key deities are still readily known and worshipped."

P.A.M Artist On Tour: Fatoumata Diawara in the USA

Fatoumata Diawara is a Malian musician currently living in France is now touring the United States and Europe

Born in the Ivory Coast to Malian parents, Diawara moved to France to pursue acting, appearing in Cheick Oumar Sissoko's 1999 featu

re film La Genèse, Dani Kouyaté's popular 2001 film Sia, le rêve du python, in the internationally renowned street theatre troupe Royal Deluxe, and played a leading role in the musical Kirikou et Karaba. She later took up the guitar and began composing her own material, writing songs that blend Wassalou traditions of Southern Mali with international influences. Noted for her distinct "sensuous voice," she has performed and recorded with Oumou Sangaré, AfroCubism,[5] Dee Dee Bridgewater (on Red Earth: A Malian Journey), and the Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou.

P.A.M Feature: Lynxxx "Fine Lady"

A Ghana-Nigeria collaboration between musician Lynxx and Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas produced a very beautiful video.

Who is Lynxx?

"He made his debut into the Nigerian Music Industry in 2009 with his single, ‘Change Your Parade’. After making big waves with that song, he went on to dish out more hit singles in 2010 culminating in the release of his album later in the year. Within just a short period in the industry, he has captured the attention of many and is one of the most talked about Nigerian artistes in recent times.

P.A.M Equatorial Guinea: Concha Buika In Ebony Magazine

Guess which African artist was featured in Ebony's October Issue? Concha Buika born to parents from Equatorial Guinea takes pg 127. The mesmerizing singer who was voted as one of the world's "50 Great Voices" by NPR in 2010 combines traditional flamenco, jazz and soul to produce her distinct sound. Enjoy!

Here is a great track from her "No habrá nadie en el mundo"

P.A.M Kenya: Remembering Wangari Maathai

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2004/maathai-bio.html

Wangari Muta Maathai was born in Nyeri, Kenya (Africa) in 1940. The first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree. Wangari Maathai obtained a degree in Biological Sciences from Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas (1964). She subsequently earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh (1966). She pursued doctoral studies in Germany and the University of Nairobi, obtaining a Ph.D. (1971) from the University of Nairobi where she also taught veterinary anatomy. She became chair of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and an associate professor in 1976 and 1977 respectively. In both cases, she was the first woman to attain those positions in the region. Wangari Maathai was active in the National Council of Women of Kenya in 1976-87 and was its chairman in 1981-87. It was while she served in the National Council of Women that she introduced the idea of planting trees with the people in 1976 and continued to develop it into a broad-based, grassroots organization whose main focus is the planting of trees with women groups in order to conserve the environment and improve their quality of life. However, through the Green Belt Movement she has assisted women in planting more than 20 million trees on their farms and on schools and church compounds.

P.A.M South Africa: The Rainbow Nation Celebrates National Heritage Day

Blessings to the Rainbow Nation (SOUTH AFRICA) as she celebrates National Heritage Day. May we take a lesson from the beauty bestowed upon the world, every so often by the rainbow's diversity and vibrancy.

A celebratory Video from the Pan Africa Crew, let us dance and celebrate with South Africa. So that they may know that we recognize their struggle, we applaud their victory and will hold them accountable to keep on the good fight. 

Backgroud

Heritage Day, 24 September, is a public holiday on which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.

In KwaZulu-Natal, 24 September was known as Shaka Day, in commemoration of the Zulu King, Shaka. Shaka was the legendary Zulu King who played an important role in uniting disparate Zulu clans into a cohesive nation. Each year Zulu Kings and warriors gather at King Shaka's grave in Stanger and honor him on this day.

The Public Holidays Bill presented to the Parliament of South Africa at the time did not have 24 September included on the list of proposed public holidays. As a result of this exclusion, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a South African political party with a large Zulu membership, objected to the bill. Parliament and the IFP reached a compromise and the day was given its present title and seen as a public holiday.

“	...when South Africans celebrate the diverse cultural heritage that makes up a "rainbow nation". It is the day to celebrate the contribution of all South Africans to the building of South Africa(sic)	”
	— Lowry 21:1995

P.A.M Mauritius: You Now know Seggae, Do you know Sega?

Now that we know what Seggae (Sega + Reggae). Learn what Sega is. Feel free to try the dancing as well (and don't forget to share the music with others).

P.A.M Reggae: Seggae- Racine Tatane

Here is another great Seggae tune. Seggae is a music genre invented in the mid 1980s by the Mauritian Rasta singer: Kaya.
Seggae is a fusion of sega, music genre from the island country, Mauritius, and reggae.

Racine Tatane, was Kaya's group in the early days of Seggae

P.A.M REGGAE: African Islands-Mauritius- Seggae

If you listened to the Reggae show yesterday (yes you can listen online at http://archive.wort-fm.org/index.old.php look for "PanAfrica"), we hope you like it. If you did not, have a taste of what you missed. The continent is full of Reggae music, each country has interwoven it into their traditional genres to produce some of the greatest reggae sound. We will first bring you one of these mixes from the African Islands- Mauritius.

SEGGAE

Seggae is a fusion genre of sega, the traditional music of the Mascarene Islands, and reggae. Seggae is one of the most popular music genres in Mauritius. This fusion was created by Kaya, a Mauritian musician. Enjoy the video 'seggae man' by Kaya

On Panafrica WORT 89.9 FM: African Roots Reggae Splash!!!

 

Stay connected on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/PanAfricaRadioShow

Tune in this saturday, September 22nd (http://www.wort-fm.org/listen.php) 2-4 PM Central time for an exciting edition of Panafrica show featuring African Roots Reggae. Reggae music has always been part of the African music genome but the music genre took off sometime after Bob Marley's 1980 Independence Concert in Zimbabwe. Today, Reggae is one of the most popular music genres in the Africa Continent and is usually laced with layers of African musical styles, that provides a marked contrast to Jamaican Roots Reggae. After the death of Bob Marley, who tried desperately to capure the American R&B market, the Jamaican reggae sound now increasingly identifies with  American sound, with slackness, ragga (rap) styles, and DJ toasts raggamuffin styles permeating into various songs.

P.A.M Old School: Miriam Makeba's Pata Pata

I am always amazed at the amount of people who have still not been priviledged to enjoy some of the greatest soundz out of the continent. I was chatting with a new pal today and have with others before (yes even Africans) who have very limited knowledge of the wondrous musical world we have out there. My pal and I chatted about Miriam Makeba, who she did not know of. So this vidoe is for Mama Africa's (Miriam Makeba) current fans and new fans. Enjoy and share the music.

P.A. M Feature: Rick Ross' Controversial Video- Hold me back (Nigeria)

The US hip hop star Rick Ross has been making some progress in collaborations with artists from the continent. His latest collaborative piece with P Square, Nigeria's twin mega stars "Beautiful Onyinye" was a hit. But his newest video may be gathering some rather annoyed fans.

The video is shot  in the slums of Nigeria and is a rendition of the version shot in the 'ghettos' of New Orleans, USA. Some praise it as being realistic, showing the state of affairs in Nigeria. But it has also been scorned for perpetuating the stereotypical depictions of Africa. Perhaps the latter has reason to be disappointed, as no progressive region of Nigeria is shown in this video ( there are many). Yet again, perhaps that was not Rick Ross' aim to show those who are doing well but to highlight the downtrodden. Here is the video, have your say.  

P. A.M CAMEROON: The State of Makossa

I read the below article this morning from Nexdim Empire and it is quite intriguing. We,  young Cameroonians have definitely questioned the state of Makossa, Cameroon's most known music genre and symbol next to soccer. I agree with the author that Nigeria is slowly picking up where the ancient artists left makossa (although I would catergorize Kukere as more- Azonto/coupe Decale (ghana & Ivory Coast) than Makossa (Cameroon). However, there are some young Cameroonian artists, playing a role as well. Find above X-Maleya, a young generation Makossa artists and below Sam Fan Thomas, a pioneer in the 80s.

Emmanuel Jal uses music as therapy

You may have heard about the South Sudanese rapper in the news recently regarding being  beaten and robbed by police  while  in Juba to promote International Peace Day and to perform at the "We Want Peace" Business Gala and concert on September 20th and 21st. Read below a piece on his work.


By Jane Stevenson ,QMI Agency

Peace activist-Afro-hip-hop artist Emmanuel Jal pictured in Toronto to talk about his new disc See Me Mama on August 7, 2012. (Michael Peake/QMI Agency)

From a South Sudanese child soldier at age eight in the late '80s -- carrying an AK-47 that was taller than his small body -- to addressing G20 leaders this past June, peace activist-Afro-hip-hop artist Emmanuel Jal has seen the lowest of lows and the highest of highs.
Through it all music has been his therapy, says the 32-year-old rapper, currently dividing his time between Toronto and South Sudan with his fourth album, See Me Mama, released this past Tuesday.
"What I always wanted to do when I was a kid was to speak out and help people which I continue to do afterwards," said Jal earlier this week. "I was doing music as a form of therapy, to help me, but later it became a tool for me to speak more."

Pan Africa Music & Movie: "Tango With Me" Soundtrack

While we wait for "Tango With Me" to reach the North America  enjoy its moving, almost haunting soundtrack. Beautiful work Esian. Here is "Suru".

Europe is already enjoying the highly anticipated film featuring Africa's 'Julia Roberts', actress Genevieve Nnaji and new screen favorite Joseph Benjamin. So check out where its showing at http://www.tangowithmefilm.com/

P.A.M Playlist: On Pan AFrica Radio show right now (Tune In: http://www.wort-fm.org/listen.php))

		03:10pm	3:00	Majek Fashek	so Long new req	unset	Rainmaker MP3 Album Private loc added	1997	Non EMI country email url	unset
	03:07pm	3:00	Kuku Sebsibe	yene Lebichawu new req
	03:04pm	3:00	Ziyara Hablul	Harari new req
	03:01pm	3:00	Yohannes Bahanu	"Unknown" new req

P.A.M Tune In: On Panafrica WORT 89.9 FM: Ethiopian New Year (Music) and African Reggae

 Connected on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/PanAfricaRadioShow

Tune in this saturday, September 15th (http://www.wort-fm.org/listen.php) 2-4 PM Central time for an exciting edition of Panafrica show featuring music from Ethiopia and African Reggae. Ethiopia celebrates it new year this week. It's 2005 in the Ethiopian Calendar and we will feature music, culture and developments in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is also considered the birthplace of the rastafarian religion and its late Emperor Haile Selassie is considered the King of Kings of the Rasta. Bob Marley visited Ethiopia and subsequently reggae music spread across Africa. Today, Reggae is one of the most popular music genres in the Africa Continent and morphed into various styles. We will bring you some of the best reggae tunes across the continent.

P.A.M South Africa: Johnny Clegg & Tribe Called Quest- Steve Biko

Bringing more dedications to the great, selfless man, Steve Biko. Here is Johnny Clegg















And another piece from a tribe called Quest "Steve Biko"

P.A.Music South Africa: Songs Dedicated to Steve Biko

Biko has been the subject of many tributes in many different genres of music, including rap, hip hop, jazz, reggae and rock

• In 1978, Peter Hammill on his album The future Now in the song "A motor bike in Afrika" was the first to mention Biko (after his death) in England.
• The album Song for Biko by South African improviser, composer, and bandleader Johnny Dyani (Johnny Mbizo Dyani) features a composition written by Dyani of the same name.
• Tom Paxton released the song "The Death of Stephen Biko" on his 1978 album Heroes.
• Tapper Zukie released the song "Tribute To Steve Biko" on his 1978 album Peace In The Ghetto on the Frontline Records label.^[28]
• Steel Pulse released the song "Biko's Kindred Lament" on their 1979 album Tribute to the Martyrs.
• Peter Gabriel recorded his song "Biko" on his 1980 album Peter Gabriel.
• Sweet Honey in the Rock's 1981 album, Good News, contains tracks titled "Biko" and "Chile Your Waters Run Red Through Soweto", which compares Biko's death to that of Chilean musician Victor Jara and was covered by Billy Bragg in 1992.
• Christy Moore sang a song about Biko called "Biko Drum" which makes several references to the South African hero. The song was written by Wally Page.
• Biko is referenced in the Public Enemy song "Show 'Em Whatcha Got" on the album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.
• Randy Stonehill sings about Biko in the song "Stand Like Steel" on his 1989 album Return to Paradise (produced by Mark Heard).^[29]
• The album, Midnight Marauders (1993) by A Tribe Called Quest includes the song "Steve Biko (Stir It Up)" in which Biko is mentioned very briefly during the song, mostly in the 20 second chorus. Phife Dawg raps: "I'm radical with this like the man this song is after".
• Beenie Man's 1997 album Many Moods of Moses includes the song "Steve Biko".
• German singer Patrice sings about Biko in the song "Jah Jah Deh Deh" which appears on his album How Do You Call It?.
• Dead Prez's album Let's Get Free references Steve Biko in the track "I'm a African".
• Dave Matthews wrote the song "Cry Freedom" in honour of Biko.^{[citation needed]}
• Dirty district's song "Steve Biko" is based on the murder of Steve Biko. The song is recorded on their debut album, Pousse Au Crime et Longueurs de Temps.
• Groundation's song "Silver Tongue Show" references Biko.
• Simphiwe Dana's second album is The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street.
• Stevie Wonder mentions the struggle in South Africa and Stephen Biko in a tribute concert to Bob Dylan in his song "Blowing in the Wind".
• Willy Porter mentions Biko in his song "The Trees Have Soul". He sings: "Even Stephen Biko knows, the trees have soul".
• Johnny Clegg mentions Steve Biko, Victoria Mxenge and Neil Aggett in his song "Asimbonanga" about Apartheid and Nelson Mandela.
• Wyclef Jean compares Biko's horrific events to the ones of Amadou Diallo in his tribute song name "Diallo" on the album The Ecleftic: Two Sides of a Book.
• Banda Bassotti - Figli Della Stessa Rabbia
• Lowkey's 2009 album Dear Listener references Steve Biko in the track "I Believe".
• Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson mentions him on the song "Mal Sacate". Kristofferson sings: "They killed so many heroes / Like Zapata (presente!) and Fonseca (presente!) / and Sandino (presente!) and Guevarra (presente!)/ and sdazSteve Biko (presente!)/ but they can never kill the human spirit in Nicaragua."
• Senegal's Youssou N'Dour mentions Steve Biko in his song "New Africa".
• Saul Williams mentions Biko along with other notable figures such as Buddha, Bob Marley, John Lennon, Khalil Gibran, Shiva in the song "Coded Language".
• Vybz Kartel, in his song "Licensed to Kill", sings: "Mi wi do di time like Mandela, fi murda di whole a dem like Stephen Biko".

P.A.M South Africa: Steve Beko

"I Write What I Like contains a selection of Biko's writings from 1969, when he became the president of the South African Students' Organization, to 1972, when he was prohibited from publishing. The collection also includes a preface by Archbishop Desmond Tutu; an introduction by Malusi and Thoko Mpumlwana, who were both involved with Biko in the Black Consciousness movement; a memoir of Biko by Father Aelred Stubbs, his longtime pastor and friend; and a new foreword by Professor Lewis Gordon."

Biko's writings will inspire and educate anyone concerned with issues of racism, postcolonialism, and black nationalism.

Stephen Bantu Biko (18 December 1946 – 12 September 1977) was an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960s and 1970s.

P. A. M Ethiopia: Mulatu Astake- One of the Greatest

We couldn't  end the week without featuring some great artists, instrumentalists and musicians out of Ethiopia. Here we bring the great Jazzist, Mulatu Astake. It has been said that all hip hop artists should give gratitude to him as almost all of them have sampled Mulatu's work (most not knowing). Below is more info on Mulatu accompanied by a beautiful sound.

P.A.M Ethiopia: Ethiopian shoemaker takes great strides

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African Dream - Ethiopia's Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

 Featured on BBC's African Dream, Ethiopia's Bethlehem Alemu is an environmentally conscious entrepreneur who is making waves in many spheres. We bring you her story today accompanied by a beautiful Ethiopian song known among many young girls in the country.

P.A.M Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone achieves Guinness World Records Title for Largest Sampa Dance

Did you Know that (source link below) ..........

Posted: April 27, 2012

 

Guinness World Records can today confirm that Sierra Leone has successfully achieved its first world record following an attempt for the Largest Sampa dance title in the nation's capital.
Dancers from schools across Freetown came together on Thursday to perform a synchronized Sampa dance (a folk dance traditional in Sierra Leone) at the Brookfields National Stadium.
The event was organised by the Mariatu Kargbo Foundation and was part of celebrations for Sierra Leone's national Independence Day on 27^th April 2012.

P.A.M Ethiopia: Facts About Ethiopia (Teddy Afro)

Here are some facts about this great country by Deep from an Ethiopian (link below)

- Ethiopia is the only African country with its own alphabet. 

- Ethiopia is the only country in the world with 13 months.

- In Ethiopia time is counted on the opposite side of the clock: 6 o’clock is said to be 12 o’clock, and at 16:00 Ethiopians say it is ’10 o’clock’.

- Ethiopia is one of only two countries in the world that have never been occupied. (The other one is Russia, in case you are asked). It managed to stay free by defeating the Italians … twice!

- Although Ethiopia was the first African state to join the League of Nations, it soon became apparent that ‘collective security’ would not be given to an African nation even after atrocities of ethnic cleansing and mass murders were evident after Italy invaded – everyone turned a blind eye and a deaf ear.

- Ethiopia was the birthplace of Pan-Africanism. The belief that Africa should unite and be the master of its own destiny was hailed by Emperor Hailesellasie I. It eventually led to the birth of the African Union of today.

- The hydroelectric dam that was built on the Tekeze River and was inaugurated in November 2009 is Africa’s tallest arch dam standing at 188 meters. Gilgel Gibe IV a dam that will be operational sometime in 2012/13 will be the tallest dam on the continent at 200+ meters.

P.A.M Ethiopia: Happy New Year To Ethiopia

And it is 2005 for Ethiopians today

Ethiopian Calendar (explained)

http://www.selamta.net/Ethiopian%20Calendar.htm

Ethiopia has its own ancient calendar. The Ethiopian Calendar has more in common with the Coptic Egyptian Calendar. The Ethiopic and Coptic calendars have 13 months, 12 of 30 days each and an intercalary month at the end of the year of 5 or 6 days depending whether the year is a leap year or not. The Ethiopian calendar is much more similar to the Egyptian Coptic calendar having a year of 13 months, 365 days and 366 days in a leap year (every fourth year) and it is much influenced by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which follows its ancient calendar rules and beliefs. The year starts on 11 September in the Gregorian Calendar or on the 12th in (Gregorian) Leap Years. The Coptic Leap Year follows the same rules as the Gregorian so that the extra month always has 6 days in a Gregorian Leap Year.

P.A.M Literature: Lapiro’s Musings on President Paul Biya and His CPDM Regime: Tête-à-Tête with Dr. Peter Vakunta

During my stint in Cameroon in June this year, I paid Cameroon’s political gadfly, Pierre Lambo Sanjo (Lapiro de Mbanga), a courtesy visit at his home in Mbanga. It was an opportune moment for me to pick the dissident musician’s brain on what he thinks of President Paul Biya and his government. What follows is a translation of his reflections from French into English.
Follow this link to listen to the audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QtD1ep2hik&feature=relmfu
Dr. Vakunta: To bring you back to your imprisonment in 2009, your fans have not hesitated to describe your incarceration as a miscarriage of justice. Do you share their view?

P.A.M Literature: Awilo’s Head-on Collision with the Beti Mafia in Cameroon

By Dr. Peter Vakunta

Awilo is a budding musician whose maiden album titled “We Done Tiya Beti” is causing ripples in political circles in Cameroon. Like his predecessor and mentor, Lapiro de Mbanga, Awilo has taken up the cudgels to fight corruption, tribalism, abuse of power, influence peddling, and electoral fraud perpetrated by the Beti oligarchy in Cameroon as seen in the following critique of the title piece of his CD.Like most township bards, Awilo views himself as a herald and bearer of untoward news for the generality of Cameroonians: “La dernière minute a sonné. Les cameroonais ont compris; confirmé. Le grand sorcier.”

It is interesting to note that Awilo predicts the apocalypse that is imminent in Cameroon. He sounds like a doomsayer at a time of crisis. As far as this anti-establishment musician is concerned, the Beti mafia has sounded the death knell of the Republic of Cameroon. He believes that it is only a question of time before things begin to fall apart; when the center can no longer hold. It would appear Awilo speaks for the majority of Cameroonians when he states in no uncertain terms that we have had enough of the greedy Beti people who take delight in monopolizing power: "We no wan Beti, We dong tiya Beti, We dong over waa Beti We dong over cush Beti, We dong tiya!"

The October, 2011 Presidential election in Cameroon comes under serious scrutiny in Awilo’s songwriting. The protest songwriter is not afraid to let the world know that Mr. Paul Biya won that election through electoral fraud and gerrymandering aided and abetted by business emprises such as MTN, Orange, Camtel and the Agence de distribution des moustiquaires. Listen to his stentorian voice: "MTN, Orange, Camtel, Agence de distribution for moustiquaires/ Vous avez aidé votre père à gagner sans souci/Quel abus de confiance et escroquerie avec manières! / Quelle honte pour vos clients!"

Awilo has a way of capturing the attention of listeners through parallelisms. Certain words and phrases are repeated not just for esthetic effect but also for the purpose of emphatic adumbration: "We no wan Beti, We dong tiya Beti, We dong over waa Beti We dong over cush Beti, We dong tiya Beti."

It should be noted that the word “Beti” occurs in every sentence in the excerpt above. This is because the Beti tribe is the target of his frontal attack in this song. In a similar vein, the word “tiya” is underscored in a bid to drive home the point that Cameroonians have come to a point of no return in the struggle to overthrow the cancerous regime of President Paul Biya. The phrase “we dong over” translates the notion of “a surfeit of effort” exerted to accomplish a herculean task. Parallel repetition accentuates salient themes such as ethnocentrism, abuse of power and governmental ineptitude. Awilo shines the searchlight on the canker of corruption and influence peddling that have become second nature to Cameroonian politicians: “ELECAM, court suprème, la sécurité na soso njaka dem for répé/ Si ton père est Général/Ta mère présidente du tribunal/ You check sei you fit go for ngata one day? / Noooooooo! The insinuation here is that the executive branch of government in Cameroon has usurped power from the judicial and legislative branches of government and rendered the judiciary and legislative arms of government dysfunctional.

“We Done Tiya Beti” is a lampoon on the malfunctioning of the election watchdog code-named ELECAM. Awilo is strong in his belief that ELECAM is Paul Biya’s gigantic election-rigging machine characterized by make-believe, theft and fraud: "Man di kale for Mbeng, vote carte commot for Mamfe. You Kale for Kumba, vote carte commot for Douala. You kale for Douala, vote carte commot for Mbengwi. You kale for Kumba, vote carte commot for Muyuka. Man fit vote five times if you get energy and transport. Vraiment de Dieu!"

Like most sane Cameroonians, Awilo is worried about the fate of democracy in Cameroon given the current turn of events. That’s why he pours opprobrium on that contraption called ELECAM: “ELECAM, shame!!!/Again, ELECAM, shame, shame, shame! / God go punish wuna nine times!” Awilo does not mince words in chastising the Biya regime which he describes as an association of thieves: "Si finalement, je dis bien finalement hein,/ On a légalisé le vol au Cameroun/ Better on ouvre les portes des prisons/ Pour la libération de vos collègues incarcérés pendant longtemps/ Pour que tout le monde soit en liberté provisoire!"

As far as Awilo is concerned, the younger generation of Cameroonians has no future at all. He bemoans the fate of Cameroonian youths whose future has been mortgaged by the Beti mafia in Yaoundé: "Vous avez volé, braqué l’avenir de nos enfants!/ Les enfants n’ont plus l’avenir./ Pour travailler au cameroun/ Il faut être spécialiste en caducée des malheureux/ Un pays qui nous sort des cartes chaque jour!"

Awilo derides the bogus grand projects announced by President Biya in the wake of the 2011 Presidential elections: “Le Cameroun des grandes ambitions/ Aujourd’hui, le grand réalisateur/A quelle heure?"
This is a slap in the face of Mr. Paul Biya who is clearly power-drunk and dishonest. Awilo is very tenacious in his mockery of the Head of State as this excerpt indicates: “On vous a cadeauné le pouvoir/Caressez le pouvoir! / Mangez le pouvoir! /Nyoxer le pouvoir! / Ça vous appartient. /Vous êtes né avec le pouvoir! /Mange-le! Mange-le! /Donnez même le bisou au pouvoir. /Mwa! Mwa! Mwa! / Vraiment de Dieu! /Quelle honte! /Quel abus de confiance!"

Awilo points out that it is only a question of time before these power-mongers find themselves in prison: “Dans bientôt all man for ngata! / On vous connaît! / On vous connaît! /Question de temps!” The theme of ubiquitous power struggle is a leitmotif in Awilo’s songwriting. As he puts, Cameroon is sitting on a time-bomb on account of iniquitous political strife: "Quelle guerre politique!/ You go for Mamfe,/ Ayah Paul ana Agbor Tabi!/ You go for Tiko na dem dem/ Affaire ngraffi ana son of the soil!/ You go for Nkambe,/ Na Awudu Mbaya Ibrahim for SDF/ Ana Yembe Shey Jones!/ You go for Bamenda,/ Atanga ana Angwafor sei Fru Ndi must go Baba./ You go Ngoketunjia,/ Dr. Lesigha and Fon Doh…/ If man be know."

This sagacious musician knows his country’s political chessboard like the back of his palm. He strikes an interesting parallel between Cameroonian politicians and the country’s corrupt police officers: "Affaire politique yi dong ton leke/ Muna policier wei yi de soso take’am/ Yi no di gee man no one day./ You go for policier yi house,/ Yi go ask you sei, tu m’as amené quoi?/ Yi come for youa house,/ Tu m’as gardé quoi?"

This analogy is very striking. In many parts of Cameroon there is common belief that police officers are part of the national problem rather than the solution. This is true of Cameroonian politicians who excel in the art of double-speak and circumlocution. In the final analysis, Awilo comes to the realization that only a biological solution will rid Cameroonians of the cancer that has been nicknamed “Beti.” It is on this count that the unfazed musician calls upon God Almighty to come to the rescue of his compatriots: "God, add small fire for Cameroon/ Mek we take dis ting!/ You done over slow./ Since weh dem born me,/ You done slow sotai I ton nyamangoro./ No be na you mek fire?/ Add fire! Add fire God! Papa God add fire!/ You done slow sotai Satan wan take Cameroon./ Add fire! Add fire! Ah!"

Like most despondent Cameroonians, Awilo is convinced that only the biological remedy will rid Cameroon of the Beti mafia orchestrated by the tenant at Etoudi. He seems to entertain the melancholic thought that God has taken leave of Cameroon:“You done slow sotai Satan wan take Cameroon.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth of the matter is that the Almighty is a permissive God who gives men enough leeway to do what they want. Then He strikes with a sledge-hammer at the opportune moment. Awilo appears cognizant of this ontological truth when he sings: “Some taim God di hide/ God di take yi taim/ Slowly but steadily.”

Awilo’s piece ends on a rather pessimistic note, with no hope for change in Cameroon any time soon: “We don tiya/ Kontri no wan change-oh!/ We don tiya/ Kontri no wan change-oh!/ Kah Walah Edith Kabbang, 000,000/ Ayah Paul Abine, 0.0,000/ Fru Ndi Ni John, 0.4000,000/ Biya Paul, 35,000,000/ C’est lui le gagnant!" There goes Awilo again with another punch in the face of ELECAM.

In a nutshell, Awilo is an upstart in the arena of protest music in Cameroon. He is unfazed by Paul Biya’s bully antics and scare tactics. He wants the world to know that Cameroon is an existential anomaly, a sore finger on the landscape of Africa. Cameroonians need to keep an eye on this young musician. He knows his country pretty well and has mastered the craft of converting political material into marketable musical stuff.

About the reviewer Dr. Peter Vakunta is professor at the United States Department of Defense Language Institute, POM-CA

Notes

1.THe last moment has come. Cameroonians have understood and confirmed the message from the big witch. 2.We don’t want the Beti, We are tired of the Beti, We’ve fought too many battles with the Beti, We’re tired of cursing the Beti, We’re tired! 3.MTN, Orange, Camtel, Agency for the distribution of mosquito nets / You have helped your father win with no effort /What breach of trust/ And swindle without fuss! What a shame for your clients! 4.Tribe of the Head of State of Cameroon 5.“Elecam, suprme court, forces of law and order are all children of Papa./If your father is a General/ Your mother president of the court/ Do you think you can ever go to prison?/ Noooooooo! 6.You live in Mbeng but your ballot paper is seen in Mamfe. You live Kumba but your ballot paper is seen in Douala. You live in Douala but your ballot paper is in Mbengwi. You are in Kumba but your ballot paper is in Muyuka. A person can vote five times if he has the energy and transportation fare. Good heavens! 7.ELECAM, shame!!!/Again, ELECAM, shame, shame, shame! / God will punish all of you nine times!” 8.If at the end of the day; yes I said at the end of the day, hein Theft has been legalized in Cameroun, Then the doors of prisons should be thrown open To set free your colleagues incarcerated a long time ago. This would give everyone some temporary freedom! 9.You have robbed our children of their future! Children no longer have a future. To work in Cameroon You must be a specialist in the antics of the underprivileged, We live in a country that changes colors like a chameleon! 10.“Cameroon of big ambitions /Today the big achiever/Isn’t it too late? Power was given to you for free /Caress power! / Eat power! / Have sex with power! /It’s all yours/ You were born with power! /Eat it! Eat it!!/ You can even kiss power/Mwa! Mwa! Mwa! / Good Heavens! /What a shame! /What breach of trust! 11.Soon everyone will be in jail! / We know you! /We know you! / Question of time!” 12.What a political warfare! You go to Mamfe, Ayah Paul is against Agbor Tabi! You go to Tiko, it’s still them It’s the tug of war between the Graffi and indigenes! You go to Nkambe, It’s Awudu Mbaya Ibrahim of SDF against Yembe Shey Jones! You go to Bamenda, Atanga and Angwafor say Fru Ndi must return to Baba. You go to Ngoketunjia, Dr. Lesigha is at daggers drawn with Fon Doh… Had we known! 13.This business of politics could be compared to police officers Who never give but only take. If you pay a policeman a visit He will ask you what you brought for him If he pays you a visit, he’ll ask you what you kept for him. 14.God, add a little bit of fire for the sake of Cameroon We need to bring an end to this mess! You have been too slow. From the date of my birth to date, You have been slow to point of making me feel that I am a snail Didn’t you create fire? Add fire! Add fire God! Papa God add more fire! Yo have been slow to the point where I nurse fears that Satan will take over Cameroon. Add fire! Add fire! Ah! 15.Sometimes God hides/ God takes His time/ Slowly but steadily.” 16.We are tired/ The country doesn’t want to change-oh!/ We are tired/ The country doesn’t want to change-oh!/!/ Kah Walah Edith Kabbang, 000,000/ Ayah Paul Abine, 0.0,000/ Fru Ndi Ni John, 0.4000,000/ Biya Paul, 35,000,000/ He is the winner!

P.A.M Zouk: Zouk Machine

Zouk Machine is an all-female zouk group from Guadeloupe which had several hits particularly in France, such as the summer number-one single on French SNEP Singles Chart "Maldòn (la musique dans la peau)", in 1990 that sold over 1 million copies well more than any others zouk band, even Kassav.^[1]

P.A.M Show: Zouk

Be sure to tune in, yes you can listen online. www.wort-fm.org

 

This week we are exploring Zouk! The love genre, we will bring you great tunes from groups and individuals like Kassav, zouk machine, experience 7, franky vincent and more...

 

Alright grab your partner, wife, husband, lover, good friend, tune to Pan AFrica on wort 89.9fm or online and get ready to groove and show some love to each other. We are bringing you the best of Zouk. A fast style of rhythmic music originating from the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique popularized by the group Kassav' in the 1980s

P. A.M: Pan AFrican Women Featured on Forbes Women to Watch

We are rolling down on our week dedicated to women and forbes has once again helped us with that task. check out some of the pioneering African and diasporic women featured on the list. Accompanied is a beautiful tune for Burundi's musician Khadja Nin.

Watching the women of the world can be all-consuming work, but it's unarguably inspiring. Every year new entrepreneurs, creative visionaries and world leaders emerge, and while they haven't yet climbed to the ranks of the world's most powerful women, they've certainly arrived on the scene. From Lena Dunham's breakthrough female comedy in Girls to the woman who's leading the charge in commercial space exploration, we'd place our bets on these 12 women in the coming year. 

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu  Founder, soleRebels

P.A.M Women: Jill Scott on the Cover of Essence

Jill scott is beloved for her soulful voice. But check out her new look on the upcoming essence.












We look forward to hearing what this intelligently conscious women has to share with us. Check out the picture and enjoy her music above. 

P.A.M Women: First Lady of the United States of America

There is one thing that can be said about the first lady of this nation and that is that she has heart and soul. It really doesn't come from what political party she is a part of but from the fact that she truly cares about her fellow humans and puts in the work to improve the quality of life for the underpriviledged. Her dedication and passion, poise and intellect is more than admirable. Catch parts of her speech tonight.

P.A.M Women: Introducing Lianne La Havas

We stumbled on her this morning. Lianne's sound is real, soothing and deep. Check her out.


La Havas was born in London, England to a Greek father and Jamaican mother.^[2] She was raised in Tooting and Streatham, spending the majority of her time with her grandparents, following her parents' separation as a child.^[3] La Havas' cites her parents' diverse musical tastes as having the biggest influence on her music. She began singing at seven.^[4] Her mother played Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige, while her father, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, taught her the basics of guitar and piano. Lianne wrote her first song at the age of 11 but did not learn to play the guitar until she was 18 years old. At 18, Lianne began attending Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College for Girls in Croydon, where she studied art and planned to take her A-Levels in art foundation. However, she left college and decided to pursue a career in music full-time.^[3]

P.A.M Women: Gambian Female Kora Player

In continuing the celebration of women. This week we feature great female Pan African artists starting with this young artist who is doing remarkable. Sonia Jorbateh from the griot family is the first woman in her family to play the Kora, she also teaches Kora playing in Britain. Enjoy

P.A.M News: Forbes Most Powerful black women 2012

We at Pan Africa are quite impressed by the list that came out recently of the world's most powerful black women. Most of it, comes as no surprise as the work of these individuals have shone brightly over the years. Find below some of these recognized wome accompanied above by a song from one of the strongest female musicians out of Africa. (http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2012/08/23/the-worlds-most-powerful-black-women-2012/)

On Wednesday, FORBES published its 2012 annual list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. Of the 100 women featured, 11 are black, of whom 3 are Africans. They include political leaders, corporate executives, NGO heads, top government functionaries and a first lady.

P.A.M Feature: 2 face on Quality of Music (BBC)

2 face aka 2 baba should be no stranger to most. The smooth artist from Nigeria whose track "African Queen" has touched all corners of African and beyond speaks on music, quality and politics. In his interview on BBC he touches on a topic central to our platform on the Pan Africa Radio show: Quality of music. Check out what he says in his interview.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19445131

P.A.M Kora Feature: Mansour Seck

The great childhood friend of Baaba Maal.Enjoy

P.A.M Kora Feature: Bassekou Kouyate- Jonkoloni

Love this piece. Enjoy

P.A.M Women: The barefoot Queen-Cesaria Evora

The world wept of her recent passing. The barefoot queen from Cape Verde entertained us for many  decades with rich melodies. Here is a popular one for your enjoyment.

P. A. M. Band Feature: Debo Band (Ethio-American)

Check out the new band. From their website: 
 
Debo Band is a 11-member group led by Ethiopian-American saxophonist Danny Mekonnen and fronted by charismatic vocalist Bruck Tesfaye. Since their inception in 2006, the band has won raves for their groundbreaking take on Ethiopian pop music (think Ethiopiques), which incorporates traditional scales and vocal styles, alongside American soul and funk rhythms, and instrumentation reminiscent of Eastern European brass bands. Debo have toured Ethiopia twice, appearing at both the Ethiopian Music Festival in Addis Ababa and Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar, the largest music festival in East Africa. In North America, they’ve shared stages with Gogol Bordello, Amadou & Mariam, Grupo Fantasma, The Family Stone, and Ethiopian great Tilahun Gessesse.

P.A.M Kora Feature: Kounding Cissoko

The beautiful instrumental track "Senegal-Mauritanie" is taken from Kaouding Cissoko's fanstastic solo debut album "Kora Revolution" (Published by Palm Pictures, London (1999). It focuses on the versatility of the performer and the instrument. As Senegal's leading African lute-harp player and a key member of Baaba Maal's band, Cissoko expands the kora's range and blends Latin and jazz elements with traditional West African music. His family backs him on most of the album's tracks, playing djembe, tama, balafon and acoustic bass and guitar. They also contribute vocals, as does Maal, making Kora Revolution as much a celebration of family and friends as it is an exploration of contemporary African music. That's a testament to the power of the kora playing here, which is incredibly lovely. Cissoko has appeared on albums by Michael Brook/Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, too. Listen & Enjoy it.

P. A. M Feature: Masters of Malian Music- Toumani Diabete & Ali Farka Toure

Kala Djula' is the new digital only single from Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate, taken from their forthcoming album 'Ali and Toumani'. The follow up to their GRAMMY winning album 'In the Heart of the Moon'  released in  2010.

For more information go to www.aliandtoumani.com
http://www.worldcircuit.co.uk/

Buy the music at http://tinyurl.com/76qpn3a

P.A.M. Collabo: Ablaye Cissoko from Senegal and Volker Goetze from Germany.

Enjoy a beautiful production between a Senegalese kora player and singer and a German jazz trumpet player . Ablaye Cissoko is from Senegal and Volker Goetze from Germany.

The result is their new album called “Amanké Dionti.” One of the songs from the album is called “Haiti.” It’s about the country before and after the earthquake in 2010, but it goes even further than that. Haiti has historical connections to Senegal. A lot of slaves were captured off the coast of Senegal and sent to Haiti. This video to the song covers those connections.