Since we’ll be on break for a minute (details tomorrow) when the following central African countries celebrate their independence days, let’s do a quick roundup for Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, and Gabon.
August 13, The Central African Republic is the home of Deep House DJ Boddhi Satva, who we talked about here before.
August 15, Today, Congo Brazzaville artists like Bisso Na Bisso and Freddy Massamba carry the flag of Brazzaville pride in the diaspora. While Freddy Massamba impresses me with his range of styles collaborating with the likes of Boddhi Satva, and a host of African superstars through his group Fresk, Abd al Malik, who we have covered before here, surprised me pleasantly.
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August 17, Gabon is probably best known for African Zouk, and the classic pan-African hits of Oliver N’goma. But today (along with most countries), it’s a Rap nation. Teenage rapper Jojo made a Pop-Rap hit that made enough noise to get an MTV Africa nomination:
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Happy independence days to C.A.R., Congo, and Gabao!
I believe the official name for the country is Republic of the Congo.
It’s common to use the capital cities of the Congos to differentiate, but it’s funny that you link to the CIA to prove it. Who’s more “official” than that.