Africa Is a Country

When you’re from Africa. Like Africa Africa.

Africa Is a Country Podcast
African Five-a-Side Podcast

When you’re from Africa. Like Africa Africa.

By
Sonja Sugira

When the dance pop of London-based The Very Best, with one African member (the other two are French and Swedish) is described as very African.

The cover art for The Very Best's "The Warm Heart of Africa."

A bit late on this but Pitchfork.tv recently unveiled their latest series, Selector, in which they offer a rapper two different beats, one of which the rapper picks as a backing track for a freestyle. In the premiere episode (taped at the studio where Eddie Murphy’s 80s classic, “Coming to America,” was made), Virginia rap darlings, Clipse, are offered beats from The Very Best and Doom. While there are several comments of note, the most memorable comes when Eavvon (yes, that’s how his name is spelled), the Pitchfork host—without any hint of irony I might add—introduces The Very Best: “They’re actually from Africa. Like Africa Africa.” Just in case there was any confusion.

Of course, it doesn’t matter that the only member of the band that is actually from Africa—like Africa, Africa—is singer Esau Mwamwaya from Malawi. In any case, like Sean, I’m a huge fan of this group. Their 2009 debut, Warm Heart of Africa, is perhaps my favorite release of the past year.

Further Reading

Beats of defiance

From the streets of Khartoum to exile abroad, Sudanese hip-hop artists have turned music into a powerful tool for protest, resilience, and the preservation of collective memory.

Bored of suppression

Colonial-era censorship bodies continue to stifle African creativity, but a new wave of artists and activists are driving a pan-African push for reform.

Drawing the line

How Sudanese political satirist Khalid Albaih uses his art and writing to confront injustice, challenge authority, and highlight the struggles of marginalized communities worldwide.

Not exactly at arm’s length

Despite South Africa’s ban on arms exports to Israel and its condemnation of Israel’s actions in Palestine, local arms companies continue to send weapons to Israel’s allies and its major arms suppliers.

Ruto’s Kenya

Since June’s anti-finance bill protests, dozens of people remain unaccounted for—a stark reminder of the Kenyan state’s long history of abductions and assassinations.