Africa Is a Country

July 26, Liberia

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

July 26, Liberia

By
Boima Tucker

The oldest republic in Africa, Liberia–formed in 1847–celebrates its independence today.  Chances are Dumyarea, the song we wrote about earlier will pump from stereos and in cars, but there’s more. Right now you have two major styles Gbema and Hipco (the co is for Colloquial), and sometimes they mix. All of the songs on youtube are a few years old (because that’s how long it takes to upload a video from Liberia — Ha!).

Friday the Cellphone Man – Simple Mistake, a previous big hit in the folk style Gbema:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQD5DNaPQ14&w=600&h=373]

Monrovia’s resident reggae artist Nasseman – Til’ We Meet Again:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUGs0rhcwRE&w=600&h=373]

Liberia’s current number one Hipco artist Takun J – Who Make You Cry:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wP78ccrCok&w=600&h=373]

Dream Team – One Man One Cup, a socially poignant, hilarious tune about the way youth are living in Monrovia. (I wrote a post about it here):

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENkAFdD2drY&w=600&h=373]

John Bricks – Just Be There:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_8681D3eAg&w=600&h=373]

K-Zee’s Kountry Chicken (a mix of Hipco and Gbema):

Number one Liberian R&B artist David Mell does a style he calls Soulco:

And if R&B isn’t your thing, there’s always the gospel:

Further Reading

Drip is temporary

The apparel brand Drip was meant to prove that South Africa’s townships could inspire global style. Instead, it revealed how easily black success stories are consumed and undone by the contradictions of neoliberal aspiration.

Energy for whom?

Behind the fanfare of the Africa Climate Summit, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline shows how neocolonial extraction still drives Africa’s energy future.

The sound of revolt

On his third album, Afro-Portuguese artist Scúru Fitchádu fuses ancestral wisdom with urban revolt, turning memory and militancy into a soundtrack for resistance.

O som da revolta

No seu terceiro álbum, o artista afro-português Scúru Fitchádu funde a sabedoria ancestral com a revolta urbana, transformando memória e militância em uma trilha sonora para a resistência.

Biya forever

As Cameroon nears its presidential elections, a disintegrated opposition paves the way for the world’s oldest leader to claim a fresh mandate.

From Cornell to conscience

Hounded out of the United States for his pro-Palestine activism, Momodou Taal insists that the struggle is global, drawing strength from Malcolm X, faith, and solidarity across borders.