Africa Is a Country

Independence August

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

Independence August

By
Boima Tucker

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.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP9T9x6u71s&w=600&h=373]
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.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/19120789 w=600&h=340]
___

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:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jymi7mXCRNw&w=600&h=373]

____

Happy independence days to C.A.R., Congo, and Gabao!

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.