This month, I wrote about Nigerian fanbases, communities and Peter Obi's emergence as a presidential candidate; Asake's Yorubaness; and so much new music.
Your thoughts on the shape of communities in Nigeria will stay with me for a long time. I found this very profound "..the community precedes the artists, and the music represents the already-existing community’s sense of self."
Sense of self.. and maybe sense of place? Amapiano seems to be rooted in a physical community (Soweto townships) in a way that Lagos, full of displaced people, cannot? I wonder how much this sense of not really belonging to the place contributes to why we build communities around people.
Fantastic read. I enjoyed your views on the BBC documentary (which was great) and community, the lines about being connected in a 'geographically-agnostic' way, and our potential as a community resonated with me.
Loved the Asake segment also, I think his style of fusing Amapiano and Fuji is pure genius.
As you mentioned, he's heavily influenced by Fuji (particularly the Obesere/Osupa style). What makes the fusion successful is his unbelievable ability to ride a beat. It's insane.
For me, what makes Asake most remarkable (on Palazzo, PBUY, Terminator) is how he builds the tempo before getting to the asalatu/church/aladura "call and respond" choruses.
The mellow nature of Nzaza also gives me a strong feeling he's not a one-trick pony. How his music and sound evolves is likely going to play a huge role in the evolution of the popular Afrobeats music.
Lastly, I'm super excited a proper street artist making street msuic with international appeal is playing in the big leagues. We haven't had anything close since Olamide.
Very lovely, and great references as usual!
Your thoughts on the shape of communities in Nigeria will stay with me for a long time. I found this very profound "..the community precedes the artists, and the music represents the already-existing community’s sense of self."
Sense of self.. and maybe sense of place? Amapiano seems to be rooted in a physical community (Soweto townships) in a way that Lagos, full of displaced people, cannot? I wonder how much this sense of not really belonging to the place contributes to why we build communities around people.
Anyway, this was awesome. Thank you!
This is dope. I subscribed 💯
Fantastic read. I enjoyed your views on the BBC documentary (which was great) and community, the lines about being connected in a 'geographically-agnostic' way, and our potential as a community resonated with me.
Loved the Asake segment also, I think his style of fusing Amapiano and Fuji is pure genius.
Great article. Thanks!
Brilliant writeup. Hadn't paid attention to the manner of prayers on Asake's songs. Got lost in the sauce.
Regarding the seamless flow of the album tracks, this DJ mashup perfectly emphasizes your point.
https://twitter.com/djamesthedj_/status/1571824931087712256?t=K1pIhcKtok93DivDOa03hw&s=08
As you mentioned, he's heavily influenced by Fuji (particularly the Obesere/Osupa style). What makes the fusion successful is his unbelievable ability to ride a beat. It's insane.
For me, what makes Asake most remarkable (on Palazzo, PBUY, Terminator) is how he builds the tempo before getting to the asalatu/church/aladura "call and respond" choruses.
The mellow nature of Nzaza also gives me a strong feeling he's not a one-trick pony. How his music and sound evolves is likely going to play a huge role in the evolution of the popular Afrobeats music.
Lastly, I'm super excited a proper street artist making street msuic with international appeal is playing in the big leagues. We haven't had anything close since Olamide.