Kalabash Nigeria - tomorrow

Kalabash is a new monthly night looking at the music of African nations. The nights consist of documentaries, films and talks. And tomorrow's is on Nigeria. The footage above is of Fela Kuti, one of the greatest music makers of the 20th century, standard - funky as hell with the most crazy ass rhythms you have ever heard. No Fela, no Afrobeat. Fela made music with meaning, music with a message that said something about the political situation of his homeland. Appropriately enough, the documentary of the life of this great man is entitled Music Is A Weapon.

I've just come back from Africa so I'm probably biased but for me music such as this or contemporary African hip hop say Daara J or K'naan (baile funk, kurruda, and grime too) makes US hip hop and 90% of music we hear, seem totally played out, meaningless and bereft of any soul, vitality or urgency.

Here's the press release for tomorrow's Kalabash. Support if you can, it's free too!


Awareness through documentary films and music

KALABASH NIGERIA

This Thursday, 18 October 2007 7pm - 2am @ Salmon & Compass
58 Penton Street, corner of Chapel Market Street, Angel, London N1 9PZ, nearest tube: Angel
FREE ENTRY

Upstairs: Films and Q&A (from 7pm)
7pm Film 1: MUSIC IS THE WEAPON
Dir Stephane Tchal-Gadjieff & Jean Jacques Flori. 1982, 53 mins.
This documentary gives a rare insight into the public and private life of composer, Afrobeat pioneer and human rights activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938-1997). The interviews cover his resistance to the Nigerian regime, his controversial polygamous lifestyle and an exploration of the political context of his work.

8pm Film 2: NIGERIA'S OIL WAR
Foreign Correspondent 2005, 18 mins.
The Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force has brazenly stolen oil straight out of pipelines owned by some of the world’s biggest multinationals. The vast Niger Delta where they operate holds an estimated three percent of the world's oil. This well-organized crime gang has become a key player in the world’s most strategically important industry. Recently the price of oil rose to a record $50 a barrel when the market panicked after they threatened to cut-off the flow of oil.

8.20pm Film 3: SUFFERING AND SMILING
Dir Dan Ollman, Nigeria/USA 2006, 65 mins.
Focusing on Fela Kuti and his son Femi, Suffering and Smiling depicts the impact of their politically charged music. Following Nigeria's independence in 1960, Fela used his songs to speak out against the country's corrupt leaders. Since independence the military and political elite have enriched themselves by allowing Nigeria's oil and natural resources to be stripped by multi-national corporations with little benefit to ordinary Nigerians. Fela gave a voice to Nigeria's disenfranchised underclass and sang of a free and united Africa. Since Fela's death, Femi has continued the legacy. Equally passionate and charismatic, he asks why the world's most resource-rich continent has the poorest people, and carries a vision of better days ahead for the people of Nigeria.

9.30pm Q&A & film discussion with Eki (ALISC), Molara Wood, Ben Amunwa (Remember Saro-Wiwa) and Ken Lewis-Allagoa
The African Liberation Support Campaign Network (ALISC) is a democratic organisation led by Africans fighting oppression and tyranny in Africa, and racism in the West. The ALISC tackles issues such as the ‘debt’ of African nations being outweighed by the huge profits Western nations have made from Africa, and that what remains of the so-called debt is the accumulated compound interest on non-existent capital. Molara Wood is an independent Nigerian journalist (http://www.molarawood.blogspot.com).Remember Saro-Wiwa uses public art and events to raise awareness about London's social and ecological impact on the Niger Delta (http://www.remembersarowiwa.com). Ken Lewis-Allagoa is Niger Delta lawyer and activist.

Downstairs: Live music and DJs (until 2am)

10.15pm: Live performance from INEMO
Inemo Samiama describes himself as representing a new generation of African musicians. From his earliest years Inemo was shaped and influenced by music. His father taught him to play, and at the age of 18 he formed the group Jah Stix with Majek Fashek. His debut album ‘Bushman’ (Mercury/Universal) mixed African melodies with techno, hip-hop, jungle, dub and ambient sounds. Following this huge success, Inemo was nominated for an RFI (Radio France Industry) Music Award as Best World Music Artist. Inemo has now decided to return to his roots. After three years of composing, recording and traveling between London, Paris and Africa, Inemo is back with his latest album, 'Afro Funky Beats'. With this album, Inemo demonstrates that his music can reinvent and enrich itself with new sounds, just like Fela Kuti, Salif Keita and Angelique Kidjo have done before him. http://www.inemo.co.uk
'Afro Funky Beats' is out now on Black Mango Music: http://www.blackmangomusic.com

Plus special guest PA from BLAK TWANG
Over a decade has passed since UK Hip Hop legend Blak Twang's first ever foray into the British music scene. His most recent single is the head pounding, socially driven 'Help Dem Lord' from his forthcoming album 'Speakin From Xperience'. Born to Nigerian parents and growing up in South London, he is undoubtedly a pioneer of Hip Hop maintaining an infallible recognition of his roots in cultivating his own identity.
http://www.blaktwang.net | http://www.myspace.com/blaktwang

11.30pm-12.30: DJ ILKA
German born and raised, but South London based for more than 15 years now, Ilka started djing in 2005 and has since played at venues such as Big Chill House, Momo's, The Spitz, Darbucka and the Arcola Theatre. Her selection includes all things funky and African such as Coupe Decale, Kwaito, Afrobeat, Zouglou, Soukous, Naija Pop and more, but also the occasional Soca, Dancehall and Champeta as well as other global beats. As a freelance music publicist, Ilka works with labels like Out Here Records (Bassekou Kouyate), Analog Africa and Afrolution Records, targeting specialist, BME (black minority ethnic) and mainstream media. Ilka is the content editor of the BBC's African music site Africa On Your Street (http://www.bbc.co.uk/africaonyourstreet) and she manages UK-based Nigerian Hip Hop group JJC & 419 Squad and Lagos- based Reggae artist African China. http://www.myspace.com/ilkamedia

Plus Afro-beats and grooves hosted by Kalabash Movement resident DJs SUPA SCION & SPRINGFIELD

KALABASH WORLD is an organisation that seeks to promote awareness through film and music. Each event is designed to encourage recognition of the rich diversity between African Nations, to celebrate cultural heritage and explore socio-political situations. We aim to give a platform to musicians and independent film makers and encourage a wider audience to appreciate their works. Upcoming Kalabash dates: Kalabash South Africa on 15 November 2007 and Kalabash Ethiopia on 17 January 2008.
http://www.kalabashmovement.com | http://www.myspace.com/kalabashworld