-
AICC – Accra, Ghana. Happy thoughts, Gabriel. Happy thoughts! I search my mind frantically for memories that will distract me from this packed furnace I’ve willingly walked into—and quickly settle on the one item that has been proven to give me comfort: Yayera’s pork. This afternoon, when I tasted...
-
For someone complaining of menstrual cramps, my friend Yayera was having an awfully good time; rapping along to convoluted phrases that constitute M.anifest’s verses, both hands busy with hip-hop mannerism. She was not the only one. Down at the floor, just before the metal barricades separating regular ticket holders...
-
When we sat, back in August, the Nigerian singer born Victor Adere had only been in Ghana once before–appearing at a modest club gig to perform “Wetin We Gain”–which was only moderately successful at the time. By something like a miracle, the joint quickly accrued massive traction–and swiftly became...
-
“ARE YOU OKAY, MR. DARKO?” I finally ask. We are walking down the stairwell linking the third floor of Meridian House to the reception on the first floor, where we will sit and discuss his life thus far. KOD looks unwell, but has managed to pull himself through the...
-
On one side of a large desk, in this first floor office, sits Chairman, a brawny dark-skinned CEO north of forty. Today, like always, he cuts a gentle look, his head and upper arms adorned in a coffee-colored kaftan. His eyes, retain a seasoned calm, and an unforced smile...
-
Ghana wields cornerstone repute in the African music conversation. It’s often the source of new dance, melodic innovation, and validation for Afropop practitioners unsure of their sound, or looking for the one tested route to Africa. Nigeria may lead the hype, and South Africa may boast of model infrastructure,...
-
Mensah giggles at the sight of a nearby showy, self-obsessed yawn. He is not enthused; it must be coming from a man – full of himself and in his belly – who cares less about the other Accra, the one that shrieks and hops its way through haziness as...
-
Who do men say he is? “I’m a human being in Africa/ but a black man in America/ an African in England/ don’t forget who you are.” Fuse ODG is impressed, and surprised by the quality of internet that has just carried his Skype interview. He exhales, and quips...
-
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2, ABORIGINES BEACH RESORT, KETA — It’s 9 in the evening, and Edemfest 2018 has picked up properly. It’s exactly how rapper Edem (host and headline act) envisioned it weeks ago, when we had come to inspect the venue ahead of the concert. As soon as we...
AICC – Accra, Ghana. Happy thoughts, Gabriel. Happy thoughts! I search my mind frantically for memories that will distract me from this packed furnace I’ve willingly walked into—and quickly settle on the one item that has been proven to give me comfort: Yayera’s pork. This afternoon, when I tasted...
For someone complaining of menstrual cramps, my friend Yayera was having an awfully good time; rapping along to convoluted phrases that constitute M.anifest’s verses, both hands busy with hip-hop mannerism. She was not the only one. Down at the floor, just before the metal barricades separating regular ticket holders...
When we sat, back in August, the Nigerian singer born Victor Adere had only been in Ghana once before–appearing at a modest club gig to perform “Wetin We Gain”–which was only moderately successful at the time. By something like a miracle, the joint quickly accrued massive traction–and swiftly became...
“ARE YOU OKAY, MR. DARKO?” I finally ask. We are walking down the stairwell linking the third floor of Meridian House to the reception on the first floor, where we will sit and discuss his life thus far. KOD looks unwell, but has managed to pull himself through the...
On one side of a large desk, in this first floor office, sits Chairman, a brawny dark-skinned CEO north of forty. Today, like always, he cuts a gentle look, his head and upper arms adorned in a coffee-colored kaftan. His eyes, retain a seasoned calm, and an unforced smile...
Ghana wields cornerstone repute in the African music conversation. It’s often the source of new dance, melodic innovation, and validation for Afropop practitioners unsure of their sound, or looking for the one tested route to Africa. Nigeria may lead the hype, and South Africa may boast of model infrastructure,...
Mensah giggles at the sight of a nearby showy, self-obsessed yawn. He is not enthused; it must be coming from a man – full of himself and in his belly – who cares less about the other Accra, the one that shrieks and hops its way through haziness as...
Who do men say he is? “I’m a human being in Africa/ but a black man in America/ an African in England/ don’t forget who you are.” Fuse ODG is impressed, and surprised by the quality of internet that has just carried his Skype interview. He exhales, and quips...
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2, ABORIGINES BEACH RESORT, KETA — It’s 9 in the evening, and Edemfest 2018 has picked up properly. It’s exactly how rapper Edem (host and headline act) envisioned it weeks ago, when we had come to inspect the venue ahead of the concert. As soon as we...