Journeys // 1300-1400 30.01.10

viva nigeria! - saturday 30th jan 2010 - 1-2 pm

Hey folks,

This week's show is a quick blast through some West African music.

I'll be playing a load of 1970s and 1980s rock, funk, afrobeat and soul from Nigeria. Expect to hear Fela Kuti & The Africa 70, Sahara All Stars Of Jos, Orlando Julius & His Modern Aces, The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination, Sunny Risky & The Vitamin Explosions and as many more exotically named bands as I can possibly squeeze in!

As you may know, I am a particular fan of Fela Kuti, a man who took Nigerian instruments, beats and rebel attitude and combined it with American soul and funk, to come up with a whole new musical style. He christened it Afrobeat and proceeded to spend the next 30 years or so creating funky protest songs aimed at the various dictators that ruled Nigeria during the period; as well as preaching Pan-African consciousness and liberation. He was jailed and beaten on a few occassions, but continued to rail against oppression and injustice until his untimely death in 1997 (believed to be AIDS related - he wasn't exactly shy around the ladies).

There is currently a musical running on Broadway in New York, New York based on Fela's music and life-story (called 'Fela!'). The show's 'above the title' producers (Will Smith & Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter) are this week's Weird But Wonderful contenders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FFrCZNNCeU

1. DJ Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince - Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble

This number was Will Smith's debut in the world of pop-rap. It samples the theme from 'I Dream Of Jeannie' (a 1960s US sitcom that starred Larry 'JR from Dallas' Hagman as an astronaut married to Barbara Eden's genie - hilarity ensued). I bought it on 12" vinyl from Woolworth's in 1986. No idea where it is now, mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YE6s-uleT0

2. Jay Z - Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)

Showing an early interest in the stage musical genre, Jay samples 'Annie'. Completely without irony, apparently. It is infuriatingly catchy, though.

To decide which one plays the show out, get in touch during the live broadcast: studio@subcity.org or text 'subcity' then your message to 07766 40 41 42.

Alternatively, you can check them out and email me back here.

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Journeys. It's a trip!

http://www.subcity.org Saturday 1-2 PM

Journeys Homepage @ Subcity Radio: http://www.subcity.org/shows/journeys

If you want to suggest a Journey get in touch!

Stu.

Posted at 21:27, 27th January 2010