Culture

‘Afrobeats is uninspiring, not in touch with Africans plight’ – Jamaican reggae great, Buju Banton

Published

4 weeks ago

August 12, 2024

Renowned Jamaican Reggae/Dancehall artiste, Mark Anthony Myrie, also known as Buju Banton, has criticised Afrobeats as being uninspiring and not in touch the plight of Africans.

The “Destiny” maestro who made the assertion in an appearance on “Drink Champs” with host N.O.R.E and DJ EFN, said though the genre has become quite popular in the continent and globally, there was no Afrobeats song that uplifted people across Africa.

Banton said he is greatly displeased with the themes and lyrical content of Afrobeats as the musicians do not sing to free Africans.

“Tell me one Afrobeats song that can uplift us,” he challenged the hosts of the programme.

“Kenya is suffering; young men in Kenya are revolting. South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, everywhere is struggling.

“But which of these Afrobeats songs can relate to me for a peace of mind, to tell me that we are in the struggle, and even though it’s hard, we will overcome? Tell me.

“It fu—ery. Music needs to free Africa. They don’t sing a song to free Africa,” the Dancehall legend insisted.

The “Battered and Bruised” hitmaker went on to highlight Jamaica’s legacy of churning out socially conscious music, lamenting Africans who now have worldwide attention are not living up to that important standard.

“The music needs to free Africa. If I am all the way in Jamaica and my country and my people fight to free your continent with word, sound and power, and you have the ability now, and all your singing is fu—ery, you don’t sing a song to free Africa now,” Buju Banton charged.

“You want the money? Go get it. What’s gonna be said of you later on? And your posterity? You didn’t make any impact? So reggae music is still the kings music,” he added.

Banton also admonished contemporary African music makers on the continent for not connecting with their diasporan brethren in Jamaica.

“I was happy to see when they came to their senses to realise that music is the bridge that’s gonna connect us but what I was disappointed in? They didn’t try and connect with Jamaica, the roots. They connected with everyone else except us.”

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Culture

Crocodiles eat South African man during hunt in Zimbabwe

Published

20 hours ago

September 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A 44-year-old South African man, Scott van Zyl, has been eaten by crocodiles after he went missing during a safari hunt in Zimbabwe.

Authorities say van Zyl who owns a professional hunting company in South Africa, reportedly disappeared on Friday on the banks of the Limpopo River in Zimbabwe.

Local media reports that the dogs he was hunting with returned without him and his rifle and personal items were intact in his pickup truck while a search team traced his tracks to the banks of the river and found his backpack.

“Police and park authorities decided to shoot two suspected Nile crocodiles and found what could possibly be human remains in them”, a member of the search party told reporters.

“The remains are reportedly being tested by forensic experts to verify if they belong to Scott van Zyl,” a Zimbabwean tabloid reported.

“Crocodile attacks are common near river banks with at least four people killed in Zimbabwe in the past month. In March, a 19-year-old Mozambican football player Estevao Alberto Gino was killed by a crocodile along the Zambezi river in western Mozambique.

“The crocodile came out of the water abruptly and took him by the waist. After that, the animal ran back into the water.”

Culture

Algeria to host Afreximbank’s CANEX 2024

Published

3 days ago

September 7, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced that the 2024 edition of its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX 2024) will hold in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, with the theme, “One People, United in Culture.”

According to a statement from the bank, the CANEX 2024, which is a premier event that showcases Africa’s vibrant creative and cultural industries, will be the major focus of the four-day event taking place from October 16-19.

“CANEX 2024 offers a unique platform for creatives from across the continent and beyond, to showcase their work, network with industry leaders, and explore business opportunities, including exhibitions, roundtable discussions, masterclasses, live performances, gastronomy showcases, music, dance, poetry, and other artistic expressions,” the statement said.

“Since the event was launched in 2020, it had committed a $1bn facility for Africa’s creative and cultural industries, and has deployed specialised products for financing some CCI sectors, including the Film Financing Development Facility and the Music Development facility.

“The bank has also identified key gaps in creative production value chains, and created interventions to bridge those gaps, with a focus on access to markets.

“The event will be a gathering of creatives, investors, and industry professionals from across the continent and the world over.

“CANEX WKND 2024 will feature an exhibition and market, roundtable discussions, masterclasses, live performances, and networking opportunities. The event is open to industry professionals, individuals, corporate investors, and governance bodies. It provides a unique platform for creatives to showcase their work, connect with industry leaders, and explore business and investment opportunities,” the statement added.