Thousands of artists, performers, musicians and popular writers across Africa and Dakar, Senegalese capital took part in the First World Festival of Black and African culture. The event that took place in April 1996 marked a symbolic moment during the decolonization. And strive for equal civil rights for Africans around the world. The Pan Africanism.
Old music lovers understand that music has always been a vital tool in the push for Pan-Africanism. And very few artists have stayed on the line to their line in giving Africa a distinctive voice.
In this article, I will highlight in order, top five musicians who use their music talent to promote pan-Africanism. And greater unity among Africans that we currently need more than ever. Some of these legends aim was to preach racism out of humanity and colonialism, some preach peace and unity. On the other side some of them interestingly used their talent to showcase the mega Africa’s rich cultural heritage and values.
Below are the legendary artists that stood for Pan Africanism with their talented voice that have made people of color together for decades.
Miriam Makeba
Respectfully known as “Mama Africa” Miriam was a true voice of the South African freedom fighter.
The late lived her life using her gorgeous, talented voice to fight for the freedom of the blacks in South Africa from the racist regimes. Her last performance was in Italy, in unity with Ghanaian immigrants who were shot dead in September, Friday 2008. She died few days after signing her popular music “Pata Pata.”
Miriam Makeba spent 30 years of her life in exile which allowed her to escape the harsh apartheid regimes. As a result had an opportunity to travel the world and report to the UN the whites-only regime who abused Africans. But she still went through pain. She lost contacts of her loved ones, lost relatives in the famous Sharpeville Massacre in 1960. And other government inflicted acts of brutality and had to mourn them away from home.
Fela Kuti
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, popular Nigerian Artist in the 19s displayed a strong boldness against the corrupt Nigerian government officials of his time. The artist used his art to take to the light ill activities of the officials which ruined the country’s economy. If you ever listen to Fela’s lyrics, the legend hinted out the reality of Nigeria’s social and economic status of the country. He concentrated on abuse of power, corruption and the bad rule of the colonialists. And the need for the Nigerians to stand to their feet to fight for their rights.
Fela’s method of attacking the ill deeds was his music art. He was a strong believer in Pan Africanism. He worked out smartly in his music and delivered great piece that unmasked abusers of human rights. And most of his songs, which were popularly known as ‘yabis’ were totally hilarious and full of verbal abuse which directly attacked the government and Nigeria’s military in the 1970’s.
Brenda Fassie
South African popular artist of the late 90’s was one of the country’s top iconic anti-apartheid fighters. As a female famous in the music world in the old days, she acquired a swing of nicknames as well as a character as the bad girl of South African pop music. And her death in 2004 was assumed to have come from her music career.
The top South African pop legend was born in Langa in November 1964, Cape Town, where she performed her music up to her untimely death. Her death at 39 years, Fassie left a good legacy on South Africa with her fierce move and fight against the apartheid. The strong fight from the dark days of the bad regime to the early days of democracy.
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Makasela was famously known as the father of South African jazz. He was not only popular for his talent in music. The artist used his famous public figure to speak out the ill deeds of the apartheid abuse on Africans in the country.
Makasela’s profession in music industry started out on the better grounds. He performed alongside other South African artist to produce the first digital jazz record by all-black band in S, A. His songs was part of what the renowned South African writer, Sisonke Msimang. The author of the prominent book Always Another Country calls ‘soundtrack of the revolution’. The work of various artists who were part of the struggle against South Africa apartheid regime.
Angelique Kidjo
Angelique Kidjo’s voice in music industry is a true substance in appreciating the good music women are doing. With her beautifully cropped hair, ever glowing brown skin and almond eyes. She walks stages in pantsuits and printed shirts leaving huge fans shouting her name endlessly.
Kidjo was born in Benin and says much of her success in life and music industry is the way she was raised by her parents. In a show interview, she remembers her father saying to her when she was a child: “Do not come back to the house and tell me your failed because you’re black.”
Her mother, Yvonne Kidjo fought for her to have education in the early ages. And because of it, she said, “As a girl I decided my future”. In the year 2006, she started Batonga Foundation, named after one of her famous song. The Foundation aims at building schools and provides scholarship for bright girls as well as mentoring girls. More significantly, the foundation tries to bring up, care and help young girls, many of them who are HIV/AIDS victims. She is the role model to the girls and they tell her that she is the reason why they go to school. “I cannot be indifferent when people are suffering. When they suffer, I suffer” Kidjo said.
Africa has thousands of popular artists who are doing great in uplifting the spirit of pan-Africaism. The likes of Johnny Clegg of South Africa, Salif Keita of Mali, Joseph Shabalala of South Africa, Oumou Sangare of Mali and Toumani Diabate from Mali and many others. Africa today is a greater, better and stronger than before. Good job to our past artists and current music stars!
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