Africa Day Playlist: 10 irresistible African gems to celebrate Africa Day

Africa Day was first held in 1963 in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, when 32 countries formed the Organization of Africa Unity (OAU). In about half a decade since, 21 additional countries have joined the OAU, with South Africa the last country to join in 1994 after Apartheid ended.

The OAU’s original mission was to bring freedom to African countries that were still under colonial rule in the 60s, defend their sovereignty, uphold human rights and restore the dignity of the African people.

Nowadays, Africa Day is a national holiday in a handful of countries and is widely celebrated by Africans.

What does it mean for Africans now?

The recurring themes for many in what Africa represents for them are: Freedom, Reaching back to your roots (especially for the diaspora), Promoting peace and harmony, Pan-Africanism and Empowering Africa’s youth and women.

According to the African Union’s vision captured in “The Africa we want – Agenda 2063,” the image being projected by the AU is that of a continent marching towards “an Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African People, especially its women, youth and caring for children.”

The African Union Commission says Africa’s young people are an enormous resource for the continent’s development. It is in this regard that African Union Heads of State and Government declared the theme for 2017 as ‘Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth’.

As we commemorate this day here are a few songs from African greats and newer additions to the culture that highlight some of the above themes and some that will just make for a good day!

Fela Kuti- Water no get enemy

The waves created by the song Water No Get Enemy by Afro beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in 1975 on the Sound work label can be likened to the wave generating capacity of water, the liquid from which the song draws its title. Indeed, Water No Get Enemy’s rippling message is as relevant as ever; is still felt today and speaks to the realities of our time.

Inspired by Anikulapo-Kuti’s experience with the Nigeria Police when they allegedly planted hard drugs on the musician to implicate him and cause his arrest, the song lasts for 10 minutes.

“If you fight am, unless you wan die”; “I say water no get enemy”; and “If you fight am, unless, you wan die” “I dey talk of black man power; I dey talk of black power, I say”

He attributes his victories to being a black man, who is generally known for his perseverance and long suffering.

Oliver Mtukudzi- Wasakara

Mtukidzi earned his popularity by performing political songs that spoke of national pride, resistance and unity, and eventually became the new voice of an independent Zimbabwe.

Mtukudzi’s most controversial track is “Wasakara” (You Are Worn Out), from his album Bvuma (Tolerance) released in 2000. “Wasakara” clearly states that old men should know when to step down and rest: “You are old, you are spent, it is time to accept you are old.”

The Soil- Uhuru

The south African group the Soil currently consists of four members: Buhlebendalo “Soil Sister” Mda, Ntsika “Fana-tastic” Ngxanga, Luphindo “Master P” Ngxanga and Theo “Songstress” Matshoba the last who joined the group in February 2016 as an occasional replacement for Buhlebendalo Mda

The song Uhuru has lyrics that point to a society where women are saviors. The word Nkosana whose literal meaning is “Lord” or “Prince” in this case also indicates qualities of a leader and organizer.

“Nkosazana you are our revolution, Nkosazana you can save us, Nkosazana you can heal us (The revolution shall be feminized) Nkosazana you can lead us”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8eQ-2iZNVs

Ladysmith Black Mambazo- Homeless

Musical lore has it that Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the iconic South African mbube group, was founded by Joseph Shabalala after a series of dreams in which he heard its sounds.

Regarding the meaning of the song, Joseph Shabalala said, “We’re far away from home and we’re sleeping. Our fists are our pillows.” A tribute to those who faced exile or are far away from their ancestral homes.

Toto Bona Lokua- Where I came from

Toto Bona Lokua is a studio album by French songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gerald Toto, Cameroonian jazz musician Richard Bona, and Congolese singer-songwriter Lokua Kanza. It was released on April 20, 2004.

The song has a self-explanatory title and is just generally just a feel good song!

K’Naan- Until the Lion Learns to speak

The song is told in the tradition of old poets over a drum beat. It speaks of boundless poetry and art that transcends age and limit. He also paints images of Somalia from his perspective in a means to take back a miss told narrative.

“Until the lion learns to speak, The tales of hunting will be weak” “I spit par age and limit”

Salif Keita- Africa

Salif Keïta is an afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali notable for his reputation as the “Golden Voice of Africa”. The song Africa is also about a longing for home with haunting lyrics such as, “Africa is my descent, and here I am far from home, I dwell within a land that is meant for many men not my tone, the blood of god is my defense”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0gSVp0mAEw

Sauti Sol- Live and Die in Africa

Live and Die in Afrika is the third studio album by Kenyan afro-pop band Sauti Sol. It was released online on 21 November, 2015 under their imprint label Sauti Sol Entertainment as a self-produced work by Sauti Sol.

The song named after the album is an ode to Africa and the youths dreams of a better life right here on the continent. “I wanna feel love, I wanna be remembered, I wanna go down in history, make my mama proud” “No place I’d rather go, Live and Die in Africa”

Wiyaala- Africa

Wiyaala, the four times nominated Ghanaian artist in the 2014 All Africa Music Awards, presents her new single “Africa.”

Following her knock-about antics in the hit songs, “Rock My Body” and “Go Go Black Stars”, Wiyaala turns her attention to more serious issues: “I was partly inspired to write ‘Africa’ by Sherifa Gunu, who helped me during some difficult times. Like my dear sister, I want to send out a message for peace. Africa is blessed with huge natural and human resources, yet we refuse to live in harmony? I’m not just talking about wars and terrorism, I’m also talking about hatred and jealousy on a personal level where we fight as individuals, bear false witness and create enmity between ourselves.”

Daudi Kabaka- Harambee Harambee

It’s an oldie but a goodie and probably the soundtrack to every Kenyan child’s public holiday celebrations. The song speaks to uniting towards building a good political climate. With Kenya gearing up for presidential elections in August under the cloud of 2007 post- election violence the message is clear “Kenyans we don’t have discrimination, let’s pull together to rule in peace”

Happy Africa day!