Africa Is a Country

July 26, Liberia

July 26, Liberia

By
Boima Tucker

The oldest republic in Africa, Liberia–formed in 1847–celebrates its independence today.  Chances are Dumyarea, the song we wrote about earlier will pump from stereos and in cars, but there’s more. Right now you have two major styles Gbema and Hipco (the co is for Colloquial), and sometimes they mix. All of the songs on youtube are a few years old (because that’s how long it takes to upload a video from Liberia — Ha!).

Friday the Cellphone Man – Simple Mistake, a previous big hit in the folk style Gbema:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQD5DNaPQ14&w=600&h=373]

Monrovia’s resident reggae artist Nasseman – Til’ We Meet Again:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUGs0rhcwRE&w=600&h=373]

Liberia’s current number one Hipco artist Takun J – Who Make You Cry:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wP78ccrCok&w=600&h=373]

Dream Team – One Man One Cup, a socially poignant, hilarious tune about the way youth are living in Monrovia. (I wrote a post about it here):

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENkAFdD2drY&w=600&h=373]

John Bricks – Just Be There:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_8681D3eAg&w=600&h=373]

K-Zee’s Kountry Chicken (a mix of Hipco and Gbema):

Number one Liberian R&B artist David Mell does a style he calls Soulco:

And if R&B isn’t your thing, there’s always the gospel:

Further Reading

Not exactly at arm’s length

Despite South Africa’s ban on arms exports to Israel and its condemnation of Israel’s actions in Palestine, local arms companies continue to send weapons to Israel’s allies and its major arms suppliers.

Ruto’s Kenya

Since June’s anti-finance bill protests, dozens of people remain unaccounted for—a stark reminder of the Kenyan state’s long history of abductions and assassinations.

Between Harlem and home

African postcolonial cinema serves as a mirror, revealing the limits of escape—whether through migration or personal defiance—and exposing the tensions between dreams and reality.

The real Rwanda

The world is slowly opening its eyes to how Paul Kagame’s regime abuses human rights, suppresses dissent, and exploits neighboring countries.

In the shadow of Mondlane

After a historic election and on the eve of celebrating fifty years of independence, Mozambicans need to ask whether the values, symbols, and institutions created to give shape to “national unity” are still legitimate today.

À sombra de Mondlane

Depois de uma eleição histórica e em vésperas de celebrar os 50 anos de independência, os moçambicanos precisam de perguntar se os valores, símbolos e instituições criados para dar forma à “unidade nacional” ainda são legítimos hoje.