Nigeria Radio Show
I’m back in the UK now after three months in the North of Iceland, which was an incredible experience. Thankfully I’ve been listening to loads of Nigerian music since returning so that’s been cheering me up!
Unsurprisingly, this show is full of music from Fela Kuti. He was responsible for bringing Nigerian music, and for that matter African music, to the world stage. Plenty has been written about Fela so I won’t delve too deep here but just to say that he created a seismic shift in music, bringing together jazz, highlife, yoruba, funk and soul to create a new genre - Afrobeat. He also demonstrated how African voices could be heard on a global scale and the power of music to empower and drive change.
The show features some very long tunes, in keeping with the Afrobeat way. Beasts of No Nation is very nearly twenty minutes long, and I’ve only managed to get 15 songs into the show, compared to my usual twenty-two to twenty-four per show.
I also have a chat to my friend Johnny Scratchly from Gentlemen’s Dub Club [https://www.gentlemansdubclub.com/]. They have just released a new album called Down to Earth and on the same day as my show they are playing a live streamed gig online. Listen to the interview to get Johnny’s take on creating music during lockdown, adjusting to not touring and their connection with their fans.
Full Tracklist:
Let's Start - Fela Kuti and Africa 70
My Lady Frustration - Fela Kuti and Africa 70
Hustler - Tony Allen and Africa 70
Shakara - Fela Kuti and Africa 70
Secret Agent - Tony Allen
Love Me Now - William Onyeabor
Agb'oju L'ogun - Shina Williams and his Africa Percussionists
Only You - Steve Monite
Happy Birthday - Evi Edna Ogholi
Interview - Jonny from Gentleman's Dub Club
Castles in the Sky - Gentleman's Dub Club
Ma Jaiye Oni - King Sunny Ade
Beasts of No Nation - Fela Kuti and Egypt 80
Gentleman - Fela Kuti and Africa 70
Lover - Fela Kuti and Africa 70
