Saturday 30 April 2016

Tiwa Savage - If I start to talk

For some reason I got caught up watching the interview below
I was chilling after a meal and some nice chocolate.. and came across it..

I have a vague memory of the proposal and the wedding as it was a lavish and happy affair. So I was surprised at this interview

But wow. Just listening to her made me realize that it doesn't appear to be uncommon, that regardless of how successful a woman becomes... 'stuff'..still happens huh. The interviewer seemed to imply that her success somehow made her husband feel less of a man..
Really!?
Smhid
Tiwa comes across as remarkably calm considering how deep what she's saying actually is.

38:55 - all women tend to want that Tiwa. It's so simple



So.. (still in chilled mode) I thought..was it not just 2yrs ago?
Smh.
Can they really not fix it? You kinda hope so right?
Well...the vows were nice anyway. Other than that.. I'm speechless.



Best to focus on the music.
She's still one of my favourite girls
Nice track guys



Happy Saturday people x


Friday 29 April 2016

I Octane - Full Mi Cup

Have a great Weekend...!

Still that little boy I knew - still that little girl - ft Brymo

To say I'm busy is a slight understatement. Sooo busy right now but it's all good. Lots to do . The sun is shining these days despite it being cold, so its still okay. Sunshine is a wonderful tonic.

I have a much needed day off today although I've filled it doing other things ( as one does)
I haven't been reading much lately, so I intend to discipline myself to read more, and re-establish that as an important part of my routine. Be happy and productive again. Why not?. Do what you love.. and everything else makes sense...Or so I hear :)

In conversation with a friend this week, I was reminded of many things. One important thing I recognized is that when you surround yourself with loving people, who support, encourage, understand and want the best for you.... It genuinely feels good, and you feel as though you can accomplish anything!...
and something in you feels compelled to return the favour...

I met up with a long time friend who I've not seen for many years. Big man now, but I still see the boy I once knew. He still possesses the qualities that inspired our friendship. He feels he's changed.. but do we ever really?. Or do we just grow more experienced,as we discover ...Or perhaps rediscover...who we truly are. It can take time, but I think as we come to accept ourselves and our differences...we realize fundamentally, just how much we have in common.

x

Bymo baby.. sing!

Wednesday 27 April 2016

Emmerson - Reverse Ft Slim G

J Martins would sound great on this track...

Good morning London x
..and Happy Independence Salone


Tuesday 26 April 2016

I-Octane - No Badda Dan Jah

Richie Spice - Soaring In Love

As Sierra Leone prepares to celebrate its 55th Independance tomorrow - we take a peek at the words of President Ernest Bai Koroma ft Aswad

Salut...



For those who don't know this, growing up, I was a big Aswad fan.
Huge.
As a band, we had the opportunity to meet the band as our manager ( at that time) used to go to school with Brinsley Forde as luck would have it. Long story.
anyway...that was when Aswad included of course.. Brinsley Forde.



Anyway... this post is my pre independence post to Sierra Leone, and why not combine two things that I love.

Take the stage Aswad.....
Without a doubt, the finest reggae band that this country has ever produced. Take a bow West London.



Okay...

With President Koroma's term in office due to come to an end in 2017, it's clear that unless there are significant changes in his last year in office, and unless by 2018 action is undertaken to ensure that the targets are indeed met, it's fair to say that...
The Agenda for prosperity, ( as excellent a document as it is... and it is indeed excellent) has failed
I like president Kormoma, he's not the best neither the worst, and I like him enough to accept that his government has failed to deliver on their promises. Like every government before his own, and as every government will surely after.. unless

The desire for development out ranks the desire for individual gain.
The desire to educate the young equals the desire to educate the old.
The desire for unity overcomes the desire to sustain fruitless tribal affiliations
The desire for development is demonstrated in action, and not just rhetoric
The recognition of the countries wealth inspires a dignity and strong sense of nationalism among the people
...ensuring however, that nationalism does not equate to a tunnel vision, but recognises that panafricanism is beneficial, and the world itself has much to offer.

That lack of progress and development is not accepted, swept under the carpet, or dismissed as ..'culture'
and there is less reliance on Western NGO's or foreign aid ( well... a girl can dream with this last one )



I still believe that it's possible for the country to become a very strong economic and cultural force along the western region. A beautiful land that encourages tourism and exploration of its beautiful landscape and rich history.
But belief is not enough.
Visitors need to feel safe.
For the diaspora to return they need to be reassured that the country, after its bleak and desperate war and more recently its unforgiving Ebola outbreak.. is indeed, now .. Stable.

Instead, they stand aside, and witness what has been for many years, a 'brain drain' as people seek brighter futures ( and an education) elsewhere

Yet in truth no government alone can do it all.
It takes individual responsibility, combined with the collective responsibility, of the people.
Whoever is in government will find the same issues that prevented the success of the APC government, will indeed be same coat of many colours that they too, are forced to wear.

President Kormoma's tenure is coming to an end...
Perhaps..
But I like President Koroma. Yes he may have presided over the exploitation of the countries resources but that's an old tale I tell...
So lets, turn the tables for a minute

Many complain about corruption and greed.
Yet many, if given the opportunity, I doubt would do little differently...
Faced with large sums of money, and the elixir of power.
We all know it.



So yes, in the main, I like President Koroma. He writes well... is incredibly eloquent and his words are indeed inspiring. This address was written ( whether by him or a speech writers I cannot say) in 2013. It's aimed at an American audience but the sentiment is clear, especially with regards to the African Diaspora. ( It's long but is worth a read)
So with a vision so clear...where and why are we still going wrong?.

Address by His Excellency The President of Sierra Leone Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma Harnessing the African Diaspora in Building Capacity in Africa, Washington DC September 17, 2013
******************************

President Koroma


"It is a great honor for me to speak on how we can harness the African Diaspora for African development.
The Diaspora is pivotal to the sustainability of the ongoing renaissance of Africa, and we thank the Constituency for Africa and the World Bank for organizing this most relevant meeting.
Topics relating to the Diaspora are dear to us, for the African Diaspora was very integral to the emergence of my country Sierra Leone, and our neighbor Liberia. Sierra Leone was for centuries known as the Rice Coast, and Bunce Island in my country was for decades a major fort and port for slavers who forcibly took hundreds of thousands of our people to the rice growing areas of Georgia and other states in the South of the United States. John Newton, the slaver turned evangelist had his inspiration for composing Christendom's most famous hymn, Amazing Grace, on the shores of our land. And it was indeed amazing that the dream of the return of the African Diaspora to the African homeland got to be actualised with grace when neighboring Liberia, and my own country Sierra Leone, where so many thousands were shipped out to the United States, were to play historic roles in this display of the resilience of humanity. But it was not only a question of return, it was also about the forging of links between this Diaspora and those within the continent in ways that would enhance free enterprise, trade, education and divine values. These were the ideas that led to the founding of our capital city Freetown in 1789.
Our city grew; the idea thrived for a while, and our brothers and sisters from the Diaspora and their descendants were at the center of growth, education, and innovations throughout the West African Coast. The Diaspora returnees to the continent and their descendants were pivotal in the founding of Fourah Bay College in Freetown, the oldest western style university in sub Saharan Africa, the establishment of the continent's first secondary schools, and for building a community renowned for its advocacy for equality, justice, political and civil rights. But the scramble for Africa in the 1880s put enormous strains on the idea and actualization of return of people of African descent to the continent. That scramble was an inglorious race amongst non-Africans for the resources of Africa. The continent was carved up amongst European powers; political and economic marginalization, and a divide and rule policy by the colonialists prevented the optimizations of synergies between the Diaspora returnees to Sierra Leone and their compatriots. But the resilience of the Diaspora returnees hardly waned. They moved all over West Africa, spreading knowledge, establishing centers of worship, founding newspapers, starting thriving businesses and forming alliances all over territories in the Gulf of Guinea to end colonial rule.
Too many events have been played out since that time. Africa regained its independence; but our economies stagnated. Economic exploitation of the continent, mainly by non-Africans, and political repression of the people, mainly by their own very leaders created too many realms of deprivation in the continent.
But the 21st Century has brought in its wake a new beginning for the cradle of mankind. Within 10-20 years, Africa's annual production value will be between USD 1.5 and 2.0 trillion. The region has 80-90% of the world's chromium and platinum group metals, 10% of its oil reserves of oil and 40% of its gold. Our continent also has some of the earth's largest deposits of iron ore, uranium and copper.
Our common fatherland has approximately 600 million hectares of arable land suitable for cultivation, of which 15% of this land is developed. Per capita water resource is 4,600 square meters, and this is more than that in Asia.
The African story however, is not only about natural resources. A great revival is taking place in our telecommunications, retail, finance and other sectors. More Africans are having more disposable incomes, the middle class is expanding, more than 60 million Africans have an income of $3,000 a year and this is increasing to more than 100 million Africans in a couple of years. The Africa Development Bank now reports that over 350 million Africans, a third of the continent's population, are in the middle class.
There are still many challenges in the continent. We are faced with huge infrastructure deficits and an image in the media, particularly in the West that is fixated on depicting Africa as a continent of conflicts and natural disasters. This image is definitely not the narrative of Africa today. More than 90% of countries in Africa have stable democratic regimes at peace with themselves and their neighbors. There are fewer armed conflicts now in Africa than ever before, and we are taking the lead in ensuring quicker return to stability in countries affected by armed conflict through more robust frameworks designed and implemented by the African Union, ECOWAS, and other regional organizations in the continent.
Democracy, political and economic stability are taking roots in the continent. Our economies are becoming more open, our societies more tolerant, and our budgets more balanced. Our debt burdens have declined and we are reducing rates of inflation all over the continent. The results are greater growth rates than ever before. Six of the world's ten fastest growing economies are in Africa, one of which is my country Sierra Leone. Foreign Direct investments in the continent have increased more than six folds since 2007; and more than in almost all other regions of the world, we have better rates of return for enterprises that are establishing new marketing networks, new brands and innovative products.
Africa's doing business rankings, transparency indicators and the number of companies in the race to invest in the continent are increasing. All over the continent it is becoming easier to register businesses; tax systems are becoming clearer, investment protection laws stronger, and fiscal management more prudent
Whilst there are some remaining challenges, we are, in Sierra Leone, as in many other countries in the continent, moving on to ensuring international best practices in our mineral acts and providing fiscal incentives for enterprises in mining, infrastructure, agribusiness, tourism, value addition and renewable energy.
Africa is the new frontier for economic growth and investment. The return of the Diaspora is once again taking root, and a new race for Africa is on again. It is a race for land, a race for petroleum resources, a race for iron ore, uranium, and for the consumer markets of the continent. But this time around we should not allow the race to degenerate into a scramble, we should not allow this race to lead to despoliation, authoritarianism and new forms of enslavement. More importantly, we should not allow this race to kill the noble idea of the return of the African Diaspora.
We have two distinct groups of Africans in the African Diaspora outside the continent. There are our people involuntarily moved out of the continent starting four to five hundred years ago and ending only about hundred plus some years ago. A consciousness of return has always been strong amongst this group. It was a consciousness of a return to the state of liberty, a return to the assertion of economic, political and cultural freedom. This consciousness of return led to the founding of my capital Freetown by freed slaves in 1789; it was this consciousness of return that led to the revolt of my countrymen under the leadership of Sengbeh Pieh, known here as Joseph Cinque during the Amistad affair; it was this consciousness of return and assertion of cultural identity that sustained the Gullah Community here in America, a community with ancestral roots in the rice growing regions of my country; it was this consciousness of a return to freedom, enterprise, and eternal values that sustained the civil rights movement here in America. It was this consciousness of belonging and associated identity, this memory of a common ancestry, this enduring aspiration for a better destiny, a finer deal and a more perfect engagement with Africa and people of African descent that severally or individually inspired the formation of the African-American Civil Rights Movement of Martin Luther King (Jnr.) & Rosa Parks, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Constituency for Africa and many of the organizations dedicated to making a better world by making a better Africa.
The other group of Africans in the Diaspora are more recent migrants to Europe, the Americas and in the last few decades to Australia and East Asia, particularly China. Many of these migrants are amongst the most skilled and energetic of our people, and their emigration brought about enormous brain loss and skills gaps in many critical areas of our societies. They often moved out to seek better opportunities, but most of them have often thought of their emigration as temporary, and that they would one day return to the continent with better skills and greater resources to uplift their families, communities and nations. In essence, we may have, on balance, brain gain, more skills and resources for the African Community. But for this overall brain gain to register in the lives of the people of our continent, the idea and actualization of return must be kept alive, must be sustained and must be synergized.
But we must also note that this consciousness or commitment to return amongst both the voluntary and involuntary Diaspora had always faced enormous challenges. The physical destination of the return, our continent, has for long been pilloried as a place unworthy; and freedom for our people, whether in Africa or here in America has a long history of being lambasted as an unworthy state for us. And we have often had to face criticism about the poor state of our economic enterprise and poorer state of our consumer markets.
But we have remained unbowed; and today an African renaissance is underway. We are the worthiest place for investment in the world; our consumer markets are growing; and the consciousness of return and the synergies for growth, dignity and freedom that this return could bring about are more robust.
Our premier continental organization, the African Union has established a framework for engagement with the Diaspora. It has declared the African diaspora as the "Sixth Region" of Africa, and Article 3 (q) of the Protocol on the Amendment to the Constitutive Act "invites and encourages the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of our Continent, in the building of the African Union." The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) calls for the establishment of a reliable continental database to determine the magnitude of the problem of brain drain and promote cooperation between Africans abroad and those at home. The World Bank too has been very instrumental in collaboration with African governments on Diaspora issues. In September, 2007, the Bank's African Region launched the African Diaspora Program (ADP). The program deals with Diaspora policy formulation and implementation, financing and leveraging of remittances for development and human capital utilization, through Diaspora professional networks and organizations and hometown associations.
African governments are fashioning policies for engaging and mobilizing both the voluntary and involuntary Diaspora and Sierra Leone, Ghana and Kenya have established units within their respective governments to oversee Diaspora affairs. Remittances by Africans abroad are second only to foreign direct investment in terms of value of financial transfers and investments in the continent. In 2010, remittances from Sub-Saharan Africa were US$29 billion and the 2011 estimate was US$31 billion. The 2012 remittances forecast was US$31 billion and are predicted to increase to US$33 billion in 2013 while the forecast for 2014 is US $36 billion. These remittances provide the much-needed finances for ensuring household security and alleviating poverty, improve access to formal financial sector services, and provide opportunity for family members to embark on self-financed projects and investments.
The African Diaspora, from Ghanaian doctors and nurses in Britain to Ethiopian medics and Sierra Leonean teachers here in the United States, is organizing pools of skilled personnel for interventions in the health and education sectors.
The African Diaspora has been pivotal in advocating for policies and actions beneficial to African peoples. During the armed conflict in Sierra Leone in the 1990s, the Diaspora was key in mobilizing support for peace and justice in our country. The African-American community in the United States—through the Congressional Black Caucus, the Constituency for Africa, Trans-Africa and the Diaspora African Women's Network—has been instrumental in lobbying for American legislation that benefits African countries.
But these remittances and investments, these transfers of skills, these advocacy for the continent need to be greatly structured and deepened to ensure optimal relevance to the social, political and economic renaissance of Africa and the African Diaspora.
We may need to map out the African Diaspora and create databases that capture the varying demographics, skills and other relevant statistics for effective designing and implementation of policies relating to the African Diaspora.
We may also want to look into the creation of a Pan-African Diaspora Commission charged with the responsibility of designing continent and Diaspora wide frameworks, engagement policies, programs and projects. The African Union has commenced the process; we may therefore need to further engage the Union with a view to publicizing and mobilizing the necessary financial, human and logistical resources to ensure success. We may, in view of this, want to create a Volunteer Diaspora Corps, similar to what we have in the Peace Corps, to design organize and implement schemes for Diaspora volunteering, transfer of skills, and experience sharing.
We may also need to revisit our citizenship and residency laws in ways that would optimize Diaspora participation in the political, social and economic revival of the continent. In Sierra Leone for example we have enacted a Dual Citizenship Act that confers citizenship on Sierra Leoneans who may be citizens of another country. We have conferred citizenship on an African American, Isaiah Washington whose DNA showed that his forbearers were from Sierra Leone. We are working on ensuring faster pathways to citizenship for the many hundreds of thousands of DNA Sierra Leoneans whose ancestors were forcibly removed from rice fields of Sierra Leone to the coasts of Georgia and other regions in the United States. We also need to extend citizenship to Africans in the Diaspora who, as the AU states are 'willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union.'
We may also need to institute combinations of initiatives that amongst others, lower the costs of transactions between Africa and its Diaspora, and aggregate Diaspora remittances and investments for optimal impact. This could be done, for example through preferential duty waivers and other concessions for Diaspora businesses; extension of formal banking opportunities and cheaper costs for financial transfers of members of the Diaspora, and the issuance of Diaspora bonds by African Governments. It is estimated that African Governments could raise billions of dollars annually through Diaspora bonds for development programs in the continent. Kenya and Ethiopia have already commenced the issuance of Diaspora bonds.
With growing competition in the African banking sector, we may also want to design policies that encourage commercial banks to expand their business to the Diaspora population by sourcing deposits from them and offering them mortgages and other services. A few banks have started the process. Expanding and strengthening these initiatives may allow the diaspora to hold money in local African banks, which gives the banks the ability to mobilize deposits for loans to the private sector for development.
We may also need to encourage the growth of private sector networks as effective means of establishing links to the diaspora. These may include investments in capital markets and modern communications technology, the establishment of investment funds, the creation of social media, and generation of literature, games and other cultural products that are informed by the memories and aspirations of our people.
We may need to strengthen cultural and intellectual exchanges between Africa and the Diaspora. This may include exchange programs between universities in Africa and historic African American institutions and the development of distance learning modules; organization of annual festivals involving the African Diaspora in the continent and the promotion of heritage tourism.
Heritage tourism will be a particularly educative and inspirational experience for people of African descent and all those committed to saying never again the horrors of slavery, convict lease, share-cropping or bonded labour; heritage tourism will spread the word about the resilience of people of African descent, the assertions of our humanity and will to happiness, the magnificence of our creations and the nobility of our collective aspirations. Heritage tourism is about visits and experiencing of sites in Africa and here in the Americas that are an integral part of the collective African heritage. The sites may include Gullah creations in Georgia, sacred sites of Africans in Brazil, the Caribbean and here in the United States; they include the chain of forts along West Africa, from Goree Island in Senegal to Bunce Island in Sierra Leone, Elmina Castle in Ghana and similar historic sites in Nigeria. They include sites of resistance in Southern Africa, the great walls of Zimbabwe, the historic buildings of Zanzibar, the game reserves of East Africa, the Churches of Ethiopia, the Mosques of Timbuktu, and more recent creations by people of African descent. We may need to create tourism companies dedicated to enhancing pan African memories and experiences, and to teaching the world about the trials, the resilience and achievements of our people.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Africa is on the move, and people of African descent, wherever they are, must be part of this revival. Harnessing the African Diaspora in building capacity in Africa is the only way we can sustain our revival. Harnessing the African Diaspora in building capacity in Africa is the only way we can give practical relevance to the narrative of our common ancestry, our historic resilience, and our aspirations for a better world through a better Africa, an Africa that is strong, democratic, prosperous and a greater light on the peoples of the world.
I thank you for your attention."


Happy pre Independence Day Sierra Leone

Brymo - Nothing's Ever Promised Tomorrow

Friday 22 April 2016

Thursday 21 April 2016

5 reasons to like Marcus Garvey

1. Marcus Garvey born in St Ann Jamaica, did not allow his humble beginnings to impact on his ability to dream big, aspire to great things and pursue those dreams and aspirations. From the tiny Island of Jamaica, to world renown icon.

2. Marcus understood the power of rhetoric and symbolism, and used them both to his superb advantage, with his flag ( which later inspired the Ghanaian national flag) and uniforms effectively attracting millions of people who were committed to his Panafrican philosophy. Known as Garveyites, many of those members went on to form the Rastafarian movement. [click] [click]


3. Marcus was born in Jamaica. But Marcus considered himself to be an 'African'. Marcus fought against colonialism, and did not succumb to islandism or tribalism. He wanted the world to know and understand that although born in Jamaica, he was of African stock. Marcus understood, what many are yet to discover, whether home or abroad... Marcus understood the African Diaspora.

4. He dreamed big. His fleet of ships ( 1919 - 1923) may not have reached their destination ( Africa) but... he tried. [click]


5. Garvey was set to travel to Liberia, with the West African country being his intended base of operations. Yet it was scuppered by WEB Dubois
(fellow African) who it's reported wasn't too keen on Garvey's flamboyant ways and grand speeches, It's reported that he was jealous of Garvey's popularity despite his own success, and is said to have badmouthed Garvey enough to have his investors retract their investment. Some claim the rivalry was simply classism and colourism.


Despite this... I've not read any report of Garvey ever badmouthing Dubois.

Do you have any particular reasons why you like Marcus Garvey?

Inspired by Garvey ships... Fred Locks.. ( 1976)

Song of the day - Emmerson - Survivor

Yep.. my favourite Salone singer
Emmerson - 'voice for the voiceless'

pst..you're never really voiceless..

Top 5 reggae dancehal themes

It's been said often enough that our music/songs reflect our communities, cultures, and individualism, but in the main I believe that it chronicles our lives, and is the greatest ever story teller.
On that note.. there are a few common reoccurring themes in dance-hall reggae

Are these the issues that blight the development in these areas?
Is it that simple?

Whatever the multinational politics.. we have to learn to live well together
Yet I guess that when you have a group of sufferers for example.. the 'crab in a barrel' mentality tends to kick in unfortunately
They want out too Vershion!... that's all .. it's not personal

even when it appears to be

Top 5?

Number 5 - Badman/gangsterism
Number 4 - Sex
Number 3 - Poverty
Number 2 - Friends/loyalty


and number 1? - Bad mind aka (Envy)

..."so when you have money, gwarn like you have none.. make dem believe you're broke..."

Enjoy.. and have a blessed day everyone Xx

Sunday 17 April 2016

Clearing - day 2 ft Popcaan - Feel Good

It took awhile to get my motivation up this morning. But after a trip to the shops.. I begun..

I created a small square patch for potatoes..


and another for the other veg.. on the right


then I sowed grass seeds..


Whilst most people sings hymns on a Sunday...for some reason it was this song that really kept me going.. and I found myself singing along to the chorus :)
It's the riddim... It gets you moving
Hmmm.. what WILL the neighbours say...


Okay.. If you don't like rude/sexy lyrics.. don't press play
* don't say I didn't warn you*



All in all, today was okay..chilly.. but okay

Have a lovely evening... x

Me after a long day..


Sunday vibes - Satta Massagana - Give thanks

The road is not always smooth..
yes, it can be rough,
unyielding,
you may feel lost,
confused,
eager for a clearer path.
But the path does become clearer
sooner.. or later
and remember...
..the sweetest part of the coconut .. is inside ( but it takes a little effort and work to get to it)

It's a beautiful Sunday
The sun is shining, and I'm ready to continue my mission


This was a big big hit here for Capleton



It's the Satta Massagana riddim for those who are thinking... 'I know that tune'



Keeping with the theme of roads..
here is a nice tune for your Sunday pleasure

Saturday 16 April 2016

Day 1 - Clearing - ft Jah Cure - Show Love

There was a lot to do out back, far more than I had realized.
A daunting task ...


So much so I was tempted to quit before I begun...


But... I got on with it...



and I'm glad that I did...


Just need to finish up the sides prepare and get planting tomorrow
Late dinner now..

Okay .. now I Love this song

My favourite singalong

"let me love you and squeeze you feel you show love [more] than anyone ever show love.. in your life.."
Wooo..Jah Cure....beautiful lyrics


Have a great evening x
Goodnight.. signing out.



Song of the day - Kelissa - Best Kept Secret

Happy Saturday
Music to work to, garden to chill to and enjoy

Friday 15 April 2016

Friday Fire.. Ras Zacharri feat. Lutan Fyah - With Jah We Stand

I'll admit I didn't know of Ras Zacharri until now, I know Lutan Fyah so that brought me to this
Nice tune
Nice rhythm (love the sax) and Lutan ( alongside Jah Vinci) is one of my favourite Reggae voices at the moment ( DJs/singjays)

Good roots tune

"With Jah, we stand, he makes us strong, no matter what still a bun babylon cause dem a vampire..
"

Friday love x



I previewed this tune not too long ago but I wanted to post the video. ( so feel free to skip)
Is it just me or is the Caribbean exceptionally beautiful all year round..
Maybe it's the sunshine, the water, the green.. that natural vibes...
On that note I got myself to B&Q last night, so I'm set to creative my own little piece of the Caribbean .. right in my back yard.
Cost a bit.
Packing the stuff in the boot I said.. " did we really pay that much... for 'dirt'?!"
Lol
Anyway.. food must grow.. and I must learn
If I take good care, I'll not have to re - buy.. just continue to build

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Africa Today - On Pan Africanism ( 2014 debate)



Mali Music - Fight For You

The lyrics of this song are outstanding imho..
Tell them Sir.
Have no-one in your team who wont fight for you.. know what I mean?
Either that.. or be the best darn fighter you can be anyway.. sure...you-fight-for-you.


Sunday 10 April 2016

Infinite Waters - Can a person really be too nice?



I can relate to the heavy energy expenditure.. that's true
Yes it's very important to take time for yourself
Yep, making sure that smile is genuine baby ..

Happy Sunday x

Saturday 9 April 2016

Bisa Kdei – KaKape

Over to Ghana
love the guitar riff, and the overall simplicity of the rhythm
Another voice that never disappoints

Bisa..
and that folks.. is my Saturday round-up

[Song Info]


The smile of a child. ft Jamaican Smurf meets Chipmunks Zabz TV

The smile of a child Is a joy to behold

Singing away at the top of their squeaky voices I was half wondering how much longer I'd have to endure it but then I looked over at little man who was totally absorbed in it with a look of pure joy on his face

How lovely to find such joy in a sweet cartoon
Oh to be a child huh

Made me smile just watching him
Alvin & the Chipmunks the movie


Not a song from the movie but nicely done heehee... 'Hello'...



**

..and for the adults

Wanna be Loved - Morgan Herutage

His voice.. never disappoints
Nice one Peetah..hotter fire.. tune

Great vid

Romain Virgo - Fade Away [Acoustic]

Love the visuals :)

Friday 8 April 2016

Christopher Martin - Is it Love

" Is it Love
That keeps you on my mind
Is it love
Why I want you all the time
Is It Love
Are these feelings signs
Is this love real love that others have searched so hard to find.."


Song of the day - Bugle - Pray Everyday

Lutan Fyah - Feel like Skank

Solidstar ft. Davido - Wait

Chilling with Sheikhs ft YCEE - OMO ALHAJI



I remember reading last year about the problems that were being faced by Sierra Leonian women who were recruited to work as domestics in Kuwait but were treated as slaves.


I'm not suggesting that this abuse is anything new, but I've noticed an increasing trend in featuring men dressed as Arabs or Sheikhs in African music videos.

For some this look represents ( or symbolises) money, (Riches)
Of course!

For others... oppression.
Africans have been touted as slaves to Arabs for so long I guess at some point the servant would want to become the master
Perhaps.
Do I like it.. creatively?.. I get it
Politically?, not so sure
Culturally? I get it
From a Pan African perspective? I get it
I just feel that until black Africans are given the respect they deserve as human beings, this symbol of so called wealth needs no further promoting

Kenyan maid being attacked by alleged Saudi Employer


Having said all that. There's a reason why those women left Sierra Leone for Kuwait in the 1st place.
Opportunity.


Perhaps the story got little coverage because women's rights 'at home' needs alot of improvement
Love the tune though..
Just a thought or two...

A peek into ' Infinite Waters'

Quite like this guy, fresh and fun
Happy Friday x

Wednesday 6 April 2016

Connecting the African Diaspora - "Ambition never comes to an end" - Kenneth Daunda

"The power which establishes a state is violence; the power which maintains it is violence; the power which eventually overthrows it is violence".
Quote KK




"There are (numerous) reasons why African leaders need to be more strategic in cultivating a relationship with the diaspora." - KK

I wonder why this simple task has proven so difficult
A task surely fit for any 'Ministry for tourism culture and diaspora'

April born Kenneth Kaunda..
Zambia's 1st President, who led the country to independence in 1964 from colonial rule



With remittances to Africa reportedly over $40bn

The African diaspora is a powerful force.
Proving to be no joke.

The question of.. 'where does it go?'.. however, Is a very good one [click]

Monday 4 April 2016

Nice pic - Reggae greats - Beres Hammond & Jah Cure


Beres...



Song of the day - P-Square - Eyes

..windows to the soul...

Patrick Obahiagbon Cartoon [ Buni TV]

Don't ask me how I came across this..
last night I just found myself checking out what he's been up to and got distracted by this....
As one does from time to time :) ...

Lyrics



T20 Champions 2016 - West Indies

Amazing scenes
I'm not even big on cricket ( used to follow a bit awhile back) but this got my attention for sure [click]

Well done West Indies!
Opps.. I remember the Norman Tebbit Cricket test thing... sorry

Windies Captain Darren Sammy



T20 Champions 2016


Back to best?


Congratulations guys ..
West Indies you Rock!


Miss Dawnay's Village

Notice the name...

I can honesty say that if I had the £20 million I would buy the village [click]
you can spend that on one single house - minus land

don't ask me why I looked into this, but then I noticed what looked like my name :)

Still, someone will surely snap that up


'even if you no get it o, no get it o , never forget to say papa I thank you
always be thankful

'and if you to get it o, to get it o never forget to say.. papa I thank you..'

Yemi....



God morning (no mistake)

Sunday 3 April 2016

What does it mean. to be post-colonial..?.

What does it mean to be post-colonial?
Is it truly behind us now?
Have the minds of the colonized ceased to be colonized with the raising of a flag and a song in thier hearts?
What does it mean to be post- colonial?
To seek and admire the colonizer still
To seek his approval and continue his work
To retain chiefdoms and tribes designed to distort or prescribe a set of rules to maintain..
the colonizers power
What does it mean to be post-colonial?

That the face of the colonizer has changed or perhaps become invisible?
That we are free?
What does it mean Africa..?
To be post colonial...

Yemi Alade - Ferrari

Sweet melody
Money = love huh Yemi?
Guess so these days:)
There's a strong cultural bias to that of course.. some women would be offended
'i'm not a prostitute!'.. I can hear them say
I tell you something how we spend our cash can be a strong indication of what we love and value that's for sure
when the children were small I spent most of my money on them, music classes, drama, basic stuff.. that and music galore for me.. and clothes

love you girl
Great production.. sounds like a hit

I wouldn't turn down a Ferrari either my dear.. but I do prefer Bentleys or the RR of course

I simply don't know

'Y has a long tail and W has none'...
I remember being told as a child whenever I asked a question.. not deemed worthy of an answer
'Y... has a long tail'..
Did I listen?.. no. In fact it made me more determined.. to know

Perhaps I should have listened.. should have heard.. understood even
That the answer in fact was, that... 'sometimes in life you get no answers'
not because there are none, not quite
but because those who hold the keys to the lock, the answers, may simply decide to deny you entry
For reasons best known only, to them..
deciding you not worthy of truth
knowledge
understanding
respect
honesty
a recipient of...
our moral code


Perhaps the intention is not to deny but to shield..
you see, truth remains a vulnerable stance
you become accountable
To attempt to live by truth requires commitment, faith integrity trust
to bare ones soul..
as I said.. a vulnerable stance

Yet in relity truth requires strength
Truth.. is for the bold..
the brave

I wonder, does the universe look on in contempt at the search for truth?
knowing that all is revealed in time?
trust not in questions or answers
but in the universal order
that things will right itself


karma?
I don't know
The universe has alot to do

Still...the attempts to camouflage truth remain dire
Yes, Y, has a long tail

But questions are relentless.. and the search for answers continue regardless
To seek redress is a human need
A basic human right..
To seek out and receive, justice
Y.. [click]

Is it ever acceptable to say.. 'W has none?'
I think not
But those intent on denying the truth will continue
A gutless heartless stance
unless of course, their moral code takes centre stage
Good and evil .. remain two sides of the same coin
Perfection non existent

Yet someone knows the truth
and that.. is true.
We are supposed to take care of each other
Y do we seemingly forget...
Y has a long tail and W has none...
Thank you... I'll remember that







Straightforward Sunday Selection ft J. Martins ft. Phyno & Ycee - Ten Ten - Davido, JoshBeatz - Poka & Burnaboy - Rizzla



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Interesting vid



Have a nice day