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

No one should be surprised we exist

The documentary film, ‘Rolé—Histórias dos Rolezinhos’ by Afro-Brazilian filmmaker Vladimir Seixas uses sharp commentary to expose social, political, and cultural inequalities within Brazilian society.

Kenya’s stalemate

A fundamental contest between two orders is taking place in Kenya. Will its progressives seize the moment to catalyze a vision for social, economic, and political change?

More than a building

The film ‘No Place But Here’ uses VR or 360 media to immerse a viewer inside a housing occupation in Cape Town. In the process, it wants to challenge gentrification and the capitalist logic of home ownership.