Jama'a, Sallama
Thank you all for your encouraging comments about the concert. It warms the cockles of the heart to hear people positively commenting on these young talented musicians. Let me see if I could comment on some of the observations.
Gate/Tickets. We did make arrangments for tickets to be given to Kano Onliners and up to about 5 p.m. there were still about six unclaimed tickets. We had absolutely no idea that there was an issue of crowd control at the gate! In fact we had no idea that we are going to get such massive crowd turn-out! The "urchins/almajirai" used to normally hang out during these concerts. I think Sue Mace (the Director BC) was so overjoyed at the turnout that she said everyone can come in! We have noted this lapse and we will definitely take more care in the future! Sorry for the wahala all faced and the turerainiya!
Once factor that might have contributed to the huge turn-out was the fact that as a virtual Diplomatic Territory, the Britich Council can hold such cultural events relatively unrestricted. There was no way such concert can be held in any other public space in Kano (except possibly for Alliance Francaise Kano).
And Muhsin, it could not be because of your age (how OLD are you, not still in diapers I believe
Anyway, you have my number -- in future events, holla and I will be there! (with diet coke and samosa!)
I am glad those that the concert proper was enjoyed by those who attended. The boys of course would welcome sharp criticisms (latte drinker, anyone?) of their various performances. They were of course rought at the edges -- but don't forget this was their FIRST live performance in front of such an audience. Also it was their first performance TOGETHER as a group. We spent about a week practising before we could get them to synchronize their act.
The
K-Boys were unknown to us -- they followed Billy-O, who is the master rapper in Kano -- and begged to be given a slot. I thought, what the hell, let's see what you guys got; and it was good! Dig the crazy chains and Bruce Willis vests during the stage performance. Run DMC anyone?
As noted Billy-O was the natural bandleader -- carrying everyone along. I have obtained his hit, RAINY SEASON and I am uploading it tonight to the server. Oga Salisu is under the weather at the moment, but I am sure he will upload it by the weekend. I will also upload Kano Ryder's BAN CIN KWANTAN TSIRE which I promised. As I noted in my earlier posting, it is sampled on GHETTO LIFE by Lakal Kaney from Niamey.
Point noted about the custome -- I was in fact surprised when I saw Shaba and Billy-O in their "dudez with attitudez" hip-hop gear! We discussed with them about custome and they suggested they would wear "Fulani" dresses. Oh well, one for the next time, eh?
Arewa as a band was an artificial creation of the Connecting Futures program of the Britich Council for which I was the main consultant. Actually the concept of combinging disparate musicians together was mine, but the name Arewa was coined by BC simply because they want something that is easy to remember. The addition of the girl on Shantu (who is a professional Koroso dancer in her own right) is Gillian Belben's (former Director, BC) because she wanted a "female presence" in the band. And it worked! They have been all over the place, but basically to France (for a live World Music concert and record) and London for jam sessions with Mecca2Medina (see their action at l][/url]http://www.mecca2medina.com/front.htm
...but actually one of the outcomes was our thinking of recording the entire Kukuma Rap in a studio. So we have slated a Sunday to gather all the musos in Sulpha Studios Zoo Road and record about six or so tracks of Kukuma Rap, and about three hits by Billy-O -- Tibani, Rainy Season, Naga Matata, and possibly Shabaraz Koma Bayana! So watch this space.
I DO have my criticism of the concert! Our PA system sucks! There was too much equipment failure and false starts. I was embarassed for the K-Boys when the equipment failed as they bounced on the stage. Some of the traditional instruments DROWN others -- as pointed out, the Shantu could not be heard because it was drowned. Further, even the Kukuma musicians played their instruments rather too loud for RAP lyrics. The essence of rap is not so much the music, but the WORDS -- and as those who attended could attest, there was so much message and meaning, as well as amusement, in what they kids could do.
My hope is that I have been able to bring their talents to the wider, critical audience, and that the Kano State Government, through the History and Culture Bureau will sit up and listen -- as indeed the Executive Director promised to during the concert.
Well if you enjoyed this, watch out for another one -- bigger, etc. This is a planned jam session with Mecca2Medina during the Babbar Sallah with definitely Billy-O, Shaba, Arewa and who knows? Keep a date, and thanks for the encouragement to these guys (and galz!).
Abdalla" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://). The British Council gave them a grant to purchase their equipment and dress (would you believe, they had to BORROW the drums before!).
I agree with the observation that Nasiru was sticking too much to his father's stage sets, and I have repeatedly told him to chart his own progress. But I think he is just playing it safe; but I will work on him to improve his act.
I am glad also the Kukukma Rap (or as my friends across the border will put it, Rap Koukouma) "gelled" well! It was my creation and Shehu (yes, a "BIG man at BC) was the music director during the rehearsals. We are now editing the recordings (both video and audio) -- removing the noises and feeback etc. We will see what will happen...
...but actually one of the outcomes was our thinking of recording the entire Kukuma Rap in a studio. So we have slated a Sunday to gather all the musos in Sulpha Studios Zoo Road and record about six or so tracks of Kukuma Rap, and about three hits by Billy-O -- Tibani, Rainy Season, Naga Matata, and possibly Shabaraz Koma Bayana! So watch this space.
I DO have my criticism of the concert! Our PA system sucks! There was too much equipment failure and false starts. I was embarassed for the K-Boys when the equipment failed as they bounced on the stage. Some of the traditional instruments DROWN others -- as pointed out, the Shantu could not be heard because it was drowned. Further, even the Kukuma musicians played their instruments rather too loud for RAP lyrics. The essence of rap is not so much the music, but the WORDS -- and as those who attended could attest, there was so much message and meaning, as well as amusement, in what they kids could do.
My hope is that I have been able to bring their talents to the wider, critical audience, and that the Kano State Government, through the History and Culture Bureau will sit up and listen -- as indeed the Executive Director promised to during the concert.
Well if you enjoyed this, watch out for another one -- bigger, etc. This is a planned jam session with Mecca2Medina during the Babbar Sallah with definitely Billy-O, Shaba, Arewa and who knows? Keep a date, and thanks for the encouragement to these guys (and galz!).
Abdalla
