Jama'a, Sallamun Alaykum
I am starting this thread because it is sparkling new -- and in full stereo too! Also I want it to be a basis for providing feedback to subsequent activities that will follow.
I am sorry I have been rather absent, as Muhsin noted, but being an Almajiri, I am always on the road here and there. Further, most of the other discussions on this board are too heavy duty for me as I am completely ignorant of the issues being discussed. So unless it is musical, literary, dance, or filmic, you may not hear much of me -- which throws a challenge then, eh -- try to keep bringing them on!
I did not forget the Mecca II Medina concert which I promised at the Karamar Sallah Kukuma Rap. Scheduling conflicts made it impossible for us to hold the concert at the Babbar Sallah as initially promised. Remember, we are running the concerts in partnership with the British Council Kano, so things have to be streamlined to work out neatly for everyone.
But now I am very happy indeed to inform you all that the concert details have been finalized. Mecca II Medina are coming back, by popular demand, to perform three dates in Jos (Saturdy 10th February at Crest Hotel), Kaduna (Monday 12th February at Gamji Gate Theater) and a massive finale on Saturday 17th February at Kano British Council.
As with their concerts in 2005, they will also this time be accompanied by
Nasiru Garba Supa's Arewa -- the band of traditional Hausa musicians who play with kuluma, duman garke, kalangu, sarewa and a female on shantu. Mecca II Medina, being nasheed rappers, will overlay their lyrics on the kukuma ensemble music. It was truly magical the last time they did it, and I hope for a repeat performance.
To further spice up the evening at each venue, we have also employed the services of young local rappers as the opening acts of each evening. In Jos we have a combination of three local rap bands that call themselves Living Scroll. In Kaduna we have a dude who goes by the stage name of Buzun Kaduna (and dressing up in Tuareg gear to match, too, even though he is from Edo State!).
In Kano, we have
Billy-O (remember "Rainy Season") and
Shaba ("Naga Matata) as the support act. Many who attended the Kukuma Concert during Karamar Sallah might remember Billy-O as the leader of the pack of rappers that opened that concert. This gig will be less crowded, as only Billy-O and Shaba will be on the frontside of the stage. Any additional dancers and back up singers will have to be way out of the way!
As usual the evening will start with the support act (Billy-O and Shaba in Kano, and others as listed in other towns), followed by Arewa solo spot, then Mecca II Medina solo spot, an intermission for the usual Q&A, and then a finale jam session featuring Arewa and Mecca II Medina; and who knows, maybe Billy O.
We are holding a (rather closed
) interactive session between Mecca II Medina and a group of about 10 local rappers/what they call R&B, nasheed and Shai'rai) from Kano on Thursday 15th February, which will include a jam session at 3.00 p.m. Those who happen to be in the BC around the day (and time) may drop in to see things for themselves. The musicians assembled from the Kano region cut across all the genres, including, interestingly enough a pair of musicians who call themselves
PEACE -- using the synthesizer to build up Islamiyya type of songs in English, Hausa and Enghausa. Quite exciting, really. I have three of their demos and I am quite impressed with what I hear. They are Nazir Hausawa and Umar Gombe (who used to be a Hausa videofilm star, but now has migrated to music). I will see about uploading their samples at the download section of the site.
More significantly, however, we are holding an open
dialogue on Saturday 17th February where Mecca II Medina will address members of the audience about their music, their hopes and their aspirations in using music as a bridge to understanding in multicultural societies. You are welcome to drop by at 10 to 12 on Saturday 17th February.
We are hoping for two things to come out of this concert (beside people enjoying themselves!). First, would be a contract to be signed between Arewa and Mecca II Medina concerning recording deals. This is very exciting because it would mean that Kukuma Rap CD would be a reality in Virgin, HMV, Our Price, Tower and other stores across the world from New York to Hong Kong. Second, we hope that more collaborations could be possible between Mecca II Medina and other local musicians; at the same time, we hope for a horizontal collaboration among the local musicians themselves. So all told, things are looking kinda peachy, as we used to say back in the college days!
Now to the REAL news! I
have reserved 10 invitations to the 17th February concert for Kano Onliners at the Security Post of the BC in Kano (Emir's Palace Road, opposite Kano Printing Press) for anyone on this forum who may wish to attend. I am afraid due to other committments I may not follow the tour group to Jos and Kaduna, so I am not sure about those who wish to attend in these cities. If you do live in Jos or Kaduna, and wish to attend, let me know within THIS week so that I can arrange for where you can get your invitation.
Would love to send the invites to Hong Kong, but I am sure SHE would not be able to come (mysterious, wot is he talkin' abaht?
). However, HER kids can of course come. These invitations can be picked up from about Wednesday 14th February. If there are difficulties, please let me know BEFORE the concert day. And if you are coming (with your family -- mum, dad, sis (if you can stand her!), bro (if you can stand him!) make sure you are there at 7.00 p.m. to avoid the hordes who may try to come in without invites. If you are stuck at the gates, holla, and I will try to come and rescue you!
So let the discussions begin -- what would you want to be covered at the concert, what would you want us to avoid?
Abdalla
