The Voices of Revolutio

n and Unity

Rise Up

Partner VoicesWhat comes to mind when you think of African Music?

What do you know about Reggae Music?

Why, and in what ways, do humans react to music?

Genres: Apala, Benga, Chimurenga, Fuji, Gnawa, Iscathamiya, Jit, Kwassa

Kwassa, Kwela, Baka, Salegy, Marrabenta, Morna, Rai,

Wassoulou, Sega, and so many more…

Baka- (Central Republic) Vocal; improvisation’ repetitive melody- Used ritually for healing, initiations, ceremony

Maloya- Pure Percussion/ Chant and Response / lyrical themes often slavery and poverty

Salegy (Madagascar)- High Energy, funk, call and response, drums, electric instruments: Used for celebration and victory

What about Reggae?

Reggae began in Jamaica-1950

Traveled globally; throughout Africa musicians claim it as their own- Why?

Easy to embed African Instruments into traditional temposSimilar to indigenous rhythms and beatsHas been the voice of unification, freedom, and revolutionUnited the people especially throughout Kenya and South Africa- Johannesburg.

Reggae Music & African Liberation

The linkages between reggae music and African liberation were evident during the Mau Mau struggle against British colonialism in Kenya and South Africa’s Apartheid Era

Mau MauKenya

Why Dreadlocks? Mau Mau revolutionaries - ordinary men and women.During movement’s progression, they decided to not cut their hair until Kenya was liberated from the White colonial settlers; photos of these long haired “dreads: reached Jamaica, and quickly the Rastafarian community adopted this form of resistance into their own passionate movement.

Reggae TodayReggae continues to be the music of the oppressed and revolution for men and women all over Africa

The lyrics offers hope in the continued African struggle to develop “Mother Africa”.

Reggae in South AfricaBob Marley visited Zimbabwe 1980 for the Independence Celebration Concert- South Africa took notice

Africa’s Reggae Icons: Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy, Tiken Jah all spoke out against Apartheid and other social justice inequalities.

Iconic Songs of Revolution South Africa- Lucky Dube

“We cry for peace, perfect peace Lord, we cry for love in this neighbourhood Let me tell you no water can put out this fire Only the lord can save us We cry for peace in South Africa Let me tell you we cry for peace in South Africa”

Alpha Blondy

“…America, America, America:I say break the neck of this apartheid.America, America, America:I say break the neck of this apartheid.

1939-1945: Nazi war in Europe.Today 1985: Declare our own rights in South Africa.

America, America, America:I say break the neck of this apartheid.America, America, America:You've got to break the neck of this apartheid…”

Tiken Jah Afica wants to be free

Like a lion in the jungleAfrica wants to be freeLike a bird in the skyIf you don't know if you don't You've got to knowMama Africa is not freeOh oh free ! Oh oh free !Mama Africa wants to be free

When I'm talking about freedomI'm talking about economical

Freedom When I'm talking about freedomI'm talking about political freedomIf you don't know yet if you don'tYou've got to knowMama Africa is not freeOh oh free ! Oh oh free !Mama Africa wants to be free

Have the Voices Been Heard?

Your Turn: Lyrics!Theme Related (Revolution, Unity, Freedom, etc)

Any Genre (Reggae, Blues, Hip-Hop, Country…)

Essentials: title, repeating chorus, 3 additional stanzas

3 literary devices (imagery, metaphor, symbolism, personification, allusion, repetition, etc.)

Related to South Africa- subtle is okay! We should be able to analyze lyrics and compare to S.A.

Art Work CD CoverRemember your theme: Freedom, Uprising, Unity, Revolution (or think of your own- I will approve it)

Lyrics will be imprinted on the inside of your CD Cover

Front of CD cover must include:- Decorations/Collage/Images related to your theme- Artist (your name)- Title of Album- Title of Song

Example Album Art

Today’s GoalsChoose Theme

Write Lyrics

Design and Create Album Cover (theme related)

Write Lyrics neatly in pen (or type up) on the inside

Make these awesome!

20 pts lyrics/ 20 pts CD cover artwork (40 points total)

DUE Tuesday 26th (next class)- Performance Tuesday

Partners? Performance Mandatory!