African culture or stories of their lives are touching and influential as delivered through an unlimited range of media. It could be literature, plays or films, but for me it’s music. The most popular genre with African significance is definitely rapping. These songs normally touch on controversial topics including the hardships African Americans encounter in such a predominantly white country. With that being said, the birth of rap served as a source of light and entertainment for the people, most especially those that have struggled throughout the years.
This infectious positivity, surprisingly, can be seen from any other forms of African music, traditional to contemporary! Looking at the song “Whoman Woman”, published in 2018 by Efya, a new modern point of view - a nod to feminine contribution in a man’s world and African culture - is beautifully played in harmony with very traditional elements of African music.
Efya’s MV is filled with the exciting rhythm of percussion instruments - a signature aspect of African music, and the gracious sound of Kalimba interwoven from the very beginning. Adding to this, it shows a marketplace scene in Ghana - where Efya comes from. Efya has chosen the marketplace as the basis of her song as it involves a lot of women in the workplace. They host vendors, sew clothes, carry heavy buckets and boxes without the help of a man or just wander off the roads to buy herself some new jewelry and work on selfcare. Regardless, fertility was the most praised factor in the song.
Who born your grandpa? Woman
Who born your father? Woman
Eh treat her nice
It reasons the song’s title “Whoman Woman”, which means “Who [is a] man, Without a woman”. As the song’s melody continues to mesmerize the ears, its grand message, though delivered via simple words, fascinates the mind. The word “man” to me is not only a male person but a human being, humanity rather, who often forget the vital, but silenced role of this one half of the population.
On top of speaking up for female contribution , the artist’s choice of setting and language it is written in, gives international audiences an idea of how a day of an African person r would look like without the impact of racism and other forms of oppression. It was the first moment that I saw Africa this gorgeous.
Diversity in cultures and races is just as treasurable as female contribution! Like how ceremonial melodies are sustained as a crucial part in most African songs and music, the Culture Club will continue to bring to you the celebration of all beautiful things from every corner of the world.
Works cited
The birth of rap: A look back. (2007, February 22). NPR. https://choice.npr.org/index.html?origin=https://www.npr.org/2007/02/22/7550286/the-birth-of-rap-a-look-back
Efya. (n.d.). Ghana Web. https://www.ghanaweb.com/validate_user.php?url=%2Fperson%2FEfya-1262
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